Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine whose components can safely be attached and detached by a single person.SOLUTION: A game machine 10 comprises: a plurality of first unit retention part 61 (locking mechanisms) which are operated while a side unit 54 is disposed at an assembling position of a basic frame part 51, and lock the side unit 54 at the assembling position; and a single second unit retention part 62 (a retention mechanism) having a compression coil spring 62F which operates on the way to move the side unit 54 to the assembling position, to retain the side unit 54 at the assembling position and keep the retention.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 45

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to gaming machines. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Known conventional gaming machines include those in which components are replaced in gaming halls when new machines are installed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-130617 A (Fig. 5, Fig. 39) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In contrast to the conventional gaming machines described above, there is a demand for the development of a gaming machine in which the installation and removal of gaming machine components can be performed safely by one person. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The gaming machine disclosed herein is a gaming machine that includes a locking mechanism that is operated when a gaming machine component is placed at an assembly position on a support member, and locks the gaming machine component in the assembly position; a locking operation unit for operating the locking and unlocking mechanism; a holding mechanism that is activated while the gaming machine component is being moved to the assembly position, and has a biasing means for holding the gaming machine component in the assembly position and maintaining that hold; and a holding operation unit for operating to release the hold by the holding mechanism against the biasing force of the biasing means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In the gaming machine according to the present disclosure, in addition to the locking mechanism that locks the gaming machine component in the assembly position of the support member, a holding mechanism is provided that has a biasing means that is activated while the gaming machine component is being moved to the assembly position and that holds the gaming machine component in the assembly position and maintains that hold, making it easier to operate the locking operation unit when assembling the gaming machine component, and preventing the gaming machine component from falling as soon as the locking operation unit is released when removing the gaming machine component, thereby allowing one person to safely install and remove the gaming machine component. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view of the gaming machine with the front door removed [Figure 3] Exploded perspective view of the rear door [Figure 4] A perspective view of the support frame and the rear cover [Figure 5] Perspective view of the metal frame [Figure 6] A perspective view of a part of the support frame [Figure 7] Perspective view of the bottom of the rear door [Figure 8] Side cross-section of the bottom of the rear door [Figure 9] Side cross-section of the upper part of the rear door [Figure 10] Perspective view of the area around the pin [Figure 11] A perspective view of the vicinity of the side edge restricting portion [Figure 12] Rear perspective view of the rear door [Figure 13] Rear view of rear door [Figure 14] Rear perspective view of the cable holder [Figure 15] Perspective view of the plug holder and its vicinity [Figure 16] Rear perspective view of the LCD module [Figure 17] Perspective view of rear door [Figure 18] Side view of the LCD module mounting bracket [Figure 19] Side view of the LCD module mounting bracket [Figure 20] Side view of the LCD module mounting bracket [Figure 21] Perspective view of the game board unit [Figure 22] A rear perspective view of the vicinity of the cable duct of the game board unit [Figure 23] Side cross-sectional view of the game board unit [Figure 24] Exploded perspective view of the game board unit [Figure 25] A perspective view of the rear door with the game board unit attached [Figure 26] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the game board unit [Figure 27] A perspective view of a lower lever for holding the game board unit. [Figure 28] Exploded perspective view of the lower lever [Figure 29] (A) An exploded perspective view of the upper lever and its surroundings on the upper support base. (B) A perspective view of the back side of the upper lever. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an engagement portion of the front cover member; [Figure 31] A perspective view of a frame member [Figure 32] Side cross-sectional view of the cable holder [Figure 33] Perspective view of the lower part of the cable holder [Figure 34] Perspective view of the upper part of the cable holder [Figure 35] Enlarged view of the cable holder [Figure 36] Perspective view of the foundation frame [Figure 37] Rear perspective view of the base frame [Figure 38] Rear perspective view of the metal frame [Figure 39] A perspective view of the rear side of the lower part of the foundation frame [Figure 40] Perspective view of the lower part of the foundation frame [Figure 41] Perspective view of the underside of the base frame [Figure 42]A perspective view of the back side of the upper part of the foundation frame [Figure 43] Perspective view of the top of the foundation frame [Figure 44] A diagram for explaining the attachment of the foundation frame and the side unit. [Figure 45] (A) A perspective view of the vicinity of the first and second unit holding portions, and (B) An exploded perspective view of the rotating shaft. [Figure 46] Perspective view of the side unit [Figure 47] A perspective view of the side unit with the decorative cover removed. [Figure 48] An exploded perspective view of a portion of the side unit [Figure 49] Perspective view of the metal base [Figure 50] Exploded perspective view of the side operating section [Figure 51] An exploded perspective view of a light-transmitting support member [Figure 52] Perspective view of the side decorative unit [Figure 53] An exploded perspective view of a portion of the side decorative unit [Figure 54] A perspective view of a rotating shaft, a one-way clutch sleeve, and a relay lever. [Figure 55] Rear view of side decorative unit [Figure 56] Side view of the side decorative unit [Figure 57] Exploded perspective view of the foundation frame [Figure 58] Exploded perspective view of the left side decorative part [Figure 59] Exploded perspective view of the right side decorative part [Figure 60] Cross-sectional view of the decorative part on the left side [Figure 61] Exploded perspective view of the upper part of the left side decorative part [Figure 62] Side cross-section of the left side decorative part [Figure 63] An exploded perspective view of the back of the upper part of the left side decorative part [Figure 64] Image of the front cover and movable bar [Figure 65] Perspective view of the right side decorative part [Figure 66]Side cross-section of the lower part of the right side decorative part [Figure 67] Perspective view of the lower unit [Figure 68] Exploded perspective view of the lower unit [Figure 69] Side cross-section of the bottom of the front door [Figure 70] Perspective view of the face drive unit [Figure 71] Perspective view of the face drive unit [Figure 72] Side cross-sectional view of the lower unit [Figure 73] A perspective view of the right side of the lower unit with the mechanism case open [Figure 74] A perspective view of the right side of the lower unit with the mechanism case open [Figure 75] Cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism [Figure 76] Perspective view of the lower unit [Figure 77] Side view of the side unit [Figure 78] Exploded perspective view of the clutch mechanism [Figure 79] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a clutch mechanism. [Figure 80] Front door front view [Figure 81] Exploded perspective view of the rear side of the upper part of the front door [Figure 82] Perspective view of the upper unit [Figure 83] Side cross-sectional view of the upper unit [Figure 84] Side cross-section of the top of the front door [Figure 85] (A) A perspective view of the urging shaft, (B) An exploded perspective view of the urging shaft. [Figure 86] 1 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a recess in which a biasing shaft is received; [Figure 87] Cross-sectional view of the shaft case near the expansion section [Figure 88] Side cross-sectional view of the base frame near the biasing shaft [Figure 89] A perspective view of the slider and its vicinity [Figure 90] Perspective view of the slider and its vicinity [Figure 91]Side cross-sectional view of the lid area [Figure 92] Front view of the upper unit [Figure 93] Exploded perspective view of the upper unit [Figure 94] Rear perspective view of the translucent decorative part [Figure 95] Front view of the illuminated base [Figure 96] (A) Front view of the fixing member, (B) Back view of the fixing member [Figure 97] 10 is a perspective view of the front door according to the second embodiment, seen from below; [Figure 98] Exploded perspective view of the detection sensor and mounting member [Figure 99] A perspective view of the mounting member seen from below. [Figure 100] Block diagram showing the control configuration of the detection sensor [Figure 101] A diagram showing the detectable area of ​​the detection sensor [Figure 102] A diagram showing the detectable area of ​​the detection sensor attached to the front door when viewed from the front [Figure 103] A diagram showing the detectable area when the detection sensor attached to the front door is viewed from the side. [Figure 104] Diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control unit [Figure 105] Perspective view of the general-purpose side unit [Figure 106] A side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the general-purpose side unit and the right side decorative part are separated from each other. [Figure 107] A cross-sectional side view of the general-purpose side unit and the right side decorative part connected together [Figure 108] Front view of the front door with the universal side unit installed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [First embodiment] A gaming machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 96. The gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine, and includes a gaming frame 11 shown in its entirety in Figure 1. The gaming frame 11 is divided into a fixed frame 12, a rear door 13, and a front door 50, and a gaming board unit 90 shown in Figure 2 is replaceably attached to the rear door 13.

[0009] The following description will be given in the order of the fixed frame 12, rear door 13, game board unit 90, and front door 50. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "left as you face the game machine 10" will simply be referred to as "left." The opposite side will simply be referred to as "right."

[0010] <About Fixed Frame 12> As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed frame 12 is a frame body fixed to the gaming center of an amusement hall. It has a vertically elongated rectangular shape and an internal space that penetrates the vertically elongated rectangular shape in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, the fixed frame 12 is configured by combining four band-shaped support plates 12S (the lower support plate 12S is not shown), with a horizontally elongated block-shaped lower block 12B superimposed on the lower support plate 12S of a frame body 12W. Furthermore, a pair of pivot support pieces 12A protrude forward from the left end of the upper and lower opening edges of the fixed frame 12. Furthermore, a pair of engagement protrusions 12K are provided at the upper and lower parts of the right inner surface of the fixed frame 12. Furthermore, a stopper protrusion 12C protrudes from the inner lower surface of the fixed frame 12 (the upper surface of the lower block 12B).

[0011] The pair of support plates 12S facing each other laterally in the frame body 12W are made of metal, while the support plates 12S facing each other vertically are made of wood, and the lower block 12B is made of resin, but these materials are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate. The same applies to the materials of each part and component described below, and the materials may be changed as appropriate.

[0012] <Regarding rear door 13> As shown in FIG. 3, the rear door 13 has a support frame 14, a rear cover 35, and a liquid crystal module 80. In a typical pachinko gaming machine, the liquid crystal module is part of the game board unit. However, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the liquid crystal module 80 is separate from the game board unit 90 and is fixed to the rear door 13 (see FIG. 2). When a new machine is installed, only the game board unit 90 is replaced with another game board unit 90, and the new game board unit 90 is attached to the game frame 11. From this perspective, the liquid crystal module 80 is part of the game frame 11 (specifically, the rear door 13). The rear door 13 will be described below in the order of the support frame 14, the rear cover 35, and the liquid crystal module 80.

[0013] <Regarding the support frame portion 14 of the rear door 13> 4, the support frame 14 has a frame-shaped protrusion 14T that extends along substantially the entire outer surface of the front end and overlaps with the opening edge of the front surface of the fixed frame 12. The frame-shaped protrusion 14T overlaps with the front surface of the fixed frame 12, and the portion of the support frame 14 that is rearward of the frame-shaped protrusion 14T fits within the fixed frame 12.

[0014] The support frame 14 is formed by assembling a front support base 19F and a rear support base 19R, both of which are made of resin and will be described later, to a metal frame 14W shown in Fig. 5. The support frame 14 is made entirely of metal, and is provided on both sides with side plates 15 that overlap the inner surfaces of the fixed frame 12 with a gap between them, and inner protruding walls 15T that protrude inward at a right angle from almost the entire rear edge of the side plates 15.

[0015] The lower edge of the metal frame 14W is made up of a flat lower plate 16, both sides of which are overlapped and fixed to a pair of inner protruding walls 15T. The upper edge of the metal frame 14W is made up of a generally hood-shaped upper hood 17. The upper hood 17 is in the shape of a horizontally elongated housing that is open downward and forward, and both sides of which are fixed to the inner protruding walls 15T of the pair of side plates 15.

[0016] 4, at the top of metal frame 14W, the front portion of upper support base 19J made of resin and extending laterally is fixed in a state in which it is sandwiched between a pair of side plates 15, and the rear portion of upper support base 19J is overlapped on the top surface of upper hood 17. At the bottom of metal frame 14W, rear support base 19R made of resin is fixed and overlapped on the rear surface of lower plate 16, and front support base 19F made of resin is fixed and overlapped on the front surface of lower plate 16. Rear support base 19R faces upper hood 17 from directly below, and front support base 19F faces a portion of upper support base 19J forward of upper hood 17 from directly below.

[0017] Additionally, a resin side front cover 19S is placed on the front side of the right side plate 15. Three sides of the frame-shaped protrusion 14T described above are formed on the outer edges of the upper support base 19J and the lower plate 16 and the side front cover 19S, and the remaining side is formed by a front protrusion 15L (see FIG. 5) that is integrally formed with the left side plate 15, has an L-shaped cross section, and extends in the vertical direction.

[0018] A pair of pivotable support pieces 14A protrude forward from both upper and lower ends of the left side of the support frame 14. The pair of pivotable support pieces 14A of the support frame 14 are pivotally connected to a pair of pivotable support pieces 12A (see FIG. 2) of the fixed frame 12 (see FIG. 1).

[0019] As shown in Fig. 5, a latch device 18A and a key cylinder 18B are provided on the right side of the support frame 14. As shown in Fig. 12, the latch device 18A has first and second slide plates 18V and 18W that are stacked on top of each other and supported so as to be vertically slidable on the outer surface of the right side plate 15. The first and second slide plates 18V and 18W both extend in the vertical direction, with the first slide plate 18V being biased by a first spring (not shown) to an origin position at the lower end of its movable range, and the second slide plate 18R being biased by a second spring (not shown) to an origin position at the upper end of its movable range.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 5, key cylinder 18B protrudes forward from the lower front surface of the right side of metal frame 14W, and as shown in Fig. 4, it is disposed within front projection 19Z provided on front support base 19F, with only the front surface exposed through front projection 19Z. When a key is inserted into a key insertion hole opening in the front surface of key cylinder 18B and rotated counterclockwise, for example, first slide plate 18V slides upward against the first spring, while when rotated clockwise, second slide plate 18W slides downward against the second spring.

[0021] The second slide plate 18W is provided with a plurality of second hooks 18D (see FIG. 5). The plurality of second hooks 18D engage with a plurality of engaging protrusions 12K (see FIG. 2) of the fixed frame 12, thereby holding the rear door 13 in a closed position relative to the fixed frame 12 (for example, a position where the frame-shaped protrusions 14T of the rear door 13 overlap the front surface of the fixed frame 12), and in this state, the rear door 13 is locked in the closed position by removing the key from the key cylinder 18B.

[0022] A plurality of first hooks 18C are provided at a plurality of positions in the up-down direction on the first sliding plate 18V, and protrude forward from the front surface of the support frame 14 through a plurality of through-holes (see FIG. 6) in the side front cover 19S. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, a third sliding plate 18F that slides laterally in conjunction with the first sliding plate 18V is provided inside the upper support base 19J, and an engagement hole 18E formed in the third sliding plate 18F faces forward through an opening 19M formed in the front surface of the upper support base 19J, as shown in FIG. 6. An engagement hole 807 and a third hook 808 (described later) provided in the front door 50 engage with the first hooks 18C and the engagement hole 18E, thereby fixing the front door 50 in the closed position relative to the rear door 13, as shown in FIG. 1, and the front door 50 is locked by removing the key from the key cylinder 18B.

[0023] A launching device (not shown) for launching game balls is installed inside the front support base 19F at a position closer to the right as shown in FIG. 7, and a ball supplying device 20B for supplying game balls one by one to the launching device is installed approximately in the horizontal center of the front surface of the front support base 19F. The front support base 19F also has a substantially horizontal upper surface extending laterally, and a launching port 19H is provided at a position closer to the left of the upper surface, through which game balls shot diagonally upward and left from the launching device 20A are discharged. Furthermore, a discharge duct 19W is provided at the upper left of the front of the front support base 19F, opening forward, for discharging prize balls and the like to the front tray 800 (see FIG. 1) of the front door 50. Protrusions 19V extending in the front-rear direction are formed at multiple positions along the length of the upper surface of the front support base 19F, allowing the game board unit 90 to slide easily on the front support base 19F.

[0024] To secure the game board unit 90 to the rear door 13, the support frame 14 has the following structure. As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of corner extensions 14U extend upward from both lateral ends of the upper surface of the front support base 19F. As shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the metal frame 14W also extends upward from the upper right corner of the support frame 14 as a corner extension 14U. The three corner extensions 14U have front surfaces that are contained within the same plane, and a pin 22 protrudes from the front surface of each corner extension 14U. Each of the pins 22 is made of metal and has a circular cross section. As shown in FIG. 10, the pins 22 have a stepped surface 22D in the middle in the front-to-rear direction. The pins 22 have a small outer diameter portion 22A located forward of the stepped surface 22D and a large outer diameter portion 22B located toward the base end. The front end portion of the small outer diameter portion 22A is tapered, gradually decreasing in diameter toward the front end. A disk-shaped base portion 22S having a diameter larger than that of the large outer diameter portion 22B is provided at the base end of the large outer diameter portion 22B and is placed on the front surface of the corner protrusion 14U. These pins 22 are structured to be engageable with engagement holes 148A, 148B (see FIG. 21) formed in the game board unit 90, which will be described later.

[0025] A pair of side edge restricting portions 23 are provided at two vertical positions on the inner surface of the left side plate 15. The side edge restricting portions 23 are made of sheet metal and formed by bending a flat plate. As shown in FIG. 11 , the side edge restricting portions 23 include a base portion 23B that is overlapped on the inner surface of the side plate 15 and screwed to it, and an engagement wall portion 23T that extends inward at a right angle from the front end of the base portion 23B, bends forward from the rear, and then bends further toward the inner surface of the side plate 15, forming a generally U-shape. The engagement wall portion 23T includes a curved surface portion 23K and a front surface portion 23Z. The curved surface portion 23K has an arc-shaped cross section and extends from a portion facing rearward to a portion facing the inner surface of the right side plate 15. The front surface portion 23Z is generally flat and faces forward. The curved surface portion 23K of this engaging wall portion 23T is capable of engaging with an engaging portion 147 (see FIG. 24) formed on the game board unit 90 described later.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 7, the right end of the front support base 19F is provided with a lever receiving groove 24M that is open to the front and top, and the lower lever 24 is provided in the groove. The lower lever 24 is made of metal, and as shown in Figs. 27 and 28, has a game board receiving portion 130 that has a pair of parallel U-shaped flat plates 131, a contact plate 133 that is arranged below the game board receiving portion 130, and a base portion 134 that fixes the game board receiving portion 130 and the contact plate 133.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 28, the pair of flat plates 131 of the game board receiving portion 130 has a front edge 131A located on the front side, a rear edge 131B located on the rear side, and a bottom edge 131C connecting the front edge 131A and the rear edge 131B. The inner surface of the U-shape formed by the inner edges of the front edge 131A, the rear edge 131B, and the bottom edge 131C forms a receiving portion 130U that receives the game board unit 90 in the thickness direction. The outer edge of the bottom edge 131C is formed with a steeply inclined oblique edge 131R that slopes upward toward the outer edge of the front edge 131A, and a protrusion 131T is formed protruding downward behind the oblique edge 131R. The rear edge 131B is lower in height than the front edge 131A, and a rearward-bending abutment protrusion 131L is formed at its tip. The upper ends of the pair of front sides 131A are connected by a connecting portion 132, the front end of which is bent upward at a right angle to form a grip portion 132T. The surface of grip portion 132T is coated with resin.

[0028] The base portion 134 has a pair of fixing plate portions 134A that are overlapped and screwed onto the front surfaces of the corner projection portions 14U, a pair of side plate portions 134B that extend forward at a right angle from the opposing sides of the pair of fixing plate portions 134A, and a bottom plate portion 134C that connects the lower edges of the pair of side plate portions 134B. The game board receiving portion 130 and the abutment plate 133 are disposed between the pair of side plate portions 134B. At this time, the outer surfaces of the pair of lower side portions 131C overlap the pair of side plate portions 134B (see FIG. 27). In addition, a fixing shaft portion 135 is protrudingly fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 134C, and an engagement pin 135P that penetrates the fixing shaft portion 135 in the left-right direction is inserted between the pair of lower side portions 131C and fixed to the pair of side plate portions 134B. Furthermore, the abutment plate 133 has a fixed shaft 135 inserted into a through hole 133N formed in the abutment plate 133, and is supported in a tensioned state between the game board receiving portion 130 and the bottom plate portion 134C by a compression coil spring 135S provided on the fixed shaft 135. An auxiliary plate 133H protrudes from the rear end portion of the abutment plate 133. The upper edge of the auxiliary plate 133H is substantially flush with the inner edge edges of the pair of lower side portions 131C, and supports the game board unit 90 received in the receiving portion 130U of the game board receiving portion 130 from below.

[0029] With these configurations, the game board receiving portion 130 is rotatable around the engagement pin 135P. For example, when an operator pinches the knob portion 132T of the game board receiving portion 130 and the front end of the abutment plate 133 so as to bring them closer together, the game board receiving portion 130 rotates forward with the protrusion 131T abutting against the abutment plate 133 and acting as a pivot point. At this time, the game board receiving portion 130 rotates until the oblique side portion 131R abuts against the upper surface of the abutment plate 133. In other words, it rotates from a position where the U-shaped openings of the pair of flat plates 131 face upward (receiving position) to a position where they face diagonally upward (release position). When in the receiving position, the pair of rear edge portions 131B are received in receiving holes 14N (see Figure 7) formed through the corner extension portion 14U and are positioned behind the corner extension portion 14U, while when in the release position, they are positioned in front of the corner extension portion 14U and the abutting protrusions 131L of the rear edge portions 131B protrude forward.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 6, upper support base 19J is provided with lever support portion 19K overlapping the front surface of upper right corner protrusion 14U, and upper lever 25 is rotatably supported on the front surface of lever support portion 19K. As shown in Fig. 29(A), lever support portion 19K has a shaft portion 19E fixed thereto, which protrudes forward. Upper lever 25 has a cylindrical operating portion 25T fitted onto shaft portion 19E and rotatably supported by shaft portion 19E, first and second positioning protrusions 25A and 25B protruding from the outer peripheral surface of operating portion 25T, and a rear end wall 25C connecting the rear end surfaces of first and second positioning protrusions 25A and 25B. First positioning protrusion 25A protrudes forward and laterally beyond second positioning protrusion 25B. 29(B), an engagement protrusion 25K is formed to protrude rearward from the outer edge of rear end wall 25C, and when operating portion 25T is operated to rotate first and second positioning protrusions 25A, 25B, engagement protrusion 25K engages with engagement rib 19L formed on the front surface of lever support portion 19K, thereby limiting the range of rotation of upper lever 25. Upper lever 25 is rotatable between a first rotation position (the state shown in FIG. 6) where first positioning protrusion 25A is located directly above operating portion 25T, and a second rotation position where first positioning protrusion 25A is located to the left of operating portion 25T.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface of the rear support base 19R is provided with a front groove portion 26 and a rear groove portion 27. First to third partition walls 28A, 28B, and 28C protrude from the front edge of the front groove portion 26, the space between the front groove portion 26 and the rear groove portion 27, and the rear edge of the rear groove portion 27, respectively. The entire lateral ends of the first partition wall 28A protrude slightly upward from the upper surface of the front support base 19F, the second partition wall 28B protrudes higher than the first partition wall 28A, and the third partition wall 28C protrudes higher than the second partition wall 28B. Both ends of the first partition wall 28A protrude upward beyond the remaining portions and overlap the rear surfaces of the pair of corner projections 14U.

[0032] The front groove section 26 is for collecting game balls that have been shot into the game area R1 of the game board unit 90, and the bottom surface of the front groove section 26 is provided with a game ball collection port (not shown) for collecting game balls, and the game balls taken in there are discharged downward from the game machine 10 and taken into the game ball circulation system of the game island.

[0033] The rear gutter 27 is for receiving the lower end of the liquid crystal module 80. A game ball collection port (not shown) is also provided on the bottom surface of the rear gutter 27 for collecting game balls, and game balls taken in there are discharged downward from the gaming machine 10 and taken in by the game ball circulation system of the gaming island. Note that this game ball collection port of the rear gutter 27 is not normally used, but is provided so that if a game ball accidentally falls into the rear gutter 27 when the liquid crystal module 80 is removed from the rear door 13, the game ball can be easily removed from the rear gutter 27.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, an upper locking member 29 is supported on the underside of upper support base 19J at approximately the center in the horizontal direction so as to be movable up and down. Upper locking member 29 is biased downward by elastic member 29A shown in Fig. 9, and protrudes downward from upper support base 19J through through-hole 17Z formed in upper hood 17, as shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, the portion of upper locking member 29 protruding downward from upper support base 19J is provided with a sloped guide surface 29G on the front side and a vertical locking surface 29K on the rear side.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, a pair of connecting members 30 protrude rearward from positions near the upper ends of both side portions of the support frame portion 14. The pair of connecting members 30 are made of metal and are provided as part of the metal frame 14W, as shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 11, a contact piece 30C is bent at a right angle from the rear end of the lower edge of the connecting member 30 and protrudes inward. Furthermore, an engagement pin 30P protrudes inward from a position slightly forward of the contact piece 30C on the upper part of the main plate portion 30A. A disk-shaped flange 30F is provided at the tip of the engagement pin 30P.

[0036] 8, a board case 31 is provided on the rear surface of the rear support base 19R, and multiple boards including a power supply board 32 are housed inside the board case 31. Specifically, the upper front surface of the board case 31 is placed on the entire rear surface of the third partition wall 28C of the rear support base 19R, except for the left end portion. In addition, below the front groove portion 26 and the rear groove portion 27 of the rear support base 19R, ducts 26D are provided to guide game balls that have entered the game ball recovery ports (not shown) provided therein downward, and a power cable harness 32H extending from the power supply board 32 is arranged behind the ducts 26D.

[0037] 13, a portion of the rear surface of the power supply board 32 is exposed on the left side of the board case 31 (the right side of the board case 31 in FIG. 13, when the board case 31 is viewed from behind). A power switch (not shown) for the gaming machine 10 is provided at the top of the exposed portion, and an input connector (not shown) is provided at the bottom. A cable connector (not shown) provided at the base end of a power cable 33C (see FIG. 15) is coupled to the input connector. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, a plug 33P is provided at the tip of the power cable 33C, and the plug 33P has the same shape as a general plug that can be inserted into a commercial power outlet. Specifically, the plug 33P has a connection portion 320 to which the power cable 33C is connected, a grip portion 321, and a pair of insertion portions 322 that are inserted into the outlet. In the following description, the side of the plug 33P where the insertion portion 322 is formed is referred to as the front, and the side where the connection portion 320 is formed is referred to as the rear.

[0038] Grip portion 321 has a rectangular cross-sectional outline and includes small grip portion 321A on the connection portion 320 side and large grip portion 321B from which a pair of insertion portions 322 protrude. Small grip portion 321A is formed with curved portion 321C that curves so as to widen toward large grip portion 321B. In addition, multiple anti-slip grooves (not shown) are formed from small grip portion 321A to the middle of large grip portion 321B in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of power cable 33C.

[0039] The pair of insertion parts 322 are thin metal plates facing each other, and extend in the opposite direction to power cable 33C relative to grip part 321. The tip of insertion part 322 is arc-shaped, and plug hole 322A penetrates near the front end.

[0040] 4, the aforementioned rear cover 35, which is part of the rear door 13, is roughly shaped like a transparent housing with open front and bottom surfaces, and is fixed to the edge of the opening on the rear surface of the support frame 14. More specifically, both side walls of the rear cover 35 are fixed to the inner protruding walls 15T of the side plate 15, and overlap the outside of the pair of connecting members 30.

[0041] In addition, the right side edge 35S of the rear cover 35, which is away from the rotation center of the rear door 13, has a curved rear portion to avoid interference with the fixed frame 12 when the rear door 13 is rotated relative to the fixed frame 12. On the other hand, the other side edge 35S closer to the rotation center has a slight stepped surface 35T that extends vertically midway between the front and rear directions, and both the front and rear sides of the stepped surface 35T are flat and substantially parallel to the inner surface of the support frame 14.

[0042] Further, the rear wall 35R of the rear cover 35 is located above the rear of the circuit board case 31 (see FIG. 8), and the upper surface of the circuit board case 31 faces the inside of the rear cover 35 through the lower opening of the rear cover 35. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, a payout device 36 is provided on the left edge of the rear wall 35R of the rear cover 35 (the right edge of the rear wall 35R in FIG. 13, when the circuit board case 31 is viewed from behind), and a tank 36T for supplying a plurality of game balls to the payout device 36 is provided on the upper wall 35J of the rear cover 35. Then, game balls paid out from the payout device 36 are paid out from the discharge duct 19W (see FIG. 7) to the front tray 800 (see FIG. 1).

