Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine which can improve the game amusement with a novel performance compared to a conventional one.SOLUTION: A game machine including a body frame and a game board mounted to the body frame includes a display device which is provided in the game board and can carry out a predetermined display, and performance execution means which executes a predetermined performance using at least the display device. The performance execution means can execute, on the basis of a satisfaction of a performance condition, a special performance which displays, on the display device, an imitation image imitating a part of the game machine, and a rainbow performance which displays, on the display device, a rainbow image composed of a plurality of luminescent colors. During a display period of the imitation image, the execution of the rainbow performance is restricted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 218

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachinko machines") and slot machine gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachislot machines"). [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional gaming machines, a display device is provided on the gaming board, and images of characters or the like that match the motif of the gaming board are displayed on the display device (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-7733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional presentations only drew the player's attention to the display device, and the presentation effect in areas other than the display device was low, making it difficult to further increase interest in the game by simply using the same presentation as conventional ones.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a gaming machine that can further increase gaming interest compared to conventional machines through new presentations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Effective solutions for achieving the above-mentioned object are shown below. The operation and other details are explained as necessary. For ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations and other details are also shown in the embodiments of the invention as appropriate, but are not intended to be limiting.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises: A gaming machine including a main body frame and a game board attached to the main body frame, A display device provided on the game board and capable of performing a predetermined display; A performance execution means for executing a predetermined performance using at least the display device; Equipped with The performance execution means includes: A special effect that displays an imitation image that imitates a part of the gaming machine on the display device based on the establishment of a predetermined effect condition; A rainbow effect is executed by displaying a rainbow image consisting of a plurality of luminous colors on the display device. During the display period of the imitation image, execution of the rainbow effect is restricted, The predetermined performance condition is winning the starting gate, The special effects may not be displayed even if a predetermined condition is met, The rainbow image is hidden when a specific condition other than the predetermined condition is met. A gaming machine characterized by:

[0008] In the above configuration, since an imitation image that imitates a part of the gaming machine can be displayed on the display device based on the establishment of a predetermined performance condition, when a special performance is performed, the player can compare the imitation image with the part of the gaming machine, and can focus on parts other than the display device on which the imitation image is displayed, thereby improving the interest in the game. In addition, since the execution of the rainbow performance is restricted during the display period of the imitation image, it is possible to prevent the player from paying attention to the rainbow performance and making it difficult to compare the imitation image with the part of the gaming machine (for example, see the descriptions in paragraphs 3816-4177, figures 218-256, etc.). Effect of the Invention

[0009] In this way, according to the present invention, a gaming machine can be provided that is capable of further increasing gaming interest compared to conventional machines through new presentations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the pachinko machine shown with the upper side tilted forward. [Diagram 3] This is a front perspective view of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] This is an oblique view showing the door frame, main body frame, and outer frame that make up the pachinko machine, each rotated on hinges to open. [Figure 6] This is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine, broken down into its main components, as seen from the front. [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine, broken down into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame removed. [Figure 9] 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the game board separated from the main body frame in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] This is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame and game board removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine of FIG. 10 as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 13] This is an exploded oblique view seen from the front with the outer frame and main body frame disassembled. [Figure 14] This is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame and main body frame disassembled from each other, as seen from the rear. [Figure 15] This is a plan cross-sectional view of the outer frame cut at the center in the vertical direction. [Figure 16] A perspective view showing the lower part of the outer frame. [Figure 17] This is an exploded oblique view of the main body frame as seen from the front, disassembled into its main components. [Figure 18] This is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the pachinko machine of FIG. 10 cut at the center from top to bottom. [Figure 20] 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] 9 is a front view of the main part, showing in section the launch unit, the foul unit, etc., in the front view of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 22] This is an exploded oblique view of the main body frame base unit in the main body frame, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. [Diagram 23] This is an exploded oblique view from behind of the main body frame base unit in the main body frame, disassembled into its main components. [Figure 24] 1A is a front view of a main body frame base in a main body frame base unit, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing in perspective the state in which multiple main body frame bases are stacked. [Diagram 25] 1A is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame seen from the back. [Figure 26] 1A is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 27] 1A is an oblique view of the launch unit cover of the ball launch unit seen from the rear left, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of the ball launch unit showing only the launch unit cover in cross section when viewed from the front. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a front view of the ball launching unit showing the launch subtraction sensor and the launching hammer in dashed lines. [Figure 29] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the rear. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the front, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the rear. [Diagram 31]1A is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in an open state. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the foul unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the front, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the foul unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the rear. [Diagram 33] 13A is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the front, and FIG. 13B is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the rear. [Diagram 34] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the foul unit of the second embodiment with the foul shutter in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the foul unit of the second embodiment with the foul shutter in an open state. [Diagram 35] 1A is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame seen from the back. [Diagram 36] This is an exploded oblique view of the circulating ball path unit as seen from the front. [Figure 37] This is an exploded perspective view of the circulating ball path unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 38] (a) is a plan view showing only the ball serpentine member and ball removal shutter in the circulating ball path unit, and (b) is an oblique view from the front showing only the ball serpentine member and ball removal shutter in the circulating ball path unit. [Figure 39] (a1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the closed position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (a1) from the bottom, (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the open position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (b1) from the bottom. [Diagram 40](a) is an explanatory diagram showing a front cross-section of the circulating ball path unit cut at the out ball sensor location, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a front cross-section of the circulating ball path unit cut at the safe ball sensor location. [Diagram 41] (a) is an oblique view from the front showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the serpentine cover of the circulating ball path unit removed, and (b) is an oblique view from the back showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the serpentine cover of the circulating ball path unit removed. [Diagram 42] A plan view showing the ball serpentine member, serpentine cover, ball removal shutter, and gauge section in the circulating ball path unit. [Diagram 43] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the key parts of the rear cross section cut at the out ball sensor with the cover member of the ball elimination mechanism in the circulating ball path unit attached to the main frame closed, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the cover member in (a) is open. [Diagram 44] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the ball snaking member and ball removal tray with an iron ball magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter in the closed position, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the ball snaking member and ball removal tray with an iron ball magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter in the open position, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the ball snaking member and ball removal tray with the ball removal shutter slid from the (b) position to the closed position with an iron ball magnetically attached to the underside. [Diagram 45] (a) is an oblique view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front left, (b) is an oblique view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front right, and (c) is an oblique view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the rear. [Diagram 46] 1 is an exploded oblique view of the ball lifting unit, showing the state in which the ball grinding motor base and the cassette pressing piece are opened and the ball grinding cassette is removed. FIG. [Figure 47](a) is a plan view of the ball lifting unit without the ball polishing cassette attached, (b) is a plan view of the ball lifting unit together with the ball polishing cassette with the ball polishing motor base and cassette pressing piece open, and (c) is a plan view of the ball lifting unit with the ball polishing cassette attached. [Figure 48] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the door frame closing when the ball grinding cassette is not completely locked, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the door frame moves in the closing direction from the state in (a) and the protrusion of the door frame abuts the tip of the ball grinding motor base, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the door frame closes from the state in (b) and the ball grinding cut is locked. [Figure 49] This is an enlarged front view showing the main parts with the ball grinding cassette removed from the ball lifting unit attached to the main body frame. [Figure 50] (a) is a right side view showing the main parts of the ball grinding mechanism and ball lifting mechanism in the ball lifting unit, (b) is a rear view showing the main parts of the ball lifting mechanism, and (c) is a plan view of the main parts of the ball lifting mechanism as seen from arrow A in (b). [Figure 51] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the lifting spiral shaft and the polishing cloth in the ball lifting unit. [Figure 52] 1A is an enlarged view of the lifting inlet sensor and lifting outlet sensor areas and is an oblique view of the ball lifting unit from the rear left, and FIG. 1B is a plan cross-sectional view of the ball lifting unit cut at the lifting inlet sensor area. [Figure 53] An explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the areas in front of and behind a ball sensor consisting of a photosensor in the ball passage. [Figure 54] (a) is an oblique view of the ball polishing cassette of the ball lifting unit seen from the front left, (b) is an oblique view of the ball polishing cassette seen from the rear right, and (c) is a right side cross-sectional view of the ball polishing cassette cut in the center in the left-right direction. [Figure 55] 1A is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame seen from the back. [Figure 56]1A is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit seen from the rear. [Figure 57] This is a front cross-sectional view of the ball sending unit cut at the pre-launch sensor location. [Figure 58] 13 is an oblique view showing the main body frame opened relative to the outer frame, and the rear cover and frame board unit opened. FIG. [Figure 59] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion of a frame substrate unit in the outer frame and the main body frame. FIG. [Figure 60] This is a reference photograph showing the rear side of the main body frame with the frame substrate unit open. [Figure 61] This is an explanatory diagram showing the various passages for game balls on the rear side of the main body frame from the rear. [Figure 62] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the flow of game balls in the main body frame. FIG. [Figure 63] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. [Figure 64] 13 is a flowchart showing a launch permission process. [Figure 65] 13 is a flowchart showing a ball possession subtraction process. [Figure 66] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for adding balls in possession using foul balls. [Figure 67] 13 is a flowchart showing a launch control process. [Figure 68] 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the launch solenoid and the ball delivery solenoid in the launch sequence. [Figure 69] 67, and (b) is a flowchart showing the balls held subtraction process in the case of the launch control process of (a). [Figure 70] 13 is a flowchart showing prize ball processing. [Figure 71] 13 is a flowchart showing a lifting motor operation process. [Figure 72] 11 is a table showing the relationship between the lift inlet sensor and the lift outlet sensor and the operation of the lift motor. [Figure 73] 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the launching operation of a game ball and the operation of a ball lifting unit. [Figure 74] 11 is a graph showing the operation of the ball lifting mechanism in the ball lifting unit. [Figure 75] 1A is a flowchart showing security processing, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing security processing of an embodiment different from that of FIG. [Figure 76] 13 is a table showing the relationship between the low circulating ball sensor and the high circulating ball sensor and error notification. [Figure 77] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the orientation of a magnetic sensor that can detect magnetic lines of force from a magnet, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the orientation of a magnetic sensor that cannot detect magnetic lines of force from a magnet, (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic perspective view of the detection range by the magnetic sensor on the game board, (d) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnetic sensor and a magnetic body where the magnetic lines of force from the magnet cannot be detected, (e) is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnetic sensor and a magnetic body where the magnetic lines of force from the magnet can be detected, and (f) is an explanatory diagram showing the magnetic sensor and the holding part separated. [Figure 78] This is a front view of the game board in which the transparent center gimmicks and other parts are shown as opaque. [Figure 79] FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the game board of FIG. 78 as seen from the front right. [Figure 80] FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the game board of FIG. 78 as seen from the front left. [Figure 81] FIG. 79 is a rear perspective view of the game board of FIG. 78. [Figure 82] This is an exploded oblique view of the game board disassembled into its main components as seen from the front. [Figure 83] This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. [Figure 84] This is a front view of the game board, showing the inside of the game area where game balls circulate, by cutting the front unit parallel to the surface of the game panel. [Figure 85] 1A is a front view of the lottery device in the center device, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the lottery device from above in the front. [Figure 86]This is a side cross-sectional view of the lottery device in the center device, cut in the center in the left-right direction. [Figure 87] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a lottery device in which a game ball cannot loop, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a lottery device in which a game ball can loop. [Figure 88] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls in a lottery device. [Figure 89] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board in a normal state. [Figure 90] This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the back-front rising decoration unit of the back-front performance unit has been dropped from the standby position to the performance position from the normal state. [Figure 91] This is a front view of the game board showing the rear rising decoration of the rear performance unit being moved from the retracted position to the appearing position from the normal state. [Figure 92] This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which, from the normal state, the back-front rising decoration unit of the back-front performance unit has been dropped from the standby position to the performance position, and the back-rear rising decoration of the back-rear performance unit has been moved from the retracted position to the appearing position. [Figure 93] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. [Figure 94] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the center device of the first embodiment attached to a game panel, cut halfway in the vertical direction, together with the previous components. [Figure 95] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the decorative body in the center piece disassembled into a front decorative part and a rear decorative part from the front, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the decorative body consisting of a front decorative part and a rear decorative part from the front. [Figure 96] This is an explanatory diagram showing the center frame of the center gimmick in Figure 94 placed on a stand with its rear end facing down. [Figure 97] This is an explanatory diagram showing a partial cross section of a center accessory having a center frame to which a decorative body different from that shown in Figure 94 is attached. [Figure 98]1A is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of the center gimmick of the second embodiment from within the frame, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing the center gimmick of FIG. 1A with the rear end facing down and the center frame placed on a stand. [Figure 99] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a gaming board having a center device of a third embodiment with the rear side beyond the gaming panel omitted. [Figure 100] This is an exploded oblique view of the center gimmick and game panel in Figure 99, viewed from the front. [Figure 101] This is an exploded oblique view of the center part in Figure 99 as seen from the front. [Figure 102] 13(a) to (g) are explanatory diagrams showing various joining patterns between the first frame and the second frame in the center role piece of the third embodiment. [Figure 103] 13A is a front view showing a main part of a game board on which a side unit of a second embodiment is provided, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of (a) seen from the front. [Figure 104] 103, (a) is an exploded oblique view showing the side unit disassembled from the game panel on the game board in FIG. 103, (b) is an exploded oblique view showing the side unit of (a) from the front, (c) is an exploded oblique view of the side unit of (b) seen from the back, and (d) is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the game panel and the side unit in vertical cross section. [Figure 105] 105 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the side unit and the game panel in cross section in FIG. 104. [Fig. 106] 104 is an explanatory diagram showing a side unit having a different configuration from that of the side unit in FIG. 103 in vertical cross section together with a game panel. [Figure 107] 105A is an explanatory diagram showing a side unit having a different shape from the side unit shown in FIG. 105 in vertical cross section together with a game panel, and FIG. 105B is an explanatory diagram showing an oblique view of the main parts of the LED board and board cover of the side unit in FIG. 105A. [Figure 108] 108 is an explanatory diagram showing a vertical cross section of a side unit having a different configuration from the side unit shown in FIG. 107 together with a game panel. [Fig. 109] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a vertical cross section of a side unit of a different type together with a game panel. FIG. [Figure 110] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a vertical cross section of a side unit of a different type together with a game panel. FIG. [Figure 111] 13A is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a side unit of a further different type together with a game panel, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing a vertical cross section of FIG. [Figure 112] (a) is a front view showing the main parts of a game board on which a side unit of the third embodiment is provided, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the outlet area in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a longitudinal section of (b). [Figure 113] 112. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the outlet area of ​​a game board provided with a side unit having a finger hook portion of a different shape from that shown in FIG. 112, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing (a) in longitudinal section. [Fig. 114] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of a panel plate of a game panel in which an opening to which a side unit is attached and an outlet are continuously connected. FIG. [Fig. 115] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the non-contact surface portion is provided rearward of the LED board, FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the non-contact surface portion is provided rearward of the LED board in a form different from that of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the non-contact surface portion is provided so as to overlap the LED board, and FIG. 1D is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the non-contact surface portion is provided around the entire circumference of the unit cover. [Fig. 116] An explanatory diagram showing a frame decoration member that can be attached and detached to a door frame. [Figure 117] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the door frame is opened and the frame decoration member is detached during normal business hours. [Figure 118] This is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a frame decoration member is removed while the door frame is open in reuse confirmation state A and then the frame decoration member is attached while the door frame is next opened. [Figure 119]This is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a frame decoration member is removed while the door frame is open in reuse confirmation state B and then the frame decoration member is attached while the door frame is next opened. [Figure 120] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a frame decoration member is detached while the door frame is open in reuse confirmation state A. [Figure 121] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a frame decoration member is detached while the door frame is open in reuse confirmation state B. [Figure 122] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a frame decoration member is attached after it is determined at the judgment timing that the frame decoration member is not connected. [Figure 123] This is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a frame decoration member is removed while the door frame is open in an error state and reuse confirmation state A, and then the frame decoration member is attached while the door frame is next opened. [Figure 124] 11 is a time chart showing an example of the amount of balls dispensed calculated in accordance with the progress of the limit counter. [Fig. 125] This is a table showing the conditions for clearing the "amount of balls calculated before the stop state begins" and the "restrictions on play during the stop state." [Fig. 126] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value and play is restricted. [Figure 127] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when restrictions on play are lifted when the power is turned back on after being shut off. [Figure 128] This is a specific example of a presentation in which the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value at the moment the game ball enters the big prize opening during a big win game. [Figure 129] This is a specific example of a presentation in which the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value at the timing when a game ball enters a general winning slot while a special pattern is being displayed in a changing state. [Fig. 130] This is the limit clear pattern table 4 that is selected when the limit clear pattern selection switch is set to "4." [Fig. 131] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a minor abnormality occurs during a normal state or during a stop-play state. [Fig. 132] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a serious abnormality occurs during a normal state. [Fig. 133] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a serious abnormality occurs during a play stop state. [Fig. 134] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a minor abnormality occurs during the stop preparation state. [Fig. 135] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a serious abnormality occurs during a stop preparation state. [Fig. 136] This is a specific example of what happens when a minor abnormality occurs during a normal state or during a dead end state. [Fig. 137] This is a specific example of what happens when a serious abnormality occurs during a normal state or during a deadlock state. [Fig. 138] This is a specific example of what happens when a minor or major abnormality occurs during the end preparation state. [Fig. 139] 11 is a time chart showing a transition of advance notice display after advance notice display has started. [Fig. 140] 13 is a modified example of the restriction clear pattern table 4 when the power is turned on. [Fig. 141] 11 is a time chart showing the start of output of a special external signal before the start of a stop preparation state and a stop state. [Fig. 142] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a stop-like state occurs after the stop-state is cleared when the power is turned on. [Fig. 143] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when an advance notice display or an indication that progress is impossible is displayed during standby mode. [Fig. 144] 13 is a time chart showing the operation of the movable body when the special pattern does not transition to a stop state during the changing display. [Fig. 145] This is a time chart showing the case where the game transitions to a stop state before the timing of the movable body's operation during the changing display of the special pattern, and the movable body is not operated thereafter. [Fig. 146] This is a time chart showing the case where the movable body transitions to a stop state during operation while the special pattern is being displayed in a variable manner, and the movable body is not operated thereafter. [Fig. 147] This is a time chart showing a case where the game transitions to a stop state before the timing of the movable body's operation during the varying display of the special pattern, and the movable body is then operated. [Fig. 148] This is a specific example of a presentation in which a state is reached where the movable body is stopped during its operation while the special pattern is being displayed in a changing state, and the movable body is not operated thereafter. [Figure 149] This is a specific example of a presentation in which the game transitions to a stop state before the timing of the movable body's movement during the changing display of the special pattern, and the movable body is then moved. [Fig. 150] This is another example of a specific presentation in which the game transitions to a stop state before the timing of the movable body's movement during the changing display of the special pattern, and the movable body is then moved. [Fig. 151] This is a time chart showing a case where a state transitions to a stop state while the movable body is not moving during the changing display of special patterns, and then a celebratory action of the movable body is executed. [Fig. 152] This is a time chart showing a case where a state transitions to a stop state during the operation of a movable body during the changing display of a special pattern, and then a celebratory operation of the movable body is performed. [Fig. 153] 13 is a time chart showing a case where the movable body transitions to a stop state during an abnormal stop and a celebration operation of the movable body is executed when the movable body returns to the initial position. [Fig. 154] 11 is a time chart showing a case where the movable body transitions to a stop state during an abnormal stop of the movable body and does not return to its initial position. [Fig. 155] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the game board is replaced when the power is cut off. [Fig. 156]11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the game board is replaced before the power is cut off. [Fig. 157] 11 is a table comparing the notification modes regarding light emission and sound in a normal standby state, an energy saving mode, and a stopped state. [Fig. 158] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when it transitions to an energy saving mode during a play stop state. [Fig. 159] This is a table for comparing notification modes regarding light emission and sound when transitioning to notification mode C during a stalled state. [Fig. 160] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when transitioning to notification mode C during a play stop state. [Fig. 161] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a first administrator operation or a second administrator operation is performed during an energy saving mode and the machine transitions to a stop playing state. [Fig. 162] This is a time chart showing the case where the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value during a small win game. [Fig. 163] This is a time chart showing the case where the amount of balls dispensed does not reach a specific value during a special jackpot game. [Fig. 164] This is a time chart showing the case where the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value during a special jackpot game. [Fig. 165] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the rear side of a side unit of still another different type. [Fig. 166] 166 is an enlarged side view showing the vicinity of the magnetic sensor shown in FIG. 165. [Fig. 167] 166 is an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of the ball sensor shown in FIG. 165. [Fig. 168] A schematic perspective view showing the back side of a starting port unit of a different type. [Fig. 169] This is an enlarged rear view showing the area near the second starting port sensor shown in Figure 168. [Fig. 170] FIG. 11 is a schematic rear view showing another aspect of the main wiring. [Fig. 171]11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the game board A1 is replaced with the game board A2 when the power is cut off. [Fig. 172] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the game board A1 is detached when the power is cut off. [Fig. 173] FIG. [Fig. 174] This is a table showing the conditions for clearing the number of balls held. [Fig. 175] This is a time chart showing the establishment of the conditions for the occurrence of a counting permission state in which the number of balls held can be calculated. [Fig. 176] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the counting button switch is operated. [Fig. 177] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when it transitions to a ball removal state upon power-on. [Fig. 178] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when it transitions to a ball removal state upon power-on. [Fig. 179] This is a diagram showing a magnetic sensor provided around the foul ball sensor. [Fig. 180] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when magnetism is detected by a magnetic sensor. [Fig. 181] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when various switches are operated when the power is turned on with no game board installed. [Fig. 182] FIG. [Fig. 183] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the first center role and the third center role. [Fig. 184] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic front views showing a first center role piece and a second center role piece. [Fig. 185] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic front views showing the first center role and the third center role. [Fig. 186] A front view showing another embodiment of the center feature. [Fig. 187]1 is a schematic perspective view of the game board from the front right. FIG. [Fig. 188] 1 is a schematic perspective view of the game board from the rear right. [Fig. 189] 189(a) is an end view showing the AA' end face of FIG. 187, and (b) is an end view showing another aspect of the game board shown in FIG. 189(a). [Fig. 190] A schematic oblique view of the game panel from the right front. [Fig. 191] 1 is a schematic perspective view of the game panel from the rear right. [Fig. 192] 191 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA' section of FIG. 190. [Fig. 193] 1 is a schematic perspective view of the game board from the front right. FIG. [Fig. 194] 1 is a schematic perspective view of the game board from the rear right. [Fig. 195] 194 is a schematic end view showing the AA' end face of FIG. 193. FIG. [Fig. 196] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the game board viewed from the front right. [Figure 197] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the game board viewed from the rear right. [Figure 198] 1 is a schematic perspective view of the game board from the front right. FIG. [Figure 199] 199 is a schematic end view showing the AA′ end face of FIG. 198. [Figure 200] 1 is a front perspective view showing a portion of the game board. [Figure 201] 1 is a rear perspective view showing a portion of the game board. [Figure 202] 202 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the front component of FIG. 201. [Fig. 203] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a portion of the component placed on a flat surface. [Fig. 204] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first positioning pin. [Fig. 205] 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a gaming panel with the above-mentioned components attached thereto; [Fig. 206] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the game board. [Fig. 207]1 is an exploded perspective view from the front showing the game board. [Fig. 208] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the lower right panel decorative portion. [Fig. 209] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the lower right panel decorative portion. [Fig. 210] 1 is an oblique view showing the opening / closing axis side of the game board. FIG. [Fig. 211] 1A is a front view showing the front surface of the side unit, and FIG. 1B is a rear view showing the rear surface of the side unit. [Fig. 212] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the film member detached from the side unit. [Fig. 213] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the structure of the film member of the present embodiment in detail, in which the film member is exploded into a plurality of film layers. [Fig. 214] A figure showing modified examples of the notation format of the winning slot and the winning slot in Figures 211 and 212. [Fig. 215] 13(a) is a front view showing the front surface of a side unit of another embodiment, and FIG. 13(b) is a rear view showing the rear surface of the side unit of another embodiment. [Fig. 216] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a game board having a front unit. [Fig. 217] 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine having a game board with a front unit assembled thereto. [Fig. 218] This is a specific example of a production process to explain the outline of the spot the difference production process. [Fig. 219] This is a specific example of a production to explain the sequence of steps in a spot the difference production. [Fig. 220] This is a specific example of a production to explain the sequence of steps in a spot the difference production. [Fig. 221] This is a specific example of a production to explain the sequence of steps in a spot the difference production. [Fig. 222] This is a specific example of a production to explain the sequence of steps in a spot the difference production. [Fig. 223] This is a specific example of a production to explain the sequence of steps in a spot the difference production. [Fig. 224]This is a specific example of a production to explain the sequence of steps in a spot the difference production. [Fig. 225] This is a specific example of a production to explain a variation in which the answer to the spot the difference production is not announced. [Fig. 226] This is a specific example of a presentation to explain a modified example in which the luminous decorative body has a different shape. [Fig. 227] This is a specific example of a presentation to explain a modified example in which the patterns on the game board are different. [Fig. 228] This is a specific example of a presentation to explain modified examples in which a specific component is present or absent. [Fig. 229] This is a specific example of a hint effect to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 230] This is a specific example of a hint effect (hint effect A) to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 231] This is a specific example of a hint effect (hint effect B) to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 232] This is a specific example of a hint effect (hint effect C) to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 233] This is a specific example of a hint effect (hint effect D) to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 234] This is a specific example of a hint effect to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 235] This is a specific example of a hint effect to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 236] This is a specific example of a hint effect to explain the hint effect. [Fig. 237] (A) is a time chart showing the case where a spot-the-difference effect is executed during a non-changing display of a special pattern, and (B) is a time chart showing the case where a spot-the-difference effect is executed during a changing display of a special pattern. [Fig. 238] (A) is a time chart showing a case where a predetermined condition is met while the spot the difference performance is being executed, causing the spot the difference performance to be forcibly terminated, and (B) is a time chart showing a case (variant example) where an ending display screen is displayed after the spot the difference performance is forcibly terminated. [Fig. 239] 13 is a time chart showing a case (variant) in which an option is selected while a problem screen for a spot the difference presentation is being displayed and the presentation is skipped. [Fig. 240] (A) is a time chart showing the case where hint effects A to C are executed simultaneously while a problem screen for a spot the difference effect is displayed, and (B) is a time chart showing the case where hint effects A to C are executed sequentially while a problem screen for a spot the difference effect is displayed. [Fig. 241] 13 is a time chart showing a case (variation) in which a hint effect C is executed for a predetermined time while a problem screen for a spot the difference effect is being displayed. [Fig. 242] (A) is a time chart showing whether a rainbow effect can be executed when a spot-the-difference effect is executed during a non-changing display of a special pattern, and (B) is a time chart showing whether a rainbow effect can be executed when a spot-the-difference effect is executed during a changing display of a special pattern. [Fig. 243] 13 is a time chart showing whether or not a rainbow effect can be executed when an end display screen is displayed after the spot the difference effect is forcibly ended (variant example). [Fig. 244] (A) is a time chart showing the light emission modes of multiple light-emitting elements when a spot-the-difference performance is executed during a non-changing display of a special pattern, and (B) is a time chart showing the light emission modes of multiple light-emitting elements when a spot-the-difference performance is executed during a changing display of a special pattern. [Fig. 245] 13 is a time chart showing the light emission modes of a plurality of light-emitting elements when an end display screen is displayed after the spot the difference presentation is forcibly ended (variation example). [Fig. 246] (A) is a time chart showing the operating modes of multiple movable bodies when a spot-the-difference performance is executed during a non-changing display of a special pattern, and (B) is a time chart showing the operating modes of multiple movable bodies when a spot-the-difference performance is executed during a changing display of a special pattern. [Fig. 247] 13 is a time chart showing the operation modes of a plurality of movable bodies when an end display screen is displayed after the spot the difference presentation is forcibly ended (variation example). [Fig. 248] (A) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a minor abnormality occurs during the spot the difference performance, and (B) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when a major abnormality occurs during the spot the difference performance. [Fig. 249] (A) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value before the start of the spot the difference performance, and (B) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value while the problem screen for the spot the difference performance is being displayed. [Fig. 250] This is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value during the preview of the answer to the spot the difference performance. [Fig. 251] (A) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine in a case where the spot the difference presentation is forcibly ended and an end display screen is displayed at the same time that the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value while the problem screen for the spot the difference presentation is being displayed (variant example), and (B) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the amount of balls dispensed reaches a specific value while the end display screen is being displayed when the presentation is skipped. [Fig. 252] (A) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the power is turned off and then turned back on before the start of the spot the difference performance, and (B) is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the power is turned off and then turned back on while the start screen of the spot the difference performance is being displayed. [Fig. 253] 11 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the power is turned off and then turned back on while a spot-the-difference problem screen is being displayed. [Fig. 254] 13 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the power is turned off and then turned back on while the ending display screen is being displayed when a performance is skipped. [Figure 255] (A) is a time chart showing whether or not a winning sound can be output when a spot-the-difference performance is executed during a non-changing display of a special pattern, and (B) is a time chart showing whether or not a winning sound can be output when a spot-the-difference performance is executed during a changing display of a special pattern. [Fig. 256] 13 is a time chart showing whether or not a winning sound can be executed when the end display screen is displayed after the spot the difference presentation is forcibly ended (variant example). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [1. Overall structure of a pachinko machine] A pachinko machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the pachinko machine with the upper side tilted forward. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the front, and Fig. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the door frame, main body frame, and outer frame that constitute the pachinko machine, each of which is opened by rotating on a hinge. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine disassembled into its main components as seen from the front, and Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine disassembled into its main components as seen from the rear.

