Game machine

Abstract

To develop a technology for efficient cleaning.SOLUTION: A game machine 10A in an embodiment is provided with a rear face component 31B having a downward flow route inside. In the rear face component 31B, on one enclosure wall among multiple enclosure walls constituting the downward flow route, a cleaning hole 139 for cleaning the inner surface of the enclosure wall is formed. Hereby, the inner surface of the enclosure wall can be cleaned by inserting a cleaning tool into the cleaning hole 139.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine having a passage through which gaming balls flow down.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, one in which the passage is surrounded by an enclosure wall is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0012] , FIG. 2)

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there are cases where cleaning of the passage inside the enclosure wall is desired for the above-described conventional gaming machine, and development of a technique for efficiently performing such cleaning is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The gaming machine of the present disclosure is a gaming machine in which a through-hole is formed at an edge portion on the side of an adjacent one of the surrounding walls in at least one of a plurality of surrounding walls that surround the passage of the gaming ball from at least three sides and guide the gaming ball.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the gaming machine according to the present disclosure, since a cleaning tool can be inserted into the through-hole to clean the passage, it becomes possible to clean the passage inside the enclosure wall more efficiently than in the past.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] Front view of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure [Figure 2] Perspective view of the gaming machine as seen from the front. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the gaming machine as seen from the rear. [Figure 4] Exploded perspective view of the gaming machine body, seen from the front. [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view of the gaming machine body, seen from the rear. [Figure 6] Disassembled perspective view of the game board [Figure 7] (A) Plan view and (B) Plan view of a portion of the game board. [Figure 8] Disassembled perspective view of the game board [Figure 9] Disassembled perspective view of the prize-winning device. [Figure 10] Disassembled perspective view of the prize-winning device. [Figure 11] Perpendicular view of the game board [Figure 12] Enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the right side of the game board. [Figure 13] Enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of the front component of the award-winning device. [Figure 14] (A) Side cross-sectional view of the game board, (B) Side cross-sectional view of the game board in a modified example, (C) Side cross-sectional view of the game board in a modified example [Figure 15] Side cross-section of the game board [Figure 16] (A) Perspective view, (B) Side view, (C) Enlarged front view of the award-winning device [Figure 17] Exploded perspective view of the rear component as seen from the front. [Figure 18] Perspective view of the rear component as seen from the front. [Figure 19] Perspective view of the main housing from the rear. [Figure 20] (A) Perspective view of the magnetic sensor, (B) Perspective view of the detection switch, (C) Perspective view of the shock sensor [Figure 21] Plan view of the area around the detection switch of the second drainpipe [Figure 22] Plan view of the area around the detection switch of the third drainpipe. [Figure 23] Plan view of the area around the magnetic sensor in the main housing. [Figure 24] Perspective view of the vicinity of the magnetic sensor in the main housing [Figure 25] (A) Plan view and (B) cross-sectional plan view of the vicinity of the impact sensor in the rear part component [Figure 26] Side cross-sectional view of the rear part component [Figure 27] Perspective view of the sub-housing when viewed from the rear [Figure 28] (A) Perspective view and (B) perspective view of the calibration plate when viewed from the front [Figure 29] (A) Side view and (B) cross-sectional view of the calibration plate [Figure 30] Cross-sectional perspective view of the game board [Figure 31] Front view of the winning device according to the modified example [Figure 32] Perspective view of the base plate when viewed from the rear [Figure 33] Enlarged perspective view of the game board when viewed from the rear [Figure 34] (A) Front view of the bracket and (B) perspective view when the bracket is attached [Figure 35] (A) Perspective view and (B) perspective view of the internal components when viewed from the front [Figure 36] Perspective view of the support housing when viewed from the front [Figure 37] Perspective view of the support housing when viewed from the rear [Figure 38] Enlarged perspective view of the support housing [Figure 39] (A) Cross-sectional view of the separable game board and support housing and (B) cross-sectional view of the engaged game board and support housing [Figure 40] Exploded perspective view of the support housing around the connecting member and support hole when viewed from the front [Figure 41] (A) Perspective view of the connecting member when viewed from the rear and (B) perspective view of the connecting member when viewed from the front [Figure 42] (A) Cross-sectional view of the connecting member at the first slide position and (B) cross-sectional view of the connecting member at the second slide position [Figure 43] Side view of the operation part of the connecting member [Figure 44] Perspective view of the connecting hole from the front. [Figure 45] Perspective view of the display device from the rear. [Figure 46] Perspective view of the display device from the front. [Figure 47] Plane section of the slide support [Figure 48] (A) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the unlocked position, (B) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the locked position [Figure 49] Perspective view of the sub-control board unit from the rear. [Figure 50] Perspective view of the sub-control board unit as seen from the front. [Figure 51] (A) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the unlocked position, (B) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the locked position [Figure 52] (A) Perspective view of the connector and regulating protrusion, (B) Perspective view of the volume element and regulating protrusion, (C) Perspective view of the connector and regulating protrusion [Figure 53] Exploded perspective view of the sub-control board unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 54] (A) Perspective view of the connector from the rear (B) Perspective view of the connector from the rear (C) Perspective view of the connector from the rear (D) Perspective view of the volume element from the rear [Figure 55] Exploded perspective view of the drive board unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 56] (A) Perspective view of the drive board unit from the front, (B) Perspective view of the drive board unit from the rear. [Figure 57] Perspective view of the support housing as seen from the rear. [Figure 58] Side cross-section of the rear assembly [Figure 59] Exploded perspective view of the main control board unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 60] Perspective view of the support housing and relay members as seen from the rear. [Figure 61] Perspective view of the relay member as seen from the front. [Figure 62](A) Perspective view of the main control board unit as seen from the front, (B) Perspective view of the relay component as seen from the rear. [Figure 63] (A) Perspective view from the rear, (B) Cross-sectional view, showing the main control board unit assembled to the relay member. [Figure 64] Front view of the game board of a gaming machine according to the second embodiment. [Figure 65] Front view of the ball-entry area [Figure 66] Front view of the first and second decorative sections [Figure 67] Oblique view of the ball entry area [Figure 68] Perspective view of a sticker to be attached to a ball-collecting mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [First Embodiment] A game machine 10A according to the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 63. The game machine 10A is a pachinko game machine in which the game machine body 30A shown in Figure 2 is detachably attached to the game frame 9 shown in Figure 1.

[0009] The game frame 9 is installed in the gaming hall, and the game machine body 30A is replaced with a different game machine body 30A as needed, a process known as "new machine replacement." In some cases, the entire game machine 10A, including the game frame 9, may be replaced.

[0010] The game frame 9 is a well-known design and has a front door 9Z that covers the game machine body 30A from the front. The game area R1 of the game machine body 30A is visible from the front through the glass window 9W of the front door 9Z. The upper tray 9A and lower tray 9B are provided on the front of the game frame 9, below the glass window 9W, and an operation knob 9C is provided in the lower right corner. When the operation knob 9C is rotated, the game balls in the upper tray 9A (see symbol K in Figure 1) are launched into the game area R1. When game balls enter the normal prize pockets 13, start prize pockets 14, 32G, large prize pocket 32F, etc., within the game area R1 (also called "winning"), multiple game balls are dispensed into the upper tray 9A as prize balls. The game balls in the upper tray 9A are also dispensed into the lower tray 9B by operating a predetermined dispensing operation unit.

[0011] Figures 2 and 3 show an approximate overall view of the gaming machine body 30A, excluding some components. This gaming machine body 30A has several features designed to facilitate the reuse of its components. The first feature is that the gaming machine body 30A can be disassembled without tools into multiple parts, such as the game board 40, support housing 51, and display device 52, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In addition, multiple parts other than the game board 40 are assembled to form the rear assembly 50. In other words, the gaming machine body 30A is broadly divided into two parts: the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 which overlaps the rear of the game board 40. First, the game board 40 will be described in detail below.

[0012] As shown in Figure 6, the game board 40 has a structure in which multiple front and rear components are fixed to the front and rear of a transparent, rectangular resin (polycarbonate) base plate 41, commonly called a "PC board," with screws. Note that the base plate 41 is not limited to polycarbonate; for example, it may be made of acrylic.

[0013] In Figure 6, the front component 42A, shown separated from the base plate 41, has a shape in which the upper edge and both sides of its outer edge overlap the upper edge and the upper parts of both sides of the outer edge of the base plate 41, and the lower edge of its outer edge is an upwardly concave arc. Also in the same figure, the front component 45A, shown superimposed on the front of the base plate 41, has a shape in which the lower edge and left side of its outer edge overlap the entire lower edge of the outer edge of the base plate 41, excluding the left end and the upper part of the left side, and the right edge of its outer edge is a concave arc. Guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 are provided on the arc-shaped outer edges of these front components 42A and 45A.

[0014] Guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 are curved, strip-shaped resin walls with their width oriented in the front-to-back direction. The upper end of guide rail 45A1 is continuous with the lower end of guide rail 42A1, and the combined guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 extend in a curved manner from a position near the left end of the lower edge of the base plate 41 to the upper right part of the base plate 41.

[0015] The entire right side of the guide rail 42A1 from the leftward position forms the upper boundary of the game area R1, while the remaining portion of guide rail 42A1 and the entirety of guide rail 45A1 form an upward guide section that guides the game ball into the game area R1. In addition, the guide rails 31A1 and 43A1 of the front parts 31A and 43A, described later, are positioned slightly apart from the aforementioned upward guide section and face inward, forming the left boundary of the game area R1. Furthermore, the protruding wall 32A1 (see Figure 11) of the front part 32A, described later and fixed to the right side of the base plate 41, forms the right boundary of the game area R1, and the front parts 31A and 32A are connected to form the lower boundary of the game area R1. Then, in response to the rotation of the operation knob 9C (see Figure 1), the launched game ball rises along the guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 and is driven into the game area R1.

[0016] A metal plate 42E is laid on the inner surfaces of the guide rails 42A1 and 45A1. The metal plate 42E is a strip-shaped plate that is slightly narrower than the guide rail 42A1 and curved in an arc, and is superimposed on the inner surface of almost the entire guide rail 45A1 and the inner surface of the left end of the guide rail 42A1. The lower end of the metal plate 42E is bent outward in a crank shape and has a locking piece 42E3 that protrudes downward from the outside of the entire metal plate 42E. The locking piece 42E3 is received in a slit 45A4 formed near the lower end of the guide rail 45A1.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner surface of the guide rail 45A1 has a recessed portion 45A2 where the lower part is slightly recessed compared to the upper part, and the aforementioned slit 45A4 is positioned near the lower end of the recessed portion 45A2. In addition, a pair of protrusions 45A3 are provided at two locations above the slit 45A4 within the recessed portion 45A2, and these protrusions have an inner surface that is on the extension of the inner surface of the part of the inner surface of the guide rail 45A1 above the recessed portion 45A2.

[0018] As shown in Figure 7(A), the upper end of the metal plate 42E extends diagonally upward, and its end portion is provided with a U-groove 42E1 and a locking piece 42E2 that protrudes diagonally upward to the right from the U-groove 42E1. The front part 42A is provided with a housing chamber 42A2 that covers the slit 42A3 from the outside, and the U-groove 42E1 of the metal plate 42 is housed in the housing chamber 42A2, with the tip of the locking piece 42E2 abutting against the inner surface of the housing chamber 42A2. The metal plate 42E is elastically deformed so that the U-groove 42E1 narrows the groove width. Furthermore, a pair of protrusions 42A4 and 42A5 inside the housing chamber 42A2 abut the base end and a position near the base end of the locking piece 42E2 from both sides, applying a load to the metal plate 42E so that it is pressed against the inner surface of the guide rail 42A1.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, a housing chamber 42A6 is provided at the right end of the front part 42A, ahead of the guide rail 42A1, and houses an elastomer cushioning member 11G that is screwed to the front of the base plate 41. As shown in Figure 7(B), the ball receiving surface 11G1 provided on the cushioning member 11G receives the game ball moving along the guide rail 42A1, absorbs the impact, and guides it downward. In addition, a pair of through holes 11G2 are formed near the ball receiving surface 11G1 of the cushioning member 11G to increase the elasticity of the cushioning member 11G.

[0020] The base plate 41 has a display window 11W formed within the game area R1, which allows the display screen 52G of the display device 52 at the rear of the game board 40 to be viewed. As shown in Figure 1, the display window 11W has an irregular shape with multiple bumps and grooves around its entire circumference and is positioned towards the upper part of the game area R1. Also, the upper part of the display window 11W is closer to the guide rail 42A1 on the right side than on the left side.

[0021] The front opening edge of the display window 11W is covered from the front by the front components 32A, 43A, and 44A shown in Figure 8. Note that in Figure 8, front component 32A is shown overlapping the front of the base plate 41, while front components 43A and 44A are shown separated from the base plate 41.

[0022] The front component 43A has an overall arched shape that bulges upward and includes a cover plate portion 43A9 that is superimposed on the front of the base plate 41, and a guide rail 43A1, an opening surrounding wall 43A2, flow path restricting walls 43A3, 43A4, etc. that protrude forward from the cover plate portion 43A9. The opening surrounding wall 43A2 is positioned over the entire upper part of the opening edge of the display window 11W and the upper part of the left side, preventing game balls from entering the display window 11W.

[0023] As shown in Figure 7(B), the opening enclosure wall 43A2 is bent downward in a crank shape near its right end to match the outer edge shape of the display window 11W, and the upper end of the bent portion 43A7 is positioned opposite the lower end of the ball receiving surface 11G1 of the aforementioned buffer member 11G with a gap of one game ball's width (hereinafter referred to as "the gap of one game ball"). Furthermore, a cover plate portion 43A9 protrudes outward from the portion of the opening enclosure wall 43A2 that is further forward than the bent portion 43A7, and a flow path restricting wall 43A3 protrudes from its outer edge, covering the aforementioned buffer member 11G and the containment chamber 42A6 from below, and the bent portion 43A7 of the opening enclosure wall 43A2 and the portion further forward from it are positioned opposite each other with a gap of one game ball's width, forming a passage for game balls. Furthermore, on the opposing surfaces of the opening enclosure wall 43A2 and the flow path restricting wall 43A3, multiple protrusions 43A8 extending in the front-rear direction are formed in a staggered arrangement.

[0024] As shown in Figure 11, the opening enclosure wall 43A2 faces the guide rail 42A1 with a gap of one game ball width between it and the guide rail 42A1 from the bent section 43A7 to the top. Also, as shown in Figure 8, the left side of the top of the opening enclosure wall 43A2 gradually moves away from the guide rail 42A1 as it moves to the left, and the left end extends in the vertical direction. The top of the opening enclosure wall 43A2 is slightly offset to the right of the top of the guide rail 42A1.

[0025] A cover plate portion 43A9 extends from the left side of the top of the opening enclosure wall 43A2 toward the guide rail 42A1. The outer edge of the cover plate portion 43A9 is in the shape of an arc, extending parallel to the guide rail 42A1 with a gap of one game ball's width between them, and the aforementioned guide rail 43A1 is located on the extension of the left end of the outer edge. The guide rail 43A1 is in the shape of an arc and extends in the vertical direction. Furthermore, an extension portion 43A10 having an inner surface parallel to the vertical direction is integrally formed in the portion of the guide rail 43A1 below the upper end. The flow path regulating wall 43A4, which extends in the vertical direction, divides the space between the extension portion 43A10 and the left end of the opening enclosure wall 43A2 into two sections, left and right, forming two flow paths through which one game ball passes at a time. Furthermore, on the opposing surfaces of each of these two flow paths, multiple protrusions 43A8 are arranged in a staggered pattern, similar to the opposing surfaces of the aforementioned flow path restricting wall 43A3 and the right end of the opening enclosure wall 43A2.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the space between the upper end of guide rail 43A1 and guide rail 42A1 forms an entrance 11N for game balls into the game area R1, and a flexible piece 43C is attached to the upper end of guide rail 43A1 to restrict the return of game balls to the entrance 11N.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, a through hole 43A6 is formed in the cover plate portion 43A9, extending from the right side of the entrance 11N to the upper part of the flow path restricting wall 43A4, with the front surface of the base plate 41 exposed inside. The opening edge of the through hole 43A6 is also gently sloped. In addition, multiple (specifically three) flow restricting protrusions 43A5 protrude from the cover plate portion 43A9 above the through hole 43A6, and game balls flow down between the flow restricting protrusions 43A5 and between the flow restricting protrusions 43A5 and the opening surrounding wall 43A2.

[0028] As shown in Figure 8, the front component 44A comprises a stage portion 44A1 that overlaps the lower inner surface of the display window 11W, and a cover plate portion 44A9 that hangs down from its front end and overlaps the front surface of the base plate 41. The stage portion 44A1 has a downward-curving arc shape, and an introduction portion 44A3 of a pocket structure protrudes forward from the left end of the stage portion 44A1. Furthermore, an opening surrounding wall 44A2 extends from the right opening edge of the upper opening of the introduction portion 44A3 and is connected to the lower end of the aforementioned opening surrounding wall 43A2. Game balls that enter the introduction portion 44A3 roll on the stage portion 44A1 before being discharged forward.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, a horizontal section 44A4 is provided at the right end of the stage section 44A1, positioned at a height midway between the lowest and left ends of the stage section 44A1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, a gap is provided between the horizontal section 44A4 and the front component 32A into which game balls can fall. Game balls that fall into this gap pass through a rotating plate 44A5 that hangs down from the right end of the horizontal section 44A4 and whose upper end is rotatably supported, and then move downwards.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8, the front component 32A is positioned on the right side of the base plate 41 and has a cover plate portion 32A9 that is superimposed on the front of the base plate 41, and a front cover wall 32A8 that faces the cover plate portion 32A9 with a gap of the width of one game ball. The front component 32A covers the entire area to the right of the display window 11W below the right edge of the front components 42A and 43A on the front of the base plate 41, and the area below and to the right of the display window 11W, excluding the right edge of the lower edge of the base plate 41. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the base plate 41 has multiple through holes 32W in the portion covered by the front component 32A, and the rear component 32B, which is superimposed and fixed to the rear surface of the base plate 41, and the front component 32A are connected via the multiple through holes 32W to constitute the prize winning device 32. Furthermore, a flow path is formed through which the game balls meander as they flow down, formed by multiple forward protrusions 32B1 projecting forward from the rear component 32B and multiple protrusions 32A1 projecting forward from the cover plate portion 32A9 or projecting backward from the front cover wall 32A8 (see Figure 12).

[0031] Figure 11 shows the entire game board 40 with the front cover wall 32A8 and the member located at the same position in the front-to-back direction removed, and Figure 12 shows a magnified view of the area with the front cover wall 32A8 removed. As shown in Figure 12, one of the multiple protruding walls 32A1, the protruding wall 32A1 located on the left side, extends along the opening edge of the display window 11W, restricting the entry of game balls into the display window 11W. In addition, the right side and the part of the multiple protruding walls 32A1 located on the right side and near the right side of the front cover wall 32A8, and the lower end and the part located near the lower end, form the boundary between the right side and the lower right side of the game area R1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 12, the prize-winning device 32 is equipped with the following components in order from top to bottom: a start gate 70, a start prize-winning device 71, a first attacker 72, a regular prize-winning opening 74, a second attacker 75, and a regular prize-winning opening 76, as well as three out openings 79A, 79B, and 79C. The flow path within the prize-winning device 32 splits into three horizontal routes above the start gate 70, and the ball flows down the central route and passes through the start gate 70. The right route curves and merges with the central route after passing through the start gate 70, and the sliding plate 71B of the start prize-winning device 71 is positioned directly below the merging point. The sliding plate 71B slides back and forth, and when positioned at its front end, it guides the game ball to the start prize-winning opening 71A in the lower right.

[0033] Furthermore, game balls that pass through the starting prize entry opening 71A are collected in the downpipe 73 as prize balls. Also, an out opening 79A is located directly above the starting prize entry opening 71B, and game balls that enter it are collected in the downpipe 73 as out balls. The downpipe 73 extends vertically along the right side of the prize entry device 32, bends diagonally downward to the left near the lower end of the prize entry device 32, and guides the game balls into a through hole (not shown) that penetrates the base plate 41.

[0034] The left route, which passes to the left of the starting gate 70, extends straight vertically, passes the starting prize device 71, then bends diagonally to the right, sloping gently downwards below the starting prize device 71, and then bends to the left again at a position to the left of the upper part of the downflow trough 73, sloping gently downwards. This leftward-sloping downflow path is formed by the sliding plate 72B of the first attacker 72. The sliding plate 72B slides back and forth, and when the sliding plate 72B retracts, the game ball enters the large prize opening 72A. Furthermore, the downstream side after passing the large prize opening 72A is divided into a downflow path toward the V prize opening 72C and a downflow path toward the normal prize opening 72D, and a distribution member (not shown) operates to distribute the ball to either the V prize opening 72C or the normal prize opening 72D.

[0035] The flow path passes over the sliding plate 72B of the first attacker 72, then bends downwards and splits into three horizontal routes. The right route leads to the out opening 79B, and the central route leads to the regular prize opening 74. The left route extends downwards and to the left, and is formed by the sliding plate 75B of the second attacker 75. The sliding plate 75B also slides back and forth, and when the sliding plate 75B retracts, the game ball enters the large prize opening 75A.

[0036] After passing through the sliding plate 72B, the flow path bends downwards, and beyond that is the regular prize entry opening 76, with the out opening 79C located to its right.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9, a pair of engagement holes 200W for attaching the inspection plate 200 (described later) is provided side by side at the right end of the lower edge of the base plate 41 that is not covered by the front part 32A. The rear part 32B covers the right end of the lower edge of the base plate 41 from the rear, and the outer edge of the rear part 32B abuts against the rear surface of the base plate 41 so as not to block the pair of engagement holes 200W. The rear cover wall 32B8 provided on the rear part 32B is positioned opposite the rear surface of the base plate 41, including the opening of the pair of engagement holes 200W, with a gap between them (see Figure 30).

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the front component 31A has an arc-shaped guide rail 31A1 that extends vertically, and as shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the guide rail 31A1 is connected to the lower end of the guide rail 43A1 of the aforementioned front component 43A, and together with the guide rail 43A1, it forms the boundary of the left side of the game area R1.

[0039] An intermediate ball receiving projection 31A3 protrudes from the vertical middle of the inner surface of the guide rail 31A1, receiving the flowing game ball and guiding it downward to the right. Furthermore, a lower ball receiving projection 31A2 extends to the right from the portion of the inner surface of the guide rail 31A1 below the intermediate ball receiving projection 31A3. The lower ball receiving projection 31A2 comprises a plurality of transverse ribs extending to the right from the lower end of the guide rail 31A1, a curved rib extending downward along the guide rail 31A1 from below the intermediate ball receiving projection 31A3 and then extending to the lateral middle position of the aforementioned transverse ribs, and vertical ribs intersecting them. The right end surface of the lower ball receiving projection 31A2 is joined to the right side surface of the lower end of the aforementioned front part 32A, and the upper surface of the lower ball receiving projection 31A2 constitutes part of the boundary of the lower end of the game area R1.

[0040] Furthermore, a front cover wall 31A8 is provided in the area extending from the intermediate ball receiving portion 31A3 to the lateral intermediate portion of the lower ball receiving portion 31A2. The front cover wall 31A8 covers a part of the front surface of the lower ball receiving portion 31A2 and protrudes upward from the lower ball receiving portion 31A2, facing the front surface of the base plate 41 with a gap of one game ball's width between them.

[0041] As shown in Figure 10, a pair of through holes 31W are formed in the portion of the base plate 41 whose front surface is covered by the front cover wall 31A8. The rear component 31B and the front component 31A, which are fixed to the rear surface of the base plate 41, are connected via the pair of through holes 31W to form the prize winning device 31.

[0042] The prize-winning device 31 includes a plurality of ordinary prize-winning openings 13 and a plurality of out-out openings 16. The plurality of ordinary prize-winning openings 13 and one out-out opening 16 are formed by abutting a plurality of groove-shaped portions 31A7 included in a plurality of rear protruding walls 31A4 that project rearward from the front cover wall 31A8 with the front opening of one of a pair of through holes 31W.

[0043] Specifically, below the intermediate ball receiving section 31A3, a pair of groove-shaped sections 31A7 are provided side by side with a height difference. To the right of these, one groove-shaped section 31A7 is provided at a position one ball's width apart and one ball's width lower. To the right of this, another groove-shaped section 31A7 is provided at the same height and two ball's width apart, and each of these sections abuts against the front opening of the through hole 31W. The upper openings of the three groove-shaped sections 31A7, excluding the leftmost groove-shaped section 31A7, form three ordinary prize entry openings 13. The upper opening of the leftmost groove-shaped section 31A7 is an out opening 16. Hereafter, when distinguishing between the three ordinary prize entry openings 13, they will be referred to as "the first to third ordinary prize entry openings 13" in order from right to left.

[0044] Furthermore, a portion of the through hole 31W is open between the pair of groove-shaped sections 31A7, which form the first and second regular prize-winning openings 13, and this opening is an out-out opening 16. The game balls that flow down between the first and second regular prize-winning openings 13 are taken into this out-out opening 16. In addition, an out-out opening 16 is opened on the front surface of the base plate 41, approximately in the horizontal center of the game area R1 and at the lowest point in the vertical direction, near the right end of the lower ball-receiving section 31A2. Hereafter, when distinguishing between the three out-out openings 16 related to the prize-winning device 31, they will be referred to as "the first to third out-out openings 16" in order from right to left.

[0045] The second out-out opening 16 is located below the first and second regular prize-winning openings 13 and on the lower end ball receiving portion 31A2. The lower end ball receiving portion 31A2 has a pair of out-guides 16G formed thereon that guide the game ball to the first or second out-out opening 16. The out-guides 16G have a projection that extends from the lower end ball receiving portion 31A2 into the out-out opening 16 and are inclined downward toward the inside of the out-out opening 16.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, a through hole 14W is formed in the base plate 41 at a position sandwiched vertically between the first outlet 16 and the display window 11W. The prize winning device 33 is constructed by a front component 33A attached from the front to the opening edge of the through hole and a rear component (not shown) attached from the rear. The front component 33A forms a pocket-shaped starting prize winning opening 14.

[0047] As shown in Figure 16(A), the front component 33A has a trough-shaped projection 34 extending in the front-rear direction and a fixing plate portion 35 that protrudes laterally from a position closer to the axial center of the trough-shaped projection 34. The trough-shaped projection 34 has an opening 34K formed on its upper surface, and its width is large enough to receive one game ball. A pair of obstacle pins 34A are provided at the upper ends of both side walls of the trough-shaped projection 34, with a gap of less than a hemisphere of a game ball, and the opening 34K sandwiched between these obstacle pins 34A is the aforementioned starting prize entry opening 14. Also, as shown in Figure 16(B), the height of the trough-shaped projection 34 that protrudes from the front surface of the base plate 41 is approximately the same height as the front end of the head portion 34H of the obstacle pin 34A. The upper side wall of the trough-shaped projection 34 behind the fixing plate portion 35 is cut out in a stepped manner.

[0048] As shown in Figure 16(B), a guide rib 33H is laid at the bottom of the trough-shaped projection 34. The guide rib 33H is made up of two connected guide ribs: a guide rib 33H1 that extends from the front end to the middle of the trough-shaped projection 34, and a guide rib 33H2 that has a gentler slope than the guide rib 33H1.

[0049] The fixing plate portion 35 is roughly elliptical in shape, and its outer edge, excluding the upper edge, is provided with an inclined surface 33P. The lower edge of the inclined surface 33P has multiple curved portions 33K that are recessed toward the trough-shaped projection 34, and the front surface of these portions is a recessed surface 33L. A pair of screw holes 33M are formed in the flat surface of the fixing plate portion 35 surrounded by the inclined surfaces 33P. The front component 33A is fixed to the base plate 41 by screws inserted through these holes and fixing protrusions 33J extending from the back side of the fixing plate portion 35.

[0050] As shown in Figure 16(C), the front end of the trough-shaped projection 34 is closed by a disc-shaped decorative plate 36. The decorative plate 36 has a recessed portion 39 formed by stepping down the decorative plate 36, and an outer edge decorative portion 38 provided on the outer edge of the recessed portion 39. The recessed portion 39 is circular in shape, and its front surface is decorated with coloring or a seal. A triangular positioning projection 39A is provided at the lower end of the recessed portion 39.

