Game machine

Abstract

To enable easy exchange of an adhesion label, such as a serial number label, by destructing a destruction part and exchanging an adhesion base, and enable, in the case in which it was exchanged, easy confirmation of that fact by the destruction of the destruction part or a trace of the adhesion label.SOLUTION: There is provided, in a required portion, an adhesion base 300 which cannot be exchanged as long as a destruction part 303 is destructed. An adhesion label 301, such as a serial number label, is attached on the adhesion base 300. The adhesion label 301 is overlapped on at least a part of the destruction part 303 so as to leave a trace when the destruction part 303 is destructed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 56

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, gaming machines such as pachinko machines were configured so that game balls supplied from the island equipment were actually paid out to the player, and the player played by shooting the game balls toward the play area, and the out balls discharged from the play area through the winning hole or the out hole were collected by the island equipment. In recent years, so-called smart pachinko machines have been newly developed, which are configured so that the game balls enclosed inside the gaming machine are circulated and used for play, and the number of game balls owned by the player is managed internally as game ball number data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-118175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This type of gaming machine includes devices that can be used in common even if the model is changed. Therefore, the gaming machine is divided into a gaming unit that combines the game board, operation means, etc., and a gaming machine main body that includes devices that can be used in common even if the model is changed, and by replacing the gaming unit, it is possible to change to a new model with a different appearance and playability while continuing to use the gaming machine main body. On the other hand, inside the gaming machine, a serial number tag that identifies the gaming machine and a safety certification tag that certifies that the gaming machine meets the specified safety standards are attached. These serial number tags and safety certification tags contain information that identifies the manufacturer. In some cases, gaming machines are collected from halls, and some of their parts are reused and shipped as new machines. When reusing gaming machines in this way, it is necessary to replace the old ones with new serial number tags and safety certification tags. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine which, when it becomes necessary to re-attach a label such as a serial number label, allows the label to be easily replaced, and when it has been replaced, allows easy confirmation of this fact by the destruction of the destroyed portion and traces left by the label. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides an attachment base at a required location that cannot be replaced unless the destructible portion is destroyed, and an attachment tag such as a manufacturing number tag is affixed to the attachment base, and the attachment tag is superimposed on at least a portion of the destructible portion so that a trace is left when the destructible portion is destroyed. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, when it becomes necessary to re-attach a sticker such as a manufacturing number tag, the sticker can be easily replaced by destroying the destructible portion and replacing the sticker base, and when the sticker has been replaced, this fact can be easily confirmed by the destruction of the destructible portion and the traces left on the sticker. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an overall side view of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame and inner frame of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 6] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the performance button unit and its storage section of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 7]2 is an exploded perspective view of the performance button unit and its storage section of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the game ball count display unit and its storage section of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the button unit locking means of the pachinko machine and its surrounding area. FIG. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are plan cross-sectional views of the button unit locking means of the pachinko machine and its surrounding area, in which (a) shows the locked state and (b) shows the unlocked state. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of the second fixing operating device, the lock cover member and the surrounding area of ​​the pachinko machine, in which (a) shows the lock cover member in a closed state and (b) shows the lock cover member in an open state (it cannot be closed). [Figure 12] This is a side cross-sectional view of the button unit locking means, performance button unit 67 and surrounding areas of the pachinko machine. [Figure 13] 13 is a plan cross-sectional view of the central front decorative panel of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a front view of a sheet retaining piece in the central front decorative panel of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a plan cross-sectional view of the left front decorative panel of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a front view of a sheet holding piece on the left front decorative panel of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a plan cross-sectional view of the connection portion between the central front decorative panel and the left front decorative panel of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hand rest and its surroundings of the pachinko machine. [Figure 20] 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the area around the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 21] 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the area around the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 22]2 is a side cross-sectional view of the area around the launch handle and hand rest of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 23] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the game ball circulation device of the same pachinko machine (before lifting). FIG. [Figure 24] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the game ball circulation device of the pachinko machine (after lifting). FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 26] This is a front view of the lower part of the inner frame of the pachinko machine (with the opening and closing cover part removed from the ball feeding and launching unit). [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a front view of the same pachinko machine with the opening / closing body removed from the lower part of the inner frame (ball sending and launching unit). [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding and launching unit of the pachinko machine. [Figure 29] FIG. [Diagram 30] 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the lifting device of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a side view of the lifting device of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 32] 1 is a rear perspective view of the first pre-lift passage portion and its surroundings of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 33] 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 34] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first pre-lift passage portion and its surroundings of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 35] 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 36] 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines AA, BB and CC in FIG. 35 of the pachinko machine. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 is a front view of the ball spill prevention means of the pachinko machine. [Figure 38] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the ball spill prevention means of the pachinko machine and its surrounding area. FIG. [Figure 39] 1A and 1B are plan cross-sectional views of the ball spill prevention means of the pachinko machine and its surrounding area, in which (a) shows the opening / closing body in a closed state and (b) shows the opening / closing body in an open state. [Diagram 40] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view for explaining the ball feeding operation of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 41] 13 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the ball feeding operation of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Diagram 42] 4 is a time chart showing the operation cycle of the ball feeding and firing operation of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 43] 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the firing handle of the pachinko machine and the firing strength. FIG. [Diagram 44] This figure shows the corresponding relationship between the minimum and maximum ranges of the variable resistance value, the rotation angle of the launch handle, and the current value flowing through the launch drive means of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 45] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration (after lifting) of a game ball circulating device for a pachinko machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 46] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding and launching unit of the pachinko machine. [Figure 47] This is a front view of the ball feeding and launching unit of the pachinko machine with the opening and closing cover portion removed. [Figure 48] FIG. 11 is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 49] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower front portion of the pachinko machine. [Figure 50] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the lower side of a pachinko machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 51] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower rear side of the pachinko machine. [Figure 52] 2 is a rear view of the attachment unit of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 53] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the attachment unit and other parts of the pachinko machine. [Figure 54] 2 is an oblique view of the lower rear side of the pachinko machine in an open state. FIG. [Figure 55] FIG. 2 is a front view of the lower side of the pachinko machine. [Figure 56] 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the attachment unit of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 57]2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the attachment unit of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 58] FIG. 2 is a front view of the serial number plate of the pachinko machine. [Figure 59] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment unit of the pachinko machine. [Figure 60] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the attachment stand of the pachinko machine. [Figure 61] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover member of the pachinko machine. [Figure 62] 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views showing a method for removing the application pad. [Figure 63] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a slot machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view of the front door side, (b) is a front view of the cabinet side, and (c) is a partially cutaway side view. [Figure 64] FIG. 2 is a front view of the application unit of the slot machine. [Figure 65] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the application unit of the slot machine. FIG. [Figure 66] 13 is a rear view of the application unit of the slot machine. FIG. [Figure 67] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the application unit of the slot machine. [Figure 68] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the application table side of the slot machine. [Figure 69] FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the application unit side of the slot machine. [Figure 70] FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the application unit side of the slot machine. [Figure 71] FIG. 2 is a front view of the serial number plate of the slot machine. [Figure 72] FIG. 2 is a front view of the safety authentication tag of the slot machine. [Figure 73] 11A to 11C are cross-sectional views showing a method for removing the attachment pad from the slot machine. [Figure 74] 13 is a front view showing a method for removing the attachment pad from the slot machine. FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 44 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a so-called smart pachinko machine. Here, the smart pachinko machine is a machine in which game balls enclosed inside are circulated and used for playing, and the number of game balls owned by the player is managed internally as game ball number data.

[0009] 1 and 2, the gaming machine main body 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 arranged in front of the outer frame 2. The front frame 3 is pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be openable, closable, detachable and so on via a first hinge 4 in the up-down direction arranged on one end side in the left-right direction, for example, on the left end side, and can be locked in a closed state relative to the outer frame 2 by a locking means 5 provided on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the first hinge 4, for example, on the right end side.

[0010] The front frame 3 includes an inner frame 6 and a front door 7 arranged in front of the inner frame 6. The front door 7 is pivotally attached to the inner frame 6 via a second hinge 8 in the vertical direction arranged at one end side in the left-right direction, for example, at the left end side, so as to be openable, closable, and detachable, and can be locked in the closed state relative to the inner frame 6 by a locking means 5. The first hinge 4 and the second hinge 8 are arranged, for example, to be coaxial with each other.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 3, the outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular shape by a pair of left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members 2c, 2d. A front cover member 9 is attached to the lower front side of the outer frame 2 so as to connect the lower front sides of the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b along the front edge of the lower horizontal frame member 2d. The front cover member 9 protrudes forward from the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b, and the inner frame 6 is disposed above it.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the inner frame (main frame) 6 is provided, for example, integrally with a rectangular frame portion 13 that can be substantially in contact with the front edge of the outer frame 2 above the front cover member 9, a game board mounting portion 14 provided on the upper side of the frame portion 13, and a lower mounting portion 15 provided on the lower side of the frame portion 13. A game board 17 (FIG. 5) with a game area 16 arranged on the front side is attached to the game board mounting portion 14 in a manner that can be freely attached and detached from the front side, and a game ball circulation device 18 is arranged on the lower mounting portion 15. This game ball circulation device 18 is for circulating game balls in a game ball circulation path including the game area 16, and is provided with a launching device 19, a lifting device 20, etc., and is configured to launch game balls toward the game area 16 by the launching device 19, collect out balls discharged from the game area 16, and supply them again to the launching device 19 via the lifting device 20, etc. Details of this game ball circulation device 18 will be described later.

[0013] 5, the game board 17 is provided with a base plate 21 made of plywood, polycarbonate, or the like, and a guide rail 22 for guiding game balls launched from the launching device 19 is arranged in a ring shape on the front side of the base plate 21, and in the game area 16 inside the guide rail 22, unit parts such as a central display frame unit 23, a start winning unit 24, a normal winning unit 25, and many game nails (not shown) are arranged. On the left side of the game area 16, a launch guide passage 26 is formed between the outer rail 22a and the inner rail 22b that constitute the guide rail 22, and a return prevention piece 27 for preventing game balls from returning from the game area 16 side to the launch guide passage 26 side is provided at the inlet part from the launch guide passage 26 to the game area 16.

[0014] In addition, on the multiple unit components 23 to 25 of the game board 17, various display means are arranged, such as a normal pattern starting means 31, a first special pattern starting means 32, a second special pattern starting means 33, a big prize means 34, multiple normal prize means 35, etc., as well as a normal pattern display means 36, a normal reserved number display means 37, a first special pattern display means 38, and a second special pattern display means 39.

[0015] The central display frame unit 23 constitutes a display frame for the liquid crystal display means (image display means) 40 arranged on the rear side of the base plate 21, and is arranged in the approximate center of the game area 16. A game ball that is launched by the launch device 19 and enters the upper side of the game area 16 through the launch guide passage 26 flows down either the left flow-down path 41a on the left side of the central display frame unit 23 or the right flow-down path 41b on the right side. In addition, a return rubber 28 is arranged on the upper right part of the outer periphery of the game area 16, i.e., near the entrance of the right flow-down path 41b, so that a game ball that flows into the game area 16 at high speed and passes through the top of the game area 16 along the guide rail 22 collides with the return rubber 28, loses speed, and then flows down the right flow-down path 41b. In addition, a warp entrance 42 into which the game ball can flow is provided on the left flow-down path 41a side of the central display frame unit 23. The game ball that flows into the warp entrance 42 while flowing down the left flow path 41a rolls freely left and right on a stage 43 provided on the lower side of the central display frame unit 23, and then falls to the front from either a central drop section 44 provided corresponding to the left and right center of the game area 16, or from any other part.

[0016] The normal symbol starting means 31 is for starting the variable display of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display means 36, and is composed of a passage gate through which the game ball can pass, and is equipped with a passage detection means (not shown) for detecting the passage of the game ball. This normal symbol starting means 31 is disposed, for example, on the right side of the central display frame unit 23, and the game ball flowing down the right flow path 41b can pass through it.

[0017] The normal pattern display means 36 is for displaying a changing normal pattern and is composed of multiple (2) LEDs, etc., and based on the detection of a gaming ball by the normal pattern starting means 31, the multiple LEDs constituting the normal pattern emit light in a normal variation light pattern, and then if the winning determination random number value contained in the normal random number information acquired when the normal pattern starting means 31 detects a gaming ball matches a predetermined winning determination value, the fluctuation stops in a winning state, and otherwise in a losing state.

[0018] In addition, when the normal symbol starting means 31 detects a game ball during a normal reservation period including during the pattern change of the normal symbol display means 36 and during the normal profit state, the normal random number information acquired thereby is reserved and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved number, for example, 4 pieces, and each time the normal reservation period ends, one piece is consumed and the normal symbol is changed. The number of stored normal random number information (normal reservation number) is notified to the player by the normal reservation number display means 37, etc.

[0019] The first special symbol starting means 32 is for starting the symbol variation by the first special symbol display means 38, and is composed of a non-opening / closing winning means that does not have an opening / closing means, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) that detects the winning game ball. This first special symbol starting means 32 is provided, for example, in the starting winning unit 24, and is arranged in an upward opening manner on the lower side corresponding to the central drop part 44 of the stage 43, and since there is a route from the warp entrance 42 on the left flow-down path 41a side through the stage 43 to win, the game ball that has flowed down the left flow-down path 41a has a higher probability of winning than the game ball that has flowed down the right flow-down path 41b. The game ball that has won the first special symbol starting means 32 is detected by the game ball detection means and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a game ball enters the first special pattern starting means 32, a predetermined number of game balls per winning is awarded to the player as prize balls (in the smart pachinko machine of this embodiment, game balls are not actually paid out, but the number of prize balls is added to the game ball count data).

[0020] The second special symbol starting means 33 is for starting the pattern variation by the second special symbol display means 39, and is composed of an opening and closing type winning means that can be changed between an open state where the game ball can win and a closed state where the game ball cannot win (or is more difficult to win than in the open state) by the operation of the opening and closing part 33a, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) for detecting the winning game ball, and when the stopped pattern after the variation of the normal symbol display means 36 becomes a winning state and a normal profit state occurs, the opening and closing part 33a is changed from a closed state to an open state for a predetermined time. This second special symbol starting means 33 is arranged, for example, on the right side of the central display frame unit 23 and downstream of the normal symbol starting means 31, and the game ball flowing down the right flow path 41b can win. The game ball that has won the second special symbol starting means 33 is detected by the game ball detection means and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a gaming ball enters the second special symbol starting means 33, a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded to the player as prize balls per entry.