[0012] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is installed in an island facility of a game hall and used. This pachinko machine 1 is a so-called enclosed game machine or managed game machine in which a large number of game balls B (for example, 40 to 60 balls) are enclosed without being discharged to the outside or supplied from the outside, and the game balls B are circulated inside so that the player does not touch the game balls B. In this pachinko machine 1, the number of balls held by the player is converted into ball holding data and handled.

[0013] The game ball B enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 only needs to have the same diameter (hereinafter also referred to as diameter D; diameter D = 11 mm) as the game ball used in conventional pachinko machines, and may be made of, for example, non-magnetic stainless steel such as SUS304, or may be a conventional iron ball (SB). Note that if game ball B is made of stainless steel, it will not rust like a conventional iron ball even if it is enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 for a long period of time.

[0014] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment comprises a frame-shaped outer frame 2 installed in an island facility (not shown) of a gaming hall, a door frame 3 which closes the front of the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, a main frame 4 which supports the door frame 3 in an openable and closable manner and is attached to the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, and a game board 5 which is detachably attached to the main frame 4 from the front and is visible from the player's side through the door frame 3, and has a game area 5a into which the player hits a game ball B.

[0015] [2. Outer frame] The outer frame 2 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 8 to 16. Fig. 8 is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame removed. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine with the game board separated from the main body frame in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame and game board removed, Fig. 11 is a rear view of the pachinko machine in Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine in Fig. 10, seen from the diagonal front. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame and the main body frame disassembled, seen from the front, and Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame and the main body frame disassembled, seen from the rear. Fig. 15 is a plan sectional view of the outer frame cut at the center in the vertical direction. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the outer frame.

[0016] The outer frame 2 is attached to an island facility of an amusement hall (not shown), and the main frame 4 can be attached so as to be openable / closable forward and detachable. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 10 formed as a vertically long frame overall, an outer frame assembly metal fitting 20 to which the outer frame main body 10 is attached, an outer frame hinge mechanism 30 that supports the main frame 4 so as to be openable / closable, an outer frame lock metal fitting (not shown) for locking the main frame 4 in a closed state, a fascia board 45 attached to the lower frame body 14 of the outer frame main body 10, and a sliding board 46 attached to the upper surface of the fascia board 45.

[0017] The outer frame body 10 of the outer frame 2 includes a left frame body 11 and a right frame body 12 that extend in the vertical direction and are spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides, an upper frame body 13 that connects the upper ends of the left frame body 11 and the right frame body 12, and a lower frame body 14 that connects the lower ends of the left frame body 11 and the right frame body 12. The left frame body 11 and the right frame body 12 are each formed from an extruded metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The upper frame body 13 and the lower frame body 14 are formed from wood. The left frame body 11, the right frame body 12, the upper frame body 13, and the lower frame body 14 have the same dimensions in the front-to-rear direction.

[0018] The outer frame assembly fittings 20 of the outer frame 2 have an upper left fitting that connects the left frame body 11 and the upper frame body 13, an upper right fitting that connects the right frame body 12 and the upper frame body 13, a lower left fitting that connects the left frame body 11 and the lower frame body 14, and a lower right fitting that connects the right frame body 12 and the lower frame body 14. The lower left fitting also serves as the outer frame lower hinge body 35.

[0019] The outer frame hinge mechanism 30 has an upper outer frame hinge body 31 provided at the upper left end of the outer frame main body 10 and a lower outer frame hinge body 35 provided at the lower left end of the outer frame main body 10.

[0020] The upper outer frame hinge body 31 of the outer frame hinge mechanism 30 is attached to the upper left end surface of the upper frame body 13, and has a front end that protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10. The upper outer frame hinge body 31 has, at a portion that protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10, a bearing groove 31a that penetrates vertically and is open at one side, and a locking member 32 that is provided on the underside of the portion that protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10 and is capable of opening and closing the open portion of the bearing groove 31a.

[0021] The bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 can support the main frame hinge shaft 511a by inserting the main frame hinge shaft 511a of the main frame upper hinge body 511 in the main frame 4 from the released portion. The locking member 32 of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 is normally located in a locked position where the released portion of the bearing groove 31a is closed by the biasing force of an elastic piece (not shown). When the locking member 32 is moved to the released position against the biasing force of the elastic piece, the bearing groove 31a is opened to the side surface, and the main frame hinge shaft 511a can be inserted into the bearing groove 31a from the side surface, or the main frame hinge shaft 511a inserted in the bearing groove 31a can be removed from the bearing groove 31a.

[0022] The outer frame lower hinge body 35 of the outer frame hinge mechanism 30 is attached to a portion (upper portion) of the upper left end surface of the back panel 45 that overlaps with the lower frame body 14, and its front end protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10. The outer frame lower hinge body 35 has a hinge shaft 35a that protrudes upward at a portion that protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10. By inserting the hinge shaft 35a of the outer frame lower hinge body 35 into an outer frame shaft hole (not shown) of the main frame lower hinge body 512 in the main body frame 4, the main frame lower hinge body 512 can be rotatably supported.

[0023] The outer frame hinge mechanism 30 supports the main body frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed by supporting the main body frame hinge shaft 511a of the main body frame upper hinge body 511 in the main body frame 4 in the bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31, and inserting the hinge shaft 35a of the outer frame lower hinge body 35 into the outer frame shaft hole of the main body frame lower hinge body 512.

[0024] Two outer frame locking fittings for the outer frame 2 are provided vertically spaced apart on the inner surface (left surface) of the right frame body 12. The outer frame locking fittings are engaged with the outer frame locking claws 784 of the lock unit 780 in the main frame 4, thereby locking the main frame 4 to the outer frame 2 in a closed state so that it cannot be opened.

[0025] The fascia 45 of the outer frame 2 is attached to the lower frame body 14, with its front end protruding forward beyond the lower frame body 14. The fascia 45 is made of synthetic resin. Two sliding plates 46 are provided on the upper surface of the fascia 45, spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The sliding plates 46 are against which the lower end surface of the main frame 4 abuts when the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2. The sliding plates 46 are made of a low-friction material with low friction resistance, making the main frame 4 easier to slide and easier to open and close.

[0026] Describing the skirting board 45 in further detail, the skirting board 45 has a skirting board main body 45a which is formed to cover the portion of the upper end surface of the lower frame body 14 which is forward of the center in the fore-and-aft direction and the front end side of the lower frame body 14, a hinge body cover portion 45b which is provided near the left end of the upper surface of the skirting board main body 45a, a rear wall portion 45c which extends upward in a flat plate shape from the rear end of the hinge body cover portion 45b, and a guide display portion 45d which is provided on the upper surface of the skirting board main body 45a.

[0027] Hinge body cover portion 45b of top panel 45 is provided so as to cover the underside and sides of outer frame lower hinge body 35. As a result, when a player, a worker performing maintenance, transport, installation, etc., reaches near outer frame lower hinge body 35, hinge body cover portion 45b can prevent the hand from directly touching outer frame lower hinge body 35, and injury from the edge of outer frame lower hinge body 35 can be prevented.

[0028] In addition, the hinge body cover portion 45b covers the underside and sides of the lower outer frame hinge body 35, thereby hiding the lower outer frame hinge body 35 from the player and enhancing the sense of unity with the curtain board 45 (curtain board main body 45a) for a better appearance.

[0029] The rear wall portion 45c of the skirting board 45 is provided so that, when the main body frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2, the rear surface of a main body frame lower hinge body 512 of the main body frame 4 described below abuts against the front surface of the rear wall portion 45c. In this way, when the main body frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2, the main body frame lower hinge body 512 abuts against the rear wall portion 45c, thereby restricting the main body frame 4 from hinge-rotating further rearward.

[0030] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the guide display portion 45d of the skirting board 45 is provided so as to protrude rearward from the rear edge of the upper surface of the skirting board main body 45a, and extends in the left-right direction from the rear part of the left sliding board 46 to the rear part of the right sliding board 46. This guide display portion 45d has an arrow pointing left near the left end and an arrow pointing right near the right end, and the words "!Do not allow fixing nails or fixing metal fittings to protrude into this area!" are displayed between the two arrows. These arrows and words are engraved by the mold used for injection molding the skirting board 45.

[0031] The guide display section 45d is provided so as not to come into contact with the main frame 4 which is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. This guide display section 45d is provided to call attention to the worker when the pachinko machine 1 is installed in the island equipment of the game hall. Specifically, when the lower frame body 14 of the outer frame 2 is fixed to the island equipment with a mounting screw (not shown), the head of the mounting screw is not to protrude above the guide display section 45d within the range displayed on the guide display section 45d. By fixing the outer frame 2 with the mounting screw in accordance with this attention, when the main frame 4 is closed to the outer frame 2, the mounting screw does not come into contact with the main frame 4, and the mounting screw does not interfere with the main frame 4.

[0032] This guide display portion 45d makes it possible to prevent the mounting screws that secure the outer frame 2 from interfering with the main body frame 4, thereby making it possible to avoid damage to the main body frame 4 due to interference from the mounting screws. In addition, since the guide display portion 45d serves as a marker for the amount of insertion of the mounting screws for fixing the outer frame 2, it is not necessary to open and close the main body frame 4 while driving in the mounting screws to prevent interference with the mounting screws, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0033] Furthermore, since it has guide display portion 45d, when checking the fixed state of the outer frame 2 to the island equipment, by using guide display portion 45d as a guide, the quality of the condition of the mounting screws can be easily confirmed visually.

[0034] In addition, the guide display portion 45d, which indicates the fixing range of the mounting screws, is molded integrally with the fascia board main body 45a. Therefore, by simply attaching the fascia board main body 45a to the lower frame body 14 and assembling it to the outer frame 2, the guide display portion 45d can be provided on the outer frame 2, thereby reducing costs compared to the case where the guide display portion 45d is provided separately.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the guidance display portion 45d protruding rearward from the rear end of the skirting board main body 45a is shown to extend continuously in the left-right direction from the arrow on the left end to the arrow on the right end, but this is not limited to this, and it is also possible for only the portions indicated by the left and right arrows to protrude rearward from the rear end of the skirting board main body 45a.

[0036] In addition, in the above embodiment, the guide display portion 45d is engraved during injection molding of the fascia board 45, but this is not limited to this, and the guide display portion 45d may be provided by attaching a sticker, printing, or painting.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the guide display portion 45d is provided on the front panel 45, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided on the lower frame body 14, the sliding plate 46, etc. When the guide display portion 45d is provided on the lower frame body 14, for example, a sticker may be attached, an ink stamp may be applied, or a branding may be applied. When the guide display portion 45d is provided on the sliding plate 46, for example, a concave mark may be applied to the sliding plate 46.

[0038] [3. Door frame] The door frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 7. The door frame 3 is formed in a rectangular shape extending vertically in a front view with approximately the same size as the inside of the outer frame 2, and is attached to the inside of the outer frame 2 via the main frame 4 so as to be able to be opened and closed from the front side. The door frame 3 is provided with a door frame main body 100 that is openable and closable with respect to the main frame 4 and has a game window 101 through which the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 faces forward when closed, a transparent glass 120 that is detachably attached to the rear side of the door frame main body 100 and closes the game window 101, a ball number display unit 140 that displays the number of balls held by the player, a handle 160 that the player operates to shoot the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, a cylindrical handle cover 170 that surrounds the outer periphery of the handle 160, and a counting button switch 180 that can be operated by the player.

[0039] The door frame 3 also includes a door frame panel 190 extending from the lower end of the front of the door frame main body 100 across the entire width in the left-right direction at a certain height, a shelf unit 200 protruding forward at a portion between the game window 101 and the door frame panel 190 on the front of the door frame main body 100, and a performance operation unit 250 provided in the left-right center of the shelf unit 200 and operable by a player. The ball count display unit 140 and the count button switch 180 are provided on the top surface of the shelf unit 200 (top surface of the shelf portion 201).

[0040] Furthermore, the door frame 3 includes a door frame top unit 300 provided above the game window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100, a door frame left side unit 320 provided to the left of the game window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100, and a door frame right side unit 340 provided to the right of the game window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100.

[0041] The door frame main body 100 has a door frame hinge mechanism 110 for mounting it to be openable and closable to the main body frame 4. The door frame hinge mechanism 110 has an upper door frame hinge body 111 (see FIG. 6) provided at the upper left end of the door frame main body 100, and a lower door frame hinge body 112 provided at the lower left end of the door frame main body 100. The upper door frame hinge body 111 has an upper door frame hinge shaft 111a that protrudes upward. The door frame hinge mechanism 110 supports the door frame 3 so as to be able to be opened and closed relative to the main frame 4 by inserting the door frame upper hinge shaft 111a of the door frame upper hinge body 111 from below into the door frame upper shaft hole 511b of the main frame upper hinge body 511 described later, and by inserting the door frame lower hinge shaft 112a of the door frame lower hinge body 112 from above into the door frame lower shaft hole 512b of the main frame lower hinge body 512 described later.

[0042] In addition, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the door frame body 100 has a protrusion 102 protruding backward from near the lower end on the rear surface. When the door frame 3 is closed against the main frame 4, the protrusion 102 comes into contact with the support step 501q of the main frame base 501 of the main frame 4, which will be described later, so that the door frame 3 can be lifted to a certain extent. According to the protrusion 102, the door frame 3 is lifted by closing the door frame 3 against the main frame 4, so that the load of the door frame 3 can be distributed to the protrusion 102 and the door frame lower hinge body 112. This makes it possible to avoid excessive load being continuously applied to the hinges (the door frame lower hinge body 112 and the outer frame lower hinge body 35) that enable the door frame 3 to be opened and closed, making it difficult for the hinges to become distorted, and even if the hinges are distorted, the door frame 3 can be lifted by the protrusion 102, so that the door frame 3 can be closed at the proper position against the main frame 4. Although not shown, the lower surface of the protruding portion 102 has a plurality of ribs extending in the front-rear direction, and these ribs increase strength and rigidity.

[0043] The protrusion 102 has a guide surface 102a that is inclined so as to move leftward as it approaches the rear. Although details will be described later, the guide surface 102a of the protrusion 102 is contacted by the front end of the motor base 686 when the motor base 686 of the ball lifting unit 650 is in a state other than the lock position and the door frame 3 is to be closed relative to the main frame 4, so that the motor base 686 can be moved (rotated) to the lock position.

[0044] The ball count display unit 140 is configured with a 6-digit 7-segment LED. The ball count display unit 140 is provided on the top surface of the shelf unit 200 to the right of the center in the left-right direction and to the left of the count button switch 180.

[0045] The handle 160 is provided at the lower right corner of the front surface of the door frame main body 100, i.e., near the right end between the game window 101 and the door frame panel 190 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100. The handle 160 is attached so that the player can rotate it with its rotation axis facing forward and backward. The handle 160 is formed in a shape similar to an automobile steering wheel, and has a central hub portion 160a, multiple spoke portions 160b (three in this case) extending outward from the hub portion 160a, and an annular ring portion 160c connecting the tips of the spoke portions 160b.

[0046] The ring portion 160c of the handle 160 is provided at a position slightly forward from the front end of the cylindrical handle cover 170, and is provided so that the player cannot grip the ring portion 160c. Therefore, when the player rotates the handle 160, the player mainly operates the handle while gripping the hub portion 160a with his / her fingers passing between the spoke portions 160b. In this state, the player's fingers are inserted into the cylindrical handle cover 170.

[0047] The handle 160 is equipped with a launch stop switch 161 that can be pressed by the player, a handle touch sensor 162 that detects changes in the electrostatic capacitance of the handle 160, and a handle rotation sensor 163 that detects the rotation angle of the handle 160 (see Figure 63).

[0048] When the player presses the launch stop switch 161, the frame control board 740 stops the drive of the launch solenoid 553. Therefore, when the player presses the launch stop switch 161 while rotating the handle 160, the launch of the game ball B can be temporarily stopped without returning the rotation of the handle 160. After that, when the player releases the pressing of the launch stop switch 161 while continuing the rotation of the handle 160, the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a again with the hitting strength before pressing the launch stop switch 161 (the hitting strength according to the rotation of the handle 160).

[0049] The handle touch sensor 162 detects static electricity acting on the handle 160, and when the player touches the handle 160, it detects the static electricity acting from the player and detects the player's contact (touch) with the handle 160. Then, when the handle touch sensor 162 detects the player's contact, if the handle 160 is rotated, the detection of the handle rotation sensor 163 is received, and the drive of the launch solenoid is controlled with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 160, allowing the game ball B to be shot in.

[0050] Therefore, even if a player tries to shoot the game ball B into the game area 5a by rotating the handle 160 in some way without touching the handle 160, the handle touch sensor 162 does not detect the touch of the player, so the launch solenoid 553 is not driven and the game ball B cannot be shot in. This makes it possible to prevent a player from playing a game by rotating the handle 160 in a way other than the intended way, and reduces the load (burden) on the game hall in which the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

[0051] The handle rotation sensor 163 is a variable resistor, and when the handle 160 is rotated, the detection axis rotates and the internal resistance changes according to the rotation angle of the detection axis. Therefore, when the handle 160 is rotated to change the internal resistance of the handle rotation sensor 163, the driving force of the launch solenoid 553 in the ball launch unit 550 described later changes according to the internal resistance, and the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 160.

[0052] Handle cover 170 extends rearward from the rear part of the annular portion of handle 160 so that its diameter widens, and is formed in a conical cylinder shape. Openings 171 that communicate with the interior are provided on the right and lower peripheral surfaces of the outer periphery of handle cover 170. These openings 171 allow dirt, liquid, etc., to be discharged downward even if they get into handle cover 170.

[0053] The counting button switch 180 is provided on the top surface of the shelf unit 200, at a position to the right of the center in the left-right direction. The counting button switch 180, which will be described in detail later, is a button that can be pressed when there are balls in hand to send the balls in hand to the game ball lending device 8 for settlement.

[0054] The door frame apron 190 extends left and right at a constant height with a length equal to the left and right width of the door frame main body 100, and is attached to the lower end of the front surface of the door frame main body 100. The door frame apron 190 penetrates from front to back at the center in the left and right direction, and has a duct grill 191 located in front of a bass reflex duct 501e of the main body frame 4, which will be described later. The duct grill 191 extends in an elongated manner left and right, and is partitioned by a number of vertical lattices. The duct grill 191, which will be described in detail later, is intended to release air vibrations (wind) caused by the driving of the main body frame speaker 503 from the bass reflex duct 501e of the main body frame 4 forward.

[0055] The shelf unit 200 is provided in a portion between the game window 101 and the door frame panel 190 on the front side of the door frame main body 100. A spherical performance operation unit 250 is provided in the center of the left-right direction of the shelf unit 200. The shelf unit 200 has a shelf portion 201 that bulges forward in a shelf-like shape from the upper end along the lower end of the game window 101, a speaker grill 203 that is provided below the shelf portion 201 and to the right of the performance operation unit 250, a setting adjustment button 204 that is provided on the upper surface of the shelf portion 201 and consists of four push buttons arranged in a front-rear and left-right direction, and a pair of protrusions 205 that are provided at a distance to the left and right. The setting adjustment button 204 allows the volume to be adjusted by operating the front and rear push buttons out of the four push buttons arranged in a front-rear and left-right direction, and allows the light amount to be adjusted by operating the left and right push buttons.

[0056] The top surface of shelf 201 is formed to be a smooth surface. On the top surface of shelf 201, count button switch 180 is provided near the right end to the right of the center in the left-right direction, and held ball count display 140 is provided to the left of count button switch 180. On the right side of the center in the left-right direction, setting adjustment button 204 is provided, and protrusions 205 are provided on both the left and right sides near the rear end of setting adjustment button 204.

[0057] The pair of protrusions 205 protrude higher than the setting adjustment button 204 and have rounded upper ends. The pair of protrusions 205 are provided approximately parallel to the rear side of the shelf portion 201. The pair of protrusions 205 can be used, for example, to prop up a smartphone on the upper surface of the shelf portion 201, which is convenient.

[0058] The speaker grill 203 is located in front of a main frame speaker 503 in the main frame 4 (described later), and is made of punched metal with multiple through holes. The speaker grill 203 is provided symmetrically with and of the same size as the handle 160 across the center of the door frame 3, and is formed in a shape that bulges forward similar to the handle cover 170.

[0059] The performance operation unit 250 is provided in the center of the shelf unit 200 in the left-right direction, and the front end protrudes forward from the shelf unit 200, while the upper end protrudes upward from the shelf unit 200. The performance operation unit 250 is formed in a spherical shape as a whole. The performance operation unit 250 has a circular first performance button 251 provided near the center on the upper surface, and an annular second performance button 252 provided so as to surround the periphery of the first performance button 251. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the first performance button 251 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second performance button 252 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first performance button 251 and the second performance button 252 are provided on the same axis, and are inclined so that the axis moves forward as it goes upward.

[0060] The first effect button 251 and the second effect button 252 are provided so that they move upward (pop up) in their entirety in response to a player participation effect. The first effect button 251 can be pressed at all times, whereas the second effect button 252 can be pressed only when it pops up.

[0061] Although not shown in the figure, a vibrator (vibration device) is provided inside the first performance button 251.

[0062] The door frame top unit 300 is provided above the game window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100, with both left and right ends sandwiched between the upper end portion of the left side unit 320 and the upper end portion of the right side unit 340. The door frame top unit 300 protrudes forward like a canopy. The door frame top unit 300 includes a semi-tube-shaped door frame top decorative body 301 that extends left and right along the front edge and has translucency. The door frame top decorative body 301 is curved in the front-rear direction so that the center in the left-right direction is located furthest forward in a plan view.

[0063] Although not shown, the door frame top unit 300 has a door frame top decorative board on which multiple LEDs are mounted for illuminating and decorating the door frame top decorative body 301, a pair of door frame top speakers 303 spaced apart on the left and right and outputting sounds such as voice, music, and sound effects, and a pair of door frame top side speakers 304 provided on both the left and right outer sides of the pair of door frame top speakers 303. The pair of door frame top speakers 303 are full-range speakers (or mid-range speakers), and the pair of door frame top side speakers 304 are tweeters (high-frequency speakers).

[0064] The door frame left side unit 320 is provided on the front of the door frame main body 100 to the left of the game window 101, and extends vertically from near the upper end of the door frame main body 100 to near the speaker grill 203 below the shelf portion 201 of the shelf unit 200. The door frame left side unit 320 extends over its entire length in the vertical direction and is provided with a semi-tubular door frame left side decorative body 321 that is translucent. The door frame left side decorative body 321 is curved to the right near its lower end.

[0065] The door frame left side unit 320 has a door frame left side decorative board on which multiple LEDs are mounted to illuminate and decorate the door frame left side decorative body 321 (not shown).

[0066] The door frame right side unit 340 is provided on the front surface of the door frame main body 100 to the right of the game window 101, and extends vertically from near the upper end of the door frame main body 100 to the handle cover 170 below the shelf portion 201 of the shelf unit 200. The door frame right side unit 340 protrudes further forward than the door frame left side unit 320, and is formed in a vertically long partition shape.

[0067] The right-side door frame unit 340 includes a semi-tube-shaped right-side door frame decorative body 341 that extends vertically along the front end and has translucency, a left-side door frame decorative body (not shown) that is provided behind the right-side door frame decorative body 341 and forms the left side, a right-side door frame decorative body (not shown) that is provided behind the right-side door frame decorative body 341 and forms the right side, and a right-side door frame decorative board (not shown) on which multiple LEDs are mounted to illuminate and decorate the right-side door frame decorative body 341, the left-side door frame decorative body, and the right-side door frame decorative body. The right-side door frame decorative body 341 is curved leftward near the bottom end.

[0068] The door frame right side unit 340 also has an opening 342 that penetrates from front to back near the bottom end and through which the keyhole 782 of the lock unit 780 faces forward.

[0069] [3-1. Counting button switch] The counting button switch 180 is provided on the top surface of the shelf unit 200, at a position to the right of the center in the left-right direction. When the counting button switch 180 is pressed when there are balls in hand (number of balls in hand > 0), the balls can be sent to the game ball lending device 8 for settlement. The counting button switch 180 can send balls one by one or a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls) depending on the time it is pressed, as will be described in detail later. The number of balls sent to the game ball lending device 8 is sent to the management server 9 via the communication network, and an IC card storing the number of balls in hand is ejected from the game ball lending device 8.

[0070] Here, the game ball lending device 8 is provided adjacent to the pachinko machine 1 in the island equipment of the game hall (also called a sand). Although not shown in detail, the game ball lending device 8 is provided with an insertion slot for inserting cash or prepaid cards, a card slot for inserting / ejecting IC cards, a ball lending button switch 8a, a return button switch, a display unit that displays the amount of money inserted and the number of counted balls, etc. When the ball lending button switch 8a is pressed with cash or the like inserted into the insertion slot, the game ball lending device 8 lends out a predetermined number of game balls B within the amount of money inserted. In this embodiment, the number of lent game balls B is transmitted as digital data to the frame control board and also transmitted to the management server 9 via a communication network for management.

