Pinball game machine

Abstract

To provide an enclosed circulation type pinball game machine whose maintenance work can be performed easily.SOLUTION: When a tank unit 300 is attached to a tank unit attachment section and a transfer device 400 is attached to a transfer device attachment section, a transfer side contact section 435 of the transfer device 400 is brought into contact with a tank side contact section 362 of a tank ball stopper member 360 to push the tank ball stopper member 360 backward, the tank ball stopper member 360 is against the biasing force of a ball stopper member biasing spring to cause it to move from a passing restriction position to a passing enabled position, and game balls accommodated in the tank unit 300 can pass through a ball outlet 304 to flow into the transfer device 400.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 30

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealed-in circulation type pinball game machine. [Background technology]

[0002] A pachinko machine, a type of pinball game machine, is constructed by attaching a back mechanism panel equipped with a payout device and various control boards to a frame member that holds a game board with a play area where game balls are played. A launching mechanism then launches game balls to the upper side of the play area, causing them to fall and win prizes in various prize-winning devices provided within the play area. When a game ball wins a prize, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls to a ball tray according to the prize. In recent years, pinball game machines that eliminate the need for players to handle game balls, such as sealed-in circulation pachinko machines, have been devised (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Instead of the ball tray, these sealed-in circulation pachinko machines include a storage tank that stores played game balls returned from the play area via a recovery passageway, and a transfer device that raises the game balls stored in the storage tank and sends them to the launching mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-112157 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-169231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the internal structure of sealed circulation type pachinko machines tends to be complicated, making maintenance time-consuming.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide an enclosed circulation type pinball game machine that allows for easy maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve such an object, the pinball game machine according to the present invention is an enclosed circulation type pinball game machine (for example, a pachinko game machine PM in an embodiment) that includes a game board on the front side of which is provided a game area having an entry port through which game balls can enter and an exit port through which game balls that cannot enter the entry port pass, a frame member that holds the game board, a launch unit that is attached below the game board on the front side of the frame member and launches game balls toward the game area, a recovery passage section that allows game balls that enter the entry port or pass through the exit port and reach the rear side of the game board to flow down, and a tank unit that is attached below the game board on the rear side of the frame member and stores game balls that have flowed down the recovery passage section, and the game balls stored in the tank unit that is attached below the game board on the front side of the frame member and a relay passage unit attached to the front side of the frame member below the game board, which causes the game balls sent from the transfer device to flow down to the launch unit. The tank unit has a ball outlet provided at the bottom of the tank unit through which the game balls stored in the tank unit pass, a ball stopping member movable between a pass-allowing position that allows the game balls to pass through the ball outlet and a pass-restricting position that restricts the game balls from passing through the ball outlet, and a biasing member that applies a biasing force to the ball stopping member in a direction toward the pass-restricting position, and is detachably attached to a tank mounting portion provided below the game board on the rear side of the frame member. The transfer device has a transfer-side abutment that can abut against the ball stopping member, and a relay passage unit attached to the front side of the frame member below the game board. The ball stopping member is removably attached to a transfer device mounting portion provided below, and has a tank side abutment portion that can abut against the transfer side abutment portion.When the tank unit is attached to the tank mounting portion and the transfer device is attached to the transfer device mounting portion, the transfer side abutment portion abuts against the tank side abutment portion and presses the ball stopping member, and the ball stopping member moves from the pass-restricting position to the pass-allowing position against the biasing force of the biasing member, allowing the game balls stored in the tank unit to pass through the ball outlet and flow into the transfer device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform maintenance on a sealed circulation type pinball game machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine from the front. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the pachinko game machine with the glass frame removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of the upper light-emitting performance device as seen from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper light-emitting performance device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the upper light-emitting performance device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the upper light-emitting performance device. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the upper light-emitting performance device as seen from above. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the upper light-emitting performance device. [Figure 10] This is an oblique view of the base member of the upper light-emitting performance device as seen from the front. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a light-emitting element substrate as seen from the front. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lamp house as seen from the front. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the central partition member as seen from the front. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the central light-transmitting member. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a left light-transmitting member, a right light-transmitting member, and a lamp cover as viewed from the front. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the decorative cover as seen from the front. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] This is an oblique view of the game support area from the rear. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tank unit is removed. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a front view of the launch unit. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the launch unit. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the launch unit. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tank unit as seen from the front. [Figure 25] FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the inside of the tank unit. [Figure 27] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inside of the tank unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a perspective view (partial cross-sectional view) of the tank unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion surrounded by a circle A in FIG. 28. [Figure 30] 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the tank ball stopper member of the tank unit has moved to a passable position. FIG. [Figure 31] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the transfer ball stopper member of the transfer device has moved to a passage restriction position. FIG. [Figure 32] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the transfer ball stopper member of the transfer device has moved to a passable position. FIG. [Figure 33] FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. [Figure 35] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the transfer device as seen from the front. [Figure 36] FIG. [Figure 37] FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is a perspective view (partial cross-sectional view) of a portion of the game support area seen from the front. [Figure 41] FIG. 2 is a front view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a part of the game support area. [Figure 42] FIG. 2 is a plan view (partial cross-sectional view) showing a part of the game support area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A sealed circulation type pachinko gaming machine (controlled gaming machine) PM is shown in Figures 1 to 3 as a gaming machine according to this embodiment, and the overall configuration of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described first with reference to these figures. In this embodiment, the directions indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 will be described as the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction, respectively.

[0010] [Overall structure of a pachinko machine] First, we will explain the basic structure of the front side of the pachinko gaming machine PM. As shown in Figure 1, the pachinko gaming machine PM is mainly composed of an outer frame 1, which is a vertically oriented fixed holding frame with an outer rectangular frame size, and a front frame 2, which is a matching rectangular frame size and serves as an opening / closing mounting frame. The front frame 2 is attached to the front opening of the outer frame 1 so that it can be opened and closed sideways and can be attached and detached, using upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3a and 3b located on the left edges of the outer frame 1 and front frame 2. In addition, the front frame 2 is always kept in a closed state, engaged with the outer frame 1, using a locking device 4 called a double lock located on the right edge.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, a rectangular glass frame 5 that fits the upper front area of ​​the front frame 2 is attached to the front side of the front frame 2 using upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3a, 3b so that it can be opened and closed sideways and can be attached and detached. The glass frame 5 is normally kept in a closed state that covers the front of the front frame 2 using the locking device 4 described above. As shown in Figure 2, a game board 20 is removably set and held in a storage frame 2a provided on the upper side of the front frame 2, and the game area PA provided on the front of the game board 20 can be seen through the double-pane glass 5a of the glass frame 5, which is normally kept closed.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, an upper light-emitting effect device 100 that emits light in response to the progress of the game and a speaker 7 that generates sound effects in response to the progress of the game are provided on the upper front side of the glass frame 5. A right-side light-emitting effect device 8 that emits light in response to the progress of the game is provided on the right front side of the glass frame 5. A bulge 15 that protrudes forward beyond the double-glazed glass 5a is formed at the bottom of the glass frame 5. A performance button unit 11 including buttons, switches, dials, etc. for performing predetermined performance operations is attached to the center of the bulge 15. A cross button unit 12 for performing performance-related setting operations is attached to the left side of the top surface of the bulge 15. A game ball count display device 13 that can display information about the number of game balls available for play (held ball count) is attached to the right side of the top surface of the bulge 15.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, a launch handle 9 for launching game balls is provided at the lower right of the front frame 2. A game support area 200 is formed in the area behind the glass frame 5 at the bottom of the front frame 2. The game support area 200 is provided with a launch unit 210 that launches game balls toward the game area PA and other components. Details of the game support area 200 will be described later.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 20 comprises a plate-shaped base member 21 and a front side of the base member 21. The base member 21 has an inner rail member 22 and an outer rail member 23 attached thereto. A play area PA is formed on the front surface of the base member 21, with the left side area surrounded by the inner rail member 22 and the upper and right sides surrounded by the outer rail member 23. A launch passage 24 is formed between the inner rail member 22 and the outer rail member 23, connecting the side where the launch unit 210 is provided to the top of the play area PA. In the play area PA, various winning devices such as a general winning device 25 into which game balls can enter, a start winning device 26, and a big winning device 27, as well as a large number of game nails, are arranged. A center ornament 28 is also arranged in the approximate center of the play area PA.

[0015] In addition, an outlet 29 is provided at the lower end of the game area PA, through which game balls that flow down without entering the winning openings of the various winning devices 25 to 27 can pass. Game balls that have entered the winning openings of the various winning devices 25 to 27 or game balls that have flowed into the outlet 29 flow down to the rear side of the game board 20 through through-holes (not shown) formed in the front and rear of the game board 20, and are returned to a tank unit 300 (see Figure 26) that stores game balls shot out by the launch unit 210, via a recovery passage 209 (see Figure 26) provided at the rear and lower side of the game board 20.

[0016] Next, the basic structure of the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a rear mechanism panel 30, which is formed in a rectangular frame shape somewhat smaller than the front frame 2 and has a central window communicating between the front and rear sides, is attached to the rear side of the front frame 2. A game panel cover (not shown) that completely covers the rear side of the game panel 20 is attached to the rear side of the rear mechanism panel 30. Attached below the rear mechanism panel 30 on the rear side of the front frame 2 are a frame control board case unit 31 for managing and storing the number of game balls, a power supply board case unit 32 that receives power from the gaming facility and supplies it to various control devices and electrical and electronic components, and other components. Attached to the rear side of the game panel 20 are a main control board case unit 36 ​​that comprehensively controls the operation of the pachinko gaming machine PM, and a sub-control board case unit 37 that controls the overall presentation, such as image display, lighting effects, and sound effects, according to the progress of the game. These control devices and the electrical and electronic components of each part of the pachinko gaming machine PM are connected by harnesses (connector cables), so that the pachinko gaming machine PM is configured to be operable.

[0017] [Configuration of the upper lighting effect device] Next, the upper light emitting performance device 100 will be described with additional reference to Figures 4 to 16. As shown in Figures 4 to 9, the upper light emitting performance device 100 is configured to have a base member 101, an upper cover 105, a lower cover 106, a light emitting element substrate 110, a lamp house 120, a central partition member 130, a central light-transmitting member 140, a left light-transmitting member 150L, ​​a right light-transmitting member 150R, a decorative cover 170, and a lamp cover 180.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 10, the base member 101 is made of a resin material and is formed in the shape of a box that is open at the front. A substrate mounting portion 102 is formed at the front edge of the base member 101. A light-emitting element substrate 110 is attached to the substrate mounting portion 102. Lamp house fixing holes 103 are formed on the left and right sides of the base member 101. Lamp house fixing screws (not shown) for fixing the lamp house 120 to the front part of the base member 101 are inserted into the lamp house fixing holes 103.

