Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that can prevent a decrease in component installation efficiency and component damage during installation.SOLUTION: A game machine having a base part to which structures can be attached includes a first structure and a second structure that can be attached to the base part with the first structure attached to the base part. One of the second structure and the base part has multiple protrusions, while the other has a recess into which the protrusions can be inserted and guided to the installation position. The recess has an aperture-shaped insertion portion and an aperture-shaped positioning portion that is positioned to the installation position by abutting the protrusions. The insertion portion and positioning portion form a generally elongated hole shape. The diameter of the insertion portion is larger than the diameter of the positioning portion, making it easier to insert the protrusions into the insertion portion than into the positioning portion. The direction from the insertion portion to the positioning portion is different from the direction from the insertion portion to the first structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine, mounting holes for attaching various components (for example, performance components such as light guide plates used for various performances as the game progresses) have been formed in the gaming board on which the gaming area for playing games is formed, and the mounting protrusions formed on the components are inserted into the mounting holes to position the components at the mounting positions, and then fixed with fasteners such as screws, thereby attaching the components to the gaming board (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-41316 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in gaming machines such as those described above, the mounting holes for positioning the various components at the above-mentioned mounting positions are generally long, rounded rectangular holes with semicircular portions of the same diameter, and with such mounting holes, the clearance for the mounting protrusion in the short direction of the long hole is small, making it not only difficult to insert the mounting protrusion, but also there is a risk that the mounting protrusion inserted into the mounting hole will easily come off, which not only reduces the mounting efficiency of the various components, but also creates the problem that the components may come into contact with each other and be damaged.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an amusement machine that can prevent a decrease in the efficiency of attaching components and damage to components during attachment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. (1) The present invention is a gaming machine that has a base portion to which a plurality of structures can be attached, and that can execute a special game advantageous to a player when a predetermined condition is met, wherein the plurality of structures includes at least a first structure and a second structure that can be attached to the base portion in a state in which the first structure is attached to the base portion, and either one of the second structure and the base portion is provided with a plurality of protrusions, and the other of the second structure and the base portion is provided with a recess into which the corresponding protrusions can be inserted and which can guide the second structure to the attachment position on the base portion, and the recesses are The recess has an opening-shaped insertion portion into which a convex portion inserted into the insertion portion can abut, and an opening-shaped positioning portion against which the convex portion abuts, thereby positioning the second structure at the mounting position; the insertion portion and the positioning portion are formed into a roughly elongated hole shape, and the recess is configured so that the diameter of the insertion portion is larger than the diameter of the positioning portion, making it easier to insert the convex portion into the insertion portion than into the positioning portion, and is configured so that the direction from the insertion portion to the positioning portion is different from the direction from the insertion portion to the first structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an amusement machine that can prevent a decrease in the efficiency of attaching components and damage to components during attachment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a pachinko machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a pachinko machine with the front door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic perspective view of the game board, special effects device, and set plate of a pachinko machine. [Figure 5]This is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine, showing the attacker device, electric chute unit, etc. attached. [Figure 6] This is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine, with the attacker device, electric chute unit, etc. removed. [Figure 7] This is an oblique view of the game board of a pachinko machine, with the attacker device, electric chute unit, etc. removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a game board of a pachinko machine, showing a state in which the light guide plate unit has been removed from the game board. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light guide plate unit of a pachinko machine. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view of a light guide plate unit of a pachinko machine. [Figure 12] 1A is an enlarged front view of the game board of the pachinko machine, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged front view of the light guide plate unit of the pachinko machine. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are exploded perspective views of the game board and light guide plate unit of a pachinko machine, and 1C is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the game board and light guide plate unit of a pachinko machine. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are enlarged front views of the game board and light guide plate unit of a pachinko machine. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board and special effects device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a movable body of a pachinko machine. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board and special effects device of the pachinko machine. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board and special effects device of the pachinko machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the front-to-back (front and back), left-to-right (side), and top-to-bottom (flat bottom) directions of each component part provided in the pachinko machine P refer to the directions when the pachinko machine P is viewed from the front with each component part fixed to the pachinko machine P.

[0010] (External configuration of pachinko machine P) The gaming machine according to this embodiment is a pachinko machine P that uses gaming balls as a gaming medium. Although not shown, in general, in an amusement parlor where pachinko machines P are installed, a plurality of pachinko machines P are arranged side by side in an installation area of ​​gaming machines called an island, and a gaming ball lending device (not shown) for lending gaming balls is installed adjacent to each pachinko machine P. Furthermore, each pachinko machine P is connected to a corresponding gaming ball lending device. The game ball lending device can accept the insertion of banknotes and a storage medium (card) that stores the value information required for lending game balls. After inserting banknotes (or a card) into the game ball lending device, a player can receive game balls from the game ball lending device R by performing a predetermined operation on the pachinko machine P.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, the pachinko machine P of this embodiment comprises a machine frame F1, which is a rectangular frame body fixed to the island and has a hollow portion (not shown in particular), a main body frame F2, which is a rectangular frame body attached to the machine frame F1 by a hinge mechanism (not shown in particular) so that it can be opened and closed freely, and which also has a hollow portion (not shown in particular), and a door frame D, which is a rectangular frame body attached to the main body frame F2 by a hinge mechanism (not shown in particular) so that it can be opened and closed freely, and which has an opening (not shown in particular) formed on the front, and which constitutes the front door of the pachinko machine P. In addition, the main body frame F2 and the door frame D can be closed and integrated to open and close the machine frame F1 (i.e., the main body frame F2 and the door frame D are integrated to form a frame section that can open and close the machine frame F1, and this frame section opens and closes the machine frame F1).

