Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that can remove, at a predetermined position, dirt over game balls from the game balls and can prevent the dirt from attaching to and dropping on an unintended place.SOLUTION: A game machine 10 of the present disclosure, as a game machine to be used by circulating a plurality of game balls in the single game machine, includes: a screw 62 and a roller 70 as ball polishing means for removing dirt by polishing the game balls that are on the way back to a shooting device 31 after they are shot toward a game area R1 by the shooting device 31 and finished flowing down the game area R1. The game machine further includes a brush 81 as dirt removal means 80 for removing the dirt over the game balls. Also, below the dirt removal means 80, dust accumulation portions 44, 101 for accumulating the removed dirt from the game balls are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a gaming machine that uses a plurality of gaming balls in a circulating manner in a single gaming machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-152448 A (Paragraph

[0014] of the specification) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional gaming machines described above, dirt adhering to the gaming ball may detach from the gaming ball in an unintended location, causing malfunctions in the operation of the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the invention is a gaming machine that circulates a number of gaming balls by itself, and is equipped with a ball polishing means that polishes and removes dirt from the gaming balls on their way back to the launching device after they have been shot into a play area by a launching device and have flowed down the play area, and a dirt removing means that removes dirt from the gaming balls. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, dirt on the gaming ball is removed from the gaming ball at a predetermined location, preventing dirt from adhering to or falling off in unintended locations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collection section and the cover section. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collection section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lifting device and its surroundings provided at the bottom of the gaming machine body. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lifting device and its surroundings provided at the bottom of the gaming machine body. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lifting device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the lifting device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view of the periphery of the bulging portion provided in the collection portion and the cover portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the periphery of a bulge provided in the collection section and the cover section. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the dirt removing means. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the brush. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged front view of a play area according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16A is a plan view of the dust removal unit, and FIG. 16B is a side cross-sectional view of the dust removal unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a gaming machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14. The gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine, and as shown in Fig. 1, has a front door 10Z on the front side, and a game area R1 (see Fig. 2) formed on the front side of a game board 11 can be seen through a glass window 10W formed in the front door 10Z. In the following description, the side of the gaming machine 10 closer to the player is referred to as the "front side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "rear side", and the "right side" and "left side" of the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side of the player will be simply referred to as the "right side" and "left side".

[0009] 3 shows an exploded view of the gaming machine 10 with the front door 10Z removed. The gaming machine 10 has a game board 11, a fixed frame 10X, and a game frame 10Y behind the front door 10Z. The fixed frame 10X is a frame body fixed to a game island in an amusement hall, and has a vertically long rectangular shape with an internal space of the vertically long rectangle penetrating in the front-rear direction.

[0010] The game frame 10Y is a frame that fits inside the fixed frame 10X, and has the game board 11, launching device 31, etc. attached to the front side, and the display device 13, various control boards, etc. attached to the rear side. The game frame 10Y is attached to the fixed frame 10X so as to be rotatable around the left side. The front door 10Z (see FIG. 1) is attached to the game frame 10Y so as to be rotatable around the left side.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 2, the game area R1 is formed by being surrounded on all four sides by the guide rail 12 protruding from the front of the game board 11. The guide rail 12 forms a ball guide path 17 on the left side of the game board 11, and a position near the upper end thereof is an entrance 12K to the game area R1. When the launch handle 28 (see Fig. 1) is operated, a game ball is launched with a strength according to the amount of operation, passes through the launch guide section 36, and enters the game area R1 from the entrance 12K. In addition, game balls that do not reach the entrance 12K due to low strength at the time of launch flow back along the ball guide path 17 and are collected from the return ball receiving section 43K described later.

[0012] A display opening 11H is formed through the center of the game area R1 of the game board 11, and a display screen 13G of the display device 13 faces forward through this display opening 11H. Various effects related to the game are displayed on the display screen 13G of the display device 13.

[0013] A display decoration frame 23 is attached to the opening edge of the display opening 11H. The display decoration frame 23 is fitted into the display opening 11H from the front side of the game board 11 and protrudes from the front of the game board 11, and prevents the game balls flowing down the game area R1 from entering inside the display decoration frame 23.

[0014] A stage 24 on which the game balls can roll is formed at the lower side of the display decoration frame 23. Three discharge sections 24A capable of discharging the game balls one by one are formed at the bottom end of the stage 24. A warp path 24R is formed at the left side of the display decoration frame 23, which receives the game balls flowing down the game area R1 and guides them to the stage 24. The game balls that pass through the warp path 24R are released from the left end of the stage 24, roll on the stage 24, and flow down from the discharge sections 24A to the bottom of the display decoration frame 23.

