Game machine

Abstract

To improve maintenance properties of a polishing member for removing dirt by abutting on game balls.SOLUTION: In a lifting device 60V of a game machine 10, partition projecting parts 69 that mutually project in approaching directions are formed between an upper end part and a middle part in a vertical direction in a front end part of a pair of partition bulging parts 63B that exposes game balls passing through a guidance route 65 and bringing them into contact with a roller component 75. A roller member 71 cannot abut on game balls traveling an upper end part from a middle part in a vertical direction of the guidance route 65 from sideways by the pair of partition projecting parts 69. Accordingly, only the lower half o the roller member 71 is used for polishing balls and coating, and the roller member 71 is turned upside down and is installed on the lifting device 60V when a replacement period of the roller member 71 is reached.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to gaming machines. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional gaming machine is known in which a plurality of gaming balls are enclosed therein and the plurality of gaming balls are circulated for use in a game. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-014953 A (paragraphs

[0040] ,

[0041] , Figure 2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The conventional gaming machines described above are equipped with polishing members that come into contact with the gaming balls to remove dirt. However, as the polishing members become dirty or worn out, they are no longer able to properly remove dirt from the gaming balls, and so there is a demand for improved maintainability, such as the ability to replace the polishing members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention of claim 1, made to solve the above problem, is an amusement machine that uses a plurality of gaming balls by itself, and is equipped with a polishing member that comes into contact with the gaming balls to remove dirt, the polishing member having a contactable portion on the surface facing the gaming balls that is capable of coming into contact with the gaming balls, and a non-contactable portion that is not capable of coming into contact with the gaming balls. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the gaming machine of the present disclosure, if the contactable portion of the polishing member that comes into contact with the game ball when facing the game ball to polish it becomes worn or becomes dirty, for example, the contactable portion can be switched to a non-contactable portion of the polishing member whose surface facing the game ball cannot come into contact with the game ball, thereby allowing the polishing member to continue to be used in an appropriate state, thereby allowing the polishing member to be used efficiently over a long period of time and improving the maintainability of the polishing member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] A front view of the gaming machine body with the gaming board fitted in [Diagram 3] Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine [Figure 4] Exploded view of the launch unit [Diagram 5] An exploded view of the ball recovery path and its surroundings located at the bottom of the gaming machine [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the launch ball guide [Figure 7] Rear view of the recovery section [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of the recovery section [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 10] A perspective view of the lifting device [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 12] An exploded perspective view of the lifting device components. [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 14] Side cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 16] Cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 17] Exploded view of roller member [Figure 18] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the roller member [Figure 19] Perspective view of the upper part of the cleaning mechanism [Figure 20] Side cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 21] Flowchart of the maintenance timing identification program [Figure 22] A side view of a lifting device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 23] Front view of the partition bulge area [Figure 24] A cross-sectional plan view of a lifting device according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 25] Front view of the lifting device according to the sixth embodiment [Figure 26] Cross-sectional view of the lifting device [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a lifting device according to a modified example. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of a roller member according to a modified example. [Figure 29] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view of a roller member according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a gaming machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 21. The gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine, and as shown in Fig. 1, has a front door 10Z on the front side, and a game area R1 formed on the front side of a game board 11 can be seen through a glass window 10W formed on the front door 10Z. In the following description, the side of the gaming machine 10 closer to the player is referred to as the "front side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "rear side", and the "right side" and "left side" of the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side of the player will be simply referred to as the "right side" and "left side".

[0009] 2, the game area R1 is formed by being surrounded on all four sides by guide rails 12 protruding from the front surface of the game board 11. The game ball launched from the launching unit 31 passes through the ball guide path 17 formed by the guide rails 12 on the left side of the game board 11 and enters the game area R1 from an entrance 12K located near the upper end.

[0010] A display opening 11H is formed through the center of the game area R1 of the game board 11, and a display screen 13G of the display device 13 faces forward through this display opening 11H. Various effects related to the game are displayed on the display screen 13G of the display device 13.

[0011] A display decoration frame 23 is attached to the opening edge of the display opening 11H. The display decoration frame 23 is fitted into the display opening 11H from the front side of the game board 11 and protrudes from the front of the game board 11, and prevents the game balls flowing down the game area R1 from entering inside the display decoration frame 23.

[0012] A stage 24 on which the game balls can roll is formed at the lower side of the display decoration frame 23. Three discharge sections 24A capable of discharging the game balls one by one are formed at the bottom end of the stage 24. A warp path 24R is formed at the left side of the display decoration frame 23, which receives the game balls flowing down the game area R1 and guides them to the stage 24. The game balls that pass through the warp path 24R are released from the left end of the stage 24, roll on the stage 24, and flow down from the discharge sections 24A to the bottom of the display decoration frame 23.

[0013] Below the display decoration frame 23, the first and second start winning openings 14A, 14B are arranged vertically. Specifically, the first start winning opening 14A is arranged directly below the middle discharge section 24A of the three discharge sections 24A. A start gate 18 is provided on the right side of the display decoration frame 23. A large winning opening 15 is provided on the lower right side of the display decoration frame 23, that is, on the right side of the first and second start winning openings 14A, 14B. In addition to the start winning openings 14A, 14B and the large winning opening 15, the game area R1 is provided with a plurality of general winning openings 20. Although not shown, a plurality of obstacle nails are distributed throughout the game area R1.

[0014] The start gate 18 has a gate-shaped structure through which the game ball can pass. When the game ball passes through the start gate 18, a normal symbol hit determination is performed.

[0015] The first start winning opening 14A has a pocket structure that opens upward, while the second start winning opening 14B opens forward and is opened and closed by an opening door 14T. The opening door 14T is usually placed in a closed position that blocks the second start winning opening 14B, and is placed in an open position that opens the second start winning opening 14B when the normal pattern hit judgment is made.

[0016] When a game ball enters the start winning hole 14A, 14B, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls, and a special symbol hit / miss judgment is performed. The judgment result is displayed as a combination of special symbols 13A, 13B, 13C on the display screen 13G of the display device 13. Then, if the judgment result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment is a hit, a big win game is executed.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the display screen 13G usually displays three special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C, left, center, and right, side by side in a stopped state. Each of these special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C is composed of a plurality of types of symbols, for example, numbers "0" to "11", and a predetermined type of each of the special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C is usually displayed in a stopped state. Then, when a game ball enters the first and second start winning holes 14A and 14B, these three special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C are scrolled up and down, and after a predetermined time, the special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C are displayed in a stopped state in the order of, for example, left, right, and center. If the result of the judgment is a hit (hereafter referred to as a "jackpot"), the special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C are all displayed as the same symbol (double number), and the game transitions to a "jackpot game state." On the other hand, if the result of the judgment is a miss, a combination other than a double number is displayed, and the normal game state, which is not a "jackpot game state," continues.

[0018] The big prize opening 15 is open to the front of the game board 11 and has a horizontally long shape, and is normally closed by a movable door 15T. Then, when the "big win game state" is reached as described above, the movable door 15T falls forward to open the big prize opening 15, and the game ball can enter the big prize opening 15 using the movable door 15T as a guide. When a game ball enters the big prize opening 15, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls.

[0019] The general winning opening 20 has a pocket structure that is open on the upper side, and when a game ball enters the general winning opening 20, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls.

[0020] All game balls that do not enter any of the above-mentioned winning holes 14A, 14B, 15, and 20 are taken into a plurality of outlets 16 provided at the lower end of the game area R1.

[0021] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called sealed gaming machine in which a predetermined number of gaming balls (for example, 40 to 49 balls) are sealed inside. When the launch handle 28 (see FIG. 1) provided at the lower right corner of the front door 10Z is rotated, the gaming balls sealed inside the machine are launched one by one by the launch unit 31, and as described above, they pass through the ball guide path 17 of the game board 11 and enter the game area R1 from the entrance 12K. All of the launched gaming balls are collected through the ball collection path 40 regardless of whether they have won the winning holes 14A, 14B, 15, and 20, and are returned to the launch unit 31 by the lifting device 60. The ball collection path 40 and the lifting device 60 will be described in detail later. In this way, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the gaming balls inside are used cyclically.

[0022] In this embodiment, since the game balls enclosed in the machine are circulated, the actual game balls are not lent out, but the number of game balls according to the amount of the loan is stored. Therefore, a card unit 26 (see FIG. 3) is arranged next to the gaming machine 10. The card unit 26 has a card insertion port into which a card is inserted, and performs information processing such as reading and writing about the player's balls (game balls owned by the player) and the like for the card inserted into the card insertion port. Specifically, the number of balls held by the player is written to the card as the number of balls stored in the card. In addition, the number of balls stored in the card written in the card is read. The card unit 26 also has a bill insertion port for lending game balls with cash, and the remaining balance information can also be written to the card.

[0023] A ball management unit 19 is provided at the center of the lower part of the front door 10Z of the gaming machine 10 (see FIG. 1). The ball management unit 19 displays the number of balls owned by the player, the remaining amount of cash inserted into the bill insertion slot of the card unit 26 that has not been used to lend gaming balls, and the like. The player can operate the ball management unit 19 to set some of the balls stored in the card as gaming machine side balls that can be consumed in the gaming machine 10, or lend gaming balls from the cash inserted into the bill insertion slot. A maintenance notification lamp 53, which will be described later, is provided to the right of the ball management unit 19.

[0024] The launch unit 31 is also provided with a launch ball sensor 31S that detects game balls launched by the launch unit 31, and a return ball sensor 36S that detects game balls that were launched by the launch unit 31 but did not reach the game area R1 (see FIG. 3). When a game ball is detected by the launch ball sensor 31S, the number of detected game balls is subtracted from the number of balls stored on the game machine side, and when a game ball is detected by the return ball sensor 36S, the number of detected game balls is added to the number of balls stored on the game machine side. When a game ball enters each winning hole 14A, 14B, 15, 20, it is detected by each winning sensor 25 (see FIG. 3), and the number of game balls corresponding to the winning is added to the number of balls stored on the game machine side.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the entirety of the gaming machine body 30 except for some parts. The game board 11 is fitted into the gaming machine body 30, and the launching unit 31 is provided below the game board 11 on the front surface of the gaming machine body 30. The launching unit 31 is disposed in the center of the front surface of the gaming machine body 30 in the left-right direction, and launches a game ball toward the game area R1 in response to a rotation operation of the launching handle 28 (see FIG. 1). On the left side of the launching unit 31, a launched ball guide section 36 is provided to guide the game ball launched from the launching unit 31 to the ball guide path 17 on the game board 11. A front door 10Z (see FIG. 1) is rotatably connected to one side (left side when viewed from the front) of the gaming machine body 30. That is, FIG. 2 is substantially the same as a front view of the gaming machine 10 with the front door 10Z open.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the launch unit 31 is mainly composed of a launch device 31A and a ball supply device 31B. Specifically, the launch unit 31 is formed by assembling parts such as the ball supply device 31B, the launch rail 31R, the striking hammer 34, and a launch motor (not shown) to the base plate 33 of the launch device 31A. The ball supply device 31B takes in the game balls sent from the lifting device 60 through a supply port 33K formed through the base plate 33, and supplies the game balls one by one onto the launch rail 31R. The striking hammer 34 extends vertically at the center position of the base plate 33, and the game balls supplied onto the launch rail 31R are received by the ball receiving member 35. The launch motor is driven by rotating the launch handle 28, and the striking hammer 34 rotates by receiving the driving force of the launch motor. When the striking hammer 34 rotates and is disposed at the striking position, the striking hammer 34 bounces off the game balls received by the ball receiving member 35. As a result, the game balls are launched diagonally upward along the launch rail 31R. The ball supply device 31B is equipped with a launched ball sensor 31S (not shown in FIG. 4) that counts the game balls supplied onto the launch rail 31R.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the launch ball guide section 36 has a flat box shape that opens to the rear and has a base plate 36A arranged parallel to the game board 11 and a plurality of protruding walls 36B that extend rearward from the base plate 36A and abut against the collection section 43 described later, and these protruding walls 36B form a passage between the base plate 36A and the collection section 43. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the launch passage 37 allows the game balls launched diagonally upward along the launch rail 31R to enter the ball guide path 17 of the game board 11, a first return passage 38A that collects game balls that do not reach the game area R1 due to a weak launch force and return back along the ball guide path 17, and a second return passage 38B that collects game balls that do not reach the ball guide path 17. The first and second return passages 38A and 38B join at the lower end and are guided to the rear side of the collection section 43 from a return ball receiving section 43K formed through the collection section 43. In addition, the aforementioned return ball sensor 39 is provided at the joining portion of the first and second return passages 38A, 38B, and counts the gaming balls that have passed through the first and second return passages 38A, 38B.

[0028] After entering the game area R1, the game ball enters each winning opening 14A, 14B, 15, 20 or the outlet 16, and is guided to the lower end of the game board 11 by a recovery duct guide path (not shown) arranged at the rear of the game board 11. The recovery duct guide path is connected to each winning opening 14A, 14B, 15, 20 and the outlet 16, and discharges the game ball toward a recovery duct 40 that opens upward below the game board 11 (see FIG. 5). The recovery duct 40 is connected to a ball recovery path 41.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2, a flat box-shaped collection section 43 that is disposed substantially parallel to the game board 11 and opens to the rear is fitted into the gaming machine body 30 below the game board 11 and behind the launch unit 31 and the launched ball guide section 36. A plate-shaped cover section 42 shown in Fig. 5 is attached to the rear surface of the collection section 43, and a collection duct 40 and a ball collection path 41 are formed between the collection section 43 and the cover section 42 by a plurality of protruding walls 43T protruding from the rear surface of the collection section 43.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a pair of protruding walls 43T at the upper end form a pair of inclined surfaces 40S that slope downward from both the left and right ends toward the center, and this pair of inclined surfaces 40S form the recovery duct 40.

