Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of making a game ball easy to be attracted.SOLUTION: A second rolling part 381c for transferring a game ball to an outer peripheral surface of a rotation member 2370 is adjacent to the outer side in the radial direction of the rotation member 2370, and is extended continuously in the axial direction. A magnet 2372Rb disposed inside the rotation member 2370 is formed by being extended on the upstream side of the second rolling part 381c from an attraction position between the rotation member and the game ball. In this way, magnetism of the magnet 2372Rb can be acted on a game ball rolling on the second rolling part 381c. Accordingly, the speed of a game ball rolling on the second rolling part 381c can be reduced and unstable rolling of the game ball can be suppressed. As the result, the game ball can be attracted to an attraction surface between the rotation member 2370 and the game ball.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 95

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, Equipped with a first ball entrance and a second ball entrance 2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine is known (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-013496 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned gaming machine, Not providing enough excitement to players There was a problem:

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, To improve the enjoyment of games The object is to provide a gaming machine that allows [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 comprises a first ball inlet and a second ball inlet disposed downstream of the first ball inlet in a gaming area, and comprises a path forming means for forming a path through which gaming balls that do not enter the first ball inlet and flow down can flow down, a gaming board on the front side of which the gaming area is formed, and a plate-like guide member formed so as to be protruding toward the front side of the gaming board and retractable from the front side, and the path forming means comprises a receiving section for receiving gaming balls that do not enter the first ball inlet and a guide member for guiding the gaming balls that flow in from the receiving section through the path. and an outlet portion through which a game ball can be let out, the receiving portion being formed from a light-transmitting material, the receiving portion being disposed upstream of the guide member, the game ball flowing down the path being guided by the guide member protruding toward the front side of the game board, and the game ball can enter the second ball entrance after being let out from the outlet portion, the second ball entrance being disposed toward the horizontal center of the game area relative to the first ball entrance in a front view, and the game machine being formed such that at least a portion of a specific ball entrance area can overlap at least a portion of the guide member below the guide member in the direction of gravity in a front view. Can .

[0007]

[0008] Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, To improve the enjoyment of games can.

[0010]

[0011] [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the movable ball entry device. [Figure 9] This is a rear view of the movable ball entry device. [Figure 10] This is an oblique view of the front of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 11] This is a rear oblique view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 12] This is an exploded front oblique view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 13] This is an exploded rear oblique view of the movable ball-entering device. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] 10(a) to 10(c) are partially enlarged rear views of the center frame. [Figure 17] 1(a) to 1(c) are partially enlarged front views of the center frame. [Figure 18] FIG. 2(a) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame in a first state, and (b) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame in a third state. [Figure 19] 19(a) is a front view of the intermediate member, (b) is a rear view of the intermediate member, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member taken along line XIXc-XIXc in FIG. 19(a). [Figure 20] FIG. 20(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the intermediate member, and FIG. 20(b) is an exploded rear perspective view of the intermediate member. [Figure 21]21(a) is a front view of the center frame and the intermediate member, (b) is a side view of the center frame and the intermediate member, and (c) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the center frame and the intermediate member taken along line XXIc-XXIc in FIG. 21(a). [Figure 22] 1A to 1C are front views of the center frame and the intermediate member. [Figure 23] 5(a) to 5(c) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the center frame and the intermediate member. [Figure 24] 5(a) to 5(c) are cross-sectional views of a center frame and an intermediate member. [Diagram 25] 25(a) is a front view of the rear member, (b) is a rear view of the rear member, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rear member taken along line XXVc-XXVc in FIG. 25(a). [Figure 26] FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. [Figure 28] 28(a) to 28(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 25. [Figure 29] 10(a) to 10(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member. [Diagram 30] 1A is a front view of the intermediate member and the rear member, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 31] 30(a) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member taken along line XXXIa-XXXIa in FIG. 30(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member taken along line XXXIb-XXXIb in FIG. 30(b). [Diagram 32] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 33] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 34] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 35] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 36]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 37] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 38] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 39] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 40] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 41] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 42] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 43] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 44] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 45] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Diagram 46] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 47] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 48] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 49] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 50] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 51] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member and the rear member. [Figure 52] 1A is a front view of the rear base, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the rear base. [Diagram 53] FIG. [Figure 54] FIG. [Figure 55] 53(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the rear base taken along line LV-LV in FIG. 52. [Figure 56] FIG. 2A is a front view of the variable unit, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 57]FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a main body of the variable unit. [Figure 58] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of a main body of the variable unit. [Figure 59] FIG. [Figure 60] FIG. [Figure 61] FIG. [Figure 62] FIG. 4 is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 63] FIG. 4 is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 64] FIG. 4 is a top view of the variable unit. [Figure 65] 13(a) to (c) are top views of the variable unit. [Figure 66] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a rotating ball portion of the variable unit. [Figure 67] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rotating ball portion of the variable unit. [Figure 68] 68(a) is a side view of the rotating body, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line LXVIIIc-LXVIIIc in Figure 68(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line LXVIIId-LXVIIId in Figure 68(b). [Figure 69] 56(a) to (c) are schematic cross-sectional views of the displacement unit taken along line LXIX-LXIX in FIG. 56(a). [Figure 70] 10(a) to 10(c) are partial top views of the displacement unit. [Figure 71] FIG. 2A is a front view of the variable unit and the rear base, and FIG. 2B is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 72] 1A to 1C are top views of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 73] 72(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit and the rear base taken along line LXXIII-LXXIII in FIG. 72(a). [Figure 74]71(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit and the rear base taken along line LXXIV-LXXIV in FIG. 71(b). [Figure 75] 1A is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base in a state before the stopper portion is displaced, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base in a state after the stopper portion is displaced. [Figure 76] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 77] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 78] FIG. 2 is a top view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 79] 10(a) to 10(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 80] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 81] 1A is a front view of the winning port unit, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the winning port unit. [Figure 82] An exploded front oblique view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 83] An exploded rear oblique view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 84] 1A is a front view of the variable winning device, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the variable winning device. [Figure 85] 1A is an exploded front perspective view of a variable winning device, and FIG. 1B is an exploded rear perspective view of the variable winning device. [Figure 86] 1A is a front view of the winning port unit, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the winning port unit. [Figure 87] 86(a) and (b) are partial front views of the winning slot unit in range LXXXVII of FIG. [Figure 88] (a) is a top view of the prize opening unit, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the prize opening unit taken along line LXXXVIIIb-LXXXVIIIb in Figure 88(a), and Figure 88(c) is a cross-sectional view of the prize opening unit taken along line LXXXVIIIc-LXXXVIIIc in Figure 81(a). [Figure 89] 13(a) to 13(c) are cross-sectional views of the winning port unit. [Figure 90] 13(a) to 13(c) are cross-sectional views of the winning port unit. [Figure 91] 91(a) is a front view of the variable unit in the second embodiment, (b) is a top view of the variable unit, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit taken along line XCIc-XCIc in FIG. 91(b). [Figure 92] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the variable unit. [Figure 93] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the variable unit. [Figure 94] (a) is a front view of the magnet, (b) is a top view of the magnet, and (c) is a side view of the magnet. [Figure 95] 13(a) to (c) are top views of the variable unit. [Figure 96] 95(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIa-XCVIa in FIG. 95(a), (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit taken along line XCVIb-XCVIb in FIG. 95(b), and (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit taken along line XCVIc-XCVIc in FIG. 95(c). [Figure 97] 97(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XCVIIc-XCVIIc in FIG. 97(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XCVIId-XCVIId in FIG. 97(b). [Figure 98] 13(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of a variable unit. [Figure 99] 99(b) is a side view of the rotating body in the fourth embodiment, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body along line XCIXc-XCIXc in Figure 99(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body along line XCIXd-XCIXd in Figure 99(b). [Figure 100] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 101]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 102] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 103] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective front view of a rotating body according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 104] 104(b) is a side view of the rotating body, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line CIVc-CIVc in Figure 104(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line CIVd-CIVd in Figure 104(b). [Figure 105] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Fig. 106] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit and the rear base. [Figure 107] FIG. 13(a) is a front view of the winning port unit in the sixth embodiment, and (b) is a rear view of the winning port unit. [Figure 108] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Fig. 109] A front view of the winning port unit in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 110] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 111] 109(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the winning port unit taken along line CXI-CXI in FIG. [Figure 112] An exploded oblique front view of the winning port unit in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 113] 113(a) is a front view of the pathway member, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member taken along line CXIIIb-CXIIIb in FIG. 113(a). [Fig. 114] 1A is a front view of the pathway member, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member. [Fig. 115] 1A is a front view of the pathway member, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member. [Fig. 116] 1A is a front view of the pathway member, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the pathway member. [Fig. 117]A front view of the prize slot unit in the 9th embodiment. [Fig. 118] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 119] 13(a) and (b) are front views of the pathway member. [Figure 120] 13(a) and (b) are front views of a pathway member. [Figure 121] (a) and (b) are front views of the winning port unit. [Figure 122] (a) and (b) are front views of the winning port unit. [Figure 123] 13A is a top view of a path switching member in a tenth embodiment, FIG. 13B is a front view of the path switching member, and FIG. 13C is an exploded perspective front view of the path switching member. [Figure 124] 124(a) is a top view of the path switching member and each path, (b) is a side view of the path switching member and each path as viewed in the direction of arrow CXXIVb in Figure 124(a), and (c) is a side view of the path switching member and each path as viewed in the direction of arrow CXXIVc in Figure 124(a). [Fig. 125] 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Fig. 126] 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 127] 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 128] 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Figure 129] 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Fig. 130] 1A is a top view of the path switching member and each path, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the path switching member and each path. [Fig. 131]A front view of the prize slot unit in the 11th embodiment. [Fig. 132] An exploded oblique front view of the prize slot unit. [Fig. 133] An exploded oblique rear view of the prize slot unit. [Fig. 134] 131(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the winning slot unit taken along line CXXXIV-CXXXIV in FIG. [Fig. 135] 13(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the winning port unit. [Fig. 136] 13(a) and (c) are cross-sectional views of the prize slot unit. [Fig. 137] 10(a) is a time chart showing the change over time in the amount of displacement of a variable plate, and (b) is a time chart showing the change over time in the amount of displacement of a variable plate in the first embodiment. [Figure 138] 138(b) is a side view of the rotating body, (b) is a top view of the rotating body, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line CXXXVIIIc-CXXXVIIIc in Figure 138(b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body taken along line CXXXVIIId-CXXXVIIId in Figure 138(b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 90, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 in which an outer shell is formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame 12 formed in substantially the same external shape as the outer frame 11 and supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 11. Metal hinges 18 are attached to the outer frame 11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side as viewed from the front (see Fig. 1) in order to support the inner frame 12, and the inner frame 12 is supported so as to be openable and closable toward the front side, with the side where the hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0015] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having numerous nails and winning holes 26, 27, 28, 63, etc. is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. The inner frame 12 is equipped with a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls to the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the game balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0016] On the front side of the inner frame 12, there is provided a front frame 14 that covers the upper side of the front, and a lower plate unit 15 that covers the lower side. Metal hinges 19 are attached to two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15, and the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front front side, with the side where the hinges 19 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing. The locks on the inner frame 12 and the front frame 14 can be released by inserting a special key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0017] The front frame 14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed in a substantially elliptical shape at its approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass sheets is disposed on the rear side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0018] In the front frame 14, the upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top that protrudes to the front side, and prize balls and loan balls are discharged into the upper tray 17. The bottom surface of the upper tray 17 is formed with a downward inclination to the right side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the game balls inserted into the upper tray 17 are guided to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) by this inclination. In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, when changing the stage of the performance displayed on the third symbol display device (not shown) or when changing the content of the performance of the super reach.

[0019] The front frame 14 is provided with various light-emitting means such as lamps around it (for example, at the corners). The light-emitting modes of these light-emitting means are changed and controlled by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state such as when a jackpot is hit or when a predetermined reach is reached, and they play a role in enhancing the presentation effect during the game. The periphery of the window portion 14c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps such as jackpot lamps, and when a jackpot is hit or when a reach is reached, each illumination unit 29-33 lights up or blinks by lighting or blinking the built-in LEDs, thereby informing the player that a jackpot is being hit or that the player is in a reach just before a jackpot is being hit. In addition, the upper left part of the front frame 14 when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1) is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs and capable of indicating that prize balls are being paid out and that an error has occurred.

[0020] Also, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination unit 32 from the back side so that the back side of the front frame 14 can be seen, and the certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see FIG. 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Also, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29-33 to create a more brilliant appearance.

[0021] A ball lending operation unit 40 is disposed below the window portion 14c. The ball lending operation unit 40 is provided with a number display unit 41, a ball lending button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, game balls are lent out in response to the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and a built-in LED is lit to display the remaining balance in numbers as the remaining balance information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain loan balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and loan balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where game balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispensing device to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to commonize pachinko machines using a card unit and cash machines.

[0022] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 in the center formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top for storing game balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. On the right side of the lower tray 50, an operating handle 51 is provided which is operated by the player to shoot the ball into the front of the game board 13.

[0023] The operation handle 51 includes a touch sensor 51a for permitting the driving of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of game balls while the switch is being pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting the rotation amount (rotation position) of the operation handle 51 by a change in electrical resistance. When the operation handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the rotation amount, and the game ball is launched with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, whereby the game ball is shot into the front of the game board 13 with a flight amount corresponding to the operation of the player. When the operation handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are turned off.

[0024] A ball removal lever 52 is provided on the lower front part of the lower tray 50 to be operated when discharging the game balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball removal lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the game balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are discharged. This ball removal lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") for receiving the game balls discharged from the lower tray 50 placed below the lower tray 50. As described above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the game board 13 is equipped with a base plate 60 cut into a roughly square shape when viewed from the front, and is equipped with a number of nails (not shown) for guiding balls and a windmill, as well as rails 61, 62, two general winning ports 63, a relatively large movable ball entry device 300, a left start winning port 26 located at the lower left of the movable ball entry device 300, a middle start winning port 28 located in the center, and a right start winning port 27 located at the lower right, and its peripheral portion is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 1).

[0026] The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material and is formed so that the player can visually recognize the various structures disposed on the rear side of the base plate 60 from the front side.

[0027] The general winning port 63, the left start winning port 26, the right start winning port 27, the center start winning port 28, and the movable ball winning device 300 are arranged in through holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed from the front side of the game board 13 by tapping screws or the like.

[0028] A game ball thrown into the game area randomly enters the normal winning hole 63, the left start winning hole 26, the middle start winning hole 28 or the right start winning hole 27 as it flows downstream, or enters the movable ball entry device 300 when activated (opened).

[0029] The game balls that enter each winning hole are collected on the back side of the game board 13 through through holes formed in the game board 13.

[0030] On the other hand, the game balls that flow into the movable ball entry device 300 are further sorted through processes such as flowing down, rolling, and rising inside the device, and then discharged and collected on the back side of the game board 13. The sorting operation in the movable ball entry device 300 will be described later with reference to another drawing.

[0031] The movable ball entry device 300 operates when a specific condition is met (for example, when a game ball enters the left start winning hole 26, the center start winning hole 28, or the right start winning hole 27, and a predetermined special pattern is displayed in a stopped manner for a small win), and allows the game ball to flow in. That is, the movable ball entry device 300 has a wing portion 312 (a so-called wing member) provided at an upper position of the game area, and this wing portion 312 rotates back and forth by a predetermined angle along the board surface by the action of a link mechanism using, for example, a solenoid 317 (see FIG. 14).

[0032] The wing portion 312 is in a substantially upright state, and the game ball is always prevented from flowing into the movable ball entry device 300. When the movable ball entry device 300 is operated, the wing portion 312 is displaced so as to fall in the left and right directions in the game area around its base end, thereby enabling the game ball to flow into the movable ball entry device 300. Since the wing portion 312 is located at an upper position in the game area, particularly near the position where the game ball is first shot, the game ball shot into the game area when the movable ball entry device 300 is operated is guided by the nail at the upper position to easily reach the wing portion 312, and is guided by the wing portion 312 as it is and flows into the movable ball entry device 300.

[0033] The movable ball entry device 300 also operates when a specified condition is met (when the game ball passes through any of the specific areas provided inside the movable ball entry device 300), allowing the ball to enter the movable ball entry device 300. The specific areas inside the movable ball entry device 300 will be described in more detail below.

[0034] In addition, a variable plate 352 (see FIG. 12), which will be described later, is arranged inside the movable ball entry device 300. The variable plate 352 performs a sorting operation to guide the gaming ball to either the normal route or the special route. If the gaming ball is guided to the normal route, the probability of a subsequent jackpot is low, but if the gaming ball is guided to the special route, the probability of a subsequent jackpot is higher than when the gaming ball is guided to the normal route.

[0035] The front central portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through a window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0036] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially arc shape is set up on the front of the game board 13, and an inner rail 61 formed of a strip-shaped metal plate similar to the outer rail 62 is set up on the inside of the outer rail 62. The outer rail 61 and the outer rail 62 surround the front outer periphery of the game board 13, and the game board 13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) surround the front and rear, forming a game area in front of the game board 13 where games are played based on the behavior of the ball. The game area is an area (an area where winning holes and the like are arranged and where the shot game balls flow down) that is formed in front of the game board 13 and partitioned by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin outer edge member 73 that connects the rails.

[0037] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the game ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the upper part of the game board 13. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip part (upper left part of FIG. 2) of the inner rail 61, which prevents the game ball once guided to the upper part of the game board 13 from returning back into the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip part (upper right part of FIG. 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight part of the ball, and a game ball launched with a predetermined force or more hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back toward the center while its force is reduced.

[0038] The first pattern display devices 37A and 37B, which are equipped with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display as light-emitting means, are arranged in the lower left side of the game area when viewed from the front (lower left side of FIG. 2). The first pattern display devices 37A and 37B are used to display information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and mainly display the game status of the pachinko machine 10. In this embodiment, the first pattern display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be used differently depending on whether the ball has entered the left or right start winning hole 26 or 27 or the middle start winning hole 28. Specifically, when the ball has entered the left or right start winning hole 26 or 27, the first pattern display device 37A is activated, while when the ball has entered the middle start winning hole 28, the first pattern display device 37B is activated.

[0039] The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in time-saving or normal mode, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbol corresponds to a small win, and the number of reserved balls, while the seven-segment display device displays the number of rounds during a big win and errors. The LEDs are configured to have different light colors (e.g., red, green, and blue), and the combination of light colors can indicate various game states of the pachinko machine 10 with a small number of LEDs.

[0040] In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery (a lottery as to whether or not the game ball flowing down the movable ball entry device 300 passes through a specific area) is held when the first sensor 311b wins. In the lottery, the pachinko machine 10 judges whether or not there is a jackpot (jackpot lottery), and if there is a jackpot, it also judges the type of jackpot. The types of jackpots that can be judged here include a 16R jackpot, a 7R jackpot, and a 3R jackpot. In the case of a jackpot, a pattern corresponding to the type of jackpot is displayed on the first pattern display devices 37A and 37B.

[0041] Here, a "16R jackpot" refers to a jackpot with a maximum of 16 rounds, a "7R jackpot" refers to a jackpot with a maximum of 7 rounds, and a "3R jackpot" refers to a jackpot with a maximum of 3 rounds.

[0042] One round is a unit that divides the number of winning balls in a big win. In this embodiment, during one round, the wing 312 tilts, the first sensor 311b (see FIG. 14) is opened, and the round ends when 30 seconds have passed or when 10 game balls have passed the first sensor 311b. Since there are 10 winning balls for each game ball that passes the first sensor 311b, about 100 winning balls can be obtained in each round.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first round ends when the game ball passes through the V-shaped winning member 382 (see FIG. 10), so there are no prize balls in the first round. That is, in a 3R jackpot, a maximum of about 200 prize balls can be obtained, in a 7R jackpot, a maximum of about 600 prize balls can be obtained, and in a 16R jackpot, a maximum of about 1500 prize balls can be obtained.

[0044] The time-saving state (time-saving state) refers to a game state in which the probability of winning the jackpot remains the same, but only the probability of winning the second symbol increases, making it easier for the game ball to enter the middle start winning hole 28. On the other hand, the pachinko machine 10 is in a normal game state that is not in the time-saving state (a state in which the probability of winning the second symbol has not increased).

[0045] During the time reduction, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time during which the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 associated with the middle start winning hole 28 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in an open state (open state), the game ball is more likely to win the middle start winning hole 28 than when the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the time reduction, the game ball is more likely to win the middle start winning hole 28, and the wing portion 312 can be more easily opened.

[0046] During the time reduction, instead of changing the opening time of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 associated with the middle start winning port 28, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 opens in one win may be increased compared to during normal play. Also, during the time reduction, the winning probability of the second symbol may not be changed, and at least one of the time during which the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 associated with the middle start winning port 28 is opened and the number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 opens in one win may be changed. Also, during the time reduction, the time during which the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 associated with the middle start winning port 28 is opened and the number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 opens in one win may not be changed, and only the winning probability of the second symbol may be changed to be increased compared to during normal play.

[0047] In the game area, a plurality of general winning holes 63 are arranged, into which 5 to 15 game balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the winning hole. In addition, a movable ball entry device 300 is arranged in the center of the game area. The movable ball entry device 300 is provided with a wing portion 312 that opens and closes in synchronization with the variable display in the first pattern display devices 37A and 37B, triggered by winning (start winning) in the left and right start winning holes 26 and 27 and the center start winning hole 28, and a second pattern display device (not shown) composed of an LED that variably displays a second pattern, triggered by the passage of a game ball through the through gate 67. In addition, a center frame 86 is arranged in the movable ball entry device 300 so as to surround the outer periphery.

[0048] The second symbol display device performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol as display symbols (second symbol (not shown)) are alternately lit for a predetermined period of time each time the ball passes through the through gate 67. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the through gate 67, a winning lottery is held. If the winning lottery results in a winning, the second symbol display device displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed in a variable manner. If the winning lottery results in a losing, the second symbol display device displays a static "x" symbol after the second symbol is displayed in a variable manner.

[0049] The pachinko machine 10 is configured such that when the variable display in the second pattern display device stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "circle" pattern), the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 attached to the intermediate start winning port 28 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0050] The time required for the variable display of the second symbol is set to be shorter during the time-saving mode than during the normal game mode. As a result, since the variable display of the second symbol is performed in a short time during the time-saving mode, more winning lotteries can be held than during the normal game mode. Therefore, since there are more chances to win in the winning lottery, the player can be given more chances to open the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 of the middle start winning hole 28. Therefore, during the time-saving mode, the game ball can be easily won into the middle start winning hole 28.

[0051] In addition, if the game ball is made more likely to enter the intermediate start winning hole 28 during the time-saving mode by other methods such as increasing the winning probability, increasing the opening time or number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is opened for one win, etc., the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol may be made constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol is set shorter during the time-saving mode than during normal mode, the winning probability may be made constant regardless of the game state, and the opening time or number of times the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is opened for one win may be made constant regardless of the game state.

[0052] The through gates 67 are attached to the game board on the left and right of the movable ball entry device 300, and are configured to allow some of the game balls launched onto the game board to pass through. When the game ball passes through the through gates 67, a lottery is held to determine whether a second symbol will win. After the lottery, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the lottery results in a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stationary symbol on the variable display, and if the lottery results in a miss, a "×" symbol is displayed as the stationary symbol on the variable display.

[0053] The number of times that the ball passes through the through gate 67 is reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, and is also displayed by lighting the second symbol reserved lamp (not shown). Four second symbol reserved lamps are provided, the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the movable ball entrance device 300.

[0054] In addition, the second pattern may be displayed by switching the lighting and non-lighting of a plurality of lamps in the second pattern display device as in this embodiment, or may be displayed by using a part of the first pattern display device 37A, 37B and the movable ball-entering device 300. Similarly, the lighting of the second pattern reserve lamp may be performed by a part of the movable ball-entering device 300. In addition, the maximum number of reserved balls for the passage of the game ball through the through gate 67 is not limited to four times, and may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (e.g., eight times). In addition, the number of the through gates 67 to be assembled is not limited to one, and may be multiple (e.g., two). In addition, the assembly position of the through gate 67 is not limited to the left or right of the movable ball-entering device 300, and may be, for example, above the movable ball-entering device 300. In addition, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the second pattern reserve lamp may not be lit.

[0055] Left and right start winning holes 26, 27 into which a ball can win are arranged on the left and right lower sides of the movable ball winning device 300. When a game ball wins into the left and right start winning holes 26, 27, the left start winning hole switch 210a and the right start winning hole switch 210b provided on the back side of the game board 13 are turned on, and a lottery is held by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) due to the left start winning hole switch 210a and the right start winning hole switch 210b being turned on, and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first pattern display device 37A, and the wing portion 312 opens a predetermined number of times (once in this embodiment) and closes after a predetermined period of time (0.5 seconds in this embodiment).

[0056] On the other hand, a middle start winning hole 28 into which a ball can win is disposed at the center side of the left and right start winning holes 26, 27 as seen from the front. When a game ball wins at this middle start winning hole 28, a middle start winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and a lottery is performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) due to the middle start winning hole switch being turned on, and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first pattern display device 37B, and the wing portion 312 repeats opening and closing a predetermined number of times (twice in this embodiment) (the opening period is 0.5 seconds, and the interval between the first and second openings is 2 seconds).

