1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a game machine comprising a game board and a projection mechanism formed so as to display images for a game by projecting projection light from the rear surface of the game board.
2. Related Art
As one type of a pachinko machine (game machine), JP-UM-A-7-24381 discloses a pachinko machine (pachinko machine board) which can project images for a game on a light transmitting optical image display part of a front panel (game board) by using a projector of a rear projection type (rear projection system). In this case, the projector includes components such as a liquid crystal display element and a light source and a projection lens is disposed between the projector and the game board. In this pachinko machine board, the projector firstly allows light emitted from the light source to pass through the liquid crystal display element and thus modulates the light to an optical image (projection light) and output the optical image. Then, the projection lens enlarges the projection light projected by the projector to project the enlarged projection light on the light transmitting optical image display part of the game board. Thus, an image for a game is displayed on the light transmitting optical image display part. In this case, the projection lens is operated so that the position or the area of the light transmitting optical image display part (that is, an area on which the image for a game is displayed) in the game board can be freely changed. Accordingly, the image for a game can be displayed over all the game board.
However, the rear projection type pachinko machine board has some problems as described below. That is, in the pachinko machine board, in order to visually recognize from a front surface the image for a game projected on the rear surface, all of the game board is formed of a light transmitting resin. A plurality of nails need to be fixed to the front surface of the game board. In this case, these nails are driven in from the front surface side of the game board by, for instance, a nailing machine. However, since the light transmitting resin is weak in withstanding impacts, there is a problem that the game board may be possibly broken due to the impact exerted upon driving the nails. Further, since the driven nails cannot be held with an adequate retaining force by the light transmitting resin, there is also a problem that the driven nails may become loose or slip due to an impact upon collision of game balls during a game or upon adjusting the nails. In this case, a method may be proposed that holes are formed on the game board and the nails are inserted into the holes and fixed thereto by, for example, an adhesive material. Even by using this fixing method, for instance, when a strong impact is exerted upon the nails, for example when adjusting the nails, the game board may be possibly still broken. Further, on the surface of the game board, various kinds of accessories (parts for a game) need to be fixed. In this case, these accessories are fixed by screwing (fastening), for instance, fixing screws to the game board. However, since the light transmitting resin is low in flexibility, when the fixing screws are tightly fastened, the game board may be possibly broken due to the fastening operation. Further, since the thus screwed fixing screws cannot be held with an adequate retaining force by the light transmitting resin, the fixed accessories (screwed fixing screws) may become loose due to an impact upon collision of game balls during a game. Therefore, means for preventing the breakage of the game board resulting from the impact exerted when driving the nails or adjusting the nails, and the fastening operation of the fixing screws is preferably provided. Further, means capable of preventing the loosening or slipping of the driven nails and the loosening of the fixed accessories is preferably provided.
The present invention is proposed by taking these problems into consideration. It is one object of the present invention to provide a game machine in which while a projected image for a game can be visually recognized, the breakage of a game board resulting from an impact exerted through nails and a fastening operation of fixing screws can be prevented. It is another object of the present invention to provide a game machine capable of preventing the loosening or slipping of nails and the loosening of fixed accessories due to an impact.
In order to achieve the above-described objects, a game machine according to the present invention comprises a game board on which one or more kinds of either nails or accessories are fixed and a projection mechanism which projects projection light from the rear surface of the game board to display images for a game on the game board. The game board includes a game board main body made of a light transmitting material to display the images for a game and fixing parts (nail fixing parts) which are formed separately from the game board main body and attached to the game board main body and on which one or more kinds of the nails or the accessories can be fixed.
In the game machine according to the present invention, the fixing parts are made of at least one of a wooden material and a paper like material.
In the game machine according to the present invention, the fixing parts are fitted to fitting holes formed on the game board main body so as to fit the fixing parts thereto and attached to the game board main body.
In the game machine according to the present invention, the fixing parts are formed of a laminated wood.
In the game machine according to the present invention, the fixing parts are configured in forms imitating any form of an actual or imaginary creature, artificial objects, landscapes, characters and symbols.
