Prize dispensing mechanism and game device

A pusher-type prize dispensing device in which each of two support plates on which a bonus prize is placed is pivotally supported on one end on an axis of which the axial direction coincides with the horizontal and depth direction, and is locked almost horizontally by allowing the other end to be suspended on a locking member. A suspended string is tied to a bent upper portion, and the other end of the support plate is suspended on the top surface of a lower portion, whereby the locking member locks the support plate. When a weight member falls from a stationary table, the locking member moves rotationally due to the fall of the weight member so that the upper portion moves downward, whereby the support plate falls downward, causing the prize P placed on the top surface of the support plate to fall toward a prize receiving port.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-038122 filed on Feb. 15, 2006, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pusher-type game device and a prize dispensing mechanism used for the game device.

A pusher-type prize dispensing game machine has been known as one type of game device. The pusher-type prize dispensing game machine includes a shovel which picks up a prize placed on a rotating turntable, a stationary table, and a slide table which moves on the stationary table to approach or move away from a prize receiving port. When the player inputs start instructions, the shovel automatically picks up the prize from the turntable. When the player inputs drop instructions, the shovel drops the picked-up prize onto the stationary table. The prize dropped onto the stationary table is pushed by other prizes by being pushed by the slide table, and finally falls from the stationary table. When the fallen prize successfully enters the prize receiving port, the player can acquire the prize. The pusher-type prize dispensing game machine is particularly popular among women and children as a game which allows everyone to enjoy it due to the simple rule.

A pusher-type prize dispensing game machine has been known which includes a prize storage section inclinably provided above the prize receiving port and a weight member coupled to the prize storage section and placed on the stationary table. In more detail, the opening of a bucket, which stores the prize and is suspended above the prize receiving port, and the weight member on the stationary table are connected with a string. In this case, when the weight member is pushed and falls in the same manner as the prize on the stationary table, the storage section coupled to the weight member is inclined due to the fall of the weight member, whereby the prize which has been stored falls into the prize receiving port. The above configuration, in which the bonus prize is separately stored and dispensed when specific conditions have been satisfied, improves the player's fondness for speculation that a large number of prizes can be acquired at one time, whereby the interest in the game can be improved (see Japanese Patent No. 3372508, for example).

Since the above mechanism, in which the prize which has been stored is dropped into the outlet and dispensed when specific conditions have been satisfied, becomes familiar with time, the player loses interest in the mechanism, whereby the objective of increasing the motivation to play cannot be achieved. Therefore, a novel mechanism is always demanded.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a prize dispensing mechanism used for a pusher-type game device which dispenses a prize which has been pushed from a stationary table and falls into a prize receiving port, the prize dispensing mechanism comprising:

a support plate for placing the prize, the support plate being pivotally supported on a specific horizontal axis;

a locking member pivotally supported on a specific axis and having on one end a suspension section on which an end of the support plate is suspended, the locking member preventing downward rotational movement of the support plate by allowing the support plate to be suspended on the suspension section; and

an external force applying mechanism which applies external force to the other end of the locking member;

wherein the locking member moves rotationally when the external force is applied to the other end of the locking member by the external force applying mechanism to release the lock of the locking member, whereby the support plate moves rotationally and the prize placed on the support plate falls.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a pusher-type game device which dispenses a prize which has been pushed from a stationary table and falls into a prize receiving port, the game device comprising:

a support plate for placing the prize, the support plate being pivotally supported on a specific horizontal axis;

a locking member pivotally supported on a specific axis and having on one end a suspension section on which an end of the support plate is suspended, the locking member preventing downward rotational movement of the support plate by allowing the support plate to be suspended on the suspension section;

a prize box which can store the prize therein; and

a support arm which supports the prize box on one end and is pivotally supported on the other end, the support arm being able to transition between an upright state and an inclined state;

wherein the support arm rotates and inclines so that the prize box touches the other end of the locking member to apply external force, whereby the locking member moves rotationally to release the lock of the locking member so that the support plate moves rotationally, whereby the prize placed on the support plate falls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The invention may provide a novel mechanism which dispenses a prize stored in advance.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a prize dispensing mechanism used for a pusher-type game device which dispenses a prize which has been pushed from a stationary table and falls into a prize receiving port, the prize dispensing mechanism comprising:

a support plate for placing the prize, the support plate being pivotally supported on a specific horizontal axis;

a locking member pivotally supported on a specific axis and having on one end a suspension section on which an end of the support plate is suspended, the locking member preventing downward rotational movement of the support plate by allowing the support plate to be suspended on the suspension section; and

an external force applying mechanism which applies external force to the other end of the locking member;

wherein the locking member moves rotationally when the external force is applied to the other end of the locking member by the external force applying mechanism to release the lock of the locking member, whereby the support plate moves rotationally and the prize placed on the support plate falls.