[0021] The first special symbol display means 38 is for displaying the first special symbol in a variable manner, and is composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. When the first special symbol display means 38 starts to vary the 7-segment LED or the like that composes the first special symbol based on the entry of a gaming ball into the first special symbol starting means 32, if the jackpot determination random number value included in the first special random number information acquired when the first special symbol starting means 32 detects the gaming ball matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the variation is stopped in the first jackpot mode, and otherwise in the first miss mode. When the stopped symbol after the variation of the first special symbol display means 38 becomes the first jackpot mode, a special profit state occurs.

[0022] The second special symbol display means 39 is for variably displaying the second special symbol, and is composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. After starting the variation by the 7-segment LED or the like constituting the second special symbol, if the jackpot determination random number value included in the second special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the second special symbol starting means 33 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the variation is stopped in the second jackpot mode, otherwise in the second miss mode. If the stopped symbol after the variation of the second special symbol display means 39 becomes the second jackpot mode, a special profit state occurs.

[0023] In addition, when the first and second special symbol starting means 32 and 33 detect a game ball during a special reservation period including the pattern change of the first special symbol display means 38, the pattern change of the second special symbol display means 39, and the special profit state, the first and second special random number information acquired thereby is reserved and stored with a predetermined upper limit of reserved number, for example, 4 pieces each. Then, when the special reservation period ends, if the reserved memory on the second special symbol side is 1 or more, one reserved memory of the second special symbol is consumed and the second special symbol is changed, and if only the reserved memory on the first special symbol side is 1 or more, one reserved memory of the first special symbol is consumed and the first special symbol is changed. In this way, in this embodiment, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not both changing, and when there are reserved memories on both the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, the change of the second special symbol is prioritized. The number of stored first and second special random number information (number of first and second special reserves) is notified to the player by the liquid crystal display means 40 or the like.

[0024] The big prize winning means 34 is an open / close type winning means equipped with an opening / closing plate 34a that can be switched between an open state where the game ball can win and a closed state where the game ball cannot win, and is disposed downstream of the second special symbol starting means 33 and upstream of the first special symbol starting means 32, and the game ball flowing down the right flow path 41b has a higher probability of winning than the game ball flowing down the left flow path 41a. In the special profit state that occurs when the first and second special symbols of the first and second special symbol display means 38 and 39 stop in the first and second big win modes after fluctuating, the opening / closing plate 34a opens forward according to one or more types of opening patterns, and the game ball that falls on it is allowed to win inside. The game ball that wins the big prize winning means 34 is detected by a game ball detection means (not shown) and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a gaming ball wins in the big prize means 34, a predetermined number of gaming balls per win are awarded to the player as prize balls.

[0025] The normal winning means 35 is composed of non-opening / closing type winning means that does not have an opening / closing means, and is arranged at a plurality of locations in the game area 16, such as above the normal winning unit 25, and is equipped with a game ball detection means (not shown) that detects winning game balls. A game ball that wins in the normal winning means 35 is detected by the game ball detection means (not shown) and then guided to the rear side of the game board 17. When a game ball wins in the normal winning means 35, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the player as prize balls for each win.

[0026] The game ball that is launched by the launching device 19 and enters the game area 16 is guided to the outside of the game area 16, i.e., to the rear of the game board 17, by winning one of the various winning means such as the first and second special pattern starting means 32, 33 and the big winning means 34 described above, or by entering one or more outlets 45 located within the game area 16.

[0027] In addition, the liquid crystal display means 40 is capable of displaying a varying performance pattern 46 in parallel with the varying display of the first and second special patterns by the first and second special pattern display means 38, 39, and is also capable of displaying various images such as first and second reserved images X1-X4, Y1-Y4 indicating the number of first and second special reserved items.

[0028] 1 and 2, the front door 7 is provided with a resin door base 51 formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the front side of the inner frame 6. In this door base 51, a window hole 52a of a glass window (transparent window) 52 is formed corresponding to the front side of the play area 16, and multiple (four in this case) presentation means such as speakers 53 and LED boards 54 are arranged around the window hole 52a, for example, and an upper decorative cover 55 is attached to substantially cover the speakers 53, LED boards 54, etc. from the front side. The upper decorative cover 55 constitutes a light-emitting lens part having at least a part with translucency corresponding to the rear LED board 54.

[0029] In addition, at the front of the lower part of the door base 51, i.e., the part corresponding to the front side of the lower mounting part 15 on the inner frame 6 side, a lower bulge part 56 and a launch handle 57 are arranged side by side, and further, a hand rest (rest means) 58 is arranged below the launch handle 57.

[0030] 4, the lower bulge 56 is formed so that it gradually protrudes forward from both the left and right ends of the front door 7 toward the center, and an operation panel section 59 is provided on its upper surface. The operation panel section 59 is provided with a performance button 61, a volume adjustment operation section 62, a light intensity adjustment operation section 63, a cross operation section 64, as well as a game ball number display section 65, a counting button 66, etc.

[0031] The effect button (predetermined operation means) 61 is used in so-called button effects and the like performed during a game, and is valid for a certain period during the button effect, and is configured to execute a predetermined operation effect when the player presses the button during the valid period. The volume adjustment operation unit 62 is for adjusting the output volume from the speaker 53, and is configured with a plus button and a minus button. The light amount adjustment operation unit 63 is for adjusting the light amount of various LEDs arranged on the LED board 54 and the like, and is configured with a plus button and a minus button like the volume adjustment operation unit 62. The cross operation unit 64 is used for various setting operations, selection operations, and the like, such as the selection operation of a menu item when a menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 40, and is provided with four movement buttons for up, down, left, and right.

[0032] The game ball number display unit 65 displays the number of game balls (the number of game balls owned by the player) managed inside the gaming machine as game ball number data, and is composed of a 7-segment LED with a predetermined number of digits (6 digits in this case), etc. The count button 66 is an operating means for transferring the game ball number displayed on the game ball number display unit 65 to a storage medium such as an IC card via an external game ball lending device.

[0033] 6 to 8, the lower bulge 56 includes an effect button unit 67 disposed on the front side, a button unit support part 68 for detachably supporting the effect button unit 67, a game ball number display unit 69 disposed on the upper surface side and on one of the left and right sides (here, the left side) of the effect button unit 67, and a left front decorative panel 70 disposed on the front surface side and on the left side of the effect button unit 67. The effect button unit (operation unit) 67 includes an effect button main body 71 having an effect button 61 disposed on the upper side that can be pressed downward, a fixed metal plate 72 attached to the lower side of the effect button main body 71, and a central front decorative panel 73 disposed adjacent to the left front decorative panel 70 on the front side of the effect button main body 71.

[0034] The fixed metal plate 72 integrally comprises a bottom wall 74 disposed substantially horizontally on the bottom side of the effect button main body 71, a rear wall 75 erected on the rear side of the effect button main body 71, and a pair of left side wall 76 and right side wall 77 erected on the left and right side sides of the effect button main body 71. A first fixed receiving portion 79a is disposed on the bottom wall 74 with which a first fixed operating device 78a on the button unit support 68 side can be engaged in a freely disengageable manner, and a second fixed receiving portion 79b is disposed on the rear wall 75 with which a second fixed operating device 78b on the button unit support 68 side can be engaged in a freely disengageable manner. In addition, engagement portions 80b, 80b are disposed on the left and right side walls 76, 77 that can be engaged from the front with a pair of left and right engagement receiving portions 80a, 80a provided on the button unit support 68 side.

[0035] A button unit housing 81 having a space for housing the performance button unit 67 is formed in a forward and upward open state on the front side of the lower bulging portion 56, and a button unit support portion 68 is provided in the button unit housing 81. The button unit support portion 68 includes a support sheet metal 82 arranged along the inner wall of the button unit housing 81. The support sheet metal 82 includes a bottom wall portion 84 arranged substantially horizontally on the inner side (upper surface side) of the bottom wall 83 of the lower bulging portion 56, a rear wall portion 85 erected along the front side of the door base 51, and a pair of left wall portion 86 and right wall portion 87 erected on both the left and right sides, and is detachably fixed to the bottom wall 83 of the lower bulging portion 56, the door base 51, etc., by screwing or the like.

[0036] A first fixed operating device 78a corresponding to the first fixed receiving portion 79a on the performance button unit 67 side is disposed on the bottom wall portion 84 side, and a second fixed operating device 78b corresponding to the second fixed receiving portion 79b on the performance button unit 67 side is disposed on the rear wall portion 85 side. In addition, engagement receiving portions 80a, 80a corresponding to engagement portions 80b, 80b on the performance button unit 67 side are disposed on the left and right side wall portions 86, 87.

[0037] The button unit accommodating section 81 is provided with a button unit locking means (operation unit locking means) 181 that can be switched between a locked state in which the performance button unit 67 cannot be removed and an unlocked state in which the performance button unit 67 can be removed. As shown in Figs. 6 to 12, the button unit locking means 181 includes a first fixed operating device 78a, a second fixed operating device 78b, a lock rotation base 182, a lock cover member 183, and a lock slide member 184.

[0038] The first fixed operating device 78a corresponds to the first fixed receiving portion 79a on the performance button unit 67 side, and is arranged on the bottom side of the button unit storage portion 81 in a state in which it can rotate around an axis in the vertical direction and slide in the axial direction (vertical direction). An operating portion 185 that can slide up and down and rotate around the axis from the bottom side of the lower bulge portion 56 is provided on the lower end side, and an engaging portion 186 that can be engaged and disengaged with the first fixed receiving portion 79a is provided on the upper end side. When the first fixed operating device 78a is pushed up to the upper slide position, it can be switched between a locked state (see FIG. 10(a)) in which it engages with the first fixed receiving portion 79a on the performance button unit 67 side and an unlocked state (see FIG. 10(b)) in which it does not engage with the first fixed receiving portion 79a by rotating around the axis within a predetermined angle (here, 90 degrees). The first fixed operating device 78a is elastically biased toward the lower slide position by a spring 188a (FIG. 9).

[0039] The first fixing operating device 78a is fitted with a lock rotation base 182 at an axial intermediate portion, i.e., between the operating portion 185 and the engaging portion 186. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the lock rotation base 182 is generally disc-shaped and coaxial with the first fixing operating device 78a, with a notch 182a formed at one location on the outer periphery thereof, and is disposed between the bottom wall 84 of the supporting plate 82 and the bottom wall 83. The lock rotation base 182 is fitted so that it does not slide in the axial direction but rotates around the axis relative to the first fixing operating device 78a. When the first fixing operating device 78a is in a locked state, the notch 182a of the lock rotation base 182 faces backward (see Fig. 10(a)). When the first fixing operating device 78a is in an unlocked state, the notch 182a of the lock rotation base 182 faces other than backward, for example, to the right (see Fig. 10(b)).

[0040] The second fixed operating device 78b corresponds to the second fixed receiving portion 79b on the performance button unit 67 side, and is arranged on the back side of the button unit storage portion 81 in a state in which it can rotate around an axis in the front-rear direction and slide in the axial direction (front-rear direction), and an operating portion 187 that can be rotated from the rear side of the front door 7 (i.e., when the front door 7 is open) is provided on the rear end side, and an engaging portion 189 that can be engaged and disengaged with the second fixed receiving portion 79b is provided on the front end side. When the second fixed operating device 78b is pushed to the front slide position, it can be switched between a locked state (see Figs. 11 and 12) in which it engages with the second fixed receiving portion 79b on the performance button unit 67 side and an unlocked state (see Fig. 9) in which it does not engage with the second fixed receiving portion 79b by rotating around the axis within a predetermined angle (90 degrees here). The second fixed operating device 78b is elastically biased toward the rear slide position side by a spring 188b (Fig. 9).

[0041] The lock cover member 183 is for holding the second fixing operating device 78b in a locked state, and as shown in Figures 9 to 12, is pivotally attached to the front door 7 near the second fixing operating device 78b on the rear side of the front door 7 via a hinge 183a in a predetermined direction (here, the vertical direction) so as to be able to be opened and closed freely. The lock cover member 183 is provided with an engaging portion 183b formed in a shape that can engage with the operating portion 187 when the second fixing operating device 78b is in the locked state but cannot engage with the operating portion 187 when the second fixing operating device 78b is in the unlocked state, and an engaging portion 183c that engages freely with an engaged portion 190 on the front door 7 side, so that when the lock cover member 183 is in the closed state, the engaging portion 183b engages with the operating portion 187 of the second fixing operating device 78b in the locked state, thereby maintaining the second fixing operating device 78b in the locked state, and the engaging portion 183c engages with the engaged portion 190 on the front door 7 side, thereby maintaining the lock cover member 183 in the closed state.

[0042] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lock slide member 184 is formed in a substantially plate-like shape of a predetermined shape, and is disposed substantially horizontally between, for example, the support plate 82 (bottom wall portion 84) and the bottom wall 83 on the rear side of the first fixing operating device 78a in a state in which it can slide back and forth between a front position and a rear position, and is elastically biased toward the front position by a spring 184a. A recessed portion 191 that is substantially semicircular in plan view is formed on the front end side of the lock slide member 184, and the lock rotation base 182 is disposed within the recessed portion 191. Within the recessed portion 191, a protrusion portion 191a that corresponds to the notch portion 182a on the lock rotation base 182 side is provided integrally with the lock slide member 184 at its rear end. When the first fixing operating device 78a is in the unlocked state, the lock rotation base 182 has its notch 182a facing, for example, to the right, so that the protrusion 191a does not engage with the notch 182a and is held in the rear position against the biasing force of the spring 184a as shown in Fig. 10(b). When the first fixing operating device 78a rotates 90 degrees from the unlocked state to the locked state, the lock rotation base 182 has its notch 182a facing backward and engages with the protrusion 191a, so that the lock rotation base 182 moves from the rear position to the front position by the biasing force of the spring 184a as shown in Fig. 10(a).

