Game machine

Abstract

To eliminate a player's anxiety during a game.SOLUTION: A game machine 100 includes a game board 104 having a game area 120 formed thereon through which a game ball flows, a winning port (large winning port 210) provided in the game area 120, a movable member 220 which has a rolling surface 222 on which a game ball can roll and can rotate about a rotation axis 230 from an open state that allows the game ball to enter the winning port (large winning port 210) to a closed state that makes it impossible or difficult for the game ball to enter a winning port (large winning port 210) than in the open state, a flow path forming portion (first flow path forming portion 202) located farther from the winning port (large winning port 210) than the movable member 220 and forming a gap V through which the game ball can flow between itself and a tip 223 of the rolling surface 222 farthest from the rotation axis 230 when the movable member 220 is in the open state, and a protrusion 225 provided on the movable member 220 and protrudes toward the flow path forming portion (first flow path forming portion 202) beyond the tip 223 of the rolling surface 222 when the movable member 220 is in the open state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a gaming machine is known that is equipped with a so-called swing-type attacker device that opens and closes a winning opening in accordance with the rotational movement of a movable piece about the axis center. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-187150 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In gaming machines with a winning opening that opens and closes by tilting a movable piece, when the winning opening is in the open position, a gap through which the game balls can flow is formed between the tip of the movable piece and the component that forms the flow path for the game balls. As a result, players feel anxious that they may not win even when the winning opening is in the open position.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can eliminate the player's sense of anxiety while playing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises: A game board on which a game area where game balls flow down is formed; A prize slot provided in the gaming area; a movable member having a rolling surface on which the game ball can roll, and rotatable about a rotation axis from an open state that allows the game ball to enter the winning opening to a closed state that makes it impossible for the game ball to enter the winning opening or makes it more difficult for the game ball to enter the winning opening than in the open state; a flow path forming section that is provided at a position farther from the winning opening than the movable member, and that forms a gap through which game balls can flow down between the tip of the rolling surface that is farthest from the rotation axis and the tip of the rolling surface that is farthest from the rotation axis when the movable member is in the open state; The movable member has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the flow path forming portion beyond the tip end of the rolling surface when the movable member is in the open state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the player's sense of anxiety during play. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] A front view of the large prize slot unit. [Figure 4] An oblique view of the large prize slot unit. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view of the large prize opening unit. [Figure 6] This is a part of a front view of the large prize slot unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0010] 1 is a front view of a gaming machine 100. The gaming machine 100 includes a cabinet 102. The cabinet 102 includes a main frame and a front door that is supported on the main frame so that it can be opened and closed freely. A gaming board 104 is held in the main frame, and a transparent plate 110 is held in the front door. When the front door is closed relative to the main frame, the gaming board 104 and the transparent plate 110 face each other substantially parallel, maintaining a predetermined distance between them, and the gaming board 104 can be seen from the front side of the gaming machine 100 through the transparent plate 110.

[0011] 1, an operating handle 112 is provided at the bottom of the front door, protruding from the front side of the gaming machine 100. This operating handle 112 is provided so that it can be rotated by a player, and when a player rotates the operating handle 112 to perform a firing operation, a gaming ball is fired by a firing mechanism (not shown) with a strength according to the rotation angle of the operating handle 112.

[0012] 2 is a front view of the gaming board 104. An outer member 114, an inner member 116, and a rail 118 are provided on the front surface of the gaming board 104. The outer member 114 is made of a thin metal plate member, and extends from the bottom of the gaming board 104 toward the upper left near the periphery of the gaming board 104, and also extends from near the left side of the gaming board 104 toward above the gaming board 104 and near the center in the width direction.

[0013] The outer member 114 includes an uppermost portion 114a that is located at the uppermost position of the game board 104, and extends from this uppermost portion 114a to the right side of the game board 104 and vertically downward. The outer member 114 is gently curved as a whole, and the launched game ball is guided by the outer member 114 to the game area 120.

[0014] A through hole 104a is formed in the gaming board 104, and an inner member 116 standing on the front side of the gaming board 104 is provided above the through hole 104a. The inner member 116 is attached to the gaming board 104 and prevents gaming balls from falling out of the through hole 104a. A rail 118 is provided on the left side of the gaming board 104, closer to the inside of the gaming area 120 than the outer member 114.