[0019] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the upper cover 105 is made of a resin material and is formed into a plate shape with a decorated upper surface. The upper cover 105 is attached and fixed to the upper part of the base member 101 using fixing members such as screws, and is designed to cover the upper surface of the base member 101. The lower cover 106 is made of a resin material and is formed into a plate shape. The lower cover 106 is attached and fixed to the lower part of the base member 101 using fixing members such as screws, and is designed to cover the lower surface of the base member 101.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 11, the light emitting element substrate 110 is attached to the substrate attachment portion 1 of the base member 101. 1. The light emitting element substrate 110 is formed in a plate shape having an outer periphery shaped to match the shape of the lamp housing 120. The light emitting element substrate 110 is attached and fixed to the substrate attachment portion 102 of the base member 101 while being sandwiched between the base member 101 and the lamp house 120. A V-shaped light emitting element 111, a central light emitting element 112, a first left light emitting element 113L, a second left light emitting element 114L, a third left light emitting element 115L, a first right light emitting element 113R, a second right light emitting element 114R, and a third right light emitting element 115R are arranged on the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110. The V-shaped light emitting element 111, the central light emitting element 112, the first to third left light emitting elements 113L to 115L, and the first to third right light emitting elements 113R to 115R are configured using, for example, white LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) capable of emitting light forward.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 8 , multiple V-shaped light-emitting elements 111 are arranged in a V-shape in a portion of the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110 that overlaps with the V-shaped decorative portion 181 of the central light-transmitting member 140. Multiple central light-emitting elements 112 are arranged scattered in a portion of the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110 that overlaps with the area of ​​the central light-transmitting member 140 other than the V-shaped decorative portion 181. Multiple first left light-emitting elements 113L are arranged in a vertical line in a portion of the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110 facing the first left bent portion 162L of the left light-transmitting member 150L. Multiple second left light-emitting elements 114L are arranged in a vertical line in a portion of the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110 facing the second left bent portion 164L of the left light-transmitting member 150L. Multiple third left light-emitting elements 115L are arranged in a vertical line in a portion of the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110 facing the third left bent portion 166L of the left light-transmitting member 150L. A plurality of first right light emitting elements 113R are arranged vertically side by side in a portion facing the first right bent portion 162R of the right light-transmitting member 150R on the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110. A plurality of second right light emitting elements 114R are arranged vertically side by side in a portion facing the second right bent portion 164R of the right light-transmitting member 150R on the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110. A plurality of third right light emitting elements 115R are arranged vertically side by side in a portion facing the third right bent portion 166R of the right light-transmitting member 150R on the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110.

[0022] 12, the lamp house 120 is made of a resin material having light-blocking properties and is formed in a box shape with an open front. Lamp house fixing screws (not shown) are inserted into lamp house fixing holes 103 of the base member 101 and screwed into boss holes (not shown) formed on the rear surface of the lamp house 120, whereby the lamp house 120 is attached and fixed to the front part of the base member 101 in a state where it covers the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110. A plurality of element exposing holes (not shown) are formed in various parts of the lamp house 120 to expose the V-shaped light-emitting element 111, the central light-emitting element 112, the first to third left light-emitting elements 113L to 115L, and the first to third right light-emitting elements 113R to 115R to the front.

[0023] A plurality of locking ribs 121 are formed in a line in the shape of an inverted triangle on the front side of the center of the lamp house 120. Locking portions 131 of a central partition member 130 are adapted to be locked onto the locking ribs 121. Light-transmitting member fixing holes 122 are formed on the front side of the upper center of the lamp house 120. Light-transmitting member fixing screws (not shown) are inserted into the light-transmitting member fixing holes 122 to fix the central light-transmitting member 140 to the front side of the lamp house 120. Decorative cover fixing holes 123 are formed on the left and right ends of the lamp house 120. Decorative cover fixing screws (not shown) are inserted into the decorative cover fixing holes 123 to fix the decorative cover 170 to the front side of the lamp house 120.

[0024] A first left partition 124L is formed to protrude forward on the front side of the lamp house 120 on the left side of the locking rib 121. The first left partition 124L blocks the light emitted from the central light emitting element 112 and the light emitted from the first left light emitting element 113L so that they do not intersect with each other. A second left partition 125L is formed to protrude forward on the front side of the lamp house 120 on the left side of the first left partition 124L. The second left partition 125L blocks the light emitted from the first left light emitting element 113L and the light emitted from the second left light emitting element 114L so that they do not intersect with each other. A third left partition 126L is formed to protrude forward on the left side of the second left partition 125L on the front side of the lamp house 120. The third left partition 126L blocks the light emitted from the second left light emitting element 114L and the light emitted from the third left light emitting element 115L so that they do not intersect with each other.

[0025] A first right partition 124R is formed to protrude forward on a portion of the front surface of the lamp house 120 to the right of the locking rib 121. The first right partition 124R blocks the light emitted from the central light emitting element 112 and the light emitted from the first right light emitting element 113R so that they do not intersect with each other. A second right partition 125R is formed to protrude forward on a portion of the front surface of the lamp house 120 to the right of the first right partition 124R. The second right partition 125R blocks the light emitted from the first right light emitting element 113R and the light emitted from the second right light emitting element 114R so that they do not intersect with each other. A third right partition 126R is formed to protrude forward on a portion of the front surface of the lamp house 120 to the right of the second right partition 125R. The third right partition 126R blocks the light emitted from the second right light emitting element 114R and the light emitted from the third right light emitting element 115R so that they do not intersect with each other.

[0026] 13, the central partition member 130 is formed in the shape of an inverted triangular frame using a resin material having light-blocking properties. A locking portion 131 that can be locked onto the locking rib 121 of the lamp house 120 is formed at the rear of the central partition member 130. The central partition member 130 is attached to the front side of the central portion of the lamp house 120 by locking the locking portion 131 of the central partition member 130 onto the locking rib 121 of the lamp house 120. The central partition member 130 blocks the light emitted from the V-shaped light-emitting element 111 and the light emitted from the central light-emitting element 112 so that they do not intersect with each other.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 14 , the central light-transmitting member 140 is formed in a box shape with an open rear end using a light-transmitting resin material (e.g., a transparent resin material). Light-transmitting member fixing screws (not shown) are inserted into light-transmitting member fixing holes 122 of the lamp house 120 and screwed into boss holes 141 formed in the rear end of the central light-transmitting member 140, thereby attaching and fixing the central light-transmitting member 140 to the front side of the central portion of the lamp house 120 while covering the central partition member 130. A locking piece 142 is formed on the outer periphery of the rear portion of the central light-transmitting member 140. The locking piece 142 is adapted to be locked to the upper wall portion of the lamp house 120, the first left partition portion 124L, and the first right partition portion 124R. A V-shaped protrusion 143, which is V-shaped when viewed from the front, is formed on the front portion of the central light-transmitting member 140. Light emitted from the V-shaped light-emitting element 111 of the light-emitting element substrate 110 passes through the V-shaped protrusion 143. Fine irregularities having decorative properties that diffuse light from the V-shaped light-emitting element 111 are formed on the front surface of the V-shaped protrusion 143. Furthermore, light emitted from the central light-emitting element 112 of the light-emitting element substrate 110 is allowed to pass through the portion of the front part of the central light-transmitting member 140 other than the V-shaped protrusion 143. Fine irregularities that diffuse light from the central light-emitting element 112 are formed on the region of the front surface of the central light-transmitting member 140 other than the V-shaped protrusion 143.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 15 , the left light-transmitting member 150L is formed in a plate shape using a translucent resin material (e.g., a transparent resin material). The left light-transmitting member 150L is attached and fixed to the left front side of the lamp house 120 while being sandwiched between the lamp house 120 and the decorative cover 170. The left light-transmitting member 150L has a plate-shaped left base portion 151L extending in the left-right direction, and plate-shaped first left protrusion portion 152L, second left protrusion portion 154L, and third left protrusion portion 156L that protrude forward to the left. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the rear surface of the left base portion 151L abuts against the tips of the first left partition portion 124L, second left partition portion 125L, and third left partition portion 126L of the lamp house 120. Meanwhile, the front side of the left base portion 151L is covered by the left portion of the decorative cover 170.

[0029] 8 and 9, a first left bent portion 162L is formed on the right side of the left translucent member 150L, ​​connecting to the right side of the left base portion 151L and bending forward. A first left incident surface 163L, into which light emitted from the first left light emitting element 113L of the light emitting element substrate 110 is incident, is formed on the rear side of the first left bent portion 162L. The first left incident surface 163L is formed to be inclined with respect to the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110 so as to be closer to the light emitting element substrate 110 as it extends leftward. A left portion of the first left protruding portion 152L is formed and connected to the front side of the first left bent portion 162L, on whose rear side the first left incident surface 163L is formed. The first left protruding portion 152L protrudes leftward and forward through a first left exposure hole 172L of the decorative cover 170 and is exposed to the outside. A groove-like first left uneven portion 153L that diffuses light passing through the first left protrusion 152L is formed on the surface of the first left protrusion 152L.

[0030] A second left bent portion 164L is formed on the left translucent member 150L to the left of the first left bent portion 162L. The second left bent portion 164L is connected to the central portion of the left base portion 151L and bent forward. A second left incident surface 165L is formed on the rear side of the second left bent portion 164L, into which light emitted from the second left light emitting element 114L of the light emitting element substrate 110 enters. The second left incident surface 165L is formed at an angle with respect to the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110 so as to become closer to the light emitting element substrate 110 as it extends leftward. A left portion of the second left protruding portion 154L is formed and connected to the front side of the second left bent portion 164L, on whose rear side the second left incident surface 165L is formed. The second left protruding portion 154L protrudes leftward and forward through the second left exposure hole 173L of the decorative cover 170 and is exposed to the outside. A groove-like second left uneven portion 155L that diffuses light passing through the second left protrusion 154L is formed on the surface of the second left protrusion 154L.

