Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that allows a game to be easily played for a long time by reducing a burden on a body accompanying a shooting operation by a player.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a game board in which a game region is arranged on the front side, a shooting device capable of shooting a game ball toward the game region, a shooting handle 57 equipped with an operation part 93 for adjusting shooting strength of the shooting device, an inner frame on which the game board is mounted, and a front door arranged on the front side of the inner frame in a freely openable and closable manner. A lower swelling part swelling forward provided with an operation part on the upper surface side and the shooting handle 57 protruding forward are arranged adjacently on the right and left on the lower front side of the front door. Rest means 58 having a support part that can support part of the body of a player is provided on the front side of the front door and in the neighborhood of the lower part of the shooting handle 57. Rear part support means 107 for supporting the rear part of the rest means 58 is provided on the front side of the front door, and side support means 106 for supporting the side of the rest means 58 is provided on the lateral side of the lower swelling part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a firing handle having a firing device capable of firing a game ball toward a game area and an operation unit for adjusting the firing intensity by the firing device is disposed in a protruding manner on the lower front side of a front door. When playing a game on this gaming machine, in order for a game ball to be fired from the firing device at an appropriate intensity toward the game area, the player needs to rotate the operation unit against the spring force while holding the firing handle. (Patent Document 1)

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of gaming machine, in order to continuously fire a game ball at an appropriate intensity, the player needs to stabilize the arm while holding the firing handle. However, since this posture places a large burden on the arm and shoulder, there has been a problem that it is difficult to continue playing for a long time. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of easily performing a long-term game by reducing the burden on the player's body associated with the firing operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention includes a game board having a game area disposed on the front side, a firing device capable of firing a game ball toward the game area, and for adjusting the firing intensity by the firing device TheA shooting handle, an inner frame on which the game board is mounted, and a front door that is openable and closable on the front side of the inner frame and has a transparent window corresponding to the front side of the game area. 、 On the lower front side of the aforementioned front door and A forward-facing, bulging lower section with one or more operating parts on its upper side, It is equipped with the lower bulge and The aforementioned launch handle and next door In a gaming machine arranged in a combined configuration, a rest means having a support portion capable of supporting a part of the body of a player operating the launch handle is placed in front of the front door and near the lower side of the launch handle, a rear support means for supporting the rear of the rest means is provided on the front side of the front door, and a side support means for supporting the side of the rest means is provided on the side of the lower bulge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the physical strain on the player associated with the firing operation can be reduced, making it possible to play for extended periods of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an overall side view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 3] This is a disassembled perspective view of the outer and inner frames of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the lower front section of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 6] This is a disassembled perspective view of the performance button unit and its mounting section of the same pachinko machine. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the launch handle and handrest area of ​​the pachinko machine. [Figure 8] This is a disassembled perspective view of the handrest area of ​​the pachinko machine. [Figure 9] This is a front cross-sectional view of the launch handle and handrest area of ​​the pachinko machine. [Figure 10] It is a front cross-sectional view of the firing handle of the pachinko machine and the periphery of the handrest. [Figure 11] It is a side cross-sectional view of the firing handle of the pachinko machine and the periphery of the handrest. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration (before lifting) of the game ball circulation device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration (after lifting) of the game ball circulation device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 14] It is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 15] It is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine (with the front cover removed from the ball feeding and firing unit). [Figure 16] It is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine (with the front cover and the ball feeding device removed from the ball feeding and firing unit). [Figure 17] It is a front view of the lifting device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 18] It is a front cross-sectional view of the lifting device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 19] It is a side view of the lifting device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 20] It is a rear-side perspective view of the first passage part before lifting and its periphery of the pachinko machine. [Figure 21] It is a side cross-sectional view of the lower front side part of the pachinko machine. [Figure 22] It is a plane cross-sectional view of the lower front side part of the pachinko machine. [Figure 23] It is a front cross-sectional view for explaining the ball feeding operation of the pachinko machine. [Figure 24] It is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the ball feeding operation of the pachinko machine. [Figure 25] It is a time chart showing the operation cycle related to the ball feeding and firing operation of the pachinko machine. [Figure 26] It is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the firing handle of the pachinko machine and the firing intensity. [Figure 27]This figure shows the correspondence between the minimum and maximum ranges of the variable resistance value, the rotation angle of the firing handle, and the current value flowing through the firing drive mechanism of the pachinko machine. [Figure 28] This is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] This is a plan view of the lower front section of the pachinko machine. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 27 illustrate a first embodiment in which the present invention is adopted in a so-called smart pachinko machine. Here, a smart pachinko machine is one that uses game balls sealed inside to be circulated for gameplay, and the number of game balls held by the player is managed internally as game ball count data.

[0009] In Figures 1 and 2, the gaming machine body 1 comprises an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 positioned in front of the outer frame 2. The front frame 3 is pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be able to open, close, and detachably via a first hinge 4 that is positioned vertically and located on one end in the left-right direction, for example on the left end. The front frame 3 can be locked in the closed position relative to the outer frame 2 by a locking means 5 provided on the opposite side of the first hinge 4 in the left-right direction, for example on the right end.

[0010] The front frame 3 comprises an inner frame 6 and a front door 7 positioned in front of the inner frame 6. The front door 7 is pivotally attached to the inner frame 6 via a second hinge 8 that is positioned vertically and is positioned on one end in the left-right direction, for example on the left end, so that it can be opened, closed, and detached. It can be locked in the closed position relative to the inner frame 6 by a locking means 5. The first hinge 4 and the second hinge 8 are positioned, for example, on the same axis.

[0011] As shown in Figure 3, the outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular shape by a pair of left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members 2c, 2d. A front cover member 9 is attached to the lower front of the outer frame 2 so as to connect the lower front of the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b along the front edge of the lower horizontal frame member 2d. The front cover member 9 protrudes further forward than the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b, and the inner frame 6 is positioned above it.

[0012] As shown in Figure 3, the inner frame 6 integrally comprises, for example, a rectangular frame portion 13 that can substantially abut against the front edge side of the outer frame 2 above the front cover member 9, a game board mounting portion 14 provided on the upper side of the frame portion 13, and a lower mounting portion 15 provided on the lower side of the frame portion 13. A game board 17 (Figure 5), with a game area 16 positioned on the front side, is attached to the game board mounting portion 14, for example, by being detachably mounted from the front, and a game ball circulation device 18 is positioned in the lower mounting portion 15. This game ball circulation device 18 is for circulating game balls within a game ball circulation path including the game area 16, and is equipped with a launching device 19, a lifting device 20, etc. The launching device 19 launches game balls toward the game area 16, and is configured to collect out balls discharged from the game area 16 and supply them back to the launching device 19 via the lifting device 20, etc. Details of this game ball circulation device 18 will be described later.

[0013] As shown in Figure 5, the game board 17 includes a base plate 21 made of plywood, polycarbonate, or the like. Guide rails 22 are arranged in a ring shape on the front side of the base plate 21 to guide the game balls launched from the launching device 19. In the game area 16 inside the guide rails 22, unit components such as a central display frame unit 23, a starting prize unit 24, and a normal prize unit 25 are arranged, as well as numerous game pins (not shown). On the left side of the game area 16, a launch guide passage 26 is formed between the outer rail 22a and the inner rail 22b that make up the guide rail 22. A return prevention piece 27 is provided at the inflow point from the launch guide passage 26 to the game area 16 to prevent the game balls from returning from the game area 16 to the launch guide passage 26.

[0014] Furthermore, on the multiple unit components 23 to 25 of the game board 17, various display means are arranged, including a normal symbol starting means 31, a first special symbol starting means 32, a second special symbol starting means 33, a big prize winning means 34, multiple normal prize winning means 35, as well as a normal symbol display means 36, a normal reserve quantity display means 37, a first special symbol display means 38, a second special symbol display means 39, and so on.

