Game machine

Abstract

To improve durability when a game machine is fixed to an inner frame.SOLUTION: A knob-part housing part 350 is so configured that, when a front frame 3 is closed in a state where a knob part 160 is in a fixed position (a limit of movement in a direction of the fixed position), the knob-part housing part 350 and the knob part 160 are fitted together perfectly, namely, the knob-part housing part 350 and the knob part 160 are 0-touch designed to have no gap in a longitudinal direction, and the front frame 3 can be closed, however, when the knob 160 is in a non-fixed position, the knob part 160 is not housed in the knob-part housing part 350, and the front frame 3 cannot be closed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of gaming machine, the gaming board is attached to an inner frame, and once attached to the inner frame, the gaming board is fixed in place so that it cannot be removed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-003116 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, these only considered attaching the game board to the inner frame, and there was room for improvement.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims not only to fix the game board to the inner frame, but also to provide effects not previously available. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gaming machine of the present invention employs the following means to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

[0007] The gaming machine of the present invention is The game machine is provided with an inner frame for mounting a game board having a plurality of game pins and a prize slot attached to the front surface thereof, a front frame attached to the front of the inner frame so as to be capable of opening and closing, and an outer frame for attaching the inner frame, A fixing means is provided for fixing the game board to the inner frame, When the front frame is closed, at least a part of the fixing means is fitted into a fitting portion provided on the front frame, The fitting portion and at least a part of the fixing means are fitted together to come into close contact with each other at least in the front-rear direction, The gist of the invention is that when the fixing means is not fixing the game board, at least a part of the fixing means and the mating portion do not engage with each other, making it impossible to close the front frame, and when the fixing means is in a fixed state, the engagement becomes possible and the front frame can be closed.

[0008] In the gaming machine of the present invention, the fixing means for fixing the gaming board to the inner frame fits into a fitting portion provided on the front frame when the front frame is closed, creating a tight fit in the front-to-rear direction; when the fixing means is not fixing the gaming board, it is not fitted into the fitting portion, and the front frame cannot be closed. Therefore, if the game board is forgotten to be secured after being attached to the inner frame, or if it is not secured properly, the front frame cannot be closed, so it is possible to secure the game board properly. In addition, since the mating state creates a tight fit in the front-to-back direction, even if the gaming machine falls over and receives an impact from behind, it is possible to reduce the impact and prevent damage to the game. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the gaming board can be fixed firmly, and the strength of the gaming machine can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a game board 20 of a pachinko machine 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a front view of the inner frame of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams showing the steps of assembling the game board 20 to the inner frame 5. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a fixing method of an upper plate fixing portion 150 provided on the inner frame 5. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of the rear view of the front frame. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the state of the knob portion 160 in a fixed position and the knob portion storage portion 350 when the front frame 3 is opened or closed. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing the state of the knob portion 160 in the non-fixed position and the knob portion storage portion 350 when the front frame 3 is opened or closed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Next, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to examples. EXAMPLES

[0012] Fig. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a game board 20 of the pachinko machine 1, Fig. 4 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 with the front frame 3 removed, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. In this embodiment, an example of applying the present invention to a so-called seven-type (first type) game machine, which starts the variable display of special symbols when a game ball enters a start hole, and starts a jackpot game when the special symbols are stopped and displayed as a predetermined jackpot symbol, will be described.

[0013] [External configuration of pachinko machine 1] 1, the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment includes a game board 20 arranged so that the board surface can be seen through a glass plate (transparent plate) 4 fitted into a front frame (glass frame) 3, an upper tray 11 and a lower tray 12 for storing game balls, and a launch handle 13 for launching the game balls stored in the upper tray 11 onto the game board 20. The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is a CR machine compatible with prepaid cards, and a CR unit 50 for reading and writing prepaid cards is provided on the left side of the pachinko machine 1.

[0014] The front frame 3 is fitted into the inner frame 5, and can be opened and closed relative to the inner frame 5 using hinges provided at the top and bottom of the left side as fulcrums. The inner frame 5 is also fitted into the outer frame 2, and can be opened and closed relative to the outer frame 2 using hinges provided at the top and bottom of the left side as fulcrums. The front frame 3 and inner frame 5 are configured as a roughly rectangular plastic frame body. On the other hand, the outer frame 2 is configured as a roughly rectangular wooden frame body, and is fixed to the island frame of the island equipment in the game hall. The combination of the outer frame 2, front frame 3, and inner frame 5 is also called the game frame.

