Game machine

Abstract

To enable installation of bigger presentation devices and the like on the rear side of a game board.SOLUTION: Provided on a second game area are a second start port 122, a big winning port 126, and an ordinary winning port 118 where game balls can enter. The second start port 122, the big winning port 126, and the ordinary winning port 118 have vertical locations different from each other. Within a first entrance-possible area X1 that is an area where game balls enter the second start port 122, with respect to an imaginary vertical line L vertically passing the end portion of an opening portion (left), a second entrance-possible area X2 that is an area where game balls enter the big winning port 126, and a third entrance-possible area X3 that is an area where game balls enter the ordinary winning port 118 are located on the opposite side to the opening portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The gaming machine is provided with a gaming board in which a gaming area in which gaming balls flow down is formed. An opening is provided in the approximate center of the gaming board, and operating means such as a liquid crystal display device and a so-called role device in which the gaming balls roll are provided so as to be visible through the opening. In recent years, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, the operating means have become larger, and the presentation effect has been improved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-20985 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to further improve the presentation effect, there is a demand for the development of a gaming machine that allows for larger presentation devices and the like that are placed on the back side of the gaming board.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that allows for the enlargement of presentation devices, etc., that are arranged on the rear side of the gaming board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises: A game board; An operating means for performing a predetermined operation is disposed in an operating means arrangement area that is longer in a vertical direction than in a width direction when viewed from the front of the game board; A game area provided on the game board, the game area including a first game area into which a game ball launched with a launch strength less than a predetermined value enters, and a second game area into which a game ball launched with a launch strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value enters; A first variable device, a second variable device, and a game ball entry section that are provided in the second game area and into which a game ball can enter; Equipped with The first variable device, the second variable device, and the game ball entrance portion are positioned differently in the vertical direction from each other, The present invention is characterized in that, in a first entry area, which is an area where a game ball enters the first variable device, a second entry area, which is an area where a game ball enters the second variable device, and a third entry area, which is an area where a game ball enters the game ball entry section, are located on the opposite side to the operation means arrangement area with respect to a virtual perpendicular line passing vertically through the end portion on the operation means arrangement area side. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to enlarge the presentation devices and the like arranged on the rear side of the game board. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an oblique view of the gaming machine showing the door in an open state. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] An oblique view of the prize slot unit. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] An oblique view of the rear side of the prize slot unit. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of a cover member. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sealing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0010] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, first, a brief description will be given of the mechanical and electrical configurations of the gaming machine, and then specific processing on each board will be described.

[0011] 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine 100 with the door open. As shown in the figure, the gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 having an enclosed space formed by four sides assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, a middle frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism so as to be freely opened and closed, and a front frame 106 attached to the middle frame 104 by a hinge mechanism so as to be freely opened and closed.

[0012] The middle frame 104, like the outer frame 102, has four sides arranged in a substantially rectangular shape to form an enclosed space, and a game board 108 is held in this enclosed space. A glass or resin transparent plate 110 is held in the front frame 106. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed against the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transparent plate 110 face each other substantially parallel to each other while maintaining a predetermined distance therebetween, and the game board 108 can be seen from the front side of the gaming machine 100 through the transparent plate 110.

[0013] In the following description, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100, the rightward width direction of the gaming machine 100 is defined as the x-direction, and the leftward width direction is defined as the -x-direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100, the upward vertical direction is defined as the y-direction, and the downward vertical direction is defined as the -y-direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100, the near side (front side) of the depth direction of the gaming machine 100 is defined as the z-direction, and the far side (rear side) is defined as the -z-direction.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100, Fig. 3 is a front view of the gaming board 108, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the gaming board 108. However, Fig. 2 shows a state in which the gaming board 108 has been removed. As shown in Fig. 2, an operating handle 112 that protrudes to the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided at the bottom of the front frame 106. This operating handle 112 is provided so as to be rotatable by a player, and when the player rotates the operating handle 112 to perform a launch operation, a gaming ball is launched by a launch mechanism (not shown) with a strength according to the rotation angle of the operating handle 112.

[0015] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, an opening 108a penetrating the gaming machine 100 in the depth direction is provided at approximately the center of the gaming board 108. In Fig. 3, the approximate range of the opening 108a is indicated by a dashed line. The opening 108a is longer in the vertical direction than in the width direction when viewed from the front of the gaming board 108. The gaming board 108 also includes a transparent plate 108b made of a transparent acrylic plate. The transparent plate 108b is provided over almost the entire surface of the gaming board 108 except for the four corners. The transparent plate 108b is provided closer to the front side (z direction) than the opening 108a so as to cover the entire area of ​​the opening 108a.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the game balls launched by the launch mechanism rise between rails 114a, 114b provided on the transparent plate 108b and are guided to the game area 116. The game area 116 is a space formed between the game board 108 and the transparent plate 110, and is an area in which the game balls can flow down or roll. More specifically, the transparent plate 108b is provided with a large number of nails and windmills, and the game balls guided to the game area 116 collide with the nails and windmills and flow down or roll in irregular directions. Therefore, the game area 116 can also be said to be a space formed between the transparent plate 108b and the transparent plate 110.