[0031] A third left bent portion 166L is formed on the left translucent member 150L to the left of the second left bent portion 164L. The third left bent portion 166L is connected to the left portion of the left base portion 151L and bent forward. A third left incident surface 167L is formed on the rear side of the third left bent portion 166L, into which light emitted from the third left light emitting element 115L of the light emitting element substrate 110 is incident. The third left incident surface 167L is formed at an angle with respect to the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110 so as to become closer to the light emitting element substrate 110 as it extends leftward. A left portion of the third left protruding portion 156L is connected to the front side of the third left bent portion 166L, on whose rear side the third left incident surface 167L is formed. The third left protruding portion 156L protrudes leftward and forward through a third left exposure hole 174L of the decorative cover 170 and is exposed to the outside. A groove-like third left uneven portion 157L that diffuses light passing through the third left protrusion 156L is formed on the surface of the third left protrusion 156L.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 15 , the right light-transmitting member 150R is formed of a translucent resin material (e.g., a transparent resin material) in a plate shape symmetrical to the left light-transmitting member 150L. The right light-transmitting member 150R is attached and fixed to the right front side of the lamp house 120 while being sandwiched between the lamp house 120 and the decorative cover 170. The right light-transmitting member 150R has a plate-shaped right base portion 151R extending in the left-right direction, and plate-shaped first right protrusion portion 152R, second right protrusion portion 154R, and third right protrusion portion 156R that protrude forward to the right. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the rear surface of the right base portion 151R abuts against the tips of the first right partition portion 124R, second right partition portion 125R, and third right partition portion 126R of the lamp house 120. On the other hand, the front side of the right base portion 151R is covered by the right part of the decorative cover 170.

[0033] 8 and 9, a first right bent portion 162R is formed on the left side of the right light-transmitting member 150R, connecting to the left side of the right base portion 151R and bending forward to extend. A first right incident surface 163R is formed on the rear side of the first right bent portion 162R, into which light emitted from the first right light emitting element 113R of the light emitting element substrate 110 is incident. The first right incident surface 163R is formed to be inclined with respect to the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110 so that it becomes closer to the light emitting element substrate 110 as it moves rightward. On the front side of the first right bent portion 162R, on whose rear side the first right incident surface 163R is formed, , and is formed by connecting the right portion of the first right protrusion 152R. The first right protrusion 152R protrudes to the right front through a first right exposure hole 172R of the decorative cover 170 and is exposed to the outside. A groove-shaped first right uneven portion 153R is formed on the surface of the first right protrusion 152R to diffuse light passing through the first right protrusion 152R.

[0034] A second right bent portion 164R is formed on the right translucent member 150R to the right of the first right bent portion 162R, connecting to the central portion of the right base portion 151R and bending forward. A second right incident surface 165R is formed behind the second right bent portion 164R, into which light emitted from the second right light emitting element 114R of the light emitting element substrate 110 enters. The second right incident surface 165R is inclined with respect to the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110 so as to become closer to the light emitting element substrate 110 as it extends to the right. A right portion of the second right protrusion 154R is connected to the front side of the second right bent portion 164R, on whose rear side the second right incident surface 165R is formed. The second right protrusion 154R protrudes forward and to the right through the second right exposure hole 173R of the decorative cover 170 and is exposed to the outside. A groove-like second right uneven portion 155R that diffuses light passing through the second right protrusion 154R is formed on the surface of the second right protrusion 154R.

[0035] A third right bent portion 166R is formed on the right translucent member 150R to the right of the second right bent portion 164R, connecting to the right portion of the right base portion 151R and bending forward. A third right incident surface 167R is formed behind the third right bent portion 166R, into which light emitted from the third right light emitting element 115R of the light emitting element substrate 110 enters. The third right incident surface 167R is inclined with respect to the front surface of the light emitting element substrate 110 so as to become closer to the light emitting element substrate 110 as it extends to the right. A right portion of the third right protrusion 156R is connected to the front side of the third right bent portion 166R, on whose rear side the third right incident surface 167R is formed. The third right protrusion 156R protrudes forward and to the right through a third right exposure hole 174R in the decorative cover 170 and is exposed to the outside. A groove-shaped third right incident surface 167R that diffuses light that passes through the third right protrusion 156R is formed on the surface of the third right protrusion 156R.

[0036] 16, the decorative cover 170 is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the left-right direction using a resin material having light-blocking properties. By inserting decorative cover fixing screws (not shown) into decorative cover fixing holes 123 of the lamp house 120 and screwing them into boss holes (not shown) formed on the rear side of the decorative cover 170, the decorative cover 170, together with the left and right light-transmitting members 150L, ​​150R and the lamp cover 180, is attached and fixed to the front side of the lamp house 120.

[0037] A central exposure hole 171 is formed in the center of the decorative cover 170. The lamp cover 180 is adapted to be inserted through the central exposure hole 171. A first left exposure hole 172L is formed on the decorative cover 170 to the left of the central exposure hole 171. The first left exposure hole 172L is adapted to receive the first left protrusion 152L of the left light-transmitting member 150L. A second left exposure hole 173L is formed on the decorative cover 170 to the left of the first left exposure hole 172L. The second left protrusion 154L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is adapted to receive the second left exposure hole 173L. A third left exposure hole 174L is formed on the decorative cover 170 to the left of the second left exposure hole 173L. The third left protrusion 156L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is adapted to receive the third left exposure hole 174L. A first right exposure hole 172R is formed on the decorative cover 170 to the right of the central exposure hole 171. The first right protrusion 152R of the right light-transmitting member 150R is adapted to be inserted through the first right exposure hole 172R. A second right exposure hole 173R is formed on the decorative cover 170 to the right of the first right exposure hole 172R. The second right protrusion 154R of the right light-transmitting member 150R is adapted to be inserted through the second right exposure hole 173R. A third right exposure hole 174R is formed on the decorative cover 170 to the right of the second right exposure hole 173R. The third right protrusion 156R of the right light-transmitting member 150R is adapted to be inserted through the third right exposure hole 174R.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 15, the lamp cover 180 is made of a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material) and is formed in a box shape with an open rear. The lamp cover 180 is sandwiched between the lamp house 120 and the decorative cover 170, covers the central light-transmitting member 140, and is attached and fixed to the front side of the central portion of the lamp house 120. A V-shaped V-decorative portion 181 is formed on the front surface of the lamp cover 180. The V-decorative portion 181 is formed in alignment with the V-shaped protrusion 143 of the central light-transmitting member 140. Furthermore, a decoration different from the V-decorative portion 181 is applied to the area on the front surface of the lamp cover 180 other than the V-decorative portion 181.

[0039] In the upper light emitting performance device 100 configured as described above, when the V-shaped light emitting element 111 of the light emitting element substrate 110 emits light, the light emitted from the V-shaped light emitting element 111 passes through the V-shaped protrusion 143 of the central light-transmitting member 140. The light that has passed through the V-shaped protrusion 143 of the central light-transmitting member 140 passes through the lamp cover 180 and is emitted from the V-shaped decorative portion 181 of the lamp cover 180. In this way, when the V-shaped light emitting element 111 of the light emitting element substrate 110 emits light, the V-shaped decorative portion 181 of the lamp cover 180 emits light. Note that, since fine irregularities having decorative properties that diffuse the light from the V-shaped light emitting element 111 are formed on the front surface of the V-shaped protrusion 143, it is possible to reduce uneven light emission due to point light from the V-shaped light emitting element 111, etc.

[0040] When the central light-emitting element 112 of the light-emitting element substrate 110 emits light, the light emitted from the central light-emitting element 112 passes through the front portion of the central light-transmitting member 140 except for the V-shaped protrusion 143. The light that passes through the front portion of the central light-transmitting member 140 except for the V-shaped protrusion 143 passes through the lamp cover 180 and is emitted from an area on the front surface of the lamp cover 180 except for the V-shaped decorative portion 181. In this way, when the central light-emitting element 112 of the light-emitting element substrate 110 emits light, an area on the front surface of the lamp cover 180 except for the V-shaped decorative portion 181 emits light. Note that, since fine irregularities that diffuse the light from the central light-emitting element 112 are formed in the area on the front surface of the central light-transmitting member 140 except for the V-shaped protrusion 143, uneven light emission due to point light from the central light-emitting element 112 can be reduced.

[0041] When the first left light-emitting element 113L of the light-emitting element substrate 110 emits light, the light emitted from the first left light-emitting element 113L is incident on the first left incident surface 163L of the left light-transmitting member 150L. As described above, the first left incident surface 163L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is formed on the rear side of the first left bending portion 162L and is inclined with respect to the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110. Therefore, most of the light incident on the first left incident surface 163L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is diffused while passing through the first left bending portion 162L and the first left protruding portion 152L and is emitted from the surface of the first left protruding portion 152L.

[0042] When the second left light-emitting element 114L of the light-emitting element substrate 110 emits light, the light emitted from the second left light-emitting element 114L is incident on the second left incident surface 165L of the left light-transmitting member 150L. As described above, the second left incident surface 165L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is formed on the rear side of the second left bending portion 164L and is inclined with respect to the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110. Therefore, most of the light incident on the second left incident surface 165L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is diffused while passing through the second left bending portion 164L and the second left protruding portion 154L and is emitted from the surface of the second left protruding portion 154L.

[0043] When the third left light-emitting element 115L of the light-emitting element substrate 110 emits light, the light emitted from the third left light-emitting element 115L is incident on the third left incident surface 167L of the left light-transmitting member 150L. As described above, the third left incident surface 167L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is formed on the rear side of the third left bending portion 166L and is inclined with respect to the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110. Therefore, most of the light incident on the third left incident surface 167L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is diffused while passing through the third left bending portion 166L and the third left protruding portion 156L and is emitted from the surface of the third left protruding portion 156L.

[0044] In this way, the first left light emitting element 113L and the second left light emitting element 11 When the first left protrusion 152L, the second left protrusion 154L, and the third left protrusion 156L of the left light-transmitting member 150L emit light, the first left protrusion 152L, the second left protrusion 154L, and the third left protrusion 156L of the left light-transmitting member 150L emit light. Note that light that is incident on the first left incident surface 163L, the second left incident surface 165L, and the third left incident surface 167L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is diffused while passing through the first left protrusion 152L, the second left protrusion 154L, and the third left protrusion 156L, thereby reducing uneven light emission due to point light from the first left light-emitting element 113L, the second left light-emitting element 114L, and the third left light-emitting element 115L. In addition, groove-shaped first left uneven portions 153L, second left uneven portions 155L, and third left uneven portions 157L are formed on the surfaces of the first left protrusion 152L, second left protrusion 154L, and third left protrusion 156L, thereby reducing uneven light emission caused by point light from the first left light-emitting element 113L, second left light-emitting element 114L, and third left light-emitting element 115L.