[0015] The central display frame unit 23 constitutes the display frame for the liquid crystal display means (image display means) 40, which is located behind the base plate 21, and is positioned approximately in the center of the game area 16. Game balls launched by the launching device 19 and entering the upper part of the game area 16 via the launching guide passage 26 flow down either the left-downward path 41a on the left side of the central display frame unit 23 or the right-downward path 41b on the right side. A return rubber 28 is positioned on the outer perimeter of the game area 16, specifically in the upper right part, near the entrance to the right-downward path 41b. Game balls that flow into the game area 16 at high speed and pass through the top of the game area 16 along the guide rail 22 collide with the return rubber 28, lose speed, and then flow down to the right-downward path 41b. The central display frame unit 23 is also provided with a warp entrance 42 on the left-downward path 41a side into which game balls can flow. The game balls that flow down the left-down path 41a and enter the warp entrance 42 roll freely in the left-right direction on the stage 43 provided on the lower side of the central display frame unit 23, and then fall forward from either the central drop section 44, which is provided corresponding to the left-right center of the game area 16, or the other parts.

[0016] The normal symbol starting means 31 is for initiating the display of the normal symbols by the normal symbol display means 36, and is composed of a passage gate or the like through which the game ball can pass, and is equipped with a passage detection means (not shown) for detecting the passage of the game ball. This normal symbol starting means 31 is located, for example, to the right of the central display frame unit 23, and is passable to game balls flowing down the rightward flow path 41b.

[0017] The normal symbol display means 36 is for displaying normal symbols in a variable manner and is composed of multiple (2) LEDs, etc. Based on the detection of a game ball by the normal symbol starting means 31, the multiple LEDs that make up the normal symbol light up in a normal variable light pattern, and then stop rotating in a winning manner if the random value for winning judgment included in the normal random number information acquired when the game ball was detected by the normal symbol starting means 31 matches a predetermined winning judgment value, and in a losing manner otherwise.

[0018] Furthermore, if the normal symbol activation means 31 detects a game ball during the normal symbol display means 36's symbol variation and normal profit state, the acquired normal random number information is stored in reserve up to a predetermined upper limit, for example, 4 units. One unit is consumed each time the normal reserve period ends, and the normal symbols are varied. The number of stored normal random number units (normal reserve units) is notified to the player by the normal reserve unit display means 37, etc.

[0019] The first special symbol starting means 32 is for initiating the symbol change by the first special symbol display means 38, and is composed of a non-opening type prize entry means that does not have an opening / closing mechanism, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) for detecting the game ball that has entered the prize. This first special symbol starting means 32 is provided, for example, in the starting prize entry unit 24, and is positioned with an upward opening on the lower side corresponding to the central drop section 44 of the stage 43, and there is a route from the warp entrance 42 on the left flow path 41a side through the stage 43 to enter the prize, so that game balls that have flowed down the left flow path 41a have a higher probability of entering the prize than game balls that have flowed down the right flow path 41b. After a game ball that has entered the first special symbol starting means 32 is detected by the game ball detection means, it is guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a game ball enters the first special symbol starting means 32, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the player as prize balls for each entry (in the smart pachinko machine of this embodiment, game balls are not actually dispensed, but the number of prize balls is added to the game ball count data. The same applies hereinafter).

[0020] The second special symbol starting means 33 is for initiating the symbol change by the second special symbol display means 39. It is composed of an open / close type prize-winning means that can change between an open state in which game balls can be won and a closed state in which game balls cannot be won (or are more difficult to win than in the open state) by the operation of the opening / closing part 33a. It is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) for detecting game balls that have been won. When the stopped symbol after the change of the normal symbol display means 36 becomes a winning pattern and a normal winning state occurs, the opening / closing part 33a changes from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time. This second special symbol starting means 33 is located, for example, on the right side of the central display frame unit 23 and downstream of the normal symbol starting means 31, and game balls that have flowed down the rightward flow path 41b can be won. After a game ball that has been won in the second special symbol starting means 33 is detected by the game ball detection means, it is guided to the rear side of the game board 17. Furthermore, when a game ball enters the second special symbol activation means 33, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the player as prize balls for each entry.

[0021] The first special symbol display means 38 is for displaying the first special symbol in a variable manner and is composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. Based on the entry of a game ball into the first special symbol starting means 32, the 7-segment LED or the like that constitutes the first special symbol starts to change, and then stops changing in the first jackpot judgment random value included in the first special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the first special symbol starting means 32 if it matches a predetermined jackpot judgment value, or in the first losing manner otherwise. If the symbol that stops after the change in the first special symbol display means 38 is the first jackpot manner, a special profit state is generated.

[0022] The second special symbol display means 39 is for displaying the second special symbol in a variable manner and is composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. Based on the entry of a game ball into the second special symbol starting means 33, the 7-segment LED or the like that constitutes the second special symbol starts to change, and then stops changing in the second jackpot judgment random value included in the second special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the second special symbol starting means 33 if it matches a predetermined jackpot judgment value, or in the second jackpot mode otherwise. If the symbol that stops after the change in the second special symbol display means 39 is in the second jackpot mode, a special profit state is generated.

[0023] Furthermore, if the first and second special symbol starting means 32 and 33 detect a game ball during a special hold period, including during the symbol change of the first special symbol display means 38, the symbol change of the second special symbol display means 39, and the special benefit state, the first and second special random number information acquired thereby is stored in a predetermined upper limit, for example, up to 4 for each. When the special hold period ends, if there is 1 or more stored data for the second special symbol, one stored data point for the second special symbol is consumed and the second special symbol changes. If only the stored data point for the first special symbol is 1 or more, one stored data point for the first special symbol is consumed and the first special symbol changes. Thus, in this embodiment, the first and second special symbols are never both changing at the same time, and if there is stored data for both the first and second special symbols, the second special symbol changes are prioritized. The number of stored first and second special random number information (first and second special reserve numbers) is notified to the player by the LCD display means 40, etc.

[0024] The jackpot mechanism 34 is an open / close type jackpot mechanism equipped with an open / close plate 34a that can be switched between an open state in which game balls can enter and a closed state in which they cannot. It is located downstream of the second special symbol starting mechanism 33 and upstream of the first special symbol starting mechanism 32, and game balls that flow down the rightward flow path 41b have a higher probability of entering the jackpot than game balls that flow down the leftward flow path 41a. In the special bonus state that occurs when the first and second special symbols of the first and second special symbol display mechanisms 38 and 39 stop in the first and second jackpot modes after changing, the open / close plate 34a opens to the front according to one or more types of opening patterns, allowing game balls that fall onto it to enter the mechanism. After a game ball enters the jackpot mechanism 34, it is detected by a game ball detection mechanism (not shown) and then guided to the rear of the game board 17. Furthermore, when a game ball lands in the grand prize winning method 34, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the player as prize balls for each win.

[0025] The ordinary prize-winning means 35 consists of a non-opening type prize-winning means that does not have an opening / closing mechanism, and is arranged in multiple locations within the game area 16, above the ordinary prize-winning unit 25, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) for detecting game balls that have entered the prize-winning means. After a game ball that enters the ordinary prize-winning means 35 is detected by the game ball detection means (not shown), it is guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a game ball enters the ordinary prize-winning means 35, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the player as prize balls for each entry.

[0026] The game balls launched by the launching device 19 and entering the game area 16 are guided to the outside of the game area 16, that is, to the rear of the game board 17, by entering one of the various prize-winning means such as the first and second special symbol starting means 32 and 33 and the big prize-winning means 34 described above, or by entering one or more of the out-out openings 45 located within the game area 16.

[0027] Furthermore, the liquid crystal display means 40 is capable of displaying the performance symbols 46 in parallel with the display of the first and second special symbols by the first and second special symbol display means 38 and 39, and is also capable of displaying various images such as the first and second reserved images X1~X4, Y1~Y4, which indicate the number of first and second special reserved items.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front door 7 is equipped with a rectangular resin door base 51 that corresponds to the front side of the inner frame 6. A window opening 52a for a glass window (transparent window) 52 is formed in this door base 51 corresponding to the game area 16, and a number of (in this case, four) speakers 53, an LED board 54, and other display means are arranged around the window opening 52a, and an upper decorative cover 55 is attached that substantially covers these speakers 53, LED board 54, etc. from the front. The upper decorative cover 55 corresponds to the LED board 54 on the rear side and at least a portion of it constitutes a light-emitting lens part that is translucent.