In the prize dispensing mechanism used for a pusher-type game device according to this embodiment, the end of the support plate pivotally supported on the horizontal axis is suspended and locked on the suspension section of the locking member pivotally supported on the specific axis, whereby the downward rotational movement of the support plate is prevented. When external force is applied to the other end of the locking member due to the external force applying mechanism, the locking member moves rotationally, whereby the lock is released to cause the support plate to move rotationally, whereby the prize placed on the support plate falls. Therefore, disposing the support plate above and near the prize receiving port and locking the support plate so that the prize can be placed on the support plate allows a novel prize dispensing mechanism to be realized in which the locking member moves rotationally when external force is applied to the other end of the locking member, whereby the lock of the support plate is released, causing the support plate to move rotationally, whereby the stored prize is dispensed.

In the prize dispensing mechanism,

the external force applying mechanism includes a weight member which is coupled to the other end of the locking member and is placed on the stationary table; and

force occurring when the weight member falls from the stationary table is transmitted to the other end of the locking member, whereby the locking member moves rotationally.

According to this feature, when the weight member coupled to the other end of the locking member is placed on the stationary table and falls from the stationary table, the support plate moves rotationally due to release of the lock, whereby the prize placed on the support plate falls. This realizes a novel prize dispensing mechanism in which, when the weight member falls from the stationary table, the locking member moves rotationally, whereby the lock is released to cause the support plate to move rotationally, whereby the prize placed on the support plate falls.

In the prize dispensing mechanism,

the locking member is pivotally supported on a horizontal axis to move rotationally in a vertical direction in a state in which the one end is positioned on a lower side and the other end is positioned on an upper side; and

a notch is formed in the suspension section in which a suspended string which connects the other end and the weight member moves freely.

According to this feature, the locking member is pivotally supported on the horizontal axis to move rotationally in the vertical direction in a state in which one end having the suspension section is positioned on the lower side and the other end coupled to the weight member is positioned on the upper side, and the notch is formed in the suspension section on the other end in which the suspended string which connects the other end and the weight member moves freely. Specifically, the suspended string tied to the other end of the locking member is suspended downward through the notch formed on one end below the other end and is tied to the weight member on the stationary table in a state in which the support plate is locked. This prevents a situation in which the suspended string is caught by the support plate to prevent the rotational movement of the locking member when the weight member falls from the stationary table, or the rotational movement of the support plate when the lock is released is hindered.

In the prize dispensing mechanism,

the locking member is pivotally supported at a specific position between the one end and the other end, and moves rotationally so that the suspension section on the one end moves due to downward external force applied to the other end.

According to this feature, the locking member is pivotally supported at a specific position between one end and the other end, and moves rotationally so that the suspension section on one end moves due to downward external force applied to the other end. Specifically, when the weight member falls from the stationary table, the locking member moves rotationally since the other end of the locking member coupled to the weight member is pulled downward so that the suspension section on one end moves, whereby the end of the support plate suspended on one end is displaced so that the lock of the support plate is released.

In the prize dispensing mechanism,

the support plate is suspended on the suspension section when the suspension section is located at a lowermost end of a rotational movement swing, whereby the locking member locks the support plate.

According to this feature, the support plate is suspended when the suspension section is located at the lowermost end on the rotational movement swing, whereby the locking member locks the support plate. When the suspension section is located at the lowermost end on the rotational movement swing, the suspension section of the locking member is located right under the specific axis which pivotally supports the suspension section, for example. In this case, the support plate can be stably locked.

In the prize dispensing mechanism,

the locking member is formed so that height of the suspension section can be changed.

This enables the height of the suspension section of the locking member to be changed. Specifically, the suspension position of the support plate can be changed, whereby the inclined plate can be locked in a state in which the prize placed thereon does not slip down.