[0017] The play area 116 includes a first play area 116a and a second play area 116b, which have different degrees of entry of game balls depending on the launch strength of the launch mechanism. The first play area 116a extends from the left side of the opening 108a to the front side of the opening 108a when viewed from the front, and the second play area 116b is located on the right side of the opening 108a when viewed from the front. Since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the play area 116, game balls launched by the launch mechanism with a launch strength less than a predetermined strength will enter the first play area 116a, and game balls launched with a launch strength equal to or greater than the predetermined strength will enter the second play area 116b.

[0018] In addition, the first game area 116a is provided with a general winning opening 118 and a first starting opening 120 through which game balls can enter, and when a game ball enters the general winning opening 118 or the first starting opening 120, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. The number of prize balls may be any number greater than or equal to one, and the number of prize balls paid out from the general winning opening 118 and the first starting opening 120 may be different or may be set to the same number of prize balls.

[0019] Although detailed explanation is omitted, a first starting area is provided in the first starting hole 120. Then, when a game ball enters the first starting hole 120 and enters the first starting area, a lottery is held to determine one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance. Each special symbol is associated with various game benefits, such as whether or not a big prize game or a small prize game that is advantageous to the player can be executed, and what kind of game state the game state will be from then on. Therefore, when a game ball enters the first starting hole 120, the player will acquire a predetermined prize ball and at the same time, will acquire the right to receive various game benefits.

[0020] Here, in this embodiment, a role unit U is provided in the lower half of the opening 108a of the game board 108. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the role unit U has a ball entrance U1 through which game balls flowing down the first game area 116a can enter at a predetermined frequency. In addition, the role unit U has a rotating body U2 and a rolling path that leads the game balls that have entered the role unit U from the ball entrance U1 to the rotating body U2. In addition, although detailed explanation is omitted, the role unit U also has an obstacle member that discharges the game ball from the rolling path toward the rotating body U2, an auxiliary member that makes it easier to guide the game ball toward the rotating body U2 while avoiding the obstacle member, and an outlet that discharges the game ball that has deviated from the rolling path due to the obstacle member to the outside of the role unit U.

[0021] The rotating body U2 always continues to rotate according to a certain rule. The rotating body U2 has the above-mentioned four first start holes 120 and four out holes arranged alternately in the rotation direction. A game ball guided from the rolling path to the rotating body U2 enters either the first start hole 120 or the out hole. When a game ball enters the first start hole 120, a lottery is held to determine the above-mentioned special pattern, and when the game ball enters the out hole, no lottery is held.

[0022] Although it has been explained here that there are four first starting ports 120, strictly speaking, when a game ball enters one of the four holes provided as first starting ports 120, a sensor for the first starting port 120 is placed on the flow path to which it is distributed, and when the ball enters the outlet port, the depth of the hole in the outlet is set to a different depth than the first starting ports 120, so that the game ball is guided to a separately provided discharge flow path.

[0023] In other words, when a game ball enters the accessory unit U, only at a predetermined rate will the game ball enter the first starting hole 120, and a lottery to determine the special symbol will be executed. In this way, since the game ball flowing down the first game area 116a rolls and flows down within the accessory unit U, it can be said that the accessory unit U constitutes a part of the first game area 116a.

[0024] Although not shown in the drawings, a liquid crystal display unit on which various performance images are displayed is provided on the back side (-z direction) of the game board 108. In the opening 108a, above the role unit U, a space is formed that allows the liquid crystal display unit to be viewed from the front side (z direction) of the game machine 100.

[0025] In addition, the winning device 1 is provided on the right side of the opening 108a of the game board 108. As will be described in detail later, the winning device 1 constitutes a part of the second game area 116b, and a general winning opening 118, a second starting opening 122, and a big winning opening 126 are provided as winning openings through which game balls flowing down the second game area 116b can enter. In addition, at the bottom of the game area 116, an outlet 130 is provided to discharge game balls that do not enter any of the ball entry opening U1, the general winning opening 118, the second starting opening 122, and the big winning opening 126 to the back side of the game board 108.

[0026] 5 is a perspective view of the winning device 1. The winning device 1 includes a base member 3. The base member 3 is made of a flat plate-shaped member. The base member 3 is fixed to the transparent plate 108b of the game board 108 by screws or the like. When the winning device 1 is attached to the game board 108, the front surface of the base member 3 is approximately flush with the front surface of the transparent plate 108b.