[0012] Furthermore, the length from the upper edge to the lower edge of the main frame F2 (the height of the main frame F2) is slightly longer than the length from the upper edge to the lower edge of the door frame D (the height of the door frame D), and the length from the left edge to the right edge of the main frame F2 (the width of the main frame F2) is slightly longer than the length from the left edge to the right edge of the door frame D (the width of the door frame D). Therefore, when the door frame D is closed, the lower edge of the main frame F2 is located slightly lower than the lower edge of the door frame D, and the right edge of the main frame F2 is located slightly to the right of the right edge of the door frame D. In addition, the height and width of the door frame D and the main frame F2 may be the same, and when the door frame D is closed, the lower edge of the door frame D coincides with the lower edge of the main frame F2, and the right edge of the door frame D coincides with the right edge of the main frame F2. Furthermore, the door frame D and the main body frame F2 do not have to be configured as frames that can be opened and closed separately, as described above. For example, an outer frame (not shown) that can house the door frame D and the main body frame F2 and is attached to the machine casing F1 so as to be able to open and close freely may be provided, and the outer frame with the door frame D and the main body frame F2 housed therein may open and close the machine casing F1.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, a lower speaker SP2 is provided at the lower left of the machine frame F1. The hollow portion of the main body frame F2 houses a game board 110 made of a transparent acrylic plate, and a set board 100 arranged behind the game board 110 (see Fig. 4). The set board 100 is a box-shaped member with an opening penetrating in the front-to-rear direction. A control device for controlling the operation of the pachinko machine P (not shown) and a liquid crystal display device 200 for displaying images are attached to the rear portion of the set board 100, and a performance device 1 for performing performances associated with games is arranged above the opening on the front side of the set board 100 (see Fig. 3). The performance device 1 will be described in detail later.

[0014] 1, the door frame D is provided with a transparent plate 400 that covers the opening, an upper tray 600 and a receiving tray 700 that are located below the transparent plate 400 and are capable of receiving game balls, an operating handle 500 that is attached to the right of the receiving tray 700 and is used to operate the launching of game balls, and upper speakers SP1 that are attached to the upper left and right sides of the transparent plate 400. Also, on the outer periphery of the front door D, there is provided a performance lamp 230 that produces performance effects by emitting light in various colors and light patterns. Although not specifically shown, this performance lamp 230 is composed of an LED that can emit light in multiple colors.

[0015] In the pachinko machine P, when the main body frame F2 is closed relative to the machine frame F1 and the front door D is closed, the transparent plate 400 is positioned in front of the game board 110. This allows the game board 110 located behind to be viewed through the transparent plate 400, and also allows the performance gimmick device 1 and the display screen 210 of the liquid crystal display device 200 located further behind the game board 110 to be viewed through the transparent game board 110.

[0016] In addition, the upper tray 600 is configured to guide game balls dispensed by the game ball dispenser device and prize balls paid out from the pachinko machine P. The upper tray 600 is capable of holding a predetermined number of game balls, but when the upper tray 600 is filled with game balls, game balls to be dispensed or paid out thereafter are guided to the receiving tray 700. Furthermore, although not specifically shown, the bottom surface of the receiving tray 700 is provided with a discharge hole for discharging the stored game balls and an opening / closing plate that can open and close the discharge hole. Normally, the discharge hole is closed by the opening / closing plate, but by moving an opening / closing lever 800 (see FIG. 1) attached integrally with the opening / closing plate in the horizontal direction, the opening / closing plate also moves in the same direction, opening the discharge hole. This allows game balls to fall through the discharge hole and be discharged out of the receiving tray 700.

[0017] The operating handle 500 is used to launch game balls, and is formed so that it can be rotated by the player. Here, the upper tray 600 is equipped with a supply passage (not shown) that supplies game balls to a game ball launching device (not shown), and when the player rotates the operating handle 500 to perform the launching operation while the game balls on the upper tray 600 are being supplied from the supply passage to the launching device, the game balls are launched by a launching mechanism (not shown) with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operating handle 500.

[0018] 3 and 4, a guide rail R consisting of a metal outer rail R1 and inner rail R2 is provided on the surface of the gaming board 110. The area partitioned into a substantially circular shape by this guide rail R forms the gaming area 120. In addition, a gaming ball launching passage is formed between the outer rail R1 and the inner rail R2 in the area on the left side of the gaming area 120, and a gaming ball launched from the launching mechanism moves up the launching passage along the outer rail R1 if the launch strength is sufficient, and is released into the gaming area 120 from the upper left of the gaming area 120.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the play area 120 is composed of a first play area 121, which is the area on the left side as seen from the player facing the pachinko machine P, and a second play area 122, which is the area on the right side as seen from the player facing the pachinko machine P. These two play areas 120 have different possibilities for game balls to enter depending on the firing strength of the launching device. Specifically, when the firing strength of the launching device is less than a predetermined strength (a strength that prevents the game ball launched by the launching device from reaching the highest point in the play area 120), the game ball enters the first play area 121. On the other hand, when the firing strength of the launching device is equal to or greater than a predetermined strength (a strength that allows the game ball launched by the launching device to reach the highest point in the play area 120), the game ball enters the second play area 121.