[0015] The play area 120 is a space surrounded by the play board 104, the transparent plate 110, the outer member 114, and the inner member 116, and is an area in which game balls can flow down or roll. The play board 104 is provided with numerous nails and windmills, and game balls guided into the play area 120 collide with the nails and windmills, causing them to flow down or roll in irregular directions.

[0016] The play area 120 includes a first play area 120a and a second play area 120b, which have different degrees of entry of game balls depending on the launch strength of the launch mechanism. The first play area 120a is located on the left side of the play area 120 as seen by a player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second play area 120b is located on the right side of the play area 120 as seen by a player facing the gaming machine 100. Therefore, game balls launched by the launch mechanism with a launch strength less than a predetermined strength will enter the first play area 120a, and game balls launched with a launch strength equal to or greater than the predetermined strength will enter the second play area 120b.

[0017] The gaming area 120 is also provided with a general winning opening 130 and a starting opening 140 into which gaming balls can enter, and when a gaming ball enters the general winning opening 130 or the starting opening 140, a predetermined number of prize balls is paid out to the player. Note that any number of prize balls may be given as long as it is one or more, and the number of prize balls paid out from the general winning opening 130 and the starting opening 140 may be different or the same number of prize balls may be set.

[0018] A starting area is also provided within the starting hole 140. When a gaming ball enters the starting hole 140 and enters the starting area, a lottery is held to determine one of a plurality of pre-defined special symbols. Each special symbol is associated with various gaming benefits, such as whether or not a major winning game advantageous to the player can be executed and what kind of gaming state the subsequent game will be. Therefore, when a gaming ball enters the starting hole 140, the player not only acquires a predetermined prize ball, but also has the opportunity to acquire the right to receive various gaming benefits.

[0019] Furthermore, the game area 120 is provided with a special prize opening unit 200 and a normal symbol operating opening 150. When a game ball enters the normal symbol operating opening 150, a lottery is held to determine the normal symbol. Details of the special prize opening unit 200 will be described later with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] In addition, at the bottom of the game area 120, there is provided an outlet 160 that discharges game balls that do not enter any of the general prize openings 130, the starting opening 140, or the large prize opening 210 from the game area 120 to the back side of the game board 104.

[0021] Next, the big prize opening unit 200 will be described. In this embodiment, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100, the near side (front side) in the depth direction of the gaming machine 100 is referred to as the near direction, and the far side (rear side) is referred to as the far direction. Also, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100, the right side in the width direction of the gaming machine 100 is referred to as the right direction, and the left side is referred to as the left direction. Also, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100, the upper side is referred to as the upward direction, and the lower side is referred to as the downward direction.

[0022] Figure 3 is a front view of the large prize opening unit 200. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the large prize opening unit 200. As shown in Figure 3, the large prize opening unit 200 comprises a main body 201, a large prize opening 210, a movable member 220, a rotating shaft 230, a drive device 240, and a contact portion 250.

[0023] The large prize opening 210 opens and closes as the movable member 220 moves. Normally, the movable member 220 closes the large prize opening 210, and it is in a closed state in which it is impossible or difficult for a gaming ball to enter the large prize opening 210. In contrast, when the above-mentioned large prize game is executed, the movable member 220 moves to an open state in which it is possible for a gaming ball to enter the large prize opening 210. When a gaming ball enters the large prize opening 210, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player.

[0024] The main body 201 is a component that constitutes the main part of the special prize opening unit 200. The main body 201 is provided in the gaming board 104, approximately in the center of the second game area 120b. The main body 201 has an internal space that houses various components of the special prize opening unit 200. For example, the main body 201 has an internal flow path through which game balls flowing down from above the special prize opening unit 200 to below the special prize opening unit 200. The main body 201 is made of a transparent or translucent resin material, and a player facing the gaming machine 100 can see the fate of the game balls flowing down inside. The front surface of the main body 201 may be decorated with decorations related to the gaming machine 100.

[0025] As described above, the movable member 220 opens and closes the large prize opening 210 by moving. The movable member 220 is pivotally supported on the main body 201 by a rotation shaft 230. The rotation shaft 230 is disposed so as to penetrate the movable member 220 in both the front and rear directions. The movable member 220 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 230.

[0026] 4, the movable member 220 has a rolling surface 222 on which the gaming ball can roll. The width D of the rolling surface 222 in the front and rear directions may be such that the gaming ball can roll without falling, and may be, for example, equal to or greater than the diameter of the gaming ball. The rolling surface 222 extends from a tip end 223 that is farthest from the rotation shaft 230 to a base end 224 on the rotation shaft side.

