Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of appropriately maintaining a movable accessory in a predetermined posture by a solenoid.SOLUTION: In a Pachinko game machine 1, a first opening / closing member 31 is changed to an open posture by movement of a plunger 202 in a direction entering the inside of a coil 204 by energization of the coil 204 and the first opening / closing member 31 is changed to a closed posture by movement of the plunger 202 in a direction retreating from the inside of the coil 204 by spring force of a spring 206 and magnetic force of a magnet 208. Accordingly, the first opening / closing member 31 can be maintained in a closed posture by a large force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gaming machines have been known in which a movable accessory changes between a first position and a second position by the drive of a solenoid (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-030670 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional solenoids have the problem that they may not be able to properly maintain the movable parts in a specified position.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been created to solve the above problems, and aims to provide an amusement machine that can properly maintain movable parts in a predetermined position using a solenoid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the gaming machine of the present invention has a movable part that changes between a first position and a second position, a coil, a plunger arranged so as to be able to move back and forth inside the coil, a spring that applies a spring force to the plunger in a direction to move it out of the inside of the coil, and a magnet that applies a magnetic force to the plunger in a direction to move it out of the inside of the coil, and is characterized in that it is equipped with a solenoid that changes the movable part to the first position by moving the plunger in a direction to enter the inside of the coil when current is applied to the coil, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the solenoid to the movable part. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the gaming machine of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the spring force of the spring and the magnetic force of the magnet move the plunger in the direction of retracting from the inside of the coil, thereby changing the movable part to the second position. This allows the movable part to be appropriately maintained in the second position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of displays provided in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a main control board and peripheral devices provided in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a sub-control board and peripheral devices provided in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] An oblique view showing the first large prize device in the open position. [Figure 6] An oblique view showing the first large prize device in a closed position. [Figure 7]An oblique view showing the internal structure of the first large prize winning device in a closed position. [Figure 8] A side view showing the internal structure of the first large prize device in a closed position. [Figure 9] A top view showing the internal structure of the first large prize device in the closed position. [Figure 10] This is a top view showing the internal structure of the first large prize device in the closed position, excluding the first opening and closing member. [Figure 11] An oblique view showing the internal structure of the first large prize winning device in the open position. [Figure 12] A side view showing the internal structure of the first large prize device in the open position. [Figure 13] A top view showing the internal structure of the first large prize device in the open position. [Figure 14] This is a top view showing the internal structure of the first large prize device in the open position, excluding the first opening and closing member. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stroke amount of a plunger and the attractive force of the plunger in a conventional plunger. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stroke amount of the plunger and the attractive force of the plunger in the plunger of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stroke amount of a plunger and the attractive force of the plunger in a conventional plunger. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a plunger with a cylindrical magnet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the directions of each part of the pachinko gaming machine are based on the direction as seen by a player playing opposite the pachinko gaming machine. Specifically, the left-right and up-down directions of each part of the pachinko gaming machine are the left-right and up-down directions as seen by the player. In addition, the direction approaching the player is defined as the front, and the direction moving away from the player is defined as the rear.

[0010] [Major components of a pachinko machine] As shown in Fig. 1, the pachinko game machine 1 includes a game machine frame 16. The game machine frame 16 includes, from the front side, a front frame 18, an inner frame (not shown), and an outer frame (not shown). The front frame 18 includes a handle 4, a ball supply tray (also called an upper tray) 24, a surplus ball receiving tray (also called a lower tray) 25, a performance button 9, a performance lever 6, a speaker 8, a left side lamp 23a, and a right side lamp 23b.

[0011] The handle 4 is provided at the lower right of the front frame 18, that is, at a position where a player facing the pachinko game machine 1 can hold it with his / her right hand. The handle 4 is equipped with a touch switch 92 (FIG. 3), a launch lever 4a, and a launch stop button 4b. The touch switch 92 outputs a signal indicating that the player has touched the handle 4, and is located at a position where the right hand of the player holding the handle 4 can touch. The launch lever 4a is for adjusting the launch strength of the game balls, and is provided rotatably on the handle 4. The launch stop button 4b is for stopping the launch of the game balls when they are being launched, and is provided at a position where it can be operated by the thumb of the right hand holding the handle 4. The ball supply tray (also called the upper tray) 24 is provided at the lower center of the front frame 18. The ball supply tray 24 is for storing game balls to be supplied to the launch device 90 (FIG. 3). The ball supply tray 24 stores game balls dispensed from the ball loan payout device 80 (FIG. 3) and the prize ball payout device 400 (FIG. 3). The surplus ball receiving tray (also called the lower tray) 25 is provided below the ball supply tray 24 in the front frame 18. The surplus ball receiving tray 25 stores game balls that exceed the number that the ball supply tray 24 can store.

[0012] The effect button 9 is provided in a portion of the front frame 18 that covers the upper part of the ball supply tray 24. In other words, the effect button 9 is provided in a position of the front frame 18 where the player facing the pachinko game machine 1 can press it with his right or left hand. In this embodiment, the effect button 9 is a push-on button switch. The effect button 9 has a built-in effect button lamp 9c (FIG. 4) and an effect button vibration motor 9b (FIG. 4). The effect button lamp 9c lights up or flashes when the effect button 9 is pressed during the period when the pressing operation of the effect button 9 is valid. The surface of the effect button 9 is formed of a translucent material, and is designed so that the light emitted by the effect button lamp 9c can be seen by the player. The effect button vibration motor 9b vibrates the effect button 9, and vibrates at a predetermined timing during the period when the pressing operation of the effect button 9 is valid. In this embodiment, the effect button lamp 9c is an LED. The effect button 9 has a built-in elastic member such as a spring (not shown) for returning the pressed effect button 9 to the position before it was pressed, and when the pressed state is released, the effect button 9 returns to the state before it was pressed by the restoring force of the elastic member. When a player presses the effect button 9 while the pressing operation of the effect button 9 is valid, a specific effect is performed. Hereinafter, a specific effect that is performed as a result of the operation of the effect button 9 is referred to as a button effect.

[0013] The effect lever 6 is provided to the left of the surplus ball tray 25 in the front frame 18, that is, toward the lower left end of the front frame 18. In other words, the effect lever 6 is provided in a position in the front frame 18 where the player facing the pachinko gaming machine 1 can operate it with his / her left hand. In other words, the effect lever 6 is provided in a position in the front frame 18 where the player facing the pachinko gaming machine 1 can operate it with his / her left hand, and the effect button 9 is provided in a position in the front frame 18 where the player can press it with his / her right hand while operating the effect lever 6 with his / her left hand. The effect lever 6 is formed in a rod shape that can be grasped with the left hand, and can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, as well as pushed backward. The effect lever 6 is also provided with an effect lever vibration motor 6d (Fig. 4). The effect lever vibration motor 6d vibrates the effect lever 6, and vibrates at a predetermined timing during the period during which operation of the effect lever 6 is valid. When the player operates the effect lever 6 during the period during which operation of the effect lever 6 is valid, a specific effect is performed. Hereinafter, a specific effect that is performed in response to operation of the effect lever 6 is referred to as a lever effect.

[0014] A left side lamp 23a is provided on the upper left side of the front frame 18, and a right side lamp 23b is provided on the upper right side. The front frame 18 where the left side lamp 23a and the right side lamp 23b are provided is translucent, and a plurality of LEDs are arranged inside the translucent portion. Each LED can emit a plurality of colors, and lights up or blinks according to the content of the performance, and further changes the color of the emitted light. The speakers 8 are provided in the upper left and right corners of the front frame 18, respectively, and output sounds such as music, sound effects, and notification sounds according to the content of the performance.