[0043] In addition, a protrusion 192 is provided facing rearward on the rear end side of the lock slide member 184. This protrusion 192 protrudes rearward through a through hole 193 formed in the door base 51 in the front-rear direction, and when the lock slide member 184 is in the rear position (i.e., when the first fixing operating device 78a is in the unlocked state), the rearward protrusion amount of the protrusion 192 becomes large as shown in Fig. 10(b) and Fig. 11(b) and interferes with the lock cover member 183, making it impossible to close the lock cover member 183, and when the lock slide member 184 is in the front position (i.e., when the first fixing operating device 78a is in the locked state), the rearward protrusion amount of the protrusion 192 becomes small as shown in Fig. 10(a) and Fig. 11(a), and interference with the lock cover member 183 is avoided, making it possible to close the lock cover member 183. When the lock cover member 183 cannot be closed and remains open because the lock slide member 184 is in the rear position (i.e., the first fixing operating device 78a is in the unlocked state), the lock cover member 183 interferes with a predetermined portion on the inner frame 6 side as shown in Fig. 10(b), making it impossible to close the front door 7. The lock cover member 183 is an example of a front door closing assist means that allows the front door 7 to be closed when the button unit locking means 181 is in the locked state, and prevents the front door 7 from being closed when the button unit locking means 181 is in the unlocked state.

[0044] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the game ball number display unit 69 has the game ball number display section 65 arranged on its upper side, a first engagement portion 194a arranged on one end side (here, the left end side), and a second engagement portion 194b arranged on the other end side (here, the right end side), and is detachably attached to a display unit housing section 195 adjacent to the button unit housing section 81. The display unit housing section 195 is provided with a first engaged portion 195a corresponding to the first engagement portion 194a on the game ball number display unit 69 side, and a second engaged portion 195b corresponding to the second engagement portion 194b, and the game ball number display unit 69 is fixed in a state of being housed in the display unit housing section 195 by engaging the first engagement portion 194a on the game ball number display unit 69 side with the first engaged portion 195a and engaging the second engagement portion 194b with the second engaged portion 195b. In this embodiment, the engagement portion between the second engaging portion 194b and the second engaged portion 195b is disposed within the button unit housing 81, and when the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit housing 81, the release operation for the second engaging portion 194b is impossible, so that the game ball number display unit 69 cannot be attached or detached to or from the display unit housing 195. Note that while the game ball number display unit 69 can be attached even when the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit housing 81, it may be configured such that when the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit housing 81, the game ball number display unit 69 cannot be removed because the release operation for the first engaged portion 195a is impossible.

[0045] A central front decorative panel 73 is disposed on the front side of the effect button unit 67, and when the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit housing 81, it is arranged to be adjacent to the left front decorative panel 70 on the lower bulge 56 side on the left and right sides. As shown in Figs. 1 and 13, the central front decorative panel 73 is composed of a resin decorative sheet 211 on which a decorative pattern consisting of characters, model names, etc. is printed, and a decorative sheet housing means 212 that can detachably house the decorative sheet 211. As shown in Figs. 1 and 15, the left front decorative panel 70 is also composed of a resin decorative sheet 213 on which a decorative pattern consisting of characters, model names, etc. is printed, and a decorative sheet housing means 214 that can detachably house the decorative sheet 213. Note that the decorative sheet 211 on the central front decorative panel 73 side and the decorative sheet 213 on the left front decorative panel 70 side may display independent patterns, or one decorative pattern may be divided and displayed.

[0046] The front side of the decorative sheet storage means 212, 214 is formed of transparent panels 212a, 214a, and the decorative sheets 211, 213 can be seen from the front side through the transparent panels 212a, 214a. The decorative sheet storage means 212, 214 is also provided with decorative sheet insertion / removal openings 215, 216 at one end in the left-right direction, and the decorative sheets 211, 213 can be inserted and removed in the left-right direction through the decorative sheet insertion / removal openings 215, 216. Here, the decorative sheet insertion / removal opening 215 on the side of the central front decorative panel 73 is disposed on the left end side of the decorative sheet storage means 212, and the decorative sheet insertion / removal opening 216 on the side of the left front decorative panel 70 is disposed on the right end side of the decorative sheet storage means 214, and when the performance button unit 67 is attached to the button unit storage section 81, as shown in FIG. 17, the decorative sheet insertion / removal openings 215, 216 face each other to close the other side. In other words, when the performance button unit 67 is attached to the button unit accommodating section 81, both of the decorative sheet insertion / removal openings 215, 216 are blocked, so the decorative sheets 211, 213 cannot be inserted or removed; however, by removing the performance button unit 67 from the button unit accommodating section 81, it becomes possible to insert or remove the decorative sheets 211, 213 into or from the decorative sheet accommodating means 212, 214.

[0047] 13 to 17, sheet holding pieces 217, 218 are disposed near the decorative sheet insertion / removal openings 215, 216 for holding the decorative sheets 211, 213 by releasably engaging with the edges of the decorative sheets 211, 213 housed in the decorative sheet housing means 212, 214. The sheet holding pieces 217, 218 are integrally provided with engagement claws 217a, 218a that engage with the edges of the decorative sheets 211, 213 by substantially closing a portion of the decorative sheet insertion / removal openings 215, 216, and the engagement claws 217a, 218a are retracted to the outside of the decorative sheet insertion / removal openings 215, 216, thereby allowing elastic deformation to an insertion / removal allowing position where insertion and removal of the decorative sheets 211, 213 is allowed. Furthermore, when the performance button unit 67 is attached to the button unit storage section 81, the sheet holding pieces 217, 218 are located behind the transparent panels 212a, 214a connected to the left and right, and therefore the sheet holding pieces 217, 218 cannot be operated from the front.

[0048] When the performance button unit 67 is attached to the button unit storage section 81 of the lower bulge section 56, first, with the front door 7 open, if the first fixed operating device 78a held in the lower slide position by the spring 188a is in the locked state (FIG. 9), the lock slide member 184 is slid backward against the biasing force of the spring 184a, and the first fixed operating device 78a is rotated 90 degrees to switch to the unlocked state (FIG. 10(a)→(b)). When the first fixed operating device 78a is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the lock rotation base 182 also rotates 90 degrees accordingly, and the protrusion 191a on the lock slide member 184 side does not engage with the notch 182a on the lock rotation base 182 side, so that the lock slide member 184 is held in the rear position against the biasing force of the spring 184a. As a result, the protrusion 192 of the lock slide member 184 will interfere with the lock cover member 183, so it is desirable to open the lock cover member 183 to the rear in advance.

[0049] Next, the fixed metal plate 72 on the performance button unit 67 side is aligned with the inside of the support metal plate 82 on the button unit support section 68 side, and the performance button unit 67 is slid backward (FIG. 6). At this time, the engagement parts 80b, 80b on the performance button unit 67 side are engaged with the engagement receiving parts 80a, 80a on the button unit support section 68 side from the front side, respectively. At this time, the rotation position of the second fixed operating device 78b, which is biased toward the rear slide position by the spring 188b, is set to the unlocked state (FIG. 9). Then, when the performance button unit 67 reaches a predetermined fixed position, in that state, the second fixed operating device 78b is pushed from the rear side of the front door 7 to the front slide position, rotated 90 degrees, and switched to the locked state, and engaged with the second fixed receiving part 79b on the performance button unit 67 side. In this state where the second fixed receiving portion 79b side is locked but the first fixed receiving portion 79a side is not locked, the protrusion 192 of the lock slide member 184 gets in the way and the lock cover member 183 cannot be closed, and therefore the lock cover member 183 gets in the way and the front door 7 cannot be closed (Figure 10(b)).

[0050] Next, the first fixed operating device 78a is pushed up from the lower side of the lower bulge portion 56 to the upper slide position and rotated 90 degrees to switch to the locked state, and engaged with the first fixed receiving portion 79a on the performance button unit 67 side. At this time, the lock rotation base 182 also rotates 90 degrees, and the notch portion 182a faces backward and engages with the protrusion portion 191a, so that the lock rotation base 182 moves from the rear position to the front position by the urging force of the spring 184a (FIG. 10(b)→(a)). As a result, the protrusion portion 192 also moves forward to a position where it does not interfere with the lock cover member 183, so that the lock cover member 183 can be closed, and the front door 7 can also be closed against the inner frame 6. In this way, in this embodiment, when the front door 7 is closed, the performance button unit 67 is guaranteed to be in a locked state, and the front door 7 is not closed and used for play without the performance button unit 67 being locked, so that damage and theft due to mischief, etc. can be effectively prevented. When removing the performance button unit 67, simply reverse the installation procedure described above.

[0051] When the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit storage section 81, the second engagement section 194b of the game ball number display unit 69 is covered by the effect button unit 67, so that the game ball number display unit 69 cannot be removed. Therefore, the effect button unit 67 must be removed before the effect button unit 67 can be attached or detached. This allows the effect button unit 67 to be easily replaced, while effectively preventing damage and theft due to mischief. Furthermore, when the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit storage section 81, the decorative sheet insertion and removal openings 215, 216 of the front decorative panels 73, 70 are blocked from each other, so that the decorative sheets 211, 213 cannot be inserted or removed (FIG. 17). Therefore, the decorative sheets 211, 213 must be attached or detached before the effect button unit 67 is removed. This allows the decorative sheets 211, 213 to be easily replaced, while effectively preventing damage and theft due to mischief.

[0052] The launch handle 57 is an operating means operated by the player to activate the launch device 19, and as shown in Figures 18, 20 to 22, etc., comprises a launch handle base 91, a launch stop lever 92, a rotation operating section 93, a handle cap 94, etc., and is located near the right side of the lower bulge 56. The launch handle base 91 is integrally provided with a substantially cylindrical support leg 95 arranged in the front-rear direction and a bowl-shaped section 96 provided on the front end side of the support leg 95, and the rear end side of the support leg 95 is detachably fixed to the door base 51 of the front door 7.

[0053] The firing stop lever 92 is for stopping the firing operation of the firing device 19, protrudes radially outward from a predetermined position on the front edge side of the bowl-shaped portion 96, for example, a notch provided on the left side, and is supported switchably between a first position (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 21) in which the amount of outward protrusion is large and a second position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 21) in which the amount of protrusion is smaller, and is biased toward the first position. When the firing stop lever 92 is in the first position (OFF), an operation switch for operating the firing device 19 is turned ON, allowing the firing operation of the firing device 19, and when the firing stop lever 92 is in the second position (ON), the operation switch is turned OFF, stopping the firing operation of the firing device 19. In other words, one of the conditions for allowing the firing operation is that the firing stop lever 92 is not operated (is in the first position (OFF)).

[0054] The rotary operation unit (operation unit) 93 is for adjusting the firing strength of the launching device 19, and is formed in a substantially annular shape corresponding to the front edge side of the bowl-shaped portion 96, and has a plurality of finger hooks 93a, for example, three, integrally protruding from its outer periphery. The rotary operation unit 93 is supported in a state in which it can rotate between a minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 and a maximum rotation angle θMAX rotated a predetermined angle clockwise from the minimum rotation angle θ0, and is configured so that the resistance value of the variable resistor 97 changes according to the rotation angle, and is biased counterclockwise toward the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0. The rotary operation unit 93 also functions as an electrode of the touch sensor 98, for example, by applying conductive plating to the entire outer surface. When the touch sensor 98 is ON by the player touching the rotary operation unit 93, the launching operation by the launching device 19 is permitted. In other words, one of the conditions for permitting the launching operation is that the player touches the rotary operation unit 93 (the touch sensor 98 is ON). The variable resistor 97, touch sensor 98, etc. are disposed inside the bowl-shaped portion 96 (FIG. 21).

[0055] When the rotation operation unit 93 is within the range from the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 to the rotation angle θ1, the firing stop lever 92 is held in the second position (ON) in conjunction with the rotation operation unit 93 (see FIG. 43). Note that the force (first biasing force) biasing the rotation operation unit 93 toward the minimum rotation angle θ0 is greater than the force (second biasing force) biasing the firing stop lever 92 toward the first position (OFF). Therefore, when the rotation operation unit 93 is not being operated, that is, when it is held at the minimum rotation angle (origin position) θ0 by the first biasing force, the firing stop lever 92 is held in the second position (ON) by the first biasing force received from the rotation operation unit 93, and the activation switch is turned OFF. From that state, when the player grips the rotation operation unit 93 and rotates it clockwise, when the rotation angle reaches θ1, the firing stop lever 92 is released from the first biasing force and moves from the second position (ON) to the first position (OFF) by the second biasing force, turning the operation switch ON and allowing the firing operation of the firing device 19. The firing control based on the operation of this firing handle 57 will be described later.

[0056] The handle cap 94 is the part where the player places his / her palm when operating the rotation operating unit 93 etc., and is made of synthetic resin in an approximately hemispherical shape. It is positioned in front of the rotation operating unit 93 and fixed to the launch handle base 91 side in a way that does not interfere with the operation of the rotation operating unit 93 etc.

[0057] The hand rest 58 is an example of a rest means for supporting a part of the body of the player who operates the launch handle 57, specifically a predetermined part in the range from the arm through the wrist to the hand (including the palm), and is disposed below the launch handle 57 and to the side (right side) of the lower bulge 56. As shown in Figs. 18 to 22, the hand rest 58 includes a base portion 101, a rear cover portion 102, a front cover portion 103, and a rest portion (support portion) 104.

[0058] The base portion 101 is made of synthetic resin and is formed, for example, in the shape of a thin plate that is approximately rectangular in plan view and long in the front-rear direction, and is disposed approximately horizontally on the front side along the lower edge of the door base 51. The upper surface side of the base portion 101 is formed to be slightly inclined downward toward the front, and the lower surface side is formed approximately horizontally, so that the thickness (plate thickness) in the vertical direction is smaller on the front side than on the rear side. The base portion 101 is provided with a first opening 105a that penetrates in the vertical direction at a predetermined position on the rear side corresponding to the lower side of the tip of the firing handle 57, and a second opening 105b that also penetrates in the vertical direction is provided forward of the first opening 105a.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 19 etc., the base portion 101 forms a hand rest base 108 integrally including a side wall portion 106 erected upward along its left edge and a rear wall portion 107 erected upward along its rear edge. The side wall portion 106 of the hand rest base 108 constitutes the right wall of the lower bulging portion 56, and is disposed along and to the right of the right wall portion 87 of the support sheet metal 82 of the button unit support portion 68 (Fig. 20), and is fixed to the right wall portion 87 by screws or the like. When the effect button unit 67 is attached to the button unit housing portion 81, the central front decorative panel 73 on the effect button unit 67 side is connected to the front edge side of this side wall portion 106.

[0060] Furthermore, a rear wall portion 107 of the hand rest base 108 is disposed along the front side of the door base 51 and is fixed to the door base 51 by means of screws or the like. An insertion hole 109 corresponding to the firing handle 57 is formed in this rear wall portion 107, and the firing handle 57 is fixed to the door base 51 side with its rear end inserted into the insertion hole 109.

