Game machine

Abstract

To prevent outward appearance of a pattern of a game board from being spoiled greatly because of an influence of board surface components.SOLUTION: A translucent taper part 33 is provided in a peripheral part of a start pocket unit 30 and a first transparent part 31b of a print layer 31 can be visible through the taper part 33 from the front. For this reason, presence of the peripheral part of the start pocket unit 30 does not become conspicuous for a player's eye and the peripheral part of the start pocket unit 30 fits the print layer 31 visually. Also, a light transmitting non-taper part 34 connected to the taper part 33 is provided in the start pocket unit 34, and a second transparent part 31c of the print layer 31 can be visible through the non-taper part 34 from the front. As a result, a player can visually and clearly recognize pattern-like connection between the first transparent part 31b and the second transparent part 31c, thus generally preventing outward appearance of the print layer 31 on the front of a game board 4 from being spoiled greatly by an influence of the start pocket unit 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Some of the above gaming machines are configured to form a colored opaque pattern according to printing on the front surface of the game board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of the above gaming machine, a plurality of board components such as winning holes are provided on the front surface of the game board, and the appearance of the pattern on the front surface of the game board tends to be significantly impaired by the influence of the board components. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing the appearance of the pattern on the front surface of the game board from being significantly impaired by the influence of the board components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The gaming machine according to claim 1 is provided on the front surface of the game board, and includes a printing layer having a colored opaque pattern, and a board component provided on the front surface of the game board and having a base overlapped on the pattern from the front. The base has a substantially uniform thickness dimension in the front-rear direction and has translucency, and a translucent tapered portion that becomes thin toward the outside of the base is provided at the peripheral edge portion of the base. It is characterized by this. According to the above method, a translucent base with a nearly uniform thickness in the front-to-back direction is superimposed on the pattern of the game board from the front, so the appearance of the pattern is nearly uniform across the entire base. Moreover, since a translucent tapered portion is provided at the periphery of the base, the pattern can be seen through the tapered portion from the front. As a result, the presence of the periphery of the base becomes less noticeable from the player's perspective, and the periphery of the base blends in with the pattern visually, thus preventing the appearance of the pattern on the front of the game board from being significantly impaired by the influence of the board components. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the appearance of the pattern on the front of the game board from being significantly impaired by the influence of the board components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure illustrating Embodiment 1 of the present invention (perspective view showing the external appearance of a pachinko game machine) [Figure 2] Perspective view showing the exterior of the outer frame, inner frame, front frame, and window panel. [Figure 3] Diagram showing a game board [Figure 4] Diagram showing the starter unit (a is a view along line Xa, b is a cross-sectional view along line Xb) [Figure 5] Block diagram showing the electrical configuration [Figure 6] Block diagram showing the electrical configuration [Figure 7] Diagram showing images of the game's visual effects. [Figure 8] Diagram showing images of the game's visual effects. [Figure 9] Diagram showing the inner frame (a is a view along line Xa, b is a cross-sectional view along line Xb) [Figure 10] Diagram showing the preview sequence [Figure 11] Front view showing the inner frame with the left and right units installed. [Figure 12] (a) is a front view showing the left unit, and (b) is a front view showing the right unit. [Figure 13](a) is a flowchart showing a preview performance process, and (b) and (c) are diagrams showing a preview performance table [Figure 14] (a) is a flowchart showing a power-off process, and (b) is a diagram showing the unit extraction state [Figure 15] Diagram showing Example 2 (a is a front view showing the start port unit, b is a cross-sectional view along the Xb line) [Figure 16] Diagram showing Example 3 (a is a front view showing the main part of the start port unit, b is a cross-sectional view along the Xb line) [Figure 17] Diagram equivalent to FIG. 11 showing Example 4 [Figure 18] Diagram showing Example 5 (a is a front view showing the inner frame, b is a cross-sectional view along the Xb line, c is an enlarged view showing the Xc part, d is an enlarged view showing the cross-section along the Xd line) [Figure 19] (a) is a diagram equivalent to (a) of FIG. 18, and (b) is a cross-sectional view along the Xb line [Figure 20] (a) is a diagram equivalent to (b) of FIG. 18, (b) is a diagram equivalent to (c) of FIG. 18, and (c) is a diagram equivalent to (d) of FIG. 18 [Figure 21] Diagram equivalent to FIG. 19 showing Example 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] [Example 1] The outer frame 1 in FIG. 1 is installed on the base island of the pachinko hall. As shown in FIG. , this outer frame 1 has a vertically long rectangular frame shape with openings in the front and rear, and an inner frame 3 is attached to the left end of the outer frame 1 via a hinge fitting 2. This inner frame 3 has a rectangular container shape with an opening 3h in the front, and has a rear plate 3a, a left side plate 3d, a right side plate 3e, a top plate 3f, and a bottom plate 3g. This inner frame 3 corresponds to a case member, a container member, and a box member, and the left side plate 3d, the right side plate 3e, the top plate 3f, and the bottom plate 3g constitute the respective peripheral walls of the case member, the container member, and the box member.

[0009] The inner frame 3 is rotatable with respect to the outer frame 1 about the vertical axis of the hinge fitting 2 between the storage position (see FIG. 1) stored in the outer frame 1 and the drawer position (see FIG. 2) drawn forward from within the outer frame 1. As shown in FIG. 3, a game board 4 is attached to the inner frame 3. This game board 4 is attached to the inner frame 3 by tightening a plurality of screws through the inner frame 3 from the rear to the game board 4, and is removed from the inner frame 3 by loosening the plurality of screws. This game board 4 is made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin and has translucency, and has a vertical flat plate shape. This game board 4 closes the opening 3h on the front surface of the inner frame 3 from the front, and forms a spatial component chamber 3i (see FIG. 2) in cooperation with the inner frame 3. This component chamber 3i has the game board 4, the rear plate 3a, the left side plate 3d, the right side plate 3e, the top plate 3f, and the bottom plate 3g of the inner frame 3 as chamber walls. The game board 4 closes the opening 3h of the component chamber 3i in the state where the inner frame 3 is attached to the rear surface of the game board 4, and opens the opening 3h of the component chamber 3i in the state where the inner frame 3 is removed from the rear surface of the game board 4.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 2, a front frame 5 is attached to the hinge fitting 2. This front frame 5 has a rectangular frame shape with an opening 6, and a colorless and transparent window plate 7 that closes the opening 6 is fixed to the front frame 5. This front frame 5 is rotatable between a closed state (see FIG. 1) that covers the game board 4 from the front and an open state (see FIG. 2) that opens the game board 4 about the axis of the hinge fitting 2, and the window plate 7 faces the game board 4 through a gap from the front in the closed state of the front frame 5. As shown in FIG. 1, an upper tray 8 and a lower tray 9 are fixed to the front frame 5 in two upper and lower stages. The upper tray 8 stores game balls, and the lower tray 9 stores game balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 8.

[0011] A launching device (not shown) is mounted on the front frame 5. This launching device has a hammer for striking the game balls and a launching motor for operating the hammer, and game balls are supplied to the hammer one at a time from the upper tray 8. This launching device supplies one new game ball to the hammer each time the hammer strikes a game ball, and a launching handle 10 is connected to the launching device. As shown in Figure 1, this launching handle 10 is mounted on the lower right corner of the front frame 5 so as to be rotatable around an axis that points in the front-rear direction, and the force with which the hammer strikes the game ball is adjusted according to the amount of clockwise operation (rotation angle) of the launching handle 10.

[0012] As shown in Figure 3, an outer rail 11 and an inner rail 12 are fixed to the front of the game board 4. An arc-shaped launching passage 13 is formed between these outer rail 11 and inner rail 12, and the game ball struck by the striking hammer rises from bottom to top within the launching passage 13. These outer rail 11 and inner rail 12 demarcate a game area 14 on the front of the game board 4. This game area 14 is a circular area connected to the exit at the upper end of the launching passage 13, and the game ball rising within the launching passage 13 is released into the game area 14 from the exit of the launching passage 13. Multiple game pins (not shown) are driven into this game area 14, and the game ball released into the game area 14 falls within the game area 14 while colliding with the multiple game pins.

[0013] As shown in Figure 3, an LED display 15 is fixed to the game board 4, and the result of the win or loss is displayed on the LED display 15. A decorative frame 16 is fixed to the game board 4. This decorative frame 16 is made of a colored opaque synthetic resin and has an opening 17. When viewed from the front, the decorative frame 16 forms a frame shape surrounding the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display 18, and the performance symbol display 18 is located inside the opening 17 when viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 2, this performance symbol display 18 is fixed to the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 and is located at the rearmost part of the inner frame 3. This performance symbol display 18 consists of a color liquid crystal display, and the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display 18 is visible to the player through the window panel 7, the opening 17 of the decorative frame 16, and the game board 4. This performance symbol display 18 corresponds to a display.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3, the game board 4 has a large prize opening 19 fixed within the game area 14. This large prize opening 19 is a horizontally elongated box shape with an open front and is equipped with a door panel 20. This door panel 20 is rotatable around a horizontal axis at its lower end between a vertically closed state and a horizontally open state. When the door panel 20 is closed, the entrance to the front of the large prize opening 19 is closed so that game balls cannot enter, and when the door panel 20 is open, it is open so that game balls can enter.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, a starter unit 30 is detachably attached to the game board 4. This starter unit 30 is located in the center of the left-right direction at the lower end of the game area 14 and is visible to the player. This starter unit 30 corresponds to the board surface component and game component and is configured as follows. <Description of the starting port unit 30> As shown in Figure 4, a printed layer 31 is provided on the front surface of the game board 4. This printed layer 31 is a colored, opaque material that visually decorates the front surface of the game board 4 and corresponds to the decorative part of the board surface. This printed layer 31 covers the entire front surface of the game board 4 and has a crescent moon-shaped pattern 31a and a background for the pattern 31a.

[0016] As shown in Figure 4, a start-up base 32 is attached to the game board 4, located in front of the printed layer 31. This start-up base 32 is made of a colorless, transparent synthetic resin and corresponds to the base and base portion. This start-up base 32 has a tapered portion 33 and a non-tapered portion 34. The non-tapered portion 34 is a fan-shaped portion when viewed from the front and is a portion with a constant thickness in the front-to-back direction that connects to the tapered portion 33. The tapered portion 33 is a portion located at the periphery of the non-tapered portion 34 and is a portion whose thickness decreases toward the outside. These tapered portion 33 and non-tapered portion 34 are superimposed on the front of the pattern 31a. The first transparent portion 31b is the portion of the pattern 31a that is visible from the front through the tapered portion 33 and corresponds to the first board-side pattern portion. The second transparent section 31c is the part of the pattern 31a that is visible from the front through the non-tapered section 34 and is connected to the first transparent section 31b, corresponding to the second dial-side pattern section. The direct viewing section 31d is the part of the pattern 31a that is visible without passing through either the tapered section 33 or the non-tapered section 34.

[0017] As shown in Figure 4, a decorative section 35 is textured on the non-tapered portion 34 of the start port base 32. This decorative section 35 is shaped to resemble three transverse waves arranged vertically and protrudes forward compared to the remaining portion of the start port base 32 excluding the decorative section 35. The surface roughness of this decorative section 35 is set to be rougher than that of the remaining portion of the start port base 32 excluding the decorative section 35, and the light transmittance is kept lower than that of the remaining portion. This decorative section 35 is superimposed on the printed layer 31 from the front, and the printed layer 31 appears differently from the player's perspective depending on whether it overlaps with the decorative section 35, does not overlap with the decorative section 35, overlaps with the non-tapered portion 34, or overlaps with the tapered portion 33. This decorative section 35 corresponds to the decorative section on the component side.