[0043] Furthermore, substantially the entire rear wall 35R of the rear cover 35, excluding the left side portion, is a rear door 35D. The rear door 35D rotates around the left side portion and is normally held in a closed state by an elastic locking portion provided on the right side.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 13, a cable holder 37 that holds a power cable 33C is provided between the left side edge 35S of the rear cover 35 (the right side in Fig. 13) and the fixed frame 12. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, a flange 300 protrudes from a position near the front end of the left side edge 35S of the rear cover 35, from near the upper end to near the lower end, toward the inner wall of the fixed frame 12. An outer facing wall 301 protrudes rearward so as to surround the outer edge of the flange 300. This outer facing wall 301 faces an inner facing wall 302, which is the front end of the side edge 35S of the rear cover 35.

[0045] 32, a front facing wall 301A protrudes forward from the outer edge of the flange portion 300. This front facing wall 301A abuts against the rear side of the support frame portion 14. Furthermore, inside the area surrounded by the front facing wall 301A, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 300A extending horizontally are formed.

[0046] 14 and 32, the inner facing wall 302 and the outer facing wall 301 are provided with a plurality of protruding pieces 303 that protrude toward each other, and these protruding pieces 303 form part of the cable holding part 37. In addition, the flange part 300 has a cutout 300K formed in a part facing the protruding piece 303, and this cutout 300K forms a space 300B between the protruding piece 303 and the support frame part 14.

[0047] 33, a cable guide 311 is formed on the rear wall 35R of the rear cover 35 below the dispensing device 36. The cable guide 311 protrudes rearward from the rear cover 35 and forms a flange that slopes upward to the left. The cable guide 311 extends from the exposed power supply board 32, adjacent to the left of the position where the input connector is provided, to the vicinity of the lower left end of the rear cover 35.

[0048] 13, the protrusion 303 protrudes in a cantilevered manner from either the inner opposing wall 302 or the outer opposing wall 301. In this embodiment, the protrusion 303 includes a pair of protrusions 304 formed near the upper end and the lower end of the left side of the rear cover 35, an inner protrusion 305 formed between the two pair of protrusions 304, and an outer protrusion 306 formed between the two pair of protrusions 304.

[0049] The pair of protrusions 304 includes an upper pair of protrusions 304A provided near the upper end of the flange portion 300 and a lower pair of protrusions 304B provided near the lower end. Figure 34 shows the upper pair of protrusions 304A. The upper pair of protrusions 304A has a first protrusion 308A that protrudes from the rear end of the outer facing wall 301 toward the inner facing wall 302, and a second protrusion 309A that protrudes from the inner facing wall 302 toward the outer facing wall 301. The first protrusion 308A and the second protrusion 309A are arranged so that the upper end of the first protrusion 308A is positioned at the same height as the lower end of the second protrusion 309A.

[0050] The first protrusion 308A is formed with a rectangular protrusion portion 310A and an inclined portion 310B that inclines from the upper end of the rectangular protrusion 310A toward the outer facing wall 301. The second protrusion 309A is also formed with a rectangular protrusion 310A and an inclined portion 310C that inclines from the lower end of the rectangular protrusion 310A toward the inner facing wall 302. The inclined portion 310B and the inclined portion 310C face each other with a gap therebetween.

[0051] 33, the lower pair of protrusions 304B has a first protrusion 308B protruding from the rear end of the outer facing wall 301 toward the inner facing wall 302, and a second protrusion 309B protruding from the inner facing wall 302 toward the outer facing wall 301. The first protrusion 308B and the second protrusion 309B are arranged so as to be vertically offset from each other such that the lower end of the first protrusion 308B is positioned at the same height as the upper end of the second protrusion 309B.

[0052] The first protrusion 308B is formed with a rectangular protrusion portion 312A and an inclined portion 312B that inclines from the lower end of the rectangular protrusion 312A toward the outer facing wall 301. The second protrusion 309B is also formed with a rectangular protrusion 312A and an inclined portion 312C that inclines from the upper end of the rectangular protrusion 312A toward the inner facing wall 302. The inclined portion 312B and the inclined portion 312C face each other with a gap therebetween.

[0053] Further, below the second protruding piece 309B, a lower protruding piece 310 protrudes from the inner facing wall 302. The lower protruding piece 310 is a thin plate having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front.

[0054] Between the two paired protrusions 304, an inner protrusion 305 and an outer protrusion 306 are formed as follows. As shown in Fig. 13, two inner protrusions 305 and two outer protrusions 306 are provided, and they are arranged at equal intervals from above the gaming machine 10 in the order of outer protrusion 306, inner protrusion 305, inner protrusion 305, outer protrusion 306. The inner protrusion 305 protrudes from the inner opposing wall 302 toward the outer opposing wall 301, and the outer protrusion 306 protrudes from the outer opposing wall 301 toward the inner opposing wall 302 (see Fig. 35).

[0055] The inner protruding piece 305 is trapezoidal in shape, with the width narrower at the tip end closer to the outer opposing wall 301 than at the base end on the inner opposing wall 302 side, and the outer protruding piece 306 has a symmetrical shape.

[0056] Furthermore, gaps 315, each corresponding to the width of one to one and a half power cables 33C, are provided between the first protrusions 308A, 308B of the paired protrusions 304, the outer protrusion 306 and the inner facing wall 302, between the second protrusions 309A, 309B of the paired protrusions 304, the lower protrusion 310, the inner protrusion 305 and the outer facing wall 301, and between the first protrusions 308A, 308B and the second protrusions 309A, 309B of the paired protrusions 304. Note that, although the corners of the protrusions 303 in this embodiment are all chamfered to form rounded surfaces, this configuration is not essential.

[0057] 13, a plurality of cable pressing protrusions 307A, 307B are formed on the outer facing wall 301 and the inner facing wall 302. More specifically, the inner cable pressing protrusion 307A is disposed on the inner facing wall 302 near the midpoint between the first protrusion 308A of the upper pair of protrusions 304A and the outer protrusion 306 provided therebelow, and near the midpoint between the first protrusion 308B of the lower pair of protrusions 304B and the outer protrusion 306 provided therebelow. The inner cable pressing protrusion 307A is a rib-like protrusion provided at the corner between the inner facing wall 302 and the flange portion 300.

[0058] Furthermore, an outer cable pressing protrusion 307B is provided near the center between two consecutive inner protrusions 305 on the outer facing wall 301. The outer cable pressing protrusion 307B is a rib-like protrusion provided at the corner between the outer facing wall 301 and the flange portion 300.

[0059] These cable pressing protrusions 307A, 307B face the outer facing wall 301 or the inner facing wall 302, respectively, with a gap 315 therebetween, the width of which is 1 to 1.5 power cables 33C.

[0060] The power cable 33C is then pushed from the underside of the cable holding portion 37 through gaps 315 formed between the above-mentioned multiple protrusions 303 and the outer facing wall 301 or the inner facing wall 302 into the space 300B between the protrusions 303 and the support frame 14, and is then pushed between the cable pressing protrusions 307A, 307B and the outer facing wall 301 or the inner facing wall 302, whereby the power cable 33C is held on the left side of the rear cover 35 in a serpentine state in the left-right and front-rear directions (see FIGS. 32 to 34). Also, as shown in FIG. 33, a portion of the power cable 33C close to the cable-side connector is held across the upper surface of the cable guide 311. Meanwhile, a portion of the power cable 33C close to the plug 33P passes above the second protrusion 309A of the upper pair of protrusions 304A, exits the space 300B rearward, and is guided onto the top wall 35J of the rear cover 35. A plug 33P provided at the tip of the power cable 33C is held by a plug holder 38, which will be described next. A clip 35C for holding the power cable 33C is fixed near the left end of the cable guide 311 and near the left end of the top wall 35J.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 12, a plug holding portion 38 is provided on the right side of the upper surface of rear cover 35. Plug 33P is held in plug holding portion 38 with the plug facing forward. As shown in Fig. 15, plug holding portion 38 includes a pair of first clamping portions 333, second clamping portions 334, and third clamping portions 335 arranged on the left and right, and one locking portion 336. Furthermore, a positioning protruding wall 337 is formed on the outside of the position where connecting portion 320 overlaps with curved portion 321C of small gripping portion 321A when plug 33P is held by plug holding portion 38.

[0062] The positioning protrusion wall 337 has a pair of wall-like shapes that stand upright from the upper surface of the rear cover 35 along the shape of the plug 33P. Specifically, it consists of parallel sections that extend parallel to each other and eight-shaped sections that extend away from each other from the front ends of the parallel sections. Furthermore, a first clamping section 333 and a second clamping section 334 are formed so as to protrude further upward from the upper surface of the positioning protrusion wall 337.

[0063] Each first clamping portion 333 has a first main clamping portion 333A and a first folded portion 333B formed at the upper end of the first main clamping portion 333A. Specifically, the first main clamping portion 333A is a rectangular thin plate that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the positioning protruding wall 337 with its short side as the base end. The pair of first main clamping portions 333A face each other across a gap equal to the width of the small gripping portion 321A of the plug 33P, and the opposing first opposing surfaces 333D abut against the small gripping portion 321A from both sides.

[0064] A first reinforcing rib 333E is formed on the surface opposite to the first opposing surface 333D. The first reinforcing rib 333E is provided near the center in the short direction of the first main clamping part 333A and at the corner where the upper surface of the rear cover 35 and the positioning protrusion wall 337 intersect. The first reinforcing rib 333E also extends to near the center in the long direction of the first main clamping part 333A.

[0065] The first folded portion 333B is formed at the upper end of the first main clamping portion 333A across the entire width in the short side direction. The pair of first folded portions 333B protrude toward each other in an arc-shaped cross section, and the width between the portions where they protrude the most is slightly smaller than the width of the small gripping portion 321A.

[0066] The third clamping portion 335 has a shape similar to that of the first clamping portion 333 and includes a third main clamping portion 335A formed on the upper side of the rear cover 35 and a third folded portion 335B formed at the upper end of the third main clamping portion 335A. Specifically, the third main clamping portion 335A is a rectangular thin plate that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rear cover 35 with its short side as the base end. The pair of third main clamping portions 335A face each other across a gap equal to the width of the large gripping portion 321B of the plug 33P, and the opposing third opposing surfaces 335D abut against the large gripping portion 321B on both sides. The third clamping portion 335 is also higher than the first clamping portion 333 in the vertical direction.

[0067] A third reinforcing rib 335E is formed on the surface opposite to the third opposing surface 335D. The third reinforcing rib 335E is provided near the center in the short direction of the third main clamping part 335A and at a corner where the upper surface of the rear cover 35 and the third main clamping part 335A intersect. The third reinforcing rib 335E also extends to near the center in the long direction of the third main clamping part 335A.

[0068] The third folded portion 335B is formed across the entire width in the short direction at the upper end of the third main clamping portion 335A. The pair of third main clamping portions 335A protrude toward each other in an arc-shaped cross section, and the width between the portions where they protrude the most is slightly smaller than the width of the large gripping portion 321B.

[0069] A second clamping portion 334 is disposed between the first clamping portion 333 and the third clamping portion 335. The pair of second clamping portions protrudes from the upper surface of the positioning protruding wall 337, and includes a parallel clamping portion 334A extending parallel to each other and a figure-of-eight clamping portion 334B extending from the front end of the parallel clamping portion 334A so as to be spaced apart from each other, and these two portions extend continuously. Specifically, the parallel clamping portion 334A extends from a position just before the rear end of the parallel portion of the positioning protruding wall 337 to the rear end. The figure-of-eight clamping portion 334B extends over the entire figure-of-eight portion of the positioning protruding wall 337. The parallel clamping portion 334A and the figure-of-eight clamping portion 334B are integrally formed and are lower than the first clamping portion in the vertical direction.

[0070] The locking portion 336 is positioned slightly forward of the center of the pair of third clamping portions 335 and stands upright in a block shape from the upper surface of the rear cover 35. It is positioned slightly forward of the center of the pair of third clamping portions 335. The locking portion 336 includes a locking inclined surface 336A that slopes downward toward the rear, and outer surfaces 336B that extend forward from the left and right ends of the locking inclined surface 336A. When the plug 33P is held, the locking portion 336 is positioned between the pair of insertion portions 322, with the base end of the locking inclined surface 336A abutting against the front end surfaces of the gripping portions 321 of the plug 33P, and the outer surfaces 336B facing the pair of insertion portions 322 with a gap therebetween.

[0071] The plug 33P is held by the plug holding portion 38 in the following manner. That is, when the plug 33P is placed on the upper side of the plug holding portion 38 and a force is applied from above, the pair of third main clamping portions 335A elastically deform to open outward, widening the gap between the third folded portions 335B, and the large gripping portion 321B is received inside the third clamping portion 335, and the pair of first main clamping portions 333A also open outward, widening the gap between the first folded portions 333B, and the small gripping portion 321A is received inside the first clamping portion 333. In addition, the second clamping portions 324 abut on both sides of the curved portion 321C to restrict left-right movement of the plug 33P, and the locking portion 336 abuts on the front side of the large gripping portion 321B to restrict forward-backward movement. Furthermore, the plug 33P is held by the plug holding portion 38 by being positioned in the up-down direction by the first folded portion 333B and the third folded portion 335B.

[0072] <About the LCD module 80> Next, a description will be given of the liquid crystal module 80. As shown in Fig. 3, the liquid crystal module 80 includes a liquid crystal panel 80P, a panel case 80C, and a pair of first and second brackets 81, 82.

[0073] The liquid crystal panel 80P has a vertically long rectangular shape, and the entire front surface, excluding the outer edges, is a display screen 80G. As shown in Fig. 16, a horizontally long, strip-shaped circuit board 80A is provided on the lower edge of the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 80P, and the circuit board 80A is covered from the outside with a metal shield plate 80B.

[0074] The panel case 80C is a flat housing that covers almost the entire liquid crystal panel 80P except for the front surface, and has multiple heat dissipation holes 80E on its rear surface. A first control unit 83S, which houses a main control board (not shown) in a case, and a second control unit 83T, which houses a sub-control board (not shown) in a case, are detachably attached to the rear surface of the panel case 80C. Specifically, the first and second control units 83S and 83T each have multiple engagement pieces (not shown) protruding from one side surface or one of the upper and lower surfaces of the case, and a movable locking portion (not shown) that is provided at the end opposite the surface having the engagement pieces and that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In contrast to these, the rear surface of the panel case 80C is provided with multiple pocket-structured engagement portions 80F into which the multiple engagement pieces of the first and second control units 83S, 83T can be inserted, and multiple lock engagement portions 80K with which the multiple movable lock portions of the first and second control units 83S, 83T engage in the locked position. Note that a line cover 83U is attached to the upper rear surface of the panel case 80C, and covers the upper part of the first control unit 83S from behind and above, along with the wiring drawn upward from the first control unit 83S.

[0075] The pair of first brackets 81 are made of sheet metal and are attached to both side edges of the first bracket 81 at positions slightly above the center. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16 , the first bracket 81 has a crank plate portion 81D formed by bending a flat plate into a crank shape. A rear end plate portion 81C of the crank plate portion 81D is partially overlapping and fixed to the rear surface of the panel case 80C with the side edge portion, and protrudes laterally from the side surface of the panel case 80C. An intermediate plate portion 81B of the crank plate portion 81D bends forward at a right angle from the rear end plate portion 81C at a position laterally spaced from the side surface of the panel case 80C and protrudes forward from the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 80P, and a front end plate portion 81A of the crank plate portion 81D bends at a right angle from the front end of the intermediate plate portion 81B and protrudes laterally. Furthermore, a pair of auxiliary joints 81E protrude from the rear of the upper and lower edges of the intermediate plate 81B toward the side of the panel case 80C. The tips of the pair of auxiliary joints 81E are bent at a right angle and engage with engaging portions provided on the side of the panel case 80C, reinforcing the shield plate 80B to prevent it from bending in the left-right direction.

[0076] Furthermore, a vertically elongated opening 81F extending from a position near the upper end to a position near the lower end is provided at the corner where the intermediate plate portion 81B and the rear end plate portion 81C intersect, and groove openings 81F1 and 81F2 are formed by extending the upper and lower ends of the first bracket 81 toward the intermediate plate portion 81B of the first bracket 81. When the liquid crystal module 80 is assembled to the support frame portion 14, the engagement pin 30P and the abutment piece 30C of the connecting member 30 described above are received in the groove openings 81F1 and 81F2.

[0077] The pair of second brackets 82 are also made of sheet metal and, like the first bracket 81, have a crank plate portion 82D and a pair of auxiliary joining portions 82E. However, the crank plate portion 82D of the pair of second brackets 82 is approximately 1 / 6 to 1 / 3 the size in the vertical direction of the crank plate portion 81D of the first bracket 81. The second bracket 82 on the right side when viewing the liquid crystal module 80 from the front is disposed at the lower end of the right side of the liquid crystal module 80, while the second bracket 82 on the left side is disposed in a position higher than the second bracket 82 on the right side and lower than the first bracket 81, and each is fixed to the panel case 80C in the same way as the first bracket 81.

[0078] 17, each of the pair of first brackets 81 is provided with a latch mechanism 87 in a rearward region on the inward surface of the intermediate plate portion 81B (only the latch mechanism 87 of the left first bracket 81 is shown in FIG. 17). When the liquid crystal module 80 is attached to the support frame portion 14, the engagement pin 30P and the abutment piece 30C of the connecting member 30 come into contact with the latch mechanism 87, thereby operating. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the latch mechanism 87 includes a latch member 86 rotatably supported on the upper portion of the intermediate plate portion 81B, a slider 84 that extends from a position near the upper portion of the intermediate plate portion 81B to a position near the lower portion thereof and is supported so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and a lever member 85 rotatably supported on the rear edge portion near the lower end of the slider 84.

[0079] FIG. 18 shows the latch mechanism 87 in a state where the LCD module 80, with its lower end inserted in the rear groove 27, is tilted slightly diagonally forward and separated from the engagement pin 30P and the abutment piece 30C. As shown in the figure, the latch member 86 has an engagement groove 86M that extends radially outward from a position closer to the rotation center. The latch member 86 is positioned at a first rotation position when a portion of the latch member 86 abuts against the rear end plate 81C. At the first rotation position, the engagement groove 86M extends diagonally upward and rearward from the rotation center of the latch member 86. The latch member 86 then rotates so that the abutting portion with the rear end plate 81C moves rearward away from the rear end plate 81C. The latch member 86 then rotates to a second rotation position (not shown) where the engagement groove 86M extends diagonally upward and frontward from the rotation center of the latch member 86.

[0080] An abutment pin 86N is provided on the latch member 86 on the opposite side of the engagement groove 86M with the rotation center in between, and when the latch member 86 is arranged in the first rotation position, the upper end surface 84J of the slider 84 abuts against the abutment pin 86N from below, positioning the slider 84 at the first slide position. The upper end surface 84J of the slider 84 is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 84.

[0081] A spring connecting portion 86L is provided on the latch member 86 at a position directly below the engagement groove 86M in the first rotation position. In contrast, the slider 84 is provided with a protrusion 84T that projects forward from a position near the upper end, and the protrusion 84T is also provided with a spring connecting portion 84L1. Both ends of a tension coil spring 86S are connected to these spring connecting portions 84L1 and 86L. This biases the slider 84 toward the first sliding position, and biases the latch member 86 toward the first rotation position.

[0082] Lever member 85 has a first lever 85A extending upward from the rotation center and a second lever 85B extending forward from the rotation center, with second lever 85B equipped with a spring connecting portion 85L. Slider 84 is equipped with a spring connecting portion 84L2 located approximately in the center in the up-down direction and directly above spring connecting portion 85L, and both ends of tension coil spring 85S are connected to these spring connecting portions 84L2 and 85L, biasing lever member 85 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 18. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, when latch mechanism 87 is separated from engagement pin 30P and abutment piece 30C, lever member 85 abuts from the front side against stopper piece 84Z provided on slider 84, and is positioned at the first rotation position. Then, the first lever 85A extends obliquely rearward and upward from the rotation center of the lever member 85, and the rear edge of the first lever 85A is positioned midway in the depth direction of the groove opening 81F1.

[0083] The liquid crystal module 80 is assembled to the support frame 14 as follows. That is, the liquid crystal module 80 is tilted forward and its lower end is inserted into the rear groove 27 (see FIG. 7) of the support frame 14. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the latch member 86 and the lever member 85 face the engagement pin 30P and the abutment piece 30C. When the liquid crystal module 80 is rotated backward from this state with its lower end serving as a fulcrum, the engagement pin 30P abuts against the inner surface of the engagement groove 86M of the latch member 86, and the abutment piece 30C abuts against a position near the upper end of the rear edge of the first lever 85A of the lever member 85.

[0084] When the liquid crystal module 80 is further rotated backward from there, the latch member 86 is pushed by the engagement pin 30P and rotates, and the slider 84 is accordingly lowered to a second slide position below the first slide position. When the liquid crystal module 80 assumes an upright position, the latch member 86 reaches the second rotation position, and the abutment pin 86N disengages rearward from the upper end surface 84J of the slider 84, as shown in FIG. 19 . This causes the upper end surface 84J to slide to a third slide position above the abutment pin 86N. Then, the inclined surface 84S at the upper end of the rear edge of the slider 84 abuts against the abutment pin 86N or is adjacent to the abutment pin 86N with a small gap therebetween, locking the latch member 86 so that it cannot rotate. The engagement pin 30P is then prevented from coming out by the engagement groove 86M.

[0085] Furthermore, the abutment piece 30C of the lever member 85 is pushed and rotates from the first rotation position, and the first lever 85A becomes approximately parallel to the sliding direction of the slider 84. Then, as the slider 84 moves from the first slide position to the second slide position and then to the third slide position as described above, the abutment piece 30C slides against the rear edge of the first lever 85A, and when the slider 84 is positioned at the third slide position, the abutment position of the abutment piece 30C moves downward from the initial position.

[0086] 6 and 9. Specifically, during the process of changing the posture of the liquid crystal module 80 from the forward-leaning posture to the upright posture with the lower end of the liquid crystal module 80 received in the rear groove 27, the upper end of the liquid crystal module 80 slides along the guide surface 29G of the upper locking member 29, causing the upper locking member 29 to move upward. When the liquid crystal module 80 assumes the upright posture, the liquid crystal module 80 is positioned behind the upper locking member 29, and the upper locking member 29 is returned to its original position by the resilient force of the elastic member 29A (see FIG. 9), causing the locking surface 29K of the upper locking member 29 to lock onto the upper front surface of the liquid crystal module 80.

[0087] In this way, by a single action of changing the liquid crystal module 80 from a forward-leaning position to an upright position, the three sides and top side of the liquid crystal module 80 are held by the three sides of the support frame portion 14, and the entire liquid crystal module 80 is held in the assembly position as shown in Figure 17.

[0088] When removing the liquid crystal module 80 from the support frame 14, the pressing piece 84R on the slider 84 is pressed down. As shown in FIG. 20, the slider 84 is pressed down until the upper end of the first lever 85A is below the abutment piece 30C, and the lever member 85 returns to the first rotation position. When the pressing piece 84R of the slider 84 is released in this state, the upper end of the first lever 85A abuts against the abutment piece 30C from below, and the slider 84 is held in the second slide position where the upper end surface 84J is below the abutment pin 86N. This operation is performed on the left and right latch mechanisms 87. The liquid crystal module 80 is then held in the assembled position by only the upper locking member 29. When the upper locking member 29 is pushed up, the engagement of the liquid crystal module 80 with the upper locking member 29 is released, and the spring force of the tension coil spring 86S causes the latch member 86 to press the engagement pin 30P, automatically tilting the liquid crystal module 80 forward. In this state, the upper part of the liquid crystal module 80 can be grasped by the side and pulled diagonally forward, thereby removing the liquid crystal module 80 from the support frame 14.

[0089] As described above, according to the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the liquid crystal module 80 and the game board unit 90 are separately assembled to the support frame 14. Therefore, when replacing a machine with a new one, only the game board unit 90 can be replaced without replacing the liquid crystal module 80, thereby reducing the cost of replacing a machine with a new one. In addition, since the gaming machine 10 is provided with a holding mechanism that detachably holds the liquid crystal module 80 to the support frame 14 without using tools, the liquid crystal module 80 can be easily attached and detached. This makes it easy to route the wiring when replacing a machine with a new one, and allows for quick response if the liquid crystal module 80 breaks down.

[0090] Furthermore, one side of the liquid crystal module 80 is engaged with the support frame 14 in the inclined position, and the liquid crystal module 80 is rotated around that side as a fulcrum until it assumes the assembled position, which facilitates the assembly work. As a holding mechanism, a mechanism that is operated after the liquid crystal module is in the assembled position to hold the liquid crystal module in the assembled position can be considered, but if a mechanism that automatically operates as the liquid crystal module 80 rotates from the inclined position to the assembled position, as in this embodiment, is used to hold the liquid crystal module 80 in the assembled position, the assembly work will be even easier. Moreover, because the holding mechanisms are provided on three sides of the outer edge of the liquid crystal module 80, the liquid crystal module 80 is stably held in the assembled position.

[0091] More specifically, the holding mechanisms on both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal module 80 include a latch member 86 that moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position, an engagement pin 30P that engages with the latch member 86 in the engaged position, a locking mechanism that automatically operates when the latch member 86 moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position to lock the latch member so that it does not return to the disengaged position, and a temporary locking mechanism that temporarily locks the latch 86 in the disengaged position. As a result, the holding mechanisms on both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal module 80 are automatically locked when the liquid crystal module 80 is assembled, but can be kept unlocked when the liquid crystal module 80 is removed, making it possible to remove the liquid crystal module 80 by one person.

[0092] <About the game board unit 90> Next, the gaming board unit 90 will be described. The gaming board unit 90 is fitted into a unit fitting area 91 (see FIG. 17) surrounded by the inner surfaces of the left and right side plates 15 provided on the support frame portion 14 of the rear door 13, the lower surface of the upper support base 19J, and the upper surface of the front support base 19F (see FIG. 25). As shown in FIG. 24, the gaming board unit 90 has a gaming board 90B, a front cover member 90A that is placed on the front side of the gaming board 90B, and a rear support member 90C that is placed on the rear side of the gaming board 90B. The front cover member 90A, the gaming board 90B, and the rear support member 90C are made of at least a transparent resin in the portions facing the display screen 80G of the LCD module 80 located at the rear, so that the display screen 80G can be seen from the front through the gaming board unit 90.

[0093] The central portion of the gaming board 90B is a display area 90H through which the display screen 80G can be viewed. The front cover member 90A is placed on the front of the gaming board 90B, surrounding the periphery of the display area 90H. This forms a gaming area R1 on the front of the gaming board 90B, where gaming balls shot from the launcher 20A flow down (see FIG. 25). The front cover member 90A is provided with a display decorative frame 90W that prevents gaming balls from entering the display area 90H. The gaming board 90B has multiple openings 90M, 90N formed therethrough (see FIG. 24). The multiple openings 90M form various winning slots and outlets. The multiple openings 90N are covered at the front by the front cover member 90A and at the rear by a rear cover member 142 (described later). The interior of each opening 90N forms part of the gaming area R1, which houses various winning slots and other bonus devices, electronic devices, and the like. The game balls that enter the various winning holes and the outlet holes are guided to the rear of the game board 90B through the openings 90M and 90N (see FIG. 26).

[0094] 24, a rectangular cutout 149A is formed in the upper right corner of the game board 90B, and the front cover member 90A, which is placed on the front surface, also has a cutout 149B of the same shape. When the game board unit 90 is placed in the unit fitting area 91, the lever support portion 19K of the support base 19J is received inside these cutouts 149A and 149B (see FIG. 25).

[0095] 24, engagement holes 148A are formed through both ends of the lower end of the game board 90B and the right end of the upper end, and are adapted to engage with the pins 22 provided on the corner protrusions 14U of the support base 19F when the game board unit 90 is placed in the unit fitting area 91. The inner diameter of the engagement holes 148A is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the small outer diameter portion 22A of the pin 22.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 24, a pair of engagement portions 147 are provided at two vertical positions on the left side of the front cover member 90A. As shown in Fig. 30, the engagement portion 147 has a recess 147A that opens forward or to the side, and multiple guide portions 147B that protrude into the recess 147A. The guide portions 147B are plate-shaped and parallel to the left and right directions, extending from the right end of the recess 147A to the middle in the left and right direction, and in this embodiment, three guide portions 147B are arranged vertically. The front end surface of the guide portions 147B is flush with the front cover member 90A, and the side end surfaces form curved portions 147C that are recessed rearward.