[0029] Furthermore, at the lower part of the door base 51, that is, at the front of the part corresponding to the front of the lower mounting portion 15 on the inner frame 6 side, the lower bulge portion 56 and the launch handle 57 are arranged side by side, and a hand rest (resting means) 58 is positioned below the launch handle 57.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the lower bulge 56 is formed so that the protrusion toward the front gradually increases from both the left and right ends of the front door 7 towards the center, and an operation panel 59 is provided on its upper surface. The operation panel 59 is equipped with a performance button 61, a volume control 62, a light intensity control 63, a cross control 64, as well as a game ball count display 65, a counting button 66, and the like.

[0031] The performance button 61 is used in so-called button effects that occur during gameplay. It is active for a certain period of time during the button effect, and is configured to execute a predetermined effect when the player presses it during that active period. The volume adjustment unit 62 is for adjusting the output volume from the speaker 53 and consists of a plus button and a minus button. The light intensity adjustment unit 63 is for adjusting the light intensity of various LEDs arranged on the LED board 54, etc., and, like the volume adjustment unit 62, consists of a plus button and a minus button. The cross-shaped operation unit 64 is used for various setting operations and selection operations, such as selecting menu items when a menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 40, and is equipped with movement buttons in four directions: up, down, left, and right.

[0032] The game ball count display unit 65 displays the number of game balls (the number of game balls held by the player) that is managed internally as game ball count data, and is composed of a 7-segment LED with a predetermined number of digits (6 digits in this case). The counting button 66 is an operating means for transferring the number of game balls displayed on the game ball count display unit 65 to a storage medium such as an IC card via an external game ball dispensing device.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the lower bulge 56 includes a performance button unit 67 positioned on the front side and a button unit support part 68 that detachably supports the performance button unit 67. The performance button unit 67 includes a performance button body 71 with a performance button 61 that can be pressed downwards positioned on its upper side, a fixing plate 72 attached to the lower side of the performance button body 71, and a front decorative panel 73 attached to the front side of the performance button body 71.

[0034] The fixing plate 72 integrally comprises a bottom wall portion 74 positioned substantially horizontally on the bottom side of the performance button body portion 71, a rear wall portion 75 erected on the rear side of the performance button body portion 71, and a pair of left and right wall portions 76 and right wall portions 77 erected on the left and right sides of the performance button body portion 71. The bottom wall portion 74 is provided with a first fixing receiving portion 79a that can be detachably engaged with the first fixing operating tool 78a on the button unit support portion 68 side, and the rear wall portion 75 is provided with a second fixing receiving portion 79b that can be detachably engaged with the second fixing operating tool 78b on the button unit support portion 68 side. In addition, the left and right side wall portions 76 and 77 are provided with engaging portions 80b, 80b that can be engaged from the front with a pair of left and right engaging receiving portions 80a, 80a provided on the button unit support portion 68 side.

[0035] On the front side of the lower bulge 56, a button unit housing section 81 is formed, which has a space for housing the performance button unit 67, and is open to the front and upward. A button unit support section 68 is provided within the button unit housing section 81. The button unit support section 68 includes a support plate 82 that is positioned along the inner wall of the button unit housing section 81. This support plate 82 integrally comprises a bottom wall section 84 positioned substantially horizontally on the inner side (upper side) of the bottom wall 83 of the lower bulge 56, a rear wall section 85 erected along the front side of the door base 51, and a pair of left-side wall sections 86 and right-side wall sections 87 erected on both the left and right sides, and is detachably fixed to the bottom wall 83 of the lower bulge 56, the door base 51, etc. by screws or the like.

[0036] A first fixing tool 78a corresponding to the first fixing receiver 79a on the performance button unit 67 side is positioned on the bottom wall portion 84, and a second fixing tool 78b corresponding to the second fixing receiver 79b on the performance button unit 67 side is positioned on the rear wall portion 85. The first fixing tool 78a can be engaged with and disengaged from the first fixing receiver 79a from the lower bulge portion 56, and the second fixing tool 78b can be engaged with and disengaged from the back of the front door 7 (i.e., with the front door 7 open). In addition, engagement receivers 80a, 80a corresponding to the engagement portions 80b, 80b on the performance button unit 67 side are positioned on the left and right side wall portions 86, 87.

[0037] When installing the performance button unit 67 into the button unit housing section 81 of the lower bulge 56, the performance button unit 67 is slid backward with the fixing plate 72 on the performance button unit 67 side aligned with the inside of the support plate 82 on the button unit support section 68 side. At this time, the engaging portions 80b, 80b on the performance button unit 67 side engage with the engaging receiving portions 80a, 80a on the button unit support section 68 side from the front. When the performance button unit 67 reaches the predetermined fixing position, the first fixing tool 78a is operated from below the lower bulge 56 to engage with the first fixing receiving portion 79a on the performance button unit 67 side, and then the second fixing tool 78b is operated from the back of the front door 7 to engage with the second fixing receiving portion 79b on the performance button unit 67 side, thereby completing the installation of the performance button unit 67. To remove the performance button unit 67, simply follow the reverse procedure of the installation process described above.

[0038] The launch handle 57 is an operating means used by the player to operate the launching device 19. As shown in Figures 7, 9 to 11, it comprises a launch handle base 91, a launch stop lever 92, a rotating operating section 93, a handle cap 94, etc., and is located near the right side of the lower bulge 56. The launch handle base 91 integrally comprises a substantially cylindrical support leg 95 arranged in the front-rear direction and a bowl-shaped section 96 provided on the front end side of the support leg 95. The rear end side of the support leg 95 is detachably fixed to the door base 51 of the front door 7.

[0039] The launch stop lever 92 is used to stop the firing operation of the launcher 19. It protrudes radially outward from a predetermined position on the front edge of the bowl-shaped section 96, for example, from a notch provided on the left side. It is supported so as to be switchable between a first position (shown by a dashed line in Figure 10) where the outward protrusion is large and a second position (shown by a solid line in Figure 10) where the protrusion is smaller, and is biased toward the first position. When the launch stop lever 92 is in the first position (OFF), the operating switch for operating the launcher 19 is turned ON, allowing the launch operation of the launcher 19. When the launch stop lever 92 is in the second position (ON), the operating switch is turned OFF, stopping the launch operation of the launcher 19. In other words, the fact that the launch stop lever 92 is not operated (in the first position (OFF)) is one of the conditions for allowing the launch operation.

[0040] The rotating control unit (operating unit) 93 is for adjusting the firing intensity of the firing device 19. It is formed in a substantially annular shape corresponding to the leading edge of the bowl-shaped unit 96, and multiple finger rests 93a are integrally provided on its outer circumference. The rotating control unit 93 is supported in a state that allows it to rotate between a minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 and a maximum rotation angle θMAX obtained by rotating this minimum rotation angle θ0 by a predetermined angle clockwise. The resistance value of the variable resistor 97 changes according to the rotation angle, and it is biased counterclockwise toward the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0. Furthermore, the rotating control unit 93 functions as an electrode for the touch sensor 98, for example, by having a conductive plating applied to its entire outer surface. When the player touches the rotating control unit 93, the touch sensor 98 is turned ON, allowing the firing operation by the firing device 19 to proceed. In other words, the player touching the rotating control unit 93 (the touch sensor 98 being ON) is one of the conditions for the firing operation to be permitted. The variable resistor 97, touch sensor 98, etc., are located within the bowl-shaped section 96 (Figure 10).

[0041] Furthermore, when the rotary control unit 93 is within the range from the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 to the rotation angle θ1, the firing stop lever 92 is held in the second position (ON) in conjunction with the rotary control unit 93 (see Figure 26). Note that the force biasing the rotary control unit 93 toward the minimum rotation angle θ0 (first biasing force) is greater than the force biasing the firing stop lever 92 toward the first position (OFF) (second biasing force). Therefore, when the rotary control unit 93 is not being operated, i.e., when it is held at the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 by the first biasing force, the firing stop lever 92 is held in the second position (ON) by the first biasing force received from the rotary control unit 93, and the operating switch is turned OFF. When the player grasps the rotating control unit 93 and rotates it clockwise from that state, when the rotation angle reaches θ1, the firing stop lever 92 is released from the first biasing force and moves from the second position (ON) to the first position (OFF) by the second biasing force, turning the activation switch ON and allowing the firing operation by the firing device 19 to proceed. The firing control based on the operation of this firing handle 57 will be described later.