[0045] As described above, the right light-transmitting member 150R is formed symmetrically with the left light-transmitting member 150L. The first right light-emitting element 113R, the second right light-emitting element 114R, and the third right light-emitting element 115R of the light-emitting element substrate 110 are also arranged symmetrically with the first left light-emitting element 113L, the second left light-emitting element 114L, and the third left light-emitting element 115L. Therefore, when the first right light-emitting element 113R, the second right light-emitting element 114R, and the third right light-emitting element 115R of the light-emitting element substrate 110 emit light, the first right protrusion 152R, the second right protrusion 154R, and the third right protrusion 156R of the right light-transmitting member 150R emit light, similar to the left light-transmitting member 150L. Similar to the left light-transmitting member 150L, ​​light incident on the first right incident surface 163R, the second right incident surface 165R, and the third right incident surface 167R of the right light-transmitting member 150R is diffused while passing through the first right protrusion 152R, the second right protrusion 154R, and the third right protrusion 156R, thereby reducing uneven light emission caused by point lights of the first right light-emitting element 113R, the second right light-emitting element 114R, and the third right light-emitting element 115R. Furthermore, groove-shaped first right uneven portions 153R, the second right uneven portions 155R, and the third right uneven portions 157R are formed on the surfaces of the first right protrusion 152R, the second right protrusion 154R, and the third right protrusion 156R, thereby reducing uneven light emission caused by point lights of the first right light-emitting element 113R, the second right light-emitting element 114R, and the third right light-emitting element 115R.

[0046] It is also possible to individually illuminate the V-shaped decorative portion 181 of the lamp cover 180 and the area on the front surface of the lamp cover 180 other than the V-shaped decorative portion 181 by individually illuminating the V-shaped light-emitting element 111 and the central light-emitting element 112 of the light-emitting element substrate 110. It is also possible to individually illuminate the first left protrusion 152L, the second left protrusion 154L, and the third left protrusion 156L of the left translucent member 150L by individually illuminating the first left light-emitting element 113L, the second left light-emitting element 114L, and the third left light-emitting element 115L of the light-emitting element substrate 110. It is also possible to individually illuminate the first right protrusion 152R, the second right protrusion 154R, and the third right protrusion 156R of the right translucent member 150R by individually illuminating the first right light-emitting element 113R, the second right light-emitting element 114R, and the third right light-emitting element 115R of the light-emitting element substrate 110.

[0047] According to the present embodiment, the first left incident surface 163L, the second left incident surface 165L, and the third left incident surface 167L of the left light-transmitting member 150L are formed on the rear side of the first left bending portion 162L, the second left bending portion 164L, and the third left bending portion 166L, and are inclined with respect to the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110. As a result, light that has entered the first left incident surface 163L, the second left incident surface 165L, and the third left incident surface 167L of the left light-transmitting member 150L is more likely to diffuse when passing through the first left protrusion 152L, the second left protrusion 154L, and the third left protrusion 156L, thereby reducing uneven light emission due to point light from the first left light-emitting element 113L, the second left light-emitting element 114L, and the third left light-emitting element 115L. Further, the first right incident surface 163R, the second right incident surface 165R, and the third right incident surface 167R of the right light-transmitting member 150R are formed on the rear side of the first right bending portion 162R, the second right bending portion 164R, and the third right bending portion 166R, and are inclined with respect to the front surface of the light-emitting element substrate 110. As a result, the light incident on the first right incident surface 163R, the second right incident surface 165R, and the third right incident surface 167R of the right light-transmitting member 150R is incident on the first right protrusion 15R. Since the light is more easily diffused when passing through the first right light-emitting element 113R, the second right protrusion 154R, and the third right protrusion 156R, uneven light emission caused by spot lighting of the first right light-emitting element 113R, the second right light-emitting element 114R, and the third right light-emitting element 115R can be reduced.

[0048] [Gaming support area configuration] Next, the game support area 200 of the front frame 2 will be described with additional reference to Figures 17 to 19. As shown in Figure 17, a launching unit 210, a transport device 400, and a relay passage unit 500 are provided on the front side of the game support area 200. As shown in Figure 18, a tank unit 300 is provided on the rear side of the game support area 200. Also, a gate-shaped bracket 35 that protrudes rearward is provided on the rear side of the game support area 200. A frame control board case unit 31 is attached to the rear side of the bracket 35. As a result, the frame control board case unit 31 is positioned below the game board 20 and behind the front frame 2.

[0049] 17, a launching unit mounting portion 201 is formed in the center of the front surface of game support area 200. A launching unit 210 is attached to launching unit mounting portion 201. Note that launching unit 210 can be detachably attached to launching unit mounting portion 201 from the front using a launching device fixing screw (not shown).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 17 , a transport device mounting portion 203 is formed on the left side of the front of the game support area 200. A transport device 400 is detachably attached to the transport device mounting portion 203 from the front. Device fixing devices 204 are provided on the upper left and lower right sides of the front of the game support area 200. The device fixing device 204 is configured to pivot approximately 90 degrees around a rotation axis to function as a retainer for the transport device 400 temporarily fixed in the mounting position, and to fix the transport device 400 to the transport device mounting portion 203. A communication hole (not shown) is formed in the rear right of the transport device mounting portion 203, communicating with the front and rear sides of the game support area 200. The lower right rear portion of the transport device 400 attached to the transport device mounting portion 203 is exposed to the rear side of the game support area 200 through this communication hole.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 17 , a relay passage unit mounting portion 205 is formed between the launching unit mounting portion 201 and the transport device mounting portion 203 on the front side of the game support area 200. A relay passage unit 500 is mounted to the relay passage unit mounting portion 205. Note that, with the transport device 400 removed, the relay passage unit 500 can be detachably mounted to the relay passage unit mounting portion 205 from the front. A communication hole (not shown) that communicates with the front side and rear side of the game support area 200 is formed in the rear part of the relay passage unit mounting portion 205. The rear part of the relay passage unit 500 mounted to the relay passage unit mounting portion 205 is exposed to the rear side of the game support area 200 through this communication hole.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , a tank unit mounting portion 207 is formed on the rear side of the game support area 200. A tank unit 300 is attached to the tank unit mounting portion 207. The bracket 35 provided on the rear side of the game support area 200 is formed in a gate shape that protrudes rearward, so that the tank unit 300 can be detachably attached to the tank unit mounting portion 207 from below with the frame control board case unit 31 attached to the rear side of the bracket 35. As shown in FIG. 26 , a recovery passage 209 is formed above the tank unit mounting portion 207 on the rear side of the game support area 200. Game balls that reach the rear side of the game board 20 (out balls that have passed through the outlet 29 and safe balls that have passed through the winning ports of the various winning devices 25 to 27) fall into the upstream part of the recovery passage 209, flow down the recovery passage 209, and are collected in the tank unit 300.

[0053] [Launch unit configuration] Next, the launching unit 210 will be described with additional reference to Figures 20 to 23. As shown in Figures 20 to 22, the launching unit 210 is configured to have a launching device 211 and a ball feeding device 251. The ball feeding device 251 feeds game balls one by one to the launching device 211, and the launching device 211 launches the game balls to the upper left toward the game area PA. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the launching device 211 is configured to have a launching rail section 221 and a launching mechanism section 231.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 22, launching rail section 221 is configured to include base plate 222, launching rail 228, and launching ball holder 229. Base plate 222 is formed in a plate shape using a resin material. Device mounting holes 222a are formed in the four corners of base plate 222. Launching device fixing screws (not shown) are inserted into device mounting holes 222a and screwed into threaded holes (not shown) in launching unit mounting section 201, thereby mounting and fixing launching unit 210 (base plate 222) to launching unit mounting section 201. An insertion hole 222b is formed in the center of base plate 222. A movable iron core 234 of rotary solenoid 233 (see also FIG. 21) attached to the rear side of base plate 222 is inserted into insertion hole 222b.

[0055] Firing-side connecting portions 223 are formed on the upper and lower right end of the base plate 222. The firing-side connecting portion 223 is connected to the ball-feeding-side connecting portion 262 of the ball-feeding device 251, supporting the ball-feeding device 251 so that it can be opened and closed sideways. A locking protrusion 224 is formed on the front side of the upper left of the base plate 222. A locking piece 263 of the ball-feeding device 251 locks with the locking protrusion 224. An engagement hole 225 is formed on the front side of the lower left of the base plate 222. The engagement piece 264 of the ball-feeding device 251 engages with the engagement hole 225. A first stopper mounting portion 226 is formed on the front side of the right center of the base plate 222. A first stopper member 236 of the firing mechanism 231 is attached to the first stopper mounting portion 226. A second stopper mounting portion 227 is formed on the front side of the upper right of the base plate 222. A second stopper member 237 of the firing mechanism 231 is attached to the second stopper attachment portion 227.

[0056] The launching rail 228 is formed by bending a metal plate so that its cross section is V-shaped. The launching rail 228 is attached to the left front side of the base plate 222 so as to extend diagonally upward to the left from the gaming ball impact position at the lower right end toward the launching passage 24 (i.e., toward a position above the rail surface near the lower end of the outer rail member 23). In this way, the launching rail 228 guides the gaming balls launched by the launching mechanism unit 231 toward the launching passage 24. The launching ball holder 229 is provided on the left front side of the base plate 222, facing the rail surface of the launching rail 228. The launching ball holder 229 holds the gaming ball at the impact position located at the lower right end of the launching rail 228.

[0057] 21 and 22, the launch mechanism 231 is configured to include a hammer 232 that shoots out a gaming ball, a rotary solenoid 233 that drives the hammer 232 to swing, and a first stopper member 236 and a second stopper member 237 that receive the hammer 232. The rotary solenoid 233 is attached to the rear side of the base plate 222 using a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw. The movable iron core 234 of the rotary solenoid 233 is inserted into an insertion hole 222b of the base plate 222 and reaches the front side of the base plate 222. The hammer 232 is connected to the tip of the movable iron core 234 and attached to the front side of the base plate 222.

[0058] As a result, the hammer 232 is configured to be able to swing left and right with the movable iron core 234 as a swing axis by the operation of the rotary solenoid 233 between a hitting position where the game ball sent to the launch rail 228 can be hit, and a standby position (see Figure 22) located to the lower right of the hitting position. That is, the hammer 232 swings from the standby position to the hitting position to launch a game ball toward the game area PA. Specifically, when the rotary solenoid 233 is turned on, the hammer 232 receives the driving force of the rotary solenoid 233 and swings from the standby position to the hitting position, and when the rotary solenoid 233 is turned off, the hammer 232 swings from the hitting position to the standby position using gravity.