[0031] A ball recovery passage 41 is formed below the recovery duct 40. The ball recovery passage 41 has a first guide surface 41A extending downward from an opening 40K formed between a pair of inclined surfaces 40S and further extending diagonally downward to a position near one end in the left-right direction (the left end when viewed from the front), a second guide surface 41B extending downward from the first guide surface 41A and further extending diagonally downward to a center position in the left-right direction and having a steep slope at the lower end, and a third guide surface 41C extending diagonally downward from the second guide surface 41B to the other end (the right end when viewed from the front). The game balls that flow down to the third guide surface 41C are discharged to the rear of the cover part 42 from a recovered ball discharge part 42K (see FIG. 5) formed through the cover part 42. The collected ball discharge section 42K is connected to the ball inlet 60A (see FIG. 9) of the lifting device 60, and all game balls that flow down the game area R1 are collected by the recovery duct 40 and sent to the lifting device 60 through the ball recovery path 41. The second guide surface 41B is equipped with a ball recovery sensor 44 that detects game balls, making it possible to manage the number of game balls circulating inside the machine.

[0032] In addition, below the second guide surface 41B, a return ball guide surface 45 extends along the second guide surface 41B. The return ball guide surface 45 merges with the third guide surface 41C at its lower end. The upper end of the return ball guide surface 45 communicates with the return ball receiving portion 43K formed through the recovery portion 43. As a result, the return ball that was shot by the launching unit 31 but was collected by the first return passage 38A or the second return passage 38B of the shot ball guide portion 36 due to its weak launching force also passes through the ball recovery path 41 and is sent to the lifting device 60.

[0033] Next, the lifting device 60 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 9, the lifting device 60 is fixed to the right end of the back surface of the cover part 42. As shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the lifting device 60 is provided with a screw 62 extending in the vertical direction, a gutter member 63 surrounding the game ball together with the screw 62, and a motor 64 for rotating the screw 62 in a box-shaped case 61 with an open front. The gutter member 63 has a pair of gutter wall parts 63A facing each other in the left-right direction, and is disposed in the right region of the case 61. The gutter wall part 63A has a length in the front-rear direction of about 2 / 3 to 4 / 5 of the length of the case 61 in the front-rear direction, and a pair of partition bulging parts 63B are formed in the center part in the front-rear direction, bulging inward so as to approach each other and extending in the vertical direction. The pair of partition bulges 63B approach each other toward the front, are curved to receive a game ball between them, and the width between the front ends is such that the game ball cannot pass through. Also, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the lower end of the gutter member 63 is provided with a front wall portion 63C that connects the front ends of the pair of gutter wall portions 63A, and a rear wall portion 63D that connects the rear ends of the pair of gutter wall portions 63A.

[0034] The screw 62 has a shape in which a helical blade 62B protrudes from a central shaft 62A, and is disposed in a space between a pair of partition bulges 63 and a rear wall portion 63D of the gutter member 63. The screw 62 also has an extrusion piece 62C at its upper end that protrudes radially from the central shaft 62A so as to connect the upper end of the blade 62B to a position directly below it. The upper end of the central shaft 62A of the screw 62 has a circular cross section and is received in a shaft receiving portion 61E (see FIG. 10) of the case 61, while the lower end of the central shaft 62A of the screw 62 has a square cross section and is fixed to a screw gear 62G. This screw gear 62G is connected to a drive gear 64G of a motor 64 (see FIG. 10) via a plurality of connecting gears 64R (see FIG. 13), and the screw 62 rotates by receiving power from the motor 64.

[0035] 11 and 14, the area surrounded by the screw 62 and the partition bulge 63B of the pair of gutter wall portions 63A is the guide path 65 through which the game ball passes. The game ball that enters the lower end of the guide path 65 is positioned in the left-right direction by the pair of gutter wall portions 63A, and rises as the portion of the blade 62B that protrudes into the guide path 65 rises due to the rotation of the screw 62. Then, when the game ball that has been raised by the blade 62B reaches the upper end of the guide path 65, it is pushed out to the side (to the upper passage 61B described next) by the push-out piece 62C.

[0036] The lifting device 60 is provided with a lower passage 61A (see FIG. 13) that connects the front end of the lifting device 60 to the lower end of the guide path 65, and an upper passage 61B (see FIG. 15) that connects the upper end of the guide path 65 to the front end of the lifting device 60. In detail, as shown in FIG. 13, the case 61 has an opposing wall 61A1 fixed to the lower end of the right side of the gutter member 63, sandwiching one game ball between them. The rear end of the opposing wall 61A1 is curved to the left. As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a notch 63A1 is formed in the center of the lower end of the right gutter wall portion 63A, and the lower passage 61A continues into the gutter member 63. The gutter member 63 is also provided with opposing walls 63E that face each other in the front-rear direction, and the lower passage 61A is formed between the gutter member 63 and the opposing wall 61A1 and between the opposing walls 63E. The opening at the front end of this lower passage 61A serves as a ball inlet 60A through which game balls enter the lifting device 60.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 15, above the partition bulge 63B in the left gutter wall 63A, a passage surface 61B1 is provided, through which the game ball that reaches the upper end of the guide path 65 can roll to the left. The passage surface 61B1 extends leftward from the upper end of the guide path 65, then bends forward, and protrudes forward from the front end face of the entire case 61. The case 61 is also provided with opposing walls 61B2 that sandwich the passage surface 61B1. The passage surface 61B1 and the opposing walls 61B2 form an upper passage 61B. The opening at the front end of the upper passage 61B is the ball outlet 60B through which the game ball is discharged from the guide path 65.

[0038] The ball inlet 60A of the lifting device 60 is overlapped with the above-mentioned collected ball discharge section 42K (see FIG. 9), and the ball outlet 60B of the lifting device 60 is overlapped with the rear opening of the relay passage 43R (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 16) formed in the collection section 43. The relay passage 43R is connected to the supply port 33K of the launching unit 31. In addition, the cover section 42 is formed with a through hole 42Y through which the upper passage 61B, which protrudes forward beyond the front end face of the entire case 61, is inserted.

[0039] With the above configuration, after being launched from the launch unit 31, the game balls collected by the recovery duct 40 and the game balls collected by the first return passage 38A or the second return passage 38B pass through the ball recovery path 41 and enter the lower passage 61A of the lifting device 60 from the recovered ball discharge section 42K, rise within the guide path 65, and then pass through the upper passage 61B and the relay passage 43R and are sent back to the launch unit 31.

[0040] Now, when playing the gaming machine 10, as the gaming balls flow down the gaming area R1, they may become dirty due to the adhesion of nails, resin shavings, etc. In contrast, in conventional gaming machines in which real gaming balls are dispensed and prize balls are actually paid out, the gaming balls that have finished flowing down the gaming area R1 are discharged outside the gaming machine, so that cleaning work to remove dirt from the gaming balls is generally performed outside the gaming machine (for example, by a lifting device installed on an island in a gaming hall that lifts the gaming balls above the gaming machine).

[0041] However, in the case of an enclosed gaming machine such as the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, since the gaming balls are not discharged outside the gaming machine during play, if cleaning work is performed outside the gaming machine, problems may arise such as dirt accumulating easily and the work of removing the gaming balls from the gaming machine being time-consuming. Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, a cleaning mechanism 70 for cleaning the gaming balls inside the gaming machine 10 is incorporated in the lifting device 60. The cleaning mechanism 70 will be described in detail below.

[0042] 12 and 14, cleaning mechanism 70 includes roller member 71 and roller holding mechanism 80 for holding roller member 71. Roller member 71 is formed by fitting a plurality of roller parts 75 to shaft member 72 extending in the vertical direction along screw 62. As shown in Fig. 14 and 17, shaft member 72 has shaft body 72A having a circular cross section, handle portion 73 attached to the center of shaft body 72A, and connecting mechanism portions 72B fixed to both ends of shaft body 72A.

[0043] The handle 73 has a gripping portion 73B, which is thicker than the band plate portion 73A, at the front end of the band plate portion 73A extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 18, a through hole 73K is formed at the rear end of the band plate portion 73A of the handle 73. On the other hand, a bearing ring 72C with good sliding properties is fixed to the center of the shaft body 72A, and this bearing ring 72C is received in the through hole 73K of the handle 73.

[0044] Flange members 72D are fixed to the shaft body 72A above and below the bearing ring 72C. The flange member 72D has a disk portion 72D1 having a through hole 72D2 in the center through which the shaft body 72A is inserted, and a protrusion 72D3 protruding from the opening edge of the through hole 72D2 toward the bearing ring 72C. The disk portion 72D1 protrudes laterally from the bearing ring 72C. The protrusion 72D3 of the flange member 72D can abut against the bearing ring 72C. A notch 72A1 is formed on the shaft body 72A on the outer side of the flange member 72D in the axial direction, and a retaining ring 72E is attached to the notch 72A1 to position the flange member 72D and the bearing ring 72C.

[0045] The upper and lower connecting mechanism parts 72B have the same shape, so the connecting mechanism part 72B will be described using the upper connecting mechanism part 72B as an example. As shown in Figures 14 and 19, the connecting mechanism part 72B is cylindrical and has a flange part 72B1 that protrudes radially inward at the lower end. A through hole 72B2 through which the shaft body 72A is inserted is formed in the center of the flange part 72B1. The connecting mechanism part 72B is fixed to the tip of the shaft body 72A by a screw 72N.

[0046] The outer end 72B3 of the connecting mechanism 72B in the axial direction has a jagged wave shape. In detail, the outer end 72B3 has a shape in which a first surface 72BA extending in the vertical direction and a second surface 72BB extending from a lower end of the first surface 72BA to the upper right are connected together.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 14, the roller parts 75 are ring-shaped, and five of them are disposed between the upper connecting mechanism part 72B and the upper flange part 72D of the shaft member 72, and between the lower connecting mechanism part 72B and the lower flange part 72D. The roller parts 75 of this embodiment are made of foamed resin such as polyethylene. The outer diameter of the roller parts 75 is about 1.5 to 2.0 times the diameter of the game ball, and the foaming ratio is about 10 to 20 times (especially preferably 15 times).

[0048] The roller member 71 is assembled as follows. That is, first, the bearing ring 72C and, for example, the lower flange member 72D are fitted onto the shaft body 72A. Then, for example, the handle portion 73 is fitted onto the outside of the bearing ring 72C from above, and the upper flange member 72D is also fitted onto the shaft body 72A. Next, five roller parts 75 are fitted onto the top and bottom of the upper and lower flange members 72D of the shaft body 72A, and further the connecting mechanism portion 72B is fitted and fixed with the screws 72N. With the above steps, the roller member 71 is completed.

[0049] Next, the roller holding mechanism 80 will be described. The roller holding mechanism 80 is for rotatably holding the roller member 71 between the pair of gutter wall portions 63A and forward of the partition bulge portion 63B. In detail, the roller holding mechanism 80 includes an upper connecting portion 81 fixed to the upper end inside the case 61, and a lower connecting portion 82 fixed to the lower end.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 19, the upper connecting part 81 is rotatably fitted to the upper shaft 81J that hangs down from the upper wall of the case 61. The upper connecting part 81 includes a cylindrical part 81E that fits to the upper shaft 81J and a disk part 81F that protrudes laterally from the middle part of the cylindrical part 81E, and the lower surface of the disk part 81F is formed in a jagged wave shape including a first surface 81A extending vertically and a second surface 81B extending from the lower end of the first surface 81A to the upper right corresponding to the first surface 72BA and the second surface 72BB of the connecting mechanism part 72B of the roller member 71. The upper connecting part 81 and the upper connecting mechanism part 72B are connected to transmit rotation by overlapping the first surfaces 81A and 72B3 with each other and the second surfaces 81B and 72B4 with each other. A retaining ring 81T for preventing the upper connecting portion 81 from coming off is attached to the upper shaft 81J.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 12 and 14, the lower shaft 82J is supported on the lower wall of the case 61 so as to be rotatable relative to the case 61. The lower shaft 82J is longer than the upper shaft 81J, has a circular cross section at its middle portion, is received in a bearing member 61U fixed to the case 61, and has a non-circular cross section at its upper and lower portions (D-shaped in this embodiment). A flange member 82F is fixed to the upper side of the portion of the lower shaft 82J received in the bearing member 61U, and has a non-circular through hole 82F1 formed therein that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the lower shaft 82J. A non-circular through hole 82K that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the lower shaft 82J is formed in the lower connecting portion 82, and the lower connecting portion 82 is loosely fitted to the lower shaft 82J so as to be non-rotatable and linearly movable relative to the lower shaft 82J. A retaining ring 82T that prevents the lower connecting portion 82 from coming off is fixed to the upper end of the lower shaft 82J.