[0071] To explain the counting button switch 180 in detail, when the player presses the counting button switch 180 for a short time (e.g., pressing the button once for less than 500 ms) while there are balls in hand, one game ball B is counted from the balls in hand. When the counting button switch 180 is pressed for a long time (e.g., pressing once for more than 500 ms), 250 game balls B are counted at the count notification timing every predetermined time (e.g., 300 ms) while the counting button switch 180 is pressed for a long time until the number of balls in hand falls below 250. When the number of balls in hand falls below 250 while the counting button switch 180 is pressed for a long time, one game ball B is counted. In addition, when the counting button switch 180 is pressed for a long time (e.g., pressing once for more than 500 ms), the total number of balls in hand may be counted unconditionally even if the counting button switch 180 is not continuously pressed.

[0072] When counting is performed by pressing the counting button switch 180, the number of balls held displayed on the ball count display unit 140 is subtracted and displayed, and the counted number of balls is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the game ball lending device 8.

[0073] [4. Main body frame] The main body frame 4 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 8 to 14, 17 to 21, etc. Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components as seen from the front, and Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components as seen from the rear. Fig. 19 is a plan view of the pachinko machine of Fig. 10 cut at the center from top to bottom. Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a front view of the main parts of the front view of Fig. 8, showing the firing unit, foul unit, etc. in cross section.

[0074] The main body frame 4 is formed in a box-like shape with an open front, and a game board 5 is housed inside so as to be detachable from the front. The main body frame 4 is attached to a frame-shaped outer frame 2 attached to the island equipment of the game hall at the top and bottom of the front end on the left side of the front side so as to be able to open and close, and a door frame 3 is attached so as to be able to open and close so as to close the open front side.

[0075] The main frame 4 comprises a frame-shaped main frame base unit 500 supported on the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable, a ball launching unit 550 for shooting game balls B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, a foul unit 570 for collecting game balls B that have been shot by the ball launching unit 550 but not shot into the game area 5a, a circulating ball path unit 600 for sending game balls B discharged from the game board 5 and game balls B collected by the foul unit 570 to the ball launching unit 550, a ball lifting unit 650 for moving game balls B upward from the downstream end of the circulating ball path unit 600, and a ball sending unit 700 for sending the game balls B lifted by the ball lifting unit 650 one by one to the ball launching unit 550.

[0076] The main body frame 4 also includes a ball receiving tray 720 for receiving game balls B discharged from the ball outlet 613p of the circulating ball path unit 600, a frame base unit 730 having a frame control board 740 for controlling the ball launching unit 550, the ball lifting unit 650, etc., and a locking unit 780 for locking the spaces between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 and between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4.

[0077] [4-1. Main frame base unit] The main body frame base unit 500 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 22 to 24. Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame base unit in the main body frame disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front, and Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame base unit in the main body frame disassembled into its main components as viewed from the rear. Figure 24(a) is a front view of the main body frame base in the main body frame base unit, and (b) is an explanatory perspective view showing a state in which multiple main body frame bases are stacked.

[0078] The main frame base unit 500 is supported on the outer frame 2 so as to be able to open and close forward, and is also capable of supporting the door frame 3 so as to be able to open and close forward. A ball launching unit 550, a foul unit 570, a circulating ball path unit 600, a ball lifting unit 650, a ball sending unit 700, a ball receiving tray 720, a frame base unit 730, a lock unit 780, etc. are attached to the main frame base unit 500.

[0079] The main frame base unit 500 comprises a main frame base 501 which is formed in an elongated rectangular shape overall and has a game board insertion section 502 which penetrates from the front to the back and into which the game board 5 is inserted from the front, and a base wall section 501b which is provided below the game board insertion section 502, and a side reinforcing plate 509 which reinforces the left side of the main frame base 501.

[0080] The main frame base unit 500 also includes a main frame speaker 503 attached to the rear side of the base wall portion 501b of the main frame base 501, a box-shaped main frame speaker box 504 attached to the base wall portion 501b so as to cover the main frame speaker 503 from the rear and having an open front, and a rear cover 505 arranged to allow the game board insertion portion 502 in the main frame base 501 to be opened and closed from the rear.

[0081] Furthermore, the main body frame base unit 500 includes a game board locking member 506 attached to the main body frame base 501, a door opening switch 507 and a frame opening switch 508 attached to the main body frame base 501, and a main body frame hinge mechanism 510 attached to the main body frame base 501.

[0082] The main body frame base 501 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The main body frame base 501 is formed of a black opaque synthetic resin. The main body frame base 501 includes a frame-shaped frame body 501a having no left side, a game board insertion part 502 penetrating from near the upper end downward within the frame of the frame body 501a in the front-rear direction within a range of about 2 / 3 of the total height, a base wall part 501b provided on the lower side of the game board insertion part 502, a game board regulating part 501c protruding upward (inside the game board insertion part 502) near the center in the left-right direction on the upper end surface of the base wall part 501b, a main body frame speaker port 501d penetrating from the front-rear direction near the left end of the base wall part 501b and through which the main body frame speaker 503 faces forward, and a bass reflex duct 501e penetrating horizontally in the front-rear direction near the lower end of the base wall part 501b in the center in the left-right direction.

[0083] In addition, the main frame base 501 is provided with a tray insertion recess 501f above the bass reflex duct 501e in the base wall portion 501b, which is recessed rearward from the front side, and into which the ball receiving tray 720 is inserted, and a ball storage passage insertion port 501g above the tray insertion recess 501f in the base wall portion 501b, which penetrates front to back, and into which the ball serpentine member 613 and serpentine cover 614 of the circulating ball path unit 600 are inserted.

[0084] In addition, the main frame base 501 is equipped with a foul unit mounting portion 501h and a ball launching unit mounting portion 501i arranged side by side above the ball storage passage insertion port 501g on the front surface of the base wall portion 501b, a ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j arranged to the right of the ball launching unit mounting portion 501i on the base wall portion 501b, a ball sending unit mounting portion 501k arranged at a position rear of the ball launching unit mounting portion 501i on the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b, a circulating ball path unit mounting portion 501l arranged on the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b, and a cylinder insertion port 501m that penetrates from front to back near the upper right corner of the base wall portion 501b and through which the lock cylinder 781 of the lock unit 780 is inserted.

[0085] Furthermore, main body frame base 501 has locking claws 501n which protrude from the left and right inner walls of tray insertion recess 501f and lock elastic claws 721 of ball receiving tray 720 inserted into tray insertion recess 501f to restrict forward movement of ball receiving tray 720. Main body frame base 501 also has a vertically long opening 501o which penetrates from front to back at ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j.

[0086] The main frame base 501 also includes a top cover 502a extending rearward from the upper end of the game board insertion portion 502, a rear cover 502b extending downward in a short, flat shape from the rear end edge of the top cover 502a, a left side cover 502c extending rearward from the left end of the game board insertion portion 502 and having an upper end connected to the top cover 502a, a right side cover 502d extending rearward from the right end of the game board insertion portion 502 and having an upper end connected to the top cover 502a, and a bottom cover 502e extending rearward from the lower end of the game board insertion portion 502.

[0087] In addition, the main body frame base 501 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes 502f penetrating the rear cover 502b, a plurality of upper surface recesses 502g provided in the upper cover 502a and recessed downward, a plurality of lower surface recesses 502h provided in the lower cover 502e and recessed downward, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 502i provided respectively on the lower surface of the upper cover 502a and the upper surface of the lower cover 502e.

[0088] Furthermore, main body frame base 501 is provided on the upper side of ball launching unit mounting portion 501i and further includes eaves portion 501p for blocking light from above entering ball launching unit 550. This eaves portion 501p can block external light from reaching launch subtraction sensor 554, which is a photosensor of ball launching unit 550 attached to ball launching unit mounting portion 501i, thereby preventing erroneous detection by launch subtraction sensor 554.

[0089] The main frame base 501 further includes a support step 501q provided at a position between the tray insertion recess 501f and the opening 501o and slightly above the bottom surface of the tray insertion recess 501f, and a pair of support protrusions 501r provided at a distance from each other near the right end of the rear surface of the base wall 501b and protruding rearward. The support step 501q has an upwardly facing surface (upper surface). When the door frame 3 is closed against the main frame 4, the protrusion 102 of the door frame 3 abuts against the support step 501q so as to ride up on it, thereby lifting the door frame 3 to a certain extent and supporting part of the load of the door frame 3. A locking hole is provided on the rear end surface of the support protrusion 501r to lock the Nylatch 774 of the frame board unit 730.

[0090] The game board 5 is removably inserted from the front into the game board insertion portion 502 of the main body frame base 501. The game board insertion portion 502 is surrounded at the rear of the base wall portion 501b by an upper cover 502a, a left side cover 502c, a right side cover 502d, and a lower cover 502e.

[0091] The game board 5 is placed on the upper end surface of the base wall portion 501b. A door opening switch 507, a ball launching unit 550, a foul unit 570, and a ball receiving tray 720 are attached to the front surface of the base wall portion 501b. In addition, a main frame speaker 503, a main frame speaker box 504, a frame opening switch 508, a circulating ball path unit 600, a ball lifting unit 650, and a ball sending unit 700 are attached to the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b.

[0092] The game board regulating portion 501c regulates the left-right and rearward movement of the game board 5 when the game board 5 is inserted into the game board insertion portion 502. As shown in the figure, the main body frame speaker port 501d is formed in a lattice shape, and is provided so as to be located behind the speaker grill 203 of the door frame 3 when the door frame 3 is closed against the main body frame 4. A main body frame speaker 503 is attached to the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b so as to close the main body frame speaker port 501d from the rear.

[0093] The bass reflex duct 501e is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape that is long from side to side. The bass reflex duct 501e, which will be described in detail later, is connected to the enclosure 504a of the main frame speaker 503, which is composed of the base wall portion 501b and the main frame speaker box 504, and is for inverting the phase of the sound output from the main frame speaker 503 to the rear and discharging it forward. In this embodiment, the cylindrical bass reflex duct 501e resonates and amplifies the low-frequency range of the sound output from the main frame speaker 503, making it possible to produce a deeper bass sound. This bass reflex duct 501e is provided so as to be located behind the duct grill 191 of the door frame 3 when the door frame 3 is closed to the main frame 4.

[0094] The tray insertion recess 501f can detachably support the ball receiving tray 720 from the front. The bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 501f is inclined so that the front end side is lower (see FIG. 20). This allows the game balls B to be discharged forward even if they spill into the tray insertion recess 501f when the ball receiving tray 720 is not inserted into the tray insertion recess 501f. In addition, since the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 501f is inclined so that the front end side is lower, the ball receiving tray 720 placed therein can be easily slid forward.

[0095] The ball storage passage insertion port 501g is provided so that the front part of the ball meandering member 613 and the meandering cover 614 of the circulating ball passage unit 600 attached to the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b penetrates and protrudes forward. The foul unit mounting portion 501h is provided near the upper end of the base wall portion 501b and to the right of the main frame speaker port 501d. The ball launching unit mounting portion 501i is provided to the right of the foul unit mounting portion 501h. The ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j is provided in a portion between the upper end and the lower end of the base wall portion 501b.

[0096] The ball-throwing unit mounting section 501k is provided on the rear surface of the base wall section 501b so that the upper surface of the ball-throwing unit 700 faces upward (inside the game board insertion section 502) and is provided so that the ball-throwing unit 700 can be attached and detached from above. When the ball-throwing unit 700 is attached to the ball-throwing unit mounting section 501k, the elastic claw 709b of the ball-throwing unit 700 penetrates the locking hole of the base wall section 501b and faces forward to the right of the ball launching unit 550. In this state, the elastic claw 709b is pressed backward to elastically deform it, and the knob section 709a provided on the upper surface of the ball-throwing unit 700 is pinched and pulled up, whereby the ball-throwing unit 700 can be removed upward.

[0097] The circulating ball path unit mounting portion 501l is provided in the center of the left-right direction on the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b, above the box extension portion 504c of the main body frame speaker box 504, which will be described later. The cylinder insertion port 501m is provided to the right of the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j near the upper end of the base wall portion 501b.

[0098] The top cover 502a extends rearward beyond the game board 5 when the game board 5 is attached to the game board insertion portion 502. As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the top cover 502a has two top recesses 502g spaced apart from each other, and the top recesses 502g eliminate some of the reinforcing ribs from the top cover 502a. This configuration makes it possible to position the top cover 502a higher by the amount of the reinforcing ribs than when multiple reinforcing ribs are arranged in a row in the left-right direction on the top surface of the top cover, thereby ensuring the internal volume of the game board insertion portion 502. Furthermore, if multiple reinforcing ribs are provided on the top surface of the top cover, some of the reinforcing ribs will be left behind during cleaning, which will impair the aesthetic appearance. However, in this embodiment, the aesthetic appearance can be maintained by eliminating the reinforcing ribs from the top surface of the top cover 502a.

[0099] The top surface of the top cover 502a and the bottom surfaces of the two top recesses 502g are inclined about 2 degrees from the horizontal plane so that they become lower as they go backward. Furthermore, the pachinko machine 1 is usually installed so that it is inclined backward, and the angle is generally about 0.75 degrees, so that the total downward inclination is about 2.75 degrees. In addition, the width of the two top recesses 502g from left to right becomes wider as they go backward.

[0100] By making the surface of the surface gentle, the game balls B falling from above the pachinko machine 1 flow down the upper surface of the upper cover 502a or the upper surface recess 502g, and fall into a recovery path for the game balls B in the island equipment provided below the pachinko machine 1, where they are collected. In addition, falling objects that are not spherical, such as metal powder or screws, are retained on the upper surface of the upper cover 502a or the upper surface recess 502g. To achieve such an effect, it is desirable that the upper surface of the upper cover 502a is inclined at an angle of 15 degrees or less from the horizontal plane.

[0101] Since the top cover 502a is formed in a flat plate shape, the lower surfaces (rear surfaces) of the two top recesses 502g recessed from above in the top cover 502a protrude downward from the lower surface of the top cover 502a (see FIG. 24(b)). In other words, the top recesses 502g are in the form of convex parts protruding downward on the lower surface of the top cover 502a. The end points, i.e., the front walls, of the two top recesses 502g are behind the abutment surface 502j, which contacts the rear surface of the upper edge of the game board 5 for positioning.

[0102] In other words, the back side (lower surface side) of the top cover 502a has the back sides of the two top recesses 502g. The tips (front ends) of the back sides of the two top recesses 502g are abutment surfaces 502j, which contact the rear surface of the upper edge of the game board 5 to position the game board 5.

[0103] On the back side (lower surface side) of the top cover 502a, there are four of the multiple reinforcing ribs 502i, which, together with the top surface recess 502g, reinforce the top cover 502a. By providing the reinforcing ribs 502i on the inner lower surface rather than on the top surface of the top cover 502a in this way, it is possible to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the top surface (outer surface) of the top cover 502a.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 23, a number of ribs 502k are provided on the front end of the upper surface of the top cover 502a. However, the upper part of these ribs 502k is covered by the frame body 501a of the edge of the main body frame base 501, and further, the upper part of that is covered by the outer frame 2. Therefore, metal powder and the like does not fall from above and does not affect the aesthetic appearance.

[0105] Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, the upper surface of the upper cover 502a and the upper surface recess 502g are not provided with a gate for feeding molten resin during injection molding. This is to prevent the game ball B from flowing down the upper surface of the upper cover 502a and the upper surface recess 502g due to unevenness caused by the gate.

[0106] Similarly, consideration is given to not leaving marks of ejector pins for removing injection-molded main body frame base 501 from the mold on the upper surface of upper cover 502a or upper surface recess 502g. Normally, the marks of ejector pins are unlikely to hinder the flow of game ball B if burrs are properly removed, but they may spoil the aesthetic appearance when cleaning the upper surface of upper cover 502a or upper surface recess 502g where metal powder and the like have accumulated. For this reason, consideration is given to not leaving marks of ejector pins.

[0107] The left and right ends of the rear cover 502b of the main body frame base 501 are connected to a left side cover 502c and a right side cover 502d, respectively. The rear cover 502b has a plurality of vertically long slit-shaped ventilation holes 502f aligned in the left-right direction.

[0108] The left side cover 502c of the main body frame base 501 has the same depth in the front-to-rear direction as the top cover 502a. The left side cover 502c is inclined so as to move rightward as it moves rearward in a plan view. Two cover locking portions 502l for locking the rear cover 505 are provided at the rear end of the left side cover 502c, spaced apart vertically.

[0109] The right side cover 502d of the main body frame base 501 is inclined so as to move leftward as it moves rearward in a plan view. The right side cover 502d has a portion below the rear cover 502b cut out from the rear end toward the front, and the rear end of the portion is located forward of the rear end of the top cover 502a. In other words, the right side cover 502d is formed so that the depth of the portion below the rear cover 502b is shorter. In the portion below the rear cover 502b at the rear end of the right side cover 502d, a plurality of cover shaft supports 502m for supporting the rear cover 505 so as to be hinged are provided at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0110] The bottom cover 502e of the main frame base 501 extends rearward from a portion one step higher than the bottom end of the game board insertion portion 502 (the top surface of the base wall portion 501b). The bottom cover 502e is provided so as to exclude the portion above the circulation ball path unit mounting portion 501l, and in the portion to the left of the circulation ball path unit mounting portion 501l, it extends rearward to the same position as the rear end of the left side cover 502c, and in the portion to the right of the circulation ball path unit mounting portion 501l, it extends rearward to the same position as the rear end of the portion of the right side cover 502d that is formed with a short depth. This bottom cover 502e is inclined so that it becomes higher as it approaches the rear.

[0111] The lower recess 502h of the main body frame base 501 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the lower cover 502e. The lower recess 502h is open toward the front, and is formed so that the width from left to right narrows toward the rear. The bottom surface of the lower recess 502h is inclined so as to become higher toward the rear, similar to the lower cover 502e. Since the lower cover 502e is formed in a flat plate shape, the lower surface (back surface) of the lower recess 502h, which is recessed from above in the lower cover 502e, protrudes downward from the lower surface of the lower cover 502e (see FIG. 24(b)). In other words, the lower recess 502h is in the form of a convex portion protruding downward on the lower surface of the lower cover 502e. A reinforcing rib 502i is provided inside the lower recess 502h.

[0112] The multiple reinforcing ribs 502i are provided on the lower surface of the upper cover 502a and on the bottom surface of the lower surface recess 502h. Four reinforcing ribs 502i are provided on the upper cover 502a, two of which are provided so as to extend forward from the two abutting surfaces 502j, and the remaining two are provided at positions on both the left and right outer sides of the two upper surface recesses 502g. The reinforcing ribs 502i provided on both the left and right outer sides of the upper surface recess 502g have rear ends connected to the rear cover 502b and extend forward shorter than the upper surface recess 502g.

[0113] Of the multiple reinforcing ribs 502i, two on both the left and right outer sides of the upper surface recess 502g in the upper cover 502a and two on each of the two lower surface recesses 502h are provided to function as the ribs. In detail, the main body frame base 501 of this embodiment is configured so that it can be placed horizontally without rattling when placed on a workbench or the like with the front end side facing down. In addition, the main body frame base 501 is formed so that it can be stored stacked as shown in FIG. 24(b). At this time, the four reinforcing ribs 502i as ribs abut against each other, thereby preventing the stacked main body frame bases 501 from interlocking with each other. This can reduce the time required for removal due to the parts (main body frame bases 501) interlocking with each other, and can improve the efficiency of the assembly work. In addition, since the main body frame bases 501 can be stacked, it is possible to increase the number of packages and reduce the size of the packaging box.

[0114] According to the main body frame base 501 of this embodiment, the upper surface of the upper cover 502a of the main body frame base 501, which protects the game board 5 stored in the main body frame 4 from above, is a gentle slope that slopes downward toward the rear, so that the game balls B, metal powder, screws, etc. that fall from above the pachinko machine 1 can be appropriately handled. Specifically, the spherical game balls B can be made to flow down the upper surface of the upper cover 502a and fall under the pachinko machine 1, so the game balls B are collected as they are and do not cause any trouble. In addition, non-spherical metal powder, screws, etc. can be kept on the upper cover 502a without flowing down, so they also do not cause any trouble.

[0115] In addition, no ventilation holes 502f are provided on the top surface of this top cover 502a. This prevents metal powder, screws, etc. from entering through the ventilation holes 502f, and does not adversely affect the electrical components of the game board 5.

[0116] Furthermore, the upper surface of the upper cover 502a, which is molded by an injection molding machine, does not have a gate for injecting molten resin into a mold during molding. As a result, no unevenness due to the gate is generated on the upper surface of the upper cover 502a, so the flow of the game ball B is not hindered.

[0117] Similarly, consideration is given to not leaving any ejector pin marks when the injection-molded main body frame base 501 is removed from the mold. Normally, ejector pin marks are unlikely to impede the flow of the game ball B if the burrs are properly removed, but there is a possibility that the ejector pin marks will remain when cleaning the top surface of the top cover 502a on which metal powder or the like has accumulated, and may spoil the aesthetic appearance. For this reason, by not leaving any ejector pin marks, the aesthetic appearance can be easily restored by cleaning.

[0118] Moreover, this top cover 502a is molded integrally with the main body frame base 501. By molding it in this manner, it is possible to save on assembly steps and improve the strength of the entire main body frame base unit 500 (game board housing frame).

[0119] The top cover 502a not only protects the game board 5 housed inside with its top surface, but also has a positioning portion (abutment surface 502j) on the inside that contacts the game board 5 to position the game board 5. This fixes the positional relationship between the game board 5 and the top cover 502a, and the purpose of the game board housing frame (main frame 4) of protecting the game board 5 can be achieved.

[0120] 18, etc., no reinforcing ribs are provided on the top surface of top cover 502a, which makes cleaning easier and maintenance easier. Note that there are other members (e.g., frame 501a, outer frame 2, etc.) that cover the top surface of top cover 502a, and ribs may be provided in areas where foreign objects will not fall.

[0121] The side reinforcing plate 509 is formed in a U-shape in plan view that is open to the right, and is attached to the main body frame base 501 to replace the open left side of the frame body 501a. The side reinforcing plate 509 is formed from an extruded metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The side reinforcing plate 509 is provided with two left position regulating members 509a spaced apart from each other above and below. The left position regulating member 509a is for positioning the left side of the game board 5.

[0122] Body frame speaker 503 is attached to the rear side of base wall portion 501b so as to close from the rear body frame speaker port 501d of body frame base 501. Body frame speaker 503 is a cone-type speaker that mainly outputs low-pitched sounds.

[0123] Body frame speaker box 504 is formed in a box shape that is open to the front, and is attached to the rear side of base wall portion 501b so as to cover body frame speaker 503 from the rear. Body frame speaker box 504 forms enclosure 504a for body frame speaker 503 by being attached to base wall portion 501b.

[0124] The main body frame speaker box 504 has a box main body 504b located behind the main body frame speaker 503, a box extension 504c connected to the lower end of the box main body 504b and extending to the right in a front view, and a frame board unit pivot support 504d provided on the rear surface of the box main body 504b. The box extension 504c of the main body frame speaker box 504 extends to the right near the right end of the main body frame base 501 so as to cover the rear of the bass reflex duct 501e, and a part of it extends rearward beyond the box main body 504b.

[0125] Enclosure 504a is composed of box main body 504b and box extension 504c, and communicates with the outside through bass reflex duct 501e. In other words, bass reflex duct 501e, main body frame speaker 503, and main body frame speaker box 504 constitute a phase-inverting bass reflex speaker.

[0126] More specifically, a predetermined sound is output forward and backward from the main body frame speaker 503. The sound output forward from the main body frame speaker 503 is emitted forward of the pachinko machine 1 through the main body frame speaker port 501d and the speaker grill 203.

[0127] On the other hand, the sound outputted backward from the main body frame speaker 503 vibrates the air inside the main body frame speaker box 504 (enclosure 504a). Since the enclosure 504a is opened forward (to the outside) by the cylindrical bass reflex duct 501e, the sound is emitted forward from the bass reflex duct 501e. At this time, since the bass reflex duct 501e is formed in a cylindrical shape of a predetermined length, the low frequency range is amplified by resonance caused by the vibration of the air column inside the duct, and the sound is emitted forward with the phase inverted.

[0128] As a result, the sound output forward from the main frame speaker 503 and the sound output backward do not cancel each other out and become attenuated, but rather resonate with each other and amplify the sound, so that even though the diameter of the main frame speaker 503 is small, it can output a loud sound with deep bass, allowing the player to hear a sound with rich bass.

[0129] Box extension 504c of main body frame speaker box 504 is formed so that its depth in the front-to-rear direction is longer than its height in the up-to-down direction, and its rear end is provided so as to protrude slightly rearward from the rear end of frame board unit 730 (see FIG. 20). Box extension 504c covers the lower side of frame board unit 730 so that a gap is formed between frame board unit 730 (unit base 770 and power board box 772) when assembled to main body frame 4. This makes it difficult for various wiring connected to frame board unit 730 to droop.

[0130] As shown in Fig. 20, the box extension portion 504c is inclined so that the upper surface becomes lower toward the rear. This allows garbage, game balls B, etc. that have fallen from above to be guided rearward and discharged. The box extension portion 504c is also inclined so that the lower surface becomes higher toward the rear. This prevents the box extension portion 504c from coming into contact with the lower frame 14 of the main body frame 4 when the main body frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2.

[0131] 20, the box extension portion 504c is inclined so that the bottom surface rises toward the rear. This allows the main body frame 4 to be guided into the outer frame 2 by the bottom surface of the box extension portion 504c when closing the main body frame 4 against the outer frame 2, even if the main body frame 4 is inclined.

[0132] When assembled to the main body frame 4, the main body frame speaker box 504 supports the rear end side of the tray insertion recess 501f in the main body frame base 501 so as to hang down. As a result, the game balls B discharged from the circulating ball path unit 600 are received by the ball receiving tray 720, and even if a load (the weight of multiple game balls B) acts from above on the tray insertion recess 501f via the ball receiving tray 720, the tray insertion recess 501f will not deform.

[0133] Furthermore, main body frame speaker box 504 is made of transparent synthetic resin, so that main body frame speaker 503 can be seen from the outside.

[0134] The back cover 505 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main frame base 501 so as to cover the rear of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. The back cover 505 is formed in an L-shape in a plan view, as if the right side of the back cover 505 is bent forward from the flat plate. The back cover 505 has two locking claws 505a provided at the left end spaced apart vertically, and a plurality of shafts 505b arranged vertically in a row at the right end. The locking claws 505a are detachably locked to the cover locking portion 502l of the main frame base 501. The shafts 505b are axially supported by the cover shaft support portion 502m of the main frame base 501. This allows the back cover 505 to be opened and closed with respect to the main frame base 501 of the main frame 4. The back cover 505 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes, allowing heat from the game board 5 to escape to the outside. The back cover 505 is made of a transparent synthetic resin.

[0135] The rear cover 505 is formed so that, when an attempt is made to close the main body frame unit 500 (main body frame base 501) after a frame substrate unit 730, which will be described later, has been closed on the main body frame unit 500, the rear cover 505 interferes with (abuts against) the closed frame substrate unit 730 and is prevented from being closed. In addition, the rear cover 505 is formed so that, when the main body frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2 with the rear cover 505 open relative to the main body frame base 501, the rear cover 505 interferes with (abuts against) the outer frame 2 and is prevented from being closed.