[0027] A cover member 5 is attached to the front surface of the base member 3. The cover member 5 has a flat surface 5a and a wall portion 5b that rises from the periphery of the flat surface 5a towards the base member 3. The base member 3 and the flat surface 5a of the cover member 5 are spaced apart by the protruding height of the wall portion 5b. The protruding height of the wall portion 5b is equal to or greater than the diameter of a game ball, and the front surface of the base member 3 and the flat surface 5a of the cover member 5 are spaced apart by equal to or greater than the diameter of a game ball. A second game area 116b is defined and formed inside the winning device 1 by the base member 3 and the cover member 5.

[0028] However, the wall portion 5b is not provided at the upper end of the cover member 5 in the vertical direction (y direction). Therefore, the game ball shot with a relatively strong force is guided to the rail 114b (outer rail member) and enters the second game area 116b formed between the base member 3 and the flat surface 5a of the cover member 5 from the upper end of the cover member 5 in the vertical direction. In this way, the base member 3 and the cover member 5 form the winning opening unit 7 having the game area 116 therein.

[0029] 6 is a rear view of the cover member 5. A large number of ribs 5c protruding toward the base member 3 (-z direction) are formed on the rear side of the flat surface 5a of the cover member 5. The ribs 5c function as guides that guide the rolling and flowing direction of the game balls. In other words, the ribs 5c define a rolling path in the winning opening unit 7 along which the game balls roll and flow.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 5. An opening 7a is formed at the upper end of the winning port unit 7. A gate 124 is provided near the opening 7a. A sensor 124s is provided at the gate 124, and the sensor 124s detects a gaming ball passing through the gate 124. The gaming ball that has passed through the gate 124 continues to flow vertically downward within the winning port unit 7 in the second gaming area 116b.

[0031] A rib 5c1 is formed directly below the gate 124. The rib 5c1 is inclined so that the right side is slightly lower than the left side when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100. In addition, a gap is provided at the end of the rib 5c1 in the x direction to allow the gaming ball to fall vertically downward. Therefore, after the gaming ball enters the winning opening unit 7 from the opening 7a, it falls onto the rib 5c1, rolls on the rib 5c1 in the x direction, and falls vertically downward from the end of the rib 5c1 in the x direction.

[0032] A big prize opening 126 is provided below the rib 5c1. The big prize opening 126 is formed long in the x direction, and is configured to allow game balls that fall from above to enter the opening. However, the big prize opening 126 is provided with a movable piece 126b that can be opened and closed, and normally the movable piece 126b closes the big prize opening 126, making it impossible for game balls to enter the big prize opening 126. Then, when a small prize game or a big role game, which will be described later, is started, the movable piece 126b is opened, making it possible for game balls to enter the big prize opening 126.

[0033] Specifically, the movable piece 126b is normally maintained in a closed state. When the movable piece 126b is in a closed state, the movable piece 126b protrudes from the base member 3 to the flat surface 5a side of the cover member 5, i.e., to the second game area 116b. In this state, the entire opening of the big prize opening 126 is closed by the movable piece 126b. When the movable piece 126b is maintained in a closed state, game balls flowing down the second game area 116b fall onto the movable piece 126b.

[0034] Here, the movable piece 126b maintained in the closed state is inclined so that the left side is slightly lower than the right side when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100. Therefore, when the movable piece 126b is in the closed state, a gaming ball that has fallen onto the movable piece 126b rolls slowly from the right side to the left side on the movable piece 126b.

[0035] In addition, a plurality of deceleration protrusions 3a are formed on the base member 3 near the movable piece 126b. The deceleration protrusions 3a protrude slightly from the base member 3 toward the flat surface 5a of the cover member 5 so that the game ball rolling on the movable piece 126b comes into contact with the deceleration protrusions 3a. A plurality of deceleration protrusions 3a are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction (x direction) of the movable piece 126b. Therefore, the game ball rolling on the movable piece 126b decelerates due to collision with the deceleration protrusions 3a, and the rolling speed on the movable piece 126b becomes slow.

[0036] When a small prize game and a big prize game are executed, the movable piece 126b transitions to an open state in which the big prize opening 126 is opened. Here, the movable piece 126b is caused to protrude from a hole formed in the base member 3 in the depth direction of the gaming machine 100 by an actuator (not shown). Normally, the actuator is maintained in a non-energized state, and the movable piece 126b is held in a position protruding from the hole in the base member 3 toward the front side (z direction) and closes the big prize opening 126. When the actuator is energized, the movable piece 126b is held in a position retracted from the hole in the base member 3 toward the rear side (-z direction) and the big prize opening 126 is opened. In this way, when the big prize opening 126 is open, a game ball falling from vertically above enters the big prize opening 126.