[0015] The pachinko game machine 1 also includes a game board 2, a glass plate 5, and a performance display device 7. The game board 2 is disposed in the approximate center of the game board 2, that is, in a position that is approximately directly opposite the face of the player. The performance display device 7 is disposed on the rear side of the game board 2, and its screen is exposed from approximately the center of the game board 2. The game board 2 is equipped with a fixed winning device 10, a first large winning device (special electric device) 30, a second large winning device (special electric device, V attacker) 33, a gate (a ball entrance for normal symbols) 12, a normal variable winning device (normal electric device, also called an electric chute) 20, a normal winning entrance 13, displays 50, a center decoration 14, and a rail member 17.

[0016] A game area 3 in which game balls flow down (roll) is formed on the surface of the game board 2. The game area 3 has a left game area 3a formed on the left side of the screen of the performance display device 7 and a right game area 3b formed on the right side of the screen of the performance display device 7. A plurality of game nails (not shown) for changing the flow direction of the game balls are driven into the surface of the game board 2. The front of the surface of the game board 2 is covered with a transparent glass plate 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, LEDs are provided at multiple locations on the game board 2. These LEDs are collectively referred to as board lamps (indicated by symbol 2a in FIG. 4). Each LED constituting the board lamp 2a can emit multiple colors, light up or blink depending on the performance content, and further change the emitted color. That is, during game control, the pachinko gaming machine 1 lights up or blinks the left side lamp 23a, the right side lamp 23b and the board lamp 2a according to the content of the performance, and outputs sounds from each speaker 8.

[0017] The fixed winning device 10 is disposed in the approximate center of the lower side of the game board 2. The fixed winning device 10 has a first starting hole 11 through which one game ball can enter (enter) at a time. The first starting hole 11 is always open, and the probability that a game ball will enter the first starting hole 11 does not change. The first large winning device 30 is disposed above the right game area 3b of the game board 2, and is provided with a first opening / closing member 31 that opens and closes the first large winning hole 32. The first opening / closing member 31 is a plate-shaped device that acts as a shutter for the first large winning hole 32, which will be described in detail later. The first opening / closing member 31 protrudes to the front side and closes the top of the first large winning hole 32, thereby making it impossible for a game ball to enter the first large winning hole 32. On the other hand, when the first opening / closing member 31 is housed at the back side and opens the top of the first large prize opening 32, a gaming ball can enter (enter) the first large prize opening 32. That is, when the first opening / closing member 31 protrudes to the front side, it is in a closed state in which the first large prize opening 32 is closed, and when it is housed at the back side, it is in an open state in which the first large prize opening 32 is open.

[0018] The gate 12 is disposed below the first large winning device 30, and is configured so that game balls flowing downward from the first large winning device 30 can pass through it. The normal variable winning device 20 is disposed below the gate 12 in the right game area 3b. The normal variable winning device 20 is provided with a movable member 21. The movable member 21 is a plate-shaped accessory that serves as a bridge to the second start port (ball entry port for special symbols) 22, which is installed with its ball entry port facing leftward. When a normal symbol is won, the movable member 21 protrudes to the front side by an internal mechanism according to a selected operation pattern (a bridge is formed), and the game balls flowing down the right game area 3b can enter (enter) the second start port 22 through the movable member 21. That is, the state in which the movable member 21 is accommodated at the back side is a closed state in which the second start port 22 is closed, and the state in which the movable member 21 protrudes to the front side is an open state in which the second start port 22 is opened.

[0019] The second large prize winning device 33 is disposed below the normal variable prize winning device 20 and includes a second opening / closing member 34 that opens and closes the second large prize winning opening 35 (also called the V prize winning opening). The second opening / closing member 34 is a plate-shaped device that acts as a shutter for the second large prize winning opening 35, which will be described in detail later. When the second opening / closing member 34 protrudes to the front side and closes the top of the second large prize winning opening 35, the second large prize winning opening 35 is placed in a state in which game balls cannot win (enter) the prize. On the other hand, when the second opening / closing member 34 is accommodated in the back side and opens the top of the second large prize winning opening 35, the second large prize winning opening 35 is placed in a state in which game balls can win (enter) the prize. That is, when the second opening / closing member 34 protrudes to the front side, it is in a closed state in which the second large prize winning opening 35 is closed, and when it is accommodated in the back side, it is in an open state in which the second large prize winning opening 35 is opened. Hereinafter, when matters common to the first major prize opening 32 and the second major prize opening 35 are explained, they will simply be referred to as the major prize opening.

[0020] The display devices 50 are provided on the game board 2 outside the game area 3 and below the second big winning device 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the display devices 50 include a first special symbol display device 51 that variably displays a first special symbol (also called a first special symbol), a second special symbol display device 52 that variably displays a second special symbol (also called a second special symbol), and a normal symbol display device 53 that variably displays a normal symbol (also called a normal symbol). Furthermore, the display devices 50 include a first special symbol reserved display device 51a that displays the number of reserved activations of the first special symbol display device 51, a second special symbol reserved display device 52a that displays the number of reserved activations of the second special symbol display device 52, and a normal symbol reserved display device 53a that displays the number of reserved activations of the normal symbol display device 53. Hereinafter, when matters common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol are described, they will simply be referred to as special symbols. In addition, when explaining matters common to the first special pattern display device 51 and the second special pattern display device 52, they will simply be referred to as special pattern display devices.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first special symbol display 51 and the second special symbol display 52 are each composed of eight LEDs. The lit LEDs (□) and the unlit LEDs (■) represent special symbols, and the state in which the lit LEDs move in a predetermined direction (for example, from left to right) represents the changing display of the special symbols. Hereinafter, the changing pattern of the special symbols from when the special symbols start to change and are displayed is referred to as the special symbol changing pattern. In this embodiment, the normal symbol display 53 is composed of two LEDs. The lit LED (□) and the unlit LED (■) represent normal symbols, and the alternating lit states of the LEDs represent the variable display of the normal symbols. When the game ball passes through the gate 12, a lottery is performed for determining whether or not the game ball is a win, and the normal symbol display 53 displays the normal symbol in a variable manner. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the normal symbol display 53 started to display the variable normal symbol, the normal symbol display 53 displays the normal symbol corresponding to the lottery result of the normal symbol. If the normal symbol displayed by the normal symbol display 53 is a normal symbol indicating a win, the normal variable winning device 20 is activated and the movable member 21 protrudes forward, and the game ball can enter the second starting hole 22 (however, even if the game ball wins the normal symbol, the protrusion is only for a very short time in the non-time-saving state, so the game ball cannot actually enter the game ball).

[0022] When the game ball enters the first starting hole 11, a jackpot determination (also called a jackpot lottery) is performed to determine whether or not a jackpot has been won, and the first special symbol display 51 variably displays the first special symbol. Then, the first special symbol display 51 displays the first special symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination after a predetermined time has elapsed since the variably display of the first special symbol was started. If the first special symbol displayed as a definite result is a special symbol indicating a jackpot, a jackpot occurs, the first big prize device 30 is activated, the first opening / closing member 31 is opened and closed, and the first big prize hole 32 is opened and closed. Also, if a small prize is won as described later, the second big prize device 33 is activated, the second opening / closing member 34 is opened and closed, and the second big prize hole 35 is opened and closed. When the first special symbol display 51 is variably displaying the first special symbol and the game ball enters the first starting hole 11, the operation of the first special symbol display 51 triggered by the winning is reserved, and the memory number indicating the number of reserved operations is displayed by the first special symbol reserved display 51a. Hereinafter, the memory number of reserved operations of the first special symbol display 51 is referred to as the first special symbol reserved number.

