gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing interest of a player.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a normal winning port (a through-gate) 765 arranged on an upstream side of a movable plate member 461 and a normal winning port (a through-gate) 3765 arranged at a position different from the upstream side of the movable plate member 461, so that it is possible to frequently cause situations in which game balls are detected in the normal winning ports (through-gates) 765, 3765. Thus, it is possible to improve operation frequency of the movement plate member 641, so that it is possible to enhance interest of a player. Also, it is possible to rectify flow of game balls by a flow path connecting the normal winning port (the through-gate) 765 to the movement plate member 641 being formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 25

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, Displacement The means Displacement controlled, Displacement There is a gaming machine in which gaming balls are caused to flow down by a means (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-181572 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, Displacement The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and there is a problem that there is room for improvement in terms of optimizing the flow of the game balls by the means. Displacement The object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can make the flow of gaming balls by means suitable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 comprises a gaming ball launching device that launches gaming balls, a gaming area configuration means that configures a gaming area into which the gaming balls launched by the gaming ball launching device flow, and a detection device that is disposed in the gaming area and detects the passage of the gaming balls. predetermined detection means and predetermined Based on the detection of the passage of the game ball by the detection means Displacement Can be controlled Displacement A gaming machine comprising: Displacement The means is DisplacementThe ball control device is configured to be displaceable between a first position and a second position, and includes a first component part through which the game ball can flow down when the first component part is located at the first position, and a second component part different from the first component part, and at least Displacement In a predetermined state that can occur when the gaming machine is positioned at the first position by control, the flow-down manner of the gaming balls in the first component part and the flow-down manner of the gaming balls in the second component part can be made different, and the gaming machine is configured so that the gaming balls that have flowed down the first component part can flow down the second component part, The device is configured so that a gaming ball that has passed through the displacement means can enter a specific entrance, so that a gaming ball that has entered the specific entrance can pass through a specific position, so that a gaming ball flowing down on the first component can flow down in a predetermined direction when the displacement means is displaced from the first position to the second position, so that a gaming ball that has flowed down in the predetermined direction can enter a predetermined entrance different from the specific entrance, so that a gaming ball that has entered the predetermined entrance can pass through the specific position, and is equipped with specific detection means that can detect a gaming ball that has passed the specific position. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, Displacement The means can make the flow of game balls preferable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the path configuration device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged front view of the path configuration device. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are partial cross-sectional views of the path configuration device taken along line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7(a) and 7(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 7(a) and 7(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. [Figure 10] 7(a) and 7(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. [Figure 11]7(a) and 7(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device in a range VIIIa of FIG. 6. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the game board in range XII of FIG. 2. [Figure 13] (a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ROM in the main control unit, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the type of jackpot for special patterns, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter and the winning type for normal patterns. [Figure 14] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams showing an example of the detection of the passage of a ball through a normal winning opening (through gate) and the time-based change in the state of the electric device. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 1A is a front view of the front unit, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the front unit. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2A is a front view of the distribution unit, and FIG. 2B is a rear view of the distribution unit. [Figure 20] 20(a) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit taken along line XXa-XXa in FIG. 19(a), and FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit taken along line XXb-XXb in FIG. 20(a). [Figure 21] 20(a) and 20(b) are cross-sectional views of the distribution unit taken along line XXb-XXb in FIG. 20(a). [Figure 22] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams showing an example of detection of the passage of a ball by the detection device and a change in the state of the wing member over time. [Figure 23] FIG. 16(a) is a cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. [Figure 24] 24(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of the winning slot unit and the ball throwing unit taken along line XXIVa-XXIVa in FIG. 23. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 11 is a partial front view of a game board in a third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a partial front view of a game board in a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 14, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0013] In the following explanation, the front side of the paper will be referred to as the front (front) side and the back side of the paper will be referred to as the rear (rear) side with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Fig. 1. Also, with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Fig. 1, the upper side will be referred to as the upper (upper) side, the lower side will be referred to as the lower (lower) side, the right side will be referred to as the right (right) side, and the left side will be referred to as the left (left) side. Furthermore, arrows UD, LR, and FB in the figure (see Fig. 2, for example) indicate the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-back direction of the pachinko machine 10, respectively.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, pachinko machine 10 comprises outer frame 2, the outer shell of which is formed by wooden frames assembled into a roughly rectangular shape, and inner frame 4, which is formed in roughly the same external shape as outer frame 2 and is supported so as to be able to open and close relative to outer frame 2. Metal hinges 18 are attached to outer frame 2 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support inner frame 4, and inner frame 4 is supported so as to be able to open and close towards the front, with the side where hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0015] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having numerous nails and winning holes 63, 64, etc., is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 4. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. Attached to the inner frame 4 are a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls into the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0016] On the front side of the inner frame 4, there is a front door 5 that covers the upper front side, and a lower tray unit 15 that covers the lower side. To support the front door 5 and lower tray unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and the front door 5 and lower tray unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front, with the side where the hinges 19 are installed serving as the opening and closing axis. The inner frame 4 and the front door 5 can be unlocked by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0017] The front door 5 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 5c formed in a roughly oval shape at its approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass plates 8 is disposed on the rear side of the front door 5, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0018] In the front door 5, an upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top and protruding forward, and prize balls, loan balls, etc. are discharged onto this upper tray 17. The bottom of the upper tray 17 is formed to slope downward to the right when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and this slope guides balls dropped into the upper tray 17 to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4). In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the top surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, to change the stage of the effect displayed on the third pattern display device 81 (see FIG. 2) or to change the content of the super reach effect.

[0019] The front door 5 is provided with various light-emitting devices such as various lamps around its periphery (e.g., corners). These light-emitting devices change their light-emitting modes by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or when a predetermined reach is reached, thereby enhancing the presentation effects during the game. The periphery of the window 5c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps, such as jackpot lamps. When a jackpot is hit or a reach presentation is being performed, the built-in LEDs cause each illumination unit 29-33 to light up or blink, thereby indicating that a jackpot is being achieved or that the player is in a reach phase just before a jackpot. Furthermore, the upper left corner of the front door 5, as viewed from the front (see Figure 1), is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs, which can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error has occurred.

[0020] Additionally, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the backside of the lower side of the right-side illumination unit 32 so that the backside of the front door 5 can be seen, and certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see Figure 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Additionally, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29 to 33 to create a more dazzling appearance.

[0021] A ball dispensing operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 5c. The ball dispensing operation unit 40 is provided with a number display unit 41, a ball dispensing button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball dispensing unit) (not shown) located on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are dispensed in accordance with the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and an internal LED lights up to display the remaining balance numerically as the remaining balance information. The ball dispensing button 42 is operated to obtain dispensed balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and dispensed balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated to request the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispensing device to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to standardize pachinko machines that use card units and cash machines.

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

[0023] The operating handle 51 contains a touch sensor 51a for permitting the operation of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b that stops the launch of balls while the switch is pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51 by changes in electrical resistance. When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the amount of rotation, launching the ball with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, thereby hitting the ball toward the front of the game board 13 at a distance corresponding to the player's operation. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are off.

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

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a number of nails (not shown) and windmills for guiding balls on a base plate 60 cut into an approximately square shape when viewed from the front, as well as rails 61, 62, a general prize opening 63, a first prize opening 64, a second prize opening 640, a variable prize opening device 65, regular prize openings (through gates) 66, 67, a variable display device unit 80, etc., and its peripheral portion is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 1).

[0026] The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material and is formed so that the player can see from the front side thereof the various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60. The general winning opening 63, the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, the variable winning device 65, and the variable display unit 80 are arranged in through holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed from the front side of the game board 13 with tapping screws or the like.

[0027] The construction of the base plate 60 is not limited to resin material. For example, it may be made of wood with thin plates glued together, and the various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 may be formed so that they cannot be seen by the player from the front side.

[0028] The central front portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through a window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0029] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a generally arcuate shape is set up on the front of the gaming board 13, and an arcuate inner rail 61 formed from a strip-shaped metal plate like the outer rail 62 is set up inside the outer rail 62. The outer periphery of the front of the gaming board 13 is surrounded by the inner rail 61 and outer rail 62, and the front and back are surrounded by the gaming board 13 and glass unit 16 (see Figure 1), so that a gaming area where games are played based on the behavior of balls is formed in front of the gaming board 13. The gaming area is an area (an area where winning slots and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down) defined in front of the gaming board 13 by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin arc member 70 connecting the rails.

[0030] The above-mentioned game area is interpreted in a narrow sense, and in a broader sense, the game area may be expressed as the area where game balls flow down until the profit given to the player by the flowing game balls is determined. In this sense, the game area is not limited to the area on the front side of the game board 13. For example, the path located upstream of the sensor SE described below is also included in the game area.

[0031] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the top of the game board 13. A ball return prevention member 68 is attached to the tip (upper left in FIG. 2) of the inner rail 61, preventing a ball once guided to the top of the game board 13 from returning to the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip (upper right in FIG. 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight point of the ball. A ball launched with more than a predetermined force hits the return rubber 69, reducing its momentum and bouncing back toward the center. In addition, a resin arc member 70, formed with an arc on the inner surface connecting the rails, is driven into the base plate 60 between the tip on the lower right side of the inner rail 61 and the tip on the upper right side of the outer rail 62.

[0032] The lottery based on winning will be explained in detail below. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, a lottery for a special symbol (first symbol) is held when a ball wins a prize (a prize that can be expected to provide the player with some kind of benefit (for example, the payout of prize balls, the execution of a lottery, or the benefit of moving to a more advantageous state)) in the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640, and a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) is held when the ball passes through the normal winning slots 66, 67 (or the normal winning slot (through gate) 765 described later). In the lottery for a special symbol held for a ball that wins in the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640, a determination is made as to whether or not a jackpot for the special symbol has been won, and if a jackpot for the special symbol has been determined, the type of jackpot is also determined.

[0033] In this pachinko machine 10, in a low probability state of the special symbol, a jackpot of the special symbol is determined with a probability of 1 in 320, for example, and in a high probability state of the special symbol (also called a special symbol probability state), a jackpot of the special symbol is determined with a probability of 1 in 60, for example. For ease of explanation, the lottery for the special symbol that is conducted when a gaming ball that has entered the first winning port 64 is detected by the sensor SE described below is referred to as the "lottery for special symbol 1," and the lottery for the special symbol that is conducted when a gaming ball that has entered the second winning port 640 is detected by a downstream sensor (not shown) is referred to as the "lottery for special symbol 2."

[0034] When a special symbol jackpot occurs, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to a special game state, and the specific winning port 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have passed, or until 10 balls (a specified number) have entered), and this operation is repeated up to 15 times (15 rounds). As a result, a large number of balls enter the specific winning port 65a, and a larger number of prize balls are paid out than usual. Note that the fact that prize balls are paid out when balls enter the specific winning port 65a and the number of balls paid out will be described later.

[0035] There are six types of jackpots for special symbols: "jackpot A," "jackpot B," "jackpot C," "jackpot a," "jackpot b," and "jackpot c." Details will be described later, but the number of rounds of the special game and the operation pattern of the electric accessory 640a after the special game ends are configured to differ depending on the jackpot type.

[0036] When a lottery for a special symbol (first symbol) is held, the first symbol display device 37 starts displaying a variable special symbol, and after a predetermined time (for example, 11 to 60 seconds) has elapsed, a static display of the special symbol indicating the result of the lottery is displayed. If a ball enters the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640 while the variable display is being displayed on the first symbol display device 37, the number of balls entering each winning slot is reserved up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed on the first symbol display device 37 and also on the third symbol display device 81. When the variable display on the first symbol display device 37 ends, if there are still reserved balls remaining for the first winning slot 64 (reserved balls for special symbol 1) or the second winning slot 640 (reserved balls for special symbol 2), the next special symbol is drawn, and a variable display corresponding to the lottery is started. In addition, if there are both reserved balls with special pattern 1 and reserved balls with special pattern 2 remaining, the lottery based on the reserved balls with special pattern 2 will be carried out first.

[0037] In this embodiment, if there are both reserved balls for special pattern 1 and reserved balls for special pattern 2 remaining, the lottery based on the reserved balls for special pattern 2 is executed preferentially, but this is not limited to this. For example, the lottery may be executed preferentially in the order in which the special patterns are obtained (in the order in which the balls are scored), or the lottery may be executed alternately for special pattern 1 and special pattern 2, or the lottery may be executed simultaneously for special pattern 1 and special pattern 2.

[0038] In the lottery for the normal symbol (second symbol), a win / loss determination is made as to whether or not the normal symbol is a winning symbol. If the normal symbol is a winning symbol, the electric device 640a attached to the second winning hole 640 is driven for a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 seconds or 1 second), making it easier for the ball to enter the second winning hole 640. In other words, if the normal symbol is a winning symbol, it becomes easier for the ball to enter the second winning hole 640, and as a result, it becomes easier for the lottery for the special symbol to be drawn.

[0039] Furthermore, when a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) is conducted, the second symbol display device 83 starts displaying a variable normal symbol, and after a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 seconds or 1 second) has elapsed, the normal symbol indicating the lottery result is displayed statically. If a ball passes through the normal winning slot 66, 67, 765 while the variable display is being conducted on the second symbol display device 83, the number of times it has passed is reserved up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed on the first symbol display device 37 and also on the second symbol reserved lamp 84. When the variable display on the second symbol display device 83 has ended, if there are reserved balls remaining for the normal winning slot 66, 67, 765, the next normal symbol is drawn, and the variable display corresponding to that lottery is started.

[0040] In this embodiment, as added value after a jackpot ends, the pachinko machine 10 is configured to transition to a high probability state of special symbols (special symbol probability change state) from the end of the jackpot until the next jackpot (for example, jackpot A, jackpot B, jackpot a, jackpot b described below), or to a time-saving state of normal symbols after a jackpot game until 100 special symbol lottery draws are completed (for example, jackpot C, jackpot c described below).

[0041] In this embodiment, when a special symbol is given a high probability state after the end of a special game state, the high probability state of the special symbol is explained as continuing until the next jackpot occurs, but this is not limited to this. For example, the high probability state of the special symbol (high probability state) may be given from the end of the special game state until 100 special symbol lottery draws have been completed, and after 100 special symbol lottery draws have been completed, the state may be set to normal.

[0042] The number of times the special symbol is drawn to give the special symbol a high probability state (high probability state) is not limited to 100. For example, it may be 50 times or 200 times.

[0043] In addition, the number of times that the special symbols that result in the time-saving state of the normal symbols are drawn is not limited to 100. For example, it may be 50 times, 5 times, or 0 times.

[0044] Here, the "high probability state of special symbols" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot increases as an added value after the end of a jackpot, i.e., a time when the probability is fluctuating (during a probability change), in other words, a game state in which it is easy to transition to a special game state. In this embodiment, the high probability state of special symbols (during a probability change of special symbols) includes a game state in which the probability of winning with the normal symbol (second symbol) does not change, but the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 640. On the other hand, the "low probability state of special symbols" refers to a time when the probability of a special symbol is not in a probability change of special symbols, and refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot is normal, i.e., a state in which the probability of a jackpot is lower than during a probability change of special symbols.

[0045] In addition, the "time-saving state of normal symbols (during time-saving)" refers to a game state in which the probability of winning a normal symbol does not change, but the ball is likely to enter the second winning slot 640. In addition, the "normal state" refers to a game state in which the probability of winning a special symbol is not in a variable state, and the time-saving state of normal symbols is not in a variable state (in which the probability of winning a jackpot and the probability of winning a normal symbol (second symbol) are not changed, and the ball is not likely to enter the second winning slot 640).

[0046] During a special symbol probability variation or a normal symbol time reduction, the time for which the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is opened is changed and set to a longer time than in the normal state. When the electric device 640a is in an excited state (excited state, a state in which the moving plate member 641 described later is positioned in the front position and enters the first ball throwing path KR1), the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 640 than when the electric device 640a is in a de-excited and retracted state (de-excited state, a state in which the moving plate member 641 described later is positioned in the rear position and retracted from the first ball throwing path KR1). Therefore, during a special symbol probability variation or a normal symbol time reduction, the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 640. In other words, the special symbol lottery is more likely to be drawn.

[0047] In addition, during the special symbol probability change period or the normal symbol time reduction period, instead of changing the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times that the electric device 640a opens when a normal symbol wins may be increased compared to the normal state.

[0048] In addition, during the special pattern probability change period or the normal pattern time reduction period, the probability of winning the normal pattern (second pattern) may be increased, and at least one of the time for which the electric device 640a attached to the second winning slot 640 is opened and the number of times the electric device 640a is opened may be changed.

[0049] In addition, during the special pattern probability change or the normal pattern time reduction, the time for which the electric device 640a attached to the second winning slot 640 is opened or the number of times the electric device 640a is opened may be left unchanged, and only the probability of winning the normal pattern (second pattern) may be increased compared to the normal state.

[0050] First symbol display devices 37A and 37B, each equipped with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display as light-emitting means, are disposed in the lower left portion of the game area as viewed from the front (lower left portion of FIG. 2). The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B display information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and primarily display the game status of the pachinko machine 10. In this embodiment, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be selectively used depending on whether the ball has entered the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640. Specifically, when the ball has entered the first winning slot 64, the first symbol display device 37A is activated, and when the ball has entered the second winning slot 640, the first symbol display device 37B is activated.

[0051] Furthermore, the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in a probability variable, time-saving, or normal mode, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbol corresponds to a probability variable jackpot, a normal jackpot, or a missing symbol, and the number of reserved balls, and also display the number of rounds during a jackpot and errors using a 7-segment display device. The multiple LEDs are configured to emit different colors (e.g., red, green, blue), and the various game states of the pachinko machine 10 can be indicated using a small number of LEDs by combining different colors.

[0052] If a ball enters the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640 while the first pattern display devices 37A, 37B are displaying a varying special pattern (first pattern), the number of balls entering each winning slot is reserved up to a maximum of four times, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display devices 37A, 37B and also by the third pattern display device 81. In this embodiment, the sensor SE located downstream of the first winning slot 64 and the second winning slot 640 are each configured to be reserved up to four times, but the maximum number of reserved times is not limited to four, and may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight times).

[0053] In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery is held when a prize is won at either the sensor SE located downstream of the first prize slot 64 or the second prize slot 640. In the lottery, the pachinko machine 10 determines whether or not a jackpot has been won (jackpot lottery), and if a jackpot has been determined, it also determines the type of jackpot. The jackpot types that can be determined here include a 15R variable probability jackpot, an 8R variable probability jackpot, a 4R regular jackpot, and a 15R regular jackpot. The first symbol display devices 37A, 37B not only show whether or not the result of the lottery is a jackpot as the stopped symbol after the variation ends, but also display a symbol corresponding to the type of jackpot if a jackpot has been won.

[0054] Here, a "15R guaranteed jackpot" refers to a guaranteed jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and an "8R guaranteed jackpot" refers to a guaranteed jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 8.

[0055] In addition, a "4R normal jackpot" is a jackpot that transitions to a low probability state after a jackpot with a maximum of 4 rounds, and is in a time-saving state for a predetermined number of fluctuations (for example, 100 fluctuations), and a "15R normal jackpot" is a jackpot that transitions to a low probability state after a jackpot with a maximum of 15 rounds, and is in a time-saving state for a predetermined number of fluctuations (for example, 100 fluctuations).

[0056] In addition, the "high probability state" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot increases as an added value after the jackpot has ended, that is, a time when the probability is fluctuating (during a special probability change), in other words, a gaming state in which it is easy to transition to a special gaming state.

[0057] The "low probability state" refers to a state when the game is not in a special probability state, and the jackpot probability is in a normal state, i.e., a state in which the jackpot probability is lower than when the game is in a special probability state. In addition, the time-saving state (during time-saving) of the "low probability state" refers to a game state in which the jackpot probability is in a normal state, and the jackpot probability remains the same, but the operation pattern of the electric accessory 640a changes (or the probability of winning the second symbol (normal symbol) increases), making it easier for the ball to enter the second winning slot 640. On the other hand, when the pachinko machine 10 is in a normal state, it refers to a game state in which the game is not in a special probability state or a time-saving state (a state in which neither the jackpot probability nor the ease of winning the second winning slot 640 has increased).

[0058] During the probability variation or time-saving mode, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time for which the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the electric device 640a is in an open state (open state), the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 640 than when the electric device 640a is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the probability variation or time-saving mode, the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 640, and the number of times the jackpot lottery is held can be increased.

[0059] During a probability variation or a time-saving period, instead of changing the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640, or in addition to changing the opening time, a change may be made to increase the number of times the electric device 640a opens per hit compared to normal. Also, during a probability variation or a time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol may not be changed, but at least one of the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 and the number of times the electric device 640a opens per hit may be changed. Also, during a probability variation or a time-saving period, the opening time of the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 or the number of times the electric device 640a opens per hit may not be changed, but only the probability of winning the second symbol may be changed to be higher compared to normal.

[0060] The game area is provided with a plurality of general winning holes 63 through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the game area. A variable display unit 80 is also provided in the center of the game area.

[0061] The variable display device unit 80 is provided with a third pattern display device 81 consisting of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as "display device") that displays a changing third pattern in synchronization with the changing display in the first pattern display devices 37A, 37B, triggered by a win (initial win) in either the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640; a second pattern display device 83 consisting of an LED that displays a changing second pattern in response to a ball passing through the normal winning slots (through gates) 66, 67; and a second pattern reserve lamp 84 that indicates, by its lit state, the number of reserved balls corresponding to the number of times the game ball has passed through the normal winning slots 66, 67.

[0062] In addition, a center frame 86 is arranged in the variable display device unit 80 so as to surround the outer periphery of the third pattern display device 81. The third pattern display device 81 can be seen from an opening opened in the center of this center frame 86.

[0063] The third symbol display device 81 is configured with a large 9-inch liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the display control device 114 (see FIG. 4), so that, for example, three symbol rows, top, middle, and bottom, are displayed. Each symbol row is made up of a plurality of symbols (third symbols), and these third symbols are scrolled horizontally for each symbol row, so that the third symbols are variably displayed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81.

[0064] The third symbol display device 81 of this embodiment performs decorative display according to the display of the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B, while the display of the game status accompanied by the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) is performed by the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B. Note that instead of a display device, the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, a reel or the like.

[0065] In this embodiment, the third symbols are composed of 10 types of main symbols numbered "0" to "9." In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, if the result of the lottery for the special symbols performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is a jackpot, a variable display in which the same main symbols line up (a variable display that finally stops with the same main symbols lined up) is performed, and after the variable display ends, a jackpot occurs (a transition to a special game state is initiated). On the other hand, if the result of the lottery for the special symbols is a miss, a variable display in which the same main symbols do not line up (a variable display that finally stops with the symbols not lined up) is performed.

[0066] For example, if the result of the special symbol lottery is a regular jackpot, a variable display will be displayed in which the main symbols with the even numbers "0, 2, 4, 6, 8" will line up. On the other hand, if the probability jackpot is a special jackpot, a variable display will be displayed in which the main symbols with any of the numbers "0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9" will line up, including odd numbers. On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol lottery is a miss, a variable display will be displayed in which the main symbols with the same numbers do not line up.

[0067] Next, a display (right hit navigation) that is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 and prompts the player to aim for the path (flow path) on the right side of the game board 13 and hit the ball will be described.

[0068] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when the special symbol probability variable state or the normal symbol time-saving state is reached, the electric device 640a is likely to guide the game ball, so that by shooting the ball to the right side of the game board 13 where the electric device 640a is located (hitting to the right), the ball is likely to enter the second winning port 640. Also, although details will be described later, if a jackpot is awarded by a lottery for a special symbol (lottery for special symbol 2) based on a ball entering the second winning port 640, it is more likely to be a jackpot that allows the player to win the maximum number of prize balls (jackpot a, b, c) compared to when a jackpot is awarded by a lottery for a special symbol (lottery for special symbol 1) based on a ball entering the first winning port 64.

[0069] Therefore, in the probability variable state of the special symbol that is awarded after the end of the jackpot or the time-saving state of the normal symbol, hitting to the right is advantageous for the player. In other words, even if the probability variable state of the special symbol or the time-saving state of the normal symbol is set, if the player does not hit to the right, it is difficult to get the ball to enter the second winning slot 640, so the player will not be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the probability variable state of the special symbol or the time-saving state of the normal symbol.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a special symbol is in a high probability state or a normal symbol is in a time-saving state, a specific image (right-hit navigation) is displayed so that the player can reliably obtain the benefits of entering a special symbol's high probability state or a normal symbol's time-saving state.