[0037] A sensor 126s is provided in the big prize opening 126, and a gaming ball that enters the big prize opening 126 is detected by the sensor 126s. When the gaming ball is detected by the sensor 126s, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. Here, 15 gaming balls are paid out to the player as prize balls for each gaming ball that enters the big prize opening 126. In other words, by having a gaming ball enter the big prize opening 126, the player can increase the number of gaming balls he or she owns.

[0038] In addition, a specific area 128a and a non-specific area 128b are provided downstream of the sensor 126s in the rolling direction of the game ball within the big prize opening 126. Therefore, the game ball that enters the big prize opening 126 enters either the specific area 128a or the non-specific area 128b.

[0039] Although detailed explanation is omitted, when a game ball enters the first start hole 120 described above or the second start hole 122 described later, a lottery is held to determine a special symbol. Then, when a small prize symbol is determined by this lottery, a small prize game is played in which the large prize hole 126 is opened. During this small prize game, if the game ball that entered the large prize hole 126 enters the specific area 128a, a double jackpot is won, and a large prize game is played following the small prize game. Since the large prize hole 126 is opened in the large prize game as well, the player can win a large number of prize balls by winning the double jackpot.

[0040] In addition, the base member 3 has a through hole formed therein for guiding the game balls that have entered the specific area 128a and the non-specific area 128b to the rear side. Therefore, all game balls that have entered the big prize opening 126 are guided to the rear side of the gaming machine 100 from the through hole of the base member 3 after entering the specific area 128a or the non-specific area 128b.

[0041] In addition, a vertical path 7b extending vertically is formed on the left side of the prize winning opening unit 7, and game balls that do not enter the large prize winning opening 126 fall vertically down the vertical path 7b located on the left side of the large prize winning opening 126.

[0042] A second starting hole 122 is provided below the large winning hole 126, more specifically, below the non-specific area 128b. The second starting hole 122 is provided at a position spaced apart from the vertical path 7b in the x direction, and a movable piece 122b is provided between the vertical path 7b and the second starting hole 122. The second starting hole 122 and the movable piece 122b constitute a variable starting hole, i.e., a variable starting winning device.

[0043] The movable piece 122b is usually maintained in a closed state in which the rolling surface of the game ball is recessed toward the rear side of the hole provided in the base member 3. In the closed state of the movable piece 122b, even if the game ball falling down the vertical path 7b rolls toward the second starting hole 122, it falls vertically downward on the front side of the movable piece 122b. In other words, in the closed state of the movable piece 122b, the game ball cannot enter the second starting hole 122.

[0044] In addition, an intrusion prevention part (not shown) extending in an arm-like manner from the tip of movable piece 122b is arranged on the right end of movable piece 122b, and when the rolling surface of movable piece 122b is submerged, the intrusion prevention part is positioned to the left of the opening of second starting hole 122, thereby preventing game balls from intruding into the opening of second starting hole 122.

[0045] On the other hand, when the gaming ball passes through the gate 124, a lottery for normal symbols is held. The normal symbols include winning symbols, and when the winning symbol is selected, an auxiliary game is executed. In the auxiliary game, the movable piece 122b transitions to an open state in which it protrudes from the base member 3 to the front side. In this embodiment, the vertical path 7b is located to the left of the second starting hole 122, and the movable piece 122b is inclined so that the right side is slightly lower than the left side when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100.

[0046] In the open state where the movable piece 122b protrudes to the front side, the game ball that falls from the vertical path 7b falls onto the movable piece 122b. The game ball that falls onto the movable piece 122b is guided by the movable piece 122b to the second starting hole 122. In this way, when the movable piece 122b is in the protruding state, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray that guides the game ball to the second starting hole 122, and the game ball can enter the second starting hole 122. At this time, the intrusion prevention part of the movable piece 122b is retracted in front of the opening of the second starting hole 122, and the opening of the second starting hole 122 is opened. When the game ball enters the second starting hole 122, a lottery is executed to determine the special symbol, similar to the case where the game ball enters the first starting hole 120.

[0047] Further, a general winning opening 118 is provided vertically below the second starting opening 122, and an outlet 132 is provided further vertically below the general winning opening 118. Through holes are formed in the base member 3 at positions corresponding to the general winning opening 118 and the outlet 132, and game balls that enter the general winning opening 118 or the outlet 132 are discharged to the back side of the base member 3 via the through holes.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a through hole penetrating in the z direction is formed on the plane 5a of the base member 3 and the cover member 5 directly above the general winning opening 118. When the winning device 1 is attached to the game board 108, the base member 3 is fixed to the front surface of the transparent plate 108b. At this time, a nail provided on the transparent plate 108b protrudes into the base member 3 and the plane 5a. Two nails provided on the transparent plate 108b are provided in the vicinity of the general winning opening 118, spaced apart in the width direction. And, the tapered protrusion 118a is located between these two nails.