In the above-described game machine, the game board includes a game board main body made of a light transmitting material to display the images for a game and fixing parts (nail fixing parts) which are formed separately from the game board main body and attached to the game board main body and on which one or more kinds of the nails or the accessories can be fixed. Accordingly, in manufacturing the game machine, since the game board main body and the fixing parts can be made of different materials, the fixing parts can be made of, for instance, a laminated wood which is strong for withstanding an impact, suitable for driving the nails and having an appropriate flexibility, which is different from the light transmitting material (for instance, poly-carbonate) forming the game board main body. As a result, the breakage of the fixing parts and the game board main body resulting from an impact exerted through the nails or the fastening operation of, for instance, the fixing screws for fixing the accessories can be prevented while visually recognizing the projected image for a game. Further, since the fixing parts are formed with at least one of a wooden material or a paper like material, the fixing parts having an appropriate elasticity to distribute the impact to a periphery. Accordingly, the breakage of the game board (fixing parts and a game board main body) due to the impact exerted through the nails when driving the nails or adjusting the nails can be reliably prevented. Further, the fixing parts have an adequate retaining force for the driven nails or the screwed fixing screws. Accordingly, the loosening or slipping of the nails due to impacts with game balls or adjusting the nails and the loosening of the accessories due to impacts with game balls can be prevented during a game.
Still further, since the fixing parts are fitted to the fitting holes and attached to the game board main body, the surface of the game board main body can be flush with the surfaces of the fixing parts, the game balls can be smoothly moved. Further, since the fixing parts are made of laminated wood, the fixing parts can be uniformly held throughout all the peripheries of the driven nails. Consequently, the loosening or the slipping of the nails can be reliably prevented relative to impacts from any direction.
Since the fixing parts are formed in the shapes imitating any shape of actual or imaginary creatures, artificial objects, landscapes, characters and symbols, the fixing parts can function as parts of picture patterns.
Now, referring to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of a game machine according to the present invention will be described below.
Firstly, the structure of a pachinko machine board 1 will be described by referring to the drawings. The pachinko machine board (game machine) 1 is a “seven machine” type pachinko machine board as one example in which a “big hit” is generated by a lottery. As shown in
The game mechanism 2 includes, as shown in
The nail fixing part 21b1 is formed in the shape imitating, for instance, Mt. Fuji by a plate shaped wooden member having the same thickness as that of the game board main body 21a (as one example of a wooden material in the present invention, a laminated wood formed by sequentially laminating wooden thin plates so that the directions of fibers intersect perpendicularly). In this case, the nail fixing part 21b1 is fitted to the hole 21h1 and fixed to the game board main body 21a by, for example, an adhesive agent so that its surface is flush with the surface of the game board main board 21a. On the surface of the nail fixing part 21b1, a plurality of pegs or nails 22,22 . . . and windmills 26 and 26 are driven and fixed and a prize winning port 25 (corresponding to accessories in the present invention as well as a below described start chucker 23 and a big prize winning port 24) is fitted to a fitting hole and fixed by a fixing screw (not shown).
The nail fixing part 21b2 is, as shown in
In this case, since the laminated wood has elasticity when the nails 22 are driven or adjusted, the laminated wood disperses an impact exerted through the nails 22 to a periphery. As a result, the breakage of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the game board main body 21a resulting from the impact can be prevented. Further, since the laminated wood has flexibility, the breakage of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the game board main body 21a due to the fastening operation of the fixing screws is prevented. Still further, since the laminated wood has a holding force for adequately holding the driven nails 22 or the screwed fixing screws, the loosening or the slipping of the nails 22 and the loosening of the accessories (via the fixing screws) due to an impact are prevented. In this case, since the laminated wood is formed by sequentially laminating wooden thin plates so that the directions of fibers intersect perpendicularly, a substantially uniform holding force holds the peripheries of the driven nails 22. Consequently, the loosening or the slipping of the nails 22 is prevented relative to impacts in any direction.