[0052] A coil spring 82C is disposed in a compressed state between the lower connecting portion 82 and the flange member 81F, and the lower connecting portion 82 is biased upward. Similarly to the upper connecting portion 81, the upper surface of the lower connecting portion 82 is formed with a plurality of first surfaces 82A and second surfaces 82B that correspond to the first surfaces 72BA and second surfaces 72BB of the connecting mechanism portion 72B of the roller member 71, and the lower connecting portion 82 and the lower connecting mechanism portion 72B are also connected to each other so as to be able to transmit rotation.

[0053] The roller member 71 is attached to the roller holding mechanism 80 as follows. That is, first, the handle portion 73 is grasped and the roller member 71 is brought close to the lifting device 60 from the front, and tilted so that the lower end enters the case 61 first. The lower connecting mechanism portion 72B is placed against the lower connecting portion 82 and the lower connecting portion 82 is pressed down, and then the position of the roller member 71 is adjusted in the vertical direction so that the upper connecting mechanism portion 72B is positioned directly below the upper connecting portion 81 (see FIG. 20). Then, the roller member 71 is raised according to the elastic force of the coil spring 82C, whereby the upper and lower connecting mechanism portions 72B engage with and are connected to the upper and lower connecting portions 81, 82, respectively.

[0054] When removing the roller member 71, first, the roller member 71 is pressed down against the elastic force of the coil spring 82C, and then the roller member 71 is pulled upward at an angle so that the upper end of the roller member 71 is first removed from the case 61. As shown in Fig. 5, the cover part 42 and the collection part 43 are formed with through holes 42X, 43X that expose the roller member 71, and the roller member 71 can be attached and detached with the front door 10Z open (the state shown in Fig. 2).

[0055] 12 and 14, a roller gear 82G that is connected to the screw gear 62G is fixed to the lower end of the lower shaft 82J, and the roller member 71 rotates together with the screw 62. The roller member 71 rotates in the opposite direction to the screw 62. Note that the game ball lifted by the screw 62 rotates in the opposite direction to the screw 62, so the roller member 71 rotates in the same direction as the game ball.

[0056] As a result, when the gaming ball rises in the guide path 65 of the lifting device 60, the gaming ball comes into contact with the roller member 71 (roller component 75), and dirt on the gaming ball is removed. Moreover, the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the screw 62 presses the gaming ball toward the roller member 71, making it easier to remove dirt. Furthermore, since the roller member 71 is also driven to rotate, more force is applied to the surface of the gaming ball than when it simply comes into contact, making it easier to remove dirt. Also, since the roller component 75 is made of foamed resin, it can be manufactured relatively inexpensively, and the unevenness of the surface makes it easier to remove dirt.

[0057] In addition, since the roller member 71 has a plurality of roller parts 75 arranged in the axial direction, the game ball ascending in the guide path 65 passes across the upper and lower edges of each roller part 75, i.e., the game ball comes into contact with the edge of the foamed resin multiple times, making it easier to remove dirt from the game ball. In addition, since the direction in which the game ball passes is determined by the guide path 65, it is possible to reliably make the game ball cross the edge of the foamed resin.

[0058] Incidentally, in conventional gaming machines in which real game balls are lent and prize balls are actually paid out, it was common to use game balls that have been cleaned of dirt and coated with a coating agent that improves the slipperiness of the game balls, for example, in a lifting device installed on an island in a game hall. However, in an enclosed gaming machine in which game balls are not discharged, even if a coating agent is applied to the game balls before they are enclosed, the coating agent peels off and the game balls become less slippery as the cumulative operating time increases, and the game balls no longer behave as expected. In addition, it is thought that the coating agent also plays a role in protecting the game balls, and if the coating agent is not attached, the game balls become more likely to wear out and the game balls become unstable in behavior. As a result, for example, in the case of the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, when the first start winning port 14A is arranged directly below the discharge section 24A in the center of the stage 24, the game balls are more likely to fall from the discharge section 24A in front of the center discharge section 24A before reaching the center discharge section 24A, which may cause a problem in which the winning rate decreases.

[0059] To solve this problem, it may be possible to develop an amusement machine based on the slipperiness of the machine when no coating agent is applied, but the know-how gained from conventional amusement machine development would be difficult to apply, and the development would likely take time.

[0060] In contrast, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is configured so that a coating agent is applied to the gaming balls in the lifting device 60. Specifically, in this embodiment, the roller part 75 of the roller member 71 is impregnated with a coating agent (for example, a lubricant containing a fluorine compound). The roller member 71 is manufactured, for example, by immersing a long roll of foamed resin in a coating agent that has become liquid at high temperature, and then removing it to make a foamed resin with the coating agent solidified, and then slicing the foamed resin into rings.

[0061] As a result, every time the gaming ball rises in the guide path 65, dirt is removed and a coating agent is applied. This allows the gaming ball to maintain the same level of slipperiness as gaming balls used in conventional gaming machines. In addition, the gaming ball is protected by the coating agent, so wear on the gaming ball is prevented. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as the gaming ball's behavior being stable and the winning rate decreasing, and also makes it possible to develop a gaming machine by fully utilizing the know-how of conventional gaming machine development.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, since the roller component 75 is impregnated with the coating agent, both ball polishing and coating are performed in one place, making it easier to design the lifting device 60 than if they were performed in separate places. Moreover, since this is performed in the guide path 65, the lifting device 60 can be made more compact than if separate spaces were provided for ball polishing and coating. Also, since the roller component 75 serves both the ball polishing function and the coating function, the number of parts can be reduced compared to providing them separately. Also, since the roller component 75 is made of foamed resin, it is easy to impregnate it with the coating agent.

[0063] In addition, since the ball polishing and coating are performed in a place where the game balls are lined up in a row in the guide path 65, unevenness in the degree of dirt removal and the amount of coating agent attached to each game ball is prevented. Also, by configuring the object that contacts the game ball to be roller-shaped and rotated, such as the roller member 71, the surface of the foamed resin that contacts the game ball changes, making it easier to remove dirt and to attach it to the game ball, and also suppressing uneven wear of the foamed resin and uneven reduction of the coating agent. In addition, since the game balls also rotate in response to the rotation of the screw 62, it is possible to suppress unevenness in the amount of polishing and uneven attachment of the coating agent.

[0064] Roller member 71 is provided with a sticker attachment portion 73R on which sticker 73S can be attached, for example, to band plate portion 73A of handle portion 73 (see FIG. 11). Sticker 73S may, for example, have an identification number that can identify the type of roller member 71 (type of coating agent) written thereon, or the time when roller member 71 can be used. The same identification number may be set for roller members of the same type, or multiple identification numbers may be set for one type of roller member, with different identification numbers set for each roller member.

[0065] Here, when a large number of game balls pass through the guide path 65 and are polished and coated, dirt accumulates on the roller parts 75, making it impossible to remove dirt from the game balls, and the amount of coating agent impregnated in the roller parts 75 decreases, which may cause problems such as making it impossible to apply an appropriate amount of coating agent to the game balls. In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the roller members 71 are installed in the lifting device 60 in a replaceable state, and furthermore, are detachable from the front of the game machine main body 30 with the front door 10Z open, so that the worker can easily replace the roller members 71. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the roller parts 75 are impregnated with the coating agent, maintenance of both ball polishing and coating of the game balls can be performed at the same time by simply replacing the roller members 71.

[0066] In this embodiment, since the accumulation of dirt on the roller member 71 and the decrease in the amount of impregnation of the coating agent occur over time as game balls circulate within the machine, the time to replace the roller member 71 is identified based on the time that the game balls circulate within the machine, and when the time to replace arrives, the maintenance notification lamp 53 is turned on to notify the worker of the fact and urge him or her to replace the roller member 71. Identifying the time to replace the roller member 71 will be described in detail later.

[0067] The coating agent used in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment may be colorless and transparent, or may be colored. In the case of coloring, it is preferable that the portion impregnated with the coating agent be identifiable when the roller part 75 is impregnated with the coating agent. For example, by using a blue foamed resin as the roller part 75 and a gray coating agent, the roller part 75 changes to gray, making the coating agent identifiable. As described above, this coating agent adheres to the gaming ball every time the roller member 71 comes into contact with the gaming ball. Therefore, as the number of times the roller part 71 comes into contact with the gaming ball increases, the amount of impregnated coating agent decreases, and the roller part 75 returns to its original color (blue). This allows the timing of maintenance of the roller member 71 (for example, replacement of the roller member 71) to be easily determined by the color change of the roller part 75.

[0068] In the above example, the coating agent is gray, but any color such as red or blue may be used as long as it is identifiable when impregnated into the roller part 75. The roller part 75 is not limited to blue, and may be white or another color. Since the roller part 75 may become blackened due to the adhesion of dirt from game balls, it is preferable to use a color scheme that allows the coating agent to be recognized even when it becomes black.

[0069] FIG. 3 shows the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. Reference numeral 50 in the figure denotes a main control board 50, which includes a microcomputer having a CPU 50A, a RAM 50B, a ROM 50C, and a plurality of counters, an input / output circuit connecting the microcomputer to a sub-control board 52, and an input / output circuit connecting a relay board to which the large prize opening 15 and the like are connected and a game ball management board 54 and the like, and performs main control related to the game. The CPU 50A includes a win / loss determination unit, a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, and the like, and in addition to performing calculation control, generates random numbers related to the win / loss determination of special symbols and the win / loss determination of normal symbols, and is configured to be able to output (transmit) control signals to the sub-control board 52 and the like. The RAM 50B includes a storage area for various random numbers generated by the CPU 50A, a storage area and flags for temporarily storing various data, and a working area for the CPU 50A. The ROM 50C stores control data, pattern change data related to the variable display of the special patterns 13A, 13B, 13C and the normal patterns, as well as judgment values ​​for determining whether the special patterns are correct or not and whether the normal patterns are correct or not.

[0070] The sub-control board 52, like the main control board 50, is provided with a microcomputer having a CPU 52A, a RAM 52B, a ROM 52C, and a plurality of counters, an input / output circuit connecting the microcomputer to the main control board 50, and an input / output circuit connecting the display device 13, etc. The CPU 52A is provided with a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, etc., and is configured to perform calculation control and output (transmit) control signals to the display device 13, the maintenance notification lamp 53, etc. The RAM 52B has a storage area for various data and a work area for the CPU 52A. The ROM 52C stores data for various effects, etc. The ROM 52C also stores a maintenance timing specification program PG1, which will be described later, and the CPU 52A executes the maintenance timing specification program PG1 to specify the replacement time of the roller member 71.

[0071] The game ball management board 54 is connected to the launching device 31, the launched ball sensor 31S, the returned ball sensor 36S, the winning sensor 25, the ball collection sensor 44, etc., and manages the game balls circulating in the machine based on a signal from the main control board 50 based on the entry of game balls into each winning port 14A, 14B, 15, 20 and the outlet port 16. The game ball management board 54 is also connected to the card unit 26, receives information read from the card, and transmits information to be written on the card to the card unit 26. The game ball management board 54 is also connected to the ball management unit 19, and transfers game balls from the balls stored in the card to the balls stored in the game machine side, or from the balls stored in the game machine side to the balls stored in the card, based on a signal received from the ball management unit 19, and outputs information on the balls held to be displayed on the display unit 19H (see FIG. 1) of the ball management unit 19 to the ball management unit 19.

[0072] In addition, the main control board 50, the sub control board 52, the game ball management board 54, etc. operate by receiving power from the power supply board 51.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 52A of the sub-control board 52 executes the maintenance timing specification program PG1 to specify the replacement time of the roller member 71. Specifically, the CPU 53A executes the maintenance timing specification program PG1 to function as the measurement unit 55, the determination unit 56, the notification unit 57, and the reset unit 58.

[0074] The measuring unit 55 counts the cumulative operation time T1 of the gaming machine 10. Specifically, the time elapsed during the power supply to the gaming machine 10 is measured by a clock function, and when the power supply is stopped, the measured elapsed time is temporarily stored in the RAM 52B as the operation time of the gaming machine 10. Then, when the power supply is resumed, the operation time is read from the RAM 52B, and the elapsed time measured by the clock function is added to the time elapsed time, thereby measuring the cumulative operation time T1 of the gaming machine 10. When the power supply to the gaming machine 10 is stopped, the sub-control board 52 operates by power supplied from a backup power source (not shown), so that the data of the cumulative operation time T1 is not lost even when the power supply to the gaming machine 10 is stopped. The maintenance timing specification program PG1 is executed while the power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10. In this embodiment, a real-time clock (not shown) is used as the clock function.

[0075] The determination unit 56 is automatically executed, for example, once a day at a predetermined time. The determination unit 56 compares the accumulated operation time T1 of the gaming machine 10 with a reference time Tc stored in the ROM 52C, and when the accumulated operation time T1 exceeds the reference time Tc, determines that it is time to replace the roller member 71. In this embodiment, the determination unit 56 is executed once a day, but may be configured to be executed multiple times a day.

[0076] The notification unit 57 turns on the maintenance notification lamp 53 when the determination unit 56 determines that it is time to replace the roller member 71. By turning on the maintenance notification lamp 53, the worker is notified that it is time to replace the roller member 71, and is prompted to replace the roller member 71.

[0077] When an operator replaces the roller member 71 and inputs the identification number written on the sticker 73S affixed to the new roller member 71 into an input unit (not shown) accessible only to the operator, the reset unit 58 turns off the maintenance notification lamp 53, resets the accumulated operation time T1, and starts counting the operation time of the gaming machine 10 from 0 again. However, the reset unit 58 determines whether the input identification number matches a designated identification number registered in advance in the gaming machine 10, and resets the accumulated operation time T1 and turns off the maintenance notification lamp 53 only if they match. In other words, if the input identification number differs from the designated identification number, the notification by the maintenance notification lamp 53 continues.

