Gaming Machines

Abstract

To improve prevention of a game ball that has entered a game area from returning to a guide area, and to provide a game board capable of suppressing a defect in a resin member.SOLUTION: A ball return prevention mechanism 50 includes a ball return prevention member 54 that can be displaced between an open state and a closed state. The ball return prevention member 54 can be displaced from the closed state to the open state by coming into contact with a launched game ball. A state (third state) in the middle of displacement of the ball return prevention member 54 from the closed state to the open state is the state in which a specific distance H1 from the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 to an outer guide rail 27 is longer than in the closed state, is shorter than in the open state, and is shorter than a distance H2 from the lowest point P2 of the game ball B2 to the outer guide rail 27. In a second plate-like part 65 of a starting hole base 61, a diameter of a through-hole 73 for a pin (positioning hole part) is larger than a diameter of a through-hole 72 for a screw (second hole part) larger than a diameter of a shaft part of a screw (fixing member) 71, and smaller than a diameter of a head part of the screw.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a guide passage (guide area) that guides game balls launched by a launching device to a game area is provided on the game board of a pachinko machine. The guide passage is formed by an outer guide rail and an inner guide rail, and a ball return prevention mechanism is provided at the exit of the guide passage. The ball return prevention mechanism prevents game balls that have entered the game area from returning to the guide passage (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Conventionally, a game board of a pachinko machine includes a resin member formed by injection molding a resin material, a mounting plate to which the resin member is attached, and screws for fixing the resin member to the mounting plate. For example, Patent Document 1 is known as a configuration of such a game board. In the game board described in Patent Document 1, a resin frame (resin member) is attached to the mounting plate of the game board using screws. The frame has a substantially rectangular shape, and fixing holes into which screws are inserted are provided at the four corners. In addition, positioning pins are provided on the back surface of the frame at positions close to the two lower screw holes. Meanwhile, the mounting plate is provided with screw fixing holes corresponding to the four fixing holes of the frame, and positioning pin insertion holes corresponding to the two positioning pins of the frame.

[0004] When attaching the frame to the mounting plate, the positioning pins of the frame are inserted into the positioning pin insertion holes of the mounting plate, and screws are then threaded through the fixing holes of the frame into the screw fastening holes of the mounting plate, thereby fixing the frame to the mounting plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-188370 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-308983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, there is still room for improvement in preventing the return of gaming balls that have entered the gaming area back to the guide passage (guidance area). Also, in the gaming board described in Patent Document 2, there is a risk that the positioning pins of the frame may be easily damaged depending on the design specifications of the mounting plate and screws, so there is still room for improvement in measures against defects in the resin members.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and its object is to provide a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board that can improve prevention of a gaming ball that has entered the gaming area returning to the guide area and also suppress defects in the resin components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gaming machine having a gaming board, the gaming board comprising: a board plate; a resin member having a first surface with which the board plate contacts and a second surface opposite to the first surface with which a gaming ball contacts; a fixing member for fixing the resin member to the board plate; a gaming area provided on the front surface of the board plate; an area between an outer rail and an inner rail attached to the front surface of the board plate, the guide area guiding a launched gaming ball to the gaming area; and a ball return prevention device for preventing the gaming ball from returning from the gaming area to the guide area. and a ball return prevention mechanism, the ball return prevention mechanism having a displacement member that is displaceable between a first state, a second state, and a third state, the displacement member having a side portion facing the outer rail and a tip portion on the tip side of the side portion, the distance from the tip portion to the outer rail being a specific distance, a game ball being guided from the guiding area to the play area being one game ball, and a game ball attempting to return from the play area to the guiding area being another game ball, the first state is a state in which the specific distance is shorter than the second state, and the second state is a state in which the specific distance is shorter than the second state, The fixed distance is longer than the first state, and the third state is a state in which the one game ball contacts the side portion, the outer rail, and the other game ball, and the other game ball contacts the tip portion, the outer rail, and the one game ball, so that the specific distance is longer than the first state and shorter than the second state, and is shorter than the distance from the lowest point of the other game ball to the outer rail, and the resin member has a positioning protrusion that determines an attachment position and a first hole portion into which the fixing member is inserted, and the board plate has a hole into which the positioning protrusion is inserted. The fixing member is inserted into the first hole portion and has a diameter larger than that of the second hole portion, a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion of the fixing member, and a diameter smaller than that of the head portion of the fixing member. The diameter of the positioning protrusion is smaller than the length from the first surface to the second surface in the area where the positioning protrusion is formed, and the length of the portion where the positioning protrusion is inserted into the positioning hole portion is smaller than the length of the portion where the fixing member is inserted into the second hole portion. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the prevention of a game ball that has entered the game area from returning to the guide area, and it is also possible to provide a game machine equipped with a game board that can suppress defects in resin members. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] This is an oblique view showing the pachinko machine when the front frame is in the open state. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a game board installed in the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view of an inner guide rail attached to the game board shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a front perspective view of a ball return prevention mechanism provided in the inner guide rail shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the ball return prevention mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ball return prevention mechanism. [Figure 9] A front view of the ball return prevention member provided in the ball return prevention mechanism when it is in a closed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front view of the ball return prevention member in an open state. [Figure 11] This figure shows a game ball that has entered the game area attempting to return to the boundary area when the ball return prevention member is in the middle of changing from a closed state to an open state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dotted line shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dotted line shown in FIG. [Figure 14] A figure showing a state in which a game ball that has returned from the game area to the boundary area collides with a ball return prevention member. [Figure 15] 5 is a front perspective view showing a starting hole unit attached to the acrylic plate of the game board shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the starting port unit. [Figure 17] 13 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the starting port unit to an acrylic plate. FIG. [Figure 18] A front view showing the starting hole base attached to the acrylic plate. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the rectangular area indicated by the dotted line in FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. 18. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the starting hole base attached to the game board. [Figure 22] 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. 21. [Diagram 23] This is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the starting hole base attached to the acrylic plate of the game board and the transparent plate held by the front frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a pachinko machine (game machine) according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine when the front frame is in an open state.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pachinko machine P comprises a vertically rectangular outer frame 1 that is installed in an island facility of an amusement park, an inner frame 2 that is attached to the front of the outer frame 1 so as to be able to open and close like a door, and a front frame 3 that is attached to the front of the inner frame 2 so as to be able to open and close like a door. The outer frame 1 and the inner frame 2 form a main body 4. The main body 4 holds a game board 5.

[0014] An upper bearing body 6 and a lower bearing body 7 are fixed to the left frame portion of the outer frame 1. First pins (not shown) are provided at both upper and lower ends of the left frame portion of the inner frame 2. These first pins are journalled to the upper bearing body 6 and the lower bearing body 7 to form a first hinge mechanism that supports the inner frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed relative to the outer frame 1. Second pins (not shown) are provided at both upper and lower ends of the left frame portion of the front frame 3. These second pins are journalled to upper and lower support plates 8, 9 protruding from the left frame portion of the inner frame 2 to form a second hinge mechanism that supports the front frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed relative to the left frame portion of the inner frame 2.

