Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that allows a game to be easily played for a long time by reducing a burden on a body accompanying a shooting operation by a player.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a game board in which a game region is arranged on the front side, a shooting device capable of shooting a game ball toward the game region, a shooting handle 57 equipped with an operation part 93 for adjusting shooting strength of the shooting device, an inner frame on which the game board is mounted, and a front door arranged on the front side of the inner frame in a freely openable and closable manner. A lower swelling part swelling forward provided with an operation part on the upper surface side and the shooting handle 57 protruding forward are arranged adjacently on the right and left on the lower front side of the front door. Rest means 58 having a support part that can support part of the body of a player is provided on the front side of the front door and in the neighborhood of the lower part of the shooting handle 57. The rest means 58 is provided with a concave-shaped, opening-shaped, or notch-shaped space forming part 114 so as to secure more space below the shooting handle 57.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a launching device capable of launching game balls toward a play area is provided, and a launching handle equipped with an operating part for adjusting the strength of the launch by the launching device is disposed in a protruding manner on the lower front side of the front door. When playing with this gaming machine, a player needs to rotate the operating part against the spring force while holding the launching handle so that the launching device launches game balls with the appropriate strength toward the play area (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-28646 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of gaming machine, in order to continue firing the game balls with the appropriate strength, the player needs to stabilize his or her arms while gripping the firing handle. However, this posture puts a lot of strain on the arms and shoulders, making it difficult to continue playing for long periods of time. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a gaming machine that makes it easy to play for long periods of time by reducing the physical strain on the player associated with firing operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to a gaming machine comprising a game board with a game area located at the front, a launching device capable of launching game balls towards the game area, a launching handle equipped with an operating unit for adjusting the launch strength by the launching device, an inner frame on which the game board is mounted, and a front door arranged on the front side of the inner frame so as to be freely opened and closed and having a transparent window corresponding to the front side of the game area, in which a forward-bulging lower bulge portion having one or more operating units on its upper surface side and the forward-protruding launch handle are arranged side by side on the left and right sides of the lower front side of the front door, in which a rest means having a support portion capable of supporting part of the body of a player operating the launch handle is arranged in front of the front door and near the lower side of the launch handle, and the rest means is provided with a concave, open or notched space forming portion to ensure more space below the launch handle. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the physical burden on the player associated with the firing operation can be reduced, making it easier to play for long periods of time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an overall side view of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame and inner frame of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 6] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the performance button unit and its mounting portion of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hand rest and its surroundings of the pachinko machine. [Figure 9]2 is a front cross-sectional view of the area around the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the area around the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 11] 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the area around the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the game ball circulation device of the same pachinko machine (before lifting). FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the game ball circulation device of the pachinko machine (after lifting). FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 15] This is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine (with the front cover removed from the ball feeding and launching unit). [Figure 16] This is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine (with the front cover and ball feeding device removed from the ball feeding launch unit). [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the lifting device of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a side view of the lifting device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 20] 1 is a rear perspective view of the first pre-lift passage portion and its surroundings of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 21] 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 22] 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view for explaining the ball feeding operation of the pachinko machine. [Figure 24] 13 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the ball feeding operation of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 25] 4 is a time chart showing the operation cycle of the ball feeding and firing operation of the pachinko machine. [Figure 26] 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the firing handle of the pachinko machine and the firing strength. FIG. [Figure 27] This figure shows the corresponding relationship between the minimum and maximum ranges of the variable resistance value, the rotation angle of the launch handle, and the current value flowing through the launch drive means of the pachinko machine. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 27 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a so-called smart pachinko machine. Here, the smart pachinko machine is a machine in which game balls enclosed inside are circulated and used for playing, and the number of game balls owned by the player is managed internally as game ball number data.

[0009] 1 and 2, the gaming machine main body 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 arranged in front of the outer frame 2. The front frame 3 is pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be openable, closable, detachable and so on via a first hinge 4 in the up-down direction arranged on one end side in the left-right direction, for example, on the left end side, and can be locked in a closed state relative to the outer frame 2 by a locking means 5 provided on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the first hinge 4, for example, on the right end side.

[0010] The front frame 3 includes an inner frame 6 and a front door 7 arranged in front of the inner frame 6. The front door 7 is pivotally attached to the inner frame 6 via a second hinge 8 in the vertical direction arranged at one end side in the left-right direction, for example, at the left end side, so as to be openable, closable, and detachable, and can be locked in the closed state relative to the inner frame 6 by a locking means 5. The first hinge 4 and the second hinge 8 are arranged, for example, to be coaxial with each other.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 3, the outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular shape by a pair of left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members 2c, 2d. A front cover member 9 is attached to the lower front side of the outer frame 2 so as to connect the lower front sides of the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b along the front edge of the lower horizontal frame member 2d. The front cover member 9 protrudes forward from the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b, and the inner frame 6 is disposed above it.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the inner frame 6 is provided, for example, integrally with a rectangular frame portion 13 that can be substantially in contact with the front edge of the outer frame 2 above the front cover member 9, a game board mounting portion 14 provided on the upper side of the frame portion 13, and a lower mounting portion 15 provided on the lower side of the frame portion 13. A game board 17 (FIG. 5) with a game area 16 arranged on the front side is attached, for example, from the front side to the game board mounting portion 14 in a detachable manner, and a game ball circulation device 18 is arranged on the lower mounting portion 15. This game ball circulation device 18 is for circulating game balls in a game ball circulation path including the game area 16, and is provided with a launching device 19, a lifting device 20, etc., and is configured to launch game balls toward the game area 16 by the launching device 19, collect out balls discharged from the game area 16, and supply them again to the launching device 19 via the lifting device 20, etc. Details of this game ball circulation device 18 will be described later.

[0013] 5, the game board 17 is provided with a base plate 21 made of plywood, polycarbonate, or the like, and a guide rail 22 for guiding game balls launched from the launching device 19 is arranged in a ring shape on the front side of the base plate 21, and in the game area 16 inside the guide rail 22, unit parts such as a central display frame unit 23, a start winning unit 24, a normal winning unit 25, and many game nails (not shown) are arranged. On the left side of the game area 16, a launch guide passage 26 is formed between the outer rail 22a and the inner rail 22b that constitute the guide rail 22, and a return prevention piece 27 for preventing game balls from returning from the game area 16 side to the launch guide passage 26 side is provided at the inlet part from the launch guide passage 26 to the game area 16.

[0014] In addition, on the multiple unit components 23 to 25 of the game board 17, various display means are arranged, such as a normal pattern starting means 31, a first special pattern starting means 32, a second special pattern starting means 33, a big prize means 34, multiple normal prize means 35, etc., as well as a normal pattern display means 36, a normal reserved number display means 37, a first special pattern display means 38, and a second special pattern display means 39.

[0015] The central display frame unit 23 constitutes a display frame for the liquid crystal display means (image display means) 40 arranged on the rear side of the base plate 21, and is arranged in the approximate center of the game area 16. A game ball that is launched by the launch device 19 and enters the upper side of the game area 16 through the launch guide passage 26 flows down either the left flow-down path 41a on the left side of the central display frame unit 23 or the right flow-down path 41b on the right side. In addition, a return rubber 28 is arranged on the upper right part of the outer periphery of the game area 16, i.e., near the entrance of the right flow-down path 41b, so that a game ball that flows into the game area 16 at high speed and passes through the top of the game area 16 along the guide rail 22 collides with the return rubber 28, loses speed, and then flows down the right flow-down path 41b. In addition, a warp entrance 42 into which the game ball can flow is provided on the left flow-down path 41a side of the central display frame unit 23. The game ball that flows into the warp entrance 42 while flowing down the left flow path 41a rolls freely left and right on a stage 43 provided on the lower side of the central display frame unit 23, and then falls to the front from either a central drop section 44 provided corresponding to the left and right center of the game area 16, or from any other part.

[0016] The normal symbol starting means 31 is for starting the variable display of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display means 36, and is composed of a passage gate through which the game ball can pass, and is equipped with a passage detection means (not shown) for detecting the passage of the game ball. This normal symbol starting means 31 is disposed, for example, on the right side of the central display frame unit 23, and the game ball flowing down the right flow path 41b can pass through it.