[0042] The handle cap 94 is the part on which the player rests their palm when operating the rotating control unit 93, etc. It is formed in a roughly hemispherical shape from synthetic resin and is positioned in front of the rotating control unit 93. It is fixed to the launch handle base 91 in a manner that does not obstruct the operation of the rotating control unit 93, etc.

[0043] The hand rest 58 is an example of a resting means that supports a predetermined part of the player's body operating the launch handle 57, specifically the area from the arm through the wrist to the hand (including the palm), and is positioned below the launch handle 57 and to the side (right side) of the lower bulge 56. As shown in Figures 7 to 11, the hand rest 58 comprises a base portion 101, a back cover portion 102, a front cover portion 103, and a rest portion (support portion) 104.

[0044] The base portion 101 is made of synthetic resin and is formed, for example, as a thin plate with a roughly rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the front-to-back direction, and is positioned roughly horizontally on the front side along the lower edge of the door base 51. The upper surface of the base portion 101 is formed in a slightly downward sloping shape, while the lower surface is formed roughly horizontally, so that the thickness (plate thickness) in the vertical direction is smaller on the front side than on the rear side. The base portion 101 is also provided with a first vertically penetrating opening 105a at a predetermined position on the rear side corresponding to the underside of the tip of the launch handle 57, and a second vertically penetrating opening 105b is provided in front of the first opening 105a.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the base portion 101 forms a handrest base 108 which integrally includes a side wall portion 106 erected upward along its left edge and a rear wall portion 107 erected upward along its rear side edge. The side wall portion 106 of the handrest base 108 constitutes the right side wall of the lower bulge portion 56 and is positioned to the right of the right side wall portion 87 of the support plate 82 of the button unit support portion 68 (Figure 9), and is fixed to the right side wall portion 87 by screws or the like. When the performance button unit 67 is attached to the button unit housing portion 81, the front decorative panel 73 on the performance button unit 67 side is connected to the front edge side of this side wall portion 106.

[0046] Furthermore, the rear wall portion 107 of the handrest base 108 is positioned along the front side of the door base 51 and is fixed to the door base 51 by screws or the like. An insertion hole 109 corresponding to the firing handle 57 is formed in this rear wall portion 107, and the firing handle 57 is fixed to the door base 51 with its rear end inserted through the insertion hole 109.

[0047] As described above, the handrest 58 is fixed to the door base 51 side via the rear wall portion 107 at the rear end of the base portion 101, and to the lower bulge portion 56 side via the side wall portion 106 at the left side of the base portion 101. In this way, the handrest 58 is supported by the front door 7 not only at the rear but also in an L-shaped area in plan view that spans from the rear to the side, so sufficient strength can be ensured even against rough handling by players. Here, the rear wall portion 107 of the handrest base 108 is an example of a rear support means that supports the rear of the handrest 58, and the side wall portion 106 of the handrest base 108 is an example of a side support means that supports the side of the handrest 58.

[0048] The back cover portion 102 is for reinforcing the base portion 101 and is fitted from below into a recess provided on the lower surface of the base portion 101, and is detachably fixed to the base portion 101 by screws or the like. As shown in Figure 8, the back cover portion 102 has a base-side recess 110 corresponding to the first opening 105a on the base portion 101 side and a rest support portion 111 corresponding to the second opening 105b on the base portion 101 side, both integrally formed.

[0049] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the base-side recess 110 is formed as a downward recess on the lower side, corresponding to the inner region of the first opening 105a. A base-side opening 112 of a predetermined shape, for example, a substantially rectangular shape, is formed in the base-side recess 110 at a predetermined position on its bottom wall 110a, for example, on the rear side. The bottom wall 110a of the base-side recess 110 is substantially horizontal and is positioned along the bottom surface of the base portion 101, and the peripheral wall portion 110b around the bottom wall 110a is formed in a sloping shape that gradually slopes downward toward the bottom wall 110a. The rest support portion 111 is for fixing the rest portion 104 and is formed as an upward projection with a shape corresponding to the second opening 105b, and is fitted into the second opening 105b from below. Here, the shape of the second opening 105b and the rest support portion 111 fitted into it is substantially rectangular, but they may be circular or any other arbitrary shape.

[0050] The front cover portion 103 covers the area around the first opening 105a on the base portion 101 side from above. As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 11, it has a cover-side recess 114 formed along the inner surface (upper surface) of the base-side recess 110 on the back cover portion 102 side. It is attached to the first opening 105a of the base portion 101 from above and is detachably fixed to the back cover portion 102 by screws or the like.

[0051] In the cover-side recess 114, a cover-side opening 115 is formed on its bottom wall 114a, corresponding to the base-side opening 112 of the base-side recess 110. This cover-side opening 115 is composed of a plurality of elongated holes 115a, all of which are arranged to correspond within the area of ​​the base-side opening 112. The cover-side opening 115 can be formed with one or more circular holes or any other number and shape of holes. Similarly, the base-side opening 112 can also be formed with one or more circular holes or any other number and shape of holes, but it is desirable that the cover-side opening 115 be entirely within the range of the base-side opening 112, or that the two be configured to perfectly coincide.

[0052] This cover-side recess 114 is an example of a space-forming part that secures more space below the launch handle 57. The presence of the cover-side recess (space-forming part) 114 creates extra space despite the presence of a hand rest 58 below the launch handle 57, preventing the player from operating the launch handle 57 in a cramped manner. The position of this cover-side recess 114 is determined considering the actual wrist position when the player grips the launch handle 57 with their right hand. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the cover-side recess 114 is positioned with its left-right center slightly outward (to the right) from the central axis of the launch handle 57, and as shown in Figure 11, its front-rear center is positioned to approximately coincide with the front-rear position of the gripping operation part 57a at the tip of the launch handle 57. The gripping operation part 57a of the launch handle 57 is the part of the launch handle 57 that the player actually grips and operates, i.e., the part consisting of the handle cap 94 and the rear rotating operation part 93.

[0053] As shown in Figure 11, the front-to-back width of the cover-side recess 114 is greater than the front-to-back width of the gripping operation part 57a of the launch handle 57, and the front end of the cover-side recess 114 is located in front of the tip of the launch handle 57. In addition, the cover-side opening 115 is shifted rearward from the front-to-back center position of the cover-side recess 114, so as to coincide approximately with the front-to-back position of, for example, the rotation operation part 93.

[0054] The rest section (support section) 104 is for supporting a predetermined part of the player's body from below, specifically from the arm through the wrist to the hand (including the palm). As shown in Figures 8, 10, and 11, it consists of a rest cover section 116 that directly supports the player's arm, etc., and a rest base section 117 to which the rest cover section 116 is attached. The rest cover section 116 is made of a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) material that has both flexible elasticity and firm rigidity so that it can reliably support the player's arm, etc., while distributing the load when the player rests their arm on it. The rest cover section 116 integrally comprises a plate-shaped upper wall section 116a formed in a shape corresponding to the second opening 105b (in this case, roughly rectangular), and a peripheral wall section 116b provided along the outer circumference of the upper wall section 116a and extending downward so as to wrap around the rest base section 117 from its outer circumference. When the rest cover portion 116 is fitted onto the rest base portion 117, a space is formed between the upper wall portion 116a of the rest cover portion 116 and the rest base portion 117, and this space allows deformation of the upper wall portion 116a of the rest cover portion 116.

[0055] The rest portion 104 is fitted into the second opening 105b of the base portion 101 from above, and the rest base portion 117 is detachably fixed by screwing it from below to the rest support portion 111 on the back cover portion 102, with the upper side of the rest cover portion 116 protruding above the upper surface of the base portion 101. As shown in Figure 10, the rest portion 104 is positioned so that its left-right center position is approximately coincident with the central axis of the firing handle 57 in the left-right direction.