[0020] 3, the gaming area 120 is provided with a windmill and numerous nails for causing the gaming balls to flow randomly, a general winning opening 140 through which the gaming balls can enter, a first starting winning opening 150 as a starting area, an electric chute unit 175 having a gate 130 through which the gaming balls can pass and a second starting winning opening 160 as a starting area, an attacker device 170 that is activated when a predetermined condition is met, and an outlet 190 that guides the gaming balls out of the gaming area 120. In addition, a display screen 210 of a liquid crystal display device 200 fixed to the set board 100 is located in the center of the gaming area 120, and the display screen 210 can be seen.

[0021] A plurality of general winning openings 140 are provided below the game area 120. The number and locations of the general winning openings 140 are not limited to those shown in the figure. When a game ball enters a general winning opening 140, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. The first start winning opening 150 is provided at the bottom center of the game area 120. In this embodiment, the first start winning opening 150 can receive game balls flowing down the first game area 121, but game balls flowing down the second game area 122 cannot enter the first start winning opening 150.

[0022] The electric chute unit 175 is located from the upper right side of the game area 120 to the center right side, and is adapted to be attached to a notch 112 of the game board 110, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the electric chute unit 175 is provided with a gate 130 through which game balls can pass, a second start winning opening 160 that is provided below the gate 130 and through which game balls can enter, and a movable piece 161 for guiding game balls to the second start winning opening 160. The movable piece 161 is a member that can protrude and retract into the game board 110, and when the movable piece 161 is retracted into the game board 110, game balls are not guided to the second start winning opening 160, and game balls will not enter the second start winning opening 160. On the other hand, when the movable piece 161 protrudes from the game board 110, the protruding movable piece 161 functions as a guide member that guides the game ball flowing down the second game area 122 toward the second start winning port 160, thereby making it possible for the game ball to enter the second start winning port 160. The configuration of the movable piece 161 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a pair of blade members that rotate left and right around an axis perpendicular to the game board 110 to open and close the second start winning opening 160, or a lid member that rotates back and forth around a horizontal axis to open and close the second start winning opening 160, or a shutter member that slides up and down to open and close the second start winning opening 160.

[0023] When a game ball enters the first start winning slot 150 or the second start winning slot 160, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, and a jackpot lottery is held to determine whether or not a special game will be played in which the large prize slot 180 is opened. If a jackpot is won, the special game is played. There are multiple types of special games, each with different numbers of times the large prize slot 180 is opened, the opening time, and the game state to which the player transitions after the special game ends, and which special game will be played is determined by a special symbol lottery that selects one special symbol from multiple types of special symbols.

[0024] Here, as shown in Figure 3, in the lower left part of the game board 11 and outside the game area 120, there are provided a first special pattern display device 300, a second special pattern display device 310, a normal pattern display device 320, a first special pattern reserve display device 330, a second special pattern reserve display device 340, and a normal pattern reserve display device 350 as devices for displaying various statuses of the game. When a gaming ball enters the first start winning slot 150, the first special pattern display device 300 displays a variable special pattern for a predetermined time, and when a gaming ball enters the second start winning slot 160, the second special pattern display device 310 displays a variable special pattern for a predetermined time. During this time, the display screen 210 of the liquid crystal display device 200 displays a variable special pattern, which is a pattern for a special effect. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the variable display of the first special pattern display device 300 or the second special pattern display device 310 stops, and a special pattern indicating the result of the jackpot lottery is displayed. If a jackpot is won, a special pattern associated with the type of special game (hereinafter also referred to as a jackpot pattern) is displayed as a variable special pattern, and if a loss occurs, a special pattern associated with the loss (hereinafter also referred to as a loss pattern) is displayed as a variable special pattern. In addition, in the variable presentation executed by the liquid crystal display device 200, if a jackpot is won, a presentation symbol is displayed in a stopped state to notify the player of the jackpot, and if a loss occurs, a presentation symbol is displayed in a stopped state to notify the player of the jackpot. When a jackpot symbol is displayed in a stopped state, a special game of a type associated with the jackpot symbol is executed.

[0025] Furthermore, if a game ball enters the first start winning slot 150 or the second start winning slot 160 while the first special pattern display device 300 or the second special pattern display device 310 is displaying a variable special pattern, or while a special game is being played, this fact is stored (reserved), and the number of stored numbers (reserved numbers) based on the game ball entering the first start winning slot 150 is displayed on the first special pattern reserve display device 330, and the number of reserved numbers based on the game ball entering the second start winning slot 160 is displayed on the second special pattern reserve display device 340. For example, the number of reserved numbers is notified by the number of lit lamps. Then, when the variable special pattern display ends or the special game ends, a lottery for a jackpot and a lottery for a special pattern are held based on the reserved numbers. Up to a predetermined number of items can be reserved (for example, four), and when a jackpot lottery and a special pattern lottery are held based on the reserved items, the number of reserved items is reduced, and accordingly, the display on the first special pattern reserved display device 330 and the second special pattern reserved display device 340 is also reduced.

[0026] Furthermore, when a gaming ball passes through the gate 130, a lottery is held to determine whether or not the movable piece 161 provided in the second start winning opening 160 described above will be protruded from the gaming board 110. This lottery is held as a normal pattern lottery to determine one normal pattern from a plurality of types of normal patterns respectively associated with the protrusion (win) and non-protrusion (lose) of the movable piece 161. If the result of the lottery is a win, the movable piece 161 will protrude from the gaming board 110 for a predetermined time, and the gaming ball will be able to enter the second start winning opening 160.