[0018] As shown in Figure 4, the start port base 32 has a plurality of through holes 36 located in the non-tapered portion 34, and a screw (not shown) is inserted into each through hole 36 from the front. Each of these screws corresponds to a locking / unlocking member, and the start port base 32 is detachably attached to the game board 4 by tightening each screw to the front of the game board 4. A colored, opaque start port cover 37 is attached to this start port base 32. This start port cover 37 is a short cylindrical shape oriented in the front-to-back direction and has a front plate 38 that closes the front. This start port cover 37 corresponds to the outside of the room, and an entry port 39 is formed in the start port cover 37. This entry port 39 opens upward, allowing game balls rolling within the game area 14 to enter. The width dimension of the starting port cover 37 in the left-right direction is set to a large value (for example, 1.5 times) compared to the diameter dimension of the game ball, so that when manufacturing a pachinko game machine, workers can easily grasp the starting port cover 37 with their fingers.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, a colorless, transparent ball trough 40 is attached to the starter cover 37. This ball trough 40 is oriented in the front-to-back direction and has an open top. The top surface of this ball trough 40 faces the ball entry opening 39 from below, and game balls enter the ball trough 40 through the ball entry opening 39. The bottom surface of this ball trough 40 slopes downward from front to back, and game balls that enter the ball trough 40 roll along the bottom surface of the ball trough 40 from front to back. This ball trough 40 corresponds to the insertion part, and a ball discharge passage 41 is attached to the rear end of the ball trough 40. This ball discharge passage 41 is cylindrical and oriented in the vertical direction, and game balls enter the ball discharge passage 41 from the rear end of the ball trough 40 and fall through the ball discharge passage 41. A collection trough (not shown) is provided below the ball discharge passage 41, and game balls fall into the collection trough from the exit of the ball discharge passage 41. These bulb troughs 40 and bulb discharge passages 41 constitute a bulb passage 48 that corresponds to the interior of the room, and the starter cover 37 and the bulb passage 48 are connected via a starter base 32.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, a start port sensor 42 is connected to the ball discharge passage 41. This start port sensor 42 is annular in shape with a detection port 43a, and the game balls pass through the detection port 43a of the start port sensor 42 and fall from the lower end of the ball passage 41. This start port sensor 42 consists of a non-contact type magnetic sensor and outputs a start signal in response to the game ball passing through the detection port 43a. A connector 44 is connected to this start port sensor 42 via wiring 43. A pair of connectors 45 are connected to this connector 44, and wiring 46 is connected to the pair of connectors 45. These wiring 43, connectors 44 and 45, and wiring 46 are housed within the inner frame 3, and the start port sensor 42 corresponds to an electrical component.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the game board 4 has a maintenance opening 47. The height dimension in the vertical direction and the width dimension in the horizontal direction of this maintenance opening 47 are set to be larger than the combined height dimension of the ball trough 40 and the ball passage 41, and the ball passage 48 can be removed straight forward through the maintenance opening 47. This ball passage 48 is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the maintenance opening 47, and the start opening unit 30 can be removed from the game board 4 by removing all of the screws from the start opening base 32 and grasping the start opening cover 37 with your fingers and pulling it forward. This maintenance opening 47 corresponds to a parts insertion opening and a work opening, and the ball passage 48 can be inserted into the maintenance opening 47 from the front by grasping the start opening cover 37 with your fingers.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, a hook 49 is provided in the ball discharge passage 41, and a wire 43 or wire 46 is hooked onto the hook 49. This hook 49 is for stabilizing the position of the wires 43 and 46, and the insertion and removal of the wires into and out of the maintenance opening 47 of the ball passage 48 can be performed with the wires 43 or 46 hooked onto the hook 49. This hook 49 corresponds to a fastening means.

[0023] The main control board 50 in Figure 5 is fixed to the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3, located outside the inner frame 3, and the main control board 50 is equipped with a main control circuit 51. This main control circuit 51 is mainly a microcomputer, and the large prize opening sensor 52 outputs a large prize signal to the main control circuit 51 when a game ball enters the large prize opening 19. A large prize opening solenoid 53 is connected to this main control circuit 51, and the large prize opening solenoid 53 opens and closes the door plate 20 of the large prize opening 19. An LED display 15 is connected to this main control circuit 51, and the main control circuit 51 controls the display content of the LED display 15.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, a start-up sensor 42 is connected to the main control circuit 51. The wiring 46 of this start-up sensor 42 passes through the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 and is led out to the outside of the inner frame 3. The start-up sensor 42 is connected to the main control circuit 51 in accordance with the connection of the wiring 46 to the main control board 50. This start-up sensor 42 outputs a start signal to the main control circuit 51 through wiring 43 and wiring 46, and slack is formed in wiring 43 and wiring 46 when the start-up unit 30 is attached to the game board 4. This slack allows the ball passage 48 of the start-up unit 30 to be pulled forward through the maintenance opening 47, and the length is set so that when the ball passage 48 is pulled forward through the maintenance opening 47, connectors 44 and 45 are positioned in front of the front of the game board 4. That is, the connection between connectors 44 and 45 can be made and disconnected when the start-up unit 30 is removed.

[0025] The payout control board 54 in Figure 5 is fixed to the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3, positioned outside the inner frame 3. This payout control board 54 is equipped with a payout control circuit 55 mainly consisting of a microcomputer. The main control circuit 51 sends a payout command to the payout control circuit 55 when it detects a start signal from the start port sensor 42 and a big prize signal from the big prize port sensor 52. A prize ball payout device 56 is connected to this payout control circuit 55, and when the payout control circuit 55 detects a payout command from the main control circuit 51, it drives the prize ball payout device 56 and dispenses a unit number of game balls as prize balls into the upper tray 8.

[0026] A sub-control board 57 and an image control board 58 (both see Figure 6) are fixed to the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3, located outside the inner frame 3. The sub-control board 57 is equipped with a sub-control circuit 59 mainly consisting of a microcomputer, and the main control circuit 51 sends commands to the sub-control circuit 59 according to the progress of the game. This sub-control board 57 corresponds to a circuit board. The image control board 58 is equipped with an image control circuit 60 mainly consisting of a microcomputer, and the sub-control circuit 59 sets the display content of the performance symbol display 18 based on commands from the main control circuit 51 and sends the result of the display content setting to the image control circuit 60. The performance symbol display 18 is connected to this image control circuit 60, and the image control circuit 60 displays an image on the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display 18 according to the received result of the display content.

[0027] A lamp control board 61, a sound control board 62, and a power supply board 63 (all shown in Figure 6) are fixed to the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3, located outside the inner frame 3. The lamp control board 61 is connected to multiple frame lamps 39 and multiple panel lamps 37. The multiple frame lamps 39 illuminate the front frame 5, and the multiple panel lamps 37 illuminate the decorative frame 16. The lamp control board 61 drives and controls the multiple frame lamps 39 and multiple panel lamps 37 in response to commands from the sub-control circuit 59. The sound control board 62 drives and controls multiple speakers 40, outputting voice, music, and sound effects from the multiple speakers 40. The power supply board 63 is connected to the island power supply and generates multiple types of drive sources in response to voltage regulation and step-down of the island power supply.

[0028] The main control circuit 51 detects a start signal from the start sensor 42 and determines whether it is a win or a loss. When a win or loss is determined, it starts a special symbol variation display. This special symbol variation display starts flashing multiple LEDs of the LED display unit 15 in a predetermined pattern and then stops flashing. If a loss is determined, the multiple LEDs stop flashing in the "loss" pattern, and if a win is determined, they stop flashing in the "win" pattern. The main control circuit 51 starts a jackpot game when the multiple LEDs of the LED display unit 15 stop flashing in the "win" pattern. This jackpot game allows game balls to enter the large prize opening 19 in accordance with the opening and closing of the large prize opening 19.

[0029] The main control circuit 51 transmits game data to the sub-control circuit 59 when it determines whether the game is a win or a loss. This game data includes the win / loss determination result and the variation pattern. When the sub-control circuit 59 receives the game data from the main control circuit 51, it sets the presentation content of the image for the performance symbol game based on the received game data result and transmits the result of setting the presentation content to the image control circuit 60. As shown in Figure 7, the image for this performance symbol game displays performance symbols consisting of the numbers "1" to "9" sequentially in three horizontal columns (left, middle, and right) in both scrolling and stopped scrolling states on the performance symbol display 18. The combinations in the stopped scrolling state of the three columns are set to "win combinations," "losing reach combinations," and "complete loss combinations." A complete loss combination is a combination where the left and right columns are different, and is set when the main control circuit 51 transmits a loss as the win / loss determination result. A win combination is a combination where the three columns are identical, as shown in Figure 8, and is set when the main control circuit 51 transmits a win / loss determination result. A losing combination is one in which the left and right columns are identical and the middle column is different. This combination is set when the main control circuit 51 sends a "losing" result as the determination of whether it is a win or loss. The image of this symbol game corresponds to the image of the symbol game.

[0030] As shown in Figure 9, a guide bar 71 oriented in the left-right direction is fixed inside the inner frame 3, and a guide block 72 is supported on the guide bar 71. This guide block 72 is slidable in the left-right direction along the guide bar 71, a rack 73 oriented in the left-right direction is fixed to the lower surface of the guide block 72, and a decorative plate 74 is fixed to the upper surface of the guide block 72. This decorative plate 74 is a vertical plate shape, and a pattern is drawn on the front surface of the decorative plate 74 in a colored opaque color. This decorative plate 74 corresponds to another movable member.

[0031] As shown in Figure 9, a motor base 75 is fixed inside the inner frame 3, and a medium motor 76 is fixed to the motor base 75. This medium motor 76 is a pulse motor, and a pinion 77 is fixed to the rotation axis of the medium motor 76. This pinion 77 is meshed with a rack 73, and the decorative plate 74 moves linearly along the guide bar 71 in the left-right direction in response to the rotation of the medium motor 76. As shown in Figure 6, this medium motor 76 is connected to a sub-control circuit 59, and the sub-control circuit 59 controls the movement of the decorative plate 74 between the normal position, the removal position, and the retracted position in response to the driving control of the medium motor 76. This medium motor 76 corresponds to another drive source, and the sub-control circuit 59 corresponds to a control circuit. Figure 10(a) shows the decorative plate 74 in its normal position. In this normal position, the decorative plate 74 overlaps the lower right corner of the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display unit 18 from the front, and the decorative plate 74 is visible to the player in this position. Figure 10(d) shows the decorative plate 74 in its retracted position. In this retracted position, the decorative plate 74 is moved to the left from the front of the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display unit 18 and the front of the right unit 90, and overlaps the front frame 5 from the rear, and the decorative plate 74 is not visible to the player in this position. Figure 14(b) shows the decorative plate 74 in its removed position. This removed position is an intermediate position between the normal position and the retracted position, and is the position when the power is cut off.

[0032] As shown in Figure 11, the left unit 80 is housed within the inner frame 3. This left unit 80 is detachably attached to the inner frame 3 and is not attached to the game board 4. This left unit 80 is positioned at the front end of the inner frame 3, ahead of both the guide bar 71 and the decorative plate 74, and there are no obstacles in front of the left unit 80 within the inner frame 3. This left unit 80 is equivalent to a unit and is configured as follows. <Regarding left unit 80> The left base 81 in Figure 12(a) is made of a vertically elongated rectangular metal plate and corresponds to a support member. The left cover 82 is attached to the front surface of the left base 81. The left cover 82 is made of a vertically elongated rectangular transparent resin plate, and both the left base 81 and the left cover 82 are positioned in front of the guide bar 71, with multiple through holes 83 formed in the left base 81 and the left cover 82.

[0033] As shown in Figure 12(a), a rack 84 is mounted on the rear surface of the left base 81 so as to be able to move linearly in the vertical direction, and a horizontal arm 85 extending to the right is attached to the upper end of the rack 84. An LED board (not shown) is attached to the front of this arm 85, and the LED board is connected to a sub-control board 57, which is connected to a sub-control circuit 59 via a printed pattern on the sub-control board 57. Multiple LEDs 86 are mounted on the front of this LED board. Each of these multiple LEDs 86 projects light forward and is driven and controlled by the sub-control circuit 59. These multiple LEDs 86 correspond to electrical components and are housed inside the left decorative member 87. This left decorative member 87 is attached to the arm 85 and is molded from a translucent synthetic resin. This left decorative member 87 consists of a hollow body that mimics a cloud, and the sub-control circuit 59 illuminates the left decorative member 87 from the inside and makes it emit light in response to the multiple LEDs 86 being turned on. This left decorative member 87 corresponds to both a movable member and a decorative member.