[0061] As described above, the rear end of the base portion 101 of the hand rest 58 is fixed to the door base 51 side via the rear wall portion 107, and the left side of the base portion 101 is fixed to the lower bulging portion 56 side via the side wall portion 106. In this way, the hand rest 58 is supported by the front door 7 not only at the rear side but also in an L-shaped range in a plan view spanning from the rear side to the side side, so that it is possible to ensure sufficient strength against rough handling by a player. Here, the rear wall portion 107 of the hand rest base 108 is an example of a rear support means that supports the rear of the hand rest 58, and the side wall portion 106 of the hand rest base 108 is an example of a side support means that supports the side of the hand rest 58.

[0062] The rear cover part 102 is for reinforcing the base part 101, is fitted from below into a recess provided on the underside of the base part 101, and is detachably fixed to the base part 101 by screwing or the like. As shown in Fig. 19 etc., the rear cover part 102 is integrally formed with a base side recess 110 corresponding to the first opening 105a on the base part 101 side and a rest support part 111 corresponding to the second opening 105b on the base part 101 side.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 22, the base side recess 110 is formed in a downward concave shape on the lower side of the first opening 105a in correspondence with the inner region of the first opening 105a. The base side recess 110 has a base side opening 112 of a predetermined shape, for example, a substantially rectangular shape, formed at a predetermined position on the bottom wall 110a, for example, on the rear side. The bottom wall 110a of the base side recess 110 is substantially horizontal and disposed along the bottom surface of the base portion 101, and the peripheral wall portion 110b around the bottom wall 110a is formed in an inclined shape that gradually becomes lower toward the bottom wall 110a side. The rest support portion 111 is for fixing the rest portion 104, and is formed in a shape that protrudes upward in correspondence with the second opening 105b, and is fitted into the second opening 105b from below. Here, the shape of the second opening 105b and the rest support portion 111 that fits therein is substantially rectangular, but may be circular or any other shape.

[0064] The front cover part 103 covers the periphery of the first opening 105a on the base part 101 side from above, and as shown in Figures 19, 20, 22, etc., has a cover side recess 114 formed along the inner surface (upper surface) of the base side recess 110 on the rear cover part 102 side. The front cover part 103 is attached to the first opening 105a of the base part 101 from above, and is fixed to the rear cover part 102 by screws or the like in a manner that allows it to be freely attached and detached.

[0065] The cover-side recess 114 has a cover-side opening 115 formed on its bottom wall 114a, which corresponds to the base-side opening 112 of the base-side recess 110. The cover-side opening 115 is composed of a plurality of elongated holes 115a, and all of the elongated holes 115a are arranged so as to correspond to the area of ​​the base-side opening 112. The cover-side opening 115 can be formed of one or more circular holes or any number of holes of any shape. Similarly to the cover-side opening 115, the base-side opening 112 can also be formed of one or more circular holes or any number of holes of any shape, but it is preferable that all of the cover-side openings 115 are included within the range of the base-side opening 112, or that the two completely coincide with each other.

[0066] The cover-side recess 114 is an example of a space forming portion for securing more space below the launch handle 57. The presence of the cover-side recess (space forming portion) 114 creates a space even though the hand rest 58 is provided below the launch handle 57, and prevents the player from feeling cramped when operating the launch handle 57. The position of the cover-side recess 114 is determined in consideration of the actual wrist position when the player holds the launch handle 57 with his / her right hand. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, the cover-side recess 114 is disposed in a state in which its left-right center position is slightly shifted outward (to the right) from the central axis of the launch handle 57, and as shown in FIG. 22, the cover-side recess 114 is disposed so that its front-rear center position is approximately aligned with the front-rear position of the grip operation portion 57a ​​at the tip side of the launch handle 57. The grip operation portion 57a ​​of the launch handle 57 is the portion of the launch handle 57 that is actually gripped and operated by the player, that is, the portion composed of the handle cap 94 and the rotation operation portion 93 at the rear of the handle cap 94.

[0067] 22, the front-to-rear width of cover-side recess 114 is greater than the front-to-rear width of grip operation portion 57a ​​of firing handle 57, and the front end portion of cover-side recess 114 is located forward of the tip portion of firing handle 57. Also, cover-side opening 115 is shifted rearward from the front-to-rear center position of cover-side recess 114, and is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the front-to-rear position of rotation operation portion 93, for example.

[0068] The rest part (support part) 104 is for supporting a part of the player's body, that is, a predetermined part in the range from the arm through the wrist to the hand (including the palm), from below, and is composed of a rest cover part 116 that directly supports the player's arm, etc., and a rest base part 117 to which the rest cover part 116 is attached, as shown in Figs. 19, 21, 22, etc. The rest cover part 116 is made of a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) material that has both flexible elasticity and firm rigidity so that the weight of the player's arm, etc. can be distributed and supported reliably when the player places the arm, etc. on it. The rest cover part 116 is integrally provided with a plate-like upper wall part 116a formed in a shape (here, approximately rectangular) corresponding to the second opening 105b, and a peripheral wall part 116b that is provided along the outer periphery of the upper wall part 116a and extends downward so as to wrap around the rest base part 117 from the outer periphery side. When the rest cover portion 116 is fitted into the rest base portion 117, a space is formed between the upper wall portion 116a of the rest cover portion 116 and the rest base portion 117, and this space allows deformation of the upper wall portion 116a of the rest cover portion 116.

[0069] The rest portion 104 is fitted from above into the second opening 105b of the base portion 101, and is removably fixed by screwing the rest base portion 117 from below to the rest support portion 111 on the rear cover portion 102 side with the upper side of the rest cover portion 116 protruding above the upper surface of the base portion 101. Note that the rest portion 104 is disposed so that its center position in the left-right direction substantially coincides with the center axis of the firing handle 57 in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG.

[0070] Next, the configuration of the game ball circulation device 18 provided on the inner frame 6 side will be described with reference to Figs. 23 to 41. As shown in Figs. 23, 24, etc., the game ball circulation device 18 includes a launching device 19 capable of launching game balls toward the play area 16, a pre-lifting passage 121 that guides out balls discharged from the play area 16, a lifting device 20 that lifts the game balls guided by the pre-lifting passage 121 to a position higher than the launch position by the launching device 19, a post-lifting passage 122 that guides the game balls lifted by the lifting device 20 toward the launching device 19, a ball sending device 120 that supplies the game balls guided by the post-lifting passage 122 to the launching device 19 side one by one in synchronization with the launching operation of the launching device 19, and a lifting device 20 that receives game balls (foul balls) that have been launched by the launching device 19 but have not reached the play area 16. The system is equipped with a foul ball passage 123 that guides balls toward the upper device 20, an out ball switch 124, an excessive ball position detection switch 125, an insufficient position detection switch 126, and a lifting inlet switch 127 that are provided on the path of the pre-lifting passage 121, a lifting outlet switch 128 provided on the path of the post-lifting passage 122, a ball feeding switch 129 provided in the ball feeding device 120, a foul ball switch 130 provided on the path of the foul ball passage 123, and a lifting position detection switch 131 provided in the lifting device 20, and is configured to circulate game balls within a game ball circulation path consisting of the launching device 19, playing area 16, pre-lifting passage 121, lifting device 20, post-lifting passage 122, ball feeding device 120, etc.

[0071] The launching device 19 is provided on the ball sending launching unit 132 (see Figs. 25 to 28, 41) together with the ball sending device 120, etc. The ball sending launching unit 132 is disposed at approximately the center in the left-right direction in the lower mounting part 15 of the inner frame 6, and as shown in Figs. 28, 41, etc., is composed of a base body 132a fixed to the front side of the lower mounting part 15 in a state approximately parallel to the game board 17, and an opening / closing body 132b disposed in front of the base body 132a, and the launching device 19 is disposed on the base body 132a side, and the ball sending device 120 is disposed on the opening / closing body 132b side. The opening / closing body 132b comprises an opening / closing main body 133a and an opening / closing cover 133b which is removably attached to the front side of the opening / closing main body 133a, and is pivotally attached to the base body 132a so as to be openable, closable, and removably via a vertical hinge 132c located on one left-right end side of the opening / closing main body 133a, for example the left end side, and can be fixed in a closed state to the base body 132a by a fixing device 132d provided on the right end side of the opening / closing main body 133a, for example.

[0072] As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the launching device 19 includes a launching rail 134 arranged on the front side of the base body 132a inclined upward to the left, a ball holding section 135 attached to the front side of the base body 132a and holding the game balls to be launched at the launch holding position on the rear end side of the launching rail 134, a striking hammer 136 supported on the front side of the base body 132a so as to be swingable around a drive shaft 136a in the front-rear direction, and a launching drive means 137 such as a rotary solenoid arranged on the rear side of the base body 132a and driving the striking hammer 136 in the striking direction (here, clockwise) via the drive shaft 136a. The striking hammer 136 is intermittently and continuously driven in the striking direction by the launching drive means 137 according to the operation amount (rotation angle) of the rotation operation section 93 of the launching handle 57. As a result, the game balls supplied one by one on the launching rail 134 are launched along the launching rail 134 toward the play area 16 of the game board 17.

[0073] The lifting device 20 is arranged to the side (here, the right side) of the launching device 19 in the lower mounting portion 15 of the inner frame 6, and as shown in Figures 23, 24, 29 to 31, etc., is equipped with a screw member 141 arranged with its rotation axis facing in the vertical direction, a grinding member 142 arranged parallel to the screw member 141 near the screw member 141 (here, near the front side), a lifting motor 143, and a lifting drive force transmission means 144 for transmitting the drive force of the lifting motor 143 to the screw member 141 and the grinding member 142.

[0074] The screw member 141 is integrally provided with a helical protruding portion 145 disposed along the vertical axis of rotation. The polishing member 142 is provided with a cylindrical polishing portion 146 made of felt or other material disposed along the vertical axis of rotation. Since the polishing member 142 needs to be replaced when the polishing portion 146 becomes worn, a removal handle 147 is provided near the center in the axial direction.

[0075] The lifting motor 143 is disposed with its drive shaft facing, for example, downward, near the lower side (near the left side here) of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142. The lifting drive force transmission means 144 is composed of a plurality of gears that connect the drive shaft of the lifting motor 143 with each of the rotating shafts of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142. When the lifting motor 143 operates, the rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to each of the rotating shafts of the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142 by the lifting drive force transmission means 144, whereby the screw member 141 and the polishing member 142 rotate in opposite directions at the same rotation speed (the screw member 141 rotates clockwise when viewed from above, and the polishing member 142 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above).

[0076] Between the screw member 141 and the grinding member 142, a vertical lifting passage 148 is provided, and a lifting inlet 148a is provided at the lower end of the lifting passage 148, and a lifting outlet 148b is provided at the upper end. The game ball that flows into the lower end of the lifting passage 148 through the lifting inlet 148a is pushed up by the protruding part 145 of the screw member 141 that rotates by the drive of the lifting motor 143, and rises in the lifting passage 148. At that time, the surface of the game ball is polished by the grinding member 142 that rotates by the drive of the lifting motor 143. The game ball that rises in the lifting passage 148 by the screw member 141 and reaches the upper end side of the lifting passage 148 is discharged from the lifting outlet 148b.

[0077] The lifting position detection switch 131 is for detecting the rotational position of the screw member 141 required for driving and controlling the lifting motor 143, and is composed of a photosensor or the like, and is capable of detecting the rotational position of the screw member 141 by detecting a dog provided on any one of a plurality of gears constituting the lifting drive force transmission means 144.

[0078] The pre-lifting passage 121 guides the out balls discharged from the game area 16 toward the lifting inlet 148a of the lifting device 20, and is composed of a pre-lifting first passage section 121a and a pre-lifting second passage section 121b which are arranged rearward of the launching device 19, a pre-lifting third passage section 121c which is connected to the downstream side of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b and which is arranged between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20, and a pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d which is connected to the downstream side of the pre-lifting third passage section 121c and which is connected to the lifting inlet 148a via the front side of the lifting device 20, as shown in Figure 23, etc.

[0079] The first passage before lifting 121a allows the out balls to flow down to the connecting portion 150 with the second passage before lifting 121b at the rear side of the launching device 19, and is disposed on the rear side of the rear base plate 149 disposed approximately parallel to the base plate 21 of the game board 17 at the rear side of the lower mounting portion 15 of the inner frame 6, and is formed in an approximately S-shape in front view with two left inclined portions 151, 153 and a right inclined portion 152 therebetween connected by two folded portions 154, 155, as shown in Figs. 23, 32 to 34, etc. The upstream end side of the left inclined portion 151 of the first passage before lifting 121a is connected to the out ball guide portion 156, and the downstream end side of the left inclined portion 153 is connected to the connecting portion 150.

[0080] As shown in Figure 33, etc., the out ball guide section 156 is located below the out ball discharge outlet (out ball discharge section) 157 provided on the lower back side of the game board 17, and is formed in a downward sloping shape, for example, toward the upstream end of the first pre-lifting passage section 121a, and is configured to guide the out balls that are guided from the game area 16 to the rear side of the game board 17 and discharged from the out ball discharge outlet 157 to the outside of the game board 17, to the left sloping section 151 of the first pre-lifting passage section (out ball passage) 121a.

[0081] At the upstream end of the first passage section (out ball passage) 121a before lifting, a ball collapsing section 140 is provided, for example, on the left inclined section 151. As shown in FIG. 34 and the like, this ball collapsing section 140 has a ball collapsing inlet 140a and a ball collapsing reduction section 140b. The ball collapsing inlet 140a is disposed downstream of the out ball guide section 156 on the left inclined section 151, and is formed in an opening toward the upstream side (right side), so that out balls discharged from the out ball discharge port 157 and guided to the left inclined section 151 by the out ball guide section 156 can flow in. This ball collapsing inlet 140a is formed so that its height from the bottom surface of the passage is more than twice the diameter of the game ball, so that out balls that flow from the out ball guide section 156 into the left inclined section 151 can flow in even when they are stacked in two or more layers.