[0015] Below the display decoration frame 23, the first and second start winning openings 14A, 14B are arranged vertically. Specifically, the first start winning opening 14A is arranged directly below the middle discharge section 24A of the three discharge sections 24A. A start gate 18 is provided on the right side of the display decoration frame 23. A large winning opening 15 is provided on the lower right side of the display decoration frame 23, that is, on the right side of the first and second start winning openings 14A, 14B. In addition to the start winning openings 14A, 14B and the large winning opening 15, the game area R1 is provided with a plurality of general winning openings 20. Furthermore, game balls that do not win in any of the winning openings are taken into an outlet 16 arranged at the bottom end of the game area R1. Although not shown, a plurality of obstacle nails are distributed throughout the game area R1.

[0016] The start gate 18 has a gate-shaped structure through which the game ball can pass. When the game ball passes through the start gate 18, a normal symbol hit determination is performed.

[0017] The first start winning opening 14A has a pocket structure that opens upward, while the second start winning opening 14B opens forward and is opened and closed by an opening door 14T. The opening door 14T is usually placed in a closed position that blocks the second start winning opening 14B, and is placed in an open position that opens the second start winning opening 14B when the normal pattern hit judgment is made.

[0018] When a game ball enters the start winning hole 14A, 14B, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls, and a special symbol hit / miss judgment is performed. The judgment result is displayed as a combination of special symbols 13A, 13B, 13C on the display screen 13G of the display device 13. Then, if the judgment result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment is a hit, a big win game is executed.

[0019] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the display screen 13G usually displays three special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C, left, center, and right, side by side in a stopped state. Each of these special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C is composed of a plurality of types of symbols, for example, numbers "0" to "11", and a predetermined type of each of the special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C is usually displayed in a stopped state. Then, when a game ball enters the first and second start winning holes 14A and 14B, these three special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C are scrolled up and down, and after a predetermined time, the special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C are displayed in a stopped state in the order of, for example, left, right, and center. If the result of the judgment is a hit (hereafter referred to as a "jackpot"), the special symbols 13A, 13B, and 13C are all displayed as the same symbol (double number), and the game transitions to a "jackpot game state." On the other hand, if the result of the judgment is a miss, a combination other than a double number is displayed, and the normal game state, which is not a "jackpot game state," continues.

[0020] The large prize opening 15 is open to the front of the game board 11 and has a horizontally long shape, and is normally closed by a movable door 15T. Then, when the "large prize playing state" is reached as described above, the movable door 15T falls forward to open the large prize opening 15, and the game ball can enter the large prize opening 15 using the movable door 15T as a guide. When a game ball enters the large prize opening 15, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls. The general prize opening 20 has a pocket structure that opens upward, and when a game ball enters the large prize opening 15, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls.

[0021] The game balls that enter each winning opening 14A, 14B, 15, 20 or the outlet 16 are guided to a recovery duct guide path (not shown) located at the rear of the game board 11 and guided to the bottom end of the game board 11. The recovery duct guide path is connected to each winning opening 14A, 14B, 15, 20 and the outlet 16, and discharges the game balls toward a recovery duct 40 that opens upward below the game board 11 (see FIG. 5).

[0022] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the gaming balls collected by the collection duct 40 are guided again to the launching device 31 by the lifting device 60 described later. In other words, the gaming machine 10 is an enclosed gaming machine that circulates the gaming balls by itself. The structure for circulating the gaming balls will be described below.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, a flat box-shaped recovery section 43 that is disposed substantially parallel to the game board 11 and opens backward is fitted into the gaming machine body 30 below the game board 11 and behind the launching device 31. As shown in Fig. 4, a plate-shaped cover section 42 is attached to the rear surface of the recovery section 43, and a recovery duct 40 and a ball recovery path 41 are formed therebetween. Specifically, a pair of protruding walls 43T protruding from the recovery section 43 form a pair of inclined surfaces 40S that are inclined downward from both the left and right ends toward the center, and these pair of inclined surfaces 40S form the recovery duct 40.

[0024] A ball recovery passage 41 is formed below the recovery duct 40. The ball recovery passage 41 is a passage with a bottom surface made of a plurality of recovery passage walls 46 protruding from the recovery section 43, and has a width that allows one game ball to pass through. As shown in FIG. 5, the ball recovery passage 41 has a first guide section 41A that extends downward from an opening 40K formed between a pair of inclined surfaces 40S and further extends diagonally downward to one end in the left-right direction (the left end when viewed from the front), a second guide section 41B that extends downward from the first guide section 41A and further extends diagonally downward to the center position in the left-right direction and has a steep slope at the lower end, and a third guide section 41C that extends diagonally downward from the second guide section 41B to the other end (the right end when viewed from the front).