[0027] Furthermore, when a gaming ball passes through the gate 130, the normal symbol display device 320 displays a variable normal symbol for a predetermined time. Then, after the variable time has elapsed, the variable display on the normal symbol display device 320 stops, and a normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol lottery is displayed as a static display. That is, in the case of a win, a normal symbol associated with the win is displayed as a static display, and in the case of a loss, a predetermined symbol associated with a loss is displayed as a static display. When the normal symbol associated with a win is displayed as a static display, the movable piece 161 protrudes from the gaming board 110. When the movable piece 161 protrudes, the gaming ball can be made to enter the second start winning hole 160, increasing the chances of winning a jackpot, and creating a more advantageous state than when the movable piece 161 is not protruding (when immersed in the gaming board 110).

[0028] Here, when a gaming ball passes through the gate 130 while the normal symbol display device 320 is displaying a variable normal symbol, up to a predetermined number (for example, four) are reserved in the same manner as above, and the number of reserved balls is displayed on the normal symbol reservation display device 350. Then, when the variable normal symbol display has finished, a lottery for a normal symbol is performed based on the reserved number, and the display on the normal symbol reservation display device 350 is reduced.

[0029] In addition, whether the result of the regular lottery is a win or a loss, the movable piece 161 is made to protrude from the game board 110, and if the result is a win, the movable piece 161 is made to protrude from the game board 110 for a period of time during which it is possible to cause the game ball to enter the second start winning port 160 (the movable piece 161 is made to operate in a so-called long operating mode), while if the result is a loss, the movable piece 161 is made to protrude from the game board 110 for a period of time during which it is almost impossible to cause the game ball to enter the second start winning port 160 (the movable piece 161 is made to operate in a so-called short operating mode).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3 , the attacker device 170 is provided at the lower right of the second game area 122. The attacker device 170 includes a large prize opening 180 into which game balls can enter, and an opening / closing plate 181 that opens and closes the large prize opening 180. Normally, the opening / closing plate 181 is closed, closing the large prize opening 180, so that game balls flow down near the large prize opening 180 and are unable to enter the large prize opening 180. On the other hand, when the special game described above is played, the opening / closing plate 181 is displaced to an open state and functions as a tray member that guides game balls to the large prize opening 180, thereby enabling game balls to enter the large prize opening 180. When a game ball enters the large prize opening 180, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out.

[0031] 3, the outlet 190 is provided at the bottom of the game area 120, and receives game balls that have not entered any of the general winning opening 140, the first starting winning opening 150, the second starting winning opening 160, and the big winning opening 180. The game balls received in the outlet 190 are then guided to the back side of the game board 110 and collected. In addition, game balls that enter the general winning port 140, the first starting winning port 150, the second starting winning port 160, and the big winning port 180 are also guided to the back side of the game board 110 and collected.

[0032] 2, the display screen 210 of the liquid crystal display device is disposed approximately in the center of the gaming area 120. In addition to displaying a background image on the display screen 210, the display screen 210 is configured to display the above-mentioned effect symbols (dummy symbols) in a variable manner as part of the variable effect. Then, the result of the lottery for the special symbols is notified to the player according to the stop display mode of each effect symbol.

[0033] (Game board 110) The game board 110 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below. As described above, the game board 110 is made of a transparent acrylic plate having a predetermined thickness and a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is provided with holes of various sizes that penetrate from the front to the back (see FIG. 9).

[0034] Specifically, a hole 111 (hereinafter also referred to as the first hole 111) that is substantially oval in front view is formed in the approximate center of the gaming board 110 (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first hole 111 is configured to accommodate a light guide plate 116 (described below) and a display unit 210 of a liquid crystal display device 200 that are disposed behind the gaming board 110 (see FIG. 2), and the light guide plate 116 and the display unit 210 can be viewed through this first hole 111. In addition, a notch 112 that is substantially rectangular in front view is connected to the right of the first hole 111. The above-mentioned electric chute unit 175 can be attached to the notch 112 from the front side of the gaming board 110 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 13).

[0035] A second hole 113, which is smaller than the first hole 111 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, is formed below the first hole 111. The second hole 113 is designed so that the above-mentioned attacker device 170 can be attached from the front side of the game board 110 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 13).

[0036] In addition to the first hole 111, the notch 112, and the second hole 113, the game board 110 is provided with a number of holes, including holes that form the first starting hole 150 and the general winning hole 140 mentioned above, as well as holes for attaching various components and devices such as the guide rail R to the game board 110.

[0037] The gaming board 110 is also provided with positioning holes 114, which are holes that penetrate from the front to the back and are used to determine the attachment position of a light guide plate unit 115 (described later) on the gaming board 110. The positioning holes 114 include a left positioning hole 114L located in the upper left corner of the gaming board 110 and a right positioning hole 114R located in the upper right corner of the gaming board 110.

[0038] 9 and 12(A), the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R each have a generally egg-shaped elongated hole shape that gradually widens from top to bottom, and has an upper generally semicircular portion (hereinafter also referred to as a first semicircle r1) and a lower generally semicircular portion (hereinafter also referred to as a second semicircle r2). The diameter ra of the first semicircle r1 is shorter than the diameter rb of the second semicircle r2, and therefore the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R each have a tapered shape that narrows from the second semicircle r2 to the first semicircle r1.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, the second semicircular r2 portion of the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R constitutes an insertion portion 114a into which a positioning protrusion 117c of the light guide plate unit 115 described later is inserted, and the first semicircular r1 portion constitutes a positioning portion 114b that abuts the positioning protrusion 117c inserted into the insertion portion 114a to position the light guide plate unit 115 at the attachment position on the game board 110.