[0027] In Figure 3, the movable member 220 is in a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the large prize opening 210. At this time, the rolling surface 222 faces the wall surface 260 of the large prize opening unit 200. More specifically, the rolling surface 222 and the wall surface 260 face each other substantially parallel, maintaining a predetermined distance between them. Here, the predetermined distance is smaller than the diameter of a game ball, and game balls flowing down from above the large prize opening unit 200 cannot enter the gap between the rolling surface 222 and the wall surface 260. Therefore, game balls flowing down from above the large prize opening unit 200 flow down below the large prize opening unit 200, as shown by the arrow in the figure, resulting in a closed state in which game balls cannot enter the large prize opening 210.

[0028] It should be noted that the predetermined distance between the rolling surface 222 and the wall surface 260 described above is not limited to a distance smaller than the diameter of a gaming ball. For example, the predetermined distance between the rolling surface 222 and the wall surface 260 may be equal to or greater than the diameter of a gaming ball, as shown by the arrow in the figure, as long as it does not prevent the gaming ball from flowing downward from above the large prize opening unit 200. In this case, the gaming ball flowing downward from above the large prize opening unit 200 is in a closed state in which it is difficult for the gaming ball to enter the large prize opening 210. Hereinafter, the closed state in which it is impossible for the gaming ball to enter the large prize opening 210 and the closed state in which it is difficult for the gaming ball to enter the large prize opening 210 will be collectively referred to simply as the "closed state."

[0029] In Figure 4, the movable member 220 is in an open state that allows a gaming ball to enter the large prize opening 210. At this time, the rolling surface 222 is further away from the wall surface 260 than when it is in the closed state. More specifically, the tip 223 of the movable member 220 is further away from the wall surface 260 to the left. In addition, the rolling surface 222 is inclined from the upper left to the lower right. As a result, a gaming ball flowing down from above the large prize opening unit 200 rolls on the rolling surface 222 as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the large prize opening unit 200 is in an open state that allows the gaming ball to enter the large prize opening 210.

[0030] In the above-mentioned open state, the movable member 220 only needs to be arranged with an inclination such that game balls flowing down from above the large prize opening unit 200 fall onto the rolling surface 222 and roll toward the large prize opening 210, and the inclination angle of the rolling surface 222, the distance between the tip 223 and the wall surface 260, etc. are not particularly limited.

[0031] Furthermore, when the movable member 220 is in the open state, a gap V through which gaming balls can flow is formed between the tip portion 223 and the first flow path forming portion 202 of the main body 201. Here, the first flow path forming portion 202 is a wall surface on an extension of the rolling surface 222. The first flow path forming portion 202 faces the tip portion 223 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction). Furthermore, the first flow path forming portion 202 extends in the up-down direction and faces the wall surface 260 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction). The gap V need only be large enough to allow gaming balls to flow down. For example, the size of the gap V may be equal to or larger than the size of one gaming ball. This prevents gaming balls from getting stuck between the movable member 220 and the first flow path forming portion 202 or between the movable member 220 and other wall surfaces of the main body 201 when the movable member 220 is in the open state or during transition between the open and closed states of the movable member 220.

[0032] On the other hand, because there is a gap V between the movable member 220 and the first flow path forming portion 202 that is large enough for one or more gaming balls, the player may feel uneasy that even though the special prize opening unit 200 is in the open state, the gaming ball will not enter the special prize opening 210 and will instead flow down the special prize opening unit 200 through the gap V. Therefore, in the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment, the movable member 220 is provided with a protruding portion 225 that protrudes from the tip end 223 of the rolling surface 222 toward the gap V, i.e., toward the first flow path forming portion 202.

[0033] For example, the protrusion 225 is provided on the front surface of the movable member 220 and has a canopy or flange shape. The distance between the first flow path forming portion 202 and the tip of the protrusion 225 is formed to be less than the diameter of a gaming ball. The width of the protrusion 225 in the front and rear directions is smaller than the width of the rolling surface 222. A second flow path forming portion 203 is provided on the rear side of the movable member 220. The second flow path forming portion 203 is a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the first flow path forming portion 202 and the wall surface 260, and faces the movable member 220 with a small gap between them. The gap between the rolling surface 222 of the movable member 220 and the second flow path forming portion 203 is less than the diameter of a gaming ball, more specifically, smaller than the radius of the gaming ball. This allows the gaming ball rolling on the rolling surface 222 to be guided to the large prize opening 210 without falling off the rolling surface 222 to the rear side.