[0025] The game balls that flow down through the recovery duct 40 to the third guide section 41C are discharged from the recovered ball discharge section 42K (see FIG. 6) formed through the cover section 42 to the rear of the cover section 42. The recovered ball discharge section 42K is connected to the ball inlet 60A (see FIG. 7) of the lifting device 60, and all game balls that flow down the game area R1 are collected by the recovery duct 40 and sent to the lifting device 60 through the ball recovery path 41.

[0026] 5, below the second guide section 41B, a return ball guide surface 45 extends along the second guide section 41B. The return ball guide surface 45 merges with the third guide section 41C at its lower end. The upper end of the return ball guide surface 45 communicates with the aforementioned return ball receiving section 43K formed through the recovery section 43. This allows the return ball that was shot by the launching device 31 but was collected due to a weak launching force to pass through the ball collection path 41 and be sent to the lifting device 60.

[0027] A lifting device 60 is fixed to the right end of the back surface of the cover portion 42. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the lifting device 60 is provided with a box-shaped case 61 with an open front, a screw 62 extending in the vertical direction, a roller 70 extending along the screw 62, a gutter member 63 that surrounds the game ball together with the screw 62 and the roller 70, and a motor 64 that rotates and drives the screw 62. The gutter member 63 has a pair of gutter wall portions 63A facing each other in the left-right direction and is disposed in the right area of ​​the case 61. The gutter wall portion 63A has a length in the front-rear direction that is about 2 / 3 to 4 / 5 of the length of the front-rear direction of the case 61, and a pair of partition bulges 63B are formed in the center of the front-rear direction, bulging inward so as to approach each other and extending in the vertical direction (see Figs. 7 and 8). The width between the pair of partition bulges 63B is such that game balls cannot pass through.

[0028] 10, the screw 62 has a shape in which a helical blade 62B projects from a central shaft 62A, and rotates by power from a motor 64. The screw 62 also has, at its upper end, a push-out piece 62C that projects radially from the central shaft 62A so as to connect the upper end of the blade 62B to a position directly below it.

[0029] The roller 70 has multiple roller parts 75 fitted to an axis member 72 extending vertically along the screw 62, and an operating portion 73 protruding laterally from the axis member 72. The roller parts 75 in this embodiment are made of foamed resin such as polyethylene. The outer diameter of the roller parts 75 is about 1.5 to 2.0 times the diameter of the game ball, and the foaming ratio is about 10 to 20 times (15 times is particularly preferable).

[0030] As shown in Fig. 10, the area surrounded by the screw 62, the pair of partition bulges 63B, and the roller 70 is the guide path 65 through which the game ball passes. As shown in Fig. 7, the game ball that enters the lower end of the guide path 65 is positioned in the left-right direction by the pair of gutter walls 63A and is pressed against the roller 70, and rises as the part of the blade 62B that protrudes into the guide path 65 rises due to the rotation of the screw 62. At this time, dirt on the surface of the game ball is removed by the roller 70. In this embodiment, the lifting device 60 and the roller 70 provided thereon correspond to the ball polishing means in the claims.

[0031] The roller 70 is replaceable and is replaced at a predetermined maintenance timing. When removing the roller 70, first, the operating part 73 is grasped to push down the roller 70, and the roller 70 is pulled upward at an angle so that the upper end of the roller 70 is first removed from the case 61. As shown in Fig. 5, the cover part 42 and the collection part 43 are formed with through holes 42X, 43X that expose the roller 70, and the roller 70 is removable with the front door 10Z open (as shown in Fig. 2).

[0032] When the game ball raised by the blade 62B reaches the upper end of the guide path 65, it is pushed out to the side (to the upper passage 61B described below) by the push-out piece 62C. The lifting device 60 is provided with a lower passage 61A (see FIG. 7) that connects the front end of the lifting device 60 to the lower end of the guide path 65, and an upper passage 61B (see FIG. 8) that connects the upper end of the guide path 65 to the front end of the lifting device 60. The opening at the front end of the lower passage 61A is the ball entrance 60A through which the game ball enters the lifting device 60, and the opening at the front end of the upper passage 61B is the ball exit 60B through which the game ball is discharged from the guide path 65.