[0057] A lottery is held for each of the start winning openings 26, 27, 28 so that there is a 1 / 1 chance of winning a small win. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no lottery for a big win by a game ball passing through each of the start winning openings 26, 27, 28. After the lottery, the wing portion 312 opens and closes a predetermined number of times after a randomly selected opening period (1 to 5 seconds).

[0058] In addition, the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 and the middle start winning opening 28 are each one of the winning openings from which five game balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the middle start winning opening 28, but the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 and the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the middle start winning opening 28 may be different numbers, for example, the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the left and right start winning openings 26, 27 may be three, and the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the middle start winning opening 28 may be five.

[0059] The variable winning device 650 is attached to the middle start winning opening 28. The variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is configured to be openable and closable, and the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is usually in a closed state (reduced state), making it difficult for the ball to win the middle start winning opening 28. On the other hand, when the variable display of the second symbol, which is triggered by the passage of the game ball through the through gate 67, displays a "○" symbol on the second symbol display device, the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in an open state (expanded state), making it easy for the ball to win the middle start winning opening 28.

[0060] As described above, during the time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol is higher than during normal play, and the time it takes for the second symbol to change is also shorter, so that the symbol "○" is more likely to be displayed in the changeable display of the second symbol, and the number of times that the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the time-saving period, the time that the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is open is also longer than during normal play. Therefore, during the time-saving period, a state in which the game ball is more likely to win the middle start winning hole 28 can be created compared to normal play.

[0061] The probability of a 16R jackpot being selected as the type of jackpot when a jackpot is hit is set higher when the game ball enters the center start winning hole 28 than when the game ball enters the left and right start winning holes 26, 27 (it is made easier to make multiple game balls enter the movable ball entry device 300 at once). On the other hand, the left and right start winning holes 26, 27 do not have an electric device like the center start winning hole 28, and balls are always able to enter.

[0062] A first sensor 311b is disposed on the upper part of the movable ball entry device 300. In the pachinko machine 10, when a game ball that entered the movable ball entry device 300 passes through the V entry member 382 after winning the prize in the left and right start winning hole 26, 27 or the center start winning hole 28, a jackpot occurs. After a predetermined time (variable time), the first pattern display device 37A or the first pattern display device 37B is turned on to show a jackpot stop pattern, and a stop pattern corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on a part of the movable ball entry device 300 to indicate the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot, jackpot game) in which the ball is likely to win. In this special game state, the wing portion 312, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have passed or until 10 balls win).

[0063] The wing 312 closes after a predetermined time has elapsed, and after the closing, the wing 312 is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of the wing 312 can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (for 16 rounds excluding the first round). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual as an addition of game value (game value).

[0064] The special game state is not limited to the above-mentioned form. A large opening that is opened and closed separately from the blade 312 may be provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a big win is lit in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the blade 312 is opened for a predetermined time, and a large opening provided separately from the blade 312 is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when a ball enters the first sensor 311b during the opening of the blade 312, as a game state to be formed as a special game state. Also, the first sensor 311b is not limited to one, and one or more than two (for example, three) may be provided, and the location of the arrangement is not limited to the upper side of the movable ball entry device 300, but may be, for example, below the left and right starting entry ports 26, 27.

[0065] An attachment space K1 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc. is provided in the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13, and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be viewed through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

[0066] The game board 13 is provided with an outlet 71. Game balls flowing down the game area that do not win in any of the winning holes 26, 27, 28, 63 are guided through the outlet 71 to a ball discharge path (not shown). All game balls that are shot into the game area, including game balls that have entered the movable ball entry device 300, are collected on the back side of the game board 13. The collected game balls are discharged outside the frame from the back side of the pachinko machine 10 through an out passage assembly (not shown), and further merge with a supply path for the island equipment (not shown).

[0067] A large number of nails are set on the game board 13 in order to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and various components (gimmicks) such as windmills are also provided.

[0068] An example of the game of the game machine in this embodiment will be described. The object of the game in this embodiment is to pass the game ball through the V winning member 382, ​​to transition the game state to the special game state, and to obtain the prize ball. To this end, the player adjusts the strength of the game ball and shoots it so that the game ball slides down the upper surface of the center frame 86. As a result, when the game ball hits many nails and enters each of the starting winning holes 26, 27, and 28, the wing portion 312 opens. At this time, if the game ball can be entered into the movable ball entry device 300 at the right time, the game ball will pass through the V winning member 382 depending on the state of the game ball flowing down thereafter, so the player can visually confirm the flow of the game ball and enjoy watching the movement of the actual game ball to see whether he will get a big win or not.

[0069] That is, the first condition for winning the jackpot is to open the wing portion 312, and the second condition is to cause the game ball to enter the movable ball entry device 300 when the movable piece 190b opens.

[0070] Therefore, a hitting style that does not allow the game ball to reach the center frame 86 (so-called "shoro hit") or a hitting style that allows the game ball to reach the return rubber 69 (so-called "right hit") is disadvantageous for obtaining a jackpot in this embodiment.

[0071] As described later, in this embodiment, a structure is adopted that makes it easy to win a jackpot when two game balls enter the movable ball entry device 300 at the same time. Therefore, the player shoots the game balls aiming at the upper end (the apex of the triangle) of the center frame 86, scattering the game balls to the left and right, aiming to have two balls enter, one each on the left and right, when the movable piece 190b is opened, thereby making it easy to play a jackpot.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is unitized with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113) and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is unitized with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115) and a card unit connection board 116.

[0073] The back pack unit 94 is a unit formed by the back pack 92 forming the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part, a port for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as necessary.

[0074] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each stored in the board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 each include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to store the respective control devices and boards.

[0075] In addition, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) are connected (connected by a crimping structure) between the box base and the box cover by a sealing unit (not shown). In addition, a sealing seal (not shown) is affixed to the connection between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcefully open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or the sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0076] The payout unit 93 includes a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently inclined toward the downstream side, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and performing payout of game balls by a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately pays out the required number of game balls. A vibrator 134 for applying vibration to the tank rail 131 is attached to the tank rail 131.

[0077] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state recovery switch 120, the launch control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM erase switch 122. The state recovery switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jams (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the launch force of the launch solenoid. The RAM erase switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0078] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0079] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201 as a one-chip microcomputer that is a calculation device. The MPU 201 includes a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 202, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. In the main control device 110, the MPU 201 executes the main processing of the pachinko machine 10, such as setting the display on the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and drawing the display results on the second symbol display device.

[0080] In addition, in order to instruct sub-control devices such as the dispensing control device 111 and the voice lamp control device 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction, from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices.

[0081] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0082] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including the time of the power outage; the same applies below) are stored in the RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including the time of the power being turned on due to the power outage being resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power outage based on the information stored in the RAM 203. Writing to the RAM 203 is executed by the main processing (see FIG. 4) when the power supply is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to the RAM 203 is executed in the start-up processing (see FIG. 4) when the power supply is turned on. Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 201 is configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 201, an NMI interrupt processing as a power outage processing is immediately executed.

[0083] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the voice lamp control device 113, the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol reservation lamp, the large opening solenoid 209a for driving the opening and closing rotation to the left and right around the lower side of the wing portion 312 of the first sensor 311b, the electric role solenoid 209b for driving the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650, or various solenoid motors 209 consisting of motors and the like, and the MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to them via the input / output port 205.

[0084] Various direct switches 210, which are different from the various switches 208 and are directly involved in the benefits given to the player, are connected directly to the MPU 201 without going through the input / output port 205.

[0085] The various solenoid motors 209 include at least a solenoid 317 for driving the opening and closing rotation to the left and right around the lower edge of the wing portion 312 of the first sensor 311b as an axis, a solenoid 655 for driving the opening and closing of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650, and a drive motor 376R for driving the rotation of the rotating bodies 372R, 372L.

[0086] The various direct switches 210 include a left start winning port switch, a right start winning port switch, and a center start winning port switch, which are not shown.

[0087] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 consisting of a group of switches not shown and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 described below that is provided in the power supply device 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on the signals output from the various switches 208 and the RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0088] The payout control device 111 drives a payout motor 216 to control the payout of prize balls and loan balls. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 used as a work memory, etc.

[0089] The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and the return address of the control program executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working area) in which the values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to hold (back up) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. In addition, like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0090] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, the payout motor 216, the launch control device 112, and the like. Although not shown, the payout control device 111 is connected to a prize ball detection switch for detecting the paid-out prize balls. The prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but is not connected to the main control device 110.

[0091] The launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the strength of the game ball is set according to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51 when the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch the game ball. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and an electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and the electromagnet are permitted to be driven when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and on condition that the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of the ball is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in response to the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the game ball is launched with a strength according to the amount of operation of the operating handle 51.

[0092] The voice lamp control device 113 controls the output of voice in the voice output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of turning on and off the lamp display device (such as the illumination units 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the 7-segment display device such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance performed by the display control device 114. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores the control program executed by the MPU 221, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0093] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the voice and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, a voice output device 226, a lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc.

[0094] The power supply device 115 has a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure or the like, and a RAM deletion switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM deletion switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltage to each of the control devices 110-114, etc. through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit 251 takes in an AC voltage of 24 volts supplied from the outside, generates a 12 volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the various solenoid motors 209, motors, etc., a 5 volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0095] The power failure monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 252 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and when this voltage becomes less than 22 volts, it judges that a power failure (power failure, power cut) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal SG1 to the main control device 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power failure signal SG1, the main control device 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the voltage of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the NMI interrupt processing, even after the voltage of 24 volts DC becomes less than 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown).

[0096] The RAM clear switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clear signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clear switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clear signal SG2 when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, it clears the backup data and transmits a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0097] Next, a schematic configuration of the game board 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the game board 13, Fig. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board 13, and Fig. 7 is an exploded rear perspective view of the game board 13.

[0098] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the game board 13 mainly comprises a movable ball entry device 300 arranged inside an opening 60a in the center of a base plate 60 made of a transparent flexible resin material, a winning port unit 600 located below the movable ball entry device 300 in the direction of gravity and arranged on the base plate 60, and an illumination unit 900 located on the back side of the base plate 60.

[0099] The movable ball-entry device 300 is inserted from the front side into an opening 60a formed through the center of the base plate 60 in a front view. The movable ball-entry device 300 has an edge portion with an outer shape larger than the opening 60a, and is disposed so that the edge portion abuts against the front surface of the base plate 60. This allows the movable ball-entry device 300 to be positioned in the front-rear direction relative to the base plate 60. A detailed description of the movable ball-entry device 300 will be given later.

[0100] The winning port unit 600 is a unit including the above-mentioned start winning ports 26, 27, and 28, and is located below the movable ball winning device 300 in the direction of gravity, and is disposed on the base plate 60. The winning port unit 600 will be described in detail later.

[0101] The irradiation unit 900 is formed in a generally rectangular frame shape in a front view, and its outer shape is smaller than the outer shape in a front view of the base plate 60. This makes it impossible for a player to directly see the irradiation unit 900 through the base plate 60.

[0102] In addition, a board (not shown) equipped with LEDs is disposed inside the irradiation unit 900, and light emitted from the LEDs is irradiated to the front side (player side). As described above, the base plate 60 is formed of a transparent flexible resin material, so that the light emitted from the LEDs of the irradiation unit 900 can be irradiated to the player side through the base plate 60.

[0103] Next, the detailed configuration of the movable ball entry accessory device 300 and the winning port unit 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 90. First, the movable ball entry accessory device 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 80.

[0104] First, the overall configuration of the movable ball entry device 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 13. Fig. 8 is a front view of the movable ball entry device 300, and Fig. 9 is a rear view of the movable ball entry device 300. Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300, and Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300. Fig. 12 is an exploded front perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300, and Fig. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of the movable ball entry device 300.

[0105] As shown in Figures 8 to 13, the movable ball-entering device 300 is mainly formed by a center frame 310 formed in a generally rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front, an intermediate member 330 superimposed on the upper side in the direction of gravity on the rear side of the center frame 310, a rear member 350 arranged on the rear side of the intermediate member 330, a variable unit 360 arranged on the rear side of the center frame 310, a rear base 390 arranged in a manner covering the rear sides of the variable unit 360 and the rear member 350, and a control board 410 arranged on the rear side of the rear base 390.

[0106] The movable ball-entering device 300 allows the player to see the intermediate member 330, rear member 350 and variable unit 360 arranged on the rear side through the inside of the center frame 310 in a frame state (see FIG. 8).

[0107] Next, a detailed configuration of the center frame 310 will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is an exploded front perspective view of the center frame 310, and Figure 15 is an exploded rear perspective view of the center frame 310.

[0108] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, center frame 310 is formed mainly by a frame body 311 formed in a frame shape when viewed from the front, wing portions 312 rotatably supported on the upper side of the front side of frame body 311 in the direction of gravity, an upper front cover 313 arranged in a manner covering the front side of frame body 311 and interposing wing portions 312 between it and frame body 311, a solenoid 317 that generates a driving force for rotating wing portions 312, a shaft portion 315 that transmits the driving force of solenoid 317 to wing portions 312, a rear cover 316 that houses solenoid 317, and a ventilation cover 318 that covers the rear side of rear cover 316 and prevents solenoid 317 from slipping out of rear cover 316.

[0109] The frame body 311 is formed in a front-view frame state, and is mainly formed with a recess 311a recessed toward the rear side on the front side above in the direction of gravity, a pair of first sensors 311b arranged on the edge of the recess 311a on the lower side in the direction of gravity, an upward inclined portion 311c formed between the pair of first sensors 311b, a downward inclined portion 311d formed on the inner surface on the lower side in the direction of gravity, recovery holes 311e opened at both ends of the downward inclined portion 311d to a size allowing game balls to pass through, and a through hole 311f formed through the recess 311a from the front side to the rear side.

[0110] The recess 311a is a recess for forming a gap through which the game ball can pass between the upper front cover 313 described later, and the recess dimension is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. The recess 311a is formed in a crescent shape that curves downward in the direction of gravity (downward in FIG. 8) toward both ends in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) when viewed from the front. This allows the game ball that has flowed down to the edge of the recess 311a to roll and flow down to the outside of the frame body 311 along the curved shape.

[0111] The upwardly inclined portion 311c is located in the left-right center of the frame body 311, and is formed on the other edge of the recessed portion 311a (the surface connecting the front of the recessed portion 311a and the front of the frame body 311). The upwardly inclined portion 311c is formed so as to incline downward in the direction of gravity from the center of the frame body 311 toward both left-right ends. As a result, when a game ball is thrown between the opposing recessed portion 311a (frame body 311) and the upper front cover 313, the thrown game ball rolls on the upper surface of the upwardly inclined portion 311c due to gravity, and falls from the ends (both left and right ends) of the upwardly inclined portion 311c.

[0112] The first sensor 311b has a first detection hole 311b1 formed therein, which is an opening large enough for a game ball to pass through. The first sensor 311b can detect the passage of the game ball by the game ball passing through the first detection hole 311b1.

[0113] The first sensor 311b is disposed on the outer side of both left and right ends of the upward inclined portion 311c in such a manner that the first detection hole 311b1 opens in the direction of gravity, and is disposed below the downward inclined end of the upward inclined portion 311c. Therefore, as described above, when the game ball rolling on the upward inclined portion 311c rolls to the end of the upward inclined portion 311c and falls from the upward inclined portion 311c, it passes through the inside of the first detection hole 311b1 of the first sensor 311b. This allows the first sensor 311b to detect the game ball sent between the recess 311a and the upper front cover 313.

[0114] The through hole 311f is a hole through which the rotating shaft 315a of the shaft portion 315 described later is inserted, and penetrates the other side of the recess 311a from the front to the back, and its inner diameter is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 315a.

[0115] The downwardly inclined portion 311d is a surface that receives a game ball sent over the upper portion of the variable unit 360 described later and sends the game ball to the recovery hole 311e when the game ball falls from the front of the variable unit 360, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface on the other side of the center frame 310. The downwardly inclined portion 311d is formed inclined downward in the direction of gravity from a substantially central position in the left-right direction toward the outside. Therefore, the game ball sent to the upper portion of the downwardly inclined portion 311d can be rolled along the inclination to the terminal position of the downwardly inclined portion 311d.

[0116] The recovery hole 311e is a hole through which the game ball sent to the downward inclined portion 311d is sent next, as described above, and is formed with an opening larger than the outer diameter of the ball and is formed at both left and right ends of the downward inclined portion 311d. Therefore, as described above, when the game ball rolling on the upper part of the downward inclined portion 311d rolls to the end of the downward inclined portion 311d and falls from the downward inclined portion 311d, it is sent into the inside of the recovery hole 311e.

[0117] The wing portion 312 is formed in a generally triangular shape when viewed from the front, and its thickness is set to be generally the same as the diameter of the game ball. In addition, the wing portion 312 is formed with a shaft support hole 312a that is recessed in a circular shape toward the front side on the other side of the back side (the lower side in the direction of gravity).

[0118] The shaft support hole 312a is a hole into which the rotating shaft 315a of the shaft portion 315 described later is fitted, and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 315a. As a result, when the rotating shaft 315a of the shaft portion 315 is rotated, the wing portion 312 can be rotationally displaced around the shaft support hole 312a as an axis. The operation of the wing portion 312 will be described in detail later.

[0119] The upper front cover 313 is a plate for forming a flow path for game balls on the front side of the frame body 311, and is disposed with a gap larger than the diameter of the game ball separated from the front of the recessed portion 311a of the frame body 311. This forms a gap through which the game balls can flow down between the opposing recessed portion 311a and the upper front cover 313. The upper front cover 313 is formed of a transparent plate-like body, and allows the player to see the game balls flowing down between the opposing recessed portion 311a and the upper front cover 313.

[0120] The upper front cover 313 is formed in a semicircular arc with one side (upper side in the direction of gravity) curved, and includes a bulge 313a that protrudes toward the rear side at the end of that side.

[0121] The bulging portion 313a is a protrusion for preventing a game ball flowing down from above the upper front cover 313 in the direction of gravity from entering the gap between the recessed portion 311a and the upper front cover 313, and is formed above the gap between the opposing wing portions 312 arranged in a pair. When the wing portions 312 are in the first state (a state in which the wing portions 312 are not rotated and the tip portion A1 is located above the shaft support hole 312a in the direction of gravity), the gap between the wing portions 312 and the bulging portion 313a is set smaller than the diameter of the game ball, and the game ball flowing down the front side of the game board 13 cannot enter the gap between the opposing recessed portion 311a and the upper front cover 313 (see FIG. 17(a)).

[0122] Solenoid 317 is a driving means for applying a driving force to wing portion 312, and is mainly formed with shaft portion 317a which undergoes piston-like displacement, and transmission portion 317b which is formed on the lower side of shaft portion 317a in the direction of gravity.

[0123] Shaft portion 317a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and one side of shaft portion 317a is inserted into solenoid 317. Shaft portion 317a is disposed such that its axial direction is parallel to the direction of gravity, and when power is applied to solenoid 317, shaft portion 317a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity and is drawn into solenoid 317. That is, shaft portion 317a can perform piston motion in the direction of gravity.

[0124] The transmission part 317b is formed to protrude from the other side of the shaft part 317a in a D-shape with an opening 317b1 inside. The opening 317b1 of the transmission part 317b is formed to open from the front side to the back side, and the variable shaft 315b described later is inserted inside. Therefore, when the shaft part 317a makes a piston movement in the gravity direction, the variable shaft 315b inserted in the transmission part 317b is displaced in the gravity direction.

[0125] The shaft portion 315 is a shaft that transmits the driving force of the solenoid 317 to the wing portion 312, and is mainly formed by a rotating shaft 315a arranged at one end on the front side and connected to the wing portion 312, a variable shaft 315b arranged at one end on the rear side and engaged with the solenoid 317, and a connecting portion 315c that connects the rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b.

[0126] As described above, the rotating shaft 315a is a shaft that transmits the driving force to rotate the wing portion 312, and one end on the front side is inserted from the back side of the through hole 311f of the frame body 311 and protrudes to the front side, and the end portion protruding from the front side of the frame body 311 is externally fitted into the shaft support hole 312a of the wing portion 312.

[0127] As described above, the rear end of the variable shaft 315 b is inserted into the transmission portion 317 b of the solenoid 317 , and is displaced by the driving of the solenoid 317 .

[0128] The connecting portion 315c is a connecting portion that connects the rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b, and connects the end of the rotating shaft 315a on the back side to the end of the variable shaft 315b on the front side. The rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b are connected in a manner in which their axes are parallel to each other. That is, the rotating shaft 315a and the variable shaft 315b are connected by the connecting portion 315c at an eccentric position. As a result, when the variable shaft 315b is displaced in the direction of gravity, the displacement is transmitted to the rotating shaft 315a by the connecting portion 315c, and the rotating shaft 315a is rotationally displaced. As a result, the wing portion 312 can be rotationally displaced.

[0129] The rear cover 316 is a plate for arranging the solenoid 317 inside, and is arranged in a manner that covers the rear surface of one side of the frame body 311 that is upper in the direction of gravity, and has a recessed portion 316a on the rear surface side for arranging the solenoid 317, and an opening 316b on the lower side of the recessed portion 316a in the direction of gravity.

[0130] Recessed portion 316a is a recess for disposing solenoid 317 therein, and is recessed at a position facing solenoid 317. The recess depth of recessed portion 316a is set to be approximately the same as the thickness dimension of solenoid 317 in the front-rear direction, and recessed portion 316a is disposed at a position where the rear side of rear cover 316 and the rear side of solenoid 317 are approximately aligned. Therefore, by covering the rear side of rear cover 316 with ventilation cover 318 formed from a plate-like body, solenoid 317 cannot fall off rear cover 316.

[0131] The opening 316b is an opening for engaging the variable shaft 315b of the shaft portion 315 with the transmission portion 317b of the solenoid 317, and is formed to be larger than the displacement area of ​​the variable shaft 315b. This allows the driving force of the solenoid 317 disposed on the rear side of the rear cover 316 to be transmitted to the shaft portion 315.

[0132] Next, the displacement operation of the wing portion 312 will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. Figures 16(a) to (c) are partially enlarged rear views of the center frame 310, and Figures 17(a) to (c) are partially enlarged front views of the center frame 310.

[0133] 16(a) and 17(a) show a first state before the displacement of wing portion 312, Fig. 16(c) and 17(c) show a third state after the displacement of wing portion 312, and Fig. 16(b) and 17(b) show a second state which is an intermediate position during the displacement from the first state to the third state. In Fig. 17, the end portion of wing portion 312 opposite shaft support hole 312a will be described as tip portion A1.

[0134] 16(a) to 16(c) show a state in which the ventilation cover 318 is transparent, and in Fig. 17(a) to 17(c) show a state in which the upper front cover 313 is transparent. In Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, the rotation shaft 315a is shown by a dashed line.

[0135] 16(a) and 17(a), in the first state, the shaft 317a of the solenoid 317 is disposed in a state of protruding downward in the direction of gravity. As a result, the variable shaft 315b inserted through the opening 317b1 of the transmission part 317b is positioned lower in the direction of gravity than the rotating shaft 315a. In this case, the tip A1 of the wing part 312 that fits the rotating shaft 315a is positioned on the upper side in the direction of gravity (upper side in FIG. 17(a)) of the shaft support hole 312a (rotating shaft 315a) and on the inside between the opposing pair of wing parts 312.

[0136] When power is applied to the solenoid 317 from the state shown in Figures 16(a) and 17(a) and the shaft portion 317a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity, the state changes to the second state shown in Figures 16(b) and 17(b).

[0137] 16(b) and 17(b), in the second state, the shaft portion 317a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity and accommodated inside the solenoid 317, and the variable shaft 315b of the shaft portion 315 is displaced upward in the direction of gravity while rotating about the axis of the rotating shaft 315a. When the variable shaft 315b is rotationally displaced, the rotational displacement is transmitted to the rotating shaft 315a via the connecting portion 315c, and the rotating shaft 315a is rotated. As a result, the wing portion 312 is rotationally displaced about the shaft support hole 312a.

[0138] In the second state, the tip A1 of the wing portion 312 is located outside the gap between the pair of opposing wing portions 312, and the gap between the tip A1 and the bulging portion 313a of the upper front cover 313 is made larger than the outer diameter of the game ball. That is, in the second state, the game ball flowing down from the upper side in the direction of gravity can flow into the gap between the opposing recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover.

[0139] The second state is an intermediate position in the displacement from the first state to the third state. That is, the displacement of the wing portion 312 is performed as a series of movements between the position of the first state described above and the position of the third state described below.

[0140] When power continues to be applied to the solenoid 317 and the shaft portion 317a is further displaced upward in the direction of gravity from the state shown in Figures 16(b) and 17(b), the third state shown in Figures 16(c) and 17(c) is reached.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 16(b) and FIG. 17(b), in the third state, the shaft portion 317a is further displaced upward in the direction of gravity than in the second state described above and is accommodated inside the solenoid 317. As a result, the variable shaft 315b of the shaft portion 315 is displaced upward in the direction of gravity while rotating further about the axis of the rotating shaft 315a. When the variable shaft 315b is rotationally displaced, the rotational displacement of the variable shaft 315b is transmitted to the rotating shaft 315a via the connecting portion 315c, and the rotating shaft 315a is further rotated, similar to the displacement from the first state to the second state described above. Therefore, the wing portion 312 is further rotationally displaced about the shaft support hole 312a than in the second state.