[0015] The right frame portion of the inner frame 2 is the free end side opposite the first hinge mechanism and the second hinge mechanism. This right frame portion is provided with a cylinder lock 10. When a key is inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 10, the inner frame 2 or the front frame 3 is unlocked depending on the direction in which the key is turned.

[0016] The front frame 3 holds a transparent plate 11 made of glass, plastic, or the like. When the front frame 3 is closed relative to the inner frame 2, the transparent plate 11 faces the game board 5. Various devices are provided around the transparent plate 11 of the front frame 3. For example, a design unit 12 is provided above the transparent plate 11, a tray 13 is provided below the transparent plate 11, a performance operation unit 14 is provided in the front center of the tray 13, and an operation handle 15 is provided to the lower right of the performance operation unit 14.

[0017] The design unit 12 has a left speaker unit 12a, a right speaker unit 12b, a logo unit 12c arranged between them, and a base unit 12d supporting the logo unit 12c. The left speaker unit 12a is disposed at the upper left of the transparent plate 11. The right speaker unit 12b is disposed at the upper right of the transparent plate 11. The logo unit 12c is disposed above the transparent plate 11. The base unit 12d is disposed above the transparent plate 11, on the rear side of the logo unit 12c. A design corresponding to the content and specifications of the model is applied to the front of the logo unit 12c.

[0018] The tray 13 is capable of containing game balls. Game balls lent by a game ball lending device (not shown) installed on the side of the pachinko machine P and prize balls paid out from a prize ball payout device (20 in FIG. 3) of the pachinko machine P are guided to the tray 13. When the tray 13 becomes full of game balls, the state is detected by a full tank detection unit (23 in FIG. 3).

[0019] The presentation operation unit 14 makes it possible to switch presentations that are executed as the game progresses.

[0020] The operating handle 15 is configured so that the player can rotate it in a predetermined direction. When the operating handle 15 is rotated, the game balls stored in the tray 13 are sent to a launching device (launching means) 16 disposed below the game board 5, and are launched with an intensity according to the rotation angle of the operating handle 15. A rectifier unit 17 is disposed below the transparent plate 11 on the back surface of the front frame 3. The rectifier unit 17 supplies the game balls stored in the tray 13 to the launching device 16.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine P. As shown in Fig. 3, the pachinko machine P is provided with a main control board 18, a sub-control board 19, a prize ball payout device 20, a payout control board 21, a launch control board (not shown), an external terminal board 22, and a full tank detection unit 23 on its rear side.

[0022] The main control board 18 performs main processing related to the game. The sub-control board 19 controls various performance units by receiving commands from the main control board 18. The main control board 18 and the sub-control board 19 are covered by a rear cover member 24.

[0023] The prize ball payout device 20 pays out prize balls based on the fact that the game balls have entered a predetermined winning hole provided in the game area of ​​the game board 5. The payout control board 21 controls the prize ball payout device 20 in response to a command from the main control board 18.

[0024] The launch control board controls the operation of the launch device 16 according to the rotation angle of the operating handle 15. The external terminal board 22 outputs various information such as the number of jackpots to the hall computer of the game arcade. The full tank detection unit 23 detects when the tray 13 is full of game balls.

[0025] In this way, the pachinko machine P is equipped on its rear side with various boards etc. that perform control as the game progresses, and these controls etc. enable the game to proceed smoothly.

[0026] Next, the game board 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the game board 5.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 5 has a substantially rectangular acrylic plate 5a, a rail base 26, an outer guide rail 27, and an inner guide rail 28. The rail base 26 is fixed to the front surface of the acrylic plate 5a and has an inner peripheral surface that is arc-shaped when viewed from the front. The outer guide rail 27 is attached along the inner peripheral surface of the rail base 26 and is arranged in an arc shape from a left side position away from the lower center of the game board 5 to the left end, upper end, and upper right end. The inner guide rail 28 is attached to the inside of the outer guide rail 27 on the front surface of the acrylic plate 5a and is arranged in an arc shape from a position slightly left of the lower center of the game board 5 to the left end and upper left end of the game board 5. The curved area between the outer guide rail 27 and the inner guide rail 28 is a guide passage 29. The guide passage 29 guides the game balls launched by the launching device 16 (see FIG. 2) to the game area 30. A boundary area 700 is provided between the guide passage 29 and the play area 30. The exit of the boundary area 700 communicates with the play area 30, and the entrance of the boundary area 700 communicates with the guide passage 29. Although details will be described later, a ball return prevention mechanism (reference numeral 50 in FIG. 5) is provided at the tip of the inner guide rail 28, and this ball return prevention mechanism is disposed in the boundary area 700.

[0028] The game area 30 is an area inside the outer guide rail 27 and the inner guide rail 28, and includes a left hitting area 30a and a right hitting area 30b in which the degree of entry of the game ball differs depending on the launch strength of the launch device 16. The left hitting area 30a is located on the left side of the game board 5 as seen by a player facing the pachinko machine P. On the other hand, the right hitting area 30b is located on the right side of the game board 5 as seen by the same player.

[0029] Various winning holes and the like are provided in the game area 30. For example, a first start winning hole 31 and an outlet 32 ​​are provided in the center lower part of the game area 30. A general winning hole 33, a warp passage 34, a windmill 35, a plurality of game nails 36, and the like are provided in the left hitting area 30a of the game area 30. Furthermore, a gate 37, a second start winning hole 38, a large winning hole 39, and the like are provided in the right hitting area 30b of the game area 30. The first start winning hole 31 is formed by attaching a starting hole unit 60 to the acrylic plate 5a, as will be described in detail later.

[0030] An opening 40 cut out in a predetermined shape is formed in the approximate center of the acrylic plate 5a of the game board 5. On the rear side of the acrylic plate 5a, in a position where the player can view through the opening 40, there are provided an effect display device 41 that displays various effects related to the game, and a movable gadget 42 that moves up and down as the game progresses. In addition, although not shown, the game board 5 has a first special symbol display device, a second special symbol display device, a first special symbol reserved display device, a second special symbol reserved display device, a normal symbol display device, a normal symbol reserved display device, and a right-hit notification display device, which are located outside the game area 30 and in positions visible to the player. These displays are devices for displaying various situations related to the game.

[0031] When the player rotates the operating handle 15 (see Figs. 1 and 2) to an arbitrary angle, the launcher 16 launches game balls continuously toward the game area 30. Usually, the player launches game balls toward the left-hand hitting area 30a at the start of the game. The launched game balls then collide with the windmill 35 and multiple game nails 36 and flow down the left-hand hitting area 30a while changing their flow direction irregularly. As a result, when the flowing game ball enters the first start winning hole 31, an electronic lottery for a jackpot is held to determine whether or not a special game is to be executed, and a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, three balls) are awarded. When the flowing game ball enters the general winning hole 33, a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, three balls) are awarded, and when the ball does not enter either the first start winning hole 31 or the general winning hole 33, the ball is discharged through the outlet 32 ​​to the rear side of the game board 5.