[0033] The ball inlet 60A of the lifting device 60 is overlapped with the above-mentioned collected ball discharge section 42K (see FIG. 7), and the ball outlet 60B of the lifting device 60 is overlapped with the rear opening of the relay passage 43R (see FIG. 8) formed in the collection section 43. The relay passage 43R is connected to the supply port 33K of the launching device 31. With the above configuration, the game balls collected by the collection duct 40 are supplied to the launching device 31 again.

[0034] As described above, dirt such as nails and resin shavings that adhere to the game balls as they flow down the game area R1 are removed by the rollers 70 of the lifting device 60 on the way back to the launching device 31. However, if a game is played on the game machine 10 for a long period of time, dirt accumulates on the rollers 70, which can cause a problem that the rollers 70 cannot function as a ball polishing means. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first guide section 41A is provided with dirt removing means 80 that removes dirt from the game balls. The dirt removing means 80 will be described in detail below.

[0035] In addition, the dirt removal means 80 may be provided anywhere between the time when the game ball launched from the launching device 31 returns to the lifting device 60, and may be provided, for example, in the second guide section 41B or the third guide section 41C.

[0036] 11, a part of the first guide portion 41A is a bulging portion 50 that bulges rearward. Specifically, a front bulging portion 92 and a rear bulging portion 93 that bend a middle portion of the first guide portion 41A rearward are provided on the main wall 43A of the collection portion 43 and the main wall 42A of the cover portion 42.

[0037] 12, the front bulge 92 has a central wall 92B extending parallel to the main wall 43A rearward of the main wall 43A, and a right inclined wall 92A and a left inclined wall 92C disposed on the left and right of the central wall 92B and inclined from the main wall 43A. In addition, a plurality of recovery passage protrusions 95A are formed on the central wall 92B of the front bulge 92. Three recovery passage protrusions 95A are provided side by side at approximately equal intervals in the horizontal direction, and protrude rearward (toward the inside of the first guide portion 41A).

[0038] The rear bulging portion 93 has a central wall 93B facing the central wall 92B of the front bulging portion 92, and a right inclined wall 93A and a left inclined wall 93C arranged on the left and right sides thereof and inclined from the main wall 42A of the cover portion 42.

[0039] A cover passage recess 95B is formed in a position facing the recovery passage protrusion 95A in the front-rear direction of the rear bulging portion 93. Three cover passage recesses 95B are provided side by side at approximately equal intervals in the horizontal direction, and bulge outward toward the rear (outward from the first guide portion 41A).

[0040] An opening 100 is formed below the cover passage recess 95B in the recovery passage wall 46. The left-right length of the opening 100 is approximately the same as the left-right length of the cover passage recess 95B. The front-rear length of the opening 100 is narrower than 0.5 game balls.

[0041] In this embodiment, the openings 100 are formed below the three cover passage recesses 95B, but the groove-shaped openings 100 may extend across the three cover passage recesses 95B. Alternatively, three or more openings 100 may be provided. Furthermore, the openings 100 do not have to extend along the first guide portion 41A, and the recovery passage wall 46 may have a plurality of circular or polygonal through-holes.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 12, the cover passage recess 95B has an open portion 99 at its upper end, and its lower end is covered by a bottom wall portion 98 that protrudes from the upper portion of the central wall 93B (see Fig. 13). A brush hole 97 is formed at the rear end of the cover passage recess 95B. The brush hole 97 is a rectangular opening when viewed from the front, and opens from the upper end to the lower end of the cover passage recess 95B, with the upper end communicating with the open portion 99.

[0043] 13, a brush 81 is provided behind the bulging portion 50. As shown in Fig. 14, the brush 81 is a so-called roll brush having a rotating shaft portion 82 and a plurality of thread portions 83 extending from the rotating shaft portion 82. The thread portions 83 are fixed at their bases to the rotating shaft portion 82 in a dense manner, and extend radially from the rotating shaft portion 82 as a center.

[0044] The rotating shaft portion 82 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first guide portion 41A. The upper end of the rotating shaft portion 82 is rotatably received in a bearing portion 82A provided above the bulging portion 50. When the upper end of the rotating shaft portion 82 is received in the bearing portion 82A, a part of the thread portion 83 protrudes from the brush hole 97 to the inside of the bulging portion 50, as shown in FIG.

[0045] The brush 81 is not limited to a roll brush having a rotating shaft portion 82, and may be, for example, a brush having a thread portion 83 extending from one side of the shaft portion. Also, the brush 81 may be fixed to the bearing portion 82 and cannot rotate.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 13, a garbage collection section 101 is disposed below the bulging section 50. The garbage collection section 101 includes a dish member 101A and a groove portion 101B for fixing the dish member 101A. The dish member 101A is thin-dish shaped, and includes engagement ribs 101C that protrude outward from both left and right ends. The groove portions 101B are L-shaped and protrude from the lower surface of the recovery passage wall 46 of the bulging section 50, and a pair of groove portions 101B are provided at the upstream and downstream portions of the bulging section 50. When the dish member 101A is slid between the pair of groove portions 101B from the front to the back, the engagement ribs 101C are caught in the groove portions 101B, and the dish member 101A is positioned.