[0015] A speaker 14 (see FIG. 5) is provided in the front frame 3 to emit various sound effects as the game progresses and to emit warning sounds to alert the player. In addition, a plurality of LEDs 15 (see FIG. 5) are arranged in the front frame 3 so as to surround the periphery of the game board 20 as decorative light-emitting elements that emit light according to the game status.

[0016] Prize balls and loan balls are dispensed into the upper tray 11, and balls that overflow from the upper tray 11 are dispensed into the lower tray 12. An adjustment display device 52 that displays the balance of a prepaid card inserted into the CR unit 50 is disposed above the upper tray 11, and a ball loan button 53 that instructs the loan of game balls is provided on one of both sides of the adjustment display device 52, and a settlement button 54 that instructs the settlement (return) of the prepaid card inserted into the CR unit 50 is provided on the other side. In addition, an effect button 16 that performs various effects in response to the player's operation is disposed in front of the upper tray 11.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 2, a ball tank 77, a tank rail 78, and a payout device 72 are provided on the back side of the inner frame 5 of the pachinko machine 1. When game balls enter each winning hole provided on the game board 20, the payout device 72 pays out a predetermined number of game balls as prize balls from the ball tank 77 via the tank rail 78 to the upper tray 11. In addition, when the ball loan button 53 is operated, the payout device 72 pays out loan balls to the upper tray 11.

[0018] The launch handle 13 is located to the right of the lower tray 12, and when the player rotates it clockwise, a launch motor 83 (see Figure 5) of the launch device (not shown) is activated, and game balls are shot one by one toward the game board 20 with a launch force that corresponds to the amount of rotation of the launch handle 13.

[0019] [Configuration of the game board 20] As shown in Fig. 3, the game board 20 has a game area 21 surrounded by an outer rail 21a and an inner rail 21b. The game board 20 includes a performance display device 37 provided in the approximate center of the game area 21, a center role 38 including a warp entrance, a warp gutter, a stage, etc., arranged around the performance display device 37, a normal symbol operation gate 22 arranged to the right of the center role 38, a first start opening 23 that is always open and arranged below the center role 38, a second start opening 24 that can be opened and closed and arranged below the normal symbol operation gate 22, a big prize opening 25 arranged in the lower right of the game area 21, three left normal prize openings 27L that are always open and arranged in the lower left of the game area 21, a right normal prize opening 27R that is always open and arranged in the lower right of the game area 21, and an out opening 29 for collecting game balls that do not enter any of the prize openings. In addition, a large number of nails 21c are embedded in the game board 20 to guide and bounce game balls flowing down the game area 21.

[0020] The second starting hole 24 is a variable ball entry hole configured as a normal electric device, and includes an opening / closing blade (opening / closing member) 24b of an opening / closing plate, and a second starting hole solenoid 24c (see FIG. 5) that operates the opening / closing plate 24b. This second starting hole 24 is usually closed by the opening / closing plate 24b to prevent game balls from entering, and when a normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a winning symbol and a winning game (a normal symbol winning game) is played, the second starting hole solenoid 24c opens the opening / closing plate 24b forward, thereby opening the opening / closing plate 24b to allow game balls to enter. A second starting hole switch 24a is attached to the second starting hole 24 to detect the entry of game balls and count the number of balls that have entered. The second starting hole 24 is closed when the second starting hole switch 24a counts the number of game balls that have entered the hole or when a predetermined maximum opening time has elapsed before the second starting hole switch 24a counts the number of game balls that have entered the hole.