[0023] Furthermore, when a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 22, a jackpot determination (also called a jackpot lottery) is executed, and the second special symbol display device 52 variably displays the second special symbol. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the second special symbol display device 52 started to variably display the second special symbol, it confirms and displays the second special symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination. If the confirmed and displayed second special symbol is a special symbol indicating a jackpot, a jackpot occurs, and the first large prize device 30 is activated to open and close the first opening / closing member 31, and the first large prize hole 32 is opened and closed. Furthermore, as described below, if a small jackpot is won, the second large prize device 33 is activated to open and close the second opening / closing member 34, The second large winning opening 35 (V winning opening) opens and closes. When the game ball enters the second starting opening 22 while the second special symbol display 52 is variably displaying the second special symbol, the operation of the second special symbol display 52 triggered by the winning is reserved, and the memory number indicating the number of reserved operations is displayed by the second special symbol reserved display 52a. Hereinafter, the memory number of reserved operations of the second special symbol display 52 is referred to as the second special symbol reserved number. Also, when explaining matters common to the first special symbol reserved number and the second special symbol reserved number, it is simply referred to as the special symbol reserved number.

[0024] Hereinafter, the period from when the special symbol display starts to display the special symbol to when the special symbol is fixed is called one change of the special symbol. The number of reserved special symbols decreases by one each time the special symbol is changed is called the consumption of the reserved special symbol number. The period from when the large prize opening opens to when it closes is called the opening period of the large prize opening, and the period from when the large prize opening opens to when it opens again is called a round. The game from the start of the first round to the end of the final round is called a jackpot game. If a jackpot is determined in the jackpot determination, the type of jackpot is determined by lottery. The opening period of the large prize opening and the maximum number of rounds that can be executed vary depending on the type of jackpot. In addition to the jackpot, the pachinko game machine 1 also has a type of jackpot called a small jackpot. If a small jackpot is won, the jackpot game is not played, but the large prize opening is only open for a specified period. Particularly in this embodiment, the first large prize opening 32 is opened in a big prize game, and the second large prize opening 35 is opened in the event of a small prize game.

[0025] In addition, in the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, in addition to when a jackpot is determined in a normal jackpot determination, a jackpot game is also started when a game ball enters the second large winning port 35 (V entry) during play. The pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment is a type of machine called a type 1 / type 2 mixed machine. In addition, the probability of a jackpot being determined in a jackpot determination (hereinafter, referred to as the jackpot probability) is basically fixed, and this type of machine does not have a high probability state in which the jackpot probability is higher than normal.

[0026] The general winning opening 13 is disposed to the left of the fixed winning device 10 on the gaming board 2. The rail member 17 is disposed along the periphery of the gaming board 2. The rail member 17 guides the gaming balls launched by the launching device 90 (Fig. 3) to the gaming area 3. An outlet 19 is opened in the center of the lower part of the gaming board 2 for discharging gaming balls that have not won anywhere. The center decorative body 14 is disposed at the upper part of the gaming board 2. The center decorative body 14 is translucent, and on its inside are provided multiple LEDs that light up or flash depending on the performance content. The pachinko game machine 1 also includes a movable body 15. The movable body 15 is disposed behind the center decorative body 14. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the movable body 15 is substantially hidden by the center decorative body 14. The movable body 15 descends downward at a predetermined timing according to the content of the performance, and displaces into a state visible to the player.

[0027] The performance display device 7 displays moving images and still images such as performance images, message images, and demonstration images. The player plays the game while viewing these images from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The performance display device 7 displays performance (decorative) symbols as performance images in a variable manner in synchronization with the variable display of special symbols. In this embodiment, the performance symbols are symbols representing the Arabic numerals 1 to 9. The performance symbols may include symbols representing characters other than numbers, such as alphabets and special characters, or may be combined with symbols representing characters other than numbers. In this embodiment, the left performance symbol display region, the center performance symbol display region, and the right performance symbol display region are set, from the left, as regions in which the performance display device 7 displays the performance symbols in a variable manner. In the left performance symbol display region, the left performance symbol 9L is displayed, in the center performance symbol display region, the center performance symbol 9C is displayed, and in the right performance symbol display region, the right performance symbol 9R is displayed. Hereinafter, the left performance symbol display region, the center performance symbol display region, and the right performance symbol display region will be referred to as "left performance symbol display region, center performance symbol display region, right performance symbol display region, left performance symbol display region, right ... When explaining matters common to the performance pattern display area and the right performance pattern display area, it will simply be referred to as the performance pattern display area.

[0028] In this embodiment, the main variation pattern (variation mode) of each performance symbol is a variation pattern in which the numbers represented by the performance symbols move from the top to the bottom of the screen in ascending order, that is, a variation pattern in which the symbols scroll vertically. In addition, as the variation pattern, a horizontal scroll method in which the performance symbols move from one side of the screen to the other, a method in which the performance symbols are displayed in ascending order of numbers at the same display position, etc. can also be used. In addition, the performance display device 7 displays a background image as a performance image on the background of each performance symbol. For example, the background image is a moving image such as a TV drama or movie, a moving image that has been animated from that moving image, an animation, an original moving image of a pachinko game machine manufacturer, etc. In this embodiment, the performance display device 7 is a liquid crystal display device. In addition, as the performance display device 7, an organic EL display device, a display device using a dot matrix LED, etc. can also be used. The performance display device 7 displays each performance symbol in synchronization with the display of the special symbol, and displays each performance symbol at the same time as the special symbol is displayed and determined, and displays the result of the big win determination. Here, the determined display is a state in which the performance symbol stops completely without swinging up and down or changing again.

[0029] Hereinafter, the performance pattern that indicates that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot is referred to as a jackpot performance pattern, and the performance pattern that indicates that the result of the jackpot determination is a miss is referred to as a miss performance pattern. In this embodiment, the jackpot performance pattern is a state in which each performance pattern is aligned with a performance pattern that represents the same number, that is, a state of a set of numbers. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the left performance pattern 9L, the middle performance pattern 9C, and the right performance pattern 9R are aligned with "7". Also, the miss performance pattern is a state in which each performance pattern is not aligned with a performance pattern that represents the same number, that is, a pattern that is not aligned with a set of numbers. For example, the left performance pattern 9L is "7", the middle performance pattern 9C is "6", and the right performance pattern 9R is "7". Hereinafter, the effect pattern that the effect display device 7 changes and displays in synchronization with the special pattern is called the effect pattern change pattern, and the image displayed in the background of the effect pattern change pattern is called the background image. The background image is a still image or a moving image.

[0030] The effect symbol variation pattern is displayed in synchronization with the variation display of the special symbol variation pattern, and when the operation of the special symbol display device is suspended, the operation of the effect display device 7 is also suspended. In other words, the number of operations suspended for the special symbol display device and the number of operations suspended for the effect display device 7 match. The number of operations suspended for the effect display device 7 corresponding to the first special symbol reservation number and the number of operations suspended for the effect display device 7 corresponding to the second special symbol reservation number are displayed on the effect display device 7 by reserved images. Therefore, by counting the number of reserved images displayed on the effect display device 7, the player can know the number of reserved first special symbols and the number of reserved second special symbols, and can know the number of operations suspended for the effect display device 7 caused by the number of reserved first special symbols and the number of reserved second special symbols. The number of operations suspended for the effect display device 7 may not be displayed on the effect display device 7, but may be notified to the player by using a lamp or the like located around the effect display device 7.

[0031] In addition to the notification of the result of the jackpot determination by the above-mentioned performance symbols, the pachinko game machine 1 notifies the result of the jackpot determination by using a combination of the background image displayed on the performance display device 7, the sound output from the speaker 8, the lighting of the board lamp 2a, the operation of the role objects, etc. Specifically, various performances such as advance notice performance and reach performance are included.