[0051] Multiple decorative recesses 38A are arranged without gaps in the outer edge decorative portion 38. The decorative recesses 38A are groove-shaped, extending radially from the center of the decorative plate 36 and sloping downward toward the rear. In addition, the outer edges of the decorative recesses 38A facing the center of the decorative plate 36 are curved so as to bulge toward the center.

[0052] In this embodiment, the width of the decorative recess 38A is smaller than the head portion 34H of the obstruction nail 34A, and it has a three-dimensional shape that mimics a dent.

[0053] Thus, with the above configuration of the front part 33A, not only is it three-dimensional and ornate, but even if the game parts are accidentally damaged during maintenance of the nails, the decorative recess 38A and the damage will overlap, making the damage less noticeable.

[0054] Furthermore, by applying decorative recesses 38A around the entire circumference of the decorative plate 36, scratches will be less noticeable no matter where they occur. Applying this decoration to the front part 33A, which has a prize entry point that is easily visible to players and requires careful maintenance of the obstructing pins, will further enhance the effect of making scratches less noticeable. In addition, by providing curved parts 33K and recessed surfaces 33L on the fixing plate part 35, scratches on the fixing plate part 33D will also be less noticeable.

[0055] Although the outline of the outer edge decorative portion 38 was circular, the outer edge facing outwards from the decorative recess 38A may bulge outwards, for example, as shown in Figure 31(A). Also, although the side of the decorative recess 38A facing outwards was curved along the outer edge shape of the decorative plate 36, it may bulge outwards, as shown in Figure 31(A). Furthermore, although the decorative recesses 38 were arranged without gaps, they may be arranged intermittently, as shown in Figure 31(B). As shown in Figure 31(C), they may be of different sizes and widths, and decorative recesses 38A and 38B of different sizes may be arranged alternately, or they may be arranged irregularly. In addition, the shapes are not limited to recesses, but may also include convex shapes that bulge outwards.

[0056] In this embodiment, the decorative recess 38A was provided around the entire circumference of the outer edge decorative portion 38, but it may also be provided only in a part of it. It is more preferable that the decorative recess 38A is provided in the vicinity of the obstruction nail 34A within the outer edge decorative portion 38.

[0057] The rear component 31B of the award-winning device 31 includes several characteristic structures, so the rear component 31B will be described in detail below. As shown in Figure 17, the rear component 31B houses an impact sensor 90, multiple magnetic sensors 160A to 160C, multiple detection switches 180, a circuit board (not shown), etc., inside a resin housing 142.

[0058] The housing 142 has a lower edge that extends horizontally and a right edge that extends vertically, and the corner where these two edges intersect is superimposed on the lower left corner of the base plate 41 and screwed to the base plate 41, so that it is located behind the aforementioned front parts 31A and 42A. The housing 142 is also formed by assembling a plurality of sub-housings 142B (only one sub-housing 142B is shown in Figure 17) to the rear surface of the main housing 142A.

[0059] The housing 142 is provided with base surfaces 143 distributed across its entire front surface, which are in surface contact (or overlap without gaps) with the rear surface of the base plate 41, and the starting ends of multiple drainage troughs 144A to 144D protrude from these base surfaces 143. These drainage troughs 144A to 144D enter multiple through holes 31W in the base plate 41 and connect to multiple normal prize entry openings 13 and a third outlet opening 16 of the aforementioned front part 31A, guiding the game balls that enter the normal prize entry openings 13 and the third outlet opening 16 to the lower end of the base plate 41 and discharging them downwards.

[0060] Below the base plate 41, there is a recovery duct (not shown) which is part of the ball circulation system of the gaming hall, and it opens upwards. The game balls that are played into the gaming area R1 move to the rear side of the base plate 41 through either the winning slot or the out slot 16 and are taken into the recovery duct. Also, because the base plate 41 was previously made of plywood, the front and rear surfaces of the base plate 41, as well as the surface that is seamlessly superimposed on the front and rear surfaces of the base plate 41, such as the base surface 143 mentioned above, are sometimes called "plywood surfaces."

[0061] In the following, when distinguishing between the multiple drainage culverts 144A to 144D, they will be referred to as "the 1st to 4th drainage culverts 144A to 144D" from right to left, and the specific structures of the multiple drainage culverts 144A to 144D will be described.

[0062] As shown in Figure 17, the starting ends of the first and second drainage troughs 144A and 144B are shaped like vertically elongated rectangular parallelepipeds with the upper surface and approximately the upper half of the front surface open. In contrast, one of the pair of through holes 31W in the base plate 41 is concave, as shown in Figure 6, with both the left and right ends widening upwards from the center, and the starting ends of the first and second drainage troughs 144A and 144B are received at these left and right ends. The groove-shaped section 31A7 having the first and second normal entry openings 13 is connected to the openings in approximately the upper half of the front surfaces of the first and second drainage troughs 144A and 144B. The portion of the through hole 31W sandwiched between the first and second drainage troughs 144A and 144B in the left and right directions becomes the second outlet opening 16.

[0063] As shown in Figure 17, the starting ends of the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D are arranged adjacent to each other in a groove shape, with the third downpipe 144C positioned diagonally below the fourth downpipe 144D. In contrast, the remaining of the pair of through holes 31W has a shape that extends diagonally in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 6, and the starting ends of the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D are received at its lower end. The groove-shaped section 31A7 having the aforementioned third normal entry opening 13 is connected to the third downpipe 144C, and the groove-shaped section 31A7 having the third outlet opening 16 is connected to the fourth downpipe 144D.

[0064] Furthermore, a hood-shaped rear component (not shown) is attached separately from the rear component 31B to the rear side of the base plate 41 behind the first outlet 16, guiding the game balls that have been taken in by the first outlet 16 and moved to the rear of the base plate 41 to the recovery duct.

[0065] As shown in Figure 18, in addition to the multiple drainage channels 144A to 144D, a pair of indicator lights 147A and 147B, a sensor housing protrusion 146, and multiple positioning bosses 142P protrude from the base surface 143 of the housing 142.

[0066] Multiple positioning bosses 142P are fitted into positioning holes (not shown) drilled in the rear surface of the base plate 41, thereby positioning the housing 142 relative to the base plate 41.

[0067] A pair of indicator lights 147A and 147B protrude significantly forward from the multiple drainage troughs 144A to 144D. One indicator light 147A is positioned diagonally to the upper left of the fourth drainage trough 144D, passes through a through-hole 31W, and is received by an intermediate bulb receiving projection 31A3 of the front component 31A. The other indicator light 147B is positioned near the lower left corner of the front of the housing 142, passes through a through-hole 31V formed in the lower left corner of the base plate 41 as shown in Figure 10, and is received by a housing portion 45A7 of the front component 45A shown in Figure 11.

[0068] Furthermore, a circuit board on which multiple light-emitting elements (not shown) are mounted is stacked on the rear surface of the pair of indicator protrusions 147A and 147B, and multiple through holes 147C penetrate the pair of indicator protrusions 147A and 147B in the front-to-back direction, corresponding to the multiple light-emitting elements, as shown in Figure 18. In addition, the front surface of the intermediate ball receiving protrusion 31A3 and the housing portion 45A7 is an indicator section equipped with multiple lighting units (not shown) corresponding to the multiple through holes 147C, and the light from the multiple light-emitting elements is guided to the multiple lighting units by the multiple through holes 147C. Information related to the state of the gaming machine 10A is then communicated by the lighting status of the multiple lighting units.

[0069] As shown in Figure 18, the sensor housing projection 146 is rectangular in shape and is positioned to the upper left of one of the indicator projections 147A, and is received in the through hole 31W (see Figure 6). A magnetic sensor 160C (see Figure 19) is housed inside the sensor housing projection 146, and together with the magnetic sensors 160A and 160B described later, it detects the magnetism of the magnet used in the fraudulent activity.

[0070] Figure 19 shows the main housing 142A viewed from the rear after the sub-housing 142B and the like have been removed from the main housing 142. As shown in the figure, the aforementioned multiple detection switches 180 are provided to detect the passage of game balls through the first to third downpipes 144A to 144C, and the entry into the normal prize winning opening 13 is detected by these detections. The fourth downpipe 144D and the like, which guide game balls from the out opening 16, are not equipped with detection switches 180.

[0071] As shown in Figure 20(B), the detection switch 180 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its planar shape, viewed from the direction of flattening, is a rectangle with one corner chamfered in a straight line, where the longer side is approximately twice the length of the shorter side. Hereinafter, in the detection switch 180, the direction of flattening will be referred to as the thickness direction J3, the direction of the longer side of the rectangle with the above-mentioned planar shape will be referred to as the vertical direction J1, and the direction of the shorter side will be referred to as the horizontal direction J2. Furthermore, as described above, the chamfered side will be referred to as the tip side and the opposite side as the base side. In addition, the surface of the detection switch 180 facing the tip side will be referred to as the tip surface 180F, the surface facing the base side will be referred to as the base surface 180E, the surfaces facing one and the other in the thickness direction J3 will be referred to as a pair of main planes, the surfaces facing one and the other in the horizontal direction J2 will be referred to as a pair of side surfaces 180S, and the chamfered surface will be referred to as the chamfered surface 180N.

[0072] The detection switch 180 is provided with a detection hole 180R that penetrates in the thickness direction J3 at the tip side in the vertical direction J1. The detection hole 180R is circular in shape with an inner diameter just large enough for a game ball to pass through. The detection switch 180 also has a coil (not shown) built in that surrounds the detection hole 180R, and the passage of the game ball is detected based on the change in the inductance of the coil when the magnetic game ball passes through the detection hole 180R. In the detection switch 180 of this embodiment, the upper side shown in Figure 20(B) is the entrance to the detection hole 180R, and the passage of the game ball is detected when the game ball passes through the detection hole 180R shown in Figure 20(B) from top to bottom.

[0073] A connector socket 180M is provided on the base end face 180E of the detection switch 180, into which the connector 191 (see Figure 21) at the end of the cable 190 included in the harness of the gaming machine body 30A is inserted. The connector socket 180M is a long rectangle in the lateral direction J2, positioned in the center of the lateral direction J2 on the base end face 180E, and also positioned towards one end in the thickness direction J3 (the bottom side in Figure 20(B)). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 21, when the connector 191 is inserted into the detection switch 180, it protrudes slightly from the connector socket 180M.

[0074] Furthermore, a pair of rectangular grooves 180U are formed on one of the side surfaces 180S of the detection switch 180, extending in the thickness direction J3 approximately in the center of the longitudinal direction.

[0075] As shown in Figure 19, the detection switch 180 is assembled in the same manner in the first and second downpipes 144A and 144B. That is, in each downpipe 144A and 144B, the detection switch 180 is assembled such that the entrance of the detection hole 180R faces forward, the lateral direction J2 is positioned parallel to the lateral direction of the main housing 142A, the thickness direction J3 is slightly inclined with respect to the front-to-back direction of the main housing 142A, and the vertical direction J1 is slightly inclined with respect to the up-and-down direction, with the detection hole 180R located at the lower end of the detection switch 180.

[0076] Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, as previously described, the starting ends of the first and second downpipes 144A and 144B that protrude from the base surface 143 have a shape in which the top surface and approximately the upper half of the front surface of a vertically elongated rectangular parallelepiped are open. Therefore, if we refer to the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds that are the starting ends of the first and second downpipes 144A and 144B as "a pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X", then this pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X extends to the rear of the base surface 143. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, the pair of side walls on the far side of the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X are cut diagonally in the vertical direction on the rear surface of the main housing 142A to form a rearward inclined surface 144S. In addition, on the inner surface of the pair of side walls on the close side of the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X, a positioning step surface (not shown) is formed flush with the rearward inclined surface 144S.

[0077] As shown in Figure 21, the detection switch 180 is positioned at the rear of the rectangular parallelepiped 144X with the detection hole 180R facing downwards and the chamfered surface 180N facing to the right in Figure 21, with one main plane in contact with the rearward inclined surface 144S and the positioning step surface, and the tip surface 180F in contact with the positioning protrusions 177A and 177B that protrude from the bottom wall 177 of the rectangular parallelepiped 144X, and is positioned from below.

[0078] Furthermore, the positioning protrusion 177B is provided with a sloped surface 177C that is inclined in the vertical and horizontal directions so as to abut against or be adjacent to the chamfered surface 180N. The sloped surface 177C overlapping with the chamfered surface 180N restricts the entrance of the detection hole 180R of the detection switch 180 so that it faces forward. As a result, the connector insertion port 180M is positioned on the rear side of the base end surface 180E.

[0079] As shown in Figure 17, behind the base surface 143, a bridging section 173 is placed between the upper parts of a pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X, and the upper surfaces of the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X are closed by the upper wall 181 of the bridging section 173. Then, as shown in Figure 19, the detection switch 180 is positioned laterally on the main housing 142A by being sandwiched from the side by a pair of side hanging walls 178A that hang down from both the left and right ends of the upper wall 181, a pair of side projections 178B that protrude from the rear surface of the main housing 142A below the pair of side hanging walls 178A, and the side walls of the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X that are close to each other.

[0080] As shown in Figure 21, a pair of positioning protrusions 181A hang down from the upper surface of the upper wall 181 into each rectangular parallelepiped 144X, and these abut against the base end surface 180E of the detection switch 180, thereby positioning the detection switch 180 from above. In detail, the pair of positioning protrusions 181A have a ridge shape extending in the front-rear direction, and the lower ends of the rear of the pair of positioning protrusions 181A abut against the left and right opening edges of the connector insertion port 180M on the base end surface 180E of the detection switch 180. In addition, the upper wall 181 is recessed in a rectangular groove shape between the pair of positioning protrusions 181A, forming an upper recessed wall 181D.

[0081] Furthermore, the rear end of the upper recessed wall 181D is cut in a rectangular shape, leaving both ends in the width direction, to form a cable outlet 181K, and the rear opening of the cable outlet 181K is closed by the sub-housing 142B. Then, as shown in Figure 21, the portions of the upper recessed wall 181D remaining on both sides of the cable outlet 181K form a pair of connector retaining portions 182 that face the rear edge of the connector 191 from above, restricting the detachment of the connector 191 from the connector insertion port 180M, and the cable 190 is pulled out diagonally upward and rearward through the cable outlet 181K. As mentioned above, the connector socket 180M is located on the rear side of the base end face 180E of the detection switch 180. Therefore, the portion of the upper recessed wall 181D that is in front of the cable outlet 181K and the connector 191 that is inserted into the connector socket 180M of the detection switch 180 and protrudes from the base end face 180E are positioned opposite each other in the vertical direction.

[0082] Furthermore, if the detection switch 180 is assembled in reverse, the connector socket 180M of the detection switch 180 will be positioned on the front side of the base end face 180E. This causes interference between the portion of the upper recessed wall 181D in front of the cable outlet 181K and the connector 191 that is inserted into the connector socket 180M and protrudes from the base end face 180E, making it impossible to assemble the detection switch 180 to the first and second drainage troughs 144A and 144B. This allows for detection of incorrect assembly of the detection switch 180. Incorrect assembly can also be detected if the cable 190 interferes with the opening edge of the cable outlet 181K.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 17, the sub-housing 142B is provided with a pair of end box sections 144Y that form the ends of the first and second downpipes 144A and 144B. These end box sections 144Y have a front opening facing the detection hole 180R of the detection switch 180 and a bottom opening, guiding the game balls that have passed through the detection hole 180R to the aforementioned recovery duct (not shown) below the base plate 41. The front surface of the end box section 144Y is a front inclined surface 144U parallel to the rear inclined surface 144S of the rectangular parallelepiped 144X. The front inclined surface 144U extends above the front opening of the end box section 144Y and is aligned with the main plane behind the detection switch 180. In other words, when the sub-housing 142B is attached to the main housing 142A, the detection switch 180 is fixed between the rear inclined surface 144S and the front inclined surface 144U.

[0084] As shown in Figure 19, below the bridging section 173 between a pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X (i.e., above the second out opening 16), there is an inclined wall 16S that slopes downward toward the rear. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 17 and 27, between a pair of end box sections 144Y of the sub-housing 142B, there is a hood section 144F that opens forward and downward. These inclined wall 16S and hood section 144F guide the game balls that enter the first out opening 16 to the recovery duct below the base plate 41.

[0085] As shown in Figure 19, the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D merge partway, and a detection switch 180 is incorporated into a switch housing 171 located just before the merging point. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, the rear side of the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D from the base surface 143 is a pair of box sections 145C and 145D, with the rear side closed by a sub-housing 142B and the front side open.

[0086] As shown in Figure 19, the pair of box sections 145C and 145D are offset vertically, similar to the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D, and share a portion of their side walls. The shared side wall forms a partition wall 150 from near the upper end of the box section 145C (hereinafter referred to as the "lower box section 145C") located behind the third downpipe 144C, then bends towards the box section 145D (hereinafter referred to as the "upper box section 145D") located behind the fourth downpipe 144D, then extends diagonally downward, bends horizontally towards the upper box section 145D at the lower end of the lower box section 145C, and then bends further vertically downward to a position below the lower box section 145C.

[0087] The side wall of the upper box section 145D that is away from the lower box section 145C bends and curves from an intermediate position in the vertical direction, with the lower part becoming a gutter side wall 149, so that the distance between it and the partition wall 150 is the width of one game ball, and extends to a position below the lower end of the partition wall 150.

[0088] As shown in Figure 22, the bottom wall 145C1 of the lower box section 145C is abutted against the vertically extending portion of the partition wall 150 with a gap of the width of one game ball. Below the bottom wall 145C1, the upper wall 91A of the impact sensor housing chamber 91 is positioned with a gap equal to the thickness of the detection switch 180. One lateral end of the upper wall 91A is positioned with a gap of the width of one game ball relative to the vertically extending portion of the partition wall 150, and from there the gutter side wall 151 (see Figure 19), which is also the side wall of the impact sensor housing chamber 91, hangs down. Furthermore, the flow path inside these gutter side walls 149 and 151 is covered at the rear by a sub-housing 142B and covered by a base wall 143W, etc., which has a base surface 143 at the front.

[0089] Due to the above structure, the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D merge below the partition wall 150. A detection switch 180 is incorporated between the bottom wall 145C1 of the lower box section 145C, which is just before the merging point, and the upper wall 91A of the impact sensor housing chamber 91.

[0090] Specifically, as shown in Figure 19, with the sub-housing 142B detached from the main housing 142A, the detection switch 180 is inserted between the bottom wall 145C1 and the top wall 91A of the lower box portion 145C, as shown in Figure 22, with its thickness direction J3 oriented vertically and its tip surface 180F overlapping the partition wall 150 so that the entrance to the detection hole 180R faces upward. A pair of protrusions 150A are provided at the lower end and near the lower end of the partition wall 150, and the tip of the detection switch 180 is sandwiched between these protrusions 150A from above and below. The chamfered surface 180N is located on the sub-housing 142B side (see Figure 19), and the connector insertion port 180M is located on the lower side of the base end surface 180E. The sub-housing 142B is provided with a projection 142B1 (see Figure 17) having a slope that precisely overlaps with the chamfered surface 180N. If the detection switch 180 is installed upside down, the sub-housing 142B will interfere with the detection switch 180, causing the assembler to realize that the detection switch 180 is installed upside down.

[0091] As shown in Figure 22, a position-retaining portion 174 is provided on the lower surface of the lower box portion 145C, away from the partition wall 150. The stepped surface of the position-retaining portion 174 facing the partition wall 150 is superimposed on the upper edge of the base end surface 180E of the detection switch 180. Furthermore, a connector retention portion 175 protrudes from the lower surface of the position-retaining portion 174, away from the stepped surface, and faces the upper edge of the connector 191, restricting the detachment of the connector 191 from the connector insertion port 180M. The cable 190 then passes below the connector retention portion 175 and extends to the outside of the housing 142. As mentioned above, the connector socket 180M is located on the lower side of the base end face 180E of the detection switch 180. Therefore, the connector 191, which is inserted into the connector socket 180M of the detection switch 180 and protrudes from the base end face 180E, is positioned below the positioning protrusion 174.

[0092] As described above, in the prize-winning device 31, multiple detection switches 180 are assembled in the housing 142 and held in place with the connectors 191 secured, thus preventing malfunctions such as the connectors 191 accidentally coming loose from the detection switches 180. Prize-winning devices 32 and 33 are also equipped with similar detection switches 180, which are also held in place with the connectors 191 secured in the housings of the prize-winning devices 32 and 33.

[0093] Furthermore, if the detection switch 180 is installed upside down, the connector socket 180M of the detection switch 180 will be positioned on the upper side of the base end face 180E. As a result, the connector 191, which is inserted into the connector socket 180M and protrudes from the base end face 180E, will interfere with the positioning protrusion 174. This prevents the upper edge of the base end face 180E of the detection switch 180 from being aligned with the stepped surface of the positioning protrusion 174 that faces the partition wall 150. This allows for detection of incorrect assembly of the detection switch 180. Incorrect assembly can also be detected if the cable 190 interferes with the connector retaining portion 175.

[0094] As shown in Figure 17, the aforementioned magnetic sensors 160A and 160B differ in size, but both have a shape similar to the detection switch 180 but without the detection hole 180R. As shown in Figure 20(A), they have a chamfered surface 160N on the tip side and a connector insertion port 160M in the center of the base end surface 160E. In contrast to these, as shown in Figure 17, the upper left end of the housing 142 and its lower right adjacent side are provided with housing-shaped sensor housings 142A1 and 142A2, which are covered on the front by a base wall 143W and open on the rear. As shown in Figure 19, the magnetic sensors 160A and 160B are housed in the sensor housings 142A1 and 142A2 with their main planes superimposed on the rear surface of the base wall 143W, and are prevented from coming loose by an elastic engaging piece 163.

[0095] Specifically, the upper sensor housing 142A1 houses the smaller magnetic sensor 160A, and is provided with a rib protruding rearward from the base wall 143W as a side wall 162, the inside of which the side wall 162 has substantially the same planar shape as the magnetic sensor 160A.

[0096] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, a recessed portion 162D is formed on the inner surface of the side wall 162 at a position opposite the lateral center of the base end face 160E of the magnetic sensor 160A, and a connector 191 connected to the connector insertion port 160M of the magnetic sensor 160A is received there. The recessed portion 162D is located at the bottom of the sensor housing portion 142A1. Furthermore, the lateral center of the recessed portion 162D is cut out to form a cable outlet 162K through which the cable 190 passes, and on both sides of the cable outlet 162K there is a pair of connector retention portions 165 that face the rear surface of the connector 191, preventing the connector 191 from detaching from the connector insertion port 160M.

[0097] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 24, a portion of the side wall 162 is separated from the base wall 143W in a cantilevered shape and extended to be higher than the side wall 162, with a locking projection 163T provided at its tip, forming the aforementioned elastic engaging piece 163. The locking projection 163T is then superimposed on the main plane on the rear side of the magnetic sensor 160A, preventing the magnetic sensor 160A from coming out of the sensor housing 142A1.

[0098] As shown in Figure 19, the lower sensor housing 142A2 houses the larger magnetic sensor 160B. It has elastic engaging pieces 163 at two locations on the side wall 162, with ribs protruding rearward from the base wall 143W. As shown in Figure 23, the side wall 162 is cut out in a way that exposes the entire connector insertion opening 160M, forming a cable outlet 162K. The other difference is that the shape is almost identical. The cable outlet 162K is located at the top of the sensor housing 142A2, and a projection-shaped connector retaining portion 170 protrudes rearward from the base wall 143W above the cable outlet 162K. The connector retaining portion 170 faces one side of the rear surface of the connector 191 of the magnetic sensor 160B, preventing the connector 191 from coming loose. Furthermore, the cable 190 extends upward, passing to the side of the connector retaining portion 170.

[0099] As described above, in the award-winning device 31, the magnetic sensors 160A and 160B are also held in the housing 142 with their connectors 191 secured, similar to the detection switch 180, thus preventing malfunctions such as the connectors 191 accidentally coming loose.

[0100] As shown in Figure 20(C), the impact sensor 90 has a T-shape when viewed from the front or rear, and has a pair of parallel T-shaped main planes 90T on the front and rear. In addition, the letter "B" is indented into the vertical side of the T-shape on the rear main plane 90T, and as shown in Figure 17, the letter "A" is indented into the vertical side of the T-shape on the front main plane 90T.

[0101] A pair of U-shaped receiving grooves 114 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal elongated portion 96A of the impact sensor 90, which corresponds to the horizontal side of the T-shape. The receiving grooves 114 extend in the front-to-back direction from the center in the vertical direction of the horizontal elongated portion 96A and open to a pair of main planes 90T and the side surface 90S of the horizontal elongated portion 96A. In addition, a partition wall 115 is provided in the middle of each receiving groove 114 in the front-to-back direction, and a U-shaped mounting groove 115M is formed in the partition wall 115. Furthermore, within the receiving groove 114, the inner surface of the U-shape of the rear receiving portion 114E is generally located inward from the inner surface of the U-shape of the front receiving portion 114F, which is in front of the partition wall 115, and the inner surface of the U-shape of the mounting groove 115M is located even further inward.

[0102] Furthermore, a connector socket 90M is provided at the rear of the center of the upper surface of the elongated section 96A, to which a connector 191 is connected, similar to the detection switch 180.

[0103] Furthermore, the corners where the pair of side surfaces 90S and the top surface 90J of the horizontal section 96A intersect, and the corners where the pair of side surfaces 90S and the bottom surface 90K intersect, are each chamfered to form an arc-shaped surface 90E. In addition, the entire outer edge of the bottom surface 90L of the hanging section 96B, which corresponds to the vertical side of the T-shape of the impact sensor 90, is also provided with an arc-shaped surface 90E due to chamfering, and the corners of both side surfaces 90N and the pair of main planes 90T of the hanging section 96B are also chamfered to form an arc-shaped surface 90E.

[0104] As shown in Figure 25(A), the impact sensor 90 is housed in the aforementioned impact sensor housing chamber 91. The impact sensor housing chamber 91 is sandwiched from the left and right by the gutter side wall 144Z, which is the side wall of the second gutter 144B on the third gutter 144C side, and the gutter side wall 151 after the confluence of the third and fourth gutter 144C and 144D. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 25(B), the impact sensor housing chamber 91 is covered from above by the aforementioned upper wall 91A, which is bent from the upper end of the gutter side wall 151, and a part of the base wall 143W. In addition, the space between the upper wall 91A and the gutter side wall 144Z is a cable insertion hole 91B for pulling the cable 190 of the impact sensor 90 out of the impact sensor housing chamber 91.

[0105] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 18, the base wall 143W has a portion that is surrounded on three sides by the gutter side wall 151, the gutter side wall 144Z, and the upper wall 91A, which is then cut away. The sensor support wall 103 hangs down from the lower surface of the upper wall 91A to close off the cut-out portion. As shown in Figure 26(A), the sensor support wall 103 hangs down from a position slightly behind the base surface 143 on the lower surfaces of the upper wall 91A and the base wall 143W, and is formed to be thinner than the base wall 143W.

[0106] The right side of the sensor support wall 103 is flush with the inner surface of the notch 144V between the gutter side wall 144Z and the base wall 143W and extends vertically downward. The left side of the sensor support wall 103 is cut inwards towards the right side at its base end, making the width of the base end of the sensor support wall 103 narrower than its overall width. The overall width of the sensor support wall 103 is slightly smaller than the width of the elongated portion 96A of the impact sensor 90. As shown in Figure 25(B), a pair of support columns 108 protrude rearward from the center in the vertical direction at both ends. The pair of support columns 108 have a circular cross-section, and parts of them protrude slightly laterally from both sides of the sensor support wall 103. The width of the sensor support wall 103, including the tips of these protruding portions, is approximately the same as the width of the elongated portion 96A of the impact sensor 90. Each pair of support columns 108 has three protrusions 108T on its circumferential surface: two at the top and bottom, and one in between on the side where the pair of support columns 108 face each other. These protrusions 108T have a semicircular cross-section and extend in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, each support column 108 has a mounting hole 108N. The sensor support wall 103 is configured such that its front end, except for the upper end, does not come into contact with the inner surface of the impact sensor housing chamber 91.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 25(A), below the sensor support wall 103, a portion of the base wall 143W is provided as a rectangular base surface 143V that is narrower than the sensor support wall 103. The base surface 143V and the ribs protruding behind it form a housing portion 143U with an open top and rear surface, and the inside of the housing portion 143U also serves as the impact sensor housing chamber 91. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26(A), the rear surface of the impact sensor housing chamber 91 is covered by a sub-housing 142B.