[0059] The first stopper member 236 and the second stopper member 237 are formed into elastic blocks using an elastic resin material such as NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber). The first stopper member 236 is attached to the first stopper attachment portion 226 of the base plate 222 facing left. The first stopper member 236 abuts against the right side of the center of the hammer 232 when it has swung to the standby position, thereby restricting the hammer 232 from swinging to the right beyond the standby position. The second stopper member 237 is attached to the second stopper attachment portion 227 of the base plate 222 facing downward and left. The second stopper member 237 abuts against the right side of the upper part of the hammer 232 when it has swung to the ball-hitting position, thereby restricting the hammer 232 from swinging to the left beyond the ball-hitting position.

[0060] As shown in Figures 20, 22, and 23, ball feeding device 251 is configured to have a case member 261, a case lid member 271, a ball feeding member 281, a linear solenoid 291, and a ball feeding sensor 293. Case member 261 is formed in the shape of a box with an open front using a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material). Case lid member 271 is formed in the shape of a lid that covers the front side of case member 261 using a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material), and is attached to the front side of case member 261. A ball feeding passage 276 is formed between case member 261 and case lid member 271.

[0061] The ball feed passage 276 is formed extending diagonally downward to the right from the left end of the ball feed device 251. At the left end of the ball feed passage 276, a ball inlet 277 is formed in alignment with the game ball outlet 513 of the relay passage unit 500, so that game balls flowing down the game ball relay passage 512 of the relay passage unit 500 pass through the game ball outlet 513. At the rear right end of the ball feed passage 276, a feed opening 278 is formed, so that game balls that have flowed into the ball feed passage 276 are sent out from this feed opening 278 to the launch rail 228 of the launch device 211 by a ball feed member 281.

[0062] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, ball feeding side connecting portions 262 are formed on the upper and lower right end portions of the case member 261. The ball feeding side connecting portion 262 is connected to the launching side connecting portion 223 of the launching device 211 (base plate 222) so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. As a result, the ball feeding device 251 is supported by the launching side connecting portion 223 of the launching device 211 so as to be able to open and close sideways, between a launching device open position that opens the front side of the launching device 211 and a launching device closed position that closes the front side of the launching device 211. This configuration allows easy access to the launching rail 228, hammer 232, and the like arranged on the front side of the launching device 211.

[0063] A locking piece 263 is formed on the rear surface of the upper left of the case member 261. When the ball feeding device 251 is displaced to the firing device closed position, the locking piece 263 releasably engages with the locking protrusion 224 of the firing device 211. An engagement piece 264 is formed on the rear surface of the lower left of the case member 261. When the ball feeding device 251 is displaced to the firing device closed position, the engagement piece 264 releasably engages with the engagement hole 225 of the firing device 211. The locking piece 263 of the ball feeding device 251 engages with the locking protrusion 224 of the firing device 211, and the engagement piece 264 of the ball feeding device 251 engages with the engagement hole 225 of the firing device 211, thereby fixing and holding the ball feeding device 251 in the firing device closed position.

[0064] A plurality of lid locking projections 265 are formed on the outer periphery of the case member 261. Lid locking piece 272 of case lid member 271 is releasably locked to portion 265. A ball feeding member support portion 266 is formed on the front side of the center of case member 261. Ball feeding member support portion 266 rotatably supports shaft portion 282 (at the rear) of ball feeding member 281. A solenoid mounting portion 267 is formed near and above ball feeding member support portion 266 on the front side of case member 261. A linear solenoid 291 is attached to solenoid mounting portion 267. Linear solenoid 291 has a movable iron core (not shown) connected to ball feeding member 281, and swings ball feeding member 281 up and down.

[0065] A sensor mounting portion 268 is formed on the lower rear side of the case member 261. A ball feeding sensor 293 is attached to the sensor mounting portion 268. The ball feeding sensor 293 is configured using a magnetic sensor or the like. The ball feeding sensor 293 detects a gaming ball passing through the feeding opening 278, and outputs a gaming ball detection signal to a frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31.

[0066] Firing-side contact portion 269 is formed to protrude leftward at the left end of case member 261. Firing-side contact portion 269 is formed in the shape of a protrusion with an inclined surface that extends diagonally downward to the left, and is configured to abut against relay-side contact portion 532 of relay ball stopping member 530 in relay passage unit 500. In addition, a chamfered portion (not shown) is formed on the rear side of the inclined surface of firing-side contact portion 269.

[0067] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, a plurality of lid locking pieces 272 that protrude rearward are formed on the outer periphery of case lid member 271. The lid locking pieces 272 are releasably locked to lid locking protrusions 265 of case member 261. When the lid locking pieces 272 of case lid member 271 are locked to the lid locking protrusions 265 of case member 261, case lid member 271 is attached and fixed to the front side of case member 261. A ball feeding member support portion 273 is formed on the rear side of the center of case lid member 271. Ball feeding member support portion 273 rotatably supports shaft portion 282 (front side) of ball feeding member 281. An elongated insertion hole 274 extending vertically is formed near the left side of ball feeding member support portion 273 in the center of case lid member 271. A guide pin portion 283 of a ball feeding member 281 is inserted into the insertion hole portion 274.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 23, the ball feeding member 281 is formed in the shape of a block extending in the left-right direction using a resin material such as polyacetal resin (POM). A shaft 282 is formed on the front and rear sides of the ball feeding member 281. The ball feeding member 281 is configured to be able to swing up and down, with the shaft 282 as a swing axis, between a pass-allowing position that allows game balls to pass through the feed opening 278 and a pass-restricting position (see FIG. 23) that restricts game balls from passing through the feed opening 278, by operating a linear solenoid 291. The ball feeding member 281 swings up and down between the pass-allowing position and the pass-restricting position, thereby sending out game balls that have flowed into the ball feeding passage 276 one by one from the feed opening 278 to the launching rail 228 of the launching device 211.

[0069] A guide pin portion 283 is formed on the front side of the center of the ball feeding member 281. The guide pin portion 283 is inserted into the insertion hole portion 274 of the case lid member 271, and abuts against the upper end of the insertion hole portion 274 when the ball feeding member 281 swings to a pass-allowing position above the pass-restricting position, and abuts against the lower end of the insertion hole portion 274 when the ball feeding member 281 swings to the pass-restricting position below the pass-allowing position. A passage restriction portion 284 is formed on the upper left end of the ball feeding member 281. The passage restriction portion 284 blocks a portion of the ball feeding passage 276 when the ball feeding member 281 swings to the pass-restricting position, thereby receiving game balls that have flowed into the ball feeding passage 276. An outlet passage portion 285 is formed on the lower left end of the ball feeding member 281. The outlet passage portion 285 is configured to guide the game balls that have flowed into the ball feeding passage 276 to the delivery port 278 when the ball feeding member 281 swings to the passable position.

[0070] [Tank unit configuration] Next, the tank unit 300 will be described with additional reference to Figures 24 to 30. As shown in Figures 24 to 28, the tank unit 300 is configured to have a front tank member 310, a rear tank member 320, an upper detection member 330, a lower detection member 340, a ball removal member 350, and a tank ball retaining member 360. The tank unit 300 stores game balls that have flowed down the recovery passage section 209 or game balls that have flowed down the foul ball relay passage 517 of the relay passage unit 500. Hereinafter, game balls that flow down the recovery passage section 209 may be referred to as ejected balls, and game balls that flow down the foul ball relay passage 517 may be referred to as foul balls.

[0071] 24 to 28, the front tank member 310 is made of a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material) and is formed in the shape of a box with an open rear end. The rear tank member 320 is made of a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material) and is formed in the shape of a lid that covers the rear side of the front tank member 310, and is attached to the rear side of the front tank member 310. An upper tank passage 301 and a lower tank passage 302 are formed between the front tank member 310 and the rear tank member 320, through which game balls can flow down.

[0072] As shown in Figures 26 to 28, the upper tank passage 301 is formed to extend diagonally downward to the right from the left side of the tank unit 300 and is connected to the upstream end of the lower tank passage 302. The lower tank passage 302 is formed to extend diagonally downward to the left from the right side of the tank unit 300, connected to the downstream end of the upper tank passage 301. A ball removal opening 303, into which gaming balls can fall, is formed at the bottom of the downstream part of the lower tank passage 302 located at the lower left of the tank unit 300. A ball outlet 304, through which gaming balls can pass, is formed at the downstream end of the lower tank passage 302 located at the left end of the tank unit 300. In addition, an earth member 376 is attached to the bottom of the lower tank passage 302. The earth member 376 is formed in the shape of a thin plate using a conductive material such as metal.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 28, a foul ball inlet 311 and a foul ball inlet passage 312 are formed on the upper left front side of the front tank member 310, through which game balls (foul balls) that have flowed down the foul ball relay passage 517 of the relay passage unit 500 pass. The foul ball inlet 311 opens upward to align with the foul ball outlet 518 of the relay passage unit 500. The foul ball inlet passage 312 extends diagonally downward and rearward from the foul ball inlet 311 and, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, connects to the upstream end of the upper tank passage 301. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 28, a discharged ball inlet 313 and a discharged ball inlet passage 314 are formed on the upper left front side of the front tank member 310, through which game balls (discharged balls) that have flowed down the recovery passage section 209 pass. The discharged ball inlet 313 opens upward to align with the downstream end of the recovery passage section 209. The discharge ball inlet passage 314 is formed extending downward from the foul ball inlet 311 and is connected to the upstream end of the upper tank passage 301 as shown in Figures 26 and 27.

[0074] In addition, a discharged ball sensor mounting portion 315 is formed on the upper left of the front tank member 310. A discharged ball sensor 371 is attached to the discharged ball sensor mounting portion 315. The discharged ball sensor 371 is configured using a magnetic sensor or the like. The discharged ball sensor 371 detects game balls (discharged balls) passing through the discharged ball entrance 313, and outputs a discharged ball detection signal to a frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31. A board mounting portion 317 is formed on the upper rear side of the front tank member 310. A relay board 375 is attached to the board mounting portion 317.

[0075] As shown in Figures 27 and 28, a lower sensor mounting portion 316 is formed on the lower right portion of the front tank member 310. A lower detection sensor 373 capable of detecting the lower detection member 340 is mounted on the lower sensor mounting portion 316. As shown in Figures 24 and 25, A plurality of tank mounting holes 318 are formed in the lower end of the member 310. The tank unit 300 is detachably mounted and fixed to the tank unit mounting portion 207 by inserting tank unit fixing screws (not shown) into the tank mounting holes 318 and screwing them into threaded holes (not shown) in the tank unit mounting portion 207. Note that the tank unit 300 may be detachably mounted and fixed to the tank unit mounting portion 207 using fixing members such as Nylatch, instead of using tank unit fixing screws.