[0017] The normal pattern display means 36 is for displaying the normal pattern in a variable manner and is composed of multiple (2) LEDs, etc., and based on the detection of a gaming ball by the normal pattern starting means 31, the multiple LEDs constituting the normal pattern emit light in a normal variation light pattern, and then if the winning determination random number value contained in the normal random number information acquired when the normal pattern starting means 31 detects a gaming ball matches a predetermined winning determination value, the variation stops in a winning state, and otherwise stops in a losing state.

[0018] In addition, when the normal symbol starting means 31 detects a game ball during a normal reservation period including during the pattern change of the normal symbol display means 36 and during the normal profit state, the normal random number information acquired thereby is reserved and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved number, for example, 4 pieces, and each time the normal reservation period ends, one piece is consumed and the normal symbol is changed. The number of stored normal random number information (normal reservation number) is notified to the player by the normal reservation number display means 37, etc.

[0019] The first special symbol starting means 32 is for starting the symbol variation by the first special symbol display means 38, and is composed of a non-opening / closing winning means that does not have an opening / closing means, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) that detects the winning game ball. This first special symbol starting means 32 is provided, for example, in the starting winning unit 24, and is arranged in an upward opening manner on the lower side corresponding to the central drop part 44 of the stage 43, and since there is a route from the warp entrance 42 on the left flow-down path 41a side through the stage 43 to win, the game ball that has flowed down the left flow-down path 41a has a higher probability of winning than the game ball that has flowed down the right flow-down path 41b. The game ball that has won the first special symbol starting means 32 is detected by the game ball detection means and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a game ball enters the first special pattern starting means 32, a predetermined number of game balls per entry are awarded to the player as prize balls (in the smart pachinko machine of this embodiment, game balls are not actually paid out, but the number of prize balls is added to the game ball count data. The same applies below).

[0020] The second special symbol starting means 33 is for starting the pattern variation by the second special symbol display means 39, and is composed of an opening and closing type winning means that can be changed between an open state where the game ball can win and a closed state where the game ball cannot win (or is more difficult to win than in the open state) by the operation of the opening and closing part 33a, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) for detecting the winning game ball, and when the stopped pattern after the variation of the normal symbol display means 36 becomes a winning state and a normal profit state occurs, the opening and closing part 33a is changed from a closed state to an open state for a predetermined time. This second special symbol starting means 33 is arranged, for example, on the right side of the central display frame unit 23 and downstream of the normal symbol starting means 31, and the game ball flowing down the right flow path 41b can win. The game ball that has won the second special symbol starting means 33 is detected by the game ball detection means and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a gaming ball enters the second special symbol starting means 33, a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded to the player as prize balls per entry.

[0021] The first special symbol display means 38 is for displaying the first special symbol in a variable manner, and is composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. When the first special symbol display means 38 starts to vary the 7-segment LED or the like that composes the first special symbol based on the entry of a gaming ball into the first special symbol starting means 32, if the jackpot determination random number value included in the first special random number information acquired when the first special symbol starting means 32 detects the gaming ball matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the variation is stopped in the first jackpot mode, and otherwise in the first miss mode. When the stopped symbol after the variation of the first special symbol display means 38 becomes the first jackpot mode, a special profit state occurs.

[0022] The second special symbol display means 39 is for displaying the second special symbol in a variable manner, and is composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. When the game ball enters the second special symbol starting means 33, the second special symbol display means 39 starts to vary the 7-segment LED or the like that constitutes the second special symbol. If the jackpot determination random number value included in the second special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the second special symbol starting means 33 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the variation is stopped in the second jackpot mode, and otherwise in the second miss mode. If the stopped symbol after the variation of the second special symbol display means 39 becomes the second jackpot mode, a special profit state occurs.

[0023] In addition, when the first and second special symbol starting means 32 and 33 detect a game ball during a special reservation period including the pattern change of the first special symbol display means 38, the pattern change of the second special symbol display means 39, and the special profit state, the first and second special random number information acquired thereby is reserved and stored with a predetermined upper limit of reserved number, for example, 4 pieces each. Then, when the special reservation period ends, if the reserved memory on the second special symbol side is 1 or more, one reserved memory of the second special symbol is consumed and the second special symbol is changed, and if only the reserved memory on the first special symbol side is 1 or more, one reserved memory of the first special symbol is consumed and the first special symbol is changed. In this way, in this embodiment, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not both changing, and when there are reserved memories on both the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, the change of the second special symbol is prioritized. The number of stored first and second special random number information (number of first and second special reserved information) is notified to the player by the liquid crystal display means 40 or the like.

[0024] The big prize winning means 34 is an open / close type winning means equipped with an opening / closing plate 34a that can be switched between an open state where the game ball can win and a closed state where the game ball cannot win, and is disposed downstream of the second special symbol starting means 33 and upstream of the first special symbol starting means 32, and the game ball flowing down the right flow path 41b has a higher probability of winning than the game ball flowing down the left flow path 41a. In the special profit state that occurs when the first and second special symbols of the first and second special symbol display means 38 and 39 stop in the first and second big win modes after fluctuating, the opening / closing plate 34a opens forward according to one or more types of opening patterns, and the game ball that falls on it is allowed to win inside. The game ball that wins the big prize winning means 34 is detected by a game ball detection means (not shown) and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a gaming ball wins in the big prize means 34, a predetermined number of gaming balls per win are awarded to the player as prize balls.

[0025] The normal winning means 35 is composed of non-opening / closing type winning means that does not have an opening / closing means, and is arranged at a plurality of locations in the game area 16, such as above the normal winning unit 25, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) that detects winning game balls. A game ball that wins in the normal winning means 35 is detected by the game ball detection means (not shown) and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a game ball wins in the normal winning means 35, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the player as prize balls for each win.

[0026] The game ball that is launched by the launching device 19 and enters the game area 16 is guided to the outside of the game area 16, i.e., to the rear of the game board 17, by winning one of the various winning means such as the first and second special pattern starting means 32, 33 and the big winning means 34 described above, or by entering one or more outlets 45 located within the game area 16.

[0027] In addition, the liquid crystal display means 40 is capable of displaying a varying performance pattern 46 in parallel with the varying display of the first and second special patterns by the first and second special pattern display means 38, 39, and is also capable of displaying various images such as first and second reserved images X1-X4, Y1-Y4 indicating the number of first and second special reserved items.

[0028] 1 and 2, the front door 7 is provided with a resin door base 51 formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the front side of the inner frame 6. In this door base 51, a window hole 52a of a glass window (transparent window) 52 is formed corresponding to the play area 16, and multiple (four in this case) presentation means such as speakers 53 and LED boards 54 are arranged around the window hole 52a, for example, and an upper decorative cover 55 is attached to substantially cover the speakers 53, LED boards 54, etc. from the front side. The upper decorative cover 55 constitutes a light-emitting lens part having at least a part with translucency corresponding to the LED board 54 on the rear side.

[0029] In addition, at the front of the lower part of the door base 51, i.e., the part corresponding to the front side of the lower mounting part 15 on the inner frame 6 side, a lower bulge part 56 and a launch handle 57 are arranged side by side, and further, a hand rest (rest means) 58 is arranged below the launch handle 57.

[0030] 4, the lower bulge 56 is formed so that it gradually protrudes forward from both the left and right ends of the front door 7 toward the center, and an operation panel section 59 is provided on its upper surface. The operation panel section 59 is provided with a performance button 61, a volume adjustment operation section 62, a light intensity adjustment operation section 63, a cross operation section 64, as well as a game ball number display section 65, a counting button 66, etc.

[0031] The effect button 61 is used in the so-called button effect performed during the game, and is valid for a certain period of time during the button effect, and is configured to execute a predetermined effect when the player presses the button during the valid period. The volume adjustment operation unit 62 is for adjusting the output volume from the speaker 53, and is configured with a plus button and a minus button. The light amount adjustment operation unit 63 is for adjusting the light amount of various LEDs arranged on the LED board 54, and is configured with a plus button and a minus button like the volume adjustment operation unit 62. The cross operation unit 64 is used for various setting operations, selection operations, etc., such as the selection operation of a menu item when a menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 40, and is provided with four movement buttons for up, down, left, and right.