[0142] In the third state, the tip A1 of the wing 312 is located outside the gap between the pair of opposing wing parts 312, and the imaginary line S1 connecting the tip A1 and the shaft support hole 312a (rotation shaft 315a) is inclined outwardly in the left-right direction at about 45 degrees with respect to the direction of gravity. This expands the area in which the wing 312 can receive game balls flowing down above the game board 13, making it easier for game balls to flow into the gap between the opposing recess 311a of the frame 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0143] Next, the game balls flowing down the game board 13 in the first state and the third state will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18(a) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame 310 in the first state, and Fig. 18(b) is a partially enlarged front view of the center frame 310 in the third state.

[0144] As shown in Figure 18(a), in the first state, the gap between the tip A1 of the wing portion 312 and the bulge portion 313a of the upper front cover 313 is made smaller than the diameter of the game ball, so that the game ball cannot flow into the space between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0145] Therefore, the game balls flowing down from above the center frame 310 do not flow into the space between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313, but flow down both the left and right sides of the center frame 310 (the movable ball entry device 300).

[0146] On the other hand, in the third state, as described above, the imaginary line S1 connecting the tip A1 of the wing portion 312 and the shaft support hole 312a is inclined at about 45 degrees with respect to the direction of gravity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the game ball can flow into the gap between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0147] Therefore, the game ball that flows down from above the center frame 310 and collides with the upper part of the wing portion 312 is sent by the wing portion 312 rolling between the opposing recessed portion 311 a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313 .

[0148] Next, a detailed configuration of the intermediate member 330 will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19(a) is a front view of the intermediate member 330, Figure 19(b) is a rear view of the intermediate member 330, and Figure 19(c) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member 330 taken along line XIXc-XIXc in Figure 19(a). Figure 20(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the intermediate member 330, and Figure 20(b) is an exploded rear perspective view of the intermediate member 330.

[0149] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the intermediate member 330 is mainly formed by a main body portion 331 which is formed in a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a decorative base 332 which is arranged on both the outer left and right sides of the main body portion 331 and illuminates the inside of the main body portion 331.

[0150] The main body 331 is a plate for picking up the game ball thrown between the recess 311a of the frame body 311 of the center frame 310 and the upper front cover 313 below the first sensor 311b in the direction of gravity and throwing it to the rear side, and is mainly formed with a receiving portion 331a that protrudes from approximately the center position on the front side and has its tip positioned below the first detection hole 311b1 (first sensor 311b) in the direction of gravity, and a guide portion 331b that is positioned below the receiving portion 331a in the direction of gravity and guides the game ball thrown from the receiving portion 331a to multiple flow paths.

[0151] The main body 331 is made of a transparent flexible material, so that light emitted from the decorative base 332 disposed on the outer side of the main body 331 in the left-right direction can be irradiated to the inside of the main body 331.

[0152] The receiving portion 331a is formed in a generally U-shaped cross section with an open upper side in the direction of gravity (upper side in the vertical direction in FIG. 19(a)) when viewed from the front. The protruding tip on the front side of the receiving portion 331a is inserted into the opening of the frame body 311 of the center frame 310, and is disposed below the first detection hole 311b1 (first sensor 311b) of the frame body 311 in the direction of gravity. As a result, as described above, a game ball passing through the first detection hole 311b1 of the frame body 311 (center frame 310) can be dropped onto the inner surface (the inner part of the U-shape) of the receiving portion 331a.

[0153] In addition, the receiving portion 331a is formed such that the bottom surface on the lower side in the gravity direction is inclined downward from the front side to the back side (see FIG. 19(c)). This allows the game ball that has fallen onto the receiving portion 331a to roll along the downward incline and be sent to the back side of the main body portion 331.

[0154] The guide portion 331b is formed on the lower side of the receiving portion 331a in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the vertical direction in FIG. 19(b)) so as to protrude from the rear side of the main body portion 331. The guide portion 331b is formed by protruding two U-shapes, one large and one small, with the lower side open in the direction of gravity, at a predetermined interval larger than the diameter of the game ball.

[0155] The inner guide portion 331b1 of the guide portion 331b is formed in a small U-shape, and its upper surface is formed to be inclined downward from the approximate center position in the left-right direction toward the outside. This allows the game ball sent to the upper part of the inner guide portion 331b1 to roll in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the inner guide portion 331b1.

[0156] The outer guide portion 331b2 formed in a large U-shape of the guide portion 331b is formed with a gap between the inner guide portion 331b1 and the outer guide portion 331b2 that is larger than the diameter of the game ball, as described above. This allows the game ball to be guided between the inner guide portion 331b1 and the outer guide portion 331b2. The game ball guided between the inner guide portion 331b1 and the outer guide portion 331b2 flows down between them and is sent to the first rolling portion 381a of the main body portion 380, which will be described later.

[0157] Outside the outer guide portion 331b2 in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 19(b)), a standing wall 331c protruding from the back side of the main body portion 331 is provided extending in the direction of gravity. The standing wall 331c is formed at a distance from the outer guide portion 331b2 that is greater than the diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball that is sent to the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 and drops from the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 to be sent between the opposing outer guide portion 331b2 and the standing wall 331c, and allowed to flow down.

[0158] Next, referring to Figures 21 and 23, the sending of a game ball from the center frame 310 to the intermediate member 330 will be described. Figure 21(a) is a front view of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330, Figure 21(b) is a side view of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330, and Figure 21(c) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330 taken along line XXIc-XXIc in Figure 21(a). Figures 22(a) to 22(c) are front views of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330. Figures 23(a) to 23(c) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330.

[0159] 21 to 23 show a state in which the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330 are assembled. Also, Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 show the center frame 310 in a third state (a state in which the wing portion 312 is rotated around the pivot hole 312a), and Fig. 23(a) to Fig. 23(c) show cross sections corresponding to the cross section of Fig. 21(c). Furthermore, Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 show a transition state in which the ball is thrown.

[0160] 21(a) to 21(c), in a state where the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330 are combined, the position of the protruding tip of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 in the direction of gravity is approximately the same as the position of the front surface of the upper front cover 313 of the center frame 310. That is, the receiving portion 331a is protruded to a position facing the first sensor 311b in the direction of gravity. Therefore, as described above, the game ball passing through the inside of the first sensor 311b and flowing down can be dropped onto the receiving portion 331a.

[0161] As shown in Figures 22(a) and 23(a), in the third state, the game ball flowing down from the upper side of the center frame in the direction of gravity comes into contact with the wing parts 312 and is sent between the two opposing wing parts 312. As a result, as shown in Figures 22(b) and 23(b), the ball is sent between the opposing recessed part 311a of the frame body 311 and the upper front cover 313.

[0162] As shown in Figures 22(b) and 23(b), a game ball thrown between the upper front cover 313 and the recess 311a of the frame body 311 passes through the inside of the inner guide portion 331b1 of the first sensor 311b arranged on the lower edge of the recess 311a in the gravity direction, and is thrown to the inside of the receiving portion 331a shown in Figures 22(c) and 23(c).

[0163] As shown in Fig. 22(c) and Fig. 23(c), the curved portion (U-shaped curved portion when viewed from the front) of the receiving portion 331a is positioned below the inner guide portion 331b1 of the first sensor 311b in the direction of gravity. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball that has fallen onto the receiving portion 331a from bouncing back. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rolling speed of the game ball rolling inside the receiving portion 331a from slowing down.

[0164] Next, referring to Fig. 24, a description will be given of a game ball rolling on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a. Fig. 24(a) to Fig. 24(c) are cross-sectional views of the center frame 310 and the intermediate member 330. Fig. 24(a) to Fig. 24(c) show the transition state of a game ball rolling on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a. Fig. 24(a) to Fig. 24(c) correspond to the cross section of Fig. 21(c).

[0165] As shown in FIG. 24(a) to FIG. 24(c), the game ball sent to the upper surface of the receiving part 331a rolls on the upper surface of the receiving part 331a toward the base side (back side) due to the downward inclination toward the base side (back side). At this time, as described above, the curved part of the receiving part 331a is located on the lower side of the inner guide part 331b1 of the first sensor 311b in the gravity direction, so that the game ball flowing down from the inner guide part 331b1 can be made to collide with the curved part of the receiving part 331a. This makes it possible to give a displacement in the left-right direction to the game ball flowing down in the gravity direction. Therefore, the game ball flowing down the upper surface of the receiving part 331a can be made to roll not only toward the base of the receiving part 331a but also in the left-right direction, so that the rolling state of the game ball can be seen for a long time by the player, improving the interest of the player.

[0166] In addition, since the curved portion has higher rigidity than a flat surface, by making the position where the game ball flows down to the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a the curved portion, it is possible to prevent the receiving portion 331a from being damaged by the impact when the game ball falls onto the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a.

[0167] Next, the rear member 350 will be described with reference to Figures 25 to 27. Figure 25(a) is a front view of the rear member 350, Figure 25(b) is a rear view of the rear member 350, and Figure 25(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rear member 350 taken along line XXVc-XXVc in Figure 25(a). Figure 26 is an exploded front perspective view of the rear member 350, and Figure 27 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rear member 350.

[0168] 25 to 27, the rear member 350 is formed mainly by a rear main body portion 351 formed from a plate-like body that is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from the front, a variable plate 352 that is displaceably arranged inside an opening 351b that opens in the front-rear direction in the center of the rear main body portion 351, a winning member 353 that is attached to the rear main body portion 351 in a manner that sandwiches the variable plate 352 therebetween and into which a game ball is sent as the variable plate 352 is displaced, a decorative member 354 that is attached to the winning member 353 and forms a ball sending path for the game ball inside the winning member 353, a light-emitting member 355 that is attached to the decorative member 354 and irradiates light toward the player through the decorative member 354, a solenoid 356 that applies a driving force to the variable plate 352, and a cover member 357 that is attached between the decorative member 354 and the decorative member 354 with the solenoid 356 interposed therebetween and holds the solenoid 356 so that it cannot fall off.

[0169] The rear main body portion 351 is mainly formed with a standing portion 351a that protrudes in a U-shape in cross section toward the front side, an opening 351b that is formed inside the standing portion 351a and opens from the front to the rear side, a bearing portion 352f that is located on both the left and right outside of the opening 351b and holds the shaft portion 352a of the variable plate 352 described later, a connecting hole 351c that opens from the front to the rear side on the lower side of the opening 351b in the gravity direction and guides the game ball sent from the opening 351b to the rear side toward the front, and a first recess 351d and a second recess 351e that are recessed from the front to the rear side at the lower end of the rear main body portion 351 in the gravity direction.

[0170] The rear body part 351 is a member that allows a game ball rolling on the receiving part 331a of the intermediate member 330 (main body part 331) (thrown through the intermediate member 330) to flow downward in the direction of gravity, and is attached to the intermediate member 330 with a gap between the rear side of the intermediate member 330 and the rear body part 351 that is larger than the diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball to flow downward between the opposing parts of the intermediate member 330 and the rear body part 351.

[0171] In addition, the rear body part 351 is formed so that the outer shape in front view is approximately the same as or smaller than the outer shape of the intermediate member 330. This prevents the member from protruding outward in front view from the center frame 310 of the movable ball entry device 300 in the assembled state, and when attaching the movable ball entry device 300 to the opening 60a of the base plate 60, the movable ball entry device 300 can be placed by simply inserting it from the front, making it easy to attach the movable ball entry device 300 to the base plate 60.

[0172] The standing portion 351a is formed in a U-shape that is open downward when viewed from the front. The standing portion 351a includes a first standing portion 351a1 having a small width dimension between the opposing portions, and a second standing portion 351a2 having a larger distance dimension between the opposing portions than the first standing portion 351a1.

[0173] The first standing portion 351a1 is arranged such that the distance between the left and right sides is set to be substantially the same as the distance between the left and right sides of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330, and the left and right ends are disposed at positions facing the left and right ends of the receiving portion 331a in the front-rear direction. The height position in the gravity direction of the upper end of the first standing portion 351a1 is set to be substantially the same as the upper end of the receiving portion 331a. This allows the game ball that rolls on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 and is sent to flow down between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351, and also to flow down inside the standing portion 351a.

[0174] The second standing portion 351a2 is formed by connecting with the end portion on the lower side in the direction of gravity of the first standing portion 352a1. The distance dimension between the opposing second standing portions 351a2 is set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal dimension of the opening 351b, and when the variable plate 352 disposed inside the opening 351b is changed, it is possible to suppress the game ball from flowing down the longitudinal outer side of the variable plate 352. As a result, when the variable plate 352 is displaced, the game ball flowing down between the opposing rear body portion, 351, and the intermediate member 330 can be reliably sent to the opening 351b.

[0175] The opening 351b is an opening for enabling a game ball flowing down between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body part 351 to be sent to the rear side of the rear main body part 351, and is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, and the width dimension in the short direction is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. Also, as described above, the opening 351b is formed between the left and right opposing second standing parts 351a2.

[0176] The connecting hole 351c is a hole for sending the game ball, which has passed through the inside of the opening 351b and been sent to the rear side of the rear main body part, to the front side via the winning member 353 described later, and is located below the opening 351b in the gravity direction and is formed as a rectangular opening larger than the diameter of the ball. Two connecting holes 351c are provided side by side in the left-right direction.

[0177] The first recess 351d is a path along which the game ball sent from the connecting hole 351c to the front side of the rear main body portion 351 is guided down to the upper surface of the inner guide portion of the intermediate member 330 described above, and is located at the lower end of the rear main body portion 351 in the gravity direction and is recessed toward the rear side.

[0178] In addition, when the rear body part 351 (rear member 350) is arranged on the intermediate member 330, the first recess 351d is formed at a position between the inner guide part 331b1 and the outer guide part 331b2 of the intermediate member 330 in a front view. Therefore, the flow direction of the game ball flowing down between the inner guide part 331b1 and the outer guide part 331b2 can be displaced to the rear side. This makes it possible to slow down the flow speed in the gravity direction of the game ball sent between the intermediate member 330 and the rear body part 351 when it flows down to the variable unit 360 described later. Therefore, when the game ball is sent to the variable unit 360, it is possible to suppress the game ball from bouncing due to collision with the variable unit 360, and it is possible to stabilize the sending of the ball from the rear member 350 to the variable unit 360.

[0179] The second recess 351e is a path along which game balls flowing down between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 are guided by the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 of the intermediate member 330, and is located outside the first recess 351d in the left-right direction and recessed toward the rear side.

[0180] In addition, when the rear body part 351 (rear member 350) is arranged on the intermediate member 330, the second recess 351e is formed at a position between the outer guide part 331b2 and the standing wall 331c of the intermediate member 330 in a front view. Therefore, the flow direction of the game ball flowing down between the outer guide part 331b2 and the standing wall 331c can be displaced to the rear side. This makes it possible to slow down the flow speed in the gravity direction of the game ball sent between the intermediate member 330 and the rear body part 351 when it flows down to the variable unit 360 described later. Therefore, when the game ball is sent to the variable unit 360, it is possible to suppress the game ball from bouncing due to collision with the variable unit 360, and it is possible to stabilize the sending of the ball from the rear member 359 to the variable unit 360.

[0181] As described above, the variable plate 352 is a guide member for sending the game ball flowing down between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 (rear member 350) into the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351, and is arranged in a rotatable state inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351.

[0182] The variable plate 352 is made of a transparent flexible material. The variable plate 352 is mainly provided with a plate portion 352d disposed inside an opening 351b of the rear body portion 351 and formed into a plate-like body having a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, a shaft portion 352a protruding from both longitudinal ends of the plate portion 352d and rotatably supported, a first protrusion 352b protruding radially outward from the shaft portion 352a and engaging with the rear body portion 351 when the variable plate 352 is displaced to regulate the amount of displacement of the variable plate 352, and a second protrusion 352c protruding in a radially different direction from the first protrusion 352b and transmitting a driving force of a solenoid 356 of a driving means described later.

[0183] The plate portion 352d is a plate-like body that is rotationally displaced to guide the game ball flowing down between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 to the opening 351b, and is formed into a horizontally elongated rectangle whose outer shape in a front view is smaller than the opening 351b.

[0184] Furthermore, the plate portion 352d includes a front portion 352d2 that faces the intermediate member 330 before displacement, and a bulging portion 352d1 that bulges out from the end portion opposite the rotation shaft (shaft portion 352a) toward the intermediate member 330. The bulging portion 352d1 and the front portion 352d2 will be described in detail later.

[0185] The shaft portion 352a is a shaft portion that pivotally supports the plate portion 352d so as to be rotatable and is formed to protrude from one end of the plate portion 352d on the lower side in the direction of gravity at both longitudinal ends. The shaft portion 352a is disposed inside the bearing portion 351f of the rear main body portion 351, and is rotatably held between the rear main body portion 351 and the winning member 353, which will be described later, by disposing the winning member 353 from the rear side. This allows the variable plate 352 to be rotatably displaced relative to the rear main body portion 351.

[0186] The first protrusions 352b are protrusions that come into contact with the rear body portion 351 when the variable plate 352 is rotated and displaced to regulate the amount of displacement of the variable plate 352 during rotation, and are formed protruding radially from the shaft portions 352a at both left and right ends. The protruding directions of the first protrusions 352b of the shaft portions 352a at both ends are set to be substantially the same when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft portions 352a.

[0187] Furthermore, one of the first protrusions 352b (in this embodiment, the first protrusion 352b on the right side when viewed from the front) is engaged with a transmission portion 356a of a solenoid 356, which will be described later. This allows the driving force of the solenoid 356 to be transmitted to the variable plate 352. Therefore, the driving force of the solenoid 356 allows the variable plate 352 to rotate around the axis of the shaft portion 352a.

[0188] Further, a second protrusion 352c is formed on the shaft portion 352a of one of the first protrusions 352b so as to protrude radially from the shaft portion 352a. When viewed in the axial direction of the shaft portion 352a, the first protrusion 352b and the second protrusion 352c are formed with a predetermined gap around the axis, and a tip end of a transmission portion 356a of a solenoid 356 is inserted into the gap. As a result, a driving force is applied from the solenoid 356 to displace the transmission portion 356a, thereby rotating the variable plate 352 around the axis of the shaft portion 252a. The operation of the variable plate 352 will be described in detail later.

[0189] The winning member 353 is a member which forms a path along which the game ball sent inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351 flows when the variable plate 352 is displaced, and is mainly formed with a connecting hole 353a connected to the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351, a second detection hole 353b which opens downwardly at the inner edge of the connecting hole 353a, a front opening 353c which is connected at one end to the second detection hole 353b and has the other end opening to the front side, a first diffuse reflection portion 353d formed on the rear side, a through hole 353e through which the transmission portion 356a of the solenoid 356 is inserted, and a standing wall 353f which stands up from the edge of the first diffuse reflection portion 353d.

[0190] The connecting hole 353a is formed through the rear body portion 351 so as to have substantially the same outer shape as the outer shape of the opening 351b in a front view, and is formed at a position facing the opening 351b. This allows the game ball sent to the inside of the opening 351b to be sent to the inside of the connecting hole 353a.

[0191] The second detection hole 353b is a hole formed by a sensor that detects the passage of a ball, and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the ball. The second detection hole 353b is formed on the inner edge part on the lower side of the gravity direction of the connecting hole 353a, and is formed to open in the gravity direction. This allows the game ball sent to the inside of the connecting hole 353a to be sent through the second detection hole 353b, and the number of balls passing through the opening 351b can be counted by detecting the number of balls by the sensor when they pass through the second detection hole 353b.

[0192] The front opening 353c is a hole for sending the game ball sent to the second detection hole 353b into the connecting hole 351c of the rear main body part 351, and one end of the opening is connected to the second detection hole 353b and the other end is connected from the rear side to the connecting hole 351c of the rear main body part 351. Therefore, the game ball sent to the inside of the opening 351b of the rear main body part 351 can pass through the inside of the front opening 353c via the second detection hole 353b and be discharged from the connecting hole 351c of the rear main body part 351.

[0193] The first irregular reflection section 353d is a irregular reflection surface that irregularly reflects light emitted from the LED 355a of the light emitting member 355 described later and emits it forward, and is made of a transparent flexible material and is formed with multiple uneven surfaces. By making the light emitted from the LED 355a of the light emitting member 355 incident on the multiple uneven surfaces, the traveling direction of the light emitted from the front side of the first irregular reflection section 353d to the player side is dispersed, and the first irregular reflection section 353d can be illuminated efficiently.

[0194] The through hole 353e is an opening that allows the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356 to be inserted from the rear side to the front side, and is formed as a vertically elongated rectangle that is larger than the outer shape of the transmission part 356a when viewed from the front, and is formed through at a position opposite the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356.

[0195] The standing wall 353f is a wall that prevents light emitted from the LED 355a of the light emitting member 355 from escaping to the outside, and its standing height is set to a position where it abuts against the decorative member 354. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the LED 355a toward the first diffuse reflection section 353d from escaping to the outside from the standing wall 353f.

[0196] The decorative member 354 is formed into a plate-like body that is generally rectangular when viewed from the front, and its outer shape when viewed from the front is generally the same as that of the winning member 353. The decorative member 354 is mainly formed with a second irregular reflection section 354b formed on a surface facing the light emitting member 355 described below, an opening 354a formed through the decorative member 354 at a position facing the first irregular reflection section 353d of the winning member 353, and a through hole 354c formed through the decorative member 354 at a position facing the transmission section 356a of the solenoid 356.

[0197] The opening 354a is an opening for allowing the light emitted from the LED 355a of the light-emitting member 355 to directly irradiate the first diffuse reflection section 353d of the winning member 353, and is opened in a rectangular shape that is approximately the same as the outline of the first diffuse reflection section 353d when viewed from the front, and is formed in a position opposite the first diffuse reflection section 353d.

[0198] The second diffuse reflection portion 354b is a diffuse reflection surface that diffusely reflects light emitted from the LEDs 355a of the light emitting member 355 disposed on the rear side and emits the light forward, and is made of a transparent flexible material and has multiple projections and recesses. With this, by making the light emitted from the LEDs 355a of the light emitting member 355 enter the multiple projections and recesses, the traveling direction of the light emitted from the front side of the second diffuse reflection portion 354b is dispersed, and the second diffuse reflection portion 354b can emit light efficiently.

[0199] The through hole 354c is an opening that allows the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356 to be inserted from the rear side to the front side, and is formed as a vertically elongated rectangle that is larger than the outer shape of the transmission part 356a when viewed from the front, and is formed through at a position opposite the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356.

[0200] Illuminating member 355 is equipped with LED 355a as light emitting means that irradiates light to the front side (the side facing decorative member 354), and is attached to the back side of decorative member 354. This allows light to be irradiated to first irregular reflection portion 353d and second irregular reflection portion 354b.

[0201] The solenoid 356 includes a transmission unit 356a that transmits a driving force to the variable plate 352. As described above, the solenoid 356 is a driving means that imparts a rotational driving force to the variable plate 352, and when power is applied, the transmission unit 356a is displaced in the direction of gravity.

[0202] The transmission part 356a is inserted through the through hole 353e of the winning member 353 and the through hole 354c of the decorative member 354, and is disposed between the first protrusion 352b and the second protrusion 352c of the variable plate 352. Therefore, when the transmission part 356a is displaced, the variable plate 352 is rotated around the axis of the shaft part 352a.

[0203] Next, the displacement mode of the variable plate 352 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 28 and Fig. 29. Fig. 28(a) to Fig. 28(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member 350 taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII in Fig. 25. Fig. 29(a) to Fig. 29(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear member 350. Fig. 28(a) and Fig. 29(a) show the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state, Fig. 28(b) and Fig. 29(b) show the variable plate 352 in the second rotation state, and Fig. 28(c) and Fig. 29(c) show the variable plate 352 in the third rotation state. Fig. 29(a) to Fig. 29(c) correspond to the cross section of Fig. 25(c).

[0204] 28(a), in a first rotation state in which the transmission part 356a of the solenoid 356 is located downward in the direction of gravity, the transmission part 356a abuts against one side of the second protrusion 352c of the variable plate 352, and the other side of the second protrusion 352c abuts against the rear side of the rear main body part 351. That is, the second protrusion 352c is sandwiched between the transmission part 356a and the rear main body part 351. This makes it possible to prevent the variable plate 352 from wobbling around the axis of the shaft part 352a and undergoing rotational displacement.

[0205] As shown in Fig. 29(a), in the first rotation state, the variable plate 352 has the bulging portion 352d1 positioned above the shaft portion 352a in the direction of gravity, and the front portion 352d2 covers (blocks) the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351. In this case, the shortest distance dimension L1 between the upper end face of the opening 351b in the direction of gravity and the variable plate 352 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the ball. As a result, the game ball sent between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 is not sent inside the opening 351b, but flows down in front of the variable plate 352.