[0047] The plate member 101A may not have the engaging rib 101C, and may be, for example, a single plate. The plate member 101A may be hinged to the underside of the bulging portion 50, and the plate portion 101A may be rotated around the hinged portion to open.

[0048] As a result, when the gaming ball collides with the brush 81 as it passes through the first guiding portion 41A, the brush 81 rotates about the rotating shaft portion 82, and the portion of the thread portion 83 that protrudes into the inside of the first guiding portion 41A changes, and at the same time, dirt on the surface is removed by the thread portion 83. The dirt that has detached from the surface of the gaming ball is discharged from the opening 100 below the bulging portion 50 and is received in the dirt collection portion 101.

[0049] In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 82 of the brush 81 is rotatably received in the bearing 82A, but it may be configured to rotate by a motor. Specifically, the upper end of the rotating shaft 82 of the game ball is fixed to a gear, and this gear is connected to a motor via another connecting gear, so that the brush 81 rotates by receiving the power of the motor. In this case, it is possible to control the rotation direction of the brush, so that the game ball can be pushed out in the rolling direction, and ball clogging can be prevented. Also, if the brush is rotated in a direction that pushes the game ball back in the rolling direction, it becomes easier to remove dirt from the game ball.

[0050] According to this dirt removing means 80, dirt on the game ball is removed from the game ball at a predetermined position, preventing dirt from adhering to or falling off in unintended places. Also, since dirt on the game ball is removed by the roller 70 and the dirt removing means 80, dirt is less likely to accumulate on the game ball. Furthermore, since dirt is removed before the game ball reaches the lifting device 60, dirt is less likely to accumulate on the roller 70, and it is possible to reduce the frequency of the work of replacing the roller 70.

[0051] In addition, the brush 81 rotates with the force of the collision of the game ball, so that the game balls come into contact with the brush 81 evenly, and the brush 81 is less likely to be damaged. In addition, there is no need to provide a motor or the like for rotation, which allows for space saving.

[0052] Moreover, the dirt removed by the brush 81 is received in the dirt collection section 101, so that the dirt is prevented from scattering. Furthermore, the dirt collection section 101 is detachable, so that even if dirt accumulates, it can be easily removed.

[0053] [Second embodiment] As shown in Figure 15, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the brush 81 is arranged in the ball passage 29 through which the gaming ball shot into the gaming area R1 by the launching device 31 passes before being collected in the collection duct 40.

[0054] Specifically, in this embodiment, the start gate 22A, the start winning hole 22B, and the big winning hole 22C are arranged in this order from the top in the right flow-down area R2 to the right of the display decoration frame 23. The game balls shot out from the launching device 31 and passing between the guide rail 12 at the upper side and the upper edge of the display decoration frame 23 enter this right flow-down area R2 one by one. The game balls that enter the right flow-down area R2 first pass through either the straight route 25A that passes through the start gate 22A, or the curved route 25B that bends to the right in front of the start gate 22A, extends vertically, then bends to the left and merges with the straight route 25A.

[0055] A movable rolling path 26 is disposed below the exit of the direct below route 25A. The movable rolling path 26 can move forward and backward relative to the front of the game board 11, and can be displaced between a forward position where it can receive a game ball falling from above, and a backward position where it drops the game ball directly downward. The game ball received by the movable rolling path 26 disposed in the forward position rolls to the right and is guided to the start winning hole 22B. The game ball that wins at the start winning hole 22B passes through the lower rolling path 27A that extends downward to the right.

[0056] Above the lower rolling path 27A, an upper rolling path 27B is arranged on which the game balls bounced off the movable rolling path 26 arranged in the forward position can run up. This upper rolling path 27B also extends downward to the right. Note that the game balls that fall in front of the movable rolling path 26 arranged in the backward position flow further downstream and head toward the big prize opening 22C.

[0057] Here, a ball passage 29 is arranged to the right of the upper rolling path 27B and the lower rolling path 27A. The ball passage 29 extends generally in the vertical direction, and is provided with an outlet 20A at the lower end for guiding the game ball to the back side. As a result, the game ball that rolled on the upper rolling path 27B and the lower rolling path 27A flows down the ball passage 29 and is taken in by the outlet 20A, and is then collected in the collection duct 40. With the above-mentioned configuration, the upper side rolling path 27B is essentially an outlet.