[0032] On the other hand, if the player wins the electronic lottery for the big win, the game moves to the special game. In the special game, the player shoots a game ball toward the right-hand hitting area 30b. The shot game ball flows down the right-hand hitting area 30b and can enter the big prize opening 39. The big prize opening 39 is provided with a slide plate 39a for the big prize opening that can slide forward and backward. When the slide plate 39a for the big prize opening slides forward, it closes the big prize opening 39, while when it slides backward, it opens the big prize opening 39. In the special game, the slide plate 39a for the big prize opening opens the big prize opening 39 multiple times at a predetermined timing. By having the game ball enter the big prize opening 39 that is opened between the start and end of the special game, a large number of prize balls (for example, 2000 balls) are awarded to the player.

[0033] In addition, when the special game ends, the game shifts to time-saving game. In time-saving game, the player shoots a game ball toward the right-hand shot area 30b. Then, when the shot game ball passes through the gate 37, an electronic lottery for a normal pattern is executed. If the electronic lottery for a normal pattern is won, the game ball can enter the second start winning hole 38. The second start winning hole 38 is provided with a second start winning hole slide plate 38a that can slide in the forward and backward directions. When the second start winning hole slide plate 38a slides forward, it closes the second start winning hole 38, while when it slides backward, it opens the second start winning hole 38. When the electronic lottery for a normal pattern is won, the second start winning hole slide plate 38a opens the second start winning hole 38 multiple times at a predetermined timing. When the game ball enters the second start winning hole 38, an electronic lottery for a jackpot is conducted again, and a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, one ball) are awarded. The number of times that the electronic lottery for a jackpot is conducted in response to the ball entering the second start winning hole 38 is set to a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). If the electronic lottery for a jackpot is not won within the specified number of times, the time-saving game ends, and the player shoots the game ball toward the left hitting area 30a again.

[0034] Next, a general configuration of the ball return prevention mechanism provided at the tip of the inner guide rail 28 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the inner guide rail 28.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, a ball return prevention mechanism 50 is provided at the tip of the inner guide rail 28 to prevent a game ball that has entered the game area 30 from returning to the guide passage 29. The ball return prevention mechanism 50 includes a main case 52, a cover 53, and a ball return prevention member (displacement member) 54. The main case 52, the cover 53, and the ball return prevention member 54 are all molded products made of synthetic resin material. The main case 52, the cover 53, and the ball return prevention member 54 are combined to form the ball return prevention mechanism 50. As described above, the ball return prevention mechanism 50 is disposed in the boundary area 700 when the inner guide rail 28 is attached to the acrylic plate 5a.

[0036] Next, a detailed configuration of the ball return prevention mechanism 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the ball return prevention mechanism 50, Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the ball return prevention mechanism 50, and Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the ball return prevention mechanism 50.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the main body case 52 is integrally formed at the upper end of the inner guide rail 28, and has a bottom surface portion 52a and a side surface portion 52b erected from one end of the bottom surface portion 52a. The space surrounded by the bottom surface portion 52a and the side surface portion 52b is the cutout portion S. The cutout portion S is open on the front side facing the transparent plate 11 and on the upper side facing the boundary area 700 (see Fig. 8). The upper opening end of the cutout portion S is a stopper wall 52c. The stopper wall 52c is formed at the upper end of the side surface portion 52b located near the play area 30, and is a cylindrical wall surface that crosses the upper end in the width direction.

[0038] A first bearing portion 52d and a guide groove 52e are formed on the bottom surface portion 52a of the main body case 52. The guide groove 52e extends in a substantially arc shape along a virtual circle centered on the first bearing portion 52d. A first screw hole 52f and a first positioning pin 52g are also formed on the bottom surface portion 52a (see FIG. 8). A second positioning pin 52h is provided on the rear side of the bottom surface portion 52a (see FIG. 7), and the ball return prevention mechanism 50 is positioned on the acrylic plate 5a by inserting the second positioning pin 52h into a hole (not shown) in the acrylic plate 5a.

[0039] The cover 53 is formed in a plate shape and has a second screw hole 53a and a positioning hole 53b. A second bearing portion 53c is formed on the back side of the cover 53. The cover 53 is attached to the main body case 52 with the front side of the cutout portion S closed by inserting the first positioning pin 52g of the bottom surface portion 52a into the positioning hole 53b and inserting the screw 55 into the second screw hole 53a and the first screw hole 52f of the bottom surface portion 52a.

[0040] The ball return prevention member 54 has an axial hole 54a, an on-off valve 54b, and a weight 54c. The on-off valve 54b and the weight 54c are formed so as to be bent in an L-shape with the axial hole 54a as the boundary. A support shaft 56 is inserted through the axial hole 54a, and one end of the support shaft 56 is engaged with a first bearing portion 52d of the bottom surface portion 52a, and the other end is engaged with a second bearing portion 53c of the cover 53. In this way, the ball return prevention member 54 is rotatably supported by the main body case 52 and the cover 53.

[0041] The opening / closing valve 54b is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and its longitudinal (vertical) length is long enough for a game ball returning from the game area 30 to the boundary area 700 to collide with it. The opening / closing valve 54b has a first side portion 540b facing the guide passage 29, and a second side portion 541b on the opposite side of the first side portion 540b and facing the game area 30 (left hitting area 30a) (see FIG. 9). The first side portion 540b is a portion that is hit by a game ball that is launched from the launching device 16 and has passed through the guide passage 29. The second side portion 541b is a portion that is hit by a game ball that is returning from the game area 30 to the guide passage 29.

[0042] The tip of the opening / closing valve 54b is tapered. Specifically, the vertical length of the first side surface portion 540b is longer than the vertical length of the second side surface portion 541b, and is inclined downward from the tip of the first side surface portion 540b to the tip of the second side surface portion 541b. In addition, a protrusion 541c protruding toward the play area 30 is formed in the center of the second side surface portion 541b.

[0043] The weight portion 54c is thicker and heavier than the opening / closing valve 54b. An engagement pin 54d is protruded from the back side of the weight portion 54c, and the engagement pin 54d is inserted into the guide groove 52e of the bottom surface portion 52a (see FIG. 7). The ball return prevention member 54 is rotatably supported by the main body case 52 and the cover 53 as described above, and can be displaced between the open state and the closed state. In the normal state, the ball return prevention member 54 is biased by the weight of the weight portion 54c to rotate in one direction (counterclockwise) around the support shaft 56, and the engagement pin 54d abuts against one end of the guide groove 52e. As a result, the ball return prevention member 54 cannot rotate any further and maintains the closed state. On the other hand, when the ball return prevention member 54 comes into contact with the game ball launched from the launching device 16, the contact force causes it to rotate in the other direction (clockwise) around the support shaft 56, and it abuts against the above-mentioned stopper wall 52c, thereby entering the open state.