[0136] The game board locking member 506 is attached to the front surface of the main body frame base 501 (base wall portion 501b) so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction. The game board locking member 506 can prevent the lower end side of the game board 5 from moving forward by rotating it to the lock position with the game board 5 inserted in the game board insertion portion 502.

[0137] The door opening switch 507 is for detecting the opening and closing of the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4. The door opening switch 507 is attached to the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501 below the cylinder insertion opening 501m.

[0138] The frame opening switch 508 is for detecting the opening and closing of the main body frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2. The frame opening switch 508 is attached below the door opening switch 507 on the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501.

[0139] The main body frame hinge mechanism 510 has a main body frame upper hinge body 511 attached to the upper end of the left side of the main body frame base 501 , and a main body frame lower hinge body 512 attached to the lower end of the left side of the main body frame base 501 .

[0140] The main body frame upper hinge body 511 includes a main body frame hinge shaft 511a that protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 in the outer frame 2, and a door frame upper shaft hole 511b that is provided adjacent to the main body frame hinge shaft 511a and into which the door frame upper hinge shaft 111a of the door frame upper hinge body 111 in the door frame 3 is inserted from below. The main body frame upper hinge body 511 has a flat plate-shaped horizontally extending portion and a portion that extends downward from the rear end of the horizontally extending portion. The main body frame upper hinge body 511 is provided with the main body frame hinge shaft 511a and the door frame upper shaft hole 511b. The downwardly extending portion of the main body frame upper hinge body 511 is attached to the main body frame base 501.

[0141] The lower hinge body 512 has an outer frame shaft hole (not shown) into which the hinge shaft 35a of the lower hinge body 35 in the outer frame 2 is inserted from below, and a lower shaft hole 512b into which the lower hinge shaft 112a of the lower hinge body 112 in the door frame 3 is inserted from above. The lower hinge body 512 has a flat plate-like portion extending horizontally and a portion extending upward from the rear end of the horizontally extending portion. The horizontally extending portion of the lower hinge body 512 has an outer frame shaft hole and a lower shaft hole 512b for the door frame. The lower hinge body 512 has a portion extending downward attached to the base 501. Furthermore, the downwardly extending portion of the main frame lower hinge body 512 comes into contact with the rear wall portion 45c of the top panel 45 when the main frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2. This prevents the main frame 4 from hinge-rotating further rearward.

[0142] The main frame hinge mechanism 510 supports the main frame 4 so as to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 2 by inserting the main frame hinge axis 511a of the main frame upper hinge body 511 into the bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 in the outer frame 2, and by inserting the hinge axis 35a of the outer frame lower hinge body 35 in the outer frame 2 into the outer frame axis hole of the main frame lower hinge body 512.

[0143] In addition, the main frame hinge mechanism 510 supports the door frame 3 so as to be able to open and close relative to the main frame 4 by inserting the upper door frame hinge shaft 111a of the upper door frame hinge body 111 in the door frame 3 from below into the upper door frame shaft hole 511b of the upper main frame hinge body 511, and by inserting the lower door frame hinge shaft 112a of the lower door frame hinge body 112 in the door frame 3 from above into the lower door frame shaft hole 512b of the lower main frame hinge body 512.

[0144] [4-2. Ball launch unit] The ball launching unit 550 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 25 to 28. Figure 25(a) is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame as seen from the back. Figure 26(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the back. Figure 27(a) is a perspective view of the launching unit cover of the ball launching unit as seen from the left rear, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the ball launching unit showing only the launching unit cover in a cross section as seen from the front. Figure 28 is a front view of the ball launching unit showing the launch subtraction sensor and the launching hammer in dashed lines.

[0145] The ball launching unit 550 is for launching the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, and has a ball entrance 550a for receiving the game ball B sent from the ball sending unit 700, a ball launching port 550b for releasing the launched game ball B to the outside, and a ball discharge port 550c for discharging the game ball B. The ball launching unit 550 can shoot the game ball B with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 160 at the lower right corner of the front of the door frame 3. The ball launching unit 550 is attached to a ball launching unit attachment portion 501i provided at the upper part of the front of the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501, on the right side of the center in the left-right direction and below the opaque eaves portion 501p.

[0146] The ball inlet 550a of the ball launching unit 550 is provided on the rear surface and opens in a square shape large enough for one game ball B to pass through. This ball inlet 550a is located in front of the ball outlet 702 of the ball sending unit 700 when assembled to the main body frame 4, and communicates with the ball outlet 702. The ball launching port 550b opens at an angle at the left end of the upper surface so that the left end side is lower. This ball launching port 550b communicates with the upper part of the foul right opening 570b of the foul unit 570 when assembled to the main body frame 4. The ball discharge port 550c opens on the left side surface. This ball discharge port 550c communicates with the lower part of the foul right opening 570b of the foul unit 570 when assembled to the main body frame 4.

[0147] The ball launching unit 550 comprises a flat unit base 551, a launching unit cover 552 attached to cover the front side of the unit base 551, a launch solenoid 553 attached to the rear side of the unit base 551 so that its rotation shaft 553a protrudes forward of the unit base 551, a launch subtraction sensor 554 capable of detecting whether or not a game ball B has been launched, a launch hammer 555 attached to the rotation shaft 553a of the launch solenoid 553, a nut 556 attaching the launch hammer 555 to the rotation shaft 553a of the launch solenoid 553, a circular ring-shaped spacer 557 inserted into the rotation shaft 553a of the launch solenoid 553, and two rubber members 558 capable of coming into contact with the launch hammer 555.

[0148] The unit base 551 of the ball launching unit 550 is formed of a metal plate such as an iron plate. The unit base 551 is provided with a ball inlet 550a, which penetrates in a square shape from the center to the upper part when viewed from the front.

[0149] The launching unit cover 552 is formed by injection molding using a transparent synthetic resin. The launching unit cover 552 includes a flat front plate 552a that is spaced forward from the unit base 551, a ball launch pad 552b that is provided behind the front plate 552a and directly below the ball inlet 550a of the unit base 551 and is inclined so that the left end side is higher, and a detection port 552c that vertically penetrates the ball launch pad 552b.

[0150] The launch unit cover 552 also has a launch pad upper wall portion 552d on the rear side of the front plate 552a, at the upper right corner of the ball launch pad 552b when viewed from the front, forming a gap between the ball launch pad 552b and the launch pad upper wall portion 552d through which the game ball B cannot pass, and a sensor lower mounting portion 552e and a sensor upper mounting portion 552f which are arranged on the rear side of the front plate 552a to sandwich the ball launch pad 552b and the launch pad upper wall portion 552d.

[0151] Furthermore, the launch unit cover 552 is provided with a barrier portion 552g arranged in the launch direction of the game ball B at the ball launch pad 552b, and whose upper end forms the lower end of the ball launch port 550b, an ejection guide wall portion 552h extending downward from the left end of the ball launch pad 552b at the rear of the front plate 552a and then extending lower toward the left, a window portion 552i that penetrates from the front to the back at the positions above the sensor lower mounting portion 552e and to the right of the sensor lower mounting portion 552e, a wiring groove 552j that is recessed in the front surface of the front plate 552a and extends from the lower left to the upper right, and a plurality of wiring engagement portions 552k that protrude from the front end of the wiring groove 552j parallel to the bottom surface of the wiring groove 552j.

[0152] The ball launch pad 552b is placed on which the game ball B supplied through the ball inlet 550a is placed. The ball launch pad 552b has an upper surface that is inclined so that the left end is higher when viewed from the front. The ball launch pad 552b is recessed into a constant cross-sectional shape (trapezoidal shape) so that it narrows downward along the direction in which the upper surface is inclined. The length of the ball launch pad 552b in the inclined direction (launching direction) is approximately the same as the diameter of the game ball B, and the ball launch pad 552b is formed so that only one game ball B can be placed on it so that it is in contact with the two inclined surfaces that are recessed into a trapezoidal shape. In this embodiment, the ball launch pad 552b is inclined at an angle of approximately 27 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

[0153] The detection port 552c is provided at the bottom of the trapezoidally recessed portion of the ball launch pad 552b. The launch pad upper wall portion 552d is provided above the inclined lower end side of the ball launch pad 552b. The launch pad upper wall portion 552d is provided so as to form a gap between the ball launch pad 552b and the ball launch pad 552b through which the game ball B cannot pass and through which the tip of the launch hammer 555 can pass. As a result, the game ball B supplied to the ball launch pad 552b is placed on the ball launch pad 552b in a state in which it abuts against the left end of the launch pad upper wall portion 552d and its movement downstream (here, to the right) in the inclination direction of the ball launch pad 552b is restricted.

[0154] When a game ball B is placed on the ball launching pad 552b, the center of the game ball B is located slightly to the right of the center of the ball entrance 550a. The length of the ball launching pad 552b is set to a length that allows only one game ball B to be placed on it. As a result, even if the launched game ball B returns or the ball sending unit 700 sends another game ball B to the ball launching pad 552b when the game ball B is placed on the ball launching pad 552b, the game ball B is bounced off the game ball B placed on the ball launching pad 552b and is discharged to the discharge guide wall portion 552h side (the foul unit 570 side) without landing on the ball launching pad 552b, and is detected by the foul ball sensor 607. Therefore, even if the launched game ball B is placed on the ball launching pad 552b and returns or is supplied from the ball sending unit 700, the game ball B is sent to the foul unit 570 and added to the balls held as a foul ball, thereby eliminating any error with the actual number of launched game balls B.

[0155] The sensor lower attachment portion 552e and the sensor upper attachment portion 552f are respectively attached with the light emitting portion 554a and the light receiving portion 554b which constitute the emission subtraction sensor 554. Since the emission subtraction sensor 554 (here, the light emitting portion 554a) is attached facing upward in the sensor lower attachment portion 552e, there is a risk of erroneous detection if dirt or dust adheres to the upper surface of the light emitting portion 554a, but since the light emitting portion 554a is attached at an angle, dirt and the like are less likely to accumulate.

[0156] The barrier portion 552g is provided at a position longer than the diameter of the game ball B to the left from the ball launching pad 552b, and below the trajectory of the game ball B launched from the ball launching pad 552b. The barrier portion 552g is designed to be able to be hit by a game ball B with a weak impact strength, and the game ball B that hits it passes between the barrier portion 552g and the ball launching pad 552b and flows down onto the discharge guide wall portion 552h below, and does not return to the ball launching pad 552b. In addition, since the barrier portion 552g extends vertically, it is possible to prevent the game ball B from entering from the foul unit 570 side.

[0157] The discharge guide wall portion 552h forms a ball discharge port 550c between the barrier portion 552g. The discharge guide wall portion 552h is inclined so that the left end side is lower, and the game ball B that flows down through between the ball launch pad 552b and the barrier portion 552g can be guided to the left and discharged from the ball discharge port 550c at the left end to the foul unit 570 side. As a result, the game ball B that was hit by the launching hammer 555 at the ball launch pad 552b but was not launched from the ball discharge port 550b is guided by the discharge guide wall portion 552h and discharged from the ball discharge port 550c to the foul unit 570.

[0158] Window 552i is provided in a portion between ball launch pad 552b and sensor lower mounting portion 552e, and in a portion in front of the tip of firing hammer 555 in a retracted position away from the striking position. Since launch subtraction sensor 554 (light-emitting portion 554a in this case) is attached facing upward on sensor lower mounting portion 552e, dirt and dust are likely to accumulate on the upper surface of light-emitting portion 554a, and there is a risk of false detection if dirt and dust adheres to the upper surface. However, by inserting a cleaning tool such as a cotton swab through window 552i in the portion between ball launch pad 552b and sensor lower mounting portion 552e, the upper surface of light-emitting portion 554a can be easily cleaned.

[0159] In addition, since the tip of the launching hammer 555 comes into contact with the game ball B, if dirt or the like is attached to the tip of the launching hammer 555, there is a risk that the game ball B will not be launched properly. However, as shown in FIG. 28, a window portion 552i is provided in front of the tip of the launching hammer 555 in the standby position, so that the tip of the launching hammer 555 can be easily cleaned by inserting a cleaning tool such as a cotton swab through the window portion 552i.

[0160] The launch solenoid 553 is configured by a rotary solenoid having a rotation shaft 553a extending forward and backward. As will be described in detail later, the launch solenoid 553 performs a series of operations based on a predetermined launch sequence in hardware in association with a ball sending solenoid 706 described later.

[0161] The launch subtraction sensor 554 can detect the presence or absence of a game ball B on the ball launch pad 552b. The launch subtraction sensor 554 is composed of a light emitting unit 554a that irradiates detection light and a light receiving unit 554b that receives the detection light, and is attached to the sensor lower mounting part 552e and the sensor upper mounting part 552f of the launch unit cover 552, respectively. The detection light emitted from the light emitting unit 554a is received by the light receiving unit 554b through a detection port 552c provided at the bottom of the ball launch pad 552b. At this time, if the game ball B is placed on the ball launch pad 552b, the detection light is blocked by the game ball B and the detection light is not received by the light receiving unit 554b. This makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of the game ball B on the ball launch pad 552b.

[0162] The launch subtraction sensor 554, which will be described in detail later, detects that the game ball B has been launched from the ball launch pad 552b and subtracts one ball from the number of balls the player has.

[0163] In this embodiment, the number of balls held is subtracted by the OFF judgment of the launch subtraction sensor 554, but since the number of balls held by the player changes depending on the operation of the launch subtraction sensor 554, one-to-one reliability is required for the launch of game ball B. Meanwhile, in a normal passing judgment for game ball B, the light from the light emitting part in the light receiving part is judged by switching from OFF to ON (from no game ball B to present) of non-detection, detection, detection (so-called "011") at a predetermined time interval (for example, an interruption period of 4 ms), but there is a concern of ball wildness when game ball B is supplied to the ball launch pad 552b (launch rail) and erroneous detection of something other than the launched ball by the tip of the launch hammer 555 after launch.

[0164] In contrast, in this embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that the game ball B is parked on the ball launching pad 552b, and first it is determined whether or not the game ball B is present on the ball launching pad 552b, and when the game ball B is no longer there, it is determined that the game ball has been launched. In other words, it is determined that the game ball is ON (game ball present) and then OFF (no game ball = launched). Specifically, a threshold value (for example, the ON threshold value is 80 ms, and the OFF threshold value is 80 ms) is set to recognize ON and OFF, and only when the ON threshold value is exceeded is it determined that "game ball is present", and when the OFF threshold value is exceeded from there, it is determined that the game ball B has been launched ("no game ball"), and the number of balls held is subtracted. This makes it possible to prevent malfunctions due to chattering of the game ball or noise. It is preferable that the above threshold value is an integer multiple of the interrupt period (for example, 4 ms).

[0165] The launching hammer 555 is for striking and launching the game ball B. The launching hammer 555 is attached to the rotating shaft 553a of the launching solenoid 553, and rotates (pivots) together with the rotating shaft 553a. The tip of the launching hammer 555 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball B placed on the ball launching pad 552b, passing between the ball launching pad 552b and the launching pad upper wall portion 552d.

[0166] Incidentally, in order to ensure the launch accuracy of the game ball B when mass-producing the ball launching unit 550, the insertion angle of the tip of the launching hammer 555, the mounting angle of the ball launching platform 552b (launching rail), the tip position adjustment of the launching hammer 555 after assembly to the ball launching unit 550, and so on all require strict adjustment, making mass production difficult. Therefore, in this embodiment, the method of determining the launch accuracy is changed from the conventional method of ensuring the accuracy by the way the game ball B hits the launching rail and the shape of the launching rail to ensuring only the contact between the launching hammer 555 and the game ball B. In this change, the accuracy of the tip of the launching hammer 555 alone becomes more important for the launch accuracy, so the tip of the launching hammer 555 is formed by sheet metal insert molding, and the contact area of ​​the tip of the launching hammer 555 with the game ball B is made larger than in the past. This ensures the stability of the launch accuracy, allows some assembly errors, and allows the ball launching unit 550 to be mass-produced.

[0167] Nut 556 is screwed onto rotating shaft 553a of firing solenoid 553. Spacer 557 is inserted into rotating shaft 553a of firing solenoid 553. Rotating shaft 553a of firing solenoid 553 is inserted from the rear through spacer 557 and then firing hammer 555, and nut 556 is screwed onto the tip protruding forward from firing hammer 555 and tightened, thereby attaching firing hammer 555.

[0168] The rubber 558 is attached to the unit base 551 so as to restrict the rotation range (pivot range) of the firing hammer 555 .

[0169] According to the ball launching unit 550 of this embodiment, only one game ball B is placed on the ball launching pad 552b, and the launch subtraction sensor 554 detects that the game ball B has been launched from the ball launching pad 552b, so that the launch of the game balls B can be reliably detected one by one.

[0170] In addition, according to the ball launching unit 550, since the launching unit cover 552 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, the inside of the ball launching unit 550 can be confirmed from the front by opening the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4. Since the launching unit cover 552 is made transparent, there is a risk that light will enter the inside and cause a false detection in the launch subtraction sensor 554 consisting of a photosensor. However, when the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main body frame 4, the light from the front is blocked by the door frame 3, the light from the rear is blocked by the unit base 551 consisting of a metal plate, and further, the light from above is blocked by the eaves portion 501p of the black opaque main body frame base 501. Therefore, no light enters the inside, and false detection due to light in the launch subtraction sensor 554 is prevented.

[0171] In addition, the pachinko machine 1 (circulating game machine) disclosed in this embodiment is designed to subtract the number of balls held only after the ball is shot. Therefore, compared to the method of subtracting the number of balls held by using the ball feed as a trigger before shooting, which was adopted in conventional circular game machines, when settling a game, the game ball B (after the number of balls held has been subtracted) that was not shot and remains on the launch rail is automatically shot blank to return it to the player as a foul ball, and there is no need to add the number of balls held to make the total add up, so that settlement processing can be performed quickly.

[0172] Furthermore, according to the ball launching unit 550, since the launch subtraction sensor 554 is mounted at an angle, it is difficult for dirt or dust to accumulate on the detection surface of the launch subtraction sensor 554. Even if dirt or dust adheres to the launch subtraction sensor 554, the detection surface can be easily cleaned by inserting a cleaning tool such as a cotton swab through the window portion 552i of the launching unit cover 552, making it easy to eliminate false detections (malfunctions) caused by the adhesion of dirt or the like.

[0173] Furthermore, according to the ball launching unit 550, the window portion 552i is also provided in a portion where the tip of the launching hammer 555 can be cleaned, so that by inserting a cleaning tool through the window portion 552i in that portion, the tip of the launching hammer 555 can be easily cleaned, thereby eliminating inconsistencies in the launch of the game ball B due to the adhesion of dirt, etc.

[0174] [4-3. Foul unit] The foul unit 570 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 29 to 31. Figure 29(a) is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the rear. Figure 30(a) is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the rear. Figure 31(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in a closed state, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in an open state.

[0175] The foul unit 570 is for collecting the game ball B that was shot by the ball launching unit 550 and shot between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 but did not hit the game area 5a, the game ball B that was shot by the ball launching unit 550 but did not reach the game board 5 (between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002) because the shooting strength was too weak. The foul unit 570 has a foul upper opening 570a that opens on the top surface, a foul right opening 570b that opens on the right side surface, and a foul ball outlet 570c that communicates with the foul upper opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b and opens backward at the lower end.

[0176] The foul unit 570 is attached to the foul unit attachment portion 501h provided in the center in the left-right direction at the upper front portion of the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501. When the foul unit 570 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the upper end is at substantially the same height as the upper end of the base wall portion 501b, and the foul right opening 570b is closed by the ball launching port 550b and the ball discharge port 550c of the ball launching unit 550. In other words, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the foul right opening 570b communicates with the ball launching port 550b and the ball discharge port 550c. The foul upper opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b are formed by the unit base 572 and the front cover 573 described later, and the ball discharge port 550c is formed in the unit base 572.

[0177] The foul unit 570 comprises a foul shutter 571 which can be opened and closed to prevent the game ball B from passing through the foul upper opening 570a, a unit base 572 which is attached to the base wall portion 501b of the main frame base 501, a front cover 573 which is attached to the front side of the unit base 572, a rear cover 574 which is attached to the rear side of the unit base 572 so as to cover the rear of the foul shutter 571, and a spring 575 which biases the foul shutter 571 forward.

[0178] The fall shutter 571 is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction by cooperation between the unit base 572 and the front cover 573. The fall shutter 571 has a strip-shaped shutter portion 571a that is long in the left-right direction, two forward protruding portions 571b that protrude forward from both the left and right ends of the shutter portion 571a, and a flat rear wall portion 571c that extends downward from the rear end edge of the shutter portion 571a.

[0179] The foul shutter 571 can close the foul upper opening 570a by the shutter part 571a so that the game ball B cannot pass through. The two forward protruding parts 571b are provided so that their front ends protrude forward from the front cover 573, and are provided so that the rear surface of the door frame main body 100 of the door frame 3 can abut against them. The front end of the spring 575 abuts against the rear surface of the rear wall part 571c.

[0180] The unit base 572 is formed in an L-shape that is long from side to side and has a portion extending downward near the right end. The unit base 572 has a shutter housing portion 572a that extends from side to side along the upper side and is recessed toward the rear, a ball guide portion 572b that extends from side to side below the shutter housing portion 572a and has a right end that extends downward and is recessed toward the rear, a tube portion 572c that extends backward in a square tube shape from the lower end of the ball guide portion 572b, and a receiving portion 572d that extends forward in a flat plate shape from the lower end of the ball guide portion 572b.

[0181] The shutter housing portion 572a of the unit base 572 houses the foul shutter 571 and the spring 575 from the front. The portion of the unit base 572 that extends to the left and right of the ball guiding portion 572b is inclined so as to be lower to the right. The cylinder portion 572c of the unit base 572 is inclined so as to be lower to the rear, and the opening at the rear end is the foul ball outlet 570c.

[0182] The receiving portion 572d of the unit base 572 is inclined so that the rear end side is lower. The right end edge of this receiving portion 572d forms the lower end edge of the foul right opening 570b. The right end edge of the receiving portion 572d forms the lower end edge of the foul right opening 570b, and the lower part including the lower end of the foul right opening 570b is connected to the ball discharge port 550c in the ball launching unit 550. Therefore, the game ball B that falls from the ball launching pad 552b, is discharged from the ball discharge port 550c, and passes through the foul right opening 570b, flows down onto the receiving portion 572d, is guided backward by the receiving portion 572d, passes through the tube portion 572c, and is discharged backward from the foul ball outlet 570c. When the foul shutter 571 is closed, the game ball B that is launched from the ball launching unit 550 and passes through the foul right opening 570b and comes into contact with the back surface (lower surface) of the foul shutter 571 is sent to the rear ball guiding section 572b by the lower wall section 573c of the front cover 573, passes behind the receiving section 572d, and is discharged from the foul ball outlet 570c via the tube section 572c.

[0183] The unit base 572 also has a notch 572e recessed from the front near the right end of the bottom wall of the part extending left and right in the ball guide portion 572b. This notch 572e is formed to a size that does not interfere with the flow of the game ball B, and allows dust and the like that has entered the ball guide portion 572b to be discharged downward from the upper foul opening 570a.

[0184] The front cover 573 comprises an L-shaped, flat front plate 573a that is long from side to side and has a portion extending downward near the right end, a left wall portion 573b extending rearward from the left edge of the front plate 573a, a lower wall portion 573c extending to the right from the lower end of the left wall portion 573b along the lower edge of the front plate 573a and also extending rearward, a hanging wall portion 573d extending downward from the right end of the lower wall portion 573c along the left edge of the portion of the front plate 573a that extends downward and also extends rearward, and a right wall portion 573f extending rearward from the upper right end of the front plate 573a.

[0185] The upper and right edges of the front plate 573a form the front edges of the foul top opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b. The right edge of the upper end of the left wall 573b forms the left edge of the foul top opening 570a, and the left edge of the upper end of the right wall 573f forms the right edge of the foul top opening 570a. The lower edge of the right wall 573f forms the upper edge of the foul right opening 570b.

[0186] The lower wall portion 573c of the front cover 573 is located below the foul upper opening 570a. The lower wall portion 573c of the front cover 573 is gently inclined so as to be lower to the left and to be lower to the rear. This allows the front cover 573 to avoid receiving the impact of the game ball B that falls from above as a foul ball, and to transfer the game ball B to the ball guide portion 572b of the unit base 572 provided at the rear while escaping the impact. The game ball B transferred to the ball guide portion 572b passes through the tube portion 572c from the lower end of the right end of the ball guide portion 572b and is discharged rearward from the foul ball outlet 570c.

[0187] Two springs 575 are provided spaced apart on the left and right sides, and are disposed inside a box-shaped shutter accommodating portion 572a in the unit base 572. The front end of the spring 575 abuts against the rear surface of the rear wall portion 571c of the false shutter 571, and the rear end of the spring 575 abuts against the front surface of the rear wall of the shutter accommodating portion 572a. The spring 575 biases the false shutter 571 forward.

[0188] This foul unit 570, when assembled to the pachinko machine 1, is attached to a foul unit attachment portion 501h provided at the upper portion near the center in the left-right direction on the front surface of the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame 4. In this state, the ball launching unit 550 is attached adjacent to the right side of the foul unit 570.

[0189] 21, the foul-upper opening 570a of the foul unit 570 is located near the upper end of the base wall portion 501b and is located on the axis of the launching direction of the game ball B in the ball launching unit 550. In other words, the foul-upper opening 570a is provided in a portion between the opening portion at the lower end between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 and the ball launching port 550b of the ball launching unit 550.

[0190] On the other hand, the foul right opening 570b of the foul unit 570 communicates with the ball launch port 550b of the ball launch unit 550 at its upper part, and communicates with the ball discharge port 550c of the ball launch unit 550 at its lower part. Therefore, the foul upper opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b are provided in the area between the lower end opening between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 and the ball launch port 550b of the ball launch unit 550. As a result, the game ball B launched from the ball launch port 550b of the ball launch unit 550 enters the foul unit 570 from the foul right opening 570b, and then enters between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 through the foul upper opening 570a.

[0191] In the foul unit 570 of this embodiment, when the door frame 3 is opened forward relative to the main body frame 4, as shown in FIG. 34(a), the foul shutter 571 slides forward due to the urging force of the spring 575, and the shutter part 571a of the foul shutter 571 protrudes between the front surface of the unit base 572 and the front plate 573a of the front cover 573, closing the foul upper opening 570a so that the game ball B cannot pass through. In other words, the foul shutter 571 is in the closed position. In this state, the step part provided at the rear end of the forward protruding part 571b of the foul shutter 571 abuts against the front cover 573, and it does not slide forward any further.

[0192] When the foul shutter 571 is in the closed position and the game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 550, the launched game ball B enters the foul unit 570 from the foul right opening 570b, abuts against the lower surface of the shutter part 571a of the foul shutter 571, and flows down inside the foul unit 570 without being shot upward through the foul upper opening 570a. The game ball B that flows down inside the foul unit 570 is guided by the lower wall part 573c, the ball guide part 572b, the tube part 572c, etc., and is supplied to the circulation ball path unit 600 from the rear foul ball outlet 570c. As a result, even if the game ball B is launched when the door frame 3 is open, the game ball B does not leak out from the foul unit 570 to the outside.