[0206] In the first rotation state, the front portion 352d2 is inclined forward as it moves away from the shaft portion 352a, and the tip portion of the bulge portion 352d1 is positioned on the front plane of the rear main body portion 351.

[0207] 28(a) and 29(a), power is applied to the solenoid 356, and the transmission part 356a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity, and in the second rotation state shown in FIG. 28(b) and FIG. 29(b) where the transmission part 356a is displaced by half of the total displacement, the transmission part 356a comes into contact with the first protrusion 352b of the variable plate 352 to rotate the first protrusion 352b around the axis of the shaft part 352a. This causes the variable plate 352 to rotate around the axis of the shaft part 352a.

[0208] 29(b), in the second rotation state, the variable plate 352 has the bulging portion 352d1 positioned on the front side with respect to the shaft portion 352a, and the inclination angle of the front portion 352d2 tilting upward toward the front side is smaller than that in the first rotation state. In this case, the shortest distance dimension L2 between the end face of the opening 351b on the upper side in the gravity direction and the variable plate 352 is set to be smaller than the diameter of a sphere.

[0209] 28(b) and 29(b), power continues to be applied to the solenoid 356, and the transmission part 356a is displaced upward in the direction of gravity until the transmission part 356a is displaced to its end in a third rotation state shown in FIG. 28(c) and 29(c), in which the transmission part 356a comes into contact with the first protrusion 352b of the variable plate 352 to cause the first protrusion 352b to further rotate about the axis of the shaft part 352a. This causes the variable plate 352 to rotate about the axis of the shaft part 352a further than in the second rotation state.

[0210] 28(c), in the third rotation state, one end of the first protrusion 352b comes into contact with the transmission part 356a, and the other end of the first protrusion 352b comes into contact with the intermediate member 330. That is, the first protrusion 352b is sandwiched between the rear body part 351 and the transmission part 356a. This makes it possible to prevent the variable plate 352 from wobbling around the axis of the shaft part 352a and undergoing rotational displacement.

[0211] As shown in Fig. 29(c), in the third rotation state, the variable plate 352 has the bulging portion 352d1 positioned on the front side with respect to the shaft portion 352a. In this case, the shortest distance dimension L3 between the upper end face of the opening 351b in the gravity direction and the variable plate 352 is set to be larger than the diameter of the ball. As a result, the game ball sent between the intermediate member 330 and the rear body portion 351 is sent inside the opening 351b.

[0212] In the third rotation state, the opposite surface of the front portion 352d2 is inclined upward so that the surface is located upward as it moves away from the shaft portion 352a. Therefore, the game ball sent above the plate portion 352d can be sent inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351.

[0213] Therefore, the distance between the first diffuse reflection part 353d and the light emitting means is made larger than the distance between the second diffuse reflection part 354b and the light emitting means, and the opposing space between the variable plate 352 and the second diffuse reflection part 354b is made the first flow-down path of the game ball. Thus, the unit including the variable plate 352, the first diffuse reflection part 353d, and the second diffuse reflection part 354b can be miniaturized. That is, by using the space between the variable plate 352 and the second diffuse reflection part 354b, which is formed to make the mode of light visible to the player different, as the first flow-down path of the game ball, the dead space can be effectively utilized, and there is no need to separately secure a space for the flow-down path. Therefore, the unit can be miniaturized accordingly.

[0214] Next, with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31, the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 will be described in detail. FIG. 30(a) is a front view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350, and FIG. 30(b) is a side view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350. FIG. 31(a) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 taken along line XXXIa-XXXIa in FIG. 30(a), and FIG. 31(b) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 taken along line XXXIb-XXXIb in FIG. 30(b).

[0215] As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the distance dimension L4 between the LED 355a and the opposing surface of the second diffuse reflection part 354b is set smaller than the distance dimension L5 between the LED 355a and the opposing surface of the first diffuse reflection part 353d (L4 < L5). Also, the variable plate 352 is disposed in the light transmission direction of the second diffuse reflection part 354b.

[0216] Here, a gaming machine is known that is equipped with a displacement member (variable plate 352) that is displaceably disposed at a position visible to the player and switches the flow path of the gaming ball depending on the displacement position. In this case, a technology is also known in which the displacement member is disposed on the front side of a transparent member formed from a transparent flexible material, and light is irradiated from the back side of the transparent member, so that the player can see the displacement member together with the light that has passed through the transparent member, and focus on the displacement member. However, in the conventional technology described above, since the displacement member is formed from a non-transparent material that does not transmit light, the area (area) of light that is visible to the player is reduced by the size of the displacement member, and the presentation effect is impaired.

[0217] In response to this, a technology was developed (not publicly known at the time of filing this application) that ensures an area (area) of light visible to the player by forming the displacement member (variable plate 352) from a transparent flexible material, making the light that passes through the displacement member visible to the player in addition to the light that passes through the transparent member. However, it was found that when the displacement member is formed from a transparent flexible material, there is a problem in that it is difficult for the player to identify the position of the displacement member.

[0218] In contrast, according to this embodiment, there is provided a substrate member (light-emitting member 355) on which one or more light-emitting means (LEDs 355a) capable of emitting light are mounted with their light-emitting surfaces facing the front side, and a first transparent member (first diffuse reflection section 353d) and a second transparent member (second diffuse reflection section 354b) are arranged on the front side of the substrate member and formed from a light-transmitting material, the displacement member is formed from a transparent flexible material and arranged on the front side of the second transparent member, and the distance between the second transparent member and the substrate member is set to a distance different from the distance between the first transparent member and the substrate member, thereby making it possible to easily allow the player to identify the position of the displacement member while securing an area (area) of light visible to the player.

[0219] That is, since the first transparent member (first irregular reflection portion 353d) and the second transparent member (second irregular reflection portion 354b) are different in distance from the light emitting means (LED 355a), the manner in which the light is diffused when passing through the first transparent member and the second transparent member can be made different. Therefore, the manner in which the light is transmitted through the first transparent member and made visible to the player can be made different from the manner in which the light is transmitted through the second transparent member and made visible to the player. As a result, it is possible to make it easier for the player to identify the position of the displacement member (variable plate 352) disposed on the front side of the second transparent member.

[0220] In addition, in a gaming machine including a light emitting member 355, a first irregular reflection portion 353d and a second irregular reflection portion 354b formed of a transparent flexible material on the light emitting side of the light emitting member 355 (LED 355a), and a variable plate 352 for guiding a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area to either the first ball sending path KR1 or the second ball sending path KR2, in order to make the variable plate 352 easier for a player to recognize, it was necessary to arrange a second light emitting member and change the color of the light of the second light emitting member or change the irradiation angle, etc., to make it easier for a player to visually recognize the position of the variable plate 352. Therefore, there was a problem that the number of parts increased and the manufacturing process became complicated by the provision of the second light emitting member.

[0221] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the distance dimension L4 between the light emitting member 355 (LED 355a) and the second irregular reflection portion 354b is formed to be different from the distance dimension L5 between the LED 355a and the first irregular reflection portion 353d, and the variable plate 352 is disposed in front of the second irregular reflection portion 354b. This makes it possible to make the form (amount) of the light emitted from the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b different, thereby improving the visibility of the variable plate 352 from the player's perspective.

[0222] That is, the farther the first irregular reflection section 353d is disposed from the light emitting member 355, the less light is transmitted because the light of the LED 355a of the light emitting member 355 is diffused outward, but since the first irregular reflection section 353d and the second irregular reflection section 354b are disposed at different distances from the light emitting means, the brightness of the light transmitted through the first irregular reflection section 353d and the second irregular reflection section 354b can be made different between the first irregular reflection section 353d and the second irregular reflection section 354b. Therefore, the player can recognize the variable plate 352 disposed on the light transmitting side by the brightness of the light.

[0223] Therefore, without providing a new second light emitting member, the light emitted from one light emitting member 355 can allow the player to recognize both the variable plate 352 and the surroundings of the variable plate 352. As a result, there is no need to provide a new second light emitting member, which prevents an increase in the number of parts and simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0224] Furthermore, since the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b have unevenness formed on the back side, the light emitted from the LED 355a and passing through the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b can be easily diffused by the unevenness. In this case, since the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b are different in distance from the LED 355a, the diffusion mode of the light passing through the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the diffusion mode of the light passing through the second irregular reflection portion 354b can be made different. Therefore, the difference between the mode of the light passing through the first irregular reflection portion 353d and visible to the player and the mode of the light passing through the second irregular reflection portion 354b and visible to the player can be made larger. As a result, it is possible to make it easier for the player to identify the position of the variable plate 352 arranged on the front side of the second irregular reflection portion 354b.

[0225] In addition, since the unevenness formed in the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the unevenness formed in the second irregular reflection portion 354b are substantially the same, when no light is emitted from the LED 355a, the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b (the second irregular reflection portion 354b visible through the variable plate 352) can be visually recognized by the player as having the same appearance. That is, the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b, which have different appearances (light aspects) after the LED 355a emits light, can be made to have the same appearance before the LED 355a emits light, thereby highlighting the effect in which the appearances (light aspects) of the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b are different (dissimilar).

[0226] Even if the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b have the same unevenness, the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b are different in distance from the LED 355a, so that the manner of diffusion of light when passing through the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b can be made different. That is, the manner of light that passes through the first irregular reflection portion 353d and is visually recognized by the player can be made different from the manner of light that passes through the second irregular reflection portion 354b and is visually recognized by the player.

[0227] Furthermore, since the variable plate 352 can be positioned at a position that is approximately flush with the first diffuse reflection section 353d, the variable plate 352 and the first diffuse reflection section 353d can be viewed as a single unit, and the area (area) of light emitted from the LED 355a and viewed by the player can be viewed as a larger area.

[0228] Furthermore, an erect wall 353f is formed on the edge of first irregular reflection section 353d of winning member 353, erected on the decorative member 354 side, and the tip face on the lower end side of the erect wall 353f is disposed in contact with one end of second irregular reflection section 354b of decorative member 354. This prevents light from LED 355a of light-emitting member 355, which passes through second irregular reflection section 354b, from entering first irregular reflection section 353d, and makes it possible to increase the contrast between the light of first irregular reflection section 353d and second irregular reflection section 354b.

[0229] That is, among the light passing through the second irregular reflection section 354b disposed near the light emitting member 355, the light heading toward the first irregular reflection section 353d disposed far from the light emitting member 355 is made to penetrate the erected wall 353f, making it difficult for the light to penetrate the first irregular reflection section 353d, and the brightness of the light of the first irregular reflection section 353d and the second irregular reflection section 354b can be made greater. Therefore, the light emitted from one light emitting means makes it easier for the player to recognize the variable plate 352 and its surroundings.

[0230] In other words, since the standing wall 353f that connects the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b is provided, the standing wall 353ff can prevent the light that has passed through one of the first irregular reflection portion 353d or the second irregular reflection portion 354b (the one with the smaller distance to the LED 355a) from penetrating between the other of the first irregular reflection portion 353d or the second irregular reflection portion 354b (the one with the larger distance to the LED 355a) and the LED 355a. As a result, the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b can easily have different aspects of light (particularly light and dark) that pass through them and are visually recognized by the player. As a result, the player can easily identify the position of the displacement member disposed on the front side of the second irregular reflection portion 354b.

[0231] In addition, since the back surface of the standing wall 353f is not formed with unevenness, the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the second irregular reflection portion 354b (the second irregular reflection portion 354b visible through the variable plate 352) can be visually recognized by the player as having different appearances from the standing wall 353f. This makes it possible to clarify the boundary between the first transparent member and the second irregular reflection portion 354b by using the standing wall 353f, and as a result, it becomes easier for the player to identify the position of the variable plate 352 disposed on the front side of the second irregular reflection portion 354b.

[0232] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the LED 355a is made larger than the distance between the second irregular reflection portion 354b and the LED 355a, and the first irregular reflection portion 353d is positioned upward in the direction of gravity, thereby preventing damage to the LED 355a.

[0233] That is, on the side where the distance to the LED 355a is small (narrow), the temperature in the space becomes high due to the heat generated by the LED 355a, and the risk of the LED 355a being damaged increases. In response to this, the air whose temperature in the space on the side where the distance to the LED 355a is small (narrow) can be made to rise and escape to the space located above in the direction of gravity (i.e., the space on the side where the distance to the LED 355a is large (wide)). As a result, damage to the LED 355a on the side where the distance is small (narrow) can be suppressed.

[0234] In this embodiment, a space is formed between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the light emitting member 355 (LED 355a) through the opening 354a of the decorative member 354. This allows heat generated by the light emitted by the LED 355a of the light emitting member 355 to escape between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the LED 355a. This prevents heat from accumulating in the light emitting member 355. As a result, damage to the light emitting member 355 can be prevented.

[0235] That is, the first irregular reflection portion 353d is set to have a larger distance dimension between the light emitting member 355 and the first irregular reflection portion 353d than the second irregular reflection portion 354b, so that the air between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the light emitting member 355 can be easily moved. This allows the air between the first irregular reflection portion 353d and the light emitting member 355 to move, and the heat of the light emitting member 355 can be released to the outside. In addition, since the heated air tends to rise, the first irregular reflection portion 353d, which has a larger distance between the light emitting member 355 and the first irregular reflection portion 353d, is disposed on the upper side in the direction of gravity, so that the air heated by the light emitting member 355 can be efficiently discharged to the outside, and the light emitting member 355 can be efficiently cooled. As a result, the light emitting member 355 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0236] Since the variable plate 352 has the bulging portion 352d1, the light passing through the variable plate 352 is shaded, and the player can recognize that the variable plate 352 has been displaced due to the displacement of the shade of the light.

[0237] That is, the bulging portion 352d1 is formed to bulge in a semicircular shape toward the light transmission side, and therefore the traveling direction of the light emitted from the variable plate 352 can be partially changed. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the bulging portion 352d1 among the light transmitted through the variable plate 352 and emitted to the player side can be reduced, and the light transmitted through the variable plate can be shaded. In addition, the bulging portion 352d1 is formed at the end far from the shaft portion 352a of the variable plate 352, and therefore the shade of the light irradiated to the player side can be displaced in accordance with the displacement of the variable plate 352. As a result, the player can recognize the displacement of the variable plate 352 by visually checking the displacement of the shade of the light emitted from the variable plate 352.

[0238] In other words, the variable plate 352 is formed as a plate-like body whose base end side is rotatably supported, and a bulging portion 352d1 with a larger plate thickness is formed on the tip end side, so that, among the light transmitted through the variable plate 352 and recognized by the player, the light transmitted through the bulging portion 352d1 and recognized by the player can be made different from the light transmitted through the other parts except the bulging portion 352d1 and recognized by the player. In addition, as the variable plate 352 rotates around the base end side, the position of the light transmitted through the tip side (bulging portion 352d1) and recognized can be displaced. In other words, by utilizing the displacement of the position of the light transmitted through the tip side (bulging portion 352d1) of the variable plate 352 and recognized, the displacement (rotation) operation of the variable plate 352 can be easily recognized by the player.

[0239] Furthermore, since the bulge 352d1 has a cross section curved in an arc shape, the bulge 352d1 can function as a lens (i.e., the light incident on the bulge 352d1 is refracted to diverge or converge (in this embodiment, the light incident on the bulge 352d1 is converged, so that the light is perceived as a line of light with increased intensity (brightness)). This makes it possible to more clearly distinguish the difference between the light that is perceived by the player after passing through the bulge 352d1 and the light that is perceived by the player after passing through the other parts except the bulge 352d1, among the light that is perceived by the player after passing through the variable plate 352. As a result, the player can easily recognize the displacement (rotation) operation of the variable plate 352.

[0240] The base of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 is set at a height position in the direction of gravity (the vertical direction in FIG. 31(a)) substantially equal to the substantially central position in the direction of gravity of the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state.

[0241] The first ball throwing path KR1 is connected to a third ball throwing path KR3 on the inside of a second recess 351e of the back body portion 351 disposed on the left-right outside of the outer guide portion 331b2 of the intermediate member 330. The second ball throwing path KR2 is connected to a fourth ball throwing path KR4 formed between the opposing inner guide portion 331b1 and outer guide portion 331b2 of the intermediate member 330.

[0242] Next, a description will be given of a game ball sent along the first ball sending path KR1 to the fourth ball sending path KR4 with reference to Figures 32 to 43. Figures 32 to 34 are cross-sectional views of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350.

[0243] 32 to 34 and 38 to 40 correspond to the cross section of Fig. 31(a), and Fig. 35 to 37 and 41 to 43 correspond to the cross section of Fig. 31(b). Fig. 32 to 34 and 35 to 37 show the transition state of the game ball thrown on the first ball throwing path KR1 and the third ball throwing path KR3, and Fig. 38 to 40 and 41 to 43 show the transition state of the game ball thrown on the second ball throwing path KR2 and the fourth ball throwing path KR4.

[0244] 32 and 35, when the variable plate 352 of the rear member 350 is in the first rotation state, the game ball that is sent by rolling on the upper part of the receiving part 331a of the intermediate member 330 is sent to the first ball sending path KR1. That is, the game ball that is sent by rolling on the upper part of the receiving part 331a of the intermediate member 330 flows down into the gap between the opposing intermediate member 330 and the rear main body part 351.

[0245] 32 and 35, the game ball flowing down the first ball throwing path KR1 flows down onto the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 of the intermediate member 330, and as shown in Fig. 33 and 36, the game ball rolls on the upper surface of the outer guide portion 331b2 and is thrown to the third ball throwing path KR3. As described above, the outer guide portion 331b2 is formed with a downward inclination from the center in the left-right direction toward the outside, so that in a front view, the game ball flowing down the left side of the first ball throwing path KR1 is thrown to the third ball throwing path KR3 on the left side, and the game ball flowing down the right side of the first ball throwing path KR1 is thrown to the third ball throwing path KR3 on the right side.

[0246] From the state shown in Figures 33 and 36, the game ball sent to the third ball sending path KR3 flows down the third ball sending path KR3 and is sent to the variable unit 360 via the rear base 390 described later, as shown in Figures 34 and 37.

[0247] 38 and 41, when the variable plate 352 of the rear member 350 is in the third rotation state, the game ball that is thrown by rolling on the upper part of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 is thrown to the second ball throwing path KR2. That is, the game ball that is thrown by rolling on the upper part of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 rolls on the upper part of the variable plate 352 of the rear member 350 and is thrown to the second ball throwing path KR2.

[0248] From the state shown in Figures 38 and 41, the game ball flowing down the third ball sending path KR3 passes through the inside of the second detection hole 353b of the winning member 353 and is discharged from the front opening 353c and sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4, as shown in Figures 39 and 42.

[0249] In this case, as described above, the height position of the base of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 in the direction of gravity (up and down in Figure 31 (a)) is set to a height position that is approximately the same as the center position in the direction of gravity of the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state, so that the distance dimension in the direction of gravity between the intermediate member 330 and the rear main body portion 351 and the second ball throwing path KR2 that sends the ball inside the opening 351b of the rear main body portion 351 can be reduced when the path is changed in the displacement state of the variable plate 352.

[0250] That is, when the game balls rolling on the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 are sorted into the first ball throwing path KR1 and the second ball throwing path KR2 by the variable plate 352 arranged on the rear side, the end portion of the variable plate 352 farther from the shaft portion 352a is made lower than the base portion of the receiving portion 331a in the third state, so that the position of the variable plate 352 can be raised in the direction of gravity. As a result, the distance dimension in the direction of gravity between the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350 can be reduced.

[0251] 39 and 42, the game ball sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 rolls on the upper surface of the inner guide portion 331b1 of the intermediate member 330 of the fourth ball sending path KR4 as shown in Fig. 40 and 43, and is sent to the ball sending section 370 described later. As described above, the inner guide portion 331b1 is formed to be inclined downward from the center in the left-right direction toward the outside, so that in a front view, a ball flowing down the left side of the second ball sending path KR2 (a ball passing through the second detection hole 353b on the left and discharged from the front opening 353c on the left) is sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 on the left, and a ball flowing down the right side of the second ball sending path KR2 (a ball passing through the second detection hole 353b on the right and discharged from the front opening 353c on the right) is sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 on the right.

[0252] Next, with reference to Fig. 44 to Fig. 51, a game ball that rolls on the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 and is sent to the first ball-throwing path KR1 and the second ball-throwing path KR2 will be described. Fig. 44 and Fig. 45 are cross-sectional views of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350. Fig. 44 and Fig. 45 correspond to the cross section of Fig. 31(a).

[0253] As shown in Figs. 44 and 45, the game ball that is thrown by rolling on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 rolls to the rear side and comes into contact with the variable plate 352, and is thrown to the first ball throwing path KR1.

[0254] In this case, as described above, in the first rotation state, the variable plate 352 is positioned so that the front portion 352d2 is tilted forward as it moves away from the shaft portion 352a, so that the game ball sent from the receiving portion 331a to the first ball sending path KR1 can easily collide with the front portion 352d2 and flow downward.

[0255] In addition, the portion of the bulging portion 352d1 connected to the front portion 351d2 is located above the base end of the receiving portion 331a by the radius of the game ball, so that when the ball rolls vigorously on the receiving portion 331a, the ball can be caused to collide with the bulging portion 352d1 and flow downward. At this time, the game ball, which has a relatively high momentum, can be caused to collide with the bulging portion 352d1 that bulges from the plate portion 352d, thereby preventing damage to the plate portion 352d. In other words, when the ball rolls relatively fast, the ball can be prevented from being damaged by colliding with the bulging portion 352d1, which has high rigidity, by the amount of bulging.

[0256] Next, referring to Figures 46 to 51, a case where the ball rolls on the upper surface of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 and is sent when the variable plate 352 is displaced from the first rotation state to the third rotation state will be described. Figures 46 to 51 are cross-sectional views of the intermediate member 330 and the rear member 350. Note that Figures 46 to 48 and Figures 49 to 51 correspond to the cross section of Figure 31(a). Also, Figures 46 to 48 and Figures 49 to 51 show the rolling state of the game ball when the variable plate 352 is displaced from the first rotation state to the third rotation state.

[0257] Here, as described above, if the end of the variable plate 352 farther from the shaft 352a is made lower than the base of the receiving portion 331a in the third state, there is a possibility that a game ball may become caught between the base of the receiving portion 331a and the variable plate 352 during the displacement motion, causing a malfunction.

[0258] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 46 and 49, the base of the receiving portion 331a of the intermediate member 330 is set to a height position in the direction of gravity (up and down direction in Figure 31 (a)) that is approximately the same as the approximate center position in the direction of gravity of the variable plate 352 in the first rotation state. Therefore, when the variable plate 352 in the middle of displacement pinches the game ball between itself and the receiving portion 331a, the abutment position between the game ball and the bulge portion 352d1 can be either the front side or the back side of the game ball divided by the virtual line S2 connecting the base end of the receiving portion 331a and the center of the game ball, thereby preventing the ball from being pinched between the base of the receiving portion 331a and the variable plate 352.

[0259] That is, as shown in Figures 46 to 48, when the front side of the game ball divided by the virtual line S2 comes into contact with the bulging portion 352d1, the connecting side of the bulging portion 352d1 with the front portion 352d2 collides with the game ball. Therefore, by utilizing the curved surface of the bulging portion 352d1, the ball can be sent to the first ball sending path KR1 as shown in Figure 48.

[0260] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 49 to 51, when the rear side of the game ball divided by the virtual line S2 comes into contact with the bulging portion 352d1, the curved surface of the bulging portion 352d1 that is away from the shaft portion 352a comes into contact with the curved surface. This allows the game ball that is about to fall from the receiving portion 331a to be pushed back to the front side by utilizing the displacement of the variable plate 352. This allows the variable plate 352 to be displaced to the third rotation state, and the ball to be guided to the second ball sending path KR2.

[0261] Next, the rear base 390 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 52 to 54. Figure 52(a) is a front view of the rear base 390, and Figure 52(b) is a side view of the rear base 390. Figure 53 is an exploded front perspective view of the rear base 390. Figure 54 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rear base 390.

[0262] As shown in Figures 52 to 54, the rear base 390 is formed mainly by a plate-shaped rear plate 391 arranged on the rear side, a holding member 392 arranged at one end of the rear plate 391 on the lower side in the direction of gravity and holding a solenoid 397 of the driving means between the rear plate 391 and the holding member 392, two circular ring members 394 fastened to both ends of the holding member 392, and a stopper portion 396 arranged outside the space between the two circular ring members 394.

[0263] The rear plate 391 is formed of a plate-like body having a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front. The rear plate 391 is a plate that covers the rear side of the rear member 350 described above, and is formed to have substantially the same outer shape as the outer shape of the rear member 350 when viewed from the front.

[0264] The solenoid 397 is a driving means that applies a driving force to the stopper portion 396 described below, and includes a transmission portion 397a that transmits the driving force to the stopper portion 396. The solenoid 397 is disposed on the rear side of each of the two stopper portions 396.

[0265] The transmission portion 397a is a protrusion that is displaced in the direction of gravity when power is supplied to the solenoid 397, and is inserted between a first engagement portion 396a and a second engagement portion 396b of the stopper portion 396, which will be described later.

[0266] The holding member 392 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is provided with a recess 392a recessed on the front side at both longitudinal ends, and an opening 392b formed penetrating the recess 392a from the front to the back.