[0078] In this embodiment, while the gaming machine 10 is in operation, the maintenance timing specification program PG1 is executed to measure the cumulative operation time T1 of the gaming machine 10. The time to replace the roller member 71 is determined based on the cumulative operation time T1 of the gaming machine 10, and when the time to replace it arrives, the maintenance notification lamp 53 is turned on, so that the operator can easily know that the time to replace the roller member 71 has arrived, and can replace the roller member 71 at an appropriate timing to perform maintenance of ball polishing and coating of the gaming ball. In addition, the notification by the maintenance notification lamp 53 continues until the operator inputs the identification number of the roller member 71 at the time of replacement, so that it is possible to suppress forgetting to replace the roller member 71 at the time of replacement, and to replace the roller member 71 at an appropriate timing. Furthermore, if the input identification number does not match the designated identification number registered in advance, the maintenance notification lamp 53 will continue to issue a notification, thereby preventing, for example, the mistaken attachment of a roller member impregnated with a coating agent that is incompatible with the gaming balls used in the gaming machine 10, or the attachment of an unrecommended roller member for an illegal purpose.

[0079] An example of the maintenance timing specification program PG1 executed by the CPU 52A of the sub-control board 52 is shown in FIG. 21. As described above, the maintenance timing specification program PG1 is executed while the gaming machine 10 is operating, and the accumulated operation time T1 of the gaming machine 10 is counted (S11). Then, at a predetermined time once a day (YES in S12), it is determined whether the accumulated operation time T1 has exceeded a reference time Tc (S13). The addition of the accumulated operation time T1 continues (S11) until the accumulated operation time T1 exceeds the reference time Tc (NO in S13), and when the accumulated operation time T1 exceeds the reference time Tc (YES in S13), the maintenance notification lamp 53 is turned on (S15).

[0080] Then, an identification number is input by the worker who replaced the roller member 71 (YES in S16), and if that identification number matches the designated identification number (YES in S17), the maintenance notification lamp 53 is turned off (S18), the accumulated operation time T1 is reset (S19), and counting starts again from 0 (S11). If an identification number is not input (NO in S16) or if the input identification number differs from the designated identification number (NO in S17), the addition of the accumulated operation time T1 continues and the maintenance notification lamp 53 remains lit (YES in S11 and S14) until the correct identification number is input (YES in S16 and YES in S17). Here, the CPU 52A when executing step S11 corresponds to the measurement unit 55 described above, the CPU 52A when executing steps S12 and S13 corresponds to the judgment unit 56 described above, the CPU 52A when executing steps S14 and S15 corresponds to the notification unit 57 described above, and the CPU 52A when executing steps S16 to S19 corresponds to the reset unit 58 described above.

[0081] [Second embodiment] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the configuration of the lifting device 60V is different from that of the lifting device 60 of the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 22, the lifting device 60V is common to the lifting device 60 of the first embodiment in that the gaming ball rising in the guide path 65 and the roller member 71 are separated by a pair of partition bulges 63B, and the roller member 71 abuts from the side against the gaming ball exposed from the gap formed between the front ends of the pair of partition bulges 63B, but the abutment state is different. In the first embodiment, a gap of a width that allows the roller member 71 to abut is formed between the front ends of a pair of partition bulges 63B from their upper ends to their lower ends (see Figures 11 and 14), whereas in this embodiment, the gap formed between the front ends of a pair of partition bulges 63B is of a width that prevents the roller member 71 from abutting from the upper ends to the vertical middle part, and is of a width that allows the roller member 71 to abut from the middle part to the lower end.

[0082] That is, as shown in Fig. 23, partition protrusions 69 are formed between the upper ends and the vertical middle parts of the front ends of the pair of partition bulges 63B, protruding in a direction approaching each other. The pair of partition protrusions 69 allow the roller member 71 to come into contact with the game ball moving from the lower end of the guide path 65 to the vertical middle part, but prevent the roller member 71 from coming into contact with the game ball moving from the vertical middle part to the upper end of the guide path 65.

[0083] With this configuration, only the lower half of the roller member 71 is used for ball polishing and coating. Here, as a treatment for dirt adhering to the game ball and peeling off of the coating while the game ball is rising in the guide path 65 after being launched from the launch unit 31 and before it returns to the launch unit 31 again, if the roller member 71 is kept in contact with the game ball the whole time it is rising in the guide path 65, this may result in excessive treatment, and the roller part 75 will be worn out unnecessarily. According to the lifting device 60V of this embodiment, only the lower half of the roller member 71 is used for ball polishing and coating, and for example, when it is time to replace the roller member 71, if the roller member 71 is installed upside down on the lifting device 60V, the roller member 71 can be used efficiently for a long period of time while properly maintaining the game ball, and the maintainability of the roller part 75 can be improved. In this embodiment, the pair of partition protrusions 69 are formed between the upper end and the vertical middle portion of the front end of the pair of partition bulge portions 63B, but they may also be formed between the vertical middle portion and the lower end.

[0084] [Third embodiment] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the coating agent is applied to the gaming ball not only by the roller member 71 but also by the pushing piece 62C of the screw 62. Specifically, a foamed resin 62D (see FIG. 24) impregnated with the coating agent is attached to the surface of the pushing piece 62C that comes into contact with the gaming ball. This allows the coating agent to be applied to the gaming ball by utilizing the force generated when pushing the gaming ball toward the upper passage 61B. Note that, since the coating agent is applied using foamed resin, dirt on the gaming ball is also removed.

[0085] Moreover, the foamed resin that is not impregnated with the coating agent may be attached to the extrusion piece 62C. In this way, when the coating agent applied by the roller part 75 is excessive, the excess can be wiped off to obtain an appropriate amount of coating agent.

[0086] Alternatively, the foam resin 62D may not be provided, and a coating agent may be applied directly to the extrusion piece 62C. Also, the roller member 71 may not be provided.

[0087] [Fourth embodiment] If too much coating agent adheres to the gaming ball, the ball may become more slippery than expected, and the gaming ball may not behave as expected. In contrast, in this embodiment, it is possible to adjust the amount of coating agent that adheres to the gaming ball.

[0088] Specifically, the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment includes, as the roller parts 75, a first roller part 75 impregnated with a coating agent and a second roller part 75 not impregnated with a coating agent. Initially, for example, the first roller parts 75 and the second roller parts 75 are arranged alternately one by one and passed through the shaft body 72A. That is, the ratio of the first roller parts 75 to all the roller parts 75 is 50%. Then, if the slipperiness of the gaming ball is greater than expected, the first roller parts 75 are reduced and the second roller parts 75 are increased, and if the slipperiness of the gaming ball is less than expected, the second roller parts 75 are reduced and the first roller parts 75 are increased, so that the expected slipperiness can be approached.

[0089] However, when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 10 becomes long, the game area R1 (the front surface of the game board 11) wears out, and the obstacle nails and resin body on the game area R1 deteriorate, causing the flow of the game ball to deteriorate and the game ball to no longer behave as expected. However, the solution of replacing the game area R1, the obstacle nails, and the resin body with new ones is not realistic in terms of cost and labor. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the flow of the game ball can be improved by increasing the amount of coating agent attached to the game ball, and the above problem can be solved. The deterioration of the game area R1, the obstacle nails, the resin body, etc. may be judged visually or by changes in the winning rate, etc.

[0090] In this embodiment, the first roller parts 75 and the second roller parts 75 are alternately arranged, but they may be arranged in any other way. For example, only the first roller parts 75 may be arranged above the bearing ring 72C, and only the second roller parts 75 may be arranged below. In this case, the coating agent is applied by the first roller parts 75 after the balls are polished by the second roller parts 75. Conversely, only the second roller parts 75 may be arranged above the bearing ring 72C, and only the first roller parts 75 may be arranged below, so that the balls are polished after the coating agent is applied.

[0091] Furthermore, when the roller member 71 does not include multiple roller parts 75 but includes one long roller part, the roller part may be configured so that only a part of it is impregnated with the coating agent. For example, initially, only one side of the roller part in the left-right direction is impregnated with the coating agent, and when the cumulative operating time reaches a predetermined time or when deterioration of the play area R1, obstacle nails, resin body, etc. is visually confirmed, the entire roller part may be impregnated with the coating agent.

[0092] [Fifth embodiment] The problem of the game ball becoming less slippery due to deterioration of the game area R1 and obstacle nails as the cumulative operating time increases can also be solved by changing the type of coating agent to one with higher slipperiness. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to change the coating agent to a different type when performing maintenance on the roller member 71.

[0093] Specifically, another roller member 71 is prepared in which a different type of coating agent is impregnated on the roller part 75. Then, when the slipperiness of the game ball decreases, the roller member 71 in use is removed from the roller holding mechanism 80, and then the other roller member 71 is attached to the roller holding mechanism 80, so that the coating agent can be changed to one with higher slipperiness.

[0094] Here, if the color of the coating agent impregnated into the other roller member 71 is different from the color of the coating agent impregnated into the roller member 71, it will be easy to distinguish them, and inconveniences such as application of the wrong agent will be prevented.

[0095] In addition to timing the maintenance, different coating agents may be used for different models in order to set the slipperiness appropriate for each model.

[0096] Also, the roller parts 75 may be replaced with those impregnated with a different type of coating agent.

[0097] [Sixth embodiment]

[0098] In the gaming machine 10 in which a limited number of gaming balls are repeatedly used, dirt tends to accumulate on the gaming balls. If dirt accumulates on the gaming balls, there is a risk that the dirt cannot be removed by simply contacting the gaming balls with the roller component 75. Therefore, in order to make it easier to remove dirt that accumulates on the gaming balls, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is configured to perform the dirt removal process at a temperature higher than room temperature.

[0099] 25 and 26, in this embodiment, a heat transfer plate 110, which is a plate-shaped metal member, is provided between the motor 64 and the gutter member 63. The heat transfer plate 110 abuts against the motor 64 and the gutter member 63 so as not to leave a gap between them. The heat transfer plate 110 is approximately the same size as the side wall of the gutter member 63 on the motor 64 side, in other words, it is large enough to overlap the cleaning mechanism 70 and the screw 62 from the side.

[0100] When the motor 64 is driven, it generates heat to about 30°C to 50°C due to the winding resistance of the motor coil (not shown) and power loss caused by the current flowing there. The heat generated here is transferred to the gutter member 63 through the heat transfer plate 110, and heats the screw 62. When the screw 62 is heated, the heat is also transferred to the game ball lifted by the screw 62, making it easier to remove dirt. Then, the game ball comes into contact with the roller member 71 of the cleaning mechanism 70, which is also heated, and the dirt is removed. In addition, when the coating agent impregnated in the roller part 75 is heated, it becomes easier for the coating agent to adhere to the game ball.

[0101] It should be noted that a method of heating using a heater or the like may be used instead of using the heat generated by the motor 64. Also, the gutter member 63 may be made of a metal with high thermal conductivity without providing the heat transfer plate 110. In order to make it easier to remove dirt from the game balls, it is desirable for the motor 64 to generate heat at 30°C or higher, but this is not limiting.

[0102] [Other embodiments] (1) In the gaming machine 10 of the first embodiment, the maintenance notification lamp 53 is turned on to notify the operator of the arrival of the time to replace the roller member 71, but the notification may be made by displaying the display screen 13G or the display section 19H of the ball management unit 19. The notification may also be made by sound output from a speaker (not shown). The notification may also be made by all of these means.

[0103] Here, when the time to replace the roller member 71 is notified by the display screen 13G or the display unit 19H, the notification unit 57 may notify the fact for a certain period of time when the gaming machine 10 is turned on, or may notify the fact when various effects related to the game such as win / lose determination and jackpot game are not being performed ("standby state"). With this configuration, the fact that it is time to replace the roller member 71 is notified during the game, which prevents the player from losing interest. Alternatively, the gaming machine 10 may be configured to notify the fact that it is time to replace the roller member 71 throughout the operation of the gaming machine 10.

[0104] (2) In the gaming machine 10 of the first embodiment, the determination unit 56 determines the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the accumulated operating time T1 of the gaming machine 10. However, the determination may be based on the accumulated number of operating days of the gaming machine 10.

[0105] In addition, the determination unit 56 may determine the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the accumulated time related to the variable display of the special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C that notifies the result of the special symbol hit / miss determination.

[0106] Furthermore, the determination unit 56 may determine the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the operation time of the lifting device 60, that is, the time it takes for the gaming ball to rise in the guide path 65. According to this configuration, the time to replace the roller member 71 can be determined based on the time when the roller member 71 actually comes into contact with the gaming ball.

[0107] (4) In the gaming machine 10 of the first embodiment, the determination unit 56 determines the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the time that the gaming ball circulated inside the machine, but the determination unit 56 may determine the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the change in behavior of the gaming ball after the coating agent has peeled off. For example, as described above, when the coating agent of a gaming ball rolling on the stage 24 peels off, the gaming ball is more likely to fall from the discharge section 24A in front of the central discharge section 24A before reaching the central discharge section 24A, which reduces the winning rate of the first start winning opening 14A. Therefore, the time to replace the roller member 71 may be determined based on the winning rate of the first start winning opening 14A.