[0076] As shown in Figures 24 and 27, a ball remover member mounting portion 322 is formed on the lower left of the front tank member 310 and the rear tank member 320. A ball remover member 350 is mounted to the ball remover member mounting portion 322 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. A ball retaining member mounting portion 323 is formed on the left end of the rear tank member 320. A tank ball retaining member 360 is mounted to the ball retaining member mounting portion 323 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. A spring mounting portion 324 is formed near the ball retaining member mounting portion 323 on the left side of the rear tank member 320. A ball retaining member biasing spring 365 is mounted to the spring mounting portion 324. In addition, an upper sensor mounting portion (not shown) is formed in the center of the rear tank member 320. An upper detection sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the upper detection member 330 is mounted to the upper sensor mounting portion.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 , the lower detection member 340 is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the left-right direction using a light-blocking resin material and is attached to the lower right sides of the front tank member 310 and the rear tank member 320. Shafts 341 are formed on the front and rear sides of the lower detection member 340. The lower detection member 340 is configured to be able to swing up and down using the shafts 341 as a swing axis between a detection position where the lower detection sensor 373 detects the lower detection member 340 and a non-detection position (see FIG. 27 ) where the lower detection sensor 373 is not in a detection state. A floor-shaped game ball contact portion 342 that forms part of the upstream portion of the lower tank passage 302 is formed on the upper part of the lower detection member 340. When a game ball located at the upstream end of the lower tank passage 302 contacts the game ball contact portion 342, the lower detection member 340 swings to the non-detection position due to the action of the game ball's own weight.

[0078] A weight 344 lighter than a gaming ball is attached to the right end of the lower detection member 340. When no gaming ball is present at the upstream end of the lower tank passage 302 and the gaming ball contact portion 342 is in a non-contact state, the weight of the weight 344 causes the lower detection member 340 to swing to the detection position. The lower detection sensor 373 is configured using a photosensor or the like. The lower detection sensor 373 detects the lower detection member 340 that has swung to the detection position, and outputs a detection signal of the lower detection member 340 to a frame control board (not shown) that configures the frame control board case unit 31, indicating that no gaming ball is present at the upstream end of the lower tank passage 302.

[0079] The upper detection member 330 is formed similarly to the lower detection member 340 and is attached to the center of the front tank member 310 and the rear tank member 320. The upper detection member 330 is configured to be able to swing up and down using a shaft (not shown) as a swing axis between a detection position where an upper detection sensor (not shown) detects the upper detection member 330 and a non-detection position where the upper detection sensor is not in a detection state. A floor-shaped game ball contact portion 332 that forms part of the midstream portion of the upper tank passage 301 is formed on the top of the upper detection member 330. When a game ball located in the midstream portion of the upper tank passage 301 contacts the game ball contact portion 332, the upper detection member 330 swings to the non-detection position due to the action of the game ball's own weight.

[0080] When there are no game balls in the midstream portion of the upper tank passage 301 and the game ball contact portion 332 is in a non-contact state, the upper detection member 330 swings to the detection position due to the action of the weight (not shown). The upper detection sensor is configured in the same manner as the lower detection sensor 373. The upper detection sensor detects the upper detection member 330 that has swung to the detection position, and notifies the frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31 that there are no game balls in the midstream portion of the upper tank passage 301. 24, a cover member 377 is attached to the front side of the front tank member 310 to cover the front of the upper detection sensor and the lower detection sensor 373 for blocking light.

[0081] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the ball remover member 350 is made of a resin material and is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the left-right direction. The ball remover member 350 has an opening / closing rail portion 351 that can open and close the ball remover opening 303 of the lower tank passage 302, and a knob portion 352 that can be held by an operator with their fingers. The ball remover member 350 is attached to the ball remover member mounting portion 322 so that it can slide left and right between a non-ball remover position (see solid line in Figure 26) in which the opening / closing rail portion 351 blocks the ball remover opening 303, and a ball remover position (see chain double-dashed line in Figure 26) in which the opening / closing rail portion 351 opens the ball remover opening 303.

[0082] When the ball ejection member 350 slides to the left non-ball ejection position, the opening / closing rail section 351 closes the ball ejection opening 303, so that a gaming ball that has reached the downstream part of the lower tank passage 302 rolls on the opening / closing rail section 351 and reaches the downstream end of the lower tank passage 302. When the ball ejection member 350 slides to the right ball ejection position, the opening / closing rail section 351 opens the ball ejection opening 303, so that a gaming ball that has reached the downstream part of the lower tank passage 302 falls into the ball ejection opening 303, passes through the ball ejection opening 303 and falls below the tank unit 300.

[0083] As shown in Figures 28 to 30, the tank ball stopping member 360 is formed in the shape of a vertically extending block using a resin material such as polyacetal resin (POM). The tank ball stopping member 360 is attached to the ball stopping member mounting portion 323 so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction between a pass-restricting position (see Figure 29) that restricts game balls from passing through the ball outlet 304 and a pass-allowing position (see Figure 30) that allows game balls to pass through the ball outlet 304. A plate-shaped ball stopping portion 361 that extends downward is formed at the bottom of the tank ball stopping member 360. The ball stopping portion 361 blocks a portion of the ball outlet 304 when the tank ball stopping member 360 moves to the pass-restricting position, thereby receiving game balls that have reached the downstream end of the lower tank passage 302.

[0084] A tank-side abutment portion 362 is formed at the front of the tank ball stopper member 360, protruding forward. The tank-side abutment portion 362 is formed as a protrusion with an inclined surface that extends diagonally downward toward the front, and is adapted to abut against the transfer-side abutment portion 435 of the transfer device 400. A spring receiving portion 363 is formed at the right rear surface of the tank ball stopper member 360. The front end of a ball stopper member biasing spring 365 attached to the spring mounting portion 324 abuts against the spring receiving portion 363. The ball stopper member biasing spring 365 is configured using a compression coil spring or the like, and applies a biasing force to the tank ball stopper member 360 in a direction toward the passage restriction position.

[0085] [Transportation device configuration] Next, the transfer device 400 will be described with additional reference to Figures 31 to 35. As shown in Figures 31 to 35, the transfer device 400 is configured to have a case unit 410, a rear cover member 430, a transfer member 440, a polishing unit 450, a drive motor 460, a first drive force transmission mechanism 470, a second drive force transmission mechanism 475, and a transfer ball stop member 480. The transfer device 400 raises the game balls stored in the tank unit 300 from the ball outlet 304 at the bottom of the tank unit 300 and sends them to the relay passage unit 500.

[0086] As shown in Figures 31 to 35, the case unit 410 is formed in a box shape using a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material). A lower passage 411 through which gaming balls can flow down is formed at the lower inside of the case unit 410. The lower passage 411 is formed by extending diagonally downward from the rear side of the lower part of the case unit 410 to the front. An upper passage 412 through which gaming balls can flow down is formed at the upper inside of the case unit 410. The upper passage 412 is formed by extending The upper passage 412 is formed by extending rightward from the center of the upper portion of the case unit 410. At the downstream end of the upper passage 412 located at the upper right portion of the case unit 410, a ball outlet 413 is formed through which gaming balls can pass.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 35, a transfer member accommodating section 414 is formed on the right side inside the case unit 410. A transfer member 440 is rotatably accommodated in the transfer member accommodating section 414. A rotation detection sensor 465 is attached to the lower right side inside the case unit 410. The rotation detection sensor 465 is configured using a photosensor or the like. The rotation detection sensor 465 detects the rotation of the transfer member 440 and outputs a rotation detection signal of the transfer member 440 to a frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31. An upper passage sensor 467 is attached to the upper right side inside the case unit 410. The upper passage sensor 467 is configured using a photosensor or the like. The upper passage sensor 467 detects gaming balls flowing down the upper passage 412 and outputs a gaming ball detection signal to the frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 35 , a polishing unit housing section 415 is formed on the lower left side inside the case unit 410. A polishing unit 450 is rotatably housed in the polishing unit housing section 415. A motor housing section 416 is formed on the upper left side inside the case unit 410. A front portion of a drive motor 460 is housed in the motor housing section 416. An upper gear mounting section 417 is formed in a portion inside the case unit 410 between the polishing unit housing section 415 and the motor housing section 416. A pinion gear 471 and a first gear 472 of a first driving force transmission mechanism 470 are rotatably mounted to the upper gear mounting section 417. A lower gear mounting section 418 is formed on the lower side inside the case unit 410. A second gear 476 and a third gear 477 of a second driving force transmission mechanism 475 are rotatably mounted to the lower gear mounting section 418.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 34, a spring mounting portion 419 is formed on the lower rear side of the case unit 410. A ball stopper member biasing spring 485 is attached to the spring mounting portion 419. In addition, a lower passage sensor 466 is attached to the lower rear side of the case unit 410. The lower passage sensor 466 is configured using a photosensor or the like. The lower passage sensor 466 detects gaming balls flowing down the lower passage 411, and outputs a gaming ball detection signal to a frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31.

[0090] As shown in Figure 33, an open / close cover attachment portion 421 is formed on the front right side of the case unit 410. An open / close cover 425 is attached to the open / close cover attachment portion 421 so as to be able to open and close an opening (not shown) formed in the front part of the case unit 410. A closure holder 422 is formed on the front left side of the case unit 410. The closure holder 422 holds the open / close cover 425 in a state in which it closes the opening part of the case unit 410. When the open / close cover 425 opens the opening part of the case unit 410, the polishing unit storage portion 415 is configured to be exposed, and the polishing member 451 of the polishing unit 450 stored in the polishing unit storage portion 415 can be replaced.

[0091] As shown in Figures 31 and 34, the rear cover member 430 is made of a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material) and is formed in the shape of a lid that covers the rear side of the case unit 410, and is attached to the rear side of the case unit 410. A ball inlet 431 and an inlet passage 432, through which game balls that have flowed down the lower tank passage 302 of the tank unit 300 pass, are formed on the lower right side of the rear cover member 430. The ball inlet 431 is formed with an opening facing right so as to be aligned with the ball outlet 304 of the tank unit 300. The inlet passage 432 is formed by bending and extending diagonally downward to the left and diagonally downward to the front from the ball inlet 431, and is connected to the upstream end of the lower passage 411.