[0058] The ball passage 29 is made up of an inner gutter wall 29A and an outer gutter wall 29B facing each other with a width of one or two game balls, and allows game balls to pass through one at a time. The ball passage 29 also has a bent portion 32 that bends downward from the downstream end of the upper rolling path 27B and the lower rolling path 27A, a vertical portion 34 that extends vertically to a position near the lower end of the game board 11, and a trash drop portion 35 that bends leftward from the lower end of the vertical portion 34 and extends obliquely. The ball passage 29 is also covered by a front cover (not shown) so that it cannot be seen by the player.

[0059] A pair of brushes 81 are disposed near the lower end of the vertical portion 34 of the ball passage 29. The pair of brushes 81 includes an upper brush 81A and a lower brush 81B. The upper brush 81A is disposed near the outer gutter wall 29B of the ball passage 29, and the lower brush 81B is disposed near the inner gutter wall 29A, and are disposed so as to be offset in the vertical direction. The distance between the upper brush 81A and the lower brush 81B in the left-right direction is about the width of one game ball, and the distance between them in the vertical direction is about the width of two to three game balls. Each brush 81 is rotatable with the rotating shaft portion 82 perpendicular to the game board 11.

[0060] A gaming ball flowing down the vertical section 34 first collides with the upper brush 81A. The upper brush 81A rotates about the rotating shaft section 82, and the surface of the thread section 83 that faces the inside of the ball passage 29 changes. Then, the gaming ball that collides with the upper brush 81A and bounces back toward the inner gutter wall 29A collides with the lower brush 81B. The lower brush 81B rotates about the rotating shaft section 82, and the surface of the thread section 83 that faces the ball passage 29 changes. In this way, the gaming ball passing through the ball passage 29 collides with the brush 81, causing the thread section 83 to scrape off dirt on the surface, and heads toward the dirt removal section 35.

[0061] Note that an air duster that blows air to remove dirt may be provided instead of the brush 81. Also, the brush 81 may not have the rotating shaft portion 82 and may be fixed to the inner gutter wall 29A and the outer gutter wall 29B, for example.

[0062] 16, the dirt dropping portion 35 below the brush 81 includes a cover member 37 and a plurality of slits 38 formed in the cover member 37. The cover member 37 includes two side-by-side projections 37B each having a mountain-shaped cross section and a ridge 37A extending along the dirt dropping portion 35, and slits 38 are formed between the projections 37B and on the sides of the projections 37B. In other words, the inner surface forming the slits 38 is tapered, narrowing downward.

[0063] The slit 38 extends along the dust dropping part 35, the left-right length of the slit 38 is approximately the same as the left-right length of the dust dropping part 35, and the front-rear width of the slit 38 is set to allow dirt to fall but not allow game balls to fall.

[0064] The dirt brushed off by the brush 81 passes through the slits 38 and falls below the dust collector 35. As shown in Fig. 15, a dust collector 44 is disposed below the dust collector 35. The dust collector 44 is in the shape of a hollow box that opens upward. The dust collector 44 is housed inside a recess 44A that is formed by depressing the front surface of the game board 11, and is detachable.

[0065] The dirt collection section 44 does not have to be detachable, and may be configured so that dirt accumulates directly inside the recess 44A.

[0066] According to this configuration, dirt on the game balls is removed by the brush 81 and collected in the dirt collection section 44, so that the dirt does not fall in unintended locations. Also, by providing the brush 81 in the ball passage 29 through which the game balls pass one by one, it becomes easier to bring the thread section 83 of the brush 81 into contact with the game balls, making it easier to remove dirt. Moreover, since the game balls come into contact with the brush 81 when falling vertically, the momentum of the game balls is stronger than when the game balls roll at an angle, making it easier to remove dirt and rotate the brush 81.

[0067] Furthermore, since dirt that detaches from the game ball is collected in the dirt collection section 44 through the slits 38 in the cover member 37, the effect on the rolling of the game ball can be reduced compared to, for example, a case in which the dirt collection section 44 is configured as a recess in which the rolling path is sunken.

[0068] In addition, the inner surface of the cover member 37 that forms the slits 38 is tapered so that the width of the slits 38 narrows as it goes downwards, and therefore the proportion of the upper surface of the cover member 37 that is occupied by the slits 38 increases, making it easier for dirt to fall off while suppressing a decrease in the strength of the cover member 37. In addition, the game balls that roll on the dirt removal section 35 roll while only abutting against the ridges 37A, so the contact area with the cover section 37 is narrowed, and it is possible to prevent the fallen dirt from adhering again.