[0032] The game ball number display unit 65 displays the number of game balls (the number of game balls owned by the player) managed inside the gaming machine as game ball number data, and is composed of a 7-segment LED with a predetermined number of digits (6 digits in this case), etc. The count button 66 is an operating means for transferring the game ball number displayed on the game ball number display unit 65 to a storage medium such as an IC card via an external game ball lending device.

[0033] 6, the lower bulge 56 is provided with a performance button unit 67 arranged on the front side, and a button unit support part 68 that detachably supports the performance button unit 67. The performance button unit 67 is provided with a performance button main body 71 having a performance button 61 arranged on the upper side that can be pressed downward, a fixed metal plate 72 attached to the lower side of the performance button main body 71, and a front decorative panel 73 attached to the front side of the performance button main body 71.

[0034] The fixed metal plate 72 integrally comprises a bottom wall 74 disposed substantially horizontally on the bottom side of the effect button main body 71, a rear wall 75 erected on the rear side of the effect button main body 71, and a pair of left side wall 76 and right side wall 77 erected on the left and right side sides of the effect button main body 71. A first fixed receiving portion 79a is disposed on the bottom wall 74 with which a first fixed operating device 78a on the button unit support 68 side can be engaged in a freely disengageable manner, and a second fixed receiving portion 79b is disposed on the rear wall 75 with which a second fixed operating device 78b on the button unit support 68 side can be engaged in a freely disengageable manner. In addition, engagement portions 80b, 80b are disposed on the left and right side walls 76, 77 that can be engaged from the front with a pair of left and right engagement receiving portions 80a, 80a provided on the button unit support 68 side.

[0035] A button unit housing 81 having a space for housing the performance button unit 67 is formed in a forward and upward open state on the front side of the lower bulging portion 56, and a button unit support portion 68 is provided in the button unit housing 81. The button unit support portion 68 includes a support sheet metal 82 arranged along the inner wall of the button unit housing 81. The support sheet metal 82 includes a bottom wall portion 84 arranged substantially horizontally on the inner side (upper surface side) of the bottom wall 83 of the lower bulging portion 56, a rear wall portion 85 erected along the front side of the door base 51, and a pair of left wall portion 86 and right wall portion 87 erected on both the left and right sides, and is detachably fixed to the bottom wall 83 of the lower bulging portion 56, the door base 51, etc., by screwing or the like.

[0036] A first fixed operating device 78a corresponding to the first fixed receiving portion 79a on the performance button unit 67 side is arranged on the bottom wall portion 84, and a second fixed operating device 78b corresponding to the second fixed receiving portion 79b on the performance button unit 67 side is arranged on the rear wall portion 85. The first fixed operating device 78a can be engaged / disengaged with respect to the first fixed receiving portion 79a from the underside of the lower bulge portion 56, and the second fixed operating device 78b can be engaged / disengaged with respect to the second fixed receiving portion 79b from the back side of the front door 7 (i.e., with the front door 7 open). In addition, engagement receiving portions 80a, 80a corresponding to engagement portions 80b, 80b on the performance button unit 67 side are arranged on the left and right side wall portions 86, 87.

[0037] When the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit storage section 81 of the lower bulging section 56, the effect button unit 67 is slid backward with the fixing plate 72 on the effect button unit 67 side aligned with the inside of the support plate 82 on the button unit support section 68 side. At this time, the engagement parts 80b, 80b on the effect button unit 67 side engage with the engagement receiving parts 80a, 80a on the button unit support section 68 side from the front side. Then, when the effect button unit 67 reaches a predetermined fixed position, in that state, the first fixing operating tool 78a is operated from the underside of the lower bulging section 56 to engage with the first fixing receiving part 79a on the effect button unit 67 side, and the second fixing operating tool 78b is further operated from the back side of the front door 7 to engage with the second fixing receiving part 79b on the effect button unit 67 side, completing the attachment work of the effect button unit 67. When removing the effect button unit 67, the above-described attachment work can be performed in reverse order.

[0038] The launch handle 57 is an operating means operated by the player to activate the launch device 19, and as shown in Figures 7, 9 to 11, etc., comprises a launch handle base 91, a launch stop lever 92, a rotation operating section 93, a handle cap 94, etc., and is located near the right side of the lower bulge 56. The launch handle base 91 is integrally provided with a substantially cylindrical support leg 95 arranged in the front-rear direction and a bowl-shaped section 96 provided on the front end side of the support leg 95, and the rear end side of the support leg 95 is detachably fixed to the door base 51 of the front door 7.

[0039] The firing stop lever 92 is for stopping the firing operation of the firing device 19, protrudes radially outward from a predetermined position on the front edge side of the bowl-shaped portion 96, for example, a notch provided on the left side, and is supported switchably between a first position (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10) in which the amount of outward protrusion is large and a second position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 10) in which the amount of protrusion is smaller, and is biased toward the first position. When the firing stop lever 92 is in the first position (OFF), an operation switch for operating the firing device 19 is turned ON, allowing the firing operation of the firing device 19, and when the firing stop lever 92 is in the second position (ON), the operation switch is turned OFF, stopping the firing operation of the firing device 19. In other words, one of the conditions for allowing the firing operation is that the firing stop lever 92 is not operated (is in the first position (OFF)).

[0040] The rotary operation unit (operation unit) 93 is for adjusting the firing strength of the launching device 19, and is formed in a substantially annular shape corresponding to the front edge side of the bowl-shaped portion 96, and has a plurality of finger hooks 93a, for example, three, integrally protruding from its outer periphery. The rotary operation unit 93 is supported in a state in which it can rotate between a minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 and a maximum rotation angle θMAX rotated a predetermined angle clockwise from the minimum rotation angle θ0, and is configured so that the resistance value of the variable resistor 97 changes according to the rotation angle, and is biased counterclockwise toward the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0. The rotary operation unit 93 also functions as an electrode of the touch sensor 98, for example, by applying conductive plating to the entire outer surface. When the touch sensor 98 is ON by the player touching the rotary operation unit 93, the launching operation by the launching device 19 is permitted. In other words, one of the conditions for permitting the launching operation is that the player touches the rotary operation unit 93 (the touch sensor 98 is ON). The variable resistor 97, the touch sensor 98, etc. are disposed inside the bowl-shaped portion 96 (FIG. 10).

[0041] When the rotation operation unit 93 is within a range from the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 to the rotation angle θ1, the firing stop lever 92 is held in the second position (ON) in conjunction with the rotation operation unit 93 (see FIG. 26). Note that the force (first biasing force) biasing the rotation operation unit 93 toward the minimum rotation angle θ0 is greater than the force (second biasing force) biasing the firing stop lever 92 toward the first position (OFF). Therefore, when the rotation operation unit 93 is not being operated, that is, when it is held at the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 by the first biasing force, the firing stop lever 92 is held in the second position (ON) by the first biasing force received from the rotation operation unit 93, and the activation switch is turned OFF. From that state, when the player grips the rotation operation unit 93 and rotates it clockwise, when the rotation angle reaches θ1, the firing stop lever 92 is released from the first biasing force and moves from the second position (ON) to the first position (OFF) by the second biasing force, turning the operation switch ON and allowing the firing operation of the firing device 19. The firing control based on the operation of this firing handle 57 will be described later.

[0042] The handle cap 94 is the part where the player places his / her palm when operating the rotation operating unit 93 etc., and is made of synthetic resin in an approximately hemispherical shape. It is positioned in front of the rotation operating unit 93 and fixed to the launch handle base 91 side in a way that does not interfere with the operation of the rotation operating unit 93 etc.

[0043] The hand rest 58 is an example of a rest means for supporting a part of the body of the player who operates the launch handle 57, specifically a predetermined part in the range from the arm through the wrist to the hand (including the palm), and is disposed below the launch handle 57 and to the side (right side) of the lower bulge 56. As shown in Figs. 7 to 11, the hand rest 58 includes a base portion 101, a rear cover portion 102, a front cover portion 103, and a rest portion (support portion) 104.