[0108] As shown in Figure 26(B), the impact sensor 90 has a pair of support columns 108 that are received by a pair of receiving grooves 114. Screws 116 are passed from the rear through mounting grooves 115M in the partition wall 115 and screwed into mounting holes 108N in the support columns 108. The partition wall 115 is sandwiched between the head portion 116H of the screws 116 and the support columns 108, fixing the impact sensor 90 to the sensor support wall 103. The hanging portion 96B of the impact sensor 90 is also received by the housing portion 143U. In this state, the entire impact sensor 90 is held in a floating state, suspended from all members except the pair of support columns 108, including the protrusions 108T, as shown in Figure 26(A).

[0109] Since the entire impact sensor 90 is suspended from all components except for the pair of support columns 108, including the protrusion 108T, vibrations from game balls rolling in the drainpipe and moving parts are blocked, allowing only impacts caused by fraudulent activity to be detected.

[0110] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 25, by providing the sensor support wall 103 in a cantilever structure, vibrations from the game balls rolling in the downspout and the moving parts are less likely to be transmitted. In addition, vibration transmission can be suppressed by making the support wall 103 cover only a portion of the horizontally elongated part 96A of the impact sensor 90.

[0111] By providing a support wall 103 on the base wall 143W facing forward of the gaming machine 10A, it becomes easier to detect impacts that have been illegally applied to the glass window 9W, etc. Furthermore, by providing a notch 144V in the support wall 103 to narrow the width of the base end, vibrations from the game balls are reduced, but the machine becomes more susceptible to vibrations from impacts from the front, making it easier to detect impacts caused by illegal activities.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26(A), the support wall 103 is thinner than the base wall 143W, making it more susceptible to vibration, thus enabling more accurate detection of impacts caused by fraudulent activity.

[0113] Furthermore, this configuration suppresses false detection of vibrations from game balls, etc., allowing the impact sensor 90 to be placed even in areas facing the game ball aisle, thus enabling effective use of previously dead space.

[0114] As shown in Figure 18, the housing 142 has a cleaning hole 139 that allows the inner surface of the flow path inside the housing 142 to be cleaned without removing the sub-housing 142B from the main housing 142A. The cleaning hole 139 is located, for example, at the confluence of the flow paths of the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D. Specifically, as mentioned above and shown in Figure 19, the flow paths in the third and fourth downpipes 144C and 144D are separated by a partition wall 150 partway and then merge below the partition wall 150. Below the partition wall 150, an inclined plate 138 is placed between the downpipe side walls 149 and 151, which is inclined downwards to catch the game balls flowing down on both sides of the partition wall 150 and guide them diagonally backward. Furthermore, a sloping section 149A is provided on the gutter side wall 149 at a position adjacent to the inclined plate 138, which is inclined laterally to guide the game ball towards the inclined plate 138. The front ends of the inclined plate 138 and the sloping section 149A are located on the rear surface of the base wall 143W.

[0115] As shown in Figure 15, a hanging wall 138T hangs vertically downward from the lower end of the inclined plate 138, and a sub-housing 142B faces the hanging wall 138T from the rear, with a gap of about the width of one game ball between them. The game balls then flow down between the hanging wall 138T and the sub-housing 142B and are taken into the recovery duct below.

[0116] As shown in Figures 15 and 19, the cleaning hole 139 is formed by cutting out a strip-shaped region from the base wall 143W along the intersection line between the rear surface of the base wall 143W and the upper surfaces of the front ends of the inclined plate 138 and the inclined portion 149A. The inner surface of the cleaning hole 139 is connected to the upper surfaces of the inclined plate 138 and the inclined portion 149A without any steps. The width of the cleaning hole 139 is large enough to allow the head of a cotton swab to pass through (in this embodiment, it is smaller than a hemisphere of a game ball, for example, about 3 to 5 mm).

[0117] Furthermore, since the cleaning hole 139 is formed in the base wall 143W which overlaps with the rear surface of the base plate 41, when the housing 142 is assembled to the base plate 41, the cleaning hole 139 is covered by the base plate 41, as shown in Figure 15.

[0118] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the prize-winning device 32 also has a cleaning hole 78 similar to the cleaning hole 139 of the prize-winning device 31 described above. The cleaning hole 78 penetrates the cover plate portion 32A9 of the front part 32A of the prize-winning device 32, which is superimposed on the front surface of the base plate 41. Specifically, of the drainage trough 73 of the prize-winning device 32, which extends vertically and then bends diagonally downward to the left, the strip-shaped region above the intersection line between the lower surface of the portion extending diagonally downward to the left and the cover plate portion 32A9 is cut out from the cover plate portion 32A9 (see Figure 14(A)).

[0119] In addition, similar to the cleaning hole 139, when the cleaning hole 78 is assembled to the base plate 41, the cleaning hole 78 will be covered by the base plate 41, as shown in Figure 14(A).

[0120] As described above, in this embodiment, the gaming machine 10A has cleaning holes 78 and 139 formed in at least one of the multiple surrounding walls that make up the drainage trough 73 and the drainage troughs 144C and 144D (specifically, the cover plate portion 39A2 and the base wall 143W) for cleaning the inner surface of the surrounding wall. This allows cleaning tools to be inserted into the cleaning holes 78 and 139 to clean the drainage path, making it possible to clean the drainage path inside the surrounding wall more efficiently than in the conventional method. Furthermore, the inner surface of the drainage path inside the housing 142 can be cleaned without removing the sub-housing 142B from the main housing 142A, thus reducing the time required for cleaning.

[0121] In this configuration, among the multiple surrounding walls, the lower surrounding wall, whose inner surface faces upward or diagonally upward and over which the game balls roll, is prone to dirt accumulation. In this embodiment, cleaning holes 78 and 139 are formed in the cover plate portion 32A9 and the base wall 143W, which are the front or rear surrounding walls that face each other in the front-rear direction, sandwiching the inner surface of the lower surrounding wall. This allows for efficient cleaning of the lower surrounding wall (the rolling surface of the drainpipe 73 that extends diagonally downward and the upper surface of the inclined plate 138), which is prone to dirt accumulation. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the cleaning holes 78 and 139 are connected to the upper surface of the lower surrounding wall without any steps, making cleaning easier. Furthermore, the width of the cleaning holes 78 and 139 is such that a cleaning tool (specifically, the head of a cotton swab) can pass through, and the width is less than a hemisphere of a game ball (in other words, the cleaning holes 78 and 139 are located in a range of less than a hemisphere of a game ball from the upper surface of the lower surrounding wall of the front or rear surrounding wall, where the game ball does not come into contact), allowing for smooth cleaning and minimizing interference with the flow of the game balls. In addition, since the front part 32A with the cleaning hole 78 and the rear part 31B with the cleaning hole 139 are made of transparent resin, dirt is easily visible from the outside and easy to clean.

[0122] As shown in Figure 14(A), when the front component 32A, which has a cleaning hole 78, is assembled to the game board 40, the cleaning hole 78 is covered by the front surface of the base plate 41, thus preventing dust and other debris from entering from the outside. Similarly, as shown in Figure 15, the cleaning hole 139 of the rear component 31B, which has a cleaning hole 139, is covered by the rear surface of the base plate 41.

[0123] In this embodiment, the cleaning holes 78 and 139 were elongated, but they may also be circular or irregularly shaped. Furthermore, the cleaning holes may extend in the direction of flow of the drainpipe, or they may extend in a direction intersecting the direction of flow.

[0124] In this embodiment, the cleaning holes 78,139 were formed in only one of the multiple surrounding walls, but they may also be formed across two surrounding walls. For example, as shown in Figure 14(B), the cleaning hole 78V may be formed across the front surrounding wall and the lower surrounding wall.

[0125] Furthermore, the cleaning hole is not limited to the front or rear surrounding wall, but may be formed in either surrounding wall. For example, as shown in Figure 14(C), the cleaning hole 78W may be formed in the lower surrounding wall. Also, the cleaning hole does not need to be covered when assembled with other parts.

[0126] In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the cleaning holes 78 and 139 were connected to the upper surface of the surrounding wall, which is the rolling surface, without any steps between them. However, steps may be provided between the inner surface of the cleaning hole and the upper surface of the surrounding wall, which is the rolling surface.

[0127] In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the cleaning holes 78 and 139 were perpendicular to the base wall 143W and the cover plate portion 32A9, but for example, the inner surface of the cleaning hole 139 may be an inclined surface continuous with the upper surface of the inclined plate 138.

[0128] The aforementioned inspection plate 200 shown in Figure 9 is a molded resin product and is integrally provided with a pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 on its rear surface. More specifically, as shown in Figure 28(A), the inspection plate 200 is a flat plate with a horizontally elongated rectangle shape, the upper corner of which is cut out, and a pair of inclined sides 200A that are inclined in the vertical and horizontal directions, with a ridge 201 projecting forward from its outer edge. Here, a pair of discontinued sections 201E are provided in the middle of the vertical direction of the pair of vertical sides that are opposite each other in the horizontal direction, and the ridge 201 is not formed thereon. The upper ends of the pair of discontinued sections 201E are positioned at the lower ends of the pair of inclined sides 200A. Furthermore, no ridge 201 is formed on the lower edge of the inspection plate 200.

[0129] The portion of the front of the inspection plate 200 enclosed by the protrusions 201 forms the sticker attachment area 200S, where a sticker (not shown) is affixed. The sticker is, for example, a seal issued by a management organization for various gaming machines, and certifies that it conforms to the management organization's inspection. The sticker contains information such as the serial number, manufacturer name, year of manufacture, and management number assigned by the management organization for the gaming machine 10A.

[0130] As shown in Figure 28(B), a pair of groove-shaped cutouts 202 extending laterally are provided on the rear surface of the inspection plate 200. The cutouts 202 have a triangular cross-section (see Figure 30) and are formed to the ends of the inspection plate 200 in the lateral direction. Furthermore, the ends of the upper of the pair of cutouts 202 are adjacent to the lower ends of the pair of hypotenuses 200A. In addition, the aforementioned pair of discontinuing sections 201E are positioned on the outer edge of the inspection plate 200, sandwiched between the pair of cutouts 202 (see Figure 29(A)).

[0131] The aforementioned pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 are arranged side-by-side between a pair of weight-reducing sections 202 on the rear surface of the inspection plate 200. As shown in Figure 29(B), each elastic engaging piece 210 is a horizontally flattened strip-shaped plate that extends cantilevered from the rear surface of the inspection plate 200, and its tip is provided with an engaging projection 211 on the side facing outward in the horizontal direction. The engaging projection 211 has a wedge shape, with the amount of protrusion from the elastic engaging piece 210 gradually increasing as it extends forward. In addition, both side edges in the width direction of the elastic engaging piece 210 are provided with thickened sections 210A, which become thinner towards the tip. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28(B), a hemispherical positioning engaging projection 203 is formed protruding from the rear surface of the inspection plate 200, on the side opposite to the pair of elastic engaging pieces 210, with the lower weight-reducing section 202 in between. A pair of positioning engagement protrusions 203 are provided and, like the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210, are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the calibration plate 200.

[0132] To attach the inspection plate 200 to the base plate 41, a pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 are inserted into a pair of engaging holes 200W from the front side of the base plate 41 (see Figure 30). At this time, the engaging projections 211 of the elastic engaging pieces 210 elastically deform due to sliding contact with the inner surface of the engaging holes 200W, and elastically return to their original position when the rear surface of the inspection plate 200 overlaps with the front surface of the base plate 41, causing the engaging projections 211 to engage with the opening edge at the rear end of the engaging holes 200W and prevent them from coming loose. When the elastic engaging pieces 210 engage with the engaging holes 200W, the positioning engaging projections 203 engage with a pair of positioning engaging recesses (not shown) provided on the front surface of the base plate 41, thereby positioning the inspection plate 200 on the base plate 41. As a result, the elastic engaging pieces 210 are fixed to the base plate 41. In this state, the certification label on the inspection plate 200 becomes visible through the glass window 9W.

[0133] The inspection plate 200 can be easily removed from the base plate 41 by manipulating a pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 from the rear side of the base plate 41 to elastically deform them and release the locking of the pair of engaging holes 200W to their opening edges. However, as shown in Figure 30, as mentioned above, the pair of engaging holes 200W on the rear side of the base plate 41 are covered by the rear component 32B of the prize winning device 32. Therefore, the pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 cannot be operated from the rear side of the base plate 41 unless the rear component 32B is removed from the base plate 41. In other words, for a game machine manufacturer that disassembles the game board 40 in order to reuse its components, the inspection plate 200 can be easily removed from the base plate 41 without causing significant damage or deformation to the base plate 41, etc.

[0134] However, if someone other than a gaming machine manufacturer were to disassemble two gaming boards 40 to remove the certification plate 200 from the base plate 41 of one gaming board 40 and attach it to the base plate 41 of another gaming board 40, not for reuse purposes, the process would be time-consuming. Furthermore, attempting to remove the certification plate 200 from the front of the base plate 41 would damage the certification plate 200, rendering it unusable.

[0135] Specifically, when attempting to remove the inspection plate 200 from the front side of the base plate 41, it is conceivable that, for example, a thin plate-like object could be inserted between the inspection plate 200 and the base plate 41, and the outer edge of the inspection plate 200 could be pulled forward to remove it from the base plate 41.

[0136] In contrast, in this embodiment, a groove-shaped cutout 202 is formed on the rear surface of the inspection plate 200, closer to the outer edge than the engagement portion with the base plate 41. As a result, when a thin plate is inserted between the inspection plate 200 and the base plate 41 and an external force is applied to the outer edge to separate it from the base plate 41, bending stress concentrates in the cutout 202 because the engagement portion of the inspection plate 200 is fixed to the base plate 41, causing the inspection plate 200 to crack along the cutout 202. Furthermore, since the cutout 202 extends along the direction of alignment of the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210, bending stress is even more likely to concentrate in the cutout 202, causing it to crack easily along the cutout 202. Furthermore, since the weight-reducing sections 202 are provided in pairs, flanking a pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 that engage with the base plate 41 of the inspection plate 200, the inspection plate 200 will crack if an external force is applied to either the upper or lower outer edge of the inspection plate 200 that separates it from the base plate 41. In this way, the inspection plate 200 cannot be removed from the front of the base plate 41 without being damaged, thus preventing the misuse of the inspection plate 200.

[0137] Furthermore, on the rear surface of the inspection plate 200, a pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 are formed on either side of the lower weight-reducing portion 202, and a positioning engaging projection 203 is formed on the opposite side, which engages with a positioning engaging recess (not shown) of the base plate 41 in a concave-concave manner, thereby restricting the displacement of the inspection plate 200 relative to the base plate 41 in the planar direction. This also prevents fraudulent acts, such as attempting to remove the inspection plate 200 from the front of the base plate 41 by shifting the inspection plate 200 away from the base plate 41 to release the engagement between the engaging projection 211 and the engaging hole 200W.

[0138] Furthermore, the outer edge of the inspection plate 200, where the certification sticker is attached, is provided with a protrusion 201, and the inside of this protrusion constitutes the certification sticker attachment section 200S where the certification sticker is attached. However, the portion of the outer edge sandwiched between a pair of weight-reducing sections 202 is a discontinuous section 201E where the protrusion 201 is not formed. As a result, when assembling the inspection plate 200 to the base plate 41, if a rod-shaped object is placed on the front surface of the inspection plate 200, for example, across the pair of discontinuous sections 201E, and pressed against the base plate 41, it is possible to assemble the inspection plate 200 to the front surface of the base plate 41 without touching the part that is prone to cracking due to stress concentration, and the inspection plate 200 can be fixed to the front surface of the base plate 41 without damaging it.

[0139] Furthermore, there may be only one elastic engaging piece 210. Also, in this embodiment, the weight-reducing portion 202 was formed along the longer side of the outer edge of the inspection plate 200, which is easy to insert thin plate-like objects into, but it may also be formed along the shorter side, in which case the pair of elastic engaging pieces 210 may also be arranged along the vertical direction. Also, the vertical side of the inspection plate 200 may be the longer side. In addition, in this embodiment, the weight-reducing portion 202 was placed on the rear side of the inspection plate 200, which is not visible from the front side, in order to improve the appearance, but it may also be placed on the front side. Furthermore, although the weight-reducing portion 202 was groove-shaped, it may also be elongated hole-shaped or notched, penetrating the inspection plate 200.

[0140] As shown in Figure 5, the game board 40 is provided with a pair of brackets 280 on both sides of its rear surface for connecting to the rear assembly 50, and a pair of connecting holes 300 are provided on both the left and right ends of the upper part.

[0141] A pair of brackets 280, shown in their entirety in Figure 32, are, for example, press-formed sheet metal parts and comprise a mounting plate portion 281 extending vertically and a plurality of hook portions 290 arranged at equal intervals along one side thereof. The mounting plate portion 281 is superimposed on the side of the rear surface of the base plate 41 and extends from a position near the lower end to a position near the upper end of the base plate 41. As shown in an enlarged view in Figure 33, the portion of the mounting plate portion 281 with the plurality of hook portions 290 is wider than the portion without them. Through holes (not shown) are formed in the center of the width direction of each wide portion formed by the plurality of hook portions 290, and screws 299 passed through these through holes are screwed into mounting holes (not shown) formed in the base plate 41 to fix the mounting plate portion 281 to the base plate 41. Note that only the head portion 299H of the screws 299 is shown in Figure 33.

[0142] Multiple anti-slip projections 282 are provided on the rear surface of the mounting plate portion 281. The anti-slip projections 282 are cylindrical in shape with an outer surface perpendicular to the mounting plate portion 281. In addition, a pair of position-retaining projections identical in shape to the anti-slip projections 282 are provided on the front surface of the mounting plate portion 281. Furthermore, pressure recesses 283 are formed at positions directly behind the anti-slip projections 282 and position-retaining projections, respectively, resulting from the press-forming process of the anti-slip projections 282 and position-retaining projections.

[0143] A pair of positioning protrusions are positioned near the upper and lower ends of the mounting plate portion 281 and are fitted into positioning holes (not shown) drilled in the rear surface of the base plate 41. This positions the pair of brackets 280 relative to the base plate 41.

[0144] As shown in Figure 34, the anti-slip projections 282 are provided in pairs, sandwiching the through hole in the vertical direction. More specifically, they are arranged in a straight line vertically on the side of the left-right end of the mounting plate portion 281 that does not have the hook portion 290.

[0145] As shown in Figure 34(B), the bracket 280 and the base plate 41 are fastened together with screws using a tool 284 (specifically, an electric screwdriver equipped with a screwdriver bit at its tip). The tip of the tool 284 is cylindrical, and a screw receiving hole (not shown) is formed on its front end surface. In addition, a cross-shaped projection is provided at the back of the screw receiving hole, which engages with a cross groove formed on the upper surface of the head portion 299H.

[0146] When fixing the bracket 280 to the base plate 41, first the bracket 280 is placed on the back side of the base plate 41 and the pair of positioning protrusions are fitted into the positioning holes. Next, the screw 299 is inserted into the screw receiving hole and the cross groove and cross projection of the head portion 299H are engaged. The through hole of the bracket 280 and the opening of the screw receiving hole of the tool 284 are aligned and the front end surface of the tool 284 is pressed against the back side of the bracket 280 without any gaps. At this time, the tip of the tool 284 is positioned by a pair of anti-slip projections 282 and the hook portion 290 is facing it from the side. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 34(A), the area enclosed by the pair of anti-slip projections 282 and the hook portion 290 is sized to accommodate the tip of the tool 284. When the tool 284 is operated in that state, the screw 299 housed inside the screw receiving hole is pushed out while rotating, and the bracket 280 and the base plate 41 are fixed together.

[0147] Furthermore, even if a driver bit with a cross-shaped tip is used, which engages with the cross groove of the head portion 299H, the same effect can be obtained because lateral slippage is restricted by the hook portion 290.

[0148] According to the above configuration, when assembling the bracket 280 to the base plate 41, the receiving member (specifically the anti-slip projection 282 and the hook portion 290) faces the tip of the tool 284 from the side, thus preventing the tool 284 from sliding sideways and damaging the base plate 41.

[0149] Furthermore, by surrounding the tip of the tool 284 with a pair of anti-slip protrusions 282 and a hook portion 290, it becomes possible to suppress lateral slippage in various directions.

[0150] Furthermore, in order to make the effect of suppressing lateral slippage less dependent on the size and shape of the tip of the tool 284, it is preferable that the receiving projection has the shape of a pair of protrusions, but it is also possible to have a configuration that prevents lateral slippage of the screwdriver bit by having a recess that can receive the tip of the screwdriver bit or by having ribs that surround the outer circumference of the tip.

[0151] In this embodiment, two or more receiving members were provided for one through hole, but there may be only the hook portion 290 or only the anti-slip projection 282. Also, although there were two anti-slip projections 282, there may be three or more, or there may be a configuration with two hook portions 290.

[0152] In this embodiment, the anti-slip projection 282 is formed by press working, but a press-fit hole may be formed in the mounting plate portion 281, and a press-fitted component that is press-fitted therein may be used as the anti-slip projection 282.

[0153] As shown in Figure 32, the multiple hook portions 290 have a shape in which engaging projections 292 extend upward from a base plate 291 that is bent at a right angle from one side of the mounting plate portion 281. The multiple hook portions 290 are arranged on the sides of a pair of brackets 280 that are far apart from each other. In addition, the position in which the pair of brackets 280 are attached to the base plate 41 is different in the vertical direction, or they are different in length.

[0154] As shown in Figure 33, the base plate 291 is a long, narrow rectangle in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the engaging projection 292 is integrated with the upper tip of the base plate 291. The engaging projection 292 has a nearly constant width throughout, and the front surface 292F and rear surface 292R of the engaging projection 292 are parallel to the rear surface 291R of the base plate 291. Furthermore, the front half of the upper end of the engaging projection 292 forms an upper guide slope 292S, and the rear half is a chamfered surface 292K with a rounded chamfer. In addition, the space between the rear surface 292R of the engaging projection 292 and the rear surface 291R of the base plate 291 forms a lower guide slope 292L, and the upper surface of the base plate 291 remaining in front of the engaging projection 292 is a horizontal stopper surface 291S.

[0155] The aforementioned pair of connecting holes 300 are as follows: As shown in Figure 6, the connecting holes 300 pass through the base plate 41 of the game board 40 and the front part 42A that overlaps it in front of it, as well as through a pair of internal parts 301 (see Figure 35) that are sandwiched between the base plate 41 and the front part 42A.

[0156] As shown in Figure 33, the connecting hole 300 of the base plate 41 is formed with a horizontally elongated slot 300B and a circular portion 300A in the center of the slot 300B, with a diameter larger than the width of the slot 300B. The connecting hole 300 of the internal component 301 has the same shape as the connecting hole 300 of the base plate 41, except that the curvature of the arcs at both ends of the slot 300B is different. Furthermore, the connecting hole 300 of the front component 42A (see Figure 6) penetrates the front cover wall 42A7 of the front component 42A, which faces the front surface of the base plate 41 with a gap between it and the front surface of the base plate 41. The connecting hole 300 of the base plate 41 is approximately similar in shape to the connecting holes 300 of the base plate 41 and the internal component 301, but slightly larger. In addition, a pair of cylindrical walls (see Figure 42) surround the pair of connecting holes 300 from the rear surface of the front cover wall 42A7. Then, a pair of internal components 301 are fitted into the pair of cylindrical walls and are prevented from coming out of the cylindrical walls by elastic engaging pieces (not shown) formed by cutting out a portion of each cylindrical wall.

[0157] Furthermore, the outer edge shapes of a pair of internal components 301 are slightly different from each other and are asymmetrical in the front-to-back, up-and-down, and left-to-right directions. If a pair of internal components 301 are mixed up, they cannot be fitted into the pair of cylindrical walls. Also, even if the pair of internal components 301 are not mixed up, they cannot be fitted into the cylindrical walls if the orientation of each internal component 301 is incorrect. In addition, each pair of internal components 301 is marked with an identification mark (for example, "A" and "B") to distinguish them, and corresponding identification marks are also placed near the pair of cylindrical walls.

[0158] Since the pair of internal components 301 are identical except for slight differences in the shape of their outer edges, the shapes of both internal components 301 will be described with reference to Figure 35, which shows one of the internal components 301. The internal components 301 are made of a sliding resin with low sliding resistance (for example, polyacetal), and have a configuration in which a surrounding wall 303 protrudes in the front-rear direction from the outer edge of the main plate portion 302 through which the aforementioned connecting hole 300 passes. Also, as shown in Figure 35(A), on the front surface of the main plate portion 302, a pair of arc grooves 306, a pair of second rotational positioning portions 305, a pair of flat surfaces 308, and a pair of guide surfaces 307 are arranged on both the upper and lower sides of the connecting hole 300, and are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the circular portion 300A of the connecting hole 300.

[0159] A pair of arcuate grooves 306 extend in both upward and downward directions from the circular portion 300A of the connecting hole 300. A pair of second rotational positioning portions 305 are L-shaped ribs, the vertical side portions 305B of which are positioned along one side of the arcuate groove 306 and have a side surface that is continuous with the inner surface of the arcuate groove 306. More specifically, in the right-side internal component 301 (not shown), the vertical side 305B of the upper second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the right side of the arc groove 306, while the vertical side 305B of the lower second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the left side of the arc groove 306. In the left-side internal component 301 shown in Figure 35, symmetrically to the right-side internal component 301, the vertical side 305B of the upper second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the left side of the arc groove 306, while the vertical side 305B of the lower second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the right side of the arc groove 306.

[0160] Furthermore, the horizontal side portion 305A of L is positioned along the opening edge of the elongated hole portion 300B of the connecting hole 300 and has a side surface that is flush with the inner surface of the elongated hole portion 300B. Moreover, at the corner between the vertical side portion 305B and the horizontal side portion 305A, an arcuate surface is formed that is flush with the inner surface of the circular portion 300A of the connecting hole 300.

[0161] The pair of guide surfaces 307 are inclined to gradually protrude forward from the opening edge of the elongated hole 300B opposite to the lateral edge 305A toward the arc groove 306, and the pair of flat surfaces 308 are parallel to the front surface of the base plate 41 and connect the guide surfaces 307 with the edges of the arc groove 306.

[0162] As shown in Figure 35(B), reinforcing ridges 304 protrude from the opening edge of the connecting hole 300 on the rear side of the internal component 301. The ridges 304 are formed in pairs and are located on the opening edge of the circular portion 300A of the connecting hole 300 and the straight opening edges extending from the circular portion 300A to the left and right of the elongated hole portion 300B, but they may also be formed around the entire circumference of the connecting hole 300.

[0163] This concludes the explanation of the game board 40 as a whole and its components. Next, the rear assembly 50 (see Figures 2 and 3) will be described. The rear assembly 50 is made up of a support housing 51 shown in Figures 4 and 5, to which a plurality of parts such as a display device 52, a sub-control board unit 53, and a relay member 55 are assembled. The support housing 51 is provided with a pair of engaging wall portions 350 that engage with a pair of brackets 280 of the game board 40, and a pair of connecting members 360 that engage with a pair of connecting holes 300 of the game board 40.

[0164] As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the support housing 51 is a flattened box shape in the front-to-back direction, with an open front and a rear window 51W on the rear facing the display window 11W of the base plate 41. From the three sides of the opening edge of the front opening of the support housing 51, the front wall 324 protrudes outward, and an outer edge rib 325 protrudes forward from its outer edge. The outer edge rib 325 extends continuously along the three sides of the opening edge of the front opening of the support housing 51, and the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325 abuts against the rear surface of the base plate 41, forming the so-called veneer surface.

[0165] Furthermore, the front end of the lower wall 322 of the support housing 51 is located behind the front ends of the side walls 320 and the upper wall 321, which have the front wall 324, and the aforementioned recovery duct is received between the lower wall 322 and the base plate 41.

[0166] Both sides of the front wall 324 form a pair of engagement wall portions 350 that engage with a pair of brackets 280 of the game board 40, and extend outward from both sides of the pair of side walls 320 of the support housing 51, forming a strip of a certain width and extending vertically. Each engagement wall portion 350 is provided with the aforementioned outer edge rib 325 along its side, top, and bottom edges (see Figure 38).