[0193] In addition, when the door frame 3 is opened relative to the main body frame 4, the door opening switch 507 is turned OFF, so that turning OFF the door opening switch 507 may stop the launch of the game ball B from the ball launching unit 550. Alternatively, instead of stopping the launch of the game ball B when the door frame 3 is opened, the main control board 1310 may temporarily suspend the game, and when the door frame 3 is closed, the game may be resumed.

[0194] Also, when the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2 (the frame open switch 508 is OFF), the door frame 3 is closed and the game ball B does not leak to the outside, so the launch of the game ball B from the ball launch unit 550 may not be stopped. Alternatively, when the main frame 4 is opened, the same processing as when the door frame 3 is opened may be performed.

[0195] When the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main body frame 4, the rear surface of the door frame 3 comes into contact with the front ends of the two forward protrusions 571b of the foul shutter 571, causing the foul shutter 571 to slide backward against the biasing force of the spring 575 (see FIG. 34(b)). In this state, the shutter portion 571a of the foul shutter 571 is located rearward of the front surface of the unit base 572, and the foul upper opening 570a is open so that the game ball B can pass through. In other words, the foul shutter 571 is in the open position.

[0196] When the foul shutter 571 is in the open position and the game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 550, the launched game ball B enters the foul unit 570 from the foul right opening 570b, and is then launched upward toward the game board 5 (between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002) through the foul upper opening 570a. Then, the launched game ball B passes over the backflow prevention member 1007 provided at the upper end of the inner rail 1002, and is launched into the game area 5a.

[0197] In addition, the game ball B that was launched from the ball launching unit 550 but did not pass over the backflow prevention member 1007 at the upper end of the inner rail 1002 (the game ball B that was not hit into the game area) flows down between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002, enters from the foul upper opening 570a as a foul ball, and is collected by the foul unit 570. The game ball B that was collected through the foul upper opening 570a is guided by the lower wall portion 573c, the ball guide portion 572b, the tube portion 572c, etc., and is discharged (supplied) to the circulating ball path unit 600 from the rear foul ball outlet 570c.

[0198] In addition, the foul unit 570 receives the game ball B discharged from the ball discharge port 550c of the ball launching unit 550 at the lower part of the foul right opening 570b. The game ball B that enters the foul unit 570 from the lower part of the foul right opening 570b flows down onto the receiving part 572d, is guided backward by the inclination of the receiving part 572d, and is discharged from the foul ball outlet 570c to the circulating ball path unit 600.

[0199] In this way, the foul unit 570 can collect the game ball B that was launched from the ball launching unit 550 but was not shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5 without leaking to the outside, and supply it to the circulating ball path unit 600. Then, as will be described in detail later, the circulating ball path unit 600 detects the game ball B supplied from the foul ball outlet 570c by the foul ball sensor 607. When the foul ball sensor 607 detects the game ball B, the number of balls held by the player is increased by one.

[0200] In addition, in the foul unit 570, the unit base 572, the front cover 573, etc. are made of transparent synthetic resin, so that the inside can be seen from the outside, and it is easy to find any balls stuck inside.

[0201] [4-3a. Foul unit of the second embodiment] Next, the foul unit 570A of the second embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 32 to 34. Fig. 32(a) is a perspective view of the foul unit of the second embodiment as seen from the front, and Fig. 32(b) is a perspective view of the foul unit of the second embodiment as seen from the rear. Fig. 33(a) is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit of the second embodiment as seen from the front, and Fig. 33(b) is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit of the second embodiment as seen from the rear. Fig. 34(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the foul unit of the second embodiment with the foul shutter in a closed state, and Fig. 34(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the foul unit of the second embodiment with the foul shutter in an open state.

[0202] The foul unit 570A is for collecting the game ball B that was launched by the ball launching unit 550 and shot between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 but did not hit the game area 5a, the game ball B that was launched by the ball launching unit 550 but did not reach the game board 5 (between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002) because the launch strength was too weak. The foul unit 570A has a foul upper opening 570a that opens on the top surface, a foul right opening 570b that opens on the right side surface, and a foul ball outlet 570c that communicates with the foul upper opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b and opens backward at the lower end.

[0203] The foul unit 570A is attached to the foul unit attachment portion 501h provided in the center in the left-right direction at the upper front portion of the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501. When the foul unit 570A is assembled to the main body frame 4, the upper end is at approximately the same height as the upper end of the base wall portion 501b, and the foul right opening 570b is closed by the ball launching port 550b and the ball discharge port 550c of the ball launching unit 550. In other words, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the foul right opening 570b is connected to the ball launching port 550b and the ball discharge port 550c. The foul upper opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b are formed by the unit base 572 and the front cover 573 described later, and the ball discharge port 550c is formed in the unit base 572.

[0204] The foul unit 570A comprises a foul shutter 571 which can be opened and closed to prevent the game ball B from passing through the foul upper opening 570a, a unit base 572 which is attached to the base wall portion 501b of the main frame base 501, a front cover 573 which is attached to the front side of the unit base 572, a rear cover 574 which is attached to the rear side of the unit base 572 so as to cover the rear of the foul shutter 571, a spring 575 which biases the foul shutter 571 forward, and a foul ball earth metal plate 576 which is provided between the unit base 572 and the front cover 573.

[0205] The fall shutter 571 is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction by cooperation between the unit base 572 and the front cover 573. The fall shutter 571 has a strip-shaped shutter portion 571a that is long in the left-right direction, two forward protruding portions 571b that protrude forward from both the left and right ends of the shutter portion 571a, and a flat rear wall portion 571c that extends downward from the rear end edge of the shutter portion 571a.

[0206] The foul shutter 571 can close the foul upper opening 570a by the shutter part 571a so that the game ball B cannot pass through. The two forward protruding parts 571b are provided so that their front ends protrude forward from the front cover 573, and are provided so that the rear surface of the door frame main body 100 of the door frame 3 can abut against them. The front end of the spring 575 abuts against the rear surface of the rear wall part 571c.

[0207] The unit base 572 has a flat, partial T-shaped main body portion 572f that is long from side to side and has a portion extending downward near the right end, a shutter insertion opening 572g that penetrates from front to back near the upper end of the main body portion 572f and extends left and right, and a plurality of rear support openings 572h that are provided along the lower edge to the left of the portion extending downward in the main body portion 572f and penetrate from front to back.

[0208] A foul ball outlet 570c that penetrates from front to back and extends rearward in a square cylindrical shape is provided near the lower end of the portion of the main body 572f that extends downward in the unit base 572. The cylindrical foul ball outlet 570c is inclined so as to become lower toward the rear.

[0209] The lower edge of the left side of the main body 572f is inclined so that it is lower to the right than the part extending downward. The shutter insertion opening 572g is provided with a size that allows the shutter part 571a and the forward protrusion 571b of the foul shutter 571 to be inserted. The multiple rear support openings 572h are provided long on the left and right so that each is lower to the right, and are lined up along the inclined lower edge of the main body 572f. The rear support openings 572h are provided so that the support piece 576a of the foul ball earth metal plate 576 can be inserted with a gap.

[0210] Front cover 573 comprises a flat, partial T-shaped front plate 573a that is long from side to side and has a portion extending downward near the right end, a left wall portion 573b extending rearward from the left edge of front plate 573a, a lower wall portion 573c extending rightward from the lower end of left wall portion 573b along the lower edge of front plate 573a and also extending rearward, a hanging wall portion 573d extending downward from the right end of lower wall portion 573c along the left edge of the portion of front plate 573a that extends downward and also extends rearward, a bottom wall portion 573e extending rightward from the lower end of hanging wall portion 573d along the lower edge of the portion of front plate 573a that extends downward and also extends rearward, and a right wall portion 573f extending rearward from the upper right end of front plate 573a.

[0211] The upper and right edges of the front plate 573a form the front edges of the foul top opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b. The right edge of the upper end of the left wall portion 573b forms the left edge of the foul top opening 570a, and the left edge of the upper end of the right wall portion 573f forms the right edge of the foul top opening 570a. The lower edge of the right wall portion 573f forms the upper edge of the foul right opening 570b, and the right edge of the bottom wall portion 573e forms the lower edge of the foul right opening 570b.

[0212] The lower wall portion 573c of the front cover 573 is located below the foul upper opening 570a, and the game ball B that has flowed down through the foul upper opening 570a can be guided to the right and then flow down onto the bottom wall portion 573e along the hanging wall portion 573d. The bottom wall portion 573e is inclined so that the portion in front of the foul ball outlet 570c is lower toward the rear, and the portion to the right of the portion is higher toward the right. Therefore, the game ball B that has flowed down onto the bottom wall portion 573e is guided backward and discharged backward from the foul ball outlet 570c. In addition, since the right edge of the bottom wall portion 573e constitutes the lower edge of the foul right opening 570b, the game ball B that has entered from the foul right opening 570b flows down onto the bottom wall portion 573e, is guided by the bottom wall portion 573e, and is discharged backward from the foul ball outlet 570c.

[0213] The front cover 573 has a front plate 573a, a plurality of front support openings 573g arranged in a row on the left and right sides along a lower wall portion 573c and penetrating from front to rear. The plurality of front support openings 573g are provided to face the rear support openings 572h of the unit base 572. The front support openings 573g are provided so that a support piece 576a of a foul ball ground metal plate 576 can be inserted with a gap therebetween.

[0214] The rear cover 574 is formed in a box shape with an open front. The rear part of the fall shutter 571 is inserted inside the rear cover 574, and a spring 575 is also disposed therein. The rear end of the spring 575 abuts against the front surface of the rear wall of the rear cover 574.

[0215] Two springs 575 are provided spaced apart on the left and right sides, and are disposed inside the box-shaped rear cover 574. The front end of the spring 575 abuts against the rear surface of the rear wall portion 571c of the false shutter 571, and the rear end of the spring 575 abuts against the front surface of the rear wall of the rear cover 574. The spring 575 urges the false shutter 571 forward.

[0216] The foul ball earth metal plate 576 is made of a metal plate such as an iron plate, and is finally connected to the ground of the game hall via a ground wire (not shown). The foul ball earth metal plate 576 is formed in a strip shape that is long from side to side, and multiple support pieces 576a extend outward from the front and rear long sides. The foul ball earth metal plate 576 is placed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 573c of the front cover 573, and the multiple support pieces 576a are inserted into the rear support opening 572h of the unit base 572 and the front support opening 573g of the front cover 573 with some play.

[0217] As a result, the game ball B that has flowed down toward the lower wall portion 573c through the upper foul opening 570a is guided to the right in a state where the static electricity that has been charged by contacting the foul ball earth metal plate 576 is removed. At this time, since the support piece 576a is loosely fitted into the rear support port 572h and the front support port 573g, the foul ball earth metal plate 576 vibrates due to the contact of the game ball B, and the dust and dirt on the foul ball earth metal plate 576 are discharged to the outside through the gap between the rear support port 572h and the front support port 573g that are loosely fitted. The foul ball earth metal plate 576 also serves as reinforcement against the falling game ball B.

[0218] This foul unit 570A, when assembled to the pachinko machine 1, is attached to a foul unit attachment portion 501h provided at the upper portion near the center in the left-right direction on the front surface of the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame 4. In this state, the ball launching unit 550 is attached adjacent to the right side of the foul unit 570A.

[0219] Similarly to the foul unit 570 of the first embodiment, the foul upper opening 570a of the foul unit 570A is located near the upper end of the base wall portion 501b and is located on the axis of the launch direction of the game ball B in the ball launching unit 550. In other words, the foul upper opening 570a is provided in a portion between the opening portion at the lower end between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 and the ball launching port 550b of the ball launching unit 550.

[0220] On the other hand, the foul right opening 570b of the foul unit 570A is connected at its upper part to the ball launch port 550b of the ball launch unit 550, and at its lower part to the ball discharge port 550c of the ball launch unit 550. Therefore, the foul upper opening 570a and the foul right opening 570b are provided in the area between the lower end opening between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 and the ball launch port 550b of the ball launch unit 550. As a result, the game ball B launched from the ball launch port 550b of the ball launch unit 550 enters the foul unit 570A from the foul right opening 570b, and then enters between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 through the foul upper opening 570a.

[0221] In the foul unit 570A of this embodiment, when the door frame 3 is opened forward relative to the main body frame 4, as shown in FIG. 34(a), the foul shutter 571 slides forward due to the urging force of the spring 575, and the shutter part 571a of the foul shutter 571 protrudes between the front surface of the unit base 572 and the front plate 573a of the front cover 573, closing the foul upper opening 570a so that the game ball B cannot pass through. In other words, the foul shutter 571 is in the closed position. In this state, the rear wall part 571c of the foul shutter 571 abuts against the rear surface of the main body part 572f of the unit base 572, and it does not slide forward any further.

[0222] When the foul shutter 571 is in the closed position and the game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 550, the launched game ball B enters the foul unit 570A from the foul right opening 570b, abuts against the lower surface of the shutter part 571a of the foul shutter 571, and flows down in the foul unit 570A without being shot upward through the foul upper opening 570a. The game ball B that flows down in the foul unit 570A is guided by the lower wall part 573c (foul ball earth metal plate 576), the hanging wall part 573d, the bottom wall part 573e, etc., and is supplied to the circulation ball path unit 600 from the rear foul ball outlet 570c. As a result, even if the game ball B is launched when the door frame 3 is open, the game ball B does not leak out from the foul unit 570A to the outside.

[0223] In addition, when the door frame 3 is opened relative to the main body frame 4, the door opening switch 507 is turned OFF, so that turning OFF the door opening switch 507 may stop the launch of the game ball B from the ball launching unit 550. Alternatively, instead of stopping the launch of the game ball B when the door frame 3 is opened, the main control board 1310 may temporarily suspend the game, and when the door frame 3 is closed, the game may be resumed.

[0224] Also, when the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2 (the frame open switch 508 is OFF), the door frame 3 is closed and the game ball B does not leak to the outside, so the launch of the game ball B from the ball launch unit 550 may not be stopped. Alternatively, when the main frame 4 is opened, the same processing as when the door frame 3 is opened may be performed.

[0225] When the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main body frame 4, the rear surface of the door frame 3 comes into contact with the front ends of the two forward protrusions 571b of the foul shutter 571, causing the foul shutter 571 to slide backward against the biasing force of the spring 575 (see FIG. 34(b)). In this state, the shutter portion 571a of the foul shutter 571 is located rearward of the front surface of the unit base 572, and the foul upper opening 570a is open so that the game ball B can pass through. In other words, the foul shutter 571 is in the open position.

[0226] When the foul shutter 571 is in the open position and the game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 550, the launched game ball B enters the foul unit 570A from the foul right opening 570b, and is then launched upward toward the game board 5 (between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002) through the foul upper opening 570a. Then, the launched game ball B passes over the backflow prevention member 1007 provided at the upper end of the inner rail 1002, and is launched into the game area 5a.

[0227] In addition, the game ball B that was launched from the ball launching unit 550 but did not pass the backflow prevention member 1007 at the upper end of the inner rail 1002 (the game ball B that was not shot into the game area) flows down between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002, enters the foul upper opening 570a as a foul ball, and is collected by the foul unit 570A. The game ball B that was collected through the foul upper opening 570a flows down onto the foul ball earth metal plate 576 placed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 573c, and static electricity is removed by the foul ball earth metal plate 576. At this time, since the foul ball earth metal plate 576 is loosely fitted, it vibrates when the game ball B abuts against it, and the vibration causes dust and dirt on the foul ball earth metal plate 576 to be discharged from the rear support port 572h and the front support port 573g to the outside of the foul unit 570A.

[0228] The game ball B that flows down onto the foul ball earth metal plate 576 (lower wall portion 573c) is guided to the right by its inclination, flows down along the hanging wall portion 573d onto the bottom wall portion 573e, and is guided rearward by the inclination of the bottom wall portion 573e to be discharged from the foul ball outlet 570c into the circulating ball path unit 600.

[0229] In addition, the foul unit 570A receives the game ball B discharged from the ball discharge port 550c of the ball launching unit 550 at the lower part of the foul right opening 570b. The game ball B that enters the foul unit 570A from the lower part of the foul right opening 570b flows down onto the bottom wall part 573e, is guided backward by the inclination of the bottom wall part 573e, and is discharged from the foul ball outlet 570c to the circulating ball path unit 600.

[0230] In this way, the foul unit 570A can collect the game ball B that was launched from the ball launching unit 550 but was not shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5 without leaking to the outside, and supply it to the circulating ball path unit 600. Then, as will be described in detail later, the circulating ball path unit 600 detects the game ball B supplied from the foul ball outlet 570c by the foul ball sensor 607. When the game ball B is detected by this foul ball sensor 607, the number of balls held by the player is increased by one.

[0231] In addition, in the foul unit 570A, the unit base 572, the front cover 573, the rear cover 574, etc. are made of transparent synthetic resin, so that the inside can be seen from the outside, and it is easy to find any balls stuck inside.

[0232] [4-3b. Third embodiment of foul unit] Next, a third embodiment of the foul unit 570 will be described. The foul unit 570 of the third embodiment is different only in the opening and closing mechanism of the foul shutter 571, and other configurations are the same as the above-mentioned foul unit 570. The foul unit 570 of the third embodiment is provided with an electric actuator such as a motor or a solenoid for opening and closing the foul shutter 571, although not shown.

[0233] In this embodiment, when the door open switch 507 is turned off by opening the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4, the foul shutter 571 is slid to the closed position by the electric actuator. As a result, even if the game ball B is shot from the ball shot unit 550 with the door frame 3 open, the game ball B will not fly out from the foul upper opening 570a.

[0234] Then, when the door frame 3 is closed and the door opening switch 507 is turned ON, the foul shutter 571 slides to the open position by the electric actuator, allowing the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 550 to be shot into the game board 5 through the foul upper opening 570a.

[0235] The fall shutter 571 may be slid to the closed position by the electric actuator even when the frame opening switch 508 is turned OFF by opening the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2. In this case, if the opening and closing process of the fall shutter 571 by the frame opening switch 508 is made the same as the opening and closing process by the door opening switch 507 described above, the configuration related to the software can be simplified.

[0236] In addition, an opening switch (not shown) can be provided that can detect both the opening of the door frame 3 and the opening of the main frame 4, and the fall shutter 571 can be opened and closed by an electric actuator, thereby simplifying the mechanism for opening and closing.

[0237] [4-4. Circulation sphere pathway unit] The circulating ball path unit 600 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 35 to 42. Figure 35(a) is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame seen from the back. Figure 36 is an exploded perspective view of the circulating ball path unit disassembled and seen from the front, and Figure 37 is an exploded perspective view of the circulating ball path unit disassembled and seen from the back. Figure 38(a) is a plan view showing only the ball meandering member and ball removal shutter in the circulating ball path unit, and (b) is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit seen from the front, showing only the ball meandering member and ball removal shutter. Figure 39(a1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the closed position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (a1) from the bottom, (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the open position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (b1) from the bottom.

[0238] Also, Figure 40(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the circulating ball path unit cut at the out ball sensor location in a front cross section, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the circulating ball path unit cut at the safe ball sensor location in a front cross section. Figure 41(a) is an oblique view from the front showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the circulating ball path unit's serpentine cover removed, and (b) is an oblique view from the back showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the circulating ball path unit's serpentine cover removed. Figure 42 is a plan view showing the ball serpentine member, serpentine cover, ball removal shutter, and gauge section in the circulating ball path unit.

[0239] The circulating ball path unit 600 is for storing multiple game balls B discharged from the game board 5 and game balls B collected by the foul unit 570, and for sending the stored game balls B to the ball launching unit 550 via the ball lifting unit 650. The circulating ball path unit 600 is attached to the circulating ball path unit mounting portion 501l provided on the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501.

[0240] The circulating ball path unit 600 has an out ball receiving port 600a that is long on the left and right and opens upward, a safe ball receiving port 600b that is long on the left and right and opens upward behind the out ball receiving port 600a, a foul ball receiving port 600c that opens at the front, and a ball discharge port 600d that opens to the right near the bottom end. The out ball receiving port 600a and the safe ball receiving port 600b are formed so that the depth in the front-back direction is slightly wider than the diameter of the game ball B, and are formed so that multiple game balls B can pass in the left-right direction. The foul ball receiving port 600c and the ball discharge port 600d are formed to be large enough to allow one game ball B to pass through each one.

[0241] The out ball receiving port 600a receives a game ball B (out ball) received in an out port of the game board 5. The safe ball receiving port 600b receives a game ball B (safe ball) received in a winning port of the game board 5, such as a general winning port, a starting port, a big winning port, etc. The foul ball receiving port 600c receives a game ball B (foul ball) discharged from the foul ball outlet 570c of the foul unit 570. The ball discharge port 600d discharges the game ball B received in the out ball receiving port 600a, the safe ball receiving port 600b, and the foul ball receiving port 600c and stored therein, and passes it to the ball lifting unit 650.

[0242] The circulating ball path unit 600 also has an out ball passage 601 through which game ball B received in the out ball receiving port 600a flows, a safe ball passage 602 through which game ball B received in the safe ball receiving port 600b flows, a foul ball passage 603 through which game ball B received in the foul ball receiving port 600c flows, and a ball storage passage 604 which is connected to the downstream ends of the out ball passage 601, the safe ball passage 602, and the foul ball passage 603 and whose downstream end is a ball release port 600d.

[0243] Furthermore, the circulating ball path unit 600 has an out ball sensor 605 that detects each game ball B (out ball) circulating through the out ball path 601, a safe ball sensor 606 that detects each game ball B (safe ball) circulating through the safe ball path 602, and a foul ball sensor 607 that detects each game ball B (foul ball) circulating through the foul ball path 603. The safe ball sensor 606 is equivalent to a total winning port sensor in conventional pachinko machines, and can be used to determine whether or not a winning ball has been illegally won by comparing the total number of winning balls in all winning ports.

[0244] The circulating ball path unit 600 comprises a flat ball receiving front plate 610, a ball receiving front member 611 attached to the rear side of the ball receiving front plate 610, and a ball receiving rear member 612 attached to the rear side of the ball receiving front member 611. A ball storage passage 604 is provided below the ball receiving front plate 610, the ball receiving front member 611, and the ball receiving rear member 612.

[0245] In addition, the circulating ball path unit 600 includes a ball serpentine member 613 that is provided below the ball receiving front plate 610, the ball receiving front member 611, and the ball receiving rear member 612 and is open upward, a serpentine cover 614 that covers the top of the ball serpentine member 613, a ball removal shutter 615 for discharging game ball B from the ball serpentine member 613, a magnet 616 attached to the ball removal shutter 615, a circulating ball path relay board 617 attached to the rear side of the ball receiving front member 611, and a gauge section 620 provided on the serpentine cover 614.

[0246] The ball receiving front plate 610 extends to the left and right, and is provided with a foul ball receiving opening 600c that penetrates from front to back near the lower center in the left-right direction.

[0247] The ball receiving front member 611 cooperates with the ball receiving front plate 610 to form an out ball receiving opening 600a on its upper surface. An out ball passage 601 and a foul ball passage 603 are formed in the ball receiving front member 611 and are open to the front, and their front sides are closed when the ball receiving front plate 610 is attached. The downstream end of the out ball passage 601 opens downward at the lower left end of the ball receiving front member 611. The opening at the downstream end of the out ball passage 601 is located in front of the opening at the downstream end of the safe ball passage 602. The downstream end of the foul ball passage 603 opens downward at a position on the ball receiving front member 611 lower right than the downstream end of the out ball passage 601.

[0248] The front ball receiving member 611 has an upper ball receiving plate portion 611a which slopes downward toward the right from halfway up the vertical wall forming the left edge of the out ball receiving opening 600a to near the center in the left-right direction, a lower ball receiving plate portion 611b which slopes downward toward the left from a portion of the vertical wall forming the right edge of the out ball receiving opening 600a below the upper ball receiving plate portion 611a to near the bottom of the left edge of the out ball receiving opening 600a, and a crank portion 611c which extends in a crank shape toward the lower left from the left end of the lower ball receiving plate portion 611b with a width allowing game balls B to flow in a single row.

[0249] The height between the right end of the upper OUT ball receiving plate 611a and the lower OUT ball receiving plate 611b is about twice the diameter of the game ball B, and the height of the lower OUT ball receiving plate 611b on the left side is formed to be lower toward the left. This allows the game balls B received in the OUT ball receiving port 600a to be aligned in a single row.

[0250] An out ball sensor 605 is attached to a vertically extending portion of the crank portion 611c directly below the downstream end of the out ball receiving plate portion 611b.

[0251] In the ball receiving front member 611, the out ball passage 601 is formed by the out ball receiving plate upper portion 611a, the out ball receiving plate lower portion 611b, the crank portion 611c, etc. Therefore, the out ball passage 601 is formed wide on the upstream side so that it can receive many game balls B, and the received game balls B are aligned in a row and delivered to the downstream ball storage passage 604 (ball snaking member 613).

[0252] In the ball receiving front member 611, the foul ball passage 603 is located below the upper out ball receiving plate 611a and below the lower out ball receiving plate 611b, and then inclines downward from the rear of the foul ball receiving opening 600c to a portion to the right of the left end of the lower out ball receiving plate 611b, and then extends downward for a short distance. In the ball receiving front member 611, a foul ball sensor 607 is attached to the portion of the foul ball passage 603 that extends to the left. This foul ball passage 603 is formed so that game balls b flow in a single file, and game ball B that flows through the foul ball passage 603 is delivered to a portion of the ball storage passage 604 (ball meandering member 613) downstream of the portion where it is delivered from the out ball passage 601.

[0253] The ball receiving front member 611 is provided with recesses 611d that are recessed to a size that does not impede the flow of the game ball B on the front edge of the out ball receiving plate upper portion 611a, the front edge of the out ball receiving plate lower portion 611b, and the front edge of the bottom wall extending to the left and right forming the foul ball passage 603. These recesses 611d allow dust, dirt, etc. inside the out ball passage 601 and the foul ball passage 603 to be discharged to the outside.

[0254] In addition, a circulating ball path relay board 617 is attached to the rear surface of the ball receiving front member 611 at a location behind the foul ball passage 603.

[0255] The upper surface of the rear ball receiving member 612 cooperates with the front ball receiving member 611 to form the safe ball receiving port 600b. The rear ball receiving member 612 is formed with a safe ball passage 602 that is open to the front, and the front side of the safe ball passage 602 is closed when the front ball receiving member 611 is attached. The downstream end of the safe ball passage 602 opens downward at the lower left end of the rear ball receiving member 612. The opening at the downstream end of the safe ball passage 602 is located behind the opening at the downstream end of the out ball passage 601. In other words, the opening at the downstream end of the out ball passage 601 and the opening at the downstream end of the safe ball passage 602 are lined up front to back.

[0256] The post-ball receiving member 612 has an upper safe ball receiving plate portion 612a which slopes downward toward the right from halfway up the vertical wall which forms the left edge of the safe ball receiving opening 600b to near the center in the left-right direction, a lower safe ball receiving plate portion 612b which slopes downward toward the left from a portion of the vertical wall which forms the right edge of the safe ball receiving opening 600b below the upper safe ball receiving plate portion 612a to near the bottom of the left edge of the safe ball receiving opening 600b, and a crank portion 612c which extends in a crank shape toward the lower left from the left end of the lower safe ball receiving plate portion 612b to a width which allows game balls B to pass in a single file.