[0108] In addition, the determination unit 56 may determine the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the ratio of the number of out balls that enter the outlet 16 to the number of shot balls that are shot from the shot unit 31.

[0109] In addition, since the flow speed of the game balls flowing down the game area R1 changes when the coating agent peels off, the determination unit 56 may determine the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the flow speed of the game balls, for example, based on the time from when the game balls are launched from the launch unit 31 to when they are taken into the outlet 16. In this case, the determination may be made based on the average value of multiple game balls.

[0110] In addition, since the refractive index of the game ball changes when the coating agent peels off, the determination unit 56 may determine the time to replace the roller member 71 based on the refractive index of the game ball. In this case, for example, a mechanism for measuring the refractive index by applying a measurement light to the game ball collected in the ball collection path 41 may be provided.

[0111] (5) In the lifting device 60V of the second embodiment described above, a pair of partition protrusions 69 are formed on a pair of partition bulges 63B, reducing the gap between the front ends of the pair of partition bulges 63B to prevent the game balls exposed from the guide path 65 from coming into contact with the roller member 71. However, a plate member may be disposed to close the gap between the front ends of the pair of partition bulges 63B to separate the guide path 65 from the roller member 71, thereby preventing the guide path 65 from coming into contact with the roller member 71.

[0112] In this case, when it is time to replace the roller members 71, the roller members 71 may be installed upside down on the lifting device 60V as in the second embodiment, or the position of the plate member may be shifted in the vertical direction. In the case of shifting the position of the plate member in the vertical direction, the movement of the position of the plate member may be manual or automatic. The shifted position may be set arbitrarily, or may be set to shift at a constant cycle.

[0113] (6) In the lifting devices 60, 60V of the above embodiment, the distance of the roller members 71 relative to the game ball ascending on the guide path 65 was constant, but the roller members 71 may be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the game ball ascending on the guide path 65. According to this configuration, when the roller parts 75 made of foamed resin are arranged in a state where they are close to the game ball ascending on the guide path 65, they can be pressed strongly against the game ball, whereas when they are arranged in a state where they are separated from the ascending game ball on the guide path 65, the strength of the contact state can be changed so that they do not contact the game ball or contact the game ball to the extent that they touch it. According to this configuration, for example, when the game ball is not very dirty and the amount of coating is sufficient, the roller member 71 is arranged not to touch the game ball ascending along the guide path 65 or to lightly press against it, and when the game ball becomes badly dirty or the amount of coating is insufficient, the roller member 71 is arranged to be close to the game ball ascending along the guide path 65. This configuration allows maintenance of the game ball to be performed at an appropriate time, and the roller member 71 can be used efficiently for a long period of time, thereby improving the maintainability of the roller member 71. The movement of the roller member 71 may be manual or automatic. In addition, the distance of the roller member 71 from the game ball ascending along the guide path 65 may be set arbitrarily, or the distance may be set to change at a constant cycle. In addition, the roller member 71 may be divided in the vertical direction so that one part is arranged close to the game ball ascending along the guide path 65 and the other part is arranged away from the game ball ascending along the guide path 65.

[0114] (7) In the first embodiment described above, the designated identification number that the reset unit 58 uses to determine whether it matches the input identification number was pre-registered in the gaming machine 10, but it may also be updated at any time by communicating with a management computer (not shown).

[0115] (8) In the first embodiment described above, when an identification number different from the designated identification number is input, the reset unit 58 is configured to not turn off the maintenance notification lamp 53 but to continue adding to the accumulated operating time T1. However, the reset unit 58 may be configured to clearly notify that the identification number differs from the designated identification number by turning on a new warning lamp (not shown), for example.

[0116] (9) The roller member 71 may not be assigned an identification number, and for example, the reset unit 58 may reset the cumulative operating time T1 and turn off the maintenance notification lamp 53 simply by operating a reset button provided in the gaming machine 10.

[0117] (10) The timing of maintenance may be determined at the discretion of the operator without notification of the timing of maintenance.

[0118] (11) In the above embodiment, it is possible that dirt on the game balls cannot be completely removed by the cleaning mechanism 70, and the dirt may adhere to the blade 62B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, a brush 111 may be disposed along the screw 62 to remove dirt from the blade 62B.

[0119] According to this, the entire blade 62B comes into contact with the brush by the rotation of the screw 62, making it easier to remove dirt. Also, since the blade 62B is provided on the opposite side of the screw 62 from the upper passage 61B and the lower passage 61A, dirt on the blade 62B can be removed without interfering with the behavior of the game balls, such as entering, lifting, and pushing out.

[0120] The brush 111 may be in a brush shape, and may be made of elastomer or cloth. Furthermore, a shower may be provided near the upper end of the screw 62 to wash off dirt from the blade 62B with running water, or a wind may be blown to blow off dirt.

[0121] (12) In the first embodiment, the roll member 71 impregnated with the coating agent adheres the coating agent to the game ball within the guide path 65, but the game ball may be immersed in a coating agent storage section in which the coating agent is stored between the time the game ball is collected in the collection section 43 and the time it is sent to the guide path 65, and the roll member 71 not impregnated with the coating agent within the guide path 65 wipes off the excess coating agent adhered to the game ball. Also, aside from the roll member 71, a ring-shaped or cylindrical wiping member through which the game ball can pass may be provided.

[0122] (13) Also, a coating agent may be applied after the dirt is removed. For example, a coating member impregnated with or having a coating agent applied thereto may be disposed in the upper passage 61B, and after dirt is removed in the guide path 65 by a roll member 71 that is not impregnated with the coating agent, the coating agent may be applied by the coating member in the upper passage 61B. The coating member may be a coating agent solidified into a block shape.

[0123] (14) The coating agent may be replenished to the roller component 75 through the through holes 42X, 43X, etc. of the cover portion 42 and the recovery portion 43. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which the timing for replenishing the coating agent is notified.

[0124] (15) In the first embodiment, the part that contacts the game ball (roller part 75) is made of polyethylene, but it may be made of other foamed resins such as polystyrene or polyurethane, or may be cloth, paper, elastomer, or a brush. Also, it may not be roller-shaped, but may be flat sheet-shaped or spherical.

[0125] (16) The coating agent may be a lubricant containing a silicone compound or a lubricant containing an ester compound.

[0126] (17) The roll member 71 does not have to be driven to rotate.

[0127] (18) In the first embodiment, the roll member 71 has a plurality of roller parts 75 arranged side by side, but it may have one long roller part or one above and one below. In this case, for example, if slits 75S extending in the circumferential direction are formed at multiple points in the axial direction as shown in Figures 28(A) and (B), or if slits 75S extending in the axial direction are formed at multiple points in the circumferential direction as shown in Figures 29(A) and (B), dirt on the game balls is easily removed by the edges on both sides of the slits 75S.

[0128] (19) The part that comes into contact with the game ball does not have to be roller-shaped, and may be a foamed material having a plate or sphere shape with slits formed therein.

[0129] (20) In the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the roller component 75 is circular, but it may be non-circular, such as polygonal or elliptical, or have a wavy outer edge (see FIG. 29(C)). In this case, the game ball fits into the depression in the small diameter area, making it easier to remove dirt. Also, when the part of the roller member that contacts the game ball changes from a small diameter area to a large diameter area, the pressure on the game ball increases, making it easier to remove dirt. The cross-sectional shape of the roller member may be uniform in the axial direction, or may be offset in the axial direction so that the outer surface is uneven in the circumferential and axial directions.

[0130] Also, the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion may be arranged side by side in the axial direction. In this case, too, the game ball fits into the recess of the small diameter portion, making it easier to remove dirt.

[0131] (21) A coating agent may be attached to or impregnated into the screw 62. In this case, for example, a replenishing section for attaching the coating agent to the screw 62 may be provided on the opposite side of the guide path 65. Also, the moving member may be formed of a solidified coating agent.

[0132] (22) Instead of the screw 62, the game balls may be lifted by a belt conveyor-like member.

[0133] (23) The rotation speeds of the roll member 71 and the screw 62 may be the same or different.

[0134] (24) In the first embodiment, the coating agent is impregnated into roller component 75 and solidifies, but the coating agent may be in liquid form. For example, a storage portion for storing liquid coating agent may be provided in the center of roll member 71, and the coating agent may seep out from there and adhere to roller component 75. Alternatively, a storage portion for coating agent may be provided around roller member 71, and the coating agent may be adsorbed onto roller component 75 from there.

[0135] In addition, although this specification and drawings disclose specific examples of the technology included in the scope of the claims, the technology described in the claims is not limited to these specific examples, but includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples, as well as parts of the specific examples taken alone.

[0136] <Additional Notes> The following describes the features of the inventions extracted from the above-described embodiments, while indicating, as necessary, their effects, etc. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiments are appropriately indicated in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses.

[0137] [First group of characteristics] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine. Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine that uses a plurality of gaming balls by circulating them in a single gaming machine is known (for example, see JP 2016-034569 A (paragraph

[0010] , etc.)). In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, it is required to improve the sliding of the gaming ball. In response to this, according to the present feature group, it is possible to improve the sliding of the gaming ball.

[0138] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, The gaming machine is provided with a coating means for applying a coating agent to gaming balls.

[0139] According to feature 1, the sliding of the game ball can be improved. [Feature 2] The game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device and flow down, and are on their way back to the launching device. The game balls are guided through a guide path along which the game balls pass in a line. The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the coating means contacts the gaming ball in the guide path.

[0140] According to feature 2, the coating agent is applied to the game balls in a line, so that the variation in the amount of coating agent applied to each game ball is suppressed. Also, since the coating agent can be applied to the game balls within the guide path, there is no need to provide a separate location for installing the coating means.

[0141] [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the coating means includes a coating member impregnated with or attached to the coating agent.

[0142] The coating member may be impregnated with or attached to the coating agent, or may have a coating agent reservoir from which the coating agent is adsorbed. The coating agent may be supplied to a coating agent supply port or a coating agent reservoir, or may be supplied directly to the coating member.

[0143] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the coating member is made of foam.

[0144] The coating member may be made of a material such as cloth or elastomer, or may be in the shape of a brush. If it is a foam as in Feature 4, it is not only inexpensive, but also easy to apply or impregnate the coating agent.

[0145] [Feature 5] 5. The gaming machine according to feature 3 or 4, wherein the coating means is provided with a seal attachment section.

[0146] According to feature 5, a sticker can be attached to the sticker attachment portion. For example, the sticker can indicate when the coating material was first used to serve as a guide for when maintenance should be performed, or, when there are multiple types of coating material, an identification number or the like can be written on the sticker to make it easier to distinguish the type of coating material.

[0147] [Feature 6] A moving member is provided which receives power from a drive source and moves the game ball within the guide path, A gaming machine according to any one of features 3 to 5, wherein the coating means faces the moving member across a guide path.

[0148] According to feature 6, the coating means comes into contact with the game ball that moves under the force of the force, so that the game ball is prevented from becoming difficult to move due to friction with the coating means.

[0149] [Feature 7] A moving member is provided which receives power from a drive source and moves the game ball within the guide path, The coating means is configured by applying or impregnating the moving member with the coating agent.

[0150] As in Feature 7, the coating means may be a coating agent applied to or impregnated onto the moving member.

[0151] [Feature 8] The guide path extends in a vertical direction, 8. The gaming machine according to feature 6 or 7, wherein the moving member is a screw having a helical blade extending therefrom capable of supporting a gaming ball.

[0152] The moving member may be a belt conveyor or may be a screw as in Feature 8.

[0153] [Feature 9] The gaming machine according to any one of Features 1 to 8, wherein the coating agent is a lubricant containing a fluorine-based compound.

[0154] The coating agent may be a lubricant containing a silicone-based compound or a lubricant containing an ester-based compound, but as in Feature 9, a lubricant containing a fluorine-based compound is preferable in terms of making the game ball slippery.

[0155] [Correspondence between components of the first feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, coating means: roller member 71, launching device: launch unit 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, coating member: roller part 75, driving source: motor 64, moving member: screw 62, helical blade: blade 62B

[0156] [Second group of characteristics] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine. Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine that uses a plurality of gaming balls by circulating them in a single gaming machine is known (for example, see JP 2016-034569 A (paragraph

[0010] , etc.)). In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, it is required to improve the sliding of the gaming ball. In response to this, according to the present feature group, it is possible to improve the sliding of the gaming ball.

[0157] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, A ball polishing means for polishing the game ball to remove dirt; The gaming machine is provided with a coating means for applying a coating agent to the gaming ball.

[0158] According to feature 1, the game ball can be kept clean and has good sliding properties.

[0159] [Feature 2] The game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device and flow down, and are on their way back to the launching device. The game balls are guided through a guide path along which the game balls pass in a line. The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the coating means and the ball polishing means contact the gaming ball in the guide path.

[0160] According to feature 2, the coating agent is applied to the game balls in a line, so that the variation in the amount of coating agent applied to each game ball is suppressed. Also, since the coating agent can be applied to the game balls within the guide path, there is no need to provide a separate location for installing the coating means.

[0161] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 2, wherein at least a part of the coating means and the ball polishing means is a polishing member that comes into contact with the gaming ball and is impregnated with or adhered to the coating agent.

[0162] According to the third feature, the polishing member impregnated with or having a coating agent applied thereto can be used both as the coating means and the ball polishing means.