[0034] As shown in Figure 12(a), a left motor 88 is fixed to the rear surface of the left base 81. This left motor 88 is a pulse motor and has a rotation axis that points towards the rear. A pinion (not shown) is fixed to the rotation axis of this left motor 88, and the pinion is meshed with a rack 84. This left motor 88 is connected to a sub-control circuit 59, which drives and controls the left motor 88 to move the left decorative member 87 between the standby position and the performance position. These pinion and rack 84 correspond to the operating mechanism 89 of the movable member.

[0035] Figure 10(a) shows the left decorative member 87 in its standby position. The standby position of this left decorative member 87 is set above the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display unit 18, and in the standby position of the left decorative member 87, there are no members within the inner frame 3 that overlap the left decorative member 87 from the front. In the standby position, this left decorative member 87 is located behind the front frame 5 and is not visible from the front in the standby position. Figure 10(b) shows the left decorative member 87 in its performance position, and the performance position of the left decorative member 87 is set above the performance symbols in the left column. In the performance position, this left decorative member 87 overlaps the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display unit 18 from the front and is visible from the front.

[0036] As shown in Figure 9, the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 has multiple spacers 3b formed on its left side. Each of these spacers 3b is cylindrical in shape and oriented in the front-to-back direction, supporting the left base 81 from the rear. Screws (not shown) are screwed into each of these spacers 3b from the front through through holes 83 in the left cover 82 and the left base 81, and the left unit 80 is attached to the inner frame 3 via these screws. When the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, these screws are hidden from view by the printed layer 31 and are covered by the inner frame 3, making them inoperable. When the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4, they are visible from the outside and are opened in an operable manner. These screws constitute mounting members.

[0037] The left unit 80 can be removed from the inner frame 3 by following the steps [1] to [3] below, and can be attached to the inner frame 3 by following the steps [4] to [6] below. [1] With the front frame 5 open, remove the game board 4 from the inner frame 3 and open the opening 3h of the inner frame 3. [2] Multiple screws are unscrewed from the spacer 3b through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3, disengaging the left unit 80 from the inner frame 3. [3] The left unit 80 is removed straight forward from inside the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3. This removal operation is performed with the left base 81 aligned with the left side plate 3d of the inner frame 3 at the removal position of the decorative plate 74. The decorative plate 74 is automatically moved to the removal position when the power is cut off, and is also moved to the removal position when the operator pushes the decorative plate 74 with their fingers, in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft of the central motor 76 being forcibly rotated. At the removal position of the decorative plate 74, the decorative plate 74 is retracted from the front of the left unit 80, and there are no parts inside the inner frame 3 that interfere with the left unit 80 when the operator removes the left unit 80 straight forward from inside the inner frame 3 along the left side plate 3d. [4] The left unit 80 is stored in the inner frame 3 from the front through the opening 3h to the rear. This operation is performed with the left base 81 aligned with the left side plate 3d of the inner frame 3 at the removal position of the decorative plate 74 with the power cut off, and there are no parts in the inner frame 3 that interfere with the left unit 80 when it is stored in the inner frame 3 along the left side plate 3d. [5] From the front, multiple screws are screwed into the spacer 3b through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3, and the left unit 80 is engaged with the inner frame 3. [6] Attach the inner frame 3 to the game board 4 and close the opening 3h of the inner frame 3.

[0038] As shown in Figure 11, wiring 88a is connected to the left motor 88, and a pair of connectors 88c is connected to the connector 88b of wiring 88a. Wiring 88d of this connector 88c passes through the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 and is connected to the sub-control board 57 outside the inner frame 3, and is connected to the sub-control circuit 59 via the printed pattern of the sub-control board 57. These wirings 88a, connectors 88b and 88c, and wiring 88d are housed inside the inner frame 3 with the left unit 80 engaged with the inner frame 3, and slack is formed in wirings 88a and 88d with the left unit 80 engaged with the inner frame 3. This slack allows the worker to insert and remove the left unit 80 into the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h in the order of [1] to [3], [4] to [6] above, while the connector 88b and connector 88c are connected, and also allows the worker to connect and disconnect the connector 88b and connector 88c outside the inner frame 3 while the left unit 80 is removed.

[0039] Multiple LEDs 86 are connected to connectors via wiring. Each of these connectors is connected to a pair of other connectors, and the wiring of these pairs of connectors is connected to a sub-control circuit 59 via a printed pattern on a sub-control board 57. Both of these wirings and connectors are housed within the inner frame 3 with the left unit 80 engaged with the inner frame 3, and slack is formed in both wirings when the left unit 80 is engaged with the inner frame 3. This slack allows the left unit 80 to be inserted into and removed from the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h, and also allows an operator to connect and disconnect the two connectors outside the inner frame 3 when the left unit 80 is removed.

[0040] As shown in Figure 11, the right unit 90 is housed within the inner frame 3. This right unit 90 is detachably attached to the inner frame 3 and is not attached to the game board 4. This right unit 90 is located at the front end of the inner frame 3 and corresponds to a unit. This right unit 90 is configured as follows. <Regarding the right unit 90> The right base 91 in Figure 12(b) is made of a vertically elongated rectangular metal plate and corresponds to a support member. The right cover 92 is attached to the front of the right base 91. The right cover 92 is made of a vertically elongated rectangular transparent resin plate, and the right base 91 and right cover 92 are positioned in front of the guide bar 71, rack 73 and decorative plate 74. Multiple through holes 93 are formed in the right base 91 and right cover 92.

[0041] As shown in Figure 12(b), an arm 94 is mounted on the rear surface of the right base 91 so as to be able to move linearly in the vertical direction. This arm 94 is oriented in the left-right direction, and the left half of the arm 94 is bent backward relative to the right half so as to overlap the decorative plate 74 in its normal position from behind. An LED board (not shown) is attached to the left end of this arm 94, located at the front. An LED 95 is mounted on the front of this LED board, and as shown in Figure 6, the LED 95 is connected to a sub-control circuit 59 via a harness (not shown). This LED 95 projects light forward and corresponds to an electrical component. This LED 95 is housed inside the right decorative member 96. This right decorative member 96 consists of a translucent hollow body with an external shape resembling the moon, and the sub-control circuit 59 illuminates the right decorative member 96 from the inside and makes it emit light when the LED 95 is turned on. This right decorative member 96 corresponds to both a movable member and a decorative member.

[0042] As shown in Figure 12(b), a right motor 97 is fixed to the rear surface of the right base 91, and as shown in Figure 6, the right motor 97 is connected to a sub-control circuit 59 via a harness (not shown). This right motor 97 is a pulse motor and has a rotating shaft that points towards the rear. A circular reel (not shown) is fixed to the rotating shaft of this right motor 97, and one end of a wire 98 is connected to the reel. This right motor 97 corresponds to the drive source.

[0043] As shown in Figure 12(b), two pulleys 99 are mounted on the rear surface of the right base 91 so as to be rotatable around an axis pointing to the rear, and a wire 98 is stretched between both pulleys 99. The other end of this wire 98 is connected to the arm 94, and when the right motor 97 is off, the right decorative member 96 falls to a stationary position together with the arm 94 due to its own weight. Figure 10(a) shows the right decorative member 96 in the stationary position. In the stationary position, the right decorative member 96 overlaps the rear of the decorative plate 74 in its normal position and is not visible to the player. These wires 98 and both pulleys 99 correspond to the operating mechanism 100 (see Figure 12).

[0044] The sub-control circuit 59 winds the wire 98 onto the reel in response to the forward rotation of the right motor 97 when the right decorative member 96 is in the standby position, and as the wire 98 is wound onto the reel, the arm 94 is moved upward to the display position together with the right decorative member 96, resisting its own weight with the driving force of the right motor 97. When the right decorative member 96 is in the display position, the sub-control circuit 59 unwinds the wire 98 from the reel in response to the reverse rotation of the right motor 97, and as the wire 98 is unwinded from the reel, the arm 94 is moved downward to the standby position together with the right decorative member 96, due to its own weight. Figure 10(c) shows the right decorative member 96 in the display position, where the right decorative member 96 is located above the display symbols in the right column. The right decorative member 96 is located at the upper edge of the liquid crystal screen of the display symbol display unit 18 in the display position, making it visible to the player.

[0045] As shown in Figure 9, the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 has multiple spacers 3c formed on its right side. Each of these spacers 3c is cylindrical in shape and oriented in the front-to-back direction, supporting the right base 91 from the rear. Screws (not shown) are screwed into each of these spacers 3c from the front through holes 93 in the right cover 92 and the right base 91, and the right unit 90 is attached to the inner frame 3 via these screws. These screws are equivalent to mounting members, and when the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, they are hidden from view by the printed layer 31 and covered from the front by the game board 4, making them inoperable from the front. When the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4, they are open and can be viewed and operated from the front.

[0046] The right unit 90 can be removed from the inner frame 3 by following the steps [1] to [3] below, and can be removed from the inner frame 3 by following the steps [4] to [6] below. [1] With the front frame 5 open, remove the game board 4 from the inner frame 3 and open the opening 3h of the inner frame 3. [2] Multiple screws are unscrewed from the spacer 3c through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3, disengaging the right unit 90 from the inner frame 3. [3] The right unit 90 is pulled straight forward from inside the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3. This removal operation is performed with the right base 91 aligned with the right side plate 3e of the inner frame 3 at the removal position of the decorative plate 74 with the power cut off. At this removal position of the decorative plate 74, the decorative plate 74 is retracted from the front of the right decorative member 96, and there are no parts inside the inner frame 3 that the right unit 90 will interfere with when the worker pulls the right unit 90 straight forward from inside the inner frame 3 along the right side plate 3e. [4] The right unit 90 is stored straight backward through the opening 3h within the inner frame 3. This operation is performed with the right base 91 aligned with the right side plate 3e of the inner frame 3 at the removal position of the decorative plate 74 with the power cut off, and there are no parts within the inner frame 3 that interfere with the right unit 90 when it is stored within the inner frame 3 along the right side plate 3e. [5] Pass a plurality of screws through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 and thread them into the spacer 3c, and engage the right unit 90 with the inner frame 3. [6] Attach the inner frame 3 to the game board 4 and close the opening 3h of the inner frame 3.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 11, a wiring 97a is connected to the right motor 97, and a pair of connectors 97c are connected to the connector 97b of the wiring 97a. The wiring 97d of this connector 97c penetrates the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 and is connected to the sub-control board 57 outside the inner frame 3, and is connected to the sub-control circuit 59 through the printed pattern of the sub-control board 57. Slack is formed in these wirings 97a and 97d in a state where the right unit 90 is attached to the inner frame 3. This slack allows an operator to insert and remove the right unit 90 through the opening 3h into the inner frame 3 in the procedures of [1] to [3] and [4] to [6] above in the connection state between the connector 97b and the connector 97c, and also allows the operator to connect and disconnect between the connector 97b and the connector 97c outside the inner frame 3 in a state where the right unit 90 is removed.

[0048] A connector is connected to the LED 95 via a wiring. A pair of connectors are connected to this connector, and the wiring of the pair of connectors is connected to the sub-control circuit 59 through the printed pattern of the sub-control board 57. Slack is formed in both of these wirings in a state where the right unit 90 is attached in the inner frame 3 and the two connectors are connected. The slack between the two wirings allows the right unit 90 to be inserted and removed through the opening 3h into the inner frame 3, and also allows the operator to connect and disconnect between the two connectors outside the inner frame 3 in a state where the right unit 90 is removed.