[0044] The base portion 101 is made of synthetic resin and is formed, for example, in the shape of a thin plate that is approximately rectangular in plan view and long in the front-rear direction, and is disposed approximately horizontally on the front side along the lower edge of the door base 51. The upper surface side of the base portion 101 is formed to be slightly inclined downward toward the front, and the lower surface side is formed approximately horizontally, so that the thickness (plate thickness) in the vertical direction is smaller on the front side than on the rear side. The base portion 101 is provided with a first opening 105a that penetrates in the vertical direction at a predetermined position on the rear side corresponding to the lower side of the tip of the firing handle 57, and a second opening 105b that also penetrates in the vertical direction is provided forward of the first opening 105a.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 8 and other figures, the base portion 101 forms a hand rest base 108 integrally including a side wall portion 106 erected upward along its left edge and a rear wall portion 107 erected upward along its rear edge. The side wall portion 106 of the hand rest base 108 constitutes the right wall of the lower bulging portion 56, and is disposed along and to the right of the right wall portion 87 of the support sheet metal 82 of the button unit support portion 68 (Fig. 9), and is fixed to the right wall portion 87 by means of screws or the like. When the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit housing portion 81, the front decorative panel 73 on the effect button unit 67 side is connected to the front edge of this side wall portion 106.

[0046] Furthermore, a rear wall portion 107 of the hand rest base 108 is disposed along the front side of the door base 51 and is fixed to the door base 51 by means of screws or the like. An insertion hole 109 corresponding to the firing handle 57 is formed in this rear wall portion 107, and the firing handle 57 is fixed to the door base 51 side with its rear end inserted into the insertion hole 109.

[0047] As described above, the rear end of the base portion 101 of the hand rest 58 is fixed to the door base 51 side via the rear wall portion 107, and the left side of the base portion 101 is fixed to the lower bulging portion 56 side via the side wall portion 106. In this way, the hand rest 58 is supported by the front door 7 not only at the rear side but also in an L-shaped range in a plan view spanning from the rear side to the side side, so that it is possible to ensure sufficient strength against rough handling by a player. Here, the rear wall portion 107 of the hand rest base 108 is an example of a rear support means that supports the rear of the hand rest 58, and the side wall portion 106 of the hand rest base 108 is an example of a side support means that supports the side of the hand rest 58.

[0048] The rear cover part 102 is for reinforcing the base part 101, is fitted from below into a recess provided on the underside of the base part 101, and is detachably fixed to the base part 101 by screwing or the like. As shown in Fig. 8 etc., the rear cover part 102 is integrally formed with a base side recess 110 corresponding to the first opening 105a on the base part 101 side and a rest support part 111 corresponding to the second opening 105b on the base part 101 side.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11, etc., the base side recess 110 is formed in a downward concave shape on the lower side of the first opening 105a in correspondence with the inner region of the first opening 105a. The base side recess 110 has a base side opening 112 of a predetermined shape, for example, a substantially rectangular shape, formed at a predetermined position on the bottom wall 110a, for example, on the rear side. The bottom wall 110a of the base side recess 110 is substantially horizontal and disposed along the bottom surface of the base portion 101, and the peripheral wall portion 110b around the bottom wall 110a is formed in an inclined shape that gradually becomes lower toward the bottom wall 110a side. The rest support portion 111 is for fixing the rest portion 104, and is formed in a shape that protrudes upward in correspondence with the second opening 105b, and is fitted into the second opening 105b from below. Here, the shape of the second opening 105b and the rest support portion 111 that fits therein is substantially rectangular, but may be circular or any other shape.

[0050] The front cover part 103 covers the periphery of the first opening 105a on the base part 101 side from above, and as shown in Figures 8, 9, 11, etc., has a cover side recess 114 formed along the inner surface (upper surface) of the base side recess 110 on the rear cover part 102 side, is attached to the first opening 105a of the base part 101 from above, and is fixed to the rear cover part 102 by screws or the like in a manner that allows it to be freely attached and detached.

[0051] The cover-side recess 114 has a cover-side opening 115 formed on its bottom wall 114a, which corresponds to the base-side opening 112 of the base-side recess 110. The cover-side opening 115 is composed of a plurality of elongated holes 115a, and all of the elongated holes 115a are arranged so as to correspond to the area of ​​the base-side opening 112. The cover-side opening 115 can be formed of one or more circular holes or any number of holes of any shape. Similarly to the cover-side opening 115, the base-side opening 112 can also be formed of one or more circular holes or any number of holes of any shape, but it is preferable that all of the cover-side openings 115 are included within the range of the base-side opening 112, or that the two completely coincide with each other.

[0052] The cover-side recess 114 is an example of a space forming portion for securing more space below the launch handle 57. The presence of the cover-side recess (space forming portion) 114 creates a space even though the hand rest 58 is provided below the launch handle 57, and prevents the player from feeling cramped when operating the launch handle 57. The position of the cover-side recess 114 is determined in consideration of the actual wrist position when the player holds the launch handle 57 with his / her right hand. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the cover-side recess 114 is disposed in a state in which its left-right center position is slightly shifted outward (to the right) from the central axis of the launch handle 57, and as shown in FIG. 11, the cover-side recess 114 is disposed so that its front-rear center position is approximately aligned with the front-rear position of the grip operation portion 57a ​​at the tip side of the launch handle 57. The grip operation portion 57a ​​of the launch handle 57 is the portion of the launch handle 57 that is actually gripped and operated by the player, that is, the portion composed of the handle cap 94 and the rotation operation portion 93 at the rear of the handle cap 94.

[0053] 11, the front-to-rear width of cover-side recess 114 is greater than the front-to-rear width of grip operation portion 57a ​​of firing handle 57, and the front end portion of cover-side recess 114 is located forward of the tip portion of firing handle 57. Also, cover-side opening 115 is shifted rearward from the front-to-rear center position of cover-side recess 114, and is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the front-to-rear position of rotation operation portion 93, for example.

[0054] The rest part (support part) 104 is for supporting a part of the player's body, that is, a predetermined part in the range from the arm to the wrist to the hand (including the palm), from below, and is composed of a rest cover part 116 that directly supports the player's arm, etc., and a rest base part 117 to which the rest cover part 116 is attached, as shown in Figs. 8, 10, 11, etc. The rest cover part 116 is made of a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) material that has both flexible elasticity and firm rigidity so that the weight of the player's arm, etc. can be distributed and supported reliably when the player places the arm, etc. on it. The rest cover part 116 is integrally provided with a plate-like upper wall part 116a formed in a shape (here, approximately rectangular) corresponding to the second opening 105b, and a peripheral wall part 116b that is provided along the outer periphery of the upper wall part 116a and extends downward so as to wrap around the rest base part 117 from the outer periphery side. When the rest cover portion 116 is fitted into the rest base portion 117, a space is formed between the upper wall portion 116a of the rest cover portion 116 and the rest base portion 117, and this space allows deformation of the upper wall portion 116a of the rest cover portion 116.

[0055] The rest portion 104 is fitted from above into the second opening 105b of the base portion 101, and is removably fixed by screwing the rest base portion 117 from below to the rest support portion 111 on the rear cover portion 102 side with the upper side of the rest cover portion 116 protruding above the upper surface of the base portion 101. Note that the rest portion 104 is disposed so that its center position in the left-right direction substantially coincides with the center axis of the firing handle 57 in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG.