[0267] Recess 392a is a recess into which solenoid 397 is inserted, and is recessed into the outer shape of solenoid 397. Therefore, by attaching holding member 392 to rear plate 391 after solenoid 397 is inserted into recess 392a, solenoid 397 can be held so as not to fall off.

[0268] The opening 392b is an opening through which the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 is inserted forward, and is formed as a vertically elongated rectangular opening in a front view that is larger than the transmission part 397a. Therefore, when the solenoid 397 is disposed inside the recess 392a, the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 protrudes to the front side.

[0269] The circular member 394 is a ball throwing section through which the game ball is thrown from the third ball throwing path KR3, is formed in a generally circular shape in a side view, and has a shaft support hole 394a penetrating through the shaft center. The shaft support hole 394a is a hole that rotatably holds the shaft B1 described later, and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft B1.

[0270] The shaft B1 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and as described above, one end is inserted into the shaft support hole 394a of the circular ring member 394, and the other end is fitted onto the shaft hole 396c of the stopper portion 396 described later. Thus, the shaft B1 can be rotationally displaced relative to the shaft support hole 394a in accordance with the rotational displacement of the stopper portion 396.

[0271] The stopper portion 396 is a ball throwing path blocking means that, by rotationally displacing, makes the ball throwing path KR6 of the variable unit 460 described later impossible to throw a ball; it is formed in a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the side, and is disposed outside the space between the two opposing circular members 394.

[0272] The stopper portion 396 is mainly formed with an axial hole 396c that penetrates the circular member 394 in an approximately circular shape in the axial direction, and a first engagement portion 396a and a second engagement portion 396b that protrude radially outward from the axis of the axial hole 396c.

[0273] The first engagement portion 396a is a protrusion that engages with the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 described above to transmit the driving force of the solenoid 397, and is disposed above the transmission portion 397a in the direction of gravity.

[0274] Similar to the first engagement portion 396a, the second engagement portion 396b is a protrusion that engages with a transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 to transmit the driving force of the solenoid 397, and is disposed below the transmission member 397b in the direction of gravity.

[0275] The first engagement portion 396a and the second engagement portion 396b are formed with a predetermined gap around the axis of the shaft hole 396c, and the distance between them on the protruding tip side is set to be larger than the vertical dimension of the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397. This makes it possible to transmit a driving force to the stopper portion 396 by inserting the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 between the first engagement portion 396a and the second engagement portion 396b.

[0276] Next, the transition of the stopper portion 396 will be described with reference to Fig. 55. Fig. 55(a) to Fig. 55(c) are cross-sectional views of the rear base 390 taken along the line LV-LV in Fig. 52. Note that Fig. 55(a) to Fig. 55(c) show the transition state of the stopper portion 396. In Fig. 55, the end portion of the stopper portion 396 farther from the shaft hole 396c is described by assigning the reference symbol A2.

[0277] As shown in Fig. 55(a), in the first interrupted state in which the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 is located downward, the transmission part 397a comes into contact with the second engagement part 396b of the stopper part 396, and a driving force is applied in a direction in which the end part A2 of the stopper part 396 is displaced upward (in Fig. 55(a), the end part A2 rotates clockwise around the axis of the shaft hole 396c). As a result, the end part A2 is positioned above the shaft hole 396c in the direction of gravity.

[0278] 55(a), the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 is displaced upward, and in the second interrupted state shown in FIG. 55(b) where the transmission part 397a is displaced to the intermediate position of the total displacement, the transmission part 397a comes into contact with the first engagement part 396a of the stopper part 396, and a driving force is applied in a direction in which the end part A2 of the stopper part 396 is displaced downward (in FIG. 55(b), the end part A2 rotates left around the axis of the shaft hole 396c). As a result, the end part A2 is brought closer in height in the gravity direction to the shaft hole 396c than in the first interrupted state.

[0279] In a third interrupted state shown in Fig. 55(c) where the transmission part 397a of the solenoid 397 is further displaced upward from the state shown in Fig. 55(b) and the transmission part 397a is displaced to its end, the transmission part 397a comes into contact with the first engagement part 396a of the stopper part 396, and a driving force is applied in a direction in which the end part A2 of the stopper part 396 is displaced downward (in Fig. 55(b), the end part A2 rotates left around the axis of the shaft hole 396c). In this case, the end part A2 is displaced to a height position substantially the same as the height of the axis of the shaft hole 396c in the gravity direction.

[0280] On the other hand, when transitioning from the third cut-off state to the first cut-off state, the transmission portion 397a of the solenoid 397 presses the second engagement portion 396b downward, so that the tip portion A1 is pressed up around the axis of the shaft hole 396c.

[0281] Next, the main body 380 of the variable unit 360 will be described with reference to Figures 56 to 58. Figure 56(a) is a front view of the variable unit 360, and Figure 56(b) is a top view of the variable unit 360. Figure 57 is an exploded front perspective view of the main body 380 of the variable unit 360. Figure 58 is an exploded rear perspective view of the main body 380 of the variable unit 360.

[0282] The variable unit 360 is mainly formed with a main body section 380 having paths for sending the game balls sent from the third ball sending path KR3 and the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the front side, and a ball sending section 370 for adsorbing the game ball to a rotating body and sending the game ball.

[0283] The main body 380 is disposed on the rear surface of one side of the center frame 310 below in the direction of gravity, and is visible to the player through a central opening of the center frame 310 (see FIG. 8). The main body 380 is mainly formed with an upper surface base 381 on whose upper surface the rolling surface of the game ball is formed, a first lower surface base 383 arranged opposite the upper surface base 381, a V winning member 382 having one end journalled between the upper surface base 381 and the first lower surface base 383 and arranged so as to be displaceable, a first drive motor M1 that applies a driving force to the V winning member 382, ​​a first transmission means 384 that transmits the driving force of the first drive motor M1 to the V winning member 382, ​​a distribution section 389 that is rotatably arranged on the main body 380, a second drive motor M2 that applies a driving force to the distribution section 389, and a second transmission means 387 that transmits the driving force of the second drive motor M2 to the distribution section 389.

[0284] As described above, the upper surface base 381 is a plate member having a rolling surface along which the game balls are thrown from the third ball throwing path KR3 and the fourth ball throwing path KR4, and is formed from a plate-like body having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above. The upper base 381 is mainly formed with two first rolling portions 381a recessed from the rear side to the front side, an upright portion 381b erected to surround the rear side of the first rolling portions 381a, a second rolling portion 381c branched off from the center of the front-to-rear direction of the rolling portion 381a and recessed, a third rolling portion 381d formed on the front side of the second rolling portion 381c at a position sandwiching the rotors 372R, 372L, a fourth rolling portion 381e formed adjacent to the third rolling portion 381d and to which the first rolling portion 381a is connected, and a shaft support hole 381f opened in the direction of gravity at a position sandwiching the first rolling portion 381a on the base side of the second rolling portion 381c.

[0285] The first rolling portion 381a is a path along which the game ball is thrown on the fourth ball throwing path KR4, and is formed with a downward incline from the rear end to which the game ball is thrown from the fourth ball throwing path KR4 toward the front side. This forms a fifth ball throwing path KR5 that throws the game ball on the fourth ball throwing path KR4 to the front side.

[0286] As described above, the fourth ball throwing path KR4 is divided into two in the left-right direction, and the first rolling portions 381a are formed on the lower side of the two fourth ball throwing paths KR4 in the direction of gravity. As a result, each fourth ball throwing path KR4 is connected to each fifth ball throwing path KR5.

[0287] The two first rolling portions 381a are each extended toward the front side and join together just before being connected to the fourth rolling portion 381e to form one rolling surface.

[0288] The erected portion 381b is a wall that guides the game ball sent from the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the first rolling portion 381a, and the erected tip portion (the upper end portion in the gravity direction) is disposed in contact with the guide portion 330b of the intermediate member 330 described above. This allows the game ball flowing down the fourth ball sending path KR4 to be securely sent to the fifth ball sending path KR5 of the first rolling portion 381a.

[0289] The second rolling portion 381c is a surface that extends from the approximate center position of the first rolling portion 381a extending from the rear side to the front side to the outside of the upper surface base 381, and is formed lower than the first rolling portion 381a and is formed with a downward inclination toward the outside of the upper surface base 381. Therefore, the game ball that rolls on the upper part of the first rolling portion 381a and is sent to the front side can be made to collide with a sorting portion 389 described later and sent to the second rolling portion 381c.

[0290] In addition, since the second rolling portion 381c is formed to be inclined downward toward the outside in the left-right direction as described above, the game ball sent to the second rolling portion 381c is sent by rolling in a direction away from the first rolling portion 381a. That is, the second rolling portion 381c forms a sixth ball sending path KR6 along which the ball is sent.

[0291] The second rolling portion 381c is formed with a concave shape at the center position in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction, so that the game ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c is less likely to swing. This makes it possible to stabilize the game ball sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0292] The third rolling portion 381d is a surface that receives a game ball sent by the rotating bodies 372R, 372L described later, and is formed next to the rotating bodies 372R, 372L and is formed with a downward inclination toward the fourth rolling portion 381e (front side). Therefore, the game ball sent from the rotating bodies 372R, 372L to the upper surface of the third rolling portion 381d rolls on the upper surface of the third rolling portion 381d and is sent to the fourth rolling portion 381e. That is, the third rolling portion 381d forms a seventh ball sending path KR7 that sends the game ball to the fourth rolling portion 381e.

[0293] The fourth rolling portion 381e is an inclined surface for dropping the game ball rolling on the third rolling portion 381d and the first rolling portion 381a to the front side, and is formed at a position lower in the gravity direction than the third rolling portion 381d and the first rolling portion 381a, and is formed with a downward inclination toward the front side. This allows the game ball sent from the third rolling portion 381d and the first rolling portion 381a to roll smoothly on the upper surface of the fourth rolling portion 381e, and to roll to the front side of the fourth rolling portion 381e. That is, the fourth rolling portion 381e forms an eighth ball sending path KR8 that allows the game ball sent from the first rolling portion 381a and the third rolling portion 381d to flow down to the front side of the main body portion 380.

[0294] The shaft support hole 381f is formed at a middle position between two second rolling portions 381c formed on both sides of the main body portion 380 and penetrates the main body portion 380 in the gravity direction.

[0295] The V winning member 382 is a ball receiving section that sends some of the game balls sent from the fourth rolling section 381e of the upper surface base 381 to the front side into the inside of the V winning member 382, ​​and is formed in a box shape that opens on the side of the upper surface base 381 arranged above. The V winning member 382 is mainly formed with an axis section 382c formed to protrude downward in the direction of gravity, and a curved section 382b protruding in a semicircular shape centered on the axis section 382c.

[0296] The shaft portion 382c is a shaft portion connected to a part of a transmission means that transmits the driving force from the first drive motor M1, and is formed to protrude downward in the direction of gravity from the bottom surface of the V winning member 382, ​​which is formed in a substantially box shape. Therefore, the V winning member 382 can rotate around the shaft portion 382c as a rotational displacement due to the driving force being applied from the first drive motor M1.

[0297] The curved portion 382b is a protrusion that prevents a gap from being formed on the front side of the main body portion 380 when the V winning member 382 rotates around the axis of the axis portion 382c, and is formed to protrude in a circular shape centered on the axis of the axis portion 382c on both circumferential sides of the V winning member 382.

[0298] The first lower surface base 383 is provided on the lower surface of the upper surface base 381, and has a recess 383a that is recessed downward in the direction of gravity on a part of the front side.

[0299] Recess 383a is a recess that forms an opening for allowing V winning component 382 to protrude from between upper surface base 381 and first lower surface base 383, and is set to a recess depth greater than the height dimension in the direction of gravity of V winning component 382. This allows a part of V winning component 382 to protrude through recess 383a when V winning component 382 is placed between opposing upper surface base 381 and first lower surface base 383.

[0300] The first transmission means 384 is formed of a first gear 384a connected to the first drive motor M1 and a second gear 384b connected to the shaft support hole 381f of the V winning member 382. The first transmission means 384 is covered and held by a cover plate 385 disposed opposite the first lower base 383.

[0301] The first gear 384a is formed in a circular shape, and has gear teeth 384a1 engraved on its outer circumferential surface. The second gear 384b is formed in a generally sector shape when viewed from above. The second gear 384b has gear teeth 384b1 engraved on its outer circumferential surface to mesh with the first gear 384a, and has a through hole 384b2 formed on the axial side of the gear teeth 384b1 that penetrates in the direction of gravity.

[0302] The through hole 384b2 is a hole that fits onto the shaft portion 382c of the V winning member 382, ​​and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter of the shaft portion 382c. Therefore, when the first drive motor M1 rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the first gear 384a to the second gear 384b, and the shaft portion 382c that fits onto the shaft portion 382c of the second gear 384b rotates, causing the V winning member 382 to rotate.

[0303] The sorting portion 389 is formed mainly by a shaft portion 389a that can be inserted into the shaft support hole 381f of the upper surface base 381, and a path switching portion 390b that bulges outward in a fan shape in the radial direction from the base of the shaft portion 389a. The sorting portion 389 is disposed between the two second rolling portions 381c.

[0304] The path switching unit 390b has a fan-shaped bulge that is positioned on the fifth ball throwing path KR5 as the distribution unit 389 is displaced. This allows the game ball sent on the fifth ball throwing path KR5 to be sent to the second rolling unit 381c. The distribution unit 389 will be described in detail later.

[0305] The tip of the shaft portion 389a is inserted into a shaft support hole 381f of the upper base 381, and is connected to a part of the second transmission means 387. As a result, when a driving force is applied to the second drive motor M2, the shaft portion 389a is rotated via the transmission means 387.

[0306] The second transmission means 387 is formed of a first gear 387a connected to the second drive motor M2 and a second gear 387b connected to a shaft portion 389a of the distribution unit 389. The second transmission means 387 is covered and held by a second lower surface base 388 disposed opposite the upper surface base 381.

[0307] The first gear 387a is formed in a circular shape, and has gear teeth engraved on its outer circumferential surface. The second gear 387b is formed in a generally sector shape when viewed from above. The second gear 387b has gear teeth 387b1 engraved on its outer circumferential surface to mesh with the first gear 387a, and has a through hole 387b2 penetrating in the direction of gravity.

[0308] The through hole 387b2 is a hole that fits onto the shaft portion 389a of the sorting unit 389, and is formed with an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the shaft portion 389a or smaller than the diameter of the shaft portion 389a. Therefore, when the second drive motor M2 rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the first gear 387a to the second gear 387b, and the shaft portion 389a that fits onto the shaft portion 389a of the second gear 387b rotates, and the sorting unit 389 rotates.

[0309] Next, the operation of the allocating unit 389 will be described with reference to Fig. 59 to Fig. 61. Fig. 59 to Fig. 61 are top views of the allocating unit 389. In Fig. 59 to Fig. 61, the second transmission means 387 is illustrated by a dashed line. Fig. 59 illustrates a state in which the allocating unit 389 has been rotated leftward about the shaft portion 389a with Fig. 60 being the initial position, and Fig. 61 illustrates a state in which the allocating unit 389 has been rotated rightward about the shaft portion 389a with Fig. 60 being the initial position.

[0310] As shown in FIG. 60, when gear teeth 387b1 of second gear 387b mesh with gear teeth of first gear 387a at approximately the center position, path switching section 389b of distribution section 389 is in a left-right symmetrical state with respect to the left-right center line.

[0311] Next, a rotational driving force is transmitted from the initial position to the second transmission means 387, and as shown in FIG. 59, when the distribution unit 389 is rotated to the left as viewed from above around the axis 389a, the path switching unit 389b is positioned to the right as viewed from the front.

[0312] In this case, the distance between the left end of the path switching unit 389b and the left end of the left fifth ball throwing path KR5 is made smaller than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, the game ball thrown on the left fifth ball throwing path KR5 cannot pass through the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and is thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6. On the other hand, the distance between the right end of the distribution unit 389 and the right end of the right fifth ball throwing path KR5 is made larger than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, the game ball thrown on the right fifth ball throwing path KR5 is not thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6 but is thrown to the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and is thrown to the eighth ball throwing path KR8.

[0313] In the state of FIG. 61 (a state rotated opposite to that of FIG. 59), the path switching unit 389b is located on the left side as viewed from the front.

[0314] In this case, the distance between the right end of the path switching unit 389b and the right end of the right fifth ball throwing path KR5 is made smaller than the diameter of the game ball. Therefore, the game ball thrown on the right fifth ball throwing path KR5 cannot pass through the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and is thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6. On the other hand, the distance between the left end of the distribution unit 389 and the left end of the left fifth ball throwing path KR5 is made larger than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, the game ball thrown on the left fifth ball throwing path KR5 is not thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6 but is thrown to the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and is thrown to the eighth ball throwing path KR8.

[0315] Next, with reference to Figs. 62 to 64, a gaming ball flowing down the second fifth ball sending path KR5 when the sorting section 389 is rotated leftward as viewed from above about the axis section 389a will be described.

[0316] Figures 62 to 64 are top views of the variable unit 360. Note that Figures 62 to 64 show the transition state of the game ball flowing down.

[0317] As shown in Figures 62 to 64, when the distribution unit 389 is rotated to the left when viewed from above around the axis portion 389a, when a game ball is thrown to the second ball throwing path KR5, the game ball passing through one of the fifth ball throwing paths (the fifth ball throwing path KR5 on the right side in Figures 62 to 64) is thrown to the eighth ball throwing path KR8 without interfering with the path switching unit 389b.

[0318] On the other hand, a game ball passing through the other fifth ball throwing path KR5 (the left fifth ball throwing path KR5 in Figs. 62 to 64) interferes with the path switching unit 389b and is thrown to the sixth ball throwing path KR6.

[0319] That is, in this embodiment, by rotating and displacing the distribution section 389, the path along which the balls flow can be switched, allowing the player to see the paths along which multiple game balls flow, thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0320] Next, the actuation of the V winning member 382 will be described with reference to Fig. 65. Fig. 65(a) to Fig. 65(c) are top views of the variable unit 360. In Fig. 65(a) to Fig. 65(c), the first transmission means 384 is illustrated by a broken line. Fig. 65(a) illustrates a state in which the V winning member 382 has been rotated rightward about the shaft portion 382c with Fig. 65(b) being the initial position, and Fig. 65(c) illustrates a state in which the V winning member 382 has been rotated leftward about the shaft portion 382c with Fig. 65(b) being the initial position.

[0321] As shown in Figures 65(a) to 65(c), when the driving force of the first drive motor M1 is transmitted to the V winning member 382 by the first transmission means 384, its tip is rotated around the shaft portion 382c and displaced left and right.

[0322] This allows the position at which the game ball falling from the eighth ball sending path KR8 to the front side (from Figure 65(a) to the lower side of Figure 65(c)) enters the inside of the V winning member 382 to be irregular, allowing the player to maintain a sense of anticipation until the very end as to whether or not the ball will enter the inside of the V winning member 382, ​​thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0323] Next, the rotating ball portion 370 of the variable unit 360 will be described with reference to Figures 66 and 67. Figure 66 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotating ball portion 370 of the variable unit 360, and Figure 67 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rotating ball portion 370 of the variable unit 360.

[0324] The rotating ball portion 370 is divided and arranged on both the left and right sides of the main body portion 380, and is mainly formed by a rod-shaped connecting rod 371 that connects the rotating ball portion 370 divided on both sides by inserting it into the main body portion 380, a left side rotating ball portion 370L arranged at one axial end side of the connecting rod 371 (left side in the left-right direction relative to the main body portion), and a right side rotating ball portion 370R arranged at the other axial end side of the connecting rod 371 (right side in the left-right direction relative to the main body portion 380).

[0325] In addition, the right side rotating ball 370R and the left side rotating ball 370L are only provided with a drive means and a transmission means for transmitting the drive, and the other shapes are formed line-symmetrically with respect to the straight line in the direction of gravity, so a detailed description of the left side rotating ball 370L is omitted. Also, the configuration of the left side rotating ball 370L is illustrated by changing the symbol R given to the configuration of the right side rotating ball 370R to L.

[0326] The right side rotating ball portion 370R is formed mainly by a rotor 372R that is connected to the other axial end side of the connecting rod 371 and can rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 371, a drive motor 376R of a drive means that imparts a driving force to the rotor 372R, a transmission means 377R that transmits the driving force of the drive motor 376R to the rotor, an inner cover 373R to which the drive motor 376R is attached, and an outer cover 374R that is arranged opposite the inner cover 373R and holds the transmission means 377R between them so that it cannot fall off.

[0327] The rotating body 372R is formed with a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, and a magnet 372Rb having magnetic force arranged inside the second rotating body 372Rc.

[0328] The first rotor 372Ra is a cylindrical rotor that rotates while being connected to the connecting rod 371, and includes a through hole 372Ra1 that opens to the shaft. The through hole 372Ra1 is an opening into which the other end of the connecting rod 371 fits, and is formed with an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the outer shape of the connecting rod 371. Thus, the first rotor 372Ra is connected by fitting the connecting rod 371 onto the outside.

[0329] The second rotor 372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape having substantially the same outer shape as the first rotor 372Ra, and is disposed coaxially with the first rotor 372Ra and attached to the first rotor 372Ra.

[0330] In addition, the second rotating body 372Rc is a part that attracts and sends the game ball to its outer peripheral surface, and is formed with a recess 372Rc1 inside which the magnet 372Rb described later is inserted, and a groove portion 372Rc2 recessed into the outer peripheral surface radially outside the recess 372Rc1.

[0331] The recess 372Rc1 is recessed into the surface of the second rotating body 372Rc that is attached to the first rotating body 372Ra, and is formed with an inner shape that is approximately the same as the outer shape of the magnet 372Rb. Therefore, the rotating body 372R is assembled with the magnet 372Rb disposed inside by inserting the magnet 372Rb into the recess 372Rc1 of the second rotating body 372Rc and then attaching the second rotating body 372Rc to the first rotating body 372Ra.

[0332] The magnet 372Rb is formed in a disk shape, and is inserted into the recess 372Rc1 of the second rotor 372Rc with its flat surface facing radially outward.

[0333] The transmission means 377R is a gear train that transmits the driving force of the drive motor 376R to the rotor 372R, and is composed of transmission gears 377Ra to 377Rc. The leading transmission gear 377Ra is connected to the drive motor 376R, and the trailing transmission gear 377Rc is connected to the second rotor Rc2. Therefore, when the drive motor 376R rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the transmission gear 377Ra to the transmission gear 377Rc, causing the rotor 372R to rotate.

[0334] As described above, since the rotating body 372R is connected to the connecting rod 371, the rotating body 372L of the left rotating ball portion 370L is also connected to one end of the connecting rod 371. This allows the rotating body 372R and the rotating body 372L to rotate synchronously.

[0335] The inner cover 373R has an opening for collecting game balls rolling around the main body 380, and is a plate for positioning the transmission means 377R of the right-side ball transfer section 370R, and is mainly formed with a collection hole 373Ra that penetrates the first rotating body 372Ra in the axial direction, a guide wall 373Rb that protrudes from the edge of the collection hole 373Ra axially outward from the first rotating body 372Ra, a first opening 373Rc that opens onto the axis of the second rotating body 372Rc and the transmission gear 377Rc, and a second opening 373Rd that opens onto the axis of the drive motor 376R.

[0336] The recovery hole 373Ra is an opening through which the game ball passing through the fifth ball throwing path KR5 passes, and is formed on the end side of the fifth ball throwing path KR5 and has an inner shape larger than the diameter of the ball.

[0337] The guide wall 373Rb is a wall portion that allows the game balls that pass through the inside of the recovery hole 373Ra to flow downward in the direction of gravity, and is provided to protrude from the edge of the recovery hole 373Ra and is formed in a U-shape that is open on the bottom side in a side view. Therefore, when the outer cover 374R is covered by the inner cover 373R from the axial outside of the connecting rod 371, a sixth ball sending path KR6 for sending the game balls can be formed between the opposing guide walls 373Rb.

[0338] The first opening 373Rc is an opening that allows the second rotor 372Rc and the transmission gear 377Rc to be connected to each other, and is formed in a circular shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the second rotor 372Rc. This allows the transmission gear 377Rc, which is disposed on the outer side of the inner cover 373R, to be connected to the second rotor 372Rc.

[0339] The second opening 373Rd is an opening that allows the drive motor 376R and the transmission gear 377Ra to be connected to each other, and is formed in a circular shape with an outer shape larger than the rotation shaft of the drive motor 376R. This allows the transmission gear 377Ra, which is disposed on the outer side of the inner cover 373R, to be connected to the drive motor 376R.

[0340] Outer cover 374R is a plate member disposed on the left-right outer side of inner cover 373R, and has an outer shape in a side view that is substantially the same as that of inner cover 373R. By covering inner cover 373R from the outside with outer cover 374, the sixth ball throwing path KR6 described above is formed, and each transmission gear 377Ra to 377Rc of transmission means 377R can be rotatably held between outer cover 374R and inner cover 373R.

[0341] Next, the rotor 372R will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 68. Fig. 68(a) is a side view of the rotor 372R, Fig. 68(b) is a top view of the rotor 372R, Fig. 68(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotor 372R taken along line LXVIIIc-LXVIIIc in Fig. 68(b), and Fig. 68(d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotor 372R taken along line LXVIIId-LXVIIId in Fig. 68(b). In Fig. 68(a) and Fig. 68(b), the outer shape of the magnet 372Rb is shown by a dashed line.