[0032] [Main electrical configuration of a pachinko machine] Next, the main electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. The pachinko game machine 1 is equipped with a main control board 60 (Figure 3), a payout control board 73 (Figure 3), a sub-control board 100 (Figure 4), an image control board 150 (Figure 4), a lamp control board 79 (Figure 4), and an audio control board 78 (Figure 4).

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, a one-chip microcomputer for game control (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer for game control) 61 is mounted on the main control board 60. The microcomputer for game control 61 includes a CPU 62, a ROM 63, a RAM 64, and an input / output circuit 65. The CPU 62 executes detection of winning, jackpot determination, updating of various random numbers, etc. The ROM 63 stores various tables such as a computer program executed by the CPU 62, a jackpot determination table, a normal winning determination table, a jackpot type determination table, a normal power operation pattern table, a reach determination table, and a special winning pattern selection table. The microcomputer for game control 61 generates random numbers used in various determinations (lotteries), such as a jackpot random number, a jackpot type random number, a reach random number, and a change pattern random number.

[0034] The RAM 64 is used as a work memory when the CPU 62 executes a computer program. The RAM 64 is also provided with a first special chart reservation memory section 64a, a second special chart reservation memory section 64b, and a normal chart reservation memory section 64c. The first special chart reservation memory section 64a has first to fourth memory areas. In other words, the maximum number of first special charts that can be reserved is four. In each memory area, a jackpot random number, a jackpot type random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number obtained by the game control microcomputer 61 due to the game ball entering the first starting hole 11 (FIG. 1) are stored. When the game ball enters the first starting hole 11 (Figure 1) while the first special pattern display 51 (Figure 2) is displaying the first special pattern in a changing manner, the display of the first special pattern resulting from that winning is temporarily suspended (activation suspended), and the jackpot random number etc. obtained as a result of that winning are stored in the first special pattern reservation memory unit 64a.

[0035] On the other hand, the second special symbol reservation memory section 64b has first to fourth memory areas. That is, the maximum number of second special symbols that can be reserved is four. In each memory area, the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, reach random number, and variable pattern random number acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 due to the game ball winning the second start hole 22 (Fig. 1) are stored. When the game ball wins the second start hole 22 (Fig. 1) while the second special symbol display 52 (Fig. 2) is displaying the second special symbol, the display of the second special symbol caused by the winning is temporarily reserved (activation reserved), and the jackpot random number acquired due to the winning is stored in the second special symbol reservation memory section 64b.

[0036] The jackpot random numbers and the like are stored in the order of occurrence of the reserved operation, that is, in the order of acquisition by the game control microcomputer 61, from the first storage area of ​​the first special symbol reserved storage unit 64a and the second special symbol reserved storage unit 64b. Therefore, when the jackpot random numbers and the like are stored in the first to fourth storage areas, the jackpot random numbers and the like stored in the fourth storage area are the newest information in terms of time, and the jackpot random numbers and the like stored in the first storage area are the oldest information in terms of time. The jackpot random numbers and the like stored in each storage area are shifted one by one to the storage area with the oldest storage order every time the variable display of the special symbol is completed. For example, the jackpot random numbers and the like stored in the second storage area are shifted to the first storage area. In addition, the judgment (lottery) based on the jackpot random numbers and the like stored in the first storage area is executed when the variable display of the special symbol by the special symbol display device is completed and before the next variable display begins.

[0037] The normal symbol reservation memory unit 64c (FIG. 3) stores the normal winning random number (random number for determining (lottery) whether the normal symbol is a winning symbol) and the operation pattern random number (random number for selecting the operation pattern of the normal variable winning device 20) acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 due to the game ball passing through the gate 12 (FIG. 1). When the game ball passes through the gate 12 while the normal symbol display device 53 is displaying a normal symbol, the operation of the normal symbol display device 53 due to the passage is temporarily reserved (operation reserved), and the normal winning random number and the operation pattern random number acquired due to the passage are stored in the normal symbol reservation memory unit 64c. The reserved variable display of the normal symbol is performed next after the current variable display of the normal symbol is completed. In this embodiment, the normal symbol reservation memory unit 64c has a memory area for performing a total of four reservations, and the number of reserved operations of the normal symbol display device 53 is a maximum of four. Hereinafter, the number of reserved activations of the normal pattern display 53 will be referred to as the normal pattern reserved number.

[0038] The main control board 60 is also equipped with a RAM clear switch 66. When the pachinko game machine 1 is started with the RAM clear switch 66 pressed, it initializes the RAM 64 and the RAM 120 (FIG. 4) of the sub-control board 100. The main control board 60 is also electrically connected to the display devices 50. The main control board 60 is further electrically connected to the first start hole sensor 11a, the second start hole sensor 22a, the gate sensor 12a, the first large prize hole sensor 32a, the second large prize hole sensor 35a, the general prize hole sensor 13a, the electric chute solenoid 20a, the first large prize hole solenoid 30a, and the second large prize hole solenoid 33a via the relay board 74.

[0039] The first start hole sensor 11a is provided directly below the first start hole 11 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has entered the first start hole 11 to the main control board 60. The second start hole sensor 22a is provided directly below the second start hole 22 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has entered the second start hole 22 to the main control board 60. The gate sensor 12a is provided in the game ball passage area of ​​the gate 12 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has passed through the gate 12 to the main control board 60. The first large prize hole sensor 32a is provided directly below the first large prize hole 32 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has entered the first large prize hole 32 to the main control board 60. The second large prize opening sensor 35a is provided directly below the second large prize opening 35 (FIG. 1), and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has entered the second large prize opening 35 to the main control board 60. The general prize opening sensor 13a is provided directly below the general prize opening 13 (FIG. 1), and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has entered the general prize opening 13 to the main control board 60.

[0040] The electric chute solenoid 20a drives the movable member 21 (FIG. 1) of the normal variable winning device 20 to open and close. The first large prize opening solenoid 30a drives the first opening and closing member 31 (FIG. 1) of the first large prize winning device 30 to open and close. The second large prize opening solenoid 33a drives the second opening and closing member 34 (FIG. 1) of the second large prize winning device 33 to open and close. In particular, when a small prize is won, the second large prize opening solenoid 33a is activated and the second large prize opening 35 (V prize opening) is opened only for a predetermined period of time, and the second large prize opening 35 is in a state where a game ball can win a prize. Then, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the second large prize opening 35 returns to a state where a game ball cannot win a prize. The main control board 60 is electrically connected to the ball loaning device 80, the card unit 76, and the prize ball loaning device 400 via the payout control board 73. The card unit 76 is provided adjacent to the pachinko game machine 1, and performs operations such as reading and writing the balance on the prepaid card. The ball loaning device 80 includes a ball loaning motor 81 and a ball loaning sensor 82. The ball loaning motor 81 drives a member that pays out game balls as loan balls, and the ball loaning sensor 82 outputs a signal indicating that the game balls have been paid out by the member to the main control board 60 via the payout control board 73. The game control microcomputer 61 counts the number of balls loaned out by the ball loaning device 80 based on the signal output from the payout control board 73. The card unit 76 When the prepaid card inserted in the machine has a recorded balance equal to or greater than the minimum balance that can be paid out, and a ball loan button (not shown) is operated, the loan ball payout device 80 is activated and the minimum number of loan balls are paid out to the ball supply tray 24.

[0041] The prize ball payout device 400 includes a prize ball motor 401 and a prize ball sensor 402. The prize ball motor 401 drives a member that pays out game balls as prize balls, and the prize ball sensor 402 outputs a signal indicating that a game ball has been paid out by the member to the main control board 60 via the payout control board 73. The game control microcomputer 61 counts the number of prize balls paid out by the prize ball payout device 400 based on the signal output from the payout control board 73. The main control board 60 is also electrically connected to a launching device 90 via a launching control circuit 75. The launching device 90 includes a launching motor 91, a touch switch 92, and a launching volume 93. The launching motor 91 drives a striking hammer (not shown) that strikes and launches the gaming ball. The touch switch 92 outputs a signal indicating that the player has touched the handle 4. The launching volume 93 adjusts the strength with which the striking hammer strikes the gaming ball according to the amount of rotation of the launching lever 4a (FIG. 1).