[0040] (Light guide plate unit 115) The light guide plate unit 115 is one of the structures attached to the game board 110, and is mainly composed of a light guide plate portion 116 and a light guide plate support portion 117, as shown in FIGS.

[0041] The light guide plate unit 116 consists of a light guide plate that is approximately rectangular when viewed from the front, and is configured so that when light is irradiated from the side by a light source such as an LED (not shown), this light is reflected by grooves etc. provided within the light guide plate unit 116, causing specific characters, logos, letters etc. to be displayed on the surface of the light guide plate unit 116.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 10 , the light guide plate support portion 117 supports the light guide plate portion 116 and is generally U-shaped in front view. The light guide plate support portion 117 is composed of a first light guide plate support portion 117a and a second light guide plate support portion 117b. The first light guide plate support portion 117a supports the left side and lower portion of the light guide plate portion 116, and the second light guide plate support portion 117b supports the left side and upper portion of the light guide plate portion 116. The second light guide plate support portion 117b is provided with positioning protrusions 117c at positions corresponding to the positioning holes 114 provided in the gaming board 110. The positioning protrusions 117c include a left positioning protrusion 117cL that is inserted into the left positioning hole 114L of the gaming board 110 and a right positioning protrusion 117cR that is inserted into the right positioning hole 114R of the gaming board 110. When the light guide plate unit 115 is attached to the game board 110, the left positioning protrusion 117cL is inserted into the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning protrusion 117cR is simultaneously inserted into the right positioning hole 114R.

[0043] The left positioning protrusion 117cL has a boss shape that protrudes from the surface of the light guide plate support portion 117 toward the front side (see FIGS. 8, 10, and 12(B)). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12(B), a tip surface 117c2 at the tip portion 117c1 of the left positioning protrusion 117cL is circular, and its diameter rc is approximately the same as the diameter ra of the first semicircle r1 of the corresponding left positioning hole 114L. Furthermore, the overall length of the left positioning protrusion 117cL (the distance from the surface of the second light guide plate support portion 117b to the tip surface 117c2 of the left positioning protrusion 117cL) is approximately the same as the thickness of the gaming board 110. Therefore, when the left positioning protrusion 117cL is inserted into the left positioning hole 114L, the tip surface 117c2 and the surface of the gaming board 110 are flush with each other (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Although not specifically shown, the right positioning protrusion 117cR has the same configuration as the left positioning protrusion 116cL.

[0044] (Attaching the light guide plate unit 115 to the game board 110) Next, the attachment of the light guide plate unit 115 to the gaming board 110 configured as described above will be described.

[0045] In the pachinko machine P according to this embodiment, the electric chute unit 175 and the attacker device 170 are attached to the game board 110, and then the light guide plate unit 115 is attached. The electric chute unit 175 is attached by fitting it into the above-mentioned cutout portion 112 from the front side of the gaming board 110. The attacker device 170 is attached by fitting it into the above-mentioned second hole 113 from the front side of the gaming board 110. When attached to the gaming board 110, the electric chute unit 175 and the attacker device 170 protrude from the gaming board 110 in the front and rear directions, respectively.

[0046] Then, after the attacker device 170 and the electric chute unit 175 are attached to the gaming board 110, the light guide plate unit 115 is attached to the gaming board 110. The light guide plate unit 115 is attached to the back surface of the gaming board 110. When attaching the light guide plate unit 115 to the gaming board 110, the left positioning protrusion 117cL and the right positioning protrusion 117cR provided on the second light guide plate support portion 117b of the light guide plate unit 115 are inserted into the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R provided in the gaming board 110, respectively.

[0047] As shown in Figure 13, when inserting the left positioning protrusion 117cL and the right positioning protrusion 117cR into the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R, first, the upper part of the light guide plate unit 115 is lowered (closer to the game board 110) and the lower part of the light guide plate unit 115 is lifted (away from the game board 110), and then the tip 117c1 of the left positioning protrusion 117cL and the tip 117c1 of the right positioning protrusion 117cR are inserted into the insertion portion 114a (part of the second semicircle r2) of the left positioning hole 114L and the insertion portion 114a (part of the second semicircle r2) of the right positioning hole 114R, respectively. The insertion portion 114a of the left positioning hole 114L and the insertion portion 114a of the right positioning hole 114R are formed larger than the tip end 117c1 of the left positioning protrusion 117cL and the tip end 117c1 of the right positioning protrusion 117cR, respectively, and can be easily inserted. At this time, the light guide plate 116 is positioned so as not to come into contact with the electric chute unit 175 and the attacker device 170 attached to the game board 110.