[0167] As shown in Figure 38, each engaging wall portion 350 is divided into multiple vertically elongated regions corresponding to multiple hook portions 290 of the bracket 280 by transverse ribs 327 provided at multiple positions in the vertical direction. The tip surface of the transverse rib 327 is located slightly behind the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325.

[0168] From the upper part of each elongated region of the engagement wall 350, a dome-shaped bulge 329 extends forward in the vertical direction, and an elongated slot 328 is formed approximately in the center of the width direction of each elongated region, cutting out about the lower 1 / 3 of the engagement wall 350. The lower end of the slot 328 is located approximately in the center in the vertical direction of the elongated region. On the front surface of the bulge 329, a reinforcing rib 329A is formed, having a tip surface flush with the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325. The reinforcing rib 329A extends vertically in the lateral center of the bulge 329 and extends horizontally at a position adjacent to the slot 328, connecting to the outer edge rib 325.

[0169] On the front surface of each vertically elongated region of the engaging wall portion 350, a groove 328M is formed on the lower extension line of the elongated hole 328, and a pair of guide projections 330 are provided at intermediate positions along the longitudinal direction of the groove 328M. The distance between the pair of guide projections 330 is slightly narrower than the width of the elongated hole 328.

[0170] The pair of brackets 280 are engaged with the pair of engaging wall portions 350 described above in the following manner. That is, as shown in Figure 39(A), when the back assembly 50 is slightly shifted upward from the game board 40 so that the front surface of the back assembly 50 faces the rear surface of the game board 40, the engaging projections 292 of the multiple hook portions 290 of the game board 40 face the portion of the back assembly 50 below the bulging portion 329 of the multiple elongated holes 328. When the back assembly 50 is placed on top of the game board 40 in this state, the base plate 291 of the hook portion 290 fits into the pair of guide projections 330, and the rear surface 291R of the base plate 291 contacts the bottom surface of the groove 328M, and the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325 and the surface flush with it contact the rear surface of the base plate 41 of the game board 40. In this state, when the rear assembly 50 is shifted downward relative to the game board 40, as shown in the change from Figure 39(A) to Figure 39(B), the engaging projections 292 of each hook portion 290 of the game board 40 slide into the back (rear) side of the bulging portion 329 of the rear assembly 50. Then, the stopper surface 291S of the hook portion 290 and the inner upper surface 329S of the elongated hole 328 in the bulging portion 329 come into contact, and the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are positioned vertically. With the above, the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are connected in a state in which relative movement of the rear assembly 50 is restricted except for the upward relative movement of the rear assembly 50 relative to the game board 40. Then, when the pair of connecting members 360 (see Figure 3), described below, engage with the pair of connecting holes 300 of the game board 40, the relative upward movement of the rear assembly 50 with respect to the game board 40 is restricted, and the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are locked into a combined state.

[0171] Furthermore, the game board 40 and the back assembly 50 can be separated by the reverse operation described above. In this embodiment, when the reverse operation is performed, the lower end of the base plate 291 of each hook portion 290 comes into contact with the transverse rib 327 and is positioned in a separable position, as shown in Figure 39(A). However, this is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the lower guide rib 292L of the engaging projection 292 of the multiple hook portions 290 may come into contact with the inner surface of the lower end of the elongated hole 328 and be positioned in a separable position.

[0172] In this embodiment, the back assembly 50 is heavier than the game board 40, and the heavier back assembly 50 is engaged with the game board 40 by hanging from it. However, the opposite structure is also possible.

[0173] As shown in Figures 36 and 37, a pair of connecting members 360 are positioned near both ends of the upper edge of the front wall 324 of the support housing 51 and are supported so as to be rotatable and slidable back and forth. To support this pair of connecting members 360, a pair of support holes 331, as shown in Figure 40, penetrate the front wall 324 of the support housing 51, coaxially with the circular portion 300A of a pair of connecting holes 300 of the game board 40. The inner diameter of the support holes 331 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the circular portion 300A.

[0174] From the front of the front wall 324, a cylindrical rib 333A protrudes, enclosing the support hole 331, and radial ribs 333B extend in eight directions from this cylindrical rib 333A. Inside the cylindrical rib 333A, a pair of transverse ribs 333C extending laterally are provided, facing each other and sandwiching the support hole 331 vertically. The lateral centers of the pair of transverse ribs 333C are circular bulges 333E that bulge vertically, separating them from each other. The opposing surfaces of the pair of circular bulges 333E are flush with the inner surface of the support hole 331. Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the pair of circular bulges 333E are connected to the cylindrical rib 333A by a pair of longitudinal ribs 333D. Furthermore, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the pair of transverse ribs 333C, excluding the circular bulge 333E, is the same as the distance between the upper and lower opposing surfaces in the elongated hole 300B of the connecting hole 300 of the base plate 41. That is, the shape of the upper and lower opposing surfaces of the pair of transverse ribs 333C is the same as the shape of the upper and lower opposing surfaces within the connecting hole 300 of the base plate 41. In addition, the tip surfaces of these ribs 333A to 333D are arranged flush with the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325 (see Figure 42).

[0175] As shown in Figure 42(A), the inner cylinder 332 protrudes rearward from the rear opening edge of the support hole 331 in the front wall 324, and the inner surface of the support hole 331 extends flush with the inside of the inner cylinder 332. A cylindrical collar 334 made of elastomer (e.g., polyurethane) and a disc-shaped sliding plate 335 made of sliding resin (e.g., polyacetal) are fitted to the outside of the inner cylinder 332. Furthermore, an outer cylinder 333G is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 324, surrounding the collar 334 and the sliding plate 335 from the outside. As shown in Figure 41(A), a notch 333K is formed in the upper part of the outer cylinder 333G so that the collar 334 and the sliding plate 335 are visible.

[0176] As shown in Figure 40, the connecting member 360 has a structure in which a shaft 362A intersects the front end of a shaft 361 that passes through a support hole 331, and an operating part 363 is fixed to the rear end of the shaft 361. The shafts 361 and 362A are, for example, metal rods with a circular cross-section, and the outer diameter of the shaft 361 is 2 to 3 times the outer diameter of the shaft 362A. A tapered surface 361T is formed on the outer edge of the tip of the shaft 361. A through hole is formed immediately behind the tapered surface 361T, passing through the shaft 361 radially. The shaft 362A is, for example, press-fitted into this through hole, and protrudes from the shaft 361 on both sides, forming a pair of engaging protrusions 362. The shaft 361 is supported by the support hole 331 so that it can rotate and slide back and forth. When the connecting member 360 is at the rear end of its sliding range, a pair of engaging protrusions 362 extend horizontally from the shaft 361 and fit between the pair of transverse ribs 333C (hereinafter referred to as the first rotational positioning section 333V). Hereinafter, the rotational position of the connecting member 360 in which the pair of engaging protrusions 362 extend horizontally from the shaft 361 will be referred to as the "first rotational position".

[0177] The operating section 363 is, for example, a molded resin product and has a structure in which a lever 364 protrudes laterally from a cylindrical base section 363Z, as shown in Figure 40. The base section 363Z has a second cylindrical section 363B into which the rear end of the shaft 361 is fitted, a first cylindrical section 363A surrounding it, and a rear end wall 363C (see Figure 41(A)) connecting their rear ends.

[0178] The rear end of the shaft 361 has a flat surface that engages with a part of its outer circumferential surface, forming a D-shaped cross-section, and the inside of the second cylindrical portion 363B also has a D-shaped cross-section. The fitting of these two allows the shaft 361 and the operating portion 363 to rotate as a single unit. The inner surface of the second cylindrical portion 363B and the outer surface of the rear end of the shaft 361 may be provided with interlocking grooves (e.g., splines) that engage with each other to prevent rotation.

[0179] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 41(A) and 42(A), a through hole 363C1 is formed in the center of the rear end wall 363C, and a screw 363N passed through it is screwed into a threaded hole 361N formed in the center of the rear end of the shaft 361, thereby fixing the operating part 363 to the shaft 361 so that it can rotate integrally with it. The area around the through hole in the center of the rear end wall 363C is recessed to receive the head of the screw 363N.

[0180] The first cylindrical portion 363A protrudes forward from the second cylindrical portion 363B, and its tip surface abuts against the outer edge of the aforementioned sliding plate 335 when the connecting member 360 moves to the front end of its slidable range, as shown in Figure 42(B). Furthermore, a compression coil spring 336 is housed between the inner edge of the sliding plate 335 and the rear end wall 363C in a taut state (slightly compressed from its natural state), biasing the connecting member 360 to the rear end of its slidable range. The rear end of the compression coil spring 336 is fitted between the first cylindrical portion 363A and the second cylindrical portion 363B, preventing buckling when compressed.

[0181] As shown in Figure 40, the lever 364 extends from the base portion 363Z in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the operating portion 363 protrudes from the shaft 361. When the connecting member 360 is positioned in the first rotation position, the lever 364 extends upward from the base portion 363Z. More specifically, when the connecting member 360 is positioned in the first rotation position, the lever 364 is tilted slightly away from the lateral center of the support housing 51 (hereinafter simply referred to as "outside") from the position where it extends vertically upward from the base portion 363Z.

[0182] The lever 364 has an open front and forms a slender hood structure radially elongated to the base portion 363Z, with its rear end protruding behind the rear surface of the base portion 363Z. Furthermore, the front surface of the lever 364 is located behind the front surface of the first cylindrical portion 363A, and a radially extending rib 364A protrudes from the end of the front surface of the lever 364 that is away from the shaft 361. Also, as shown in Figures 41(A) and 43, a triangular rib 333L protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front wall 324 at a position lateral to the outer cylinder 333G, and when the connecting member 360 is moved to the front end of its slidable range, the apex of the triangular rib 333L is positioned within the rotational trajectory of the rib 364A. The triangular rib 333L has its apex at an intermediate position in the vertical direction and has slanted sides above and below the apex.

[0183] The pair of connecting members 360 are operated as follows. As described above, when shifting the rear assembly 50 and the game board 40 relatively in the vertical direction, the pair of connecting members 360 are positioned at the rear end of the slidable range in the first rotation position. Then, the front end of each connecting member 360 fits into the first rotation positioning section 333V of the support housing 51 and is positioned behind the front surface of the support housing 51 (specifically, the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325), so that the connecting members 360 do not interfere with the game board 40.

[0184] When the multiple hook portions 290 of the game board 40 are engaged with the multiple elongated holes 328 of the back assembly 50, a pair of engaging protrusions 362 of each connecting member 360 face the elongated hole portions 300B of each connecting hole 300 of the game board 40. When the connecting member 360 is moved forward, at the point where the tip of the first cylindrical portion 363A of the connecting member 360 contacts the sliding plate 335, the pair of engaging protrusions 362 are positioned behind the front cover wall 42A7 of the game board 40, and the rear of the pair of engaging protrusions 362 is positioned at the same or slightly different front-to-back position as the edge of the pair of guide surfaces 307 on the elongated hole portion 300B side.

[0185] At this time, the horizontal side portion 305A of the second rotation positioning portion 305 provided on the game board 40 restricts the direction in which each connecting member 360 can rotate the lever 364 to only the outward tilting direction. When the lever 364 is rotated so that it is tilted outward, a pair of engaging protrusions 362 ride up onto a pair of guide surfaces 307, and as a result the connecting member 360 moves forward while crushing the collar 334. Then, the pair of engaging protrusions 362 ride up onto and pass over a pair of flat surfaces 308, and as shown in Figure 44, when they fit into a pair of arc grooves 306, further rotation of the connecting member 360 is prohibited by the contact between the vertical side portion 305B of the second rotation positioning portion 305 and the engaging protrusions 362. The elastic force of the collar 334 and the compression coil spring 336 presses the engaging projection 362 against the inner surface of the arc groove 306, restricting the reverse rotation of the connecting member 360. As a result, the relative upward movement of the back assembly 50 with respect to the game board 40 is restricted, and the game board 40 and the back assembly 50 are locked into a combined state. Furthermore, during the process of the operating part 363 fitting into the arc groove 306, the projection 364A of the lever 364 passes over the apex of the triangular rib 333L just before the operating part 363 fits into the arc groove 306, allowing the operator to confirm that the operation of the lever 364 has been completed.

[0186] As described above, in the gaming machine 10A of this embodiment, the gaming board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are each provided with sliding engagement parts (specifically, the engagement projection 292 and bulging part 329 of the hook part 290), so that the parts can be assembled without using tools. As a result, assembly is easier and smoother compared to conventional gaming machines in which the gaming board and the rear assembly were assembled with multiple screws. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sliding engagement part is provided with a hook part 290, and the hook part 290 is made of a sheet metal bracket 280 and provided as part of the gaming board 40, so that durability can be increased. Moreover, the bracket 280 and the engagement wall part 350 having the bulging part 329 are provided in pairs in the lateral direction, and the engagement projection 292 and bulging part 329 are distributed at multiple positions in the vertical direction, so that the assembly of the gaming board 40 and the rear assembly 50 is stable.

[0187] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upward relative movement of the rear assembly 50 with respect to the game board 40 is also restricted by a pair of connecting members 360 of the rear assembly 50 and a pair of connecting holes 300 of the game board 40, making it possible to assemble the parts without using tools.

[0188] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting member 360 is positioned at the first rotation position in the first slide position by the first rotation positioning part 333V, so that the connecting member 360 can be easily and smoothly inserted into the connecting hole 300 of the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 can be fixed to the game board 40. Also, when the connecting member 360 is biased to the first slide position, the front end of the connecting member 360 fits into the first rotation positioning part 333V and the connecting member 360 does not interfere with the game board 40. In addition, the operating part 363 of the connecting member 360 is equipped with a lever 364 that protrudes laterally from the base part 363Z, making it easy to rotate and easy to recognize which rotation position it is positioned in. Furthermore, since the pair of connecting members 360 are positioned near both ends of the front wall 324, by holding the upper ends of both sides of the support housing 51 and assembling it to the game board 40, the sliding engagement operation of the support housing 51 with the game board 40 and the rotation operation of the operating section 363 can be performed without changing hands. In addition, the lever 364 extends upward from the center of rotation and protrudes laterally from the upper end of the rear assembly 50 in the first rotation position, and extends laterally from the center of rotation and fits inward from the upper end of the rear assembly 50 in the second rotation position. Therefore, if the game machine body 30 is assembled to the game frame 9 (see Figure 1) without the connecting members 360 engaged in the connecting holes 300, the lever 364 will interfere, making the user aware that the connecting members 360 have been forgotten to be engaged.

[0189] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a sliding engagement part that slides and engages is provided on the game board 40 and the back assembly 50. However, the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the mechanism components may be provided between the game board 40 and the base plate 41, or between parts of the mechanism components.

[0190] Furthermore, while a hook portion 290 and a bulging portion 329 into which the hook portion 290 engages have been exemplified as the slide engagement portion, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, a pair of engagement portions of the second member may be received and engaged from one end of a pair of rails (for example, U-shaped) provided on the first component.

[0191] In this embodiment, the game board 40 is provided with a hook portion 290 (specifically, an engaging projection 292), and the rear assembly 50 is provided with an elongated hole 328 and a bulging portion 329, but the opposite configuration is also possible. In the game machine body 30A with the rear assembly 50 attached to the game board 40, the game board 40 portion is supported by the game frame 9, so the support is more stable when the rear assembly 50 is suspended from the game board 40, as in the former configuration.

[0192] In this embodiment, the support housing 51, which has an elongated hole 328 and a bulging portion 329, is slid and engaged with the game board 40, which has a hook portion 290. However, the opposite configuration is also possible, in which a component having a hook portion is slid and engaged with a component having an elongated hole (the engagement structure between the hook portion 410 of the drive board unit 54 and the elongated hole 400 of the support housing 51, as described later). Furthermore, the hook portion may engage with the opening edge on one end of the elongated hole, or with the opening edge on the other end of the elongated hole.

[0193] In this embodiment, the bracket 280 having the hook portion 290 is made of sheet metal, but it may also be made of resin. In that case, the bracket 280 may be a separate part from the base plate 41, or the hook portion 290 may be integrally formed with the base body 41 (see, for example, the hook portion 410 of the case body 444 of the drive board unit 54 described later).

[0194] In this embodiment, a compression coil spring 336 is provided to bias the connecting member 360 to the first slide position. However, it is also possible to configure the connecting member 360 to be biased to the first slide position by the weight of the operating portion 363 of the connecting member 360. Alternatively, a locking portion may be provided on the first rotational positioning portion 333V to suppress the forward movement of the connecting member 360, thereby positioning the connecting member 360 to the first slide position.

[0195] In this embodiment, the connecting member 360 was provided with a pair of engaging projections 362, but there may be only one engaging projection 362. Also, the engaging projection 362 may have any shape.

[0196] In this embodiment, the first rotational positioning portion 333V was formed by a pair of transverse ribs 333C, but it may also be formed by only one transverse rib 333C, or by omitting the circular bulge portion 333E of the transverse rib 333C, or by providing a linear transverse rib 333C only on one side in the left-right direction within the support hole 331. Furthermore, the first rotational positioning portion 333V is not limited to a rib shape, but may also be, for example, a point-shaped protrusion.

[0197] A movable mechanism (not shown) is attached to the support housing 51. The movable mechanism is a visual effect mechanism that has an electrical drive source such as a motor or solenoid and operates according to the progress of the game. Furthermore, in order to allow various movable mechanisms to be fixed in any location when the support housing 51 is reused, the support housing 51 is provided with multiple mounting holes 339 and stepped sections.

[0198] Specifically, as shown in Figure 36, the lower wall 322 is stepped lower in front of the front end, and a honeycomb-shaped rib 322L (hereinafter referred to as "honeycomb rib 322L") is formed on the front surface of the stepped wall 322D. In addition, some of the hexagonal regions of the stepped wall 322D that are partitioned by the honeycomb rib 322L have a mounting hole 339 in the center. Furthermore, some of the hexagonal regions having a mounting hole 339 have a cylindrical body 322T through which the mounting hole 339 penetrates the center, and the tip surface of the cylindrical body 322T is flush with the tip surface of the honeycomb rib 322L. Moreover, some of the hexagonal regions having a mounting hole 339 have the stepped wall 322D shifted forward, and a hexagonal recess 322B (see Figure 37) is formed on the rear surface of the stepped wall 322D. In this configuration, the head of the screw passed through the mounting hole 339 is received in the recess 322B.

[0199] As shown in Figure 36, each of the pair of side walls 320 of the support housing 51 has a pair of support bases 323 formed by offsetting two rectangular areas in the middle of the vertical direction inwards in a stepped manner. The stepped wall 323A at the front end of the support base 323 is located in the middle of the front-rear direction of the side wall 320 and is parallel to the front surface of the support housing 51. In addition, multiple mounting holes 339 are formed in multiple locations in the vertical direction of the stepped wall 323A.

[0200] The upper wall 321 of the support housing 51 is provided with a stepped wall 323B, which has a front surface flush with the front surface of the stepped wall 323A, between the support portions of the pair of connecting members 360 mentioned above, and multiple mounting holes 339 are formed therein at multiple locations in the lateral direction.

[0201] As shown in Figure 37, the rear wall 319 of the support housing 51 has multiple mounting holes 339 formed at multiple locations, including the entire opening edge of the support housing 51W, with the rear side counterbore. In addition, the lower part of the rear wall 319 of the support housing 51W is provided with multiple openings 319W through which cables for supplying power to the movable fittings pass. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 60, the upper half of the multiple openings 319W of the rear wall 319 has a band-shaped lower recessed portion 408, and the upper half of the multiple openings 319W is formed spanning the lower recessed portion 408. The lower recessed portion 408 is also provided with multiple harness holding portions 409 for holding the harness in a laterally extended state. Furthermore, the harness holding portion 409 is provided with a rear end connecting wall that bends upward from the lower of a pair of opposing walls that face each other in the vertical direction, and is closed when the elastic engaging portion at the upper end of the rear end connecting wall engages with the engaged portion provided on the upper opposing wall.

[0202] The rear wall 319 of the support housing 51 has the following structure for mounting the display device 52. Specifically, as shown in Figure 37, the rear wall 319 has a rectangular frame-shaped area, which is the opening edge of the support housing 51, that is shifted forward in a stepped manner to form a recessed portion 370.

[0203] On the rear wall 319, a pair of vertically elongated strip-shaped engagement holes 375 are formed in two locations in the vertical direction on the stepped wall to the left of the recessed portion 370 when viewed from the rear. Furthermore, on the front surface of the rear wall 319 to the side of the stepped wall, as shown in Figure 38, a pair of protective ribs 371 are provided that surround the openings of the pair of engagement holes 375. In detail, the protective ribs 371 have upper and lower edges that extend laterally parallel from the upper and lower opening edges of the engagement holes 375, then bend slightly to approach each other, and a vertical edge that connects the tips of these upper and lower edges. In addition, on the front surface of the rear wall 319 surrounded by the protective ribs 371, a plurality of horizontally extending sliding ridges 371A are formed in a vertical arrangement. Furthermore, an inclined surface is formed on the opening edge of the engagement hole 375 on the front side of the wall portion of the rear wall 319 where multiple protrusions 371A are formed, and this inclined surface extends to the multiple protrusions 371A.

[0204] As shown in Figure 37, on the right side of the stepped wall on the right side of the recessed portion 370 when viewed from the rear of the rear wall 319, a pair of vertically elongated rectangular lock holes 372 are formed in two locations in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 36, protective ribs 373 are provided on the front surface of the rear wall 319 so as to surround the lock holes 372. The protective ribs 373 are formed by connecting the ends of the upper and lower edges, which extend parallel to the side from the stepped wall of the recessed portion 370, with a vertical edge. The left and right inner surfaces of the lock holes 372 are formed by the vertical edges of the protective ribs 373 and the stepped wall of the recessed portion 370. As shown in Figure 48, the upper and lower edges of the protective ribs 373 are positioned above and below the lock holes 372, with the lower edge being further away from the lock holes 372 than the upper edge. The portion between the lock hole 372 and the lower edge of the protective rib 373 forms an engaging portion 373A that engages with the engaging piece 392A, which will be described later. (Note that an inclined surface is formed on the opening edge of the lock hole 372 on the front side of the engaging portion 373A.)

[0205] As shown in Figures 36 and 37, horizontally elongated mounting holes 374 are formed on both the upper and lower edges of the bottom of the recessed portion 370 in the rear wall 319, positioned slightly to the left when viewed from the rear side, laterally from the center. The left end of these mounting holes 374 is semicircular when viewed from the rear side, and the right end is straight. Furthermore, an inclined surface is formed on the front opening edge of the straight portion. In addition, multiple mounting holes 339, which are countersunk on the rear side as described above, are formed throughout the bottom of the recessed portion 370.

[0206] With respect to the recessed portion 370 and its vicinity in the support housing 51, the display device 52 has the following structure. That is, as shown in Figures 45 and 46, the display device 52 is a horizontally elongated rectangular plate in which a liquid crystal module 379 is housed in a monitor case 380 that is slightly larger than the module, and the entire device is plate-shaped.

[0207] The front of the monitor case 380 is completely open except for the outer edge, exposing the display screen 52G of the liquid crystal module 379. A cable outlet is provided approximately in the center of the upper rear of the monitor case 380, from which the cable for the liquid crystal module 379 is routed. The monitor case 380 is divided into two sections in the front-to-back direction, with the dividing line located near the rear end on the side of the monitor case 380.

[0208] On the upper and lower edges of the front of the monitor case 380, a pair of positional protrusions 381 protrude slightly to the right when viewed from the front. These pair of positional protrusions 381 are flattened cylindrical in shape.

[0209] From the right side of the monitor case 380, as viewed from the front, a pair of engaging pieces 382 protrude from two points in the vertical direction. These engaging pieces 382 are elongated rectangles, with chamfered edges at both ends. Reinforcing ribs 382A are provided on the outer edges of the front surface of the pair of engaging pieces 382, ​​and the tip surface (i.e., the front) of the reinforcing ribs 382A is located slightly behind the front surface of the monitor case 380. Furthermore, the tip edges of the rear surface of the pair of engaging pieces 382 are slightly inclined with respect to the lateral direction.

[0210] From the left side of the monitor case 380, when viewed from the front, a pair of slider support parts 383 protrude from two locations in the vertical direction, and a pair of sliders 390 are supported by these slider support parts 383 so as to be able to slide up and down. The slider support parts 383 have a vertically elongated rectangular prism-shaped housing structure and are positioned near the rear end on the side of the monitor case 380. Furthermore, the dividing surface created by the aforementioned divided structure of the monitor case 380 is positioned near the rear end of the slider support parts 383, allowing the slider support parts 383 to be divided in the front-to-back direction.

[0211] Front opening 383A, rear opening 383B, and top opening 383C are located at the lower part of the front surface near the lower end, the upper part of the rear surface, and the rear part of the top surface of the slider support section 383. In addition, the inside of the slider support section 383 is wider above the slider support section 383 and further back than below it.

[0212] As shown in Figure 47, a reinforcing bar 383D with a circular cross-section is inserted between a pair of inner surfaces of the slider support portion 383 that face each other in the front-rear direction, at the center in the lateral direction where it is sandwiched from above and below by the front opening 383A and the rear opening 383B. In addition, a pair of V-grooves 383E extending in the front-rear direction are formed vertically on the upper part of the pair of inner surfaces of the slider support portion 383 that face each other in the lateral direction.

[0213] As shown in Figure 45, below the upper slider support portion 383, there is a finger-grip projection 380T that connects the lower rear edge of the slider support portion 383 to the side of the monitor case 380, and is used when attaching and detaching the display device 52 to the support housing 51, as will be described later.

[0214] As shown in Figure 47, the slider 390 has a rectangular parallelepiped slider body 391 which has an elongated hole 391A through which a reinforcing bar 383D passes, and is slidably housed inside the slider support part 383. A locking projection 392 is connected to the lower end of the slider body 391, and an operating part 393 is connected to the upper end.

[0215] As shown in Figure 48, the locking projection 392 extends forward from the lower edge of the front surface of the slider body 391, passes through the front opening 383A of the slider support portion 383, and is bent downward at a position away from the front surface of the slider support portion 383. The portion of the locking projection 392 below the bend becomes an engaging piece 392A that overlaps with the aforementioned engaging portion 373A.

[0216] As shown in Figures 47 and 48, the operating section 393 is flatter in the front-rear direction than the slider body 391 and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with the same width as the slider body 391. The operating section 393 is connected to the upper edge of the rear surface of the slider body 391, extends upward from the slider body 391, and passes through the upper opening 383C. Furthermore, an expansion projection 393A protrudes forward from the upper end of the operating section 393 to increase the area of ​​the upper end of the operating section 393, and the upper surface of the entire operating section 393, including the expansion projection 393A, is a slightly recessed locking operating surface 393B.

[0217] An operating projection 395 extends rearward from the lower edge of the rear surface of the operating section 393 and is received by the rear opening 383B of the slider support section 383. The lower surface of the operating section 393 and the lower surface of the operating projection 395 are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, forming a release operating surface 395A.

[0218] As shown in Figures 47 and 48, the lower end of the operating section 393 is provided with a pair of elastic pieces 394 that extend forward from both sides of the operating section 393, with their tip surfaces flush with the tip surface of the slider body 391. On the outer surfaces of the pair of elastic pieces 394 facing opposite directions, triangular projections 394T with a triangular cross-section extending in the front-rear direction are formed. When the slider 390 is positioned at the lower end of its vertically slidable range (hereinafter referred to as the "locked position"), the triangular protrusions 394T of the pair of elastic pieces 394 engage with the lower pair of V-grooves 383E, which are arranged vertically in pairs on the inner surface of the slider support portion 383. Conversely, when the slider 390 is positioned at the upper end of its vertically slidable range (hereinafter referred to as the "unlocked position"), the triangular protrusions 394T of the pair of elastic pieces 394 engage with the upper pair of V-grooves 383E.

[0219] The display device 52 is mounted on the support housing 51 as follows: The pair of sliders 390 of the display device 52 are positioned in the unlocked position, and the display device 52 is tilted laterally relative to the rear surface of the support housing 51, with the left end (when viewed from the rear) leading the way, so that it rests, for example, on the lateral portion of the lower step surface of the recessed portion 370 of the support housing 51. At this time, even if the display device 52 is tilted laterally by, for example, 90 degrees relative to the support housing 51, the pair of engaging pieces 382 of the display device 52 are received by the pair of engaging holes 375, so that the display device 52 can be placed on the lower step surface of the recessed portion 370 of the support housing 51.