[0092] A ball stopper member mounting portion 433 is formed in the lower part of the rear cover member 430 near the top of the inlet passage 432. A transfer ball stopper member 480 is mounted to the ball stopper member mounting portion 433 so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction. An insertion hole 434 is formed in the rear part of the ball stopper member mounting portion 433. A member abutment portion 482 of the ball stopper member mounting portion 433 is inserted into the insertion hole 434. A transfer-side abutment portion 435 is formed on the left side of the ball stopper member mounting portion 433 in the lower part of the rear cover member 430, protruding to the right. The transfer-side abutment portion 435 is formed in a protruding shape with an inclined surface extending obliquely upward and rearward, and is configured to abut against the tank-side abutment portion 362 of the tank ball stopper member 360 in the tank unit 300. A motor accommodating portion 436 that accommodates the rear portion of the drive motor 460 is formed in the upper left part of the rear cover member 430.

[0093] 35, the transfer member 440 is made of a resin material and formed into a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. A spiral portion 441 extending spirally is formed on the outer periphery of the transfer member 440. The transfer member 440 is rotatably housed in the transfer member housing portion 414 of the case unit 410. A third gear 477 of the second drive force transmission mechanism 475 is connected to the lower end of the transfer member 440. When the transfer member 440 rotates around the rotation axis extending in the vertical direction, a game ball that has reached the downstream end of the lower passage 411 is pushed up by the spiral portion 441 and rises to the upstream end of the upper passage 412.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 35 , the polishing unit 450 includes a polishing member 451, an upper support portion 452, and a lower support portion 453, and is rotatably housed in the polishing unit housing portion 415 of the case unit 410. The polishing member 451 is cylindrical and detachably supported by the upper support portion 452 and the lower support portion 453. The upper support portion 452 is connected to a first gear 472 of a first driving force transmission mechanism 470 and is configured to detachably support an upper portion of the polishing member 451 for rotation. The lower support portion 453 is connected to a second gear 476 of a second driving force transmission mechanism 475 and is configured to detachably support a lower portion of the polishing member 451 for rotation. The polishing member 451 is configured to come into contact with a game ball that is being raised while sandwiched between the transport member 440 and the transport member 440, and polish the surface of the game ball by rotating about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0095] The drive motor 460 is configured using a servo motor or the like, and is housed in the motor housing portion 416 of the case unit 410 and the motor housing portion 436 of the rear cover member 430, as shown in Figure 35. The drive motor 460 drives and rotates the polishing unit 450 (polishing member 451) and the transport member 440 via a first drive force transmission mechanism 470 and a second drive force transmission mechanism 475.

[0096] 35, the first driving force transmission mechanism 470 includes a pinion gear 471 connected to the output shaft (not shown) of the drive motor 460, and a first gear 472 meshing with the pinion gear 471 and connected to the upper support portion 452 of the polishing unit 450. The first driving force transmission mechanism 470 transmits the rotational driving force of the drive motor 460 to the upper support portion 452 of the polishing unit 450 via the pinion gear 471 and the first gear 472.

[0097] 35, the second driving force transmission mechanism 475 includes a second gear 476 connected to the lower support portion 453 of the polishing unit 450, and a third gear 477 meshing with the second gear 476 and connected to the lower end of the transfer member 440. The second driving force transmission mechanism 475 transmits the rotational driving force of the drive motor 460 to the transfer member 440 via the second gear 476 and the third gear 477.

[0098] 34, the transfer ball stopping member 480 is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the front-rear direction using a resin material such as polyacetal resin (POM). The transfer ball stopping member 480 is attached to the ball stopping member mounting portion 433 of the case unit 410 to prevent the game ball from passing through the ball inlet 431. The transfer ball stopping member 480 is attached so that it can slide back and forth between a passage restriction position (see Figure 31) that restricts the passage of game balls and a pass-through position (see Figure 32) that allows game balls to pass through the ball entrance 431. A plate-shaped ball stopping portion 481 that extends downward is formed at the bottom of the transfer ball stopping member 480. The ball stopping portion 481 blocks part of the ball entrance 431 when the transfer ball stopping member 480 moves to the passage restriction position, and receives game balls that have flowed back up the entrance passage 432.

[0099] A member abutment portion 482 is formed at the rear of the transfer ball stop member 480, protruding rearward. The member abutment portion 482 is adapted to abut against the rear wall portion (not shown) of the transfer device mounting portion 203. A spring receiving portion 483 is formed on the left front side of the transfer ball stop member 480. The rear end portion of a ball stop member biasing spring 485 attached to the spring mounting portion 419 abuts against the spring receiving portion 483. The ball stop member biasing spring 485 is configured using a compression coil spring or the like, and applies a biasing force to the transfer ball stop member 480 in a direction toward the pass restriction position.

[0100] [Configuration of relay passage unit] Next, the relay passage unit 500 will be described with additional reference to Figures 36 to 42. As shown in Figures 36 to 40, the relay passage unit 500 is configured to have a passage forming member 510, a relay ball stopping member 530, and a light-shielding cover 540. The relay passage unit 500 causes the game balls sent from the transfer device 400 to flow down to the launch unit 210.

[0101] As shown in Figures 36 to 40, the passageway forming member 510 is formed in a box shape using a translucent resin material (for example, a transparent resin material). A game ball relay passage 512 through which game balls can flow down is formed at the front inside the passageway forming member 510. The game ball relay passage 512 is formed by bending from the upper left of the passageway forming member 510 diagonally downward to the right in a generally L-shape when viewed from the front. A game ball inlet 511 is formed at the upstream end of the game ball relay passage 512 located at the upper left of the passageway forming member 510, and is aligned with the ball outlet 413 of the transfer device 400 so that game balls can pass through. A game ball outlet 513 is formed at the downstream end of the game ball relay passage 512 located at the lower right of the passageway forming member 510, and is aligned with the ball inlet 277 of the launching unit 210 so that game balls can pass through.

[0102] As shown in Figure 38, a foul ball relay passage 517 through which game balls can flow down is formed at the rear interior side of the passage forming member 510. The foul ball relay passage 517 is formed by extending diagonally downward and rearward from the upper rear part of the passage forming member 510. At the upstream end of the foul ball relay passage 517 located at the upper rear part of the passage forming member 510, a foul ball recovery port 516 is formed facing upward, into which game balls that are shot out from the launching unit 210 but do not reach the game area PA fall (see also Figure 42). As shown in Figure 39, at the downstream end of the foul ball relay passage 517 located at the lower rear part of the passage forming member 510, a foul ball outlet 518 is formed that is aligned with the foul ball inlet 311 of the tank unit 300 and through which game balls can pass.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 39, a first game ball detection sensor mounting portion 521 is formed on the lower right side of the passage forming member 510. A first game ball detection sensor 551 is mounted to the first game ball detection sensor mounting portion 521. The first game ball detection sensor 551 is configured using a photosensor or the like. The first game ball detection sensor 551 detects a game ball flowing down the downstream portion of the game ball relay passage 512, and outputs a game ball detection signal to a frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31. A second game ball detection sensor mounting portion 522 is formed on the left side of the first game ball detection sensor mounting portion 521 at the lower part of the passage forming member 510. A second game ball detection sensor 552 is mounted to the second game ball detection sensor mounting portion 522. The second game ball detection sensor 552 is configured using a photosensor or the like. The second game ball detection sensor 552 detects game balls flowing down the middle part of the game ball relay passage 512, and outputs a game ball detection signal to a frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31.

[0104] As shown in Figures 37 and 39, a foul ball detection sensor mounting portion 523 is formed at the rear lower portion of the passage forming member 510. A foul ball detection sensor 553 is attached to the foul ball detection sensor mounting portion 523. The foul ball detection sensor 553 is configured using a magnetic sensor or the like. The foul ball detection sensor 553 detects a game ball (foul ball) passing through the foul ball outlet 518 and outputs a foul ball detection signal to a frame control board (not shown) that constitutes the frame control board case unit 31. As shown in Figures 40 and 41, a ball stopping member mounting portion 524 is formed at the upper right portion of the passage forming member 510. A relay ball stopping member 530 is attached to the ball stopping member mounting portion 524 so that it can slide freely up and down.

[0105] 39, a rib-shaped passage member engaging portion 525 is formed on the bottom portion of the passage forming member 510. The passage member engaging portion 525 is detachably engaged with an engaging claw portion (not shown) formed on the bottom portion of the relay passage unit mounting portion 205. With the passage member engaging portion 525 of the passage forming member 510 and the engaging claw portion of the relay passage unit mounting portion 205 engaged, the relay passage unit 500 (passage forming member 510) is attached and fixed to the relay passage unit mounting portion 205.

[0106] As shown in Figures 40 and 41, the relay ball stopping member 530 is formed in the shape of a block extending in the vertical direction using a resin material such as polyacetal resin (POM). The relay ball stopping member 530 is attached to the ball stopping member mounting portion 524 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction between a passage restriction position that restricts game balls from passing through the game ball outlet 513 and a passage allowing position (see Figure 40) that allows game balls to pass through the game ball outlet 513. A plate-shaped ball stopping portion 531 extending downward is formed at the bottom of the relay ball stopping member 530. The ball stopping portion 531 blocks a portion of the game ball outlet 513 when the relay ball stopping member 530 moves to the passage restriction position, and receives game balls that have reached the downstream end of the game ball relay passage 512.

[0107] An intermediate-side abutment portion 532 is formed on the left side of relay ball stopping member 530. Intermediate-side abutment portion 532 is formed in a recessed shape with an inclined surface that extends diagonally upward to the right, and is configured to abut against launch-side abutment portion 269 of launching unit 210. In addition, a ball stopping member biasing spring 535 is attached to ball stopping member mounting portion 524 of passage forming member 510 together with relay ball stopping member 530. Ball stopping member biasing spring 535 is configured using a compression coil spring or the like, and applies a biasing force to relay ball stopping member 530 in a direction toward the passage restriction position.

[0108] 36, the light-shielding cover 540 is formed in a thin plate shape using a resin material having light-shielding properties. The light-shielding cover 540 is attached to the front side of the path forming member 510, and covers the front of the first game ball detection sensor 551 and the second game ball detection sensor 552 to block light.

[0109] The enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine PM configured as described above is used for gaming with the outer frame 1 fixedly installed on a gaming island (not shown) of a gaming facility, and the front frame 2, glass frame 5, etc. closed and locked, and the game is started by rotating the launch handle 9. When the launch handle 9 is rotated, the ball feeder 251 of the launch unit 210 sends gaming balls one by one to the launcher 211, and the launcher 211 shoots the gaming balls upward and left toward the gaming area PA.