[0342] 68, the groove 372Rc2 formed in the second rotor 372Rc of the rotor 372R is recessed into a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the radial direction of the rotor 372R, and its outer shape is set to be larger than the outer shape of the magnet 372Rb. Moreover, the groove 372Rc2 has a surface located on the radial inner side of the rotor 372R formed into a flat surface.

[0343] Next, the rotation of the rotor 372R will be described with reference to Figures 69 and 70. Figures 69(a) to (c) are schematic cross-sectional views of the displacement unit 560 taken along line LXIX-LXIX in Figure 56(a). Figures 70(a) to (c) are partial top views of the displacement unit 560.

[0344] In addition, Fig. 69(a) shows a state where groove portion 372Rc2 of second rotating body 372Rc is adjacent to sixth ball throwing path KR6, Fig. 69(b) shows a state where groove portion 372Rc2 of second rotating body 372Rc is located at the upper end, and Fig. 69(c) shows a state where groove portion 372Rc2 of second rotating body 372Rc is adjacent to ball throwing path KR7. Fig. 70(a) shows a state corresponding to Fig. 69(a), Fig. 70(b) shows a state corresponding to Fig. 69(b), and Fig. 70(c) shows a state corresponding to Fig. 69(c).

[0345] 69(a) and 70(a), the second rolling portion 381c of the sixth ball throwing path KR6 is disposed above the rotation axis of the rotor 372R in the direction of gravity. Therefore, when the sixth ball throwing path KR6 and the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotor 372Rc are adjacent to each other, the flat surface on the radially inner side of the groove 372Rc2 is inclined upward toward the front side.

[0346] When a driving force is applied from the drive motor 376R from the state shown in Figures 69(a) and 70(a), the rotor 372R rotates leftward about its axis when viewed from the right (as viewed from the direction of Figure 69). Thus, the state shown in Figures 69(c) and 70(c) is formed via the state shown in Figures 69(b) and 70(b).

[0347] As shown in Figures 69(c) and 70(c), third rolling portion 381d of seventh ball throwing path KR6 is disposed above the rotation axis of rotor 372R in the direction of gravity and is formed above second rolling portion 381c. Therefore, when seventh ball throwing path KR7 and groove 372Rc2 of second rotor 372Rc are adjacent to each other, the flat surface on the radial inner side of groove 372Rc2 is inclined upward toward the back side.

[0348] Next, a state in which the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 are combined will be described with reference to Fig. 71. Fig. 71(a) is a front view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390, and Fig. 71(b) is a top view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390.

[0349] 71(a) and 71(b), the variable unit 360 is disposed on one side below the direction of gravity of the rear base 390. In addition, the two annular members 394 of the rear base 390 are disposed on the outer sides in the left-right direction of the first rolling portion 381a.

[0350] In addition, the circular ring member 394 is disposed below the third ball throwing path KR3 described above. To explain in detail, the third ball throwing path KR3 is connected to the side of the circular ring member 394 formed in a substantially circular shape on the second rolling portion 392c side. Therefore, the game ball thrown inside the third ball throwing path KR3 can be guided to the upper surface of the circular ring member 394 and thrown to the second rolling portion 381c on the front side. As described above, the fourth ball throwing path KR4 is connected to the fifth ball throwing path formed by the first rolling portion 382a. That is, the third ball throwing path KR3 is connected to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, and the fourth ball throwing path KR4 is connected to the fifth ball throwing path KR5.

[0351] Next, referring to Figures 72 to 74, a game ball passing through the sixth ball sending path will be described. Figures 72(a) to 72(c) are top views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390, Figures 73(a) to 73(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 along the line LXXIII-LXXIII in Figure 72(a), and Figures 74(a) to 74(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 along the line LXXVI-LXXVI in Figure 71(b). Note that Figures 72(a) to 72(c), 73(a) to 73(c), and 74(a) to 74(c) each show a transition state of the game ball.

[0352] As shown in Figures 72(a), 73(a) and 74(a), the game ball thrown from the third ball throwing path KR3 is guided to the upper surface of the circular member 394 and to the top of the second rolling portion 381c, as described above.

[0353] As shown in Figures 72(b), 73(b) and 74(b), the game ball rolling to the top of the second rolling portion 392c is rolled due to the downward incline of the second rolling portion 381c (see Figure 74(b)) and is sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0354] As shown in Figures 72(c), 73(c) and 74(c), the game ball sent to the end of the sixth ball sending path KR6 is sent to the recovery hole 373Ra formed in the inner cover 373R, and is collected by flowing down the passage formed between the inner cover 373R and the outer cover 374R. That is, the recovery hole 373Ra of the inner cover 373R is opened at the end of the sixth ball sending path KR6, and the lower end surface of the recovery hole 373Ra is formed at a position approximately the same height as or slightly lower than the second rolling portion 381c. Therefore, the game ball sent to the sixth ball sending path KR6 can be smoothly sent to the inside of the recovery hole 373Ra.

[0355] In addition, since the second rolling portion 381c is formed as an inclined surface that rolls the game ball in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body 372R, the rolling direction of the game ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c and the throwing direction of the game ball sent with the rotation of the rotating body 372R can be made substantially perpendicular to each other. As a result, the movement of the game ball is changed, and the number of game balls that can be seen at one time is secured, improving the interest of the player.

[0356] Next, a case where the stopper portion 396 of the rear base 390 is displaced will be described with reference to Fig. 75. Fig. 75(a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 in a state before the stopper portion 396 is displaced, and Fig. 75(b) is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 in a state after the stopper portion 396 is displaced. Figs. 75(a) and 75(b) correspond to the cross section of Fig. 73(a).

[0357] 75(a), before the stopper portion 396 is displaced, the end portion A2 is disposed on the upper side of the axis of the shaft hole 396c in the direction of gravity, as described above. Therefore, the sixth ball throwing path KR6 and the recovery hole 373Ra of the inner cover 373R are in communication with each other, and the game ball passing through the sixth ball throwing path KR6 can be collected by passing through the inside of the recovery hole 373Ra.

[0358] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 75(b), when the stopper portion 396 is displaced, the end portion A2 is at substantially the same height as the axis of the shaft hole 396c in the gravity direction as described above. Therefore, the stopper portion 396 is interposed between the sixth ball throwing path KR6 and the recovery hole 373Ra, and the sixth ball throwing path KR6 and the recovery hole 373Ra are blocked. As a result, the game ball thrown on the sixth ball throwing path KR6 comes into contact with the stopper portion 396 and stops.

[0359] Therefore, the rotor 372R is provided with a stopper portion 396 which blocks the rolling of the game ball in the second rolling portion 381c, and the magnet of the rotor 372R is arranged in a position where it can attract the game ball whose rolling has been blocked by the stopper portion 396. This allows two configurations to be created: a game ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c is directly attracted to the rotor 372R, and a game ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c is blocked by the stopper portion 396 and then attracted to the rotor 372R (i.e., a game ball that would have passed by without being attracted to the rotor 372R if there had not been blocking by the stopper portion 396 becomes able to be attracted to the rotor 372R due to being blocked by the stopper portion 396), thereby increasing the player's interest.

[0360] Next, the game ball sent by the rotating body 372R will be described with reference to Figures 76 to 79. Figures 76 to 78 are top views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390, and Figures 79(a) to 79(c) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390.

[0361] Fig. 79(a) corresponds to the cross section of Fig. 69(a), Fig. 79(b) corresponds to the cross section of Fig. 69(b), and Fig. 79(c) corresponds to the cross section of Fig. 69(c), respectively. Also, Figs. 76 to 78 and Figs. 79(a) to 79(c) show transition states of the sphere.

[0362] As shown in Figures 76 and 79(a), when the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotating body 372Rc is adjacent to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, the game ball thrown along the sixth ball throwing path KR6 is attracted to the magnet 372Rb disposed inside the second rotating body 372Rc. That is, the game ball is attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotating body 372Rc.

[0363] When the rotating body 372R is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 76 and FIG. 79(a), the rotating body 372R is rotated in a state in which the ball is attracted to the magnet 372Rb of the second rotating body 372Rc.

[0364] Here, a gaming machine is known that includes a substantially cylindrical rotating member (rotating body 372R, 372L) that is formed to be rotatable with its rotation axis facing horizontally, and a magnet (372Rb) that is disposed on the rotating member and attracts a gaming ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, and the rotating member is rotated with the gaming ball attracted to the outer circumferential surface, thereby sending the gaming ball in the direction of rotation of the rotating member. When two gaming balls roll toward the rotating member in succession, the leading gaming ball may be attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, and the following gaming ball may be attracted to the leading gaming ball. In this case, there is a problem that when the rotating member is rotated, the weight of the two balls acts, and the attraction between the rotating member and the leading gaming ball is released.

[0365] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the second rolling portion 381c is provided in parallel with the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R and rolls the game ball, and the second rolling portion 381c is located above the rotation axis of the rotating member in the direction of gravity. For example, when two game balls are rolled in a line toward the rotating body 372R on the second rolling portion 381c, and the leading game ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R and the following game ball is attracted to the leading game ball, the leading game ball can be easily placed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R. Therefore, it is difficult to release the attraction between the rotating body 372R and the leading game ball.

[0366] Here, the game ball that is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R and sent is received by the third rolling portion 381d that is arranged juxtaposed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R on the opposite side of the rotating body 372R to the second rolling portion 381c. However, at this time, the game ball tends to bounce off the third rolling portion 381d, making it difficult to send the game ball smoothly from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d.

[0367] In contrast, in this embodiment, since the third rolling portion 381d is located above the rotation axis of the rotating body 372R in the direction of gravity, the game ball can be prevented from bouncing on the third rolling portion 381d and sent smoothly from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d. That is, the game ball can be received by the third rolling portion 381d before the displacement component in the downward direction of gravity becomes large with the rotation of the rotating body 372R (i.e., at a stage where the horizontal component is relatively large), so that the game ball can be prevented from bouncing on the third rolling portion 381d. In addition, before the game ball is received by the third rolling portion 381d, the adsorption of the game ball is released, so that the game ball can be prevented from falling from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d. From this point of view, the game ball can be prevented from bouncing on the third rolling portion 381d.

[0368] In addition, since the third rolling portion 381d is formed with a downward inclination toward the direction away from the rotating body 372R, the throwing direction of the game ball attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R and thrown with the rotation of the rotating body 372R can be made close to the rolling direction of the game ball received by the third rolling portion 381d. As a result, the game ball can be prevented from bouncing on the third rolling portion 381d, and the game ball can be smoothly thrown from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R to the third rolling portion 381d.

[0369] The rotating body 372R has a groove 372Rc2 recessed in its outer circumferential surface, and the magnet 372Rb is disposed at a position to attract the game ball to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2, so that the game ball can be supported by the inner surface (step between the outer circumferential surface) of the groove 372Rc2. As a result, for example, when two game balls are rolled in a line toward the rotating body 372R on the second rolling portion 381c, and the leading game ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 372R and the following game ball is attracted to the leading game ball, the attraction between the rotating body 372R and the leading game ball is unlikely to be released.

[0370] In addition, the recess depth of the groove 372Rc2 is set to a dimension that allows the game ball to contact the bottom surface of the groove 372Rc2 when the game ball is fitted in the groove 372Rc2, and the third rolling portion 381d side is set to a smaller dimension than the second rolling portion 381c side, so that when the game ball sent with the rotation of the rotating body 372R wobbles in the rotation direction of the rotating body 372R, the game ball can be easily rolled (dropped) from the groove 372Rc2 to the third rolling portion 381d side. That is, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being released from adhesion and returning to the second rolling portion 381c.

[0371] Next, when the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotating body 372Rc shown in Fig. 78 and Fig. 79(c) rotates to a position adjacent to the seventh ball throwing path KR7 through the state shown in Fig. 77 and Fig. 79(b), the game ball attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 is caught by the third rolling part 381d of the seventh ball throwing path KR7. As a result, the ball is released from the attraction with the magnet 372Rb of the second rotating body 372Rc, and is thrown along the seventh ball throwing path KR7.

[0372] Here, if the adhesion between the rotating body 372R and the game ball is released below the axis of the rotating body in the direction of gravity, the gravity of the game ball will be more likely to act around the axis of the rotating body 372R, which may increase the rotational speed of the rotating body 372R.

[0373] Therefore, when the suction between the rotating body 372R and the game ball is released, the kinetic energy of the rotating body 372R becomes high, and the rotating body 372 bounces when it collides with the third rolling part 381d. Alternatively, when the rotating body 372 is rotated and the game ball is sent below the axis of the rotating body 372R in the direction of gravity while the rotating body 372 and the game ball are suctioned, the rotating body 372 cannot support the game ball, and the suction between the rotating body 372 and the game ball is released, causing the game ball to fall onto the third rolling part 381d and bounce.

[0374] In contrast, in this embodiment, the base of the third rolling portion 381d is disposed above the axis of the rotating body 372 in the direction of gravity, so that the adhesion between the rotating body 372 and the game ball can be released above the axis of the rotating body 372 in the direction of gravity. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball from bouncing when the adhesion between the rotating body 372 and the game ball is released.

[0375] In addition, the third rolling portion 381d is formed with a downward inclination in the direction from the second rolling portion 381c toward the third rolling portion 381d, so that the throwing direction of the game ball adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372 and sent can be made to approximately coincide with the rolling direction of the third rolling portion 381d. Therefore, the game ball adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372 has kinetic energy in the rotational direction due to the rotational displacement of the rotating body 372, so that when the third rolling portion 381d releases the adsorption of the game ball from the rotating body 372, the game ball is likely to move in the direction in which the kinetic energy acts. As described above, the throwing direction of the game ball adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 372 and sent can be made to approximately coincide with the rolling direction of the third rolling portion 381d, so that the game ball sent to the third rolling portion 381d can be made to roll easily. As a result, the game ball sent to the third rolling portion 381d can be made to roll easily.

[0376] In addition, the game ball sent along the seventh ball sending path KR7 rolls toward the front side due to the downward inclination of the third rolling portion 381d toward the front side, and is sent to the eighth ball sending path KR8.

[0377] Therefore, the game ball sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6 can be sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7 by the rotation of the rotating body 372R. Therefore, since a plurality of ball sending paths can be formed, the interest of the player can be improved.

[0378] Next, referring to FIG. 80, the adsorption of the game ball to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 of the second rotor 372Rc will be described in detail. FIG. 80 is a cross-sectional view of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390. FIG. 80 corresponds to the cross-section of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390 in FIG. 69(a). FIG. 80 also illustrates a state in which the ball is slightly rotated after being adsorbed to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2. Furthermore, FIG. 80 illustrates the connection portion between the groove 372Rc2 on the opposite side to the rotation direction of the rotor 372 and the second rotor 372Rc with the reference symbol of the end A3.

[0379] As shown in FIG. 80, in a device that attracts and sends game balls to the outer circumferential surface of a rotating body, there is a possibility that a game ball sent later along the sixth ball sending path KR6 will be attracted to a game ball attracted to the inner surface of the groove portion 372Rc2. When a trailing game ball is attracted to a leading game ball, the gravity of the two game balls acts on the attraction surface between the groove portion 372Rc2 and the leading game ball. As a result, there is a problem in that when a trailing game ball is attracted to a leading game ball, the attraction between the leading game ball and the groove portion 372Rc2 is released.

[0380] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 80, the game ball attracted to the inner circumference of the groove portion 372Rc2 is sent in a state of contact with the end portion A3. As a result, even if a force in the direction of gravity acts on the ball, the end portion A3 supports the game ball, making it difficult for the ball to be displaced in the direction of gravity, and the game ball can be prevented from falling from the groove portion 372Rc2. Therefore, even if a following game ball is attracted to a preceding game ball, the attraction between the preceding game ball and the groove portion 372Rc2 can be prevented from being released.

[0381] As described above, the sixth ball sending path KR6 is formed above the rotation axis of the rotor 372R in the direction of gravity, so that the game ball attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2 can easily come into contact with the end A3. As a result, the game ball can be effectively prevented from being released from the attraction between the groove 372Rc2 and the game ball.

[0382] Next, the winning port unit 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 81 to Fig. 90. First, the overall configuration of the winning port unit 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 81 to Fig. 83. Fig. 81(a) is a front view of the winning port unit 600, and Fig. 81(b) is a rear view of the winning port unit 600. Fig. 82 is an exploded front perspective view of the winning port unit 600, and Fig. 83 is an exploded rear perspective view of the winning port unit 600.

[0383] As shown in Figures 81 to 83, the winning port unit 600 is formed mainly by comprising a decorative plate 610 having a plurality of winning ports 26, 27, 28, a base plate 630 arranged opposite the decorative plate 610 and forming a flow path for game balls between the opposing plates, a route member 640 forming a ball sending path for game balls between the base plate 630, and a variable winning device 650 arranged on the base plate 630 and guiding the game balls flowing down between the opposing plates 610 and 630 to any of the winning ports 26, 27, 28.

[0384] The decorative panel 610 is formed from a left cover member 611 having the left start winning opening 26, a right cover member 612 having the right start winning opening 27, and a central cover member 613 having the central start winning opening 28.

[0385] The left cover member 611 and the right cover member 612 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center cover member 613, and a detailed description will be given only of the right cover member 612. In this case, the left start winning hole 26 corresponds to the right start winning hole 27.

[0386] The right cover member 612 is formed from a plate-like body that is curved in a semicircular shape on the lower side in the direction of gravity when viewed from the front, and the right starting winning hole 27 is formed to protrude near the curved axis.

[0387] The central cover member 613 is formed in a semicircular shape with a curved upper side when viewed from the front, and is disposed in the center of the left cover member 611 and the right cover member 612. The central cover member 613 is mainly formed with a guide plate 613a protruding from the vicinity of the curved axis, standing walls 613b, 613c protruding in an arc shape centered on the curved axis, a middle start winning opening 28 formed between the opposing standing walls 613b, 613c, and cover side projections 613d protruding from both sides of the guide plate 613a.

[0388] The guide plate 613a is a protrusion for guiding the game ball inserted inside the middle start winning opening 28 to the through hole 632a of the base plate 630, which will be described later, and is disposed above the through hole 632a in the direction of gravity. The guide plate 613a is formed so that its upper surface is inclined downward toward the protruding tip. This allows the game ball that passes through the inside of the middle start winning opening 28 and is sent to the upper surface of the guide plate 613a to be rolled toward the back side of the base plate 630 and sent to the through hole 632a of the base plate 630.

[0389] Furthermore, the guide plate 613a is formed to have a contact surface 613a1 with a large inclination angle on the upper surface on the base side, and a rolling surface 613a2 with a smaller inclination angle than the contact surface 613a1 on the upper surface on the tip side.

[0390] The contact surface 613a1 is a surface that contacts the game ball entered inside the middle start winning opening 28 to stabilize the sending of the game ball to the through hole 632a, and contacts the outer surface of the game ball sent inside the middle start winning opening 28 that is in front of the lower end in the direction of gravity. That is, the distance dimension of the contact surface 613a1 from the connecting part with the rolling surface 613a2 to the base is set to be larger than the radius of the game ball, and the dimension toward the upper side in the direction of gravity is set to be larger than the radius of the game ball. Therefore, the game ball inserted inside the middle start winning opening 28 can be contacted with the rolling surface 613a2. This allows the component of the force in the direction of gravity of the game ball sent to the middle start winning opening 28 to act on the through hole 632a side by the reaction of the collision with the contact surface 613a1. As a result, the game ball sent to the inside of the middle start winning port 28 can be smoothly guided to the through hole 632a of the base plate 630.

[0391] The standing walls 613b and 613c are walls that form the middle start winning opening 28, and are formed symmetrically on either side of the middle start winning opening 28. The standing walls 613b and 613c are formed from one side that is curved and the other side that is drooping down from the center. The middle start winning opening 28 is formed between the other sides of the standing walls 613b and 613c.

[0392] One side of the standing walls 613b, 613c is a rolling surface for the game balls that are not inserted into the center start winning opening 28 and flow down the game board 13 to the outlet 71. Since the game balls that are sent to the upper surface of one side of the standing walls 613b, 613c can be made to flow down outward in the left-right direction, a space can be formed below the standing walls 613b, 613c.

[0393] The cover side protrusion 613d is a protrusion for slowing down the speed of the game ball rolling on the upper part of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 described later, and a detailed explanation will be given later.

[0394] The base plate 630 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front, and is provided with a left recess 631, a central recess 632, and a right recess 633 that are recessed toward the rear side at the portions where the cover members 611, 612, and 613 of the decorative plate 610 are arranged.

[0395] The left recess 631 is formed with a left through hole 631a formed at a position opposite the left starting winning hole 26 of the left cover member 611, and a second through hole 631b located lower in the direction of gravity than the left through hole 631a and formed through the end of the left recess 631.

[0396] The left through hole 631a is a path for the game ball that flows down after being sent to the inside of the left start winning opening 26, and is formed penetrating from the front side to the back side, and is formed with an inner shape larger than the outer shape of the game ball. This allows the game ball sent to the left start winning opening 26 to be collected through the left through hole 631a.

[0397] The second through hole 631b is an opening through which a game ball passing through the vicinity of the left start winning port 26 and flowing down is inserted, and is formed at the lower end of the left recess 631 and at a position facing one end of the path member 640 (described later) on the left side as viewed from the front. This allows a game ball that is not sent to the left start winning port 26 but flows down between the left recess 631 and the left cover member 611 to be sent to the path member 640 through the second through hole 631b.

[0398] The right recess 633 is mainly formed with a right through hole 633a formed at a position opposite the right starting winning hole 27 of the right cover member 612, and a second through hole 633b located lower in the direction of gravity than the right through hole 633a and formed through the end of the left recess 631.

[0399] The right through hole 633a is a path for the game balls sent to the right start winning opening 27 to flow down, and is formed penetrating from the front side to the back side, and the inner shape is formed larger than the outer shape of the ball. This allows the game balls sent to the right start winning opening 27 to be collected through the right through hole 633a.

[0400] The second through hole 633b is an opening through which a game ball passing through the vicinity of the right start winning opening 27 and flowing down is inserted, and is formed at the lower end of the right recess 633 and at a position facing the other end of the path member 640 (described later) on the right side as viewed from the front. This allows a game ball that is not sent to the right start winning opening 27 and flows down between the right recess 633 and the right cover member 612 to be sent to the path member 640 through the second through hole 633b.

[0401] Therefore, the opening of the flow path of the game ball formed between the left and right recesses 631, 633 and the decorative plate 610 is located above the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27 in the direction of gravity, and the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27 are arranged inside the flow path of the game ball formed between the left and right recesses 631, 633 and the decorative plate 610, so that some of the game balls flowing into the second through holes 631b, 633b can be made to enter the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27. In other words, the game balls flowing down without entering the left start winning opening 26 and the right start winning opening 27 can be reliably made to flow into the path member 640. As a result, the player's expectation of entering the second ball entry opening can be increased, and the interest of the game can be improved.

[0402] The central recess 632 is mainly formed by a through hole 632a formed in approximately the center of the base plate 630 in the left-right direction, two insertion holes 632c formed on either side of the through hole 632a, a connecting hole 632b opening above the insertion hole 632c, and base side protrusions 632d located on either side of the through hole 632a and protruding toward the central cover member 613.

[0403] The through hole 632a is an opening for inserting the game ball rolling on the upper part of the guide plate 613a into the interior, and is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the ball and, as described above, is formed lower in the direction of gravity than the guide plate 613a of the central cover member 613.

[0404] As described above, the insertion holes 632c are formed on both left and right sides of the through hole 632a. The insertion holes 632c are formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and are formed to be inclined downward toward the through hole 632a.

[0405] The connecting hole 632b is an opening through which a game ball sent along the path member 640, described below, is discharged to the front side of the base plate 630, and is formed penetrating above the outer side of the insertion hole 632c (the side away from the through hole 632a).

[0406] The base side protrusion 632d is a protrusion that slows down the speed of the game ball rolling on the top of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650, which passes through the inside of the insertion hole 632c and protrudes toward the central cover member 613, and is formed to protrude upward on the through hole 632a side of the insertion hole 632c.

[0407] The path member 640 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape in front view, and is formed in a substantially box shape that is open on the side of the base plate 630. The path member 640 is a member for forming a path connecting the second through holes 631b, 633b and the connecting hole 632b, and is formed of a first path 641 formed on the left side in front view and connecting the second through hole 631b and the connecting hole 632b on the left side in front view of the base plate 630, and a second path 642 formed on the right side in front view and connecting the second through hole 633b and the connecting hole 632b on the right side in front view of the base plate 630.

[0408] The first path 641 and the second path 642 of the path member 640 are formed with a downward inclination toward each other. This allows the game ball sent from the second through hole 631b to roll on the first path 641 and be sent to the connecting hole 632b. Also, the game ball sent from the second through hole 633b can be sent to the connecting hole 632b by rolling on the second path 642.

[0409] The variable winning device 650 is a device that is equipped with a variable plate 652 that can be slidably displaced, and is attached to the back side of the base plate 630, and is disposed with the variable plate 652 inserted into the insertion hole 632c.