[0034] On the other hand, the distance between the second flow path forming portion 203 and the protruding portion 225, i.e., the distance between the surface of the protruding portion 225 facing the second flow path forming portion 203 and the second flow path forming portion 203, is equal to or greater than the diameter of a gaming ball. The distance between the surface facing the second flow path forming portion 203 and the second flow path forming portion 203 is synonymous with the width of the gap V in the front and rear directions. Therefore, a gaming ball flowing down the first flow path forming portion 202 side of the tip end 223 of the rolling surface 222 can flow downward from the gap V on the rear side of the protruding portion 225.

[0035] Here, the protrusion 225 serves as a screen that prevents a player facing the gaming machine 100 from seeing the gap V through which gaming balls can flow between the tip portion 223, the first flow path forming portion 202, and the second flow path forming portion 203. A player facing the gaming machine 100 feels as if there is no gap V through which gaming balls can flow between the movable member 220 and the first flow path forming portion 202. Therefore, the gaming machine 100 can prevent ball jamming and give the player a sense of security about gaming balls entering the special prize opening 210 when the special prize opening unit 200 is in the open state.

[0036] The driving device 240 is provided inside the main body 201. The driving device 240 rotates the rotating shaft 230 to rotate the movable member 220. For example, the driving device 240 only needs to be able to rotate the movable member 220 from the closed state to the open state described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the driving device 240 has a driving source 240a and a connection mechanism 240b that connects the driving source 240a and the movable member 220. In this embodiment, the driving source 240a is formed by a solenoid.

[0037] The abutment portion 250 is a protrusion provided on a wall surface 260 of the large prize opening unit 200. When the movable member 220 is in a closed state, the rolling surface 222 abuts against the abutment portion 250. The abutment portion 250 is provided on the wall surface 260 at a position corresponding to the tip end region R of the rolling surface 222. Here, the tip end region R is the region on the tip side of the center position between the tip end portion 223 and the base end portion 224 on the rolling surface 222.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the large prize opening unit 200. In particular, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cross section taken along line VV in FIG. 3, viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the abutting portion 250 abuts against the rolling surface 222 of the movable member 220. The width d in the front and rear directions of the portion of the abutting portion 250 that abuts against the movable member 220 is smaller than the width D of the rolling surface 222 in the front and rear directions. The width d of the abutting portion is preferably equal to or less than half the width D of the rolling surface 222. By making the width d of the abutting portion equal to or less than half the width D of the rolling surface 222, the area where the rolling surface 222 and the abutting portion 250 abut can be reduced, and dusting that occurs when they abut can be suppressed.

[0039] Furthermore, let us assume that the width d of contact between the abutment portion 250 and the rolling surface 222 is the same as the width D of the rolling surface 222. In other words, when the movable member 220 transitions from the open state to the closed state, the abutment portion 250 abuts the entire width D of the rolling surface 222. In this case, when the rolling surface 222 abuts against the abutment portion 250, the rolling surface 222 receives a reaction force from the abutment portion 250. Because this reaction force coincides with the direction in which the movable member 220 moves from the closed state to the open state, the movable member 220 rebounds in reaction, and it may take some time for the movable member 220 to reach the completely closed state. As a result, there is a possibility that an unintended prize may be won at the large prize opening 210.

[0040] In contrast, in this embodiment, because the width d of the abutting portion is smaller than the width D of the rolling surface 222, the movable member 220 transitions from the open state to the closed state, and when a portion of the rolling surface 222 abuts against the abutment portion 250, the movable member 220 tilts. Specifically, when the movable member 220 transitions from the open state to the closed state, and the rolling surface 222 abuts against the abutment portion 250, a force acts on the movable member 220 in the right direction in the figure. Meanwhile, a reaction force acts on the rear portion of the rolling surface 222 that abuts against the abutment portion 250 in the left direction in the figure. As a result, the movable member 220 tilts so that the portion of the movable member 220 on the front side of the abutment portion 250 is closer to the wall surface 260 than the abutment portion 250. This reduces the risk of the movable member 220 coming into an incompletely open state due to the reaction caused by contact with the contact portion 250, and prevents balls from entering the large prize opening 210 unintentionally.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the special prize opening unit 200. As shown in FIG. 6, a light-emitting element 270 is provided on the second flow path forming portion 203, which is the wall surface toward the back of the movable member 220, of the main body 201. The light-emitting element 270 is provided along the rolling surface 222 along which game balls flow when the movable member 220 is in the open state. A light diffusion structure (not shown) is provided on the front side of the light-emitting element 270 in the second flow path forming portion 203, which diffuses light emitted from the light-emitting element 270 throughout the entire flow path along which game balls flow in the movable member 220, causing the light to glow. In this case, the protrusion 225 may also be illuminated as if a flow path exists. Alternatively, the movable member 220 may be made of a translucent resin material so that the movable member 220 itself appears to be luminous. This allows the player to be alerted to the fact that a ball has entered the special prize opening 210 when the special prize opening unit 200 is in the open state.