[0042] The pachinko game machine 1 also includes a power supply board 70. The power supply board 70 supplies power to the main control board 60 and the payout control board 73. The power supply board 70 also supplies power to each device electrically connected to the payout control board 73 via the payout control board 73. The power supply board 70 also supplies power from the main control board 60 via the relay board 74 to each sensor and solenoid electrically connected to the relay board 74. The power supply board 70 also supplies power via the main control board 60 to the display devices 50 electrically connected to the main control board 60. The power supply board 70 is provided with a backup power supply circuit 71. When power is not being supplied from the outside to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the backup power supply circuit 71 supplies power necessary for retaining information to the RAM 64 of the main control board 60 and the like. A power switch 72 for turning on and off the main power supply that supplies power to the power supply board 70 is electrically connected to the power supply board 70.

[0043] The main control board 60 transmits various commands to the sub-control board 100 (FIG. 4). The main control board 60 can transmit commands to the sub-control board 100, but the sub-control board 100 cannot transmit commands to the main control board 60. In other words, communication between the main control board 60 and the sub-control board 100 is one-way communication in which only transmission from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 100 is possible.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, a one-chip microcomputer for effect control (hereinafter referred to as the microcomputer for effect control) 101 is mounted on the sub-control board 100. The microcomputer for effect control 101 includes a CPU 102, a ROM 110, a RAM 120, and an input / output circuit 103. The CPU 102 controls the effect in accordance with the game. The ROM 110 stores various tables such as the effect selection table Ta7 as well as a computer program for the CPU 102 to control the effect. The RAM 120 is used as a work memory when the CPU 102 executes the computer program. The RAM 120 also includes a first special chart reserved effect storage unit 121, a second special chart reserved effect storage unit 122, and a variable effect storage unit 123.

[0045] The first special chart hold effect memory unit 121 has four memory areas consisting of the first to fourth memory areas, and each memory area stores the first start winning command and the like output from the main control board 60. The first start winning command is a command including the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, variation pattern random number, and reach random number acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 when the game ball wins the first start hole 11. On the other hand, the second special chart hold effect memory unit 122 has four memory areas consisting of the first to fourth memory areas, and each memory area stores the second start winning command etc. output from the main control board 60. The second start winning command is a command including the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, variation pattern random number and reach random number acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 when the game ball wins the second start hole 22. The variable performance memory unit 123 stores the first start winning command or the second start winning command used for the variable performance pattern. The input / output circuit 103 transmits and receives data to and from each board connected to the sub-control board 100 .

[0046] The image control board 150 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 100. The image control board 150 is equipped with an image control CPU 152, a VDP 151 (Video Display Processor), a control ROM 153, a control RAM 154, a CGROM (Character Generator Read Only Memory) 155, and a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 156. The image control CPU 152 controls the performance display device 7 to display performance images such as a variable performance pattern, a button performance image, a lever performance image, and a preview image. The control ROM 153 stores a computer program for the image control CPU 152 to control the performance display device 7. The control RAM 154 is used as a work memory when the image control CPU 152 executes the computer program. The CGROM 155 stores image data for the performance display device 7 to display a performance image. VDP 151 reads image data from CGROM 155 according to a display list created by image control CPU 152, and loads the read image data in a load area in VRAM 156. VDP 151 then synthesizes the image data loaded in VRAM 156, and stores the synthesized image data in a frame buffer in VRAM 156. VDP 151 then converts the image data stored in the frame buffer in VRAM 156 into an RGB signal, and outputs it to performance display device 7. As a result, performance display device 7 displays a performance image.

[0047] The left side lamp 23a, the right side lamp 23b, and the board lamp 2a are electrically connected to the sub-control board 100 via the lamp control board 79. The performance control microcomputer 101 creates light emission pattern data that determines the light emission mode of each lamp using data stored in the ROM 110, and transmits the light emission pattern data to the lamp control board 79. The lamp control board 79 then controls the light emission of each lamp according to the received light emission pattern data. The movable body 15 is electrically connected to the lamp control board 79 via the relay board 77. A device (not shown) for operating the movable body 15 is connected to the movable body 15, and a movable body motor (not shown) for driving the device is connected to the device. The performance control microcomputer 101 creates operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the movable body 15 using the data stored in the ROM 110, and transmits the operation pattern data to the lamp control board 79. Then, the lamp control board 79 that receives the operation pattern data drives the movable body motor via the relay board 77 in accordance with the operation pattern, thereby controlling the operation of the movable body 15.

[0048] Each speaker 8 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 100 via an audio control board 78. The audio control board 78 is equipped with an audio control CPU (not shown), an audio data ROM (not shown), an audio synthesis circuit (not shown), and an amplifier (not shown). The audio data ROM stores audio data for each speaker 8 to output sounds such as music and sound effects. The audio control CPU reads audio data from the audio data ROM based on a command received from the sub-control board 100, and synthesizes the read audio data into audio. The audio synthesis circuit synthesizes the input audio data, converts the synthesized audio data into an analog audio signal, and outputs it to the amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the input audio signal and outputs it to each speaker 8. Each speaker 8 then outputs a sound represented by the input audio signal.

[0049] In addition, the sub-control board 100 is electrically connected to the effect button detection switch 9a, the effect lever push detection switch 6g, the effect lever rotation detection switch 6h, the effect button vibration motor 9b, and the effect lever vibration motor 6d. The effect button detection switch 9a outputs a signal indicating that the effect button 9 has been pressed to the sub-control board 100, and the effect control microcomputer 101 executes a button effect based on the signal input from the effect button detection switch 9a. The effect lever push detection switch 6g outputs a signal indicating that the effect lever 6 has been pushed to the sub-control board 100, and the effect control microcomputer 101 executes a lever effect to be performed when the effect lever 6 is pushed based on the signal input from the effect lever push detection switch 6g. The effect lever rotation detection switch 6h outputs a signal indicating that the effect lever 6 has been rotated to the sub-control board 100, and the effect control microcomputer 101 executes a lever effect to be performed when the effect lever 6 is rotated based on the signal input from the effect lever rotation detection switch 6h.

[0050] The effect button vibration motor 9b is a member that vibrates the effect button 9, and is housed inside the effect button 9. The effect lever vibration motor 6d is a member that vibrates the effect lever 6, and is provided in a portion that contacts the effect lever 6 or inside the effect lever 6. The ROM 110 stores operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the effect button vibration motor 9b and operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the effect lever vibration motor 6d. The effect control microcomputer 101 reads the operation pattern data from the ROM 110 when it is time to vibrate the effect button 9, and drives and controls the effect button vibration motor 9b based on the read operation pattern data. Also, the effect control microcomputer 101 reads the operation pattern data from the ROM 110 when it is time to vibrate the effect lever 6, and drives and controls the effect lever vibration motor 6d based on the read operation pattern data.

[0051] In addition, a real-time clock (RTC) 124 is mounted on the sub-control board 100. The RTC 124 measures the current date and time (date and time). For example, when power is supplied from an external power supply device to the pachinko game machine 1, the RTC 124 operates using the power, and when power is not supplied from the external power supply device, the RTC 124 operates using power supplied from a backup power supply circuit 71 provided in the power supply board 70. Therefore, the RTC 124 can measure the current date and time even when the power supply of the pachinko game machine 1 is not turned on. Note that a backup power supply circuit that supplies power to the RTC 124 may be provided in the sub-control board 100.