[0410] Next, the variable winning device 650 will be described with reference to Figures 84 and 85. Figure 84(a) is a front view of the variable winning device 650, and Figure 84(b) is a top view of the variable winning device 650. Figure 85(a) is an exploded front perspective view of the variable winning device 650, and Figure 85(b) is an exploded rear perspective view of the variable winning device 650.

[0411] As shown in Figures 84 and 85, the variable winning device 650 is mainly formed by a front base 651 connected to the base plate 630, a variable plate 652 arranged in a manner that allows it to be inserted inside the front base 651 and slidably displaced, a transmission member 653 connected to the base end of the variable plate 652 and capable of rotational displacement by the driving force of a driving means, a cover member 654 arranged around the transmission member 653, and a solenoid 655 of the driving means.

[0412] The front base 651 is formed in a roughly horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with an opening 651b into which the tip side of the variable plate 652 described later is inserted, and a recovery hole 651a connected to a through hole 632a of the base plate 630.

[0413] The recovery hole 651a is a hole for recovering the game balls inserted into the through-hole 632a of the base plate 630, and is connected to the rear side of the through-hole 632a.

[0414] The opening 651b is an opening for stabilizing the sliding of a variable plate 652, which will be described later, when the variable plate 652 is slidably displaced, and is formed slightly larger than the outer shape of the variable plate 652 when viewed from the front.

[0415] As described above, the two variable plates 652 are plate members that roll the game ball on their upper surfaces, and their tips are inserted into the insertion holes 632c of the base plate 630 through the openings 651b. That is, the variable plates 652 are formed with an inclination in the direction in which they approach each other. As a result, when a game ball lands on the upper surface of the variable plates 652, the ball can be rolled to drop onto the guide plate 613a.

[0416] Moreover, the variable plate 652 has a recess 652a recessed in the direction of gravity. A rotation shaft 653a of a transmission member 653 (described later) is inserted into the recess 652a to transmit the displacement of the transmission member 653. As a result, a driving force is transmitted to the variable plate 652, causing the variable plate 652 to slide and displace.

[0417] The transmission member 653 is formed in a plate shape, and a rotating shaft 653c formed at one end is connected to a shaft hole 654a formed in the cover member 654. The transmission member 653 also has an engaging portion 653b formed to protrude from the center of the rotating shaft 653a, and the engaging portion 653b engages with a protrusion 655a of the solenoid 655. Therefore, when the solenoid 655 is driven, the engaging portion 653b is pushed out, and the transmission member 653 is rotationally displaced around the rotating shaft 653c. This allows the variable plate 652 to be slidably displaced.

[0418] Therefore, a variable plate 652 is provided in the through hole 632a on the flow path of the middle start winning port 28, which makes it easier for a game ball flowing downstream upstream of the through hole 632a to enter the through hole 632a by a displacement action.This increases the probability that a game ball that does not enter the left start winning port 26 and the right start winning port 27, but flows downstream near the left start winning port 26 and the right start winning port 27 and is sent to the inside of the path member 640, will enter the through hole 632a.

[0419] In addition, since the pair of variable plates 652 are disposed on both sides of the through hole 632a in a posture inclined downward toward the through hole 632a, when the variable plates 652 are formed in a protruding state, it is possible to make it easier for a game ball flowing down from either the left or right side of the through hole 632a to enter the through hole 632a. Therefore, it is possible to make the player have a stronger expectation of the ball entering the through hole 632a. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

[0420] Here, as a configuration for facilitating the entry of the game ball into the through-hole 632a, a pair of wing members, the base end of which is rotatably supported on a rotating shaft protruding from the game board 13, is arranged in the through-hole 632a, and the game ball is guided to the through-hole 632a by opening the wing members (so-called tulip). However, in such a configuration, a space is required in the game area for the wing members to rotate (open and close). In particular, a space is required above the through-hole 632a for the wing members to form a closed position. Therefore, the size increases in the vertical direction, and the arrangement space for other members (for example, the first ball entrance and the liquid crystal display device) decreases.

[0421] In contrast, according to this embodiment, a pair of variable plates 652, which are formed so as to be able to protrude to the front side of the game board 13 and retract to the rear side, are arranged on both sides of the through hole 632a in an attitude inclined downward toward the through hole 632a, so that it is possible to achieve a vertically compact size. As a result, it is possible to secure the arrangement space for other components (for example, the first ball entrance and the liquid crystal display device).

[0422] Furthermore, since the connecting hole 632b of the path member 640 is disposed above the variable plate 652 in the direction of gravity, the protruding variable plate 652 can be used to make it easier for the game ball to enter the through hole 632a. This makes it possible to make the player more excited about the ball entering the through hole 632a. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0423] In addition, the second through hole 631b and the path member 640, and the second through hole 633b and the path member 640 are formed in pairs, and the connecting hole 632b of one of the two sets of path members 640 is disposed above one of the pair of variable plates 652 in the direction of gravity, and the connecting hole 632b of the other set of path members 640 is disposed above the other variable plate 652 in the direction of gravity. Therefore, by using each of the pair of variable plates 652, it is possible to make it easier for the game ball to enter the through hole 632a. Therefore, the player can have a stronger expectation of the ball entering the through hole 632a. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0424] In addition, it is preferable that the second through hole 631b and the path member 640 and the second through hole 633b and the path member 640 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the through hole 632a (for example, the through hole 632a is positioned in the widthwise center of the game area, and two sets are arranged symmetrically in the widthwise direction on both sides of the through hole 632a). This is because it is possible to easily make a game ball flowing down either one or the other side of the widthwise direction of the game area with respect to the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27 enter the through hole 632a, and the player can have a stronger expectation of the ball entering the through hole 632a.

[0425] In addition, since the edge of the variable plate 652 on the through hole 632a side is located between the edge of the through hole 632a on the lower side in the direction of gravity and the edge of the through hole 632a on the upper side in the direction of gravity, when a game ball is thrown (displaced) in the width direction of the game area, the game ball can be made to abut against the edge of the variable plate 652 on the through hole 632a side in the protruding state, making it easier for the game ball to enter the through hole 632a. That is, it is possible to prevent a game ball thrown (displaced) from one side in the width direction of the game area from passing in front of the through hole 632a and being thrown (displaced) to the other side in the width direction (the game ball escaping in the width direction of the game area without entering the through hole 632a).

[0426] Next, referring to Figures 86 and 87, a ball sending path of the winning port unit 600 will be described. Figure 86(a) is a front view of the winning port unit 600, and Figure 86(b) is a top view of the winning port unit 600. Figures 87(a) and 87(b) are partial front views of the winning port unit 600 in the range LXXXVII of Figure 86.

[0427] In addition, Fig. 87(a) illustrates the state before the variable winning device 650 is displaced, and Fig. 87(b) illustrates the state after the variable winning device 650 is displaced. In Fig. 86 and Fig. 87, the decorative plate 610 is shown in a transparent state. In Fig. 86(a), the path member 640 is shown by a broken line.

[0428] As shown in Figures 86(a) and 86(b), the second through hole 631b and the connecting hole 632b are connected by a first path 641 of a path member 640 disposed on the back side of the base plate 630. Meanwhile, the second through hole 633b and the connecting hole 632b are connected by a second path 642 of the path member 640. Therefore, the game balls that are not sent to the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27 but are sent to each of the second through holes 631b, 633b are sent inside the path member 640 and discharged from the connecting hole 632b.

[0429] In this case, as shown in Fig. 87(a), before the variable winning device 650 is driven, the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is retracted to the rear side of the central recess 632 of the base plate 630. Therefore, the game ball discharged from the connecting hole 632b flows downward and is collected by the outlet 71 formed in the game board 13.

[0430] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 87(b), when the variable winning device 650 is driven (the variable plate is slid), the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is in a state of protruding forward from the central recess 632 of the base plate 630. Connection hole 632b The game ball discharged from the variable plate 652 is sent to the upper surface of the variable plate 652.

[0431] Here, a gaming machine equipped with a first ball entrance and a second ball entrance is known. In this case, a gaming ball that does not enter the first ball entrance does not enter the second ball entrance, but is only collected from the out hole. Therefore, when a gaming ball aimed at the first ball entrance does not enter the first ball entrance, a player cannot expect the subsequent destination of the gaming ball (the gaming ball flowing down). Therefore, there was a problem that the gaming machine could not provide sufficient interest to the player.

[0432] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the game board 13 has a play area formed on the front side, and a plate-like variable plate 652 formed so as to be protrudible to the front side of the game board 13 and retractable to the rear side. The game ball that has passed through the path member 640 can be guided to the through hole 632a by the variable plate 652 protruding to the front side of the game board 13. Therefore, even if the game ball does not enter the left start winning hole 26 or the right start winning hole 27, the player can be made to pay attention to the flow of the game ball and continue to have hope that the game ball will enter the through hole 632a. As a result, the interest in the game can be improved.

[0433] In addition, since the variable plate 652 is formed so as to be capable of protruding to the front side of the game board 13 and retracting to the rear side, when the variable plate 652 is not in operation, it is possible to retract it to the rear side of the game board 13, thereby securing space (expanding the game area) on the front side of the game board 13. In other words, the area in the game area where the game ball can move can be expanded.

[0434] Examples of the path member 640 include those formed as a closed passage through which the game ball can pass, those formed by one or more nails that determine the direction in which the game ball flows down, and those formed as an inclined surface (open passage) along which the game ball can roll.

[0435] Also, even when the variable plate 652 is retracted into the back side of the game board 13, it is naturally possible that the game ball that has passed through the path member 640 can enter the through-hole 632a. In this case, it is preferable that the ball can enter the through-hole 632a more easily when the variable plate 652 is protruding than when it is retracted. This is because it is possible to draw attention to the state of the variable plate 652 and improve the interest of the game.

[0436] As described above, the probability that the game ball will flow into the movable ball entry device 300 by opening and closing the wing 312 when the game ball enters the center start winning hole 28 is set higher than the probability that the game ball will flow into the movable ball entry device 300 by opening and closing the wing 312 when the game ball enters the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27, so the player can have more hope that the game ball that does not enter the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27 will enter the center start winning hole 28. As a result, it is possible to suppress the loss of interest of the player.

[0437] That is, since the profit given to the player by the ball entering the through hole 632a is set to be higher than the profit given to the player by the ball entering the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27, even if the game ball does not enter the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27, the player can have a stronger expectation that the game ball will enter the through hole 632a. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0438] Examples of configurations that provide a higher profit to the player include a configuration in which a larger number of prize balls are paid out when a ball goes in, a configuration in which the opening time of the wing portion 312 that allows / restricts the entry of a ball into the third ball entry port (between the recess 311a and the upper front cover 313) is extended, a configuration in which the wing portion 312 is opened a larger number of times, and a configuration in which the opening range of the wing portion 312 is increased.

[0439] In addition, since the base plate 60 is made of a transparent flexible material, the player can visually see the intersection of two paths, one running down the back side of the base plate 60 and the other running down the front side of the base plate 60. This makes it possible to prevent the player's interest from being lost.

[0440] That is, the path member 640 includes the second through hole 631b and the second through hole 633b that receive the game balls that flow down without entering the left start winning port 26 and the right start winning port 27, and the connecting hole 632b that allows the game balls that flow in from the second through hole 631b and the second through hole 633b to flow out to the game area, and is formed from a transparent flexible material, so that the player can visually confirm the manner in which the game balls that flow in from the second through hole 631b and the second through hole 633b flow down (pass) toward the connecting hole 632b (second ball entry port). As a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0441] Next, the configuration around the through hole 632a will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 88. Fig. 88(a) is a top view of the winning port unit 600, Fig. 88(b) is a cross-sectional view of the winning port unit 600 taken along line LXXXVIIIb-LXXXVIIIb in Fig. 88(a), and Fig. 88(c) is a cross-sectional view of the winning port unit 600 taken along line LXXXVIIIc-LXXXVIIIc in Fig. 81(a).

[0442] As shown in FIG. 88(a) to FIG. 88(c), an insertion hole 632c is opened at both left and right ends of the through hole 632a, and the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 is inserted therein. In this case, the height of the end of the variable plate 652 on the through hole 632a side is set to be approximately the same as the middle position of the height of the through hole 632a in the gravity direction. This ensures a height distance between the end of the variable plate 652 on the through hole 632a side and the guide plate 613a. As a result, when the game ball rolling on the upper part of the variable plate 652 is sent to the through hole 632a, the falling distance to the guide plate 613a can be ensured, so that the impact force when the ball abuts against the abutment surface 613a1 can be ensured, and the ball can be sent smoothly to the through hole 632a.

[0443] The base side protrusion 632d of 632a protruding from the central recess 632 of the base plate 630 is formed into a substantially triangular cross section with a protruding distance decreasing outward from the through hole 632a. The cover side protrusion 613d protruding from the central cover member 613 is also formed into a triangular cross section with a protruding distance decreasing outward from the through hole 632a. The base side protrusion 632d and the cover side protrusion 613d are formed at different positions in the front-rear direction, and the base side protrusion 632d is formed closer to the through hole 632a than the cover side protrusion 613d.

[0444] In addition, the game board is provided with a guide plate 613a that protrudes from the edge of the through hole 632a below the direction of gravity toward the front side of the game board, and the guide plate 613a is formed with a downward inclination toward the through hole 632a, so that the game ball that does not enter the left start winning hole 26 and the right start winning hole 27 and flows down (has passed through the path member 640) can be easily entered into the through hole 632a not only when the variable plate 652 is in a protruding state but also when the variable plate 652 is in a retracted state. Therefore, the player can have a stronger expectation of the ball entering the through hole 632a. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0445] Next, referring to Fig. 89, a gaming ball inserted through the middle start winning hole 28 will be described. Fig. 89(a) to Fig. 89(c) are cross-sectional views of the winning hole unit 600. Fig. 89(a) to Fig. 89(c) correspond to Fig. 88(b). Fig. 89(a) to Fig. 89(c) also show the respective transition states.

[0446] As shown in Figures 89(a) to 89(c), when a game ball is inserted through the intermediate start winning port 28, as it flows down the upper surface of the guide plate 613a, it abuts against the end of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 on the side of the through hole 7632a, and can be sent stably to the through hole 632a.

[0447] Here, if the guide plate 613a receives the game ball flowing down, the ball may be deflected left and right due to the impact of the collision and may not enter the through hole 632a.

[0448] In contrast, in this embodiment, the height position of the end of the variable plate of the variable winning device 650 on the side of the through hole 632a is set to be approximately the same as the middle position of the through hole 632a in the direction of gravity, so that when the ball is deflected left and right due to the impact of colliding with the guide plate 613a, it can be abutted against the side of the variable plate and sent smoothly into the through hole 632a.

[0449] Next, with reference to Fig. 90(a) to Fig. 90(c), a game ball sent over the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 will be described. Fig. 90(a) to Fig. 90(c) are cross-sectional views of the winning port unit 600. Fig. 90(a) to Fig. 90(c) correspond to Fig. 88(c).

[0450] 90(a) to 90(c), a game ball sent to the path member 640 and sent to the upper part of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 rolls forward with the force of being discharged from the connecting hole 632b of the base plate 630, and rolls toward the through-hole 632a side due to the inclination of the variable plate 652, and comes into contact with the cover-side protrusion 613d of the central cover member 613. As a result, the ball is guided toward the back side by the protruding shape of the cover-side protrusion 613d, and rolls along the upper part of the variable plate 652 toward the through-hole 632a side.

[0451] Next, the game ball that is sent to the rear side by the cover-side protrusion 613d and rolls toward the through-hole 632a comes into contact with the base-side protrusion 632d. As a result, the ball is guided to the front side by the protrusion shape of the base-side protrusion 632d and rolls toward the through-hole 632a on the upper part of the variable plate 652, and flows down to the upper part of the guide plate 613a.

[0452] Here, if the game ball rolling on the top of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 does not come into contact with the cover side protrusion 613d and the base side protrusion 632d, the ball will roll faster, making the game ball's sending to the top of the guide plate 613a unstable, and there is a risk that the game ball's sending to the through hole 632a will become unstable.

[0453] In contrast, in this embodiment, the game ball rolling on the top of the variable plate 652 of the variable winning device 650 can be abutted against the cover side protrusion 613d and the base side protrusion 632d, thereby slowing down the rolling speed of the ball and stabilizing the sending of the game ball to the through hole 632a.

[0454] In addition, in this embodiment, the base-side protrusion 632d is formed closer to the through-hole 632a than the cover-side protrusion 613d, so that the game ball dropping to the guide plate 613a can be reliably abutted against the abutment surface 613a1 of the guide plate 613a. As a result, the game ball can be sent stably to the through-hole 632a.

[0455] Furthermore, on the upper surface of the guide plate 613a, a ball throwing surface located on the side closer to the through hole 632a and a contact surface 613a1 connected to the ball throwing surface and located on the side farther from the through hole 632a than the rolling surface 613a2 are formed, and the angle of the downward inclination of the contact surface 613a1 toward the through hole 632a is made larger than the angle of the downward inclination of the ball throwing surface toward the through hole 632a, so that the game ball can be smoothly entered into the through hole 632a by utilizing the downward inclination of the contact surface 613a1. In particular, even when the slide member is sunk, the inclination of the contact surface 613a1, which has a large downward inclination, can be used to make it easier for a game ball that does not enter the first ball entrance and flows down (passes through the passage member) to enter the through hole 632a.

[0456] Next, a variable unit 2360 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 91 to 96. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0457] In the first embodiment, the magnet 372Rb disposed in the rotor 372R is smaller than the recess 372Rc1, but in the second embodiment, the magnet 372Rb is larger than the magnet 2372Rb disposed in the rotor 2372R. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0458] Fig. 91(a) is a front view of the adjustable unit 2360 in the second embodiment, Fig. 91(b) is a top view of the adjustable unit 2360, and Fig. 91(c) is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable unit 2360 taken along line XCIc-XCIc in Fig. 91(b). Fig. 92 is an exploded front perspective view of the adjustable unit 2360. Fig. 93 is an exploded rear perspective view of the adjustable unit 2360. Note that in Figs. 91(a) and 91(b), the outline of the magnet 2372Rb is shown by a dashed line.

[0459] As shown in Figures 91 to 93, the rotating body 2372R in the second embodiment is formed with a first rotating body 2372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 2372Rc connected to the first rotating body 2372Ra, and a magnet 2372Rb arranged inside the second rotating body 2372Rc and the first rotating body 2372Ra.

[0460] The first rotor 2372Ra is a cylindrical rotor that rotates while being connected to the connecting rod 371, and is formed mainly with a through hole 372Ra1 that opens to the shaft, and a recess 2372Ra2 that is recessed toward the main body side.

[0461] The recess 2372Ra2 is a recess that accommodates the main body 380 side of the magnet 2372Rb described below, and is recessed in a shape corresponding to the curved shape of the magnet 2372Rb.

[0462] Here, in order to prevent the game ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c from being attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R by the magnet 2372Rb disposed inside the rotating body 2372R, and to attract the game ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R at the attraction position between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball, it is necessary to change the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb acting on the radially outer side of the rotating body 2372R. That is, in the portion where the rolling speed of the game ball is slowed down, the magnetic force acting on the radially outer side of the rotating body 2372R needs to be relatively small, and in the portion where the game ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R, the magnetic force acting on the radially outer side of the rotating body 2372R needs to be relatively large.

[0463] Therefore, it was necessary to provide two magnets 2372Rb with different magnetic forces for the part that slows down the rolling speed of the game ball and the part that attracts the game ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R, or to provide a magnet 2372Rb that protrudes radially outward only in the attracting part. This caused a problem of increased cost in manufacturing the magnets 2372Rb.

[0464] In contrast, according to the second embodiment, the magnet 2372Rb is disposed at a position at the same distance from the axis of the rotor 2372R to the radial outside, and a groove 2372Rc2 recessed in the radial direction is formed at the attraction position between the rotor 2372R and the game ball, so that the magnetic force acting on the outside of the attraction position can be made relatively strong by the amount that the groove 2372Rc2 is formed recessed in the radial direction. This makes it possible to form a part that slows down the rolling speed of the game ball and a part that attracts the game ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R without complicating the shape of the magnet 2372Rb, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0465] The second rotor 2372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape having approximately the same outer diameter as the first rotor 2372, and is disposed coaxially with the first rotor 2372Ra and attached to the first rotor 2372Ra.

[0466] The second rotor 372Rc is formed with a recess 372Rc1 recessed outward from the main body 380 side, and a groove 2372Rc2 recessed into the outer circumferential surface on the radially outer side of the recess 372Rc1.

[0467] The groove portion 2372Rc2 is formed so that the radial recess distance is smaller toward the first rotor 372Ra side (see FIG. 91(c)). This makes it possible to prevent a game ball attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the first rotor 2372Ra from falling from the rotor 2372R into the groove portion 2372Rc2 when the game ball is rolled on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R and received inside the groove portion 2372Rc2. As a result, the game ball can be stably sent to the groove portion 2372Rc2. The sending of the game ball from the rotor 2372R will be described later.

[0468] Next, the magnet 2372Rb will be described with reference to Fig. 94. Fig. 94(a) is a front view of the magnet 2372Rb, Fig. 94(b) is a top view of the magnet 2372Rb, and Fig. 94(c) is a side view of the magnet 2372Rb.

[0469] 94(a) to 94(c), the magnet 2372Rb is formed in a curved shape coaxial with the rotation axis of the first rotating body 2372Ra in a side view. The magnet 2372Rb is also curved in the rotation direction of the rotating body 2372R toward the left side in a front view (left side in FIG. 94(a)).

[0470] The rotating body 2372R configured as above is assembled as follows. First, one side of the magnet 2372Rb is inserted into the inside of the recess 2372Ra2 of the first rotating body 2372Ra. Next, the magnet 2372Rb protruding from the recess 2372Ra2 of the first rotating body 2372Ra is inserted into the recess 2372Rc1 of the second rotating body 2372Rc while fastening the first rotating body 2372Ra and the second rotating body 2372Rc, thereby assembling the rotating body 2372R.

[0471] Next, the adsorption between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball will be described with reference to Figures 95 and 96. Figures 95(a) to 95(c) are top views of the variable unit 2360. Figure 96(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIa-XCVIa in Figure 95(a), Figure 96(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIb-XCVIb in Figure 95(b), and Figure 96(c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the variable unit 2360 taken along line XCVIc-XCVIc in Figure 95(c). Note that Figures 95(a) to 95(c) show the transition state of the ball. Also, in Figures 95(a) to 95(c), the magnet 2372Rb is shown by a broken line.

[0472] As shown in Figures 95(a) and 96(a), when the magnet 2372Rb on the first rotating body 2372Ra is adjacent to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, when a game ball is thrown onto the sixth ball throwing path KR6, the ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 2372Ra by the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb.

[0473] As shown in Figures 95(b) and 96(b), when a game ball is adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 2372Ra and the rotating body 2372R rotates around its axis, the ball is displaced downward due to its own weight and is sent along the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0474] That is, in the portion where the rolling of the game ball is slowed down, when the magnet 2372Rb is located at a position adjacent to the second rolling part 381c due to the rotational displacement of the rotor 2372R, the game ball rolls on the second rolling part 381c, so that the rolling of the game ball can be slowed down. Also, since the magnet 2372Rb is formed by bending around the axis in the rotational direction of the rotor 2372R, the position where the magnet 2372Rb and the second rolling part 381c are adjacent can be displaced toward the adsorption position of the rotor 2372R with the rotation of the rotor 2372R. Therefore, the game ball whose speed of rolling on the second rolling part 381c is slowed down by the magnet 2372Rb can be rolled radially outward from the adsorption position with the rotational displacement of the rotor 2372R. This allows the gaming ball, whose rolling speed on the second rolling portion 381c has been slowed down, to be attracted to the rotating body 2372R.

[0475] Here, a gaming machine is known that includes a substantially cylindrical rotating member that is formed to be rotatable with its rotation axis facing horizontally, and a magnet that is disposed on the rotating member and attracts a gaming ball to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member, and the rotating member is rotated with the gaming ball attracted to the outer peripheral surface, thereby sending the gaming ball in the direction of rotation of the rotating member. However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, since the gaming ball rolls on the rolling surface while swinging, there is a problem that the gaming ball is difficult to attract to the attracting position even when the rotating member is rotated and the gaming ball rolls on the rolling surface at a timing that allows it to face the attracting position of the rotating member.

[0476] In contrast, according to the second embodiment, the magnet 2372Rb is disposed at least at an attraction position where the game ball is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R and at an upstream position that is upstream of the attraction position on the rolling surface, so that the game ball can be attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R by the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb disposed at the upstream position, and the game ball can be prevented from rolling while swinging on the rolling surface. As a result, when the rotating body 2372R is rotated and the game ball rolls on the rolling surface at a timing when it can face the attraction position of the rotating body 2372R, the game ball can be easily attracted to the attraction position.

[0477] Furthermore, the magnet 2372Rb arranged at the attraction position and the magnet 2372Rb arranged at the upstream position may be formed separately (i.e., two magnets 2372Rb), or may be formed integrally (i.e., one magnet 2372Rb).