[0049] The sub-control circuit 59 performs any one of the following [1] preview effect 1 to [3] preview effect 3 during the display of the image of the performance symbol game. Each of these preview effects 1 to 3 suggests to the player the reliability that the three columns of performance symbols in the image of the performance symbol game will be a winning combination, and is performed in the three-column scroll state before the scroll display of the performance symbols in the left column stops. Figure 10(a) shows the stopped state of the pre-announcement sequence, in which none of the pre-announcement sequences 1 to 3 are performed. In this stopped state, the decorative plate 74 is stationary in its normal position visible to the player, the left decorative member 87 is stationary in a non-illuminated state in a standby position invisible to the player, and the right decorative member 96 is stationary in a non-illuminated state in a standby position behind the decorative plate 74, invisible to the player.

[0050] [1] Preview sequence 1 As shown in Figure 10(b), in the preview animation position 1, while the preview animation is stopped, the left decorative member 87 is moved from the standby position to the animation position with multiple LEDs 86 turned on, thereby changing it from an invisible state to a visible state. The left decorative member 87 remains stationary in front of the liquid crystal screen of the animation symbol display 18 for a certain period of time while emitting light. In this preview animation position 1, the positional relationship between the decorative plate 74 and the right decorative member 96 corresponds to an overlapping state. [2] Preview animation 2 As shown in Figure 10(c), in the state where the preview effect is stopped, the right decorative member 96 is moved from the standby position to the effect position with the LED 95 turned on, thereby changing it from an invisible state to a visible state. The right decorative member 96 remains stationary in front of the liquid crystal screen of the effect symbol display unit 18 for a certain period of time while emitting light. This preview effect 2 depicts the moon rising from behind a mountain. [3] Preview sequence 3 As shown in Figure 10(d), in the preview animation position 3, when the preview animation is stopped, the decorative plate 74 is moved from its normal position to a retracted position, changing it from a visible state to a non-visible state, and the right decorative member 96 is moved from a standby position to an animation position with the LED 95 turned on, changing it from a non-visible state to a visible state. The right decorative member 96 remains stationary in front of the liquid crystal screen of the animation symbol display 18 for a certain period of time while emitting light, and the decorative plate 74 becomes non-visible for the same period of time. This preview animation 2 depicts the moon rising.

[0051] The preview effect process in Fig. 13(a) is executed when the sub-control circuit 59 receives game data from the main control circuit 51. When the sub-control circuit 59 sets the effect content of the image of the effect symbol game and the combination of the three columns of effect symbols based on the reception result of the game data, it determines whether to perform the preview effect at S1 with a setting probability (1 / 30). If it is determined not to perform the preview effect, the preview effect process ends. If it is determined to perform the preview effect, it proceeds to S2. Here, the determination result of success or failure is detected from the reception result of the game data. If the determination result of success or failure is a big win, the preview effect table 1 is detected from the ROM at S3. If the determination result of success or failure is a miss, the preview effect table 2 is detected from the ROM at S5.

[0052] When the sub-control circuit 59 detects the preview effect table 1 or the preview effect table 2, it selects one of the preview effects 1 to 3 from the detection result of the preview effect table at S4. These preview effects 1 to 3 are set with selection probabilities so that the reliability increases in the order of "preview effect 3", "preview effect 1", and "preview effect 2" as shown in Fig. 12(b)(c). When the sub-control circuit 59 selects one of the preview effects 1 to 3, it executes the selection result of the preview effect.

[0053] The power-off process in Fig. 14(a) is such that the sub-control circuit 59 is activated in response to the input of a power-off signal to the INT input terminal with the highest priority. It is performed in the active state of the backup power supply circuit 64 (see Fig. 6) of the power supply board 63. When the sub-control circuit 59 activates the power-off process, it calculates the checksum of the RAM at S11 and stores it in the RAM. Then, it turns on the power-off flag at S12 and sets the access prohibition to the RAM at S13.

[0054] When the sub-control circuit 59 sets the RAM access to be disabled, it generates a unit removal state in S14. As shown in Figure 14(b), this process involves moving the decorative plate 74 from its current position to the removal position if it is not in the removal position, moving the left decorative member 87 from its current position to the standby position if it is not in the standby position, and moving the right decorative member 96 from its current position to the standby position if it is not in the standby position. In this unit removal state, the decorative plate 74 is moved to the left from in front of the right decorative member 96, and the decorative plate 74 is stationary in the gap between the left unit 80 and the right unit 90. Therefore, there are no obstacles in front of the left unit 80 and the right unit 90, and when the game board 4 is removed from the inner frame 3, the left unit 80 and the right unit 90 can be easily removed forward through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3. In this unit removal state, the positional relationship between the decorative plate 74 and the right decorative member 96 corresponds to a non-overlapping state.

[0055] According to the above Example 1, the following effects are achieved. A translucent tapered portion 33 is provided on the periphery of the start-up unit 30, allowing the first transparent portion 31b of the printed layer 31 to be visible from the front through the tapered portion 33. As a result, the periphery of the start-up unit 30 becomes less conspicuous to the player's eye, and the periphery of the start-up unit 30 blends visually with the printed layer 31. Furthermore, a translucent non-tapered portion 34 connected to the tapered portion 33 is provided on the start-up unit 34, allowing the second transparent portion 31c of the printed layer 31 to be visible from the front through the non-tapered portion 34. As a result, the player can visually clearly recognize the pattern connection between the first transparent portion 31b and the second transparent portion 31c, thus preventing the appearance of the printed layer 31 on the front of the game board 4 from being significantly impaired by the start-up unit 30.

[0056] By providing a decorative portion 35 that overlaps the printed layer 31 from the front on the translucent, non-tapered portion 34 of the starter port unit 30, it becomes possible to improve the appearance of the starter port unit 30 itself. Since a decorative section 35 with lower light transmission is provided on the translucent non-tapered section 34 compared to the non-tapered section 34, the player can easily visually identify the decorative section 35 even though it is semi-transparent. Moreover, even though the decorative section 35 overlaps the printed layer 31 from the front, the player can see the printed layer 31 through the decorative section 35 from the front, thus preventing the appearance of the printed layer 31 from being diminished by the influence of the decorative section 35. Since the non-tapered portion 34 of the translucent start port base 32, which has a uniform thickness in the front-to-back direction, is superimposed on the pattern 31a of the game board 4 from the front, the appearance of the pattern 31a is made uniform across the entire area of ​​the non-tapered portion 34. Moreover, since a translucent tapered portion 33 is provided on the periphery of the start port base 32, the pattern 31a can be seen through the tapered portion 33 from the front. As a result, the presence of the periphery of the start port base 32 becomes less noticeable from the player's perspective, and the periphery of the start port base 32 blends in visually with the pattern 31a, thus preventing the appearance of the pattern 31a from being significantly impaired by the influence of the start port unit 30.

[0057] The left decorative member 87 and the left motor 88 are connected via the left base 81. Therefore, when the left base 81 is attached to the inner frame 3, the left decorative member 87 and the left motor 88 are attached to the inner frame 3, and when the left base 81 is removed from the inner frame 3, the left decorative member 87 and the left motor 88 are removed from the inner frame 3, making it possible to easily attach and detach the left decorative member 87 and the left motor 88 to and from the inner frame 3. The same effect applies to the right decorative member 96 and the right motor 97.

[0058] Since the left unit 80 can be inserted and removed through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 when the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4 and the left base 81 is disengaged from the inner frame 3, inserting and removing the left unit 80 into and from the inner frame 3 becomes easier. The same effect applies to the right unit 90. The left unit 80 is detachably attached to the front end of the inner frame 3. This prevents the left unit 80 from interfering with other parts when inserting or removing it through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3, making the insertion and removal process much easier. The same effect applies to the right unit 90.

[0059] A slack is formed in the wiring 88a and 88d of the left motor 88, allowing the left unit 80 to be removed from the inside of the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h while the left unit 80 is connected between connectors 88b and 88c. Therefore, by removing the left unit 80 from the inside of the inner frame 3 while the left unit 80 is connected between connectors 88b and 88c, and then disconnecting the connection between connectors 88b and 88c outside the inner frame 3, the left unit 80 can be completely detached from the inner frame 3, making maintenance work on the left motor 88 and the left decorative member 87 easy. This effect is also true for the multiple LEDs 86 of the left unit 80, the right motor 97 of the right unit 90, and the LED 95 of the right unit 90.

[0060] Multiple screws for detachably attaching the left base 81 to the inner frame 3 are made inoperable when the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, but are operable when the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4. This prevents the left unit 80 from accidentally falling out of the inner frame 3 due to inadvertent manipulation of the multiple screws while the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4. The same effect applies to the right unit 90. Multiple screws for detachably attaching the left base 81 to the inner frame 3 are made invisible when the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, but become visible when the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4. As a result, the presence of multiple screws is not visible from the outside when the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, thus preventing the screws from being inadvertently manipulated for malicious purposes. The same effect applies to the right unit 90.

[0061] The left decorative member 87 and the multiple LEDs 86 are connected via a left base 81. This left base 81 is detachably attached to the inner frame 3. When the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4, the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 is open, allowing for attachment and detachment through the opening 3h. When the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, the opening 3h is closed, making it impossible to attach and detach through the opening 3h. Therefore, when performing maintenance on the left decorative member 87 and the multiple LEDs 86, the opening 3h is opened when the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4, and the left decorative member 87 and the multiple LEDs 86 can be removed from the inner frame 3 all at once by releasing the engagement of the left base 81 with the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h. This makes maintenance work on the left decorative member 87 and the multiple LEDs 86 easy. Furthermore, when the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, the opening 3h is closed, making it impossible to disengage the left base 81 from the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h. This prevents the left decorative member 87 and the multiple LEDs 86 from being unintentionally removed from the inner frame 3. The same effect applies to the right unit 90.

[0062] A decorative plate 74, separate from the right decorative member 96, is movably provided within the inner frame 3. In the preview animation 1, the decorative plate 74 is placed on top of the right decorative member 96 from the front, making it possible to show the player a highly creative animation of the moon rising over the mountains. Furthermore, since the decorative plate 74 is moved out of the way from the front of the right unit 90 at the removal position, the right unit 90 can be easily inserted into and removed from the inside of the inner frame 3 without being obstructed by the decorative plate 74. Since the unit removal state is automatically generated in response to the drive control of the middle motor 76 when the power is cut off, the effort of manually moving the decorative plate 74 to the removal position when inserting or removing the right unit 90 into or out of the inner frame 3 when the power is cut off is eliminated.

[0063] The decorative plate 74 can be manually moved from its normal position to the removal position. Therefore, if the decorative plate 74 is not automatically moved to the removal position when the power is cut off, the decorative plate 74 can be forcibly moved to the removal position manually, and the right unit 90 can be inserted into and removed from the inner frame 3 at the removal position of the decorative plate 74. The right decorative member 96 can be manually lifted from the standby position to the display position. Therefore, if the decorative plate 74 is not automatically moved to the removal position when the power is cut off, the right decorative member 96 can be manually lifted to the display position, and the right unit 90 can be inserted into and removed from the inner frame 3 at the display position of the right decorative member 96.

[0064] As multiple screws are unscrewed from the start port unit 30, the engagement of the component chamber 3i of the start port unit 30 with the chamber wall is released. With the start port unit 30 released, the ball passage 48 of the start port unit 30 can be removed from the inside of the inner frame 3 through the maintenance opening 47 to the outside of the inner frame 3, and the ball passage 48 of the start port unit 30 can be inserted from the outside of the inner frame 3 through the maintenance opening 47 to the inside. Furthermore, since the start port cover 37 of the start port unit 30 can be gripped to perform the insertion and removal of the ball passage 48 into the inner frame 3, the attachment and detachment of the start port unit 30 to the game board 4 becomes easier overall. Moreover, since the width dimension of the start port cover 37 is set to a value larger than the diameter dimension of the game ball, which allows the operator to easily grip the start port cover 37 with their fingers, the attachment and detachment of the start port unit 30 to the game board 4 becomes even easier. Since the maintenance opening 47 of the game board 4 is blocked from the front by the start opening base 32 of the start opening unit 30, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the game board 4 from being negatively affected by the maintenance opening 47.