[0044] Next, the ball return prevention mechanism 50 when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the closed state (first state) and when it is in the open state (second state) will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a front view of the ball return prevention mechanism 50 when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the closed state, and Figure 10 is a front view of the ball return prevention mechanism 50 when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the open state.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the closed state (first state), the opening / closing valve 54b protrudes from the upper opening of the notch S toward the outlet of the boundary area 700 in a substantially vertical position. In this state, the distance (specific distance) from the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 (opening / closing valve 54b) to the outer guide rail 27 is shorter than the diameter of the game ball B and is the shortest. Note that this distance means the shortest distance from the tip of the opening / closing valve 54b (first side surface portion 540b) of the ball return prevention member 54 to the outer guide rail 27. Therefore, even if a game ball that has entered the game area 30 collides with a game nail 36 or the like and is bounced back toward the boundary area 700, it will collide with the ball return prevention member 54. In addition, the ball return prevention member 54 maintains the closed state even when it is collided with a game ball, and does not rotate counterclockwise. Therefore, when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the closed state, it prevents the game ball that has entered the game area 30 from returning to the guide passage 29.

[0046] When the game ball B launched from the launching device 16 toward the game area 30 in the state shown in FIG. 9 rises in the guide passage 29, enters the boundary area 700, and contacts the opening and closing valve 54b, the ball return prevention member 54 can be displaced from the closed state to the open state by the contact force. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the ball return prevention member 54 rotates in a direction to open the exit of the boundary area 700, and when it collides with the stopper wall 52c, further rotation is restricted and it becomes the open state (second state). In this state, the distance (specific distance) from the tip of the opening and closing valve 54b (first side surface portion 540b) to the outer guide rail 27 is longer than the diameter of the game ball B and is the longest. Therefore, when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the open state, it allows the game ball launched by the launching device 16 to enter the game area 30 from the boundary area 700. After being displaced to the open state, the ball return prevention member 54 is subjected to the biasing force of the weight portion 54c and instantly rotates in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) to be displaced again to the closed state shown in FIG.

[0047] As described above, the ball return prevention mechanism 50 is configured to prevent a game ball that has entered the game area 30 from returning to the guide passage 29 when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the closed state. In this embodiment, however, it is further configured to prevent the game ball from returning to the guide passage (guidance area) 29 even when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the middle of changing from the closed state to the open state (third state).

[0048] Figure 11 shows a state in which a game ball that has entered the game area 30 (left hitting area 30a) is attempting to return to the boundary area 700 when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the process of changing from a closed state to an open state, and Figures 12 and 13 are enlarged views of the area surrounded by dotted lines shown in Figure 11.

[0049] In Fig. 11, one game ball (first game ball) B1 launched from the launching device 16 toward the game area 30 enters the boundary area 700 from the guide passage 29 and comes into contact with the ball return prevention member 54 (opening / closing valve 54b), the outer guide rail 27, and another game ball (second game ball) B2. In Fig. 12, the contact point between the one game ball B1 and the first side surface portion 540b of the open / close valve 54b is indicated by symbol P1, the contact point with the outer guide rail 27 is indicated by symbol P2, and the contact point with the other game ball B2 is indicated by symbol P3.

[0050] Also, another game ball B2 enters the boundary area 700 from the game area 30 and comes into contact with the tip of the ball return prevention member 54, the outer guide rail 27, and the one game ball B1. In Fig. 12, the point of contact between the other game ball B2 and the tip of the opening / closing valve 54b is indicated by symbol P4, the point of contact with the outer guide rail 27 is indicated by symbol P5, and the lowest point of the other game ball B2 is indicated by symbol P6.

[0051] In the state shown in FIG. 12, the distance (specific distance) from the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 to the outer guide rail 27 is longer than that in the closed state (see FIG. 9) and shorter than that in the open state (see FIG. 10). In other words, it is the distance between the closed state and the open state. Moreover, the distance H1 from the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 (opening / closing valve 54b) to the outer guide rail 27 is shorter than the distance H2 from the lowest point P2 of the other game ball B2 to the outer guide rail 27. In other words, the distance H1 from the contact point P1 between the other game ball B2 and the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 to the outer guide rail 27 is shorter than the distance H2 from the lowest point P2 of the other game ball B2 to the outer guide rail 27. In other words, the length H1 of the perpendicular line L1 from the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 to the outer guide rail 27 is shorter than the length H2 of the perpendicular line L2 from the lowest point P2 of the other game ball B2 to the outer guide rail 27.

[0052] 13, when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the intermediate state described above, the distance H3 from the contact point P1 between the other game ball B2 and the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 (opening / closing valve 54b) to the contact point P3 between the other game ball B2 and the one game ball B1 is shorter than the distance H4 from the lowest point P2 of the other game ball to the contact point P3. In other words, the length of the line segment L3 connecting the contact point P1 and the contact point P3 is shorter than the length of the line segment L4 connecting the lowest point P2 and the contact point P3.

[0053] 12 and 13, when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the intermediate state described above, the ball return prevention member 54 has not rotated so that its tip reaches the lowest point P2 of the other game ball B2. Specifically, the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 is located higher than the lowest point P2 of the game ball B2 in the vertical direction, and is located to the left of the lowest point P2 of the game ball B2 (the guide passage 29 side) in the horizontal direction. In other words, the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 is located to the upper left of the lowest point P2.

[0054] After the collision between the game ball B1 and the game ball B2 as described above, even if the game ball B2 tries to return to the guide passage 29, it will come into contact with the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 (opening / closing valve 54b) from the game area 30 side. Therefore, the ball return prevention member 54 is likely to rotate counterclockwise due to the contact force from the game area 30 side toward the guide passage 29 side. Therefore, the ball return prevention member 54 blocks the exit of the boundary area 700 more than when the game ball B1 and the game ball B2 collide, making it difficult for the game ball B2 to return to the guide passage 29. As a result, even when the game ball B1 and the game ball B2 collide as shown in FIG. 11, the game ball B2 can be prevented from returning to the guide passage 29. In other words, it is possible to prevent two game balls from returning to the guide passage 29 in succession.

[0055] In addition, when the game ball B1 and the game ball B2 collide as shown in FIG. 11, if the distance (specific distance) H1 from the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 (opening / closing valve 54b) to the outer guide rail 27 is longer than the distance H2 from the lowest point P2 of the other game ball B2 to the outer guide rail 27, the game ball B2 can enter between the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 and the outer guide rail 27 after the collision. In this case, the game ball B2 can contact the tip of the ball return prevention member 54 from above, so that the ball return prevention member 54 is more likely to rotate clockwise. Therefore, the ball return prevention member 54 opens the exit of the boundary area 700 more than when the game ball B1 and the game ball B2 collide, and the game ball B2 cannot be prevented from returning to the guide passage 29.