[0220] Then, the display device 52 is rotated so that the inclination angle of the display device 52 with respect to the support housing 51 is reduced, and it is slid to the left on the lower stepped surface of the recessed portion 370, causing a pair of engaging pieces 382 to protrude into a pair of engaging holes 375 of the support housing 51. The front outer edge of the display device 52 is then placed on the rear outer edge of the recessed portion 370 of the support housing 51, and the entire display device 52 is received by the recessed portion 370.

[0221] As a result, the display device 52 is surrounded from all sides by the stepped surface of the recessed portion 370, restricting its movement, and a pair of position-locking portions 381 on the front of the display device 52 engage with a pair of position-locking holes 374 in the recessed portion 370, positioning the display device 52 vertically relative to the support housing 51. In this state, the engaging pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 of the display device 52 pass through a pair of locking holes 372 in the support housing 51 and are positioned in front of those locking holes 372, as shown in Figure 48(A). Then, the locking operation surfaces 393B of the pair of sliders 390 are pressed, and the pair of sliders 390 move to the locked position. As a result, the engaging pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 overlap with the front of the pair of engaging portions 373A of the support housing 51, resulting in a locked state where the backward movement and rotation of the display device 52 relative to the support housing 51 are prohibited. With the above steps completed, the mounting of the display device 52 to the support housing 51 is finished.

[0222] Furthermore, by pressing the release operation surface 395A of the pair of sliders 390 to release the lock and performing the reverse operation described above, the display device 52 can be removed from the support housing 51.

[0223] The rear surface of the display device 52 is provided with the following structure for mounting the sub-control board unit 53. Specifically, as shown in Figure 45, the rear surface of the monitor case 380 of the display device 52 has multiple (for example, four) engagement hood portions 430 arranged in a horizontal row near the lower end. These engagement hood portions 430 are horizontally elongated and rectangular in shape with an open top. Furthermore, the entire group of engagement hood portions 430 is positioned to the right when viewing the monitor case 380 from the rear.

[0224] A pair of engaging protrusions 431 protrude from the upper rear edge of the monitor case 380. As shown in Figure 51, the engaging protrusions 431 have a structure in which one end of the rear surface of a horizontally elongated rectangular frame wall 431A is closed off by an engaging portion 431B, and the rest of the rear surface of the frame wall 431A is a locking hole 431C. In the relationship between the pair of engaging protrusions 431, the engaging portions 431B are located on opposite sides of each other. Furthermore, the front end of the frame wall 431A is partially closed off by a reinforcing wall at a position opposite the locking hole 431C. In addition, multiple elongated holes for heat dissipation are formed on the rear surface of the monitor case 380, arranged vertically and horizontally.

[0225] As shown in Figures 49 and 50, the sub-control board unit 53 consists of a circuit board 440 (see Figure 53) housed in a board case 441, and the whole is, for example, flattened in the front-to-back direction, and roughly has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that can be described as plate-like. On the lower surface of the board case 441, there are multiple horizontally elongated engaging pieces 442 that protrude downward, arranged in a horizontal row.

[0226] The top surface of the circuit board case 441 is provided with a pair of slider support parts 383, as described in the display device 52, and a pair of sliders 390 are supported thereon. However, in the circuit board case 441, the pair of sliders 390 are slidable laterally by the pair of slider support parts 383, with the sides approaching each other corresponding to the unlocked position, and the sides moving away from each other corresponding to the locked position. In addition, the pair of slider support parts 383 of the circuit board case 441 are provided with a stepped engagement recess 383K that is recessed to the rear in the front opening 383A portion.

[0227] The sub-control board unit 53 is mounted on the display device 52 as follows. Specifically, the pair of sliders 390 of the sub-control board unit 53 are positioned in the unlocked position, the sub-control board unit 53 is tilted vertically relative to the rear surface of the display device 52, and the lower end of the sub-control board unit 53 is positioned forward, so that the multiple engaging pieces 442 are inserted from above into the multiple engaging hood portions 430 of the display device 52. Then, the sub-control board unit 53 is rotated forward so that its front surface is aligned with the rear surface of the display device 52, and the pair of engaging protrusions 431 of the display device 52 engage with the pair of engaging recesses 383K of the sub-control board unit 53. In this state, the engaging pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 of the sub-control board unit 53 have passed through the pair of lock holes 431C of the display device 52, as shown in Figure 51(A), and the sub-control board unit 53 is restricted from moving in any direction other than the front and back relative to the display device 52. Therefore, the pair of sliders 390 are slid away from each other to the locked position shown in Figure 51(B). As a result, the engaging pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 overlap the engaging portions 431B of the pair of engaging protrusions 431 of the display device 52 from the front, making it impossible for the sub-control board unit 53 to move or rotate backward, and the sub-control board unit 53 is locked in place attached to the display device 52.

[0228] In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10A is configured such that the display device 52 and the sub-control board unit 53 are difficult to separate at the joint (specifically, the slider 390 and the lock hole 431C) by restricting movement other than rotation using a plurality of engaging pieces 442 and a plurality of hood portions 430, a pair of engaging protrusions 431 and a pair of engaging recesses 383K. This allows the display device 52 and the sub-control board unit 53 to be assembled without the use of tools. As a result, the display device 52 and the sub-control board unit 53 can be assembled more easily and smoothly than in conventional gaming machines that were assembled with multiple screws. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of sliders 390 are provided as the joint, and these sliders 390 are arranged in the sliding direction, with their directions from the unlocked position to the locked position being opposite to each other. As a result, when assembling, the worker can hold the sub-control board unit 53 near the upper ends on both sides, allowing them to slide the pair of sliders 390 without having to change their grip on the sub-control board unit 53 or the display device 52.

[0229] In this embodiment, a slider 390 is used as an example of a connecting part, but other configurations may also be used, for example, a pair of Nylatch® 654 and a pair of Nylatch engagement holes 655 that restrict the rotation of the relay member 55 described later, or a configuration in which an elastic engagement piece and an engaged part engage (specifically, a configuration of an elastic engagement piece 407B and a projection that engages the case body 402 and the lid 407 of the board case 401 of the drive board unit 54 described later).

[0230] In this embodiment, the sub-control board unit 53 was restricted from movement other than rotation by a plurality of engaging pieces 442 and a plurality of hood portions 430, a pair of engaging protrusions 431 and a pair of engaging recesses 383K. However, for example, the sub-control board unit 53 may be received in a recessed portion provided on the rear surface of the display device 52, thereby restricting movement other than rotation. Furthermore, the sub-control board unit 53 may be mounted on a horizontally extending upright wall, restricting its movement, as long as it is possible to restrict movement other than rotation of the sub-control board unit 53, regardless of whether it is a recessed portion.

[0231] The above describes the structure of the sub-control board unit 53 for mounting to the display device 52. The other structures of the sub-control board unit 53 are as follows.

[0232] As shown in Figure 53, the board case 441 of the sub-control board unit 53 is divided into two parts, the case body 444 and the lid 443, at a front-to-rear position, with the lid 443 at the front and the case body 444 at the rear. The circuit board 440 is fixed to the case body 444. Specifically, the case body 444 is provided with multiple abutment protrusions that project forward from the rear wall 444R and abut against the rear surface of the circuit board 440. Mounting holes are formed in the center of some of these abutment protrusions, and screws passed from the front through holes in the circuit board 440 are screwed into the mounting holes to fix the circuit board 440 to the case body 444.

[0233] More specifically, the circuit board 440 consists of a horizontally elongated rectangular first circuit board 440A and a second circuit board 440B that has the same width but is about 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 the height. The second circuit board 440B is positioned above the first circuit board 440A with a gap between them in the same plane, and is screwed to the case body 444 as described above.

[0234] Furthermore, the first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B primarily have multiple electrical components mounted on their rear surfaces, including multiple connectors and capacitors, which are electrical components that protrude significantly from the circuit board 440.

[0235] The first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B are electrically connected by the coupling of connectors (not shown) mounted on the rear edges of their adjacent sides, and by the coupling of connectors 453 and 454 via cable 458, which will be described later. The first circuit board 440A has a microcontroller for sub-control mounted on it, which mainly controls the game's presentation, and is generally called a "sub-control board" in pachinko machines.

[0236] Multiple hook portions 410, which will be described later in the drive board unit 54, protrude forward from multiple positions in the vertical direction on both side walls of the case body 444, with their tips pointing upward. Corresponding to these multiple hook portions 410, multiple elongated holes are drilled at multiple positions in the vertical direction on both sides of the lid 443.

[0237] The aforementioned multiple engaging pieces 442 are integrally formed with the lid 443, and horizontally elongated hinge holes are formed at their bases. In addition, multiple L-shaped projections corresponding to the multiple hinge holes hang down from the lower end of the case body 444. The hinge is formed by bringing the case body 444 and the lid 443 close together only at their lower ends and inserting the multiple L-shaped projections into the multiple hinge holes, thereby joining the case body 444 and the lid 443 by relative rotation, and the multiple hook portions 410 are received in the multiple elongated holes. The lid 443 is then slid downward relative to the case body 444, and the multiple hook portions 410 engage with the opening edges of the multiple elongated holes. The case body 444 and the lid 443 are then fixed in their joined state by screws that pass through the upper ends of the case body 444 and the lid 443 from front to back.

[0238] The circuit board 440 is equipped with the following structure to expose these components from the circuit board 441: multiple connectors 451-457 that connect to the connectors at the ends of cables located outside the board case 441, and a manually operated volume element 470.

[0239] Connectors 451-457 and volume element 470 are mounted on the outer edge of the circuit board 440. Specifically, connectors 451 and 452 are arranged side by side on the upper edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440, with one of them connected to the connector at the end of a cable extending rearward from the display device 52. Connectors 453 and 454 are for connecting the first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B mentioned above, and are arranged vertically near the upper end of one side edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440. Furthermore, connectors 455, 456, and 457 and volume element 470 are arranged side by side in that order from one end to near the end of the lower edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440.

[0240] The circuit board 440 is equipped with the following structure to expose these components from the circuit board 441: multiple connectors 451-457 that connect to the connectors at the ends of cables located outside the board case 441, and a manually operated volume element 470.

[0241] As shown in Figure 49, connectors 451-457 and volume element 470 are mounted on the outer edge of the circuit board 440. Specifically, connectors 451 and 452 are arranged side by side on the upper edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440, with one of them connected to the connector at the end of a cable extending rearward from the display device 52. Connectors 453 and 454 are for connecting the first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B mentioned above, and are arranged vertically near the upper end of one side edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440. Furthermore, connectors 455, 456, and 457 and volume element 470 are arranged side by side in that order from one end to near the end of the lower edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440.

[0242] Connectors 451 and 453-456 share similar shapes and characteristics. The following details will be explained using connector 456 as an example, with reference to Figure 54(A). In the following, the side of connector 456 connected to the circuit board 440 will be referred to as the base end, and the opposite side as the tip end. Connector 456 is a rectangular connector with a rectangular hood 450 in front view, and is equipped with multiple connector pins 472 arranged in two rows on the inside. The tip of the lower side wall 456A of the hood 450 has a long, elongated notch 456B extending in the left-right direction. The upper side wall 456C is approximately 3 to 5 times thicker than the lower side wall 456A, and its tip has a notch 456D that is shorter in the left-right direction than the notch 456B. On the base end side of the upper side wall 456C, a stepped portion 456E is formed by recessing the upper side wall 456C in a stepped manner.

[0243] The connector 457 shown in Figure 54(B) has two connector pins 472 inside the rectangular hood 450A when viewed from the front. The lower wall 457A, which forms the underside of the hood 450A, has L-shaped projections 457B at a pair of corners that protrude towards the tip. The upper wall 457C is about 3 to 5 times thicker than the lower wall 457A, and a stepped portion 457D is formed in the center of the upper wall 457C in a stepped manner, and penetrates in the front-to-back direction.

[0244] Furthermore, the notches 456D and stepped portions 456E,457D provided in connectors 451 and 453-457 engage with the attachment and detachment elastic pieces of plug connectors (not shown) that are connected to these connectors.

[0245] The connector 452 shown in Figure 54(C) has a rectangular hood 450B in front view, and all the side walls of the hood 450 are of the same height. In addition, near the pair of corners of the upper side wall 452B, there is an upper corner wall 452C with a thickness of approximately 2 to 4 times that of the hood 450B.

[0246] As shown in FIG. 54(D), the volume element 470 is a cylindrical rotary switch, and a knob portion 473 for manual operation and a square switch base portion 474 connecting the knob portion 473 and the circuit board 440 are stacked in the front-rear direction.

[0247] As shown in FIG. 49, in order to expose the above-described connectors 451 to 457 and the volume element 470 from the substrate case 441, a plurality of recessed portions 462 in which the rear surface wall 444R is recessed in a stepped manner are provided at two locations, a side edge portion, and a lower end portion of the upper end portion of the case body 444 of the substrate case 441, and through holes 480A to 480D are formed in the recessed inner surface 465 of the recessed portion 462.

[0248] As shown in FIG. 49, the recessed portion 462 has a recessed inner surface 465 arranged at a position closer to the circuit board 440 than the rear surface of the rear surface wall 444R, and a connecting wall 464 connecting the rear surface wall 444R and the recessed inner surface 465. Although the recessed inner surfaces 465 of the plurality of recessed portions 462 are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction, the amount of recess from the rear surface wall 444R may be varied according to each of the connectors 451 to 457 and the volume element 470. Further, a slit-shaped vent hole 466 is formed at a corner where the connecting wall 464 and the rear surface wall 444R intersect, on the side facing the inside of the case body 444.

[0249] Since the through-holes 480A corresponding to the connectors 451, 455, and 456 have similar features, hereinafter, the through-hole 480A corresponding to the connector 456 will be described in detail as an example. As shown in FIG. 52(A), the through-hole 480A has a rectangular shape, and an extension portion 481 with an upwardly expanding opening is formed at its upper edge. Further, a ridge 493 protruding forward is formed across the front surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through-hole 480A. On the other hand, a protective wall 490A protruding rearward is formed on the rear surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through-hole 480A. The protective wall 490A is not provided at the portion facing the notch 456D and the stepped portion 456E of the upper side wall 456C of the connector 456, and forms an open portion 491. Also, the protective wall 490A is at substantially the same height as the tip of the connector 456. Further, the inner surface of the through-hole 480A, the inner surface of the ridge 493, and the inner surface of the protective wall 493A are flush.

[0250] As shown in FIG. 52(A), the through-hole 480B corresponding to the connector 457 has a substantially square shape and includes an extension portion 481 similar to the through-hole 480A. Further, a step 492 is formed in the through-hole 480B by recessing the recessed inner surface 465 stepwise above the extension portion 481. At the opening edge of the through-hole 480B, a ridge (not shown) and a protective wall 490B are provided in the same manner as the through-hole 480A. The protective wall 490B is provided at a portion other than the step 492, and its height is substantially the same as the tip of the connector 457 and approximately half the height of the protective wall 490A.

[0251] As shown in FIG. 52(A), a passage wall 493 is formed between the protective wall 490A of the connector 456 and the protective wall 490B of the connector 457. A through-hole 493A is formed at a position near the lower end in FIG. 52(A) in the protective wall 490A of the connector 456, and a through-hole 493B is formed at a position facing the through-hole 493A in the left side wall in FIG. 52(A) in the protective wall 490A of the connector 457. The ends of these two through-holes 493A and 493B are connected by a pair of passage walls 493.

[0252] The protective walls 490A and 490B have their tips lower than the connecting wall 464. In addition, the protective walls 490A and 490B of connectors 455 to 457 are positioned opposite each other with a gap between the opening 491 and the connecting wall 464 that can accommodate a fingertip.

[0253] As shown in Figure 52(C), the recessed portion 462 provided on the left side edge of the case body 444 has ribs 444A at its upper and lower ends, and a rib 444H midway between the two ribs 444A. As shown in Figure 52(C), the ribs 444A and 444H extend along the outer circumference of the substrate case 441, and their rear ends are at the same height as the rear wall 444R. A protruding wall 444S is formed between adjacent ribs 444A and rib 444H, connecting the base ends of the two ribs. In addition, a projection 444T is formed from a pair of ribs 444H, projecting inward toward the case body 444. A projection 444M protrudes from the connecting wall 464 opposite to the projection 444T, approaching the projection 444T. Furthermore, a cable retaining piece 444K extends in a cantilevered manner from the rear surface of the protrusion 444M, reaching the outer edge of the case body 444. Through holes 480C are opened above and below the cable retaining piece 444K within the recessed portion 462.

[0254] As shown in Figure 52(C), the protective wall 490C is U-shaped and opens outwards from the substrate case 441. The outward-facing ends of the protective wall 490C are connected to the ribs 444A and 444H, respectively. The protective wall 490C is at approximately the same height as the tips of the connectors 45453 and 454, and is lower than the connecting wall 464. Furthermore, there is a gap between the connecting wall 464 and the protective wall 490C that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip.

[0255] As shown in Figure 49, the connecting wall 464 of the recessed portion 462 provided at the lower end of the case body 444 is equipped with a stepped wall 495A that bends upward in a stepped manner. As shown in Figure 52(B), a protective wall 495 extends downward from the left end of this stepped wall 495A, curves to the left, then extends to the right, and connects to the end of the connecting wall 464. A through hole 480D for exposing the volume element 474 is opened in the recessed inner surface 465 surrounded by the protective wall 495 and the connecting wall 464.

[0256] As shown in Figure 52(B), the through-hole 480D that exposes the volume element 470 is approximately square in shape and is slightly larger than the side wall of the switch base 474. The protective wall 495 and the connecting wall 464 and the knob 473 are separated by a gap large enough to accommodate a fingertip. The height from the recessed portion 462 of the protective wall 495 and the recessed connecting wall 464 is the same, and the tip of the knob 473 is lower than that.

[0257] As shown in Figure 49, the through-hole 480C of the connector 452 is rectangular in shape along the side wall of the hood 450, and a protrusion (not shown) is formed on the front surface of the opening edge, projecting forward around its entire circumference. Furthermore, the connector 452 does not have a protective wall, and the recessed inner surface 465 and the tip of the hood 450C are at approximately the same height.

[0258] Furthermore, the connectors 451 and 453-457 and the volume element 470 are surrounded from the sides by protective walls 490A, 490B, and 495 that rise from the opening edges of the through holes 480A-480D toward the rear.

[0259] With the above configuration, the protective wall 490 facing the outer parts of connectors 451 and 453-457 exposed from the circuit board case 441 will contact the protective wall 490 when attempting to remove the connector by pulling the cable, thereby restricting lateral deformation and movement, and thus preventing damage to the hood 450. Furthermore, damage to the hood 450 due to external force is also prevented.

[0260] Furthermore, by positioning the tip of the connector 452 at approximately the same height as the recessed portion 462, the opening edge restricts deformation and movement of the connector 452, thereby suppressing damage to the hood 450.

[0261] Furthermore, the opening 481 allows for the receipt of the elastic piece used for attaching and detaching the connector (socket connector) on the connecting side. Moreover, by positioning this opening 481 opposite the connecting wall 464, the hood 450 and the knob of the socket connector, which are exposed by the opening 481, can be protected from external pressure. In addition, by providing a gap between the opening 481 and the connecting wall 464 large enough to accommodate a fingertip, the attachment and detachment operation can be easily performed.

[0262] Furthermore, by surrounding the volume element 470 with the protective wall 495 and the connecting wall 464A, damage to the knob portion 473 due to external force can be suppressed. In addition, by providing a gap between the knob portion 473 and the protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464A that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip, operation can be made easier.

[0263] Furthermore, by providing the cable retainer 444K to protrude from the rear wall 444R, the cable connecting connector 453 and connector 454 will not protrude from the case body 444, thereby suppressing problems such as cable breakage.

[0264] In this embodiment, the protective wall 490 was a wall-like member, but it may also be a projection or the like provided near the outer wall of the electrical component.

[0265] The electrical components facing the protective wall 490 from the side were a connector and a volume control element, but any electrical component that needs to be exposed to the outside is acceptable. Also, the volume control element was a rotary switch, but any type of switch, such as a push button or slide switch, is acceptable.

[0266] The circuit board 440 is equipped with the following structure to expose these components from the circuit board 441: multiple connectors 451-457 that connect to the connectors at the ends of cables located outside the board case 441, and a manually operated volume element 470.

[0267] As shown in Figure 49, connectors 451-457 and volume element 470 are mounted on the outer edge of the circuit board 440. Specifically, connectors 451 and 452 are arranged side by side on the upper edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440, with one of them connected to the connector at the end of a cable extending rearward from the display device 52. Connectors 453 and 454 are for connecting the first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B mentioned above, and are arranged vertically near the upper end of one side edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440. Furthermore, connectors 455, 456, and 457 and volume element 470 are arranged side by side in that order from one end to near the end of the lower edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440.

[0268] Connectors 451 and 453-456 share similar shapes and characteristics. The following details will be explained using connector 456 as an example, with reference to Figure 54(A). In the following, the side of connector 456 connected to the circuit board 440 will be referred to as the base end, and the opposite side as the tip end. Connector 456 is a rectangular connector with a rectangular hood 450 in front view, and is equipped with multiple connector pins 472 arranged in two rows on the inside. The tip of the lower side wall 456A of the hood 450 has a long, elongated notch 456B extending in the left-right direction. The upper side wall 456C is approximately 3 to 5 times thicker than the lower side wall 456A, and its tip has a notch 456D that is shorter in the left-right direction than the notch 456B. On the base end side of the upper side wall 456C, a stepped portion 456E is formed by recessing the upper side wall 456C in a stepped manner.

[0269] The connector 457 shown in FIG. 54(B) has two connector pins 472 inside a hood 450A having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. At a pair of corners of a lower side wall 457A forming the lower side of the hood 450A, there are provided L-shaped projections 457B projecting the corners in the tip direction. The upper side wall 457C has a plate thickness about 3 to 5 times that of the lower side wall 457A, and at the center in the left-right direction, a stepped portion 457D is formed by notch-cutting the upper side wall 457C in a stepped manner and penetrating it in the front-rear direction.

[0270] Note that in the notch portions 456D and the stepped portions 456E, 457D provided in the connector 451 and the connectors 453 to 457, elastic pieces for attaching and detaching a plug connector (not shown) connected to these connectors are engaged.

[0271] The connector 452 shown in FIG. 54(C) has a hood 450B having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and all side walls of the hood 450 have the same height. Also, in the vicinity of a pair of corners of the upper side wall 452B on the upper side, there are upper corner walls 452C having a plate thickness about 2 to 4 times that of the hood 450B.

[0272] As shown in FIG. 54(D), the volume element 470 is a columnar rotary switch, and a knob portion 473 for manual operation and a square switch base portion 474 connecting the knob portion 473 and the circuit board 440 are overlapped in the front-rear direction.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 49, in order to expose the above-described connectors 451 to 457 and the volume element 470 from the substrate case 441, a plurality of recessed portions 462 are provided in which a rear surface wall 444R is recessed in a stepped manner at two locations at the upper end portion, the side edge portion, and the lower end portion of the case body 444 of the substrate case 441, and through holes 480A to 480D are formed in the recessed inner surface 465 of the recessed portion 462.

[0274] As shown in Figure 49, the recessed portion 462 has a recessed inner surface 465 positioned closer to the circuit board 440 than the rear surface of the rear wall 444R, and a connecting wall 464 that connects the rear wall 444R and the recessed inner surface 465. Although the recessed inner surfaces 465 of multiple recessed portions 462 are positioned at the same location in the front-rear direction, the amount of recession from the rear wall 444R may be varied to match each connector 451-457 and volume element 470. In addition, a slit-shaped ventilation hole 466 is formed at the corner where the connecting wall 464 and the rear wall 444R intersect, on the side facing inward from the case body 444.

[0275] The through-holes 480A corresponding to connectors 451, 455, and 456 have similar characteristics, so the following description will focus on the through-hole 480A corresponding to connector 456 as an example. As shown in Figure 52(A), the through-hole 480A is rectangular in shape, and an expanded portion 481 is formed on its upper edge, extending upwards from the opening. In addition, a ridge 493 is formed across the front surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through-hole 480A, projecting forward. On the other hand, a protective wall 490A is formed on the rear surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through-hole 480A, projecting backwards. The protective wall 490A is not provided in the portion of the upper wall 456C of the connector 456 that faces the notch 456D and the stepped portion 456E, and is an open portion 491. The protective wall 490A is also at approximately the same height as the tip of the connector 456. Furthermore, the inner surface of the through-hole 480A, the inner surface of the protrusion 493, and the inner surface of the protective wall 493A are flush with each other.

[0276] As shown in Figure 52(A), the through-hole 480B corresponding to the connector 457 is substantially square in shape and, like the through-hole 480A, is equipped with an expansion portion 481. In addition, the through-hole 480B has a step 492 formed by recessing the recessed inner surface 465 in a stepped manner above the expansion portion 481. The opening edge of the through-hole 480B is provided with a projection (not shown) and a protective wall 490B, similar to the through-hole 480A. The protective wall 490B is provided in the portion other than the step 492, and its height is approximately the same as the tip of the connector 457 and approximately half the height of the protective wall 490A.

[0277] As shown in Figure 52(A), a passage wall 493 is formed between the protective wall 490A of connector 456 and the protective wall 490B of connector 457. In the protective wall 490A of connector 456, a passage opening 493A is formed near the lower end in Figure 52(A), and in the protective wall 490A of connector 457, a passage opening 493B is formed on the left side wall in Figure 52(A) opposite to passage opening 493A, and the ends of these two passage openings 493A and 493B are connected by a pair of passage walls 493.

[0278] The protective walls 490A and 490B have their tips lower than the connecting wall 464. In addition, the protective walls 490A and 490B of connectors 455 to 457 are positioned opposite each other with a gap between the opening 491 and the connecting wall 464 that can accommodate a fingertip.

[0279] As shown in Figure 52(C), the recessed portion 462 provided on the left side edge of the case body 444 has ribs 444A at its upper and lower ends, and a rib 444H midway between the two ribs 444A. As shown in Figure 52(C), the ribs 444A and 444H extend along the outer circumference of the substrate case 441, and their rear ends are at the same height as the rear wall 444R. A protruding wall 444S is formed between adjacent ribs 444A and rib 444H, connecting the base ends of the two ribs. In addition, a projection 444T is formed from a pair of ribs 444H, projecting inward toward the case body 444. A projection 444M protrudes from the connecting wall 464 opposite to the projection 444T, approaching the projection 444T. Furthermore, a cable retaining piece 444K extends in a cantilevered manner from the rear surface of the protrusion 444M, reaching the outer edge of the case body 444. Through holes 480C are opened above and below the cable retaining piece 444K within the recessed portion 462.

[0280] As shown in Figure 52(C), the protective wall 490C is U-shaped and opens outwards from the substrate case 441. The outward-facing ends of the protective wall 490C are connected to the ribs 444A and 444H, respectively. The protective wall 490C is at approximately the same height as the tips of the connectors 45453 and 454, and is lower than the connecting wall 464. Furthermore, there is a gap between the connecting wall 464 and the protective wall 490C that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip.

[0281] As shown in Figure 49, the connecting wall 464 of the recessed portion 462 provided at the lower end of the case body 444 is equipped with a stepped wall 495A that bends upward in a stepped manner. As shown in Figure 52(B), a protective wall 495 extends downward from the left end of this stepped wall 495A, curves to the left, then extends to the right, and connects to the end of the connecting wall 464. A through hole 480D for exposing the volume element 474 is opened in the recessed inner surface 465 surrounded by the protective wall 495 and the connecting wall 464.

[0282] As shown in Figure 52(B), the through-hole 480D that exposes the volume element 470 is approximately square in shape and is slightly larger than the side wall of the switch base 474. The protective wall 495 and the connecting wall 464 and the knob 473 are separated by a gap large enough to accommodate a fingertip. The height from the recessed portion 462 of the protective wall 495 and the recessed connecting wall 464 is the same, and the tip of the knob 473 is lower than that.

[0283] As shown in Figure 49, the through-hole 480C of the connector 452 is rectangular in shape along the side wall of the hood 450, and a protrusion (not shown) is formed on the front surface of the opening edge, projecting forward around its entire circumference. Furthermore, the connector 452 does not have a protective wall, and the recessed inner surface 465 and the tip of the hood 450C are at approximately the same height.