[0071] In the right-hit navigation, the third symbol display device 81 displays the words "Aim to the right!!" along with three right-pointing arrows above and below the words. By displaying these words and arrows, the player is made to feel that he or she should shoot the ball into the path (flow path) provided on the right side of the gaming board 13. Therefore, the player can reliably obtain the benefits of entering the probability variable state of the special symbol and the time-saving state of the normal symbol.

[0072] Next, an example of a warning image displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment will be described. This warning image is an image (right hit warning image) that is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 when it is determined that the player is performing a right hit even though it is not the period in which the player should shoot the ball (hit to the right) into the path (flow path) provided on the right side of the game board 13. More specifically, it is displayed when it is determined that the player is performing a right hit in a normal state (a state in which the player is not in a special symbol probability variable state or a normal symbol time-saving state).

[0073] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the electric device 640a is controlled so as to make it difficult to guide the ball to the second winning slot 640 in the normal state (it is difficult to make the ball enter the second winning slot 640 even when a right hit is made). For this reason, when a right hit is made in the normal state, the player has fewer opportunities to win a lottery for a special symbol compared to when a left hit is made to shoot a ball aiming at the first winning slot 64. In other words, when a right hit is made in the normal state, it is difficult to win a jackpot, which is a loss for the player. Therefore, the system is configured to prevent (suppress) the player from losing money by displaying a right hit warning image to encourage a left hit.

[0074] If it is determined that a player is hitting with the right hand under normal conditions, the third symbol display device 81 will display the words "Warning" and "Play with the left hand!!" By displaying these words, it is possible to make the player aware that they should not hit with the right hand (they should hit with the left hand). In addition, by checking whether or not there is a right-hit warning screen, the hall staff can easily determine whether or not there is a player who is playing in an irregular way by hitting with the right hand under normal conditions.

[0075] In this embodiment, the method of determining whether a right-handed hit is made is to determine whether the ball has entered the normal winning port (through gate) 67 (see Figure 2) into which the ball can flow when a right-handed hit is made.

[0076] In this embodiment, when it is detected that a ball has entered the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 (see FIG. 2) in the normal state, the right-hit warning image is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is detected that a ball has entered the specific winning opening 65a in a state other than the special game state (jackpot state), it may be determined that an illegal game (not limited to a right-hit game, but including, for example, a game mode in which a load is applied to the variable winning device 65 to open the specific winning opening 65a and force the game ball to enter) is being performed, and the right-hit warning image is displayed. This allows the hall staff to easily determine whether or not there is any illegal game simply by checking whether or not the right-hit warning image is displayed.

[0077] Also, for example, when it is detected that a ball has entered the specific winning hole 65a in a state other than the special game state (jackpot state), a signal indicating that cheating is occurring may be output to the hall computer. This allows the hall computer operator to easily determine whether or not cheating is likely to occur and the machine number (location) of the pachinko machine 10 where the cheating is occurring.

[0078] Also, for example, by narrowing the right flow path of the variable display device unit 80, a range through which the gaming ball must pass can be formed, and a detection sensor capable of detecting the passage of the gaming ball can be disposed in that range. In this case, it can be determined that a right hit is being made based on the detection of the passage of the gaming ball by the detection sensor.

[0079] Also, for example, a detection sensor may be provided that can detect the displacement of a movable member (e.g., a windmill) that is located to the left of the top position (corresponding to the center position in FIG. 2) of the variable display unit 80. In this case, when a game ball is being shot out, it can be determined that a right shot is being performed based on the fact that no displacement of the movable member is detected even after the expected operation timing has passed.

[0080] Next, we will explain the warning image that is displayed when an abnormality is detected in the variable winning device 65. Here, an abnormality in the variable winning device 65 is, for example, when a ball is detected entering the specific winning port 65a even though the special game state (jackpot state) is not in effect.

[0081] If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the variable winning device 65, the word "Warning" is displayed in large letters in the center of the third symbol display device 81. Also, below that, the words "Please call a gate error attendant" are displayed. These letters allow the player to determine that an error has occurred in the pachinko machine 10, so that the player can promptly request repairs from a parlor staff member or the like.

[0082] The second symbol display device 83 performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol are alternately lit as a display symbol (second symbol) for a predetermined period of time each time a ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that a ball has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, a lottery is held to determine whether a second symbol will win. If the result of the lottery is a win, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol has been displayed variably. If the result of the lottery is a loss, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "x" symbol after the second symbol has been displayed variably.

[0083] The pachinko machine 10 is configured so that when the variable display on the second pattern display device 83 stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "circle" pattern), the electric device 640a attached to the second winning slot 640 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0084] The time required for the second symbol to change (change time) is set to be shorter during a special symbol probability change or a normal symbol time-saving period than during a normal game state. As a result, the second symbol changes over a shorter period during a special symbol probability change or a normal symbol time-saving period, allowing for more normal symbol (second symbol) lotteries than during a normal game state. This increases the chances of winning a normal symbol, providing the player with more opportunities for the electric device 640a of the second winning slot 640 to be open. Therefore, during a special symbol probability change or a normal symbol time-saving period, the ball can more easily enter the second winning slot 640.

[0085] Note that if the state is made such that the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 640 during a probability variation of the special symbol or a time-saving period of the normal symbol, by increasing the probability of winning or by increasing the opening time or number of times of the electric device 640a, the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol may be kept constant regardless of the gaming state. On the other hand, if the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol is set shorter during a probability variation of the special symbol or a time-saving period of the normal symbol than during the normal state, the winning probability of the normal symbol may be kept constant regardless of the gaming state, or the opening time or number of times of the electric device 640a for one win of the normal symbol may be kept constant regardless of the gaming state.

[0086] The normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67 are attached to the game board in the areas on both sides of the variable display unit 80, and are configured to allow some of the balls that flow down the game board out of the balls that are shot onto the game board to pass through. In addition, the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is disposed so as to be able to detect game balls that flow down the internal flow path of the path configuration device 700.

[0087] When the ball passes through the normal winning entrance (through gate) 66, 67, 765, a lottery for the second symbol is held. After the lottery, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the result of the lottery is a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display, and if the result of the lottery is a loss, an "X" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display.

[0088] The number of times that a ball passes through the normal winning port (through gate) 66, 67, 765 can be reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first symbol display devices 37A, 37B and also lit up by the second symbol reservation lamp 84. Four second symbol reservation lamps 84 are provided, the number corresponding to the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the third symbol display device 81.

[0089] In addition, the variable display of the second symbol may be performed by switching on and off a plurality of lamps in the second symbol display device 83 as in this embodiment, or may be performed using a part of the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B and the third symbol display device 81. Similarly, the lighting of the second symbol reservation lamp 84 may be performed by a part of the third symbol display device 81.

[0090] Furthermore, the maximum number of reserved balls for passing through the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67, 765 is not limited to four, but may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight times). Furthermore, the number of normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67 attached to the base plate 60 is not limited to two, but may be one or any other number (e.g., three or more).

[0091] In addition, the installation positions of the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67 are not limited to both the left and right sides of the variable display device unit 80, but may be, for example, on either the left or right side of the variable display device unit 80, or may be above or below the variable display device unit 80. In addition, since the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display devices 37A, 37B, the second pattern reserved lamp 84 may not be illuminated.

[0092] A first winning hole 64, into which a ball can enter, is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball enters this first winning hole 64, a sensor SE serving as a first winning hole switch provided on the back side of the game board 13 turns on, and when the first winning hole switch turns on, a lottery for a jackpot is conducted by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

[0093] On the other hand, a second winning opening 640 into which a ball can enter is disposed below the first winning opening 64 as viewed from the front. When a ball enters the second winning opening 640, a second winning opening switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the second winning opening switch is turned on, a lottery for a jackpot is conducted by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37B.

[0094] In addition, when a ball enters the first prize slot 64 and the second prize slot 640, the sensor SE as the first prize slot switch or the second prize slot switch (each switch is positioned so that the flowing balls do not pass through consecutively) turns on, and five balls are paid out as prize balls, respectively.

[0095] In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first prize opening 64 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second prize opening 640, but the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first prize opening 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second prize opening 640 may be different numbers, for example, three prize balls may be paid out when a ball enters the first prize opening 64, and five prize balls may be paid out when a ball enters the second prize opening 640. Also, the number of prize balls and the magnitude relationship of the number of prize balls may be reversed.

[0096] An electric device 640a is attached to the second winning opening 640. This electric device 640a is configured to be slidable, and normally the electric device 640a is in a non-excited state (retracted state), making it difficult for the ball to win the second winning opening 640. On the other hand, when the second symbol display device 83 displays a "○" symbol as a result of the variable display of the second symbol, which is performed in response to the passage of the ball through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, the electric device 640a is in an excited state (entering state), making it easy for the ball to win the second winning opening 640.

[0097] As mentioned above, during the probability variation of the special symbol and the time-saving period of the normal symbol, the probability of winning the normal symbol is higher than during the normal state, and the time required for the normal symbol to change is also shorter, so the "○" symbol may be made more likely to appear in the change display of the normal symbol. In other words, the number of times that the electric device 640a is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the probability variation of the special symbol and the time-saving period of the normal symbol, the time for which the electric device 640a is open may also be made longer than during the normal state.

[0098] During the probability variation of the special symbol and the time reduction of the normal symbol, it is possible to create a state in which the ball is more likely to win a prize in the second prize winning slot 640 than in the normal state. On the other hand, the first prize winning slot 64 does not have an electric device like the one provided in the second prize winning slot 640, and the ball is always able to win a prize.

[0099] Here, the probability of winning a jackpot when a ball enters the first winning slot 64 and when a ball enters the second winning slot 640 is the same in both the low probability state and the high probability state. However, the probability of winning a jackpot (jackpot A, a, b, c) that will provide the greatest profit (number of prize balls in the special game state) as the type of jackpot selected in the event of a jackpot is set to be higher when a ball enters the second winning slot 640 than when a ball enters the first winning slot 64. On the other hand, the first winning slot 64 does not have the electric device 640a that the second winning slot 640 has, and the ball is always in a state where it can win a prize.

[0100] Therefore, under normal circumstances, the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is often in a non-energized state (retracted state), making it difficult to win at the second winning slot 640. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for the first winning slot 64, which does not have the electric device 640a, by firing the ball so that it passes to the left of the variable display unit 80 (the so-called "left shot"), and by winning at the first winning slot 64, thereby gaining more opportunities to win the jackpot lottery.

[0101] On the other hand, during the special pattern probability change period or the normal pattern time reduction period, passing the ball through the normal winning slot (through gate) 66, 67, 765 makes it easier for the electric device 640a attached to the second winning slot 640 to enter an excited state (entry state), making it easier for the ball to win at the second winning slot 640. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the ball toward the side where the electric device 640a is located so that it passes to the right of the variable display device 80 (the so-called "right hit"), pass through the normal winning slot (through gate) 67, open the electric device 640a, and aim to win the jackpot by the ball entering the second winning slot 640.

[0102] In this way, the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment can allow the player to change the way the ball is shot between "left hit" and "right hit" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in a probability variation mode, a time-saving mode, or a normal mode). Therefore, the player can have more fun playing the game because it can change the way the ball is shot.

[0103] A variable winning device 65 is disposed below the first winning opening 64, and a horizontally elongated rectangular specific winning opening (large open opening) 65a is provided in the approximate center of the variable winning device 65.

[0104] In the pachinko machine 10, when a jackpot is awarded in a lottery for a special symbol resulting from a win in the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 640, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is illuminated to display the jackpot stop symbol after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed. In addition, the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 to notify the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which the ball is more likely to win. In this special game state, the specific winning slot 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls (a specified number) have won).

[0105] The opening and closing operation of the special winning port 65a can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (15 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual (in this embodiment, 15 balls based on the winning of one ball) as a reward for the game (game value).

[0106] Specifically, the variable winning device 65 includes a horizontally elongated rectangular opening / closing plate that covers the specific winning opening 65a, and a large opening solenoid (not shown) for driving the opening / closing plate to open and close in the forward and backward directions. The specific winning opening 65a is normally in a closed state in which a ball cannot or does not easily win a prize. In the event of a jackpot, the large opening solenoid is driven to retract the opening / closing plate backward, temporarily creating an open state in which a ball can easily win a prize in the specific winning opening 65a, and the device operates to alternate between this open state and the normal closed state.

[0107] The special game state is not limited to the above-described form. A large opening that opens and closes separately from the specific winning opening 65a may be provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a jackpot is lit in the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time. While the specific winning opening 65a is open, a ball entering the specific winning opening 65a triggers the large opening provided separately from the specific winning opening 65a to open for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, thereby forming a special game state. The number of specific winning openings 65a is not limited to one, and one or more (e.g., three) may be provided. The location of the opening is not limited to the lower side of the first winning opening 64, but may be, for example, on the left, right, or upper side of the variable display unit 80.

[0108] An attachment space K1 is provided in the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc., and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be seen through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

[0109] The game board 13 is provided with a first outlet 71. Balls flowing down the game area that do not win in any of the winning holes 63, 64, 65a, 640 are guided through the first outlet 71 to a ball discharge path (not shown). The first outlet 71 is disposed below the first winning hole 64.

[0110] The game board 13 has many nails planted thereon to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and is also provided with various components (apparatuses) such as windmills.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 1 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is a unit equipped with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is a unit equipped with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

[0112] The back pack unit 94 is a unit consisting of the back pack 92 that forms the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each function, ports for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as needed.

[0113] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each housed in board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 each include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to house the respective control devices and boards.

[0114] Furthermore, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) have their box bases and box covers connected (connected by a crimping structure) by a sealing unit (not shown) so that they cannot be opened. A sealing seal (not shown) is affixed to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcibly open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0115] The payout unit 93 comprises a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently sloping downstream, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and dispensing balls using a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately dispenses the required number of balls. A vibrator 134 is attached to the tank rail 131 to impart vibrations to the tank rail 131.

[0116] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state restoration switch 120, the firing control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM deletion switch 122. The state restoration switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jamming (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the firing force of the firing solenoid. The RAM deletion switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0117] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0118] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201, which is a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The MPU 201 contains a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 202 are executed, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. The main control device 110 uses the MPU 201 to execute the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as drawing a jackpot, setting the display on the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and the third symbol display device 81, and drawing the display result on the second symbol display device.

[0119] In addition, in order to instruct sub-controllers such as the dispensing control unit 111 and the voice lamp control unit 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers.

[0120] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201, and a work area (working region) for storing values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0121] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including the time of the power outage; the same applies below) are stored in RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including the time of the power being turned on after the power outage is resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power outage based on the information stored in RAM 203. Writing to RAM 203 is executed by main processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to RAM 203 is executed in start-up processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned on. Note that, when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SG1 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of MPU 201 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to MPU 201, NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage processing.

[0122] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the sound lamp control device 113, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol hold lamp, and solenoids 209 consisting of a large opening solenoid for driving the opening and closing of the specific winning port 65a forward with the lower edge of the opening / closing plate as the axis, and a solenoid for driving the electric role device, and the like, and the MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0123] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 consisting of a group of switches (not shown) and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, as well as a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 (described below) provided in the power supply device 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on signals output from the various switches 208 and a RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0124] The payout control device 111 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by driving a payout motor 216. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores control programs executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0125] Like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, the RAM 213 of the payout control device 111 has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply to the pachinko machine 1 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. Like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like. When the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0126] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, payout motor 216, launch control device 112, etc. Also, although not shown, a prize ball detection switch for detecting paid-out prize balls is connected to the payout control device 111. Note that this prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but not to the main control device 110.

[0127] When the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a ball, the launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and electromagnet are permitted to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and when the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the ball launch is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in accordance with the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51.

[0128] The audio lamp control device 113 controls the output of audio from the audio output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of lighting and extinguishing from the lamp display device (such as the illumination units 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 221, and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0129] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the audio and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, an audio output device 226, a lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc.

[0130] The voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device 110, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). The voice lamp control device 113 also monitors input from the frame button 22, and when the player operates the frame button 22, instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or change the performance content during a super reach. When the stage is changed, the voice lamp control device 113 transmits a back image change command including information about the changed stage to the display control device 114 so that the third symbol display device 81 displays a back image corresponding to the changed stage. Here, the back image refers to an image displayed behind the third symbol, which is the main image displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 in accordance with the commands transmitted from the voice lamp control device 113.

[0131] Furthermore, the voice lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the display control device 114. Based on the display command received from the display control device 114, the voice lamp control device 113 outputs a voice corresponding to the display content from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content of the third pattern display device 81, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device 227 in accordance with the display content.

[0132] The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device 81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on commands received from the voice lamp control device 113. The display control device 114 also transmits display commands to the voice lamp control device 113 as appropriate, notifying the display content of the third pattern display device 81. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display of the third pattern display device 81 with the voice output from the voice output device 226 by outputting voice from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content indicated by the display command.

[0133] The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each component of the pachinko machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruptions due to power outages and the like, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM erasure switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc., via a power supply path (not shown). Briefly, the power supply unit 251 takes in 24-volt AC voltage supplied from an external source, generates 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, motors, etc., a 5-volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0134] The power outage monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power outage signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control unit 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when power is cut off due to a power outage or other reason. The power outage monitoring circuit 252 monitors the 24-volt DC voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and if this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power outage (power outage, power interruption) has occurred and outputs the power outage signal SG1 to the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power outage signal SG1, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power outage and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the 5-volt voltage, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute NMI interrupt processing, even after the 24-volt DC voltage falls below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown) normally.

[0135] The RAM clearing switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clearing signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clearing switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clearing signal SG2 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, it clears the backup data and sends a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0136] The overall configuration of the path configuration device 700 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the path configuration device 700, Figure 6 is a partially enlarged front view of the path configuration device 700, and Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are partial cross-sectional views of the path configuration device 700 taken along line VIIa-VIIa in Figure 6.

[0137] In Fig. 6, the inner peripheral surface of the distribution member 760, the seesaw member 762, the outer shapes of the communication hole 751 and the recovery hole 752 are shown by dashed lines. Also, Fig. 7(a) shows a retracted state in which the electric device 640a is retracted from the first ball sending path KR1 described later, and Fig. 7(b) shows an advanced state in which the electric device 640a is advanced into the first ball sending path KR1.

[0138] As shown in Figure 5, the path configuration device 700 is arranged below the center frame 86 of the game board 13 and is mainly formed with a front side forming portion 710 arranged on the front side of the base plate 60, and a back side forming portion 720 arranged on the back side of the base plate 60.

[0139] The front side forming portion 710 is formed mainly by including a winning member 730 attached to the front side of the base plate 60 and bending members 740 disposed on the front side on both the left and right sides of the winning member 730.

[0140] The rear side forming section 720 is formed mainly by comprising an interposed member 750 attached to the rear side of the base plate 60, a distribution member 760 arranged on the rear side of the interposed member 750, and an electric accessory 640a in which a solenoid 640s is fixedly arranged on the interposed member 750.

[0141] The winning member 730 is arranged on the front surface of the base plate 60, and is formed thinly to cover the through-hole 60a and attached to the base plate 60. The covering plate 711 has an upper ball passing hole 713 drilled in the front-rear direction at the center of the left and right of the covering plate 711, a lower ball passing hole 714 drilled in the front-rear direction below the upper ball passing hole 713, a first winning opening 64 located at the center upper left and right of the covering plate 711, a second winning opening 640 located below the first winning opening 64 (below the lower ball passing hole 714), through-holes 731 located on both left and right sides and formed to penetrate in the front-rear direction, and the through-holes It is mainly formed with a lower insertion hole 732 located below 731 and formed to penetrate in the front-to-back direction, a first ball throwing section 734 having a ball passing hole 734a formed to penetrate in the front-to-back direction to the left of the right lower insertion hole 732, a through hole 735 formed to penetrate in the front-to-back direction as a long hole extending from the right end of the lower edge of the first ball throwing section 734 toward the upper right, a second ball throwing section 736 having a ball passing hole 736a formed to penetrate in the front-to-back direction to the right of the right lower insertion hole 732, and a third ball throwing section 737 formed symmetrically to the first ball throwing section 734 with respect to the upper ball passing hole 713.

[0142] The through hole 731 is a member into which the upper protrusion 741 of the bending member 740 described later is inserted, and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from the front, with an opening slightly larger than the outer shape of the upper protrusion 741 when viewed from the back.

[0143] The lower insertion hole 732 is a hole that communicates with the recovery hole 752 of the interposed member 750 that is disposed on the rear surface side, and is formed at a position facing the recovery hole 752 of the interposed member 750. The lower insertion hole 732 opens in a generally D-shape when viewed from the front, with the lower surface side curved.

[0144] A sensor SE that detects the passage of a ball is disposed on the back surface of the lower insertion hole 732. The sensor SE is a component that is formed in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and has a through hole formed on its side surface with a diameter slightly larger than that of the ball, and the passage of the ball can be detected when the ball passes through the through hole. The sensor SE is disposed so that the axis of the through hole is positioned coaxially with the arc axis on the lower surface of the lower insertion hole 732. This allows the opening direction of the through hole to be inclined slightly downward as it approaches the back surface, thereby preventing a ball passing through the through hole of the sensor SE from remaining inside the through hole.

[0145] The first ball sending section 734 comprises a ball passing hole 734a arranged at a position connected to the upstream end of the first inclined groove 755 of the interposed member 750, a protruding edge portion 734b where the U-shaped edge portion of the ball passing hole 734a when viewed from the front protrudes toward the front side, and a downstream ball sending section 734c which protrudes toward the ball path at the downstream part of the protruding edge portion 734b and has a protruding tip that is shaped to be inclined toward the back side, so that a ball that flows down can be sent to the back side.

[0146] The through-hole 735 is formed in a shape that allows the movable plate member 641 to be inserted in the front-rear direction. That is, the through-hole 735 is formed in a shape that is slightly larger than the outer shapes of the right guide portion 643 and the left guide portion 645 of the movable plate member 641 and the connecting portion that connects them when viewed from the front.

[0147] As a result, when the movable plate member 641 is in the retracted state, the front end of the movable plate member 641 is supported by the through hole 735, and when the movable plate member 641 is in the advanced state, the rear end of the movable plate member 641 is supported by the through hole 735, thereby stabilizing the position of the movable plate member 641.

[0148] The second ball sending section 736 comprises a ball passing hole 736a arranged at a position connected to the upstream end of the second inclined groove 757 of the interposed member 750, a protruding edge portion 736b where the U-shaped edge portion of the ball passing hole 736a when viewed from the front protrudes toward the front side, and a downstream ball sending section 736c which protrudes toward the ball path at the downstream part of the protruding edge portion 736b and has a protruding tip that is shaped to be inclined toward the back side, so that a ball that flows down can be sent to the back side.

[0149] The third ball throwing section 737 is formed symmetrically to the first ball throwing section 734, but is not configured to guide game balls with the electric device 640a. Its shape allows balls to enter from the left, reducing the frequency of balls entering. The third ball throwing section 737 has the same function as the general winning opening 63 (see Figure 2). That is, when a ball enters the third ball throwing section 737, 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls. Note that, because balls rarely enter the third ball throwing section 737, the number of prize balls is set to a maximum (15) in order to maximize the player's profit when a ball does enter.

[0150] The bending member 740 is a member arranged on the front side of the through hole 731 and lower insertion hole 732 of the above-mentioned winning member 730, and two are arranged symmetrically at approximately the center position in the left-right direction of the base plate 60 (see Figure 2) when viewed from the front, and its external shape is formed to be approximately left-right symmetrical.

[0151] Moreover, the bending member 740 is arranged in a position where, when viewed from the front, a gap large enough for a ball to pass through is formed between the bending member 740 and the inner rail 61 (see FIG. 2) that forms the play area. This prevents balls flowing down the play area below the bending member 740 from being pinched between the bending member 740 and the inner rail 61 and remaining in the play area.

[0152] The bending member 740 is formed from a plate-like body that is approximately rectangular when viewed from the front, and is provided with an upper protrusion 741 that protrudes from its back surface, a lower protrusion 743 that protrudes below the upper protrusion 741, and an opening 744 formed between the opposing upper protrusion 741 and lower protrusion 743.

[0153] Upper protrusion 741 is formed in a roughly U-shape that is open on the bottom when viewed from behind, and its outer shape is set to be slightly smaller than the inner shape of through-hole 731 of winning member 730. As a result, when bending member 740 is placed on winning member 730, upper protrusion 741 can be inserted into through-hole 731. Therefore, when bending member 740 is placed on winning member 730, upper protrusion 741 can be inserted and positioned, which simplifies the assembly process.