[0082] The ball collapsing narrowing section 140b is provided downstream of the ball collapsing inlet 140a, and is provided with an inclined upper wall 140c whose height from the passage bottom surface changes smoothly until it becomes less than twice the diameter of the game ball. Even if the out balls flow into the ball collapsing inlet 140a in a state where they are stacked in two or more layers, the stacking is broken when they flow down the ball collapsing narrowing section 140b, and they are aligned in a line. The downstream end side of the ball collapsing narrowing section 140b is connected to, for example, the first turning section 154. That is, the game balls discharged from the out ball discharge port 157 and flowing into the left inclined section 151 of the first passage section 121a before lifting through the ball collapsing section 140 are arranged in a line and flow into the first turning section 154. In this manner, in this embodiment, a ball crushing section 140 is provided at the upstream end of the first pre-lifting passage section 121a, and is configured to smoothly align the out balls discharged from the out ball discharge outlet 157 in a single row while allowing them to flow down, thereby making it possible to effectively prevent poor circulation of game balls due to ball clogging, etc.

[0083] An out ball switch 124 is disposed on the path of the first passage section 121a before lifting, for example, corresponding to the first turning portion 154. The out ball switch 124 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect a gaming ball flowing down the first passage section 121a before lifting when the gaming ball passes through the turning portion 154.

[0084] The pre-lifting second passage section 121b allows the game balls flowing down from the pre-lifting first passage section 121a to flow toward the lifting device 20 behind the launching device 19, and as shown in Figures 23, 33, 35, etc., is arranged on the front side of the rear base plate 149 with a downward sloping shape to the right, and its upstream end is connected to a connecting section 150 formed on the rear base plate 149.

[0085] An excess position detection switch (excess position detection means) 125 capable of detecting game balls at an excess detection position is disposed on the path of the pre-lifting second passage portion 121b, for example, near its downstream end. This excess position detection switch 125 is a mechanical sensor, and as shown in Figures 23, 35, 36, etc., is composed of a movable detection piece 125a whose posture changes (swings) depending on the presence or absence of game balls on the passage, and a photosensor 125b that detects the presence or absence of game balls by switching ON / OFF according to the change in posture of the movable detection piece 125a.

[0086] The pre-lifting third passage section 121c allows the game balls that have flowed down from the pre-lifting second passage section 121b to flow forward from the rear of the launching device 19, and as shown in Figures 23, 35, etc., is arranged with a downward sloping front between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20, and its upstream end is connected to the downstream end of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b.

[0087] The pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d allows the game balls that have flowed forward between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 by the pre-lifting third passage section 121c to flow through the front side of the lifting device 20 and into the lifting inlet 148a, and as shown in Figures 23, 26, 27, 35, etc., is provided with a right inclined section 158 arranged on the front side of the lifting device 20 and a rear inclined section 159 arranged on the right side of the lifting device 20, with the upstream end side of the right inclined section 158 connected to the pre-lifting third passage section 121c and the rear end side of the rear inclined section 159 connected to the lifting inlet 148a.

[0088] Also, on the path of the pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d, for example near the upstream end side of the right inclined section 158, an under-detection position detection switch (under-detection means) 126 capable of detecting a gaming ball at an under-detection position is arranged. This under-detection position detection switch 126 is a mechanical sensor similar to the over-detection position detection switch 125, and is composed of a movable detection piece 126a whose posture changes (swings) depending on the presence or absence of a gaming ball on the passage, and a photosensor 126b that detects the presence or absence of a gaming ball by switching ON / OFF according to the posture change of this movable detection piece 126a.

[0089] Also, on the path of the pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d, for example, a lifting inlet switch 127 is disposed near the downstream end side of the rear inclined section 159. The lifting inlet switch 127 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect a gaming ball flowing down the pre-lifting fourth passage section 121d immediately before the gaming ball passes through the rear inclined section 159 and flows into the lifting inlet 148a.

[0090] The foul ball passage 123 guides the foul ball to the lifting device 20 side by causing the foul ball to flow into the pre-lifting passage 121, and is arranged behind the launching device 19 and in front of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b, as shown in Figures 23, 33, 35, 36, etc., with its upstream end connected to the foul ball receiving section 161 and its downstream end connected to a predetermined position of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b. The foul ball receiving section 161 receives the foul ball and guides it downstream to the foul ball passage 123 side, and is arranged downstream (left side) of the launching rail 134.

[0091] The foul ball passage 123 comprises a first foul ball passage section 123a which is arranged in a rearward downward incline from the foul ball receiving section 161 side toward the pre-lifting second passage section 121b side, and a second foul ball passage section 123b which is connected to the downstream side of the first foul ball passage section 123a and arranged approximately parallel to the front side of the pre-lifting second passage section 121b, with the upstream end side of the first foul ball passage section 123a connected to the foul ball receiving section 161, and the second foul ball passage section 123b passing behind the launching device 19 and merging with the second pre-lifting passage section 121b at the junction section 162.

[0092] In this way, the foul ball second passage section (foul ball passage) 123b runs parallel to the rear pre-lift second passage section (out ball passage) 121b in the left-right direction (hereinafter referred to as the parallel running section 160), and a junction section 162 is provided along the parallel running section 160. The junction section 162 is formed along the parallel running section 160 in a range (size) of at least twice the diameter of the game ball (about six times in this case). In addition, a guide wall 163 is provided upstream of the junction section 162 to guide the game ball on the foul ball passage 123 side in the parallel running direction (rightward) in the parallel running section 160. In addition, an inclined guide wall 164 is provided on the downstream end side of the foul ball second passage section (foul ball passage) 123b so as to gradually narrow the passage width toward the pre-lift second passage section 121b side.

[0093] In addition, near the junction 162, the foul ball second passage section (foul ball passage) 123b side relative to the junction 162 is higher than the pre-lift second passage section (out ball passage) 121b side, and is inclined toward the pre-lift second passage section (out ball passage) 121b side. In addition, as shown in Figures 35 and 36(b), the bottom surface of the foul ball second passage section 123b is provided with a downward inclination section 165a at the upstream end side, an upward inclination section 165b at the downstream end side, and a flat section 165c between them. The downward inclination section 165a is formed in a downward inclination shape with a low slope on the downstream side in the parallel running direction (right direction) in the parallel running section 160, and the upward inclination section 165b is formed in an upward inclination shape with a high slope on the downstream side in the parallel running direction (right direction) in the parallel running section 160, and the flat section 165c is formed approximately horizontally along the parallel running direction (right direction) in the parallel running section 160. Of course, the inclination directions of the downward inclined portion 165a, the upward inclined portion 165b, and the flat portion 165c are those when viewed in a cross section along the parallel running direction (rightward), and when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the parallel running direction, the downward inclined portion 165a, the upward inclined portion 165b, and the flat portion 165c are all inclined toward the pre-lift second passage portion (out ball passage) 121b (Figure 36 (c)).

[0094] The downward inclined portion 165a and the flat portion 165c, and the flat portion 165c and the upward inclined portion 165b are adjacent to each other, and both the flat portion 165c and the upward inclined portion 165b are formed in a region having a parallelogram shape in a plan view along the inclined guide wall 164. The upward inclined portion 165b is narrower than the downward inclined portion 165a, and the flat portion 165c is narrower than the upward inclined portion 165b, but the inclination angle of the upward inclined portion 165b in the parallel running direction (rightward) is larger than the inclination angle of the downward inclined portion 165a in the parallel running direction (rightward). Because the second foul ball passage section (foul ball passage) 123b and the second pre-lifting passage section (out ball passage) 121b are configured as described above near the junction 162, the foul ball flowing down the second foul ball passage section 123b can be slowed down in the parallel running section 160 while smoothly merging with the second pre-lifting passage section 121b, effectively preventing poor circulation of game balls due to ball clogging, etc.

[0095] On the path of the first foul ball passage 123a, for example, a foul ball switch 130 is disposed near the connection with the foul ball receiving section 161. The foul ball switch (foul ball detection means) 130 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect the game ball at a predetermined foul ball detection position when the foul ball flows into the foul ball passage 123 through the foul ball receiving section 161. Every time the foul ball switch 130 detects a game ball, the game ball number data is incremented by 1, and the amount subtracted at the time of release (ball sending) is returned to the player.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 35, the junction 162 from the foul ball second passage section 123b to the pre-lift second passage section 121b is formed to be wide enough for several game balls along the downstream direction of the game balls, and if the most downstream side of the junction 162 is the junction point 162a, then (the distance from the foul ball switch 130 to the junction point 162a)>(the distance from the junction point 162a to the excess position detection switch 125).

[0097] The post-lift passage 122 guides the game balls that have been lifted by the lifting device 20 and flowed out from the lifting outlet 148b toward the launching device 19, and as shown in Figure 24, etc., is composed of a post-lift first passage section 122a that is arranged in the left-right direction from the lifting outlet 148b toward the launching device 19, a post-lift second passage section 122b that is connected to the downstream side of the post-lift first passage section 122a and is arranged facing forward between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20, and a post-lift third passage section 122c that is connected to the downstream side of the post-lift second passage section 122b and is arranged in the left-right direction in front of the launching device 19.

[0098] As shown in Figures 24, 29, 30, 39, 40, etc., the first post-lift passage portion 122a is disposed in a downwardly leftward inclination from the lift outlet 148b, and a lift outlet switch (lift outlet detection means) 128 is disposed at a predetermined position on the path, for example, at a post-lift detection position on the downstream end side. The lift outlet switch 128 is a so-called proximity switch, and is configured to detect, at the post-lift detection position, game balls that have been lifted by the lift device 20 and flowed out of the lift outlet 148b into the post-lift passage 122.

[0099] The second passage section 122b after lifting allows the game balls flowing down from the first passage section 122a after lifting to flow forward to the front side of the launching device 19, and is arranged in a downwardly sloping manner between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 as shown in Figures 24, 38, 39, etc. The third passage section 122c after lifting allows the game balls flowing down between the launching device 19 and the lifting device 20 by the second passage section 122b after lifting to flow down to the ball sending device 120 in front of the launching device 19, and is arranged in a downwardly sloping manner on the front side of the launching device 19 as shown in Figures 24, 26, 39, 40, etc.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 24, the post-lift passage 122 is divided into an upstream post-lift passage 170a from the first post-lift passage 122a to the middle of the second post-lift passage 122b, and a downstream post-lift passage 170b from the middle of the second post-lift passage 122b to the third post-lift passage 122c, and the downstream post-lift passage 170b is provided on the opening and closing body 132b of the ball sending and launching unit 132 together with the ball sending device 120, as shown in Figs. 28, 38, 39, etc. In addition, the base body 132a of the ball sending and launching unit 132 is provided with a passage connection port 170c through which the game balls can pass, and as shown in Figs. 38 and 39(a), when the opening and closing body 132b is in a closed state, the upstream post-lift passage 170a and the downstream post-lift passage 170b are connected via this passage connection port 170c. When the opening / closing body 132b is in the open state, the upstream end of the downstream post-lifting passage 170b is separated from the passage connection port 170c, and the upstream post-lifting passage 170a and the downstream post-lifting passage 170b are separated as shown in Figure 39(b).

[0101] The ball sending device 120 is disposed on the opening / closing main body 133a in the opening / closing body 132b of the ball sending launch unit 132, and is provided with a ball sending guide passage 171 for guiding the game balls flowing down from the second passage section 122b side after lifting to the launch rail 134 side, a ball sending lever 172 for causing the game balls from the second passage section 122b side after lifting to flow down to the ball sending guide passage 171 side one by one, a ball sending drive means 173 for driving the ball sending lever 172, and a ball sending switch 129 for detecting the game balls passing through the ball sending guide passage 171. In addition, in the vicinity of the upstream side of the ball sending device 120 in the opening / closing body 132b of the ball sending launch unit 132, a ball removal passage 174 for removing the game balls in the passage 122 after lifting, and a ball removal lever 175 for closing the entrance to the ball removal passage 174 so as to be able to open and close are disposed.

[0102] The ball feed guide passage 171 is disposed in a downwardly inclined manner near the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after lifting, and its upstream end (front end) is disposed at a position about half a game ball lower than the downstream end of the second passage section 122b after lifting, and its downstream end (rear end) is disposed above the launch holding position of the launch rail 134. In addition, a ball feed switch 129 is disposed in the ball feed guide passage 171. The ball feed switch 129 is a so-called proximity switch that detects a game ball when the game ball passes through the ball feed guide passage 171 and flows down onto the launch rail 134. Every time the ball feed switch 129 detects a game ball, the game ball number data is decremented by one.

[0103] As shown in Fig. 41, the detection position of the game ball by the ball forwarding switch 129 is located at least one game ball upstream from the launch holding position of the launching rail 134. In other words, even if the next game ball is sent while there is still a game ball remaining on the launching rail 134, the game ball is configured not to remain at the detection position by the ball forwarding switch 129.

[0104] The ball feed lever 172 is provided with a roughly U-shaped game ball holding portion 172a capable of accommodating one game ball at one end (right end) in the left-right direction, and is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream end of the second passage portion 122b after lifting with the game ball holding portion 172a facing the second passage portion 122b after lifting (i.e., the right side), and is supported in a state in which it can swing around a rotation shaft 172b in the front-rear direction provided at the other end (left end) in the left-right direction. The lower surface side of the game ball holding portion 172a is formed in a slanted shape that slopes downward toward the ball feed guide passage 171 side.

[0105] The ball feed lever 172 can be switched between a ball feed preparation position (FIGS. 40(a), 41(a)) in which one game ball on the second passage section 122b side after lifting is received in the game ball holding section 172a, and a ball feed execution position (FIGS. 40(b), 41(b)) in which the game ball held in the game ball holding section 172a is caused to flow down to the ball feed guide passage 171 side while preventing the next game ball from flowing down from the second passage section 122b side after lifting, by the drive of a ball feed drive means 173 consisting of an electromagnetic solenoid or the like. When the ball feed lever 172 is in the ball feed preparation position (FIGS. 40(a), 41(a)), the game ball holding section 172a is shifted upward with respect to the ball feed guide passage 171, so that the game ball in the game ball holding section 172a is prevented from moving to the ball feed guide passage 171 side. When the ball feed lever 172 moves to the ball feed execution position (FIG. 40(b), FIG. 41(b)), the game ball holding portion 172a coincides with the upstream side of the ball feed guide passage 171, so the game balls in the game ball holding portion 172a flow down toward the ball feed guide passage 171. At this time, since the game ball holding portion 172a is shifted downward with respect to the downstream end side of the second passage portion 122b after being lifted, the flow down of the subsequent game balls is prevented.

[0106] By alternately switching the ball feeding lever 172 between the ball feeding preparation position and the ball feeding execution position in synchronization with the firing operation of the firing device 19, it is possible to send the game balls that have flowed down through the second passage section 122b after being lifted up to the firing holding position on the firing rail 134 one by one.