[0284] Furthermore, the connectors 451 and 453-457 and the volume element 470 are surrounded from the sides by protective walls 490A, 490B, and 495 that rise from the opening edges of the through holes 480A-480D toward the rear.

[0285] With the above configuration, the protective wall 490 facing the outer parts of connectors 451 and 453-457 exposed from the circuit board case 441 will contact the protective wall 490 when attempting to remove the connector by pulling the cable, thereby restricting lateral deformation and movement, and thus preventing damage to the hood 450. Furthermore, damage to the hood 450 due to external force is also prevented.

[0286] Furthermore, by positioning the tip of the connector 452 at approximately the same height as the recessed portion 462, the opening edge restricts deformation and movement of the connector 452, thereby suppressing damage to the hood 450.

[0287] Furthermore, the opening 481 allows for the receipt of the elastic piece used for attaching and detaching the connector (socket connector) on the connecting side. Moreover, by positioning this opening 481 opposite the connecting wall 464, the hood 450 and the knob of the socket connector, which are exposed by the opening 481, can be protected from external pressure. In addition, by providing a gap between the opening 481 and the connecting wall 464 large enough to accommodate a fingertip, the attachment and detachment operation can be easily performed.

[0288] Furthermore, by surrounding the volume element 470 with the protective wall 495 and the connecting wall 464A, damage to the knob portion 473 due to external force can be suppressed. In addition, by providing a gap between the knob portion 473 and the protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464A that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip, operation can be made easier.

[0289] Furthermore, by providing the cable retainer 444K to protrude from the rear wall 444R, the cable connecting connector 453 and connector 454 will not protrude from the case body 444, thereby suppressing problems such as cable breakage.

[0290] In this embodiment, the protective wall 490 was a wall-like member, but it may also be a projection or the like provided near the outer wall of the electrical component.

[0291] The electrical components facing the protective wall 490 from the side were a connector and a volume control element, but any electrical component that needs to be exposed to the outside is acceptable. Also, the volume control element was a rotary switch, but any type of switch, such as a push button or slide switch, is acceptable.

[0292] As shown in Figure 3, when viewing the rear assembly 50 from the rear, a vertically elongated drive board unit 54 is attached to the left side of the support housing 51. As shown in Figure 55, the drive board unit 54 consists of a circuit board 420 housed in a board case 401.

[0293] The circuit board 420 has a drive circuit mounted on it for supplying power to the drive source of movable parts and the like. The circuit board 420 is a vertically elongated rectangle and consists of two nearly identical first and second circuit boards 420A and 420B, which are arranged vertically in the same plane and have connectors fixed to them that are connected to each other. The rear surface of the circuit board 420 is the mounting surface, and it has multiple connectors on the upper part of the rear surface and on the upper left side when viewed from the rear. A first harness with multiple mating connectors that connect to the multiple upper connectors extends from the circuit board 420 to the right, and a second harness with multiple mating connectors that connect to the multiple upper-side connectors extends from the circuit board 420 to the left.

[0294] The circuit board case 401 is detachable into a case body 402 and a lid 407. The case body 402 has a structure in which the circuit board housing section 403 that houses the circuit board 420 is equipped with first and second cable support sections 404 and 405 on the upper part and one side.

[0295] The circuit board housing 403 is slightly longer vertically than the circuit board 420, flattened in the front-to-back direction, and has a box shape with an open rear. The circuit board 420 is positioned towards the lower end of the circuit board housing 403 and is secured with screws with its rear surface against the tips of several support columns that protrude rearward from the front wall 403F of the circuit board housing 403. Although not used in this embodiment, a cable insertion hole 403A is formed in the upper end of the front wall 403F where the circuit board 420 does not overlap, and a cable insertion hole 51U (see Figure 57) is formed in the support housing 51 that overlaps with the cable insertion hole 403A.

[0296] The first cable support section 404 has a support wall 404A that protrudes to the right when viewed from the rear from the top of the substrate housing section 403. A rectangular die-cut hole is formed near the tip of the support wall 404A, and an arch-shaped band stopper section 404B is formed to straddle it laterally. A cable tie is passed through the band stopper section 404B and wrapped around the first harness, thereby supporting the first harness on the first cable support section 404.

[0297] A support wall 406 hangs down from the left half of the lower surface of the circuit board housing 403 when viewed from the rear. The lower end of the support wall 406 and the upper end of the support wall 404A have mounting holes 402K for screwing the case body 402 to the support housing 51.

[0298] As shown in Figure 56, the second cable support section 405 has an outer side cover wall 405A that extends to the left from the entire left side when viewed from behind the substrate housing section 403 and the support projection wall 406, and then bends diagonally forward, and an inner side cover wall 405B that extends forward from the base end of the outer side cover wall 405A and forms a cable housing trough 405T together with the outer side cover wall 405A for housing cables.

[0299] As shown in Figure 55, a cable insertion hole 405C is formed near the top of the outer side cover wall 405A, passing through the portion that protrudes laterally from the substrate housing 403 in the front-to-back direction. The second harness is then housed in the second cable support portion 405 through the cable insertion hole 405C, bent downwards, and extended along the cable housing trough 405T. Also, as shown in Figure 56(A), several locations along the longitudinal direction of the inner side cover wall 405B are cut away, leaving a portion at the base end, and through holes are drilled in these remaining portions to form multiple band fasteners 404B. Cable ties passed through the through holes of these band fasteners 404B are then wrapped around the second harness inside the cable housing trough 405T. Although not used in this embodiment, a cable insertion hole 51V is formed in the portion of the support housing 51 that is covered by the cable housing trough 405T (see Figure 57).

[0300] As shown in Figure 56(A), multiple hook portions 410 protrude from multiple positions in the vertical direction at the tip of the outer side cover wall 405A. These hook portions 410 protrude forward from the outer side cover wall 405A and then bend downward at a right angle, forming a shape that extends vertically downward. In addition, multiple elongated holes 400 corresponding to these hook portions 410 are formed on the side of the support housing 51. When the case body 402 is slid downward relative to the support housing 51 by passing the multiple hook portions 410 through the multiple elongated holes 400, the hook portions 410 engage with the opening edges of the elongated holes 400, and the aforementioned pair of mounting holes 402K at the upper and lower ends of the case body 402 align with the fixing holes 51K (see Figure 57) provided in the support housing 51. Then, the case body 402 is fixed to the support housing 51 by tightening screws passed through the pair of mounting holes 402K into the support housing 51.

[0301] As shown in Figure 56(B), the lid 407 has a vertically elongated container structure with an open front, and is hinged by engaging multiple L-shaped projections 407A provided on one side with multiple hinge holes 405H formed in the outer side cover wall 405A of the case body 402. In addition, multiple elastic engaging pieces 407B are provided on the other side of the lid 407, and by engaging these with multiple projections on one side of the substrate housing 403, the lid 407 is fixed in a state where it covers the substrate housing 403 from the rear. Furthermore, a cable insertion opening 407C is formed in the upper part of the lid 407 corresponding to the first cable support portion 404 (see Figure 55).

[0302] As shown in Figure 3, a main control board unit 56 is provided at the lower rear end of the rear surface of the rear assembly 50. As shown in Figure 59, the main control board unit 56 consists of a circuit board 600 housed in a board case 601. The board case 601 is flattened in the front-to-back direction and forms a horizontally elongated rectangle when viewed from the front-to-back direction. The board case 601 is divided into a case body 602 and a lid 603 near its front end. The circuit board 600 has its rear surface as the mounting surface and is screwed to the case body 602.

[0303] Furthermore, the case body 602 and the lid 603 are hinged together using multiple L-shaped projections and multiple hinge holes, similar to the coupling structure between the case body 444 and the lid 443 of the sub-control board unit 53. After sliding engagement using multiple hook portions 410 and multiple elongated holes 400, similar to the engagement structure between the drive board unit 54 and the support housing 51, they are secured together with screws and locked in place. The L-shaped projections are provided on the left end of the case body 602 when viewed from the rear, while the hinge holes are formed on the left end of the lid 603. The multiple hook portions 410 are provided on the upper and lower edges of the case body 602, while the multiple elongated holes are formed on the upper and lower edges of the lid 603. A special screw then passes through the right end of the case body 602 when viewed from the rear and is fastened into a screw hole in the lid 603. Furthermore, these special screws break apart midway when tightened, making them difficult to remove, and attempting to remove them leaves a mark in the screw hole.

[0304] The case body 602 has a slightly recessed rectangular area at the lower left corner when viewed from the rear, forming a certificate attachment area 604 where a certificate indicating that the circuit board 600 of the main control board unit 56 is a certified product is attached. In addition, a rib 604L protrudes from the left outer edge of the certificate attachment area 604, and a circular recess 604A is formed in the upper center of the certificate attachment area 604, with a mounting hole formed in its center.

[0305] On the other hand, a lower end projection 603A is formed from the lower left end of the lid 603, overlapping the lower surface of the case body 602. A pair of engaging recesses 603B are formed on the part of the lid 603 directly in front of the lower end projection 603A. A pair of hook portions 605F (only one is shown in Figure 59) at the lower end of the L-shaped cover member 605 that covers the certificate attachment portion 604 engage with the pair of engaging recesses 603B.

[0306] The L-shaped cover member 605 has a first plate portion 605A that overlaps the certificate attachment portion 604 and a second plate portion 605B that overlaps the case body 602 from below. A pair of hook portions 605F that are folded back from the front end of the second plate portion 605B engage with a pair of engagement recesses 603B. As a result, the case body 602 and the lid 603 cannot be slid apart unless the L-shaped cover member 605 is removed.

[0307] Furthermore, the first plate portion 605A has a cylindrical portion that fits into the recess 604A, and the aforementioned special screw is screwed into the mounting hole in the center of the recess 604A. As a result, when the case body 602 and the lid 603 are slid apart, a trace remains.

[0308] The circuit board 600 has a microcontroller for main control mounted on it, and mainly controls the determination of whether a game is successful or not, and in pachinko machines it is generally called the "main control board". An IC socket 600A into which the aforementioned microcontroller is mounted is located in the center of the circuit board 600. Furthermore, the area of ​​the rear wall 602R of the case body 602 that faces the IC socket 600A forms a recessed portion 602A that is indented forward. A rectangular tube wall (not shown) protrudes forward from this recessed portion 602A, abuts against the circuit board 600, and surrounds the IC socket 600A.

[0309] Multiple connectors are mounted side-by-side on the upper rear edge of the circuit board 600. Furthermore, the upper edge of the rear wall 602R is stepped forward to form an upper edge recess 602B, through which multiple connectors are exposed via multiple openings.

[0310] As shown in Figure 3, the main control board unit 56 is attached to the support housing 51 via a relay member 55. To attach the relay member 55 to the support housing 51, the lower end of the support housing 51 has the following structure. That is, as shown in Figure 60, at the corner where the lower wall 322 and the rear wall 319 of the support housing 51 intersect, a pair of corner recesses 630 are formed by recessing two points near both ends toward the front. A pair of hinge bars 631 protrude from the inner surfaces of the two corner recesses 630 that are separated from each other in the lateral direction.

[0311] The hinge bar 631 has a structure in which, for example, a rod body extending from the inner surface of the corner recess 630 with a "+" cross-section is fitted with a disc body having an outer surface substantially identical to the circumscribed circle of the rod body. An inclined hole for forming the hinge bar 631 is formed at the bottom of the corner recess 630.

[0312] The intermediate member 55 is a molded resin product and has a horizontally elongated, roughly rectangular main plate portion 650. Reinforcing ribs 650L protrude rearward from the entire upper edge of the main plate portion 650, and first and second engaging portions 661 and 662 for mounting the main control board unit 56 to the intermediate member 55 protrude rearward from both sides of the main plate portion 650. The lower edge of the main plate portion 650 is cut upward throughout, except for both ends, forming a pair of lower end projections 651 that protrude relatively downward from both ends. A pair of support ribs 652, parallel to the reinforcing ribs 650L, protrude rearward from the lower edges of the pair of lower end projections 651. Furthermore, a rectangular window 650W is formed in the center of the main plate portion 650. Furthermore, the upper edge of the main plate portion 650 is provided with a plurality of upper end projections 656, and the aforementioned harness holding portion 409 is provided on the rear surface of these upper end projections 657.

[0313] As shown in Figure 61, a pair of hinge engagement portions 653 are provided on the front surface of a pair of lower end projections 651. These pair of hinge engagement portions 653 open outwards toward opposite sides, forming a hood shape. The tips of the pair of hinge engagement portions 653 are both shaped like a halved cylinder and curved around a common central axis.

[0314] To attach the intermediate member 55 to the support housing 51, the intermediate member 55 is curved and deformed so that the lateral center of the main plate portion 650 bulges backward, bringing a pair of hinge engagement portions 653 closer together. A pair of hinge bars 631 are then received by these hinge engagement portions 653, and the intermediate member 55 is elastically returned to its original position. This engages the pair of hinge bars 631 with the pair of hinge engagement portions 653, preventing them from coming loose, and the intermediate member 55 is hinged to the support housing 51.

[0315] As shown in Figure 60, the intermediate member 55 is provided with a pair of Nylatch 654 (registered trademark) at the upper ends of both sides (the upper ends of the first and second engaging portions 661 and 662) to restrict its rotation. Furthermore, a Nylatch engagement hole 655 for engaging one Nylatch 654 is provided in the board case 401 of the aforementioned drive board unit 54, and a Nylatch engagement hole 655 for engaging the other Nylatch 654 is provided in the monitor case 380 of the aforementioned display device 52. The intermediate member 55 is fixed in an upright position by engaging the pair of Nylatch 654 with the pair of Nylatch engagement holes 655.

[0316] When viewed from the rear, the first engaging portion 661 on the left side of the intermediate member 55 is bent backward in a crank shape from the main plate portion 650 and protrudes laterally. A pair of engaging holes 661A are formed vertically in the first engaging portion 661, penetrating the stepped surface 661D between the first engaging portion 661 and the main plate portion 650.

[0317] As shown in Figure 62(B), the second engaging portion 662 on the right side of the relay member 55, when viewed from the rear, is divided into five parts by the first to fourth horizontal protrusions 662A to 662D, which are arranged in order from top to bottom. The portion of the second engaging portion 662 above the first horizontal protrusion 662A and the portion below the fourth horizontal protrusion 662D form a pair of positioning portions 663 that abut the main control board unit 56 from the side, and are equipped with multiple sliding contact protrusions 663T that project toward the stepped surface 661D and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0318] The space between the first and second horizontal protrusions 662A, 662B and the space between the third and fourth horizontal protrusions 662C, 662D forms a pair of protrusion receiving sections 664 that receive a pair of protective protrusions 612, described later, that protrude from the main control board unit 56. In addition, the opposing surfaces in the vertical direction within each protrusion receiving section 664 are also provided with sliding contact protrusions 664T that extend in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the upper protrusion receiving section 664 is provided with a support column 664A that protrudes toward the rear.

[0319] A locking portion 665 is located between the second and third horizontal protrusions 662B and 662C. The locking portion 665 occupies approximately one-third of the entire vertical length of the second engaging portion 662 and is located approximately in the center in the vertical direction. Specifically, the locking portion 665 has a connecting wall 666 that extends vertically and connects the second and third horizontal protrusions 662B and 662C at the ends of the protrusions that are away from the stepped surface 661D. The connecting wall 666 has locking projections 666T at three locations on its tip edge: both ends and the middle section in the vertical direction. These locking projections 666T protrude from the tip edge of the locking portion 665 toward the stepped surface 661D, and their cross-sectional shape is trapezoidal with an inclined surface that faces diagonally backward. Furthermore, a pair of semicircular projections 666A protrude from the tip of two locations on the connecting wall 666 where the locking projections 666T are not present.

[0320] The main control board unit 56's board case 601 is provided with the following structure for mounting to the relay member 55. Specifically, as shown in Figure 59, a pair of engaging pieces 611 protrude from the left side when viewing the main control board unit 56 from the rear. When the main control board unit 56 is tilted with the left side facing forward, the pair of engaging pieces 611 are inserted into a pair of engaging holes 661A of the relay member 55, and the front surface of the main control board unit 56 is placed on top of the main plate portion 650 of the relay member 55, as shown in Figure 63, the main control board unit 56's board case 601 is positioned from all four sides, sandwiched between the stepped surface 661D and the positioning portion 663 of the relay member 55 in the lateral direction, and sandwiched between the reinforcing rib 650L and the support rib 652 of the relay member 55 in the vertical direction.

[0321] As shown in Figure 62(A), when viewing the main control board unit 56 from the rear, a pair of protective protrusions 612 are received by a pair of protrusion receiving portions 664 on the relay member 55 from the upper and lower ends of the right side. In addition, a fixing hole runs through the upper protective protrusion 612 from front to back. The main control board unit 56 can then be fixed to the relay member 55 by screwing a screw through the fixing hole into the center of the support column 664A of the upper protrusion receiving portion 664 as needed.

[0322] Furthermore, a locking section 613 is provided in the center of the right side when viewing the main control board unit 56 from the rear. The locking section 613 has three curved strip-shaped bodies 613A spaced apart vertically, each extending laterally from the side of the main control board unit 56, then bending forward, and then curving and folding back to the rear. The tips and base ends of these three curved strip-shaped bodies 613A are connected by a pair of vertically elongated strip-shaped bodies 613B extending vertically, forming an elastic curved section 613C. The elastic curved section 613C also has a pair of operating projections 613D extending backward from two points along the vertical axis of the vertically elongated strip-shaped body 613B at the tip of the elastic curved section 613C. The locking section 613 is also protected by being housed between a pair of protective projections 612.

[0323] As described above, in the process of overlapping the front surface of the main control board unit 56 with the relay member 55, as shown in Figure 63, the elastically curved portion 613C of the main control board unit 56 slides against the multiple locking protrusions 666T of the locking portion 665 of the relay member 55 and undergoes elastic deformation. When the front surface of the main control board unit 56 overlaps with the relay member 55, the elastically curved portion 613C passes over the multiple locking protrusions 666T, and these multiple locking protrusions 666T engage with three locations separated by a pair of operating protrusions 613D at the tip of the elastically curved portion 613C. This locks the main control board unit 56 into the state where it is attached to the relay member 55.

[0324] Furthermore, when removing the main control board unit 56 from the relay member 55, if the protective projection 612 and the support column 664A of the projection receiving portion 664 are fastened with screws, these screws are removed, and the pair of operating pieces 613D are pressed to release the engagement between the multiple locking protrusions 666T and the elastic bending portion 613C. At this time, by pressing both of the pair of operating pieces 613D simultaneously, the engagement of all of the multiple locking protrusions 666T with the elastic bending portion 613C is released. If only one of the pair of operating pieces 613D is pressed, the elastic bending portion 613C will deform unevenly, and the engagement of all of the multiple locking protrusions 666T with the elastic bending portion 613C will not be released.

[0325] In this embodiment of the gaming machine 10A, the main plate portion 650 of the intermediate member 55 is curved and deformed to bulge backward, so that a pair of hinge engagement portions 653 engage with a pair of hinge bars 631 of the support housing 51, thereby connecting the intermediate member 55 to the support housing 51. This makes it possible to assemble the intermediate member 55 and the support housing 51 without using tools. As a result, the intermediate member 55 and the support housing 51 can be assembled more easily and smoothly than in conventional gaming machines that were assembled with multiple screws. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intermediate member 55 is made of resin, which is more easily deformable than other members, and a rectangular window 650W is formed in the center of the main plate portion 650, making it easier to deform and assemble. Moreover, in this embodiment, the main control board unit 56 is attached to the intermediate member 55, which restricts the deformation of the intermediate member 55, thus preventing the intermediate member 55 from coming off the support housing 51.

[0326] In this embodiment, the pair of hinge engagement parts 653 and the pair of hinge bars 631 described above allow the relay member 55 to be rotated around its lower end relative to the support housing 51 while the main control board unit 56 is assembled to the relay member 55, and it can be fixed in an upright position by the connecting parts (specifically, a pair of nylon latches 654 and nylon latch engagement holes 655). This allows the front side of the main control board unit 56 to be seen, making it easy to check whether or not any unauthorized parts have been installed. In addition, it facilitates the routing of cables of movable components fixed to the support housing 51 by pulling them out from multiple openings 319W and bundling them together.

[0327] In this embodiment, the support housing 51 and the relay member 55 are exemplified as the first and second parts that are deformed and then restored to their original shape for engagement. However, the embodiment is not limited to these, and may be applied to, for example, parts assembled to the game board 40, parts of the special features, or circuit board units. Also, in this embodiment, bending elastic deformation is exemplified, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and may be compressive elastic deformation, tensile elastic deformation, torsional elastic deformation, or other types of deformation.

[0328] Furthermore, the deformation does not have to be elastic deformation. For example, the second base of the second component may consist of multiple components that slide-engage, and the sliding of these components causes the second base to expand and contract, or the second base may consist of multiple components that hinge-connect, and the rotation of these components causes the second base to bend.

[0329] In this embodiment, the coupling portion was configured to include a nylon latch 654 and a nylon latch engagement hole 655 that engage when pressed. However, it may also be configured to include a slide 390 and a lock hole 372 that engage when slid, as described above. Alternatively, it may be configured to consist of a pair of elastic engaging pieces and a locked portion that engages, such as the engagement structure between the lock portion 665 of the intermediate member 55 and the lock portion 613 of the main control board unit 56.

[0330] In this embodiment, the connecting portion (a pair of Nylatch 654) was provided on the relay member 55, but it may also be provided on the main control board unit 56.

[0331] In this embodiment, the elastically deformable intermediate member 55 was provided with a hinge engagement portion 653, but the intermediate member 55 may also be provided with a hinge bar 631.

[0332] This concludes the explanation of the configuration of the gaming machine 10A. Next, the gameplay of the gaming machine 10A will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 12. The gaming machine 10A is a so-called Type 1 and Type 2 mixed machine, in which the entry of a game ball into the start prize entry 14,71A triggers the right to determine whether the result is a "jackpot," a "minor win," or a "miss," and the result of this determination is announced by a combination of multiple special symbols displayed on the display screen 52G of the display device 52. For this reason, the win / loss determination based on the right to determine whether the result is a jackpot is also called a "special symbol determination." And, one of the conditions for the jackpot game to be executed is that the result of the special symbol determination is a jackpot (Type 1 jackpot). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the probability of a big win is the same for special symbol determination resulting from entry into the starting prize slot 14 and for special symbol determination resulting from entry into the starting prize slot 71A, while the probability of a small win is higher for special symbol determination resulting from entry into the starting prize slot 71A.

[0333] When a jackpot is determined by the special symbol judgment, a "jackpot game" is executed in which the sliding plate 75B of the second attacker 75, which is normally closed, opens multiple times for a predetermined period of time. Here, the operation of the sliding plate 75B from opening to closing is called a "round," and one jackpot game continues until a predetermined number of rounds have been executed. One round ends when a predetermined number of game balls enter the large prize opening 75A, or when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the sliding plate 75B opened. When a game ball enters the large prize opening 75A, for example, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls into the upper tray 9A for each entry.

[0334] When a small win is determined by the special symbol judgment, a "small win game" is executed in which the sliding plate 72B of the first attacker 72, which is normally closed, opens multiple times for a predetermined period of time. When a game ball enters the large prize opening 72A, the distribution member at the back of the large prize opening 72A operates and distributes it to either the V prize opening 72C or the normal prize opening 72D. If a game ball enters the V prize opening 72C, it becomes a big win (Type 2 big win), the sliding plate 75B of the second attacker 75 opens, and the big win game is executed. Thus, the game machine 10A of this embodiment has two conditions for executing a big win game: a win in the special symbol judgment as described above (Type 1 big win), and a small win in the special symbol judgment followed by a game ball entering the V prize opening 72C (Type 2 big win).

[0335] Furthermore, for example, as minor win games, there may be an easy-entry minor win in which the distribution member is arranged to make it easier for the game ball to enter the V-entry opening 72C, and a difficult-entry minor win in which the distribution member is arranged to make it more difficult for the game ball to enter the V-entry opening 72C than in the easy-entry minor win. For example, it may be more likely to be an easy-entry minor win when a minor win is determined by the second special symbol judgment than when a minor win is determined by the first special symbol judgment.

[0336] [Second Embodiment] Figure 64 shows a game machine 1 according to the second embodiment. The game machine 1 is equipped with a front frame, and a game area 1R through which game balls can flow is visible through a window provided inside the front frame. The game area 1R is located in front of the game board 2 and is surrounded by a surrounding wall 2W that protrudes from the front of the game board 2. The surrounding wall 2W restricts game balls from moving outside the game area 1R.

[0337] When the launch handle on the front frame is rotated, the game ball is launched and enters the game area 1R from the entry point 2X and flows downwards.

[0338] A display screen 2G for the display device is located near the center of the game area 1R. Various effects related to the game are displayed on the display screen 2G. The display screen 2G is visible from the front through an opening 2K formed in the game board 2. A decorative frame 2S is fitted to the edge of the opening 2K from the front, and this decorative frame 2S restricts the entry of game balls into the inside of the opening 2K. For example, the game board 2 and the decorative frame 2S are made of transparent resin.

[0339] A stage 7 is formed at the lower edge of the opening 2K of the decorative frame 2S, on which the game balls roll. The stage 7 has a curved shape that bulges downward, and its front edge is equipped with a bank wall 7W to prevent the game balls from falling forward. At the lowest end of the stage 7, a first discharge section 7A is formed by cutting away the bank wall 7W, allowing game balls to be discharged one by one. On both sides of the first discharge section 7A, a pair of second discharge sections 7B are formed by cutting away the bank wall 7W to a width wider than that of the first discharge section 7A.

[0340] A duct 7D is provided at the lower left end of the decorative frame 2S. The interior of the duct 7D is large enough for one game ball to pass through at a time. The upper end of the duct 7D opens to the left of the decorative frame 2S, and the lower end of the duct 7D opens towards the rear on the stage 7. In other words, the game balls are guided to the stage 7 through the duct 7D.

[0341] Within the game area 1R, multiple prize-winning slots are provided. Players can enjoy the game by determining whether or not the game ball will enter one of the prize-winning slots, and whether or not they will win based on the win / loss judgment made when the ball enters one of the prize-winning slots. In addition, the game area 1R is equipped with multiple obstacle nails 9 and windmills that protrude from the front of the game board 2 and collide with the game ball, changing the direction in which the ball flows.

[0342] To the right of the lower part of opening 2K is a large prize opening 1K. The large prize opening 1K opens on the front of the game board 2 and is a horizontally elongated rectangle. The large prize opening 1K is normally closed by a door 1T that rotates around its lower edge. When a win is determined in the special symbol win / loss judgment, which is performed on the condition that the ball enters one of the starting prize openings (3K, 3A, 3B) described later, the door 1T tilts diagonally forward and opens a predetermined number of times, guiding the game ball into the large prize opening 1K.

[0343] A general prize opening 4A is located above the center of the large prize opening 1K in the horizontal direction. The general prize opening 4A opens on the upper surface of the prize projection 4AT that protrudes forward from the front of the game board 2.

[0344] A starting prize opening 3K is located to the upper right of the general prize opening 4A. The starting prize opening 3K opens on the left side of a prize projection 3KA that protrudes from the front of the game board 2 and is positioned adjacent to the surrounding wall 2W. The starting prize opening 3K is normally closed by a rotating door 3KB which has a pivot axis at the lower end of the starting prize opening 3K. When a win is determined in the general prize judgment, which is performed under predetermined conditions, the rotating door 3KB tilts to the left and guides the game ball into the starting prize opening 3K.

[0345] In the lower left of the game area 1R, there are general prize entry points 4B and 4C and out entry points 4X and 4Y. General prize entry points 4B and out entry point 4X are located adjacent to each other above the prize entry projection 4BT that protrudes from the front of the game board 2. General prize entry point 4C is located diagonally to the lower right of prize entry projection 4BT and is located above prize entry projection 4CT that protrudes from the front of the game board 2. Out entry point 4Y is located diagonally to the lower right of prize entry projection 4CT and opens to the front of the game board 2. Game balls that reach the lower edge of the surrounding wall 2W are guided by the surrounding wall 2W and taken into out entry point 4Y.