[0097] As shown in Figure 23, the rear support member 90C has a translucent plate 140 that is arranged behind the game board 90B and parallel to the game board 90B with a predetermined gap therebetween, a frame member 141 that clamps and fixes the outer edge of the translucent plate 140 from the front and back and is overlapped on the rear edge of the game board 90B, and a rear cover member 142 that covers the frame member 141 from the rear.

[0098] The light-transmitting plate 140 is entirely made of a transparent resin. The light-transmitting plate 140 has an opening (not shown) at a position opposite the opening 90N of the game board 90B, and is covered from the rear with a rear cover member 142, thereby accommodating role devices, electronic devices, etc. between the light-transmitting plate 140 and the front cover member 90A, as described above. In addition, the back surface of the game board 90B is decorated with a plurality of recesses (not shown). Note that, although one light-transmitting plate 140 is provided in this embodiment, multiple light-transmitting plates 140 may be provided. In this case, the light-transmitting plates 140 are arranged at a predetermined interval.

[0099] Frame member 141 has a U-shape that surrounds the upper surface and the upper left and right sides of light-transmitting plate 140. As shown in Fig. 31, light-emitting substrates 141P and 141Q are attached to the upper and left sides of frame member 141. These light-emitting substrates 141P and 141Q have a plurality of LEDs (not shown) arranged in rows that emit light toward the upper and left end faces of light-transmitting plate 140, respectively. When the LEDs on light-emitting substrates 141P and 141Q emit light, the light is refracted forward by the inner surfaces of recesses formed on the back surface of light-transmitting plate 140, making the decorations formed by the recesses appear to be emitting light.

[0100] As shown in Figure 21, the rear cover member 142 has a shape with a central portion open in the front-to-rear direction, and includes a fixing portion 142A that overlaps the entire rear edge of the gaming board 90B, and a storage portion 142B that bulges rearward along the inner edge of the fixing portion 142A and stores the frame member 141. As described above, the storage portion 142B stores various prize slots and other accessory devices, electronic devices, etc., between it and the front cover member 90A. In addition, a gaming ball guide path (not shown) is also formed to collect gaming balls that enter the various prize slots and outlets and are guided to the rear of the gaming board 90B and discharge them toward the top of the front groove portion 26 of the rear support base 19R.

[0101] 21, an engagement hole 148B is formed through the fixing portion 142A at the lower right end at a position facing the engagement hole 148A of the game board 90B in the front-to-rear direction, and is adapted to engage with a pin 22 provided on the corner protrusion 14U at the lower right end of the support base 19F when the game board unit 90 is placed in the unit fitting area 91. The inner diameter of the engagement hole 148B is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the large outer diameter portion 22B of the pin 22.

[0102] In the housing 142B, wiring connected to the accessory devices and electronic devices, and wiring connected to the light-emitting board of the frame member 141, are routed along the outer edge of the game board 90B (not shown). The wiring is, for example, a wire harness, consisting of a connector and a collection of electric wires connected to the connector. The wiring of the light-emitting board 141Q provided on the left side of the frame member 141 is connected to the light-emitting board 141P provided on the upper side of the frame member 141 via a connector, and the wiring of the light-emitting board provided on the upper side of the frame member 141 is routed from top to bottom along the left edge of the housing 142B. Furthermore, wiring connected to the accessory devices and electronic devices is routed from left to right along the lower edge of the housing 142B. As shown in FIG. 22, these wirings are drawn outward from openings 142K and 142L provided near the lower right end of the housing 142B (wirings are not shown). In this embodiment, the housing portion 142B is provided with a cable duct 143 that collects these wires and leads them out to the back of the liquid crystal module 80 where the main control board and the sub-control board are arranged.

[0103] Cable duct 143 is made of resin and has a main body 143A in the shape of a flat, approximately rectangular box that is open in the longitudinal direction, and wiring that is drawn out from openings 142K and 142L is passed inside main body 143A. Note that main body 143A is provided with a plurality of holes for heat dissipation.

[0104] The main body 143A is attached to the lower end of the opening 142K of the housing 142B so that its flat direction is up and down. As a result, the wiring drawn out from the opening 142K passes through the inside of the main body 143A and is guided rearward. The housing 142B is provided with a connecting portion 143R having a pair of rotation support pieces (not shown) at the lower end of the opening 142K, and the pair of rotation support pieces are rotatably supported by a pair of rotation support pieces (not shown) provided on one opening edge of the main body 143A. As a result, the main body 143A can rotate between a state in which its longitudinal direction extends at a substantially right angle from the housing 142B (the state shown in FIG. 22) and a state in which it is stacked on the rear surface of the housing 142B. Further, a guide wall 143T protruding downward and having a lower end opening is provided near one opening edge of the main body 143A, and a guide portion 144 having a pair of side walls 144S is protruding from the accommodation portion 142B at a position opposite the lower end opening of the guide wall 143T. The wiring drawn outward from the opening 142L is passed between the pair of side walls 144S and then passed through the lower end opening of the guide wall 143T into the main body 143A. The other opening edge of the main body 143A is slightly bent in the longitudinal direction, so that the wiring drawn out from the main body 143A is drawn slightly leftward rather than rearward. The wiring drawn out from the main body 143A is covered with a resin cover for each wire assembly connected to the connector to prevent it from becoming disorganized.

[0105] The cable duct 143 is passed through the gap between the side wall of the rear cover 35 and the LCD module 80, more specifically, the gap between the side wall of the rear cover 35 and the LCD module 80 formed by the rear end plate portions 81C, 82C of the first and second brackets 81, 82 shown in Figure 16, and the wiring passed through the inside of the main body portion 143A of the cable duct 143 is pulled out to the back of the LCD module 80 so that it can be connected to the main control board or sub-control board.

[0106] With the above configuration, the game board unit 90 can be fitted into the unit fitting area 91 from the front side to secure the game board unit 90 to the rear door 13. Specifically, the left side of the game board unit 90 is inserted between the inner protruding wall 15T of the side plate 15 of the support frame 14 and the side edge restricting portion 23 shown in FIG. 17 . At this time, the engaging portion 147 of the front cover member 90A of the game board unit 90 and the curved portion 23K of the side edge restricting portion 23 are engaged to be rotatable around the left side of the game board unit 90. This restricts the left side of the game board unit 90 from moving forward and backward relative to the support frame 14, allowing the right side of the game board unit 90 to be stably moved rearward and easily positioned within the unit fitting area 91. Furthermore, multiple protrusions 19V are provided on the upper surface of the front support base 19F, allowing the game board unit 90 to slide easily on the front support base 19F.

[0107] When the left side of the game board unit 90 is fixed and the right side is moved rearward, the cable duct 143 located on the back of the game board unit 90 is inserted into the gap between the side wall of the rear cover 35 and the LCD module 80. The cable duct 143 organizes multiple wires routed within the game board unit 90, and each wire is covered with a resin cover, allowing them to be smoothly pulled out toward the back of the LCD module 80. The cable duct 143 is rotatably attached to the back of the game board unit 90, making it easy to insert between the side wall of the rear cover 35 and the LCD module 80. It can also be stacked on the back of the game board unit 90 for compactness during shipping, etc. The tip of the cable duct 143 is bent inward, making it easy to connect to the main control board and sub-control board located on the back of the LCD module 80.

[0108] Furthermore, a lower lever 24 is provided at the right end of the front support base 19F of the support frame 14. When the game board unit 90 is fitted into the unit fitting area 91, the lower end of the game board unit 90 is received in the game board receiving portion 130 of this lower lever 24. Specifically, before attaching the game board unit 90, the knob portion 132T of the game board receiving portion 130 and the front end of the abutment plate 133 are pinched together, and the game board unit is placed in advance in the release position where the abutment projections 131L of the pair of rear edge portions 131B protrude forward. Then, when the right side of the game board unit 90 is moved rearward, the rear surface of the game board unit 90 abuts against the abutment projections 131L of the pair of rear edge portions 131B and is pushed rearward. This causes the game board receiving portion 130 to rotate from the release position toward the receiving position. When the game board unit 90 is placed in the unit fitting area 91, the receiving portion 130U of the game board receiving portion 130 opens upward to receive the lower end of the game board unit 90. This positions the lower end of the game board unit 90 in the front-rear direction.

[0109] When the gaming board unit 90 is placed in the unit fitting area 91, the gaming board unit 90 engages with three pins 22 provided on the support frame 14. The three pins 22 engage with the engagement holes 148A of the gaming board 90B, and the pin 22 at the bottom right of the three pins 22 also engages with the engagement hole 148B of the fixing portion 142A of the rear support member 90C. Specifically, the small outer diameter portion 22A of the pin 22 is received in the engagement hole 148A of the gaming board 90B, and the gaming board 90B is positioned with its rear surface abutting against the stepped surface 22D of the pin 22. The large outer diameter portion 22B of the pin 22 is received in the engagement hole 148B of the fixing portion 142A, and the fixing portion 142A is positioned with its rear surface abutting against the front surface of the base portion 22S of the pin 22. This secures the game board unit 90 to the support frame 14. Even when the game board unit 90 is secured with multiple pins 22, the positioning surfaces, the stepped surface 22D and the front surface of the base 22S, are located in the same plane, allowing the front surface of the game board unit 90 to be secured parallel to the front surface of the corner projection 14U. Furthermore, because each pin 22 has multiple positioning surfaces, it is possible to position the game board unit 90 at locations of different thicknesses without using spacers. Furthermore, this configuration allows, for example, when replacing the game board unit 90 of the gaming machine 10 with a new game board unit 90, a so-called "board change," to position the game board unit 90 using either the stepped surface 22D or the front surface of the base 22S, thereby enabling the support frame 14 to be reused even if the shape of the game board unit 90 is changed. Furthermore, by providing the base portion 22S, the game board unit 90 is prevented from directly hitting the corner protrusion portion 14U from which the pin 22 protrudes, and a gap is secured between the corner protrusion portion 14U and the game board unit 90, thereby suppressing rattle and enabling stable holding. Furthermore, the tapered tip of the pin 22 facilitates insertion into the engagement holes 148A, 148B. While the present embodiment is configured with one step surface 22D, two or more may be provided. Furthermore, the pin 22 may be used to fasten not only the game board unit 90 but also other gaming machine components.

[0110] Furthermore, a lever support portion 19K is formed protruding from the right corner of the upper end of the support frame portion 14, and is adapted to be received in the notches 149A, 149B of the game board unit 90 placed in the unit fitting area 91. Specifically, before attaching the game board unit 90, the upper lever 25 provided on the lever support portion 19K is positioned in advance at the first rotation position. Then, after fitting the game board unit 90 into the unit fitting area 91, the upper lever 25 is operated to rotate it to the second rotation position. This causes the first positioning protrusion 25A to protrude forward of the game board unit 90, preventing the game board unit 90 from coming off forward. As a result, the game board unit 90 fitted into the unit fitting area 91 from the front side is fixed to the rear door 13.

[0111] <About the front door 50> Next, the front door 50 will be described. The front door 50 shown in its entirety in Fig. 1 is formed by removably assembling the side unit 54 shown in Fig. 46, the upper unit 52 shown in Fig. 82, and the lower unit 53 shown in Fig. 67 to the base frame 51 shown in Fig. 36 (see Fig. 57), and all or some of the upper, lower, and side units 52 to 54 are replaced when a new machine is installed. Below, the base frame 51, the assembly structure between the base frame 51 and each unit 52 to 54, and the overall structure of each unit 52 to 54 will be explained in that order.

[0112] <About the foundation frame part 51> The base frame 51, the entirety of which is shown in Fig. 36, includes a metal frame 51K shown in Fig. 38. The metal frame 51K has a main plate 51A that overlaps the front surface of the rear door 13, a bottom plate 51B that protrudes forward from the lower end of the main plate 51A, and an upper arch portion 51C that protrudes diagonally upward and forward from the upper end of the main plate 51A.

[0113] The main plate 51A has a vertically elongated rectangular display window 51W slightly smaller than the front surface of the game board unit 90. A mating rib 51L protrudes rearward from almost the entire edge of the display window 51W, except for the lower edge. A support protrusion 51F is provided on the main plate 51A slightly below the display window 51W. The support protrusion 51F protrudes rearward from the main plate 51A, bends upward at a right angle, and extends horizontally parallel to the lower edge of the display window 51W. A transparent window panel 805 (see FIG. 37) is tilted and, with its lower edge received by the support protrusion 51F, is raised forward and fitted inside the display window 51W. A pair of pivot levers 806 are provided on the main plate 51A near both upper corners of the display window 51W to prevent the window panel 805 from slipping out of the display window 51W. The window plate 805 has a double structure in which two transparent plates (glass plates or resin plates) are arranged opposite each other with a gap therebetween.

[0114] Rotation support pieces 51E protrude forward from the upper and lower left portions of the main plate portion 51A. The rotation support pieces 51E are rotatably coupled to a pair of rotation support pieces 12A (see FIG. 2) of the fixed frame 12 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 38, the main plate portion 51A has a plurality of engagement holes 807 formed at multiple positions along the right edge, and a third hook 808 protrudes from the lateral center of the upper edge. As described above, when the front door 50 is placed on the front surface of the rear door 13, the plurality of first hooks 18C protruding from the rear door 13 engage with the engagement holes 807, and the third hook 808 engages with the engagement hole 18E of the rear door 13. As a result, the front door 50 is fixed in the closed position relative to the rear door 13, as shown in FIG. 1, and is locked by removing the key from the key cylinder 18B.

[0115] As shown in Figure 38, the bottom plate portion 51B is flat. The upper arch portion 51C has a pair of legs 51C1 that are generally strip-shaped. The pair of legs 51C1 protrude forward from both lateral ends of the upper end of the main plate portion 51A, then bend upward and extend diagonally forward and diagonally inward as they extend upward. The upper ends of the pair of legs 51C1 are connected by a bridge portion 51C2 that extends laterally.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 37, the front surface of the main plate portion 51A of the metal frame 51K below the display window 51W is covered by a lower front surface forming portion 55A. As shown in FIG. 36, the lower front surface forming portion 55A is provided with a unit mounting recess 55D that is open to the top and front, and the unit mounting recess 55D occupies approximately half of the planar shape of the entire lower front surface forming portion 55A. The upper surface of the lower front surface forming portion 55A is generally inclined slightly downward toward the front, and the unit mounting recess 55D is formed from the top surface to the bottom end of the lower front surface forming portion 55A. Furthermore, the bottom plate portion 51B is exposed at the bottom of the unit mounting recess 55D and is covered from below by a bottom cover 55E provided on the lower front surface forming portion 55A (see FIG. 41). That is, the bottom surface of the unit mounting recess 55D is also the top surface of the bottom plate portion 51B, and the overall surface is horizontal. The rear inner surface of the unit mounting recess 55D is slightly flat in the left-right center and curves outward and rearward from both ends to the front end of the unit mounting recess 55D. Furthermore, the inner surface of the unit mounting recess 55D tapers slightly downward.

[0117] Both side portions of lower front surface forming portion 55A are hollowed out below the vertical middle portion from the front end to a position near the rear end of lower front surface forming portion 55A. As shown in Fig. 1, an operating handle 801 is provided on the rear surface of the hollowed-out portion on the right side of lower front surface forming portion 55A, and a notch 802 (see Fig. 37) is formed above operating handle 801 to allow front protrusion 19Z (see Fig. 1) that houses key cylinder 18B of rear door 13 to protrude forward.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 39, the front plate 800 described above is formed on the upper surface of the lower front surface forming part 55A rearward of the unit mounting recess 55D, extending from the horizontal center to the left end. Also, as shown in Fig. 40, a cable receiving part 55K that is cut out in a rectangular shape when viewed from above is formed on the right end of the part of the lower front surface forming part 55A rearward of the unit mounting recess 55D. Also, a notch 55L that is open to the right and through which a cable connected to the cross key or the like on the upper surface of the lower front surface forming part 55A can protrude is formed below the rear end of the cable receiving part 55K on the lower front surface forming part 55A.

[0119] The area spanning the upper part of the left side surface of the lower front surface constituent part 55A and the left edge of the upper surface is covered by a left border decorative part 55F. The width of the upper surface of the left border decorative part 55F gradually increases toward the rear, and the left border decorative part 55F curves upward, covering from the front the area from the lower end of the left side of the main plate part 51A to a position close to the lower end.

[0120] As shown in Figures 42 and 43, the front surface of the main plate portion 51A of the metal frame 51K above the display window 51W is covered by an upper front surface forming portion 56A. The upper front surface forming portion 56A has a structure in which a decorative cover portion 56C is layered on the underside of a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular parallelepiped main body portion 56B. The top surface of the main body portion 56B is approximately flush with the top surface of the rear door 13. As shown in Figure 36, both lateral ends of the decorative cover portion 56C are curved downward, covering the opening edge of the display window 51W of the metal frame 51K from the top to both corners from the front. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 36 and 43, the portion of the decorative cover portion 56C forward of its midpoint in the front-to-rear direction forms a support protrusion 56D that protrudes forward from the front surface of the main body portion 56B and supports the upper unit 52 from below.

[0121] 37, the front surface of pillar portion 51P on the left side of display window 51W of main plate portion 51A of metal frame 51K is covered by left front surface component 57A. Left front surface component 57A includes pillar cover portion 57B. Pillar cover portion 57B is strip-shaped and wider than left pillar portion 51P, and is overlapped on the front surface of the entire left pillar portion 51P.

[0122] As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the front of the left front surface component 57A is provided with a strip-shaped left side decorative portion 57C of a constant width extending diagonally up and down. The left side decorative portion 57C has approximately the same width as the pillar cover portion 57B and extends diagonally forward and diagonally rightward as it extends upward from a position near the lower end of the pillar cover portion 57B (adjacent to and above the left border decorative portion 55F). The upper end of the left side decorative portion 57C is located forward of the upper end of the left leg portion 51C1 of the upper arch portion 51C. A pair of side cover walls 57D are stretched between both widthwise ends of the left side decorative portion 57C and both widthwise ends of the pillar cover portion 57B, giving the left front surface component 57A a generally flat, box-like shape in the direction in which the pair of side cover walls 57D face each other. A speaker 809 is provided at the rear near the top end of the left front surface forming portion 57A, and a speaker facing portion 57D1 of the side cover wall 57D located in front of the speaker 809 has a mesh structure.

[0123] Both side portions of the upper front surface constituent part 56A are connected to the inner side portions of the left front surface constituent part 57A. Also, as shown in Fig. 42, above the upper surface of the upper front surface constituent part 56A of the left front surface constituent part 57A, the portion of the left front surface constituent part 57A rearward of the leg part 51C1 is removed over substantially the entirety so that the entire rear surface of the leg part 51C1 of the upper end arch part 51C of the metal frame 51K is exposed rearward. Also, the side cover wall 57D of the left front surface constituent part 57A, which is outward of the leg part 51C1, protrudes slightly rearward from the leg part 51C1 and covers the upper end arch part 51C so that it cannot be seen from the side.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 36, the front of the pillar portion 51P on the right side of the display window 51W of the main plate portion 51A of the metal frame 51K is covered by a right front surface component 58A. The portion of the right front surface component 58A above its midpoint in the vertical direction is symmetrical to the left front surface component 57A. Specifically, a right side decorative portion 58C extending diagonally in the vertical direction is provided on the front of the right front surface component 58A, and a pair of side cover walls 58D are stretched between both sides of the right side decorative portion 58C and both sides of the pillar cover portion 58B. Furthermore, the portion of the left front surface component 57A below its midpoint in the vertical direction is configured such that all but the pillar cover portion 58B corresponding to the pillar cover portion 57B has been removed. An upper front surface forming portion 59A is provided between the upper ends of the left front surface forming portion 57A and the right front surface forming portion 58A, and covers the bridge portion 51C2 of the upper arch portion 51C of the metal frame 51K from the front.

[0125] The left front surface forming portion 57A, the upper front surface forming portion 59A, and the right front surface forming portion 58A surround the outer edge of the display window 51W from the lower left, through the upper left and upper right portions, to the center right portion.

[0126] Movable decorative parts are incorporated into the left front surface component 57A and the right front surface component 58A of the base frame 51. Specifically, as shown in Figures 58 and 59, the left and right side decorative parts 57C and 58C of the left and right front surface component 57A and 58A have front covers 66A and 64A extending along the entire left and right side decorative parts 57C and 58C, movable bars 63 and 65, and rear covers 66K and 64K. The movable bars 63 and 65 move linearly within the case consisting of the front covers 66A and 64A and the rear covers 66K and 64K. These components also give the left and right side decorative parts 57C and 58C their bar-like shapes. Below, the left and right side decorative parts 57C and 58C will be described using the left side decorative part 57C as an example.

[0127] First, the front cover 66A is formed by fitting a transparent cover 66E into a frame 66D having opposing walls 66B facing each other in the left-right direction and a connecting portion 66C connecting the upper and lower portions of the opposing walls 66B and facing forward. As shown in FIGS. 58 and 60, the rear cover 66K has, from the rear side, a cover base 66L, a light-emitting base 66M, and a base cover 66N made of transparent resin. The cover base 66L is provided with a plurality of protrusions 66L1 for positioning the light-emitting base 66M, and at its upper end is provided with a shaft portion 66L2 for supporting the drive gear 63G and a motor mounting hole 66L3 for mounting the motor 63M (see FIGS. 61 and 66). The base cover 66N is formed with a plurality of (e.g., five) elongated holes 66N1 extending in the longitudinal direction and a through-hole 66N2 for receiving the drive gear 63G.

[0128] 60 and 63, a plurality of (for example, five) pins 63P that engage with elongated holes 66N1 of the base cover 66N are fixed to the back surface of the movable bar 63. Also, an elongated hole 63N extending in the short direction is formed at the upper end of the movable bar 63 (see FIG. 61).

[0129] As shown in Figures 61 and 62, the drive gear 63G has a disk portion 63G1, a gear portion 63G2 formed on its rear surface, and an engagement tube 63G3 formed and protruding from its front surface. The engagement tube 63G3 is cylindrical and disposed off-center on the disk portion 63G1, and engages with the elongated hole 63N of the movable bar 63. The gear portion 63G2 of the drive gear 63G meshes with a motor gear 63M1 of the motor 63M attached to the back side of the motor attachment hole 66L3 of the cover base 66L. The drive gear 63G is located above the upper end of the transparent cover 66E of the front cover 66A, so that it cannot be seen from the front.

[0130] When the motor 63M operates, the drive gear 63G is rotated via the motor gear 63M1, causing the engagement cylinder 63G3 to rotate. As a result, the engagement cylinder 63G3 moves left and right within the elongated hole 63N, causing the movable bar 63 to move diagonally up and down. At this time, the multiple pins 63P of the movable bar 63 are engaged with the elongated holes 66N1 of the base cover 66N, so the diagonal posture of the movable bar 63 is maintained.

[0131] Furthermore, the movable bar 63 is longer in the vertical direction than the transparent cover 66E of the front cover 66A, so that the lower end of the movable bar 63 cannot be seen through the transparent cover 66E throughout the entire movable range.

[0132] The surface of the movable bar 63 is uneven, scattering light from the light-emitting base 66M and making the movable bar 63 appear to be luminous. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 64, both the transparent cover 66E of the front cover 66A and the movable bar 63 are decorated with star patterns. As shown in FIG. 64(A), the star pattern decoration on the transparent cover 66E outlines the outer edge of the star, while the star pattern decoration on the movable bar 63 fills the entire star. When the movable bar 63 is positioned at the bottom of its movable range, the star pattern decoration on the movable bar 63 is positioned lower than the star pattern decoration on the transparent cover 66E (see FIGS. 64(A) and (B)). When the movable bar 63 is positioned at the top of its movable range, the star pattern decoration on the movable bar 63 is positioned higher than the star pattern decoration on the transparent cover 66E (see FIGS. 64(C) and (D)). Note that the star pattern decoration is exaggerated in FIGS. 64(B) and (D).

[0133] Similarly, the right side decorative part 58C has a movable bar 65 driven by a motor (not shown) to move up and down. Here, the right side decorative part 58C has a different structure at the bottom end from the left side decorative part 57C, so this structure will be explained.

[0134] As shown in Figures 59 and 65, in the right-side decorative portion 58C, the pair of opposing walls 64B of the frame body 64D in the front cover 64A are connected at their upper ends by a connecting portion 64C, but are not connected at their lower ends. The lower end of the transparent cover 64E is located higher than the lower end of the opposing walls 64B. Furthermore, the lower end of the rear cover 64K also has a flat front surface. This allows the case consisting of the front cover 64A and the rear cover 64K to open downward.

[0135] As shown in Figures 65 and 66, the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative portion 58C has a rearward-protruding protruding wall 65T at its lower end and an annular portion 65K at the rear end of the protruding wall 65T. The protruding wall 65T extends at an obtuse angle relative to the rear surface of the movable bar 65. The annular portion 65K protrudes downward from the lower surface of the protruding wall 65T and is annular when viewed from the front. When the movable bar 65 is positioned at the lower end of its movable range (the state shown in Figures 65 and 66), the lower surface of the annular portion 65K is approximately flush with the opposing wall 64B of the frame body 64D and the rear cover 64K. Furthermore, the lower end of the protruding wall 65T overlaps the lower end of the transparent cover 64E of the front cover 64A from the rear, exposing the annular portion 65K from the transparent cover 64E. The movable bar 65 moves upward from the state shown in Figures 65 and 66. In other words, the movable bar 65 moves within a range where it does not protrude downward from the rear cover 64K.

[0136] These left side decorative portion 57C and right side decorative portion 58C allow the movable bars 63, 65 to move on the outer surface of the game frame 11, thereby enabling a novel decoration of the outer surface of the game frame 11. Moreover, since the movable bars 63, 65 are arranged on the front door 50, the movable bars 63, 65 can be made to stand out. Also, since the movable bars 63, 65 are arranged inside the transparent covers 64E, 66E, the movable bars 63, 65 are prevented from coming into contact with the player. Furthermore, since the transparent covers 64E, 66E and the movable bars 63, 65 are decorated (star pattern decoration), it is easy to notice that the movable bars 63, 65 are moving.

[0137] <Assembly structure between side unit 54 and foundation frame 51> Next, the structure of the mutual engagement portion between the side unit 54 and the foundation frame 51 will be described. The side unit 54 (see FIG. 46) is assembled from the front between the underside of the portion of the right front surface constituent part 58A (see FIG. 36) excluding the pillar cover part 58B (hereinafter simply referred to as the "underside of the right front surface constituent part 58A") and the upper surface of the right side of the lower front surface constituent part 55A. For this assembly, a pair of rail protrusions 55R, 58R extending linearly in the front-to-rear direction are provided on the upper surface of the right side of the lower front surface constituent part 55A and the lower surface of the right front surface constituent part 58A, while a pair of rail grooves 54R (see FIGS. 46 and 47) extending in the front-to-rear direction are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the side unit 54. Then, by engagement between the pair of rail protrusions 55R, 58R and the pair of rail grooves 54R, the side unit 54 is slid from the front between the upper surface of the right side of the lower front surface component 55A and the lower surface of the right front surface component 58A, and is guided to an assembly position (see Figure 1) where the rear surface of the side unit 54 overlaps with the front surface of the right side of the foundation frame portion 51.

[0138] To fix the side unit 54 in the assembly position, the right side of the foundation frame 51 is provided with a plurality of first unit holding portions 61 and one second unit holding portion 62, as shown in Fig. 36. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 44, a plurality of first through holes 58F are formed at intervals in the vertical direction in a pillar cover portion 58B on the right side of the foundation frame 51. A through hole (not shown) is formed in the center of a portion of the pillar portion 51P of the metal frame 51K that is exposed forward by each of the first through holes 58F, and a metal rotating shaft 61A, which is one of the components of the first unit holding portion 61, passes through the through hole.