[0056] Next, the configuration of the game ball circulation device 18 provided on the inner frame 6 side will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 24. As shown in Figs. 12, 13, etc., the game ball circulation device 18 includes a launching device 19 capable of launching game balls toward the play area 16, a pre-lifting passage 121 that guides out balls discharged from the play area 16, a lifting device 20 that lifts the game balls guided by the pre-lifting passage 121 to a position higher than the launch position by the launching device 19, a post-lifting passage 122 that guides the game balls lifted by the lifting device 20 toward the launching device 19, a ball sending device 120 that supplies the game balls guided by the post-lifting passage 122 to the launching device 19 side one by one in synchronization with the launching operation of the launching device 19, and a lifting device 20 that receives game balls (foul balls) that have been launched by the launching device 19 but have not reached the play area 16. The system is equipped with a foul ball passage 123 that guides balls toward the upper device 20, an out ball switch 124, an excessive ball position detection switch 125, an insufficient position detection switch 126, and a lifting inlet switch 127 that are provided on the path of the pre-lifting passage 121, a lifting outlet switch 128 provided on the path of the post-lifting passage 122, a ball feeding switch 129 provided in the ball feeding device 120, a foul ball switch 130 provided on the path of the foul ball passage 123, and a lifting position detection switch 131 provided in the lifting device 20, and is configured to circulate game balls within a game ball circulation path consisting of the launching device 19, playing area 16, pre-lifting passage 121, lifting device 20, post-lifting passage 122, ball feeding device 120, etc.

[0057] The launching device 19 is provided on the ball feeding launching unit 132 (see Figures 14 to 16 and 24) together with the ball feeding device 120 and the like, and is disposed approximately in the center in the left-right direction in the lower mounting portion 15 of the inner frame 6. As shown in Figure 16 and other figures, the launching device 19 is provided with a launching base plate 133 that is disposed approximately parallel to the game board 17 and constitutes the case back plate of the ball feeding launching unit 132, a launching rail 134 that is disposed on the front side of the launching base plate 133 and slopes upward to the left, and a launching rail 134 that is attached to the front side of the launching base plate 133 and supports the game balls to be launched behind the launching rail 134. The launcher includes a ball holding section 135 that holds the ball at a launch holding position on the end side, a striking hammer 136 that is supported on the front side of the launch base plate 133 so as to be able to swing freely around a drive shaft 136a in the front-rear direction, and a launch drive means 137 such as a rotary solenoid that is disposed on the rear side of the launch base plate 133 and drives the striking hammer 136 in a striking direction (here, clockwise) via the drive shaft 136a, and the striking hammer 136 is intermittently and continuously driven in the striking direction by the launch drive means 137 according to the operation amount (rotation angle) of the rotation operation section 93 of the launch handle 57. As a result, game balls supplied one by one on the launch rail 134 are launched along the launch rail 134 toward the play area 16 of the game board 17.

[0058] The lifting device 20 is arranged to the side (here, the right side) of the launching device 19 in the lower mounting portion 15 of the inner frame 6, and as shown in Figures 12, 13, 17 to 19, etc., is equipped with a screw member 141 arranged with its rotation axis facing in the vertical direction, a grinding member 142 arranged parallel to the screw member 141 near the screw member 141 (here, near the front side), a lifting motor 143, and a lifting drive force transmission means 144 for transmitting the drive force of the lifting motor 143 to the screw member 141 and the grinding member 142.

[0059] The screw member 141 is integrally provided with a helical protruding portion 145 disposed along the vertical axis of rotation. The polishing member 142 is provided with a cylindrical polishing portion 146 made of felt or other material disposed along the vertical axis of rotation. Since the polishing member 142 needs to be replaced when the polishing portion 146 becomes worn, a removal handle 147 is provided near the center in the axial direction.

[0060] The lifting motor 143 is disposed with its drive shaft facing, for example, downward, near the lower side (near the left side here) of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142. The lifting drive force transmission means 144 is composed of a plurality of gears that connect the drive shaft of the lifting motor 143 with each of the rotating shafts of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142. When the lifting motor 143 operates, the rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to each of the rotating shafts of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142 by the lifting drive force transmission means 144, whereby the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142 rotate in opposite directions at the same rotation speed (the screw member 141 rotates clockwise when viewed from above, and the polishing member 142 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above).

[0061] Between the screw member 141 and the grinding member 142, a vertical lifting passage 148 is provided, and a lifting inlet 148a is provided at the lower end of the lifting passage 148, and a lifting outlet 148b is provided at the upper end. The game ball that flows into the lower end of the lifting passage 148 through the lifting inlet 148a is pushed up by the protruding part 145 of the screw member 141 that rotates by the drive of the lifting motor 143, and rises in the lifting passage 148. At that time, the surface of the game ball is polished by the grinding member 142 that rotates by the drive of the lifting motor 143. The game ball that rises in the lifting passage 148 by the screw member 141 and reaches the upper end side of the lifting passage 148 is discharged from the lifting outlet 148b.

[0062] The lifting position detection switch 131 is for detecting the rotational position of the screw member 141 required for driving and controlling the lifting motor 143, and is composed of a photosensor or the like, and is capable of detecting the rotational position of the screw member 141 by detecting a dog provided on any one of a plurality of gears constituting the lifting drive force transmission means 144.

[0063] The pre-lifting passage 121 guides the out balls discharged from the game area 16 toward the lifting inlet 148a of the lifting device 20, and is composed of a pre-lifting first passage section 121a and a pre-lifting second passage section 121b which are arranged rearward of the launching device 19, a pre-lifting third passage section 121c which is connected to the downstream side of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b and which is arranged between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20, and a pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d which is connected to the downstream side of the pre-lifting third passage section 121c and which is connected to the lifting inlet 148a via the front side of the lifting device 20.

[0064] The first passage before lifting 121a allows the out balls to flow down to the connecting portion 150 with the second passage before lifting 121b at the rear side of the launching device 19, and is disposed on the rear side of the rear base plate 149 disposed approximately parallel to the base plate 21 of the game board 17 at the rear side of the lower mounting portion 15 of the inner frame 6, and is formed in an approximately S-shape in front view with two left inclined portions 151, 153 and a right inclined portion 152 therebetween connected by two folded portions 154, 155, as shown in Figures 12, 20, 21, etc. The upstream end side of the left inclined portion 151 of the first passage before lifting 121a is connected to the out ball guide portion 156, and the downstream end side of the left inclined portion 153 is connected to the connecting portion 150.

[0065] As shown in Figure 21, etc., the out ball guide section 156 is located below the out ball discharge outlet 157 provided on the lower back side of the game board 17, and is formed in a sloping shape, for example downward toward the upstream end of the pre-lifting first passage section 121a, and is configured to guide the out ball discharged from the out ball discharge outlet 157 to the left sloping section 151 of the pre-lifting first passage section 121a.

[0066] An out ball switch 124 is disposed on the path of the first passage section 121a before lifting, for example, corresponding to the first turning portion 154. The out ball switch 124 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect a gaming ball flowing down the first passage section 121a before lifting when the gaming ball passes through the turning portion 154.

[0067] The pre-lifting second passage section 121b allows the game balls flowing down from the pre-lifting first passage section 121a to flow toward the lifting device 20 behind the launching device 19, and as shown in Figures 12, 21, 22, etc., is arranged on the front side of the rear base plate 149 with a downward sloping shape to the right, and its upstream end is connected to a connecting section 150 formed on the rear base plate 149.

[0068] An excess position detection switch 125 is disposed on the path of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b, for example, near its downstream end. This excess position detection switch 125 is a mechanical sensor, and is composed of a movable detection piece 125a whose posture changes (swings) depending on the presence or absence of game balls on the passage, and a photosensor 125b that detects the presence or absence of game balls by switching ON / OFF according to the posture change of the movable detection piece 125a.

[0069] The pre-lifting third passage section 121c allows the game balls that have flowed down from the pre-lifting second passage section 121b to flow forward from the rear of the launching device 19, and as shown in Figures 12, 22, etc., is arranged with a downward sloping front between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20, and its upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b.

[0070] The pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d allows the game balls that have flowed forward between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 by the pre-lifting third passage section 121c to flow through the front side of the lifting device 20 and into the lifting inlet 148a, and as shown in Figures 12, 15, 16, 22, etc., is provided with a right inclined section 158 arranged on the front side of the lifting device 20 and a rear inclined section 159 arranged on the right side of the lifting device 20, with the upstream end side of the right inclined section 158 connected to the pre-lifting third passage section 121c and the rear end side of the rear inclined section 159 connected to the lifting inlet 148a.