[0056] Next, with reference to Figures 12 to 24, the configuration of the game ball circulation device 18 provided on the inner frame 6 side will be explained. As shown in Figures 12, 13, etc., the game ball circulation device 18 includes a launching device 19 capable of launching game balls toward the game area 16, a pre-lifting passage 121 that guides out balls discharged from the game area 16, a lifting device 20 that lifts the game balls guided by the pre-lifting passage 121 to a position higher than the launching position by the launching device 19, a post-lifting passage 122 that guides the game balls lifted by the lifting device 20 toward the launching device 19, a ball feeding device 120 that supplies game balls guided by the post-lifting passage 122 one by one to the launching device 19 in synchronization with the launching operation of the launching device 19, and a lifting device for game balls that were launched by the launching device 19 but did not reach the game area 16 (foul balls). The game balls are circulated within a game ball circulation path consisting of a launching device 19, a game area 16, a pre-lifting passage 121, a foul ball passage 123 that guides the balls toward the upper device 20, an out ball switch 124, an over-position detection switch 125, an under-position detection switch 126, and a lifting inlet switch 127 located along the path of the pre-lifting passage 121, a lifting outlet switch 128 located along the path of the post-lifting passage 122, a ball feeding switch 129 located on the ball feeding device 120, a foul ball switch 130 located along the path of the foul ball passage 123, and a lifting position detection switch 131 located on the lifting device 20.

[0057] The launching device 19 is mounted on the ball feeding launching unit 132 (see Figures 14-16, 24) together with the ball feeding device 120, etc., and is positioned approximately in the left-right center of the lower mounting portion 15 of the inner frame 6. As shown in Figure 16, etc., it is positioned approximately parallel to the game board 17 and consists of a launching base plate 133 which forms the back plate of the case of the ball feeding launching unit 132, a launching rail 134 which is positioned on the front side of the launching base plate 133 in an upward sloping manner to the left, and a launching device mounted on the front side of the launching base plate 133 which launches game balls behind the launching rail 134. The launch base plate 133 includes a ball holder 135 that holds the balls in a launching position at the end, a striking hammer 136 that is supported on the front side of the launch base plate 133 so as to be able to swing around a drive shaft 136a in the front-rear direction, and a launching drive means 137 such as a rotary solenoid that is positioned on the back side of the launch base plate 133 and drives the striking hammer 136 via the drive shaft 136a in the striking direction (clockwise in this case). The launching drive means 137 intermittently and continuously drives the striking hammer 136 in the striking direction according to the amount of operation (rotation angle) of the rotation operation part 93 of the launch handle 57. As a result, the game balls supplied one by one on the launch rail 134 are launched along the launch rail 134 toward the game area 16 of the game board 17.

[0058] The lifting device 20 is positioned to the side (in this case, to the right) of the launching device 19 at the lower mounting portion 15 of the inner frame 6, and as shown in Figures 12, 13, 17 to 19, it comprises a screw member 141 positioned with its rotation axis oriented in the vertical direction, a polishing member 142 positioned parallel to the screw member 141 in the vicinity of the screw member 141 (in this case, near the front), a lifting motor 143, and a lifting drive force transmission means 144 for transmitting the driving force of the lifting motor 143 to the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142.

[0059] The screw member 141 integrally includes a helical projection 145 positioned along the vertical rotation axis. The polishing member 142 includes a cylindrical polishing section 146 made of felt or other material, positioned along the vertical rotation axis. Since the polishing section 146 of the polishing member 142 needs to be replaced when it wears out, a detachable handle 147 is provided near the axial center of the polishing member 142.

[0060] The lifting motor 143 is positioned near the lower side (in this case, near the left side) of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142, with its drive shaft facing downwards, for example. The lifting drive force transmission means 144 consists of a plurality of gears that connect the drive shaft of the lifting motor 143 to the respective rotation shafts of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142. When the lifting motor 143 is operated, the rotation of its drive shaft is transmitted by the lifting drive force transmission means 144 to the respective rotation shafts of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142, causing the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142 to rotate at the same rotational speed but in opposite directions (the screw member 141 rotates clockwise in a plan view, and the polishing member 142 rotates counterclockwise in a plan view).

[0061] A vertical lifting passage 148 is provided between the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142. A lifting inlet 148a is provided at the lower end of the lifting passage 148, and a lifting outlet 148b is provided at the upper end. Game balls that flow into the lower end of the lifting passage 148 via the lifting inlet 148a are pushed up by the protruding portion 145 of the screw member 141, which is rotated by the lifting motor 143, and rise within the lifting passage 148. At this time, the surface of the game balls is polished by the polishing member 142, which is rotated by the lifting motor 143. Game balls that have risen within the lifting passage 148 by the screw member 141 and reached the upper end of the lifting passage 148 are discharged from the lifting outlet 148b.

[0062] The lifting position detection switch 131 is for detecting the rotational position of the screw member 141, which is necessary for controlling the drive of the lifting motor 143. It is composed of a photosensor or the like, and by detecting a dog provided on one of the multiple gears that make up the lifting drive force transmission means 144, the rotational position of the screw member 141 can be detected.

[0063] The pre-lift passage 121 guides the balls ejected from the game area 16 toward the lifting inlet 148a of the lifting device 20. As shown in Figure 12, it consists of a first pre-lift passage section 121a and a second pre-lift passage section 121b, which are located behind the launching device 19; a third pre-lift passage section 121c, which is connected downstream of the second pre-lift passage section 121b and located between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20; and a fourth pre-lift passage section 121d, which is connected downstream of the third pre-lift passage section 121c and connected to the lifting inlet 148a via the front of the lifting device 20.

[0064] The first pre-lift passage section 121a allows out balls to flow down from the rear of the launching device 19 to the connecting section 150 with the second pre-lift passage section 121b. It is located on the rear side of the back base plate 149, which is positioned approximately parallel to the base plate 21 of the game board 17, behind the lower mounting section 15 of the inner frame 6. As shown in Figures 12, 20, and 21, it is formed in a roughly S-shape when viewed from the front, with two left-sloping sections 151 and 153 and a right-sloping section 152 between them connected by two folded sections 154 and 155. The upstream end of the left-sloping section 151 of the first pre-lift passage section 121a is connected to the out ball guide section 156, and the downstream end of the left-sloping section 153 is connected to the connecting section 150.

[0065] As shown in Figure 21 and other figures, the out ball guide section 156 is located below the out ball discharge port 157 provided on the lower back of the game board 17, and is formed in a sloping shape, for example, downward towards the upstream end of the first pre-lift passage section 121a, and is configured to guide the out balls discharged from the out ball discharge port 157 to the left sloping section 151 of the first pre-lift passage section 121a.

[0066] Along the path of the first passage section 121a before lifting, an out ball switch 124 is positioned, for example, corresponding to the first turnaround section 154. The out ball switch 124 is a so-called proximity switch, and is designed to detect a game ball as it flows down the first passage section 121a before lifting passes through the turnaround section 154.

[0067] The second pre-lift passage section 121b directs the game balls that have flowed down from the first pre-lift passage section 121a towards the lifting device 20 at the rear of the launching device 19. As shown in Figures 12, 21, and 22, it is arranged along the front surface of the back base plate 149 in a downward sloping manner towards the front, and its upstream end is connected to a connecting section 150 formed on the back base plate 149.

[0068] On the path of the second passage section 121b before lifting, for example, an over-position detection switch 125 is located near its downstream end. This over-position detection switch 125 is a mechanical sensor consisting of a movable detection piece 125a whose posture changes (oscillates) depending on the presence or absence of game balls in the passage, and a photosensor 125b that detects the presence or absence of game balls by switching ON / OFF in accordance with the change in posture of the movable detection piece 125a.

[0069] The third pre-lift passage section 121c allows the game balls that have flowed down from the second pre-lift passage section 121b to flow forward from the rear side of the launching device 19. As shown in Figures 12 and 22, it is positioned between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 in a downward sloping manner, and its upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the second pre-lift passage section 121b.

[0070] The fourth pre-lift passage section 121d allows the game balls, which have flowed forward between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 via the third pre-lift passage section 121c, to flow down to the lifting inlet 148a via the front side of the lifting device 20. As shown in Figures 12, 15, 16, and 22, it comprises a right-sloping section 158 located on the front side of the lifting device 20 and a rear-sloping section 159 located on the right side of the lifting device 20. The upstream end of the right-sloping section 158 is connected to the third pre-lift passage section 121c, and the rear end of the rear-sloping section 159 is connected to the lifting inlet 148a.