[0065] The start port base 32 of the start port unit 30 is attached to the game board 4 via multiple screws that can be operated from the front side of the game board 4. This makes it possible to operate the multiple screws from the outside of the parts room 3i without disassembling the inner frame 3 and the game board 4, thus facilitating the attachment and detachment of the start port unit 30 to the game board 4. The left unit 80 and the right unit 90 are housed within the inner frame 3, positioned behind the start port unit 30. Therefore, even though the left unit 80 and the right unit 90 are present within the inner frame 3, the multiple screws of the start port unit 30 can be unscrewed from the front of the game board 4 while the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, and the start port cover 37 of the start port unit 30 can be grasped to insert and remove the ball passage 48 into and out of the inner frame 3. This makes it easy to attach and detach the start port unit 30 from the game board 4.

[0066] The left unit 80 is housed within the inner frame 3 in a detachable manner. Therefore, when the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4, the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 is opened, and when multiple screws are unscrewed from the left unit 80, the left unit 80 can be removed from the inside of the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h to the outside. This makes maintenance and inspection of the left unit 80 easier, in addition to maintenance and inspection of the start port unit 30. The same effect applies to the right unit 90. The wiring 43 or 46 from the starter unit 30 is configured to be hooked onto the hook 49. As a result, the position of the wiring 43 and 46 relative to the starter unit 30 is stable, making it possible to easily insert and remove the wiring from the maintenance port 47 of the starter unit 30 without being obstructed by the wiring 43 and 46. In the above embodiment 1, the sub-control circuit 59 may be configured to move the right decorative member 96 to an upper display position at the current position of the decorative plate 74 when the power is cut off. In this configuration as well, there will be no member overlapping the right decorative member 86 from the front, making it easier to insert and remove the right unit 90 from the inner frame 3. In the above embodiment 1, the sub-control circuit 59 may be configured to generate a non-overlapping state in which the right decorative member 96 does not overlap the decorative plate 74 after the power is cut off, in response to moving both the decorative plate 74 and the right decorative member 96 to predetermined positions. In the above embodiment 1, a cable tie may be fixed to the ball passage 48 of the start port unit 30, and the wiring 43 or wiring 46 of the start port sensor 42 may be bundled with the cable tie in the ball passage 48 to stabilize the position of the wiring 43 and wiring 46.

[0067] [Example 2] As shown in Figure 15, a starter unit 200 is attached to the front of the game board 4. This starter unit 200 is a component of the game board and is configured as follows. <Starting port unit 200> The base plate 201 is made of transparent synthetic resin and has a tapered portion 202 and a non-tapered portion 203. The tapered portion 202 is located at the periphery of the base plate 201 and is a portion that becomes thinner toward the outside of the base plate 201. The non-tapered portion 203 is the remaining portion of the base plate 201 after removing the tapered portion 202, and is a portion with a constant thickness that connects to the tapered portion 202. Two through holes 204 are formed in this non-tapered portion 203. Screws (not shown) are inserted from the front into each of these through holes 204, and the start port unit 200 is joined to the front of the game board 4 by screwing each screw into the game board 4.

[0068] As shown in Figure 15, two seal layers 4a are provided on the front surface of the game board 4. Each of these seal layers 4a consists of a sticker affixed to the front surface of the game board 4, and a colored opaque pattern is printed on the entire front surface of each seal layer 4a. Each of these seal layers 4a corresponds to the decorative part on the board side and has a first transparent section 4b and a second transparent section 4c. The first transparent section 4b is the part of the seal layer 4a that overlaps after the tapered section 202 and is visible from the front through the tapered section 202. The second transparent section 4c is the part of the seal layer 4a that overlaps after the non-tapered section 203 and is visible from the front through the non-tapered section 203. This second transparent section 4c corresponds to the second patterned section on the disc surface, and the first transparent section 4b corresponds to the first patterned section on the disc surface. Each seal layer 4a is provided with a pattern such as the moon (see Figure 4) that spans between the first transparent section 4b and the second transparent section 4c.

[0069] As shown in Figure 15, the base plate 201 has four notches 205 formed in the non-tapered portion 203. Each of these notches 205 overlaps the seal layer 4a from the front, and the pattern of the seal layer 4a is directly visible from the front through each notch 205. Each of these notches 205 corresponds to a decorative portion on the component side, and each through hole 204 is positioned between two notches 205 in the vertical direction.

[0070] As shown in Figure 15, a ball trough 206 is joined to the base plate 201 at the non-tapered portion 203. This ball trough 206 is inserted from the front into the maintenance opening (not shown) of the game board 4, with the front end of the ball trough 206 protruding forward from the front of the game board 4 and the rear end of the ball trough 206 protruding backward from the rear of the game board 4. The top of the ball trough 206 is open to allow game balls to enter, and a ball trough cover 207 is joined to the front end surface of the ball trough 206. This ball trough cover 207 is a non-transparent, colored, opaque material that prevents game balls from falling forward from the front end surface of the ball trough 206.

[0071] The above Example 2 provides the following effects. A notch 204 is provided in the start port unit 200 that overlaps the seal layer 4a of the game board 4 from the front. As a result, the seal layer 4a is formed with a portion visible through the thin tapered portion 202, a portion visible through the thick non-tapered portion 203, and a portion that is directly visible, thereby improving the appearance of the seal layer 4a.

[0072] [Example 3] As shown in Figure 16, the starter base 32 of the starter unit 30 is provided with a printed section 210. This printed section 210 has the same contour shape and size as the second transparent section 31c that overlaps with the non-tapered section 34 of the starter base 32 in the moon pattern 31a of the printed layer 31, and has the same colored opaque color as the second transparent section 31c. This printed section 210 corresponds to the decorative section on the component side.

[0073] The above Example 3 provides the following effects. A printed section 210 is provided on the start-up unit 30 that overlaps the second transparent section 31c of the pattern 31a on the game board 4 from the front. Therefore, when attaching the start-up unit 30 to the game board 4, the printed section 210 overlaps the second transparent section 31c from the front, so that the start-up unit 30 is positioned in the correct position on the game board 4, making the attachment work of the start-up unit 30 to the game board 4 easier. The starter unit 30 is provided with a ball trough 40 and a ball passage 41 (ball passage 48) that are spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the maintenance opening 47. Therefore, when attaching the starter unit 30 to the game board 4, the printing section 210 can be easily superimposed on the second transparent section 31c by sliding the starter unit 30 while the ball passage 48 is inserted into the maintenance opening 47, thus making the installation of the starter unit 30 to the game board 4 even easier.

[0074] Since the printing section 210 is set to have the same contour shape and size as the second transparent section 31c, the start opening unit 30 is accurately positioned in the correct location on the game board 4 by overlapping the printing section 210 with the second transparent section 31c from the front. The printing section 210 was set to a colored, opaque color. This makes it easier for the operator to see the printing section 210, thus facilitating the process of placing the printing section 210 on the second transparent section 31c from the front. The printed section 210 is set to the same color as the second transparent section 31c. Therefore, even if the printed section 210 is misaligned relative to the second transparent section 31c when it is placed on top of the second transparent section 31c from the front, the misalignment of the printed section 210 relative to the second transparent section 31c will not be noticeable from the player's perspective.

[0075] In the above embodiment 3, the starting port unit 30 may be provided with a printed portion that overlaps the first transparent portion 31b of the pattern 31a of the game board 4 from the front, or a printed portion that overlaps both the first transparent portion 31b and the second transparent portion 31c from the front. In the above embodiment 3, instead of the printing section 210, a translucent section or a notched section having the same contour shape and size as the printing section 210 may be provided on the start port unit 30.

[0076] [Example 4] As shown in Figure 17, a performance unit 300 is detachably housed within the inner frame 3. This performance unit 300 is a unit and is located at the front end of the inner frame 3. This performance unit 300 can be inserted into and removed from the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 when the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4, and is configured as follows. <About Production Unit 300> The unit frame 310 in Figure 17 has a U-shape when viewed from the front, and has a left side portion 311, a right side portion 312, and a top portion 313. The left side portion 311 is oriented vertically along the left side plate 3d of the inner frame 3, the right side portion 312 is oriented vertically along the right side plate 3e of the inner frame 3, and the top portion 313 is oriented horizontally along the top plate 3f of the inner frame 3. This unit frame 31 corresponds to a support member.

[0077] As shown in Figure 17, screws 314 are inserted from the front into the four corners of the unit frame 310, and each screw 314 is screwed into the inner circumferential surface of a boss portion (not shown). Each of these boss portions is cylindrical in shape and protrudes forward from the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3, and the unit frame 310 is removed from the inner frame 3 by unscrewing the four screws 314 from the boss portions. Each of these screws 314 corresponds to a mounting member, and when the inner frame 3 is attached to the game board 4, it is hidden from view by the printed layer 31 and covered by the game board 4 so that it cannot be operated, and when the inner frame 3 is removed from the game board 4, it is opened so that it can be viewed and operated.

[0078] As shown in Figure 17, a left rack 315 is mounted on the left side 311 of the unit frame 310 so as to be able to move linearly in the vertical direction, and a right rack 316 is mounted on the right side 312 so as to be able to move linearly in the vertical direction. The left rack 315 and the right rack 316 are connected via an arm 317, to which a decorative plate 318 is attached. This decorative plate 318 is positioned in front of the performance pattern display unit 31, and letters are drawn on the front of the decorative member 318. This decorative member 318 corresponds to both a movable member and a performance member.

[0079] As shown in Figure 17, a left motor 319 is fixed to the left side 311 of the unit frame 310. A left pinion (not shown) is fixed to the rotation axis of this left motor 319, and the left pinion meshes with the left rack 315. This left motor 319 is a pulse motor and acts as the drive source. A connector 321 is connected to this left motor 319 via wiring 320. A pair of connectors is connected to this connector 321, and the wiring of the pair of connectors (neither shown) passes through the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 and is connected to the sub-control circuit 59 outside the inner frame 3 via the printed pattern of the sub-control board 57. Both of these wirings have slack that allows the performance unit 300 to be inserted into and removed from the inside of the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h when the connection between the two connectors is made.

[0080] As shown in Figure 17, a right motor 322 is fixed to the right side 312 of the unit frame 310. A right pinion (not shown) is fixed to the rotation axis of this right motor 322, and the right pinion meshes with the right rack 316. This right motor 322 is a pulse motor and acts as the drive source. A connector 324 is connected to this right motor 322 via wiring 323. A pair of connectors is connected to this connector 324, and the wiring of the pair of connectors (neither shown) passes through the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3 and is connected to the sub-control circuit 59 outside the inner frame 3 via the printed pattern of the sub-control board 57. Both of these wires have slack that allows the performance unit 300 to be inserted into and removed from the inside of the inner frame 3 through the opening 3h when the two connectors are connected. Reference numeral 301 denotes the operating mechanism of the decorative plate 318, which consists of the left rack 315, the right rack 316, and both pinions.

[0081] The sub-control circuit 59 drives and controls the left motor 319 and the right motor 322, respectively. The decorative plate 318 is moved vertically between the standby position (see dashed line) and the performance position in response to the drive control of the left motor 318 and the right motor 322. In the performance position, the decorative plate 318 overlaps the center of the performance symbol display 32 in the vertical direction from the front. The sub-control circuit 59 moves the decorative plate 318 to the performance position during performance symbol gameplay to indicate to the player that the three rows of performance symbols form a winning combination. The solid line indicates the decorative plate 318 at an intermediate position between the standby position and the performance position.

[0082] The decorative panel 318 becomes invisible from the front when it moves downward from the front of the performance symbol display 32 in the standby position shown by the dashed line in Figure 17, and the sub-control circuit 59 keeps the decorative panel 318 stationary in the standby position except when performing a pre-announcement performance. In the standby position, the decorative panel 318 overlaps the rear of the start port unit 30, and when the start port unit 30 is removed from the game board 4 in the standby position of the decorative panel 318, the decorative panel 318 is positioned behind the maintenance port 47 of the game board 4.