[0071] Also, on the path of the pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d, for example, an under-filled position detection switch 126 is disposed near the upstream end side of the right inclined section 158. This under-filled position detection switch 126 is a mechanical sensor similar to the over-filled position detection switch 125, and is composed of a movable detection piece 126a whose posture changes (swings) depending on the presence or absence of game balls on the passage, and a photosensor 126b that detects the presence or absence of game balls by switching ON / OFF according to the posture change of the movable detection piece 126a.

[0072] Also, on the path of the pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d, for example, a lifting inlet switch 127 is disposed near the downstream end side of the rear inclined section 159. The lifting inlet switch 127 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect a gaming ball flowing down the pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d immediately before the gaming ball passes through the rear inclined section 159 and flows into the lifting inlet 148a.

[0073] The foul ball passage 123 guides the foul ball to the lifting device 20 side by causing it to flow into the pre-lifting passage 121, and is located behind the launching device 19 and in front of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b, as shown in Figures 12, 21, 22, etc., with its upstream end connected to the foul ball receiving section 161 and its downstream end connected to a predetermined position of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b. The foul ball receiving section 161 receives the foul ball and guides it downstream to the foul ball passage 123 side, and is located downstream (left side) of the launching rail 134.

[0074] The foul ball passage 123 comprises a first foul ball passage section 123a which is arranged in a rearward and downward inclination from the foul ball receiving section 161 side toward the pre-lifting second passage section 121b side, and a second foul ball passage section 123b which is connected to the downstream side of the first foul ball passage section 123a and is arranged approximately parallel to the front side of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b, with the upstream end side of the first foul ball passage section 123a being connected to the foul ball receiving section 161 and the downstream end side of the second foul ball passage section 123b merging diagonally into the pre-lifting second passage section 121b.

[0075] On the path of the first foul ball passage 123a, for example, a foul ball switch 130 is disposed near the connection with the foul ball receiving section 161. The foul ball switch 130 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect the foul ball when it flows into the foul ball passage 123 through the foul ball receiving section 161. Every time the foul ball switch 130 detects a game ball, the game ball number data is incremented by 1, and the amount subtracted at the time of release (ball sending) is returned to the player.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 22, the junction port 162 from the foul ball second passage portion 123b to the pre-lift second passage portion 121b is formed with a width of approximately several game balls along the downstream direction of the game balls, and if the most downstream side of the junction port 162 is the junction point 162a, then (the distance from the foul ball switch 130 to the junction point 162a)>(the distance from the junction point 162a to the excess position detection switch 125).

[0077] The post-lift passage 122 guides the game balls that have been lifted by the lifting device 20 and flowed out from the lifting outlet 148b toward the launching device 19, and as shown in Figure 13, is composed of a post-lift first passage section 122a that is arranged in the left-right direction from the lifting outlet 148b toward the launching device 19, a post-lift second passage section 122b that is connected to the downstream side of the post-lift first passage section 122a and is arranged facing forward between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20, and a post-lift third passage section 122c that is connected to the downstream side of the post-lift second passage section 122b and is arranged in the left-right direction in front of the launching device 19.

[0078] 13, 17, 18, 23, etc., the first post-lift passage portion 122a is disposed in a downwardly leftward inclination from the lift outlet 148b, and a lift outlet switch 128 is disposed at a predetermined position on the path, for example, at the downstream end side. The lift outlet switch 128 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect game balls that are lifted by the lift device 20 and flow out from the lift outlet 148b into the post-lift passage 122.

[0079] The second passage section 122b after lifting allows the game balls flowing down from the first passage section 122a after lifting to flow forward to the front side of the launching device 19, and is arranged in a downwardly inclined manner between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 as shown in Figs. 13, 15, 16, etc. The third passage section 122c after lifting allows the game balls flowing down between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 by the second passage section 122b after lifting to flow down to the ball sending device 120 in front of the launching device 19, and is arranged in a downwardly inclined manner in front of the launching device 19 as shown in Figs. 13, 15, 23, etc. Note that a part of the post-lifting passage 122, that is, the part extending from the middle of the second passage section 122b after lifting to the third passage section 122c after lifting, is provided on the ball sending launching unit 132 together with the launching device 19 and the ball sending device 120.

[0080] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the ball sending device 120 includes a ball sending guide passage 171 that guides the game balls flowing down from the second passage section 122b after lifting to the launch rail 134 side, a ball sending lever 172 for causing the game balls from the second passage section 122b after lifting to flow down one by one to the ball sending guide passage 171 side, a ball sending drive means 173 for driving the ball sending lever 172, and a ball sending switch 129 for detecting the game balls passing through the ball sending guide passage 171. In addition, near the upstream side of the ball sending device 120, a ball removal passage 174 for removing the game balls in the second passage section 122b after lifting and a ball removal lever 175 for closing the entrance to the ball removal passage 174 so as to be openable and closable are arranged.

[0081] The ball feed guide passage 171 is disposed in a downwardly inclined manner near the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after lifting, and its upstream end (front end) is disposed at a position about half a game ball lower than the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after lifting, and its downstream end (rear end) is disposed above the launch holding position of the launch rail 134. In addition, a ball feed switch 129 is disposed in the ball feed guide passage 171. The ball feed switch 129 is a so-called proximity switch that detects a game ball when the game ball passes through the ball feed guide passage 171 and flows down onto the launch rail 134. Every time the ball feed switch 129 detects a game ball, the game ball number data is decremented by one.

[0082] 24, the detection position of the game ball by the ball forwarding switch 129 is located at least one game ball upstream from the launch holding position of the launching rail 134. In other words, even if the next game ball is sent while a game ball remains on the launching rail 134, the game ball is configured not to remain at the detection position by the ball forwarding switch 129.

[0083] The ball feed lever 172 is provided with a roughly U-shaped game ball holding portion 172a capable of accommodating one game ball at one end (right end) in the left-right direction, and is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream end of the second passage portion 122b after lifting with the game ball holding portion 172a facing the second passage portion 122b after lifting (i.e., the right side), and is supported in a state in which it can swing around a rotation shaft 172b in the front-rear direction provided at the other end (left end) in the left-right direction. The lower surface side of the game ball holding portion 172a is formed in a slanted shape that slopes downward toward the ball feed guide passage 171 side.

[0084] The ball feed lever 172 can be switched between a ball feed preparation position (FIGS. 23(a), 24(a)) in which one game ball on the second passage section 122b side after lifting is received in the game ball holding section 172a, and a ball feed execution position (FIGS. 23(b), 24(b)) in which the game ball held in the game ball holding section 172a is caused to flow down to the ball feed guide passage 171 side while preventing the next game ball from flowing down from the second passage section 122b side after lifting, by the drive of a ball feed drive means 173 consisting of an electromagnetic solenoid or the like. When the ball feed lever 172 is in the ball feed preparation position (FIGS. 23(a), 24(a)), the game ball holding section 172a is shifted upward with respect to the ball feed guide passage 171, so that the game ball in the game ball holding section 172a is prevented from moving to the ball feed guide passage 171 side. When the ball feed lever 172 moves to the ball feed execution position (FIG. 23(b), FIG. 24(b)), the game ball holding portion 172a coincides with the upstream side of the ball feed guide passage 171, so the game balls in the game ball holding portion 172a flow down toward the ball feed guide passage 171. At this time, since the game ball holding portion 172a is shifted downward with respect to the downstream end side of the second passage portion 122b after being lifted, the flow down of the subsequent game balls is prevented.

[0085] By alternately switching the ball feeding lever 172 between the ball feeding preparation position and the ball feeding execution position in synchronization with the firing operation of the firing device 19, it is possible to send the game balls that have flowed down through the second passage section 122b after being lifted up to the firing holding position on the firing rail 134 one by one.

[0086] In the game ball circulation device 18 as described above, a game ball that is launched by the launching device 19 and enters the game area 16 wins one of the various winning means such as the first and second special symbol starting means 32, 33 or the big winning means 34, or enters the out port 45, where it is guided from the game area 16 to the rear side of the game board 17 and discharged from the out ball discharge port 157 provided at the bottom of the back side of the game board 17. The game ball (out ball) discharged from the out ball discharge port 157 flows into the pre-lift passage 121 via the out ball guide section 156 and flows down toward the lift inlet 148a.