[0163] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the polishing member is made of foam.

[0164] The polishing member may be a cloth, elastomer, brush, etc., or may be a foam as described in Feature 4. Foam is not only inexpensive, but also easy to apply or impregnate with a coating agent.

[0165] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the ball polishing means and the coating means separately contact the gaming ball in the guide path.

[0166] As in feature 5, the ball polishing means and the coating means may be configured to separately abut against the game ball in the guide path.

[0167] [Feature 6] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein after the coating means applies the coating agent to the gaming ball, the ball polishing means wipes off the coating agent applied to the gaming ball.

[0168] As in feature 6, after the coating agent is applied to the gaming ball, the ball polishing means may be configured to wipe off the coating agent that has been applied to the gaming ball.

[0169] [Feature 7] A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 6, wherein the ball polishing means is provided with a sticker attachment section.

[0170] According to feature 7, a sticker can be attached to the sticker attachment portion. For example, this sticker can indicate when the polishing member was first used to serve as a guide for when maintenance should be performed, or, when there are multiple types of polishing members, an identification number or the like can be written on the sticker to make it easier to distinguish the type of polishing member.

[0171] [Correspondence between components of the second feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, ball polishing means: roller member 71, roller part 75, launching device: launching unit 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, polishing member: roller part 75,

[0172] [Third group of characteristics] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine. Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine that uses a plurality of gaming balls by circulating them in a single gaming machine is known (for example, see JP 2016-034569 A (paragraph

[0010] , etc.)). In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, it is required to improve the sliding of the gaming ball. In response to this, according to the present feature group, it is possible to improve the sliding of the gaming ball.

[0173] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which game balls that have been shot into a game area by a launching device and have flowed down form a line and pass through a guide path to return to the launching device, and a plurality of game balls are circulated and used by a single gaming machine, The gaming machine is provided with a roller member that extends along the guide path, comes into contact with the gaming ball passing through the guide path, polishes the gaming ball to remove dirt, and applies a coating agent to the gaming ball.

[0174] According to feature 1, the game ball can be kept clean while improving its sliding properties.

[0175] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the roller member includes a roller part having an uneven surface for removing dirt from the gaming ball and having the coating agent attached or impregnated thereto.

[0176] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the roller member includes a polishing roller part for removing dirt from the gaming ball and a coating roller part for applying the coating agent to the gaming ball.

[0177] The roller part in one may be configured to both remove dirt and apply a coating agent (Feature 2), or a polishing roller part for removing dirt and a coating roller part for applying a coating agent may be provided separately (Feature 3).

[0178] [Feature 4] The roller component for coating includes a roller component having an uneven surface to which the coating agent is adhered or impregnated, The gaming machine described in Feature 3, wherein the polishing roller part is a roller part to which the coating agent is not attached or impregnated.

[0179] The coating roller part may be a roller-shaped product of a solidified coating agent, or, as in Feature 4, may be the same roller part as the polishing roller part to which the coating agent is attached or impregnated.

[0180] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 2 or 4, wherein the roller part is made of foam.

[0181] The roller parts may be made of cloth, elastomer, brush, etc., or may be made of foam as described in Feature 5. Foam is not only inexpensive but also easy to apply or impregnate with a coating agent.

[0182] [Feature 6] 6. The gaming machine according to Feature 5, wherein the foam is a foamed resin having an expansion ratio of 10 to 20 times.

[0183] If the foam is a foamed resin with an expansion ratio of 10 to 20 times as in Feature 6, it is suitable for impregnating or attaching a coating agent or for removing dirt from game balls.

[0184] [Feature 7] 7. The gaming machine according to feature 5 or 6, wherein the diameter of the roller part is 1.5 to 2.0 times the diameter of the gaming ball.

[0185] If the diameter of the roller part is 1.5 to 2.0 times the diameter of the game ball as in Feature 7, it is suitable for impregnating or adhering a coating agent and for removing dirt from the game ball.

[0186] [Feature 8] The guide path extends in a vertical direction, A screw having a helical blade capable of supporting a game ball extends therefrom and receives power from a drive source to rotate, thereby lifting the game ball in the guide path; A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 7, wherein the roller member is disposed opposite the screw.

[0187] The game balls may be lifted by a conveyor belt-like member, but according to feature 8, the game balls also rotate in response to the rotation of the screw, which prevents the balls from being left unpolished and prevents the coating agent from being applied unevenly.

[0188] [Correspondence between components of the third feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, roller member: roller member 71, roller part: roller part 75, launching device: launching unit 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, spiral blade: blade 62B, screw: screw 62, driving source: motor 64,

[0189] [Fourth group of characteristics] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine, and a gaming machine of this type is conventionally known in which a plurality of gaming balls are circulated and used by a single gaming machine, and which is provided with a configuration for removing dirt from the gaming balls (see, for example, JP 2016-034569 A (paragraph

[0010] , etc.)). In the conventional gaming machines described above, it is required to make it easier to remove dirt from the gaming balls. In response to this, the present group of features makes it easier to remove dirt from the gaming balls.

[0190] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which game balls that have been shot into a game area by a launching device and have flowed down form a line and pass through a guide path to return to the launching device, and a plurality of game balls are circulated and used by a single gaming machine, A foam body is provided which comes into contact with the game ball passing through the guide path to remove dirt, The foam has an edge formed thereon that is crossed by a gaming ball passing through the guide path.

[0191] According to the feature 1, dirt on the surface of the game ball is easily removed by the game ball crossing the edge of the foam. In addition, since the direction in which the game ball passes is determined by the guide path, the game ball is easily able to cross the edge of the foam.

[0192] [Feature 2] The foam is formed by assembling a plurality of foam parts, A gaming machine as described in feature 1, wherein the outer edge of each of the foam parts is the edge.

[0193] According to feature 2, the game ball comes into contact with the outer edge of each foam part, and dirt is removed. In addition, by providing a plurality of foam parts, the game ball comes into contact with the edge of the foam (the outer edge of the foam part) more frequently, and dirt on the game ball is more easily removed. [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the foam has a roller shape extending along the guide path, and a plurality of roller parts as the foam parts are arranged in the axial direction.

[0194] According to feature 3, since the foam is shaped like a roller, the surface of the foam that comes into contact with the game ball changes, making it easier to remove dirt and suppressing uneven wear of the foam.

[0195] [Feature 4] A gaming machine described in any one of Features 1 to 3, wherein the foam has a slit and the edges are arranged on both sides of the slit.

[0196] According to feature 4, the game ball comes into contact with the edges sandwiching the slit, and dirt is removed.

[0197] [Feature 5] The gaming machine described in feature 4, wherein the foam has a roller shape extending along the guide path and has a plurality of axially extending slits formed therein.

[0198] The slits may extend in the circumferential direction, or may extend in the axial direction as in Feature 5. [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the foam is rotated.

[0199] According to feature 6, the foam rotates to change the surface of the foam that contacts the game ball, making it easier to remove dirt and suppressing uneven wear of the foam. Also, when the slit extends in the axial direction as in feature 5, the edge rubs against the game ball, making it easier to remove dirt.

[0200] [Feature 7] A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 6, wherein the foam has a coating agent attached thereto or impregnated therein to be attached to the gaming ball.

[0201] According to feature 7, dirt on the game ball can be removed while a coating agent can be applied to the game ball to improve its slipperiness.

[0202] [Correspondence between components of the fourth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, roller member: roller member 71, foam: roller part 75, launching device: launching unit 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65

[0203] [Fifth group of characteristics] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine, and a gaming machine of this type is conventionally known in which a plurality of gaming balls are circulated and used by a single gaming machine, and which is provided with a configuration for removing dirt from the gaming balls (see, for example, JP 2016-034569 A (paragraph

[0010] , etc.)). In the conventional gaming machines described above, it is required to make it easier to remove dirt from the gaming balls. In response to this, the present group of features makes it easier to remove dirt from the gaming balls.

[0204] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which game balls that have been shot into a game area by a launching device and have flowed down form a line and pass through a guide path to return to the launching device, and a plurality of game balls are circulated and used by a single gaming machine, A roller member is provided which extends along the guide path and rotates while contacting the game ball passing through the guide path to remove dirt; The roller members have non-uniform diameters.

[0205] According to feature 1, dirt on the game ball can be removed, and uneven wear of the roller member can be reduced by changing the place where the roller member comes into contact with the game ball as the roller member rotates. Also, since the diameter of the roller member is non-uniform, the game ball fits into the depression of the small diameter part, making it easier to remove dirt. Also, when the part of the roller member that comes into contact with the game ball changes from a small diameter part to a large diameter part, the pressure applied to the game ball becomes stronger, making it easier to remove dirt.

[0206] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the roller member has a non-circular cross section.

[0207] [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the roller member has a wavy outer edge in cross section.

[0208] [Feature 4] 4. A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 3, wherein the roller member has a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion aligned in the axial direction.

[0209] The cross-sectional shape of the roller member may be polygonal, elliptical, star-shaped, etc. (Feature 2), or may have a shape with a wavy outer edge (for example, a gear-like shape) (Feature 3). The cross-sectional shape of the roller member may be uniform in the axial direction, or may be offset in the axial direction so that the outer surface is uneven in the circumferential and axial directions. Also, it may be configured such that a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion are aligned in the axial direction (Feature 4).

[0210] [Correspondence between components of the fifth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, roller member: roller member 71, foam: roller part 75, launching device: launching unit 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65

[0211] [6th group of characteristics] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine. For example, JP 2020-014953 A (paragraphs

[0040] ,

[0041] , FIG. 2) discloses a gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming balls are enclosed inside and circulated for use in a game. In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, a polishing member is provided that contacts the gaming ball to remove dirt. As the polishing member becomes dirty or worn out, it becomes impossible to properly remove dirt from the gaming ball. Therefore, there is a demand for improved maintainability, such as replacement of the polishing member. In response to this, according to the present feature group, it is possible to improve the maintainability of the polishing member.

[0212] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, A polishing member is provided for removing dirt by contacting the game ball, This is a gaming machine in which the state of contact of the polishing member with the gaming ball is changeable.

[0213] According to feature 1, for example, when a polishing member comes into contact with a game ball in a certain contact state to remove dirt, causing the polishing member to become worn or dirt to accumulate, the contact state of the game ball with the polishing member can be changed so that the polishing member can continue to be used in an appropriate state, thereby enabling the polishing member to be used efficiently over a long period of time and improving the maintainability of the polishing member.

[0214] [Feature 2] The game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device and flow down, and are on their way back to the launching device. The game balls are guided through a guide path along which the game balls pass in a line. The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the polishing member is capable of contacting the gaming ball in the guide path.

[0215] According to feature 2, since the polishing member is capable of coming into contact with the game balls arranged in a row on the guide path, it becomes easier to control the state of contact of the polishing member with the game balls.

[0216] [Feature 3] In the gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, the polishing member is switchable between a contact state in which it contacts the gaming ball and a non-contact state in which it does not contact the gaming ball.

[0217] [Feature 4] In the gaming machine according to feature 3, the polishing member is movable between a position where it can come into contact with the gaming ball and a position where it cannot come into contact with the gaming ball.

[0218] As a configuration for changing the contact state of the polishing member with the game ball, for example, as in Feature 3, a configuration for switching between a contact state in which the polishing member contacts the game ball and a non-contact state in which the polishing member does not contact the game ball can be used. The switching between the contact state and the non-contact state can be done manually or by driving. In addition, as a configuration for switching between the contact state and the non-contact state, as in Feature 4, a configuration for moving the polishing member between a position where the polishing member can contact the game ball and a position where the polishing member cannot contact the game ball can be used.

[0219] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 2 is provided with a partition member that can be positioned between the polishing member and the row of gaming balls in the guide path and prevents the polishing member from coming into contact with the gaming balls.

[0220] According to the fifth feature, by disposing the partition member, it is possible to prevent the polishing member from coming into contact with the game ball.

[0221] [Feature 6] This is a gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 5, in which the pressing force of the polishing member against the gaming ball is changeable.

[0222] [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to any one of Features 1 to 6, wherein the polishing member is made of foam and is movable relative to the gaming ball.

[0223] As a configuration for changing the contact state of the polishing member with the game ball, for example, as in Feature 6, the pressing force of the polishing member against the game ball can be changed. As a configuration for changing the pressing force, for example, as in Feature 7, the polishing member made of foam may be movable relative to the game ball.

[0224] [Feature 8] This is an amusement machine according to any one of Features 1 to 7, wherein the polishing member is impregnated with or has a coating material attached thereto.

[0225] According to feature 8, when dirt on the game ball is removed by the polishing member, the game ball can also be coated with a coating material.

[0226] [Correspondence between components of the sixth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, polishing member: roller part 75, launching device: launching device 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, partition member: a pair of partition protrusions 69

[0227] [7th feature group] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine. For example, JP 2020-014953 A (paragraphs

[0040] ,

[0041] , FIG. 2) discloses a gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming balls are enclosed inside and circulated for use in a game. In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, a polishing member is provided that contacts the gaming ball to remove dirt. As the polishing member becomes dirty or worn out, it becomes impossible to properly remove dirt from the gaming ball. Therefore, there is a demand for improved maintainability, such as replacement of the polishing member. In response to this, according to the present feature group, it is possible to improve the maintainability of the polishing member.