[0139] As shown in Figure 45(B), the rotating shaft 61A has a head portion 61B with a stepped diameter at its tip end, and a pair of swivel bars 61C with a circular cross section protrude from the head portion 61B to opposite sides. A metal washer 61E and a thicker resin washer 61F of approximately the same diameter as the metal washer 61E are fitted to the portion of the rotating shaft 61A rearward of the head portion 61B, and the portion of the rotating shaft 61A protruding rearward beyond the resin washer 61F passes through a through-hole in the pillar portion 51P. The rear portion of the rotating shaft 61A has a non-circular cross section, and a resin knob 61G, one of the components of the first unit holding portion 61, is attached to the rear portion.

[0140] Specifically, the knob 61G has a structure in which a pair of rotor blades 61I protrude laterally from a cylindrical portion 61H having a non-circular inner surface and a bottom at its rear end. The rear portion of the rotating shaft 61A is fitted into the cylindrical portion 61H, and a screw (not shown) passing through a through-hole 61M at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 61H is screwed into a screw hole 61N provided in the center of the rotating shaft 61A. This integrates the rotating shaft 61A and the knob 61G. In this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the pair of rotor blades 61I and the arrangement direction of the pair of pivot bars 61C are shifted by 90 degrees.

[0141] 46(A), a pair of positioning protrusions 51M protrude from the opening edge of a through-hole on the rear surface of the pillar portion 51P through which the rotating shaft 61A passes. One of the pair of positioning protrusions 51M comes into contact with one of the pair of rotating blades 61I at each of a first rotation position where the pair of rotating blades 61I are aligned vertically and the pair of swing bars 61C are aligned horizontally, and a second rotation position where the pair of rotating blades 61I are aligned horizontally and the pair of swing bars 61C are aligned vertically, rotated 90 degrees in one direction from that position. As a result, the rotating shaft 61A is positioned at each of the first rotation position and the second rotation position, and the rotation range of the rotating shaft 61A is limited to 90 degrees.

[0142] The structure of the multiple first unit holding portions 61 is as described above, and multiple engagement holes 54B are provided on the rear surface of the side unit 54 corresponding to the multiple first unit holding portions 61. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 44 , a metal joining plate portion 202 in the shape of a strip extending in the vertical direction is provided on the rear of the side unit 54, and the rear surface of the joining plate portion 202 forms part of the rear surface of the side unit 54. Multiple engagement holes 54B are arranged at multiple positions in the vertical direction on the joining plate portion 202. Each engagement hole 54B is shaped like an elongated hole that is long in the vertical direction. In addition, the longitudinal center portion of the engagement hole 54B is wide, and a pair of raised protrusions (not shown) that protrude forward from the joining plate portion 202 are provided on both sides of the wide portion. These protruding portions are formed by pressing a part of the connecting plate portion 202 to bulge forward, and are arc-shaped with the center point of the engaging hole 54B as the center.

[0143] When the side unit 54 is slid to the assembly position with the rotating shafts 61A of all first unit holding parts 61 disposed in the second rotation position, the pair of swivel bars 61C of each rotating shaft 61A pass through the engagement holes 54B and are positioned in front of the connecting plate part 202. When the rotating shaft 61A is rotated to the first rotation position, the pair of swivel bars 61C ride up onto the pair of riding protrusions. As a result, the side unit 54 is fixed in the assembly position by the multiple first unit holding parts 61.

[0144] As shown in Figure 44, a second through hole 58G is formed in the pillar cover portion 58B between the two upper first through holes 58F, and pin holes 51N are formed in the portions of the pillar portion 51P exposed forward by each second through hole 58G.

[0145] As shown in Figure 45(A), in the part above the second through hole 58G on the rear surface of the pillar portion 51P, a metal slider 62B, which is one of the components of the second unit holding portion 62, is supported by a resin slide support member 62A so as to be slidable in the vertical direction.

[0146] The slider 62B has a structure in which a hook 62D is bent up from one side of a flat slider body 62C that is placed on the rear surface of the pillar portion 51P, and a finger hook 62E is bent up from the upper end of the slider body 62C. The slider 62B is supported so as to slide between a first slide position and a second slide position above the first slide position, and when positioned at the first slide position, the lower end of the slider 62B overlaps with the upper part of the second through-hole 58G, and when positioned at the second slide position, the slider 62B and the second through-hole 58G do not overlap.

[0147] A through-hole is formed in the rear surface of the pillar portion 51P at a position below the hook 62D, and a hook 58E integrally formed with the pillar cover portion 58B protrudes from the through-hole. Both ends of a compression coil spring 62F are attached to the hooks 58E, 62D, thereby biasing the slider 62B to the first slide position.

[0148] The structure of the second unit holding portion 62 is as described above, and a metal pin 54E protrudes rearward from the connecting plate portion 202 of the side unit 54 to correspond to the second unit holding portion 62 (see FIG. 44). The pin 54E has a tapered guide portion 54G at its tip and an engagement groove 54F located midway in the axial direction. The engagement groove 54F is a square groove extending horizontally and is located directly below the slider 62B (more specifically, the slider main body 62C) when the side unit 54 is in the assembly position.

[0149] The pin 54E engages with the second unit holding portion 62 in the following manner. That is, when the side unit 54 is slid toward the assembly position, the guide portion 54G comes into sliding contact with the lower edge of the slider 62B, pushing the slider 62B upward from the first slide position. Then, when the side unit 54 reaches the assembly position, the engagement groove 54F is positioned directly below the slider 62B, and the slider 62B returns to the first slide position, and its lower end engages with the slider 62B. Then, as described above, the rotating shafts 61A of the multiple first unit holding portions 61 are rotated to the first rotation position, and the side unit 54 is fixed in the assembly position. That is, the side unit 54 is assembled by simply operating the rotating shafts 61A of the multiple first unit holding portions 61.

[0150] When removing the side unit 54, the rotation shafts 61A of the plurality of first unit holding parts 61 are rotated to the second rotation position. Then, by hooking a finger on the finger hook part 62E of the slider 62B and pulling it up, the slider 62B is released from the engagement groove 54F, and the side unit 54 can be pulled out from the assembled position.

[0151] As shown in Figure 44, the pillar cover portion 58B has a pin 58P that protrudes forward between the two lower first through holes 58F, and when the side unit 54 is assembled to the foundation frame portion 51, the pin 58P is fitted into the pin hole 54P formed in the connecting plate portion 202.

[0152] As described above, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment includes the first unit holding portion 61 that locks the side unit 54 in the assembly position of the base frame 51, and the second unit holding portion 62 that has a compression coil spring 62F that activates while the side unit 54 is moving to the assembly position to hold the side unit 54 in the assembly position and maintain that hold. This makes it easy to operate the knob 61G when assembling the side unit 54, and prevents the side unit 54 from falling as soon as the lock is released by the knob 61G when removing the side unit 54. This allows the side unit 54 to be safely attached and detached by one person. Since there are multiple first unit holding portions 61 and only one second unit holding portion 62, the final operation when removing the side unit 54 (i.e., operating the second unit holding portion 62) is easy.

[0153] Because the knobs 61G, which are the operating parts of the multiple first unit holding parts 61, and the finger hook 62E, which is the operating part of the single second unit holding part 62, are all positioned in positions that are visible from the same direction, the knobs 61G and the finger hook 62E can be operated efficiently. Furthermore, because the operating manner of the knobs 61G is the same, these operations can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, because the operating manner of the finger hook 62E is different from the operating manner of the multiple knobs 61G, it is possible to mentally prepare for the side unit 54 to be detached from the base frame 51 before operating the finger hook 62E.

[0154] <Assembly structure between the lower unit 53 and the foundation frame 51> The portion of the foundation frame 51 to which the lower unit 53 is attached (unit mounting recess 55D) has the following structure. That is, as shown in Figures 40 and 41, the unit mounting recess 55D is provided with a plurality of pedestals 55G protruding from the bottom surface (the upper surface of the bottom plate 51B), and a rotating shaft 67 having the same shape as the above-mentioned rotating shaft 61A (see Figures 44 and 45) is attached to each pedestal 55G. The lower surface of the pedestal 55G bulges upward to receive the knob 67G of the rotating shaft 67 (that is, the rotating shaft 67 does not protrude downward from the lower surface of the lower-front-surface forming portion 55A).

[0155] 39 and 40, a rotating shaft 67 is also attached to the lower part of the foundation frame 51, including the inner surface of the unit mounting recess 55D. The lower unit 53 (see FIGS. 67 and 68) is provided with a plurality of elongated engagement holes 53B corresponding to the respective rotating shafts 67, and is capable of engaging with the rotating shafts 67. As a result, by rotating the rotating shaft 67 with the lower unit 53 placed in the unit mounting recess 55D, the lower unit 53 is fixed to the foundation frame 51. To remove the lower unit 53, the rotating shaft 67 is rotated in the opposite direction to release the engagement, and the lower unit 53 is lifted upward, thereby removing the lower unit 53.

[0156] <Assembly structure between upper unit 52 and foundation frame 51> Next, the structure of the portion of the foundation frame 51 to which the upper unit 52 is attached will be described. As shown in Figures 80 and 81, the upper unit 52 is attached to an area surrounded by a left front surface component 57A, a right front surface component 58A, an upper front surface component 56A (see Figure 36), and an upper-end front surface component 59A. Specifically, as shown in Figures 82 and 83, the upper unit 52 has a base plate 375A that extends horizontally forward from its rear end and then bends obliquely upward, and a translucent decorative portion 370 fixed to the front surface of the base plate 375A. The base plate 375A also has a base-under-projection portion 375C that projects downward from a bent portion 375B.

[0157] When the upper unit 52 is attached to the foundation frame 51, the outer edge of the base plate 375A is attached from behind to the upper arch portion 51C exposed to the rear, and the lower end of the translucent decorative portion 370 is supported by the decorative cover portion 56C of the upper front surface forming portion 56A (see FIG. 84). To maintain this state, the upper unit 52 and the foundation frame 51 are provided with several mechanisms. First, as shown in FIG. 82, two rotating shafts 375S having the same shape as the rotating shafts 61A (see FIGS. 44 and 45) are attached to the upper end of the base plate 375A of the upper unit 52. Then, elongated engagement holes 53B (see FIG. 81) are formed in the bridge portion 51C2 of the upper arch portion 51C at positions corresponding to the rotating shafts 375S.

[0158] Furthermore, the upper front surface forming portion 56A of the foundation frame 51 is provided with a pair of biasing shafts 56S and sliders 56T that pass through the main body portion 56B and the main plate portion 51A of the metal frame 51K (see FIG. 44).

[0159] As shown in FIG. 85, the biasing shaft 56S includes a shaft body 56S1 extending in the front-rear direction, a truncated cone-shaped head portion 56S2 fixed to the front end of the shaft body 56S1, and an operating portion 56S3 fixed to the rear end of the shaft body 56S1. The operating portion 56S3 includes a cylindrical portion 56S4 fitted around the rear end of the shaft body 56S1 and a rear wall portion 56S5 extending laterally in a quarter-fan shape from the rear end of the cylindrical portion 56S4. The rear wall portion 56S5 includes a protruding wall 56S6 protruding rearward from the entire outer edge, a flange portion 56S7 protruding further outward from the arc of the outer edge, and an operating piece 56S8 protruding rearward from a position near one side of the fan beyond the protruding wall 56S6. A locking protrusion 56S9 is formed at the front end of the operating portion 56S3, protruding in the opposite direction from the rear wall portion 56S5.

[0160] 42 and 86, a semicircular recess 56B1 capable of receiving a rear wall portion 56S5 of the urging shaft 56S is formed on the rear surface of the main body portion 56B of the upper front surface forming portion 56A, and a through-hole exposing this recess 56B1 is formed in the main plate portion 51A of the metal frame 51K. Also, at the rear end of the recess 56B1, a locking portion 56B2 is formed in the left half of the semicircular arc of the outer edge (the right half in FIG. 86 viewed from the rear), which protrudes inward and is capable of coming into contact with the flange portion 56S7 of the urging shaft 56S.

[0161] As shown in Figures 84 and 85, a shaft case 56R that houses the biasing shaft 56S is attached to the main body 56B of the upper front surface forming portion 56A. The shaft case 56R is cylindrical and slightly larger than the cylindrical portion 56S4 of the biasing shaft 56S, and has a front wall 56R1 that protrudes inward at its front end. This front wall 56R1 does not interfere with the operating portion 56S3, but is inserted through the shaft main body 56S1. The shaft case 56R also has a bulging groove 56R2 at the lower left corner of its outer periphery (the lower right corner in Figure 85 viewed from the rear) that allows the locking protrusion 56S9 of the biasing shaft 56S to pass through, and an extension 56R3 that extends the front end of the groove 56R2 to the lower right corner of the outer periphery of the shaft case 56R.

[0162] A compression coil spring 56R5 is housed in a compressed state between the shaft case 56R and the operating portion 56S3 of the biasing shaft 56S. Specifically, the compression coil spring 56R5 is housed in the gap between the cylindrical portion 56S4 of the operating portion 56S3 and the shaft main body 56S1, and is in a compressed state between the front wall 56R1 of the shaft case 56R and the wall at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 56S4. This biases the biasing shaft 56S rearward relative to the shaft case 56R (see FIG. 88).

[0163] When the rear wall portion 56S5 is disposed on the right side (left side in FIG. 86), the locking projection 56S9 of the urging shaft 56S passes through the groove 56R2 and is able to move linearly. Then, when the urging shaft 56S is pushed forward and the rear wall portion 56S5 is rotated to the left (right side in FIG. 86) with the locking projection 56S9 reaching the extension portion 56R3, the locking projection 56S9 moves to the right within the extension portion 56R3 and locks with the rear side surface (see FIG. 87), and the flange portion 56S7 locks with the locking portion 56B2 of the recess 56B1 of the upper front surface forming portion 56A, and the urging shaft 56S is held at the front end of its linear movement range. As shown in Figures 81 and 84, the upper unit 52 has a shaft receiving portion 75U on the base below protrusion 375C of the base plate 375A that can receive the head portion 56S2 of the driving shaft 56S located at the front end of the linear motion range.

[0164] 42 and 89, slider receiving recesses 56V for linearly holding the slider 56T are formed on the left and right sides of the rear end of the upper surface of the upper-front surface forming portion 56A. Each slider receiving recess 56V has a first recess 56V1 on the inside in the left-right direction and a second recess 56V2 on the outside. The first recess 56V1 and the second recess 56V2 are both rectangular in plan view and communicate with each other, and the second recess 56V2 has an extension 56V3 that is deeper than the first recess 56V1 and extends forward.

[0165] The slider 56T is flat and has an engaging portion (not shown) on its underside that slidably engages with an elongated hole (not shown) formed in the first recess 56V1, allowing it to move linearly left and right. At the inner end of the linear movement range of the slider 56T, the outer end face 56T1 is located at the outer end of the first recess 56V1, and at the outer end of the linear movement range, the outer end face 56T1 is located within the second recess 56V2 (see FIG. 90).

[0166] 81 and 90, the upper unit 52 has a pair of locking projections 375D that project downward from the rear edge of the base plate 375A. The locking projections 375D are receivable in the expansion portions 56V3 of the slider receiving recesses 56V, and when the slider 56T is placed at the outer end of the linear movement range in this state, the locking projections 375D interfere with the slider 56T, restricting rearward movement of the upper unit 52.

[0167] 81 and 91, the base plate 375A of the upper unit 52 has a notch 375E formed in the left-right center of the rear end for passing a cable through, and a slightly recessed lid receiving portion 375F formed adjacent to the rear end. The upper front surface forming portion 56A is provided with a rotatable lid portion 56F for closing the notch 375E from above. The rear end of the lid portion 56F is pivotally supported by the upper front surface forming portion 56A, and the front end is received in the lid receiving portion 375F of the base plate 375A.

[0168] The upper unit 52 is attached as follows. First, the upper front surface forming portion 56A is positioned with the cover portion 56F in an upright position, the slider 56T positioned at the inner end of the linear movement range, and the biasing shaft 56S positioned at the front end of the linear movement range. Next, the upper unit 52 is placed on the upper front surface forming portion 56A so that the locking protrusion 375D of the upper unit 52 is received in the rear end of the second recess 56V2 of the slider receiving recess 56V. Then, the upper unit 52 is slid forward until the locking protrusion 375D is placed in the extension portion 56V3 of the second recess 56V2 and the rotation shaft 375S of the upper unit 52 is inserted into the engagement hole 53B of the upper front surface forming portion 56A.

[0169] Then, the rotating shaft 375S is rotated to engage with the engaging hole 53B, and the slider 56T is slid to the outer end of the linear movement range to engage with the locking protrusion 375D. Furthermore, the biasing shaft 56S is pushed into the front end of the linear movement range, and then the operating piece 56S8 is grasped and rotated to place the biasing shaft 56S (head portion 56S2) in the shaft receiving portion 375U. This fixes the upper unit 52 to the base frame 51. In this state, the front door 50 to which the upper unit 52 is attached can be stably closed relative to the rear door 13. When the upper unit 52 is fixed to the base frame 51, the outer surface of the base plate 375A and the rear end surface of the side cover wall 57D become flush with each other.

[0170] Furthermore, even if the operation of the pivot shaft 375S, slider 56T and urging shaft 56S is forgotten during installation, when the front door 50 is closed against the rear door 13, the urging shaft 56S is pushed out toward the rear door 13 and received in the shaft receiving portion 375U, and the upper unit 52 is fixed.

[0171] The upper unit 52 can be removed by reversing the procedure for installation.

[0172] <One example of the side unit 54> Next, the side unit 54 will be described. The side unit 54 includes a metal base 200 shown in FIG. 49. The metal base 200 includes, for example, a substantially trapezoidal main plate 201, and the aforementioned connecting plate 202 is bent at a right angle from the oblique side of the trapezoid in the main plate 201. A pair of opposing walls 203 are bent at a right angle from portions of the main plate 201 corresponding to a pair of parallel opposing sides of the trapezoid toward the same side as the connecting plate 202, and the ends of the pair of opposing walls 203 away from the connecting plate 202 are partially widened toward the side away from the main plate 201. A pair of slide support shafts 204 included in the metal base 200 spans between the wide portions of the pair of opposing walls 203. The pair of slide support shafts 204 are metal round bars arranged side by side and extend parallel to the vertical sides of the trapezoid in the main plate 201.

[0173] The metal base 200 is arranged with the connecting plate portion 202 parallel to the vertical direction and is fixed to the pillar cover portion 58B of the foundation frame portion 51 as described above. As a result, the pair of slide support shafts 204 are inclined so as to protrude forward as they move from the bottom to the top.

[0174] A slider 205 is slidably supported on a pair of slide support shafts 204. The slider 205 includes a metallic slider main body 206. The slider main body 206 has a pair of opposing walls 208 bent forward at right angles from both upper and lower ends of a vertically elongated strip-shaped back plate 207. Each opposing wall 208 has a pair of through-holes to which sliding sleeves 209 (see FIG. 47) are fixed, and the slide support shaft 204 passes through the insides of the through-holes.

[0175] A first side support wall 210 is bent forward at a right angle from the side edge of the slider main body 206 on the main plate 201 side of the metal base 200, and a hook 211 extends forward from the lower end of the first side support wall 210. A hook 212 also extends from the metal base 200 so as to face the hook 211 from above, and both ends of a tension coil spring 213 are attached to the hooks 211 and 212.

[0176] As a result, slider 205 moves between a first slide position where it abuts against upper opposing wall 208 of metal base 200 and a second slide position where it abuts against lower opposing wall 208, and is normally positioned at the first slide position by being urged upward. Also, elastic sheets 214 are laid on the upper and lower surfaces of slider 205 (more specifically, on the upper surface of upper opposing wall 208 and the lower surface of lower opposing wall 208) to reduce the impact when slider 205 abuts against upper and lower opposing walls 208 of metal base 200.

[0177] As shown in FIG. 47, a side operating unit 217 is attached to the slider 205 via a light-transmitting support member 215. The side operating unit 217 is shaped, for example, like a Western sword, with a blade portion 217Y extending from a handle (grip) 217X. The handle 217X is provided with a guard portion that projects in two directions from the end on the blade portion 217Y side. The blade portion 217Y has a shape that only extends from a midpoint in the longitudinal direction of the blade portion of a Western sword to the base end side.

[0178] As shown in Figure 50, handle 217X is divided in the thickness direction into a pair of first decorative members 217A, and blade 217Y is divided in the thickness direction into a pair of second decorative members 217B. A portion of translucent support member 215 is sandwiched and fixed between the pair of first decorative members 217A and the pair of second decorative members 217B (see Figure 48).

[0179] The pair of first decorative members 217A are, for example, constructed with a decorative outer surface made of opaque resin. Meanwhile, the pair of second decorative members 217B are, for example, constructed with a transparent, translucent material and a lens portion 217C that changes the direction of light. Lens portion 217C includes, for example, a border pattern 217D (not shown) consisting of multiple V-shaped grooves extending widthwise along the inner surface of both widthwise edge portions of second decorative member 217B, and a curved linear pattern 217E protruding from the outer surface at the middle portion of second decorative member 217B in the width direction. Furthermore, a vibration device 218 is provided on the inner surface of one of the first decorative members 217A. Vibration device 218 is constructed by attaching a weight member with a center of gravity offset from the rotation center of a motor to the rotation output portion of the motor.

[0180] The light-transmitting support member 215 is formed by stacking a plurality of light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C made of transparent resin, as shown in Fig. 51. The total number of the plurality of light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C is, for example, five, with a pair of light-transmitting plates 216B stacked on either side of a central light-transmitting plate 216A, and a third pair of light-transmitting plates 216C stacked on the outside of those. Furthermore, these light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C are fixed at multiple points with screws so that they are in close contact with each other without any gaps, thereby suppressing the occurrence of Newton's rings (Moiré fringes) between the light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C.

[0181] Note that spacers (not shown) may be sandwiched between the light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C and fixed with screws at multiple locations so that stable gaps are formed between the light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C. Possible spacers include washers through which the screws pass, and packings sandwiched between the outer edges of the light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C.

[0182] Each of the light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C has a trapezoidal portion 216D, which has a pair of symmetrical oblique sides, located at the front of the upper portion. A part of each trapezoidal portion 216D, which is separated from one oblique side and the base to form a triangle, protrudes forward from the front edge of the light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C.

[0183] Furthermore, the portions of the light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C rearward of the trapezoidal portion 216D are formed as rear protrusions 216E whose bottom sides are positioned higher than those of the front portions and which are smaller in the vertical direction. The central light-transmitting plate 216A and the pair of outermost light-transmitting plates 216C are provided with rear protrusions 216F whose size in the vertical direction is even smaller than the rear protrusions 216E. As shown in Fig. 48, the three rear protrusions 216F are arranged side by side at intervals at the rear of the light-transmitting support member 215.

[0184] 51, the rear oblique side of the trapezoidal portion 216D of the outermost pair of light-transmitting plates 216C and the upper side of the rear protruding piece 216E are positioned higher than the remaining light-transmitting plates 216A and 216B. Furthermore, a ceiling wall 216G is provided from the rear oblique side of the trapezoidal portion 216D of one light-transmitting plate 216C and the upper side of the rear protruding piece 216E, which is abutted against the other light-transmitting plate 216C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 48, a cable duct portion 215D is formed at the upper edge of the light-transmitting support member 215 for passing a cable extending from the vibration device 218 described above.

[0185] 50, the side operating part 217 is fixed in place by sandwiching the trapezoidal part 216D of the light-transmitting support member 215 between a pair of first decorative members 217A and sandwiching the front edge of the light-transmitting support member 215 between a pair of second decorative members 217B (see FIG. 48). In addition, the front part of the underside of the light-transmitting support member 215 and the front end face of the light-transmitting support member 215 are covered by the side operating part 217.

[0186] As will be described later, light is introduced into the central light-transmitting plate 216A and the pair of outermost light-transmitting plates 216C from the end face of the rear protruding piece 216F. Furthermore, the light-transmitting plate 216A and the pair of light-transmitting plates 216C are formed with lens portions 216H-216J that change the direction of the introduced light, discharge it to the outside, and cause the blade portion 217Y of the side operation unit 217 to emit light. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51 , the inner surface of the pair of outermost light-transmitting plates 216C is formed with a lens portion 216I consisting of curved linear grooves having substantially the same shape as the linear pattern 217E of the blade portion 217Y. Furthermore, the outer surface of the pair of outermost light-transmitting plates 216C is provided with a lens portion 216H consisting of a plurality of vertical grooves in a region facing the rear outer edge region of a pair of outer edge regions where the border pattern 217D of the blade portion 217Y is formed. Furthermore, the front end surfaces of the outermost pair of light-transmitting plates 216C are inclined so as to face diagonally outward and face the front outer edge region of the pair of outer edge regions on which the border pattern 217D of the blade portion 217Y is formed. Also, on both the front and back sides of the central light-transmitting plate 216A, lens portions 216H each having a plurality of conical recesses are provided in an area surrounding the linear pattern 217E of the blade portion 217Y.

[0187] The slider 205 is provided with the following structure for attaching the light-transmitting support member 215. That is, as shown in Figure 49, the slider main body 206 of the slider 205 has a pair of front walls 208A bent at a right angle from the left side portions of the front edges of a pair of upper and lower opposing walls 208 toward each other, and a pair of plate fixing pieces 208B bent at a right angle forward from the pair of front walls 208A. In addition, a connecting protrusion 208C is bent at a right angle rearward from the right side of each opposing wall 208, and is overlapped with and fixed to reinforcing protrusions 207C bent forward at a right angle from both upper and lower end portions of the left side of the back plate 207. In addition, a side wall (not shown) is bent up from the middle of the vertical direction on the right side of the back plate 207 of the slider main body 206, and a front wall 207A is bent at a right angle to the left from the end of the side wall, and further, a plate fixing piece 207B is bent at a right angle forward from the end of the front wall 207A.

[0188] The rear part of the translucent support member 215 is sandwiched between a pair of plate fixing pieces 208B and 207B with the rear protrusion 216E (see Figure 51) positioned between the pair of slide support shafts 204, and is screwed to the plate fixing pieces 208B and 207B (see Figure 47).

[0189] In addition, a resin board case 220 that is flat in the front-to-back direction and has a vertically elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape is stacked and fixed on the rear surface of the back panel 207, and a circuit board 221 is housed in the lower part of the board case 220 below a position near the upper end.

[0190] A vertically long rectangular through-hole (not shown) is formed in the rear plate 207 in a portion facing the area between the pair of slide support shafts 204. A hood portion 220B protruding from the board case 220 is fitted into the rectangular through-hole below the upper end. The hood portion 220B has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape that fits exactly into the portion below the upper end of the rectangular through-hole and protrudes forward from the rear plate 207. The interior of the hood portion 220B is penetrated in the front-rear direction, and the circuit board 221 faces this internal space. A pair of vertically extending partition walls 220C are provided inside the hood portion 220B, dividing the interior of the hood portion 220B into three plate fitting portions 220D. A plurality of light-emitting elements (not shown) are arranged in three vertical rows on the front surface of the circuit board 221, and the plurality of light-emitting elements in each row face forward through the respective plate fitting portions 220D.

[0191] 48 are fitted into the three plate fitting portions 220D, and light from the light-emitting elements is introduced into the center and outermost light-transmitting plates 216A and 216C of the light-transmitting support member 215. This causes the blade portion 217Y of the side operating portion 217 to emit light.

[0192] 46, when the side unit 54 is attached to the base frame 51, only the side operating part 217, the light-transmitting support member 215, and the side decorative unit 240 (described later) are exposed among the aforementioned components, and the rest are hidden from the player by the decorative cover 263. And because the light-transmitting support member 215 is transparent, at first glance it appears as if the blade 217Y of the side operating part 217 is piercing the side decorative unit 240.

[0193] Specifically, according to the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the transparent support member 215 supporting the side operating unit 217 makes it appear as if the side operating unit 217 is floating in the air or supported only by portions other than the transparent support member 215, thereby enhancing the appeal of the side operating unit 217. Furthermore, the transparent support member 215 is flat and supported so as to be movable in a direction intersecting its thickness direction. This configuration allows the transparent support member 215 to withstand loads in the direction in which it has the greatest strength. Furthermore, the transparent support member 215 is formed by stacking multiple transparent translucent plates 216A-216C, thereby increasing the strength of the transparent support member 215 with a simple structure. Furthermore, the multiple transparent plates 216A-216C are tightly attached to each other with no gaps between them to prevent the appearance of Newton's rings, thereby suppressing the appearance of Newton's rings and reducing the presence of the transparent support member 215. Furthermore, a light-emitting substrate 243 is provided on the base end side of the translucent support member 215, and the side operating unit 217 includes lens portions 216H to 216J that receive light from the light-emitting substrate 243 through the translucent support member 215 and emit light, so the translucent support member 215 plays the role of a light guide portion and is used effectively.