[0087] When an out ball flows down this pre-lift passage 121, it passes through the out ball switch 124 in the first pre-lift passage section 121a, passes through the excess position detection switch 125 in the second pre-lift passage section 121b, and passes through the under-position detection switch 126 in the fourth pre-lift passage section 121d. The foul ball flows down toward the lift inlet 148a by passing through the foul ball receiving section 161 and the foul ball passage 123 and merging with the second pre-lift passage section 121b, at which point it passes through the foul ball switch 130 in the foul ball passage 123, passes through the excess position detection switch 125 in the second pre-lift passage section 121b after merging, and passes through the under-position detection switch 126 in the fourth pre-lift passage section 121d.

[0088] Here, the excess position detection switch 125 and the under-position detection switch 126, which are arranged at a predetermined distance on the pre-lift passage 121, are for judging whether the number of game balls enclosed in the game ball circulation device 18 is appropriate or not, and if the excess position detection switch 125 does not detect game balls and the under-position detection switch 126 detects game balls at a predetermined under- / over-detection timing, i.e., if game balls are present at the detection position of the under-position detection switch 126 and no game balls are present at the detection position of the over-position detection switch 125, it is judged that the number of enclosed game balls is appropriate. On the other hand, if the under-position detection switch 126 does not detect game balls at the predetermined under / over-detection timing, it is judged that the number of enclosed game balls is small (under-sized), and if the over-position detection switch detects game balls, it is judged that the number of enclosed game balls is large (excessive).

[0089] It is desirable to set the timing for detecting too little / too much when the power is turned on, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the game stopped (when the player has released his / her hand from the launch handle 57 and the special advantage state (jackpot) is not in progress, and the symbols are not changing). This is because there is a possibility that the number of game balls enclosed may change when the hall attendant opens the front slot 3 after the power is turned on to resolve a problem, etc.

[0090] As described above, the excessive position detection switch 125 and the insufficient position detection switch 126 detect whether or not the game balls remaining in the passage have reached their respective detection positions, and therefore, as long as the state in which the game balls have reached the detection positions continues, the ON state must be stably maintained even if the position of the game balls in the passage shifts. On the other hand, since the game balls supplied to the lifting device 20 are retained in the pre-lifting passage 121, the position of the game balls retained in the pre-lifting passage 121 changes (is not constant) depending on the state in which the lifting device 20 is stopped. Therefore, for the excessive position detection switch 125 and the insufficient position detection switch 126, a mechanical sensor that stably maintains the ON state is adopted, instead of a sensor such as a proximity switch that may turn OFF depending on the position of the game ball even if the game ball is retained beyond the detection position.

[0091] When the lifting device 20 is activated, the game balls on the pre-lifting passage 121 flow into the lifting device 20 through the lifting inlet 148a and rise up the lifting passage 148. Whether or not there are game balls upstream of the lifting device 20 is determined based on the detection signal of the lifting inlet switch 127. The game balls that rise up the lifting passage 148 due to the activation of the lifting device 20 flow out from the lifting outlet 148b, flow down the post-lifting passage 122, and stay upstream of the ball sending device 120, waiting to be released.

[0092] A lifting exit switch 128 is disposed on the post-lift passage 122, and when the lifting exit switch 128 continues to be ON, it can be determined that the number of game balls waiting to be released has reached a predetermined number. The lifting device 20 operates when the lifting entrance switch 127 is ON and the lifting exit switch 128 is OFF, and is controlled to stop when the lifting exit switch 128 turns ON and it is determined that the number of game balls waiting to be released has reached a predetermined number.

[0093] Incidentally, like the overload position detection switch 125 and the underload position detection switch 126, this lift exit switch 128 is intended to detect game balls remaining on the passageway; however, unlike game balls remaining in the pre-lift passageway 121, the game balls remaining in the post-lift passageway 122 which are the object of detection by the lift exit switch 128 stop at fixed positions according to the operation of the ball feeding device 120 (ball feeding preparation position and ball feeding execution position), and the deviation between the respective stopping positions is small. Therefore, by adopting a proximity switch rather than a mechanical sensor which requires a large installation space, and by arranging the proximity switch in an appropriate position, it is possible to prevent the lift exit switch 128 from remaining in the OFF state even when game balls are remaining beyond its position.

[0094] Next, the launch control of this game machine, which is a smart pachinko machine, will be explained. Figure 25 shows a time chart of the launch control in this smart pachinko machine. As shown in this Figure 25, the launch control of this embodiment is configured to repeat one cycle of ball forwarding and launching operations that are completed in a predetermined time (here, 600 ms), and when a predetermined launch condition (for example, a launch control signal that permits launch is output from the control unit, the touch sensor 98 detects that the player is touching the launch handle 57, and the launch stop lever 92 is not operated) is satisfied, a cycle of the ball forwarding and launching operation (hereinafter, referred to as an "operation cycle") is started, and when the launch condition is no longer satisfied (for example, when the player releases his / her hand from the launch handle 57), the ball forwarding and launching operation is stopped at the point when the operation cycle being executed ends. That is, the execution is not stopped in the middle of the operation cycle.

[0095] In this ball feeding launch operation, the ball feeding drive means 173 turns from OFF to ON at approximately the same time as the start of one cycle (T1 in Figure 25), causing the ball feeding lever 172 to change from the ball feeding execution position (Figures 23(b), 24(b)) to the ball feeding preparation position (Figures 23(a), 24(a)), and one of the game balls remaining in the post-lift passage 122 on the downstream side is received in the game ball holding portion 172a of the ball feeding lever 172.

[0096] Then, after a predetermined time (for example, 128 ms) (T2 in FIG. 25), the ball feed drive means 173 is turned from ON to OFF, and the ball feed lever 172 is changed from the ball feed preparation position (FIG. 23(a), FIG. 24(a)) to the ball feed execution position (FIG. 23(b), FIG. 24(b)), so that one game ball accommodated in the game ball holding portion 172a of the ball feed lever 172 flows down to the ball feed guide passage 171 side and is supplied onto the launch rail 134. At that time, the ball feed switch 129 detects the game ball passing through the ball feed guide passage 171 (T3 in FIG. 25), and the game ball number data is decremented by one. Thus, in this embodiment, the ball feed operation is performed to supply the game ball to the launch device 19 side immediately after the start of the operation cycle.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 25, a subtraction reference signal is output from the launching device 19 at the start of a new cycle of the ball feed firing operation (T1 in Fig. 25), and if the ball feed switch 129 does not detect the subtraction reference signal within a predetermined time (e.g., 500 ms) from the output of the subtraction reference signal, it is determined to be abnormal, and if the abnormality continues a predetermined number of times (e.g., 10 times), an error state occurs and an error notification is issued. This error notification is issued by displaying the error on the liquid crystal display means 40 and blinking the LED on the frame side. This error state is also released when the ball feed switch 129 detects the error.

[0098] Then, just before the end of one cycle (for example, after about 550 ms from the start of one cycle) (T4 in FIG. 25), the launch drive means 137 is operated (solenoid ON), which causes the striking hammer 136 to swing, and the game ball on the launch rail 134 is launched toward the play area 16 with a predetermined launch strength. In this way, in this embodiment, the game ball supplied to the launch rail 134 immediately after the start of the operation cycle is configured to be launched just before the end of the operation cycle, so that a sufficient time for the game ball supplied to the launch rail 134 to stabilize at the launch holding position can be secured before launch, and stable launch without variation in launch strength is possible while preventing balls from remaining on the launch rail 134 at the end of the operation cycle as described later. The operation of the launch drive means 137 ends the 600 ms operation cycle, and at the same time, the next operation cycle starts (T1 in FIG. 25).

[0099] The firing strength when the firing drive means 137 is activated (solenoid ON) is determined according to the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 at that time (T4 in FIG. 25). Therefore, if the firing stop lever 92 is pressed after the ball feeding operation with the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 remaining the same, the ball is fired with a firing strength according to the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93.