[0048] Then, after inserting each tip portion 117c1 into each insertion portion 114a, the upper portion of the light guide plate unit 115 is lowered and, with the lower portion of the light guide plate unit 115 kept raised, the light guide plate unit 115 is moved until the left positioning protrusion 117cL and the right positioning protrusion 117cR move inside the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R and abut against the tip (upper end) of each positioning portion 114b. In other words, the light guide plate unit 115 is moved toward the top of the game board 110 (the direction of arrow Z in FIG. 14(A)). Here, since each positioning portion 114b in the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R is located above each insertion portion 114a, when each tip portion 117c1 of the left positioning protrusion 117cL and the right positioning protrusion 117cR moves from each insertion portion 114a toward each positioning portion 114b, it moves away from the electric chute unit 175 and the attacker device 170 provided on the game board 110. In other words, the direction from each insertion portion 114a toward each positioning portion 114b is different from the direction from each insertion portion 114a toward the electric chute unit 175 and the attacker device 170.

[0049] Furthermore, since the diameter ra of the first semicircle r1 constituting each positioning portion 114b is substantially the same as the diameter of the tip surface 117c2 of each positioning protrusion 117c, when each positioning protrusion 117c abuts against the tip of each positioning portion 114b, each positioning protrusion 117c becomes fitted into each positioning portion 114b. Then, by lowering the lower part of the lifted light guide plate unit 115 (bringing it closer to the gaming board 110), the light guide plate unit 115 overlaps the gaming board 110. Although not particularly shown, in the above-mentioned state, the positions of screw holes provided on the light guide plate unit 115 and the gaming board 110 for fixing the light guide plate unit 115 to the gaming board 110 are aligned, and the light guide plate unit 115 can be fixed (attached) to the gaming board 110 by threading a screw or the like into the screw hole. In other words, the position where each positioning protrusion 117c abuts against the tip of each positioning portion 114b corresponds to the mounting position of the light guide plate unit 115 on the game board 110, and by abutting each positioning protrusion 117c against the tip of each positioning portion 114b, the light guide plate unit 115 is positioned at the above-mentioned mounting position (a temporary positioning is achieved before the light guide plate unit 115 is fixed to the game board 110 with screws or the like).

[0050] As described above, in the pachinko machine P according to this embodiment, the positioning holes 114 (left positioning hole 114L, right positioning hole 114R) are provided in the game board 110, and the positioning protrusions 117c (left positioning protrusion 117cL, right positioning protrusion 117cR) are provided in the light guide plate unit 115. The positioning holes 114 have an insertion portion 114a formed by the second semicircle r2 and a positioning portion 114b formed by the first semicircle r1 having a diameter smaller than that of the second semicircle. When the light guide plate unit 115 is attached to the game board 110, the light guide plate unit 115 is positioned in the insertion portion 114a of the positioning holes 114. Since the light guide plate unit 115 is positioned at the attachment position on the gaming board 110 by inserting the positioning protrusion 117c and moving it until the positioning protrusion 117c abuts the positioning portion 114b (moving it in a direction away from the electric chute unit 175 and the attacker device 170 attached to the gaming board 110), the light guide plate unit 115 can be easily positioned at the predetermined attachment position while minimizing the risk of the light guide plate unit 115 coming into contact with other structures or devices attached to the gaming board 110 when attaching the light guide plate unit 115 to the gaming board 110. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the attachment efficiency of the light guide plate unit 115 and damage to the light guide plate unit 115 due to contact with other structures or devices, thereby reducing the occurrence of defective products and the number of times parts need to be replaced when assembling the pachinko machine P.

[0051] Furthermore, since the diameter rb of the second semicircle r2 constituting the insertion portion 114a is larger than the diameter rc of the tip surface 117c2 at the tip portion 117c1 of the positioning protrusion 117c, it becomes easy to insert the tip portion 117c1 of the positioning protrusion 117c into the insertion portion 114a even if the light guide plate unit 115 is roughly aligned with the game board 110. This allows the light guide plate unit 115 to be attached to the game board 110 efficiently, and the assembly efficiency of the pachinko machine P can be improved.

[0052] Furthermore, since the diameter ra of the first semicircle r1 constituting the positioning portion 114b is substantially the same as the diameter of the tip surface 117c2 at the tip portion 117c1 of the positioning protrusion 117c, the positioned light guide plate unit 115 is less likely to come off the gaming board 110. This allows the light guide plate unit 115 to be fixed to the gaming board 110 by screws or the like to be efficiently performed, and the assembly efficiency of the pachinko machine P can be improved.

[0053] In this embodiment, two positioning holes 114, a left positioning hole 114L and a right positioning hole 114R, are provided in the game board 110, and two positioning protrusions 117c, a left positioning protrusion 117cL and a right positioning protrusion 117cR, are provided in the light guide plate unit 115, and the left positioning protrusion 117cL is inserted into the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning protrusion 117cR is inserted into the right positioning hole 114R. However, the number and positions of the positioning holes 114 and the positioning protrusions 117c are not limited to this. For example, three or more positioning holes 114 and positioning protrusions 117c may be provided, for example, by providing a center positioning hole between the left positioning hole 114L and the right positioning hole 114R and providing a center positioning protrusion that fits into the center positioning hole between the left positioning protrusion 117cL and the right positioning protrusion 117cR. Furthermore, for example, the positioning holes 114 and the positioning protrusions 117c may be provided on the left side, right side, bottom, etc. of the game board 110 and the light guide plate unit 115 instead of on the top.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positioning protrusion 117c has a boss shape, but the shape of the positioning protrusion 117c is not limited to this and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a conical shape, etc., as long as it can be inserted into the positioning hole 114. Furthermore, the positioning hole 114 is a through hole, but it is not limited to this and may be a non-through hole. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the direction from each insertion section 114a to each positioning section 114b is a direction away from the electric tube unit 175 and the attacker device 170, but this is not limited to this as long as it is different from the direction from each insertion section 114a to the electric tube unit 175 and the attacker device 170, and for example, it may be a direction perpendicular to the direction from each insertion section 114a to the electric tube unit 175 and the attacker device 170.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, a positioning hole 114 is provided on the game board 110 and a positioning protrusion 117c is provided on the light guide plate unit 115, but this is not limited to this, and for example, a positioning protrusion 117c may be provided on the game board 110 and a positioning hole 114 may be provided on the light guide plate unit 115.