[0083] The sub-control circuit 59 detects the current position of the decorative panel 318 during the power cut-off process when the power is cut off. If it determines that the current position of the decorative panel 318 is not the standby position, it drives the left motor 319 and the right motor 322 to move the decorative panel 318 from the current position to the standby position. In other words, the decorative panel 318 remains stationary in the standby position when the power is cut off, and when the start port unit 30 is removed from the game board 4 when the power is cut off, it becomes visible and maintainable from the front of the game board 4 through the maintenance port 47. This standby position corresponds to the rear position.

[0084] According to the above embodiment 4, the following effects are achieved. Since the unit frame 310 is provided with a left side portion 311 that follows the left side plate 3d of the inner frame 3 and a right side portion 312 that follows the right side plate 3e of the inner frame 3, the left side portion 311 and the right side portion 312 of the unit frame 310 can be aligned with the left side plate 3d and the right side plate 3e of the inner frame 3, respectively, to insert and remove the performance unit 300 into the inner frame 3. As a result, the wobbling of the performance unit 300 when inserting and removing it into the inner frame 3 is reduced, making the insertion and removal of the performance unit 300 into the inner frame 3 even easier. Since the decorative plate 318 is placed on the start port unit 30 from the rear in the standby position, if the start port unit 30 is removed from the game board 4 while the decorative plate 318 is in the standby position, the decorative plate 318 will be positioned behind the maintenance opening 47. In this state, maintenance and inspection work such as visually inspecting the condition of the decorative plate 318 through the maintenance opening 47 from the front of the game board 4 can be performed without disassembling the inner frame 3 and the game board 4, thus making maintenance and inspection work on the decorative plate 318 easier.

[0085] [Example 5] As shown in Figure 18, a window portion 3j is formed in the rear plate 3a of the inner frame 3. A performance pattern display unit 18 is fixed to this rear plate 3a, located behind the window portion 3j, and the liquid crystal screen of the performance pattern display unit 18 is positioned inside the window portion 3j when viewed from the front. A left front plate 3k is formed on the left side plate 3d of the inner frame 3, and a right front plate 3l is formed on the right side plate 3e. The left front plate 3k is a vertical, flat plate located at the front end of the left side plate 3d and protrudes to the left from the left side plate 3d. This left front plate 3d corresponds to the base portion. The right front plate 3l is a vertical, flat plate located at the front end of the right side plate 3e and protrudes to the right from the right side plate 3e. This right front plate 3l corresponds to the base portion. Protruding walls 3m are formed on the periphery of each of these left front plate 3k and right front plate 3l. Each of these protruding walls 3m protrudes forward, and each protruding wall 3m has a notch 3n formed in it.

[0086] As shown in Figure 19, the inner frame 3 houses a colored, opaque left decorative panel 401 and a right decorative panel 402. Each of these panels, the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402, has an arched shape when viewed from the front, and a colored, opaque pattern is printed across its entire front surface. Each of these panels, the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402, corresponds to a decorative component.

[0087] As shown in Figure 19, each of the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402 has a support portion 403. The support portion 403 of the left decorative panel 401 is supported on the front surface of the left front panel 3m, and the left decorative panel 401 is detachably attached to the left front panel 3m by screwing multiple screws through the support portion 403 to the left front panel 3m from the front. The support portion 403 of the right decorative panel 402 is supported on the front surface of the right front panel 3l, and the right decorative panel 402 is detachably attached to the right front panel 3l by screwing multiple screws through the support portion 403 to the right front panel 3l from the front. These support portions 403 of the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402 are located outside the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 when viewed from the front, and correspond to the external and external parts, respectively.

[0088] As shown in Figure 19, each of the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402 has a decorative portion 404. The decorative portion 404 of the left decorative panel 401 overlaps the left cover 82 of the left unit 80 from the front, covering the left unit 80 so that it is not visible from the front except for the left decorative member 87. The decorative portion 404 of the right decorative panel 402 overlaps the right cover 92 of the right unit 90 from the front, covering the right unit 90 so that it is not visible from the front except for the right decorative member 96. These decorative portions 404 of the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402 are located inside the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 when viewed from the front, and correspond to the internal parts.

[0089] As shown in Figure 19, a positioning portion 405 is formed on each of the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402. The positioning portion 405 of the left decorative panel 401 protrudes to the left from the supported portion 403 of the left decorative panel 401, and the left decorative panel 401 is positioned in the correct position within the inner frame 3 as the positioning portion 405 is fitted into the notch 3n of the protruding wall 3m of the left side panel 3d. The positioning portion 405 of the right decorative panel 402 protrudes to the right from the supported portion 403 of the right decorative panel 402, and the right decorative panel 402 is positioned in the correct position within the inner frame 3 as the positioning portion 405 is fitted into the notch 3n of the protruding wall 3m of the right side panel 3e. Each of these positioning portions 405 of the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402 corresponds to a protruding portion.

[0090] As shown in Figure 20, a game board 4 is attached to the inner frame 3. This game board 4 is made by joining a colorless, transparent disc-shaped main body 4a and a colored, opaque frame plate 4b. The main body 4a has the outer rail 11, inner rail 12, decorative frame 16, large prize opening 19, and start opening unit 30 fixed to it, while the frame plate 4b has the LED display 15 fixed to it. The main body 4a corresponds to the game area 14, and both the supported portion 403 and decorative portion 404 of the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402 are visible from the front through the main body 4a of the game board 4. The liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display 18, the left decorative member 87, the right decorative member 96, and the decorative plate 74 are visible from the front through the main body 4a of the game board 4. The frame plate portion 4b supports and reinforces the main body portion 4a, and is attached to the inner frame 3 from the front via a plurality of locking and detaching members such as screws.

[0091] The above embodiment 5 produces the following effects. A supported portion 403 and a decorative portion 404, visible from the front through the main body 4a of the game board 4, are provided on the left decorative panel 401. The decorative portion 404 is located inside the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 when viewed from the front, and contributes to improving the appearance of the inside of the inner frame 3. The supported portion 403 is located outside the opening 3h of the inner frame 3 when viewed from the front, and contributes to improving the appearance around the inner frame 3. As a result, the overall appearance of the product to the player is improved. The same effect applies to the right decorative panel 402. A left front panel 3m is provided on the inner frame 3, protruding outward from the left side panel 3d. The supported portion 403 of the left decorative panel 401 is supported from the rear by the left front panel 3m. This makes it possible to stably support the left decorative panel 401, which has a unique shape with a supported portion 403. The same effect applies to the right decorative panel 402.

[0092] A positioning portion 405 is provided on the supported portion 403 of the left decorative panel 401. Therefore, when attaching the supported portion 403 of the left decorative panel 401 to the left front panel 3m of the inner frame 3, the positioning portion 405 of the left decorative panel 401 can be grasped with the fingers, making it possible to easily attach the left decorative panel 401, which has a unique shape with a supported portion 403, to the inner frame 3. The same effect applies to the right decorative panel 402. Since a notch 3n is provided in the protruding wall 3m of the left front panel 3m of the inner frame 3, the left decorative panel 401 can be easily positioned in the correct location on the inner frame 3 by fitting the positioning part 405 of the left decorative panel 401 into the notch 3n. The same effect applies to the right decorative panel 402. The decorative part 404 of the left decorative panel 401 is superimposed on the operating mechanism 89 inside the inner frame 3 from the front. As a result, the operating mechanism 89 inside the inner frame 3 becomes difficult to see from the front, further enhancing the appearance of the product to the player. The same effect applies to the right decorative panel 402.

[0093] [Example 6] As shown in Figure 21, the left decorative panel 501 and the right decorative panel 502 are housed within the inner frame 3. Each of these left decorative panel 501 and right decorative panel 502 is opaque and has a vertically elongated rectangular main body 503 and a plurality of mounting pieces 504 that protrude laterally from the main body 503. The left decorative panel 501 is positioned within the inner frame 3 by detachably attaching each mounting piece 504 to the left front panel 3k from the front via screws 505, and the main body 503 of the left decorative panel 501 covers the left cover 82 of the left unit 80 from the front, making it invisible. The right decorative panel 502 is positioned within the inner frame 3 by detachably attaching each mounting piece 504 to the right front panel 3l from the front via screws 505, and the main body 503 of the right decorative panel 502 covers the right cover 92 of the right unit 90 from the front, making it invisible.

[0094] As shown in Figure 21, the left decorative panel 501 and the right decorative panel 502 each have a colored, opaque pattern printed on the front surface of the main body 503 and each mounting piece 504. The main body 503 and each mounting piece 504 of the left decorative panel 501 are both visible from the front through the main body 4a of the game board 4, and the main body 503 and each mounting piece 504 of the right decorative panel 502 are both visible from the front through the main body 4a of the game board 4. These left decorative panel 501 and the right decorative panel 502 each correspond to decorative components, the main body 503 of the left decorative panel 501 and the main body 503 of the right decorative panel 502 each correspond to the interior and interior parts, and each mounting piece 504 of the left decorative panel 501 and the each mounting piece 504 of the right decorative panel 502 each correspond to the exterior and exterior parts.

[0095] In the above embodiments 1 to 6, the game board 4 may be attached to the inner frame 3 from the front via screws so as to be removable, or it may be attached from the front or rear via a detachable attachment / detachment member such as a pin. In embodiments 5 and 6 described above, an opening may be provided in the main body 4a of the game board 4. This opening is located in front of the performance symbol display 18, allowing the liquid crystal screen of the performance symbol display 18 to be viewed directly without going through the main body 4a. In this configuration, the left decorative panel 401 and the right decorative panel 402 and the left decorative panel 501 and the right decorative panel 502 can be seen through the remaining portion of the main body 4a excluding the opening.

[0096] In the above examples 1 to 6, the present invention may be applied to one, two, or three types of pachinko gaming machines. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments 1 to 6, and is not limited to the wording of each claim, as long as it does not deviate from the scope described in each claim, and extends to a scope that can be easily substituted by a person skilled in the art, and improvements based on the knowledge ordinarily possessed by a person skilled in the art can be added as appropriate.

[0097] Examples 1 to 6 described above include, in addition to the inventions described in the claims, the following [Reference Inventions 1-1] to [1-6] and [2-1]. Some gaming machines have a configuration in which a colored opaque pattern is formed on the front surface of the game board by printing (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-77169). In the case of such gaming machines, multiple board surface components such as prize slots are provided on the front surface of the game board, and the appearance of the pattern on the front surface of the game board tends to be greatly impaired by the influence of the board surface components. [Reference Inventions 1-1] to [1-6] and [2-1] were made in view of the above circumstances, and their purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the appearance of the pattern on the front surface of the game board from being greatly impaired by the influence of the board surface components.

[0098] [Reference Invention 1-1] A game board component is provided on the front of the game board so that it can be seen from the front, A tapered portion provided on the periphery of the aforementioned disc surface component, which becomes thinner towards the outside of the disc surface component, A component provided on the aforementioned disc surface, comprising a non-tapered portion connected to the tapered portion, The game board is provided on the front surface and comprises a game board side decorative portion having a first game board side pattern portion that overlaps after the tapered portion and a second game board side pattern portion that is connected to the first game board side pattern portion and overlaps after the non-tapered portion, The tapered portion has light-transmitting properties that allow the first pattern portion on the disc surface to be visible from the front. The non-tapered portion is characterized by having light-transmitting properties that allow the second pattern portion on the game board side to be visible from the front. According to the above method, a translucent tapered portion is provided on the periphery of the game board component, and the first game board pattern on the front of the game board is visible from the front through the tapered portion. As a result, the presence of the periphery of the game board component becomes less noticeable to the player's eye, and the periphery of the game board component blends visually with the game board decoration. Furthermore, a translucent non-tapered portion connected to the tapered portion is provided on the game board component, and the second game board pattern on the front of the game board is visible from the front through the non-tapered portion. As a result, the player can visually clearly recognize the pattern connection between the first and second game board pattern portions, thus preventing the overall appearance of the pattern on the front of the game board from being significantly impaired by the game board component.