[0194] When the side unit 54 is attached to the base frame 51, the handle 217X of the side operating unit 217 is positioned so that a player sitting in front of the gaming machine 10 can easily grip it with one hand. The player can easily grasp the handle 217X and push the side operating unit 217 up from the first slide position to the second slide position. When the downward force is released, the elastic force of the tension coil spring 213 (see FIG. 49) causes the side operating unit 217 to automatically return to the first slide position, allowing the side operating unit 217 to be pushed down again. A side decorative unit 240, which includes a decorative rotation unit 249 that operates in conjunction with the downward operation of the side operating unit 217, is provided at the front end of the lower part of the side unit 54 (see FIG. 46).

[0195] 52 shows the side decorative unit 240 fixed to the additional metal base 239. The additional metal base 239 has a connecting plate 239A that is fixed to the underside of the opposing wall 203 that supports the lower ends of a pair of slide support shafts 204 of the metal base 200, a main plate 239B that is parallel to the connecting plate 239A and located forward and below the connecting plate 239A, and a step wall 239C that connects them. The bending lines of the step wall 239C, the connecting plate 239A, and the main plate 239B are oblique to the front-to-rear direction, and one side edge of the main plate 239B extends diagonally from the step wall 239C toward the front right, and a pair of support walls 239D are bent up at a right angle from that side edge. A pair of support walls 239D are fixed to the outer shell base 242 of the side decorative unit 240, and the side decorative unit 240 faces diagonally forward left towards the player.

[0196] Hereinafter, with regard to the side decorative unit 240 only, the direction facing the player (i.e., the horizontal direction that is inclined relative to the overall front-to-back direction of the gaming machine 10 and moves forward toward the side of the gaming machine 10) will be referred to simply as the "front-to-back direction", the sliding direction of the side operating unit 217 that is inclined relative to the up-to-down direction will be referred to simply as the "up-to-down direction", and the direction perpendicular to the up-to-down direction and the front-to-back direction will be referred to as the "lateral direction" and "left-to-right direction".

[0197] The outer shell base 242 is composed of a translucent outer shell base 242A, a decorative ring 242B, and a support outer shell base 242C. As shown in Figures 52 and 53, the translucent outer shell base 242A is a semi-spherical shape with a flattened lower end, and is entirely transparent. The inner and outer surfaces of the translucent outer shell base 242A are formed with concave and convex decorative lens portions 242D on both the left and right sides and the upper end, resulting in a smooth spherical surface almost entirely except for the left and right sides and the upper end. The left and right decorative lens portions 242D are shaped like a membrane that covers the smooth spherical surface between them from the outside, and the upper decorative lens portion 242D is semi-circular and covers the rotation center of the upper part of the left and right decorative lens portions 242D.

[0198] The support base 242C is joined to the rear end of the light-transmitting base 242A and has a container-like shape that is flat in the front-to-rear direction. The decorative ring 242B has a shape with the bottom end of an annular ring cut off, and covers the joint between the light-transmitting base 242A and the support base 242C from the outside.

[0199] The rear surface of support outer shell base 242C has circular depression 242E, which is stepped and recessed forward in the center, and a substantially V-shaped groove 242G, which vertically penetrates the surrounding circular bank 242F above circular depression 242E, is formed. The entire inner surface of groove 242G is overlapped with a portion of the outer surface of blade portion 217Y of side operating unit 217 near its lower end. When side operating unit 217 is positioned in the first slide position, the lower end of blade portion 217Y is located above circular depression 242E, and when side operating unit 217 is moved to the second slide position, the lower end of blade portion 217Y moves to the bottom of circular depression 242E.

[0200] The circular recess 242E becomes a cylindrical pedestal 242I on the front side of the supporting shell base 242C, and a disk-shaped light emitting substrate 243 is stacked and fixed on the front surface of the pedestal 242I. In addition, a plurality of light emitting elements 243A are arranged on the light emitting substrate 243 in a radial pattern with the light emitting substrate 243 as the center.

[0201] A through-hole 243B is formed in the center of the light emitting substrate 243, and a cylindrical support tube part 242L protruding forward from the center of the base part 242I passes through the through-hole 243B. A bearing 244 is assembled inside the support tube part 242L so as to be immovable in the direction of the central axis, and a rotation shaft 245 is rotatably supported by the bearing 244.

[0202] 54, the rotating shaft 245 has a flange 245A located near the rear end. The rotating shaft 245 also has a rotary coupling portion 245B with a D-shaped cross section, which is formed by flattening a portion of the circumference of the rotating shaft 245 forward of a midpoint in the forward direction of the flange 245A, and further has an E-ring groove 245C at the tip end into which an E-ring (not shown) is attached. The rotating shaft 245 is inserted into the aforementioned bearing 244 from the rear, with the flange 245A overlapping the rear surface of the bearing 244, and the rotary coupling portion 245B protruding forward from the support cylindrical portion 242L.

[0203] A decorative rotating part 249 is fixed to the rotary coupling part 245B of the rotary shaft 245 so as to be rotatable together with the rotary coupling part 245B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 53, the decorative rotating part 249 comprises a rotary base 246, an inner hemisphere 247, and an outer hemisphere 248, all of which are made of, for example, a transparent, light-transmitting material. The rotary base 246 has a structure in which a cylindrical part 246C is provided at the center of a disk part 246H whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than that of the light-emitting substrate 243. The inside of the cylindrical part 246C forms a through-hole with a D-shaped cross section, through which the rotary coupling part 245B of the rotary shaft 245 passes. An E-ring (not shown) is fitted into an E-ring groove 245C located forward of the cylindrical part 246C to prevent the rotary base 246 from slipping off the rotary coupling part 245B. On the front end surface of the cylindrical portion 246C, a protrusion 246E is formed on the outside of the part where the flat surface is formed inside the cylindrical portion 246C, to be sandwiched in the opening of the E-ring to prevent the E-ring from rotating.

[0204] The disk portion 246H has a lens portion formed with an uneven pattern (not shown). A pair of first locking claws 246A protrude from two locations 180° apart on the outer edge of the disk portion 246H, and a pair of second locking claws 246B protrude from two locations 180° apart on the outer edge of the disk portion 246H. The opposing directions of the pair of first locking claws 246A and the pair of second locking claws 246B are shifted by 90°.

[0205] Inner hemisphere 247 and outer hemisphere 248 are made up of a structure in which a number of flat plate sections with triangular diameters are joined together to form a generally hemispherical shape overall, with the diameter of inner hemisphere 247 being smaller than that of outer hemisphere 248. A pair of first locking claws 246A of rotating base 246 engage with a pair of engaging holes 247A provided in inner hemisphere 247, thereby combining inner hemisphere 247 with rotating base 246, and a pair of second locking claws 246B of rotating base 246 engage with a pair of engaging holes 248A provided in outer hemisphere 248, thereby combining outer hemisphere 248 with rotating base 246.

[0206] The rear fitting portion 245E of the rotating shaft 245, which is rearward of the flange 245A, protrudes toward the rear side of the support outer shell base 242C, and a relay lever 251 is attached to it via a one-way clutch sleeve 250 (see Figure 54).

[0207] The one-way clutch sleeve 250 shown in FIG. 54 is a cylindrical body having a one-way clutch mechanism, which is a clutch mechanism that transmits rotational force in only one direction. The one-way clutch mechanism of the one-way clutch sleeve 250 of this embodiment is a so-called cam clutch or roller clutch mechanism. The inner surface of the sleeve body 250A is provided with a plurality of pockets 250P each having a cam surface (not shown). A plurality of rollers 250R are disposed inside the plurality of pockets 250P, and each roller 250R is biased by a spring so that a portion of each roller 250R protrudes from the inner surface of the sleeve body 250A. The rear fitting portion 245E of the rotating shaft 245 is fitted inside the one-way clutch sleeve 250, so that the plurality of rollers 250R contact the outer surface of the rear fitting portion 245E. When the rotating shaft 245 attempts to rotate in one direction relative to the one-way clutch sleeve 250, the contact pressure between the cam surface and the roller 250R increases, creating resistance and transmitting power to the inner ring, and when it rotates in the opposite direction, the contact pressure between the cam surface and the roller 250R decreases, causing slippage and cutting off the power transmission.

[0208] The one-way clutch mechanism provided in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is called a cam clutch type or a roller type, but it may be a "sprag type" or any other type.

[0209] The relay lever 251 is U-shaped and has a fitting tubular portion 251A at the bottom of the U, into which the one-way clutch sleeve 250 is fitted. Engagement protrusions 251B protrude from multiple locations on the inner circumferential surface of the fitting tubular portion 251A, and these engage with multiple engagement grooves 250B provided on the outer circumferential surface of the one-way clutch sleeve 250, thereby preventing rotation of the one-way clutch sleeve 250 and the relay lever 251. When viewed from the rear of the support outer shell base 242C, a pair of opposing portions 251D of the relay lever 251 are disposed to extend leftward from the fitting tubular portion 251A, and a cylindrical engagement pin 217P (see FIG. 55) protruding from the lower end of the side operating portion 217 is received in an engagement groove 251C between the pair of opposing portions 251D. As a result, when the side operating portion 217 moves back and forth between the first slide position and the second slide position, the relay lever 251 rotates between a first pivot position in which the pair of opposing portions 251D extend diagonally upward from the relay lever 251, and a second pivot position in which they extend diagonally downward. When relay lever 251 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, that is, when it receives a downward operating force on side operating unit 217 via side operating unit 217, the rotation of relay lever 251 is transmitted to rotating shaft 245 via one-way clutch sleeve 250, and decorative rotating unit 249 is rotated, for example, clockwise as viewed from the front. Conversely, when side operating unit 217 moves upward, causing relay lever 251 to rotate from the second rotation position to the first rotation position, the rotation of relay lever 251 is blocked by one-way clutch sleeve 250 and is not transmitted to rotating shaft 245. When decorative rotating unit 249 receives an operating force on side operating unit 217, it continues to rotate for a while due to inertia, and when side operating unit 217 is pressed down multiple times, the rotation speed of decorative rotating unit 249 gradually increases.

[0210] As shown in Figure 55, the rear surface of the circular recess 242E is provided with a base 242K that protrudes rearward in a stepped manner from the outer portion of the rotation range of the relay lever 251, and a portion of the anti-slip plate 251E that is fixed to and overlaps the base 242K is overlapped with the rotation center of the relay lever 251, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the relay lever 251, the rotating shaft 245, and the one-way clutch sleeve 250.

[0211] A pair of round rods (not shown) are supported between the upper and lower ends of the support outer shell base 242C and the upper and lower ends of the translucent outer shell base 242A. The pair of round rods extend vertically and are arranged coaxially. The upper and lower ends of a pair of internal door members 255 are rotatably supported by the pair of round rods.

[0212] Each inner door element 255 is made of a translucent material and includes a main body 255A formed by splitting a spherical body vertically in two, the spherical body having a shape similar to but smaller than the portion of the translucent outer shell base 242A sandwiched between the pair of decorative lens elements 242D on the left and right sides, and rotation support elements 255B provided at both the top and bottom ends of the main body 255A and through which the aforementioned round rod passes. Furthermore, an engagement pin 255P hangs down from the portion of the lower rotation support element 255B opposite the main body 255A. As shown in FIG. 56, the pair of engagement pins 255P engage with a pair of horizontal holes 260A extending along the front edge of a slide plate 260 supported below the outer shell base 242 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. When the sliding plate 260 is positioned at the rear end of the sliding range, the pair of internal door members 255 combine to cover from the rear the left and right portions of the light-transmitting outer shell base 242A that are sandwiched between the pair of decorative lens portions 242D, and to cover the decorative rotation portion 249 from the front, entering a closed state, and when the sliding plate 260 is positioned at the front end of the sliding range, the pair of internal door members 255 move away from each other, and the left and right portions of the light-transmitting outer shell base 242A retreat behind the pair of decorative lens portions 242D. Furthermore, a single letter-shaped decorative portion 255C is attached to the main body portion 255A of the pair of internal door members 255, spanning both sides. When the pair of internal door members 255 is in the closed state, the decorative rotation portion 249 is difficult to see from the front, and when it is in the open state, the decorative rotation portion 249 is easily visible through the light-transmitting outer shell base 242A.

[0213] A drive mechanism 262 is provided on the lower surface of the main plate portion 239B of the additional metal base 239, and uses a solenoid 261 as a drive source to drive the slide plate 260 back and forth.

[0214] The side decorative unit 240 described above provides the following effects. That is, the side decorative unit 240 is provided with a decorative rotation part 249 that is operably supported and positioned in a position that is visible to the player but not touchable, and that operates in response to the player's operating force via the side operating part 217, making it possible to provide unprecedented effects resulting from the operation of the side operating part 217. Furthermore, the decorative rotation part 249 rotates in one direction in response to the reciprocating operation of the side operating part 217, making it possible to provide unprecedented effects in this respect as well.

[0215] In addition, a one-way clutch mechanism is provided, allowing the enjoyment of an effect in which the rotation of the decorative rotating part 249 accelerates only when the side operating part 217 is operated to move from the first position to the second position. After receiving the operating force, the decorative rotating part 249 continues to rotate due to inertial force, allowing the enjoyment of an effect in which the rotation speed of the decorative rotating part 249 gradually increases as the side operating part 217 is operated repeatedly.

[0216] Furthermore, decorative rotating part 249 is spherical and is covered with a transparent or semi-transparent light-transmitting outer shell base 242A that forms part of a spherical shell concentric with decorative rotating part 249, so that one can bring one's hand close to decorative rotating part 249 and feel close to it even though one cannot touch it. Furthermore, since internal door member 255 rotates inside light-transmitting outer shell base 242A between a covered position that covers decorative rotating part 249 from the outside and an uncovered position that does not cover it, a sense of premium can be felt when one can see decorative rotating part 249 not covered by internal door member 255.

[0217] If the side operating unit 217 can be operated only when the internal door member 255 is in the uncovered position, it is possible to add variety to the effects caused by the operation of the side operating unit 217. Also, if the decorative rotating unit 249 can be rotated by vibrations caused by the vibration device 218 of the side operating unit 217, it is possible to increase the variety of effects.

[0218] <About Lower Unit 53> Next, the lower unit 53 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 67, the lower unit 53 has an overall oval shape when viewed from above. As shown in FIGS. 68 and 69, the lower unit 53 has a unit base 71, an operation button member 72, a face drive unit 75, and a decorative cover 73. The unit base 71 has a rear sidewall 71A that forms the outer wall on the rear side of the lower unit 53, a bottom metal plate 71S fixed to the lower end of the rear sidewall 71A, and a base case 71U fixed to the rear surface side of the rear sidewall 71A. The base case 71U is disposed in the center of the left and right sides of the lower unit 53.

[0219] When the lower unit 53 is placed in the unit mounting recess 55D, the bottom metal plate 71S overlaps the bottom surface of the unit mounting recess 55D (the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 51B), and the base case 71U overlaps the central flat portion of the inner surface of the unit mounting recess 55D. The bottom metal plate 71S is provided with the above-mentioned engagement hole 53B, which engages with the rotation shaft 67.

[0220] The rear side wall 71A is provided with a curved plate portion 71B whose central portion in the left-right direction curves toward the rear and which protrudes upward as it goes toward the rear, extension walls 71C which extend forward from both ends of the curved plate portion 71B, and a rear upper wall portion 71D which protrudes rearward and to the side from the upper ends of the extension walls 71C.

[0221] A cable groove member 71K that receives the wiring cables extending from the operation button member 72 and the face drive unit 75 is fixed to the underside of the right rear upper wall portion 71D. The cables that exit from the outlet of this cable groove member 71K and from the notch 55L (see FIG. 40) in the lower front surface component 55A to the cable receiving portion 55K are taken into the side unit 54 through an opening 54K formed in the side unit 54, and are connected to the main control board and the sub-control board via a relay board (see FIG. 77). The opening 54K is closed by a pivotable lid 54K1 attached to the side unit 54.

[0222] The operation button member 72 has a button base 72A fixed to the bottom metal plate 71S and a slide base 72B that slides back and forth relative to the button base 72A. The slide base 72B is biased forward. An operation button 72S that can be pressed down is supported on the slide base 72B. The operation button 72S has a dome-shaped cover 72T that bulges upward and can move up and down. A player can press down this cover 72T or slide the operation button 72S together with the slide base 72B backward.

[0223] As shown in Figures 70 and 71, the face drive unit 75 includes a pair of fixed bases 76 fixed to a bottom metal plate 71S, and a face movable member 77 that rotates relative to the pair of fixed bases 76. In the state shown in Figure 70, the face movable member 77 has a flat shape extending in the vertical and horizontal directions and includes a face ornamentation member 77A that is curved to maintain a fixed distance from a central axis extending in the horizontal direction, and movable arms 77R that extend from both left and right ends of the face ornamentation member 77A. The end of the movable arm 77R opposite the face ornamentation member 77A is rotatably supported by the fixed base 76, and the face movable member 77 is movable between a standby position shown in Figures 69 and 70 and an extended position shown in Figures 71 and 72.

[0224] As shown in Figures 71 and 72, the outer surface 77B of the facial decoration member 77A is decorated with a three-dimensional ornament that resembles a character's face. A special operation unit 77S that can be pressed by a player is provided on a portion of the outer surface of the facial decoration member 77A. Specifically, an operation unit receiving recess 77C is formed in the center of the outer surface 77B of the facial decoration member 77A, and the outer parts of the face, including the "eyes" and "cheeks," are decorated around the center. The special operation unit 77S, including the "nose" and "mouth" parts, is supported in this operation unit receiving recess 77C so that it can move linearly.

[0225] On the other hand, the inner surface 77E of the facial decorative member 77A is, for example, a solid black color with a smooth curved surface (see Figure 70). Also, an interference member 77K (see Figure 70), made of, for example, rubber, is disposed at a connecting portion 77F connecting the front ends of the outer surface 77B and the inner surface 77E of the facial decorative member 77A.

[0226] As shown in Figures 70 and 73, the movable arm 77R is fixed to both left and right ends of the inner surface 77E of the facial decorative member 77A, and the end opposite the facial decorative member 77A forms a disk portion 77R2. An outer shaft 77U protrudes from the outer surface of the disk portion 77R2 in the left-right direction, and a gear 77T protrudes from the center of the inner surface. A torsion spring 76T is disposed on the outer surface of the outer shaft 77U.

[0227] A pair of fixed bases 76 pivotally support the disk portions 77R2 of each movable arm 77R. Specifically, the fixed base 76 includes a base plate 76A that supports the outer shaft 77U of the movable arm 77R outside the movable arm 77R, and a mechanism portion 76E that is disposed more centrally than the movable arm 77R. A U-shaped shaft receiving recess 76B that opens upward is formed in the base plate 76A, and a detection sensor 76C that detects when the face movable member 77 is positioned in the extended position or the standby position is fixed to its outer edge. This detection sensor 76C is a photosensor with a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion that face each other in the left-right direction. A light-blocking portion (not shown) that protrudes laterally from the outer shaft 77U is disposed between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion, thereby detecting the position of the face movable member 77.

[0228] In addition, a protrusion 76D that protrudes toward the movable arm 77R is arranged on the upper edge of the base plate 76A, and both ends of a torsion spring 76T are arranged between this protrusion 76D and the disc portion 77R2 of the movable arm 77R, thereby biasing the face movable member 77 to the appearing position.

[0229] The mechanism unit 76E is housed within a flat, box-shaped case 76F. It includes a motor gear 76G of a motor (not shown) for driving the face movable member 77, and first through fourth connecting gears 76J, 76K, 76L, and 76M that connect the motor gear 76G to a gear 77T of the face movable member 77. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 70 and 73, the case 76F of the mechanism unit 76E is provided with a gear receiving portion 76H that is open upward and toward the movable arm 77R, and rotatably receives the gear 77T of the face movable member 77. A first connecting gear 76J that meshes with the gear 77T of the face movable member 77 is journaled below and in front of the gear receiving portion 76H. A second connecting gear 76K that is coaxial with the first connecting gear 76J and rotatable integrally with the first connecting gear 76J is disposed. The first connecting gear 76J and the second connecting gear 76K have substantially the same diameter. Below the third connection gear 76K, a third connection gear 76L is journaled. The third connection gear 76L is two to three times thicker than the second connection gear 76K. A fourth connection gear 76M is disposed below and rearward of the third connection gear 76L. The fourth connection gear 76M is composed of a large-diameter gear portion 76M1 on the outer side in the left-right direction and a small-diameter gear portion 76M2 on the inner side, which are integrally formed on the same axis. The small-diameter gear portion 76M2 is in mesh with the third connection gear 76L, and the large-diameter gear portion 76M1 is in mesh with a motor gear 76G disposed below the small-diameter gear portion 76M1. A motor (not shown) that rotates and drives the motor gear 76G is fixed to the fixed base 76 between the base plate 76A and the mechanism portion 76E.

[0230] A locking mechanism 78 for locking face movable member 77 in a standby position is disposed behind gears 77T, 76J, 76K, 76L, 76M, and 76G of mechanism section 76E. As shown in Figures 73 to 75, locking mechanism 78 has a locking member 78A that protrudes from through-hole 76F1 of case 76F, a connecting arm 78R that connects to locking member 78A, and a solenoid 78S that drives connecting arm 78R.

[0231] Locking member 78A is shaped like a cylinder with a rectangular cross section that extends in the left-right direction, and the end on the movable arm 77R side is closed. A hanging wall 78B hangs down from the end of locking member 78A opposite movable arm 77R. A coil 78C is disposed inside locking member 78A to bias locking member 78A toward movable arm 77R. Coil 78C is compressed between the wall at the end on the movable arm 77R side and a fixed wall (not shown).

[0232] The connecting arm 78R is pivotally supported below the locking member 78A and has a first arm 78R2 extending upward from its pivot shaft 78R1 and a second arm 78R3 extending downward and inward in the left-right direction from the pivot shaft 78R1. The tip of the first arm 78R2 is disposed between the hanging wall 78B of the locking member 78A and the outer wall of the case 76F. The second arm 78R3 has an elongated hole 78R4.

[0233] The solenoid 78S has a shaft 78S1 that moves linearly in the vertical direction, and a pin member 78S3 that is fixed to the shaft 78S1 and has an engagement pin 78S2 that engages with an elongated hole 78R4 of the connecting arm 78R. The engagement pin 78S2 is normally located at the upper end of its movable range, and when the solenoid 78S is excited, it is located at the lower end of its movable range.

[0234] A lock engagement recess 77R1 into which the lock member 78A fits is formed on the movable arm 77R closer to the face decorative member 77A than the disk portion 77R2. When the face movable member 77 is placed in the standby position, the lock member 78A, biased by the coil 78C, protrudes from the through-hole 76F1 of the case 76F and fits into the lock engagement recess 77R1 of the movable arm 77R, facing its inner surface. This locks the face movable member 77 in the standby position.

[0235] When the solenoid 78S is excited and the engagement pin 78S2 moves downward, the engagement pin 78S2 moves within the elongated hole 78R4, causing the tip of the second arm 78R3 of the connecting arm 78R to move outward in the left-right direction and the tip of the first arm 78R2 to move inward in the left-right direction. This causes the hanging wall 78B of the locking member 78A to be pushed by the tip of the first arm 78R2, causing the locking member 78A to move inward and retract from the lock engagement recess 77R1. This releases the lock on the face moving member 77.

[0236] As shown in Figures 67 and 68, the decorative cover 73 is placed on top of the unit base 71. The decorative cover 73 has a central cover portion 73A arranged inside the face drive unit 75 when the face movable member 77 is in the standby position, and an outer cover portion 73K arranged outside the pair of movable arms 77R. A slit 73S for receiving the movable arm 77R is formed between the central cover portion 73A and the outer cover portion 73K. The central cover portion 73A has a pair of inner side walls 73B facing the fixed base 76 from the inside in the left-right direction, and a rear side wall 73C facing from the front side the inner surface 77E of the face decorative member 77A of the face movable member 77 in the standby position. Outward-hanging walls 73D protrude from the upper ends of the inner side walls 73B and the rear side walls 73C, covering the mechanism portion 76E of the fixed base 76 from above.

[0237] The outer cover portion 73K extends outward from the slit 73S and is connected to the front edge of the rear upper wall portion 71D of the unit base 71. This outer cover portion 73K covers the base plate 76A of the fixed base 76 from above. The front edge portion 73M of the decorative cover 73 connects the left outer cover portion 73K, the inner side wall 73B and the rear side wall 73C of the central cover portion 73A, and the entire front end portion of the right outer cover portion 73K. The decorative cover 73 also has a rectangular opening 73E surrounded by the front edge portion 73M and the lower end portion of the central cover portion 73A, and a portion of the operation button member 72 above the center of the button base 72A is exposed through this opening 73E.

[0238] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, an "operation effect" is performed in which the player is prompted to operate the operation button 72S according to the progress of the game. The "operation effect" will be described below.

[0239] Normally, the face movable member 77 is positioned in a standby position and locked. Then, for example, during a notification effect for notifying the result of a win / loss determination made when a gaming ball enters the start winning slot of the gaming area R1, a message suggesting that the player press (or slide) the operation button 72S is displayed on the display screen 80G. When the player presses (or slides) the operation button 72S in accordance with the message, if the determination result is a win, the solenoid 78S is excited, the lock member 78A moves, the lock is released, and a motor (not shown) is activated to move the face movable member 77 to the appearance position. The driving of the face movable member 77 toward the appearance position is assisted by the biasing force of the torsion spring 76T.

[0240] When the facial movable member 77 is placed in the appearance position, the facial decoration member 77A of the facial movable member 77 covers the operation button 72S from above, and the character's facial decoration on the outer surface 77B of the facial decoration member 77A becomes visible to the player, as shown in Figures 72 and 76. There is also space between the facial decoration member 77A and the operation button 72S, allowing the player to insert and remove their hand.

[0241] Furthermore, when the judgment result is incorrect, even if the operation button 72S is pressed (or slid), the face movable member 77 does not move, and a display effect is performed to notify that the judgment result is incorrect, and the operation effect ends.

[0242] Thus, in this embodiment, a movable member (face movable member 77) driven by a motor (not shown) is arranged on the front of the play frame 11, which is an unprecedented configuration, improving the appeal of the movable member. Moreover, when a player places his / her hand on the operation button 72S to perform a pressing operation, the facial decoration member 77A of the facial movable member 77 rotates from behind toward the upper side, giving the player the feeling that the facial decoration member 77A is attacking the player's hand, creating a novel effect that takes the player by surprise. Furthermore, because the movement of the facial decoration member 77A is triggered by the player's operation, the player can feel as if he / she is moving the facial decoration member 77A himself / herself.

[0243] Furthermore, because the facial decoration member 77A moves from a relatively inconspicuous location, behind the operation button 72S, the impact of the moving facial decoration member 77A can be strengthened. Furthermore, the facial decoration member 77A of the facial movable member 77 arranged in the standby position is mostly covered by the decorative cover 73, and even above the decorative cover 73, the relatively subdued inner surface 77E is visible to the player, so its presence is diminished. When the facial movable member 77 moves toward the appearance position, the relatively flashy outer surface 77B (the character's face) becomes visible, creating the impression that the character's face has suddenly appeared. The facial movable member 77 may also be configured to drop from a standby position further above the appearance position above the operation button 72S.

[0244] Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, when the face movable member 77 is positioned at the appearance position, a special operation effect is performed to prompt the player to operate the special operation unit 77S. For example, in a jackpot game that is played after the operation effect is performed, the face movable member 77 moves to the appearance position, and a win judgment result is notified, a message prompting the player to operate the special operation unit 77S, such as "Press your nose," is displayed. Then, when the player operates the special operation unit 77S, a notification is issued that the game state after the jackpot game will enter a high probability state. Note that if the game state after the jackpot game does not enter a high probability state, the special operation effect may not be performed, or a message such as "Sorry" may be displayed after the special operation effect is performed and the player operates the special operation unit 77S.