[0056] Furthermore, the mounting structure of this embodiment can be employed for purposes other than mounting the gaming board 110 and the light guide plate unit 115. For example, the above mounting structure may be employed when mounting a predetermined member other than the light guide plate unit 115 to the gaming board 110, or when mounting a predetermined member other than the gaming board 110. Also, in a slot machine where games are played using gaming medals, the above mounting structure may be employed when mounting another member to a predetermined member.

[0057] (Performance equipment 1) Next, the prop device 1 will be described in detail. The performance prop device 1 is disposed above the play area 120, on the rear side of the play board 110 and the light guide plate section 116 (light guide plate unit 115) (see FIG. 3), and the performance prop device 1 can be seen through the light guide plate section 116. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the performance prop device 1 has a movable body 10 and a moving mechanism 14 for moving the movable body 10. The movable body 10 has a first movable body 11, a second movable body 12, and a third movable body 13, and various performances are executed by these moving in a predetermined manner.

[0058] (Movable body 10 (first movable body 11, second movable body 12, third movable body 13)) As described above, the movable body 10 includes the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13. Since the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 all have the same configuration, the specific configuration will be described below using the first movable body 11 as an example, and descriptions of the second movable body 12 and the third movable body 13 will be omitted.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 16, the first movable body 11 has a cover portion 11a, a first light guide plate portion 11b, a substrate portion 11c, a sheet portion 11d, a second light guide plate portion 11e, and a base portion 11f.

[0060] The cover portion 11a is configured from a cover body having a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape. A rear surface 11a1 of the cover portion 11a (the surface that faces the base portion 11f when the cover portion 11a is attached to the base portion 11f) is open, and a front surface 11a2, which is the surface opposite the rear surface 11a1, has an opening 11a3 that is substantially spade-shaped in front view, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. A plurality of lenses 11a4 are provided on the outer periphery of the front surface 11a2, and light from LEDs 11c1 provided on the substrate portion 11c, which will be described later, is irradiated onto the lenses 11a4, causing the outer periphery of the cover portion 11a to emit light.

[0061] The first light guide plate 11b is a light guide plate having a substantially elliptical shape in a front view and is disposed on the rear surface of the cover 11a. Although not shown, when light is irradiated from the side of the first light guide plate 11b by an LED 11c1 provided on the front side (the cover 11a side) of the substrate 11c, the light is reflected by grooves or the like provided in the first light guide plate 11b, causing a specific pattern to be displayed on the surface of the first light guide plate 11b. The first light guide plate 11b is formed slightly larger than the opening 11a3 of the cover 11a, so that when the first light guide plate 11b is disposed on the rear surface of the cover 11a, it closes the opening 11a3. The specific pattern displayed on the surface of the first light guide plate 11b is visible through the opening 11a3.

[0062] The substrate 11c is made of a substrate on which a plurality of LEDs are provided for irradiating light onto the first light guide plate 11b and the second light guide plate 11c (described later), and is disposed on the back surface of the first light guide plate 11b. The outer periphery of the substrate 11c has substantially the same shape as the cover 11a. Furthermore, a plurality of LEDs 11c1 for irradiating light onto the first light guide plate 11b are provided on the front side of the substrate 11c, and a plurality of LEDs 11c2 for irradiating light onto the second light guide plate 11e are provided on the opposite side, the back side of the substrate 11c. The LEDs 11c1 provided on the front side are LEDs (so-called full-color LEDs) capable of emitting light in different chromatic colors such as red, green, and blue (so-called full-color), whereas the LEDs 11c2 provided on the back side are LEDs capable of emitting only achromatic white light. The LED 11c2 on the rear side may also be a full-color LED, and the LED 11c1 on the front side may also be an LED that can emit only white light. Also, the substrate portion 11c is formed with an opening 11c3 that is substantially the same shape and size as the spade-shaped opening formed in the cover portion 11a.

[0063] The sheet 11d is made of a plastic sheet formed into a substantially oval shape in a front view (substantially the same shape as the first light guide plate 11b), and is placed on the back surface of the substrate 11c. Although not shown, a predetermined character or the like is drawn on the surface (front surface) of the sheet 11d. The sheet 11d is formed slightly larger than the opening 11c3 of the substrate 11c, so that when the sheet 11d is placed on the back surface of the substrate 11c, it covers the opening 11c3. The predetermined character or the like drawn on the surface of the sheet 11d can be seen through the opening 11a3 of the cover 11a, the first light guide plate 11b, and the opening 11c3 of the substrate 11c.

[0064] The second light guide plate portion 11e is made of a light guide plate that is substantially elliptical in front view (substantially the same shape as the first light guide plate portion 11b and the sheet portion 11d), and is disposed on the back surface of the sheet portion 11d. Although not specifically shown, when light is irradiated from the side of the second light guide plate section 11e by the LED 11c2 provided on the back side (sheet section 11d side) of the substrate section 11c, this light is reflected by grooves etc. provided in the second light guide plate section 11e, causing the surface (front) of the second light guide plate section 11e to emit light, and the light emitted from this surface illuminates a specified character etc. drawn on the sheet section 11d.