[0099] [Reference Inventions 1-2] The game machine according to [Reference Invention 1-1], characterized in that the aforementioned board surface component is provided with a component-side decorative portion located at the non-tapered portion. According to the above method, since the decorative part is provided on the non-tapered, translucent portion of the disc surface component, it becomes possible to enhance the appearance of the disc surface component itself.

[0100] [Reference Inventions 1-3] The game machine according to [Reference Invention 1-2], characterized in that the decorative part on the component side overlaps the decorative part on the board surface side from the front and consists of a portion that has lower light transmittance than the non-tapered portion. According to the above method, since the translucent non-tapered portion is provided with a component-side decorative portion that is less translucent than the non-tapered portion, it becomes easier for the player to visually identify the component-side decorative portion even if it is semi-transparent. Moreover, even though the component-side decorative portion overlaps the board-side decorative portion from the front, the player can see the board-side decorative portion through the component-side decorative portion from the front, thus preventing the appearance of the board-side decorative portion from being diminished due to the influence of the component-side decorative portion.

[0101] [Reference Inventions 1-4] The game machine according to [Reference Invention 1-2], characterized in that the decorative part on the component side consists of a notched portion that overlaps the decorative part on the game board side from the front. According to the above method, the decorative part on the game board becomes directly visible to the player through the notched decorative part on the game board component. As a result, the decorative part on the game board is formed with parts that are visible through the thin tapered section, parts that are visible through the thick non-tapered section, and parts that are directly visible through the space, making it possible to enhance the appearance of the decorative part on the game board.

[0102] [Reference Inventions 1-5] The game machine according to [Reference Invention 1-2], characterized in that the component-side decorative portion overlaps the first or second board-side pattern portion of the board-side decorative portion from the front. According to the above method, when attaching the game board components to the game board, the component-side decorative part of the game board component is aligned with the first or second game board-side pattern part of the game board from the front, thereby positioning the game board component in the correct position on the game board, and thus simplifying the attachment work of the game board components to the game board.

[0103] [Reference Invention 1-6] The aforementioned board component is attached to the front surface of the game board and comprises a base having the tapered portion and the non-tapered portion. The aforementioned game board is provided with a through-hole-shaped component insertion opening, The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 1-5], characterized in that the base is provided with an insertion portion that is inserted into the component insertion opening and is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the component insertion opening. According to the above method, the portion of the board component to be inserted is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the component insertion opening. Therefore, when attaching the board component to the game board, the board component can be moved while the portion to be inserted into the component insertion opening is inserted, making it easier to align the component-side decorative portion of the board component with the first or second board-side pattern portion of the game board from the front.

[0104] [Reference Invention 2-1] A component provided on the front of the game board, comprising a printed layer having a colored, opaque pattern, The game board is provided on the front surface and comprises a board surface component having a base superimposed on the pattern from the front, The base has a light-transmitting property with a substantially uniform thickness in the front-to-back direction. A gaming machine characterized in that the peripheral edge of the base is provided with a translucent tapered portion that becomes thinner towards the outside of the base. According to the above method, a translucent base with a nearly uniform thickness in the front-to-back direction is superimposed on the pattern of the game board from the front, so the appearance of the pattern is nearly uniform across the entire base. Moreover, since a translucent tapered portion is provided at the periphery of the base, the pattern can be seen through the tapered portion from the front. As a result, the presence of the periphery of the base becomes less noticeable from the player's perspective, and the periphery of the base blends in with the pattern visually, thus preventing the appearance of the pattern on the front of the game board from being significantly impaired by the influence of the board components.

[0105] Examples 1 to 6 described above include the following [Reference Inventions 3-1] to [3-9] and [4-1] in addition to the invention described in the claims. Some gaming machines have a configuration in which a case member is attached to the rear of the game board. This case member is container-shaped with an open front and has a rear plate. Multiple circuit boards are mounted on this rear plate, located outside the case member, and electrical components such as sensors and lamps on the game board side are connected to the circuit boards via harnesses inside the case member (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-050504). Some gaming machines have a configuration in which a movable member and a drive source are housed inside the case member. This movable member is visible to the player, and the drive source enhances the enjoyment of the game by moving the movable member, and both the movable member and the drive source are directly attached to the wall surface of the case member. Therefore, when manufacturing a gaming machine, the wiring inside the case gets in the way when attaching the movable members and drive source to the wall of the case member, and when removing the movable members and drive source from the wall of the case member during maintenance, making the work difficult. Reference Inventions 3-1 to 4-1 were made in view of the above circumstances, and their purpose is to provide a gaming machine in which the movable members and drive source can be easily attached to and detached from the case member.

[0106] [Reference Invention 3-1] A case member having an opening on the front, A device that closes the opening of the case member, and a game board having a game area on its front surface where game balls can roll, The unit provided inside the case member comprises a movable member, a drive source for moving the movable member, and a support member for supporting both, The gaming machine is characterized in that the support member is detachably connected to the case member. According to the above means, the movable member and the drive source are connected via a support member. Therefore, the movable member and the drive source are attached to the case member when the support member is engaged with the case member, and the movable member and the drive source are removed from the case member when the support member is disengaged from the case member, making it possible to easily attach and detach the movable member and the drive source from the case member.

[0107] [Reference Invention 3-2] The game machine according to [Reference Invention 3-1], characterized in that the unit can be moved in and out between the inside and outside through the opening of the case member when the case member is removed from the game board and the support member is disengaged from the case member. According to the above method, the unit can be moved in and out of the case member through the opening in the case member by removing the case member from the game board and disengaging the support member from the case member, thus simplifying the process of moving the unit in and out of the case member.

[0108] [Reference Invention 3-3] The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 3-2], characterized in that the unit is arranged at the front end of the case member. According to the above method, when inserting or removing the unit through the opening on the front of the case member, the unit will not interfere with other parts, making the process of inserting and removing the unit from the case member even easier.

[0109] [Reference Invention 3-4] The case member is box-shaped and has a left side panel and a right side panel. The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 3-2], characterized in that the support member has a left side portion that follows the left side plate and a right side portion that follows the right side plate. According to the above method, the left and right sides of the support member can be aligned with the left and right plates of the case member, respectively, allowing the unit to be inserted into and removed from the case member. As a result, the wobbling of the unit when inserting or removing it from the case member is reduced, making the insertion and removal of the unit from the case member even easier.

[0110] [Reference Invention 3-5] The case member includes a circuit board located outside the case member, A connector connected to the aforementioned circuit board via wiring, The drive source is connected via wiring, and the case member is equipped with a connector that is connected inside the case member to the connector of the circuit board when the case member is attached to the game board, The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 3-2], characterized in that both wirings have slack that allows the unit to be removed from the inside of the case member through the opening to the outside while the support member is engaged with the case member and the two connectors are connected. According to the above method, the unit can be removed from the inside to the outside of the case member while the connection between the two connectors is still made, and the unit can be completely separated from the case member by disconnecting the connection between the two connectors outside the case member, thus simplifying maintenance of the movable member and the drive source.

[0111] [Reference Invention 3-6] The mounting member is provided for attaching the support member to the case member in a manner that allows it to be removably engaged with the case member. The mounting member is characterized in that it is inoperable when the case member is attached to the game board, but becomes operable when the case member is removed from the game board, as described in [Reference Invention 3-1]. According to the above method, since the mounting member is rendered inoperable when the case member is attached to the game board, it is possible to prevent the unit from accidentally falling out of the case member due to inadvertent operation of the mounting member while the case member is attached to the game board.

[0112] [Reference Invention 3-7] Inside the case member, there is a movable member separate from the movable member, The amusement machine according to [Reference Invention 3-2], characterized in that the other movable member is movable such that an overlapping state is generated in which at least a part of the other movable member overlaps the front of the movable member, and a non-overlapping state is generated in which the other movable member is moved away from the front of the movable member. According to the above method, when the two movable members are overlapping, at least a portion of the other movable member overlaps the movable member from the front, making it possible to present the player with a variety of creative and engaging displays using both movable members. Moreover, when the two movable members are not overlapping, the other movable member moves away from the front of the movable member, making it possible to easily insert and remove the unit into and out of the case member without being obstructed by the other movable member.

[0113] [Reference Invention 3-8] Another drive source for moving the aforementioned other movable member, The system includes a control circuit for driving the aforementioned drive source and the aforementioned other drive source, The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 3-7], characterized in that the control circuit is capable of generating the non-overlapping state in response to controlling at least one of the drive source and the other drive source when the power supply is cut off. According to the above method, when the power supply is cut off, a non-overlapping state is automatically generated in accordance with the control of at least one of the two drive sources. Therefore, when inserting or removing the unit into or from the case member while the power supply is cut off, the effort of manually operating at least one of the two movable members to generate the non-overlapping state is eliminated.

[0114] [Reference Invention 3-9] The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 3-8], characterized in that at least one of the movable member and the other movable member is manually movable so as to generate the non-overlapping state. According to the above means, if a non-overlapping state is not automatically generated when the power is cut off, a non-overlapping state can be forcibly generated by manually operating at least one of the two movable members, making it possible to insert and remove the unit into and out of the case member.

[0115] Examples 1 to 6 described above include the following [Reference Invention 4-1] in addition to the invention described in the claims. Some gaming machines have a configuration in which a case member is attached to the rear surface of the game board. Multiple circuit boards are attached to this case member, and electrical components such as sensors and lamps on the game board side are connected to the circuit boards via harnesses inside the case member (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-050504). Some gaming machines have a configuration in which decorative members and electrical components are housed inside the case member. These decorative members are made visible to the player, and the electrical components enhance the enjoyment of the game by illuminating the decorative members, and both the decorative members and electrical components are directly attached to the wall surface of the case member. For this reason, when removing the decorative members and electrical components from the wall surface of the case member for maintenance, the wiring inside the case member gets in the way, making the work difficult. [Reference Invention 4-1] was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that makes maintenance work on decorative members and electrical components easy.

[0116] [Reference Invention 4-1] A case member that supports a display unit that shows an image of a symbol game that informs the player of the result of the win or loss judgment, A game board provided in the case member, having a game area on its front surface where game balls can roll, A support member is provided inside the case member in a manner that allows it to be removably engaged with a decorative member visible to the player and an electrical component that illuminates the decorative member. A component provided in the case member, which has an opening for engaging and disengaging the support member from the case member, The amusement machine is characterized in that the opening is in a closed state in which the engagement / disengagement operation cannot be performed when the case member is attached to the game board, and is in an open state in which the engagement / disengagement operation can be performed when the case member is removed from the game board. According to the above method, when performing maintenance on decorative members and electrical components, the opening of the case member is opened when the case member is removed from the game board, and the decorative members and electrical components can be removed from the case member all at once by releasing the engagement of the support member with the case member through the opening, thus making maintenance work on decorative members and electrical components easy. Moreover, when the case member is attached to the game board, the opening of the case member is closed, making it impossible to release the engagement of the support member with the case member through the opening, thus preventing the decorative members and electrical components from being unintentionally removed from the case member.

[0117] Examples 1 to 6 described above include, in addition to the inventions described in the claims, the following [Reference Inventions 5-1] to [5-6] and [6-1]. Some gaming machines have a configuration in which gaming components are attached to the wall of a components room. This components room refers to the space between the game board and a container member provided on the rear surface of the game board, and multiple harnesses for connecting electrical components such as sensors and lamps on the game board side to the circuit board on the container member side are housed inside the components room (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-20966). Some gaming machines have a configuration in which gaming components are attached to the wall of the components room. In the case of this conventional gaming machine, multiple harnesses get in the way when attaching and detaching gaming components to the wall of the components room, making it difficult to attach and detach gaming components to the wall of the components room. [Reference Invention 5-1]~[Reference Invention 5-6] [Reference Invention 6-1] was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that allows for easy attachment and detachment of gaming components to the chamber wall of the component chamber.