In the prize dispensing mechanism,

the locking member includes a skidproof member provided in a contact section of the suspension section with the support plate.

According to this feature, the skidproof member is provided in the contact portion of the suspension section with support plate. This prevents the support plate which is suspended on the suspension section of the locking member from slipping down, whereby the support plate can be stably locked. As the skidproof member, a material which can improve the friction coefficient between the locking part of the locking member and the end of the support plate, such as a sheet member formed of rubber or the like may be used.

The prize dispensing mechanism comprises:

a plurality of the support plates;

wherein the locking member locks the support plates, and the prizes placed on the support plates fall when the lock is released.

According to this feature, a plurality of the support plates are locked by one locking member, and the prizes placed on the support plates fall when the lock is released.

The prize dispensing mechanism comprises:

a plurality of the locking members;

wherein the support plate moves rotationally when the locks of all of the locking members are released, whereby the prize placed on the support plate falls.

According to this feature, one support plate is locked by a plurality of locking members, and the prize placed on the support plate falls when the locks of all the locking members are released.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a pusher-type game device which dispenses a prize which has been pushed from a stationary table and falls into a prize receiving port, the game device comprising:

a support plate for placing the prize, the support plate being pivotally supported on a specific horizontal axis;

a locking member pivotally supported on a specific axis and having on one end a suspension section on which an end of the support plate is suspended, the locking member preventing downward rotational movement of the support plate by allowing the support plate to be suspended on the suspension section;

a prize box which can store the prize therein; and

a support arm which supports the prize box on one end and is pivotally supported on the other end, the support arm being able to transition between an upright state and an inclined state;

wherein the support arm rotates and inclines so that the prize box touches the other end of the locking member to apply external force, whereby the locking member moves rotationally to release the lock of the locking member so that the support plate moves rotationally, whereby the prize placed on the support plate falls.

In the pusher-type game device according to this embodiment, the end of the support plate pivotally supported on the horizontal axis is suspended and locked on the suspension section of the locking member pivotally supported on the specific axis, whereby the downward rotational movement of the support plate is prevented. The prize box is supported by the rotatable support arm. When the support arm rotates and inclines, the prize box touches the other end of the locking member due to external force so that the locking member moves rotationally, whereby the lock is released to cause the support plate to move rotationally, causing the prize placed on the support plate to fall. Therefore, disposing the support plate above and near the prize receiving port and locking the support plate so that the prize can be placed on the support plate allows a novel prize dispensing mechanism to be realized in which the prize box touches the other end of the locking member when the support arm rotates and inclines to apply external force, whereby the locking member moves rotationally to release the lock of the support plate, whereby the support plate moves rotationally so that the stored prize is dispensed.

In the game device further comprises:

a control section which controls rotation of the support arm.

According to this feature, rotation of the support arm, that is, release of the lock of the support plate can be controlled.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is an outside view of a game device1according to this embodiment.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II inFIG. 1. The game device1is an arcade game device which is called a pusher-type game device and is mainly installed in a shop such as a game arcade.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the game device1includes a turntable10on which a number of prizes P are disposed, a pick-up device20which picks up the prize P disposed on the turntable10, an operation switch22for the pick-up device20, a pusher table section30on which the prize P picked up by the pick-up device20is placed and which pushes and drops the prize P into a prize receiving port61, a jackpot (JP) dispensing device40which dispenses a bonus prize P when specific conditions have been satisfied, and a control device50which integrally controls the game device1. The upper part of the side surface of the housing of the game device1is covered with a transparent cover65formed of a transparent acrylic plate so that the inside of the game device1can be observed.

The game device1is in an approximately hexagonal shape in plan view, and six stations ST for players to play are provided on the respective sides of the approximately hexagonal shape. The pick-up device20, the operation switch22, the pusher table section30, the JP dispensing device40, and a prize dispensing port62which communicates with the prize receiving port61for removing the prize P are provided for each station ST. Therefore, six players can simultaneously enjoy the game at the respective stations ST.

The directions referred to in the following description are defined as follows. Specifically, the vertical and horizontal directions are as shown inFIG. 1, and the depth direction is the direction from each station ST to the center of the game device1(i.e. front-to-back direction). Specifically, the vertical and horizontal directions and the depth direction used herein refer to the directions viewed from the player who plays at each station ST.