[0069] Furthermore, since the slits 38 extend along the dirt dropping section 35, the game ball rolls on a pair of ridges 37A extending along the dirt dropping section 35, allowing the game ball to roll more smoothly than in a configuration having multiple slits extending in the front-rear direction.

[0070] In this embodiment, the slits 38 are formed as through-holes in the cover member 37, but a plurality of round holes (or square holes) may be formed like a punching board.

[0071] In addition, instead of the game balls, a brush 81 and a garbage collection section 44, 101 may be provided to remove dirt from the screw 62 of the lifting device 60.

[0072] <Additional Notes> The following describes the feature groups extracted from the above-described embodiments, while indicating their effects, etc., as necessary. Note that, in the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiments are appropriately indicated in parentheses, but these feature groups are not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses.

[0073] [First group of characteristics] The first group of features relates to gaming machines. Conventionally, gaming machines that circulate a plurality of gaming balls within a single machine are known (for example, see JP 2012-152448 A (see paragraph

[0014] of the specification)). This background technology can be considered to have been made with the problem in mind of "because dirt on the gaming balls is removed from them at predetermined positions, dirt is prevented from adhering to or falling into unintended locations."

[0074] [Feature 1] This game machine uses a plurality of game balls by circulating them by itself, and is equipped with a ball polishing means for polishing and removing dirt from the game balls on their way back to the launching device after they have been shot into a game area by a launching device and have flowed down the game area, and a dirt removing means for removing dirt from the game balls.

[0075] According to feature 1, dirt on the game ball is removed from the game ball at a predetermined position, so dirt is prevented from adhering to or falling off unintended locations. In addition, dirt on the game ball is removed by the ball polishing means and the dirt removing means, so dirt is less likely to accumulate on the game ball.

[0076] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to Feature 1, wherein the dirt removing means is disposed in a guide passage that guides gaming balls that have finished flowing down the gaming area and been collected to the ball polishing means.

[0077] According to feature 2, dirt on the game ball can be removed in advance before the game ball reaches the ball polishing means, so dirt is less likely to accumulate on the ball polishing means.

[0078] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in feature 1 or 2, wherein the dirt removing means is a brush that is arranged in a ball passage through which the gaming balls pass one by one and rotates around an axis of rotation that intersects with the direction of movement of the gaming balls.

[0079] The brush as the dirt removing means may rotate in a direction to push the game ball toward the rolling direction of the game ball, or may rotate against the rolling direction of the game ball. In the former case, the game ball flows more easily, and it is possible to prevent the ball from clogging while removing dirt. In the latter case, friction when the brush comes into contact with the game ball increases, making it easier to remove dirt.

[0080] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to Feature 3, wherein the dirt removing means rotates due to the force of the impact of the gaming ball.

[0081] According to feature 4, dirt can be removed without interfering with the rolling of the game ball. In addition, there is no need to provide a motor or the like for rotation, which allows space saving.

[0082] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 4, wherein the dirt removing means is provided in a flow down gutter that causes the gaming balls to flow down vertically.

[0083] The dirt removing means may be provided in the rolling path that rolls the game balls in either the left or right direction, or may be provided in the flow-down trough that flows the game balls down as in Feature 5. In this case, the momentum of the game balls is increased, making it easier for the brush to rotate.

[0084] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the dirt removing means is rotated by a motor.

[0085] If the dirt removing means is rotated by a motor, not only can dirt be removed from the game balls, but also the rotation direction of the game balls can be controlled to push the game balls in the rolling direction, thereby preventing ball clogging.

[0086] [Feature 7] A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 6, further comprising a dirt collection section for receiving dirt removed from the gaming ball by the dirt removing means.

[0087] According to feature 7, it becomes possible to collect dirt that has detached from the game ball in a specified location, thereby preventing the dirt from adhering to unintended locations.

[0088] [Correspondence between components of the first feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, launching device: launching device 31, playing area: playing area R1, ball polishing means: screw 62, roller 70, dirt removing means: brush 81, guide passage: first guide portion 41A, ball passage 29, ball passage: first guide portion 41A, ball passage 29, rotating shaft: rotating shaft portion 82, flow down gutter: vertical portion 34, garbage storage portion: garbage storage portion 44, garbage storage portion 101

[0089] [Second group of characteristics] The second group of features relates to gaming machines, and can be considered to have been made with the objective of addressing the following problem in relation to the background technology: "Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine that uses gaming balls by circulating them on its own (for example, see JP 2012-152448 A (see paragraph

[0014] of the specification)." "In the above-mentioned gaming machine, it is required to prevent malfunctions caused by dirt generated by the gaming balls flowing downstream."