[0071] Furthermore, on the path of the fourth passage section 121d before lifting, for example, an under-position detection switch 126 is located near the upstream end of the right-sloping section 158. This under-position detection switch 126 is a mechanical sensor similar to the over-position detection switch 125, and consists of a movable detection piece 126a whose posture changes (oscillates) depending on the presence or absence of game balls in the passage, and a photosensor 126b that detects the presence or absence of game balls by switching ON / OFF in accordance with the change in posture of the movable detection piece 126a.

[0072] Furthermore, a lifting inlet switch 127 is positioned along the path of the fourth pre-lifting passage 121d, for example, near the downstream end of the rear inclined section 159. The lifting inlet switch 127 is a so-called proximity switch, and is designed to detect a game ball just before it flows down the fourth pre-lifting passage 121d, passes through the rear inclined section 159, and enters the lifting inlet 148a.

[0073] The foul ball passage 123 is designed to guide foul balls towards the lifting device 20 by allowing them to flow into the pre-lift passage 121. As shown in Figures 12, 21, and 22, it is located behind the launching device 19 and in front of the pre-lift second passage 121b. Its upstream end is connected to the foul ball receiving section 161, and its downstream end is connected to a predetermined position in the pre-lift second passage 121b. The foul ball receiving section 161 is designed to receive foul balls and guide them towards the downstream foul ball passage 123, and is located downstream (left side) of the launch rail 134.

[0074] The foul ball passage 123 comprises a first foul ball passage 123a arranged in a downward sloping manner from the foul ball receiving section 161 side toward the second passage section 121b before lifting, and a second foul ball passage 123b connected to the downstream side of the first foul ball passage 123a and arranged substantially parallel to the front side of the second passage section 121b before lifting. The upstream end of the first foul ball passage 123a is connected to the foul ball receiving section 161, and the downstream end of the second foul ball passage 123b diagonally merges with the second passage section 121b before lifting.

[0075] A foul ball switch 130 is positioned along the path of the first foul ball passage 123a, for example, near the connection point with the foul ball receiving section 161. The foul ball switch 130 is a so-called proximity switch that detects a game ball when it flows into the foul ball passage 123 via the foul ball receiving section 161. Each time the foul ball switch 130 detects a game ball, the game ball count data is incremented by 1, and the amount deducted at launch (ball feeding) is returned to the player.

[0076] As shown in Figure 22, the confluence opening 162 from the second foul ball passage section 123b to the second pre-lift passage section 121b is formed to be wide enough to accommodate several game balls along the direction of the game ball's flow. If the downstream end of the confluence opening 162 is defined as the confluence point 162a, then (distance from the foul ball switch 130 to the confluence point 162a) > (distance from the confluence point 162a to the excess position detection switch 125).

[0077] The lifting passage 122 is lifted by the lifting device 20 and guides the game balls that have flowed out from the lifting outlet 148b toward the launching device 19. As shown in Figure 13, it consists of a first lifting passage section 122a, which is arranged in a left-right direction toward the launching device 19 from the lifting outlet 148b; a second lifting passage section 122b, which is connected downstream of the first lifting passage section 122a and is arranged forward through the space between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20; and a third lifting passage section 122c, which is connected downstream of the second lifting passage section 122b and is arranged in a left-right direction toward the front of the launching device 19.

[0078] As shown in Figures 13, 17, 18, and 23, the first passage section 122a after lifting is arranged in a downward sloping manner from the lifting outlet 148b, and a lifting outlet switch 128 is located at a predetermined position along its path, for example, on the downstream end side. The lifting outlet switch 128 is a so-called proximity switch that is lifted by the lifting device 20 and is configured to detect game balls that have flowed out from the lifting outlet 148b into the post-lifting passage 122.

[0079] The second passage section 122b after lifting directs the game balls that have flowed down from the first passage section 122a side forward to the front of the launching device 19. As shown in Figures 13, 15, and 16, it is positioned in a downward sloping manner between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20. The third passage section 122c after lifting directs the game balls that have flowed forward between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 by the second passage section 122b to the ball feeding device 120 in front of the launching device 19. As shown in Figures 13, 15, and 23, it is positioned in a downward sloping manner to the left in front of the launching device 19. A portion of the post-lifting passage 122, specifically the section from the middle of the second passage section 122b to the third passage section 122c, is provided on the ball feeding launching unit 132 together with the launching device 19 and the ball feeding device 120.

[0080] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the ball feeding device 120 includes a ball feeding guide passage 171 that guides the game balls that have flowed down from the second passage section 122b side after being lifted towards the launch rail 134 side, a ball feeding lever 172 for feeding the game balls one by one from the second passage section 122b side towards the ball feeding guide passage 171 side, a ball feeding drive means 173 for driving the ball feeding lever 172, and a ball feeding switch 129 for detecting game balls passing through the ball feeding guide passage 171. Near the upstream side of the ball feeding device 120, there is a ball removal passage 174 for removing game balls from the second passage section 122b after being lifted, and a ball removal lever 175 for opening and closing the entrance to this ball removal passage 174.

[0081] The ball feeding guide passage 171 is positioned in a downward sloping manner near the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after lifting. Its upstream end (front end) is positioned approximately half a game ball's width lower than the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after lifting, and its downstream end (rear end) is positioned above the launch rail 134, corresponding to the launch holding position. A ball feeding switch 129 is also located in this ball feeding guide passage 171. The ball feeding switch 129 is a proximity switch that detects a game ball as it passes through the ball feeding guide passage 171 and flows down onto the launch rail 134. Each time the ball feeding switch 129 detects a game ball, the game ball count data is deducted by 1.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 24, the detection position of the game ball by the ball feeding switch 129 is located at least one game ball's width upstream of the launch and holding position on the launch rail 134. In other words, even if the next game ball is fed while a game ball remains on the launch rail 134, the system is configured so that the game ball will not remain at the detection position of the ball feeding switch 129.

[0083] The ball feeding lever 172 has a roughly U-shaped ball holding section 172a capable of holding one game ball at one end (right end) in the left-right direction. The ball holding section 172a is positioned near the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after lifting, with the ball holding section 172a facing the second passage section 122b side (i.e., the right side), and is supported so as to be able to swing around a front-rear rotation axis 172b provided at the other end (left end) in the left-right direction. The lower surface of the ball holding section 172a is formed in a downward sloping shape toward the ball feeding guide passage 171 side.

[0084] The ball feeding lever 172 can be switched between a ball feeding preparation position (Figures 23(a), 24(a)) in which one game ball is received into the game ball holding section 172a after being lifted, and a ball feeding execution position (Figures 23(b), 24(b)) in which the game ball held in the game ball holding section 172a is allowed to flow down towards the ball feeding guide passage 171 while preventing the next game ball from flowing down from the second passage section 122b after being lifted. When the ball feeding lever 172 is in the ball feeding preparation position (Figures 23(a), 24(a)), the game ball holding section 172a is shifted upward relative to the ball feeding guide passage 171, so the game ball in the game ball holding section 172a is prevented from moving towards the ball feeding guide passage 171. When the ball feeding lever 172 moves to the ball feeding execution position (Figures 23(b) and 24(b)), the game ball holding section 172a aligns with the upstream side of the ball feeding guide passage 171, causing the game balls in the game ball holding section 172a to flow down toward the ball feeding guide passage 171. At this time, since the game ball holding section 172a is shifted downward relative to the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after being lifted, the subsequent flow of game balls is prevented.

[0085] By switching the ball feeding lever 172 alternately between the ball feeding preparation position and the ball feeding execution position in synchronization with the launching operation of the launching device 19, it is possible to send the game balls that have flowed down through the second passage section 122b after being lifted one by one to the launch holding position on the launching rail 134.

[0086] In the game ball circulation device 18 described above, game balls launched by the launching device 19 and entering the game area 16 are guided from the game area 16 to the rear side of the game board 17 by entering one of the various prize-winning means such as the first and second special symbol starting means 32, 33 and the big prize means 34, or by entering the out opening 45, and are discharged from the out ball discharge opening 157 located at the lower back of the game board 17. The game balls (out balls) discharged from the out ball discharge opening 157 flow into the pre-lift passage 121 via the out ball guide section 156 and flow down toward the lifting inlet 148a.