[0478] Here, it is necessary that the gaming ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R at the attraction position, but not attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 2372R at the upstream position. To achieve this by using the difference in magnetic force of the magnets 2372Rb (i.e., by arranging a magnet 2372Rb with strong magnetic force at the attraction position and a magnet 2372Rb with weak magnetic force at the upstream position), it is necessary to prepare two types of magnets 2372Rb with different magnetic forces, which leads to an increase in product costs.

[0479] In contrast, according to the second embodiment, the rotor 2372R is provided with a groove 2372Rc2 recessed in its outer circumferential surface and set as an attraction position, so that by embedding one magnet 2372Rb in the rotor 2372R, the groove 2372Rc2 can be used to set the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the gaming ball at the attraction position (the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the bottom surface of the groove 2372Rc2) to a dimension smaller than the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the gaming ball at the upstream position (the distance from the magnet 2372Rb to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R). That is, it becomes possible to attract the gaming ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R at the attraction position, while not attracting the gaming ball to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R at the upstream position. Therefore, two types of magnets 2372Rb are not required, and the shape of the magnets 2372Rb does not need to be complicated, so that the production costs can be reduced accordingly.

[0480] In addition, when the game ball is attracted to the attraction position, the game ball can be held by the groove portion 2372Rc2. Therefore, when the game ball is sent with the rotation of the rotating body 2372R, the game ball can be prevented from wobbling in the rotation direction of the rotating body 2372R, and as a result, the attraction of the game ball can be prevented from being released.

[0481] Here, when a ball sending path KR5 for sending the game ball along the axis of the rotating body 2372R is formed, there is a problem that the game ball cannot be attracted to the rotating body 2372R because the game ball rolls too fast or the game ball wobbles on the rolling surface.

[0482] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a fifth ball sending path KR5 is formed radially outside the rotating body 2372R, which rolls the game ball and sends it to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R, and this fifth ball sending path KR5 is formed by extending in the axial direction of the rotating body 2372R, and the magnet 2372Rb is extended upstream of the fifth ball sending path KR5 from the adsorption position between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball, so that the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb arranged on the rotating body 2372R slows down the rolling of the game ball rolling on the fifth ball sending path KR5 and suppresses the wobbling of the second rolling portion 381c of the game ball, thereby allowing the game ball to be adsorbed to the rotating body 2372R.

[0483] That is, the magnet 2372Rb arranged on the rotating body 2372R is extended upstream of the second rolling part 381c from the attraction position between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball, so that the magnetic force of the magnet can be applied to the second rolling part 381c. As a result, the game ball rolling on the first ball throwing surface is pulled to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R by the action of the magnet 2372Rb, so that the throwing speed of the game ball can be slowed down and the wobbling of the game ball rolling wobblingly on the second rolling part 381c can be eliminated. As a result, the game ball can be attracted to the attraction surface between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball.

[0484] In addition, as the width of the second rolling portion 381c in the rolling direction of the game ball moves downstream, the partition wall 2381g arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R moves closer to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body. That is, since the second rolling portion 381c is narrowed toward the downstream side, when the game ball rolling on the second rolling portion 381c sways left and right in the ball throwing direction, the swaying caused by the rolling of the game ball can be suppressed.

[0485] In particular, in the second embodiment, the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb arranged on the rotating body 2372R acts upstream of the attraction position between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball on the second rolling section 381c, so that the swaying motion of the game ball rolling on the first ball sending surface can be suppressed together with the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb, and therefore the swaying of the game ball can be suppressed over a relatively short rolling distance.

[0486] In other words, the ball is provided with a partition wall 2381g that stands up from the second rolling part 381c while facing the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R and partitions the ball rolling area, and the facing distance between the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 2372R and the partition wall 2381g is set to a smaller dimension toward the downstream side of the second rolling part 381c, so that the ball can be prevented from rolling while swinging on the second rolling part 381c not only by the action of the magnet (attraction by magnetic force) at the upstream position but also by the guide of the partition wall 2381g. As a result, when the rotating body 2372R rotates and the ball rolls on the second rolling part 381c at a timing when the ball can face the adsorption position of the rotating body 2372R, the ball can be easily attracted to the adsorption position.

[0487] Furthermore, since the end of the groove 2372Rc2 on the upstream side of the second rolling portion 381c is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R, the magnetic force of the portion that slows down the rolling of the game ball prevents the game ball, which is drawn in the axial direction of the rotor 2372R, from bouncing when rolling inside the groove 2372Rc2 of the rotor 2372R. As a result, the game ball can be smoothly attracted to the inside of the groove 2372Rc2.

[0488] Furthermore, the length dimension along the rotational axis direction of the third rolling portion 381d is set to a dimension larger than the length dimension along the rotational axis direction of the magnet arranged on the rotating body 2872R. Therefore, even if the game ball is attracted to a location other than the attraction position of the rotating body 2872R (i.e., attracted to a magnet at an upstream position) and the game ball is sent as the rotating body 2872R rotates, the game ball can be received by the third rolling portion 381d.

[0489] As shown in Figures 95(c) and 96(c), when a game ball adsorbed to the outside of the first rotating body 2372Ra flows down the fifth ball sending path KR5 and is adsorbed into the groove portion 2372Rc2 of the second rotating body 2372Rc, the game ball can be sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7 by rotating the rotating body 2372R while the game ball is adsorbed inside the groove portion 2372Rc2, as in the first embodiment.

[0490] Here, if the magnet 2372Rb arranged inside the rotating body 2372R is extended in the axial direction of the rotating body 2372R beyond the position of attraction between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball, and the throwing direction of the game ball rolling on the third rolling portion 381d is formed along the axial direction of the rotating body 2372R, there is a risk that the game ball rolling on the third rolling portion 381d will be affected by the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb arranged on the rotating body 2372R.

[0491] In contrast to this, according to the second embodiment, a third rolling portion 381d is formed on the radial outside of the rotating body 2372R, opposite the second rolling portion 381c across the rotating body 2372R, which releases the gaming ball that is attracted to the rotating body 2372R and rolls the gaming ball to send it, and the third rolling portion 381d is formed with a downward incline from the second rolling portion 381c toward the third rolling portion 381d, so that the third rolling portion 381d can prevent the gaming ball that has been released from adhesion to the rotating body 2372R from being attracted to the rotating body 2372R again.

[0492] That is, the throwing direction of the game ball in the third rolling portion 381d is formed in a direction away from the rotating body 2372R radially outward. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball sent to the third rolling portion 381d from being attracted again to the outer periphery of the rotating body 2372R or from being slowed down by the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb.

[0493] Furthermore, the third rolling portion 381d is formed larger than the axial dimension of the rotating body 2372R and is arranged at a position opposite to the rotating body 2372R. Therefore, when a game ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 2372R other than the attraction position and sent to the third rolling portion 381d, the third rolling portion 381d can release the attraction between the rotating body 2372R and the game ball, and send the game ball to the third rolling portion 381d.

[0494] In addition, since at least a part of the magnet 2372Rb arranged at the upstream position is arranged forward in the rotation direction of the rotating body 2372R than the part arranged at the attraction position, the magnetic force of the magnet 2372Rb at the upstream position can be easily applied to the game ball rolling on the second rolling part 381c toward the attraction position. That is, the game ball can be attracted to the outer circumferential surface side of the rotating body 2372R, and the game ball can be prevented from rolling while swinging on the second rolling part 381c. As a result, when the rotating body 2372R rotates and the game ball rolls on the second rolling part 381c at a timing when it can face the attraction position of the rotating body 2372R, the game ball can be easily attracted to the attraction position.

[0495] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the groove 2372Rc2 is inclined upward toward the upstream position and smoothly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 2372R, and is formed so that the game ball can abut against the bottom surface of the groove 2372Rc2 at least on the upstream position side, so that when the game ball attracted to the outer circumferential surface side of the rotor 2372R by the magnet 2372Rb at the upstream position fits into the groove 2372Rc2 by the magnet 2372Rb at the attraction position, the game ball can be smoothly fitted into the groove 2372Rc2. In other words, the game ball can be prevented from bouncing (bounding), making it easier to attract the game ball to the attraction position (groove 2372Rc2).

[0496] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 97 and 98. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0497] In the above first embodiment, a case was described in which the radially inner surface of the groove portion 372Rc2 of the rotor 372R is formed in a plane perpendicular to the radial direction, but in the third embodiment, a groove portion 3372Ra2 is described in which the radially inner surface is formed at an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

[0498] Fig. 97(a) is a side view of the rotor 3372R in the third embodiment, Fig. 97(b) is a top view of the rotor 3372, Fig. 97(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XCVIIc-XCVIIc in Fig. 97(b), and Fig. 97(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XCVIId-XCVIId in Fig. 97(b). Figs. 98(a) and 98(b) are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360. The cross-section in Fig. 98(a) corresponds to the cross-section in Fig. 69(a), and the cross-section in Fig. 98(b) corresponds to the cross-section in Fig. 69(b).

[0499] As shown in Figures 97(a) to (d), the rotating body 3372R in the third embodiment is mainly formed by a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 3372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, and a magnet 372Rb arranged inside the second rotating body 3372Rc and applying a magnetic force to the outside of the second rotating body 3372Rc.

[0500] The second rotor 3372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the first rotor 372Ra, and is disposed coaxially with the first rotor 372Ra and attached to the first rotor 372Ra.

[0501] The second rotating body 372Rc is a ball-sending member that attracts a game ball to its outer peripheral surface and sends it, and is mainly formed with a recess 3372Rc1 into which a magnet 372Rb is inserted, and a groove portion 3372Rc2 recessed into the outer peripheral surface radially outside of the recess 3372Rc1.

[0502] The recess 3372Rc1 is recessed into the surface to which the first rotor 372Ra is attached, and is recessed to a depth substantially equal to the outer diameter of the magnet 372Rb. The recess 3372Rc1 is recessed into a substantially rectangular shape in side view, and one of two opposing inner surfaces is formed parallel to the recessed tip surface of the groove 3372Rc2 described later.

[0503] The groove 3372Rc2 is recessed into a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the radial direction of the second rotating body 3372Rc, and has a substantially triangular cross section when viewed in the axial direction of the second rotating body 3372Rc. That is, the groove 3372Rc2 is formed such that a recessed tip surface on the rotation direction side of the second rotating body 3372Rc is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body 3372Rc.

[0504] As described above, the recess 3372Rc1 of the second rotor 3372Rc is formed to have an inner surface parallel to the recessed tip surface of the groove 3372Rc2. As a result, the magnet 372Rb disposed inside the groove 3372Rc2 is disposed in a state where the end portion on the rotation direction side of the rotor 3372R is partially positioned radially outward (see FIG. 97(c)).

[0505] Next, the rotational displacement of the rotor 3372R will be described with reference to Fig. 98. As shown in Fig. 98(a) and (b), when the groove 3372Rc2 of the rotor 3372R is located at a position adjacent to the sixth ball throwing path KR6, if a game ball is thrown along the sixth ball throwing path KR6, the game ball is attracted to the groove 3372Rc2 by the magnet 372Rb arranged inside the rotor as in the first embodiment (see Fig. 98(a)).

[0506] As shown in Figure 98(a), when the game ball is adsorbed to the rotating body 3372R and the rotating body 3372R is rotated and displaced around the axis of the connecting rod 371, the game ball is sent while being adsorbed to the groove portion 3372Rc2 of the rotating body 3372R, as shown in Figure 98(b).

[0507] In the third embodiment, as described above, the concave end surface of the groove portion 3372Rc2 on the rotational direction side of the second rotating body 3372Rc is formed to be connected to the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 3372Rc, thereby making it easier for the game ball to fall out in the rotational direction of the rotating body 3372R.

[0508] That is, since no step is formed on the rotation direction side of the groove 3372Rc2, the game ball attracted to the groove 3372Rc2 can be easily displaced in the rotation direction. This makes it easier for the game ball attracted to the groove 3372Rc2 of the rotating body to fall to the seventh ball sending path side of the subsequent ball sending path when the attraction is released due to shaking of the gaming machine main body, etc. As a result, when the attraction between the rotating body 3372R and the game ball is released, the game ball is prevented from returning to the sixth ball sending path, and the sending of the game ball from the rotating body 3372R can be stabilized.

[0509] In this case, each of the rotating bodies 3372Ra, 3372Rc of the rotating body 3372R is formed in a cylindrical shape, so that the game ball can be sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7 along its outer circumferential surface. This releases the adhesion between the rotating body 3372R and the game ball, and reduces the distance over which the game ball falls freely when the game ball is dropped to the seventh ball sending path KR7, so that the impact of the game ball dropping to the third rolling part 381d of the seventh ball sending path KR7 can be reduced. As a result, the game ball can be prevented from bouncing up due to collision with the third rolling part 381d, and the sending of the game ball can be stabilized.

[0510] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the end of the magnet 372Rb on the rotation direction side of the rotor 3372R is disposed in a state where it is partially located on the radially outer side, so that the magnetic force of the magnet acting on the outer side of the rotor 3372R can be strengthened accordingly. As a result, it is possible to suppress the release of the attraction between the rotor 3372R and the game ball, and to further stabilize the throw of the game ball.

[0511] Next, a rotating body 4372R in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 99 to 101. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0512] In the above first embodiment, a case was described in which when a trailing game ball that is later thrown adheres to a leading game ball that is adsorbed to groove portion 372Rc2 of the rotating body 372R, the leading game ball can be prevented from falling out of groove portion 372Rc2.In the fourth embodiment, a case is described in which when a trailing game ball that is later thrown adheres to a leading game ball that is adsorbed to groove portion 372Rc2 of the rotating body 4372R, the leading game ball and the trailing game ball fall out of groove portion 372Rc2.

[0513] First, the rotating body 4372R in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 99. Fig. 99(a) is a side view of the rotating body 4372R in the fourth embodiment, Fig. 99(b) is a top view of the rotating body 4372R, Fig. 99(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body 4372R taken along line XCIXc-XCIXc in Fig. 99(b), and Fig. 99(d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body 4372R taken along line XCIXd-XCIXd in Fig. 99(b).

[0514] The rotating body 4372R is formed with a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 4372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, and a magnet 372Rb arranged inside the second rotating body 4372Rc and having magnetic force.

[0515] The second rotating body 4372Rc is formed in a cylindrical shape having approximately the same outer shape as the outer shape of the first rotating body 372Ra, and is disposed coaxially with the first rotating body 372Ra and attached to the first rotating body 372Ra.

[0516] In addition, the second rotating body 4372Rc is a part that attracts and sends a game ball to its outer peripheral surface, and is mainly formed with a recess 372Rc1 into which a magnet 372Rb, which will be described later, is inserted, a groove portion 372Rc2 recessed into the outer peripheral surface radially outside of the recess 372Rc1, and a recessed portion 4372Rc5 recessed into the outer peripheral surface a predetermined distance away from the groove portion 372Rc2.

[0517] The recessed portion 4372Rc5 is formed as a curved surface (spherical surface) whose center is located radially outside the rotating body 4372R, and the radius of the sphere forming the curved surface is set to a dimension larger than the radius of the game ball.

[0518] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the specified distance between the groove portion 372Rc2 and the recessed portion 4372Rc5 is set to a distance such that when a trailing game ball is adsorbed to a preceding game ball in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R, the trailing game ball does not abut against the radially outer end face (the outer peripheral surface excluding the recessed portion 4372Rc5) of the rotating body 4372R.

[0519] Next, a case where two game balls are attracted to the rotating body 4372R will be described with reference to Figures 100 to 102. Figures 100 to 102 are cross-sectional views of the variable unit 360 and the rear base 390.

[0520] 100 to 102 correspond to the cross section of the variable unit 360 and the rear surface base 390 in Fig. 69(a). Also, Fig. 100 to 102 sequentially show transition states when the rotating body 4372R is rotated.

[0521] As shown in Fig. 100, when two game balls are successively sent to the sixth ball sending path KR6 (the trailing game ball is sent following the leading game ball), the leading game ball is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 372Rb arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the groove 372Rc2 and is attracted to the inner surface of the groove 372Rc2. In this case, the leading game ball is magnetized by the magnetic force of the magnet 372Rb, so that when the trailing game ball is sent following the leading game ball, the trailing game ball is attracted to the leading game ball.

[0522] Also, as shown in FIG. 100, before the trailing game ball is attracted to the leading game ball and lifted from the second rolling portion 381c, the trailing game ball is supported by the second rolling portion 381c and is therefore not guided inside the recessed portion 4372Rc5, but is positioned outside the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 4372R.

[0523] As shown in Fig. 101, when the rotating body 4372R rotates from the position in Fig. 100, the trailing game ball is lifted from the second rolling portion 381c. In this case, the trailing game ball displaces the adsorption position with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the leading game ball due to its own weight.

[0524] Therefore, when the trailing game ball is lifted from the second rolling portion 381c, it is displaced to the inside of the recessed portion 4372Rc5, so that the weight of the trailing game ball can be more easily applied to the leading game ball. As a result, it is easier to release the adsorption between the leading game ball and the inside of the groove portion 372Rc2 as shown in FIG.

[0525] As described above, when the trailing game ball is lifted from the second rolling portion 381c, it is displaced to the inside of the recessed portion 4372Rc5. In this case, the load of the trailing game ball can be applied to the leading game ball along with the displacement caused when the trailing game ball is lifted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 102, it is possible to easily release the adsorption between the leading game ball and the inside of the groove portion 372Rc2.

[0526] When the rotor 4370 rotates further from the position of FIG. 101 in a state where the adsorption between the leading game ball and the inside of the groove portion 372Rc2 is released, the leading game ball and the trailing game ball are dropped onto the second rolling portion 381c. The leading and trailing game balls that have fallen off the rotor 5372R fall onto the upper surface of the second rolling portion 381c and roll on the second rolling portion 381c. Therefore, the leading and trailing game balls that have fallen off the rotor 5372R roll on the second rolling portion 381c and are guided to the inside of the recovery hole 373Ra formed in the inner cover 373R and are collected.

[0527] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when two balls are attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R, both balls can be dropped from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R. That is, when a game ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent to the seventh ball sending path KR7, it is advantageous for the player, whereas when two balls are attracted and sent, it is disadvantageous for the player. Therefore, the result is different depending on whether only one ball is attracted or the second ball is attracted, and the player can pay more attention to the game ball rolling on the sixth ball sending path KR6.

[0528] Here, a gaming machine is known that includes a roughly cylindrical rotating member that is rotatably formed with its rotation axis facing horizontally, and a magnet that is disposed on the rotating member and attracts gaming balls to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, and the rotating member is rotated with the gaming balls attracted to the outer circumferential surface, thereby sending the gaming balls in the direction of rotation of the rotating member (in this case, when two gaming balls roll in succession toward the rotating member, the leading gaming ball (first gaming ball) is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, and when the trailing gaming ball (second gaming ball) is attracted to the leading gaming ball (first gaming ball), both the leading gaming ball and the trailing gaming ball are sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating member. However, there is a problem with such gaming machines in that they are unable to sufficiently provide the player with an interest in the game.

[0529] In contrast, according to the fourth embodiment, when a leading game ball is attracted to the magnet 372Rb of the rotating body 4372R and a trailing game ball is magnetically attached to the leading game ball, a release means is provided that makes it easy to release the attraction between the magnet 372Rb of the rotating body 4372R and the leading game ball, thereby preventing both the leading game ball and the trailing game ball from being sent in the rotational direction of the rotating body 4372R.

[0530] That is, when only the leading game ball is rolled toward the rotating body 4372R and is attracted to the outer peripheral surface (magnet 372Rb) of the rotating body 4372R, the leading game ball can be sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R, while in addition to the leading game ball, the trailing game ball is also rolled toward the rotating body 4372R, and the leading game ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface (magnet 372Rb) of the rotating body 4372R and follows the leading game ball. When the game ball is attracted, both the preceding game ball and the following game ball cannot be sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R, so that when the preceding game ball rolls on the second rolling part 381c (sixth ball sending path KR6) toward the rotating body 4372R, the player can be made to worry (have his / her heart pound) that another game ball (i.e., a following game ball) may be rolling behind the preceding game ball. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0531] Here, in the fourth embodiment, a V winning member 382 is provided into which game balls that are attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating body 4372R enter, and a recovery hole 373Ra into which game balls that are not attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R enter, and a benefit is awarded to the player when a game ball enters at least the V winning member 382, ​​or the benefit awarded to the player by the ball entering the V winning member 382 is made higher than the benefit awarded to the player by the ball entering the recovery hole 373Ra, which also makes the game more interesting.

[0532] In other words, the player hopes that the game ball will be attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating body 4372R, in the hope of gaining a profit by the ball entering the V winning member 382 or of gaining a higher profit than if the ball entered the recovery hole 373Ra, and the player also hopes that more game balls will be attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R and sent in the direction of rotation of the rotating body 4372R, in the hope of gaining more opportunities to gain a profit. On the other hand, when only the leading game ball is attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R, the leading game ball can be sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R (V winning member 382), while when a trailing game ball is attracted to the leading game ball attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4372R, not only the trailing game ball but also the leading game ball is not sent in the rotation direction of the rotating body 4372R, and both lose the opportunity to enter the V winning member 382. Therefore, when the leading game ball rolls toward the rotating body 4372R, it is easy to make the player worry (easily excited) that another game ball (i.e., a trailing game ball) is rolling behind the leading game ball, and as a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

[0533] Examples of configurations that provide a higher profit to the player include a configuration in which a larger number of prize balls are paid out when a ball enters the slot, a configuration in which the opening time of the wing portion 312 that allows / restricts the entry of a ball into the third ball entry port (between the recess 311a and the upper front cover 313) is extended by opening and closing the wing portion 312 that is formed to be openable / closable, a configuration in which the wing portion 312 is opened a larger number of times, and a configuration in which the opening range of the wing portion 312 is increased.

[0534] In addition, the release means is recessed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 4372R and is formed as a recessed portion 4372Rc5 that receives the trailing game ball attracted to the leading game ball, so that the trailing game ball can be brought closer to the lower side of the leading game ball in the gravity direction, and the gravity direction component of the weight of the trailing game ball acting on the leading game ball can be increased accordingly. Therefore, the attraction between the leading game ball and the magnet 372Rb can be easily released.

[0535] That is, when a trailing game ball is attracted to a leading game ball, the weight of the trailing game ball is used to release the attraction between the magnet 372Rb and the leading game ball, whereas when the trailing game ball is not attracted to the leading game ball, the attraction between the magnet 372Rb and the leading game ball is not released. In addition, since such switching can be achieved only by a means using the weight of the trailing game ball, that is, the recessed portion 4372Rc5 recessed in the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 4372R, it is not necessary to provide a displacement member or a drive source for switching, and accordingly, the product cost can be reduced.

[0536] Next, a rotating body 5372R in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 103 to 106. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0537] In the above first embodiment, a case was described in which when a trailing game ball that is later thrown adheres to a leading game ball that is adsorbed to groove portion 372Rc2 of the rotating body 372R, the leading game ball can be prevented from falling out of groove portion 372Rc2.In the fifth embodiment, a case is described in which when a trailing game ball that is later thrown adheres to a leading game ball that is adsorbed to groove portion 5372Rc2 of the rotating body 5372R, the leading game ball and the trailing game ball fall out of groove portion 5372Rc2.

[0538] In the fifth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the right side rotating transfer ball portion 370R and the left side rotating transfer ball portion 370L are only configured such that a drive means and a transmission means for transmitting the drive are arranged in the right side rotating transfer ball portion 370R, and the other shapes are formed linearly symmetrically around the left-right center of the variable unit 360, so a detailed explanation of the rotating body 5372L of the left side rotating transfer ball portion 370L will be omitted.

[0539] Figure 103 is an exploded oblique front view of the rotating body 5372R in the fifth embodiment, Figure 104(a) is a side view of the rotating body 5372R, Figure 104(b) is a top view of the rotating body 5372R, Figure 104(c) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body 5372R along line CIVc-CIVc in Figure 104(b), and Figure 104(d) is a cross-sectional view of the rotating body 5372R along line CIVd-CIVd in Figure 104(b).

[0540] As shown in Figures 103 and 104, the rotating body 5372R in the fifth embodiment is mainly formed with a first rotating body 372Ra arranged on the main body 380 side, a second rotating body 5372Rc connected to the first rotating body 372Ra, a magnet 372Rb having magn...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine having a first ball inlet and a second ball inlet disposed downstream of the first ball inlet in a gaming area, A path forming means for forming a path through which game balls that do not enter the first ball entrance and flow down can flow; A game board on which the game area is formed on the front side; A plate-like guide member is provided that is capable of protruding toward the front side of the game board and retracting from the front side, The path forming means includes a receiving section for receiving game balls that do not enter the first ball entrance and flow down, and an outflow section for causing the game balls that have flowed in from the receiving section to flow out from the path, and is formed from a light-transmitting material; The receiving portion is disposed upstream of the guide member, The game ball flowing down the path is guided by the guide member protruding toward the front side of the game board, and is allowed to enter the second ball entrance after flowing out of the outlet portion, The second ball inlet is disposed closer to the horizontal center of the game area than the first ball inlet when viewed from the front, The gaming machine is characterized in that at least a portion of a specific ball entry area is formed so as to overlap with at least a portion of the guide member below the guide member in the direction of gravity when viewed from the front.

Images