[0052] [Game status explanation] Next, we will explain the game state of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The normal symbol display 53 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not have a probability variation function, but only has a variation time shortening function. On the other hand, the special symbol display also does not have a probability variation function, but only has a variation time shortening function. In addition, the state in which the time-saving function of the special symbol display is activated is called the "time-saving state," and the state in which it is not activated is called the "non-time-saving state." In the time-saving state, the time required for the special symbol to change (the time required from the start of the change display to the final display) is shorter than in the non-time-saving state.

[0053] The time-shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 operates in synchronization with the time-shortening function of the special symbol display. In other words, the time-shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 operates in the time-shortening state and does not operate in the non-time-shortening state. In the time-shortening state, the time-shortening of the normal symbol is shorter than in the non-time-shortening state. For example, the time-shortening of the normal symbol is 10 seconds in the non-time-shortening state, but 1 second in the time-shortening state.

[0054] In addition, in the time-saving state, the probability of being judged as a winning in the lottery for the normal pattern is the same as in the non-time-saving state, but when a winning is judged, the operation pattern of the movable member 21 of the normal variable winning device 20 is significantly different between the time-saving state and the non-time-saving state as described above. In the non-time-saving state, the movable member 21 opens the second start hole 22 only for a very short time when it is practically impossible for a game ball to enter the second start hole 22, while in the time-saving state, the movable member 21 of the normal variable winning device 20 is in the open state for a longer period of time than in the non-time-saving state, making it very easy for a game ball to enter the second start hole 22. In other words, in the time-saving state, the opening time extension function of the normal variable winning device 20 is activated.

[0055] When the normal symbol display 53's variable time shortening function and the normal variable winning device 20's opening time extension function are in operation, the normal variable winning device 20 is opened more frequently than when these functions are not in operation, and game balls enter the second starting hole 22 more frequently. As a result, the ratio of the number of winning balls to the number of shot balls becomes higher, so the player can aim for a big win without significantly reducing the number of game balls he has. Note that, in this way, when the normal symbol display 53's variable time shortening function and the normal variable winning device 20's opening time extension function are in operation, the control that supports the normal variable winning device 20 in winning the second starting hole 22 is called electric support control.

[0056] In the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment, when a jackpot is won by a lottery using the first special symbol and the second special symbol (including a jackpot by winning the V prize), the electric support control is performed and the game transitions to a time-saving state (hereinafter, this state is called a time-saving game state) after the jackpot game ends. This time-saving game state (also called a time-saving) ends when the special symbol is displayed with a variable number of time-saving times (particularly in this embodiment, the second special symbol is only changed once) set based on the type of jackpot, or when a jackpot is won (including a jackpot by winning the V prize) within the time-saving number of times and the jackpot game is executed. Since the pachinko game machine 1 of this embodiment is a type-one, type-two mixed machine, there is no probability of a special jackpot state, but the lottery for the second special symbol is set to have a higher probability of a small jackpot than the lottery for the first special symbol, and if the player does not make any mistakes in the operation after that, the small jackpot won during the time-saving game state will be a 100% jackpot. That is, in this embodiment, the time-saving gaming state corresponds to a rush state in which it is easier for a player to win a jackpot than in the normal gaming state. When playing the pachinko game machine 1 for the first time, the game state after power is turned on is not electric support control and is in a non-time-saving state.

[0057] [First and second big prize winning devices] Since the first large prize device 30 and the second large prize device 33 have substantially the same structure, the structure of the first large prize device 30 will be specifically described below. As shown in Fig. 5, the first large prize winning device 30 changes between an open position in which the first opening / closing member 31 is housed at the back side, i.e., inside the housing 200 of the first large prize winning device 30, and a closed position in which the first opening / closing member 31 protrudes from the front side, i.e., from the inside of the housing 200, and closes the top of the first large prize winning opening 32 (Fig. 1), as shown in Fig. 6. At this time, the first large prize winning device 30 changes between the open position and the closed position by the operation of the first large prize winning opening solenoid 30a. The open position is an example of the first position of the present invention, and the closed position is an example of the second position of the present invention.

[0058] As shown in Figs. 7 to 14, the first large prize opening solenoid 30a is composed of a plunger 202, a coil 204, a spring 206, and a magnet 208. Figs. 7 to 14 are views of the first large prize device 30 with the housing 200 removed. Figs. 7 to 10 are views of the first large prize device 30 in the closed position, and Figs. 11 to 14 are views of the first large prize device 30 in the open position. Figs. 7 and 11 are perspective views of the first large prize device 30, Figs. 8 and 12 are side views of the first large prize device 30, and Figs. 9, 10, 13, and 14 are top views of the first large prize device 30. Figs. 10 and 14 are views of the first large prize device 30 with the first opening / closing member 31 removed.

[0059] The coil 204 is a linear metal wound in a helical or spiral shape, and is generally hollow. The plunger 202 is rod-shaped and arranged inside the coil 204 so as to be movable forward and backward. The plunger 202 is made of a material having a magnetic body. The spring 206 is fitted on the outside of the plunger 202 and applies a spring force in a direction in which the plunger 202 retreats from inside the coil 204. The magnet 208 has a short cylindrical shape and is arranged on an extension line of the direction in which the plunger 202 retreats from inside the coil 204 among the advancing and retreating directions of the plunger 202. Therefore, the magnet 208 applies a magnetic force to the plunger 202 in a direction in which the plunger 202 retreats from inside the coil 204. In this structure, when current is applied to the coil 204, the first large prize opening solenoid 30a generates an electromagnetic force that draws the plunger 202 into the inside of the coil 204, and the plunger 202 moves in a direction entering the inside of the coil 204. On the other hand, when current is cut off to the coil 204, the electromagnetic force that draws the plunger 202 into the inside of the coil 204 disappears. At this time, the spring force of the spring 206 and the magnetic force of the magnet 208 move the plunger 202 in a direction retracting from the inside of the coil 204.

[0060] The first big prize device 30 has a slide member 210 and a swinging member 212. The slide member 210 is fixed to the tip of the plunger 202, and slides in the direction in which the plunger 202 extends as the plunger 202 advances and retreats. The swinging member 212 is disposed above the slide member 210 so as to be swingable about a pin 214 extending in the vertical direction. A generally U-shaped hook portion 216 is formed at one end of the swinging member 212, and the hook portion 216 is composed of a generally L-shaped first hook portion 216a and an I-shaped second hook portion 216b. A protruding portion 218 protruding upward is formed on the upper surface of the slide member 210, and the protruding portion 218 extends between the first hook portion 216a and the second hook portion 216b of the swinging member 212. The first opening / closing member 31 is composed of a plate-shaped flat plate portion 31a and a bracket portion 31b supporting the flat plate portion 31a. The first opening / closing member 31 is supported by the bracket portion 31b at the other end of the swinging member 212, i.e., the end opposite the hook portion 216, so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the advancing / retracting direction of the plunger 202.

[0061] In this structure, in the first large prize winning device 30, as shown in Figs. 11 to 14, the plunger 202 moves in a direction to enter the inside of the coil 204, and the slide member 210 slides in a direction to approach the first large prize winning port solenoid 30a. At this time, the protruding portion 218 of the slide member 210 contacts the second hook portion 216b of the swinging member 212, and the swinging member 212 swings counterclockwise in Fig. 11. Then, with the swinging of the swinging member 212, the first opening / closing member 31 supported by the other end of the swinging member 212 moves above the first large prize winning port solenoid 30a. As a result, in the first large prize winning device 30, as shown in Fig. 5, the first opening / closing member 31 is accommodated inside the housing 200, and changes to an open position that opens the upper side of the first large prize winning port 32 (Fig. 1). In other words, when electricity is applied to the coil 204 of the first large winning opening solenoid 30a, the plunger 202 moves in a direction entering the inside of the coil 204, and the first opening / closing member 31 changes to an open position.