[0056] Thus, the pachinko machine P according to this embodiment is sufficiently improved in preventing the game ball that has entered the play area 30 from returning to the guide passage (guide area) 29 compared to conventional pachinko machines, but as described below, further improvement in return prevention is achieved by preventing the game ball from getting caught in the ball return prevention mechanism 50. Therefore, with reference to Fig. 14, prevention of the game ball from getting caught in the ball return prevention mechanism 50 will be described. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which a game ball (third game ball) B that has returned from the play area 30 to the boundary area 700 collides with the ball return prevention member 54.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 14, the game ball B has returned from the game area 30 to the boundary area 700 and is in contact with the opening / closing valve 54b of the ball return prevention member 54 and the main body case 52. Specifically, the game ball B is in contact with the protruding portion 541c of the opening / closing valve 54b in the closed state, and is in contact with the upper end portion (stopper wall 52c) of the main body case 52. In Fig. 14, the contact point between the game ball B and the protruding portion 541c of the opening / closing valve 54b is indicated by symbol P7, the contact point with the upper end portion of the main body case 52 is indicated by symbol P8, and the leftmost point of the game ball B is indicated by symbol P9.

[0058] In this state, the contact point P7 between the game ball B and the protruding portion 541c of the opening / closing valve 54b is located lower than the leftmost point P9 of the game ball B in the vertical direction. Also, the contact point P8 between the game ball B and the upper end of the main body case 52 is located to the left of the lowest point P6 of the game ball B in the horizontal direction, and is located higher than the lowest point P6 of the game ball B in the vertical direction. That is, the contact point P8 is located to the upper left of the lowest point P6. And the distance (first distance) H5 from the contact point P7 to the contact point P8 is shorter than the distance (second distance) H6 from the leftmost point P9 to the lowest point P6 of the game ball B. Therefore, the game ball B cannot enter the gap area SP between the opening on the upper surface side facing the boundary area 700 in the main body case 52 (see FIG. 8) and the part of the second side surface portion 541b of the opening / closing valve 54b that is closer to the base end side than the protruding portion 541c. Moreover, as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 14, when the game ball B collides with the ball return prevention member 54, a force is applied to the right from the protruding portion 541c of the opening / closing valve 54b, and a force is applied to the upper right diagonally from the upper end of the main body case 52, so that the game ball B bounces back into the game area 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball B from entering the gap area SP and getting caught between the opening / closing valve 54b of the ball return prevention mechanism 50 and the main body case 52. Therefore, the return prevention of the ball return prevention mechanism 50 caused by such a catch of the game ball B is not impaired. Therefore, the return prevention of the ball return prevention mechanism 50 can be stably ensured, and the return prevention of the game ball that has entered the game area 30 to the guide passage (guide area) 29 can be further improved.

[0059] According to the pachinko machine P of this embodiment configured in this manner, the following effects can be achieved.

[0060] The ball return prevention mechanism 50 not only prevents the game ball that has entered the play area 30 from returning when the ball return prevention member 54 is in the closed state, but also suppresses the game ball that has entered the play area 30 from returning to the guide passage 29 even while the ball return prevention member 54 is in the process of changing from the closed state to the open state. Therefore, it is possible to improve the prevention of the game ball that has entered the play area 30 returning to the guide passage (guide area) 29.

[0061] The pachinko machine P according to this embodiment is also provided with a guide passage (guide area) 29 which is an area between the outer guide rail (outer rail) 27 and the inner guide rail (inner rail) 28 and which guides the launched game ball to the game area 30, and a ball return prevention mechanism 50 which prevents the game ball from returning from the game area 30 to the guide passage 29, and the ball return prevention mechanism 50 has an opening / closing valve (displacement member) 54b which can be displaced between a closed state (first state) and an open state (second state), and a main body case (holding member) 52 which can hold the opening / closing valve 54b, and the opening / closing valve 54b has a second side portion (side portion) 541b which faces the game area 30, and a tip portion on the tip side of the second side portion 541b, and a length from the tip portion to the outer guide rail 27 If the distance is a specific distance, the closed state is a state in which the specific distance is shorter than the open state, and the open state is a state in which the specific distance is longer than the closed state, the main body case 52 has a stopper wall (contact portion) 52c that abuts against the second side portion 541b of the opening / closing valve 54b in the open state, the game ball may contact the stopper wall 52c and the second side portion 541b (the protrusion 541c) in the closed state, the distance from the contact point P8 of the game ball and the stopper wall 52c to the contact point P7 of the game ball and the second side portion 541b (the protrusion 541c) in the closed state is the first distance H5, and the distance from the lowest point P6 of the game ball to the leftmost point P9 is the second distance H6, the first distance H5 is shorter than the second distance H6. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the prevention of the game ball that has entered the game area 30 returning to the guide passage (guide area) 29.

[0062] Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned starting port unit (resin member) 60 will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a front perspective view showing the starting port unit 60, and Figure 16 is a rear perspective view showing the starting port unit 60.

[0063] 15 and 16, the starting hole unit 60 is a resin member having an elongated shape that is curved as a whole to match the shape of the lower edge of the game board 5 (acrylic plate 5a). The starting hole unit 60 has a starting hole base 61, and a first front decorative part 62 and a second front decorative part 63 fixed to the entire surface of the starting hole base 61.

[0064] The starting hole base 61 has a substantially trapezoidal first plate-shaped portion 64, a substantially triangular second plate-shaped portion 65, and a connecting portion 66 that connects the first plate-shaped portion 64 and the second plate-shaped portion 65. The front surface (second surface) of the first plate-shaped portion 64 contacts the game balls flowing down the game area 30. The back surface (first surface) of the first plate-shaped portion 64 contacts the acrylic plate 5a via a mounting base portion described later.

[0065] The first front decorative part 62 is fixed to the front surface of the first plate-shaped part 64. Although not shown in the figures, a fixing pin is formed to protrude from the back surface of the first front decorative part 62, and the first front decorative part 62 is attached to the first plate-shaped part 64 by inserting this fixing pin into a fixing pin through hole formed in the first plate-shaped part 64.

[0066] The first front decorative portion 62 has a starting hole forming portion 62a having a substantially U-shape that cooperates with the acrylic plate 5a of the game board 5 to form the first starting winning hole 31, and a first outlet forming portion 62b and a second outlet forming portion 62c that cooperate with the starting hole base 61 to form the outlet 32. The first outlet forming portion 62b is provided on the left side of the starting hole forming portion 62, and the second outlet forming portion 62c is provided on the right side of the starting hole forming portion 62.