[0090] [Feature 1] This game machine, which uses game balls by circulating them by itself, is provided with a dirt removing means for removing dirt from a cleaning target on which dirt has adhered, and a garbage collecting section for receiving the removed dirt.

[0091] According to the gaming machine of feature 1, dirt on the object to be cleaned is removed at a predetermined position and collected in a dirt collection section, so that it is possible to prevent problems caused by dirt falling in unintended positions, etc. The dirt removing means may be, for example, an air duster that blows air, or a brush that comes into contact with the object to be cleaned.

[0092] [Feature 2] 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is a gaming ball, and the dirt removing means is disposed in a ball passage through which the gaming balls pass one by one.

[0093] According to the gaming machine of feature 2, dirt on the gaming balls passing through the ball passage can be removed. In addition, when the dirt removing means is, for example, a brush, by arranging the brush in the ball passage through which the gaming balls pass one by one, it becomes easier to bring the brush into contact with the gaming balls, making it easier to remove dirt.

[0094] [Feature 3] A gaming machine as described in feature 1 or 2, wherein the object to be cleaned is gaming balls, the garbage collection section is arranged under a rolling path along which the gaming balls can roll, and the upper part of the rolling path above the garbage collection section is a cover section having a through-hole formed therein through which dirt can fall but through which the gaming balls cannot fall.

[0095] According to the gaming machine of feature 3, dirt that falls off the gaming ball is collected in the dirt collection section through the cover portion, which is part of the rolling path, so that the effect on the rolling of the gaming ball can be reduced compared to, for example, a case in which the dirt collection section is configured as a recess formed by sinking the rolling path.

[0096] [Feature 4] A gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the cover portion has a slit extending in the rolling direction of the gaming ball as the through portion.

[0097] The through-hole may be configured to have a plurality of circular or polygonal through-holes, or may be configured to have a slit. As in feature 4, if the through-hole is configured with a slit extending in the rolling direction of the game ball, the upper edge of the slit can easily guide the game ball in the rolling direction, making the ball flow smoother.

[0098] [Feature 5] A gaming machine according to feature 3 or 4, wherein the inner surface of the cover portion that forms the through-hole is tapered so that the width of the through-hole narrows as it extends downward.

[0099] According to the gaming machine of feature 5, the penetration portion occupies a larger proportion of the upper surface of the cover portion, making it easier to remove dirt while suppressing a decrease in the strength of the cover portion.

[0100] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the garbage collection section is removable.

[0101] According to the gaming machine of feature 6, dirt accumulated in the dirt collection section can be removed.

[0102] [Feature 7] A gaming machine described in any one of Features 1 to 6, wherein the dirt removing means is a brush made of a plurality of densely packed thread-like members.

[0103] [Correspondence between components of the second feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, dirt removal means: brush 81, upper brush 81A, lower brush 81B, dirt collection section: dirt collection section 44, dirt collection section 101, ball passage: first guide section 41A, ball passage 29, rolling path: dirt removal section 35, cover section: cover member 37, through section: slit 38, slit: slit 38 [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10 Gaming machines 29 Ball passage 31 Launcher 34 Vertical section 35 Garbage Removal Department 37 Cover material 38 Penetration 39 Slit 41A 1st information section 44 Garbage Dump 60 Lifting equipment 62 Screw 70 Lola 80 Trash Removal Method 81 Brush 81A Upper Brush 81B Lower Brush 82 Rotating shaft 100 Opening 101 Garbage Dump

Claims

1. In a gaming machine that uses multiple gaming balls by circulating them in a single machine, A ball polishing means for polishing the game balls to remove dirt after the game balls are shot into the game area by the launching device and flow down the game area and then return to the launching device; The game machine is provided with a dirt removing means for removing dirt from game balls.

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the dirt removing means is disposed in a guide passage that guides game balls that have flowed down the game area and been collected to the ball polishing means.

3. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the dirt removing means is a brush, which is disposed in a ball passage through which the gaming balls pass one by one, and which rotates about an axis of rotation intersecting with the moving direction of the gaming balls.

4. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the dirt removing means is rotated by the force of a collision of the gaming ball.

5. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the dirt removing means is provided in a flow down pipe that causes the gaming balls to flow down in a vertical direction.

6. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein said dirt removing means is rotated by a motor.

7. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a dirt collecting section for receiving dirt removed from the gaming ball by said dirt removing means.

Images