[0062] On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the plunger 202 moves in a direction retracting from the inside of the coil 204, so that the slide member 210 slides in a direction away from the first large prize opening solenoid 30a. At this time, the protruding portion 218 of the slide member 210 contacts the first hook portion 216a of the swinging member 212, and the swinging member 212 swings clockwise in Fig. 7. Then, with the swinging of the swinging member 212, the first opening / closing member 31 supported on the other end of the swinging member 212 moves in a direction away from the top of the first large prize opening solenoid 30a. As a result, in the first large prize device 30, as shown in Fig. 6, the first opening / closing member 31 protrudes from the inside of the housing 200, and changes to a closed position that closes the top of the first large prize opening 32 (Fig. 1). In other words, when current is cut off to the coil 204 of the first large prize opening solenoid 30a, the plunger 202 moves in a direction away from the inside of the coil 204 due to the spring force of the spring 206 and the magnetic force of the magnet 208, and the first opening / closing member 31 changes to a closed position.

[0063] In this way, in the first big prize device 30, the plunger 202 moves in a direction retracting from inside the coil 204 by the spring force of the spring 206 and the magnetic force of the magnet 208, so that the first opening and closing member 31 changes to a closed position and is maintained in the closed position. Therefore, even if a player vibrates the pachinko game machine 1 or forcibly opens the first opening and closing member 31 for the purpose of cheating, the first opening and closing member 31 can be firmly closed. In detail, in the conventional first big prize device, a magnet is not used, and the plunger is retracted from inside the coil only by the spring force of the spring. Therefore, the suction force that attracts the plunger in a direction retracting from inside the coil is only the spring force, and the suction force becomes smaller as the stroke amount of the plunger increases, as shown in FIG. 15. Note that the stroke amount of the plunger is the amount of extension of the plunger from the coil, and the stroke amount S0 is the amount by which the plunger is most extended from inside the coil. Then, the plunger extends from inside the coil up to stroke amount S0, causing the first opening / closing member 31 to assume a closed position. The spring force increases as the spring contracts more, and the spring contracts more as the plunger stroke amount decreases. For this reason, the spring force increases as the plunger stroke amount decreases. In other words, the spring force decreases as the plunger stroke amount increases. In the conventional first large prize device, the suction force of the plunger when the first opening / closing member 31 is in the closed position, that is, the force that maintains the first opening / closing member 31 in the closed position, was F1.

[0064] On the other hand, in the first big prize device 30, the plunger 202 is withdrawn from inside the coil 204 not only by the spring force of the spring 206 but also by the magnetic force of the magnet 208. Therefore, the attractive force that attracts the plunger 202 in the direction of withdrawing from inside the coil 204 is a spring force and a magnetic force, and as shown in FIG. 16, the attractive force decreases at first as the stroke amount of the plunger increases, but increases as the stroke amount of the plunger increases from the stroke amount S1. This is because when the stroke amount increases to S1, the plunger moves in the withdrawing direction only by the spring force, but when the stroke amount increases from S1 to S0, the plunger moves in the withdrawing direction by the magnetic force in addition to the spring force. Also, the magnetic force increases as the distance between the plunger 202 and the magnet 208 becomes shorter, and the distance between the plunger 202 and the magnet 208 becomes shorter as the stroke amount of the plunger increases. In this way, the greater the plunger stroke amount, the smaller it initially becomes, but as the plunger stroke amount increases from stroke amount S1, the greater it becomes, so that in first large prize winning device 30, the suction force of the plunger when first opening / closing member 31 is in the closed position, that is, the force maintaining first opening / closing member 31 in the closed position, becomes F2 (>F1). This makes it possible for first large prize winning device 30 to maintain first opening / closing member 31 in the closed position with a greater force than conventional first large prize winning devices.

[0065] In addition, in the first large prize winning device 30, as described above, when the stroke amount increases to S1, the plunger moves in the retreat direction only by the spring force, but when the stroke amount increases from S1 to S0, the plunger moves in the retreat direction by the magnetic force in addition to the spring force. In other words, when the first opening and closing member 31 changes from the open position to the closed position, the plunger 202 moves in the retreat direction by the spring force, and then the plunger 202 moves in the retreat direction by the spring force and the magnetic force. This makes it possible to prevent ball jamming by the first opening and closing member 31 when the first opening and closing member 31 changes from the open position to the closed position. In detail, in the conventional first large prize winning device, as shown in FIG. 15, when the stroke amount is S2, the suction force of the plunger in the closed position of the first opening and closing member 31 is F3. The stroke amount S2 is the stroke amount of the plunger at an amount at which the opening amount of the first opening and closing member 31 when the first opening and closing member 31 changes from the open position to the closed position is approximately the same as the diameter of the game ball. For this reason, when the stroke amount of the plunger becomes S2, there is a risk that the game ball will be pinched by the first opening and closing member 31. In this way, when the game ball is pinched by the first opening and closing member 31, the suction force of the plunger is F3, and if the suction force is F3, the game ball pinched by the first opening and closing member 31 will fall due to its own weight, etc.

[0066] On the other hand, in a solenoid that relies only on the spring force of the spring to move the plunger out of the coil without using a magnet, a spring with a high elastic coefficient may be used to increase the attractive force of the plunger. In a solenoid in which a spring with a high elastic coefficient is used, as shown in FIG. 17, the attractive force of the plunger decreases as the stroke amount of the plunger increases, but because the elastic coefficient of the spring is high, the attractive force of the plunger when the stroke amount of the plunger is S0 is F2. In other words, by using a spring with a high elastic coefficient, the attractive force of the plunger in the closed position of the first opening / closing member 31 can be increased in a solenoid that does not use a magnet, similar to the first large prize opening solenoid 30a of the first large prize device 30. However, in a plunger in which a spring with a high elastic coefficient is used, the attractive force of the plunger when the stroke amount of the plunger is S2 is F4 (>F3). Thus, when the suction force F4 is larger than the suction force F3, when the game ball is pinched by the first opening and closing member 31, the game ball pinched by the first opening and closing member 31 may not fall due to its own weight or the like, and may be maintained in a state in which the game ball is pinched by the first opening and closing member 31. In other words, there is a risk that ball jamming may occur due to the first opening and closing member 31.

[0067] Therefore, in the first large prize winning device 30, as shown in Fig. 16, the attractive force of the plunger decreases with an increase in the stroke amount until the stroke amount of the plunger exceeds S2, but after the stroke amount exceeds S2, the attractive force of the plunger increases with an increase in the stroke amount. In other words, when the first opening and closing member 31 changes from the open position to the closed position, the plunger 202 moves in the retreat direction only by the spring force until the stroke amount of the plunger exceeds S2, and then the plunger 202 moves in the retreat direction by the spring force and the magnetic force. Note that after the stroke amount of the plunger exceeds S2, the opening amount of the first opening and closing member 31 becomes smaller than the diameter of the game ball, so that the first opening and closing member 31 prevents the ball from entering the first large prize winning opening 32. Therefore, in the first large prize winning device 30, when the first opening / closing member 31 changes from the open position to the closed position, the plunger 202 moves in the retreat direction only by the spring force until the first opening / closing member 31 blocks the ball from entering the first large prize winning opening 32, and then the plunger 202 moves in the retreat direction by the spring force and the magnetic force. In this way, in the first large prize winning device 30, the plunger 202 moves in the retreat direction only by the spring force until the stroke amount of the plunger exceeds S2, so that the attractive force of the plunger when the stroke amount of the plunger is S2 is F3. This makes it possible to increase the attractive force of the plunger in the closed position of the first opening / closing member 31 by the spring force and the magnetic force, and to prevent ball jamming in the first opening / closing member 31. Note that the first large prize winning device 30 and the second large prize winning device 33 have approximately the same structure, so the effect of the first large prize winning device 30 described above is also exhibited in the second large prize winning device 33. Moreover, the first large prize opening solenoid 30a is an example of a solenoid of the present invention. The first opening / closing member 31 is an example of a movable role and an opening / closing member. The first large prize opening 32 is an example of a prize opening. The plunger 202 is an example of a plunger. The coil 204 is an example of a coil. The spring 206 is an example of a spring. The magnet 208 is an example of a magnet.