[0110] Game balls that roll down the game area PA of the game board 20 and enter the winning holes of the various winning devices 25 to 27 or that flow into the outlet 29 flow down to the rear side of the game board 20 through through holes (not shown) formed in the game board 20. Game balls that reach the rear side of the game board 20 drop into the upstream part of the recovery passage 209, flow down the recovery passage 209 and are stored in the tank unit 300. Game balls that are shot out by the launching device 211 and do not reach the game area PA fall into the foul ball recovery port 516 of the relay passage unit 500. Foul ball recovery port 516 The gaming balls that fall into the tank unit 300 flow down the foul ball relay passage 517 of the relay passage unit 500 and are stored in the tank unit 300. The transfer device 400 raises the gaming balls stored in the tank unit 300 from the ball outlet 304 at the bottom of the tank unit 300 and sends them to the relay passage unit 500. The relay passage unit 500 causes the gaming balls sent from the transfer device 400 to flow down to the launch unit 210.

[0111] The launching unit 210 is attached to the launching unit attachment portion 201 of the game support area 200, and the relay passage unit 500 is attached to the relay passage unit attachment portion 205 of the game support area 200. At this time, the launch-side abutment portion 269 of the launching unit 210 abuts against the relay-side abutment portion 532 of the relay ball stopping member 530 in the relay passage unit 500, pressing the relay ball stopping member 530 upward, and the relay ball stopping member 530 moves from the passage restriction position to the passage allowing position against the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 535. As a result, a game ball flowing down the game ball relay passage 512 of the relay passage unit 500 can pass through the game ball outlet 513 and flow from the ball inlet 277 into the ball feeding passage 276 of the launching unit 210 (ball feeding device 251).

[0112] When the ball feeding device 251 of the launching unit 210 is swung to the launching device open position and the front side of the launching device 211 is opened, the launch-side abutment portion 269 of the launching unit 210 (ball feeding device 251) moves away from the relay-side abutment portion 532 of the relay ball stopping member 530, and the relay ball stopping member 530 moves to the passage restriction position by the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 535, restricting game balls flowing down the game ball relay passage 512 of the relay passage unit 500 from passing through the game ball outlet 513. Therefore, even if the ball feeding device 251 of the launching unit 210 is swung to the launching device open position and the front side of the launching device 211 is opened, game balls flowing down the game ball relay passage 512 of the relay passage unit 500 do not flow out from the game ball outlet 513, which facilitates maintenance of the launching unit 210 and makes it possible to easily perform maintenance of the sealed circulation type pachinko gaming machine PM. Furthermore, when the ball feeding device 251 is swung from the launching device open position and returned to the launching device closed position, the chamfered portion (not shown) of the launching side abutment portion 269 of the launching unit 210 smoothly contacts the relay side abutment portion 532 of the relay ball stopping member 530, and then abuts against the relay side abutment portion 532, again pressing the relay ball stopping member 530 upward, and the relay ball stopping member 530 moves from the pass-restricted position to the pass-allowed position against the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 535.

[0113] Furthermore, the tank unit 300 is attached to the tank unit attachment portion 207 of the game auxiliary area 200, and the transfer device 400 is attached to the transfer device attachment portion 203 of the game auxiliary area 200. At this time, the transfer-side abutment portion 435 of the transfer device 400 abuts against the tank-side abutment portion 362 of the tank ball stopping member 360 in the tank unit 300, pressing the tank ball stopping member 360 rearward, and the tank ball stopping member 360 moves from the pass-restricted position to the pass-allowed position against the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 365. Furthermore, the rear wall portion (not shown) of the transfer device attachment portion 203 abuts against the member abutment portion 482 of the transfer ball stopping member 480 in the transfer device 400, pressing the transfer ball stopping member 480 forward, and the transfer ball stopping member 480 moves from the pass-restricted position to the pass-allowed position against the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 485. This allows game balls flowing down the lower tank passage 302 of the tank unit 300 to pass through the ball outlet 304 and flow into the inlet passage 432 of the transfer device 400 through the ball inlet 431.

[0114] When the transfer device 400 is removed from the transfer device mounting portion 203, the transfer-side abutment portion 435 of the transfer device 400 moves away from the tank-side abutment portion 362 of the tank ball stopping member 360, and the tank ball stopping member 360 moves to the passage restriction position by the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 365, restricting the game balls stored in the tank unit 300 from passing through the ball outlet 304. Also, since the rear wall portion (not shown) of the transfer device mounting portion 203 moves away from the member abutment portion 482 of the transfer ball stopping member 480, the transfer ball stopping member 480 moves away from the member abutment portion 482 of the ball stopping member biasing spring 485. The force moves the transfer device 400 to the passage restriction position, restricting game balls that have flowed into the entrance passage 432 of the transfer device 400 from flowing back through the ball entrance 431. Therefore, even if the transfer device 400 is removed from the transfer device mounting portion 203, the game balls that have flowed into the entrance passage 432 of the transfer device 400 will not flow out from the ball entrance 431, and the game balls stored in the tank unit 300 will not flow out from the ball exit 304, making maintenance of the transfer device 400 easier and facilitating maintenance of the sealed circulation type pachinko game machine PM.

[0115] According to this embodiment, the launch unit 210, the tank unit 300, the transfer device 400, and the relay passage unit 500 are provided in the game support area 200 below the game board 20. As a result, the launch unit 210, the tank unit 300, the transfer device 400, and the relay passage unit 500 are arranged at approximately the same height, which makes it easy to access the launch unit 210, the tank unit 300, the transfer device 400, and the relay passage unit 500, and makes it easy to perform maintenance on the sealed circulation type pachinko game machine PM.

[0116] The tank unit 300 is disposed between the front frame 2 and the frame control board case unit 31 while being attached to a tank unit attachment portion 207 provided on the rear side of the game auxiliary area 200, i.e., below the game board 20 on the rear side of the front frame 2. This allows the tank unit 300 to be detachably attached to the tank unit attachment portion 207 from below without removing the frame control board case unit 31, which facilitates maintenance of the tank unit 300 and makes it possible to easily perform maintenance on the sealed circulation type pachinko game machine PM.

[0117] Furthermore, when the tank unit 300 is attached to the tank unit mounting portion 207 and the transfer device 400 is attached to the transfer device mounting portion 203, the transfer side abutment portion 435 of the transfer device 400 abuts against the tank side abutment portion 362 of the tank ball stopping member 360 and presses the tank ball stopping member 360, and the tank ball stopping member 360 moves from the pass-restricted position to the pass-allowed position against the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 365, allowing the game balls stored in the tank unit 300 to pass through the ball outlet 304 and flow into the transfer device 400. As a result, when the transfer device 400 is removed from the transfer device mounting portion 203, the transfer-side abutment portion 435 of the transfer device 400 moves away from the tank-side abutment portion 362 of the tank ball stopping member 360, and the tank ball stopping member 360 moves to the passage restriction position by the biasing force of the ball stopping member biasing spring 365, restricting the game balls contained in the tank unit 300 from passing through the ball outlet 304. Therefore, even if the transfer device 400 is removed from the transfer device mounting portion 203, the game balls contained in the tank unit 300 do not flow out from the ball outlet 304, making maintenance of the transfer device 400 easier and enabling maintenance of the sealed circulation type pachinko game machine PM to be performed more easily.

[0118] In the above-described embodiment, a pachinko game machine, which is a pinball game machine, was used as an example of a game machine to which the present invention can be applied, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be similarly applied to, for example, arrange ball, mahjong ball game machines, slot machines, etc., and similar effects can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] PM Pachinko machine (pinball machine) PA Entertainment Area 1 Outer frame 2 Front frame 20 Game Board 31 Frame control board 100 Upper lighting effect device 101 Base material 110 Light emitting element substrate 113L First left light emitting element 113R First right light emitting element 114L Second left light emitting element 114R Second right light emitting element 115L Third left light emitting element 115R Third right light emitting element 120 Lamphouse 150L Left transparent member 150R Right transparent member 151L Left base part 151R Right base part 152L 1st left protrusion 152R 1st right protrusion 154L 2nd left protrusion 154R 2nd right protrusion 156L 3rd left protrusion 156R 3rd right protrusion 162L 1st left bending section 162R 1st right bending section 164L 2nd left bending section 164R 2nd right bending section 166L 3rd left bend 166R 3rd right bend 170 Decorative Cover 180 Lamp Cover 200 Gaming Support Area 201 Launch unit mounting part 203 Transfer device mounting part 205 Relay passage unit mounting part 207 Tank unit mounting part 209 Collection passage 210 Launch Unit 211 Launcher 251 Ball Feeder 300 Tank Unit 360 Tank ball stopper 400 Transfer device 500 Relay passage unit

Claims

[Claim 1] a game board provided on the front side with a game area having an entry opening into which game balls can enter and an exit opening through which game balls that cannot enter the entry opening pass; A frame member for holding the game board; A launching unit attached to the front side of the frame member below the game board and launching game balls toward the game area; A collection passage section for allowing game balls that enter the winning hole or pass through the out hole and reach the rear side of the game board to flow down; A tank unit attached to the rear side of the frame member below the game board and accommodating game balls that have flowed down the recovery passage portion. A transfer device attached to the front side of the frame member below the game board and configured to transfer the game balls stored in the tank unit from the bottom of the tank unit upward; A relay passage unit is attached to the front side of the frame member below the game board, and causes the game balls sent from the transfer device to flow down to the launch unit. The tank unit has a ball outlet provided at the bottom of the tank unit and through which game balls stored in the tank unit pass, a ball stopping member movable between a pass-through position that allows game balls to pass through the ball outlet and a pass-restriction position that restricts game balls from passing through the ball outlet, and a biasing member that applies a biasing force in a direction toward the pass-restriction position of the ball stopping member, and is detachably attached to a tank mounting portion provided below the game board on the rear side of the frame member, The transfer device has a transfer-side abutment portion that can abut against the ball stopper member, and is detachably attached to a transfer device attachment portion provided below the game board on the front side of the frame member, the ball stopper member has a tank-side contact portion that can contact the transfer-side contact portion, A pinball game machine characterized in that when the tank unit is attached to the tank mounting portion and the transfer device is attached to the transfer device mounting portion, the transfer side abutment portion abuts against the tank side abutment portion and presses the ball stopping member, and the ball stopping member moves from the pass-restricting position to the pass-allowing position against the biasing force of the biasing member, allowing the game balls contained in the tank unit to pass through the ball outlet and flow into the transfer device.

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