[0257] The height between the right end of the upper safe ball receiving plate 612a and the lower safe ball receiving plate 612b is about twice the diameter of the game ball B, and the height of the lower safe ball receiving plate 612b on the left side is formed to become lower as it goes leftward. This allows the game balls B received in the safe ball receiving port 600b to be aligned in a single row.

[0258] A safe ball sensor 606 is attached to a vertically extending portion of the crank portion 612c directly below the downstream end of the safe ball receiving plate portion 612b.

[0259] In the post-ball receiving member 612, the safe ball passage 602 is formed by the safe ball receiving plate upper portion 612a, the safe ball receiving plate lower portion 612b, the crank portion 612c, etc. Therefore, the safe ball passage 602 is formed wide on the upstream side so that it can receive many game balls B, and the received game balls B are aligned in a row and delivered to the most upstream portion of the downstream ball storage passage 604 (ball meandering member 613).

[0260] The ball receiving member 612 is provided with recesses 612d at the front end edge of the upper safe ball receiving plate portion 612a and the front end edge of the lower safe ball receiving plate portion 612b, which are recessed to a size that does not interfere with the flow of the game ball B. The recesses 612d make it possible for dust, dirt, etc. in the safe ball passage 602 to be discharged to the outside.

[0261] The ball meandering member 613 extends in the left-right direction while meandering back and forth so that the right end side is lower, forming a ball storage passage 604 capable of storing a large number of game balls B. As shown in FIG. 38 etc., the ball meandering member 613 is made up of a first straight portion 613a which is inclined so as to become lower toward the front with the rear portion as the upstream end, a first turned-back portion 613b which is bent to the right from the downstream end (front end) of the first straight portion 613a and then bent so as to become lower toward the rear, a second straight portion 613c which extends from the downstream end (rear end) of the first turned-back portion 613b to a position near the rear end of the first straight portion 613a so as to become lower toward the rear, and a second straight portion 613c which is bent to the right from the downstream end (rear end) of the second straight portion 613c and then bent to the right from the downstream end (rear end) of the second straight portion 613c and then further bent to the right. a second folded portion 613d bent so as to become lower toward the front; a third straight portion 613e extending from a downstream end (front end) of the second folded portion 613d to a position equal to the front end of the second straight portion 613c so as to become lower toward the front; a third folded portion 613f bent from the downstream end (front end) of the third straight portion 613e to the right and then bent so as to become lower toward the rear; and a fourth straight portion 613g extending from the downstream end (rear end) of the third folded portion 613f to a position equal to the rear end of the third straight portion 613e so as to become lower toward the rear. a fourth turning portion 613h that turns rightward from the downstream end (rear end) of the fourth straight portion 613g and then turns forward and lower; a fifth straight portion 613i that extends from the downstream end (front end) of the fourth turning portion 613h to the same position as the front end of the fourth straight portion 613g so as to turn forward and lower; a first bending portion 613j that turns rightward from the downstream end (front end) of the fifth straight portion 613i; and a first lateral portion 613k that extends rightward and lower from the downstream end (right end) of the first bending portion 613j. The ball discharge port 600d includes a second bent portion 613l bent from the downstream end (right end) of the first lateral portion 613k so as to be lowered backward, a sixth straight portion 613m extending from the downstream end (rear end) of the second bent portion 613l to a position near the downstream end of the fifth straight portion 613i so as to be lowered backward, a third bent portion 613n bent from the downstream end (rear end) of the sixth straight portion 613m so as to be lowered rightward, and a second lateral portion 613o extending from the downstream end (right end) of the third bent portion 613n so as to be lowered rightward. The opening at the downstream end of the second lateral portion 613o forms a ball discharge port 600d that opens to the right.

[0262] In the ball snaking member 613 (ball storage passage 604), the opening of the downstream end of the safe ball passage 602 is located above the rear end of the first straight section 613a, and the opening of the downstream end of the out ball passage 601 is located in front of that. In addition, the opening of the downstream end of the foul ball passage 603 is located above the rear end of the second straight section 613c.

[0263] In addition, the ball snaking member 613 is provided with a ball removal opening 613p that penetrates vertically in the first horizontal portion 613k, a pair of rail portions 613q that extend forward and backward along the left and right end edges of the ball removal opening 613p on the underside of the first horizontal portion 613k and protrude downward, support pieces 613r that protrude toward each other from the lower ends of each of the pair of rail portions 613q, locking portions 613s that are provided on side surfaces of the pair of rail portions 613q that face each other, and a plurality of slits 613t that are provided through the rolling surface (bottom surface) along which the game ball B rolls.

[0264] The ball outlet 613p of the ball meandering member 613 is closed by the ball outlet shutter 615 so that it can be opened and closed, as will be described in detail later. The pair of rail portions 613q extend rearward from the ball outlet 613p. The pair of rail portions 613q support the ball outlet shutter 615 so that it can slide forward and backward. The two support pieces 613r prevent the ball outlet shutter 615 from falling. In addition, the two support pieces 613r protrude from the respective rail portions 613q at the ball outlet 613p. This allows the ball outlet shutter 615 to be fully supported and prevents the ball outlet shutter 615 from falling off even if the load of the game ball B acts on the ball outlet shutter 615 through the ball outlet 613p. The locking portion 613s can hold the ball outlet shutter 615 in the open position by locking the locking protrusion 615f of the ball outlet shutter 615.

[0265] The slits 613t of the ball meandering member 613 penetrate downwards with a size that does not impede the flow of the game ball B, and can discharge dirt, dust, etc., from within the ball storage passage 604. The slits 613t provided at the turning portion or the bend are provided at the outer side of the curve.

[0266] In addition, the ball meandering member 613 is provided with a circulating ball shortage sensor 621 and a circulating ball excess sensor 622 capable of detecting the game balls B in circulation, as will be described in detail later.

[0267] According to this ball meandering member 613, it is possible to form a ball storage passage 604 that meanders back and forth and extends left and right so as to become lower to the right. In addition, since the ball meandering member 613 is provided with a plurality of turn-back parts (first turn-back part 613b, second turn-back part 613d, third turn-back part 613f, fourth turn-back part 613h) and a plurality of bent parts (first bent part 613j, second bent part 613l, third bent part 613n), it is possible to suppress the flow speed of the game ball B at those parts and to mitigate the impact on the inlet side of the ball lifting unit 650.

[0268] The serpentine cover 614 is attached to the ball serpentine member 613 so as to cover the open upper end of the ball serpentine member 613. By attaching the serpentine cover 614 to the ball serpentine member 613, it is possible to prevent the game ball B from leaking from the ball serpentine member 613 (ball storage passage 604) to the outside, or to prevent a game ball B that does not correspond to the ball storage passage 604 or an illegal game ball B from being inserted from the outside.

[0269] The length of the portion of the meandering cover 614 that extends forward and backward at the left end is shorter toward the rear than the first straight portion 613a of the ball meandering member 613. As a result, when the meandering cover 614 is attached to the ball meandering member 613, the rear portion of the first straight portion 613a of the ball meandering member 613 is opened upward, and communication with the out ball passage 601 and the safe ball passage 602 is possible through that portion.

[0270] The meandering cover 614 has an opening 614a that penetrates vertically at a portion above the rear end of the second straight portion 613c of the ball meandering member 613. The foul ball passage 603 can communicate with the ball storage passage 604 through this opening 614a.

[0271] The ball removal shutter 615 is for removing (discharging) game ball B (circulating game ball) from the circulating ball path unit 600 etc., and is attached to the underside of the ball serpentine member 613 so as to be slidable in the forward and backward directions. The ball removal shutter 615 has a flat door portion 615a capable of closing the ball removal opening 613p, a knob portion 615b extending up, down, left and right from the front edge of the door portion 615a, a pair of rod portions 615c each extending rearward from the rear ends of the left and right ends of the door portion 615a, a connecting portion 615e connecting the pair of rod portions 615c at the rear of the door portion 615a to form an opening 615d that penetrates vertically, a locking protrusion 615f protruding from the outer surface of each of the pair of rod portions 615c between the connecting portion 615e and the rear ends, hook portions 615g extending outward from the rear ends of the pair of rod portions 615c, and a magnet support portion 615h protruding cylindrically from the underside of the door portion 615a.

[0272] The magnet support portion 615h of the ball-removing shutter 615 can support the cylindrical magnet 616 by inserting the magnet 616 into the cylinder. The magnet support portion 615h is provided upstream of the opening 615d. The magnet support portion 615h has a portion that protrudes into the cylinder at the lower end and is open toward the rear. By inserting the magnet 616 from the rear, the portion that protrudes downward of the magnet 616 is positioned, and the magnet 616 will not fall off the magnet support portion 615h.

[0273] When the ball shutter 615 is attached to the ball meandering member 613, a pair of rails 613q of the ball meandering member 613 are located on both the left and right outside of the door portion 615a and the pair of rod portions 615c, and the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 613k and the upper surface of the pair of support pieces 613r are located on both the top and bottom sides of the door portion 615a and the pair of rod portions 615c. This allows the ball shutter 615 to slide in the front-rear direction between a closed position and an open position, which will be described later.

[0274] In the normal state, as shown in Fig. 39 (a1) and (a2), the ball ejection shutter 615 is in a closed position where the door portion 615a prevents the game ball B from passing through the ball ejection opening 613p. In this state, the rear surface of the knob portion 615b abuts against the front surface of the first horizontal portion 613k, and the pair of locking projections 615f abut against the respective rear end surfaces of the pair of rail portions 613q. This restricts the movement of the ball ejection shutter 615 in the forward and backward directions and holds it in the closed position. Therefore, when the ball ejection shutter 615 is in the closed position, the game ball B is not discharged from the ball ejection opening 613p to the ball receiving tray 720 below (see Fig. 20).

[0275] Furthermore, when the ball removal shutter 615 is in the closed position, the magnet support portion 615h (magnet 616) is located below near the upstream end of the ball removal opening 613p. As will be described in detail later, when an iron ball SB (see FIG. 44) flows through the ball storage passage 604, the iron ball SB is attracted to the door portion 615a by the magnetic force of the magnet 616, causing a ball jam, making it possible to detect the intrusion of the iron ball SB.

[0276] When the knob portion 615b is pinched and pulled forward in the ball removal shutter 615 in the closed position, the locking protrusion 615f provided on the rod portion 615c strongly abuts against the rear end surface of the rail portion 613q. At this time, the rod portion 615c is elastically deformed inward by the force applied to the locking protrusion 615f, and the locking protrusion 615f moves to the inner surface side of the rail portion 613q, and the ball removal shutter 615 slides forward from the closed position. Then, when the locking protrusion 615f reaches the portion of the locking portion 613s, the locking protrusion 615f is locked to the locking portion 613s by the elastic force of the rod portion 615c, and the hook portion 615g provided at the rear end of the rod portion 615c approaches the rear end surface of the rail portion 613q. As a result, the ball removal shutter 615 is restricted from sliding forward any further.

[0277] In this state, as shown in Figures 39(b1) and (b2), the opening 615d of the ball removal shutter 615 coincides with the ball removal port 613p, and the game ball B can pass through the ball removal port 613p. In other words, the ball removal shutter 615 is in the open position. When the ball removal shutter 615 is in the open position, the game ball B upstream of the ball removal port 613p in the ball storage passage 604 is discharged through the ball removal port 613p and the opening 615d to the ball receiving tray 720 below. This makes it possible to remove the circulating game ball B to the outside.

[0278] When the ball receiving tray 720 accumulates and becomes heavy, the ball receiving tray 720 is placed on the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 501f, which is inclined so that the front end side is lower, and the ball receiving tray 720 tries to slide forward due to the inclination of the bottom wall, but the forward sliding is prevented by the locking of the locking claws 501n. In this state, when the locking of the locking claws 501n is released, the ball receiving tray 720 automatically slides forward due to the weight of the stored game balls B, and the ball receiving tray 720 can be easily removed from the tray insertion recess 501f.

[0279] In addition, when the ball removal shutter 615 is assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the rear surface of the door frame 3 is close to the front surface of the knob part 615b, and even if the ball removal shutter 615 tries to slide forward for some reason, the knob part 615b abuts against the door frame 3 and prevents it from sliding to the open position. This prevents the circulating game balls B from being accidentally removed and lost, and prevents illegal game balls B from being mixed in through the ball removal opening 613p.

[0280] The magnet 616 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the magnet support portion 615h of the ball removal shutter 615. This magnet 616 is for attracting the iron ball SB. The magnet 616 is made of a magnet with strong magnetic force, such as a neodymium magnet.

[0281] Incidentally, in an amusement hall or the like, if the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment coexists with conventional pachinko machines in which the player can touch the game ball (iron ball SB), there is a risk that the iron ball SB will become mixed in when the game ball B is replenished or replaced during maintenance of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment.

[0282] In contrast, in the present pachinko machine 1, when an iron ball SB gets mixed in, because a magnet 616 is provided in the ball removal shutter 615, when the iron ball SB flows through the ball storage passage 604, the iron ball SB is magnetically attracted to the upper surface of the door portion 615a of the ball removal shutter 615 in the closed position by the magnetic force of the magnet 616 and stops. At this time, because the magnet 616 with a strong magnetic force is used, even if a large number of game balls B accumulate upstream of the magnetically attracted iron ball SB and a force acts to press it downstream, the iron ball SB will not move from the upper surface of the door portion 615a.

[0283] Then, when the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the door portion 615a (magnet 616) of the ball ejection shutter 615 in the ball storage passage 604, if the game ball B continues to be ejected from the ball ejection unit 550, the game balls B downstream of the magnetically attached iron ball SB are sequentially consumed, and the consumed (ejected) game balls B are sequentially supplied upstream of the iron ball SB. Therefore, the detection of the game ball B is turned OFF in the circulating ball shortage sensor 621 and the lifting entrance sensor 653, which are provided downstream of the ball ejection shutter 615, and the detection of the game ball B is turned ON in the circulating ball excess sensor 622, the out ball sensor 605, the safe ball sensor 606, the foul ball sensor 607, and the like, which are provided upstream of the ball ejection shutter 615. This makes it possible to detect and report the occurrence of ball clogging between the circulating ball shortage sensor 621, etc. and the circulating ball excess sensor 622, etc. In other words, it is possible to detect that the iron ball SB is magnetically attracted to the door portion 615a.

[0284] When the ball shutter 615 is slid from the closed position to the forward open position in a state where the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door portion 615a of the ball removal shutter 615 by the magnetic force of the magnet 616, the front end of the iron ball SB magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door portion 615a abuts against the front wall of the first horizontal portion 613k, and only the iron ball SB is prevented from moving forward. Then, when the magnet 616 moves forward of the front wall of the first horizontal portion 613k, the magnetic force acting on the iron ball SB weakens and the iron ball SB starts to roll downstream. At this time, the opening 615d of the ball removal shutter 615 coincides with the ball removal opening 613p, and the game ball B can pass through the ball removal opening 613p, so the iron ball SB can be discharged from the ball removal opening 613p to the ball receiving tray 720 below, and can be taken out from the ball storage passage 604.

[0285] The circulating ball path relay board 617 is attached to the rear of the foul ball passage 603 on the rear surface of the front ball receiving member 611, below the out ball receiving plate portion 611b of the rear ball receiving member 612. The circulating ball path relay board 617 is for relaying the connections of the out ball sensor 605, safe ball sensor 606, foul ball sensor 607, low circulating ball sensor 621, and high circulating ball sensor 622 with the frame control board 740, which will be described later.

[0286] The gauge section 620 indicates an appropriate amount region of a predetermined length in the flow direction of the ball storage passage 604 in the ball meandering member 613. Here, the appropriate amount is defined as a state in which the rear end of the row of game balls B stored in a lined state hangs on the gauge section 620. The gauge section 620 allows the appropriate amount of game balls B (circulating balls) to be visually confirmed, and is formed of a transparent seal with a colored portion. This gauge section 620 is attached to the upper surface of the meandering cover 614. In detail, it is attached to a portion of the upper surface of the meandering cover 614 upstream of the first horizontal portion 613k of the ball meandering member 613. On this gauge section 620, as shown in FIG. 42, letters and symbols (arrows) indicating the appropriate range (appropriate amount region) of the storage amount of game balls B are written.

[0287] The gauge section 620 is composed of three seals: an upper gauge seal 620a attached to the upper portion of the third straight portion 613e and the third folded portion 613f of the spherical serpentine member 613; a middle gauge seal 620b attached to the upper portion of the fourth straight portion 613g; and a lower gauge seal 620c attached to the upper portion of the fifth straight portion 613i and the first bent portion 613j.

[0288] The upper gauge seal 620a has a line extending left and right near the center of the front-to-rear direction of the third straight section 613e, an arrow on the downstream (front) side of the line with the tip of the arrow portion pointing toward the line and extending along the passage to the downstream end of the third turn section 613f, and the words "Up to here" written (displayed) on the right side downstream of the arrow portion of the arrow.

[0289] The middle gauge seal 620b has a rod-shaped portion extending rearward (downstream) to continue from the rod portion of the arrow on the upper gauge seal 620a, and the words "appropriate range" are written near the upstream end of the rod-shaped portion.

[0290] The lower gauge seal 620c has a line extending back and forth at the downstream end of the first bend portion 613j, an arrow on the upstream side of the line with the tip of the arrow pointing toward the line and a rod portion extending along the passage to the upstream end of the fifth straight portion 613i, and the words "from here" written (displayed) on the right side upstream of the arrow portion of the arrow.

[0291] When the gauge section 620 is viewed during maintenance, etc., if no game balls B can be seen in the area of ​​the gauge section 620 (proper amount area), that is, the area ranging from the line of the upper gauge seal 620a to the line of the lower gauge section 620c, it is understood that there are fewer game balls B than the appropriate amount. When refilling game balls B, insert game balls B into the out port 1008 of the game board 5, or the out ball receiving port 600a or the safe ball receiving port 600b until the appropriate amount is reached.

[0292] On the other hand, when looking at the gauge section 620, if game balls B are seen in all parts of the gauge section 620, that is, if the rear end of the row of game balls B is upstream of the "up to here" part (the line of the upper gauge seal 620a), it is found that there are too many game balls B, more than the appropriate amount. If there are too many game balls B, the ball removal shutter 615 is pulled forward and slid to the open position, and the game balls B in the ball storage passage 604 are discharged from the ball removal opening 613p to the appropriate amount.

[0293] In this way, according to the gauge section 620 of this embodiment, it is possible to determine at a glance whether the stored game balls B are appropriate (the right amount), and it is also possible to easily adjust the amount of stored game balls B to the right amount.

[0294] In the above embodiment, gauge portion 620 is formed by attaching a sticker to serpentine cover 614, but the appropriate amount area may be colored a different color from other areas, or the portions of gauge portion 620 may be molded in different colors, or gauge portion 620 may have colored lines drawn at the downstream and upstream ends of the appropriate amount area.

[0295] In addition, in the above embodiment, the gauge section 620 is shown to be located upstream of the ball removal shutter 615, but this is not limited to this, and the downstream end of the gauge section 620 may be located downstream of the ball removal shutter 615 and near the upstream of the low circulating ball sensor 621, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 62.

[0296] In this embodiment, the ball circulation path unit 600 has a ball receiving front plate 610, a ball receiving front member 611, a ball receiving rear member 612, a ball meandering member 613, and a meandering cover 614, which are made of transparent synthetic resin. Therefore, it is possible to visually check the internal state from the outside.

[0297] In the circulating ball path unit 600, an out ball sensor 605 and a foul ball sensor 607 are attached in a state where they are sandwiched between a ball receiving front plate 610 and a ball receiving front member 611, and a safe ball sensor 606 is attached in a state where it is sandwiched between a ball receiving front member 611 and a ball receiving rear member 612. The out ball sensor 605 and the safe ball sensor 606 are arranged side by side in the front and rear.

[0298] The out ball sensor 605, the safe ball sensor 606, the foul ball sensor 607, the too few circulating balls sensor 621, and the too many circulating balls sensor 622 detect the game ball B in a non-contact manner, for example, by detecting a change in induced current.

[0299] The circulating ball path unit 600 is attached from the rear to the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501. When the circulating ball path unit 600 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the out ball receiving port 600a and the safe ball receiving port 600b are attached at the same height as the upper surface of the base wall portion 501b and in contact with the rear edge of the upper surface of the base wall portion 501b.

[0300] In addition, when the circulating ball path unit 600 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the ball sending unit 700 is attached so as to be positioned between it and the base wall portion 501b.

[0301] Furthermore, when the circulating ball path unit 600 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the portions of the ball meandering member 613 and the meandering cover 614 that are forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction penetrate the ball storage path insertion port 501g provided in the base wall portion 501b from the rear and protrude forward. As a result, when the door frame 3 is opened relative to the main body frame 4, the game ball B in the ball meandering member 613 (ball storage path 604) can be seen from the front (outside).

[0302] Furthermore, when the circulating ball path unit 600 is assembled to the main body frame 4 and the frame base unit 730 is opened to the rear, the interiors of the out ball path 601, the safe ball path 602, the foul ball path 603, and the areas behind the base wall 501b in the ball storage path 604 can be visually observed from the rear. As a result, when a ball jam occurs, the inside of the out ball path 601 can be checked by opening the frame base unit 730, making it easy to identify the location of the jam.

[0303] In addition, when the circulating ball path unit 600 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the second horizontal section 613o of the ball snaking member 613 is located behind the base wall section 501b and below the ball launching unit 550. In other words, the circulating ball path unit 600 has a ball discharge port 600d that opens to the right behind the base wall section 501b and at a lower position than the ball launching unit 550. This ball discharge port 600d is connected to a ball lifting inlet passage 651 of the ball lifting unit 650, which will be described later.

[0304] The circulating ball path unit 600 of this embodiment has a circulating ball deficiency sensor 621 for detecting when the number of stored game balls B (circulating balls) is too small, and a circulating ball excess sensor 622 for detecting when the number of stored game balls B (circulating balls) is too large (see Figure 62).

[0305] The circulating ball shortage sensor 621 is provided downstream of the gauge section 620 in the ball storage passage 604. The circulating ball shortage sensor 621 may also be provided upstream of the ball removal shutter 615. The circulating ball excess sensor 622 is provided near the upstream end of the gauge section 620 in the ball storage passage 604. The circulating ball shortage sensor 621 and the circulating ball excess sensor 622 are connected to the frame control board 740 via the circulating ball path relay board 617.

[0306] Although details will be described later, when there is an appropriate amount of game balls B, the under-circulating ball sensor 621 detects game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more, and the excess circulating ball sensor 622 does not detect game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more. When there are too few game balls B, neither the under-circulating ball sensor 621 nor the excess circulating ball sensor 622 detects game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more. On the other hand, when there are too many game balls B, both the under-circulating ball sensor 621 and the excess circulating ball sensor 622 detect game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more. In addition, if the under-circulating ball sensor 621 does not detect game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more and the excess circulating ball sensor 622 detects game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more, a ball jam including the inclusion of an iron ball SB has occurred between the under-circulating ball sensor 621 and the excess circulating ball sensor 622.

[0307] Here, the reason for the predetermined time k80ms as a threshold for detecting the presence or absence of the game ball B will be explained. For example, on the circulation path R, the positions where the circulating ball excess sensor 622, the circulating ball shortage sensor 621, the lifting inlet sensor 653, the lifting outlet sensor 654, the launch front sensor 704, and other sensors are placed are placed at the stopping position of the game ball B when the ball lifting unit 650 and the ball sending unit 700 are stopped. This position is the position where the next game ball B is located every time one game ball B is sent. Therefore, the detection method here is whether the game ball B is detected for 80ms or more. This is because the time it takes to detect the game ball B rolling on a slope with an inclination of about 5 degrees is about 50ms, so a margin is added to detect the presence of the game ball B at that position with certainty, so that it is detected at 80ms. In other words, this value of 80ms is a practical value obtained by experiment.

[0308] In this way, by combining the detection states of game ball B by the low circulating ball sensor 621 and the high circulating ball sensor 622, the frame control board 740 can automatically determine and report the amount of game balls B, ball clogging, etc.

[0309] In the above embodiment, a low circulating ball sensor 621 and an excess circulating ball sensor 622 are provided, but the low circulating ball sensor 621 may be replaced with a lift inlet sensor described below, and the excess circulating ball sensor 622 may be replaced with an out ball sensor 605, a safe ball sensor 606, or a foul ball sensor 607.

[0310] [4-4a. Ball jamming elimination mechanism] Next, in the circulating ball path unit 600, a ball jamming elimination mechanism 630 may be provided to facilitate the elimination of ball jamming in the out ball sensor 605 and the safe ball sensor 606, as shown in Figure 43. Figure 43(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the essential parts of the rear cross section cut at the out ball sensor with the cover member of the ball elimination mechanism in the circulating ball path unit attached to the main body frame closed, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the cover member in (a) in the open state.

[0311] The ball jamming elimination mechanism 630 is configured such that the wall portions above the out ball sensor 605 and the safe ball sensor 606 in the ball receiving front member 611 and the ball receiving rear member 612 in the circulating ball path unit 600 are made into openable and closable lid members 631. As shown in Fig. 43(a), the lid members 631 are closed in the normal state. The lid members 631 are held in the closed state by engagement with a locking claw (not shown).

[0312] This ball jamming elimination mechanism 630 is used to eliminate ball jamming when it occurs in the out ball passage 601 or the safe ball passage 602, or when a fraudulent ball B' with a larger diameter than the game ball B is inserted as a fraudulent act, blocking the out ball sensor 605, etc.

[0313] For example, if an illegal ball B' with a larger diameter than the game ball B is inserted from the out port 1008 of the game board 5 and the out ball sensor 605 is blocked, the rear of the circulating ball path unit 600 will appear when the main body frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2 and the frame base unit 730 is opened. In this embodiment, a gap into which a finger can be inserted is formed between the part of the circulating ball path unit 600 where the ball jamming elimination mechanism 630 is provided and the box main body part 504b of the main body frame speaker box 504, so that the locking claw of the lid member 631 can be released through the gap and the lid member 631 can be opened by rotating it so that the lower end of the lid member 631 moves upward (see FIG. 43(b)).

[0314] By opening the cover member 631, a finger can be inserted into the upper portion of the out ball sensor 605 in the out ball passage 601, making it possible to easily remove the illegal ball B' blocking the out ball sensor 605. In this way, the illegal ball B' can be easily removed without having to remove the circulating ball passage unit 600, which is screwed in place using a screwdriver.

[0315] Incidentally, even if the safe ball sensor 606 is blocked by the illegal ball B', the illegal ball B' can be removed by following the same procedure as above.

[0316] In the above, ball jamming elimination mechanism 630 is shown to have an openable and closable lid member 631, but for example, elastic claws may be provided on ball receiving rear member 612 and ball receiving front member 611, and ball receiving rear member 612 and ball receiving front member 611 may be made detachable rearward by engaging the elastic claws. In this case, frame base unit 730 is positioned behind ball circulation path unit 600 under normal conditions, and ball receiving rear member 612 and ball receiving front member 611 will not come off rearward even if the elastic claws become loose. If the out ball sensor 605 becomes blocked by an errant ball B', the main frame 4 can be opened relative to the outer frame 2 and then the frame base unit 730 can be opened to reveal the rear of the circulating ball path unit 600. By releasing the elastic claws that attach the rear ball receiving member 612 and the front ball receiving member 611, the rear ball receiving member 612 and the front ball receiving member 611 can be easily removed, and the errant ball B' blocking the out ball sensor 605 can be easily removed.