[0021] The big prize opening 25 is a variable ball entrance configured as a special electric device, and includes an opening / closing blade (opening / closing member) 25b and a big prize opening solenoid 25c (see FIG. 5) that operates the opening / closing blade 25b. This big prize opening 25 is normally in a closed state in which the opening / closing blade 25b stands upright and makes it difficult for game balls to enter, and when a special symbol is displayed as a big win symbol and a big win game is executed, the opening / closing blade 24b is tilted to the left by the big prize opening solenoid 25c to open, making it possible for game balls to enter. A big prize opening switch 25a is attached to the big prize opening 25 to detect the entry of game balls and count the number of balls that have entered. The big prize opening 25 is closed when the big prize opening switch 25a counts the number of game balls that have entered the big prize opening or when a predetermined maximum opening time has elapsed before the big prize opening switch 25a counts the number of game balls that have entered the big prize opening (round game). The big win game is played by repeating the above-mentioned round game a predetermined number of times.

[0022] The first starting hole 23 allows the player to insert the game ball by rotating the launch handle 13 (so-called left hit) so that the game ball flows down to the left area (first game area) of the game area 21. On the other hand, the second starting hole 24 and the big prize hole 25 cannot insert the game ball by hitting from the left, and the game ball can be inserted by rotating the launch handle 13 (so-called right hit) so that the game ball flows down to the right area (second game area) of the game area 21. However, since the second starting hole 24 and the big prize hole 25 are variable prize holes, they can only be opened when a normal symbol is won or when a special symbol is won as a big hit, respectively, and the game ball can only be inserted when the hole is opened.

[0023] Arranged in the lower left corner of the game board 20 are a first special pattern display device (first special pattern display device) 31, a second special pattern display device (second special pattern display device) 32, a first special pattern reserved number display device (first special pattern reserved number display device) 33, a second special pattern reserved number display device (second special pattern reserved number display device) 34, a normal pattern display device (normal pattern display device) 35, and a normal pattern reserved number display device (normal pattern reserved number display device) 36. An upper engaging portion 41a and a lower engaging portion 41b are provided on the left side of the game board 20, and by engaging these portions when fitting the game board 20 into the inner frame 5, the game board 20 can be fitted, and when the game board 20 is fitted, the upper fixing portion 250 and the lower fixing portion 251 are fixed to the inner frame 5. These will be described in detail later.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first special symbol display device 31 and the second special symbol display device 32 are configured as 7-segment display devices, and a plurality of display modes are expressed by a combination of lighting and extinguishing of each segment. The first special symbol display device 31 and the second special symbol display device 32 start the variable display of the special symbol by sequentially switching the display mode based on the entrance of a game ball into the start hole, and when a predetermined variable time has elapsed, the special symbol is displayed in one of a plurality of predetermined stop display modes to display the special symbol in a stopped state. Then, when the special symbol is displayed in a predetermined stop display mode (jackpot symbol), a jackpot game is executed. The first special symbol display device 31 is a display device for the first start hole ball entrance that displays the special symbol in a variable state based on the entrance of a game ball into the first start hole 23, and the second special symbol display device 32 is a display device for the second start hole ball entrance that displays the special symbol in a variable state based on the entrance of a game ball into the second start hole 24. In addition, the special pattern displayed by the first special pattern display device 31 is also called the first special pattern (first special pattern), and the special pattern displayed by the second special pattern display device 32 is also called the second special pattern (second special pattern).

[0025] In addition, if a game ball enters the first start hole 23 during the variable display of the special symbol or during a jackpot game, the variable display of the first special symbol is reserved up to a predetermined number (four times in this embodiment), and after the current variable display ends, the variable display of the reserved first special symbol is started sequentially. The reserved number of first special symbols is displayed on the first reserved number display device 33. Also, if a game ball enters the second start hole 24 during the variable display of the special symbol or during a jackpot game, the variable display of the second special symbol is reserved up to a predetermined number (for example, four times), and after the current variable display ends, the variable display of the reserved second special symbol is started sequentially. The reserved number of second special symbols is displayed on the second reserved number display device 34.

[0026] In this embodiment, the normal symbol display device 35 is configured as an LED display device having a plurality of display units. The normal symbol display device 35 turns on and off each of the plurality of display units based on the detection of a game ball by the gate switch 22a provided on the normal symbol operation gate 22. By repeating this, the normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and when a predetermined variable time has elapsed, the normal symbol is displayed in a static manner by turning on or off each of the multiple display parts. When a specific display part among the multiple display parts is turned on, it is a winning symbol, and when it is not, it is a losing symbol. When the normal symbol is displayed in a static manner as a winning symbol, the second starting hole 24 is opened.