[0107] The ball sending and launching unit 132 is also provided with a ball spill prevention means 176 for preventing balls from spilling from the upstream post-lifting passage 170a when the opening and closing body 132b is in the open state and the upstream post-lifting passage 170a and the downstream post-lifting passage 170b are separated. The ball spill prevention means 176 is arranged on the base body 132a side of the ball sending and launching unit 132 as shown in Figures 28, 37 to 39, and includes a ball spill prevention piece 176a that can open and close the passage connection port 170c, a guide means 176b that guides the ball spill prevention piece 176a in the opening and closing direction, and a spring 176c that urges the ball spill prevention piece 176a toward the closed state side. When the ball spill prevention piece 176a is in the closed state, the passage of the game ball is prevented at the passage connection port 170c (Figure 39(b)), and when the ball spill prevention piece 176a is in the open state, the passage of the game ball is allowed at the passage connection port 170c (Figure 39(a)).

[0108] The ball spill prevention piece 176a is attached to the side (here, the left side) of the passage connection port 170c in a state in which it can slide left and right by the guide means 176b, and is elastically biased toward the closed state side (here, the right side) by the spring 176c. The ball spill prevention piece 176a is provided with an inclined guide portion 177 at one end side (here, the right front side) in the front left and right direction. When the opening / closing body 132b is closed (FIG. 39(b)→(a)), a predetermined portion on the opening / closing body 132b side moves backward while pressing the inclined guide portion 177, so that the ball spill prevention piece 176a moves leftward against the biasing force of the spring 176c via the inclined guide portion 177. When the opening / closing body 132b is completely closed (FIG. 39(a)), the ball spill prevention piece 176a is in an open state, and the separated upstream side post-lift passage 170a and downstream side post-lift passage 170b are connected via the passage connection port 170c. In this way, when the opening / closing body 132b is closed, the ball spill prevention piece 176a changes from a closed state to an open state in accordance with the closing operation of the opening / closing body 132b.

[0109] When the opening / closing body 132b is opened (FIG. 39(a)→(b)), the upstream end of the downstream side post-lift passage 170b is separated from the passage connection port 170c and moves forward, thereby separating the upstream side post-lift passage 170a and the downstream side post-lift passage 170b, but at that time, the force that held the ball spill prevention piece 176a in the open state is lost, so the ball spill prevention piece 176a moves to a closed state by the biasing force of the spring 176c, the passage connection port 170c is closed, and the passage of the game balls is prevented. In this way, when the opening / closing body 132b is opened, the ball spill prevention piece 176a changes from the open state to the closed state in accordance with the opening operation of the opening / closing body 132b. As a result, even if the opening and closing body 132b is opened when the game balls remaining in the post-lift passage 122 have reached the upstream post-lift passage 170a side beyond the passage connection port 170c, it is possible to reliably prevent the balls from spilling out from the upstream post-lift passage 170a side. In the case of this embodiment, the lift outlet switch 128 is disposed on the upstream post-lift passage 170a, and as described later, when it is determined that the rearmost game balls remaining in the post-lift passage 122 have reached the detection position (post-lift detection position) by the lift outlet switch 128, the lifting operation by the lifting device 20 is stopped (the lifting operation is not performed), so that the state in which the game balls remaining in the post-lift passage 122 have reached the upstream post-lift passage 170a side beyond the passage connection port 170c is the normal state.

[0110] In the game ball circulation device 18 as described above, a game ball that is launched by the launching device 19 and enters the game area 16 wins one of the various winning means such as the first and second special symbol starting means 32, 33 or the big winning means 34, or enters the out port 45, where it is guided from the game area 16 to the rear side of the game board 17 and discharged from the out ball discharge port 157 provided at the bottom of the back side of the game board 17. The game ball (out ball) discharged from the out ball discharge port 157 flows into the pre-lift passage 121 via the out ball guide section 156 and flows down toward the lift inlet 148a.

[0111] As out balls flow down this pre-lift passage 121, they are aligned in a row at the ball crushing section 140 in the first pre-lift passage section 121a, then pass the out ball switch 124, pass the excess position detection switch 125 in the second pre-lift passage section 121b, and pass the insufficient position detection switch 126 in the fourth pre-lift passage section 121d. Foul balls flow down toward the lift inlet 148a by passing through the foul ball receiving section 161 and the foul ball passage 123 and merging with the second pre-lift passage section 121b, at which point they pass the foul ball switch 130 in the foul ball passage 123, pass the excess position detection switch 125 in the second pre-lift passage section 121b after merging, and pass the insufficient position detection switch 126 in the fourth pre-lift passage section 121d.

[0112] Here, the over-abundance position detection switch 125 and the under-abundance position detection switch 126, which are arranged a predetermined distance apart on the pre-lifting passage 121, are intended to determine whether the number of game balls enclosed in the game ball circulation device 18 is appropriate or not. If, at a predetermined under-abundance / over-abundance detection timing (predetermined detection timing), the over-abundance position detection switch 125 does not detect any game balls and the under-abundance position detection switch 126 detects game balls, i.e., if a game ball is present at the detection position of the under-abundance position detection switch 126 (under-abundance detection position) and no game ball is present at the detection position of the over-abundance position detection switch 125 (over-abundance detection position), it is determined that the number of game balls enclosed is appropriate. On the other hand, at the predetermined under / over detection timing, if the under detection position switch 126 does not detect any game balls, it is determined that the number of game balls enclosed is low (under) and if the over detection position switch 125 detects game balls, it is determined that the number of game balls enclosed is high (over).

[0113] It is desirable to set the under / over detection timing (predetermined detection timing) when the power is turned on, as well as when a predetermined time has elapsed since the game stopped (when the player has released his / her hand from the launch handle 57 and the special advantage state (jackpot) is not in progress, the symbols are not changing, and the player has released his / her hand from the launch handle 57). This is because there is a possibility that the number of game balls enclosed may change when the hall attendant opens the front slot 3 after the power is turned on to resolve a problem, etc.

[0114] As described above, the excessive position detection switch 125 and the insufficient position detection switch 126 detect whether the game balls remaining in the passage have reached their respective detection positions (excessive detection position, insufficient detection position), and therefore, as long as the state in which the game balls reach the detection positions continues, the ON state must be stably maintained even if the position of the game balls in the passage shifts. On the other hand, since the game balls supplied to the lifting device 20 are retained in the pre-lifting passage 121, the position of the game balls retained in the pre-lifting passage 121 changes (is not constant) depending on the state in which the lifting device 20 is stopped. Therefore, for the excessive position detection switch 125 and the insufficient position detection switch 126, a mechanical sensor that stably maintains the ON state is adopted, instead of a sensor that may turn OFF depending on the position of the game ball even if the game balls are retained beyond the detection position, such as a proximity switch.

[0115] When the lifting device 20 is activated, the game balls on the pre-lifting passage 121 flow into the lifting device 20 through the lifting inlet 148a and rise up the lifting passage 148. Whether or not there are game balls upstream of the lifting device 20 is determined based on the detection signal of the lifting inlet switch 127. The game balls that rise up the lifting passage 148 due to the activation of the lifting device 20 flow out from the lifting outlet 148b, flow down the post-lifting passage 122, and stay upstream of the ball sending device 120, waiting to be released.

[0116] A lift-up exit switch 128 is disposed at the post-lift detection position on the post-lift passage 122 (here, on the upstream post-lift passage 170a), and when the lift-up exit switch 128 continues to be ON, it can be determined that the tail of the game balls staying in the post-lift passage 122 has reached the post-lift detection position (the game balls waiting to be fired have reached a predetermined number). The lift-up device 20 operates when the lift-up entrance switch 127 is ON and the lift-up exit switch 128 is OFF, and is controlled to stop (not perform the lifting operation) when the lift-up exit switch 128 is ON and it is determined that the tail of the game balls staying in the post-lift passage 122 has reached the post-lift detection position (the game balls waiting to be fired have reached a predetermined number).

[0117] Incidentally, like the overload position detection switch 125 and the underload position detection switch 126, this lift exit switch 128 is intended to detect game balls remaining on the passageway; however, unlike game balls remaining in the pre-lift passageway 121, the game balls remaining in the post-lift passageway 122 which are the object of detection by the lift exit switch 128 stop at fixed positions according to the operation of the ball feeding device 120 (ball feeding preparation position and ball feeding execution position), and the deviation between the respective stopping positions is small. Therefore, by adopting a proximity switch rather than a mechanical sensor which requires a large installation space, and by arranging the proximity switch in an appropriate position, it is possible to prevent the lift exit switch 128 from remaining in the OFF state even when game balls are remaining beyond its position.

[0118] Next, the firing control of this gaming machine, which is a smart pachinko machine, will be explained. Fig. 42 shows a time chart of the firing control in this smart pachinko machine. As shown in Fig. 42, the firing control of this embodiment is configured to repeat one cycle of ball feeding and firing operations that is completed in a predetermined time (600 ms in this case), and is configured to execute a predetermined firing condition (for example, a firing control signal permitting firing is output from the control unit, the touch sensor 98 detects that the player is touching the firing handle 57, and the firing stop lever 92 is operated). When the firing conditions are met (i.e., the player has not yet released the firing handle 57), the ball feeding and firing action cycle (hereinafter referred to as the "action cycle") begins, and when the firing conditions are no longer met (for example, when the player has released the firing handle 57), the ball feeding and firing action is stopped at the point when the action cycle currently being executed ends. In other words, the execution of the action cycle is not stopped in the middle of the cycle.

[0119] In this ball feeding launch operation, the ball feeding drive means 173 turns from OFF to ON at approximately the same time as the start of one cycle (T1 in Figure 42), causing the ball feeding lever 172 to change from the ball feeding execution position (Figures 40(b), 41(b)) to the ball feeding preparation position (Figures 40(a), 41(a)), and one of the game balls remaining in the post-lift passage 122 on the downstream side is received in the game ball holding portion 172a of the ball feeding lever 172.

[0120] Then, after a predetermined time (for example, 128 ms) (T2 in FIG. 42), the ball feed drive means 173 is turned from ON to OFF, and the ball feed lever 172 is changed from the ball feed preparation position (FIG. 40(a), FIG. 41(a)) to the ball feed execution position (FIG. 40(b), FIG. 41(b)), so that one game ball accommodated in the game ball holding portion 172a of the ball feed lever 172 flows down to the ball feed guide passage 171 side and is supplied onto the launch rail 134. At that time, the ball feed switch 129 detects the game ball passing through the ball feed guide passage 171 (T3 in FIG. 42), and the game ball number data is decremented by one. Thus, in this embodiment, it is configured to execute a ball feed operation to supply the game ball to the launch device 19 side immediately after the start of the operation cycle.

[0121] As shown in Fig. 42, a subtraction reference signal is output from the launching device 19 at the start of a new cycle of the ball feed shooting operation (T1 in Fig. 42), and if the ball feed switch 129 does not detect the subtraction reference signal within a predetermined time (e.g., 500 ms) from the output of the subtraction reference signal, it is determined to be abnormal, and if the abnormality continues a predetermined number of times (e.g., 10 times), an error state occurs and an error notification is issued. This error notification is issued by displaying the error on the liquid crystal display means 40 and blinking the LED on the frame side. This error state is also released when the ball feed switch 129 detects the error.

[0122] Then, just before the end of one cycle (for example, after about 550 ms from the start of one cycle) (T4 in FIG. 42), the launch drive means 137 is operated (solenoid ON), which causes the striking hammer 136 to swing, and the game ball on the launch rail 134 is launched toward the play area 16 with a predetermined launch strength. In this way, in this embodiment, the game ball supplied to the launch rail 134 immediately after the start of the operation cycle is configured to be launched just before the end of the operation cycle, so that a sufficient time for the game ball supplied to the launch rail 134 to stabilize at the launch holding position can be secured before launch, and stable launch without variation in launch strength is possible while preventing balls from remaining on the launch rail 134 at the end of the operation cycle as described later. The operation of the launch drive means 137 ends the 600 ms operation cycle, and at the same time, the next operation cycle starts (T1 in FIG. 42).

[0123] The firing strength when the firing drive means 137 is activated (solenoid ON) is determined according to the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 at that time (T4 in FIG. 42). Therefore, if the firing stop lever 92 is pressed after the ball feeding operation with the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 remaining the same, the ball is fired with a firing strength according to the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93.

[0124] FIG. 43 shows the correspondence between the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 (the rotation angle at the origin position is θ0) and the corresponding firing intensity (the current value A flowing through the firing drive means 137). As shown in the figure, when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ2 (>θ0), the firing intensity is the minimum firing intensity (MIN), and when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ6, the firing intensity is the maximum firing intensity (MAX). When the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is between θ2 and θ6, the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 and the firing intensity are set to be in a proportional relationship. Note that the rotation angle θ3 corresponds to the firing intensity at which the fired game ball just reaches the return prevention piece 27. For example, if the rotation angle is <θ3, the game ball becomes a foul ball without passing through the return prevention piece 27, and if the rotation angle is ≥θ3, the game ball passes through the return prevention piece 27 and reaches the play area 16. Also, the rotation angle θ4 corresponds to a launch strength at which the launched game ball exactly reaches the apex of the central display frame unit 23, and for example, if the rotation angle is < θ4, the game ball flows down the left flow path 41a, and if the rotation angle is ≥ θ4, the game ball flows down the right flow path 41b. Also, in this embodiment, the rotation angle θ2 is set to be larger than the rotation angle θ1, which is the maximum value of the angle range at which the launch stop lever 92 is turned ON (second position) by the first biasing force from the rotation operation unit 93, but the rotation angle θ2 may be approximately the same as the rotation angle θ1, or may be smaller than the rotation angle θ1.

[0125] Here, the minimum firing intensity (MIN) is set to a firing intensity at which the launched game ball does not reach the game area 16 (lower than the firing intensity when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ3), and more preferably, to a firing intensity at which the launched game ball exceeds at least the launch rail 134, that is, a firing intensity that is definitely a foul. The maximum firing intensity (MAX) is set to a firing intensity (when the rotation angle is θ6 (>θ5)) higher than the firing intensity at which the launched game ball just reaches the return rubber 28 (the firing intensity when the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit 93 is θ5). This is because, when the maximum firing intensity (MAX) is set to a firing intensity at which the launched game ball just reaches the return rubber 28 (i.e., when θ6=θ5), there may be cases where the ball does not reach the return rubber 28 even if it is launched at the maximum firing intensity (MAX) due to individual differences between gaming machines. It is sufficient for the maximum firing intensity (MAX) to be slightly higher than the firing intensity at which the ball just reaches the return rubber 28.