[0100] FIG. 26 shows the correspondence between the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 (the rotation angle at the origin position is θ0) and the corresponding firing intensity (the current value A flowing through the firing drive means 137). As shown in the figure, when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ2 (>θ0), the firing intensity is the minimum firing intensity (MIN), and when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ6, the firing intensity is the maximum firing intensity (MAX). When the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is between θ2 and θ6, the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 and the firing intensity are set to be in a proportional relationship. Note that the rotation angle θ3 corresponds to the firing intensity at which the fired game ball just reaches the return prevention piece 27. For example, if the rotation angle is <θ3, the game ball becomes a foul ball without passing through the return prevention piece 27, and if the rotation angle is ≥θ3, the game ball passes through the return prevention piece 27 and reaches the play area 16. Also, the rotation angle θ4 corresponds to a launch strength at which the launched game ball exactly reaches the apex of the central display frame unit 23, and for example, if the rotation angle is < θ4, the game ball flows down the left flow path 41a, and if the rotation angle is ≥ θ4, the game ball flows down the right flow path 41b. Also, in this embodiment, the rotation angle θ2 is set to be larger than the rotation angle θ1, which is the maximum value of the angle range at which the launch stop lever 92 is turned ON (second position) by the first biasing force from the rotation operation unit 93, but the rotation angle θ2 may be approximately the same as the rotation angle θ1, or may be smaller than the rotation angle θ1.

[0101] Here, the minimum firing intensity (MIN) is set to a firing intensity at which the launched game ball does not reach the game area 16 (lower than the firing intensity when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ3), and more preferably, to a firing intensity at which the launched game ball exceeds at least the launch rail 134, that is, a firing intensity that is definitely a foul. The maximum firing intensity (MAX) is set to a firing intensity (when the rotation angle is θ6 (>θ5)) higher than the firing intensity at which the launched game ball just reaches the return rubber 28 (the firing intensity when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ5). This is because, when the maximum firing intensity (MAX) is set to a firing intensity at which the launched game ball just reaches the return rubber 28 (i.e., when θ6=θ5), there may be cases where the ball does not reach the return rubber 28 even if it is launched at the maximum firing intensity (MAX) due to individual differences between gaming machines. It is sufficient for the maximum firing intensity (MAX) to be slightly higher than the firing intensity at which the ball just reaches the return rubber 28.

[0102] In addition, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is in the range of θ0 to θ2, the corresponding launch intensity is set to be constant at the minimum launch intensity (MIN). That is, even if the rotary operation unit 93 is returned to the origin position (rotation angle θ0), the launch intensity hits bottom at the point where the rotation angle reaches θ2 and does not become lower than that (the VR value based on the change in the variable resistance value changes, but the current value hits bottom and remains flat). Therefore, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is θ0 (origin position) when the launch drive means 137 is activated (solenoid ON), the game ball on the launch rail 134 is launched with a launch intensity that does not reach the game area 16, and more preferably, with a launch intensity that exceeds at least the launch rail 134. As described above, in the ball forwarding launch operation of this embodiment, even if the player releases his / her hand from the launch handle 57 in the middle of the operation cycle, the operation cycle is executed to the end, so that even in such a case, the game ball does not remain on the launch rail 134 (it is returned to the player as a foul).

[0103] In addition, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is in the range of θ6 to θMAX (maximum rotation angle), the corresponding firing intensity is set to be constant at the maximum firing intensity (MAX). That is, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 reaches θ6, the firing intensity plateaus and does not become higher (the VR value based on the change in the variable resistance value changes, but the current value plateaus and remains flat). If the current value is increased too much, the firing drive means 137 will heat up, so the current value is not increased more than necessary. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the rotatable range (θ0 to θMAX) of the rotary operation unit 93 of the firing handle 57 is structurally limited to correspond to the resistance range of the variable resistance value excluding a part of the MIN side and MAX side, thereby suppressing the influence of errors.

[0104] Figures 28 and 29 show a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a conventional non-enclosed pachinko machine in which game balls are not circulated inside, rather than a so-called smart pachinko machine, and show an example in which the conventional pachinko machine is equipped with a hand rest 58 similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0105] The conventional pachinko machine of this embodiment shown in Figures 28 and 29 differs in appearance from the smart pachinko machine of the first embodiment in that an upper tray 201 and a lower tray 202 are arranged in the lower bulging portion 56. That is, in the conventional pachinko machine of this embodiment, the upper tray 201 for storing game balls paid out from the payout means and supplying them to the launching means is arranged on the upper side of the lower bulging portion 56, and the lower tray 202 for storing surplus balls when the upper tray 201 is full is arranged on the lower side of the lower bulging portion 56.

[0106] Other than that, for example, the configuration of the lower bulge 56 and the configuration of the hand rest 58 related to the performance button unit 67 and its periphery, the relationship between the lower bulge 56 and the hand rest 58, etc. are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. And, in order to secure a space below for smoothly raising and lowering the so-called money box and opening and closing the front door 7, the hand rest 58 is arranged so that its lower surface is substantially the same height as the lower surface of the lower bulge 56, as in the first embodiment. In this way, the hand rest 58 shown in the first embodiment can be mounted not only on so-called smart pachinko machines, but also on non-enclosed conventional pachinko machines.

[0107] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the hand rest 58 of the embodiment has the position of the rest portion 104 fixed (non-movable) relative to the base portion 101, but the rest portion 104 may be configured to move in a predetermined direction, i.e., in either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, or both, relative to the base portion 101. Also, the height of the rest portion 104 or the height of the base portion 101 relative to the base portion 101 may be configured to be changeable. This allows the arms, etc. to be supported at an optimal position according to the player's body type and playing posture.

[0108] The material of the rest portion 104 should desirably be one that can distribute the weight when the player places his / her arms on it, and is not limited to the TPU material shown in the embodiment, but may also be a cushioned or low-resilience urethane material, gel material, or the like.

[0109] A movable performance device such as a vibration device or an air blower may be disposed on or near the hand rest 58. When a vibration device is disposed, it may be disposed within the rest portion 104 so as to directly vibrate the rest portion 104, or may be disposed at a position other than the rest portion 104 (may be on the hand rest 58 or on the hand rest base 108 near the hand rest 58, etc.) so as to indirectly vibrate the rest portion 104, etc. When an air blower is disposed, it may be disposed within the rest portion 104 so as to blow air toward the arm, etc. of the player placed on the rest portion 104, or may be disposed at a position other than the rest portion 104 (may be on the hand rest 58 or on the hand rest base 108 near the hand rest 58, etc.) so as to blow air toward any part of the player's arm, etc.

[0110] In addition, at least a portion of the various operating means (performance button 61, volume adjustment operating section 62, light intensity adjustment operating section 63, cross operating section 64, counting button 66) arranged on the operation panel section 59 may be arranged on or near the hand rest 58.

[0111] At least a portion of the hand rest 58, for example the rest portion 104, may be subjected to an antibacterial treatment.

[0112] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, but can also be implemented in other gaming machines such as arrange ball machines and mahjong ball gaming machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 6 Inner Frame 7 Front door 16 Gaming area 17 Game Board 19 Launcher 52 Glass window (transparent window) 56 Lower bulge 57 Launch Handle 58 Hand rest (rest means) 93 Rotation operation unit (operation unit) 104 Rest part (support part) 106 Side wall portion (side support means) 107 Rear wall (rear support means) 114 Cover side recess (space forming portion)

Claims

[Claim 1] A game board having a game area arranged at the front side; A launching device capable of launching game balls toward the game area; A firing handle having an operating part for adjusting the firing intensity of the firing device; An inner frame in which the game board is mounted; A front door is provided at the front side of the inner frame so as to be freely opened and closed and has a transparent window corresponding to the front side of the play area; A forward-projecting lower bulge having one or more operating parts on its upper surface and the forward-projecting launch handle are disposed adjacent to each other on the left and right sides at the lower front side of the front door. In the gaming machine, a rest means having a support portion capable of supporting a part of the body of a player who operates the launch handle is disposed in front of the front door and in the vicinity of the lower side of the launch handle; The rest means is provided with a recessed, open or notched space forming portion for securing more space below the firing handle. A gaming machine characterized by:

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