[0154] The lower protrusion 743 is formed below the upper protrusion 741 and is formed in a generally U-shape when viewed from behind with the upper side open. That is, when viewed from behind, the upper protrusion 741 and the lower protrusion 743 are formed such that the open portions thereof face each other in the vertical direction.

[0155] The lower protrusion 743 is a member for forming a path (hereinafter referred to as the "second ball sending path KR2") for sending a ball sent from the through hole 731 of the winning member 730 toward the bending member 740 to the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730, and is formed at a position opposite the lower insertion hole 732 in the front-to-back direction.

[0156] The protruding distance of lower protrusion 743 toward the rear side is set to a dimension larger than the diameter of the ball. Furthermore, bending member 740 is placed on winning member 730 with the protruding tip surface of lower protrusion 743 abutting against winning member 730. Therefore, the distance dimension between bending member 740 and winning member 730 is made larger than the diameter of the ball, and a ball throwing path (hereinafter referred to as "first ball throwing path KR1") along which the ball is thrown in the vertical direction is formed between bending member 740 and winning member 730.

[0157] The bending member 740 is formed with a guide portion 742 that protrudes from the upper inner surface of the upper protrusion 741 to the lower inner surface of the lower protrusion 743. The guide portion 742 protrudes in a substantially U-shape with an open rear side in a side view.

[0158] The guide portion 742 is a protruding wall that sends the ball vertically from the through hole 731 of the winning member 730 to the bending member 740 (first ball sending path KR1) and then sends it to the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730, and the vertical height of the lower inner edge is formed to be slightly smaller than the height of the lower inner edge of the lower insertion hole 732 located on the back surface.

[0159] Guide portion 742 is formed along the center line in the left-right direction in a front view of through-hole 731 arranged on the rear side. As a result, the ball comes into contact with guide portion 742 and is guided (folded back toward the rear side), so that the ball can be easily displaced in the left-right direction.

[0160] The opening 744 is a predetermined gap formed between the opposing upper protrusion 741 and lower protrusion 743, and is formed on both the left and right sides in rear view. In addition, the opening 744 is formed in a substantially U-shape in side view that is open on the rear side.

[0161] The height of the upper end of the rear end of opening 744 is set to be approximately the same in the vertical direction as the tip side of guide portion 742 at the same front-to-rear position, and the height of the lower end of the rear end is set to be approximately the same in the vertical direction as the lower surface of right guide portion 643 of moving plate member 641. Opening 744 is formed by opening into the left and right side surfaces of the connecting portion between first ball throwing path KR1 and fourth ball throwing path KR4.

[0162] The allocating member 760 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is formed in a box shape with the front side open. The allocating member 760 is bent at approximately the center in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and is formed to slope downward as it moves from the approximately center in the left-right direction outward. Furthermore, both left and right ends of the allocating member 760 are set in positions facing the through holes 731 of the above-mentioned winning member 730.

[0163] The distribution member 760 is mainly formed by a pair of inclined surfaces 761 that slope downward from the center position in the left-right direction when viewed from the front to both the left and right, a seesaw member 762 that is positioned in the center of each of the inclined surfaces 761, a ball sending port 763 formed above the seesaw member 762, a regulating wall portion 764 for regulating the rotation of the seesaw member 762, and a normal winning port (through gate) 765 that is positioned at a position that allows balls guided to the right-side inclined surface 761 to pass through.

[0164] The pair of inclined surfaces 761 are inclined surfaces extending in opposite left and right directions and are formed so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane is symmetrical. In this embodiment, an area with a slightly steep inclination angle is provided on the upstream side, and an area with a gentler inclination angle downstream is formed so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane is 5 degrees.

[0165] Ball throwing port 763 is a member for forming an opening on the front side of sorting member 760, and is formed at a position opposite first winning port 64 of winning member 730. As a result, when sorting member 760 is disposed on interposing member 750 (described later), a space can be formed between ball throwing port 763 and interposing member 750.

[0166] The space is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the ball (i.e., a space through which the ball can pass), and is connected to the internal space of first winning opening 64 of winning member 730 via through-hole 60b drilled in base plate 60. This allows a ball entering first winning opening 64 to be sent to the space between ball sending opening 763 and interposed member 750, and to be sent inside that space.

[0167] The shaft portion 762b is a support portion for rotating the seesaw member 762 around the axis, and is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is inserted into the inner surface of the ring of the seesaw member 762. In this state, the shaft portion 762b is sandwiched between the interposing member 750 and the distributing member 760, and thus the seesaw member 762 is arranged to be rotatable around the shaft portion 762b.

[0168] Protrusions 762a are protrusions for distributing balls alternately to left and right inclined surfaces 761 one by one when the balls are thrown from the space between the opposing ball throwing port 763 and interposed member 750, and the balls are thrown in the direction opposite to the left and right direction of the direction in which the tip of central protrusion 762a is located. Protrusions 762a protruding from both ends are members that regulate the displacement of seesaw member 762 and also displace the direction in which the tip of central protrusion 762a is located (rotate seesaw member 762) due to the weight of the ball when it passes through, and the rotation of seesaw member 762 is regulated by the contact of the tip surface of protrusion 762a with regulating wall portion 764.

[0169] On the other hand, when a ball is guided by the central protrusion 762a, the guided ball collides with the protrusion 762a and is pushed downward when it is not in contact with the restricting wall portion 764. This causes the opposite protrusion 762a to be displaced upward, and the tip of the downwardly displaced protrusion 762a comes into contact with the restricting wall portion 764, restricting its displacement.

[0170] Inclined surface 761 is a rolling surface of a path (hereinafter referred to as "third ball throwing path KR3") along which the ball sorted to the left or right by seesaw member 762 described above rolls and is thrown, and is formed to slope downward outward from the center position in the left-right direction of sorting member 760. As a result, the ball sorted to the left or right by seesaw member 762 of sorting member 760 rolls on inclined surface 761 and is thrown (rolled) to the end of inclined surface 761 on the downward side.

[0171] The downward end of inclined surface 761 is formed so that the rear side surface becomes thicker toward the front as it approaches the end, inclining in a direction approaching interposed member 750. This allows a ball that has rolled on inclined surface 761 and been sent to the end to be sent to communication hole 751 of interposed member 750 that is disposed in front of sorting member 760.

[0172] The normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is disposed between the interposing member 750 and the allocating member 760, and is fixedly disposed inside by connecting and fixing the interposing member 750 and the allocating member 760 together.

[0173] The position of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is designed so that the inner surface of the ball passage hole of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, which is the surface that runs along the inclined surface 761, is flush with the upper surface of the inclined surface 761.

[0174] This minimizes the resistance exerted on the ball as it passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, and makes it possible to equalize the flow speed of the ball flowing down the right-hand inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is located and the ball flowing down the left-hand inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is not located.

[0175] The function of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is the same as that of the above-mentioned normal winning openings (through gates) 66 and 67. That is, the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 functions as a detection opening through which a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) is performed when a ball passes through.

[0176] In addition, when a ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 while the variable display is being performed on the second pattern display device 83, the number of times it passes through is reserved up to a maximum of four times together with the number of times it passes through the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first pattern display device 37 and also shown on the second pattern reservation lamp 84.

[0177] In addition, the maximum number of balls that can be reserved for passing through the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67, 765 is not limited to four times, but may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (for example, eight times).

[0178] The second symbol display device 83 performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol are alternately lit as a display symbol (second symbol) for a predetermined period of time each time a ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that a ball has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, a lottery is held to determine whether a second symbol will win. If the result of the lottery is a win, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol has been displayed variably. If the result of the lottery is a loss, the second symbol display device 83 displays a static "x" symbol after the second symbol has been displayed variably.

[0179] When the variable display on the second pattern display device 83 ends, if there are balls remaining in reserve for the normal winning slots (through gates) 66, 67, and 765, a lottery is held for the next normal pattern, and the variable display according to the lottery is started.

[0180] The intervening member 750 is a member interposed between the bending member 740 and the distribution member 760 in the front-to-back direction, and is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with the above-mentioned variable winning device 65 at the lower center in the left-to-right direction when viewed from the front, a communicating hole 751 that penetrates in the front-to-back direction on both the left and right sides, a recovery hole 752 that opens below the communicating hole 751, a support recess 753 that is formed in an elongated shape in the front-to-back direction between the communicating hole 751 and the recovery hole 752, a first inclined groove 755 that is linear and slopes downward to the left when viewed from the front, with its downstream end at the center of the left and right, a second inclined groove 757 that is linear and slopes downward to the left when viewed from the front, with its downstream end at the center of the left and right below the first inclined groove 755, and a second recovery hole 758 that is arranged below the second inclined groove 757.

[0181] Communication holes 751 are formed on the front side of both left and right ends of sorting member 760, and on the back side of through-hole 731 of winning member 730. Therefore, the spaces on both left and right ends of sorting member 760 are connected to the internal space of through-hole 731 of winning member 730 via communication holes 751. Therefore, a path (hereinafter referred to as "fourth ball sending path KR4") can be formed that sends a ball rolling on the upper part of inclined surface 761 of sorting member 760 to through-hole 731 of winning member 730 by passing through communication holes 751.

[0182] As described above, the collection hole 752 is an opening formed on the rear side of the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730. That is, the collection hole 752 is connected to the rear side of the sensor SE, and balls passing through the sensor SE are sent to the opening of the collection hole 752. The collection hole 752 is connected to a ball circulating device installed in the store, and the balls collected in the collection hole 752 are circulated by the circulating device and shot out again from the ball launching unit 112a as game balls.

[0183] The support recess 753 is a recessed groove formed to ensure sufficient space for the right guide portion 643 of the moving plate member 641 to move in the front-rear direction. The lower bottom surface of the support recess 753, which faces the lower surface of the right guide portion 643 in the up-down direction, is formed in a planar shape that is horizontal in the left-right direction. In addition, the upper top surface of the support recess 753, which faces the upper surface of the right guide portion 643 in the up-down direction, is formed in a planar shape with the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 643a.

[0184] That is, the support recess 753 is recessed from the left side to the right side, and is formed in a wedge shape that is wider on the left side and narrower on the right side, and functionally, it is formed with a vertical width (slightly larger wedge shape) that is slightly larger than the vertical width of the right guide portion 643 when viewed from the front.

[0185] As a result, when moving plate member 641 is used and slid forward and backward, right guide portion 643 is guided along the inside of support recess 753, allowing for smooth movement, and when right guide portion 643 enters first ball throwing path KR1 to receive a ball that has flowed down, the lower bottom surface of support recess 753 can support right guide portion 643. In other words, support recess 753 has the effect of smoothing the movement of moving plate member 641 and the effect of stabilizing the up and down position of moving plate member 641.

[0186] The first inclined groove 755 is arranged at a position where its upstream end communicates with the ball passing hole 734a, and is configured in a shape that allows a ball that reaches its downstream end to be sent to the front side through the upper ball passing hole 713 of the front side forming portion 710.

[0187] The second inclined groove 757 is arranged at a position where its upstream end communicates with the ball passing hole 736a, and is configured in a shape that allows balls that reach its downstream end to be sent to the front side through the lower ball passing hole 714 of the front side forming portion 710.

[0188] In this embodiment, the first inclined groove 755 and the second inclined groove 757 are formed in a linear groove shape, and are formed in a relationship in which the straight lines along which the respective grooves extend are parallel to each other.

[0189] The second collection hole 758 is an opening through which balls that enter the second winning hole 640 are sent, and is arranged upstream of the second winning hole switch (not shown). The second collection hole 758 is connected to a ball circulating device installed in the store, and the balls collected in the second collection hole 758 are circulated by the circulating device and shot out again from the ball launching unit 112a as game balls.

[0190] The upper ball passing hole 713 and the lower ball passing hole 714 are aligned in a straight line along the vertical direction, and the second winning opening 640 is located below the lower ball passing hole 714 on the same straight line (see Figure 6).

[0191] Therefore, a ball sent to the front side through the upper ball passing hole 713 passes through the front side of the lower ball passing hole 714 and enters the second winning opening 640. In addition, a ball sent to the front side through the lower ball passing hole 714 merges with the flow path of the ball sent to the front side from the upper ball passing hole 713 and enters the second winning opening 640.

[0192] At the confluence point of the ball flow paths, the balls flowing down from the upper ball passing hole 713 flow vertically, which allows the falling speed at the confluence point to be increased.Therefore, even if the balls guided from the upper ball passing hole 713 and the lower ball passing hole 714 arrive at the confluence point at the same time, the balls flowing down from the upper ball passing hole 713 can pass downwards by force, making it easy to avoid ball clogging.

[0193] In addition, the wall portions 714a extending from the left and right edges of the lower ball passage hole 714 toward the front side make it easier to prevent the balls from deviating to the left or right from the joining position. The wall portions 714a also act to prevent balls from entering the second winning opening 640 from the outside left or right.

[0194] The wall portions 713a extending from the left and right edges and the upper edge of the upper ball passing hole 713 to the front side can prevent a ball flowing down the front side of the base plate 60 from colliding with a ball immediately after it is sent to the front side from the upper ball passing hole 713. The wall portions 713a also act to prevent a ball flowing down the front side of the base plate 60 from flowing down toward the second winning opening 640.

[0195] The electric accessory 640a includes a solenoid 640s fixed to the interposed member 750, and a moving plate member 641 that is interlockingly connected to the solenoid 640s and slides back and forth when driven by the solenoid 640s.

[0196] The movable plate member 641 comprises a transmission plate portion 642, which is a plate-shaped portion to which the driving force of the solenoid 640s is transmitted and which extends in the vertical direction, a left guide portion 645 arranged at the front end of the transmission plate portion 642 and formed to protrude toward the front side, and a right guide portion 643 extending to the right of the left guide portion 645.

[0197] The right guide portion 643 has an upper surface, which serves as a rolling surface for the balls, formed as an inclined surface 643a that slopes downward toward the right, and is disposed between the communication hole 751 and the recovery hole 752 when viewed from the front.

[0198] Left-side guide portion 645 has an upper surface, which serves as the ball rolling surface, formed as inclined surface 645a that slopes downward toward the left, and is disposed so as to connect bending member 740 and first ball throwing portion 734 in a front view. The upper surface of the downstream end of inclined surface 645a is disposed so as to be flush with the upper surface of the lower end of protruding edge portion 734b of first ball throwing portion 734.

[0199] Since protruding edge 734b of first ball sending section 734 is not dish-shaped with an open top, but has a shape with a lid on the top with the open side facing to the right, it is possible to smoothly receive rolling balls in left guide section 645 while preventing balls that bounce off left guide section 645 or balls that flow down a path that reaches first ball sending section 734 from above from flying into ball passing hole 734a. Note that protruding lid section 734b may be formed into a dish shape to allow balls to fly in from above.

[0200] Even if a ball lands on left guide portion 645, it is difficult for it to enter first ball sending portion 734 until the rebound stops. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a configuration that reduces the rebound at left guide portion 645.

[0201] For example, the momentum of the ball flowing down may be reduced in advance by densely arranging nails that can collide with the ball above the left guide portion 645, or by arranging multiple deceleration protrusions that protrude from the front side of the covering plate portion 711. Also, a highly cushioned sheet material may be attached to the inclined surface 645a to prevent the ball from bouncing.

[0202] When the solenoid 640s is in a non-energized state, the moving plate member 641 is in a retracted state where it retreats from the first ball throwing path KR1 (see Figure 7(a)), and when the solenoid 640s is in an excited state (a state in which a driving force is generated), the moving plate member 641 is in an advanced state where it advances into the first ball throwing path KR1 (see Figure 7(b)).

[0203] By the path configuration device 700 configured as described above, gaming balls are sent as follows. A ball entering through the first winning opening 64 is sent to the sorting member 760 and then sent to the third ball sending path KR3 in either the left or right direction by the seesaw member 762 of the sorting member 760. When the ball sent along the third ball sending path KR3 reaches the end of the third ball sending path KR3, it is sent to the fourth ball sending path KR4 inside the communication hole 751 of the intervening member 750 located on the front side. The ball sent along the fourth ball sending path KR4 is sent to the first ball sending path KR1 on the back side of the bending member 740. The ball sent along the first ball sending path KR1 is guided by the lower protrusion 743 of the bending member 740 and sent to the second ball sending path KR2. The ball sent along the second ball sending path KR2 passes through the lower insertion hole 732 of the winning member 730, is sent to the recovery hole 752 of the interposed member 750, and passes through the inside of the sensor SE.

[0204] A ball sent from the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the first ball sending path KR1 flows down toward the front side of the base plate 60, and from the player's point of view, the ball appears to be approaching the player. This clarifies the difference in the way the ball flows down from the other game balls flowing down the game area, thereby enhancing the presence of the ball sent from the fourth ball sending path KR4 to the first ball sending path KR1.

[0205] Next, setting of the ball flow-down pattern will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8(a), 8(b), 9(a) and 9(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device 700 in range VIIIa of Figure 6.

[0206] Figures 8(a), 8(b), 9(a) and 9(b) show the flow pattern of three balls P1 to P3 that enter the first winning hole 64 in succession without any gaps in time, illustrated in a time series at 0.5 second intervals.

[0207] That is, Fig. 8(b) is shown as the state 0.5 seconds after the state of Fig. 8(a), Fig. 9(a) is shown as the state 0.5 seconds after the state of Fig. 8(b), and Fig. 9(b) is shown as the state 0.5 seconds after the state of Fig. 9(a). Note that, as an example, Fig. 8(a) shows a state in which the tip of the central protrusion 762a faces leftward.

[0208] 8(a), when the ball P1 is guided by the central protrusion 762a, the guided ball P1 collides with one of the protrusions 762a at both ends and is pushed downward, which displaces the opposite protrusion 762a upward, and the tip of the downwardly displaced protrusion 762a abuts against the restricting wall portion 764, restricting its displacement (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0209] In this state, ball P1 that pushed down seesaw member 762 flows down to the right, and at the same time, the next ball P2 is guided to central projection 762a. At this time, at the same time that ball P2 reaches central projection 762a, ball P1 that previously pushed down seesaw member 762 passes through normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (see Figure 8(b)).

[0210] Ball P2 is caused to flow down to the left by seesaw member 762, and at the same time, the next ball P3 is guided to central protrusion 762a. At this time, just as ball P3 reaches central protrusion 762a, ball P1 is positioned below right-side guide portion 643 (see FIG. 9(a)). Thereafter, ball P3 is caused to flow down to the right by seesaw member 762 (see FIG. 9(b)).

[0211] In this way, in this embodiment, the arrangement of the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is determined in relation to the arrangement of the electric accessory 640a. In other words, it is designed so that the next ball P3 does not reach the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 after the ball P1 passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 and before it is positioned below the right-side guide part 643.

[0212] Here, when the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the operation of the electric device 640a is executed based on a preset operation pattern. The operation of the electric device 640a is not interrupted in the middle of the operation pattern. Even if the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 while the operation of the electric device 640a based on the operation pattern is continuing, the execution of the operation of the electric device 640a due to that detection is put on hold until the operation of the electric device 640a based on the currently executed operation pattern is completed.

[0213] Therefore, even if the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set so that it can affect the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 based on the ball's flow time, if a situation arises in which the execution of the operation of the electric device 640a is put on hold, the effect on the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 may be unexpected.

[0214] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, on the premise that the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set based on the time width until the ball reaches the right guide section 643, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the operation of the electric device 640a continues due to the previous ball P1 being detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 until the next ball P3 is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (the operation of the electric device 640a ends in advance).

[0215] Therefore, when the passage of a ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the operation of the electric accessory 640a can be immediately executed based on a preset operation pattern without suspending the execution of the operation of the electric accessory 640a. This reduces the possibility that the effect on the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 will be unexpected.

[0216] Figures 10(a), 10(b), 11(a), and 11(b) are partial front views of the path configuration device 700 in range VIIIa of Figure 6. Figures 10(a) and 10(b) and Figures 11(a) and 11(b) show different examples of how a ball flows down the right-side inclined surface 761 in time series.

[0217] That is, Figure 10(a) shows the state in which the ball is passing through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, and Figure 10(b) shows the state in which the movable plate member 641 is maintained in a retracted state (see Figure 7(a)) in which it is retracted from the first ball sending path KR1 when the ball passes through, and the ball is guided to the recovery hole 752.

[0218] Also, Figure 11(a) shows the state in which the ball is passing through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (a state similar to Figure 10(a)), and Figure 11(b) shows the state in which the moving plate member 641 is in an entry state in which it enters the first ball throwing path KR1 just before the ball passes through (see Figure 7(b)), and the ball is guided toward the second ball throwing section 736.

[0219] In addition, in Figure 11(b), dots are drawn on the movable plate member 641 to schematically indicate that the movable plate member 641 is sliding toward the front side and is not allowing the ball to pass through the front side.

[0220] Here, when the solenoid 640s is in a non-excited state, the movable plate member 641 is in a retracted state where it retreats from the first ball throwing path KR1 (see Figure 7(a)), and when the solenoid 640s is in an excited state (a state in which a driving force is being generated), the movable plate member 641 is in an entry state where it enters the first ball throwing path KR1 (see Figure 7(b)).Therefore, in the non-excited state, a ball that reaches the top surface of the movable plate member 641 when viewed from the front passes through the front side of the movable plate member 641 and flows downward, while in the excited state, a ball that reaches the top surface of the movable plate member 641 when viewed from the front rolls on the inclined surface 643a or inclined surface 645a of the movable plate member 641 and flows downward in the left-right direction.

[0221] For example, the ball flows down along the arrow shown in Figure 11(b). More specifically, when moving plate member 641 is in an excited state, the ball that reaches first ball throwing path KR1 rolls on the upper surface of inclined surface 643a, passes through opening 744, and then falls to be received by second ball throwing section 736.

[0222] Furthermore, when the movable plate member 641 is in an excited state, a ball attempting to flow down between the right-side bending member 740 and the first ball sending section 734 rolls along the upper surface of the inclined surface 645a, is guided to the ball passage hole 734a, and enters the second winning port 640.

[0223] Figure 12 is a partial front view of the game board 13 in range XII of Figure 2. Figure 12 shows the solenoid 640s in an excited state and the moving plate member 641 in an advanced state.

[0224] As mentioned above, the functions of the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67, 765 are common, so the electric device 640a will operate not only when a ball that has entered the path configuration device 700 passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, but also when the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 when playing the right-hand game described above.

[0225] In this case, more of the game balls launched in right-hand play will reach the ceiling surface of the right-side bending member 740 than will be guided to the first winning opening 64 (approximately 10 times more), so when the moving plate member 641 is in the inserted state, the balls are more likely to reach the left-side guide portion 645 than the right-side guide portion 643 of the electric device 640a.

[0226] If the solenoid 640s is kept in an excited state until the ball reaches the first ball throwing section 734, the ball that has reached the left guide section 645 will enter the second winning opening 640, and even if the solenoid 640s is switched to a non-excited state before the ball reaches the first ball throwing section 734, the ball will simply flow downward and will not be guided to the recovery hole 752. In other words, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a ball that has reached the left guide section 645 wins the lottery for special pattern 1.

[0227] A ball that reaches left-side guide portion 645 in the approaching state can be received by first ball throwing portion 734 in approximately 1.0 second, regardless of the landing position. On the other hand, if moving plate member 641 changes to the retracted state in a very short time, such as 0.5 seconds, there is a possibility that the ball will be prevented from entering first ball throwing portion 734 even if it lands near the left end of left-side guide portion 645 in the approaching state.

[0228] Therefore, when a ball that does not enter the first winning opening 64 flows down and reaches the left-side guide section 645 at the right time, which is activated and put into an entry state as a result of a lottery based on the detection of the ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, whether the ball will be accepted by the first ball sending section 734 depends on the operating mode of the electric device 640a.

[0229] In particular, in the operating pattern in the normal state (the fourth operating pattern described later), the period during which the moving plate member 641 is in the entering state is shorter than 0.5 seconds, so the probability that the ball will be received by the first ball throwing section 734 is extremely low.

[0230] When a ball enters first winning opening 64, if moving plate member 641 is in the ingress state when it reaches first ball throwing path KR1, it will be guided by right-side guide portion 643 and will ultimately enter second winning opening 640, and will not pass sensor SE (see FIG. 7(b)), preventing the ball from winning the lottery for special symbol 1. On the other hand, if moving plate member 641 is in the retracted state when the ball arrives at first ball throwing path KR1, it will be guided to second ball throwing path KR2 and will pass sensor SE, resulting in the ball winning the lottery for special symbol 1.