[0245] As described above, this embodiment has a novel operation unit (special operation unit 77S) that is not always visible, but is normally invisible and appears when a specified condition is met, thereby enhancing the ingenuity of the operation unit. Furthermore, the face movable member 77 including the special operation unit 77S is positioned so as to cover the operation button 72S from above and make it difficult to operate, so the operation unit that the player can operate changes from the operation button 72S to the special operation unit 77S, allowing the player to feel as if the operation unit has been upgraded. Furthermore, because the movement of the special operation unit 77S is caused by the operation of the operation button 72S, the player can feel a sense of accomplishment in thinking, "I have upgraded the operation unit."

[0246] Incidentally, while the face movable member 77 is moving, it is conceivable that the player may be startled and try to move his / her hand away, which may hit the face movable member 77. If the face movable member 77 continues to move in this situation, there is a concern that the player's hand may be injured.

[0247] In contrast, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, a clutch mechanism 75C (see FIG. 73) is provided in the face drive unit 75. The clutch mechanism 75C has the first and second connecting gears 76J, 76K described above. As shown in FIG. 78, the first and second connecting gears 76J, 76K have six first and second gear protrusions 76J1, 76K1 protruding from the opposing surfaces. Each of the first and second gear protrusions 76J1, 76K1 has a main ridge 76J2, 76K2 extending radially, and outer ridges 76J3, 76K3 and inner ridges 76J4, 76K4 extending circumferentially from both ends of the main ridge 76J2, 76K2.

[0248] In the first gear projection 76J1 of the first connecting gear 76J, the outer projection 76J3 and the inner projection 76J4 extend forward from the main projection 76J2 in the direction of rotation (hereinafter referred to as the "first rotation direction H1"; see FIG. 73) when the face movable member 77 is moved from the standby position to the appearing position. The tip surfaces of the outer projection 76J3 and the inner projection 76J4 are perpendicular to the first connecting gear 76J, and the rear surface of the main projection 76J2 in the first rotation direction H1 (hereinafter referred to as the "inclined surface 76J5") is inclined forward as it approaches the second connecting gear 76K.

[0249] In the second gear projection 76K1 of the second connecting gear 76K, the outer ridge 76K3 and the inner ridge 76K4 extend rearward in the first rotational direction H1 from the main ridge 76K2. The tip ends of the outer ridge 76K3 and the inner ridge 76K4 are perpendicular to the second connecting gear 76K and come into face-to-face contact with the tip ends of the outer ridge 76J3 and the inner ridge 76J4 of the first gear projection 76J1. The front face of the main ridge 76K2 in the first rotational direction H1 (hereinafter referred to as the "inclined face 76K5") inclines rearward as it approaches the first connecting gear 76J and comes into face-to-face contact with the inclined face 76J5 of the main ridge 76J2 of the first connecting gear 76J.

[0250] The first connecting gear 76J and the second connecting gear 76K are pivotally supported at their centers by a shaft member 76C1. This shaft member 76C1 extends inward in the left-right direction, allowing the second connecting gear 76K to move linearly in the axial direction. A compression coil 76C2 is disposed between the second connecting gear 76K and the inner sidewall of the case 76F, and the second connecting gear 76K is biased toward the first connecting gear 76J. A coil receiving member 76K6 that receives one end of the compression coil 76C2 is disposed on the inner side surface of the second connecting gear 76K.

[0251] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the third connecting gear 76L is about two to three times thicker than the second connecting gear 76K, so even if the second connecting gear 76K moves away from the first connecting gear 76J, the second connecting gear 76K and the third connecting gear 76L remain meshed with each other.

[0252] When the face movable member 77 is moved from the standby position to the appearance position, in the clutch mechanism 75C, normally, when the second connecting gear 76K on the motor (not shown) side rotates, the inclined surface 76K5 of the second connecting gear 76K pushes the inclined surface 76J5 of the first connecting gear 76J, causing the first connecting gear 76J to rotate integrally, transmitting power to the face movable member 77 and causing the face movable member 77 to rotate.

[0253] On the other hand, if the second connection gear 76K rotates while a force is being applied to the face movable member 77, for example, when the player's hand comes into contact with the face movable member 77, the inclined surface 76K5 of the second connection gear 76K slides along the inclined surface 76J5 of the first connection gear 76J, which is under force to prevent rotation, and the second connection gear 76K rotates and separates from the first connection gear 76J (see FIG. 79(B)). Then, when the second gear protrusion 76K1 passes the first gear protrusion 76J1, the compression coil 76C2 pushes the second connection gear 76K, causing it to again come into contact with the first connection gear 76J. This repetition causes the second connection gear 76K to rotate idly relative to the first connection gear 76J, so power is not transmitted from the second connection gear 76K to the first connection gear 76J, preventing excessive rotation of the face movable member 77 and preventing injury to the player. Furthermore, since the facial decoration member 77A is provided with an interference member 77K (see FIG. 70), pain caused to the player when the facial decoration member 77A comes into contact with the player's hand is also alleviated.

[0254] For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a drive source for moving second connecting gear 76K in the axial direction is provided, and a contact sensor is provided on face movable member 77, and when the contact sensor reacts, the drive source is controlled to move second connecting gear 76K away from first connecting gear 76J. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which a motor (not shown) is stopped without providing clutch mechanism 75C.

[0255] <About Upper Unit 52> Next, the upper unit 52 will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 92 and 93, the upper unit 52 is formed by stacking a translucent decorative portion 370 and an illumination base 375 in the front-to-rear direction. The illumination base 375 has the above-mentioned base plate 375A, and a base case 376 is fixed to the front surface of the base plate 375A. The base case 376 has a flat box shape that is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from the front, and its lower end is located below the bent portion 375B of the base plate 375A. The upper and side edges of the base case 376 are located inside the upper and side edges of the base plate 375A.

[0256] 93 and 94, the translucent decorative part 370 has a flat box shape that opens to the rear. Specifically, the translucent decorative part 370 has a substantially trapezoidal front part 371 that is slightly larger than the front shape of the base case 376, and sidewall parts 372 that extend rearward from the outer edge of the front part 371, and is capable of receiving the base case 376. The front part 371 is made up of a combination of a transparent member with irregularities and a non-transparent member, and is decorated with, for example, letters.

[0257] A plurality of flange walls 373 protrude from the rear end of the side wall portion 372. Of these flange walls 373, the flange walls 373 arranged on the upper and side edges of the side wall portion 372 are overlapped with the outer portion of the base case 376 on the front surface of the base plate 375A, and the flange wall 373 arranged on the lower edge of the side wall portion 372 is arranged within the decorative cover portion 56C (see Figure 84) of the upper front surface forming portion 56A.

[0258] Furthermore, the flange wall 373, located at the upper edge of the side wall portion 372 and at the lower side edge, forms a fixing flange 373A for fixing the translucent decorative portion 370 to the illumination base 375. Two through holes 373B are formed vertically in the fixing flange 373A at the side edge, and a ring-shaped protrusion 373C that protrudes slightly forward is formed at the opening edge of the upper through hole 373B. Furthermore, a cylindrical portion 373D is formed on the rear surface of the flange wall 373, protruding from the opening edges of both the upper and lower through holes 373B. The lower of the two through holes 373B fits into a protrusion 375T provided on the base plate 375A of the illumination base 375.

[0259] A fixing member 378 for fixing the translucent decorative part 370 is attached to the base plate 375A of the illumination base 375. The fixing member 378 has a front shape resembling a rectangle sandwiched between two semicircles, a so-called oval shape, and one end is pivotally supported on the base plate 375A. The fixing member 378 is rotatable between a locked position shown in FIG. 92 and an unlocked position shown in FIG. 95. As shown in FIG. 96, a locking protrusion 378A is formed on the rear surface of the fixing member 378, which can be slightly inserted into and locked into the annular protrusion 373C of the translucent decorative part 370. In the locked position, the fixing member 378 overlaps the fixing flange 373A of the translucent decorative part 370 from the front, fixing the translucent decorative part 370 to the illumination base 375. Moreover, since the locking projection 378A of the fixing member 378 is locked to the annular projection 373C of the translucent decorative part 370, the movement of the fixing member 378 is restricted, and the fixing state is stabilized.

[0260] When the fixing member 378 is placed in the unlocked position, the fixing member 378 is displaced from the fixing flange 373A of the light-transmitting decorative part 370, and the light-transmitting decorative part 370 can be removed from the illumination base 375. Also, as shown in Figures 92 and 95, a retaining cylinder portion 375H is formed on the base plate 375A of the illumination base 375, which is engaged with the locking protrusion 378A of the fixing member 378 placed in the unlocked position. This holds the fixing member 378 in the unlocked position, preventing problems such as interference with the fixing member 378 during the attachment / detachment work of the light-transmitting decorative part 370 (when overlapping or separating the light-transmitting decorative part 370 and the illumination base 375).

[0261] Furthermore, when attaching the translucent decorative part 370 to the illumination base 375, when the translucent decorative part 370 and the illumination base 375 are overlapped, the protrusion 375T is received in the through hole 373B, and the translucent decorative part 370 and the illumination base 375 are positioned in a direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction and do not shift, so that the fixing member 378 can be operated smoothly.

[0262] As described above, according to this embodiment, the translucent decorative part 370 can be easily attached and detached to the illumination base 375 without using tools, etc., so the translucent decorative part 370 can be easily replaced. As a result, for example, when replacing a machine with a new one, it is possible to change only the translucent decorative part 370 and reuse the illumination base 375, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, because the translucent decorative part 370 and the illumination base 375 are used in the upper unit 52 arranged above the front door 50, they are easy to notice and can significantly change the impression of the gaming machine 11.

[0263] Furthermore, when the upper unit 52 is attached to the base frame 51, the translucent decorative portion 370 is fitted into the area surrounded by the left front surface component 57A, the upper front surface component 59A, the right front surface component 58A, and the decorative cover portion 56C of the upper front surface component 56A, and the portion of the base plate 375A of the illumination base 375 outside the translucent decorative portion 370 is hidden by the left front surface component 57A, the upper front surface component 59A, and the right front surface component 58A, preventing the fixing member 378 and the like from being visible and ruining the player's interest. The fixing member 378 may be configured to slide rather than rotate, or may be configured to be removable.

[0264] Next, the effect of the decoration of the front door 50 including the upper unit 52 will be described. In conventional gaming machines, for example, as shown in JP 2017-104220 A, the front surface of the front door 50 is decorated. In contrast, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is provided with a left side decorative portion 57C and a right side decorative portion 58C that protrude above the upper end of the rear door 13, thereby improving the decorative appeal compared to conventional gaming machines in which the front surface of the front door 50 is simply decorated.

[0265] In this case, simply attaching decorative members to the top surface of the front door 50 would result in an added-on decoration, but in this embodiment, the left side decorative portion 57C and the right side decorative portion 58C extend continuously from below the top end of the rear door 13 to above the top end of the rear door 13, so that the left side decorative portion 57C and the right side decorative portion 58C and the front door 50 have a sense of unity, further improving the appeal of the decoration of the front door 50. Moreover, the front door 50 itself can be made to look larger, thereby increasing the impact of the gaming machine 10.

[0266] Furthermore, because the left side decorative portion 57C and the right side decorative portion 58C are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides of the display window 51W of the front door 50, a unified impression can be given, and the proportion of the left side decorative portion 57C and the right side decorative portion 58C in the front door 50 can be made larger than when they are arranged on only one side, thereby strengthening the sense of unity between the left side decorative portion 57C and the right side decorative portion 58C and the front door 50. Moreover, because the left side decorative portion 57C and the right side decorative portion 58C are bar-shaped and extend linearly, it is emphasized that they are continuous from the height next to the display window 51W to above the upper end of the rear door 13, strengthening the sense of unity between the left side decorative portion 57C and the right side decorative portion 58C and the front door 50.

[0267] Furthermore, the upper ends of the left and right side decorative portions 57C and 58C are connected by the upper front surface component 59A, so that the left and right side decorative portions 57C and 58C also have a sense of unity. Moreover, the translucent decorative portion 370 of the upper unit 52 is fitted into the area surrounded by the left and right side decorative portions 57C and the upper front surface component 59A and above the display window 51W, and the upper front surface component 59A and the upper edge of the display window 51W are connected by the translucent decorative portion 370 that continues upward from the upper edge of the display window 51W, so that the upper unit 52 (translucent decorative portion 370) and the front door 50 also have a sense of unity.

[0268] Furthermore, the left and right side decorative portions 57C and 58C are configured to protrude forward as they extend upward, thereby enhancing the presence of the front door 50 including the left and right side decorative portions 57C and 58C. The left and right side decorative portions 57C and 58C are inclined so that the distance between them decreases as they extend upward, creating a sleek impression. Furthermore, in line with the inclination of the left and right side decorative portions 57C and 58C, the left and right front surface components 57A and 58A also narrow in the left-right direction as they extend forward, creating a sleek impression. This enhances the presence while reducing the sense of oppression. The left and right side decorative portions 57C and 58C may also extend vertically.

[0269] [Second embodiment] <Regarding the pair of detection sensors 110A and 110B> Next, a gaming machine 10 according to a second embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied will be described. In the following description, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and a duplicate description of the common configuration will be omitted.

[0270] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 97, a pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B are provided on the top of the front door 50, which are configured to non-contact detect a detection object (e.g., a player's hand) that is present in front of or approaching the front door 50.

[0271] The pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B are reflective sensors, and as shown in Fig. 100, include a light projecting / receiving unit 122 consisting of a light projecting unit 120 and a light receiving unit 123, a control unit 124, etc. The light projecting unit 120 is configured to include an infrared LED 121. Infrared light output from the infrared LED 121 of the light projecting unit 120 is reflected by the detection target, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 123, thereby detecting the detection target.

[0272] The light receiving unit 123 includes a photodiode 123A and outputs an electrical signal according to the intensity of the received infrared ray. The light receiving unit 123 is not limited to the photodiode 123A, and may be configured with a phototransistor or the like.

[0273] The control unit 124 controls the operation of the light emitting and receiving unit 122. The control unit 124 does not operate the light emitting and receiving unit 122 all the time, but operates it when a predetermined effect condition is met (for example, when the win / loss determination is a win). At this time, images, sounds, etc. that prompt the player to perform a predetermined action are also output. For example, images, sounds, etc. that prompt the player to hold their hand over a specific position S (see Figure 102) on the display screen 80G are output, and when the light emitting and receiving unit 122 detects that the player has held their hand over the specific position S, a specific effect is executed. Hereinafter, the light emitting and receiving unit 122 of the detection sensor 110A will be referred to as the light emitting and receiving unit 122A, and the light emitting and receiving unit 122 of the detection sensor 110B will be referred to as the light emitting and receiving unit 122B.

[0274] In this embodiment, the detection sensors 111A and 110B transmit and receive infrared rays, but they may also transmit and receive visible light or radio waves of other frequencies, and may not be limited to optical sensors but may be radio wave sensors that use radio waves or sonic sensors that use sound waves.

[0275] The light-emitting and receiving units 122A and 122B have the same shape and have sensor surfaces 111A and 111B on which the light-emitting unit 120 and the light-receiving unit 123 are arranged adjacent to each other. As shown in FIG. 97, the sensor surfaces 111A and 111B are arranged on the underside of the upper front surface constituent part 56A that protrudes forward at the top of the front door 50, and are designed to output infrared rays downward from the upper front surface constituent part 56A. Specifically, the light-emitting and receiving units 122A and 122B are attached to positions near both left and right ends of the upper front surface constituent part 56A via mounting members 113, and each sensor surface 111A and 111B is arranged to face downward from an opening 126 provided in a decorative cover part 56C on the underside of the upper front surface constituent part 56A.

[0276] 98, the light projecting and receiving units 122A and 122B are substantially rectangular, one surface of which serves as the sensor surface 111A or 111B. Note that a connecting portion 116 is provided on the side surface of the light projecting and receiving units 122A and 122B opposite to the sensor surface 111A or 111B to connect the light projecting unit 120 and the light receiving unit 123 to a control unit 124 (not shown).

[0277] Mounting member 113 has abutment wall 114A on which sensor surfaces 111A, 111B are placed, and has accommodation section 114 that accommodates part of light emitting and receiving sections 122A, 122B. Abutment wall 114A is made of a resin material with a reflectivity of infrared rays from sensor surfaces 111A, 111B below a certain level so as not to interfere with the reception of infrared rays output from sensor surfaces 111A, 111B and their reflected light. Hereinafter, the up-down direction of mounting member 113 shown in FIG. 98 will be referred to as the up-down direction of mounting member 113.

[0278] As shown in FIG. 99, a cylindrical fitting wall 115 that surrounds the peripheries of the sensor surfaces 111A and 111B protrudes from the lower surface of the abutment wall 114A. The outer surface of the fitting wall 115 fits into the inner surface of the opening 126 of the decorative cover portion 56C on the lower surface of the upper front surface forming portion 56A, thereby attaching the light-emitting and receiving units 122A and 122B to the upper front surface forming portion 56A. As a result, the sensor surfaces 111A and 111B are positioned at the rear of the inner surface of the fitting wall 115, recessed from the lower surface of the decorative cover portion 56C. At this time, the light-emitting unit 120 and the light-receiving unit 123 are arranged in a direction parallel to the left-right direction of the gaming machine 10. The light-emitting and receiving units 122A and 122B are provided with fixing portions (not shown) for screwing and fixing them to the mounting member 113, and the mounting member 113 is provided with fixing portions (not shown) for screwing and fixing them to the upper front surface forming portion 56A.

[0279] As shown in FIG. 101, the detectable areas Da and Db in which the detection sensors 110A and 110B can detect the detection target are approximately fan-shaped in a two-dimensional distribution, with the distance from the output axis of the infrared rays output from the sensor surfaces 111A and 111B of the detection sensors 110A and 110B increasing. In this embodiment, the detectable areas Da and Db of the detection sensors 110A and 110B are each disposed in front of the front door 50 so as to extend to a position facing the specific position S on the display screen 13G in the front-rear direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 102, the sensor surface 111A of the detection sensor 110A disposed on the left side of the upper front surface component 56A is disposed in an attitude inclined downward to the left in the left-right direction of the gaming machine 10, while the sensor surface 111B of the detection sensor 110B disposed on the right side of the upper front surface component 56A is disposed in an attitude inclined downward to the right in the left-right direction of the gaming machine 10. In this embodiment, the sensor surfaces 111A and 111B are disposed at an angle of 35° to 55° from the horizontal, so that the direction in which infrared rays are output from the sensor surface 111A is offset by 70° to 110° from the direction in which infrared rays are output from the sensor surface 111B. Note that the sensor surfaces 111A and 111B are disposed approximately horizontally in the front-to-rear direction of the gaming machine 10.

[0280] In this embodiment, the detectable areas Da and Db of the detection sensors 110A and 110B are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the front-rear direction. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 103, the first detection sensor 110A is arranged slightly further rearward than the second detection sensor 110B.

[0281] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the detectable areas Da and Db of the detection sensors 110A and 110B are changeable. As described above, the detectable areas Da and Db are substantially sector-shaped, and as shown in FIG. 100, are determined by the detection distance L, which is the outermost diameter, and the detection angle θ, which is the central angle. In this embodiment, the detection angle θ is fixed, and the detectable areas Da and Db can be changed by changing the detection distance L. Since the detection distance L varies depending on the output intensity of the infrared light, in this embodiment, the control unit 124 adjusts the amount of current supplied to the infrared LED 121 to change the detection distance L to L1 to L4.

[0282] Fig. 104 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the control unit 124. The control unit 124 includes first to fourth resistors 127A to 127D having different resistance values, and a changeover switch 125 for connecting one of these resistors 127A to 127D to the infrared LED 121, and by changing the resistance value, the amount of current supplied to the infrared LED 121 is adjusted. Furthermore, when the changeover switch 125 connects the infrared LED 121 to the first to fourth resistors 127A to 127D, the detection distance L changes to L1 to L4, respectively, shown in Fig. 100.

[0283] The resistors 127A to 127D are switched by the changeover switch 125 by manually operating an operation unit (not shown) provided in the control unit 124 from the outside. In this embodiment, the resistors 127A to 127D are switched by manually operating the operation unit, but an input signal for switching may be input to the control unit 124, for example, wirelessly, to switch to one of the first to fourth resistors 127A to 127D.

[0284] This completes the description of the configuration of the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment. The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B that include light-emitting and light-receiving units 122A, 122B that transmit and receive infrared rays and non-contactly detect a detection target that is present in front of or approaching the front door 50. These light-emitting and light-receiving units 122A, 122B are disposed on the upper front surface component 56A that protrudes forward from the front door 50 at the top of the front door 50, and are configured to emit infrared rays toward below the upper front surface component 56A where no obstacles are present. This reduces erroneous detection of the detection target and improves the detection accuracy of the detection target compared to a configuration in which the light-emitting and light-receiving units 122A, 122B are disposed behind the front door 50 and emit infrared rays toward the front of the gaming machine 10. Moreover, since the light emitting and receiving units 122A, 122B are disposed at a position recessed from the underside of the decorative cover portion 56C on the underside of the upper front surface constituent portion 56A, they are difficult to see directly from the front of the gaming machine 10, and can be installed without impairing the design of the upper front surface constituent portion 56A. Also, since the sensor surfaces 111A, 111B of the light emitting and receiving units 122A, 122B are surrounded by the inner surface of the fitting wall 115, the detection angle θ is narrowed in the left-right and front-back directions, which makes it possible to suppress false detection of a player sitting in front of the gaming machine 10 even though the player is not waving his / her hand over the light, or false detection of something that should not be detected due to reflection on the window panel 805 of the front door 50, etc.

[0285] Furthermore, since two detection sensors 110A, 110B are provided and positioned apart in the left-right direction, the range in which the detection target can be detected in the left-right direction is wide. This allows for differences in how each player approaches the detection target, for example, when a player is asked to hold their hand over a specific position S on the display screen 13G, even if there are differences in how the player approaches the detection target, such as approaching with just their finger, with their right hand, with their left hand, or while waving their hand, it is possible to detect that the detection target has approached, taking into account such variations among players.

[0286] Furthermore, since the two detection sensors 110A, 110B are arranged offset in the front-to-rear direction on the upper front surface forming portion 56A, the range in which the detection target can be detected in the front-to-rear direction is also widened. As a result, even if there are differences in how the player approaches the detection target in the front-to-rear direction, such as keeping the hand away from the front door 50 or approaching the hand until it touches the front door 50, the detection target can be detected in accordance with such variability depending on the player.

[0287] Furthermore, the sensor surface 111A of the detection sensor 110A arranged on the left side of the upper front surface component 56A is arranged in a position inclined downward to the left, and the sensor surface 111B of the detection sensor 110B arranged on the right side of the upper front surface component 56A is arranged in a position inclined downward to the right, thereby widening the range in which the detection object can be detected by both the detection sensors 110A and 110B.

[0288] Here, for example, when "changing the board," the area (specific position S) where the detection target is to be detected may be changed. In this case, in this embodiment, the detection distance L can be changed by manually operating the above-mentioned operating unit provided on the outer surface of the detection sensors 110A, 110B arranged on the upper front surface constituent part 56A of the front door 50, so that the area where the detection target of the detection sensors 110A, 110B is to be detected can be easily changed with the new game board unit 90 attached.

[0289] Furthermore, the detection sensors 110A, 110B may vary in the range in which they can detect a detection target due to manufacturing variations, deterioration over time, etc., which may result in fluctuations in the detectable areas Da, Db. Even in such cases, according to the configuration of this embodiment, for example, if the detectable areas Da, Db become narrower, the detection distance L is set longer, and if the detectable areas Da, Db become wider, the detection distance L is set shorter to prevent erroneous detection of objects that are not intended to be detected. In this way, the detectable areas Da, Db of the detection sensors 110A, 110B can be set to cover the area in which the detection target is desired to be detected, without disassembling the gaming machine 10.

[0290] [Regarding the third embodiment] <About the Universal Side Unit 350> As described in the first embodiment above, the side unit 54 is disposed between the upper surface of the right side of the lower front surface constituent part 55A and the lower surface of the right front surface constituent part 58A. Here, the side unit 54 in the first embodiment was shaped like a Western sword, but this shape may not match the image of some gaming machines and may cause players to feel uncomfortable.

[0291] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the side unit 54 can be replaced with a general-purpose side unit 350 shown in Figure 120. The general-purpose side unit 350 will be described below.

[0292] 105, the overall shape of the general-purpose side unit 350 is substantially symmetrical with the lower part of the left front surface constituent part 57A. Similarly to the right front surface constituent part 58A and the left front surface constituent part 57A, the general-purpose side unit 350 includes a lower right front surface constituent part 350A and a lower right decorative part 350C on the front surface thereof.

[0293] The lower right decorative part 350C can be connected to the right side decorative part 58C. Specifically, as shown in Figures 105 and 106, the lower right decorative part 350C is configured with a front cover 351A and a rear cover 351K, and houses a movable bar 352 that can move linearly up and down within the case. The movable bar 352 is supported linearly by the rear cover 351K, with a configuration similar to that of the right side decorative part 58C and the left side decorative part 57C.

[0294] The case consisting of front cover 351A and rear cover 351K is open upward, allowing movable bar 352 to jump out upward from the case. A protrusion 352T that protrudes rearward is formed at the upper end of movable bar 352, and the upper end of rear cover 351K is located lower than this protrusion 352T. In other words, protrusion 352T of movable bar 352 is exposed when viewed from behind. The upper end of front cover 351A is also located higher than the upper end of rear cover 351K, and the upper end of front cover 351A forms bent portion 351B that is slightly bent forward.

[0295] The front cover 351A and the movable bar 352 are decorated with the same patterns as the front covers 64A, 66A and the movable bars 65, 63 of the right side decorative portion 58C and the left side decorative portion 57C.

[0296] 107, when the general-purpose side unit 350 is attached to the base frame 51 from the front, the protrusion 352T of the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C approaches and is received by the annular part 65K of the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C from the front, and the upper end opening of the case of the lower right decorative part 350C and the lower end opening of the case of the right side decorative part 58C are butted together. Also, the bent part 351B of the front cover 351A of the general-purpose side unit 350 overlaps the upper end of the front cover 64A of the right side decorative part 58C from the front.

[0297] As a result, when the general-purpose side unit 350 is attached to the foundation frame 51, as shown in FIG. 108, the right side decorative part 58C and the lower right decorative part 350C are connected vertically, making it appear as if the right side decorative part 58C is extended downward. When viewed from the front, the left side decorative part 57C, the right side decorative part 58C, and the lower right decorative part 350C are approximately symmetrical. Furthermore, the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C is connected to the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C, allowing them to move linearly together. When the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C moves upward from the state shown in FIG. 107, the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C moves upward, entering the right side decorative part 58C.

[0298] Thus, in this embodiment, for example, when replacing a gaming machine with a new one, by replacing the side unit 54 with the general-purpose side unit 350, the right side decorative portion 58C can be made to appear to be extended downward, significantly changing the appearance of the gaming machine 10. Furthermore, the left side decorative portion 57C, the right side decorative portion 58C, and the lower right decorative portion 350C are substantially symmetrical, giving a clean impression. Furthermore, compared to the side unit 54 shaped like a Western sword, this is less likely to disrupt the atmosphere of the model's motif and can be used for general purposes.

[0299] Furthermore, the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C is connected to the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C so that they move together, allowing the appearance of the movable bar to be changed. Moreover, the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C is decorated with the same star pattern as the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C, creating a sense of unity between the two. Furthermore, because the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C is moved by the drive source for the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C, there is no need to provide a separate drive source for the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C.

[0300] In addition, the side unit 54 is also provided with a front cover 351A, and the movable bars 65, 352 move inside the front covers 64A, 351A, preventing them from coming into contact with the player and causing any problems.

[0301] Furthermore, the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C moves within a range that does not protrude downward from the rear cover 64K, and the movable bar 352 of the lower right decorative part 350C moves to enter the right side decorative part 58C, so that even when a side unit 54 is attached instead of a general-purpose side unit 350, the movable bar 65 of the right side decorative part 58C will not collide with the side unit 54. When the side unit 54 is attached, the lower end of the right side decorative part 58C is covered by the upper end of the decorative cover 263 of the side unit 54, so that the lower end of the movable bar 65 (particularly the annular part 65K) cannot be seen from the front.