The turntable10has a circular groove which opens upward, and a number of prizes P are disposed on the bottom surface of the groove. The turntable10slowly rotates inside the game device1in a specific direction around the approximate center of the game device1.

The pick-up device20includes two shovel arms and a shovel having a curved surface which allows the prize P to be picked up, and a specific link mechanism is formed by the two shovel arms and the shovel. The pick-up device20performs a series of pick-up operations including driving the shovel arm according to an operation signal from the operation switch22, picking up the prize on the turntable10using the shovel, and dropping the picked-up prize P onto the pusher table section30under control of the control device50.

The pusher table section30includes a stationary table31and a slide table32. The stationary table31is a flat plate which extends above the turntable10from the center of the device to the outside. The front end of the stationary table31is positioned above the prize receiving port61. The slide table32is a flat plate which silidingly reciprocates back and forth along the top surface of the stationary table31. The prize P placed on the stationary table31is moved by being pushed by the front face of the slide table32due to the reciprocating motion of the slide table32. When the prizes P are placed on the stationary table31at a high density, a single prize P is pushed by other prizes P and falls from the front end of the stationary table31into the prize receiving port61, whereby the prize P is dispensed from the prize dispensing port62. When the prizes P are placed on the stationary table31at a low density, the individual prizes P move to fill the space on the stationary table31.

The JP dispensing device40includes a JP (jackpot) box41in which a JP prize P is stored in advance, and a support arm42which supports the JP box41at one end. The JP dispensing device40can change the position of the JP box41by allowing the support arm42to rotate around the other end. The JP dispensing device40is normally in a state in which the support arm42almost stands upright to position the JP box41at the center of the device. When specific JP conditions have been satisfied, the support arm42inclines toward the front side (player side), whereby the prize P stored in the JP box41drops. Rotation of the support arm42is controlled by the control device50so that the support arm42can be stopped at an arbitrary position between the upright state and the inclined state.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of the main portion shown inFIG. 2along the line III-III.FIG. 3shows the case where the prize dispensing device100is disposed above the prize dispensing port61. In this embodiment, the prize dispensing device100is provided at each station ST, as shown inFIG. 3. The prize dispensing device100is a device which dispenses the prize P stored on a support plate130in advance when a weight member160falls from the stationary table31.

FIG. 4is an oblique view of the prize dispensing device100.FIG. 5Ais a plan view of the prize dispensing device100, andFIG. 5Bis a front view of the prize dispensing device100. As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5Aand5B, the prize dispensing device100includes frame members110, a horizontal rod120, the support plate130, locking members140, and the weight member160.

The frame members110are made up a pair of flat plate members approximately in the shape of the letter “h” in plan view. The frame members110are provided so that the flat plate members are opposite to each other with upper ends111disposed in the inner part and lower ends112secured to the right and left inner surfaces of the prize receiving port61. The horizontal rod120which is a thin square pillar is secured to the top ends111of the frame members110in a state in which the horizontal rod120is constructed so that the longitudinal direction coincides with the horizontal and right-and-left direction. Two locking members140are pivotally supported near the center of the horizontal rod120. The support plate130is pivotally supported on the top surfaces of middle sections113of the frame members110.

The support plate130is a flat plate formed of a transparent acrylic resin. The support plate130is pivotally supported on the top surface of the middle section113of the frame member110along an axis131of which the axial direction coincides with the horizontal and depth direction (back and forth direction) at a position near one end. Specifically, the support plate130ais pivotally supported on the other end on the top surface of the middle section113of the frame member110aalong the axis131aof which the axial direction coincides with the depth direction, and the support plate130bis pivotally supported on the other end on the top surface of the middle section113of the frame member110balong the axis131bof which the axial direction coincides with the depth direction.

The support plate130is locked by being suspended on the locking member140at the other end so that the support plate130is maintained almost horizontally. Specifically, the support plate130ais locked by the locking member140a, and the support plate130bis locked by the locking member140b. The bonus prize P is placed on the top surface of the almost horizontal support plate130.

The support plates130are formed to have a size which allows the other ends to be adjacently disposed at a short distance in a state in which the support plates130are almost horizontally locked by the locking members140. This prevents the prize P placed on the top surface of the support plate130from being dropped into the prize receiving port61through the space between the support plates130, and prevents the rotational movement of the support plate130around the axis131from being hindered. In order to prevent interference with a suspended string161which connects the locking member140and the weight member160, a notch132in which the suspended string161moves freely is formed in the support plate130at a position on the inner side of the other end.