[0231] In this way, according to the electric device 640a of this embodiment, the possibility of the ball winning the lottery for special pattern 1 (the possibility of winning the lottery for special pattern 2) can be varied depending on whether the ball flows down a path that can reach the right-side guide section 643 (the path after entering the first winning opening 64) or a path that can reach the left-side guide section 645.

[0232] As described above, balls arrive at right guide portion 643 at intervals, but since the seesaw member 762 does not provide intervals between balls at left guide portion 645, multiple balls that have flowed down the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 side can arrive at the same time. Therefore, it is preferable that left guide portion 645 be made stronger than right guide portion 643.

[0233] For this reason, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the left guide portion 645 is disposed on the transmission plate portion 642 (see FIG. 5). That is, by disposing the left guide portion 645 on the transmission plate portion 642 that is closer to the solenoid 640s (upstream side of the driving force transmission path), a change in the posture of the left guide portion 645 is suppressed. As a result, even if weight is applied by multiple balls being placed on the left guide portion 645, it is possible to avoid an increase in the operating resistance of the moving plate member 641 due to an excessive change in posture of the left guide portion 645.

[0234] The means for sturdily forming left guide portion 645 is not limited to the above. For example, left guide portion 645 may be formed to have a greater thickness than right guide portion 643, or a rib may be formed to connect the lower portion of left guide portion 645 and transmission plate portion 642.

[0235] The contents of ROM 202 (see FIG. 4) will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13(a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of ROM 202 in main control device 110, Fig. 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter C2 and the big winning type in special patterns, and Fig. 13(c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter C4 and the winning in normal patterns.

[0236] As shown in Figure 13(a), the ROM 202 of the main control unit 110 stores at least a first winning random number table 202a, a first winning type selection table 202b, a second winning random number table 202c, and a variation pattern selection table 202d as part of the fixed value data described above.

[0237] The first winning random number table 202a is a data table that stores the jackpot determination value of the first winning random number counter, which is updated periodically (for example, every 2 msec). If the value of the first winning random number counter obtained based on the start winning coincides with any of the determination values ​​defined in the first winning random number table 202a, it is determined to be a jackpot of a special symbol.

[0238] The first winning type selection table 202b (see FIG. 13(b)) is a data table in which judgment values ​​for determining the type of jackpot are stored, and the judgment values ​​of the first winning type counter C2 are specified in association with each jackpot type and the type of winning slot that triggered the lottery for the special symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when a jackpot with a special symbol is determined to be a jackpot, the value of the first winning type counter C2 obtained based on the start winning is compared with the first winning type selection table 202b, and the jackpot type corresponding to the value of the first winning type counter C2 is selected.

[0239] Specifically, when a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 1 (a lottery based on the ball entering the first winning slot 64), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is set to correspond to the range of "0 to 19" and is defined as jackpot A (see 202b1 in Figure 13(b)).

[0240] If jackpot A is achieved, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, and the state in which the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the first operation pattern described below continues until the next jackpot is achieved.

[0241] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "20 to 49" is defined to be associated with the big winning B (see 202b2 in FIG. 13(b)).

[0242] If jackpot B is achieved, the game state after 8 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, and the state in which the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the second operation pattern described below continues until the next jackpot is achieved.

[0243] The value of the first winning type counter C2 is set in the range of "50 to 99" so as to correspond to the big winning C (see 202b3 in FIG. 13(b)).

[0244] If jackpot C is achieved, the game state after four rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a low probability state, and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the second operation pattern described below, and this state continues until 100 special pattern draws have been completed.

[0245] In a jackpot based on the lottery for special symbol 1 (a lottery based on the ball entering the first winning slot 64), there is a 20% chance of winning a 15-round jackpot, but a 50% chance of winning a 4-round jackpot, so you basically cannot expect to win a large number of prize balls. On the other hand, a 4-round jackpot game ends in a shorter time than a 15-round jackpot game, so you can start shooting balls earlier in order to aim for a subsequent jackpot.

[0246] On the other hand, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special pattern 2 (a lottery based on the ball entering the second winning slot 640), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is set to correspond to the range of "0 to 19" and is defined as jackpot a (see 202b4 in Figure 13(b)).

[0247] If jackpot A is achieved, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, just like jackpot A, and the state in which the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the first operation pattern described below continues until the next jackpot is achieved.

[0248] The value range of the first winning type counter C2 from "20 to 49" is defined to be associated with the big winning b (see 202b5 in FIG. 13(b)).

[0249] If jackpot b is achieved, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a high probability state, and the state in which the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the first operation pattern described below continues until the next jackpot is achieved.

[0250] The value range of the first winning type counter C2 from "50 to 99" is defined to be associated with the big winning c (see 202b6 in FIG. 13(b)).

[0251] If jackpot C is achieved, the game state after 15 rounds of jackpot play (special play) is set to a low probability state, and the operation pattern of the electric device 640a is set to the third operation pattern described below, and this state continues until 100 special pattern lottery draws are completed.

[0252] As described above, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for special symbol 2 (a lottery based on the ball entering the second winning slot 640), 15 rounds of jackpot play can be played regardless of the type of jackpot, but the allocation of the operating pattern of the electric accessory 640a after the jackpot play ends is set to be different from when a jackpot is won in the lottery for special symbol 1. The difference is particularly noticeable in the case of jackpot c, but details will be described later.

[0253] The second winning random number table 202c (see FIG. 13(c)) is a data table in which winning determination values ​​for normal symbols are stored. Specifically, in the normal state of normal symbols, "5 to 204" is defined as the determination value for winning a normal symbol (see 202c1 in FIG. 13(c)). Also, in the high probability state of normal symbols, "5 to 204" is defined as the determination value for winning a normal symbol (see 202c2 in FIG. 13(c)).

[0254] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the value of the second winning random number counter C4 acquired based on the ball passing through the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765 and the second winning random number table 202c are referenced to determine whether or not the normal pattern is a winning. The variation pattern selection table 202d is a data table in which the judgment value of the variation type counter for determining the display mode of the variation pattern is specified for each display mode.

[0255] Figures 14(a) to 14(d) are diagrams showing an example of the detection of the passage of a ball through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 and the time-counting change in the state of the electric accessory 640a. Note that Figure 14(a) illustrates the time-counting change in the first operation pattern, Figure 14(b) illustrates the time-counting change in the second operation pattern, Figure 14(c) illustrates the time-counting change in the third operation pattern, and Figure 14(d) illustrates the time-counting change in the fourth operation pattern.

[0256] The fourth operation pattern is an operation pattern that is adopted during normal play or after 100 special symbol lotteries have been completed after the end of the jackpot C or c (see FIG. 13(b)).

[0257] In Figures 14(a) to 14(d), when the second pattern is displayed changing due to the detection of the passage of a ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (approximately 0.1 seconds later in this embodiment), and the "○" pattern is displayed on the second pattern display device 83, the meaning of the state of the electric device 640a at the reference time Td1 (approximately 0.5 seconds in this embodiment) from the detection of the passage of a ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 will be described in detail, among the various operation patterns of the electric device 640a based on the time when the passage of a ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is detected.

[0258] The length of the reference time Td1 is set as the time corresponding to the time from when the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 until when it passes through the right guide section 643.

[0259] As shown in Figure 14(a), in the first operating pattern, after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, and after the display of the changing second pattern has ended (0.1 seconds after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765), the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a is maintained in an advanced state (also shown as "advance" in the figure; the same applies to subsequent figures) in which it has advanced into the first ball sending path KR1 for a reference time Td1.

[0260] In the first operating pattern, the electric device 640a remains in the first ball sending path KR1 until approximately 3.0 seconds after the reference time Td1 is exceeded and the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (approximately 3.0 seconds pass before the normal pattern changes end).

[0261] As a result, when the passage of a ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 due to a right-hand hit, the moving plate member 641 can be maintained in a state in which it has entered the first ball throwing path KR1 long enough to guide the ball that has reached the left-side guide section 645 to the first ball throwing section 734. This makes it easier to get the ball to enter the second winning opening 640.

[0262] In addition, the moving plate member 641 can be made to enter the first ball sending path KR1 before the ball detected to have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 passes through the right-side guide section 643, so that the ball can be made to roll on the top surface of the right-side guide section 643 and flow to the right, making it easier to guide it to the second ball sending section 736.

[0263] This makes it more likely that a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 will be blown to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE, resulting in a draw for special pattern 1, and that the ball will enter the second winning slot 640 and win a draw for special pattern 2, compared to a situation in which a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 will be blown to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE and win a draw for special pattern 1.

[0264] As shown in Figure 14(b), in the second operating pattern, after the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a state in which it has entered the first ball sending path KR1 just before the reference time Td1 has elapsed, and immediately after the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a retracted state (also shown as "retracted" in the figure; the same applies to subsequent figures) in which it has retracted from the first ball sending path KR1.

[0265] In the second operating pattern, the electric device 640a remains in the first ball sending path KR1 until approximately 1.0 second after the reference time Td1 is exceeded and the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 (approximately 1.0 second passes before the normal pattern changes end).

[0266] As a result, when the passage of the ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 when a right-hand hit is performed, even if the ball reaches the left-side guide section 645, it cannot be said that the moving plate member 641 will remain inserted into the first ball sending path KR1 for a length sufficient to guide the ball to the first ball sending section 734, and therefore it is not possible to make it easier for the ball to enter the second winning opening 640 when playing with a right-hand hit.

[0267] On the other hand, since moving plate member 641 can be set to a state in which the ball detected to have passed through normal winning opening (through gate) 765 has entered first ball throwing path KR1 before passing through right-side guide section 643, the ball can be made to roll on the upper surface of right-side guide section 643 and flow to the right, making it easier to guide it to second ball throwing section 736. Since moving plate member 641 is maintained in the entered state for 0.5 seconds after the ball reaches right-side guide section 643, the ball can be stably thrown toward second ball throwing section 736.

[0268] This makes it more likely that a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 will be blown to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE, resulting in a draw for special pattern 1, and that the ball will enter the second winning slot 640 and win a draw for special pattern 2, compared to a situation in which a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 will be blown to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE and win a draw for special pattern 1.

[0269] As shown in Figure 14 (c), in the third operating pattern, after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765 and the display of the changing second pattern has ended (0.1 seconds after the passage of the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765), the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a is maintained in a state where it has entered the first ball sending path KR1, and just before the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a state where it has retreated from the first ball sending path KR1 (also shown as "retreat" in the figure; the same applies to subsequent figures), and just after the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to a state where it has entered the first ball sending path KR1.

[0270] In the third operating pattern, after the reference time Td1 has elapsed, the electric device 640a remains in the first ball sending path KR1 until approximately 3.0 seconds have elapsed since the passage of the ball was detected at the normal winning port (through gate) 765 (approximately 3.0 seconds have elapsed until the normal pattern change has ended).

[0271] As a result, when the passage of a ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 due to a right-hand hit, the moving plate member 641 can be maintained in a state in which it has entered the first ball throwing path KR1 long enough to guide the ball that has reached the left-side guide section 645 to the first ball throwing section 734. This makes it easier to get the ball to enter the second winning opening 640.

[0272] On the other hand, the movable plate member 641 can be moved away from the first ball throwing path KR1 before the ball detected to have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 passes through the right-side guide section 643, so that the ball can be rolled on the top surface of the right-side guide section 643 and flowed to the right, thereby preventing the ball from being guided to the second ball throwing section 736.

[0273] This makes it less likely that a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 will be blown to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE, resulting in a draw for special pattern 1, and less likely that the ball will enter the second winning slot 640 and win a draw for special pattern 2.

[0274] If the normal symbol (second symbol) is still fluctuating at the time the ball swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the electric device 640a may be in an ingress state when the ball reaches the first ball sending path KR1. In this case, the ball swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 enters the second winning opening 640, and the player can win the lottery for the special symbol 2.

[0275] As shown in Figure 14(d), in the fourth operation pattern, after the passage of a ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 66, 67, 765, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a is maintained in a retracted state retracted from the first ball sending path KR1, and after the moving plate member 641 changes to an entering state, the moving plate member 641 of the electric device 640a changes to the retracted state again just before the reference time Td1 has elapsed. In the fourth operation pattern, control is completed at the reference time Td1 (approximately 0.5 seconds have elapsed until the normal symbol fluctuation ends).

[0276] As a result, when the passage of the ball is detected by the normal winning opening (through gate) 67 when a right-hand hit is performed, even if the ball reaches the left-side guide section 645, it cannot be said that the moving plate member 641 will remain inserted into the first ball sending path KR1 for a length sufficient to guide the ball to the first ball sending section 734, and therefore it is not possible to make it easier for the ball to enter the second winning opening 640 when playing with a right-hand hit.

[0277] On the other hand, the movable plate member 641 can be moved away from the first ball throwing path KR1 before the ball detected to have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 passes through the right-side guide section 643, so that the ball can be rolled on the top surface of the right-side guide section 643 and flowed to the right, thereby preventing the ball from being guided to the second ball throwing section 736.

[0278] This makes it less likely that a ball that has entered the first winning slot 64 will be blown to the right by the seesaw member 762 and detected by the sensor SE, resulting in a draw for special symbol 1, and less likely that the ball will enter the second winning slot 640 and win a draw for special symbol 2. In other words, when multiple balls enter the first winning slot 64, the system can be configured so that the draw for special symbol 1 is repeatedly won.

[0279] According to each of the operation patterns described above in detail, in a gaming state where the aim is to win a jackpot by winning the lottery for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2, it is possible to create different patterns for winning the lottery for special symbols.

[0280] For example, in the first and third operation patterns, it is possible to aim to win the lottery for special pattern 2 when playing with the right hand, so it is preferable to display the above-mentioned "right hand navigation" on the third pattern display device 81.

[0281] Furthermore, in the first operation pattern, the moving plate member 641 is maintained in the state of entering the first ball sending path KR1 (see FIG. 7(b)) for a long period of time, and the moving plate member 641 is in the state of entering the first ball sending path KR1 when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball was detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765. Therefore, even if the ball enters the first winning opening 64, it is possible to win the lottery for the special symbol 2 with some of the balls swept to the right by the seesaw member 762. This makes it possible to minimize the disadvantage suffered by the player when a ball enters the first winning opening 64 during right-hand play.

[0282] On the other hand, in the third operating pattern, the movable plate member 641 is maintained in the approach state (see Figure 7(b)) for a long period of time, but when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 was detected, the movable plate member 641 is put into a retracted state in which it is retracted from the first ball sending path KR1. Therefore, when the normal pattern (second pattern) begins to fluctuate at the same time as the ball passes through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, the ball passes through the front side of the movable plate member 641 and is guided to the sensor SE.

[0283] That is, when a ball enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to reduce the possibility of winning the lottery for the special symbol 2 with the ball that is swept to the right by the seesaw member 762. This makes it possible to increase the disadvantage suffered by the player when a ball enters the first winning slot 64 during right-hand play compared to the first operation pattern.

[0284] For example, in the second and fourth operation patterns, it is difficult to aim to win the lottery for special pattern 2 when playing with the right hand because the operating time of the electric device 640a is too short, so it is preferable not to display the above-mentioned "right hand navigation" on the third pattern display device 81 and to recommend playing with the left hand.

[0285] In this case, in the second operating pattern, the movable plate member 641 is in an entry state (see Figure 7(b)) in which it has entered the first ball sending path KR1 when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball was detected at the normal winning port (through gate) 765, so even if the ball enters the first winning port 64, it is possible to win the lottery for special pattern 2 with part of the ball that has been swept to the right by the seesaw member 762.

[0286] This allows the lottery for the special symbol that the player can win when the ball enters the first winning port 64 during left-hand play to alternate between special symbol 1 and special symbol 2. Note that when the moving plate member 641 is in the entered state at the time when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball at the normal winning port (through gate) 765 was detected, the lottery for the special symbol 2 can be won only when the normal symbol (second symbol) starts to fluctuate simultaneously with the passage of the ball at the normal winning port (through gate) 765. Therefore, if the normal symbol (second symbol) is still fluctuating when the passage of the ball at the normal winning port (through gate) 765 is detected, the effect of making it easier to win the lottery for the special symbol 2 cannot be achieved.

[0287] On the other hand, in the second operation pattern (or the fourth operation pattern), the time from the detection of the ball at the normal winning port (through gate) 765 to the end of the operation control of the electric device 640a is set to 0.5 seconds, so compared to the first and third operation patterns in which the same time span is set to 3 seconds, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a situation in which the change of the normal pattern (second pattern) is suspended. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the effect of making it easier to win the lottery for special pattern 2 with a high probability.

[0288] On the other hand, in the fourth operation pattern, the entering state of the moving plate member 641 (see FIG. 7(b)) is as short as in the second operation pattern, and in addition, the moving plate member 641 is put into the retracted state when the reference time Td1 has elapsed since the passage of the ball was detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765. Therefore, when the ball enters the first winning opening 64, it is possible to reduce the possibility of winning the lottery for special symbol 2 with the ball swept to the right by the seesaw member 762. As a result, when a ball enters the first winning opening 64 during left-handed play, the lottery for special symbol 1 can account for most of the lotteries for special symbols that a player can win.

[0289] As described above in detail, according to each operation pattern, in a gaming state in which the aim is to win a jackpot by winning the lottery for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2, it is possible to create different patterns for winning the lottery for special symbols.

[0290] Returning to FIG. 13(b), the difference in the profits that the player can get when the special symbol 1 jackpot is won and when the special symbol 2 jackpot is won will be explained.

[0291] First, the probability of winning a jackpot of the maximum number of rounds (15 rounds in this embodiment) is higher with special symbol 2. While the probability of winning a jackpot of the maximum number of rounds with special symbol 1 is 20%, the probability of winning a jackpot of the maximum number of rounds with special symbol 2 is 100%. Therefore, at least in terms of the number of prize balls, the profit a player can gain from a jackpot with special symbol 2 is greater than the profit a player can gain from a jackpot with special symbol 1.

[0292] Also, in the case where a high probability state is reached after the end of a jackpot game, if the jackpot is a special symbol 2, there is a 100% chance that the player will play with the right hand, and the player will be able to repeatedly win the lottery for special symbol 2. However, in 30% of the jackpots with special symbol 1 (jackpot B), the player will not play with the right hand, and left hand play is recommended, and the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 will alternate.

[0293] In this case, when playing with the left hand, the time efficiency for winning the lottery for the special symbol is lower than when playing with the right hand, and since the lottery for special symbol 1 is executed with a 1 / 2 chance, there are more hurdles to overcome before winning the maximum round of jackpots.

[0294] Also, in the case where a low probability state occurs after the end of a jackpot game, if the jackpot is a special symbol 2 (jackpot c), the game will be played with a right-hand play, and the special symbol 2 lottery can be won repeatedly, but if the jackpot is a special symbol 1 (jackpot C), the game will not be played with a right-hand play, and the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 will occur alternately.

[0295] In this case, when playing with the left hand, the time efficiency for winning the lottery for the special symbol is lower than when playing with the right hand, and since the lottery for special symbol 1 is executed with a 1 / 2 chance, there are more hurdles to overcome before winning the maximum round of jackpots.

[0296] Furthermore, although the condition of 100 draws for the special symbol is the same, with jackpot C it is easy to win 100 draws for special symbol 2, whereas with jackpot C the 100 draws are completed after 50 draws for special symbol 1 and 50 draws for special symbol 2, so in reality it is only possible to win 50 draws for special symbol 2.

[0297] In summary, compared to a jackpot by drawing special symbol 1, a jackpot by drawing special symbol 2 has at least the following advantages: first, it is easier to win the maximum round of jackpots; second, it is easier to create a gaming state in which special symbol 2 is repeatedly drawn; and third, it is easier to maintain a high level of time efficiency in winning special symbol drawings by playing with the right hand.

[0298] In the first embodiment, when the lottery for special symbol 2 is executed preferentially, the variable time for the lottery is selected from options of about 3 seconds to 5 minutes at random, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the lottery for special symbol 1 and special symbol 2 is executed simultaneously, a gaming state may be configured in which the variable time for the lottery for special symbol 2 is intentionally set long.

[0299] That is, for example, in the 100 drawings for special symbols after the end of jackpot B or jackpot C, the variable time for the drawing of special symbol 2 may always be set to 10 minutes. In this case, on the premise that the ball that enters first winning slot 64 alternates between passing through sensor SE and passing through second winning slot 640, if a ball enters first winning slot 64 after the reserved number of special symbol 2 is full, the ball will not be able to win the drawing for special symbol 2 even if it passes through second winning slot 640, and the drawing for special symbol 1 will be repeatedly executed.

[0300] Furthermore, if the number of reserved special symbols 2 is full, the player can choose not to let the ball enter the first winning slot 64, but in this case, the time efficiency of the game can be reduced, and the number of jackpots occurring within the same time period can be reduced. This makes it easier for the gaming parlor to avoid running into the red.

[0301] In the above-described game state, the balls that are swept to the right from the seesaw member 762 will provide the player with the benefit of winning the lottery for special pattern 2 and the benefit of receiving a prize ball until the number of reserved balls for special pattern 2 is full, and therefore the player will receive a greater benefit than the balls that are swept to the left from the seesaw member 762, which will provide the player with the benefit of winning the lottery for special pattern 1 and the benefit of receiving a prize ball.

[0302] On the other hand, when the reserved number of special symbol 2 is full, the balls that are swept to the right from the seesaw member 762 only provide the player with the benefit of receiving a prize ball, and therefore the benefit that the player can obtain is smaller than that of balls that are swept to the left from the seesaw member 762, since the benefit of winning the lottery for special symbol 1 is added to the balls that are swept to the right from the seesaw member 762.

[0303] In other words, the amount of benefit given to the player for the ball that is blown to the right side from the seesaw member 762 and the ball that is blown to the left side can be switched depending on whether the number of reserved special symbols 2 is full or not.

[0304] In the above-described gaming state, the operation of the moving plate member 641 based on the detection of a ball at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 may be configured to be selected by lottery from a plurality of operation patterns.

[0305] For example, the operation may be controlled to be in the second operation pattern 5% of the time, and the remaining 95% to be in the fourth operation pattern. In this case, if the moving plate member 641 operates in the second operation pattern, there is an advantage that a lottery for the special symbol 2 can be won, and therefore attention to the moving plate member 641 can be increased.

[0306] On the other hand, when the reserved number of special symbols 2 is full, if the movable plate member 641 is operated in the fourth operation pattern, a lottery for special symbol 1 can be won, but if the movable plate member 641 is operated in the second operation pattern, there is a disadvantage in that neither the lottery for special symbols 1 nor 2 can be won, so even in this case, attention to the movable plate member 641 can be improved. In other words, whether the reserved number of special symbols 2 is full or not, attention to the movable plate member 641 can be improved.

[0307] In addition, when the lottery is executed simultaneously for special symbol 1 and special symbol 2, a game state may be configured in which the variable time for the lottery for special symbol 1 is intentionally set long. For example, by always setting the variable time for the lottery for special symbol 1 to 10 minutes, in a game state in which both the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 can occur, the lottery for special symbol 2 can be executed multiple times before the result of the lottery for special symbol 1 is announced. This reduces the possibility of an unintended jackpot occurring through the lottery for special symbol 1, which would be detrimental to the player.

[0308] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0309] It is possible to equalize the flow speed of balls flowing down the right-side inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is located and balls flowing down the left-side inclined surface 761 where the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is not located.

[0310] Furthermore, at the position where the ball that entered the first winning opening 64 branches off into the flow path on the second winning opening 640 side (for example, the first ball sending path KR1) and at the position where the ball falls toward the second winning opening 640 side (for example, the upper ball passing hole 713, the lower ball passing hole 714), the direction in which the ball flows down has a front-to-rear component. This makes it possible to highlight the areas that are closely related to the ball flowing down toward the second winning opening 640.

[0311] Furthermore, the paths to second winning opening 640 converge in front of lower ball passing hole 714, but this convergence position is sufficiently far from movable plate member 641. This prevents a situation in which a load from a ball colliding at the convergence position is applied to movable plate member 641. Note that the convergence of the flow paths in front of lower ball passing hole 714 can be avoided by shifting the left-right positions of upper ball passing hole 713 and lower ball passing hole 714 and by widening the left-right width of second winning opening 640 to the width of two or more balls.