As shown in
The main control part 3 generally controls the pachinko machine board 1 and performs a lottery when the game ball wins a prize in the start chucker 23. Further, the main control part 3 outputs a command C1 upon change of a game state, for instance, upon start of the lottery or the generation of a big hit to allow a below-described display control part 12 to perform an image display process. The main storing part 4 stores an operation program of the main control part 3.
The display device 5 includes, as shown in
The screen film 32 is secured to the back surface of the game board 21. The screen film 32 receives and scatters, as one example, the projection light L projected by the projector unit 31, so that the images G1 to G5 for a game shown in, for instance,
The display control part 12 is a control part exclusively used for displaying an image. The display control part 12 performs various kinds of image displaying processes in accordance with the command C1 outputted by the main control part 3 to output the displaying image data Dg for displaying, for instance, the synthesized image for a game formed by synthesizing the images G1 to G5 for a game to the projector unit 31. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various kinds of data formed by the display control part 12. The display procedure data storing part 14 stores display procedure data Ds in which the designations of picture patterns respectively used for the images G1 to G5 for a game, and the display positions and sizes of the images G1 to G5 for a game are described or the operation program of the display control part 12. The VRAM 15 stores the displaying image data Dg, which is generated such that the display control part 12 virtually drawing an image. The picture pattern data storing part 16 stores various kinds of picture pattern data Dp (data such as clouds and figures, etc.) for forming the displaying image data Dg.
Now, a method for manufacturing the game board 21 will be described by referring to the drawings. Firstly, as shown in
Then, the decorative panel 21c shown in
Now, an entire operation of the pachinko machine board 1 will be described by referring to the drawings. In the pachinko machine board 1, when a power source is turned on, the main control part 3 firstly outputs the command C1 for displaying the images G1 to G5 for a game in, for instance, an ordinary game state shown in
The projector unit 31 projects the projection light L for displaying the synthesized image for a game obtained by synthesizing the images G1 to G5 for a game on the basis of the outputted displaying image data Dg. Thus, the synthesized image for a game formed by synthesizing the images G1 to G5 for a game is formed on the screen film 32 that is secured to the back surface of the game board 21. At this time, the image display parts 21a1 to 21a5 respectively transmit the images G1 to G5 for a game of the thus formed synthesized image for a game. Thus, as shown in
Then, when the game is started, the game balls collide with the nails 22 or the accessories and drop to a lower part from an upper part while they change directions in a complicated manner. At this time, the laminated wood forming the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 holds the nails 22 or the fixing screws of the accessories with an adequate holding force. Therefore, the loosening or the slipping of the nails 22 and the loosening of the accessories due to impacts with the game balls are prevented. On the other hand, when the game balls enter the start chucker 23, the main control part 3 performs a lottery. The main control part 3 outputs a command C1 for displaying a synthesized image for a game obtained by synthesizing images G6 to G10 for a game which indicates, for instance, a lottery state shown in
Then, when the result of the lottery is a “miss”, the main control part 3 outputs a command C1 for respectively displaying images for a game to show the result of the lottery. Thus, in the result of the lottery, for instance, the moving speed of the clouds in the images G6 and G7 for a game and scrolling speed in the images G8 to G10 for a game are gradually lowered to finally stop the images. In response thereto, the display control part 12 performs the image display process to output displaying image data Dg. Thus, the images for a game for gradually lowering the moving speed of the clouds are respectively displayed on the image display parts 21a1 and 21a2. The images for a game for gradually lowering the scrolling speed of the figures are respectively displayed on the image display parts 21a3 to 21a5. After that, the images for a game with the picture patterns of motionless clouds are respectively displayed on the image display parts 21a1 and 21a2. Further, the images for a game representing the results of the lottery composed of the stopping figures of large size are respectively displayed on the image display parts 21a3 to 21a5.