[0049] The tapered protrusion 118a is provided on the flat surface 5a of the cover member 5, and protrudes from the flat surface 5a toward the base member 3. At this time, the upper end surface of the tapered protrusion 118a is a tapered surface that is inclined so as to be positioned vertically downward toward the base member 3 side (-z direction). When a game ball that has fallen directly above the general winning opening 118 collides with the tapered protrusion 118a, it falls vertically downward while moving toward the base member 3 side due to the tapered surface. This reduces the risk of ball clogging, for example, by two game balls overlapping in the z direction. In addition, since the tapered protrusion 118a is located between two nails, there is no risk that the separation distance between the two nails will be narrowed due to the collision of the game ball, making it difficult for the game ball to enter the general winning opening 118.

[0050] Also, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the wall portion 5b is not provided in a part of the lower left of the cover member 5. As a result, a discharge hole 7c is formed in the lower left of the winning port unit 7. This discharge hole 7c discharges game balls from inside the winning device 1 toward the first game area 116a. For example, a game ball that rolls to the left of the general winning port 118 passes through the discharge hole 7c and is discharged to the outside of the winning port unit 7. The lower left of the winning port unit 7 is continuous with the first game area 116a, and the game ball guided to the lower left of the winning port unit 7 is guided to the discharge port 130 of the first game area 116a.

[0051] Here, in the winning hole unit 7, the big winning hole 126, the second starting hole 122, and the general winning hole 118 are arranged in this order from the top in the vertical direction. In other words, the big winning hole 126, the second starting hole 122, and the general winning hole 118, which are provided in the second game area 116b and through which the game ball can enter, are located at different vertical positions from each other.

[0052] The rib 5c1 is inclined downward to the right, and the movable piece 126b is inclined downward to the left, which is the opposite of the rib 5c1. Furthermore, the passage inside the large prize opening 126 also inclines downward to the left, and then to the right. Moreover, the movable piece 122b is inclined downward to the right, which is the opposite of the movable piece 126b, and the passage downstream of the second starting opening 122 also inclines downward to the right, and then to the left.

[0053] In this way, the passage of the second game area 116b in the winning port unit 7 is configured to repeatedly meander left and right. Therefore, even if the width of the winning port unit 7 is small, the passage along which the game ball rolls can be secured long, and the game ball can be decelerated.

[0054] Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the area where the game ball enters the second starting opening 122 is defined as the first accessible area X1. The first accessible area X1 is a range where the game ball can enter the second starting opening 122 when the movable piece 122b is in the open state. That is, the first accessible area X1 is an area that forms the entrance or guide flow path of the second starting opening 122 when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, in other words, when the game ball can enter the second starting opening 122. Therefore, when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, the game ball in the first accessible area X1 will enter the second starting opening 122.

[0055] Also, the area where the game ball enters the large prize opening 126 is defined as the second accessible area X2. The second accessible area X2 is a range where the game ball can enter the large prize opening 126 when the movable piece 126b is in the open state. That is, the second accessible area X2 is an area that forms the entrance or guide flow path of the large prize opening 126 when the movable piece 126b is in the open state, in other words, when the game ball can enter the large prize opening 126. Therefore, when the movable piece 126b is in the open state, the game ball in the second accessible area X2 will enter the large prize opening 126.

[0056] Further, the area where the gaming ball enters the general winning opening 118 is defined as a third accessible area X3. The third accessible area X3 is the opening width of the general winning opening 118, and is the range in which the gaming ball can enter the general winning opening 118. In other words, the gaming ball within the third accessible area X3 will enter the general winning opening 118.

[0057] In this way, the accessible area in this embodiment is defined, for winning openings that are opened and closed by the movable piece (second starting opening 122, large winning opening 126), as the area that forms the entrance or guide flow path of the winning opening when the movable piece is in the open state, and, for winning openings that do not have a movable piece (general winning opening 118), as the opening width of the winning opening.

[0058] In the first accessible area X1, a straight line passing vertically through the opening 108a side, i.e., the end portion on the liquid crystal display unit and the accessory unit U side, is defined as a virtual perpendicular line L. In this case, according to the present embodiment, the second accessible area X2 and the third accessible area X3 are located on the opposite side (x direction) of the opening 108a with respect to the virtual perpendicular line L. In this manner, the second starting opening 122, the big prize opening 126, and the general prize opening 118 are arranged offset from each other in the vertical direction, and the second accessible area X2 and the third accessible area X3 are located on the opposite side of the opening 108a from the virtual perpendicular line L. As a result, with respect to the second starting opening 122 having the first accessible area X1 with its end closest to the opening 108a, the drive mechanism of the movable piece 126b of the large prize opening 126 and the game ball discharge paths (passage cover 15) of the second starting opening 122, the large prize opening 126 and the general prize opening 118 can be concentrated in a position away from the opening 108a rather than the drive mechanism (such as a solenoid or link mechanism) of the movable piece 122b on the back side of the game board 108, making it possible to expand the area in which the operating means that is visible to the player through the opening 108a can be arranged, in other words, the LCD display unit and the gimmick unit U, in the width direction.