[0312] It is also possible to create a case where it is possible to manage so that the next ball is not detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 until the variable display of the normal symbols is completed after the ball is detected at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765. This allows the electric accessory 640a, which is controlled by the detection of the ball, to act in a timely manner on the ball that has passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765.

[0313] Furthermore, the movable plate member 641 is disposed so as to be able to act on balls that have passed through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 as well as balls that have passed through the normal winning openings (through gates) 66 and 67. This increases the availability of the movable plate member 641.

[0314] That is, the movable plate member 641 can be effectively used in a game state in which a left-handed play is recommended to aim for the ball to enter the first winning opening 64, and in a game state in which a right-handed play is recommended to aim for the ball to enter the normal winning opening (through gate) 67. This effect is not limited to a left-right symmetrical board surface, but is also effective, for example, in an asymmetrical board surface (for example, a configuration in which the normal winning opening (through gate) 66 is omitted).

[0315] Furthermore, regarding the number of balls that can be placed on the movable plate member 641, while multiple balls can be placed on the left guide portion 645 at the same time, the number of balls that can be placed on the right guide portion 643 is limited to one. This makes it possible to make the right guide portion 643 stronger than the left guide portion 645, thereby improving the durability of the movable plate member 641.

[0316] In addition, by providing multiple operation patterns for the electric accessory 640a, different patterns for winning the lottery for the special symbol can be created. For example, when the ball repeatedly enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 is repeatedly won and a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 are alternately won.

[0317] In addition, when right-hand play is recommended as a pattern for winning the lottery for the special symbol, if the ball accidentally enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which it is easy to repeatedly win the lottery for special symbol 1, and a pattern in which there is a high probability that the ball that is swept to the right by the seesaw member 762 will avoid winning the lottery for special symbol 1.

[0318] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 24. In the first embodiment, a case was described in which a ball passes through a normal winning opening (through gate) 765 when flowing down one of the paths sorted by the path configuration device 700, but the sorting unit 980 of the second embodiment is configured so that a ball passes through detection devices SE4 and SE5 as normal winning openings (through gates) in the multiple paths to which the balls are sorted. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0319] Fig. 15 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board 13 in the second embodiment. Note that in Fig. 15, units other than the winning slot unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 disposed on the base plate 60 are omitted from the illustration.

[0320] As shown in FIG. 15, a through-hole 2060a that penetrates the base plate 60 in the thickness direction is formed by router processing below the central opening where the center frame 86 (see FIG. 2) is attached.

[0321] The through hole 2060a is formed slightly smaller than the outer shape of the front unit 940, which will be described later, when viewed from the front, and the drive unit 960 and the specific winning port unit 950, which are arranged in the front unit 940, are inserted inside.

[0322] On the base plate 60, a winning opening unit 930 is arranged from the playing area (front) side, and a ball throwing unit 970 is arranged from the opposite side (back) of the playing area, and each is fastened and fixed with tapping screws, etc. The detailed configurations of the winning opening unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 will be described later.

[0323] The winning port unit 930 is formed mainly by including a front unit 940, a specific winning port unit 950 disposed on the rear side of the front unit 940, a drive unit 960 disposed on the rear side of the specific winning port unit 950, and a displacement member 966 configured to be movable in the vertical direction by the driving force of the drive unit 960. The displacement member 966 will be described later.

[0324] The specific winning port unit 950 has a portion inserted inside the specific winning port 65a formed in the front unit 940, and a game ball can be sent to the inside of the specific winning port unit 950 through the specific winning port 65a.

[0325] The drive unit 960 is disposed on the rear side of the specific winning port unit 950, and is connected to the feather member 945 disposed in the front unit 940 via a displacement member 966. This allows the feather member 945 to be rotationally displaced as the displacement member 966 is operated by the driving force of the drive unit 960. The operation of the feather member 945 will be described in detail later.

[0326] Next, the front unit 940 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 16 to 18. Figure 16(a) is a front view of the front unit 940, and Figure 16(b) is a rear view of the front unit 940. Figure 17 is an exploded front perspective view of the front unit 940, and Figure 18 is an exploded rear perspective view of the front unit 940. Note that in Figures 16(a) and 16(b), the outline of the blade member 945 is shown with hidden lines.

[0327] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the front unit 940 is mainly formed by a rear base 941 fastened to the base plate 60, a front base 943 arranged on the rear base 941 at a distance greater than the diameter of the game ball, and two (a pair) of blade members 945 arranged rotatably between the opposing rear base 941 and the front base 943.

[0328] The rear base 941 has an outline formed in a substantially upside-down T shape when viewed from the front, and is formed from a plate-like body with a predetermined plate thickness. The rear base 941 is formed from a colorless and transparent resin material, and when the prize winning opening unit 930 (front unit 940) is arranged on the base plate 60, the inside of the through-hole 2060a of the base plate 60 can be seen through the rear base 941.

[0329] The back base 941 mainly comprises a first outlet 71 cut out at the lower end, a specific winning opening 65a located above the first outlet 71 and formed as a long horizontal rectangle, a second winning opening 640 formed as a penetration above the specific winning opening 65a, and a first winning opening 64 cut out at the edge (upper edge) opposite the first outlet 71.

[0330] The rear base 941 has a plurality of through holes 941a penetrating in the thickness direction at the outer edge portion thereof. The through holes 941a are formed of first through holes 941a1 whose diameter decreases from the front side to the rear side, and second through holes 941a2 whose diameter decreases from the rear side to the front side.

[0331] The first through-hole 941a1 is a hole through which a tapping screw is inserted to fasten the rear base 941 (prize slot unit 930) to the base plate 60, and its inner diameter is set larger than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the tapping screw.

[0332] As described above, the first through-hole 941a1 is formed with a diameter that decreases from the front side to the rear side, so that the head of the tapping screw can be accommodated in the expanded diameter portion on the front side. This prevents the head of the tapping screw from protruding into the play area. Furthermore, a positioning protrusion 942a is formed near the first through-hole 941a1, protruding cylindrically from the rear surface of the rear base 941.

[0333] The positioning protrusion 942a is formed at a position corresponding to a positioning hole formed around the through-hole 2060a of the base plate 60, and is formed with an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the positioning hole. This allows the rear base 941 (prize winning opening unit 930) to be positioned and disposed relative to the base plate 60.

[0334] The second through-hole 941a2 is a hole through which a screw for fastening the rear base 941 and the front base 943 is inserted from the rear base 941 side, and the inner diameter is set larger than the outer diameter of the screw threaded portion. That is, the front base 943 is fastened with a screw from the rear side of the rear base 941. In this case, the front base 943 can be removed from the rear base 941 only after the winning opening unit 930 has been removed from the base plate 60. This prevents a player from dishonestly removing only the front base 943 from the front side (play area side) of the game board 13.

[0335] Furthermore, as described above, the second through-hole 941a2 is formed so that its diameter decreases from the rear side to the front side, allowing the head of the screw to be accommodated in the expanded diameter portion on the rear side. This prevents the head of the screw from protruding on the rear side of the rear base 941. As a result, when a specific winning port unit 950 (described later) is disposed on the rear side of the rear base 941, it is possible to prevent the head of the screw from coming into contact with the specific winning port unit 950.

[0336] The outer shape of the lower end of the rear base 941 in the direction of gravity is formed along the inner edge of the inner rail 61 (see FIG. 2) of the gaming board 13. The first outlet 71 is formed with a dimension such that the edge of the cutout bottom (the upper edge in the direction of gravity) is separated from the inner edge of the inner rail 61 by a distance equal to or greater than the diameter of a gaming ball. As a result, gaming balls flowing down the gaming area formed on the front of the gaming board 13 that do not flow into any of the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, the specific winning opening 65a, and the general winning opening 63 (see FIG. 2) can be sent to the rear side of the gaming board 13 (the opposite side of the gaming area) via the first outlet 71.

[0337] The first winning opening 64 is formed by cutting out a semicircular shape from the end opposite the first outlet 71. The first winning opening 64 is also formed so that the inner edge dimension is larger than the diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball that flows into the inside of the first receiving portion 941g (described later) to be sent through the first winning opening 64 to the back side (the opposite side of the game area (the front side of the paper in Figure 16(b))).

[0338] The edge of the first winning opening 64 is formed with a first receiving portion 941g that protrudes toward the playing area (the front side of the paper in Figure 16(a)) and is cup-shaped, and a first ball throwing portion 942g that protrudes with a U-shaped cross section on the opposite side of the playing area (the front side of the paper in Figure 16(b)).

[0339] The first receiving portion 941g is formed to have a size that can receive one game ball inside, so that the game ball flowing down the game area from the upper side of the first receiving portion 941g (first winning opening 64) in the direction of gravity can flow into the inside of the first receiving portion 941g.

[0340] The first receiving portion 941g has a bottom surface that slopes downward toward the rear side, so that the gaming ball that has flowed into the first receiving portion 941g can be sent to the rear side (the first ball sending portion 942g side) through the first winning opening 64.

[0341] Furthermore, the first receiving portion 941g includes guide portions 941g1 that extend downward from the upper ends of both ends in the short side direction (left-right direction in FIG. 16) of the base plate 60, sloping outward in the left-right direction. The guide portions 941g1 are formed into a plate-like body with a predetermined thickness, and the side surface opposite the game area (the rear side) is connected to the front side of the rear base 941. This can increase the rigidity of the first receiving portion 941g, and can prevent game balls flowing down the flow-down area from colliding with the first receiving portion 941g and damaging the first receiving portion 941g.

[0342] Furthermore, if the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, and the specific winning opening 65 are integrally formed on the back base 941, there is a possibility that the arrangement of game nails that change the game ball flowing down the game area will be insufficient, making it difficult to change the flow direction of the game ball. Therefore, there is a risk that the player's interest will be lost, but by making the game ball collide with the guide portion 941g1, the flow direction of the game ball can be changed, and it is possible to prevent the player's interest from being lost.

[0343] Furthermore, when a gaming ball flowing down the front side of the rear base 941 toward the second winning opening 640 collides with the guide portion 941g1, the gaming ball can be guided outward in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to prevent the probability of the gaming ball entering the second winning opening 640 from becoming excessively high.

[0344] The first ball throwing section 942g is formed in a U-shape that opens upward in the direction of gravity, and the distance between opposing inner edges is formed to be greater than the diameter of the game ball. The bottom surface of the first ball throwing section 942g is formed to slope downward toward the rear side, and the protruding tip side abuts against the edge of the inlet 982d of the ball throwing unit 970, which will be described later. This allows the game ball thrown from the inside of the first receiving section 941g through the first winning opening 64 to the first ball throwing section 942g to roll toward the rear side and be thrown to the ball throwing unit 970.

[0345] First ball throwing section 942g has a first notch 942g1 cut out in a rectangular shape in side view at the upper end of the protruding tip. First notch 942g1 is a notch onto which second protrusion 982d1 of ball throwing unit 970 (described later) is placed, and is recessed to approximately the same size as the shape of second protrusion 982d1 in side view. The arrangement of first ball throwing section 942g and ball throwing unit 970 will be described in detail later.

[0346] The second winning opening 640 is formed to have a substantially D-shaped piercing shape with an upward curve when viewed from the front, and the inner edge is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the game ball. This allows the game ball sent between the opposing blade members 945 (described later) to be sent from the second winning opening 640 to the back side.

[0347] The second winning opening 640 has, at its edge, a front side wall portion 941b that protrudes toward the front side, and a second ball sending portion 942c that protrudes toward the back side.

[0348] The front side wall portion 941b is formed along both side edges of the second winning opening in the short direction of the base plate 60. The front side wall portion 941b is set to a size such that its protruding tip surface abuts against a ball sending guide portion 943d of the front base 943, which will be described later.

[0349] The second ball throwing section 942c is formed at each end of the lower edge of the second winning opening 640, bending in a generally L-shape when viewed from behind. The dimension of the second ball throwing section 942c in the direction of gravity (the vertical direction in FIG. 16(b)) is set to be larger than the radius of the game ball. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball rolling on the rolling section 943a of the front base 943 (described later) from falling from the upper surface of the rolling section 943a.

[0350] The pair of second ball sending sections 942c are set so that the distance between them in the short direction of the base plate 60 (left-right direction in Figure 16(b)) is approximately the same as the length dimension of the rolling section 943a of the front base 943 described later in the short direction of the base plate 60 (left-right direction in Figure 16(b)), and the rolling section 943a is arranged on the inside.

[0351] In the assembled state, second ball throwing section 942c is disposed inside displacement member 966 and faces displacement member 966 in the up-down and left-right directions. The left-right width between the outer surfaces of second ball throwing section 942c is formed slightly shorter than the left-right width between the inner surfaces of second opening 966c of displacement member 966. This allows second ball throwing section 942c to limit the left-right displacement of displacement member 966.

[0352] The rear base 941 is formed with first axial holes 941d recessed in two circular locations on the upper side (first winning opening 64 side) near the second winning opening 640, from the game area side of the rear base 941 toward the opposite side of the game area, two first openings 941e curved around the axis of the first axial holes 941d and formed through the rear base 941, and a first guide wall 942b located outside the opposing directions of the two first openings 941e and protruding toward the rear side.

[0353] The first shaft hole 941d is capable of supporting a shaft member 945a that pivotally supports the blade members 945 described below, and is formed with an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the shaft member 945a, so that one end of the shaft member 945a can be inserted into the first shaft hole 941d and supported.

[0354] First opening 941e is opened in an arc shape with its axis at the center of first shaft hole 941d. Furthermore, first opening 941e is configured to allow protrusion 945b of blade member 945 to be inserted therethrough, and is set larger than the maximum width dimension of protrusion 945b in the radial direction of the rotation shaft (insertion hole 945c) of blade member 945. This makes it possible to prevent protrusion 945b from coming into contact with the inner surface of first opening 941e when blade member 945 rotates.

[0355] The pair of first guide walls 942b are walls that guide the vertical displacement of the displacement member 966 when the displacement member 966 described later is displaced, and the distance dimension between the pair of opposing first guide walls 942b is set to be slightly larger than the distance dimension in the short side direction (left and right direction) of the displacement member 966.

[0356] The pair of first guide walls 942b are formed in a generally L-shape in rear view, and extend in a direction in which the bent portions approach each other. This allows the protrusion 966a of the displacement member 966 to abut against the bent portions of the first guide walls 942b, thereby regulating the displacement distance of the displacement member 966.

[0357] The specific winning opening 65a is formed as a long rectangular opening in the opposing direction of the pair of blade members 945 (left and right direction in Figure 16 (b)), and an opening and closing plate of the specific winning opening unit 950 described later is arranged inside the opening.

[0358] The rear base 941 has a bulging portion 942h that bulges out between the specific winning opening 65a and the second ball sending portion 942c, and a second guide wall 942d that protrudes from the outer frame of the specific winning opening 65a toward the first guide wall 942b (upper side of Figure 16(b)).

[0359] The bulging portion 942h bulges out toward the rear side of the rear base 941, and is connected to the outer frame of the specific winning opening 65a and the second ball sending portion 942c. This makes it possible to reduce the contact area between the displacement member 966 and the rear surface of the rear base 941 when the displacement member 966, which will be described later, is disposed on the rear side of the rear base 941, thereby suppressing the frictional (sliding) resistance of the displacement member 966.

[0360] The second guide walls 942d are wall surfaces that guide the displacement of a lower end portion of the displacement member 966, and the distance between the pair of opposing second guide walls 942d is set to be slightly larger than the distance in the short side direction of the displacement member 966. Therefore, when the displacement member 966 is disposed between the pair of opposing second guide walls 942d, the displacement distance of the lower end portion of the displacement member 966 in the short side direction (left and right direction) of the displacement member 966 can be restricted.

[0361] Therefore, not only is the left-right displacement of displacement member 966 limited by second ball throwing portion 942c being disposed on the inside, but the left-right displacement of displacement member 966 is also limited by second guide wall 942d being disposed on the outside, thereby making it possible to limit the left-right displacement of displacement member 966 for a long period of time.

[0362] The rear base 941 is provided with second outlets 941f formed by cutting out semicircular holes downward at the upper edge of both the left and right ends of the specific winning opening 65a. The second outlets 941f are cutouts for sending the game balls that have flowed into the third receiving portions 944a formed in the front base 943 to the rear side of the base plate 60, and are formed in a shape larger than the diameter of the game balls.

[0363] In addition, a third ball throwing section 942e that is formed in a substantially U-shape in rear view and protrudes toward the rear side is formed on the edge of the second outlet 941f. This allows a game ball that has been thrown toward the rear side via the inside of the second outlet 941f to be thrown to the inside of the third ball throwing section 942e.

[0364] The third ball sending section 942e is formed so that the U-shaped curved part (lower part) when viewed from the rear is inclined downward in the direction of gravity as it protrudes toward the rear side, allowing the game ball sent from the second outlet 941f to roll toward the rear side.

[0365] The rear base 941 is formed with a third through hole 941i that is formed in a shape that extends linearly upward from the upper end of the first opening 941e, a fourth through hole 941j that is formed in an arc shape centered on the axis of the first axis hole 941d from the upper end of the third through hole 941i toward the left and right outward, a ball throwing hole 941k that is drilled between the pair of third through holes 941i and is large enough for a game ball to pass through, and a rolling plate portion 941l that extends toward the rear side from the lower edge of the ball throwing hole 941k as a base end.

[0366] The third through-hole 941i is a through-hole for passing the extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e to the rear surface side when assembling the wing member 945. The fourth through-hole 941j is a through-hole for allowing displacement of the extension portion 945d when the wing member 945 operates, and is drilled in a shape that includes the entire displacement trajectory of the extension portion 945d when viewed from the front (when viewed in the axial direction of the shaft member 945a). Note that since the plate-shaped portion 945e is disposed on the rear surface side, passing through the rear surface base 941, it is not necessary to consider the displacement trajectory of the plate-shaped portion 945e.

[0367] Ball throwing hole 941k is an opening for throwing a ball rolling on the upper surface of plate-shaped portion 945e to the front side when wing member 945 is in the open state. Because the bottom of ball throwing hole 941k is left open on the front side of ball throwing hole 941k (see FIGS. 17 and 18), it is possible to reduce the possibility of a ball entering ball throwing hole 941k from the front side.

[0368] In other words, the front area of ​​the ball throwing hole 941k can be formed as a meeting point between the ball rolling on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e and the ball rolling on the upper surface of the feather-shaped main body 945, and the flow of balls through the ball throwing hole 941k can be made to flow exclusively toward the front side.

[0369] The rolling plate portion 941l is formed as an inclined plate that slopes upward toward the rear side, and is configured to cause a ball that has landed on the extended tip side to flow down to the base end side (front side). After rolling on the upper surface of the rolling plate portion 941 and reaching the base end side, the ball passes through the ball sending hole 941k and reaches the front side of the rear base 941 (the space between the rear base 941 and the front base 943), and then flows down.

[0370] The front base 943 is formed in a roughly upside-down T-shape, with an outer shape smaller than that of the rear base when viewed from the front. The front base 943 is formed from a colorless and transparent plate-like body. This allows the player to visually recognize the game balls flowing down between the opposing front base 943 and rear base 941.

[0371] The front base 943 is formed mainly by comprising a second receiving portion 943c and a third receiving portion 944a that are protruded at positions corresponding to the second winning opening 640 and the second outlet 941f of the rear base 941 described above, respectively.

[0372] The second receiving portion 943c is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the rear, and the second winning opening 640 of the rear base 941 is disposed inside when viewed from the front. In addition, a pair of blade members 945, which will be described later, are disposed on the open side (the open side of the U) of the second receiving portion 943c.

[0373] Furthermore, the protruding distance of the second receiving portion 943c toward the rear base 941 is set to be larger than the diameter of the gaming ball. Therefore, the gaming ball can be sent between the opposing rear base 941 and the opposing front base 943, and the gaming ball can be prevented from flowing into the second winning opening 640 from outside the opposing space between a pair of blade members 945 described later.

[0374] Second receiving portion 943c also includes ball throwing guide portion 943d protruding inward from the inner edge thereof, and rolling portion 943a protruding from the inside of the curved portion toward the rear base side.

[0375] A pair of ball throwing guide portions 943d are formed on the lower sides of the pair of blade members 945. The pair of ball throwing guide portions 943d are also formed at positions corresponding to the front sidewall portions 941b of the rear base 941, and when the rear base 941 and the front base 943 are combined, their end faces abut against each other. This allows a game ball that has flowed between the opposing blade members 945 to be thrown between the opposing ball throwing guide portions 943d.

[0376] The rolling portion 943a is formed below the opposing space between the pair of ball sending guide portions 943d, and has an upper end surface 943a1 that slopes downward toward the rear base 941. As described above, when the rear base 941 and the front base 943 are fastened (combined), the rolling portion 943a is located at the lower inner end of the second winning opening 640, and its tip protrudes toward the rear side of the rear base 941.

[0377] This allows the game ball sent between the opposing pair of ball sending guide portions 943d to be sent to the end surface 943a1 of the rolling portion 943a, and the game ball can be rolled on the upper part of the end surface 943a1 and sent to the back side of the back base 941.

[0378] The front base 943 also has an annular protrusion 943b that protrudes in an annular shape from the opening side (upper side) of the second receiving portion 943c at a position facing the first shaft hole 941d of the rear base 941. The annular protrusion 943b has a second shaft hole 943b1 on its inner edge, and the other end of the shaft member 945a that pivotally supports the blade member 945 (described later) can be inserted into the inside of the second shaft hole 943b1. As described above, one end of the shaft member 945a is inserted into the first shaft hole 941d of the rear base 941. Therefore, the shaft member 945a can be sandwiched and supported between the opposing rear base 941 and front base 943.

[0379] The third receiving portion 944a is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the rear, and the second outlet 941f of the rear base 941 is disposed inside the third receiving portion 944a. This allows game balls flowing down the play area of ​​the game board 13 to flow into the inside of the third receiving portion 944a, and also allows game balls that have flowed into the third receiving portion 944a to be sent to the rear side via the second outlet 941f.

[0380] When viewed from the front, the feather members 945 are arranged as a pair, sandwiching the second winning opening 640 formed in the rear base 941. The feather members 945 are made of a colored translucent material, and are visible to the player through the front base 943.

[0381] The feather member 945 mainly comprises a feather-shaped main body 945m that is formed in a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the front and that is formed with a thickness that is smaller than the width between the rear base 941 and the front base 943, a protrusion 945b that protrudes from the rear side of the feather-shaped main body 945m, an insertion hole 945c that is formed through the thickness direction of the feather-shaped main body 945m (from the rear base 941 side to the front base 943 side), a connecting portion 945d that extends from the end of the feather-shaped main body 945m opposite the side where the insertion hole 945c is located toward the rear side, and a plate-shaped portion 945e that extends in a plate-like shape from the tip side of the extension portion 945d in the longitudinal direction of the feather-shaped main body 945m (up and down direction in Figure 16(a)).

[0382] The extension portion 945d and the plate-like portion 945e are configured to pass through the through-holes 941i and 941j in the assembled state (see FIG. 16(a)) and to be operable inside the sorting unit 980, details of which will be described later.

[0383] The insertion hole 945c is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 945a supported between the opposing rear base 941 and front base 943. Therefore, when fastening (assembling) the rear base 941 and the front base 943 together, the shaft member 945a is inserted into the insertion hole 945c, so that the blade member 945 can be rotatably disposed between the opposing rear base 941 and the front base 943. This allows the blade member 945 to be displaced between a closed state (see FIG. 16(a)) in which the rotating tip ends are close to each other, and an open state in which the rotating tip ends are displaced so as to open outward on both the left and right sides.

[0384] The protrusion 945b is a transmission part that is inserted into a slide groove 966a2 of a displacement member 966, which will be described later, and transmits the driving force of the drive unit 960. The protrusion 945b has a dimension that allows its tip to pass through a first opening 941e of the rear base 941 and protrude toward the rear side of the rear base 941, and to be inserted into the slide groove 966a2.

[0385] The displacement member 966 is formed in a U-shape with an open upper side when viewed from the front, and is provided with a protruding portion 966a that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the upper end, and a bulging portion 966b that bulges outward from the lower end toward the rear side, and a second opening 966c is formed through it at approximately the center when viewed from the front.

[0386] The second opening 966c is formed so that the shape of the inner edge in a front view is larger than the second winning opening 640, and the second winning opening 640 is disposed inside. This makes it possible to prevent a game ball sent to the opposite side of the game area through the second winning opening 640 from colliding with the inner edge of the displacement member 966.