[0126] In addition, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is in the range of θ0 to θ2, the corresponding launch intensity is set to be constant at the minimum launch intensity (MIN). That is, even if the rotary operation unit 93 is returned to the origin position (rotation angle θ0), the launch intensity hits bottom at the point where the rotation angle reaches θ2 and does not become lower than that (the VR value based on the change in the variable resistance value changes, but the current value hits bottom and remains flat). Therefore, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is θ0 (origin position) when the launch drive means 137 is activated (solenoid ON), the game ball on the launch rail 134 is launched with a launch intensity that does not reach the game area 16, and more preferably, with a launch intensity that exceeds at least the launch rail 134. As described above, in the ball forwarding launch operation of this embodiment, even if the player releases his / her hand from the launch handle 57 in the middle of the operation cycle, the operation cycle is executed to the end, so that even in such a case, the game ball does not remain on the launch rail 134 (it is returned to the player as a foul).

[0127] In addition, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 is in the range of θ6 to θMAX (maximum rotation angle), the corresponding firing intensity is set to be constant at the maximum firing intensity (MAX). That is, when the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit 93 reaches θ6, the firing intensity plateaus and does not become higher (the VR value based on the change in the variable resistance value changes, but the current value plateaus and remains flat). If the current value is increased too much, the firing drive means 137 will heat up, so the current value is not increased more than necessary. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 44, the rotatable range (θ0 to θMAX) of the rotary operation unit 93 of the firing handle 57 is structurally limited to correspond to the resistance range of the variable resistance value excluding a part of the MIN side and MAX side, thereby suppressing the influence of errors.

[0128] 45 to 47 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an example in which the detection position (post-lift detection position) of the lift-up exit switch 128 is disposed on the downstream post-lift passage 170b provided on the opening / closing body 132b of the ball sending and launching unit 132. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the position of the lift-up exit switch 128 described above and the accompanying omission of the ball spill prevention means 176. The following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment.

[0129] The lift-up post passage 122 of this embodiment is divided into an upstream lift-up post passage 170a from the lift-up first passage section 122a to the middle of the lift-up second passage section 122b, and a downstream lift-up post passage 170b from the middle of the lift-up second passage section 122b to the lift-up third passage section 122c, and the downstream lift-up post passage 170b is provided on the opening and closing body 132b of the ball sending launch unit 132 together with the ball sending device 120, which is common to the first embodiment. On the other hand, the lift-up exit switch 128 is disposed on the opening and closing body 132b of the ball sending launch unit 132, and its detection position (lift-up detection position) is disposed on the downstream lift-up post passage 170b, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0130] In this embodiment, the operation control of the lifting device 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, when the lifting entrance switch 127 is ON and the lifting exit switch 128 is OFF, the lifting device 20 operates, the lifting exit switch 128 is turned ON, and when it is determined that the tail of the game balls staying in the post-lift passage 122 has reached the post-lift detection position (the number of game balls waiting to be launched has reached a predetermined number), it is controlled to stop (not perform the lifting operation). As a result, in the case of this embodiment, the tail of the game balls waiting to be launched staying in the post-lift passage 122 will not reach the upstream post-lift passage 170a upstream of the ball sending and launching unit 132, so no balls will spill from the upstream post-lift passage 170a side even when the opening and closing body 132b is opened. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the opening / closing body 132b is opened and the upstream side post-lifting passage 170a and the downstream side post-lifting passage 170b are separated, there is no need to install a ball spill prevention means 176 for preventing balls from spilling from the upstream side post-lifting passage 170a. In this manner, in this embodiment, the detection position (post-lifting detection position) of the lifting outlet switch 128 is disposed on the downstream side post-lifting passage 170b provided on the opening / closing body 132b of the ball sending / launching unit 132, and although the number of game balls waiting to be launched is reduced compared to the first embodiment, the omission of the ball spill prevention means 176 makes it possible to reduce costs.

[0131] Figures 48 and 49 show a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a conventional non-enclosed pachinko machine in which game balls are not circulated inside, rather than a so-called smart pachinko machine, and show an example in which this conventional pachinko machine is equipped with a hand rest 58 similar to the first and second embodiments.

[0132] The conventional pachinko machine of this embodiment shown in Figures 48 and 49 differs in appearance from the smart pachinko machines of the first and second embodiments in that an upper tray 201 and a lower tray 202 are arranged in the lower bulging portion 56. That is, in the conventional pachinko machine of this embodiment, the upper tray 201 for storing game balls paid out from the payout means and supplying them to the launching means is arranged on the upper side of the lower bulging portion 56, and the lower tray 202 for storing surplus balls when the upper tray 201 is full is arranged on the lower side of the lower bulging portion 56.

[0133] Other than that, for example, the configuration of the lower bulge 56 and the configuration of the hand rest 58 related to the performance button unit 67 and its periphery, and the relationship between the lower bulge 56 and the hand rest 58 are substantially the same as those in the first and second embodiments. The hand rest 58 is arranged so that its lower surface is substantially the same height as the lower surface of the lower bulge 56, as in the first and second embodiments, in order to ensure a space below for smoothly raising and lowering the so-called money box and opening and closing the front door 7. In this way, the hand rest 58 shown in the first and second embodiments can be installed not only in so-called smart pachinko machines, but also in non-enclosed conventional pachinko machines.

[0134] 50 to 62 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 50 to 57, a frame-side control board case 299 and an attachment unit 302 having an attachment stand 300 are provided at the lower part of the rear side of the inner frame 6. The attachment unit 302 is disposed on the lower side of the frame-side control board case 299 in a horizontally elongated shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is replaceably provided at the attachment part 305 of the inner frame 6. A serial number tag 301 of the pachinko machine is attached to the attachment stand 300. In the fourth embodiment, the gaming machine main body 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 as in the first embodiment, and the front frame 3 includes an inner frame 6 and a front door 7. The inner frame 6 can be opened, closed, and attached / detached to the outer frame 2, and the front door 7 can be opened, closed, and attached / detached to the inner frame 6.

[0135] The serial number tag 301 constitutes an identification tag (attachment tag) with a serial number unique to the pachinko machine, and is attached to the attachment stand 300 with an adhesive or other means, and is visible from the back side when the inner frame 6 is opened. The serial number tag 301 is provided with a name display section 301a that displays the manufacturer, a serial number display section 301b that displays the serial number of the slot machine, and a code display section 301c that displays them as a two-dimensional code, as shown in Fig. 58. Note that a safety certification tag (PSE certification tag), other stickers or certification tags may be attached to the attachment stand 300 in place of or together with the serial number tag 301.

[0136] In the case of gaming machines such as pachinko machines, gaming machines are sometimes collected from halls, and the gaming unit of, for example, the gaming board 17 or the gaming board 17 and the front door 7 is replaced, and the outer frame 2, the inner frame 6, etc. are reused and re-shipped as a new machine. In such cases, it is necessary to replace the reused gaming machine with an attachment base 300 to which a serial number tag 301 corresponding to the reused gaming machine is attached. Even in such cases, if an attachment unit 302 is provided, the attachment base 300 can be easily replaced by destroying its destruction part 303, and detached from the attachment part 305 of the inner frame 6.

[0137] 59 and 60, the attachment base 300 has a destructible portion 303, and cannot be removed from the attachment portion 305 of the inner frame 6 unless the destructible portion 303 is destroyed, but can be easily removed from the attachment portion 305 of the inner frame 6 by destroying the destructible portion 303. The serial number tag 301 is attached to an area of ​​the attachment base 300 including the destructible portion 303, and is designed so that when the destructible portion 303 is destroyed, the serial number tag 301 is torn, or a trace of the destruction of the destructible portion 303 is left on the serial number tag 301.

[0138] The application stand 300 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction and is placed in a recess 306 formed in an attachment portion 305 of the inner frame 6, and a serial number tag 301 is affixed to the back of this application stand 300, which is protected by a protective cover 307. The protective cover 307 allows the serial number of the serial number tag 301 to be seen through, and protrusions 307a on both ends are removably inserted into stoppers 300a on both the left and right sides.

[0139] The application stand 300 is provided with a destructive portion 303 so as to overlap with the application position of the serial number tag 301. The destructive portion 303 has a groove 303a provided on the side of the application stand 300 opposite to the serial number tag 301, and a hole 303b arranged at a position passing through the groove 303a, and is configured so that when a finger is hooked on a destructive operation portion 304 at one end of the application stand 300 as shown in Fig. 62(a) and pulled toward the rear side in the direction of the arrow 304a as shown in Fig. 62(b), the application stand 300 breaks as shown in Fig. 62(c) and a part or all of the serial number tag 301 is broken at the destructive portion 303. The destructive portion 303 is weaker than other portions of the application stand 300, and it is sufficient that the application stand 300 is broken.

[0140] The application stand 300 is detachably fixed to the attachment part 305 via a pair of left and right engagement means 308, and when the engagement means 308 are in an engaged state, it is restricted by upper and lower limiting parts 309a, 309b and left and right limiting parts 310a, 310b so as not to move up and down and left and right within the recess 306. The engagement means 308 includes a claw-shaped engagement part 308a protruding from the application stand 300, and an engaged part 308b on the attachment part 305 side with which the engagement part 308a can engage from the back side.

[0141] When the application stand 300 is in a fixed state, the pair of engagement means 308 are configured such that the engagement portion 308a engages with the engaged portion 308b from the same left-right side, and when the application stand 300 is replaced, the restriction by one of the restricting portions 310b is released by destroying the destructible portion 303, so that the engagement portion 308a and the engaged portion 308b come off toward one left-right side, that is, the operation portion 304 side. The restricting portions 309a, 309b are wall-like in the left-right direction and restrict both the top and bottom sides of the application stand 300, and the restricting portions 310a, 310b are wall-like in the up-down direction and restrict both the left and right sides of the application stand 300.

[0142] Between the destructive section 303 and the operating section 304 side, even when the operating section 304 is operated rearward to bend the application stand 300 rearward from the destructive section 303, there is provided a blocking means 311 that restricts the application stand 300 to the attachment position before the destructive section 303 is destroyed as shown in Fig. 62(b) and blocks the application stand 300 from moving in the direction in which the engaging means 308 is released. The blocking means 311 is composed of a protrusion 311a on the application stand 300 side and a blocking section 311b on the attachment section 305 side with which the protrusion 311a can come into contact.

[0143] On the front side of the inner frame 6, there are provided a restricting protrusion 312 that protrudes forward from the recess 306 on the mounting portion 305 side, and a cover member 313 arranged below this restricting protrusion 312. The restricting protrusion 312 and the cover member 313 have restricting surfaces 312a, 313a on the front side, and when the performance button unit 67 is not properly fixed by the first fixing operating device 78a and the second fixing operating device 78b, the front door 7 cannot be closed on the inner frame 6 side due to the restriction of the restricting surfaces 312a, 313a.

[0144] The cover member 313 is for closing a molding hole formed in the inner frame 6 when the engaged portion 308b is molded with a metal mold, and is fixed to the front side of the inner frame 6 by engaging an engaging portion 314a on the cover member 313 side with an engaged portion 314b on the inner frame 6 side, as shown in Figures 57 and 61. Note that this cover member 313 can be removed by operating the engaging portion 314a from the back side when the application stand 300 is removed.

[0145] If the attachment stand 300 having such a configuration is provided in the mounting portion 305 of the inner frame 6, the serial number tag 301 can be easily changed to a genuine one even when the gaming machine is reused. Also, depending on whether the destructible portion 303 of the attachment stand 300 is destroyed or not, it can be easily determined whether the replacement of the serial number tag 301 is illegal or not.

[0146] The application stand 300 is normally placed at a predetermined position on the attachment part 305 as shown in Fig. 57, and is fixed by a pair of left and right engagement means 308, upper and lower restricting parts 309a, 309b, and left and right restricting parts 310a, 310b. When replacing the application stand 300 with a serial number tag 301 attached, as shown in Figs. 62(a) and (b), a finger or the like is hooked on the operation part 304 at one end of the application stand 300, and the operation part 304 side is pulled toward the rear side in the direction indicated by the arrow 304a. Then, the one end of the application stand 300 is elastically deformed toward the rear side around the destruction part 303 as shown in Fig. 62(b).

[0147] However, before the destruction of the destruction part 303, the protrusion 311a of the prevention means 311 abuts against the prevention part 311b as shown in FIG. 62(b), so that the movement of the application stand 300 in the direction in which the engagement means 308 is released can be prevented by the prevention means 311. Then, when the destruction part 303 of the application stand 300 is destroyed, the prevention by the prevention means 311 is released as shown in FIG. 62(c), and the application stand 300 can move in the direction of the arrow 300b toward the detachment side, and the application stand 300 can be removed from the attachment part 305. When the application stand 300 is removed, the destruction of the destruction part 303 leaves a trace on the application stand 300 itself, and the damage to the serial number tag 301 makes it possible to record the fact that the application stand 300 was removed after attachment. It is preferable to remove the protective cover 307 when removing the application stand 300.

[0148] When attaching the application stand 300 with a new serial number tag 301 affixed thereto, the side of the application stand 300 opposite the operation unit 304 is inserted obliquely into the recess 306 of the attachment unit 305 to engage the engagement means 308 on the insertion side, and then the operation unit 304 side of the application stand 300 is pressed forward, so that the engagement means 308 on the operation unit 304 side can be engaged using the engagement means 308 on the insertion side as a fulcrum, thereby allowing the application stand 300 to be attached to the attachment unit 305.

[0149] 63 to 74 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and illustrate the case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine (combination gaming machine). As shown in Figs. 63(a) to (c), the slot machine comprises a cabinet (main body of the gaming machine) 320 constituting the main body of the gaming machine, and a front door 321 attached to the front side of the cabinet 320 so as to be openable, closable, and detachable. Inside the cabinet 320, a main control board 322 is provided at the top, and three rotating reels 323 are provided in the middle on the left and right sides.

[0150] A medal count control board 324, a medal processing device 354, etc. are arranged under the cabinet 320. An image presentation device 325 is provided at the top of the front door 321, and a display panel 326 that allows the reel 323 to be viewed is provided in front of the reel 323. An operation panel 327 is provided below the display panel 326. In this slot machine, the game content can be changed by replacing the game unit such as the reel 323 with respect to the cabinet 320.