[0118] [Reference Invention 5-1] A game board having a game area on the front where game balls can roll, A container member provided on the aforementioned game board, which cooperates with the game board to form a spatial component chamber, A work opening provided in the wall of the aforementioned parts room, which penetrates the wall of the room, The game component is provided which is detachably attached to the wall of the component chamber and has an interior part located inside the component chamber and an exterior part located outside the component chamber. The gaming machine is characterized in that the interior of the gaming component can be removed from the inside of the component chamber through the work opening to the outside of the component chamber when the engagement of the gaming component with the chamber wall of the component chamber is released. According to the above method, with the engagement of the game component with the chamber wall of the component chamber released, the internal part of the game component can be removed from the inside of the component chamber through the work opening in the chamber wall to the outside of the component chamber, and the internal part of the game component can be inserted from the outside of the component chamber through the work opening in the chamber wall to the inside of the component chamber. Moreover, since the external part of the game component can be gripped while inserting and removing the internal part into the component chamber, overall, the attachment and detachment of the game component to the chamber wall of the component chamber can be easily performed.

[0119] [Reference Invention 5-2] The gaming component is characterized in that it closes the work opening when the gaming component is engaged with the wall of the component chamber and has a base portion that connects the outside of the chamber and the inside of the chamber [Reference Invention 5-1]. According to the above method, the work opening of the parts room is blocked by the base of the game parts while the game parts are engaged with the wall of the parts room, thus preventing the appearance of the product from being negatively affected by the work opening.

[0120] [Reference Invention 5-3] The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 5-1], characterized in that the gaming component is detachably mounted on the wall of the component chamber via a detachable member that can be operated from outside the component chamber. According to the above method, the engagement / disengagement member can be operated from outside the parts chamber without disassembling the game board and the container member, thus facilitating the engagement and disengagement of game parts with the chamber wall of the parts chamber.

[0121] [Reference Invention 5-4] The container member is provided with a display that is visible to the player and displays an image of a symbol game that informs the player of the result of whether the result is correct or incorrect, It is provided within the aforementioned component chamber, positioned in front of the display so as to be visible to the player, and includes a display member for displaying images of the aforementioned symbol game, The game machine according to [Reference Invention 5-1], characterized in that the performance member is movable to a rear position that overlaps the game component from the rear when viewed from the front. According to the above method, if the game components are removed from the component chamber wall at a position behind the performance component, the performance component will be positioned behind the work opening. In this state, it becomes possible to maintain and inspect the performance component from the outside of the component chamber through the work opening without disassembling the game board and container components, thus facilitating maintenance and inspection of the performance component.

[0122] [Reference Invention 5-5] The container member is provided with a unit located behind the interior of the game component, which includes a decorative member visible to the player, a drive source for moving the decorative member, and a support member for supporting both. The aforementioned game components are configured such that, when the game board, the container member, and the unit are assembled, their engagement with the chamber wall of the component chamber can be released from the outside of the component chamber. The game machine according to [Reference Invention 5-1], characterized in that the interior of the game component is assembled with the game board, the container member, and the unit, and the game component can be removed from the inside of the component chamber to the outside of the component chamber through the work opening when the engagement of the game component with the chamber wall of the component chamber is released. According to the above method, even though a unit is present inside the parts chamber, the engagement of the game parts with the chamber wall of the parts chamber can be released from the outside of the parts chamber while the game board, container member, and unit are assembled, and the inside of the game parts can be grasped from the outside of the chamber and inserted into and removed from the parts chamber, thus making it possible to easily attach and detach the game parts from the chamber wall of the parts chamber.

[0123] [Reference Inventions 5-6] An opening is provided on the front surface of the container member. The game board is configured such that the opening of the container member is closed when the container member is attached to the game board, and the opening of the container member is open when the container member is removed from the game board. The amusement machine according to [Reference Invention 5-5], wherein the unit is detachably provided within the parts chamber, and can be removed from the inside of the container member through an open opening when the engagement of the parts chamber with the chamber wall is released. According to the above method, the opening of the container member is opened when the container member is removed from the game board, and the unit can be removed from the inside of the container member through the opening when the unit is released from its engagement with the container member. This makes it easier to perform maintenance and inspection work on the unit in addition to maintenance and inspection work on the game components.

[0124] [Reference Invention 6-3] A game board having a game area on the front where game balls can roll, A container member provided on the aforementioned game board, which cooperates with the game board to form a spatial component chamber, A work opening provided in the wall of the aforementioned parts room, which penetrates the wall of the room, The game component is provided with a compartment that is detachably attached to the wall of the component compartment and has an interior portion that is inserted into the component compartment through a work opening. The aforementioned game components include: An external part located outside the parts chamber, which can be grasped by a worker with their fingers when inserting or removing the internal part into the parts chamber through the work opening while the engagement of the game parts with the chamber wall of the parts chamber is released, A base portion is provided that connects the interior and exterior of the room and closes the work opening when the game components are engaged with the wall of the component room. The gaming machine is characterized in that the width dimension of the exterior of the gaming component is set to be larger than the diameter dimension of the gaming ball. According to the above method, with the engagement of the game component with the chamber wall of the component chamber released, the internal part of the game component can be removed from the inside of the component chamber through the work opening in the chamber wall to the outside of the component chamber, and the internal part of the game component can be inserted from the outside of the component chamber through the work opening in the chamber wall to the inside of the component chamber. Moreover, the external part of the game component can be grasped with the fingers to perform the insertion and removal of the internal part into the component chamber, and the width dimension of the external part is set to a value larger than the diameter dimension of the game ball, which allows the external part to be easily grasped. Overall, this makes it possible to easily attach and detach the game component to the chamber wall of the component chamber. Furthermore, since the work opening of the component chamber is blocked by the base of the game component when the game component is engaged with the chamber wall of the component chamber, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the product from being negatively affected by the work opening.

[0125] Examples 1 to 6 described above include, in addition to the inventions described in the claims, the following [Reference Inventions 7-1] to [7-4] and [8-1]. Some gaming machines have a box member attached to the rear of the game board. This box member has an opening on the front, and a display is attached to the rear panel of the box member. This display shows images of the game symbols and is visible from the front (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-212149). In the case of this gaming machine, the inside of the box member is visible to the player, which may reduce the appearance of the product. [Reference Inventions 7-1] to [7-4] and [8-1] were made in view of the above circumstances, and aim to provide a gaming machine that can improve the appearance of the product to the player.

[0126] [Reference Invention 7-1] A box member having an opening on the front surrounded by a perimeter wall, A decorative member provided on the box member, having an internal portion located inside the opening of the box member when viewed from the front, and an external portion located outside the opening, A gaming machine characterized by having a game board provided on the box member, positioned in front of the inner and outer parts of the decorative member, which allows the player to see through to the inner and outer parts of the decorative member. According to the above method, an internal and external part, visible through the game board, is provided on the decorative member. The internal part is located inside the opening of the box member when viewed from the front, and contributes to improving the appearance of the inside of the box member. The external part is located outside the opening of the box member when viewed from the front, and contributes to improving the appearance around the box member. As a result, it is possible to improve the overall appearance of the product to the player.

[0127] [Reference Invention 7-2] The game machine according to [Reference Invention 7-1], characterized in that the box member is provided with a base portion that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall of the box member and supports the external portion of the decorative member from the rear. According to the above method, a base portion is provided on the box member that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall, and the external portion of the decorative member is supported from behind by the base portion, making it possible to stably support a decorative member with a unique shape that has an external portion.

[0128] [Reference Invention 7-3] The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 7-2], characterized in that the external portion of the decorative member is provided with a protruding portion that extends outward from the base portion of the box member. According to the above method, when attaching the outer part of the decorative member to the base of the box member, the protruding part of the decorative member can be grasped with the fingers, making it possible to easily attach a decorative member with a unique shape that has an outer part to the box member.

[0129] [Reference Invention 7-4] The box-shaped member houses a movable member visible from the front and an operating mechanism for moving the movable member. The gaming machine according to [Reference Invention 7-1], characterized in that the internal part of the decorative member is superimposed on the operating mechanism from the front. According to the above method, the interior of the decorative component makes it difficult to see the operating mechanism inside the box component, thus further enhancing the appearance of the product to the player.

[0130] [Reference Invention 8-1] A box member having an opening on the front, A cover for the opening of the box member, which cooperates with the box member to form a parts compartment for the game board, The box member is provided with a decorative member that decorates the inside of the component compartment, The decorative member is provided with an exterior section located outside the component chamber. The gaming machine is characterized in that the gaming board is provided with a light-transmitting portion that overlaps the exterior of the decorative member from the front, allowing the exterior of the decorative member to be seen from the front. According to the above method, since a decorative member is provided on the box member, the appearance of the inside of the parts room is improved. Moreover, the exterior of the room is provided on the decorative member, which can be seen through the light-transmitting part of the game board from the front. As a result, the appearance of the area around the parts room is enhanced by the exterior, making it possible to improve the overall appearance of the product to the player. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 3 is the inner frame (case member, container member, box member), 3a is the rear panel, 3d is the left side panel, 3e is the right side panel, 3h is the opening, 3i is the parts room, 3m is the left front panel (base part), 3l is the right front panel (base part), 4 is the game board, 4a is the seal layer (decorative part on the board side), 4b is the first transparent section (first patterned section on the board side), 4c is the second transparent section (second patterned section on the board side), 14 is the game area, 18 is the performance symbol display unit (display unit), 30 is the start-up unit (board part, game part), 31 is the printing layer (decorative part on the board side), 31b is the first transparent section (first patterned section on the board side), 31c is the second transparent section (second patterned section on the board side), 3 2 is the start port base (base, base part), 33 is the tapered part, 34 is the non-tapered part, 35 is the decorative part (decorative part on the component side), 37 is the start port cover (exterior), 40 is the bulb trough (inserted part), 47 is the maintenance port (parts insertion port, work port), 48 is the bulb passage (interior), 57 is the sub control board (circuit board), 59 is the sub control circuit (control circuit), 74 is the decorative plate (another movable member), 76 is the middle motor (another drive source), 80 is the left unit (unit), 81 is the left base (support member), 86 is the LED (electrical component), 87 is the left decorative member (movable member, decorative member), 88 is the left motor (drive source) Power source), 88a and 88d are wiring, 88b and 88c are connectors, 89 is the operating mechanism, 90 is the right unit (unit), 91 is the right base (support member), 95 is the LED (electrical component), 96 is the right decorative member (movable member, decorative member), 97 is the right motor (drive source), 97a and 97d are wiring, 97b and 97d are connectors, 100 is the operating mechanism, 200 is the start unit (panel component), 202 is the tapered section, 203 is the non-tapered section, 204 is the notched section (decorative section), 210 is the printed section (part-side decorative section), 300 is the performance unit (unit), 310 is the unit frame ( 311 is the left side, 312 is the right side, 314 is the screw (mounting member), 318 is the decorative plate (movable member, display member), 319 is the left motor (drive source), 320 is the wiring, 321 is the connector, 322 is the right motor (drive source), 323 is the wiring, 324 is the connector, 401 is the left decorative plate (decorative member), 402 is the right decorative plate (decorative member), 404 is the decorative part (internal part), 403 is the supported part (external part), 405 is the positioning part (protruding part), 501 is the left decorative plate (decorative member), 502 is the right decorative plate (decorative member), 503 is the main body part (internal part), and 504 is the mounting piece (external part, outside the room).

Claims

[Claim 1] A game board having a game area on the front side in which a game ball can roll; A container member provided behind the game board and forming a spatial component chamber together with the game board; An access hole that is provided on the game board so as to open a part of the parts room and penetrates the game board; A game component is provided detachably on the game board, and has an interior portion located inside the component room and an exterior portion located outside the component room; The game board has an opening through which operable performance objects can be seen, The access hole is provided below the opening, A gaming machine characterized in that the interior of the gaming component chamber can be removed from inside the component chamber to outside the component chamber through the access opening when the component is released from its fixation to the gaming board.

Images