[0387] The protrusions 966a include contact portions 966a1 located on both outer sides in the lateral direction of the displacement member 966 and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a slide groove 966a2 formed to penetrate the displacement member 966 in the plate thickness direction.

[0388] Slide groove 966a2 is an elongated hole into which protrusion 945b of feather member 945 described above is inserted, and is formed as an elongated hole that is long in the short direction of displacement member 966. Furthermore, slide groove 966a2 is set to have a width dimension larger than the width dimension of protrusion 945b in the radial direction of the rotation shaft (insertion hole 945c) of feather member 945. This prevents protrusion 945b from coming into contact with both inner surfaces of slide groove 966a2 that face each other in the width direction when feather member 945 rotates, thereby preventing restriction of movement of feather member 945.

[0389] The bulging portion 966b is formed to bulge out toward the rear side (toward the rear base 941), and has a horizontally long rectangular connecting hole 966b1 formed in its inner portion in rear view. The connecting hole 966b1 is an opening into which a transmission member of the drive unit 960 is inserted, and the shape of the inner edge is set to be larger than the outer shape of the tip of the transmission member.

[0390] The wing member 945 is in a closed state in response to the displacement member 966 being placed in a lower position via the transmission member of the drive unit 960. On the other hand, the wing member 945 is in an open state in response to the displacement member 966 being placed in an upper position via the transmission member of the drive unit 960.

[0391] Next, the sorting unit 980 will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19(a) is a front view of the sorting unit 980, Figure 19(b) is a rear view of the sorting unit 980, Figure 20(a) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XXa-XXa in Figure 19(a), and Figure 20(b) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XXb-XXb in Figure 20(a).

[0392] The distribution unit 980 is formed mainly by including a rear base 985, a front base 981 disposed on the player side of the rear base 985, and a distribution section 983 disposed rotatably between the front base 981 and the rear base. The distribution section 983 is a member corresponding to the seesaw member 762 in the first embodiment.

[0393] The rear base 985 is formed from a colored translucent resin material (blue in this embodiment) and is mainly comprised of a base portion 985a formed in a plate-like body, a plurality of openings (openings 985b to 985g) penetrating the thickness direction of the base portion 985a, a recess 985h recessed above the plurality of openings, and a storage portion 986b protruding from the opposite surface of the recess 985h.

[0394] The base portion 985a is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is formed with a plurality of fastening holes 986c and 986d that penetrate the outer edge of the base portion 985a in a circular shape. The fastening holes 986c are holes into which screws that are inserted through a front base 981 (described later) are threaded. This allows the front base 981 and the rear base 985 to be fastened together. The fastening holes 986d are holes into which screws that are inserted through a passage unit 990 (described later) are threaded. This allows the rear base 985 (sorting unit 980) and the passage unit 990 to be fastened together.

[0395] The recess 985h is recessed from the front base 981 side toward the back side at approximately the center position in the short side direction (left-right direction) of the base portion 985a. The recess 985h is formed with a size large enough to accommodate a part of the distribution portion 983 (described later) on the inside, and is provided with a bearing portion 985j that protrudes in an annular shape on the bottom surface. The bearing portion 985j is a hole into which one end of a shaft member 988a that pivotally supports the distribution portion 983 is inserted, and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 988a.

[0396] The openings 985b and 985c are formed at both ends of the base portion 985a in the short direction, and the dimensions of the inner edges are set to be larger than the diameter of the gaming ball. The openings 985b and 985c are formed so that the lower inner surfaces are inclined downward as they go toward the side opposite the front base 981. This allows the gaming balls flowing in from the front base 981 side to roll to the opposite side of the front base 981 (the back side).

[0397] Opening 985e is formed closer to opening 985b than the center position in the left-right direction, and opening 985f is formed closer to opening 985c than the center position in the left-right direction. Because openings 985e and 985f have the same configuration, a detailed description will be given of opening 985f, which can receive balls that have flowed down second passage TR2, and a description of opening 985e, which can receive balls that have flowed down first passage TR1, will be omitted.

[0398] The opening 985f is formed mainly by an inlet passage 985f1 of the space that opens toward the front base 981, an outlet passage 985f3 of the space that opens on the opposite side from the front base 981, an intermediate passage 985f2 that extends in the direction of gravity and connects the inlet passage 985f1 and the outlet passage 985f3, and a recessed portion 985f4 that is recessed in the intermediate passage 985f2 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the throwing direction of the game ball (direction of gravity) (see Figures 19(b) and 20(a)).

[0399] The inflow passage 985f1 is connected to a second passage TR2 formed between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985, which will be described later, and is formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. This allows game balls flowing down the second passage TR2 to flow into the inflow passage 985f1.

[0400] The intermediate passage 985f2 is formed to extend in the direction of gravity, and the upper side is connected to the inflow passage 985f1, and is formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. This allows game balls passing through the inflow passage 985f1 to flow into the intermediate passage 985f2.

[0401] The recessed portion 985f4 is a cutout for disposing the detecting device SE3 (described later) inside thereof, and is set to have substantially the same outer shape as the detecting device SE3 when viewed from the rear, which allows the detecting device SE3 to be inserted and disposed from the rear side of the base portion 985a (the side opposite to the front base 981).

[0402] The detection device SE3 is a device that detects the passage of a gaming ball, and has a detection hole SE1a formed through it in the thickness direction, with an inner diameter slightly larger than that of the gaming ball. The detection hole SE1a is formed biased to one side in the longitudinal direction of the detection device SE3, and a detection board SE1b that controls the detection device SE1 is disposed on the other side in the longitudinal direction where the detection hole SE1a is not formed.

[0403] Furthermore, the detection device SE3 is arranged such that the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a is parallel to the extension direction of the intermediate passage 985f2, and the internal space of the detection hole SE1a and the space of the intermediate passage 985f2 are substantially aligned. This allows a gaming ball to pass through the detection hole SE1a of the detection device SE3 when it flows down from the upper side of the intermediate passage 985f2. This allows a gaming ball passing through the second passage TR2 to be detected.

[0404] In addition, since the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a of the detection device SE3 is formed parallel to the direction of gravity, it is possible to easily utilize the weight of the game ball when sending the game ball to the detection hole SE1a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game ball from getting caught on the connecting portion between the intermediate passage 985f2 and the detection hole SE1a.

[0405] The recessed portion 985f4 is formed so as to be continuous with the spaces of the inlet passage 985f1 and the outlet passage 985f3. That is, the intermediate passage 985f2 is formed using the detection device SE3. This prevents the length of the intermediate passage 985f2 in the direction of gravity from increasing. As a result, the rear surface base 985 is prevented from increasing in size in the direction of gravity.

[0406] The discharge passage 985f3 is connected to the lower side of the intermediate passage 985f2 and is formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. Furthermore, the discharge passage 985f3 is connected to the insertion hole of the passage unit 990 when the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit 990 are combined. This allows game balls passing through the intermediate passage 985f2 to flow into the discharge passage 985f3 and to be sent to the passage unit 990 by passing through that space.

[0407] The opening 985g is formed at the lower end of the rear base 985 at the left-right center position. The opening 985g is formed such that the inner surface on the lower side is inclined downward toward the side opposite to the front base 981. This allows the game balls flowing in from the front base 981 side to roll toward the side opposite to the front base 981.

[0408] The inflow passage 985f1 is connected to a second passage TR2 formed between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985, which will be described later, and is formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. This allows game balls flowing down the second passage TR2 to flow into the inflow passage 985f1.

[0409] The accommodation portion 986b is formed from a pair of semicircular rings. The accommodation portion 986b is a portion that accommodates the magnetic body 988b (described later) inside, and its inner diameter is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the magnetic body 988b, which is formed into a cylindrical body. The protruding dimension of the accommodation portion 986b is set to be larger than the axial dimension of the magnetic body 988b. This allows the magnetic body 988b to be accommodated inside the accommodation portion 986b. Furthermore, because the accommodation portion 986b is formed from a pair of semicircular rings, even if the outer diameter of the magnetic body 988b is formed slightly larger due to a manufacturing error, the magnetic body 988b can be disposed by elastically deforming the pair of semicircular rings.

[0410] The magnetic body 988b is made of a magnet, and by being disposed in the housing portion 986b, it is possible to generate a magnetic field on the front base 981 side via the base portion 985a. This causes the magnetic body 988c disposed in the sorting portion 983 (described later) to repel, making it easier to displace the sorting portion 983.

[0411] The rear base 985 has an opening 985k, which is a cutout for arranging the detectors SE4 and SE5 in the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 described below, formed in a shape substantially identical to the outer shape of the detectors SE4 and SE5 when viewed from the rear. This allows the detectors SE4 and SE5 to be inserted and disposed from the rear side of the base portion 985a (the side opposite to the front base 981). Note that the structure of the detectors SE4 and SE5 is the same as that of the detector SE3 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0412] In addition, the detection devices SE4 and SE5 are arranged such that the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a is set parallel to the extension direction of the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2, and the internal space of the detection hole SE1a is approximately aligned with the space of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

[0413] This allows the gaming balls to pass through the detection holes SE1a of the detection devices SE4 and SE5 when they flow down from the upper side of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, thereby making it possible to detect gaming balls passing through the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

[0414] In addition, since the axial direction of the detection hole SE1a of the detection devices SE4 and SE5 is formed parallel to the direction of gravity, it is possible to easily utilize the weight of the game ball when sending the game ball to the detection hole SE1a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game ball from getting caught on the connection part between the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 and the detection hole SE1a.

[0415] The detection devices SE4 and SE5 are configured as devices that perform a lottery for a normal symbol (second symbol) when it is detected that a ball has passed through the detection hole SE1a.

[0416] The opening 985k is formed so as to communicate with the space of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2. That is, the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 is formed using the detection device SE3. This prevents the length of the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 in the direction of gravity from increasing. As a result, the rear surface base 985 can be prevented from increasing in size in the direction of gravity.

[0417] The front base 981 is made of a colored translucent resin material (blue in this embodiment). The front base 981 is formed in a generally rectangular shape larger than the rear base 985 when viewed from the front, and is formed mainly by a base plate 981a and a bulging portion 982 that bulges out from the base plate 981a toward the player (the opposite side of the rear base 985).

[0418] The base plate 981a is formed as a plate member having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is mainly provided with a plurality of insertion holes 981g penetrating in the thickness direction of the plate at its outer peripheral edge, a first guide wall 981f protruding toward the rear base 985, and a through hole 981c penetrating in the thickness direction on one side of the bulge portion 982 in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction).

[0419] Insertion hole 981g is a hole through which a screw (not shown) is inserted to fasten assembled ball throwing unit 970 to base plate 60 (see FIG. 15), and is set to have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tip of the screw.

[0420] The first guide wall 981f is formed in a semicircular ring shape, and is formed as a pair in the short side direction with a bulging portion 982 (described later) sandwiched therebetween. The first guide wall 981f is formed with the open portion of the semicircle facing toward approximately the center of the base plate 981a in the short side direction.

[0421] The through-hole 981c is formed in a square shape with one side greater than the diameter of the gaming ball. The through-hole 981c is also formed with a side wall portion 981b erected on the front side along the edge of the through-hole 981c.

[0422] In addition, the through hole 981c is a part that communicates with the second winning port 640 of the above-mentioned winning port unit 930, and is formed at a position that overlaps with the rolling direction of the game ball that flows into the second winning port 640 when the winning port unit 930 and the ball sending unit 970 are attached to the base plate 60.

[0423] The side wall portion 981b is formed with dimensions such that its upright tip surface abuts against the second ball throwing portion 942c (see FIG. 18) of the winning opening unit 930 when the winning opening unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 are attached to the base plate 60. Furthermore, the side wall portion 981b is formed so that the rolling surface 981c1 on the lower inner surface is positioned lower than the end surface 943a1 (see FIG. 18) of the rolling portion 943a, and is inclined downward toward the rear base 985 side.

[0424] The bulging portion 982 is formed in a dome shape that bulges out from the base plate 981a, and is set to a size that allows a game ball to be inserted inside it, and is formed with a ball sending passage TR0 inside which the game ball flowing in from the inlet 982d passes, and a first passage TR1 and a second passage TR2 branching off from the ball sending passage TR0.

[0425] The bulge portion 982 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, and is mainly composed of an inlet 982d formed by cutting out the upper end, an upright wall 982a formed in a wall-like shape extending toward the rear base 985 at approximately the center position when viewed from the front, and recesses 982e to 982j formed as curved surfaces at multiple points in the direction of gravity that can send game balls toward the rear side.

[0426] In addition, the bulge portion 982 is provided with a ball throwing opening 982k drilled in the front-to-back direction on the underside of the upright wall 982a, insertion openings 982l drilled in the front-to-back direction in the shape of a vertically elongated rectangle on both the left and right sides of the ball throwing opening 982k, and a rotation-permitting opening 982m drilled in a shape that extends outward to the left and right from the upper end of the insertion opening 982l.

[0427] The inlet 982d is formed by cutting out a generally U-shape when viewed from the front. The inlet 982d is formed at a position where an inner edge portion thereof overlaps with the rolling direction of a game ball that has flowed into the first winning opening 64 of the winning opening unit 930 when the winning opening unit 930 and the ball sending unit 970 are attached to the base plate 60.

[0428] The inlet 982d also has a second protrusion 982d1 at its upper edge that protrudes in the direction opposite to the rear base 985. The second protrusion 982d1 is formed in the shape of the inner edge of the first recessed portion 942g1 (see FIG. 18) of the winning opening unit 930 described above, and when the winning opening unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 are disposed on the base plate 60, the second protrusion 982d1 abuts against the inner edge of the first recessed portion 942g1.

[0429] Furthermore, the distance L14 (see FIG. 19(a)) from the second protrusion 982d1 to the lower end face of the inlet 982d is set to be greater than the distance L15 (see FIG. 16(b)) from the inner edge of the first recessed portion 942g1 to the lower inner edge of the first ball throwing portion 942g. This makes it less likely that a game ball sent to the first ball throwing portion 942g through the first winning opening 64 will be pinched between the inlet 982d (bulge 982) and the first ball throwing portion 942g as it flows into the inlet 982d.

[0430] The standing wall 982a is formed in a rectangular shape in a front view at a predetermined distance from the outer edge shape of the bulging portion 982. The standing wall 982a is formed below the inlet 982d and is provided with an abutment portion 982a1 on the upper side that is formed in a triangular shape when viewed in the standing direction.

[0431] The horizontal distance between the upright wall 982a and the inner edge of the outer periphery of the bulge portion 982 is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball, and a first passage TR1 and a second passage TR2 are formed between the opposing portions as spaces through which the game ball can pass.

[0432] The first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 are formed downstream of a distribution section 983, which will be described later, and gaming balls passing through the distribution section 983 are sent to either one of them. The distribution section 983 is set so that gaming balls flowing into the inlet 982d can be sent alternately to the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2. This makes it possible to prevent the sending of gaming balls flowing into the first winning port 64 from becoming monotonous. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player's interest from being lost.

[0433] A bearing portion 982c is formed on the upper side of the standing wall 982a, protruding in an annular shape from the inner surface of the bulging portion 982 toward the rear base 985. The bearing portion 982c is a portion that supports the other end side of a shaft member 988a that pivotally supports a distribution portion 983 (described later), and its inner diameter is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the shaft member 988a. Therefore, by inserting the shaft member 988a into the bearing portion 982c, the other end side of the shaft member 988a can be supported.

[0434] Furthermore, as described above, one end of the shaft member 988a is inserted into the bearing portion 985j of the rear base 985. Therefore, when combining the front base 981 and the rear base 985, one end of the shaft member 988a is inserted into the bearing portion 985j and the other end of the shaft member 988a is inserted into the bearing portion 982c, thereby making it possible to support the shaft member 988a between the front base 981 and the rear base 985.

[0435] The contact portion 982a1 is formed on the rotation trajectory of the distributing portion 983, which will be described later, and the amount of rotational displacement of the distributing portion 983 is restricted by the contact of the action portion 983a of the distributing portion 983 with the contact portion 982a1.

[0436] The recesses 982e and 982f are recessed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 from the inner surface on the lower side of the bulging portion 982. Furthermore, inside the recesses 982e and 982f, a first branch passage BK1 or a second branch passage BK2 is formed as a space communicating with the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

[0437] The first branch passage BK1 is connected to the opening 985b of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined. Therefore, the first branch passage BK1 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the first passage TR1, and is also able to allow the received game balls to flow into the opening 985b of the rear base 985.

[0438] The second branch passage BK2 is connected to the opening 985c of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined. Therefore, the second branch passage BK2 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the second passage TR2, and is also able to allow the received game balls to flow into the opening 985c of the rear base 985.

[0439] The balls guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2 are guided to a ball discharge passage (not shown). That is, the balls guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2 are discharged without providing any benefit to the player, just like the balls that flow into the first outlet 71.

[0440] The profit given to the player by the ball guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2 can be variously changed. For example, it may be designed as a profit in the form of a preset number of prize balls being paid out, or as a profit obtained by detecting the ball in a detection device for drawing a normal symbol or a jackpot.

[0441] The recesses 982h and 982j are recessed in the extension direction of the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 from the lower inner surface of the bulging portion 982. That is, the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2 are extended downward by the amount of the recesses 982h and 982j.

[0442] The first passage TR1 is connected to the opening 985e of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined together. Therefore, the first passage TR1 receives game balls that have flowed into the inlet 982d, and allows the game balls that have flowed in to flow into the opening 985e of the rear base 985.

[0443] The second passage TR2 is connected to the opening 985f of the rear base 985 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined. Therefore, the second passage TR2 receives the game balls that have flowed into the inlet 982d, and allows the game balls that have flowed in to flow into the opening 985f of the rear base 985.

[0444] Ball throwing opening 982k is formed between recessed portions 982h and 982j. Additionally, a third branch passage BK3, which is a space that communicates with first passage TR1 and second passage TR2, is formed inside ball throwing opening 982k. Therefore, because third branch passage BK3 that communicates with first passage TR1 and second passage TR2 is formed between first passage TR1 and second passage TR2, sorting unit 980 can be made smaller.

[0445] The rolling surface 982g formed on the lower side of the third branch passage BK3 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front side. As a result, when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined, the third branch passage BK3 becomes a passage through which a game ball that has flowed down the rear side of the front base 981 can pass to the front side of the front base 981.

[0446] In this embodiment, the third branch passage BK3 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, and the received game balls flow to the front side through the ball sending opening 982k and the ball sending hole 941k (see Figure 16(a)) and are configured to be able to enter the second winning port 640.

[0447] The inclined portion 982b of the bulging portion 982 is formed on the lower side of the bulging portion 982 and extends downward, inclined toward the rear base 985. In addition, the inclined portion 982b is formed across the left-right width direction of the bulging portion 982 when the front base 981 and the rear base 985 are combined.

[0448] This allows game balls flowing down the first passage TR1, the second passage TR2, the first branch passage BK1 and the second branch passage BK2 to come into contact with the inclined portion 982b, thereby guiding the flowing game balls toward the openings 985b to 985f (back side) and making it easier for them to flow into the openings 985b to 985f.

[0449] On the other hand, by making the game ball flowing down the third branch passage BK3 come into contact with the rolling surface 982g, the game ball flowing down can be guided to the ball throwing opening 982k side (front side), making it easier for the game ball to flow into the ball throwing opening 982k.

[0450] The rolling surface 982g is not symmetrical in front view, but is asymmetrical with the left side positioned lower than the right side. This makes it easier to prevent the balls from lining up side by side in the third branch passage BK3 when balls arrive at the third branch passage BK3 from both the left and right sides at the same time, and the direction in which the balls are lined up (serial direction) has a vertical component. This makes it easier to prevent ball jamming in the third branch passage BK3 and avoids situations in which the blade member 945 becomes inoperable due to ball jamming.

[0451] The insertion opening 982l is an opening for inserting the extension portion 945d and the plate-shaped portion 945e of the feather member 945 into the back side of the bulge portion 982 when assembling the winning opening unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 to the base member 60.

[0452] In other words, when the prize winning port unit 930 is assembled, the extension portion 945d and plate-shaped portion 945e (see Figure 16(b)), which are inserted into the third through hole 941i of the rear base 941 and protrude toward the rear side, are also inserted into the insertion opening 982l of the ball throwing unit 970, and with the extension portion 945d penetrating the insertion opening 982l, the plate-shaped portion 945e is positioned on the rear side of the bulge portion 982.

[0453] The rotation allowance opening 982m is an opening formed to a necessary extent to avoid restricting the displacement of the extension portion 945d that penetrates the bulge portion 982. By forming the rotation allowance opening 982m to have a minimum size (a width smaller than the diameter of the gaming ball), it is possible to prevent the gaming ball from being sent to the front side through the rotation allowance opening 982m. Next, the displacement of the plate-shaped portion 945e accompanying the opening and closing operation of the blade member 945 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0454] Figures 21(a) and 21(b) are cross-sectional views of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XXb-XXb in Figure 20(a). Figure 21(a) illustrates the wing member 945 (plate-shaped portion 945e) in the closed state, and Figure 21(b) illustrates the wing member 945 (plate-shaped portion 945e) in the open state.

[0455] 21(a), when the blade member 945 is in the closed state, it is retracted from the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2, and the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 are guided to the openings 985e, 985f. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 from being guided to the third branch passage BK3 side.

[0456] 21(b), when the blade member 945 is in the open state, the plate-shaped portion 945e enters the first passage TR1 and the second passage TR2, and the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 are directed to the third branch passage BK3 side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 from being guided into the openings 985e, 985f.

[0457] That is, the blade members 945 are configured to be switchable between an open state and a closed state, thereby switching the guide direction of the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2. In other words, the blade members 945 not only act to switch the guide direction of the balls flowing down the region between the rear base 941 and the front base 943 where the blade-shaped main body 945m (see FIG. 17) is arranged, but also act to switch the guide direction of the balls flowing down the internal region of the sorting unit 980 where the plate-shaped portion 945e is arranged.

[0458] The following describes a case where blade member 945 performs an opening / closing operation immediately after the ball reaches upstream branch position BK0. Upstream branch position BK0 is set as the position immediately before the position where the flowing ball is subjected to the action of blade member 945. When blade member 945 performs an opening / closing operation toward the closed state immediately after the ball reaches upstream branch position BK0 in the open state, the ball is pushed toward third branch passage BK3 by plate-shaped portion 945e.

[0459] On the other hand, when the wing member 945 is in a closed state and the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0, and the wing member 945 opens and closes toward the open state, the ball is guided to the openings 985e, 985f, or to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2.

[0460] In this way, the side of the blade member 945 in the direction of movement is not blocked, and a space large enough to guide the ball is formed in the direction of movement, making it easier to avoid situations where the ball gets stuck between the blade member 945 and the bulge portion 982.

[0461] If the ball is guided to openings 985e, 985f, it will be detected by detection device SE3 and will be able to win a lottery for special pattern 1, and the player will be able to receive the benefit of a prize ball being paid out, but if the ball is guided to the first branch passage BK1 or the second branch passage BK2, the player will not be able to win a lottery for special pattern 1, nor will he be able to receive the benefit of a prize ball being paid out.

[0462] Therefore, if a ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0 when the vane members 945 are in a closed state, the vane members 945 may immediately open or close, causing a disadvantage to the player. This can increase attention to the upstream branch position BK0 and the vane members 945.

[0463] 21(b), the vane member 945 and vane-like portion 945e are configured with a symmetrical shape, so that there is no difference in the ease with which balls that flow down the first passage TR1 and balls that flow down the second passage TR2 are picked up by the vane member 945. Note that ball clogging when balls are guided simultaneously from the left and right is prevented by making the shape of the rolling surface 982g, which serves as the rolling surface of the third branch passage BK3, asymmetric as described above.

[0464] 19 and 20, the explanation will be returned to. The dividing portion 983 is set to a thickness slightly smaller than the dimension between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985, and is formed in a generally T-shape when viewed from the front. The dividing portion 983 is mainly formed by an acting portion 983a on one side of the T-shape, an intermediate plate 983b protruding from approximately the center of the extending direction of the acting portion 983a, a through-hole 983c passing through the connecting portion of the acting portion 983a and the intermediate plate 983b, a contact portion 983d bulging out in a circular shape around the axis of the through-hole 983c, and a wall portion 983e formed by connecting the acting portion 983a and the intermediate plate 983b to the rear base 985 side.