[0228] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, A polishing member is provided for removing dirt by contacting the game ball, The polishing member has a contactable portion on a surface facing the game ball that can contact the game ball and a non-contactable portion on a surface facing the game ball that cannot contact the game ball, This is a gaming machine in which the contactable portion and the non-contactable portion are switchable.

[0229] According to feature 1, if the contactable portion of the polishing member, which comes into contact with the game ball when facing the game ball to polish it, becomes worn or becomes dirty, for example, the contactable portion can be switched to a non-contactable portion of the polishing member whose surface facing the game ball cannot come into contact with the game ball, allowing the polishing member to continue to be used in an appropriate condition, so that the polishing member can be used efficiently for a long period of time and the maintainability of the polishing member can be improved.

[0230] [Feature 2] The game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device and flow down, and are on their way back to the launching device. The game balls are guided through a guide path along which the game balls pass in a line. The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the polishing member is capable of contacting the gaming ball in the guide path.

[0231] According to feature 2, since the polishing member is capable of coming into contact with the game balls arranged in a row on the guide path, it becomes easier to control the state of contact of the polishing member with the game balls.

[0232] [Feature 3] The polishing member has an elongated shape extending along the guide path, A partition part having an abutment window facing the abutment part is provided between the polishing member and the row of game balls in the guide path, This is the gaming machine described in feature 2, in which the contactable portion and the non-contactable portion can be switched by changing the orientation or position of the polishing member.

[0233] [Feature 4] The polishing member has an elongated shape extending along the guide path, A partition part having an abutment window facing the abutment part is provided between the polishing member and the row of game balls in the guide path, This is a gaming machine according to feature 2, in which the contactable portion and the non-contactable portion can be switched by changing the position of the contact window in the partition portion.

[0234] As a configuration in which the polishing member has a contactable portion and a non-contactable portion, for example, a partition portion may be provided between the elongated polishing member extending along the guide path and the row of game balls in the guide path, and a contact window may be provided in the partition portion, and a portion of the polishing member facing the contact window may be the contactable portion. As a configuration for switching between the contactable portion and the non-contactable portion, a configuration in which the orientation or position of the polishing member relative to the partition portion is changed as in Feature 3, or a configuration in which the position of the contact window in the partition portion is changed as in Feature 4, may be used.

[0235] [Feature 5] This is a gaming machine according to any one of Features 1 to 4, wherein the polishing member is impregnated with or has a coating material attached thereto to be adhered to the gaming balls.

[0236] According to feature 5, when dirt on the game ball is removed by the polishing member, the game ball can also be coated with a coating material.

[0237] [Correspondence between components of the seventh feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, polishing member: roller part 75, launching device: launching device 31A, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, partition part: a pair of partition protrusions 69

[0238] [8th feature group] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, JP 2016-34569 A (paragraph

[0010] ) discloses a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a circular manner. There is a demand for the development of technology to improve the slippage of gaming balls in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines. In response to this, according to the present feature group, the slippage of gaming balls can be improved by coating the gaming balls. In addition, since the coating agent is colored, it is easy to distinguish between coating agents.

[0239] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, A coating means is provided for applying a coating agent to the game ball, The gaming machine wherein the coating agent is colored.

[0240] According to Feature 1, coating the game ball can improve the slipperiness of the game ball. In addition, since the coating agent is colored, it is easy to distinguish between different coating agents.

[0241] [Feature 2] The coating means includes a coating member to which the coating agent is attached or impregnated and which comes into contact with the game ball; The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the coating member is a color that makes the coating agent identifiable.

[0242] According to feature 2, it is possible to see at a glance whether a coating agent is attached to or impregnated in the coating component, making it easier to know when maintenance is required.

[0243] [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to Feature 2, wherein the coating member is made of foam.

[0244] The coating member may be a cloth, an elastomer, a brush, or a foam as in Feature 3. Foam is not only inexpensive but also easy to apply or impregnate with a coating agent.

[0245] [Feature 4] The game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device, and after flowing down, they are on their way back to the launching device, and a guide path through which the game balls pass in a line is provided; The gaming machine according to feature 2 or 3, wherein the coating member extends along the guide path and abuts against the gaming ball in the guide path.

[0246] According to feature 4, the coating agent is applied to the game balls in a line, so that the variation in the amount of coating agent applied to each game ball is suppressed. Also, since the coating agent can be applied to the game balls within the guide path, there is no need to provide a separate location for installing a coating means.

[0247] [Feature 5] A moving member is provided which receives power from a drive source and moves the game ball within the guide path, The gaming machine according to feature 4, wherein the coating member faces the moving member across the guide path.

[0248] According to feature 5, the coating member comes into contact with the game ball that moves under power, so that the game ball is prevented from becoming difficult to move due to friction with the coating member.

[0249] [Feature 6] a timing determination means for determining a maintenance timing for the coating means based on a change in color of the coating member; 6. A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 5, further comprising a timing notification means for notifying the maintenance timing determined by the timing determination means.

[0250] Feature 6 makes it easy to know when maintenance is required.

[0251] [Correspondence between components of the eighth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, coating means: roller member 71, coating member: roller part 75, launching device: launching device 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 6

[0252] [9th feature group] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, JP 2016-34569 A (paragraph

[0010] ) discloses a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine. There is a demand for improving the slippage of the gaming balls compared to the conventional gaming machines described above. In response to this, the present feature group makes it possible to improve the slippage of the gaming balls. In addition, the slippage of the gaming balls can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of coating agent.

[0253] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, A coating means is provided for applying a coating agent to the game ball, The coating means is capable of adjusting the amount of the coating agent to be applied to the gaming ball.

[0254] According to feature 1, the slipperiness of the game ball can be improved by applying a coating agent to the game ball. In addition, the slipperiness of the game ball can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of the coating agent.

[0255] [Feature 2] The coating means includes a contact member that contacts the game ball, At least a part of the contact member is a coating portion containing the coating agent, The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the proportion of the coating portion in the abutment member is changeable.

[0256] According to feature 2, it is possible to adjust the amount of coating agent by changing the proportion of the coating portion in the contact member.

[0257] [Feature 3] The game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device and flow down, and are on their way back to the launching device. The game balls are guided through a guide path along which the game balls pass in a line. The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the abutment member extends along the guide path and is capable of contacting a gaming ball within the guide path.

[0258] According to feature 3, the coating agent can be applied to the game balls on their way back to the launching device, eliminating the need to provide a separate place for coating. In addition, the coating agent is applied to the game balls while they are lined up, reducing the variation in the amount of coating agent applied to each game ball.

[0259] [Feature 4] The amusement machine according to feature 3, wherein the abutment member has a plurality of abutment parts arranged in a longitudinal direction, and at least a portion of the plurality of abutment parts is the coating portion.

[0260] According to feature 4, the amount of coating agent can be adjusted according to the number of coating portions among the multiple contact parts.

[0261] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 3 or 4, wherein the contact member is in the form of a roller extending along the guide path.

[0262] According to feature 5, as the roller rotates, the surface of the contact member that contacts the game ball changes, thereby preventing the coating agent from being worn down in only one place on the contact member.

[0263] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to feature 4, wherein the abutment member is formed by fitting a plurality of abutment parts having a circular cross section to an axial member extending along the guide path.

[0264] The abutting member may have a circular cross section, a star shape, a circle with a wavy outer periphery, or any other shape that is approximately symmetrical in cross section and can be fitted onto the shaft member.

[0265] [Feature 7] The amusement machine according to feature 6, wherein the abutment part is detachable from the shaft member.

[0266] According to feature 7, not only can the amount of coating agent be adjusted by attaching and detaching the contact part, but also deteriorated contact parts can be replaced with new ones.

[0267] [Feature 8] The contact member is provided with a foam capable of polishing the game ball to remove dirt, The gaming machine according to any one of features 2 to 7, wherein the coating portion is formed by attaching or impregnating the coating agent to at least a portion of the foam.

[0268] According to feature 8, the ball polishing and coating can be performed by the same part, so there is no need to provide them separately. In addition, foam is preferable because it is not only inexpensive but also easy to attach or impregnate with a coating agent.

[0269] [Correspondence between components of the ninth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, coating means: roller member 71, contact member: roller part 75, coating portion: first roller part 75A, launching device: launching device, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, shaft member: shaft main body 72A

[0270] [10th feature group] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, JP 2016-34569 A (paragraph

[0010] ) discloses a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a circulating manner. There is a demand for improving the slipperiness of gaming balls in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines. In response to this, according to the present invention, the slipperiness of gaming balls can be improved by applying a coating agent to the gaming balls. In addition, when changing the model, the coating means can also be replaced, and the gaming machine can be adjusted to a slipperiness suitable for that model.

[0271] [Feature 1] A game machine that includes a circulation means for returning game balls that have been shot into a game area of ​​a detachably attached game board by a launching device and have flown down the game area to the launching device, and that uses a plurality of game balls by circulating the game balls by itself, The circulating means is a gaming machine that is provided with a detachable coating means for applying a coating agent to gaming balls.

[0272] According to feature 1, the slipperiness of the gaming ball can be improved by applying a coating agent to the gaming ball. In addition, when changing the model, the coating means can be replaced, and the slipperiness of the gaming machine can be adjusted to suit the model.

[0273] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the coating means includes a coating member impregnated with or attached to the coating agent.

[0274] The coating member may be a solidified coating agent, or may be a coating member impregnated with or attached to the coating agent as in Feature 2.

[0275] [Feature 3] The circulation means includes a guide path through which the game balls pass in a line; A moving member that receives power from a drive source and moves the game ball within the guide path, The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the coating member extends along the guide path and contacts the gaming ball transported by the moving member.

[0276] According to feature 3, the coating agent can be applied to the game balls while they are lined up, so there is less variation in the amount of coating agent applied to each game ball. In addition, since the game balls can be coated on their way back to the launching device, there is no need to secure a space for a separate coating means.

[0277] [Feature 4] The guide path extends in a vertical direction, The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the moving member is a screw having a helical blade extending therefrom capable of supporting a gaming ball.

[0278] The moving path may be a conveyor or, as in Feature 4, a screw.

[0279] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to any one of Features 2 to 4, wherein the coating member is made of foam.

[0280] The coating member may be a cloth material, an elastomer, or a brush-shaped member, or may be a foam as described in Feature 5. If a foam is used, not only can it be obtained at low cost, but the coating agent can be easily attached or impregnated therein.

[0281] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in any one of features 2 to 5, wherein the coating agent is colored. [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to feature 6, wherein the coating agent has a distinguishable color when impregnated into or attached to the coating member.

[0282] According to features 6 and 7, it is possible to see at a glance whether the coating agent is attached to or impregnated in the coating member, and it becomes easy to know when maintenance is required when the coating agent is running low. In addition, if different coating agents are used for each model, the inconvenience of applying coating material to unintended models can be prevented.

[0283] [Feature 8] A gaming machine according to any one of features 2 to 7, wherein the coating means is provided with a seal attachment section.

[0284] According to feature 8, a sticker can be attached to the sticker attachment portion. For example, the sticker can be used to indicate when the coating material was first used to serve as a guide for when maintenance should be performed, or an identification number or the like can be written on the sticker to facilitate identification of the coating material for each gaming machine. [Correspondence between components of the tenth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, circulating means: lifting device 60, coating means: roller member 71, coating member: roller part 75, launching device: launching device 31A, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, helical blade: blade 62B, moving member: screw 62, driving source: motor 64,

[0285] [11th feature group] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine. For example, JP 2020-014953 A (paragraphs

[0040] ,

[0041] , FIG. 2) discloses a gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming balls are enclosed inside and circulated for use in a game. In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, a ball polishing means is provided for polishing the gaming balls to remove dirt. As the dirt and wear of the ball polishing means progresses, it becomes impossible to remove dirt from the gaming balls. Therefore, it is required to perform maintenance such as replacing the ball polishing means at an appropriate time. In contrast, according to the present feature group, maintenance of the ball polishing means can be performed at an appropriate time.

[0286] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, A ball polishing means for polishing the game ball to remove dirt; A timing determination means for determining a maintenance timing of the ball polishing means; and a timing notification means for notifying the maintenance timing determined by the timing determination means.

[0287] According to feature 1, a timing determination means is provided for determining the timing for maintenance of the ball polishing means, and the maintenance timing determined by the timing determination means is notified by the timing notification means, so that maintenance of the ball polishing means can be performed at the appropriate timing.

[0288] [Feature 2] In the gaming machine according to feature 1, the timing determination means determines the maintenance timing based on the passage of time.

[0289] [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the timing determination means determines the maintenance timing based on an accumulated time related to the variable display of a pattern that notifies the result of a game win / loss determination.

[0290] [Feature 4] A transfer member is provided for taking in the game balls that have been shot into the game area by the launching device and have flowed down, and transferring them to the launching device; In the gaming machine according to feature 2, the timing determination means determines the maintenance timing based on an operation time of the transport member.

[0291] [Feature 5] In the gaming machine according to feature 2, the timing determination means determines the maintenance timing based on an accumulated operating time of the gaming machine.

[0292] [Feature 6] The gaming machine described in any one of features 2 to 5, wherein the passage of time is determined using a real-time clock.