[0067] A mounting base portion (first resin portion) 69 having a predetermined thickness is formed at each of the four corners of the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64. Each mounting base portion 69 is a flat portion that contacts the front surface of the acrylic plate 5a when the first plate-shaped portion 64 is attached to the acrylic plate 5a. Of these mounting base portions 69, three mounting base portions 69 formed at the upper right corner, lower right corner, and lower left corner of the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 are formed adjacent to each other with a predetermined interval between them, and each mounting base portion 69 is formed at a pair of screw holes (first hole portions) 67 into which screws (fixing members) (reference numeral 71 in FIG. 17) are inserted and pins (positioning protrusions) 68 that determine the mounting position of the starting hole base 61 relative to the acrylic plate 5a. The screw holes 67 are recessed from the front surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 toward the back surface of the mounting base portion 69, and further penetrate from the front surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 toward the back surface of the mounting base portion 69. The pin 68 is formed so as to protrude rearward from the back surface of the mounting base portion 69. On the other hand, the mounting base portion (fourth resin portion) 69 formed in the upper left corner on the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 has only a screw hole 67 formed therein, and no pin 68 formed therein.

[0068] The first plate-shaped portion 64 has a thin portion (second resin portion) 70 and a thick portion (third resin portion) 75. The thin portion 70 is a portion formed on the peripheral end portion (upper end portion in this example) of the first plate-shaped portion 64. In this thin portion 70, the length (dimension) from the front surface to the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 is smaller than that of the thick portion 75, and becomes smaller toward the peripheral end of the first plate-shaped portion 64. On the other hand, the thick portion 75 is a portion formed on the first plate-shaped portion 64 other than the peripheral end portion. In this thick portion 75, the length from the front surface to the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 is larger than that of the thin portion 70 and is generally constant.

[0069] The second front decorative part 63 is fixed to the front surface of the second plate-shaped part 65. The second front decorative part 63 has a passage 63a that cooperates with the second plate-shaped part 65 to guide the game ball to the general winning opening 33. The above-mentioned mounting base part 69 is formed at the right end part on the back surface of the second plate-shaped part 65. Both the screw hole 67 and the pin 68 are formed in this mounting base part 69. Similarly to the first plate-shaped part 64, the second plate-shaped part 65 has a thin part 70 that is a part formed on the peripheral end part (in this example, the upper end part) of the second plate-shaped part 65, and a thick part 75 that is a part formed on the other part than the peripheral end part of the second plate-shaped part 65.

[0070] The connecting portion 66 has a first front wall 66a, a second front wall 66b, and a plurality of curved pieces 66c protruding from the backsides of the front walls 66a, 66b. The first front wall 66a, the second front wall 66b, and the plurality of curved pieces 66c cooperate with the acrylic plate 5a of the game board 5 to form a plurality of general winning openings 33. A screw hole 67 is formed in a connecting piece 66d that connects the curved piece 66c protruding from the backside of the first front wall 66a and the curved piece protruding from the backside of the second front wall 66b.

[0071] Thus, in the starting port base 61, a set of screw holes 67 and pins 68 are formed in each of the three mounting base parts 69 provided on the back surface of the first plate-shaped part 64, and a set of screw holes 67 and pins 68 are formed in one mounting base part 69 provided on the back surface of the second plate-shaped part 65. Moreover, only a screw hole 67 is formed in one mounting base part 69 provided on the back surface of the first plate-shaped part, and one screw hole 67 is formed in the connection piece 66d of the connecting part 66.

[0072] Next, the attachment of the starting hole unit 60 to the game board 5 (acrylic plate 5a) will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the starting hole unit 60 to the acrylic plate 5a. For ease of explanation, the first front decorative part 64 and the second front decorative part 65 of the starting hole unit 60 are not shown in Fig. 17.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 17, the front surface of the acrylic plate 5a is provided with a plurality of (six in this example) screw through holes (second hole portions) 72 into which the screws 71 inserted into the screw holes 67 of the starting hole base 61 are inserted, and a plurality of (four in this example) pin through holes (positioning hole portions) 73 into which the pins 68 (see FIG. 15 and FIG. 16) of the starting hole base 61 are inserted. When attaching the starting hole unit 60 (starting hole base 61) to the front surface of the acrylic plate 5a, first, the pins 68 of the starting hole base 61 are inserted into the pin through holes 73 of the acrylic plate 5a. At this time, the three pins 68 formed on the first plate-shaped portion 64 of the starting hole base 61 and one pin formed on the second plate-shaped portion 65 are inserted into the pin through holes 73 of the acrylic plate 5a, respectively, to position the starting hole unit 60 relative to the acrylic plate 5a. Next, the screw 71 is screwed into the screw through hole 72 of the acrylic plate 5a through the screw hole 67 of the starting hole base 61. At this time, the screw 71 is screwed into the screw through hole 72 of the acrylic plate 5a through four screw holes 67 formed in the first plate-shaped portion 64, one screw hole 67 formed in the second plate-shaped portion 65, and one screw hole 67 formed in the connection piece 66d of the connecting portion 66. This allows the starting hole unit 60 to be fixed to the front surface of the acrylic plate 5a.

[0074] Next, the arrangement of the screw holes 67 and the pins 68 of the starting hole base 61 will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 is an enlarged front view of the periphery of the starting hole unit 60 in the playing area 30 of the game board 5, and Figure 19 is an enlarged view of the dotted frame portion shown in Figure 18.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 18, in the second plate-shaped portion 65, the pin 68 of the mounting base portion 69 is formed in the thick portion 75 and is not formed in the thin portion 70. Specifically, the mounting base portion 69 is formed on the back surface of the thick portion 75 of the second plate-shaped portion 65, and the pin 68 of the mounting base portion 69 is also formed on the back surface of the thick portion 75. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, in the first plate-shaped portion 64, the pin 68 formed in the upper right corner of the back surface is formed in the thick portion 75 and is not formed in the thin portion 70. Specifically, the pin 68 is formed on the back surface of the thick portion 75 so as to be aligned with the screw hole 67 along the boundary between the thick portion 75 and the thin portion 70. Also, the lower left corner and the lower right corner on the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 are the thick portion 75, and the pin 68 is formed in the mounting base portion 69 on the back surface of the thick portion 75.

[0076] Although no pin is formed in the mounting portion (fourth resin portion) in the upper left corner on the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64, if a pin were formed in this position, there is a risk that this pin would be damaged by a relatively large impact from a game ball flowing down the game area 30. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, a pin is not formed in this position.

[0077] Next, the diameter of the screw through hole 72 formed in the starting hole base 61, the diameter of the pin through hole 73, and the length (dimension) of the pin 68 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in Fig. 18. For ease of explanation, Fig. 20 does not have hatching.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 20, the diameter R1 of the pin through-hole 73 is approximately equal to the diameter R2 of the screw through-hole 72 (R1≈R2). Also, the diameter R3 of the pin 68 is smaller than the thickness T1 of the second plate-like portion 65 of the start port base 61 (R3<T1), and specifically, it is preferable that the diameter R3 of the pin 68 is 70% or less of D1 (R3≤0.7D1). Here, the thickness T1 of the second plate-like portion 65 is the length (dimension) from the front surface of the second plate-like portion 65 in the range where the pin 68 is formed to the back surface of the attachment base portion 69. Further, the length D1 of the portion where the pin 68 is inserted into the pin through-hole 73 is smaller than the length D2 of the portion where the screw 71 is inserted into the screw through-hole 72 (D1<D2).