[0065] When the predetermined character or the like drawn on the sheet portion 11d is illuminated by light emitted from the surface of the second light guide plate portion 11e and the LED 11c1 provided on the front side of the substrate portion 11c is not emitting light, the above-mentioned specific pattern is not displayed (is not visible) on the surface of the first light guide plate portion 11b, and only the predetermined character or the like drawn on the sheet portion 11d is visible. On the other hand, when the LED 11c2 provided on the back side of the substrate portion 11c is not emitting light (no light is emitted from the surface of the second light guide plate portion 11e) and the LED 11c1 provided on the front side of the substrate portion 11c is emitting light, only the above-mentioned specific pattern displayed on the surface of the first light guide plate portion 11b is visible, and the predetermined character or the like drawn on the sheet portion 11d is not visible. The second light guide plate portion 11e has substantially the same shape and size as the sheet portion 11c.

[0066] The base 11f is made of a plastic plate and is disposed on the back surface of the second light guide plate 11e. The base 11f serves as the base of the first movable body 11. The cover 11a and the base 11f are fixed together with the first light guide plate 11b, the substrate 11c, the sheet 11d, and the second light guide plate 11e sandwiched (overlapped) between them, thereby attaching the cover 11a, the first light guide plate 11b, the substrate 11c, the sheet 11d, and the second light guide plate 11e to the base 11f. The outer periphery of the base 11f has substantially the same shape and size as the cover 11a.

[0067] (Movable mechanism 14) The movable mechanism 14 causes the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 to rotate, descend, ascend, and so on. As shown in Fig. 17, the movable body mechanism 14 has a plurality of arms 14a, 14b, and 14c that support the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13, respectively, a base plate 14d that supports the arms 14a, 14b, and 14c, and a solenoid (not shown) for moving the arms 14a, 14b, and 14c. The solenoid moves the arms 14a, 14b, and 14c, causing the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 to perform predetermined movements.

[0068] When the prop device 1 is not in operation, the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 are arranged side by side, with a part of the second movable body 12 and a part of the third movable body 13 overlapping behind the first movable body 11, and stay in a predetermined position (hereinafter also referred to as the initial position) at the top of the play area 120 (see Figures 2 and 3). Also, when the prop device 1 stays in the initial position, the part of the surface of the light guide plate 116 arranged on the front side of the prop device 1 that overlaps with the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 lights up, and letters, predetermined characters, etc. are displayed in this part. In other words, when the prop device 1 is staying in its initial position, letters, predetermined characters, etc. are displayed on the surface of the light guide plate section 116 in the areas that overlap with the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13, making the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 difficult to see (see Figure 18).

[0069] Furthermore, when the prop device 1 is activated, the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 rotate, rise, fall, and other movements are performed by the moving mechanism 14. When the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 descend to a predetermined position (hereinafter also referred to as the operating position) approximately in the center of the play area 120, the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 combine to perform a specific movement to form a single symbol mark (for example, the hollyhock crest, etc.). When this symbol mark is formed, the portions of the surface of the light guide plate 116 that overlap with the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 do not emit light, and no letters, predetermined characters, etc. are displayed in these portions. In other words, when the prop device 1 is in the operating position and forming the symbol mark, letters, specified characters, etc. are not displayed in the areas on the surface of the light guide plate section 116 that overlap with the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13, so that the first movable body 11, the second movable body 12, and the third movable body 13 can be seen.

[0070] The gaming board 110 in the above-described embodiment corresponds to the base of the present invention. The pachinko machine P in the above-described embodiment corresponds to the gaming machine of the present invention. The electric chute unit 175 and the attacker device 170 in the above-described embodiment correspond to the first structure of the present invention. The light guide plate unit 115 in the above-described embodiment corresponds to the second structure of the present invention. The positioning protrusions 117c (left positioning protrusion 117cL, right positioning protrusion 117cR) in the above-described embodiment correspond to the convex portions of the present invention. The positioning holes 114 (left positioning hole 114L, right positioning hole 114R) in the above-described embodiment correspond to the concave portions of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] P Pachinko machine 110 Game Board 114 Positioning hole 114a Insertion part 114b Positioning part 117c Positioning protrusion

Claims

[Claim 1] A base portion is provided to which a plurality of structures can be attached, A gaming machine that can execute a special game advantageous to a player when a predetermined condition is met, the plurality of structures include at least a first structure and a second structure that can be attached to the base portion in a state where the first structure is attached to the base portion; a plurality of protrusions are provided on either the second structure or the base portion; the other of the second structure and the base portion is provided with a recess into which a corresponding protrusion can be inserted and which can guide the second structure to an attachment position on the base portion; the recess has an insertion portion having an opening shape into which the protrusion is inserted, and a positioning portion having an opening shape against which the protrusion inserted into the insertion portion can abut, and against which the protrusion abuts to position the second structure at the attachment position, and is formed into a substantially elongated hole shape by the insertion portion and the positioning portion; A gaming machine characterized in that the diameter of the recess is larger than the diameter of the positioning portion, making it easier to insert the convex portion into the insertion portion than into the positioning portion, and the direction from the insertion portion to the positioning portion is different from the direction from the insertion portion to the first structure.

Images