[0059] In addition, the game balls that enter the big prize opening 126, the second start opening 122, and the general prize opening 118 are discharged to the back side of the game board 108. The game balls discharged to the back side of the game board 108 are collected in the passage unit 11.

[0060] 9 is a perspective view of the rear side of the winning device 1. The winning device 1 includes a passage unit 11. The passage unit 11 is connected to the rear side of the winning port unit 7. The passage unit 11 includes a base plate 13 and a passage cover 15. The base plate 13 is formed of a flat plate-shaped member, and the passage cover 15 is fixed to the base plate 13. Game balls discharged from the winning port unit 7 to the rear side of the game board 108 are guided between the base plate 13 and the passage cover 15.

[0061] 10 is a perspective view of the passage cover 15. The passage cover 15 is provided with a wall portion 15a that protrudes toward the base plate 13 side, and the wall portion 15a defines a collective passage 17. The collective passage 17 extends vertically and collects game balls discharged from the winning port unit 7 and discharges them downward. Specifically, the winning port unit 7 and the passage unit 11 are connected by a plurality of connecting passages (not shown).

[0062] For example, one end of a connecting passage extending linearly in the -z direction is connected to the specific area 128a and the non-specific area 128b of the winning port unit 7. The other ends of these connecting passages are connected to the base plate 13 of the passage unit 11. Similarly, one end of a connecting passage extending linearly in the -z direction is connected to the second starting port 122 and the general winning port 118 of the winning port unit 7, and the other ends of these connecting passages are connected to the base plate 13 of the passage unit 11.

[0063] A through hole is formed in the base plate 13 at a position where the other end of the connecting passage is connected, and the game ball is guided from the through hole of the base plate 13 to the collective passage 17. In Fig. 10, the position of the through hole formed in the base plate 13 is shown by a dashed line. Note that the dashed through hole shown in Fig. 10 indicates the code of the winning port connected via the connecting passage among the winning ports of the winning port unit 7 (specific area 128a, non-specific area 128b, second starting port 122, general winning port 118).

[0064] Since the specific area 128a, the non-specific area 128b, the second starting hole 122, and the general winning hole 118 are located close to each other in the width direction, the game balls discharged from the winning hole unit 7 can be collected in one passage unit 11, and the width of the collective passage 17 can be reduced. Therefore, the passage unit 11 can be made smaller, and interference with other devices provided on the back of the game board 108 can be reduced.

[0065] Here, since a second game area 116b in which the game balls roll and flow down is formed inside the winning port unit 7, the cover member 5 is made of a transparent material so that the game balls in the second game area 116b can be seen. On the other hand, a decorative seal material is attached to the flat surface 5a of the cover member 5 to improve the design.

[0066] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the plane 5a of the cover member 5. Note that FIG. 11 shows a state in which the sealing member has been removed. The winning device 1 is equipped with a display device having a display section 19 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) including a plurality of (here, seven) lamps. The display device is provided in the winning port unit 7, and turns on the lamps of the display section 19 according to the progress of the game. Here, the flow path inside the large winning port 126 is formed to meander in the width direction, and the display section 19 is provided in the dead space formed between the flow paths.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the rail 114b (outer rail member) that divides the outer area of ​​the play area 116 ends at the upper right of the play board 108, and below the right end of the rail 114b, the right side of the play area 116 is divided by the wall 5b of the winning port unit 7. In this way, by positioning the winning device 1 further to the right of the play board 108, the arrangement area of ​​the performance device, etc. on the back of the play board 108 is expanded, while the area in which the display device can be arranged outside the play area 116 (outer rail member, etc.) is reduced. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a display device is arranged in the winning device 1 (winning port unit 7), and the wiring of the display device can be integrated with the wiring of the winning device 1, such as the large winning port 126.

[0068] The display unit 19 is located on the rear side of the plane 5a of the cover member 5, and the player can view the display unit 19 from the plane 5a, i.e., the front of the winning port unit 7. As shown in FIG. 11, the plane 5a is provided with a facing area 21 that faces the display unit 19 and allows the display unit 19 to be viewed from the front side of the plane 5a. The display unit 19 of the display device is visible to a player facing the gaming machine 100 at the back side of the facing area 21 of the plane 5a. As described above, the display unit 19 of the display device is provided with seven lamps, and the lighting status of the lamps changes depending on the progress of the game, but the contents indicated by the lighting of the lamps are not particularly limited.