[0068] [Effects of the embodiment] (1) In the pachinko game machine 1 of the above-described embodiment, when electricity is applied to the coil 204, the plunger 202 moves in a direction entering the inside of the coil 204, changing the first opening / closing member 31 to an open position, and when the plunger 202 moves in a direction retracting from the inside of the coil 204 due to the spring force of the spring 206 and the magnetic force of the magnet 208, the first opening / closing member 31 changes to a closed position. This makes it possible to maintain the first opening / closing member 31 in the closed position with a large force. (2) In the pachinko game machine 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the magnet 208 is disposed on an extension line of the direction in which the plunger 202 retracts from inside the coil 204 among the advancing and retracting directions of the plunger 202. This makes it possible to efficiently retract the plunger 202 from inside the coil 204 by the magnetic force of the magnet 208. (3) In the pachinko game machine 1 of the above-described embodiment, the first opening / closing member 31 is a member that opens and closes the first large prize opening 32, and opens the first large prize opening 32 in the open position and closes the first large prize opening 32 in the closed position. This makes it possible for the first opening / closing member 31 to close the first large prize opening 32 with a large force in the closed position. (4) In addition, in the pachinko game machine 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, when the first opening / closing member 31 changes from an open position that opens the first large prize opening 32 to a closed position that closes the first large prize opening 32, the plunger 202 moves in a direction retracting from inside the coil 204 due to the spring force of the spring 206, and then moves in a direction retracting from inside the coil 204 due to the spring force of the spring 206 and the magnetic force of the magnet 208. As a result, when the stroke amount of the plunger 202 increases and the spring force weakens, it is possible to strengthen the attractive force of the plunger 202 by the magnetic force. (5) In the pachinko game machine 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, when the first opening / closing member 31 changes from an open position that opens the first large prize opening 32 to a closed position that closes the first large prize opening 32, the plunger 202 moves in a direction retracting from inside the coil 204 due to the spring force of the spring 206 until the first opening / closing member 31 blocks the game ball from entering the first large prize opening 32, and then moves in a direction retracting from inside the coil 204 due to the spring force of the spring 206 and the magnetic force of the magnet 208. This makes it possible to prevent ball jamming due to the first opening / closing member 31.

[0069] Other Embodiments (1) In the above-described embodiment, the first opening / closing member 31 for opening / closing the first large winning opening 32 and the second opening / closing member 34 for opening / closing the second large winning opening 35 are operated by solenoids using spring force and magnetic force, but the opening / closing members for opening / closing various winning openings may be operated by solenoids using spring force and magnetic force. In addition, the opening / closing members are not limited to the opening / closing members for opening / closing the winning openings, and movable parts used for decoration, performance, etc. may be operated by solenoids using spring force and magnetic force. The movable parts used for decoration, performance, etc. may be operated by solenoids using spring force and magnetic force between a first position exposed to the play area 3 and a second position accommodated in an area different from the play area 3. This allows the movable parts used for decoration, performance, etc. to be appropriately maintained in a state where they are accommodated in an area different from the play area 3 without being exposed to the play area 3 in the second position. (2) In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the movable part changes between the first position and the second position by sliding using a solenoid, but the movable part may also change between the first position and the second position by various actions such as rotation, swinging, swiveling, spinning, moving, etc., using a solenoid. (3) In the above embodiment, the magnet 208 has a short cylindrical shape, but magnets of various shapes can be used. For example, as shown in Fig. 18, a cylindrical magnet 230 may be used, and the plunger 202 may be configured to move from inside the coil 204 in the retreating direction to enter the cylindrical magnet 230. With this configuration, it is possible to draw the plunger 202 out of the coil 204 by a strong magnetic force. (4) The present invention can also be applied to gaming machines other than pachinko gaming machines, such as reel-type gaming machines (also called slot machines or pachislots). Furthermore, although specific embodiments of the gaming machine according to the present invention have been described above, the gaming machine may also have the following configuration, in which case the following effects are achieved. (Additional Note 1) For example, a gaming machine according to a first configuration has a movable part that changes between a first position and a second position, a coil, a plunger that is arranged inside the coil so as to be able to advance and retreat, a spring that applies a spring force to the plunger in a direction to retract from inside the coil, and a magnet that applies a magnetic force to the plunger in a direction to retract from inside the coil, and is characterized in that it comprises a solenoid that changes the movable part to the first position by moving the plunger in a direction to enter the coil when current is applied to the coil, and changes the movable part to the second position by moving the plunger in a direction to retract from inside the coil due to the spring force of the spring and the magnetic force of the magnet. In a gaming machine having such a first configuration, it is possible to maintain the first opening / closing member 31 in the closed position with a large force. (Additional Note 2) For example, in the gaming machine according to the second configuration, the magnet is characterized in that it is disposed on an extension line of the direction in which the plunger retreats from inside the coil among the advancing and retreating directions of the plunger. In the gaming machine having such a second configuration, the plunger 202 can be efficiently withdrawn from inside the coil 204 by the magnetic force of the magnet 208. (Appendix 3) For example, in a gaming machine of the third configuration, the movable part is an opening / closing member that opens and closes a winning opening, and is characterized in that the winning opening is opened in the first position and the winning opening is closed in the second position. In a gaming machine having such a third configuration, the first large prize opening 32 can be closed with a large force by the first opening / closing member 31 in the closed position. (Appendix 4) For example, in a gaming machine of the fourth configuration, when the opening / closing member changes from the first position that opens the winning opening to the second position that closes the winning opening, the plunger moves in a direction withdrawing from inside the coil due to the spring force of the spring, and then moves in a direction withdrawing from inside the coil due to the spring force of the spring and the magnetic force of the magnet. In the gaming machine having such a fourth configuration, when the stroke amount of the plunger 202 increases and the spring force weakens, it is possible to strengthen the attractive force of the plunger 202 by magnetic force. (Appendix 5) For example, in a gaming machine of the fifth configuration, when the opening / closing member changes from the first position, which opens the winning opening, to the second position, which closes the winning opening, the plunger moves in a direction withdrawing from inside the coil due to the spring force of the spring until the opening / closing member prevents the game ball from entering the winning opening, and then moves in a direction withdrawing from inside the coil due to the spring force of the spring and the magnetic force of the magnet. In the gaming machine having such a fifth configuration, it is possible to prevent ball sticking due to the first opening and closing member 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Pachinko machines 30a First main entrance solenoid 31 First opening / closing member 32 First Grand Prize Winner 202 Plunger 204 Coil 206 Spring 208 Magnet

Claims

[Claim 1] A movable accessory that changes between a first position and a second position; a solenoid having a coil, a plunger arranged inside the coil so as to be able to advance and retreat, a spring that applies a spring force to the plunger in a direction to retract from inside the coil, and a magnet that applies a magnetic force to the plunger in a direction to retract from inside the coil, wherein when current is passed through the coil, the plunger moves in a direction to enter inside the coil, thereby changing the movable accessory to the first position, and when current is cut off, the spring force of the spring and the magnetic force of the magnet move the plunger in a direction to retract from inside the coil, thereby changing the movable accessory to the second position; A transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the solenoid to the movable accessory; A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

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