Subsequently, when the game balls enter the start chucker 23 again, the main control part 3 performs the above-described lottery and outputs a command C1 for displaying the images G6 to G10 for a game representing a lottery state. Thus, the images G6 to G10 for a game are displayed. Then, as a result of the lottery, when a big hit is generated, the main control part 3 outputs a command C1 for displaying images for a game respectively showing the result of the lottery. Accordingly, the images for a game showing the result of the lottery are respectively displayed on the image display parts 21a3 to 21a5. In this case, each figure, which forms each image for a game and is displayed on the image display parts 21a3 to 21a5, is specified to be the same figures (for instance, “7”, “7” and “7”). Consequently, a player is informed of the generation of the big hit. Then, the main control part 3 outputs a command C1 for displaying images G11 to G14 for a game showing a “generation of big hit” shown in
Subsequently, the main control part 3 opens the door of the big prize winning port 24, for instance, for only 15 times relative to the moving mechanism 27. At this time, the main control part 3 outputs a command C1 for displaying an image G15 for a game showing the number of rounds of opening and closing the big prize winning port 24 to the display control part 12. The display control part 12 outputs displaying image data Dg in response thereto to display the image G15 for a game on an image display part 21a5. Then, the main control part 3 outputs a command C1 for displaying ending images (not shown) which represent the ending of the big hit when the opening of the big prize winning port 24 is ended (end of a big hit). The display control part 12 performs an image display process in response thereto to output displaying image data Dg. Thus, the ending images are displayed on the image display parts 21a1 to 21a5. After that, every time the game balls enter the start chucker 23, the above-described processes are performed.
For instance, after the game is ended (after a pachinko hall is closed), when the nails of the pachinko machine board 1 are adjusted, the head parts (parts protruding on the front surface sides of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2) of the nails 22 fixed to the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 are struck by using a hammer for adjusting the nails. Thus, the angles of the nails 22 and intervals between the nails 22 are adjusted. At this time, since the laminated wood forming the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 has elasticity and disperses an impact exerted through the nails 22 to a periphery, the breakage of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the game board main body 21a is prevented. Further, since the laminated wood has an adequate holding force relative to the nails 22, the loosening or the slipping of the nails 22 due to the impact upon adjusting the nails is prevented.
As described above, in the pachinko machine board 1, the game board 21 comprises the game board main body 21a made of, for instance, polycarbonate and capable of displaying the images G1 to G5 for a game and the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 formed separately from the game board main body 21a and attached to the game board main body 21a. Accordingly, in manufacturing the pachinko machine board 1, the game board main body 21a and the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 can be made of different materials. Thus, the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 can be formed with, for instance, the laminated wood that is strong against impact, suitable for driving the nails and has a suitable flexibility, which is different from polycarbonate forming the game board main body 21a. Consequently, the damage of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the game board main body 21a resulting from the impact exerted through the nails 22 or the fastening operation of the fixing screws for fixing the accessories can be prevented while the projected images G1 to G15 for a game are visually recognized. Further, the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 are formed with the laminated wood, and the laminated wood has a suitable elasticity to disperse an impact to a periphery. Accordingly, the breakage of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the game board main body 21a due to the impact exerted through the nails 22 upon driving the nails 22 or adjusting the nails can be reliably prevented. Further, since the laminated wood has an adequate holding force for the driven nails 22 or the screwed fixing screws, the nails 22 can be prevented from loosening or slipping due to impacts upon collision with the game balls or adjustment of the nails during a game. Further, the accessories (via fixing screws) can be prevented from being loosened due to impacts when the game balls collide during a game.
Further, the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 are respectively fitted to the holes 21h1 and 21h2 of the game board main body 21a. Accordingly, the surface of the game board main body 21a can be flush with the surfaces of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 without generating steps. Therefore, the game balls can be smoothly moved. Further, the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 are formed with the laminated wood formed by laminating wooden thin plates so that the directions of their fibers intersect perpendicularly. Thus, the driven nails 22 can be uniformly held throughout (around) all the peripheries thereof. Consequently, the loosening or the slipping of the nails 22 can be reliably prevented relative to impacts in any direction. Further, the nail fixing part 21b1 is formed in the shape imitating Mt. Fuji and the nail fixing part 21b2 is formed in the shape imitating a bird, so that both the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 can function as parts of the picture patterns.