[0346] In the game area 1R, the ball entry opening 5K of the ball entry section 5 is provided in the central left-right portion of the lower part below the opening 2K (specifically, directly below the first discharge section 7A). The ball entry section 5 has a configuration in which the ball entry opening 5K opens on the upper surface of the prize entry projection 5T that protrudes from the game board 2, and is positioned at a distance of, for example, 2 to 4 game balls from the first discharge section 7A. Also, as shown in Figures 65 and 66, a pair of special obstruction pins 9A, which are included in the aforementioned multiple obstruction pins 9, are positioned adjacent to the upper sides of the ball entry opening 5K.

[0347] As shown in Figure 65, the lower end of the prize entry protrusion 5T overlaps with the lowest end of the surrounding wall 2W. In addition, an out port 4Z is provided at the bottom of the prize entry protrusion 5T, directly below the ball entry port 5K, and a pair of starting prize entry ports 3A and 3B are provided on either side of it. Furthermore, out ports 4V and 4W are provided on the side of each starting prize entry port 3A and 3B opposite to the out port 4Z.

[0348] The aforementioned starting prize entry openings 3A, 3B and out openings 4Z, 4V, 4W open on a surface within the prize entry projection 5T that is substantially flush with the front surface of the game board 2. In front of these openings, guide sections 3G, 4G are provided to guide the game balls flowing down from above to the respective starting prize entry openings 3A, 3B and out openings 4Z, 4V, 4W. Specifically, for example, the guide section 3G of the starting prize entry openings 3A, 3B has a groove-shaped structure with an arc-shaped cross-section and is inclined to curve downwards toward the rear. The guide section 4G of the out openings 4Z, 4V, 4W consists of a pair of ribs that are inclined to curve downwards toward the rear.

[0349] The internal flow path of the prize-winning protrusion 5T through which the game balls flow is equipped with a distribution member 5F that distributes the game balls one by one to the left or right. When a game ball is distributed to the left by the distribution member 5F, it falls onto a guide portion 3G protruding from the lower opening edge of the starting prize-winning opening 3A, and when it is distributed to the right, it falls onto a guide portion 3G protruding from the lower opening edge of the starting prize-winning opening 3B. The game balls that fall onto the guide portion 3G either enter the starting prize-winning openings 3A and 3B directly, or bounce on the guide portion 3G and enter one of the out-out openings 4Z, 4V, or 4W. To the right of the prize-winning protrusion 5T, a pair of out-out openings 4P open on the front of the game board 2. For example, when a game ball enters the starting prize slots 3K, 3A, 3B, the general prize slots 4A-4C, or the large prize slot 1K, a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed as prize balls. Game balls that do not enter any of the starting prize slots 3K, 3A, 3B, the large prize slot 1K, or the general prize slots 4A-4C are taken into one of the aforementioned out slots 4V, 4W, 4Z, or 4P and discharged outside the game area 1R.

[0350] As shown in Figures 67 and 68, the front surface of the prize-winning projection 5T is covered by a cover plate 5P. The cover plate 5P extends outwards from both sides of the prize-winning projection 5T. The lower end of the left portion of the cover plate 5P has a triangular projection that extends outwards, covering a portion of the out-out opening 4Y from the front and providing a rib to guide the game ball into the out-out opening 4Y. On the other hand, the right portion of the cover plate 5P extends to a position that covers the entire pair of out-out openings 4P from the front.

[0351] The cover plate 5P is made of transparent resin and is decorated with a seal 5S shown in Figure 68. For this purpose, the front surface of the cover plate 5P is provided with a seal application surface 5M that corresponds to the shape of the seal 5S. Specifically, the seal 5S is, for example, a transparent resin sheet with a thickness of 1 mm or less, and has a shape in which the base of a symmetrical trapezoid is slightly curved downwards. Adhesive is applied to the rear surface of the seal 5S, and a first decorative part 6A (for example, a design or pattern) is provided (for example, printed) on the front surface of the seal 5S.

[0352] For example, the seal application surface 5M is recessed in a stepped manner on the front surface of the cover plate 5P, and the depth of this recess is the same as or greater than the thickness of the seal 5S. Furthermore, the seal application surface 5M is slightly larger than the seal 5S and has a substantially similar shape. In addition, for example, the stepped surface 5E between the seal application surface 5M and the outer portion and the front surfaces of the seal application surface 5M and the outer portion are perpendicular in a sharp-angle manner (i.e., perpendicular without chamfering). As a result, even if the side surface of the seal 5S is in contact with the aforementioned stepped surface 5E when it is applied to the seal application surface 5M, the entire seal 5S, including its edges, is applied to the seal application surface 5M in a flat state. At least a portion of the seal 5S is formed so that the rear side is visible.

[0353] Figure 68 shows the ball entry mechanism 8, a component of the game machine that includes the aforementioned prize entry protrusion 5T. The ball entry mechanism 8 is assembled from the front into a through hole formed in the game board 2 and fixed to the front of the game board 2 (see Figure 67), and as described above, the prize entry protrusion 5T protrudes from the front of the game board 2. Except for some parts such as the distribution member 5F, the ball entry mechanism 8 is made of transparent resin. Therefore, the state of the game balls flowing down inside the ball entry mechanism 8 can be seen through the seal 5S and the ball entry mechanism 8. Ball entry mechanisms with large prize openings 1K, general prize openings 4A, and starting prize openings 3K are also assembled into the through holes of the game board 2 in the same way as the ball entry mechanism 8.

[0354] The ball entry mechanism 8 is provided with a fixed projection 8T that extends along the game board 2 and is positioned against the front surface of the game board 2. A screw (not shown) (for example, a countersunk screw with a conical head) is passed through a mounting hole 8H formed in the fixed projection 8T and fastened to the game board 2. A positioning pin protrudes from the rear surface of the fixed projection 8T and is fitted into a pinhole (not shown) formed on the front surface of the game board 2. The game area 1R is located in front of the fixed projection 8T. The outer edge of the fixed projection 8T is provided with a slope 8M so that game balls flowing down the front surface of the game board 2 can easily ride up onto the fixed projection 8T.

[0355] Here, as shown in Figure 66, in this embodiment, the gaming machine 1 has a second decorative part 6B formed along the outer edge of the first decorative part 6A. In this embodiment, the second decorative part 6B borders the first decorative part 6A. Specifically, the second decorative part 6B borders and surrounds the first decorative part 6A from the outside. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the first decorative part 6A is roughly trapezoidal, corresponding to the outer shape of the seal 5S. Also, in this embodiment, the second decorative part 6B is annular, specifically, it is roughly trapezoidal, corresponding to the outer shape of the first decorative part 6A. For example, a roughly trapezoidal annular pattern is formed on the outer edge of the first decorative part 6A.

[0356] The first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B are positioned offset from each other in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the second decorative part 6B is positioned behind the first decorative part 6A. The game area 1R is positioned between the first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B in the front-to-back direction. The second decorative part 6B overlaps the game area 1R from the rear. As described above, the first decorative part 6A overlaps the game area 1R (more specifically, inside the ball entry mechanism 8 within the game area 1R) from the front. For example, the second decorative part 6B may be formed on the game board 2 (for example, on the front or rear surface of the game board 2), or on a member that overlaps the game board 2, such as a fixed protrusion 8T (for example, on the front or rear surface of this member). For example, the second decorative part 6B may be printed on a sticker, or it may be directly formed on a member such as a resin (for example, it may be drawn as a print, or it may have raised and recessed areas).

[0357] In this embodiment, the entire first decorative part 6A is positioned inside the game area 1R when viewed from the front (i.e., inside the surrounding wall 2W). At least a part of the second decorative part 6B (for example, its lower edge) is positioned outside the game area 1R when viewed from the front, overlapping the surrounding wall 2W from the rear and protruding from the surrounding wall 2W (for example, protruding downwards). The members that overlap the second decorative part 6B from the front (for example, the game board 2, the ball entry area 5, the surrounding wall 2W, etc.) are configured so that the second decorative part 6B is visible (for example, they are transparent or semi-transparent).

[0358] The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment can achieve, for example, the following effects. The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is equipped with first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B that are offset front to back, with the second decorative part 6B bordering the first decorative part 6A. This makes it possible to provide a gaming machine unlike any other, specifically a gaming machine with unprecedented decorative parts. Furthermore, because the second decorative part 6B borders the first decorative part 6A, the decorative part can be made to stand out. Moreover, because the first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B are offset front to back, it is possible to give a more novel impression, and it is possible to create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, thereby enhancing its presence. In addition, it is possible to make the decorative part that you want to show to the player larger and more appealing. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the first decorative part 6A is positioned inside the surrounding wall 2W when viewed from the front, it is possible to attract the attention of the player looking at the game area 1R to the first decorative part 6A.

[0359] In this embodiment, a game area 1R is provided between the first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B in the front-to-back direction, allowing game balls to flow down. In this configuration, since game balls flow down between the first and second decorative parts in the front-to-back direction, the decorative part located at the rear does not obstruct the visibility or flow of the game balls, while the second decorative part makes the first decorative part stand out. In addition, since the second decorative part 6B overlaps the game area 1R from the rear, it is possible to enlarge the game area or make the game machine more compact while making the decorative part stand out. Thus, according to the game machine 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to make the design of decorative members appear larger in a limited space, which was previously difficult. For example, in the example of Figure 66, the obstacle nail 9 (specifically, obstacle nail 9A) is planted in the part of the game board 2 that overlaps with the second decorative part 6B in the front-to-back direction (in the example of Figure 66, it is provided in the part of the game area 1R that overlaps with the second decorative part 6B from the front). Thus, even when it is necessary to provide obstacle nails 9 near the prize-winning area 5, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the second decorative part 6B is offset in the front-to-back direction relative to the game area 1R, making it possible to secure space for providing obstacle nails 9. Furthermore, since the second decorative part 6B is positioned behind the game area 1R, the second decorative part 6B, which makes the first decorative part 6A stand out, can be provided without obstructing the view of the flowing game balls. That is, when game balls are flowing down in front of the second decorative part 6B, the flow can be shown, and when no game balls are flowing down, the second decorative part 6B can be shown to make the first decorative part 6A stand out. In addition, for example, the second decorative part 6B can be used to create the illusion that the actual size of the prize-winning protrusion 5T within the game area 1R is larger. Thus, according to the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, even when the prize-winning protrusion 5T cannot be made larger due to space constraints within the game area 1R, it is possible to make the prize-winning protrusion 5T stand out.

[0360] In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the first decorative part 6A is provided on the front of a protruding part (ball entry part 5) that protrudes from the front of the gaming board 2, and a ball entry opening 5K into which a gaming ball can be entered is provided on the protruding part. This makes it possible to highlight the location of the ball entry opening 5K on the first decorative part 6A. Furthermore, the protruding part is provided with starting ball entry openings 3A and 3B into which a win or loss determination is made when a gaming ball enters. With this configuration, it is possible to highlight the locations of the starting ball entry openings 3A and 3B on the first decorative part 6A. Conversely, since the area around the starting ball entry openings 3A and 3B tends to attract the attention of players who are hoping for a ball to enter them, it is possible to easily attract the attention of players to the first decorative part 6A.

[0361] In addition, the configuration can be modified as follows in this embodiment.

[0362] The first decorative part 6A, surrounded by the second decorative part 6B, may be positioned behind the second decorative part 6B. In this case, the game area 1R may be positioned in front of the first decorative part 6A (for example, overlapping the first decorative part 6A from the front), and furthermore, the game area 1R may be positioned between the first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B in the front-to-back direction. In such a configuration, for example, the first decorative part 6A may be formed on the front or rear surface of the game board 2, or on a member that overlaps the game board 2. If there is a member that overlaps the first decorative part 6A from the front, that member should be configured so that the first decorative part 6A is visible from the front (for example, so that it is transparent or semi-transparent). Also, if the second decorative part 6B overlaps the game area 1R from the front, it is preferable to configure the second decorative part 6B so that the flow of game balls at the rear can be seen.

[0363] In the example shown in Figure 66, the second decorative part 6B bordering the first decorative part 6A is positioned outside the first decorative part 6A when viewed from the front, but it may also be positioned inside the first decorative part 6A and along its outer edge. In this case, the second decorative part 6B may be formed offset to the front or rear of the first decorative part 6A (for example, it may be formed in a protruding or recessed portion).

[0364] In the example shown in Figure 66, the second decorative part 6B was an annular shape extending along the entire circumferential direction of the outer shape of the first decorative part 6A. However, the second decorative part 6B may be formed only on a part of the circumferential direction of the outer shape of the first decorative part 6A (for example, only near the corners of the substantially trapezoidal outer shape of the first decorative part 6A, or along the straight sections of the substantially trapezoidal outer shape). In this case, the second decorative part 6B may be formed to surround the first decorative part 6A.

[0365] The first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B do not need to be positioned between them in the front-to-back direction, as long as they are offset from each other. For example, both the first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B may be positioned in front of or behind the game area 1R, and in this case, they may be positioned to overlap the game area 1R from the front or rear. If the first decorative part 6A or the second decorative part 6B has a portion that overlaps the game area 1R from the front, it is preferable that the rear of that portion be made visible. In this way, the game balls flowing down behind that portion can be made visible.

[0366] Part or all of the first decorative part 6A may be positioned outside the game area 1R when viewed from the front. Also, part or all of the second decorative part 6B may be positioned inside or outside the game area 1R when viewed from the front. For example, both the first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B may be positioned inside or outside the game area 1R when viewed from the front. The first and second decorative parts 6A and 6B may be provided on the front of the game machine 1 (for example, on the front frame as described above).

[0367] The first decorative part 6A does not have to be formed in a part where an entry opening or starting prize entry opening into which game balls can be entered is provided (for example, a part that protrudes from the front of the game board 2). Alternatively, the first decorative part 6A may be formed in a part where one of the starting prize entry opening 3K, the big prize entry opening 1K, or the general prize entry openings 4A to 4C, or any other entry opening into which a win or loss is determined by the ball entering, is provided (for example, a part that protrudes from the front of the game board 2). For example, such ball entry points include ball entry points that, when a game ball enters during a jackpot game, make it easier for the game state after the jackpot to enter a probability variation state where the outcome of the win / loss judgment is more likely to result in a jackpot than in the normal state; ball entry points that open during a minor jackpot game in a configuration where minor jackpot games are played, and when a game ball enters at that time, it results in a jackpot; and ball entry points that, when a jackpot is won, trigger a jackpot game.

[0368] The first decorative part 6A may be formed to surround, when viewed from the front, an entry opening or prize entry opening into which a game ball can be entered (for example, a starting prize entry opening 3A, 3B, 3K, a large prize entry opening 1K, or a general prize entry opening 4A, 4B, 4C, etc.).

[0369] The first decorative part 6A does not necessarily have to be provided on the seal 5S, and may be, for example, drawn directly on the surface of a component such as a resin, or composed of irregularities formed on the surface.

[0370] <Note> The following describes the features of the group of inventions extracted from the embodiments described above, showing their effects and other aspects as necessary. For ease of understanding, corresponding configurations in the embodiments will be indicated in parentheses as appropriate, but the invention is not limited to these specific configurations.

[0371] [First group of features] This disclosure relates to gaming machines, and for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-240105 (paragraph

[0078] ) discloses a system in which an impact sensor is provided on the back of a decorative door or on the back of the game board. Compared to the conventional gaming machines described above, there is a need to develop a technology that can effectively utilize dead space by placing sensors in locations facing the ball passage. In response to this, according to the present invention, sensors can be placed in locations facing the ball passage.

[0372] [Feature 1] This gaming machine has an impact sensor for detecting impacts caused by fraudulent activity, which is positioned adjacent to the downpipe through which the game balls flow, with a gap between them, and is mounted on a support wall that does not come into contact with the game balls.

[0373] According to Feature 1, the gap between the drainpipe and the device blocks vibrations from the game balls, thus suppressing false detection of vibrations.

[0374] [Feature 2] The flow channels are provided in pairs on both sides of the impact sensor. The impact sensor is positioned adjacent to both of the aforementioned downpipes with a gap between them, as described in Feature 1 of the gaming machine.

[0375] According to Feature 2, since it does not come into contact with either of the drainage troughs, it can suppress false detection of vibrations from the game balls.

[0376] [Feature 3] The gaming machine is as described in feature 1 or 2, wherein a support projection protrudes from the support wall, and the impact sensor is fixed to the projection and has a gap between it and the support wall.

[0377] According to Feature 3, the gap between the support wall and the impact sensor amplifies the impact applied to the gaming machine, making it easier for the impact sensor to detect.

[0378] [Feature 4] The gaming machine is characterized by any one of the features 1 to 3, wherein the wall thickness direction of the support wall is oriented in the front-to-back direction.

[0379] According to Feature 4, facing the front or back of the gaming machine makes it easier for impacts applied to the front of the machine to be transmitted.

[0380] [Feature 5] The aforementioned support wall is a cantilever beam structure, and the gaming machine is described in any one of the features 1 to 4.

[0381] According to Feature 5, the cantilever beam structure makes it difficult for vibrations from the drainage culvert to be transmitted, and makes it more susceptible to vibrations caused by impacts from illegal activities, thus making it easier to detect with impact sensors.

[0382] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to feature 5, wherein a part of the impact sensor protrudes forward from the tip of the support wall.

[0383] According to Feature 6, by making the support wall shorter than the impact sensor, it is possible to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the game ball.

[0384] [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to feature 5 or 6, wherein the cable connection portion of the impact sensor is located on the base end side of the support wall.

[0385] According to Feature 7, the cable can be routed from a position that does not obstruct the movement of the game balls. [Feature 8] The aforementioned support wall is a gaming machine that meets any one of the characteristics 5 to 7, wherein the base end is narrower.

[0386] According to Feature 8, by making the base end narrower, vibrations from the game ball are less likely to be transmitted, and the support wall becomes more susceptible to vibration from impacts from the front, making it easier for impacts from fraudulent activity to be transmitted to the impact sensor.

[0387] [Feature 9] It is attached to the aforementioned drainpipe and has a housing room that surrounds the impact sensor with the wall body excluding the support wall, The game machine is described in any one of the features 1 to 8, wherein the impact sensor is positioned adjacent to all of the multiple walls in the housing room, including the drainpipe, that face the impact sensor from multiple directions, with a gap between them.

[0388] According to Feature 9, the effect of reducing the transmission of vibrations from the game ball can be enjoyed even more.

[0389] [Feature 10] The aforementioned containment room is provided with an opening that opens at least a portion of one of its sides. The gaming machine according to feature 9 is characterized in that the support wall has a cantilevered beam structure that extends from the edge of the opening into the opening.

[0390] According to Feature 10, the cantilevered support wall can protect the impact sensor by acting as a lid for the containment chamber.

[0391] [Feature 11] The gaming machine is characterized in that the support wall is thinner than the wall forming the accommodation room, as described in feature 9 or 10.

[0392] According to Feature 11, the gaming machine becomes more prone to vibration due to impacts applied illegally from the front.

[0393] [Feature 12] A game board having a through hole that penetrates from front to back as the game balls flow down the front, A front ball entry component is attached to the front of the game board, covers the through hole, receives the flowing game balls, and has a ball entry section that guides them to the rear side of the game board. The game machine is as described in any one of the features 1 to 11, comprising a rear ball entry component having a drainpipe attached to the front of the game board to cover the through hole and connected to the ball entry section, and a support wall that supports the impact sensor.

[0394] According to Feature 12, it can be installed in locations susceptible to vibrations caused by the rolling of game balls, such as near drainage gutters and front ball entry mechanism components, making effective use of space.

[0395] [Feature 13] The support wall is arranged adjacent to the rear surface of the game board with a gap between them, as described in feature 12.

[0396] According to Feature 13, by placing the impact sensor adjacent to the game board, it becomes easier for the impact sensor to detect impacts caused by fraudulent activity.

[0397] [Correspondence between the components of the first feature group and each part in the embodiment] Impact sensor: Impact sensor 90, Downstream trough: Downstream trough 144A~144D, Support wall: Sensor support wall 103, Support projection: Support column 108, Cable connection part: Connector socket 90M, Housing room: Impact sensor housing room 91, Tunnel side wall 144Z, Tunnel side wall 151, Through hole: Through hole 31W, Game board: Base plate 41, Ball entry part: Groove-shaped part 31A7, Front ball entry mechanism part: Front part 31A, Rear ball entry mechanism part: Main housing 142A

[0398] [Second group of features] This disclosure relates to gaming machines, and for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-080052 (paragraph

[0132] and Figures 4-10 and 4-11(a)) discloses a device equipped with a cable connected to a connector. Compared to the conventional gaming machines described above, there is a need for the development of a technology that can prevent malfunctions such as the connector connection being unintentionally disconnected due to external vibrations and shocks. In response to this, the present set of features can prevent malfunctions such as the connector connection being unintentionally disconnected due to external vibrations and shocks.

[0399] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine having a wiring structure in which a second connector at the end of a cable is connected to a first connector on an electrical device fixed to a base, The gaming machine is provided with a base portion that, facing the rear surface of the second connector, has a separation restriction portion that restricts the separation of the first and second connectors.

[0400] According to Feature 1, the base is equipped with a separation restricting section that restricts the separation of the first and second connectors, thereby preventing the connection between the first and second connectors from being unintentionally disconnected due to external vibrations, shocks, etc.

[0401] [Feature 2] The separation restriction portion is located on the rear surface of the second connector, excluding the cable outlet portion, in the gaming machine according to feature 1.

[0402] According to Feature 2, interference between the separation restriction section and the cable can be reduced, thus preventing the connector connection from coming loose while saving space in the connector connection area.

[0403] [Feature 3] The separation and regulating parts are provided in pairs and are located on the rear surface of the second connector, facing each other on both sides with the cable outlet portion in between, in the gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2.

[0404] According to Feature 3, interference between the separation restriction section and the cable can be reduced, thus preventing the connector connection from coming loose while saving space in the connector connection area.

[0405] [Feature 4] The base portion includes: A housing portion that houses the electrical equipment assembled to the base portion from a component assembly direction intersecting the first direction, which is the coupling direction of the first and second connectors, and restricts the movement of the electrical equipment in a direction intersecting the component assembly direction, The gaming machine is provided with an interference portion that restricts the assembly of the electrical equipment by interfering with the second connector if the front and back of the electrical equipment are incorrectly positioned relative to the housing portion in the direction of component assembly.

[0406] According to Feature 4, it is possible to detect incorrect assembly of electrical equipment into the housing of the base.

[0407] [Feature 5] The interference portion is positioned between the separation restricting portion and the electrical equipment, and is engaged with the electrical equipment in a first direction, and is opposed to the second connector in a second direction that intersects the first direction and the component assembly direction. The gaming machine according to feature 4 is characterized in that the second connector is positioned on one outer edge of the electrical equipment as viewed from the component mounting direction, closer to the end on the side furthest from the interference portion in the second direction.

[0408] According to Feature 5, if the front and back of the electrical equipment are incorrectly assembled in the housing section in the direction of component assembly, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation restricting section will increase compared to when the assembly is correct. This also allows for detection of incorrect assembly of the electrical equipment to the housing section of the base.

[0409] [Feature 6] The aforementioned electrical device is a detection switch that has a through-hole through which the game medium passes and detects the passage of the game medium, The gaming machine according to feature 5, wherein the direction perpendicular to the penetration direction of the through hole constitutes the component assembly direction.

[0410] The electrical device is, for example, a detection switch that has a through-hole through which a game medium passes and detects the passage of the game medium, as shown in Feature 6, and the direction perpendicular to the direction of passage of the through-hole may be the direction of component assembly to the base.

[0411] [Feature 7] A first partition wall is provided that protrudes from the base portion and demarcates the housing portion. The game machine according to feature 5 or 6, wherein the interference portion and the separation restricting portion are formed to protrude from the first partition wall in the second direction.

[0412] As shown in Feature 7, the interference portion and the separation restricting portion can be formed to protrude from the first partition wall that defines the housing portion in a first direction, which is the coupling direction of the first and second connectors, and in a second direction that intersects with the component assembly direction.

[0413] [Feature 8] The interference portion is positioned between the separation restricting portion and the electrical equipment, and is fitted with the electrical equipment in the first direction, and is opposed to the second connector in the component assembly direction. The amusement machine according to feature 4, wherein the second connector is positioned on one outer edge of the electrical equipment as viewed from a second direction intersecting the first direction and the component assembly direction, and is located closer to the end on the side furthest from the interference portion in the component assembly direction.

[0414] According to Feature 8, if the front and back of the electrical equipment are incorrectly assembled in the housing section in the direction of component assembly, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation restricting section will increase compared to when the assembly is correct. This also allows for detection of incorrect assembly of the electrical equipment to the housing section of the base.

[0415] [Feature 9] The aforementioned electrical device is a detection switch that has a through-hole through which the game medium passes and detects the passage of the game medium, The gaming machine according to feature 8, wherein the direction of penetration of the through hole is the direction of assembly of the parts.

[0416] The electrical device is, for example, a detection switch that has a through-hole through which a game medium passes and detects the passage of the game medium, as shown in Feature 9, and the direction in which the through-hole passes may be the direction in which the component is assembled relative to the base.

[0417] [Feature 10] The game machine according to feature 8 or 9, wherein the interference portion and the separation restricting portion are formed to protrude from the base portion in the direction of component assembly.

[0418] As shown in Feature 10, the interference portion and the separation restricting portion can be formed to protrude from the base portion in the direction of assembly of the components.

[0419] [Feature 11] The base portion is provided with a housing portion that accommodates the electrical equipment assembled to the base portion from a component assembly direction intersecting the first direction, which is the coupling direction of the first and second connectors, and that restricts the movement of the electrical equipment in the direction intersecting the component assembly direction. The gaming machine is characterized by any one of the characteristics 1 to 10, wherein if the front and back of the electrical equipment are incorrectly assembled to the housing in the direction of the component assembly, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation restricting part increases compared to when it is assembled correctly.

[0420] According to Feature 11, if the front and back of the electrical equipment are incorrectly assembled in the housing section in the direction of component assembly, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation restricting section will increase compared to when the assembly is correct, thus allowing the incorrect assembly of the electrical equipment to the housing section of the base section to be detected.

[0421] [Correspondence between the components of the second feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: Gaming machine 10, Base part: Main housing 142A, Housing part: Sensor housing part 142A1, 142A2, Rectangular parallelepiped 144X, Switch housing part 171, First partition wall: Lower box part 145C, Interference part: Positioning impact part 174, Upper recessed wall 181D, Separation restriction part: Connector removal part 165, 175, 182, Electrical equipment: Magnetic sensor 160A, 160B, Detection switch 180, Through hole: Detection hole 180R, Cable: Cable 190, Second connector: Connector 191, First direction: Vertical direction J1, Gaming medium: Gaming ball K

[0422] [Third group of characteristics] This disclosure relates to amusement machines, and for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-118487 (paragraph

[0012] ) discloses a machine in which components are fixed with rivets, screws, etc. In the conventional amusement machines described above, the tools used to attach the screws, etc., may slip sideways during the work and damage the components, and countermeasures are needed. In contrast, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the slippage of the tools used to attach the screws, etc., during the work and damage to the components.

[0423] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which multiple parts are fixed by a connecting component having a head portion at one end of a shaft portion, The gaming machine is characterized in that, among the plurality of parts, the first part has a through hole through which the shaft portion passes, and the head portion is superimposed on the opening edge of the through hole, and the first part is provided with a receiving projection that protrudes from the vicinity of the opening edge and faces the head portion from the side, and catches a tool that is applied to the head portion when it slides sideways from the head portion.

[0424] According to Feature 1, the tool tip contacts the receiving projection to restrict lateral slippage, thus preventing the tool from damaging other parts.

[0425] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to feature 1 is provided with multiple receiving protrusions so as to surround the head.

[0426] According to Feature 2, by using multiple protrusions to catch the object, lateral slippage in various directions can be suppressed.

[0427] [Feature 3] The first component is made of sheet metal and comprises a first plate portion having the through hole and a second plate portion bent at a right angle from the first plate portion, wherein the second plate portion is the receiving projection, as described in feature 1 or 2.

[0428] According to Feature 3, the receiving projection may be a protrusion, a rib that encircles the tip of the tool, a recess that receives the tip of the tool, or a plate-like shape as described in Feature 3. This configuration stabilizes the tip of the tool and suppresses lateral displacement.

[0429] [Feature 4] The first part is made of sheet metal, The gaming machine is characterized by feature 1 or 2, wherein a press-fit hole is formed in the vicinity of the through hole of the first component, and a press-fit component, a portion of which is press-fitted into the press-fit hole, is the receiving projection.