[0079] According to the game board 5 according to this embodiment configured as described above, the following effects can be achieved.

[0080] Since the diameter R3 of the pin 68 of the start port base 61 is smaller than the thickness T1 of the second plate-like portion 65, it is difficult for sink marks to occur in the start port base 61 formed by injection molding a resin material. Therefore, defects in the start port base 61 can be suppressed.

[0081] Also, since the length D1 of the portion where the pin 68 is inserted into the pin through-hole 73 is smaller than the length D2 of the portion where the screw 71 is inserted into the screw through-hole 72, even if an unexpected external force is applied to the pin, the possibility of the pin breaking and being damaged can be reduced. Therefore, defects in the start port base 61 can be suppressed.

[0082] Also, since the diameter R2 of the pin through-hole 73 of the start port base 61 is approximately equal to the diameter R1 of the screw through-hole 72, these through-holes 72 and 73 can be formed together at the manufacturing stage of the acrylic plate 5a, so that the work efficiency can be increased and the work cost can be reduced.

[0083] Next, a modified example of the pachinko machine P will be described.

[0084] (Modified Example) A game board 500 according to a modified example will be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22. Figure 21 is an enlarged front view of a starting hole base 61 attached to the game board 500, and Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in Figure 21. For ease of explanation, Figure 22 does not have hatching. The game board 500 differs from the first embodiment in the position of the pin 68 and the size of the pin through hole 73 in the acrylic plate 5a in the second plate-shaped portion 65 of the starting hole base 61.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 21, in the second plate-shaped portion 65, the screw hole 67 and the pin 68 of the mounting base portion 69 are formed at different positions. Specifically, the mounting base portion 69 is formed at the right end portion on the back surface of the second plate-shaped portion 65 so as to straddle the thin portion 70 and the thick portion 75. The screw hole 67 of the mounting base portion 69 is formed in the thick portion 75, while the pin 68 is formed in the thin portion 70. Although not shown in the drawings, the mounting base portion 69 at the upper right portion on the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 is formed so as to straddle the thin portion 70 and the thick portion 75, the screw hole 67 of the mounting base portion 69 is formed in the thick portion 75, while the pin 68 is formed in the thin portion 70. Note that it is sufficient that the pin 68 is formed at least in the thin portion 70, and it may be formed so as to straddle the thin portion 70 and the thick portion 75, for example. Furthermore, when a plurality of pins 68 are formed, some of the pins 68 may be formed in the thin-walled portion 70 and the remaining pins 68 may be formed in the thick-walled portion 75 .

[0086] As shown in FIG. 22, the diameter R1 of the pin through hole 73 is larger than the diameter R2 of the screw through hole 72 (R1>R2), larger than the diameter R4 of the shaft portion 71a of the screw 71 (R1>R4), and smaller than the diameter R5 of the head portion 71b of the screw 71 (R1 <R5)。

[0087] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the starting hole base 61 attached to the acrylic plate 5a of the game board 5 and the transparent plate 11 held by the front frame 3. For ease of explanation, hatching is not applied in Fig. 23.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 23, when the front frame 3 is in a closed state with respect to the inner frame 2 (see FIG. 2), the game board 5 and the transparent plate 11 face each other. In this state, the length (shortest length (dimension)) D3 between the foremost end of the start port base 61 and the transparent plate 11 is smaller than the length D1 of the portion where the pin 68 is inserted into the pin through-hole 73 (D3 < D1). Specifically, the foremost end of the start port base 61 is the front surfaces of the first front wall 66a and the second front wall 66b of the connecting portion 66, and the length D3 between these front surfaces and the rear surface of the transparent plate 11 is smaller than the above-described length D1.

[0089] According to the game board 500 according to the modified example configured as described above, the following effects can be achieved.

[0090] Since the diameter R3 of the pin 68 of the start port base 61 is larger than the diameter of the screw through-hole 72 and larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 71a of the screw 71 of the screw, the strength of the pin 68 can be improved, and the pin 68 is less likely to be damaged.

[0091] Also, since the diameter R1 of the pin through-hole 73 is larger than the diameter R2 of the screw through-hole 72 and larger than the diameter R4 of the shaft portion 71a of the screw 71, a predetermined gap can be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the pin 68 inserted into the pin through-hole 73 and the inner peripheral surface of the pin through-hole 73, and the pin 68 is less likely to be damaged during insertion. Further, since the diameter R1 of the pin through-hole 73 is smaller than the diameter R5 of the head portion 71b of the screw 71, the durability of the acrylic plate 5a can be maintained. In particular, since the screw through-hole 72 and the pin through-hole 73 are often formed at positions close to each other, the region of the acrylic plate 5a where these through-holes 72, 73 are formed is likely to have reduced durability. Therefore, designing in this way can maintain the durability of the acrylic plate 5a, which is extremely effective.

[0092] Also, since the diameter R3 of the pin 68 is smaller than the thickness of the second plate-like portion 65 of the start port base 61, sink marks are less likely to occur in the start port base 61 formed by injection molding a resin material.

[0093] Furthermore, since the length D1 of the portion of the pin 68 inserted into the pin through hole 73 is smaller than the length D2 of the portion of the screw 71 inserted into the screw through hole 72, the amount of protrusion of the pin 68 is reduced, making the pin 68 less likely to break or become damaged.

[0094] In this way, the starting hole base 61 attached to the acrylic plate 5a has the various features as described above, so that defects in the starting hole base (resin member) 61 can be suppressed.

[0095] In addition, a pair of screw holes 67 and pins 68 are formed in the mounting base portion 69 of the second plate-shaped portion 65 of the starting hole base 61, and among these, the screw holes 67 are formed in the thick portion 75, while the pins 68 are formed in the thin portion 70. Therefore, the peripheral end of the starting hole base 61 can be supported and positioned, so that the positioned starting hole base 61 can be sufficiently fixed, and the starting hole base 61 can be easily attached to the acrylic plate (board plate) 5a by the screws 71. In addition, compared to a starting hole base 61 in which the pins 68 are not formed in the thin portion 70 of the peripheral end, the starting hole base 61 can be made smaller by the amount that the pins can be arranged in the thin portion 70 of the peripheral end. Therefore, this miniaturization allows new space to be formed in the play area 30, and the degree of freedom in designing the play area 30 can be increased.

[0096] Furthermore, since the shortest length D3 between the front end of the starting hole base 61 and the transparent plate 11 is smaller than the length D1 of the portion where the pin 68 is inserted into the pin through hole 73, the front-to-rear width of the play area 30 can be made as small as possible, allowing the game balls to flow down the play area 30 as designed. On the other hand, since the length D1 of the portion where the pin 68 is inserted into the pin through hole 73 is larger than the shortest length D3 between the front end of the starting hole base 61 and the transparent plate 11, a length D1 sufficient to position the starting hole base 61 can be secured, and defects in the starting hole base (resin member) 61 can be suppressed.