[0302] The configuration for attaching the general-purpose side unit 350 to the base frame 51 is the same as that of the side unit 54, and therefore details thereof will be omitted.

[0303] [Other embodiments] (1) In the second embodiment, the pair of light projecting and receiving units 122A, 122B are arranged on the lower surface of the upper front surface forming portion 56A with a shift in the front-rear direction, thereby shifting the detectable areas Da, Db in the front-rear direction. However, the sensor surfaces 111A, 111B of the light projecting and receiving units 122A, 122B may be tilted in the front-rear direction to shift the detectable areas Da, Db in the front-rear direction. In this case, the sensor surface 111A may be tilted downwards toward the rear, and the sensor surface 111B may be tilted downwards toward the front.

[0304] (2) In the second embodiment, the pair of light-emitting and light-receiving units 122A, 122B were installed on the underside of the upper front surface component 56A, but they may be arranged on the lower edge of the front door 50 with the sensor surfaces 111A, 111B facing upward, or on the side edge of the front door 50 with the sensor surfaces 111A, 111B facing sideways.

[0305] (3) In the second embodiment, the resistance value of the resistor 127 connected to the infrared LED 121 is changed by providing first to fourth resistors 127A to 127D with different resistance values ​​and switching the connection using the selector switch 125. However, the resistance value may also be changed using a variable resistor.

[0306] (4) In the second embodiment, the first to fourth resistors 127A to 127D are provided and configured to be changeable to four resistance values, but the resistance values ​​may be changed to less than four or to five or more.

[0307] (5) In the second embodiment, the amount of current supplied to the infrared LED 121 is adjusted using the resistors 127A to 127D to change the detection distance L to L1 to L4. However, the detection distance L may be changed to L1 to L4 by adjusting the voltage applied to the infrared LED 121 using a voltage dividing circuit that divides the voltage using the resistors 127A to 127D. Also, the detection distance L may be changed to L1 to L4 by changing the amplification factor of an amplifier that amplifies an electrical signal based on the received infrared light on the light receiving unit 123 side. The method is not limited to these.

[0308] (6) In the second embodiment, the detectable areas Da and Db are changed by changing only the detection distance L. However, the detection angle θ may also be changed. In this case, for example, a polarizing filter or the like may be used to change the angle.

[0309] (7) In the second embodiment described above, a pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B was used to detect when a player holds his / her hand over a specific position S on the display screen 13G as a trigger for executing a specific effect. However, the pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B may also be used when allowing the player to make an arbitrary selection. For example, a plurality of specific positions for the player to select from may be provided on the display screen 13G, and the pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B may be used to detect which specific position the player holds his / her hand over.

[0310] (8) In the second embodiment, the pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B detects when a player holds his / her hand over a specific position S on the display screen 13G. However, the pair of detection sensors 110A, 110B may detect when a player holds his / her hand over various devices provided in the gaming machine 10, separate from the display screen 13G. In this case, the detectable areas Da, Db of the detection sensors 110A, 110B may be set to extend in front of the various devices.

[0311] <Additional Notes> From the above-described embodiment, multiple [groups of features] that can solve individual [problems] can be extracted as follows. At the end of each [group of features], the components in the above-described embodiment that correspond to the components described in the [group of features] are listed as [symbol correspondence].

[0312] <Feature group 1> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines have been known in which the gaming board is replaced with another gaming board when a new machine is installed on a support frame fixed to the gaming hall (see, for example, Figures 5 and 39 of JP 2018-130617 A). There is a demand for the development of technology to reduce the cost of installing new machines for these conventional gaming machines.

[0313] [Feature 1] A gaming machine comprising a support frame fixed to a gaming hall, a gaming board detachably attached to the support frame, and a visible liquid crystal module disposed behind the gaming board, The liquid crystal module is assembled to the support frame separately from the gaming board.

[0314] In a gaming machine with this feature, the liquid crystal module and the game board are separately assembled to the support frame, so when replacing the machine with a new one, only the game board can be replaced without replacing the liquid crystal module, thereby reducing the cost of replacing the machine with a new one.

[0315] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in Feature 1 is provided with a holding mechanism that holds the liquid crystal module detachably to the support frame without the use of tools.

[0316] This feature allows the LCD module to be easily attached and detached, which makes it easy to route the wiring when replacing the unit with a new one, and also allows for quick response in the event of a malfunction of the LCD module.

[0317] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 2, wherein the holding mechanism is activated while the liquid crystal module is moving toward the assembly position of the support frame, and holds the liquid crystal module immovable when the liquid crystal module reaches the assembly position.

[0318] The holding mechanism may be a mechanism that is operated after the liquid crystal module is in the assembly position to hold the liquid crystal module in the assembly position, but according to Feature 3, the mechanism is automatically activated while the liquid crystal module is moving toward the assembly position to hold the liquid crystal module in the assembly position, making the assembly work easier. Feature 4 is a more specific configuration of Feature 3.

[0319] [Feature 4] The gaming machine described in Feature 3, wherein the holding mechanism includes a variable engagement portion provided on one of the liquid crystal module and the support frame and moving between an engagement position and a disengagement position, an engaged portion provided on the other of the liquid crystal module and the support frame and engaging with the variable engagement portion at the engagement position, and a locking mechanism that automatically operates when the variable engagement portion moves from the disengagement position to the engagement position, thereby locking the variable engagement portion so that it does not return to the disengagement position.

[0320] [Feature 5] The holding mechanism has a receiving recess provided in the support frame that receives a first side, which is one side of the outer edge of the liquid crystal module, from diagonally forward, and the liquid crystal module is rotated with the first side received in the receiving recess to reach the assembly position.

[0321] According to this feature, the work of assembling the liquid crystal module into the support frame can be done by one person.

[0322] [Feature 6] The gaming machine described in Feature 5 has multiple holding mechanisms, which are arranged at multiple locations on multiple sides of the outer edge of the liquid crystal module other than the first side and on the support frame corresponding to those sides.

[0323] According to this feature, the liquid crystal module is stably held at the assembly position.

[0324] [Feature 7] A gaming machine as described in feature 6, wherein a retaining mechanism other than one of the plurality of retaining mechanisms includes a temporary locking mechanism that temporarily locks the variable engagement portion in the non-engagement position.

[0325] According to this feature, the work of removing the liquid crystal module from the support frame can be done by one person.

[0326] [Code correspondence] Support frame: support frame portion 14; Game board: game board unit 90; LCD module: LCD module 80; Variable engagement portion: upper locking member 29, latch member 86; Engaged portion: upper edge portion of LCD module 80, engagement pin 30P; Receiving recess: rear groove portion 27; Lock mechanism: slider 84, tension coil spring 86S, abutment pin 86N; Temporary locking mechanism: lever member 85, abutment piece 30C, tension coil spring 85S

[0327] <Feature group 2> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines have been known in which an electric module, which has a structure in which electric components are housed in a case, is detachably attached to a gaming board or a support frame that supports the gaming board (see, for example, FIG. 5 of JP 2018-130617 A). There is a demand for the development of technology that makes it easier to assemble the electric module for such conventional gaming machines.

[0328] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which a gaming board is detachably assembled to a support frame fixed to a gaming hall, and a plurality of electrical modules having a structure in which electrical components are housed in a case are assembled behind the gaming board, at least one of the electrical modules is assembled by engaging a portion with the support frame or the gaming board in an inclined position inclined relative to the front-to-back direction, and being rotated until it assumes an assembled position that is less inclined relative to the front-to-back direction than the inclined position, and the gaming machine is equipped with a holding mechanism that holds the electrical module in the assembled position.

[0329] According to a gaming machine of this type, the electrical module is rotated in an inclined position with a portion of it engaged with the support frame or the gaming board until it assumes an assembly position, and is held in the assembly position by a holding mechanism, making assembly work easy.

[0330] [Feature 2] A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, wherein the electrical module whose rotation is restricted by the holding mechanism is a liquid crystal module having a visible display screen, and the liquid crystal module is assembled to the support frame separately from the gaming board.

[0331] Examples of electric modules include a circuit board housed in a case, a liquid crystal module housed in a case, etc. Feature 2 makes it easier to assemble liquid crystal modules, which are relatively large compared to other electric modules, and significantly reduces the burden on workers.

[0332] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in feature 1 or 2, wherein the holding mechanism is activated as the electrical module rotates from the inclined position to the assembled position, and holds the electrical module so that it cannot rotate when the electrical module reaches the assembled position.

[0333] The holding mechanism may be a mechanism that is operated after the liquid crystal module is in the assembly position to hold the liquid crystal module in the assembly position, but according to Feature 3, the holding mechanism is automatically activated while the electric module is rotating from the inclined position to the assembly position to hold the liquid crystal module in the assembly position, making the assembly work easier. Feature 4 is a specific configuration of Feature 3.

[0334] [Feature 4] The gaming machine described in Feature 3, wherein the holding mechanism includes a variable engagement portion provided on one of the electrical module and the support frame and moving between an engagement position and a disengagement position, an engaged portion provided on the other of the electrical module and the support frame and engaging with the variable engagement portion at the engagement position, and a locking mechanism that automatically operates when the variable engagement portion moves from the disengagement position to the engagement position to lock the variable engagement portion so that it does not return to the disengagement position.

[0335] [Feature 5] The gaming machine described in Feature 4 has multiple holding mechanisms, which are arranged at multiple locations on multiple sides of the outer edge of the electrical module other than the first side and on the support frame corresponding to those sides.

[0336] According to this feature, the liquid crystal module is stably held in the assembled position.

[0337] [Feature 6] A gaming machine as described in feature 5, wherein a retaining mechanism other than one of the plurality of retaining mechanisms includes a temporary locking mechanism that temporarily locks the variable engagement portion in the non-engagement position.

[0338] According to this feature, the work of removing the liquid crystal module from the support frame can be done by one person.

[0339] [Code correspondence] Support frame: support frame portion 14; Game board: game board unit 90; Electric module: first and second control units 83S, 83T, LCD module 80; Case: panel case 80C; Electrical component: LCD panel 80P; Variable engagement portion: upper locking member 29, latch member 86; Engaged portion: upper edge of LCD module 80, engagement pin 30P; Lock mechanism: slider 84, tension coil spring 86S, abutment pin 86N; Provisional locking mechanism: lever member 85, abutment piece 30C, tension coil spring 85S

[0340] <Feature group 3> [assignment] Conventional gaming machines include those in which an electric module, which has a structure in which electric components are housed in a case, is detachably attached to a gaming board or a support frame that supports the gaming board (see, for example, FIG. 5 of JP 2018-130617 A). There is a demand for the development of technology that makes it easier to assemble the electric module for such conventional gaming machines.

[0341] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which a gaming board is detachably attached to a support frame fixed to a gaming hall, and an electrical module having a structure in which electrical components are housed in a case is attached to the gaming board or the support frame, the gaming machine is provided with a holding mechanism that is activated while the electrical module is moving toward the assembly position of the support frame or the gaming board, and that holds the electrical module immovable when the electrical module reaches the assembly position.

[0342] In a gaming machine having this feature, the holding mechanism is activated while the electric module is being moved toward the assembly position, and when the electric module reaches the assembly position, the holding mechanism holds the electric module immovably, making the assembly work of the electric module easier than before.

[0343] [Feature 2] the holding mechanism includes a variable engagement portion provided on one of the electrical module and the support frame or the gaming board, and moving between the engagement position and the disengagement position; an engaged portion provided on the other of the electrical module and the support frame or the gaming board, and engaging with the variable engagement portion at the engagement position; a locking member that moves between a locked position that restricts the variable engagement portion at the engagement position from moving to the disengagement position and an unlocked position that allows the variable engagement portion at the engagement position to move to the disengagement position; a lock biasing means that biases the locking member to the locked position; and a lock restricting portion that is provided on the variable engagement portion and restricts the locking member at the unlocked position from moving to the locked position when the variable engagement portion is arranged at the disengagement position; and when the electrical module is moved toward the assembly position, the engaged portion moves the variable engagement portion from the disengagement position to the engagement position, and as the variable engagement portion moves, the restriction by the lock restricting portion is released and the locking member moves to the locked position.

[0344] [Feature 3] 3. The gaming machine of claim 2, further comprising: an unlocking operation unit for moving the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position; a locking member provided on one of the locking member and a base member that movably supports the locking member, the locking member moving between a locking position where it abuts against an abutment portion of the other member to lock the locking member at the unlocked position and an unlocking position where it releases the lock; and a locking biasing means for biasing the locking member to the locking position, wherein the locking member abuts against the abutment portion during the process of moving the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position by operating the unlocking operation unit, and the locking member is locked at the unlocked position.

[0345] According to this feature, the variable engaging portion engages with the engaged portion, and the locking member can be moved from the locked state by the locking member to the unlocked position and locked there, thereby facilitating the work of removing the electrical module from the assembly position.

[0346] [Feature 4] The gaming machine described in claim 3 is provided with an unlocking portion that is provided on the electrical module, the support frame, or the gaming board together with the engaged portion and moves the locking member from the locking position to the unlocking position as the electrical module moves toward the assembly position.

[0347] According to this feature, even if the locking member is locked in the unlocked position before the electrical module is assembled, the locking member is released while the electrical module is being moved toward the assembly position, and when the electrical module reaches the assembly position, the electrical module is locked in the assembly position by the locking member.

[0348] [Feature 5] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the holding mechanism has a receiving recess provided on the support frame or the gaming board that receives a first side, which is one side of the outer edge of the electrical module, from diagonally forward, and the electrical module is rotated with the first side received in the receiving recess to reach the assembly position.

[0349] The electric module may be slid to the assembly position, or may be rotated to the assembly position as in Feature 5.

[0350] [Feature 7] The gaming machine described in Feature 6 has multiple holding mechanisms, which are arranged on multiple sides of the outer edge of the electrical module other than the first side and on multiple locations on the support frame or the gaming board corresponding to those sides.

[0351] This feature allows the electrical module to be stably held in the assembly position.

[0352] [Code correspondence] Support frame: support frame portion 14; game board: game board unit 90; electric module: first and second control units 83S, 83T, liquid crystal module 80; variable engagement portion: latch member 86; engaged portion: engagement pin 30P; lock member: slider 84; lock biasing means: tension coil spring 86S; lock regulating portion: abutment pin 86N; lock release operation portion: pressing piece 84R; lock member: lever member 85; lock biasing means: tension coil spring 85S; lock release portion: abutment piece 30C; receiving recess: rear side groove portion 27

[0353] <Feature group 4> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines have been known in which gaming machine components supported by support members are replaceable (see, for example, JP 2022-011416 A (paragraph

[0015] and Figure 4)). These conventional gaming machines have a problem in that if the type of gaming machine component changes after replacement, it becomes impossible to position it using the support member, and the support member cannot be reused as is, and a solution to this problem is required.

[0354] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine, a gaming machine component supported by a support member and provided in a replaceable manner is positioned by a positioning portion including a pin protruding from the support member, The pin has a stepped surface at an intermediate position in the axial direction and has a tapered shape, The positioning portion is provided with a first reference surface which is the step surface and a second reference surface which is provided closer to the base end of the pin than the first reference surface, A gaming machine in which the pin is positioned in the axial direction by either a first reference surface or a second reference surface depending on the type of the gaming machine component.

[0355] According to the gaming machine of Feature 1, the positioning portion including the pin protruding from the support member is provided with a first reference surface which is a stepped surface provided at a midpoint in the axial direction, and a second reference surface provided further to the base end, so that even if the type of gaming machine component is changed between one which is positioned by the first reference surface and one which is positioned by the second reference surface, the support member can be reused as is without the need to insert a spacer or the like.

[0356] [Feature 2] A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, having a plurality of the positioning sections, the first reference surfaces of the plurality of positioning sections being arranged in the same plane, and the second reference surfaces of the plurality of positioning sections being arranged in the same plane.

[0357] In the gaming machine of feature 2, even if the gaming machine components are positioned using multiple positioning parts, the first reference surface and the second reference surface are each arranged in the same plane, so the gaming machine components can be stably positioned relative to the support member.

[0358] [Feature 3] The gaming machine component is a gaming board, 3. A gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, wherein the pins are arranged on a support frame that supports the gaming board.

[0359] For example, as in the gaming machine of feature 3, the gaming machine component may be a gaming board, and the pins may be arranged on a support frame that supports the gaming board.

[0360] [Feature 4] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 3, wherein the tip of the pin is tapered.

[0361] For example, if an engaging portion that engages with a pin is provided on a gaming machine component, tapering the tip of the pin as in the gaming machine of Feature 4 makes it easier for the pin to engage with the engaging portion.

[0362] [Feature 5] A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the pin is integrally formed with a base having the second reference surface.

[0363] According to the gaming machine of feature 5, when the gaming machine component is positioned on the second reference surface, the gaming machine component is prevented from directly hitting the front surface of the support member from which the pin protrudes, and a gap is secured between the support member and the gaming machine component, suppressing rattling and allowing the gaming machine component to be stably fixed.

[0364] [Code correspondence] Support member: support frame portion 14, gaming machine component: gaming board unit 90, pin: pin 22, first reference surface: step surface 22D, second reference surface: front surface of base portion 22S

[0365] <Feature group 5> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with a power cord extending from a power supply board disposed at the bottom rear of the gaming machine have been known (see, for example, JP 2020-031814 A (Figs. 1 and 2, etc.)). For these conventional gaming machines, there is a demand for a solution that prevents the power cord from getting in the way during operation, etc.

[0366] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine equipped with a power cord extending from a power supply base disposed at the bottom rear of the gaming machine, The gaming machine is provided with a cord holding portion on one side of the rear side of the gaming machine that can hold the power cord and form a path for the power cord.

[0367] According to the gaming machine of Feature 1, the power cord is held in a cord holding section on one side of the back of the gaming machine, and a path for the power cord is formed, making it less likely for the power cord to dangle and preventing the power cord from getting in the way during work, etc.

[0368] [Feature 2] The outer frame is open at the front and back, A support frame that is received inside the outer frame and supports the play board; A support frame is provided on the support frame and fitted inside the outer frame. a mechanism case portion; The gaming machine according to Feature 1, wherein the cord holding portion is disposed between the mechanism case portion and the outer frame.

[0369] According to the gaming machine of feature 2, the gap between the mechanism case and the outer frame can be effectively utilized.

[0370] [Feature 3] The mechanism case includes a flange portion extending laterally from a side wall; an outer facing wall that projects rearward from an outer edge of the flange portion and faces an inner facing wall that is a part of a side wall of the mechanism case portion, The gaming machine according to Feature 2, wherein the cord holding portion is disposed between the inner opposing wall and the outer opposing wall.

[0371] According to the gaming machine of feature 3, the power cord is arranged between the inner facing wall and the outer facing wall of the mechanism case portion, so that the power cord is prevented from being pinched between the mechanism case portion and the outer frame.

[0372] [Feature 4] The gaming machine described in Feature 3, wherein the cord holding portion has a protrusion that protrudes in a cantilever-like manner from the inner opposing wall and the outer opposing wall so as to approach each other and holds the power cord.

[0373] According to the gaming machine of Feature 4, the power cord can be easily held by inserting it between the cantilevered protruding piece and the inner or outer opposing wall and hooking it onto the protruding piece.

[0374] [Feature 5] The support frame is rotatable around a rotation axis disposed on one side of the outer frame, A gaming machine according to any one of features 2 to 4, wherein the cord holding portion is arranged on the side edge portion on which the rotation axis is arranged.

[0375] According to the gaming machine of feature 5, the cord holding portion is arranged on the side edge portion on which the rotation axis of the support frame is arranged, so that the power cord can be prevented from being pulled when the support frame is rotated.

[0376] [Feature 6] A gaming machine according to any one of features 2 to 5, wherein a plug holding portion for holding the plug of the power cord is provided on the upper portion of the mechanism case portion.

[0377] According to the gaming machine of Feature 6, a plug holding section is provided at the top of the mechanism case section, and by holding the power cord plug in this plug holding section during transportation or storage, it is possible to prevent the power cord from being damaged when another gaming machine comes into contact with the dangling power cord.

[0378] [Feature 7] A gaming machine according to Feature 6, wherein the plug holding portion is arranged on the other side edge portion of the back side of the gaming machine.

[0379] According to the gaming machine of Feature 7, a cord holding portion is arranged on one side edge and a plug holding portion is arranged on the other side edge, so even if the power cord is long, the portion that hangs down freely can be reduced.

[0380] [Code correspondence] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, power supply board: power supply board 32, power cord: power cable 33C, side portion: side portion 35S, cord holding portion: cable holding portion 37, outer frame: fixed frame 12, gaming board: liquid crystal module 80, support frame: support frame portion 14, mechanism case: rear cover 35, flange portion: flange portion 300, inner opposing wall: inner opposing wall 302, outer opposing wall: outer opposing wall 301, protruding piece: 303, plug: plug 33P, plug holding portion: plug holding portion 38

[0381] <Feature group 6> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with a detection sensor capable of detecting a detection target that a player approaches from the front have been known (see, for example, JP 2021-053477 A (paragraphs

[0060] to

[0064] , Figures 4 and 5)). These conventional gaming machines have a problem in that the detection target may not be detected depending on how the player approaches the detection target, and a solution to this problem is required.

[0382] [Feature 1] The gaming machine is provided with first and second detection sensors capable of detecting a detection target that a player approaches from the front, A gaming machine in which the detectable areas of the first and second detection sensors are offset in the front-to-back direction.

[0383] According to the gaming machine of Feature 1, the detection area is equipped with first and second detection sensors that are shifted in the front-to-back direction, so the detection range is wider than before and the detection target can be detected in response to variations in how the player approaches the detection target.

[0384] [Feature 2] A front door is provided to cover the front of the gaming machine body, A gaming machine according to Feature 1, wherein the detectable areas of the first and second detection sensors are located in front of the front door.

[0385] [Feature 3] A gaming machine as described in Feature 2, wherein the front door is provided with a viewing window that allows the gaming area to be viewed, and the first and second detection sensors are arranged at two separate positions on the edge of the viewing window.

[0386] According to the gaming machines of Features 2 and 3, the first and second detection sensors detect the target in front of the viewing window from the edge of the viewing window. Therefore, there are no obstacles between the detection sensors and the target. For example, compared to when the detection sensors are positioned behind the viewing window and detect the target in front of the viewing window, false detection of something other than the target is suppressed, improving the detection accuracy of the target. Furthermore, because the first and second detection sensors are positioned at two separate positions on the edge of the viewing window, the range in which the target can be detected in the left, right, top, and bottom directions of the gaming machine is widened. This allows for detection of the target being close, even if there are differences in how each player approaches the target, taking into account such player-specific variations.

[0387] [Feature 4] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 3, wherein the first and second detection sensors emit detection waves and detect reflected waves reflected by the detection object.

[0388] The detection sensor may be, for example, a sensor that emits a detection wave and detects the reflected wave reflected by the detection target, as in the gaming machine of Feature 4.

[0389] [Feature 5] 5. The gaming machine according to feature 4, wherein the direction in which the detection wave is emitted from the first detection sensor and the direction in which the detection wave is emitted from the second detection sensor are shifted by 70 to 110 degrees.

[0390] According to the gaming machine of feature 5, the range in which the detection object can be detected by both the first and second detection sensors can be widened.

[0391] [Feature 6] A gaming machine according to feature 4 or 5, wherein the detectable areas of the first and second detection sensors increase in distance from the emission axis of the detection wave as they move away from the detection sensors.

[0392] As in the gaming machine of Feature 6, the detectable areas of the first and second detection sensors may be spaced further away from the detection sensors by a distance from the emission axis of the detection wave.

[0393] [Feature 7] A gaming machine described in any one of features 2 to 6, wherein the first and second detection sensors are arranged in front of the front door, and the front of them is covered by gaming machine components.

[0394] According to the gaming machine of Feature 7, the detection sensor is difficult to see from the front of the gaming machine, and can be installed without impairing the design of the front of the gaming machine.

[0395] [Code correspondence] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, first and second detection sensors: detection sensors 110A, 110B, detectable area: Da, Db, gaming machine main body: fixed frame 12 and rear door 13, front door: front door 50, gaming area: gaming area R1, viewing window: display window 51W, gaming machine component: upper end front component 59A

[0396] <Feature group 7> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with decorative bodies that move with power from a drive source have been known (see, for example, JP 2020-031814 A (Figs. 1 and 2, etc.)). For these conventional gaming machines, there is a demand for a device that allows the appearance of the decorative bodies to be easily changed.

[0397] [Feature 1] A movable decorative body that moves when powered by a drive source, An amusement machine comprising an interlocking decorative body that is detachable from the movable decorative body, receives power from the drive source via the movable decorative body, and moves integrally with the movable decorative body.

[0398] According to the gaming machine of Feature 1, the appearance of the decorative body can be easily changed by attaching or detaching the interlocking decorative body to or from the movable decorative body. In addition, since the interlocking decorative body is moved by the drive source that moves the movable decorative body, there is no need to provide a separate drive source for moving the interlocking decorative body.

[0399] [Feature 2] A first decorative unit that supports the movable decorative body; A second decorative unit that supports the interlocking decorative body; An amusement machine as described in Feature 1, comprising a base member to which the first decorative unit is fixed and to which the second decorative unit is attached more easily than the first decorative unit.

[0400] In the gaming machine of Feature 2, the movement of the interlocking decorative member is stabilized because the interlocking decorative body is supported by the second decorative unit. Also, because the interlocking decorative body can be attached and detached together with the second decorative unit, the appearance of the unit including the decorative body can be changed.

[0401] [Feature 3] a front door having a viewing window facing the player; The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the base member is the portion of the front door surrounding the viewing window.

[0402] In the gaming machine of feature 3, movable decorative elements and interlocking decorative elements are arranged on the front door, which changes the appearance of the decorative elements on the front door, thereby significantly changing the impression of the gaming machine.

[0403] [Feature 4] A gaming machine as described in Feature 3, wherein the first decorative unit and the second decorative unit are provided with a see-through cover that covers the movable decorative body and the interlocking decorative body from the front so that they can be seen.

[0404] In the gaming machine of feature 4, the movable decorative body and the interlocking decorative body arranged on the front door are covered with a transparent cover, preventing them from coming into contact with the player and causing malfunctions.

[0405] [Feature 5] The movable decorative body moves in a direction away from the second decorative unit, An amusement machine described in feature 3 or 4, wherein the interlocking decorative body moves so as to overlap the first decorative unit.

[0406] According to the gaming machine of feature 5, the movable decorative body moves in a direction away from the second decorative unit, thereby preventing the movable decorative body from colliding with surrounding parts when the second decorative unit is removed.

[0407] [Feature 6] An amusement machine described in any one of features 3 to 5, wherein the movable decorative body and the interlocking decorative body are provided with a connecting portion that engages with each other when the interlocking decorative body is brought close from the front.

[0408] According to the gaming machine of feature 6, the interlocking decorative body is attached by bringing it close to the movable decorative body from the front, so it can be attached and detached from the front door.

[0409] [Feature 7] The gaming machine described in Feature 6, wherein the movable decorative body does not protrude from the unit body of the first decorative unit, and the connecting portion of the interlocking decorative body protrudes from the unit body of the second decorative unit.

[0410] According to the gaming machine of feature 7, the movable decorative body does not protrude from the unit body, preventing the movable decorative body from colliding with surrounding parts when the second decorative unit is removed, and since the connecting part of the interlocking decorative body protrudes from the unit body, it is easy to attach to the movable decorative body from the front.

[0411] [Feature 8] An amusement machine described in any one of features 2 to 7, in which the second decorative unit can be removed and a third decorative unit that is not connected to the movable decorative body can be attached in its place.

[0412] As in the gaming machine of Feature 8, by allowing the second decorative unit with an interlocking decorative body and the third decorative unit that is not connected to the movable decorative body to be attached as desired, the appearance of the gaming machine can be significantly changed to match the model of the gaming machine, etc.

[0413] [Feature 9] The gaming machine described in Feature 8, wherein the third decorative unit is shaped to hide the end of the movable decorative body on the third decorative unit side when viewed from the front.

[0414] According to the gaming machine of Feature 9, the end of the movable decorative body on the third decorative unit side is hidden by the third decorative unit, so the part for attaching the interlocking decorative body can be hidden and the player can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable. Also, when the movable decorative body moves away from the third decorative unit, the end of the movable decorative body can be prevented from being seen.