The locking member140is a member which locks the support plate130, and is pivotally supported near the center of the horizontal rod120.FIG. 6is an oblique view of the locking member140. As shown inFIG. 6, the locking member140is a member in the shape of the letter “C” in cross section formed by bending both ends of a flat plate in the same direction.

A string hole143afor tying the suspended string161is formed in an upper portion143of the locking member140. A notch145which almost coincides with the notch132in the support plate130and in which the suspended string161tied to the string hole143afreely moves is formed in a lower portion145on the side opposite to the string hole143ain the upper portion143. Since the locking member140shown inFIG. 6is the left locking member140b, the string hole143ais formed on the right of the upper portion143, and the notch145ais formed on the right of the lower portion145. In the right locking member140a, the string hole143ais formed on the left of the upper portion143, and the notch145ais formed on the left of the lower portion145.

A skidproof member146which prevents the end of the support plate130from skidding adheres to the top surface of the lower portion145. The skidproof member146is a member formed in the shape of a sheet using rubber, polyurethane, or the like.

The locking member140is rotatably secured to the back surface of the horizontal rod120using a hinge150with the upper portion143positioned on the upper side and the lower portion145positioned on the lower side at a position inside a center portion141of the C-shape near an upper bent portion142. The hinge150is provided in a state in which the axial direction is along the horizontal and right-and-left direction so that the locking member140can move rotationally toward the front side (or in the depth direction).

One end of the suspended string161is tied to the string hole143ain the upper portion143. The suspended string161moves freely through the notch132in the support plate130and the notch145ain the lower portion145of the locking member140. The other end of the suspended string161is tied to the weight member160on the stationary table31. The other end of the support plate130is placed on and locked by the top surface of the lower portion145. The locking member140is formed so that the height of the lower portion145is almost equal to the height of the axis131of the support plate130in a state in which the locking member140is secured to the horizontal rod120, thereby locking the support plate130almost horizontally.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare views illustrative of the operation of the prize dispensing device.FIGS. 7A and 7Bare enlarged views of the main portion near the locking member140inFIGS. 5A and 5B. InFIG. 7A, the locking member140stands still in a balanced manner, and the other end of the support plate130is placed on the top surface of the lower portion145of the locking member140so that the support plate130is held almost horizontally. In this case, the center portion141of the locking member140is almost vertical, and the locking member140locks the support plate140at a position almost directly under the hinge150which is the rotational axis of the locking member140. Specifically, the lower portion145is positioned on the lowermost end of the swing (i.e. swing of the locking position of the support plate130) when the locking member140moves rotationally. In this case, the locking member140can lock the support plate130most stably.

The suspended string161tied to the string hole143ain the upper portion143is suspended downward through the notch132in the support plate130and the notch145ain the locking member140, and the weight member160to which the other end of the suspended string161is tied is placed on the stationary table31.

When the weight member160drops from the stationary table31by being pushed by the prize P or the like, the upper portion143of the locking member140is pulled downward due to the weight of the weight member160, whereby the locking member140moves rotationally toward the front side (direction indicated by an arrow a). Specifically, the locking member140moves rotationally so that the lower portion145moves upward. As a result, the other end of the support plate130suspended on the lower portion145is displaced, whereby the support plate130moves rotationally so that the other end moves downward (direction indicated by an arrow b). This causes the almost horizontal support plate130to be almost vertical, whereby the prize P placed on the top surface of the support plate130falls toward the prize receiving port61.

In the pusher-type prize dispensing device100according to this embodiment, each of the two support plates130on which the bonus prize P is placed is pivotally supported on one end on the axis131of which the axial direction coincides with the horizontal and depth direction, and is locked almost horizontally by allowing the other end to be suspended on the locking member140. The locking member140is in the shape of the letter “C” in cross section. The locking member140is pivotally supported at the center of the C-shape. The suspended string161is tied to the bent upper portion143, and the other end of the support plate130is suspended on the top surface of the lower portion145, whereby the locking member140locks the support plate130. When the weight member160falls from the stationary table31, the locking member140moves rotationally due to the fall of the weight member160so that the upper portion143moves downward, and the support plate130moves rotationally so that the end suspended on the top surface of the lower portion145moves downward, whereby the prize P placed on the top surface of the support plate130falls toward the prize receiving port61. Specifically, when the weight member160falls from the stationary table31, the locking member140which locks the support plate130moves rotationally so that the lock is released, whereby the support plate130moves rotationally so that the prize P placed on the support plate130is dispensed to achieve a novel dispensing operation of the prize P.