[0465] The through-hole 983c is a hole into which the shaft member 988a supported between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985 is inserted, and is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 988a. As a result, when assembling the front base 981 and rear base 985, by inserting the shaft member 988a into the through-hole 983c of the sorting unit 983, the sorting unit 983 is disposed between the opposing front base 981 and rear base 985 in a rotatable state.

[0466] The intermediate plate 983b is formed to extend radially outward from the through-hole 983c, and when the displacement of the distribution part 983 is restricted by rotation to one side or the other, the distance L17 (see FIG. 20(b)) from its tip to the inside of the intermediate plate 983b is set to a dimension smaller than the diameter of the game ball. This restricts the throw of the game ball to either the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2.

[0467] In addition, the intermediate plate 983b can be switched from a state in which the throwing of game balls to one side of the first passage TR1 to a state in which the throwing of game balls to the other side of the second passage TR2 by rotating the distribution portion 983 around the through hole 983c.

[0468] The action portion 983a is formed to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the intermediate plate 983b when viewed from the front. Furthermore, the connection position of the action portion 983a with the abutment portion 983d is set lower than the connection position of the action portion 983a with the abutment portion 983d of the intermediate plate 983b. As a result, a game ball sent to the distribution portion 983 through the inlet 982d is placed in a state where a load is applied to the action portion 983a. As a result, the distribution portion 983 is rotationally displaced around the through-hole 983c.

[0469] The wall portion 983e is connected to the acting portion 983a and the intermediate plate 983b, and is formed in a substantially semicircular plate shape when viewed in the axial direction of the through hole 983c. The wall portion 983e is formed to protrude outward beyond the acting portion 983a and the intermediate plate 983b in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole 983c, and has a thickness dimension set smaller than the recess dimension of the recess 985h of the back base 985 described above.

[0470] Therefore, the wall portion 983e can be arranged inside the recessed portion 985h in a state in which the distribution portion 983 is arranged between the opposing rear base 985 and the front base 981. This prevents the game balls sent from the inlet 982d to the inside of the distribution unit 980 from getting caught inside the recessed portion 985h, thereby preventing the flow of the game balls from being obstructed.

[0471] The wall portion 983e also includes a housing portion 983e1 on the rear surface side of the intermediate plate 983b, at the radially outer end from the through-hole 983c, recessed toward the intermediate plate 983b. The housing portion 983e1 is a portion that houses a cylindrical magnetic body 988c therein, and is recessed in a circular shape with an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the magnetic body 988c. The housing portion 983e1 is recessed from the rear base 985 side toward the front base 981 side, and the magnetic body 988c is housed inside from the rear base 985 side.

[0472] The magnetic body 988c is formed from a magnet and is disposed in a state where it repels the magnetic body 988b disposed on the rear base 985. As a result, the magnetic force from the magnetic body 988b disposed on the rear base 985 acts on the magnetic body 988c of the sorting unit 983, causing the magnetic body 988c to rotate about the through-hole 983c as an axis, so that the extending direction of the acting portion 983a can be tilted to one side or the other.

[0473] Furthermore, because magnetic body 988c and magnetic body 988b are arranged in a state where they are repelled by each other and because housing portion 983e1 is recessed toward the front side, magnetic body 988c inserted into housing portion 983e1 can be prevented from slipping out of housing portion 983e1. That is, because no part is required to lock magnetic body 988c inserted into housing portion 983e1, the structure of sorting portion 983 can be simplified and magnetic body 988c can be easily disposed in sorting portion 983.

[0474] The magnetic force of the magnetic bodies 988b and 988c is set to a magnetic force smaller than the load of the game ball. This prevents the game ball sent inside the sorting unit 980 from being magnetically attracted to the magnetic bodies 988b and 988c and from stagnating inside the sorting unit 980.

[0475] Next, a description will be given of the operation pattern of the vane member 945 driven by the drive unit 960. First, with reference to Fig. 21, the relationship between the time required for a ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 to flow down will be described.

[0476] After a ball enters the first winning slot 64 and reaches the ball sending passage TR0, the distribution unit 983 is tilted, causing the ball to flow down to one side. This tilting operation overlaps with the operation of the seesaw member 762 described in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), so a detailed explanation will be omitted. However, in this embodiment, the magnetic force of the magnetic bodies 988b and 988c is designed to be large in order to ensure a sufficiently long time for the tilting operation. In other words, in this embodiment, the tilting operation of the distribution unit 983 (the operation from the state shown in Figure 8(a) to the state shown in Figure 8(b)) is designed to take at least 0.8 seconds.

[0477] The paths are designed so that if a ball flows from throwing path TR0 to first path TR1 after sorting unit 963 is tilted, it takes 0.4 seconds for the ball to be detected by detection device SE4. Also, if a ball flows from throwing path TR0 to second path TR2 after sorting unit 963 is tilted, it takes 0.2 seconds for the ball to be detected by detection device SE5. In other words, the vertical distance between detection sensor SE4 and detection sensor SE5 is set to a distance that requires 0.2 seconds at the ball's flow velocity.

[0478] A pair of upstream branch positions BK0 are set on the left and right as positions just before the flowing ball is subjected to the action of blade member 945. It is designed so that it takes 0.6 seconds for the ball to reach the upstream branch position BK0 after flowing from the ball throwing passage TR0 to the first passage TR1 side or the second passage TR2 side.

[0479] That is, it takes 0.2 seconds for the ball to reach the upstream branch position BK0 after being detected by the detector SE4, and 0.4 seconds for the ball to reach the upstream branch position BK0 after being detected by the detector SE5.

[0480] If the blade member 945 is in a closed state when the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0, the ball passes through openings 985b, 985c or openings 985e, 985f, whereas if the blade member 945 is in an open state when the ball reaches the upstream branch position BK0, the ball is guided to the third branch passage BK3 and passes through the ball sending opening 982k (see Figure 19(a)).

[0481] According to the flow path configuration described above, if the operation pattern of the blade member 945 driven by the drive unit 960 is designed to be an operation pattern that ends in less than 0.6 seconds after the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5, even if multiple balls enter the first winning slot 64 without any gaps between them, the normal pattern can immediately begin to change as soon as the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5.

[0482] For example, if multiple balls enter first winning slot 64 without any gaps between them, and the first ball flows into first passage TR1 and is detected by detector SE4, there is a gap of 0.8 seconds before the next ball flows into second passage TR2, and even if detector SE5 is 0.2 seconds above detector SE4, a gap of 0.6 seconds is ensured. In other words, it takes 0.6 seconds from the time the first ball is detected by detector SE4 until the next ball is detected by detector SE5.

[0483] For example, if multiple balls enter first winning slot 64 without any gaps between them, and the first ball flows into second passage TR2 and is detected by detector SE5, there is a gap of 0.8 seconds before the next ball flows into first passage TR1, and because detector SE4 is 0.2 seconds below detector SE5, a gap of 1.0 seconds is ensured. In other words, it takes 1.0 seconds from the time the first ball is detected by detector SE5 until the next ball is detected by detector SE4.

[0484] In this way, when multiple balls enter the first winning slot 64 without any gaps between them, regardless of whether the first ball flows to the left or right, the interval at which the balls are detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 will be 0.6 seconds or more.

[0485] Based on this premise, the 11th to 14th operation patterns described in this embodiment are each designed to be completed in 0.5 seconds after the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 (it takes 0.5 seconds for the variable display of the normal symbols to end), so even if multiple balls enter the first winning slot 64 without any gaps between them, the normal symbols can start varying immediately once the detection devices SE4 and SE5 detect the ball. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a time delay from occurring between the detection of the ball by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the operation of the vane member 945 being executed.

[0486] Figures 22(a) to 22(d) are diagrams showing an example of the detection of the passage of a ball by detection devices SE4 and SE5, and the change over time in the state of wing member 945. Note that Figure 22(a) shows the change over time in the 11th actuation pattern, Figure 22(b) shows the change over time in the 12th actuation pattern, Figure 22(c) shows the change over time in the 13th actuation pattern, and Figure 22(d) shows the change over time in the 14th actuation pattern.

[0487] Figures 22(a) to 22(d) explain the time-dependent changes in the state of the feather member 945 when the second pattern is displayed on the second pattern display device 83 (see Figure 2) as a result of the variable display of the second pattern (0.1 seconds) due to the detection of the passage of a ball by the detection devices SE4 and SE5.

[0488] As shown in Figure 22(a), in the 11th operation pattern, after the passage of the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the normal pattern is displayed in a stopped state (0.1 seconds later), the wing member 945 is put into an open state (also shown as "open" in the figure; the same applies to subsequent figures), and this open state is maintained for 0.4 seconds.

[0489] As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the blade member 945 is maintained in an open state both 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0, and 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

[0490] As a result, regardless of whether a ball that enters the first winning opening 64 flows down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, the ball can be guided to the third branch passage BK3 side, making it easier for the ball to enter the second winning opening 640. In other words, of the lottery wins based on a ball entering the first winning opening 64, there are more lottery wins for special pattern 2 than for special pattern 1.

[0491] As shown in Figure 22(b), in the 12th operation pattern, after the detection devices SE4 and SE5 detect the passage of the ball and the normal symbol is displayed (0.1 seconds later), the blade members 945 are opened (also shown as "open" in the figure, and the same applies to the following figures), and this open state is maintained for 0.2 seconds. For the next 0.2 seconds, the blade members are closed (also shown as "closed" in the figure, and the same applies to the following figures).

[0492] As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the blade member 945 is maintained in an open state 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0, but the blade member 945 is closed 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

[0493] As a result, if a ball that enters the first winning opening 64 flows down the first passage TR1, the ball can be guided to the third branch passage BK3, making it easier for it to enter the second winning opening 640, but if the ball flows down the second passage TR2, the ball cannot be guided to the third branch passage BK3 and cannot enter the second winning opening 640, so the ball is detected by the detection device SE3 (see Figure 20(a)).

[0494] That is, the lottery based on the ball entering the first winning slot 64 alternates between the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2. When the ball flows down the first passage TR1, the lottery for special symbol 2 is drawn.

[0495] As shown in Figure 22(c), in the 13th operation pattern, after the detection devices SE4 and SE5 detect the passage of the ball and the normal symbol is displayed (0.1 seconds later), the blade members 945 are opened (indicated as "open" in the figure, and the same applies to the following figures) 0.2 seconds later, and the open state is maintained for 0.2 seconds. After that, the blade members 945 are closed (indicated as "closed" in the figure, and the same applies to the following figures).

[0496] As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the blade member 945 is closed 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0, but the blade member 945 is maintained in an open state 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

[0497] As a result, if a ball that enters the first winning opening 64 flows down the first passage TR1, the ball cannot be guided to the third branch passage BK3 and cannot enter the second winning opening 640, so the ball is detected by the detection device SE3 (see Figure 20(a)).However, if the ball flows down the second passage TR2, the ball can be guided to the third branch passage BK3, making it easier for the ball to enter the second winning opening 640.

[0498] That is, the lottery based on the ball entering the first winning slot 64 alternates between the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2. When the ball flows down the second passage TR1, it corresponds to the lottery for special symbol 2.

[0499] As shown in Figure 22(d), in the 14th operation pattern, after the passage of the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the normal pattern is displayed stationary (0.1 seconds later), the wing member 945 is set to an open state (also shown as "open" in the figure; the same applies to subsequent figures) just before 0.4 seconds have elapsed, and then set to a closed state (also shown as "closed" in the figure; the same applies to subsequent figures) immediately thereafter.

[0500] As a result, when a ball that enters the first winning slot 64 is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5, the blade member 945 is maintained in a closed state both 0.2 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE4 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0, and 0.4 seconds after it is detected by detection device SE5 and reaches the upstream branch position BK0.

[0501] As a result, regardless of whether a ball that enters the first winning port 64 flows down the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2, the ball cannot be guided to the third branch passage BK3 side, and it is not possible to make it easier for the ball to enter the second winning port 640. In other words, the number of draws won based on a ball entering the first winning port 64 is more likely to be for special pattern 1 than for special pattern 2.

[0502] As shown in Figures 22(a) to 22(d), by changing the operating pattern of the feather member 945, the lottery that is won when the ball enters the first winning slot 64 can be switched between a lottery for special pattern 1 or a lottery for special pattern 2.

[0503] That is, when the wing members 945 operate in the 11th operation pattern, it is possible to consecutively win the lottery for the special symbol 2. Also, when the wing members 945 operate in the 14th operation pattern, it is possible to consecutively win the lottery for the special symbol 1.

[0504] When the blade member 945 operates in the 12th or 13th operating pattern, the special lottery symbols obtained by the balls flowing down the first passage TR1 and the balls flowing down the second passage TR2 are different, and the special lottery symbols 1 and 2 are obtained alternately.

[0505] Here, if the profit a player can get from a jackpot resulting from the drawing of special symbol 1 is different from the profit a player can get from a jackpot resulting from the drawing of special symbol 2, the player will pay a lot of attention to whether the jackpot was the result of the drawing of special symbol 1 or special symbol 2.

[0506] Conventionally, in gaming machines in which balls are distributed to the left and right by the distribution unit 983, a ball sent to one side (usually the left side) by the distribution unit 983 can win a lottery for special pattern 1, and a ball sent to the other side (usually the right side) can win a lottery for special pattern 2.

[0507] Therefore, if it was possible to confirm whether the ball was being swept to the left or right by the distributing unit 983, even if one took one's eyes off the ball, one could know whether the upcoming lottery would be for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2. In this case, one's attention to the path of the ball's flow downstream of the distributing unit 983 would decrease, resulting in a problem that the game area could not be effectively used as a performance area.

[0508] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, in the 12th operation pattern, a ball flowing down the first passage TR1 can win a draw for special symbol 2, and in the 13th operation pattern, a ball flowing down the second passage TR2 can win a draw for special symbol 2. Therefore, simply by checking whether a ball is flowed left or right by the distribution unit 983, it is not possible to know whether the ball can win a draw for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2.

[0509] That is, it is possible to configure the game so that it is impossible to know whether the ball will win the lottery for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2 unless it is confirmed downstream of the sorting unit 983 whether the ball is picked up by the plate-like portion 945e of the blade member 945, or whether the ball passes through the ball sending hole 941k (see FIG. 18) and flows forward to enter the second winning port 640. This makes it possible to increase attention to the flow path of the ball downstream of the sorting unit 983, and to effectively use the game area as a presentation area.

[0510] In each operating pattern, the relationship between the ball that enters the first winning opening 64 and the feather member 945 has been mainly explained. However, since the feather-shaped main body 945m of the feather member 945 is positioned closer to the front than the rear base 941 (see Figure 15), if a ball flowing down the front side of the rear base 941 reaches the feather member 945 at just the right time when the feather member 945 is in the open state, it is natural that the ball will be guided to the second winning opening 640.

[0511] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the game board 13 taken along line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 16(a), and Figures 24(a) and 24(b) are partial cross-sectional views of the winning slot unit 930 and the ball throwing unit 970 taken along line XXIVa-XXIVa in Figure 23.

[0512] Figure 24(a) illustrates the closed state of the wing member 945, and Figure 24(b) illustrates the open state of the wing member 945. Note that Figure 22 will be referred to as appropriate in the description of Figures 23 and 24.

[0513] As shown in Figure 23, the rolling plate portion 941l and the ball throwing hole 941k are positioned closer to the front than the ball throwing opening 982k of the sorting unit 980, so that the ball guided to the third branch passage BK3 in the internal flow path of the sorting unit 980 flows down toward the front.

[0514] This ball appears to be approaching the player from the player's point of view, and is therefore visually perceived in a manner that is clearly different from balls that appear to be moving away from the player by flowing downward in the playing area or backwards like balls that enter the first winning slot 64 or third receiving portion 944a.

[0515] This allows the player to play while paying attention to the ball that appears to be approaching him / her, and if a ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 escapes from the internal flow path of the distribution unit 980 and flows toward the second winning opening 640, the player can easily notice this happening.

[0516] Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the ball enters the second winning slot 640 without the player noticing, and the lottery for special pattern 2 is executed without the player noticing.

[0517] Furthermore, balls flowing down the front side of the sorting unit 980 (the front side of the rear base 941) may act to block the player's line of sight. Therefore, it is possible to easily reduce the visibility of balls as they flow down the internal path of the sorting unit 980, making game balls that are guided into the third branch passage BK3 and appear to be approaching the player's side even more noticeable.

[0518] Furthermore, since ball throwing hole 941k is located on the back side of front base 943, if front base 943 is formed from an opaque resin material, the visibility of ball throwing hole 941k and the ball guided through ball throwing hole 941k to the front side can be reduced.

[0519] In this case, the ball entering the first winning hole 64 can be easily seen, but it is difficult to understand that the ball will flow down the ball sending hole 941k to the front side, so it is easy to cause a situation where the ball that entered the first winning hole 64 enters the second winning hole 640 without the player noticing, and a lottery for special pattern 2 is executed.

[0520] 23, a detection device SE6 capable of detecting the passage of a ball is disposed downstream (back side) of the second winning opening 640. The detection device SE6 is a device for detecting the passage of a gaming ball and has a configuration similar to that of the detection device SE3, and has a detection hole SE1a formed through it in the thickness direction, with an inner diameter slightly larger than that of the gaming ball.

[0521] The lottery that can be won by the ball passing through the detection device SE3 is a lottery for special pattern 1, while the lottery that can be won by the ball passing through the detection device SE6 is a lottery for special pattern 2.

[0522] In which of the eleventh to fourteenth operation patterns (see FIG. 22), the blade members 945 will operate is set in advance based on the first hit type selection table 202b (see FIG. 13).

[0523] In this embodiment, if the jackpot type is jackpot A, a, or b, the subsequent operation pattern of the feather members 945 is set to the 11th operation pattern. If the jackpot type is jackpot B or C, the subsequent operation pattern of the feather members 945 is set to the 12th operation pattern. If the jackpot type is jackpot c, the subsequent operation pattern of the feather members 945 is set to the 13th operation pattern. During periods other than the duration of the 11th to 13th operation patterns, the operation pattern of the feather members 945 is set to the 14th operation pattern.

[0524] As a result, for the same event of the ball entering the first winning opening 64 and being distributed to the left and right, it is possible to change whether the ball can win a lottery for special pattern 1 or a lottery for special pattern 2, depending on which operation pattern is used. Therefore, it is possible to increase attention to the flow path of the ball that has entered the first winning opening 64, and to attract the player's attention.

[0525] In addition to the operation pattern shown in Figure 22, the wing member 945 also has a long-open operation pattern in which the wing member 945 opens for a long period of time (approximately 2 seconds) from the moment the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4, SE5 or the normal winning openings (through gates) 66, 67 (see Figure 2).

[0526] When the vane member 945 is operated in the long-open operation pattern, balls that have flown down the front side of the base plate 60 (see FIG. 15) can be easily picked up by the vane-shaped main body 945m (see FIG. 17). In addition, balls that have entered the first winning hole 64 can be easily guided to the third branch passage BK3 (see FIG. 21(b)).

[0527] In this way, it is easy to configure the ball picked up by the feather-shaped main body 945m to repeatedly enter the second winning opening 640. In addition, it is easy to configure the ball that has once entered the first winning opening 64 to be guided by the plate-shaped portion 945e (see FIG. 21(b)) to the third branch passage BK3 side, so that it ultimately enters the second winning opening 640. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with a game mode in which the lottery for special symbol 1 is avoided and the lottery for special symbol 2 is repeatedly won.

[0528] As shown in Figure 24(b), when the wing member 945 is in the open state, a ball P21 resting on the wing-shaped main body 945m on the front side of the rear base 941 and a ball P22 resting on the plate-shaped portion 945e on the rear side of the rear base 941 can be guided simultaneously at different front and rear positions (separate positions).

[0529] Therefore, even if the wing member 945 changes to the closed state in this state, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the balls P21 and P22 collide with each other. This makes it possible to avoid malfunctions in which the opening and closing operation of the wing member 945 is not completed due to the balls interfering with the opening and closing operation.

[0530] Furthermore, since the number of balls P22 on the plate-shaped portion 945e can be increased compared to the number of balls P21 that can be placed on the feather-shaped main body 945m at the same time (in this embodiment, one on each side), the number of balls that can be guided simultaneously when the feather member 945 is in an open state can be increased.

[0531] For example, in a game mode in which all balls are launched toward the feather members 945, when the feather members 945 are in an open state, only one ball can be placed on the feather-shaped body 945m of one side of the feather member 945 at the same time, and it is difficult to place multiple balls on it at the same time.

[0532] On the other hand, in a game mode in which some balls are fired toward the vane members 945 and the remaining balls are fired toward the first winning opening 64, balls can be placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e regardless of whether or not a ball is on the vane-shaped main body 945m, so it is easy for balls to be placed on the vane members 945 on one side at the same time.

[0533] In other words, the number of balls that can be placed on the feather member 945 at the same time can be changed depending on whether the game mode is one in which all balls are fired toward the feather member 945 or one in which some balls are fired toward the first winning port 64 in addition to the feather member 945.

[0534] Ball P22, which reaches the feather member 945 via the first winning opening 64, and ball P21, which reaches the feather member 945 without passing through the first winning opening 64, flow in different directions before arriving, and therefore flow at different speeds after arriving, so that even balls that arrive at the same time look different.

[0535] That is, the ball P22 flows vertically downward through the first passage TR1 or the second passage TR2 and reaches the plate-shaped portion 945e of the blade member 945, while the ball P21 flows downward in a direction having a velocity component directed from the left and right outer side to the left and right inner side of the guide portion 941g1 (see Figure 16(a)).

[0536] Therefore, compared to ball P22, ball P21 flows faster inward to the left and right after reaching blade member 945 due to the larger velocity component in the left and right direction. Therefore, even if balls P21 and P22 reach blade member 945 at the same time, the time during which balls P21 and P22 overlap in a front view can be shortened, thereby improving the visibility of the balls rolling on blade member 945.

[0537] Depending on the timing at which ball P22 rolls on the upper surface of rolling plate portion 941l and passes through ball throwing hole 941k to flow toward the front side of rear base 941, it may collide with ball P21 (their paths may merge).

[0538] Here, the vertical position of the upper surface height at the rotation base end side of blade member 945 is positioned lower than the vertical position of the lower edge of ball throwing hole 941k. This allows the vertical position where the ball rolling on rolling plate portion 941l flies into the front side of rear base 941 and the vertical position where the ball rolling on blade-shaped main body 945m flies into the space between a pair of blade members 945 to be shifted in the vertical direction.

[0539] Therefore, when balls collide with each other, the vertical positions of the balls can be shifted, and multiple balls can be allowed to flow down in order by relying on their own weight, which helps prevent ball clogging.

[0540] Furthermore, in the long-opening operation pattern of the wing member 945, as can be seen from the fact that the duration of the opening exceeds 0.6 seconds, if, for example, multiple balls enter the first winning slot 64 without any gaps between them, there will be a waiting time before the normal pattern begins to change (the change of the normal pattern may be put on hold).

[0541] Therefore, unlike the case where the timing at which the ball is detected by detection devices SE4 and SE5 and the timing at which the wing member 945 opens and closes are set to correspond to the time required for the ball to flow down, as described in Figure 22, it becomes difficult to match the position of the ball with the opening and closing of the wing member 945.

[0542] Therefore, not all balls can be guided toward the second winning opening 640, and it is possible that some of the balls that enter the first winning opening 64 may reach the upstream branch position BK0 at the time when the blade member 945 is in the closed state (see Figure 21(a)).

[0543] On the other hand, in the long-open operation pattern, by setting the time during which the wing member 945 is maintained in the closed state (operation waiting time, post-operation waiting time) to a short time (e.g., 0.1 seconds), the probability of the wing member 945 reaching the upstream branch position BK0 at the timing when it is in the closed state (see Figure 21(a)) can be reduced as much as possible.

[0544] Balls P22 rolling on the upper surface of plate-shaped portion 945e arrive at intervals of at least 1.8 seconds due to the operation of sorting portion 983. In other words, the system is configured so that multiple balls do not land on the ball at the same time.

[0545] However, there is no restriction on the interval at which balls P21 reach feather-shaped main body 945m, and multiple balls may reach feather-shaped main body 945m at the same time. Therefore, it is preferable to form feather-shaped main body 945m stronger than plate-shaped portion 945e.

[0546] In this regard, in this embodiment, the blade-shaped main body 945m is made thicker than the plate-shaped portion 945e, making it stronger. Furthermore, the blade-shaped main body 945m is directly supported by the shaft member 945a, which can suppress changes in posture and deflection in the front-rear direction due to the weight of the ball.