[0042] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0043] The gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the gaming machine 100 described above. A game board 104 on which a game area 120 along which game balls flow down is formed; A prize opening (big prize opening 210) provided in the game area 120; a movable member 220 having a rolling surface 222 on which the game ball can roll, and rotatable about a rotation axis 230 from an open state that allows the game ball to enter the winning opening (large winning opening 210) to a closed state that makes it impossible for the game ball to enter the winning opening (large winning opening 210) or makes it more difficult for the game ball to enter the winning opening (large winning opening 210) than in the open state; a flow path forming section (first flow path forming section 202) that is provided at a position farther away from the winning opening (large winning opening 210) than the movable member 220, and that forms a gap through which game balls can flow down between the movable member 220 and the tip end 223 of the rolling surface 222 that is farthest from the rotation shaft 230 when the movable member 220 is in the open state; The movable member 220 may have a protrusion 225 that is provided on the movable member 220 and protrudes further toward the flow path forming portion (first flow path forming portion 202) than the tip end 223 of the rolling surface 222 when the movable member 220 is in the open state.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the movable member 220 rotates around the rotation axis 230 to open and close the large prize opening 210, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movable member 220 may be provided at other prize openings such as the general prize opening 130, the starting opening 140, and the normal operation opening 150 provided in the game area 120, and the movable member 220 may be moved to open and close the other prize openings, i.e., the movable member 220 may be provided as a so-called normal electric device or electric chute.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a portion of the contact portion 250 is configured to contact the rolling surface 222 of the movable member 220, but the entire contact portion 250 may be configured to contact the rolling surface 222 of the movable member 220. In this case, the width of the contact portion 250 in the front and rear directions is smaller than the width D of the rolling surface 222, and is preferably equal to or less than half the width D of the rolling surface 222.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a protrusion is provided as the abutment portion 250 on the wall surface 260 facing the rolling surface 222 of the movable member 220. However, the abutment portion 250 may be formed by cutting out the wall surface 260. In this case, the wall surface 260 is positioned parallel to the rolling surface 222 of the movable member 220 in the closed state, and the entire surface of the rolling surface 222 is in contact with the wall surface 260, and the wall surface 260 is cut out from the front to the back. Specifically, the tip side region R of the movable member 220 is cut out so that only a portion of the rolling surface 222 in the back direction, equal to or less than half the width D, is in contact with the wall surface 260. Furthermore, the movable member 220 may further be provided with a flange that protrudes toward the cutout and conceals the movable member 220 from a player facing the gaming machine 100. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 gaming machines 104 Game Board 120 Gaming Area 200 Large Winning Units 201 Main Unit 202 First flow path forming section 203 Second flow path forming section 210 Grand Prize Entrance (Prize Entrance) 220 Movable parts 222 rolling surface 223 Tip 224 Proximal end 230 Rotational Axis 250 Contact part 260 Wall R distal region V-gap

Claims

[Claim 1] A game board on which a game area where game balls flow down is formed; A prize slot provided in the gaming area; a movable member having a rolling surface on which the game ball can roll, and rotatable about a rotation axis from an open state that allows the game ball to enter the winning opening to a closed state that makes it impossible for the game ball to enter the winning opening or makes it more difficult for the game ball to enter the winning opening than in the open state; a flow path forming section that is provided at a position farther from the winning opening than the movable member, and that forms a gap through which game balls can flow down between the tip of the rolling surface that is farthest from the rotation axis and the tip of the rolling surface that is farthest from the rotation axis when the movable member is in the open state; a protrusion provided on the movable member, the protrusion protruding toward the flow path forming portion beyond the tip end of the rolling surface when the movable member is in the open state; A gaming machine equipped with:

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