[0293] The maintenance timing can be determined based on the passage of time as in Feature 2, and may be determined based on the accumulated time related to the variable display of the symbols that notify the result of the game win / loss determination as in Feature 3, or based on the operating time of a transport member that takes in the game balls that have been shot into the game area by the launching device and have finished flowing down and transports them to the launching device as in Feature 4, or based on the number of days the game machine has been in operation as in Feature 5. The passage of time may be determined, for example, using a real-time clock (Feature 6).

[0294] [Feature 7] This is a gaming machine described in any one of Features 1 to 6, wherein the ball polishing means includes a coating member impregnated with or having a coating material applied thereto to be applied to the gaming balls.

[0295] [Feature 8] In the gaming machine according to feature 7, the maintenance timing is the timing to replenish the coating material to the ball polishing means.

[0296] The ball polishing means may be configured to coat the game ball with a coating material when removing dirt from the game ball (Feature 7), and the maintenance timing may be the timing to replenish the coating material.

[0297] [Feature 9] The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 7, wherein the maintenance timing is the timing to replace the ball polishing means.

[0298] The maintenance timing may be the timing to replenish the coating material, as in Feature 9.

[0299] [Feature 10] The machine is set to enter a standby state when no game is played for a certain period of time. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 9, wherein the timing notification means notifies the user of the maintenance timing during the standby state or when the power is turned on.

[0300] As in feature 10, the maintenance timing may be notified when the machine is in a standby state or when the power is turned on, which is set when no game has been played for a certain period of time. This feature prevents the maintenance timing from being notified during play, which would ruin the player's interest.

[0301] [Correspondence between components of the eleventh feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, ball polishing means: roller member 71, timing determination means: determination unit 56, timing notification means: notification unit 57, launching device: launching device 31A, transporting member: lifting device 60, coating member: roller part 75

[0302] [12th feature group] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine. For example, JP 2020-014953 A (paragraphs

[0040] ,

[0041] , FIG. 2) discloses a gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming balls are enclosed inside and circulated for use in a game. In the conventional gaming machine described above, a limited number of gaming balls are repeatedly used, causing the gaming balls to wear out and the behavior of the gaming balls to become unstable, and a solution to this problem is required. In response to this, according to the present feature group, it is possible to suppress the wear of the gaming balls and stabilize the behavior of the gaming balls.

[0303] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls in a single machine, A coating means for applying a coating material to the game ball; a timing determination means for determining a maintenance timing for the coating means; and a timing notification means for notifying the maintenance timing determined by the timing determination means.

[0304] According to feature 1, the coating means for applying a coating material to the game ball is provided, so the surface of the game ball is protected, and the timing determination means for determining the maintenance timing of the coating means is provided and the maintenance timing of the coating means is notified, so that the maintenance of the coating means can be performed at an appropriate timing. This makes it possible to suppress wear of the game ball and stabilize the behavior of the game ball.

[0305] [Feature 2] In the gaming machine according to feature 1, the timing determination means determines the maintenance timing based on a change in a parameter caused by an amount of coating material adhering to the gaming ball.

[0306] [Feature 3] The parameter is a winning rate of a game ball flowing down the game area into a winning hole where a prize can be won.

[0307] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the parameter is a flow speed of a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area.

[0308] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the parameter is a refractive index of light on a gaming ball.

[0309] The timing of maintenance can be determined based on a change in a parameter resulting from the amount of coating material adhering to the game ball, as in Feature 2. The parameter may be, for example, the winning rate of a game ball flowing down the game area into a winning hole where a prize can be won, as in Feature 3, the flow speed of the game ball flowing down the game area, as in Feature 4, or the refractive index of light on the game ball, as in Feature 5.

[0310] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the maintenance timing is the timing to replace the coating means.

[0311] [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to any one of Features 1 to 5, wherein the maintenance timing is a timing to replenish the coating material to the coating means.

[0312] The timing for maintenance may be the timing for replacing the coating means as in feature 6, or may be the timing for replenishing the coating material in the coating means as in feature 7.

[0313] [Feature 8] The machine is set to enter a standby state when no game is played for a certain period of time. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 7, wherein the timing notification means notifies the user of the maintenance timing during the standby state or when the power is turned on.

[0314] As in feature 8, the maintenance timing may be notified when the machine is in a standby state or when the power is turned on, which is set when no game has been played for a certain period of time. This feature prevents the maintenance timing from being notified during play, which would ruin the player's interest.

[0315] [Correspondence between components of the 12th feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, coating means: roller member 71, timing determination means: determination unit 56, timing notification means: notification unit 57, gaming area: gaming area R1

[0316] [13th feature group] The present disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, JP 2016-34569 A (paragraph

[0010] ) discloses a gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming balls are circulated and used by itself, and which is provided with a configuration for removing dirt from the gaming balls. There is a demand for a gaming machine that is easier to remove dirt from the gaming balls than the conventional gaming machines described above. In response to this, according to the present feature group, the ball polishing process is performed at a temperature higher than room temperature, making it easier to remove dirt from the surface of the gaming balls. [Feature 1] In a gaming machine that uses a single gaming ball by circulating it, In this gaming machine, a ball polishing process for polishing game balls to remove dirt is carried out at a temperature higher than room temperature.

[0317] According to feature 1, the ball polishing process is carried out at a temperature higher than room temperature, making it easier to remove dirt from the surface of the game ball.

[0318] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the ball polishing process is performed at a temperature of 30 degrees or higher.

[0319] According to feature 2, in order to easily remove dirt from the game balls, it is preferable that the ball polishing process be carried out at a temperature of 30 degrees or higher.

[0320] [Feature 3] 3. The gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, comprising a heating means for heating the gaming ball.

[0321] According to feature 3, dirt on the surface of the game ball becomes easier to remove.

[0322] [Feature 4] The game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device, and after flowing down, they are on their way back to the launching device, and a guide path through which the game balls pass in a line is provided; The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 3, wherein the ball polishing process is carried out within the guide path.

[0323] According to feature 4, the ball polishing process is performed where the game balls are lined up, so the occurrence of game balls that are not polished can be suppressed. Also, since the ball polishing process is performed on the guide path, it is possible to polish the game balls on the way back to the launching device without providing a separate place for the ball polishing process.

[0324] [Feature 5] The gaming machine described in feature 4 is provided with a polishing member that extends along the guide path and abuts against the gaming ball in the guide path.

[0325] According to feature 5, since the polishing member extends along the guide path, it comes into contact with the game ball over a wide area, making it easier to remove dirt.

[0326] [Feature 6] The gaming machine described in feature 5, further comprising a heating means for heating the polishing member.

[0327] According to feature 6, by bringing the heated polishing member into contact with the game ball, dirt can be easily removed.

[0328] [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to feature 5 or 6, wherein the polishing member is made of foam.

[0329] According to Feature 7, the polishing member may be in the shape of a brush, may be made of a cloth material, or may be made of an elastomer. If it is a foam as in Feature 7, it is not only inexpensive but also suitable for attaching or impregnating a coating agent.

[0330] [Feature 8] A moving member is provided which receives power from a drive source and moves the game ball within the guide path, A gaming machine described in any one of features 4 to 7, comprising a heat transfer section that transfers heat from the driving source into the induction path.

[0331] The machine may be provided with a heating means for heating the game balls as in Feature 3, a heating means for heating the polishing member as in Feature 6, or a heat transfer section as in Feature 8. According to Feature 8, the heat generated by the drive source can be effectively utilized.

[0332] [Correspondence between components of the 13th feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, polishing member: roller part 75, guide path: guide path 65, moving member: screw 62, driving source: motor 64, heating means: motor 64, heat transfer section: heat transfer plate 110

[0333] [14th invention group] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, JP 2016-34569 A (paragraph

[0010] ) discloses a gaming machine in which multiple gaming balls are circulated and used. There is a demand for smoother flow of the gaming balls compared to the conventional gaming machines described above. In contrast, in the present feature group, the gaming balls are pushed toward the subsequent path by the pushing means, so that the flow of the gaming balls can be made smooth.

[0334] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which a gaming ball that has been shot into a gaming area by a launching device and has flowed down is raised in a guide path extending in a vertical direction and returned to the launching device, and a plurality of gaming balls are circulated and used by the gaming machine alone, A pushing means is provided for pushing the game ball that has reached the upper end of the guide path into a subsequent path extending to the side of the guide path, The pushing means is capable of changing the surface condition of the game ball.

[0335] According to feature 1, the pushing means pushes the game ball toward the subsequent path, making the flow of the game ball smooth. Moreover, the pushing means can be effectively used to change the surface condition of the game ball, so that the surface condition of the game ball can be made into an expected state.

[0336] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in Feature 1 is provided with a screw having an extending helical blade capable of supporting a gaming ball, which rotates when powered and raises the gaming ball within the guide path, and the pushing means is provided at the upper end of the screw.

[0337] The pushing means may be provided at the upper end of the screw as in Feature 2, or may be provided separately, for example, by a mechanism that raises the game ball with a conveyor belt and pushes the game ball from the side when it reaches the top end.

[0338] [Feature 3] The pushing means is a wall extending outward from the rotation axis of the screw, and the gaming machine has a changing means for changing the surface condition of the gaming ball.

[0339] According to feature 3, the gaming ball that has been raised by the screw can be pushed into a subsequent path by the pushing means, while changing the surface condition of the gaming ball.

[0340] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the changing means applies a coating agent to the gaming ball.

[0341] According to feature 4, the slipperiness of the game ball can be improved by applying a coating agent to the surface of the game ball.

[0342] [Feature 5] A coating means is provided for applying a coating agent to the game ball, The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the changing means wipes the coating agent off the gaming ball.

[0343] According to feature 5, excess coating agent can be wiped off, so that the slipperiness of the game ball can be adjusted.

[0344] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the changing means removes dirt from the gaming ball.

[0345] According to feature 6, dirt on the surface of the game ball is removed, thereby making the game ball more slippery.

[0346] [Correspondence between components of the 14th feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, coating means: roller member 71, launching device: launching device 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, helical blade: blade 62B, screw: screw 62, subsequent path: upper passage 61B, pushing means: pushing piece 62C

[0347] [15th feature group] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, JP 2016-34569 A (paragraph

[0010] ) discloses a gaming machine in which multiple gaming balls are circulated and used by itself, and which is equipped with a configuration for removing dirt from the gaming balls. For the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines, there is a demand for keeping the surfaces of the gaming balls clean. In response to this, according to the present feature group, the moving mechanism is purified, making it difficult for the gaming balls to become dirty, and the surfaces of the gaming balls can be kept clean.

[0348] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which game balls that have been shot into a game area by a launching device and have flowed down form a line and pass through a guide path to return to the launching device, and a plurality of game balls are circulated and used by a single gaming machine, A moving mechanism that extends along the guide path and moves the game ball within the guide path; An amusement machine equipped with a moving mechanism cleaning means for removing dirt from the moving mechanism.

[0349] According to feature 1, the moving mechanism is purified, so that the game ball is less likely to get dirty, and the surface of the game ball can be kept clean.

[0350] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the moving mechanism cleaning means is provided on the opposite side of the guide path across the moving mechanism and is arranged along the moving mechanism.

[0351] According to feature 2, the moving mechanism purification device is provided along the moving mechanism, making it compact. [Feature 3] 3. The gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, wherein the moving mechanism cleaning means removes dirt by contacting the moving mechanism.

[0352] The moving mechanism cleaning means may be configured to remove dirt by contacting the moving mechanism as in Feature 3, or may be configured to clean with running water like a shower, or may be configured to blow air to blow away dirt.

[0353] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the moving mechanism cleaning means includes a brush or foam.

[0354] The moving mechanism cleaning means may be in the form of a brush, or may be made of elastomer or cloth. If it is made of foam as in Feature 6, it is inexpensive and easy to remove dirt from the moving mechanism.

[0355] [Feature 5] The guide path extends in a vertical direction, The moving mechanism includes a screw having a helical blade capable of supporting a game ball, which extends and rotates by receiving power to raise the game ball in the guide path; An amusement machine described in any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the moving mechanism cleaning means removes dirt from the screw.

[0356] The moving mechanism may be a conveyor belt, but if it is a rotating screw as in Feature 5, the entire mechanism can be easily purified by the moving mechanism purification means.

[0357] [Correspondence between components of the 15th feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, launching device: launching unit 31, playing area: playing area R1, guide path: guide path 65, lifting mechanism: lifting device 60, helical blade: blade 62B, moving mechanism: screw 62 [Explanation of symbols]

[0358] 10 Gaming machines 31 Launch Unit 53 Maintenance notification lamp 60 Lifting equipment 60A bulb inlet 60B ball outlet 61A Lower passage 61B Upper passage 62 Screw 62A center axis 62B Blade 62C Extrusion piece 64 Motor 65 Guidance section 70 Cleaning mechanism 71 Roller member 72A shaft body 75 Roller parts 80 Roller retention mechanism 110 Heat transfer plate 111 Brush R1 Gaming Area

Claims

**Claim 1**: In a gaming machine that circulates and uses a plurality of game balls in a single gaming machine, a lifting device disposed inside the gaming machine for sending the game balls that have been driven into the game area by the launching device and have finished flowing down back to the launching device; a guiding path disposed within the lifting device through which the game balls pass in a row; a ball polishing member for polishing the game balls within the guiding path to remove dirt; and the gaming machine, wherein the ball polishing member is provided with a handle that can be touched by hand when removing the ball polishing member from the gaming machine. **Claim 2**: The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the handle is rotatable relative to the main body of the ball polishing member.

Images