[0415] [Feature 10] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 9, wherein the movable decorative body and the linked decorative body have corresponding designs.

[0416] [Feature 11] The gaming machine described in feature 10, wherein the movable decorative body and the linked decorative body have the same pattern.

[0417] According to the gaming machines of Features 10 and 11, it is possible to create a sense of unity between the movable decorative body and the linked decorative body.

[0418] [Code correspondence] Movable decorative body: Movable bar 65, Interlocking decorative body: Movable bar 352, First decorative unit: Right front component 58A, Second decorative unit: General-purpose side unit 350, Base member: Metal frame 51K, Front door: Front door 50, See-through cover: Front cover 64A, 351A, Connecting portion: Protrusion 352T, Annular portion 65K, Third decorative unit: Side unit 54

[0419] <Feature group 8> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines in which decorations are applied to the outer surface of the gaming machine frame have been known (see, for example, JP 2017-104220 A (Fig. 1, etc.)). There is a demand for innovative decorations on the outer surface of the gaming machine frame compared to these conventional gaming machines.

[0420] [Feature 1] The gaming machine is provided with a see-through cover on the outer surface of the gaming machine frame and a frame decoration movable member that is arranged inside the see-through cover and moves.

[0421] According to the gaming machine of Feature 1, the frame decoration movable member moves on the outer surface of the gaming machine frame, allowing for innovative decoration of the outer surface of the gaming machine frame. In addition, the frame decoration movable member is arranged inside the see-through cover, preventing the frame decoration movable member from coming into contact with the player.

[0422] [Feature 2] A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, wherein the see-through cover and the frame decoration movable member are arranged on the front surface of the gaming machine frame.

[0423] In the gaming machine of feature 2, the see-through cover and the frame decoration movable member are arranged on the front of the gaming machine frame, so that the frame decoration movable member can be made to stand out.

[0424] [Code correspondence] Game machine frame: game frame 11, see-through cover: transparent cover 64E, 66E, frame decoration movable member: movable bar 63, 65

[0425] <Feature group 9> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines have been known in which a rear frame is covered by a front door that a player faces from the front, and the front door is decorated (see, for example, JP 2017-104220 A (Fig. 1, etc.)). There is a demand for improving the style of the decoration of the front door for these conventional gaming machines.

[0426] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which the rear frame is covered by a front door that a player faces from the front, The front door is provided with a frame-extending decorative portion that extends continuously from below the upper end of the rear frame to above the upper end of the rear frame.

[0427] In the gaming machine of Feature 1, the front door is provided with a frame-overhanging decorative portion that protrudes above the upper end of the rear frame, which improves the decorative aesthetic compared to conventional gaming machines that simply have decoration on the front surface of the front door. Moreover, because the frame-overhanging decorative portion extends continuously from below the upper end of the rear frame to above the upper end of the rear frame, a sense of unity can be created between the frame-overhanging decorative portion and the front door, further improving the aesthetic appeal of the front door decoration. Furthermore, the front door itself can be made to appear larger, which increases the impact of the gaming machine.

[0428] [Feature 2] The front door has a viewing window; A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, wherein the frame-overhanging decorative parts are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides of the viewing window on the front door.

[0429] In the gaming machine of feature 2, the frame-overhanging decorative parts are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides of the viewing window on the front door, so the proportion of the frame-overhanging decorative parts on the front door can be made larger than when they are arranged on only one side, thereby strengthening the sense of unity between the frame-overhanging decorative parts and the front door.

[0430] [Feature 3] A gaming machine described in feature 2, wherein each of the frame-extending decorative portions is bar-shaped.

[0431] In the gaming machine with Feature 3, the frame-overhanging decorative part is bar-shaped, that is, it extends in a straight line above the top end of the rear frame, emphasizing the continuity from the height on either side of the viewing window to above the top end of the rear frame, thereby strengthening the sense of unity between the frame-overhanging decorative part and the front door.

[0432] [Feature 4] A gaming machine as described in Feature 3, which is provided with an upper connecting portion that connects the upper ends of a pair of the frame-extending decorative portions.

[0433] In the gaming machine of feature 4, the upper ends of a pair of frame-overhanging decorative parts are connected by an upper connecting part, so that the pair of frame-overhanging decorative parts can also have a sense of unity.

[0434] An amusement machine as described in Feature 4, wherein an upper decorative portion is arranged in the area above the viewing window, surrounded by a pair of frame-extending decorative portions and the upper connecting portion.

[0435] In the gaming machine of Feature 5, the upper decorative part is surrounded by a pair of frame-extending decorative parts and an upper connecting part, and is arranged in the area above the viewing window, allowing the decoration of the front door to be flashy. In addition, by making the upper decorative part continue upward from the upper edge of the viewing window, a sense of unity can be created between the upper decorative part and the front door.

[0436] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in feature 5 of any one of features 2 to 5, wherein the pair of frame-overhanging decorative parts move inward in the left-right direction as they move upward.

[0437] The frame-extending decorative parts may extend vertically, or may move inward in the left-right direction as they move upward, as in the gaming machine of Feature 6. In the latter case, the spacing between the frame-extending decorative parts becomes smaller as they move upward, giving a smart impression.

[0438] [Feature 7] A gaming machine described in any one of features 2 to 6, wherein the lower end of the frame-overhanging decorative portion is located at the same height as the lower end of the viewing window or a position close to the lower end.

[0439] According to the gaming machine of feature 7, the lower end of the frame-overhanging decorative part is located at the same height as the lower end or a position close to the lower end of the viewing window, and extends continuously from there above the upper end of the rear frame, so that the proportion of the frame-overhanging decorative part in the front door can be increased, and the sense of unity between the frame-overhanging decorative part and the front door can be strengthened.

[0440] [Feature 8] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 7, wherein the frame-extending decorative portion protrudes forward as it moves upward.

[0441] As in the gaming machine of Feature 8, by configuring the frame-overhanging decorative portion so that it protrudes forward as it moves upward, the presence of the front door including the frame-overhanging decorative portion can be increased.

[0442] [Code correspondence] Front door: front door 50, rear frame: fixed frame 12, rear door 13, frame-over-frame decorative part: left side decorative part 57C, right side decorative part 58C, viewing window: display window 51W, upper connecting part: upper end front component part 59A, upper decorative part: upper unit 52

[0443] <Feature group 10> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines have been known in which a light-transmitting member is illuminated by a light-emitting element (see, for example, JP 2020-089626 A (FIG. 4, etc.)). For these conventional gaming machines, there is a demand for a device that allows the light-transmitting member to be easily changed in accordance with, for example, a change in the model of the gaming machine.

[0444] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which a light-transmitting member is illuminated by a light-emitting element, a light emitting base body having the light emitting element and stacked behind the light transmitting member; A gaming machine comprising a lock operation member provided on one or both of the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member, which switches between a state in which the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member are fixed to each other and a state in which the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member can be separated.

[0445] According to the gaming machine of feature 1, the light-transmitting member can be attached to and detached from the light-emitting base by operating the lock operation member, so that the light-transmitting member can be easily replaced.

[0446] [Feature 2] one of the light emitting base body and the light-transmitting member has a protruding portion that protrudes outward beyond an outer edge of the other of the light emitting base body and the light-transmitting member, The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the lock operation member is axially supported on the protruding portion and is rotatable between a fixed position in which it overlaps with the other of the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member, and an unlocked position in which it does not overlap.

[0447] The lock operation member may be configured to be slidably operated, or may be configured to be rotated like the gaming machine of feature 2.

[0448] [Feature 3] A gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the protrusion is provided with a release locking portion that engages with the lock operation member in the release position.

[0449] In the gaming machine of feature 3, the lock operation member arranged in the release position is engaged with the release engagement portion, so that when the translucent member and the light-emitting base body are overlapped or separated, the lock operation member is prevented from shifting from the release position and interfering with the light-transmitting member or the light-emitting base body.

[0450] [Feature 4] A gaming machine according to feature 2 or 3, wherein the other of the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member is provided with a fixed locking portion that engages with the lock operation member in the fixed position.

[0451] In the gaming machine of feature 4, the lock operation member in the fixed position is locked to the fixed locking portion, so the fixed state is stable.

[0452] [Feature 5] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member are provided with a positioning portion separate from the lock operation member that positions the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member overlap.

[0453] In the gaming machine of feature 5, when the light-transmitting member is attached, if the light-transmitting member and the light-emitting base body are overlapped, the positioning part positions the light-emitting base body and the light-transmitting member in a direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction, so that they do not shift, and the lock operation member can be operated smoothly.

[0454] [Feature 6] A luminous decorative body including the luminous base body and the translucent member is provided, A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the luminous decorative body is attached to the top of the gaming machine frame.

[0455] According to the gaming machine of Feature 6, the luminous decoration comprising a luminous base body and a translucent member is attached to the top of the gaming machine frame, which can greatly change the impression of the gaming machine frame.

[0456] [Feature 7] The gaming machine described in Feature 6, wherein the luminous decorative body is arranged on a front door of the gaming machine frame that has a viewing window.

[0457] According to the gaming machine of feature 7, the luminous decoration is arranged on the front door, so that the luminous decoration can be made to stand out.

[0458] [Feature 8] An upper decorative frame is provided on the upper part of the front door, overlapping the outer edge of the luminous decorative body from the front, A gaming machine as described in Feature 7, wherein the lock operation member is hidden by the upper decorative frame.

[0459] According to the gaming machine of feature 8, the lock operation member is hidden by the upper decorative frame, so that the player is prevented from being disappointed by seeing the lock operation member.

[0460] [Feature 9] The front door is provided with a slide lock member that slides in the front-rear direction and, when placed in a lock position at the front of the sliding direction, enters into a receiving portion formed on the luminous decorative body, making it difficult to remove the luminous decorative body. A gaming machine according to feature 7 or 8, wherein when the front door is closed against a support frame of the gaming machine frame that supports the gaming board, the slide lock member is pushed to the lock position by the support frame.

[0461] According to the gaming machine of feature 9, when the front door is closed against the support frame, the slide lock member is automatically placed in the locked position, making it difficult to remove the luminous decoration.

[0462] [Feature 10] The slide lock member is biased rearward, The gaming machine described in Feature 9 has an engagement portion on the slide lock member and the front door that engages with and positions the slide lock member in the locked position when the slide lock member is rotated while in the locked position.

[0463] According to the gaming machine of Feature 10, the slide lock member can be manually operated to place it in the locked position, so the front door with the luminous decoration attached can be stably closed against the support frame. Furthermore, even if the slide lock member is forgotten to be operated, the front door can be closed against the support frame, making it difficult to remove the luminous decoration.

[0464] [Code correspondence] Translucent member: translucent decorative portion 370, gaming machine: 10, luminous base body: illumination base 375, lock operation member: fixing member 378, protrusion portion: outer portion of base case 376 on the front surface of base plate 375A, release locking portion: retaining tube portion 375H, fixed locking portion: annular protrusion 373C, positioning portion: through hole 373B, protrusion 375T, luminous decoration: upper unit 52, gaming machine frame: gaming frame 11, viewing window: display window 51W, front door: front door 50, upper decorative frame: left front surface component 57A, upper end front surface component 59A, right front surface component 58A, receiving portion: shaft receiving portion 375U, slide lock member: energizing shaft 56S, gaming board: gaming board unit 90, support frame: rear door 13, engagement portion: locking portion 56B2, rear side surface of extension portion 56R3

[0465] <Feature group 11> [assignment] Conventional gaming machines are known that are equipped with an operation unit for producing game effects (see, for example, FIG. 2 and claim 1 of JP 2022-047047 A). In contrast to such conventional gaming machines, there is a demand for the development of gaming machines that produce unprecedented effects in response to the operation of the operation unit.

[0466] [Feature 1] This gaming machine has an operation unit operated by a player, and is provided with a movable performance member that is arranged at a position that is visible to the player but cannot be touched, is movably supported, and operates upon receiving the operating force of the player via the operation unit.

[0467] A gaming machine with this characteristic is equipped with a movable effect member that operates in response to the player's operating force via the operating unit, and is therefore able to provide unprecedented effects that result from the operation of the operating unit.

[0468] [Feature 2] A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, wherein the operating unit is supported so as to move back and forth between a first position and a second position, and the movable performance member is supported so as to rotate in one direction.

[0469] The movable performance member may slide in a different direction or at a different speed than the operating unit in response to the reciprocating operation of the operating unit between the first position and the second position, or, as in Feature 2, the movable performance member may rotate in one direction in response to the reciprocating operation of the operating unit between the first position and the second position.

[0470] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 2 is provided with a one-way clutch mechanism that transmits a force including the operating force from the operating unit to the movable performance member only when the operating unit moves from the first position to the second position, and does not transmit a force from the operating unit to the movable performance member when the operating unit moves from the second position to the first position.

[0471] According to this feature, it is possible to enjoy the effect of the rotation of the movable effect member being accelerated only when the operating unit is operated to move from the first position to the second position.

[0472] [Feature 4] A gaming machine as described in Feature 3, further comprising a biasing member that biases the operating unit toward the first position so that the operating unit is maintained in the first position when not receiving an operating force.

[0473] According to this feature, the operation of returning the operating part to the first position becomes unnecessary or becomes easy.

[0474] [Feature 5] A gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the movable effect member continues to rotate due to inertial force after receiving an operating force.

[0475] According to this feature, as the operation of the operating section is repeated, the rotation speed of the movable effect member gradually increases, allowing the player to enjoy the effect.

[0476] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the movable performance member is spherical and has a transparent or translucent outer shell member that forms part of a spherical shell concentric with the outer surface of the movable performance member and covers the movable performance member.

[0477] According to this feature, the user can bring his / her hand close to the movable effect member, and feel close to the movable effect member even though he / she cannot touch it.

[0478] [Feature 7] A gaming machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movable performance member is spherical and comprises a transparent or translucent outer shell member that forms part of a spherical shell concentric with the movable performance member and covers the movable performance member, and a cover member that forms part of a spherical shell concentric with the movable performance member and is driven to rotate inside the outer shell member between a cover position that covers at least a portion of the movable performance member from the outside and an uncover position that does not cover it.

[0479] According to this feature, the movable performance member is sometimes covered by the cover member and sometimes not, so when the movable performance member that is not covered by the cover member can be seen, it gives a sense of premium quality.

[0480] [Feature 8] A gaming machine according to Feature 7, wherein the cover members are paired and rotate away from each other from the cover position to the uncover position.

[0481] According to this feature, it is possible to perform an effect in which the cover member, which serves as a shell covering the movable effect member, splits into two pieces to reveal the movable effect member.

[0482] [Feature 9] A gaming machine as described in Feature 7, wherein the operating unit becomes operable on the condition that the cover member is positioned in the uncovered position.

[0483] According to this feature, it is possible to add a sense of variety to the effects resulting from the operation of the operation unit.

[0484] [Feature 10] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 9, which has an electrical drive source that vibrates the operating unit, and the movable performance member also rotates due to vibrations caused by the electrical drive source.

[0485] This feature allows for increased variety in presentation.

[0486] [Code correspondence] Operation unit: Side operation unit 217 Movable performance member: Decorative rotating unit 249 One-way clutch mechanism: One-way clutch sleeve 250, rotating shaft 245 Urging member: Tension coil spring 213 Outer shell member: Light-transmitting outer shell base 242A Cover member: Internal door member 255 Electrical drive source: Vibration device 218

[0487] <Feature group 12> [assignment] Conventional gaming machines are known that have a movable performance unit that performs a game by moving (see, for example, Figure 2 of JP 2022-047047 A). In contrast to such conventional gaming machines, there is a demand for the development of gaming machines that perform unprecedented performances.

[0488] [Feature 1] The gaming machine comprises a transparent or semi-transparent outer shell member, an internal performance member covered by the outer shell member, and a cover member that moves between a cover position inside the outer shell member that covers at least a part of the internal performance member from the outside and an uncover position that does not cover the internal performance member from the cover position.

[0489] With this type of gaming machine, it is possible to create an unprecedented effect in which the internal performance component becomes easily visible when the cover component moves from the cover position to the uncover position inside the transparent or translucent outer shell component.

[0490] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the internal performance component operates by receiving power.

[0491] With this feature, the internal performance component operates under power, which increases the enjoyment when the cover component moves from the cover position to the uncover position and the internal performance component becomes easily visible.

[0492] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the outer shell member and the cover member form parts of a substantially concentric sphere.

[0493] In this feature, the outer shell member and the cover member form parts of a substantially concentric sphere, so that the gap between them can be made small.

[0494] [Feature 4] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the cover member and the internal performance member form part of a substantially concentric sphere.

[0495] With this feature, the cover member and the internal performance member form part of a substantially concentric sphere, so the gap between them can be made small.

[0496] [Feature 5] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the outer shell member, the cover member, and the internal performance member form parts of approximately concentric spheres.

[0497] According to this feature, the outer shell member, the cover member, and the internal performance member form parts of a substantially concentric sphere, so that the gap between them can be made small.

[0498] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in any one of features 3 to 5, wherein the internal performance component rotates around a rotation axis passing through the center of a spherical surface included as part of the cover component.

[0499] With this feature, the internal performance component rotates, which adds to the fun when the cover component moves from the cover position to the uncover position, making the internal performance component easier to see.

[0500] [Feature 7] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the cover members are paired and move away from each other from the cover position to the uncover position.

[0501] According to this feature, it is possible to create an effect in which the cover member, which acts as a shell covering the internal performance member, splits into two to reveal the movable performance member.

[0502] [Code correspondence] Outer shell component: translucent outer shell base 242A; interior presentation component: decorative rotating part 249; cover component: interior door component 255

[0503] <Feature group 13> [assignment] As a conventional gaming machine, one equipped with an operation unit for producing a game is known (for example, see FIG. 2 of JP 2022-047047 A). For such conventional gaming machines, there is a demand for improving the ingenuity of the operation unit.

[0504] [Feature 1] This gaming machine has an operating part that is operated by a player and is decorated, and is fixed to the tip of a relay member that projects from the outer surface of the gaming machine body and is operably supported on the gaming machine body, and the relay member is transparent.

[0505] In a gaming machine with this feature, the relay member that supports the operating part is transparent, so the operating part can be made to feel as if it is floating inside or supported only by parts other than the relay member, improving the appeal of the operating part.

[0506] [Feature 2] The gaming machine according to Feature 1, wherein the relay member is flat and supported so as to be operable in a direction intersecting its thickness direction.

[0507] According to this feature, the relay member can withstand the load in the direction in which it has the greatest strength.

[0508] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 2, wherein the relay member is formed by stacking multiple transparent flat plate members.

[0509] According to this feature, the strength of the relay member can be increased with a simple structure.

[0510] [Feature 4] A gaming machine according to Feature 3, wherein the plurality of flat plate members are stacked with gaps between them so that Newton's rings do not appear.

[0511] According to this feature, the appearance of Newton's rings is suppressed, and the presence of the relay member is reduced.

[0512] [Feature 5] A gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the plurality of flat plate members are in close contact with each other with no gaps between them so that Newton's rings do not appear.

[0513] According to this feature, the appearance of Newton's rings is suppressed, and the presence of the relay member is reduced.

[0514] [Feature 6] A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, in which a light-emitting means is provided on the base end side of the relay member, and the operating unit includes a light decoration unit that receives light from the light-emitting means through the relay member and emits light.

[0515] According to this feature, the relay member serves as a light guide portion, and is effectively utilized.

[0516] [Code correspondence] Relay member: light-transmitting support member 215; Operation section: side operation section 217; Flat plate member: light-transmitting plates 216A to 216C; Light-emitting means: light-emitting substrate 243; Light decoration section: lens sections 216H to 216

[0517] <Feature group 14> [assignment] In a conventional gaming machine, for example, components of the gaming machine are replaced at the gaming hall when a new machine is installed (see, for example, Figures 5 and 39 of JP 2018-130617 A). In contrast to the conventional gaming machines described above, there is a demand for the development of a gaming machine in which the installation and removal of components of the gaming machine can be safely performed by one person.

[0518] [Feature 1] A gaming machine comprising: a locking mechanism that is operated when a gaming machine component is placed at an assembly position on a support member, to lock the gaming machine component in the assembly position; a locking operation unit for operating the locking and unlocking operation by the locking mechanism; a holding mechanism that is activated while the gaming machine component is being moved to the assembly position, and has a biasing means for holding the gaming machine component in the assembly position and maintaining that hold; and a holding operation unit for operating to release the hold by the holding mechanism against the biasing force of the biasing means.

[0519] In a gaming machine of this nature, in addition to a locking mechanism that locks the gaming machine component in the assembly position on the support member, a holding mechanism is provided that has a biasing means that activates while the gaming machine component is being moved to the assembly position and holds the gaming machine component in the assembly position and maintains that hold. This makes it easy to operate the locking operation unit when assembling the gaming machine component, and prevents the gaming machine component from falling as soon as the locking operation unit is released when removing the gaming machine component. This allows the installation and removal of gaming machine components to be done safely by one person.

[0520] [Feature 2] 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is provided in plural and the holding mechanism is provided in one.

[0521] According to this feature, since there are a plurality of locking mechanisms but only one holding mechanism, the final operation when removing the gaming machine components (ie, operation of the holding mechanism) becomes easy.

[0522] [Feature 3] A gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the plurality of lock operation units and one holding operation unit are all positioned in positions that are visible from the same direction.

[0523] According to this feature, the operation of the plurality of lock operation parts and the holding operation parts can be performed efficiently.

[0524] [Feature 4] A gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the operation modes of the plurality of lock operation units are all the same, and the operation mode of the holding operation unit is different from the operation modes of the plurality of lock operation units.

[0525] According to this feature, the operation modes of the multiple lock operation units are all the same, so that the operations can be performed efficiently. Also, the operation mode of the holding operation unit is different from the operation modes of the multiple lock operation units, so that it is possible to mentally prepare for the removal of the gaming machine component from the support member before operating the holding operation unit.

[0526] [Feature 5] 5. A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the holding mechanism includes a pin hole provided in the support member, a pin that protrudes from the gaming machine component and passes through the pin hole at the assembled position, an engagement groove that crosses the outer surface of the pin at the position where it passes through the pin hole, an engagement member that is supported by the support member and moves between an engagement position where it engages with the engagement groove and a disengagement position where the engagement is released, a biasing means that biases the engagement member to the engagement position, and a tapered guide portion provided at the tip of the pin that guides the engagement member to the disengagement position when the pin enters the pin hole.

[0527] According to this feature, the holding mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0528] [Code correspondence] Support member: base frame portion 51 Gaming machine component: side unit 54 Lock mechanism: first unit holding portion 61 Lock operation portion: knob portion 61G Biasing means: compression coil spring 62F Holding mechanism: second unit holding portion 62 Holding operation portion: finger hook portion 62E Pin hole: pin hole 51N Pin: pin 54E Engagement groove: engagement groove 54F Engagement member: slider 62B Guide portion: guide portion 54G

[0529] <Feature group 15> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with a movable member driven by a drive source have been known (see, for example, JP 2020-031814 A (FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.)). There is a demand for improving the ingenuity of the movable member in these conventional gaming machines.

[0530] [Feature 1] a movable member disposed on the front surface of the gaming machine frame and driven by a drive source; A gaming machine equipped with a suppression mechanism that can suppress the movement of the movable member when contacted by a player.

[0531] According to the gaming machine of Feature 1, the movable member driven by the drive source is arranged on the front surface of the gaming machine frame, which is an unprecedented configuration, and the ingenuity of the movable member can be improved. Also, by arranging the movable member on the front surface of the gaming machine frame, there is a concern that the movable member may hit a player and injure the player, but when the player comes into contact with the movable member, the movement of the movable member is suppressed by the suppression mechanism, so that the player can be prevented from being injured.

[0532] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in Feature 1, wherein the suppression mechanism is activated when the player comes into contact with the movable member and the load on the movable member increases.

[0533] The suppression mechanism may be configured to activate when a sensor or the like detects that a player has come into contact with the movable member, or it may be configured to activate when the load on the movable member increases, as in the gaming machine of Feature 2.

[0534] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 2, wherein the suppression mechanism, when activated, disconnects the power of the drive source from the movable member.

[0535] [Feature 4] a plurality of gears that transmit power from the drive source to the movable member; the suppression mechanism includes a first gear on the movable member side and a second gear on the drive source side, which are part of the plurality of gears, arranged side by side on a rotation shaft; A gaming machine according to feature 3, wherein the second gear and the first gear rotate together under normal conditions, and the second gear rotates freely relative to the first gear under operation.

[0536] [Feature 5] The second gear is provided with a first inclined surface that faces the first gear and approaches the first gear as it moves rearward in the direction of rotation, A gaming machine as described in Feature 4, wherein the first gear is provided with a second inclined surface that abuts against the first inclined surface and deflects the rotation of the second gear when activated.

[0537] According to the gaming machine of Feature 3, when the load on the movable member increases due to contact by a player, the power of the drive source is cut off from the movable member. Specifically, for example, as in the gaming machine of Feature 4, the second gear on the drive source side and the first gear on the movable member side are configured to rotate together under normal conditions and to spin freely when activated. More specifically, as in the gaming machine of Feature 5, the second gear is provided with a first inclined surface that approaches the first gear as it moves rearward in the direction of rotation, and the first gear is provided with a second inclined surface that abuts against the first inclined surface and deflects the rotation of the second gear when activated.

[0538] [Code correspondence] Gaming machine frame: gaming frame 11, movable member: face movable member 77, suppression mechanism: clutch mechanism 75C, first gear: first connecting gear 76J, second gear: second connecting gear 76K, first inclined surface: inclined surface 76J5, second inclined surface: 76K5

[0539] <Feature group 16> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with an operation unit that can be operated by a player have been known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-031814 (paragraph

[0009] and FIG. 1, etc.)). There is a demand for providing an innovative operation unit for these conventional gaming machines.

[0540] [Feature 1] This game machine is equipped with a special operation unit that can be operated by a player and moves from a standby position that is difficult to operate to an appearance position that is easy to operate.

[0541] According to the gaming machine of feature 1, it is possible to provide a novel operating unit that moves from a standby position that is difficult to operate to a appearing position that is easy to operate.

[0542] [Feature 2] Equipped with a normal operation section that can be operated normally, A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, wherein the appearance position of the special operation unit is a position that makes it difficult to operate the normal operation unit.

[0543] According to the gaming machine of feature 2, the special operation unit appears in a position that makes it difficult to operate the normal operation unit that can be operated under normal circumstances, so the operation unit that the player can operate changes from the normal operation unit to the special operation unit, making the player feel as if the operation unit has been upgraded.

[0544] [Feature 3] The normal operation unit is configured so that a player can approach it from above, A gaming machine according to feature 2, wherein the appearance position of the special operation unit is above the normal operation unit.

[0545] According to the gaming machine of feature 3, the special operation section is disposed above the normal operation section.

[0546] [Feature 4] A gaming machine according to feature 2 or 3, wherein the movement of the special operation unit to the appearance position is caused by the operation of the normal operation unit.

[0547] According to the gaming machine of Feature 4, the movement of the special operation unit is caused by the operation of the normal operation unit, so the player can feel a sense of accomplishment that "I have upgraded the operation unit." Also, according to the gaming machine of Feature 4, which is subordinate to Feature 3, when the normal operation unit is operated, the special operation unit moves so as to overlap the normal operation unit, which can take the player by surprise.

[0548] [Code correspondence] Special operation unit: special operation unit 77S, normal operation unit: operation button 72S,

[0549] <Feature group 17> [assignment] Conventionally, gaming machines equipped with an operation unit for effects th...

Claims

1. A holding mechanism having a biasing means that is activated while a gaming machine component is moving to an assembly position of a support member, and that holds and maintains the gaming machine component at the assembly position; A gaming machine comprising a holding operation unit for operating to release the holding by the holding mechanism against the biasing force of the biasing means.

2. An amusement machine as described in claim 1, comprising: a locking mechanism that is operated while the amusement machine component is held in the assembly position by the holding mechanism, thereby locking the amusement machine component in the assembly position; and a locking operation unit for operating the locking and unlocking mechanism.

3. A gaming machine as described in Claim 2, wherein the lock operation unit and the holding operation unit are positioned in positions that are visible from the same direction.

4. An amusement machine described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking mechanism is provided in multiple units.

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