The application of the invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications and variations may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the above embodiment, the support plate130is locked almost horizontally. Note that the support plate130may be locked in an inclined state. In more detail, the locking member140is formed as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, for example.

FIG. 8Ais an oblique view of a locking member140A which is another configuration example of the locking member140, andFIG. 8Bis an exploded oblique view of the locking member140A. InFIGS. 8A and 8B, the locking member140A is formed of two members, i.e., a stationary portion147and a movable portion148in the shape of the letter “L” in cross section.

The stationary portion147corresponds to the center portion141and the upper portion143of the locking member140. The string hole143ais formed in an upper portion147c, and a screw hole147bis formed in a center portion147a. The movable portion148corresponds to the center portion141and the lower portion145of the locking member140. A notch148dis formed in the lower portion148c, and a long hole148bis formed in the center portion148aalong the longitudinal direction. A screw149passes through the long hole148in the movable portion148from the inside of the L-shape and is inserted into the screw hole147bin the stationary portion147, whereby the movable portion148is secured to the stationary portion147.

In this case, the position and the angle of the movable portion148with respect to the stationary portion147can be changed by changing the position in the long hole148band the angle at which the movable portion148is screwed. Specifically, the distance and the angle between the upper portion147cand the lower portion148ccan be changed.

The locking member140A configured as described allows the locking height of the support plate130to be changed, that is, allows the support plate130to be locked in an inclined state so that the other end is inclined toward the center of the prize receiving port61. In this case, it is preferable that the angle of the stationary portion147with respect to the movable portion148correspond to the inclination of the support plate130.

(B) Shape of Support Plate130

In the above embodiment, the support plate130is a flat plate. For example, the support plate130may be a member which is convexly curved downward such as a member in the shape of the letter “V”, or “U” in cross section. The support plate130may be a container which is formed convexly downward.

(C) Pivotal Support of Locking Member140

In the above embodiment, the locking member140is pivotally supported on the horizontal rod120using the hinge150. Note that the locking member140may be pivotally supported using another member such as a torsion spring. In this case, the locking state of the support plate130can be more stably maintained by allowing the stress (torsion force) of the torsion spring to act in the direction in which the locking state of the support plate130is maintained.

(D) Locking Two Support Plates130by One Locking Member140

In the above embodiment, the two support plates130are independently locked by the locking members140. Note that the two support plates130may be locked by one locking member140. In this case, when the weight member160falls from the stationary table31, the locking member140coupled to the weight member160moves rotationally so that the lock of the two support plates130is released. This causes the two support plates130to move rotationally, whereby the prize P placed thereon falls toward the prize receiving port61.

(E) Locking One Support Plate130by a Plurality of Locking Members140

One support plate130may be locked by a plurality of locking members140. In this case, the support plate130moves rotationally when all the weight members160coupled to the respective locking members140fall from the stationary table31, whereby the prize P placed thereon falls.

(F) Rotational Movement of Locking Member140

In the above embodiment, the locking member140moves rotationally so that the upper portion143of the locking member140is pulled and moves downward due to the fall of the weight member160coupled to the upper portion143of the locking member140from the stationary table31, whereby the lock of the support plate130is released. Note that the locking member140moves rotationally to release the lock of the support plate130using another configuration.

For example, as shown inFIG. 9, the JP box41of the JP dispensing device40may apply external force to the upper portion143of the locking member140to cause the locking member140to move rotationally. Specifically, when the support arm42inclines toward the front side (player side) when specific JP conditions have been satisfied so that the JP box41moves downward from the upper position to the lower position, the bottom portion of the JP box41touches the top surface of the upper portion143of the locking member140and presses (applies external force) the upper portion143downward. This causes the locking member140to move rotationally so that the upper portion143moves downward, whereby the lock of the support plate130is released.

Although only some embodiments of the invention have been described above in detail, those skilled in the art would readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.