Now, a pinball machine (game machine) 41 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described by referring to the drawings. The present invention is basically applied to the pinball machine 41 in the same manner as that of the pachinko machine board 1. Accordingly, the same component elements as those of the pachinko machine board 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and a duplicated explanation thereof is omitted. The pinball machine 41 shown in
The game board 42 includes, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In this case, as shown in
The image display optical part 43 includes, as shown in
In manufacturing the game board 42 of the pinball machine 41, as shown in
In the pinball machine 41, when a power source is turned on, a main control part 3 outputs a command C1 for displaying an image G41 for a game in an initial state shown in, for instance,
Then, as shown in
As described above, in the pinball machine 41, the game board 42 comprises the game board main body 42a and the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 formed separately from the game board main body 42a and attached to the game board main body 42a. Thus, the game board main body 42a and the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 can be formed with different materials. Accordingly, the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 can be formed with the laminated wood with a suitable flexibility. Consequently, the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 and the game board main body 42a can be prevented from being broken due to the fastening operation of the fixing screws for fixing such as the bumpers 51. Further, since the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 have a sufficient holding force relative to the screwed fixing screws, the loosening of the bumpers 51 (via fixing screws) due to impacts with the game balls 46 during a game can be prevented. Further, the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 are respectively fitted to the holes 42h1 and 42h2 of the game board main body 42a. Accordingly, the surface of the game board main body 42a can be flush with the surfaces of the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 without generating steps. Accordingly, the game balls 46 can be smoothly moved. Further, since the accessory fixing part 42b1 is formed in the shape imitating a leaf and the accessory fixing part 42b2 is formed in the shape imitating an insect, both the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 can function as parts of the picture patterns.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For instance, in the embodiment of the present invention, although an example that the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 are formed with laminated wood is described, the material of the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 is not limited thereto. They may be formed with various kinds of wooden members such as a wooden plate, a wooden laminated lumber, a particle board (plate type product formed by wooden chips, wooden flakes, etc.) and a single plate laminated material. Further, they may be formed with a sheet member (sheet like material) such as a hard and thick sheet. Further, the above-described fixing parts may be formed with a combined material (compound material) of various kinds of wooden members and the sheet member. Even when these structures are employed, the same effects as those of the pachinko machine board 1 and the pinball machine 41 according to the embodiments of the present invention can be obtained.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, although an example that the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 are fitted to the holes 21h1 and 21h2 formed on the game board main body 21a to form the game board 21 is described, a method for producing the game board 21 is not limited thereto. For instance, the previously manufactured nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 are set in a (e.g., metal) mold for forming the game board main body 21a. Then, a light transmitting resin is injected thereto so that the game board main body 21a can be formed integrally with the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2. In the same manner as mentioned above, the previously formed accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 are set in a mold for forming the game board main body 42a and a light transmitting resin is injected thereto so that the game board main body 42a can be formed integrally with the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2.
Further, the nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 and the accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 can be formed in shapes imitating imaginary creatures such as a dragon or characters of comics as well as other animals or landscapes, in the shapes imitating artificial objects such as a vehicle, a robot and living necessaries and in the shapes imitating characters and symbols. Further, in the embodiments of the present invention, although the game board 21 on which the two nail fixing parts 21b1 and 21b2 are disposed and the game board 42 on which the two accessory fixing parts 42b1 and 42b2 are provided are described as examples, the number of the nail fixing parts and the accessory fixing parts is not limited thereto. An arbitrary number of one or more of the nail fixing parts or the accessory fixing parts can be disposed. Further, the material of the game board main body 21a and the game body main body 42a is not limited to polycarbonate and other arbitrary light transmitting materials may be employed.
The entire disclosure of Japanese Application Nos. 2002-233882 filed Aug. 9, 2002 and 2003-166840 filed Jun. 11, 2003 are incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2002-233882 | Aug 2002 | JP | national |
2003-166840 | Jun 2003 | JP | national |
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