[0547] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0548] By extending the plate-shaped portion 945e from the feather-shaped main body 945m of the feather member 945 arranged on the front side of the base plate 60 to the back side, it is possible to act on game balls flowing down inside the distribution unit 980 arranged inside the base plate 60.

[0549] In other words, the blade member 945 can switch between a state in which it is easy to guide game balls flowing down the front side of the base plate 60 toward the second winning opening 640 and a state in which it prevents game balls from flowing down toward the second winning opening 640, and can also switch between a state in which it is easy to guide game balls that have entered the first winning opening 64 toward the second winning opening 640 and a state in which it prevents game balls from flowing down toward the second winning opening 640.

[0550] Furthermore, a rear base 941 that functions as a partition plate is arranged between the ball rolling on the upper surface of the feather-shaped main body 945m and the ball rolling on the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 945e, making it possible to prevent the balls from colliding with each other at any position.

[0551] This prevents a situation in which a ball rolling on the vane-shaped main body 945m collides with a ball rolling on the plate-shaped portion 945e, causing the ball to fall out of the vane member 945 (falling out to the side opposite to the side that is guided to the second winning opening 640).

[0552] Furthermore, at the position where the ball that entered the first winning opening 64 branches off to the flow path on the second winning opening 640 side (for example, the third branch passage BK3), the direction in which the ball flows down has a front-to-rear component. This makes it possible to highlight the location that is closely related to the ball flowing down to the second winning opening 640.

[0553] It is also possible to create a case where it is possible to manage the detection devices SE4 and SE5 so that the ball is not detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 from the time the ball is detected by the detection devices SE4 and SE5 until the variable display of the normal symbols ends. This allows the blade member 945, whose operation is controlled by the detection of the ball, to act in a timely manner on the ball that has passed the detection devices SE4 and SE5.

[0554] Since there is an interval of at least 0.8 seconds between the timing at which the ball is sent to first passage TR1 and the timing at which the ball is sent to second passage TR2, balls do not enter third branch passage BK3 from the left and right at the same time, and in addition, the asymmetrical formation of rolling surface 982g makes it easier to prevent ball clogging in third branch passage BK3. This makes it possible to prevent malfunction of blade member 945 due to ball clogging, even if the confluence point of the ball's flow path is close to blade member 945.

[0555] In addition, the speed of the balls rolling on the upper surface of the wing member 945 on the front side of the base plate 60 is configured to be different from the speed of the balls rolling on the upper surface of the wing member 945 inside the base plate 60. This makes it possible to prevent the front and rear balls from continuously overlapping each other, and makes it easier to grasp the number of balls rolling on the upper surface of the wing member 945.

[0556] Furthermore, with regard to the number of balls that can be placed on the vane member 945, while the vane-shaped main body 945m can simultaneously carry multiple balls, the number of balls that can be placed on the plate-shaped portion 945e is limited to 1. This makes the vane-shaped main body 945m stronger than the plate-shaped portion 945e, thereby improving the durability of the vane member 945.

[0557] In addition, by providing multiple operation patterns for the electric accessory 640a, different patterns for winning the lottery for the special symbol can be created. For example, when a ball repeatedly enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 is repeatedly won, a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 are alternately won, and a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 2 is repeatedly won.

[0558] Furthermore, in a pattern in which the lottery for special symbol 1 and the lottery for special symbol 2 are alternately acquired, a pattern can be formed in which the gaming ball on the left or right corresponds to the lottery for special symbol 2 is reversed. As a result, since simply checking whether the ball has flowed to the left or right in the allocating unit 983 is insufficient information, it is possible to improve attention to the area downstream of the allocating unit 983.

[0559] In addition, when right-hand play is recommended as a pattern for winning the lottery for the special symbol, if the ball accidentally enters the first winning slot 64, it is possible to switch between a pattern in which it is easy to win the lottery for special symbol 1 and a pattern in which there is a high probability of avoiding winning the lottery for special symbol 1.

[0560] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 25. In the first embodiment, a case was described in which a ball passes through a normal winning opening (through gate) 765 when flowing down one of the paths allocated by the path configuration device 700, but in the path configuration device 3700 of the third embodiment, a normal winning opening (through gate) 3765 is provided that can detect the passage of a ball when the ball flows down the other path. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0561] 25 is a partial front view of the game board 13 in the third embodiment. In the path configuration device 3700, of the paths distributed to the left and right by the distribution member 760, a normal winning port (through gate) 3765 is arranged on the left path.

[0562] The normal winning opening (through gate) 3765 is disposed so that the left-right distance from the seesaw member 762 is the same as the left-right distance between the seesaw member 762 and the normal winning opening (through gate) 765.

[0563] Since the game ball entering the first winning port 64 can win the lottery for the normal symbol not only when it flows to the right but also when it flows to the left, the frequency of operation of the electric accessory 640a can be increased.

[0564] In the first embodiment, a case was described in which the number of times of passing through the normal winning port (through gate) 66, 67, 765 was reserved up to four times. In this case, there is an advantage that the reserved time is not interrupted and the electric accessory 640a can be easily operated continuously, and the right-hand hit game can be smoothly executed.

[0565] In contrast, in this embodiment, the number of passes through the normal winning entrance (through gate) 66, 67, 765, 3765 is reserved up to one time. The operation pattern selected by the lottery for the normal symbol when the number of reserved balls is 0 is different from the operation pattern selected by the lottery for the normal symbol when the number of reserved balls is 1. Since the state in which the number of reserved balls is full (1 ball) occurs more easily than when the number of reserved balls is 4, differences in the operation patterns occur frequently.

[0566] In this embodiment, as an example, in the special state, when the number of reserved balls with normal patterns is 0, the second activation pattern is likely to be selected, and when the number of reserved balls with normal patterns is 1, the first activation pattern is likely to be selected.

[0567] On this premise, when balls enter the first winning slot 64 consecutively (see Figures 8 and 9), it becomes easier to maintain the electric device 640a in the entered state at the time when the third ball P3 reaches the moving plate member 641.

[0568] In other words, ball P1 is detected at the normal winning port (through gate) 765, and before the reference time Td1 has elapsed since that detection, ball P2 is detected at the normal winning port (through gate) 3765, so the operation pattern selected in the lottery for the normal pattern upon detection of ball P2 is likely to be the first operation pattern.

[0569] Therefore, the electric device 640a is maintained in the entered state even before the ball P3 reaches the movable plate member 641, so that both balls P1 and P2 can be guided to the second ball sending section 736 from the state shown in Figure 8(a).

[0570] 8(a) illustrates the case where ball P1 flows to the right, but even if the inclination of seesaw member 762 is reversed and ball P1 flows to the left, the operation pattern selected in the lottery for the normal symbol upon detection of ball P2 is likely to be the first operation pattern. Therefore, since electric accessory 640a is maintained in the entering state before ball P2 reaches moving plate member 641, ball P2 can be guided to second ball sending section 736.

[0571] In this embodiment, the number of reserved balls for the normal symbol is one, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, as in the first embodiment, the number of reserved balls for the normal symbol may be set to four.

[0572] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 26. In the first embodiment, the moving plate member 641 is provided with a right guide section 643 that guides gaming balls that have entered the first winning opening 64, and a left guide section 645 that guides gaming balls that have not entered the first winning opening 64, and the guide sections 643, 645 are partitioned. However, the path configuration device 4700 of the fourth embodiment is configured so that gaming balls that have not entered the first winning opening 64 can be guided to the right guide section 643. Note that the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0573] Fig. 26 is a partial front view of the game board 13 in the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 26, a moving plate member 4641 that slides in the front-rear direction as the state of the electric role device 4640a is switched between a retracted state and an advanced state includes a right guide portion 643 and an upstream guide portion 4645 that extends from the left end of the right guide portion 643 in the upper left direction along the slope of the sloped surface 643a of the right guide portion 643.

[0574] In upstream guide portion 4645, inclined surface 4645a for rolling the balls is inclined downward to the right, and the inclination angle is the same as the inclination angle of right guide portion 643 (approximately 5 degrees from the horizontal).

[0575] In this embodiment, openings of a size that allow the passage of a ball rolling on the upper surface of the moving plate member 4641 are formed in the left and right inner wall portions of the bending member 740. That is, openings similar to the openings 744 (see FIG. 7(a)) are formed through the left and right inner wall portions of the bending member 740 (the wall portion on the left side of the right guide portion 643).

[0576] This allows for a path for the ball to roll through the upstream guide section 4645 and reach the right guide section 643 as an inflow path into the first ball sending path KR1, in addition to the path of the ball that has passed through the first winning opening 64.

[0577] As shown in Figure 26, when a ball rolls from the upstream guide section 4645 through the right guide section 643, depending on the timing of the operation of the movable plate member 4641, the ball may be received in the recovery hole 752 or in the second ball sending section 736.

[0578] That is, when the electric device 4640a is switched to the retracted state while the ball is positioned on the first ball throwing path KR1, the ball flows down toward the recovery hole 752. On the other hand, if the electric device 4640a is still in the advanced state while the ball is positioned on KR1, the ball passes through the right guide portion 643 to the right and flows down toward the second ball throwing portion 736. That is, the ball rolling to the right on the upper surface of the solid board member 4641 can be caused to flow down toward the recovery hole 752 or the second ball throwing portion 736.

[0579] The moving plate member 4641 is inclined downward to the right, but when a ball is hit with a right-handed shot and passes above the bending member 740 to the left before reaching the moving plate member 4641, there is a possibility that the momentum to the left will cause the ball to pass through the moving plate member 4641 in a leftward direction.

[0580] In contrast, in this embodiment, protruding edge 734b of first ball throwing portion 734 is disposed so as to protrude above the left end of movable plate member 4641. That is, by causing a ball that is about to pass through the left end of movable plate member 4641 to collide with protruding edge 734b, the ball can be made to bounce back, making it easier to create a state in which the ball rolls to the right on the upper surface of movable plate member 4641.

[0581] Furthermore, the greater the repulsive force of the ball's rebound in the rightward direction, the shorter the time it takes for the ball to reach the right end of the movable plate member 4641. In other words, the protruding edge portion 734b not only prevents the ball from dropping off the left end of the movable plate member 4641, but also makes it easier for the ball to reach the right end of the movable plate member 4641 while the movable plate member 4641 is maintained in the advanced state.

[0582] The left end of the moving plate member 4641 is positioned above the ball passing hole 734a. Therefore, when the electric accessory 4640a is in the entering state, if the ball travels to the left on the upper surface of the moving plate member 4641 and the moving plate member 4641 changes to the retracted state just before reaching the left end, the ball will fly leftward in a parabolic trajectory, and although there is a low probability, it will be possible to make the ball enter the ball passing hole 734a of the first ball throwing section 734.

[0583] The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above form in any way, and it can be easily inferred that various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

[0584] In each of the above embodiments, part or all of the configuration of one embodiment may be combined with or replaced with part or all of the configuration of another embodiment to form another embodiment.

[0585] In the above embodiments, a case has been described in which a ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 is guided to the second winning opening 640 side by the movable electric device 640a or the blade member 945, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a nail may be arranged in the path of the ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 to increase the randomness of the ball's downward flow, and the ball may be guided to the second winning opening 640 side with some probability due to collision with the nail.

[0586] In the above embodiments, the operation of the electric role 640a or the feather member 945 is determined by lottery of normal symbols, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it may be controlled to operate in a fixed pattern from the time the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on. In this case, attention to the electric role 640a or the feather member 945 can be improved.

[0587] Furthermore, when the electric device 640a or the blade member 945 operates constantly, the through gate 765 and the detection devices SE4 and SE5 may still be placed. For example, when the passage of the ball is detected, the third symbol display device 81, a sound device, an LED, or the like may be controlled to notify the player that the ball has passed. In this case, it is possible to make it easier for the player to grasp that it is time for the ball to flow down near the electric device 640a or the blade member 945.

[0588] In the above embodiments, the case where the lottery for the normal symbol can be reserved has been described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, even if the lottery for the normal symbol is not reserved and a ball passing through the normal winning slot 66 or the like is detected while the normal symbol is fluctuating, the lottery for the normal symbol may not be performed.

[0589] In the above embodiments, the seesaw member 762 or the distributor 983 is disposed at the branching point of the ball's flow path, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a nail may be disposed at the branching point, or a protruding portion formed from a resin material may be disposed at the branching point. When the ball collides with these, the ball's flow path can be branched. In this case, it is possible to create not only cases where the balls flow alternately, but also cases where they flow continuously down one side (timing).

[0590] In the above embodiments, the operation time of the electric role device 640a or the blade member 945 is set to a short time of about 0.5 to 3 seconds, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it may be set so that the electric role device 640a is maintained in the entered state or the blade member 945 is maintained in the open state for a time longer than 3 seconds (for example, 5 seconds) with a probability of about 10% in the lottery of normal symbols in the normal state.

[0591] When operating in the long opening operation pattern, the ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 can be easily guided to the second winning opening 640 by the electric device 640a or the blade member 945. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where, among the balls that have been shot when operating in the long opening operation pattern (a limited number of balls considering the shooting interval of 100 balls per minute), the ball that has entered the first winning opening 64 is not guided to the second winning opening 640.

[0592] When the electric role device 640a or the blade member 945 is operating in the long opening operation pattern, it is advantageous for the player to fire a ball at the electric role device 640a or the blade member 945, as this makes it easier to win the lottery for the special pattern 2. Therefore, before the electric role device 640a or the blade member 945 starts to operate in the long opening operation pattern, the third pattern display device 81, a sound device, an LED, or other means may be used to notify the player in advance that a ball should be fired at the electric role device 640a or the blade member 945.

[0593] The notification changes depending on the arrangement of the electric device 640a or the feather member 945, but in the first embodiment, it is preferable to notify to suggest a right-handed hit, as this makes it easier for the ball to reach the electric device 640.

[0594] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, there is no difference in the ease with which the ball reaches the feather member 945 whether it is shot from the left or the right, but it is preferable to notify the player in a way that suggests a left hit in order to continue the previous shooting state. Note that for a player who plays a right-handed game from the normal state, the notification may be made with content that encourages the player to continue shooting.

[0595] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which a draw for special symbol 1 can be won when the sensor SE detects passage, and a draw for special symbol 2 can be won when the ball passes through the second winning opening 640 and is detected by a switch downstream, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a draw for special symbol 1 can be won when passage is detected by the left sensor SE and when the ball is detected by a switch downstream of the second winning opening 640, and a draw for special symbol 2 can be won when passage is detected by the right sensor SE.

[0596] In this case, if the ball is swept to the right by the seesaw member 762, the player's profit will be greater if the ball passes through the first ball sending path KR1 while the electric device 640a is in the retracted state.

[0597] In the first embodiment, the rotational movement (left-right tilting movement) of the seesaw member 762 is completed in less than 0.5 seconds, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the operating resistance may be increased by reducing the clearance of the rotating shaft, and the time required for the rotational movement of the seesaw member 762 may be set to 1.0 second or more. In this case, even if consecutive balls enter the first winning slot 64, the next ball will be swept to the left by the seesaw member 762 after the variable display due to the detection of the ball at the normal winning slot (through gate) 765 has ended, thereby providing a gameplay feature.

[0598] In the first embodiment, the guide portion 742 is disposed at the center position in the left-right direction of the flow path formed inside the upper protrusion 741. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the guide portions 742 may be configured to be arranged side by side on the left and right. In this case, by forming the protrusion tip surfaces to be inclined toward the base portion as they approach the opposing surfaces, it is possible to effectively prevent the sphere that comes into contact with the two guide portions 742 and is guided (folded back toward the rear surface) from being misaligned in the left-right direction.

[0599] In the first embodiment, the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 and the bending member 740 are connected by a resin path, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a path that guides the ball with nails may be configured. In this case, the speed at which the ball flows down can be varied.

[0600] In the first embodiment, the first inclined groove 755 and the second inclined groove 757 are formed as parallel linear grooves, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the first inclined groove 755 and the second inclined groove 757 may be non-parallel. They may also be formed along a curved path. In the case of a curved groove, the guide surface below the sphere may be curved, as in a metal rail, or may be curved in a serpentine manner.

[0601] In the first embodiment described above, when the moving plate member 641 is in the advanced state, the left guide portion 645 is disposed on the front side of the covering plate portion 711, and the ball can roll on its upper surface. In this case, a protrusion extending in a direction intersecting the ball's rolling path may be provided on the front side of the covering plate portion 711. This allows the ball rolling on the upper surface of the left guide portion 645 to collide with the protrusion, thereby slowing the ball.

[0602] In the first embodiment, the case where the balls sent to the right by the right guide portion 643 are received without leakage by the second ball throwing portion 736 has been described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the right guide portion 643 may be formed to extend to a position above the second ball throwing portion 736, and the general winning opening 63 may be disposed immediately to the right of the second ball throwing portion 736.

[0603] In this case, if the movable plate member 641 changes to a retracted state at the time when the ball is placed vertically above the second ball throwing section 736, the ball will be received by the second ball throwing section 736, but if the movable plate member 641 is still maintained in an ingress state at the time when the ball is placed vertically above the second ball throwing section 736, the ball will pass through the second ball throwing section 736 to the right and be received by the general winning opening 63.

[0604] In other words, when the ball is sent to the right by the right guide section 643, it is not possible to tell whether the ball is being guided to the second ball sending section 736 or to the general winning opening 63, which improves the ability to focus attention on the ball.

[0605] In the first embodiment, the case where the electric device 640a is controlled by one operation pattern corresponding to the type of jackpot has been described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a plurality of operation patterns corresponding to the type of jackpot may be preset, and when a ball passing through the normal winning opening (through gate) 765 is detected, which operation pattern will be used for control may be selected at random, and the operation of the electric device 640a may be performed in the selected operation pattern.

[0606] In the first embodiment, the operation pattern of the electric device 640a in the high probability state is set to the first operation pattern or the second operation pattern, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the operation pattern of the electric device 640a in the high probability state may be set to the fourth operation pattern. In this case, it is possible to make it difficult to determine whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state.

[0607] In the first embodiment, a ball entering the first winning opening 64 flows downstream via the seesaw member 762, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the seesaw member 762 and the left-side flow path may be omitted. In other words, the flow path may be formed from only the first winning opening 64 and the right-side path.

[0608] In this case, it becomes difficult to eliminate the possibility of consecutive balls entering the first prize opening 64, but for example, by arranging a rotating body on the flow path from the center frame 86 to the first prize opening 64, which rotates at a constant speed on a forward / backward rotation axis and has a recessed portion capable of accommodating a ball at a predetermined position on the outer circumference, the ball can be accepted by the first prize opening 64 only when the ball accommodated in the recessed portion reaches above the first prize opening 64 due to the rotation of the rotating body, thereby preventing consecutive balls from entering the first prize opening 64.

[0609] In other words, the rotating body can prevent balls from entering the first winning opening 64 at any timing, so the interval between balls entering the first winning opening 64 can be determined by the rotational speed of the rotating body.

[0610] In the first embodiment, the ball that enters first winning opening 64 rides on right guide section 643 and flows down the opposite side from left guide section 645, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, right guide section 643 may be configured to slope downward toward left guide section 645, and the ball that enters first winning opening 64 may flow from right guide section 643 to left guide section 645 and be guided to first ball sending section 734.

[0611] In this case, if the moving plate member 641 is maintained in the approaching state for a sufficient period of time, the ball placed on the first ball throwing path KR1 can be guided to the first ball throwing section 734, and the special pattern 2 can be drawn.

[0612] On the other hand, if the moving plate member 641 is inserted too far, the ball will fall between the first ball sending section 734 and the bending member 740, but an receiving opening may be placed at this position to receive the ball and give the player a predetermined benefit.

[0613] The benefit when a ball enters the receiving opening may be the payout of a prize ball, a lottery for special symbol 1 or special symbol 2, a lottery for a normal symbol, a falling lottery (a lottery that changes the game state from a high probability state to a low probability state), or some other benefit. In any case, it is possible to improve the attention to the ball rolling on the upper surface of the moving plate member 641.

[0614] Note that the plate may be extended so as to slope upward further to the right from the right end of right-side guide portion 643, making it possible to catch a ball that has fallen on the right side of bending member 740. In this case, if the ball rolling on the upper surface of moving plate member 641 from the right side of bending member 740 is configured to reach first ball throwing path KR1, moving plate member 641 may be operated to enter a retracted state while the ball is positioned on first ball throwing path KR1, causing the ball to fall on first ball throwing path KR1 and be detected by sensor SE, making it possible to win a lottery for special symbol 1.

[0615] In the first embodiment, the normal winning gate (through gate) 66 is disposed on the left side of the game area, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the normal winning gate (through gate) 66 disposed on the left side may be omitted. In this case, the normal winning gate (through gate) 765 is the only gate that can win a lottery for a normal symbol when hitting from the left, and the normal winning gates (through gates) 67, 765 are the only gates that can win a lottery for a normal symbol when hitting from the right.

[0616] In other words, by firing the ball with a left hit, the operation of the electric device 640a can be limited to operation based on the lottery of a normal pattern at the normal winning opening (through gate) 765, so when the electric device 640a operates in the first or second operation pattern, it is easier to avoid the occurrence of a situation where the ball is not guided by the right-side guide section 643 and is detected by the sensor SE.

[0617] On the other hand, firing the ball with a right hit makes it easier to win a lottery with a normal symbol, which makes it easier to increase gaming efficiency. In other words, the player can choose whether to play in a way that makes it easier to avoid the occurrence of an incident where the ball is detected by the sensor SE, even though this reduces gaming efficiency, or to play in a way that makes it more efficient but slightly increases the possibility of the ball being detected by the sensor SE.

[0618] In the first embodiment, the moving plate member 641 extends outward from the bending member 740, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the formation of the left guide portion 645 may be omitted. In this case, the second ball throwing portion 736 may function as the second winning opening 640.

[0619] In the first embodiment described above, the balls are guided to the right guide portion 643 from the path formed by the sorting member 760, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the balls may be guided to the right guide portion 643 from the front side of the base plate 60. In this case, a plate portion is provided extending leftward at the same inclination from the left end portion of the right guide portion 643, and an opening is formed in the left side surface of the bending member 740 so that the balls rolling on the upper surface of the plate portion can enter the interior of the bending member 740.

[0620] In the first embodiment, the paths of the balls rolling in different directions on the upper surface of the movable plate member 641 merge downstream, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a detection device that detects the passage of the ball may be disposed at the lower end of the first inclined groove 755, and the detection of the ball by the detection device may enable a draw for the special symbol 2, or a detection device that detects the passage of the ball may be disposed behind the second ball sending section 736, and the detection of the ball by the detection device may enable a draw for the special symbol 2.

[0621] In other words, by omitting the formation of the second inclined groove 757, it is possible to provide separate positions for detecting a ball rolling on the upper surface of the left guide portion 645 and for detecting a ball rolling on the upper surface of the right guide portion 643.

[0622] In the second embodiment, the paths of the balls that rolled at different positions on the upper surface of the blade member 945 converged downstream, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a ball passage hole may be formed behind the third branch passage BK3, and a detection device may be disposed downstream thereof, and the detection device may detect the passage of the ball, thereby enabling a lottery for special symbol 2 to be won, similar to detection device SE6.

[0623] In other ...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine comprising: a gaming ball launching device that launches gaming balls; a gaming area configuration means that configures a gaming area into which the gaming balls launched by the gaming ball launching device flow; a predetermined detection means that is disposed in the gaming area and detects the passage of the gaming balls; and a displacement means that can be displacement-controlled based on the passage of the gaming balls being detected by the predetermined detection means. The displacement means is configured to be displaceable between a first position and a second position in the displacement control, and includes a first component part through which game balls can flow down when positioned at the first position, and a second component part different from the first component part, and is configured to be able to make the flow-down pattern of game balls in the first component part different from the flow-down pattern of game balls in the second component part at least in a predetermined state that can occur when the ball is positioned at the first position by the displacement control, The gaming machine includes: The game ball that has flowed down the first component is configured to be able to flow down the second component, The game ball that has passed through the displacement means is configured to enter a specific ball entrance, and the game ball that has entered the specific ball entrance is configured to pass through a specific position, When the displacement means is displaced from the first position to the second position, the game ball flowing down on the first component part is configured to flow down in a predetermined direction, the game ball flowing down in the predetermined direction is configured to enter a predetermined ball entrance different from the specific ball entrance, and the game ball that enters the predetermined ball entrance is configured to pass through the specific position, A gaming machine characterized by comprising a specific detection means capable of detecting a gaming ball that has passed through the specific position.

Images