[0317] Alternatively, the ball jamming elimination mechanism 630 may be configured so that the upper part of the out ball sensor 605 of the ball receiving front member 611 sandwiched between the ball receiving front plate 610 and the ball receiving rear member 612 can be slid upward and removed. In this case, in a normal state, the game board 5 is located above the circulating ball path unit 600, and the slidable part of the ball receiving front member 611 does not come off upward due to the action of gravity. When the out ball sensor 605 is blocked by the illegal ball B', the door frame 3 is opened relative to the main body frame 4 and the game board 5 is removed from the main body frame 4, so that the upper part of the circulating ball path unit 600 appears, and the illegal ball B' blocking the out ball sensor 605 can be easily removed by sliding the slidable part of the ball receiving front member 611 upward and removing it.

[0318] [4-4b. The second embodiment of the ball shutter] Next, in the circulating ball path unit 600, as shown in FIG. 44, the magnet 616 may be attached to the front part of the opening 615d in the ball removal shutter 615. FIG. 44(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the ball meandering member and the ball removal tray in a state where the iron ball is magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter in the closed position, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the ball meandering member and the ball removal tray in a state where the iron ball is magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter in the open position, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the ball meandering member and the ball removal tray in a state where the ball removal shutter is slid from the state of (b) to the closed position and the iron ball is magnetically attached to the lower surface. This ball removal shutter 615 is designed so that the rear end side of the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 616 supported by the magnet support part 615h coincides with the inner circumferential surface on the front side of the opening 615d.

[0319] According to the ball removal shutter 615 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 44(a), when the ball removal shutter 615 is slid from the closed position to the forward open position in a state where the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door portion 615a of the ball removal shutter 615 by the magnetic force of the magnet 616, the front end of the iron ball SB magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door portion 615a abuts against the front wall of the first horizontal portion 613k, and only the iron ball SB is prevented from moving forward. Then, when the ball removal shutter 615 slides further forward, the door portion 615a that supported the lower end of the iron ball SB disappears, and the iron ball SB moves downward into the opening 615d due to gravity. At this time, the rear end side of the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 616 coincides with the inner surface of the front side of the opening 615d, so that the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 616 (see FIG. 44(b)).

[0320] Incidentally, the iron ball SB tries to move from the outer periphery of the magnet 616 to the pole side with the stronger magnetic force (here, the bottom end face side), but when the ball removal shutter 615 is in the open position, the top end face of the ball receiving tray 720 is located below the magnet 616, so the iron ball SB does not move below the magnet 616. Therefore, when the ball removal shutter 615 is slid to the open position, the iron ball B is located at a position overlapping with the opening 615d, and the game ball B upstream of the iron ball SB is not discharged downward through the opening 615d, i.e., the ball removal port 613p.

[0321] After sliding the ball removal shutter 615 to the open position, the ball removal shutter 615 is slid rearward to the closed position, and the door portion 615a prevents the game ball B upstream of the iron ball SB from passing through the ball removal opening 613p, while the iron ball SB that was magnetized on the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 616 moves to the lower surface of the magnet 616, and the iron ball SB becomes magnetically attached to the lower surface of the magnet 616 (see FIG. 44(c)). After that, the ball receiving tray 720 is pulled out and removed from the tray insertion recess 501f, and the iron ball SB that is magnetically attached to the lower surface of the magnet 616 is removed.

[0322] In this way, when the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the door portion 615a of the ball removal shutter 615 by the magnet 616, by sliding the ball removal shutter 615 back and forth, only the magnetically attached iron ball SB can be removed from the ball storage passage 604 to the outside.

[0323] [4-5. Ball lifting unit] The ball lifting unit 650 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 45 to 54. Figure 45(a) is a perspective view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front left, (b) is a perspective view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front right, and (c) is a perspective view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the rear. Figure 46 is an exploded perspective view of the ball lifting unit with the ball polishing motor base and the cassette pressing piece opened to remove the ball polishing cassette. Figure 47(a) is a plan view of the ball lifting unit shown without the ball polishing cassette attached, (b) is a plan view of the ball lifting unit shown together with the ball polishing cassette with the ball polishing motor base and the cassette pressing piece opened, and (c) is a plan view of the ball lifting unit shown with the ball polishing cassette attached.

[0324] Also, Fig. 48(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the door frame is closed with the ball grinding cassette not completely locked, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the door frame moves in the closing direction from the state of (a) and the protrusion of the door frame abuts the tip of the ball grinding motor base, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the door frame is closed from the state of (b) and the ball grinding cut is locked. Fig. 49 is a front view showing an enlarged view of the main part in a state in which the ball grinding cassette is removed from the ball lifting unit attached to the main body frame. Fig. 50(a) is a right side view showing the main part of the ball grinding mechanism and the ball lifting mechanism in the ball lifting unit, (b) is a rear view showing the main part of the ball lifting mechanism, and (c) is a plan view of the main part of the ball lifting mechanism as seen from the arrow A in (b).

[0325] Furthermore, Fig. 51 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the lifting spiral shaft and the polishing cloth in the ball lifting unit. Fig. 52(a) is an enlarged view of the lifting inlet sensor and the lifting outlet sensor, and is a perspective view of the ball lifting unit seen from the left rear, and (b) is a plan sectional view of the ball lifting unit cut at the lifting inlet sensor. Fig. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing the front and rear parts of the ball sensor consisting of a photosensor in the ball passage. Fig. 54(a) is a perspective view of the ball polishing cassette of the ball lifting unit seen from the left front, (b) is a perspective view of the ball polishing cassette seen from the right rear, and (c) is a right side sectional view of the ball polishing cassette cut at the center in the left-right direction.

[0326] The ball lifting unit 650 is for sending the game ball B, which is discharged from the game board 5 or the foul unit 570 and circulated through the circulating ball path unit 600, to the ball launching unit 550 via the ball sending unit 700. The ball lifting unit 650 is attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j provided on the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b in the main body frame base 501.

[0327] The ball lifting unit 650 is equipped with a ball lifting mechanism 660 for lifting game ball B, a ball lifting inlet passage 651 that supplies the game ball B sent from the circulating ball path unit 600 to the ball lifting mechanism 660, a ball lifting outlet passage 652 that supplies the game ball B lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 660 to the ball sending unit 700, a lifting inlet sensor 653 provided in the ball lifting inlet passage 651 for detecting the game ball B in circulation, and a lifting outlet sensor 654 provided in the ball lifting outlet passage 652 for detecting the game ball B in circulation.

[0328] The ball lifting unit 650 also includes a ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 655 that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball B in the ball lifting inlet passage 651, a ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 656 that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball B in the ball lifting outlet passage 652, a ball lifting relay board 657 that relays the connection to the frame control board 740, and a ball polishing mechanism 680 for polishing the game ball B lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 660.

[0329] First, the ball lifting mechanism 660 of the ball lifting unit 650 comprises a lifting spiral shaft 661 extending vertically and having a helical lifting groove 661a on its outer circumferential surface, a shaft gear 662 attached to the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661, a motor gear 663 meshing with the shaft gear 662 and rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the lifting spiral shaft 661, a lifting motor 664 having the motor gear 663 attached to its rotating shaft for rotating the lifting spiral shaft 661, a lifting motor index 665 having a detection portion 665a extending in a flange-like shape from the lower end of the shaft gear 662 and cut out in part of the circumferential direction, and a lifting motor index sensor 666 capable of detecting the detection portion 665a of the lifting motor index 665.

[0330] The ball lifting mechanism 660 also includes a motor base metal plate 667 to which a lifting motor 664 is attached and which rotatably supports the motor gear 663, and a lifting mechanism base 668 and a lifting mechanism cover 669 which are attached to a part of the motor base metal plate 667 and which rotatably support the lifting spiral shaft 661 and are attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j of the base wall portion 501b of the main frame base 501.

[0331] The lifting spiral shaft 661 is provided with a spiral lifting groove 661a on the outer circumferential surface with a depth that allows the game balls B to be accommodated in a line. The lifting groove 661a is formed so that the lifting spiral shaft 661 can lift the game balls B by rotating in a clockwise direction when viewed from above in the axial direction (see FIG. 50(c)). The spiral pitch of the lifting groove 661a is formed longer near the upper and lower ends than between them. The lifting spiral shaft 661 is rotatably supported by a lifting mechanism base 668 and a lifting mechanism cover 669. The rotation axis of the lifting spiral shaft 661 is inclined relative to the vertical so that the upper end is located to the right of the lower end when viewed from the front. This allows the upper end side of the lifting spiral shaft 661 to be moved away from the ball sending unit to the right, and the length of the ball lifting outlet passage 652 can be relatively increased to increase the amount of game balls B that can be stored. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation of the lifting spiral shaft 661 is inclined at an angle of 12 degrees to the vertical.

[0332] Further, the lifting spiral shaft 661 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 51, the lifting spiral shaft 661 has a small diameter portion 661b having a bottom diameter D1 (bottom diameter) of the bottom of the lifting groove 661a, and a large diameter portion 661c having a bottom diameter D2 larger than the small diameter portion 661b, and the large diameter portion 661c is provided in an axial intermediate portion overlapping with the polishing cloth 682 of the ball polishing cassette 681. The lifting spiral shaft 661 is configured such that the diameter gradually changes between the small diameter portion 661b and the large diameter portion 661c.

[0333] In addition, the helical pitch P2 in the large diameter portion 661c of the lifting spiral shaft 661 is smaller than the helical pitch P1 in the small diameter portion 661b of the lifting spiral shaft 661. The smaller the helical pitch, the slower the lifting speed of the game ball B.

[0334] This lifting spiral shaft 661 is disposed so that a gap S1 smaller than the diameter D of the game ball B is formed between the large diameter portion 661c and the surface of the polishing cloth 682 in the ball polishing cassette 681.

[0335] Incidentally, in the lifting spiral shaft 661, if the diameter of the bottom of the lifting groove 661a is configured with the bottom diameter D1 of the small diameter portion 661b over the entire length, the bottom diameter D1 is smaller than the bottom diameter D2 of the large diameter portion 661c, so that the gap between the bottom of the lifting groove 661a and the polishing cloth 682 becomes large. Therefore, even if the lifting spiral shaft 661 is rotated to polish the game ball B lifted by the lifting groove 661a with the polishing cloth 682, the game ball B escapes to the bottom side of the lifting groove 661a due to the large gap with the polishing cloth 682, and the contact area of ​​the game ball B with the polishing cloth 682 becomes small, so that the polishing efficiency decreases.

[0336] In contrast, in this embodiment, the bottom diameter D2 of the lifting groove 661a is set to the large diameter portion 661c, which is larger than the bottom diameter D1 of the small diameter portion 661b, at the portion overlapping with the polishing cloth 682 of the ball polishing cassette 681 in the axial middle portion of the lifting spiral shaft 661, so that the gap from the bottom of the lifting groove 661a to the surface of the polishing cloth 682 at the large diameter portion 661c can be made smaller than the gap at the portion of the small diameter portion 661b. Also, in this embodiment, the gap S1 from the large diameter portion 661c to the polishing cloth 682 is made smaller than the diameter D of the game ball B. For these reasons, at the portion of the large diameter portion 661c, the game ball B cannot escape to the bottom side of the lifting groove 661a, and the bottom of the lifting groove 661a can press the game ball B against the polishing cloth 682, and the polishing cloth 682 can be dented together with the ball polishing sponge 683 provided on the back side of the polishing cloth 682. This allows the contact area of ​​the polishing cloth 682 with the game ball B to be increased, and the efficiency of polishing the game ball B to be improved.

[0337] In addition, in the lifting spiral shaft 661 of this embodiment, the spiral pitch P2 in the large diameter portion 661c overlapping with the polishing cloth 682 is smaller than the spiral pitch P1 in the small diameter portion 661b, so that the lifting speed of the game ball B in the large diameter portion 661c can be slowed down. This allows the contact time of the game ball B with the polishing cloth 682 to be longer, so that the game ball B can be polished more carefully.

[0338] Furthermore, in the lifting spiral shaft 661 of this embodiment, the diameter gradually changes between the small diameter portion 661b and the large diameter portion 661c, so that a sudden change in the load applied when lifting the game ball B can be avoided, and the load during the lifting operation can be reduced.

[0339] In addition, as shown in FIG. 50(b), the lifting spiral shaft 661 in this embodiment is inclined at an angle of 12 degrees from the vertical so as to intersect diagonally with the polishing cloth 682, so that the entire width of the polishing cloth 682 can be used to polish the game ball B, and the polishing cloth 682 can be used efficiently for polishing.

[0340] Although the lifting spiral shaft 661 has been shown to have a large diameter portion 661c in the middle of the axial direction, this is not limited to this. It is also possible to have a small diameter portion 661b only on the lower end side and a large diameter portion 661c above that all the way to the upper end.

[0341] The shaft gear 662 is a spur gear (worm wheel gear). The motor gear 663 is a worm gear. As a result, even if the lifting spiral shaft 661 tries to rotate due to the load acting due to the fact that a large number of game balls B are accommodated in the lifting groove 661a of the lifting spiral shaft 661, the rotation can be prevented by the motor gear 663 consisting of a worm gear meshed with the shaft gear 662. In addition, since the motor gear 663 is a worm gear, even if the lifting spiral shaft 661 tries to rotate due to the inertia when the drive of the lifting motor 664 stops, the rotation can be immediately stopped, and overshooting of the game balls B can be prevented.

[0342] In this embodiment, the shaft gear 662 is made of POM (polyacetal resin), and the motor gear 663 is made of fiber-reinforced plastic containing polyamide carbon fiber. This makes the motor gear 663, which is a worm gear, less likely to chip. The motor gear 663 may also be made of metal.

[0343] The lifting motor 664 is a DC motor. The lifting motor index 665 is integrally molded with the shaft gear 662 in a flange shape. The detection portion 665a of the lifting motor index 665 is provided so that a range of an angle of 45 degrees is cut out from the entire circumference. The lifting motor index sensor 666 is a photosensor. The lifting motor index sensor 666 is in a light receiving state at the portion of the detection portion 665a of the lifting motor index 665, and is in a light blocking and non-light receiving state at the portions other than the detection portion 665a. This makes it possible to detect the rotational position of the lifting spiral shaft 661 via the lifting motor index 665.

[0344] Although the details will be described later, the lifting spiral shaft 661 rotates once when the rotating shaft of the lifting motor 664 rotates 32 times by the shaft gear 662 and the motor gear 663. Then, in the lifting motor index sensor 666, when the lifting motor 664 rotates 28 times after being positioned at a position other than the detection unit 665a and being in a non-light receiving state, it reaches the detection unit 665a and enters a light receiving state, and when the lifting motor 664 rotates four more times after being in the light receiving state, it leaves the detection unit 665a and enters a non-light receiving state. In this embodiment, the position where the lifting motor 664 rotates two times after reaching the detection unit 665a and entering the light receiving state is set as the origin. In other words, the center of the detection unit 665a is set as the origin of rotation of the lifting spiral shaft 661.

[0345] The motor base metal plate 667 has a lifting motor 664 attached to its left end when viewed from the front, and rotatably supports the right end of the motor gear 663 at its right end. The motor base metal plate 667 has an upper end attached to a lifting mechanism base 668 and a lower end attached to a lifting mechanism cover 669.

[0346] The lifting mechanism base 668 cooperates with the lifting mechanism cover 669 to house the lifting spiral shaft 661 and rotatably supports the lifting spiral shaft 661. The lifting mechanism base 668 has a ball polishing port 668a that penetrates from front to back so that the lifting spiral shaft 661 faces forward and is large enough that the game ball B cannot pass through, and a cassette mounting recess 668b that is recessed rearward from the front and has the ball polishing port 668a open on the bottom surface and can house the rear end side of the ball polishing cassette 681. The ball polishing port 668a extends vertically with a width narrower than the diameter of the game ball B. This ball polishing mouth 668a is provided so that a portion of the game ball B lifted by the lifting spiral shaft 661 protrudes forward, and the game ball B is polished by the portion of the game ball B that protrudes forward beyond the ball polishing mouth 668a coming into contact with the polishing cloth 682 of the ball polishing cassette 681 in the ball polishing mechanism 680 attached (mounted) to the cassette mounting recess 668b.

[0347] The lifting mechanism base 668 is provided with a downstream portion of the ball lifting inlet passage 651 at a position near the lower end and to the right of the lifting spiral shaft 661 when viewed from the front. The portion of the ball lifting inlet passage 651 provided on the lifting mechanism base 668 opens at the upstream end toward the rear and is inclined so as to become lower toward the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661 on the left. In addition, a lifting inlet sensor 653 is attached to the lifting mechanism base 668 at a position to the right of the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661 when viewed from the front.

[0348] In addition, the lifting mechanism base 668 is provided with an upstream portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 652 near the upper end. The portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 652 provided on the lifting mechanism base 668 is inclined so as to become lower toward the left when viewed from the front from the front end of the lifting spiral shaft 661, and then inclined so as to become lower toward the rear, with the downstream end opening toward the rear. The ball lifting outlet passage 652 is inclined so as to become lower toward the left from the portion opening toward the rear on the lifting mechanism base 668, and then inclined so as to become lower toward the front, and opens toward the front at the front end. The portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 652 is formed by the cooperation of the lifting mechanism base 668 and the lifting mechanism cover 669.

[0349] In addition, a grinding motor base 686, to which a grinding motor 688 of the grinding mechanism 680 is attached, is attached rotatably about an axis extending vertically to the lifting mechanism base 668.

[0350] The lifting mechanism cover 669 cooperates with the lifting mechanism base 668 to house the lifting spiral shaft 661 and rotatably supports the lifting spiral shaft 661, and is attached from the rear to the ball lifting unit attachment portion 501j of the base wall portion 501b in the main body frame base 501. A ball lifting relay board 657 is attached to the rear surface of the lifting mechanism cover 669.

[0351] The lifting mechanism cover 669 has a portion upstream of the portion provided on the lifting mechanism base 668 in the ball lifting inlet passage 651. The downstream end of the portion provided on the lifting mechanism base 668 in the ball lifting inlet passage 651 opens forward at a position on the right side of the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661 when viewed from the front, extends backward, bends leftward, passes behind the lifting spiral shaft 661, extends diagonally forward, and the upstream end opens leftward. A ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 655 is attached to the lifting mechanism cover 669 behind the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661 so as to be in contact with the game ball B flowing through the ball lifting inlet passage 651.

[0352] Further, the lifting mechanism cover 669 has a portion downstream of the portion provided in the lifting mechanism base 668 in the ball lifting outlet passage 652. The portion provided in the lifting mechanism cover 669 in the ball lifting outlet passage 652 has an upstream end that opens rearward, bends leftward when viewed from the front, extends leftward to the left end, and then bends forward, and the downstream end at the front end of the lifting mechanism cover 669 opens forward.

[0353] Also, a lifting outlet sensor 654 is attached to the lifting mechanism cover 669 near the left end of the portion extending leftward in the front view of the ball lifting outlet passage 652. Furthermore, a ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 656 is attached to the lifting mechanism cover 669 at a portion upstream of the lifting outlet sensor 654 at the portion extending leftward in the ball lifting outlet passage 652, the ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 656 being provided so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball B flowing through the ball lifting outlet passage 652.

[0354] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism cover 669 has a support protrusion 669a that protrudes forward from a position on the right end toward the lower center in the up-down direction beyond the lifting mechanism base 668, and a locking hole 669b that penetrates the front surface of the support protrusion 669a and locks the Nylatch 694. When the ball lifting unit 650 is attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j of the main body frame 4 from the rear, the support protrusion 669a protrudes toward the front surface of the base wall portion 501b through an opening 501o that penetrates the base wall portion 501b.

[0355] Next, the ball lifting inlet passage 651 of the ball lifting unit 650 has an opening (inlet) at the upstream end that opens toward the left near the lower part of the left side surface of the ball lifting unit 650. This opening is provided so as to face the ball discharge port 600d of the circulating ball path unit 600 when assembled to the main body frame 4. The ball lifting inlet passage 651 is inclined so as to become lower toward the right from the inlet at the left end, and after extending to the right of the lifting spiral shaft 661 so as to bypass the rear of the lifting spiral shaft 661, it turns back to the front side and extends to the left near the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661. Then, in the vicinity of the lifting spiral shaft 661, it bends in a crank shape so as to go around to the front side of the lifting spiral shaft 661, and communicates with the lifting groove 661a of the lifting spiral shaft 661 at the front side near the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661.

[0356] The ball lifting inlet passage 651 is arranged so that its opening at the upstream end faces the ball discharge port 600d which forms the opening at the downstream end of the ball storage passage 604 in the circulating ball path unit 600, and the game ball B that has circulated through the ball storage passage 604 is handed over and circulated.

[0357] The ball lifting inlet passage 651 is provided with a lifting inlet sensor 653 at a position to the right of the lifting spiral shaft 661, and a ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 655 is attached to a position behind the lifting spiral shaft 661.

[0358] The ball lifting outlet passage 652 has an upstream end communicating with the lifting groove 661a in front of the upper end of the lifting spiral shaft 661 near the upper end of the ball lifting unit 650, extends leftward beyond the lifting spiral shaft 661, bends backward, extends to the same position as the rear end of the lifting spiral shaft 661, and then bends leftward. From there, it extends leftward near the left end of the ball lifting unit 650 and bends forward, and its downstream end opens forward at the front surface of the ball lifting unit 650 (lifting mechanism cover 669).

[0359] The ball lifting outlet passage 652 is arranged so that the opening at the downstream end faces the ball supply port of the ball sending unit described later, and can supply game balls B to the ball sending unit 700.

[0360] The ball lifting exit passage 652 is provided with a lifting exit sensor 654 near the left end of the portion extending leftward near the rear end of the ball lifting unit 650, and a ball lifting exit earth metal plate 656 is attached upstream (to the right) of the sensor. An opening large enough not to impede the flow of the game ball B is provided in the bottom wall of the portion of the ball lifting exit passage 652 where the ball lifting exit earth metal plate 656 is provided, and dust, dirt, etc. can be discharged to the outside through the opening.

[0361] The lifting inlet sensor 653 detects the presence or absence of the game ball B to be lifted when the lifting motor 664 is driven to rotate the lifting spiral shaft 661 to lift the game ball B. Although details will be described later, when the lifting inlet sensor 653 does not detect the game ball B, the lifting motor 664 is not driven.

[0362] The lifting outlet sensor 654 detects the presence or absence of game balls B supplied to the ball sending unit. Details will be described later, but when the lifting inlet sensor 653 detects the game ball B and the lifting outlet sensor 654 does not detect the game ball B, and a predetermined condition is met (here, a predetermined number (e.g., 3) of game balls B are subtracted by the launch subtraction sensor 554), the lifting motor 664 is driven to rotate the lifting spiral shaft 661, and a predetermined number of game balls B are lifted.

[0363] The lifting entrance sensor 653 and the lifting exit sensor 654 are photosensors having a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, and detect the presence or absence of the game ball B in a non-contact manner by the game ball B blocking the light from the light-emitting portion.

[0364] Here, the relationship between the ball lifting upper inlet passage 651 and the ball lifting upper outlet passage 652 and the lifting inlet sensor 653 and the lifting outlet sensor 654 will be described. Here, the relationship between the ball lifting upper inlet passage 651 and the lifting inlet sensor 653 will be described, and the relationship between the ball lifting upper outlet passage 652 and the lifting outlet sensor 654 will be omitted because it is the same. As shown in Figures 52 and 53, the part of the ball lifting upper inlet passage 651 where the lifting inlet sensor 653 is provided is a V-shaped passage part 651a having a V-shaped cross section (an inverted trapezoidal shape narrowing downward). Note that the part of the ball lifting upper inlet passage 651 other than the V-shaped passage part 651a is a U-shaped passage part 651b having a U-shaped cross section that is open upward.

[0365] The same is true for the ball lifting upper outlet passage 652, where the portion of the lifting outlet sensor 654 is formed as a V-shaped passage section 652a having a V-shaped cross section (an inverted trapezoidal shape narrowing downward), and the other portion is formed as a U-shaped passage section 652b having a U-shaped cross section that is open upward.

[0366] In other words, the V-shaped passage portion 651a and the V-shaped passage portion 652a have a pair of inclined surfaces that the game ball B contacts and that are inclined so that the distance between them increases as they go upward. The U-shaped passage portion 651b and the U-shaped passage portion 652b have a flat bottom surface that the game ball B contacts and has a width larger than the diameter of the game ball B, and a pair of side wall surfaces that stand upright from both ends of the width direction of the bottom surface. The ball sending passage 703 of the ball sending unit 700, which is downstream of the ball lifting upper exit passage 652, is also formed in the same shape as the U-shaped passage portion 651b and the U-shaped passage portion 652b.

[0367] Incidentally, if the cross section of the passage at the location of the lifting entrance sensor 653 consisting of a photosensor is made into a U-shaped cross section that opens upward, the game ball B passing through will come into contact with the side wall, and scratches and dirt that occur on the side wall of the passage due to the contact of the game ball B will hinder the light reception and emission of the photosensor, which may result in a false detection. Also, in a U-shaped cross section passage, the position of the game ball B in the width direction of the passage is not constant and stable, so the detection position by the sensor will vary, and there is a risk of a false detection.

[0368] In contrast, in this embodiment, the lifting inlet sensor 653 (lifting outlet sensor 654) is a V-shaped passage 651a (V-shaped passage 652a) with a V-shaped cross section, so that the game ball B is held at two points by the diagonal both sides of the V shape, thereby restricting movement in the width direction of the passage, and the position of the game ball B can be fixed and stabilized in the width direction of the passage. As a result, the game ball B does not come into contact with the side wall of the passage at the lifting inlet sensor 653 (lifting outlet sensor 654), so that scratches and dirt caused by the game ball B's contact can be prevented, and false detection can be eliminated to reliably detect the game ball.

[0369] In the above, the V-shaped passage section 651a (V-shaped passage section 652a) having a V-shaped (inverted trapezoidal) cross section is shown as the shape of the passage that stabilizes the position of the game ball B relative to the sensor, but it may also be a pair of protrusions that are spaced apart at a distance narrower than the diameter of the game ball B and extend in the direction of flow of the game ball B.

[0370] The ball lifting inlet passage 651 has a lifting spiral shaft 661 at its downstream end. Therefore, in the ball lifting inlet passage 651 upstream of the lifting spiral shaft 661, the game balls B are picked up one by one by the lifting groove 661a of the lifting spiral shaft 661, so that they move intermittently, and the game balls B stop in the ball lifting inlet passage 651. On the other hand, the ball lifting outlet passage 652 has a ball sending unit 700, which will be described later, at its downstream end. Therefore, in the ball lifting outlet passage 652 upstream of the ball sending unit 700, the game balls B move intermittently one by one by the ball sending operation of the ball sending unit 700, and the game balls B stop in the ball lifting outlet passage 652.