[0069] For example, the display unit 19 of the display device has a light-emitting unit for displaying the variation of special and normal symbols, a symbol display (fourth symbol) that shows the result in a dramatic way, and the number of reserved special symbols and the number of reserved normal symbols. The configuration of the display unit 19 is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the current game state, such as during a small win game or during a big win game, may be notified by lighting a lamp, or it may be notified to which of the first game area 116a and the second game area 116b the game ball should be launched into. Furthermore, the display unit 19 of the display device may display a dramatic image that is executed according to the progress of the game. Therefore, the display unit 19 is not limited to a lamp, and may be composed of a liquid crystal screen.

[0070] Although detailed description is omitted, the gaming machine 100 includes a main control means for controlling the progress of the game, and a performance control means for executing and controlling performance based on commands sent from the main control means. In this case, the display device may be connected to the main control means, and the display of the display unit 19 may be controlled by the main control means, or may be connected to a sub-control means, and the display of the display unit 19 may be controlled by the sub-control means.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the seal member. As described above, the seal member is attached to the plane 5a. In this embodiment, the first seal member 31 and the second seal member 33 are attached to the plane 5a, that is, the front surface of the winning port unit 7, as the seal members. The first seal member 31 has at least a part of transparency and is attached to the facing region 21. Here, the facing region 21 and the first seal member 31 are substantially rectangular, and the first seal member 31 is attached to the entire area of ​​the facing region 21. However, the shapes of the facing region 21 and the first seal member 31 are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, circular or elliptical. In addition, the first seal member 31 may be smaller or larger than the facing region 21. The first seal member 31 may be attached to an area that includes at least the facing region 21.

[0072] The first seal member 31 may be printed. The first seal member 31 may be provided with a cover surface on which a design that is the same as the design of the print of the second seal member 33 described later is printed, and holes may be formed in the cover surface. In this embodiment, the first seal member 31 is provided with a non-transparent cover surface, and a plurality of holes are formed in the cover surface. Each hole is transmissive and faces the lamp of the display device. Therefore, the light of the lamp of the display device passes through the holes and is guided to the front side of the gaming machine 100, and at this time, it is easy to distinguish which lamp is on by the cover surface and the holes.

[0073] The non-transparent covering surface of the first sealing member 31 may be printed with a black paint or the like, and letters or symbols indicating the content displayed by the light-emitting portion visible from the nearby hole may be printed in white, and the hole may not be an actual opening formed by punching or the like, but may be composed of a translucent resin area on which no non-translucent paint is printed.

[0074] The second seal member 33 has a larger area than the first seal member 31 and extends longer in the width direction and vertical direction than the first seal member 31. The second seal member 33 is provided so as to surround the first seal member 31. The second seal member 33 is intended mainly to improve the design, and is partially printed. However, the portion facing the second game area 116b, which is the area where the game balls flow down, has transparency to improve the visibility of the game balls, and is basically not printed.

[0075] For example, the portion facing the inside of the big winning opening 126 is printed to improve the design, and is less visible than the portion facing the second game area 116b. Also, for example, the position of the specific area 128a is notified to the player by, for example, marking the portion facing the specific area 128a with "V."

[0076] Here, the second seal member 33 has a cutout portion 33b that avoids the first seal member 31. The cutout portion 33b has a shape that follows the first seal member 31 and three sides (upper side, left side, lower side) of the facing region 21.

[0077] The plane 5a is provided with a rib-like first positioning portion 41 and a second positioning portion 43 that protrude slightly forward. The first positioning portion 41 and the second positioning portion 43 are protrusions that protrude slightly from the plane 5a toward the front side, and are used for positioning the first seal member 31 and the second seal member 33 when they are attached. The first positioning portion 41 is provided in the vicinity of the facing region 21, and has an L-shape that extends along the upper side and the right side of the facing region 21. The second positioning portion 43 extends in the vertical direction.

[0078] The first positioning portion 41 and the second positioning portion 43 are provided with semicircular protruding protrusions 41a and 43a, respectively. The first seal member 31 and the second seal member 33 are cut out in semicircular shapes to form recesses 31a and 33a that fit into the protrusions 41a and 43a, respectively.

[0079] The worker can attach the first seal member 31 to the plane 5a by matching the concave portion 31a with the convex portion 41a and aligning the upper side and the right side of the first seal member 31 with the first positioning portion 41. As described above, the first seal member 31 needs to have its hole portion facing the display unit 19 of the display device, more precisely, the lamp, and if the position is shifted during attachment, the visibility of the lamp through the transparent hole portion of the first seal member 31 may be significantly reduced. According to this embodiment, the first positioning portion 41 has two orthogonal sides, so that the positioning accuracy in both the vertical direction and the width direction when attaching the first seal member 31 is high.