[0151] Housing 320 is box-shaped with an opening on the front side, and attachment unit 329 is provided below back plate 328 on the back side. As shown in Figures 64 to 70, attachment unit 329 includes attachment base 330 fixed to back plate 328, and attachment base 331 replaceably attached to attachment base 330. On attachment base 331, first attachment part 332 facing forward and second attachment part 333 facing backward are arranged above and below.

[0152] A serial number tag (first tag) 334 unique to the slot machine is affixed to the first affixing portion 332, and a safety certification tag (second tag) 335 that guarantees or certifies the safety of the slot machine is affixed to the second affixing portion 333. The serial number tag 334 can be seen from the front side when the front door 321 is opened, and the safety certification tag 335 can be seen through a display window 336 from the outside rear of the housing 320. The serial number tag 334 and the safety certification tag 335 are affixed with an adhesive or the like.

[0153] The serial number tag 334 displays the serial number of the slot machine, and is provided with, for example, a name display section 334a displaying the manufacturer, a serial number display section 334b ​​displaying the serial number of the slot machine, and a code display section 334c displaying these as a two-dimensional code, as shown in FIG. 71.

[0154] The safety certification tag 335 is a certificate that certifies that the slot machine is an electrical device that complies with a specified safety standard. The safety certification tag 335 has a name display section 335a that displays the manufacturer, a certification display section 335b that displays that the slot machine has been certified, and a display section 335c that displays required information such as rated voltage, rated power consumption, rated frequency, and place of use, as shown in FIG. 72. The name display sections 334a and 335a may display the name of the manufacturer in characters or symbols. Other labels may be attached to each of the attachment sections 332 and 333 together with the serial number tag 334 and the safety certification tag 335, or separately from them.

[0155] The mounting base 330 is attached to the front side of the back plate 328 inside the housing 320 via fixing means 337 such as a pair of left and right screws 337a and nuts 337b. The screw 337a of the fixing means 337 is covered by the attachment base 331. The mounting base 330 is provided with a display window 339 that fits into a window hole 338 in the back plate 328 of the housing 320 to display the safety certification tag 335 on the rear side. The display window 339 is provided on the rear end side of the peripheral wall portion 340 that fits into the window hole 338 in the back plate 328, approximately flush with the rear surface of the back plate 328.

[0156] The affixing stand 331 is provided with a first affixing section 332 on the upper side that is long in the left-right direction, and a second affixing section 333 on the lower side that is slightly shorter in the left-right direction than the first affixing section 332. The first affixing section 332 and the second affixing section 333 are configured in a stepped manner via an intermediate wall 342. The first affixing section 332 is disposed on the front side, and the serial number tag 334 affixed to the first affixing section 332 is visible from the front side of the housing 320 when the front door 321 is opened. The second affixing section 333 is disposed on the rear side, and the safety authentication tag 335 affixed to the second affixing section 333 is visible from the outside rear side of the housing 320.

[0157] The first attachment part 332 is provided with a destructible part 343 outside the edge of the second attachment part 333, and a destructive operation part 345 is provided on the tip side from the destructible part 343. The first attachment part 332 is provided with a connector 347 that connects the connectors 346 on both sides of the destructible part 343.

[0158] The application base 331 is restricted from both the top and bottom by the upper restricting portion 348 and the lower restricting portion 349 of the mounting base 330, and is detachably fixed to the mounting base 330 by a pair of left and right engaging means 350. The upper restricting portion 348 is provided in the left and right direction at the upper end of the mounting base 330. The lower restricting portion 349 is disposed so as to restrict the first application portion 332 from the lower side outside the destructible portion 343 of the first application portion 332, and is configured to release the restriction of the first application portion 332 when the first application portion 332 is destroyed by the destructible portion 343. The mounting base 330 is provided with a receiving portion 351 that receives the application base 331 that has descended downward from the release position from the lower side when the destructible portion 343 is destroyed to release the engagement of the engaging means 350.

[0159] The engaging means 350 includes an engaged portion 350a on the mounting base 330 side, and an engaging portion 350b that protrudes from the first attachment portion 332 side and elastically engages with the engaged portion 350a, and is provided in left-right opposite directions so that when the attachment base 331 is pressed toward the mounting base 330 with the engaged portion 350a and the engaging portion 350b corresponding to each other, the left and right engaging portions 350b elastically deform in opposite directions to engage with the engaged portion 350a. The engaging means 350 is disposed between the mounting base 330 and the attachment base 331, and is disposed in a closed space that is closed from the front and rear, up and down, and left and right, and the engaging means 350 cannot be released by operating it from the outside.

[0160] However, when the destruction portion 343 is destroyed and the restriction of the first affixing portion 332 by the lower restriction portion 349 is released, the first affixing portion 332 moves downward, whereby the engagement between the engaging portion 350b and the engaged portion 350a of the engagement means 350 is released, and the affixing base 331 including the first affixing portion 330 can be removed. The second affixing portion 333 is disposed adjacent to the display window 339, and a safety certification tag 335 is affixed to the front surface of this second affixing portion 333.

[0161] The second attachment part 333 has a protruding border on the outer periphery of the attachment surface, and the safety certification tag 335 is attached inside the border. There is a predetermined gap between the second attachment part 333 and the underside of the peripheral wall part 340 of the attachment stand 320, so that the attachment stand 331 can move downward by the dimension required for the engaging part 350b to come off from the engaged part 350a when the engaging means 350 is released. The attachment stand 331 has a knob part 353 for removal at approximately the center.

[0162] By adopting an affixing unit 329 having such a configuration, the serial number of the slot machine can be confirmed by looking at the serial number tag 334 in the first affixing section 332, and the safety certification tag 335 in the second affixing section 333 can be used to confirm whether the slot machine has been safety certified.

[0163] When it becomes necessary to replace the serial number tag 334 or the safety certification tag 335 due to the reuse of the gaming machine, the change can be easily made, and the fact of the change can be easily determined by the destruction of the destructible portion 343 and the damage to the serial number tag 334. When the attachment unit 329 is in the fixed state, the attachment base 331 is fixed in the correct position on the attachment base 330 by the engagement means 350 and the up and down regulating portions 348, 349, and the engagement cannot be released by operating the engagement means 350 from the outside in any way other than by destroying the destructible portion 343.

[0164] When removing the attachment base 331 to replace the serial number tag 334, etc., a finger is hooked on the operating portion 345 at one end of the first attachment part 332 to deform the one end of the first attachment part 332 in the direction of the arrow 345a in Fig. 69. Then, when the deformation limit of the destructible portion 343 of the first attachment part 332 is exceeded, the destructible portion 343 is destroyed, and the length of the first attachment part 332 in the left-right direction is shortened as shown in Fig. 73.

[0165] By breaking the destructive portion 343, the destructive portion 343 of the first attachment portion 332 is released from the lower restricting portion 349, and the restriction from the lower side of the first attachment portion 332 by the lower restricting portion 349 is released, and the attachment base 331 can move downward. Then, by moving the attachment base 331 in the direction of the arrow 340a in FIG. 64, the engagement of the engagement means 350 can be released as shown in FIG. 74, and the attachment base 331 can be removed from the attachment base 330 by pinching the grip portion 353. Then, by replacing the attachment base 331 with a new serial number tag 334, the serial number tag 334 and the safety certification tag 335 can be replaced at the same time. In addition, since both sides of the destructive portion 343 of the attachment base 331 are connected by the connector 347, even if the destructive portion 343 is destroyed, the scattering of the operation portion 345 side can be prevented.

[0166] When attaching the application base 331, since the pair of left and right engaging means 350 are provided in the opposite directions, if the application base 331 is pressed toward the mounting base 330 with the engaged portion 350a on the application base 331 side and the engaging portion 350b on the mounting base 330 side corresponding to each other in the front and rear, the engaging means 350 will engage due to elastic deformation, and the application base 331 can be attached to the mounting base 330. Thereafter, the application base 331 cannot be removed from the mounting base 330 unless the destructible portion 343 is destroyed.

[0167] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the hand rest 58 of the embodiment has the position of the rest portion 104 fixed (non-movable) relative to the base portion 101, but the rest portion 104 may be configured to move in a predetermined direction, i.e., in either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, or both, relative to the base portion 101. Also, the height of the rest portion 104 or the height of the base portion 101 relative to the base portion 101 may be configured to be changeable. This allows the arms, etc. to be supported at an optimal position according to the player's body type and playing posture.

[0168] The material of the rest portion 104 should desirably be one that can distribute the weight when the player places his / her arms on it, and is not limited to the TPU material shown in the embodiment, but may also be a cushioned or low-resilience urethane material, gel material, or the like.

[0169] A movable performance device such as a vibration device or an air blower may be disposed on or near the hand rest 58. When a vibration device is disposed, it may be disposed within the rest portion 104 so as to directly vibrate the rest portion 104, or may be disposed at a position other than the rest portion 104 (may be on the hand rest 58 or on the hand rest base 108 near the hand rest 58, etc.) so as to indirectly vibrate the rest portion 104, etc. When an air blower is disposed, it may be disposed within the rest portion 104 so as to blow air toward the arm, etc. of the player placed on the rest portion 104, or may be disposed at a position other than the rest portion 104 (may be on the hand rest 58 or on the hand rest base 108 near the hand rest 58, etc.) so as to blow air toward any part of the player's arm, etc.

[0170] In addition, at least a portion of the various operating means (performance button 61, volume adjustment operating section 62, light intensity adjustment operating section 63, cross operating section 64, counting button 66) arranged on the operation panel section 59 may be arranged on or near the hand rest 58.

[0171] At least a portion of the hand rest 58, for example the rest portion 104, may be subjected to an antibacterial treatment.

[0172] It is sufficient that the attachment base 300, 331 is replaceable at a required portion of the gaming machine main body 1, etc., and the attachment structure can be changed as appropriate according to the arrangement of peripheral devices or members such as the attachment portion 305. Also, when providing the attachment base 300, 331 with the destructible portion 303, 343, in addition to a structure in which a part of the attachment base 300, 331 is separated by destroying the destructible portion 303, 343, it is also possible to configure the attachment base 300, 331 itself not to be separated, so long as the attachment base 300, 331 is configured to be replaceable by destroying the destructible portion 303, 343.

[0173] The destructible portions 303, 343 are preferably formed by a V-shaped or other groove formed on one or both of the front and rear sides of the attachment base 300, 331, or by a hole formed so as to overlap the groove, but other structures may be reused, such as providing grooves or holes intermittently. The attachment base 300, 331 should be placed on the gaming machine main body 1 at the lower rear side of the inner frame 6 in the case of a pachinko machine, or on the back panel of the cabinet 320 in the case of a slot machine, but may be placed at other locations.

[0174] The stickers to be attached to the attachment tables 300, 331 may be, but are not limited to, a control tag displaying control information such as a serial number tag 301, 334, or a warranty tag displaying various types of warranty information such as a safety certification tag 335. For example, stickers displaying various types of information to be notified to the manager and / or player of the gaming machine may also be used.

[0175] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a gaming unit such as a gaming board 17 is provided in a replaceable manner in the gaming machine main body 1 such as the inner frame 6, and when the gaming content is changed by replacing the gaming unit, the affixed slip may display management information such as the serial number of the gaming machine main body 1 including the inner frame 6, and management information such as the serial number of the gaming unit such as the gaming board 17.

[0176] The present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, and can be implemented in other gaming machines such as slot machines, arrange ball machines, and mahjong ball gaming machines. Some gaming machines on the market use a common gaming machine body, for example, even though they are gaming machines of different manufacturers (brands) due to various factors such as group companies and OEMs. In such cases, it is possible to deal with the problem by adopting the attachment units 302 and 329. The serial number tag and safety certification tag may contain information that can identify the manufacturer. By replacing the serial number tag and safety certification tag, it is possible to reuse the gaming machine body and other common items between different manufacturers (brands). In addition, when a common item is used for the gaming machine body and other items, it may be changed to a different manufacturer (brand) using the technology related to the attachment units 302 and 329 of the present invention. In a hall, there are cases where the gaming board is replaced (the gaming unit is replaced), but it is not possible to replace the gaming machine body between different manufacturers even if the gaming machine body is the same. When replacing the serial number tag and safety certification tag at the same time as replacing the game board, it is possible to reuse the game machine body even between different manufacturers. This is because it will be treated as a new frame. Therefore, the serial number tag and safety certification tag may be replaced at the hall using the technology related to the pasting units 302 and 329 of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 6 Inner frame (main frame) 7 Front door 16 Gaming area 17 Game Board 18 Game ball circulation device 19 Launcher 20 Lifting equipment 52 Glass window (transparent window) 61 Production button (predetermined operation means) 65 Game ball count display unit 67 Production button unit (operation unit) 69 Game ball count display unit 120 Ball Feeder 121 Pre-lift passage 121a First passage before lifting (out ball passage) 122 Post-lifting passage 123 Foul ball passage 125 Excessive position detection switch (excessive position detection means) 125a Movable detection piece 126 Under-position detection switch (under-position detection means) 126a Movable detection piece 128 Lifting exit switch (lifting exit detection means) 130 Foul ball switch (foul ball detection means) 132b Opening and closing body 140 Ball Breaker 140a Ball breaking entrance 140b Ball collapse reduction part 157 Out ball outlet (out ball outlet) 160 Parallel Section 162 Junction 163 Guidance wall 170a Upstream passage after lifting 170b Downstream post-lifting passage 176 Ball spill prevention measures 181 Button unit locking means (operation unit locking means) 183 Lock cover member (front door closing auxiliary means) 211 Decorative Sheet 212 Decorative sheet storage means 213 Decorative Sheet 214 Decorative sheet storage means 300 Attachment stand 331 Manufacturing number tag (attachment tag) 302 Paste unit 303 Destruction Department 304 Operation section 305 Mounting part 308 Engagement means 311 Interdiction means 320 Case 321 Front door 329 Attachment Unit 330 Mounting stand 331 Attachment stand 332 First attachment section 333 Second Attachment Section 334 Manufacturing number tag (first attachment tag) 335 Safety Certification Tag (Second Attachment Tag) 343 Destruction Department

Claims

[Claim 1] Equipped with attachment pads at required locations that cannot be replaced unless the destruction section is destroyed, A label such as a manufacturing number label is attached to the attachment base, The sticker overlaps at least a portion of the destructible portion so as to leave a mark when the destructible portion is destroyed. A gaming machine characterized by:

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