[0430] The receiving projection may be formed by shearing, or by press working as shown in Feature 4.

[0431] [Feature 5] The first part is made of sheet metal, The gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, wherein a part of the first component is sheared and protrudes from the surface of the first component, forming the receiving projection.

[0432] The receiving projection may be formed by press working, or by shearing as described in Feature 5.

[0433] [Feature 6] The first component is made of metal, The gaming machine is described in any one of the features 1 to 5, and further comprises a second resin component which is fixed with the connecting component when superimposed on the first component.

[0434] According to Feature 6, by providing a receiving projection on the first component, which is superimposed on the easily scratched resin second component, the effect of suppressing lateral slippage can be further enhanced.

[0435] [Feature 7] The second component is a transparent game board, The first component extends vertically and has multiple hooks at multiple positions in the vertical direction, and is arranged on both sides of the rear surface of the game board. The game board is equipped with a box-shaped support base with an open front that is superimposed on the rear surface, The gaming machine is as described in feature 6, wherein a plurality of engaging portions are formed on both sides of the front surface of the box-shaped support base, into which the plurality of hooks engage.

[0436] According to Feature 7, the box-shaped support base and the first component can be easily assembled without tools.

[0437] [Correspondence between the components of the third feature group and each part in the embodiment] Head part: Head part 299H, Connecting part: Screw 299, First part: Bracket 280, Receiving projection: Anti-slip projection 282, First plate part: Mounting plate part 281, Second plate part: Base plate 291, Second part: Base plate 41, Box-shaped support base: Support housing 51, Hook: Hook part 290

[0438] [Fourth characteristic group] This disclosure relates to amusement machines, and for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-235847 (paragraph

[0020] ) discloses game components that require a certain level of appeal. In the conventional amusement machines described above, game components can be damaged by external impacts, which can impair the enjoyment of the game. Therefore, there is a need to develop game components that are less noticeable even when damaged. In contrast, the present invention makes it possible to improve the appeal of game components.

[0439] [Feature 1] In a game component that is adjacent to an obstacle pin in the game area and is detachable and reusable, The aforementioned game component includes a protruding portion that extends forward from the game area, The aforementioned protruding portion is decorated with a pattern in which multiple identical or similar shapes are repeated.

[0440] According to Feature 1, applying a pattern to game components that protrude from the game area and are easily visible to players can enhance the appeal of the game machine. Furthermore, even if game components are accidentally damaged during maintenance of the pins, the pattern and the damage can be made less noticeable.

[0441] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the aforementioned pattern includes a three-dimensional shape.

[0442] According to Feature 2, by making the pattern three-dimensional, it is possible to create a design that is not only visually appealing but also less prone to showing dents and other scratches.

[0443] [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, wherein the pattern is applied to the entire circumference of the front surface of the protruding part.

[0444] According to Feature 3, the pattern extends all the way around, making scratches less noticeable no matter where they occur.

[0445] [Feature 4] The aforementioned game component is arranged such that the opening formed on the upper surface of the protruding portion is adjacent to the lower part of the obstacle nail. A gaming machine that allows game balls to enter through the aforementioned opening, as described in any of the features 1 to 3.

[0446] According to Feature 4, applying a pattern to parts that are easily damaged during nail maintenance makes it possible to enjoy an even greater camouflage effect against dents and other damage.

[0447] [Feature 5] The game machine according to any of the features 1 to 4, wherein the game component has an opening formed on the upper surface of the protruding part that serves as a prize entry point.

[0448] According to Feature 5, by applying a pattern to the parts near the prize entry point, where nail maintenance is likely to occur, it becomes possible to enjoy an even greater effect in camouflaging dents and other damage.

[0449] [Feature 6] The aforementioned pattern is a three-dimensional shape that mimics an impact mark, and the gaming machine is described in any of the features 1 to 5.

[0450] According to Feature 6, by pre-engraving a design that mimics an impact mark, it becomes possible to make the impact mark less noticeable.

[0451] [Correspondence between the components of the fourth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Game area: Game area R1, Game component: Front component 33A, Protrusion: Trough-shaped protrusion 33B, Prize entry point: Start prize entry point

[0452] [Fifth characteristic group] This disclosure relates to a gaming machine with a plate attached. For example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-329020 (paragraphs

[0025] ,

[0031] and Figures 3-5), a system is disclosed in which the plate can be attached in a replaceable manner from the standpoint of recyclability. Compared to the conventional gaming machines described above, the plate is easily removable, which has the problem of encouraging the misuse of the removed plate. There is a need for the development of a technology that can solve this problem. In response to this, the present set of features makes it possible to prevent misuse by attempting to remove the plate from the front side of the attached member.

[0453] [Feature 1] A gaming machine having a plate and a mounting member to which the plate is attached, wherein the rear surface of the plate is superimposed on the front surface of the mounting member, and the plate is fixed to the mounting member by engagement between a first engaging portion of the plate and a second engaging portion of the mounting member, and the engagement between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion cannot be released from the front side of the mounting member unless the plate is broken.

[0454] According to Feature 1, unless the plate superimposed on the front of the member to be mounted is broken, the engagement between the plate and the member to be mounted cannot be released from the front side of the member to be mounted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized removal and use of the plate from the front side of the member to be mounted.

[0455] [Feature 2] The amusement machine is as described in Feature 1, wherein the plate is provided with a fracture portion that, when subjected to an external force that separates its outer edge from the mounting member, concentrates bending stress and breaks.

[0456] According to Feature 2, the plate is provided with a fracture section where bending stress concentrates and breaks when an external force is applied that separates the outer edge from the member to which it is attached. This prevents the plate from being illegally removed and used from the front side of the member to which it is attached.

[0457] [Feature 3] The fractured portion cuts across the plate in a straight line, The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the fractured portion includes a groove-shaped, elongated hole-shaped, or notched portion formed as a recess in at least one of the front and rear of the plate.

[0458] The fractured portion may be, for example, a groove-shaped or elongated hole-shaped or notched portion that cuts linearly across the plate and is recessed in at least one of the front and rear ends of the plate, as shown in Feature 3.

[0459] [Feature 4] The aforementioned weight-reducing portion is partially formed over the entire length of the fractured portion, as described in Feature 3 of the gaming machine.

[0460] The weight-reducing portion may be formed partially along the entire length of the fracture, for example, as shown in Feature 4.

[0461] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 3 or 4, wherein the weight-reducing portion is groove-shaped and recessed on the rear surface of the plate.

[0462] According to Feature 5, the fractured portion is positioned so that it is not visible from the front of the inspection plate, resulting in a better appearance.

[0463] [Feature 6] The gaming machine is as described in any one of features 2 to 5, wherein the fractured portions extend in pairs in parallel, and the first engaging portion is positioned between the pair of fractured portions.

[0464] According to Feature 6, the plate has a fractured portion located closer to the outer edge than the engagement portion with the mounting member. Therefore, when the plate is subjected to an external force that separates it from the mounting member at its outer edge, the fractured portion is more likely to break. Furthermore, since the plate has a first engagement portion positioned between a pair of fractured portions, the plate can be fractured regardless of which outer edge of the plate is subjected to an external force that separates it from the mounting member, regardless of which side of the outer edge is flanked by the engagement portion with the mounting member.

[0465] [Feature 7] The gaming machine is as described in any one of features 2 to 6, wherein the overlapping surfaces of the plate and the mounting member are provided with positioning engagement portions that interlock with each other to restrict the displacement of the plate relative to the mounting member.

[0466] According to Feature 7, since the displacement of the plate relative to the mounting member is restricted, it is possible to suppress the disengagement of the mounting member and the plate from the front side of the mounting member by shifting the plate away from the mounting member, thereby suppressing any fraudulent attempt to remove the plate from the front of the mounting member.

[0467] [Feature 8] The positioning engagement portion is located on the plate opposite to the first engagement portion, with the broken portion in between, as described in Feature 7 of the gaming machine.

[0468] The positioning engagement portion can be positioned on the opposite side of the plate from the first engagement portion, for example, as shown in feature 8, with the fractured portion in between.

[0469] [Feature 9] The gaming machine is described in any one of the features 2 to 8, wherein a mark indicating the position of the fracture is provided on the front or side of the plate.

[0470] According to Feature 9, the areas prone to cracking due to stress concentration can be seen from the front side of the plate, allowing care to be taken to avoid cracking the plate when assembling it to the game board.

[0471] [Feature 10] A sticker displaying predetermined information is affixed to the front of the aforementioned plate. The gaming machine is as described in any one of features 2 to 9, wherein a projection for positioning the seal is formed protruding from the outer edge of the front surface of the plate.

[0472] According to feature 10, the protrusions can be used as guides to easily apply the seal.

[0473] [Feature 11] The fractured portions extend in pairs and parallel to each other, and the first engaging portion is positioned between the pair of fractured portions. The aforementioned ridge is interrupted between the pair of aforementioned fractured portions, as described in feature 10 of the gaming machine.

[0474] According to Feature 11, since the first engaging portion is located at the part where the ridges are interrupted, when assembling the plate to the member to be mounted, by pressing the part of the front surface of the plate where the ridges are interrupted against the member to be mounted, it is possible to assemble the plate to the front surface of the member to be mounted without touching the part that is prone to cracking due to stress concentration, and thus the plate can be fixed to the front surface of the member to be mounted without damaging it.

[0475] [Feature 12] The engagement hole, which is the second engagement portion, penetrates the member to be attached, An elastic engaging piece extending in a cantilevered manner from the plate, which serves as the first engaging portion, and protruding into the engaging hole, with its tip engaging with the opening edge at the rear end of the engaging hole, The gaming machine is as described in any one of features 1 to 11, further comprising: a cover member that inoperably covers the tip of the elastic engaging piece which is locked to the opening edge at the rear end of the engaging hole.

[0476] According to Feature 12, since the rear surface of the mounting member, where the engagement portion between the plate and the game board is exposed, is covered by the cover member, it is possible to prevent unauthorized release of the engagement portion between the plate and the mounting member from the rear surface of the mounting member and removal of the plate from the mounting member.

[0477] [Feature 13] The game machine described in feature 12 is such that the cover member is screwed to the mounting member at multiple points.

[0478] According to Feature 13, since the cover member cannot be easily removed, it is possible to prevent unauthorized removal of the plate from the mounting member by releasing the engagement between the plate and the game board from the rear surface of the mounting member.

[0479] [Feature 14] The aforementioned plate is a certification plate that proves the gaming machine has been certified, and is a gaming machine described in any one of the features 1 to 13.

[0480] The plate is a certification plate that proves the gaming machine has been inspected, for example, as shown in Feature 14.

[0481] [Feature 15] The member to be attached is a gaming machine that is a gaming machine component subject to reuse and is described in any one of the features 1 to 14.

[0482] The member to be attached is, for example, a gaming machine component that is eligible for reuse, as shown in Feature 15.

[0483] [Correspondence between the components of the fifth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: Gaming machine 10, Plate: Inspection plate 200, Mounted member: Base plate 41, First engaging part: Elastic engaging piece 210, Second engaging part: Engaging hole 200W, Breaking part: Weight reduction part 202, Positioning engaging part: Positioning engaging projection 203, Mark: Breaking part 201E, Protrusion: Protrusion 201, Tip part: Engaging projection 211, Cover member: Rear cover wall 32B8

[0484] [Sixth characteristic group] This disclosure relates to a gaming machine, and for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-125418 (paragraph

[0036] ) discloses a system in which a circuit board is covered with a protective cover, and gaming components that can be subjected to external forces such as manual operation are exposed through the protective cover. In the conventional gaming machines described above, electrical components exposed through the protective cover were sometimes deformed or damaged by external impacts or pressure during operation, so improvements were needed. In contrast, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress damage to electrical components due to external impacts or loads during manual operation.

[0485] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which a specific electrical component on a circuit board covered by a protective cover is exposed through a through-hole that penetrates the protective cover, A gaming machine provided with a restricting portion at the opening edge of the through hole, which faces the specified electrical component from the side and receives the specified electrical component if it deforms or moves laterally, thereby restricting the deformation or movement of the specified electrical component.

[0486] According to Feature 1, even electrical components that are exposed to the outside through the protective cover can be protected from damage caused by external impacts or loads during manual operation.

[0487] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the restricting portion includes a restricting projection that protrudes from the opening edge of the through hole toward the side opposite to the circuit board.

[0488] The restricting portion may be a restricting projection as described in Feature 2, or it may be configured to restrict the deformation or movement of a specific electrical component by opening a through hole.

[0489] [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the restrictive projection is hood-shaped and fits onto the outside of the specified electrical component.

[0490] According to Feature 3, by creating a hood-like structure with one opening, lateral deformation can be prevented while still allowing for easy manual operation.

[0491] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to feature 2 or 3, wherein the height of the restricting projection from the opening edge of the through hole is greater than or equal to the height of the specific electrical component from the opening edge of the through hole.

[0492] By making the restrictive protrusion higher than the exposed portion of the specific electrical component, the effect of suppressing deformation, damage, and movement of the specific electrical component can be further enhanced.

[0493] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to any one of features 2 to 4, wherein the protective cover has a box-shaped structure for housing and fixing the circuit board, and the protective cover has a recessed portion in which the area including the through hole and the restricting portion is partially recessed toward the side approaching the circuit board.

[0494] According to Feature 5, by providing recessed areas, it becomes possible to expose certain electrical components while completely covering other electrical components that are relatively far from the protective cover.

[0495] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to feature 5, wherein the height of the regulating protrusion from the bottom surface of the recessed portion is lower than the height from the bottom surface of the recessed portion to the upper end.

[0496] According to Feature 6, it becomes possible to protect specific electrical components not only from the regulating protrusions but also from the wall extending from the bottom to the top of the recessed area.

[0497] [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 6, wherein the specified electrical component has a manually operated operating part or a connecting part with other parts.

[0498] According to Feature 7, even if excessive force is applied to the connector when removing it from the circuit board, such as by pulling on the wiring, movement and deformation can be suppressed by the restricting part.

[0499] [Feature 8] The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 6, wherein the specified gaming component includes an operable component that protrudes outward from the regulating portion and has an operating portion that is manually operated.

[0500] According to Feature 8, it is possible to prevent the manipulated component from being manipulated or damaged by external forces.

[0501] [Feature 9] The gaming machine according to feature 8, further comprising a protective projection wall that protrudes from the protective cover at a position laterally away from the through-hole and protects the operating part from collision with other members.

[0502] According to Feature 9, by providing a protective protrusion at a location away from the through-hole, the operating part can be moved within the protective protrusion, making it possible to operate the device even with the protective cover in place.

[0503] [Feature 10] The gaming machine according to feature 9, wherein a space for receiving a fingertip is provided between the protective protrusion and the operating part.

[0504] According to Feature 10, a fingertip can be placed between the protective protrusion and the operating part, making it easy to operate the operating part.

[0505] [Feature 11] The gaming machine according to feature 9 or 10, wherein the protective protrusion is higher than the height of the operating section from the protective cover.

[0506] According to Feature 11, by making the protective projection higher than the operating section, external forces will hit the protective projection first, thus suppressing damage to the operating section.

[0507] [Feature 12] The game machine according to feature 9 or 10, wherein the protective cover has a box-shaped structure for housing and fixing the circuit board, and the protective cover includes a recessed portion in which the area including the protective protrusion and the through hole is partially recessed toward the side approaching the circuit board, and the operating section is surrounded from all sides by the stepped surface of the protective protrusion and the recessed portion.

[0508] According to Feature 12, by surrounding the operating part on all sides with both the protective protrusion and the stepped section, the effect of protecting the operating part from impact can be further enhanced.

[0509] [Correspondence between the components of the sixth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Specific electrical components: Connectors 451-457, volume element 470; Protective cover: Case body 444; Circuit board: Circuit board 440; Through hole: Through hole 480A-480D; Regulating part: Protective wall 490A-490C, 495; Regulating protrusion: Protective wall 490A-490C, 495; Recessed part: Recessed part 462; Connecting part: Connectors 451-457; Operating part: Volume element 470; Operated part: Knob part 473; Protective protrusion: Protective wall 495

[0510] [The seventh characteristic group] This disclosure relates to amusement machines, and for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-182531 (paragraph

[0016] , Figure 5) discloses a machine in which parts are fixed together with screws. Compared to the conventional amusement machines described above, there is a need to develop a technology that allows parts to be assembled together without the use of tools. In response to this, the present set of features makes it possible to assemble parts together without the use of tools.

[0511] [Feature 1] A first base having a pair of first engaging portions, A second base having a pair of second engaging portions, The system comprises a second base mounting component attached to the second base, The second base is deformed so that the distance between the pair of second engaging portions changes, and then restored to its original shape so that the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions engage, thereby attaching the second base to the first base. A gaming machine in which the second base mounting component is attached to the second base, thereby restricting the deformation of the second base.

[0512] According to Feature 1, by deforming and then restoring the second base, the pair of second engaging parts of the second base can be engaged with the pair of first engaging parts of the first base, thereby attaching the second base to the first base. As a result, according to Feature 1, the first and second bases can be assembled without the use of tools. Furthermore, according to Feature 1, since the second base mounting components are attached to the second base and the deformation of the second base is restricted, it is possible to prevent the second base from detaching from the first base.

[0513] Here, the deformation of the second base may be bending elastic deformation, compressive elastic deformation, tensile elastic deformation, torsional elastic deformation, or other types. Furthermore, the deformation does not have to be inelastic; for example, the second base may consist of multiple slide-engaged parts, and the sliding of these parts causes the second base to expand and contract, or the second base may consist of multiple hinge-connected parts, and the rotation of these parts causes the second base to undergo bending deformation.

[0514] [Feature 2] The first base is provided with a pair of opposing support parts that face each other, One of the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions protrudes in the opposing direction of the pair of opposing support portions, while the other penetrates or is recessed in the opposing direction. The gaming machine according to feature 1, wherein the second base is bent and deformed and positioned between the pair of opposing support parts, and then restored to its original shape, thereby engaging the pair of first engaging parts and the pair of second engaging parts.

[0515] As shown in Feature 2, one pair of first engaging parts and one pair of second engaging parts may be configured such that one protrudes from a pair of opposing support parts, while the other is through or recessed.

[0516] [Feature 3] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the pair of first engaging parts and the pair of second engaging parts are arranged coaxially, and the second base is rotatably attached to the first base.

[0517] [Example 1] The gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein one of the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions is a pair of guide rails extending parallel to a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the pair of opposing support portions, and the other is a pair of sliding engaging portions that can slide along the guide rails.

[0518] The second base may be connected to the first base in a movable state or in a non-movable state. Examples of movable connections include the hinge structure of Feature 3 and the slide structure of Modification 1, while examples of non-movable connections include a pair of first engaging parts and a pair of second engaging parts, each consisting of a pair of fitting holes and a pair of fitting protrusions with a non-circular cross-section, or multiple pairs of each of the first engaging parts and the second engaging parts.

[0519] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the first base and the second base or the component mounted on the second base are provided with a coupling portion that engages with each other in a manner that makes separation difficult against forces acting on the first base and the second base or the component mounted on the second base, and that can be released by operation.

[0520] According to Feature 4, the connection state between the first base and the second base or the component mounted on the second base can be freely changed by operating the connecting part.

[0521] [Feature 5] The second base-mounted component is attached to the second base in overlapping position, and is provided with an engagement portion at one end and an engagement portion at the other end in a first direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction. The second base has a one-end engaged portion that engages with the one-end engaged portion from a direction inclined with respect to both the first direction and the overlapping direction, thereby rotatably supporting the component mounted on the second base, An engagement portion is provided that engages with the other end engagement portion in the overlapping direction and cooperates with the engagement portion on one end to restrict movement of the second base-mounted component other than rotation. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the other end of the second base-mounted component and the second base are provided with a coupling portion that engages with each other in a manner that makes separation difficult against a force acting to separate them, and the engagement can be released by operation.

[0522] According to Feature 5, the engaging portion at one end of the second base-mounted component is engaged with the engaged portion at one end of the second base to rotate the second base-mounted component, and the engaging portion at the other end is engaged with the engaged portion at the other end to restrict movement of the second base-mounted component other than rotation. Furthermore, the coupling portion makes it difficult to separate the second base-mounted component from the second base. Thus, according to Feature 5, the second base and the second base-mounted component can be assembled without using tools.

[0523] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to feature 5, comprising, as the connecting portion, a pair of elastic engaging pieces provided in a pair at the other end of the second base mounting component and arranged at a distance that allows for one-handed operation, and a locking portion formed on the second base that engages with the pair of elastic engaging pieces.

[0524] The connecting portion may be configured to include, for example, an elastic engaging piece and an engaged portion that engage when pressed, a slide and a sliding engaging portion that engage when slid, or, as in Feature 6, a configuration consisting of a pair of elastic engaging pieces and a locked portion that engages. Furthermore, as in Feature 6, since a pair of elastic engaging pieces are provided at a distance that allows for one-handed operation, the engagement is stronger than in the case of a single elastic engaging piece, and engagement can be performed with one hand.

[0525] [Feature 7] The game board is equipped with a game board body having a display window that penetrates from front to back, and multiple special feature components attached to it. The first base includes a support box having a front opening that is closed by the game board, and a monitor unit having a display screen that is supported on the rear wall of the support box and faces the display window, and the pair of first engaging parts are provided side by side at the lower rear end of the support box. The second base is a plate-like structure that can be bent laterally and elastically deformed, and has a pair of second engaging portions arranged horizontally at its lower end, and is a rotating base that is rotatably attached to the first base by the engagement of the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions. The aforementioned second base-mounted component is a main control board unit in which the main control board for controlling the game is housed in a board case. The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the second base and the first base are engaged with each other in a manner that makes separation difficult against a force acting to separate them, and the engagement can be released by operation.

[0526] The first base and the second base may be any component of the gaming machine, for example, as shown in Feature 7, they may be a component including a support box and a monitor unit, and a rotating base that supports the main control board unit. Also, as shown in Feature 7, the rotating base is rotated around its lower end on the lower rear end of the support box and engaged with a joint in a non-rotatable state, making assembly easier and facilitating harness routing and maintenance work.

[0527] [Feature 8] The rear wall of the support box is provided with a rear window that is closed by the monitor unit. On the rear surface of the monitor unit, which is exposed on the rear surface of the support box, a sub-control board unit, which houses a sub-control board for controlling the game's effects in a board case, is mounted on top of it. The gaming machine according to feature 7, wherein the second base is located below the sub-control board unit.

[0528] According to Feature 8, since the second base is positioned below the sub-control board unit, it is easier to connect the wiring between the sub-control board unit and the main control board unit.

[0529] [Feature 9] The gaming machine according to feature 7 or 8, wherein the rear surface of the second base is provided with a first harness holding portion that holds the harness in a horizontally extended state, located above the main control board unit.

[0530] According to Feature 9, the first harness retaining part can prevent the harness from becoming entangled with other parts.

[0531] [Feature 10] The gaming machine according to any one of features 7 to 9, wherein the portion of the rear surface of the support box body that is covered by the second base is provided with a second harness holding portion for holding the harness in a horizontally extended state.

[0532] According to Feature 10, the second harness retaining section makes it easier to route the harness, and the second base protects the harness.

[0533] [Feature 11] A first base having a pair of first engaging portions, A second base having a pair of second engaging portions, A gaming machine in which the second base is attached to the first base by being deformed and then restored to its original shape, thereby engaging the pair of first engaging parts and the pair of second engaging parts.

[0534] According to Feature 11, by deforming and then restoring the second base, the pair of second engaging parts of the second base can be engaged with the pair of first engaging parts of the first base, thereby attaching the second base to the first base. As a result, according to Feature 1, the first base and the second base can be assembled without the use of tools.

[0535] [Correspondence between the components of the seventh feature group and each part in the embodiment] First base: support housing, first engaging part: hinge bar 631, second base: relay member 55, second engaging part: hinge engaging part 653, second base mounted component: main control board unit 56, pair of opposing support parts: opposing wall portions of a pair of corner recesses 630, joint between the first base and the second base or second base mounted component: nylon latch 654 and nylon latch engaging hole 655, one end engaging part: engaging piece 611, other end engaging part protective projection 612, one end engaged part: engaging hole 661A, other end engaged part: positioning part 663, second base and second base - Connection between mounted components: Locking part 613 and locking part 665, Elastic engaging piece: Operating projection 613D, Locked part: Locking projection 666T, Display window: Display window 11W, Game board body: Base plate 41, Game board: Game board 40, Support housing 51, Rear wall 319, Display screen: Display screen 52G, Monitor unit: Display device 52, Main control board: Circuit board 600, Board case: Board case 601, Main control board unit: Main control board unit 56, First harness holding part: Harness holding part 657, Second harness holding part: Harness holding part 409

[0536] [The eighth characteristic group] This disclosure relates to amusement machines, and for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-182531 (paragraph

[0016] , Figure 5) discloses a machine in which parts are fixed together with screws. Compared to the conventional amusement machines described above, there is a need to develop a technology that allows parts to be assembled together without the use of tools. In response to this, the present set of features makes it possible to assemble parts together without the use of tools.

[0537] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which the first and second parts are assembled on top of each other, A gaming machine comprising first and second sliding engagement parts provided on the first and second parts, which are slidably engaged with each other in a sliding direction intersecting the overlapping direction thereof, and the engagement is released at a detachable position at one end of the sliding range.

[0538] According to Feature 1, since the first and second parts are equipped with first and second sliding engagement parts, the first and second parts can be assembled by overlapping them and sliding them in the sliding direction. This makes it possible to assemble the parts without using tools.

[0539] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to feature 1, further comprising a locking mechanism provided on the first and second parts for locking the first and second parts immovably at the assembly position of the other end within the slidable range.

[0540] According to Feature 2, the locking mechanism can lock the first and second parts in a way that prevents them from moving.

[0541] [Feature 3] The second slide engagement portion includes an engagement wall portion having an elongated hole extending in the sliding direction, The first slide engagement portion includes a front contact portion that overlaps the surface of the engagement wall portion, and a hook portion that extends from the front contact portion toward the engagement wall portion, then bends and extends in the sliding direction, overlapping the back surface of the engagement wall portion. The gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, wherein, in the detachable position, the hook portion no longer overlaps the back surface of the engaging wall portion and can be detached from the elongated hole.

[0542] According to Feature 3, the first and second slide engagement parts can be constructed with a simple configuration.

[0543] [Feature 4] The base end of the hook portion and the inner surface of one end of the elongated hole in the longitudinal direction come into contact with each other to form a first stopper portion that positions the first and second parts in the separable position. The gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the base end of the hook portion and the inner surface of the other end in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole abut against each other to form a second stopper portion that positions the first and second parts in the assembly position.

[0544] According to Feature 4, the sliding range can be restricted with a simple configuration.

[0545] [Feature 5] The gaming machine according to feature 3 or 4, wherein the front contact portion has a ridge shape that protrudes toward the engagement wall portion and extends in the sliding direction.

[0546] According to Feature 5, the strength of the first engagement portion can be increased by the front contact portion.

[0547] [Feature 6] The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 5, wherein multiple hook portions and elongated holes are distributed at multiple positions in the sliding direction.

[0548] According to Feature 6, by providing multiple hook portions and elongated holes at a distributed rate, the assembly of the first and second parts can be stabilized.

[0549] [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 6, wherein multiple hook portions and elongated holes are distributed at multiple positions in a direction that intersects both the sliding direction and the overlapping direction.

[0550] According to Feature 7, the assembly of the first and second parts can be stabilized.

[0551] [Feature 8] The gaming machine according to any one of features 3 to 5, wherein a sheet metal bracket integrally having the front contact portion and the hook portion and a base plate portion perpendicular to the front contact portion and the hook portion is provided as part of the first com...

Claims

[Claim 1] In a gaming machine in which a first part and a second part are assembled in a stacked manner, a connecting shaft that is supported slidably and rotatably through a slide support hole of the first component, and has a locking protrusion that protrudes laterally from a tip end protruding from the slide support hole toward the second component and cannot pass through the slide support hole, and an operating portion that protrudes laterally from the slide support hole at a base end and cannot pass through the slide support hole; a specially shaped hole that is formed in the second component and through which the tip end of the connecting shaft can pass in a first rotation position and cannot pass in a second rotation position; A gaming machine in which the first part and the second part are held in a sandwiched state between the locking protrusion and the operating part at a second slide position in which the connecting shaft passes through both the first part and the second part from the first slide position.

Images