[0080] The worker also affixes the second seal member 33 to the flat surface 5a by aligning the concave portion 33a with the convex portion 43a and aligning the left side of the second seal member 33 with the second positioning portion 43. In this manner, although the positioning accuracy of the second seal member 33 is lower than that of the first seal member 31, the second seal member 33 can be affixed without significant positional deviation.

[0081] However, the second seal member 33 is intended mainly to improve design, and has a larger tolerance for misalignment compared to the first seal member 31. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of work efficiency, the second positioning portion 43 has only one side. Note that the second positioning portion 43 may also have two perpendicular sides, similar to the first positioning portion 41.

[0082] Here, it is conceivable to attach one seal member in which the first seal member 31 and the second seal member 33 are integrated to the flat surface 5a. However, in this case, a slight misalignment when attaching the seal member may cause a large misalignment as a whole, and in particular, if the misalignment in the facing region 21 becomes large, the visibility of the display unit 19 may decrease as described above.

[0083] In this embodiment, a first positioning portion 41 is provided near the facing region 21, and a first seal member 31 is attached to the facing region 21 of the plane 5a along the first positioning portion 41. Also, a second seal member 33 having a cutout portion 33b for avoiding the first seal member 31 is attached to the plane 5a. In this way, a seal member that can be originally configured as one seal member is divided into two seal members and attached to the plane 5a, thereby improving the design and visibility of the display unit 19.

[0084] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0085] In the above embodiment, a liquid crystal display unit and a role unit U are provided as the operating means visibly provided in the opening 108a, and the opening 108a functions as an operating means arrangement area that makes the operating means visible. When the liquid crystal display unit and the role unit U, which are the operating means, are integrated, the operating means is longer in the vertical direction than in the width direction when viewed from the front of the game board 108. However, the operating means visibly provided in the opening 108a may perform a predetermined operation, and its shape, size, function, etc. are not particularly limited. Therefore, only one of the liquid crystal display unit and the role unit U may be provided in the opening 108a, or a movable device for performance may be provided in the opening 108a as the operating means. In any case, it is sufficient to provide an operating means that is arranged in an operating means arrangement area that is longer in the vertical direction than in the width direction when viewed from the front of the game board 108 and performs a predetermined operation.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the winning port unit 7 is provided with a first variable device including the large winning port 126 and the movable piece 126b, a second variable device including the second starting port 122 and the movable piece 122b, and a game ball entrance section including the general winning port 118. However, the functions of the first variable device, the second variable device, and the game ball entrance section are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the first variable device may function as the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122, and the second variable device may function as the large winning port 126. Also, for example, the first variable device and the second variable device may function as the first large winning port and the second large winning port, which are attacker devices. Also, the game ball entrance section may be configured as the out port 132, or may be configured as a so-called general operation port having the same function as the gate 124.

[0087] In addition, the shapes and positions of the first positioning portion 41 and the second positioning portion 43 in the above embodiment are merely examples and can be appropriately modified in design. In addition, in the above embodiment, the second positioning portion 43 is provided, but the second positioning portion 43 is not essential, and for example, only the first positioning portion 41 may be provided in the vicinity of the facing region 21.

[0088] Furthermore, the cutout portion 33b of the second seal member 33 in the above embodiment may be in a shape that surrounds the periphery of the first seal member 31, such as an opening, as long as the shape avoids the first seal member 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 100 Gaming Machines 108 Game Board 108a opening 116a First game area 116b Second gaming area 118 General Winning Entrance 122 Second starting point 122b Movable piece 126 Grand Prize Winner 126b Movable piece L Virtual perpendicular line U Role Unit X1 1st accessible area X2 Second entry into the realm of possibility X3 3rd Entering the Possible Field

Claims

[Claim 1] A game board; An operating means for performing a predetermined operation is disposed in an operating means arrangement area that is longer in a vertical direction than in a width direction when viewed from the front of the game board; A game area provided on the game board, the game area including a first game area into which a game ball launched with a launch strength less than a predetermined value enters, and a second game area into which a game ball launched with a launch strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value enters; A first variable device, a second variable device, and a game ball entry section that are provided in the second game area and into which a game ball can enter; Equipped with The first variable device, the second variable device, and the game ball entrance portion are located at different positions in the vertical direction from each other, A gaming machine characterized in that a first entry area, which is an area where a gaming ball enters the first variable device, is located on the opposite side of the operating means placement area with respect to a virtual perpendicular line passing vertically through the end portion on the operating means placement area side, and a second entry area, which is an area where a gaming ball enters the second variable device, and a third entry area, which is an area where a gaming ball enters the gaming ball entry section, are located.

Images