[0087] When an out ball flows down the pre-lift passage 121, it passes the out ball switch 124 in the first pre-lift passage 121a, the over-position detection switch 125 in the second pre-lift passage 121b, and the under-position detection switch 126 in the fourth pre-lift passage 121d. Foul balls, on the other hand, flow down towards the lift inlet 148a by merging with the second pre-lift passage 121b via the foul ball receiving section 161 and the foul ball passage 123. In doing so, they pass the foul ball switch 130 in the foul ball passage 123, the over-position detection switch 125 in the second pre-lift passage 121b after merging, and the under-position detection switch 126 in the fourth pre-lift passage 121d.

[0088] Here, the over-position detection switch 125 and under-position detection switch 126, which are positioned at a predetermined distance apart on the pre-lifting passage 121, are for determining whether the number of game balls enclosed in the game ball circulation device 18 is appropriate. At a predetermined under- / over-position detection timing, if the over-position detection switch 125 does not detect game balls, and the under-position detection switch 126 does detect game balls, that is, if game balls are present at the detection position of the under-position detection switch 126 and no game balls are present at the detection position of the over-position detection switch 125, then it is determined that the number of enclosed game balls is appropriate. On the other hand, at a predetermined under- / over-position detection timing, if the under-position detection switch 126 does not detect game balls, it is determined that the number of enclosed game balls is small (under-positioned), and if the over-position detection switch detects game balls, it is determined that the number of enclosed game balls is large (over-positioned).

[0089] Furthermore, it is desirable to set the under / overcount detection timing not only when the power is turned on, but also after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the game stopped (when the player has released their hand from the launch handle 57, and not during a special bonus state (jackpot), and not during symbol changes). This is because the number of game balls enclosed may change when the hall staff opens the front frame 3 after the power is turned on for the purpose of resolving troubles, etc.

[0090] As described above, the over-position detection switch 125 and the under-position detection switch 126 detect whether the game balls remaining in the passage have reached their respective detection positions. Therefore, as long as the game balls remain at the detection positions, they must remain stably ON even if the positions of the game balls in the passage shift. On the other hand, the pre-lift passage 121 is where the game balls supplied to the lifting device 20 remain. Therefore, the positions of the game balls remaining in the pre-lift passage 121 change (they are not constant) depending on the state in which the lifting device 20 is stopped. Accordingly, the over-position detection switch 125 and the under-position detection switch 126 employ mechanical sensors that maintain a stably ON state, rather than sensors like proximity switches that may turn OFF depending on the position of the game balls even when game balls remain beyond the detection position.

[0091] When the lifting device 20 is activated, the game balls on the pre-lifting passage 121 flow into the lifting device 20 via the lifting inlet 148a and rise up the lifting passage 148. Whether or not game balls are present upstream of the lifting device 20 is determined based on the detection signal from the lifting inlet switch 127. After rising up the lifting passage 148 due to the operation of the lifting device 20, the game balls flow out from the lifting outlet 148b and down the post-lifting passage 122, accumulating upstream of the ball feeding device 120 and waiting to be launched.

[0092] A lifting exit switch 128 is located on the lifting passage 122, and if this lifting exit switch 128 remains in the ON state, it can be determined that the number of game balls waiting to be launched has reached a predetermined number. The lifting device 20 operates when the lifting inlet switch 127 is ON and the lifting exit switch 128 is OFF, and is controlled to stop when the lifting exit switch 128 is turned ON and it is determined that the number of game balls waiting to be launched has reached a predetermined number.

[0093] Furthermore, while the lifting exit switch 128, like the over-position detection switch 125 and the under-position detection switch 126, is used to detect game balls remaining in the passageway, the game balls remaining in the post-lift passageway 122, which is the target of the lifting exit switch 128, differ from the game balls remaining in the pre-lift passageway 121. These game balls stop at predetermined positions according to the operation of the ball feeding device 120 (ball feeding preparation position and ball feeding execution position), and the deviation of these stopping positions is small. Therefore, instead of using a mechanical sensor that requires a large installation space, a proximity switch is employed, and by placing the proximity switch in an appropriate position, it is possible to prevent the switch from remaining in the OFF state even if game balls are remaining beyond the position of the lifting exit switch 128.

[0094] Next, we will explain the launch control of this smart pachinko machine. Figure 25 shows a time chart of the launch control in this smart pachinko machine. As shown in Figure 25, the launch control of this embodiment is configured to repeatedly perform a ball feeding and launching operation for one cycle, which is completed in a predetermined time (600 ms in this case). The ball feeding and launching operation cycle (hereinafter referred to as the "operation cycle") starts when predetermined launch conditions are met (for example, a launch control signal that permits launching is output from the control unit, the touch sensor 98 detects that the player is touching the launching handle 57, and the launch stop lever 92 is not operated). When the launch conditions are no longer met (for example, when the player takes their hand off the launching handle 57), the ball feeding and launching operation stops when the currently running operation cycle ends. In other words, the execution of the operation cycle is never stopped in the middle of it.

[0095] In this ball feeding and launching operation, the ball feeding drive means 173 turns OFF → ON almost simultaneously with the start of one cycle (T1 in Figure 25), causing the ball feeding lever 172 to change from the ball feeding execution position (Figures 23(b), 24(b)) to the ball feeding preparation position (Figures 23(a), 24(a)), and the downstreammost game ball among those remaining in the lifted passage 122 is housed in the game ball holding part 172a of the ball feeding lever 172.

[0096] Subsequently, after a predetermined time (for example, 128 ms) (T2 in Figure 25), the ball feeding drive means 173 turns ON to OFF, causing the ball feeding lever 172 to change from the ball feeding preparation position (Figures 23(a), 24(a)) to the ball feeding execution position (Figures 23(b), 24(b)). As a result, one game ball that was housed in the game ball holding part 172a of the ball feeding lever 172 flows down to the ball feeding guide passage 171 and is supplied onto the launch rail 134. At this time, the ball feeding switch 129 detects the game ball passing through the ball feeding guide passage 171 (T3 in Figure 25), and the game ball count data is deducted by 1. Thus, in this embodiment, the ball feeding operation to supply game balls to the launch device 19 is performed immediately after the start of the operation cycle.

[0097] As shown in Figure 25, a subtraction reference signal is output from the launching device 19 at the start of a new cycle of the ball feeding operation (T1 in Figure 25). If the ball feeding switch 129 does not detect anything within a predetermined time (e.g., 500 ms) from the output of this subtraction reference signal, it is determined to be an abnormality. If this abnormality continues for a predetermined number of times (e.g., 10 times), an error state is entered and an error notification is issued. This error notification is indicated by a display on the liquid crystal display means 40 and the blinking of LEDs on the frame side. This error state is cleared when the ball feeding switch 129 detects something.

[0098] Subsequently, just before the end of one cycle (for example, about 550 ms after the start of one cycle) (T4 in Figure 25), the launch drive means 137 is activated (solenoid ON), causing the striking hammer 136 to swing and launch the game ball on the launch rail 134 toward the game area 16 with a predetermined launch intensity. In this embodiment, since the game ball supplied onto the launch rail 134 immediately after the start of the operation cycle is launched just before the end of that operation cycle, sufficient time can be secured before launch for the game ball supplied onto the launch rail 134 to stabilize in the launch holding position. As described later, this makes it possible to ensure stable launch with no variation in launch intensity while preventing any balls from remaining on the launch rail 134 at the end of the operation cycle. The 600 ms operation cycle ends when the launch drive means 137 is turned off (solenoid OFF), and the next operation cycle starts at the same time (T1 in Figure 25).

[0099] Furthermore, the firing intensity when the firing drive means 137 is activated (solenoid ON) is determined according to the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 at that time (T4 in Figure 25). Therefore, if the firing stop lever 92 is pressed after the ball feeding operation while the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 remains the same, firing will be performed with a firing intensity corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93.