[0371] Furthermore, in the ball lifting inlet passage 651 (ball lifting outlet passage 652), as shown in FIG. 53, only the area of ​​the lifting inlet sensor 653 (lifting outlet sensor 654) is made into a V-shaped passage section 651a (V-shaped passage section 652a) having a V-shaped cross section, and the other areas are made into a U-shaped passage section 651b (U-shaped passage section 652b) having a U-shaped cross section, so that even if multiple game balls B are placed in the passage and stopped, the ball pressure caused by the multiple game balls B on the downstream side can be reduced.

[0372] In detail, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 53, in the V-shaped passage section 651a (V-shaped passage section 652a), the game balls B are arranged in a straight line (in a line on the axis of the passage), but in the U-shaped passage section 651b (U-shaped passage section 652b), the game balls B are pushed downstream and arranged in a staggered manner so as to alternately contact the side walls on both sides, so that the ball pressure can be dispersed to the side walls, and the ball pressure due to the game balls B applied downstream can be reduced. Therefore, the parts (e.g., the lifting spiral shaft 661, the ball sending movable member 705 of the ball sending unit 700, etc.) provided on the downstream side of the ball lifting inlet passage 651 (ball lifting outlet passage 652) will not be damaged by the ball pressure of the game balls B that are stopped (stored), and there is no need to excessively reinforce the parts against the ball pressure, so that the cost of the pachinko machine 1 can be reduced.

[0373] Incidentally, the detection of game ball B at the winning port or the like is performed by checking the output from the ball sensor at a predetermined interruption period (for example, 4 ms), and when the output becomes not detected, detected, detected (in other words, "011"), it is determined that game ball B has been detected (ON). In other words, when the output from the ball sensor is "011", it is determined to be ON, and when it is other than "011", it is determined to be OFF. However, in a ball sensor (here, lifting inlet sensor 653 and lifting outlet sensor 654) installed in a ball passage where multiple game balls B are parked, such as ball lifting inlet passage 651 and ball lifting outlet passage 652, if the presence or absence of game ball B is determined by the above-mentioned determination method, the ball sensor will only generate OFF when there is no game ball B in the ball passage, generate many short-interval ONs when game balls B are supplied to the ball passage, and generate many short-interval OFFs when game balls B stored in the ball passage are moving one by one (game balls B are moving at the launch interval). Therefore, the above-mentioned determination method could not accurately determine that there is no game ball B in the ball passage.

[0374] In contrast, in this embodiment, a threshold value (for example, an ON threshold of 200 ms and an OFF threshold of 200 ms) is set for each ON and OFF judgment, and ON or OFF is judged only when non-detection or detection continues beyond the threshold. In other words, for example, when the output from the ball sensor is "01111...", it is judged as ON, and when it is "10000...", it is judged as OFF. This makes it possible to reliably detect (judge) the presence or absence of game ball B in a ball passage where multiple game balls B are stationary.

[0375] The threshold value for determining ON or OFF may be different depending on the type of ball passage, the number of game balls B parked, etc., or the ON threshold value and the OFF threshold value may be different. In this embodiment, the lifting inlet sensor 653 of the ball lifting inlet passage 651 has an ON threshold value of 80 ms and an OFF threshold value of 200 ms, for example. In addition, the lifting outlet sensor 654 of the ball lifting outlet passage 652 has an ON threshold value of 80 ms and an OFF threshold value of 200 ms, for example. In addition, in the launching front sensor 704 of the ball sending unit 700 described later, the ON threshold value is 12 ms and the OFF threshold value is 12 ms, for example. In addition, as described above, in the launching subtraction sensor 554 of the ball launching unit 550, the ON threshold value is 80 ms and the OFF threshold value is 80 ms, for example.

[0376] If the thresholds are too small, even a slight vibration will cause a false detection, resulting in noise in the control. If the thresholds are too large, the state of the game ball B will not be captured. Therefore, the appropriate thresholds vary depending on the location of the ball sensor, but are preferably at least 10 ms and at most 300 ms. If the thresholds are determined to be a multiple (e.g., 3 to 60 times) of the interruption period (e.g., 4 ms), the software control only counts the number of interrupts, so the burden on the software can be reduced. Basically, the thresholds are short for the launch front sensor 704, where the game ball B is reliably retained at a fixed position, but for those where the game ball B is retained at a nearly fixed position but there is a certain degree of variation in the retention position (e.g., the lifting outlet sensor 654), the thresholds are made longer to provide a margin. At the launch subtraction sensor 554, the game ball B is retained (stopped) at a fixed position, but the thresholds are made longer to prevent false detection due to artificial vibration.

[0377] The ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 655 removes static electricity from the game ball B supplied from the circulating ball path unit 600 to the ball lifting inlet passage 651. The ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 655 is provided upstream of the lifting inlet sensor 653. This allows the static electricity of the game ball B passing through the lifting inlet sensor 653 to be removed in advance, and prevents the lifting inlet sensor 653 from falsely detecting the static electricity from the game ball B or the frame control board 740 from breaking down.

[0378] The ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 656 is for removing static electricity from the game ball B that is lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 660 and polished by the ball polishing mechanism 680. The ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 656 is provided upstream of the lifting outlet sensor 654. This allows the static electricity of the game ball B passing through the lifting outlet sensor 654 to be removed in advance, and prevents the lifting outlet sensor 654 from falsely detecting the game ball B or the frame control board 740 from breaking down due to static electricity from the game ball B.

[0379] The ball lift relay board 657 is for relaying the connection between the lift inlet sensor 653, the lift outlet sensor 654, the lift motor 664, the lift motor index sensor 666, the ball motor 688, etc. and the frame control board 740. The ball lift relay board 657 is attached to the rear side of the lift mechanism cover 669.

[0380] The ball polishing mechanism 680 is attached to the front side of the ball lifting mechanism 660. The ball polishing mechanism 680 includes a ball polishing cassette 681 having a vertically elongated rectangular box-like external shape, an endless belt-like polishing cloth 682 partially exposed to the outside at the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 681, a sheet-like ball polishing sponge 683 provided between the part of the polishing cloth 682 exposed to the outside and the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 681, a ball polishing feed gear 684 supported rotatably around a left-right axis at the bottom inside the ball polishing cassette 681, and a ball polishing driven gear 685 that meshes with the ball polishing feed gear 684 across the polishing cloth 682 and is supported rotatably around a left-right axis.

[0381] The grinding mechanism 680 includes a flat grinding motor base 686 that extends vertically to the left of the grinding cassette 681 with a constant depth in the front and rear directions and has a rear end that is rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism base 668, a gear cover 687 attached to the left side of the grinding motor base 686, a grinding motor 688 that is attached to the left side of the gear cover 687 and has a rotating shaft that protrudes between the gear cover 687 and the grinding motor base 686, a spur gear-shaped motor gear 689 attached to the rotating shaft of the grinding motor 688, and a gear meshing with the motor gear 689. The transmission gear 690 has a large diameter gear portion 690a in the form of a spur gear mating with the large diameter gear portion 690a, and a small diameter gear portion 690b in the form of a spur gear mating with the large diameter gear portion 690a, and is rotatably supported between the motor base 686 and the gear cover 687, a spur gear-shaped transmission gear 691 in mesh with the small diameter gear portion 690b of the transmission gear 690 and rotatably supported between the motor base 686 and the gear cover 687, and a rotary connecting portion 692 that rotates integrally with the transmission gear 691, passes through the motor base 686, and protrudes to the right.

[0382] Furthermore, the grinding mechanism 680 abuts against the front surface of the grinding cassette 681, and is equipped with a flat cassette pressing piece 693 whose left end is engaged with the front end of the grinding motor base 686 and whose right end is attached to the front surface of the base wall portion 501b of the main frame base 501, a Nylatch 694 which removably attaches the right end side of the cassette pressing piece 693 to the front surface (engagement hole 669b) of the support protrusion 669a of the lifting mechanism cover 669, and a spring 695 which biases the cassette pressing piece 693 rearward (towards the grinding cassette 681) relative to the grinding motor base 686.

[0383] 54, the ball polishing cassette 681 of the ball polishing mechanism 680 is formed in a hollow box shape, and has slits 681a at both upper and lower end edges of the rear surface through which the polishing cloth 682 can pass. The ball polishing cassette 681 is detachably attached from the front to the lifting mechanism base 668 of the ball lifting mechanism 660 so as to close the ball polishing opening 668a.

[0384] The ball grinding cassette 681 also has a connection hole 681b provided at the bottom of the left side surface, and a positioning hole 681c provided in front of the connection hole. A rotary coupling part 692 protruding to the right from the ball grinding motor base 686 is inserted into the connection hole 681b, and the tip of the rotary coupling part 692 inserted into the connection hole 681b is connected to the ball grinding feed gear 684. A positioning pin 686b (described later) of the ball grinding motor base 686 is inserted into the positioning hole 681c, and by inserting the positioning pin 686b, the ball grinding cassette 681 is positioned relative to the ball lifting mechanism 660, and the forward movement of the ball grinding cassette 681 relative to the ball lifting mechanism 660 is restricted (locked).

[0385] Furthermore, the ball polishing cassette 681 has a plurality of rollers 681d around which the polishing cloth 682 is wound, and a flat tension spring 681e that presses the polishing cloth 682 against the rollers 681d provided adjacent to the upper slit 681a. The tension spring 681e presses the polishing cloth 682 against the rollers 681d, thereby applying tension (tension) to the portion of the polishing cloth 682 that is exposed to the outside from the ball polishing cassette 681, and prevents the polishing cloth 682 from bending on the outside of the rear surface.

[0386] The polishing cloth 682 is formed in the shape of an endless loop belt with a constant width on the left and right. As shown in Figures 50(a) and 54(c), the polishing cloth 682 is stored in the ball polishing cassette 681 in a state where it snakes back and forth, and a part of it is exposed behind the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 681 through the upper and lower slits of the ball polishing cassette 681.

[0387] The ball polishing sponge 683 is provided between the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 681 and the portion of the polishing cloth 682 exposed to the rear, and is attached to the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 681. The rear surface of the ball polishing sponge 683 is in contact with the inner surface of the polishing cloth 682. When assembled to the ball lifting unit 650, the ball polishing sponge 683 elastically presses the polishing cloth 682 against the game ball B exposed to the front from the ball polishing port 668a of the ball lifting mechanism 660, so that the polishing cloth 682 comes into contact with a wider range of the spherical surface of the game ball B. The ball polishing sponge 683 is attached to the ball polishing cassette 681 so as to be replaceable.

[0388] The ball-polished feed gear 684 is arranged so that its axis coincides with the axis of the transmission gear 691 (rotational connecting portion 692) when the ball-polished cassette 681 is attached, and the left end of the rotating shaft is connected to the rotational connecting portion 692 to rotate integrally with the transmission gear 691.

[0389] The ball-polished driven gear 685 is engaged with the ball-polished feed gear 684 so that there is a gap between them that allows the polishing cloth 682 to fit in. As the ball-polished feed gear 684 rotates, the ball-polished driven gear 685 rotates in the opposite direction and is able to feed the polishing cloth 682 sandwiched between the ball-polished feed gear 684 and the ball-polished feed gear 684.

[0390] The polishing motor base 686 extends vertically along the left side surface of the polishing cassette 681, and its rear end edge is rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism base 668 around an axis extending in the vertical direction. This allows the polishing motor base 686 to be rotated between a locked position parallel to the left side surface of the polishing cassette 681 and a released position in which the front end side is moved away from the polishing cassette 681 to the left. The polishing motor base 686 has a locking hole 686a penetrating left and right at a position above the vertical center on the front end edge. A locking hook 693a provided at the left end of the cassette pressing piece 693 is inserted and locked into this locking hole 686a.

[0391] As shown in Fig. 46, the rotary coupling part 692 of the ball grinding motor base 686 protrudes rightward from a rearward position in the front-rear direction near the lower end of the right side surface. The ball grinding motor base 686 also has a positioning pin 686b that protrudes rightward in a cylindrical shape from a central position in the front-rear direction near the lower end of the right side surface. The tip (right end) of the positioning pin 686b is formed in a cone shape. The positioning pin 686b is inserted into a positioning hole 681c of the ball grinding cassette 681 to position the ball grinding cassette 681 and restrict forward movement.

[0392] In detail, when the polishing motor base 686 is rotated to the release position with its front end moved to the left in the front-to-rear direction and the polishing cassette 681 is attached to the cassette mounting recess 668b of the lifting mechanism base 668, if the polishing motor base 686 is rotated so that its tip moves to the right and moved to the locked position, the positioning pin 686b is inserted into the positioning hole 681c of the polishing cassette 681 from a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction, thereby positioning the polishing cassette 681 and preventing the polishing cassette 681 from moving forward from the cassette mounting recess 668b.

[0393] This motor base 686 is provided so that its tip end comes into contact with the protrusion 102 (guide surface 102a) of the door frame 3. As a result, as will be described in detail later, when the motor base 686 is in a position other than the locked position and the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main frame 4, the guide surface 102a of the protrusion 102 comes into contact with the front end of the motor base 686, causing the motor base 686 to rotate to the locked position, preventing forgetting to lock the door and preventing the cassette pressing piece 693 and the like from being pinched between the door frame 3 and being damaged.

[0394] The ball polishing motor 688 is controlled independently of the operation of the lifting motor 664, and is controlled so that the polishing cloth 682 moves 0.17 mm every time 1000 game balls B are shot.

[0395] The cassette pressing piece 693 extends to the left and right, and has a hook-shaped locking hook portion 693a at its left end, which is inserted into and locked in the locking hole 686a of the ball grinding motor base 686. The cassette pressing piece 693 is biased by a spring 695 so as to rotate counterclockwise in a plan view. In other words, it is biased so as to press the ball grinding cassette 681 attached to the cassette mounting recess 668b of the lifting mechanism base 668 backward. The right end of the cassette pressing piece 693 extends rightward beyond the ball grinding cassette 681, and its rear surface is configured to be able to abut against the front surface of the support protrusion 669a of the lifting mechanism cover 669. A Nylatch 694 is provided near the right end of the cassette pressing piece 693.

[0396] When the operation part 694a of the Nylatch 694 is pressed with the right end of the cassette pressing piece 693 in contact with the support protrusion 669a of the lifting mechanism cover 669, the tip expands in diameter and is locked in the locking hole 669b of the support protrusion 669a, thereby locking the cassette pressing piece 693 so that it cannot move, and when the operation part 694a is pulled toward the user, the lock can be released. In more detail, the Nylatch 694 includes an operation part 694a consisting of a disk-shaped disk part and a rod-shaped part protruding from the center of the disk part, a cylindrical part into which the rod-shaped part of the operation part 694a is slidably inserted, a flange part extending outward from a base end part of the cylindrical part close to the disk part, and a cylindrical member (grommet) having a flange part extending outward from a tip part of the cylindrical part opposite to the flange part toward the flange part and a plurality of slits provided in the circumferential direction. When the operating part 694a of this Nylatch 694 is pressed toward the support protrusion 669a while the tubular member is inserted into the locking hole 669b of the support protrusion 669a, the rod-shaped part slides toward the tip side inside the tubular part, expanding the diameter so that the tip of the tubular part, which is divided by multiple slits, opens. This prevents the tubular member from coming out of the locking hole 669b, and allows it to be locked.

[0397] The ball lifting unit 650 of this embodiment is attached to the rear side of the base wall portion 501b of the main body frame base 501 in a state where it is assembled to the main body frame 4. When this ball lifting unit 650 is assembled to the main body frame base 501 of the main body frame 4, it is attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j provided on the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b in a state where the ball grinding cassette 681 of the ball grinding mechanism 680 is removed from the ball lifting mechanism 660 (see FIG. 47(a)). At this time, the ball grinding motor base 686 and the support protrusion 669a protruding forward from the lifting mechanism base 668 are caused to protrude at their front ends forward of the base wall portion 501b through an opening 501o penetrating the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j in the front-rear direction.

[0398] In this state, the ball polishing port 668a of the lifting mechanism base 668 of the ball lifting mechanism 660 is located at the opening 501o penetrating the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j on the rear surface of the base wall portion 501b, and the game ball B lifted up to the lifting spiral shaft 661 can be seen from the front of the base wall portion 501b (main body frame 4) through the opening 501o and the ball polishing port 668a (see FIG. 49). Since the width of the ball polishing port 668a is narrower than the diameter of the game ball B, the game ball B will not spill out even if the ball polishing cassette 681 is removed. As a result, by opening the door frame 3 with respect to the main body frame 4 and removing the ball polishing cassette 681, the lifting spiral shaft 661 and the game ball B lifted up to the lifting spiral shaft 661 can be seen from the front.

[0399] After the ball lifting mechanism 660 side of the ball lifting unit 650 is attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 501j of the base wall portion 501b, the operating portion 694a of the Nylatch 694 protruding forward from the base wall portion 501b is pulled to release the lock, and the cassette pressing piece 693 is rotated so as to open forward and to the left against the biasing force of the spring 695, while the ball polishing motor base 686 is rotated to the release position so that its tip side moves away from the ball polishing cassette 681, so that the cassette pressing piece 693 and the ball polishing motor base 686 do not overlap the front of the cassette mounting recess 668b of the lifting mechanism base 668. Then, from the front of the base wall portion 501b, with the exposed surface of the polishing cloth 682 facing rearward, the ball polishing cassette 681 is placed in front of the cassette mounting recess 668b in the lifting mechanism base 668 so as to close the ball polishing opening 668a from the front (see Figures 46 and 47(b)).

[0400] In this state, the polishing cassette 681 is moved backward and its rear end is inserted into the cassette mounting recess 668b. After that, the polishing motor base 686 is rotated to the lock position so as to be parallel to the left side surface of the polishing cassette 681, and the rotary coupling part 692 and the positioning pin 686b protruding from the right side surface of the polishing motor base 686 are inserted into the coupling hole 681b and the positioning hole 681c of the polishing cassette 681, respectively. As a result, the rotary coupling part 692 and the positioning pin 686b are inserted into the polishing cassette 681 from a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, so that the forward movement of the polishing cassette 681 can be restricted.

[0401] When the ball grinding motor base 686 is moved to the lock position, the cassette pressing piece 693 attached to the front end of the ball grinding motor base 686 presses the ball grinding cassette 681 backward by the biasing force of the spring 695, and the right end of the cassette pressing piece 693 comes into contact with the support protrusion 669a of the lifting mechanism cover 669. In this state, when the operating part 694a of the Nylatch 694 is pressed and locked into the locking hole 669b of the support protrusion 669a, the cassette pressing piece 693 is locked so that it cannot rotate, and the installation of the ball grinding cassette 681 is completed.

[0402] When removing the ball polishing cassette 681, the operation portion 694a of the Nylatch 694 is pulled toward the user to release the lock, and then the above steps are carried out in reverse order to remove the ball polishing cassette 681.

[0403] However, if the ball grinding cassette 681 is installed in an incomplete state, for example by forgetting to lock it using the ball grinding motor base 686 or the cassette pressing piece 693, the ball grinding cassette 681 may come off during play, causing the game to be interrupted and reducing the player's interest.

[0404] In contrast, in this embodiment, the polishing cassette 681 is configured not to come off even if the polishing motor base 686 or the cassette pressing piece 693 is forgotten to be locked. In detail, for example, as shown in Fig. 48(a), when the polishing motor base 686 is not positioned at the lock position and the cassette pressing piece 693 is not pressing the polishing cassette 681 backward, if the door frame 3 is to be closed relative to the main frame 4, the inclined guide surface 102a of the protrusion 102 in the door frame main body 100 of the door frame 3 abuts against the front end of the polishing motor base 686 (see Fig. 48(b)).

[0405] At this time, the cassette pressing piece 693 attached to the front end of the ball grinding motor base 686 does not remain protruding forward as shown in Figure 46, but moves toward the rear ball grinding cassette 681 as shown in Figure 48 (a) due to the biasing force of the spring 695, so that the cassette pressing piece 693 does not abut against the door frame 3 and rotate in the opposite direction to the ball grinding cassette 681, and the cassette pressing piece 693 or the door frame 3 is not damaged.

[0406] Then, when the door frame 3 moves further in the closing direction, the tip of the ball grinding motor base 686 is pushed by the guide surface 102a and rotates to the right toward the lock position. As a result, the rotary coupling part 692 protruding from the right side surface of the ball grinding motor base 686 is inserted into the coupling hole 681b of the ball grinding cassette 681, and the positioning pin 686b of the ball grinding motor base 686 is inserted into the positioning hole 681c of the ball grinding cassette 681, restricting (locking) the forward movement of the ball grinding cassette 681. Also, the cassette pressing piece 693 is in a state of pressing the ball grinding cassette 681 backward by the urging force of the spring 695 (see FIG. 48(c)). As a result, the ball grinding cassette 681 is in a locked state and will not come off forward.

[0407] Although not shown in the drawings, a protrusion capable of pushing the operating portion 694a of the Nylatch 694 backward may be provided on the rear surface of the door frame 3. This makes it possible to lock the cassette pressing piece 693 even if the user forgets to lock it with the Nylatch 694, and reliably prevents the ball cassette 681 from falling off (dislodging).

[0408] In addition, in the above embodiment, the protrusion 102 of the door frame 3 is used to move the ball motor base 686 to a locked position to lock the ball cassette 681 so that it cannot be removed. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the ball launching unit 550 and the foul unit 570 may be provided as detachable units, and a locking means may be provided to lock the ball launching unit 550, etc. so that it cannot be removed. When the door frame 3 is closed against the main frame 4 with the locking means incomplete, the protrusion 102 will come into contact with the locking means to lock the ball launching unit 550, etc. so that it cannot be removed.

[0409] In the ball lifting unit 650 of this embodiment, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the opening at the upstream end of the ball lifting inlet passage 651 faces the ball discharge port 600d of the circulating ball path unit 600, and the game ball B that has flowed through the serpentine ball storage passage 604 is supplied. The game ball B supplied to the ball lifting inlet passage 651 comes into contact with the ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 655 to remove static electricity, and is then detected by the lifting inlet sensor 653 and supplied to the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 661. At this time, the game ball B is inserted into the ball polishing port 668a, the front end of which penetrates forward, and the front end of the game ball B comes into contact with the polishing cloth 682 of the ball polishing mechanism 680, and the vertically long ball polishing port 668a restricts movement in the left and right directions.

[0410] In this state, when the lifting motor 664 rotates the lifting spiral shaft 661 in a direction to lift the game ball B, the game ball B is pushed from below by the lifting groove 661a and moves upward along the ball polishing mouth 668a. At this time, the game ball B moves upward while rotating while contacting the part extending up and down on the inner peripheral edge of the ball polishing mouth 668a and the lifting groove 661a. As a result, the part of the game ball B that contacts the polishing cloth 682 on the front end side changes as the game ball B rises (rotates), making it possible to polish the entire surface of the game ball B evenly.

[0411] When the game ball B reaches the upper end side of the lifting spiral shaft 661, it enters the ball lifting exit passage 652, contacts the ball lifting exit earth metal plate 656, is detected by the lifting exit sensor 654, and is sent to the ball sending unit from the downstream end of the ball lifting exit passage 652. At this time, even if the game ball B is polished by the polishing cloth 682 as it is lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 660 and becomes statically charged, the static electricity is removed by contact with the ball lifting exit earth metal plate 656 located upstream of the lifting exit sensor 654, and no malfunctions due to static electricity from the ball polishing occur in the lifting exit sensor 654, the frame control board 740, etc.

[0412] On the other hand, in the polishing mechanism 680, when the polishing motor 688 rotates the polishing feed gear 684 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the right side with the polishing cassette 681 attached, the part of the polishing cloth 682 exposed to the outside from the rear surface of the polishing cassette 681 passes through the slit on the lower side of the polishing cassette 681 and is accommodated in the polishing cassette 681. At this time, the part of the polishing cloth 682 exposed to the outside is pulled downward, so that the part of the polishing cloth 682 accommodated in the polishing cassette 681 is pulled out from the outside through the slit on the upper side of the polishing cassette 681.

[0413] The polishing cloth 682 of the ball polishing mechanism 680 moves intermittently at a slow speed. In this embodiment, the polishing cloth 682 moves 0.17 mm every time 1000 game balls B are shot.

[0414] In this way, according to the ball lifting unit 650 of this embodiment, the game ball B discharged from the circulating ball path unit 600 can be supplied to the ball sending unit 700 while polishing the game ball B.

[0415] [4-6. Ball throwing unit] The ball throwing unit 700 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 55 to 57. Figure 55(a) is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame as seen from the back. Figure 56(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit as seen from the back. Figure 57 is a front cross-sectional view of the ball throwing unit cut at the location of the pre-launch sensor.

[0416] The ball sending unit 700 is for supplying the game balls B lifted by the ball lifting unit 650 one by one to the ball launching unit 550. The ball sending unit 700 is attached to the ball sending unit attachment portion 501k provided on the rear side of the base wall portion 501b in the main body frame base 501. The ball sending unit 700 faces upward from the upper surface of the base wall portion 501b so as to be sandwiched between the base wall portion 501b and the circulating ball path unit 600, and is attached detachably upward.

[0417] The ball sending unit 700 is equipped with a ball supply inlet 701 that opens at the rear and through which the game ball B supplied from the ball lifting unit 650 can enter, a ball sending outlet 702 that opens at the front and is used to send the game ball B to the ball launching pad 552b of the ball launching unit 550, a ball sending passage 703 that connects the ball supply inlet 701 and the ball sending outlet 702 and through which the game ball B can flow, a pre-launch sensor 704 that can detect the game ball B flowing through the ball sending passage 703, a ball sending movable member 705 for releasing the game balls B detected by the pre-launch sensor 704 one by one from the ball sending outlet 702, a ball sending solenoid 706 for moving the ball sending movable member 705 to send the game ball B to the ball launching unit 550, and a ball sending relay board 707 that relays the connection between the ball sending solenoid 706 and the pre-launch sensor 704 and the frame control board 740.

[0418] The ball sending unit 700 also includes a transmission member 708 that transmits the forward and backward movement of the plunger in the ball...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a flow-down area through which gaming balls can flow, The game board is provided with a specific unit portion that constitutes a specific flow path into which the game ball flowing down the flow-down area can enter and a special flow path that is different from the specific flow path, A specific decorative member is provided at a predetermined location of the specific unit part, the specific decorative member having a specific display located forward of the specific flow path, a special display that is different from the specific display and is located forward of the special flow path, and a specific decoration that is a decoration different from both the specific display and the special display, At least the specific indication has a main body portion and an outer edge portion provided so as to contact the entire outer edge of the main body portion, The outer edge portion of the specific display has a decorativeness different from that of the main body portion and the specific decoration of the specific display, The main body and the outer edge of the specific display are arranged so as to appear to overlap at least a part of the specific decoration, The specific unit portion has a specific shape portion and a special shape portion formed three-dimensionally, The specific shape portion is formed in the vicinity of the position of the specific display when the specific decorative member is attached to the specific unit portion, The specially shaped portion is formed in the vicinity of the position of the special display when the specific decorative member is provided in the specific unit portion, The specific shape portion and the special shape portion are visible from a predetermined direction of the specific unit portion at least in a state where the specific decorative member is not provided on the specific unit portion, moreover, The special flow path is configured to be able to award a gaming benefit based on the entry of a gaming ball, A profit display can be displayed when the acquired gaming profit reaches a predetermined value, The display mode of the profit display can be changed based on the game profit awarded when the game ball enters the special flow path. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images