[0097] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention, and all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims are the subject of the present invention. The above-mentioned embodiment shows a preferred example, but a person skilled in the art can realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements from the contents disclosed in this specification, and these are included in the technical scope described in the attached claims.

[0098] For example, in the above embodiment, Figure 11 shows the state when the ball return prevention member 54 is displaced to a state that is approximately halfway between the closed state and the open state, but this is not limited to this state, and the present invention can also be applied when the ball return prevention member 54 is displaced to any state between the closed state and the open state.

[0099] In addition, in the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, the ball return prevention member 54 can prevent the game ball B2 from returning to the guide passage 29. However, even if another game ball C returns to the boundary area 700 immediately after the game ball B2 that has returned from the game area 30 to the boundary area 700, the ball return prevention member 54 can of course prevent the two game balls (game ball B2 and game ball C) from returning to the guide passage 29.

[0100] In addition, in the above embodiment, the ball return prevention mechanism 50 was integrally formed at the upper end of the inner guide rail 28, but is not limited to this configuration and may be formed separately from the inner guide rail 28.

[0101] In addition, in the above embodiment, the boundary area 700 is provided between the guide passage 29 and the play area 30 , but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the boundary area 700 may be included in the guide passage 29 .

[0102] In addition, in the above embodiment, a protrusion 541c was formed on the second side portion 541b of the opening / closing valve 54b, but this configuration is not limited to this, and the surface of the second side portion 541b may be flat without forming the protrusion 541c.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the stopper wall (contact portion) 52c is configured to contact the second side surface portion 541b of the on-off valve 54b in the open state, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the stopper wall 52c may be configured to be in pressure contact with the second side surface portion 541b of the on-off valve 54b in the open state, or may be configured to be in close proximity to the second side surface portion 541b of the on-off valve 54b.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the starting hole base 61 has been described as an example of a resin member of the present invention, but the technical idea of ​​the present invention can be applied to various resin members attached to the acrylic plate (board plate) 5a of the game board 5. For example, the technical idea of ​​the present invention may be applied to the warp passage 34 formed of a resin material. Furthermore, when units constituting a big prize hole or a second starting hole are provided, the technical idea of ​​the present invention may be applied to the base members of these units attached to the acrylic plate 5a.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the starting hole base 61 has three mounting base parts 69 provided on the back surface of the first plate-shaped part 64, each of which has a set of screw holes 67 and pins 68 formed therein, and one mounting base part 69 provided on the back surface of the second plate-shaped part 65, but is not limited to this configuration. The mounting base part 69 can be appropriately formed according to the shape of the member to be attached to the acrylic plate 5a, and it can be determined whether to form a set of screw holes 67 and pins 68 in the formed mounting base part 69, or to form only screw holes.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the first plate-shaped portion 64 and the second plate-shaped portion 65 of the starting hole base 61 have the thin-walled portion 70 at the upper end portion, which is a part of the peripheral end portion, but this is not limited to the configuration. The position of the thin-walled portion 70 can be appropriately determined depending on the position where the resin member of the present invention is attached to the acrylic plate 5a.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the mounting base portion 69 is formed on the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 and the second plate-shaped portion 65 of the starting hole base 61, and the screw holes 67 and the pins 68 are formed on the mounting base portion 69, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mounting base portion 69 may not be formed on the back surface of the first plate-shaped portion 64 and the second plate-shaped portion 65, and the screw holes 67 and the pins 68 may be formed directly on the back surface of these plate-shaped portions 64, 65. In this case, the back surfaces of the first plate-shaped portion 64 and the second plate-shaped portion 65 become the surfaces that contact the acrylic plate 5a of the game board 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] P Pachinko machine (amusement machine) 27 Outer guide rail (outer rail) 28 Inner guide rail (inner rail) 29 Guidance passage (guidance area) 50 Ball return prevention mechanism 54b Opening and closing valve (displacement member) B1 First game ball (first game ball) B2 Other game balls (second game ball) H1: Specific distance from the tip of the ball return prevention member to the outer guide rail H2 Distance from the lowest point of the other ball to the outer guide rail 2 Inner Frame 3 Front frame 5 Game Board 5a Acrylic board (board surface) 11 Transparent plate 61 Starting hole base (resin material) 64 First plate-shaped portion (resin member) 65 Second plate-shaped portion (resin member) 67 Screw hole (1st hole) 68 Pin (positioning protrusion) 69 Mounting base part (first resin part) 70 Thin-walled section (second resin section) 71 Screw (fixing member) 71a Shaft 71b Head 72 Screw through hole (second hole) 73 Pin through hole (positioning hole) 75 Thick section (third resin section) R1 Pin hole diameter R2 Diameter of through hole for screw R3 Pin diameter R4 Screw shank diameter R5 Screw head diameter T1 Thickness of the second plate D1 Length of the pin inserted into the pin hole D2 Length of the screw inserted into the screw hole D3 Minimum distance between start hole base and transparent plate

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine having a game board, The game board comprises a board plate, a resin member having a first surface with which the board plate contacts and a second surface opposite to the first surface with which a game ball contacts, a fixing member for fixing the resin member to the board plate, a game area provided on the front surface of the board plate, a guide area between an outer rail and an inner rail attached to the front surface of the board plate, which guides a launched game ball to the game area, and a ball return prevention mechanism for preventing the game ball from returning from the game area to the guide area; the ball return prevention mechanism has a displacement member that is displaceable between a first state, a second state, and a third state; The displacement member has a side surface portion facing the outer rail and a tip portion on a tip side of the side surface portion, A distance from the tip portion to the outer rail is set to a specific distance, A game ball guided from the guide area to the game area is a first game ball; If the game ball attempting to return from the game area to the guide area is a second game ball, the first state is a state in which the specific distance is shorter than the second state, the second state is a state in which the specific distance is longer than that in the first state, the third state is a state in which the first game ball is in contact with the side portion, the outer rail, and the second game ball, and the second game ball is in contact with the tip portion, the outer rail, and the first game ball, so that the specific distance is longer than the first state and shorter than the second state, and is shorter than the distance from the lowest point of the second game ball to the outer rail; the resin member has a positioning protrusion for determining an attachment position and a first hole into which the fixing member is inserted, the panel face plate has a positioning hole portion into which the positioning protrusion is inserted, and a second hole portion into which the fixing member inserted into the first hole portion is inserted, a diameter of the positioning hole portion is larger than a diameter of the second hole portion, is larger than a diameter of the shaft portion of the fixing member, and is smaller than a diameter of the head portion of the fixing member; a diameter of the positioning protrusion is smaller than a length from the first surface to the second surface in a range where the positioning protrusion is formed, A gaming machine characterized in that the length of the portion where the positioning protrusion is inserted into the positioning hole is smaller than the length of the portion where the fixing member is inserted into the second hole.

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