[0100] Figure 26 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary operating unit 93 (the rotation angle at the origin position is θ0) and the firing intensity (the current value A flowing through the firing drive means 137). As shown in the figure, when the rotation angle of the rotary operating unit 93 is θ2 (>θ0), the firing intensity is the minimum firing intensity (MIN), and when the rotation angle of the rotary operating unit 93 is θ6, the firing intensity is the maximum firing intensity (MAX). Between θ2 and θ6, the rotation angle of the rotary operating unit 93 and the firing intensity are set to be proportional. Note that the rotation angle θ3 corresponds to the firing intensity at which the fired game ball reaches the return prevention piece 27. For example, if the rotation angle < θ3, the game ball will be a foul ball without passing through the return prevention piece 27, and if the rotation angle ≥ θ3, the game ball will pass through the return prevention piece 27 and reach the game area 16. Furthermore, the rotation angle θ4 corresponds to the launch strength at which the launched game ball reaches the apex of the central display frame unit 23. For example, if the rotation angle < θ4, the game ball flows down the leftward path 41a, and if the rotation angle ≥ θ4, the game ball flows down the rightward path 41b. In this embodiment, the rotation angle θ2 is set to be greater than the rotation angle θ1, which is the maximum value of the angle range at which the launch stop lever 92 is turned ON (second position) by the first biasing force from the rotation operation unit 93. However, the rotation angle θ2 may be approximately the same as the rotation angle θ1, or it may be smaller than the rotation angle θ1.

[0101] Here, the minimum launch intensity (MIN) is set to a launch intensity at which the launched game ball does not reach the game area 16 (lower than the launch intensity when the rotation angle of the rotating operation unit 93 is θ3), and more preferably, a launch intensity at which the launched game ball goes at least beyond the launch rail 134, i.e., a launch intensity at which it is guaranteed to be a foul. The maximum launch intensity (MAX) is set to a launch intensity higher than the launch intensity at which the launched game ball reaches the return rubber 28 (launch intensity when the rotation angle of the rotating operation unit 93 is θ5) (launch intensity when the rotation angle is θ6 (>θ5)). This is because if the maximum launch intensity (MAX) is set to the launch intensity at which the launched game ball reaches the return rubber 28 (i.e., θ6=θ5), due to individual differences between game machines, there may be cases where the ball does not reach the return rubber 28 even when launched at the maximum launch intensity (MAX). Note that the maximum launch intensity (MAX) only needs to be slightly higher than the launch intensity at which the ball reaches the return rubber 28.

[0102] Furthermore, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is in the range of θ0 to θ2, the corresponding launch intensity is set to remain constant at the minimum launch intensity (MIN). That is, even when the rotary operation unit 93 is returned to the origin position (rotation angle θ0), the launch intensity bottoms out when the rotation angle becomes θ2 and does not go any lower (although the VR value based on the change in the variable resistance value changes, the current value bottoms out and remains flat). Therefore, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is θ0 (origin position) when the launch drive means 137 is activated (solenoid ON), the game balls on the launch rail 134 are launched with a launch intensity that does not reach the game area 16, and more preferably with a launch intensity that exceeds at least the launch rail 134. As described above, in the ball feeding launch operation of this embodiment, even if the player takes their hand off the launch handle 57 in the middle of the operation cycle, the operation cycle is executed to the end, so even in such cases, no game balls remain on the launch rail 134 (they are returned to the player as a foul).

[0103] Furthermore, in the range of rotation angle θ6 to θMAX (maximum rotation angle) of the rotary operation unit 93, the corresponding firing intensity is set to remain constant at the maximum firing intensity (MAX). That is, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 reaches θ6, the firing intensity plateaus there and does not increase further (although the VR value based on the change in the variable resistance value changes, the current value plateaus and remains flat). This is to prevent the firing drive means 137 from overheating if the current value is increased too much. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 27, the rotatable range (θ0 to θMAX) of the rotary operation unit 93 of the firing handle 57 is structurally limited to correspond to the range of the variable resistance value excluding a portion of the MIN and MAX sides, thereby suppressing the influence of errors.

[0104] Figures 28 and 29 illustrate a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a conventional non-sealed pachinko machine that does not circulate game balls internally, rather than a so-called smart pachinko machine, and show an example in which a handrest 58 similar to that of the first embodiment is mounted on this conventional pachinko machine.

[0105] The conventional pachinko machine of this embodiment, shown in Figures 28 and 29, differs from the smart pachinko machine of the first embodiment in appearance, in that it has an upper tray 201 and a lower tray 202 arranged in the lower bulge 56. That is, in the conventional pachinko machine of this embodiment, an upper tray 201 is arranged on the upper side of the lower bulge 56 to store game balls dispensed from the dispensing means and supply them to the launching means, and a lower tray 202 is arranged on the lower side of the lower bulge 56 to store excess balls when the upper tray 201 is full.

[0106] Other aspects, such as the configuration of the lower bulge 56 and the surrounding area of ​​the performance button unit 67, the configuration of the handrest 58, and the relationship between the lower bulge 56 and the handrest 58, are substantially the same as in the first embodiment. The handrest 58 is positioned so that its lower surface is at substantially the same height as the lower surface of the lower bulge 56, similar to the first embodiment, in order to secure space below for smoothly raising and lowering the so-called coin box and opening and closing the front door 7. Thus, the handrest 58 shown in the first embodiment can be installed not only in so-called smart pachinko machines but also in conventional non-sealed pachinko machines.

[0107] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the handrest 58 of the embodiment, the position of the rest portion 104 is fixed (non-movable) relative to the base portion 101, but the rest portion 104 may be configured to move in a predetermined direction relative to the base portion 101, i.e., in the front-to-back direction, the left-to-right direction, or both. Furthermore, the height of the rest portion 104 relative to the base portion 101, or the height of the base portion 101, may be made adjustable. This allows the arms, etc., to be supported in an optimal position according to the player's body type and playing posture.

[0108] The material of the rest portion 104 should preferably be one that can distribute the load when the player rests their arms or other body parts on it. Not limited to the TPU material shown in the embodiment, cushioning or low-rebound urethane material, gel material, etc. may also be used.

[0109] A movable device such as a vibrator or a blower may be placed on or near the handrest 58. If a vibrator is placed, it may be placed inside the rest section 104 to directly vibrate the rest section 104, or it may be placed in a location other than the rest section 104 (it may be on the handrest 58 or on the handrest base 108 near the handrest 58, etc.) to indirectly vibrate the rest section 104, etc. If a blower is placed, it may be placed inside the rest section 104 to blow air towards the player's arm, etc., which is resting on the rest section 104, or it may be placed in a location other than the rest section 104 (it may be on the handrest 58 or on the handrest base 108 near the handrest 58, etc.) to blow air towards any part of the player's arm, etc.

[0110] Furthermore, at least some of the various operating means (effect buttons 61, volume control unit 62, light intensity control unit 63, cross control unit 64, counting buttons 66) located on the control panel 59 may be placed on or near the handrest 58.

[0111] At least a portion of the handrest 58, for example, the rest portion 104, may be treated with an antibacterial agent.

[0112] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, but can also be implemented in other gaming machines such as arrangement ball machines and mahjong ball gaming machines. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 6 Inner frame 7 Front door 16 Gaming Area 17 Game boards 19 Launcher 52 Glass window (transparent window) 56 Lower bulge 57. Launch handle 58 Hand rest (resting device) 93 Rotary control unit (control unit) 104 Rest section (support section) 106 Side wall portion (side support means) 107 Rear wall (rear support means) 114 Cover-side recess (space-forming area)

Claims

[Claim 1] A game board with the game area positioned at the front, A launching device capable of launching game balls toward the aforementioned game area, A launch handle for adjusting the firing intensity of the aforementioned launching device, The inner frame on which the game board is mounted, A front door is provided which the front side of the inner frame is slidably open and closed and which has a transparent window corresponding to the front side of the game area, The front door is provided with a forward-facing bulge, which is located on the lower front side and has one or more operating parts on its upper side. The lower bulge and the launch handle are positioned adjacent to each other. In gaming machines, A rest means having a support portion capable of supporting a part of the player's body operating the launch handle is arranged in front of the front door and near the lower side of the launch handle. A rear support means for supporting the rear of the rest means is provided on the front side of the front door. Side support means for supporting the side of the rest means are provided on the side of the lower bulge. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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