[0027] In this embodiment, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 22 during the variable display of the normal symbol, the variable display of the normal symbol is reserved up to a predetermined number (for example, 4), and when the current variable display ends, the variable display of the reserved normal symbol is started sequentially. The reserved number of normal symbols is displayed on the normal symbol reserved number display device 36.

[0028] The performance display device 37 is an image display device composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and in addition to displaying performance patterns (pseudo patterns) 371L, 371C, 371R corresponding to special patterns on the display screen, it also displays various other performance effects, such as reach performances, preview performances predicting a jackpot, and button performances that accompany the operation of the performance button 16.

[0029] [Control circuit configuration] As shown in Fig. 5, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main control device 60, a payout control device 70, a launch control device 80, a sub integrated control device 90, a performance display control device 91, and a power supply board 95 (see Fig. 2) as its control circuits. The main control device 60 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 60a, and is provided with, in addition to the CPU 60a, a ROM 60b for storing processing programs and tables, a RAM 60c for temporarily storing data when executing the processing programs, an input / output port, a communication port, etc. Although not shown, the payout control device 70 and the launch control device 80 are also similarly configured as microprocessors centered on a CPU, and are provided with, in addition to the CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output port, a communication port, etc. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with an external connection terminal board 65, and signals indicating the game status and game results are transmitted to the hall computer 100 (see FIG. 5) via the external connection terminal board 65.

[0030] The main control device 60 is responsible for the basic progress of the game. As shown in FIG. 5, the main control device 60 receives detection signals from the front frame opening switch 3a for detecting the opening of the front frame 3, the inner frame opening switch 5a for detecting the opening of the inner frame 5, and the like, via the rear wiring relay terminal board 64. In addition, the main control device 60 receives detection signals (detection signals) from the gate switch 22a for detecting the passage of a game ball through the normal symbol operation gate 22, the first start port switch 23a for detecting the entry of a game ball into the first start port 23, the second start port switch 24a for detecting the entry of a game ball into the second start port 24, the big prize port switch 25a for detecting the entry of a game ball into the big prize port 25, the normal prize port switch 27a for detecting the entry of a game ball into the normal prize port 27, the fraud detection sensor 28, and the like, via the game board relay terminal board 61. As the fraud detection sensor 28, at least one of the following is provided: a magnetic sensor provided around the first start hole 23, the second start hole 24, and the big prize hole 25 to detect magnetism (magnetic force), a radio wave sensor provided around the main control device 60 and the payout control device 70 to detect radio waves, and a vibration sensor provided around the front frame 3 and the game board 20 to detect vibration. Furthermore, the main control device 60 is directly input with an operation signal from a setting key switch 67 and a RAM clear switch 68 provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, and the setting contents using the setting key switch 67 and the RAM clear switch 68 can be displayed on a setting display device (performance display device) 69 provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. On the other hand, the main control device 60 outputs a drive signal to the second start hole solenoid 24c, the big prize hole solenoid 25c, etc. via the game board relay terminal board 61. In addition, the main control device 60 outputs display signals to the first special symbol display device 31, the second special symbol display device 32, the first special symbol reserved number display device 33, the second special symbol reserved number display device 34, the regular symbol display device 35, the regular symbol reserved number display device 36, etc., via a symbol display device relay terminal board 62. Furthermore, the main control device 60 outputs signals to the hall computer 100 via a rear wiring relay terminal board 64 and an external connection terminal board 65.

[0031] The setting key switch 67 is a switch for setting various settings such as the probability of a big win for a special symbol. The RAM clear switch 68 is a switch for executing RAM clearing, and the manager of the game hall can execute RAM clearing by turning on the power while pressing the RAM clear switch 68. In this embodiment, the RAM clear switch 68 is also used to select the setting value of the big win probability for a special symbol. That is, the setting key switch 67 and the RAM clear switch 68 are used to select and set one of six setting values ​​(settings 1 to 6) to which different big win probabilities are assigned as the big win probability for a special symbol. The setting display device 69 is configured as a 7-segment display device, and displays the setting values ​​for various settings, the performance of the pachinko machine 1, and error codes when an error occurs. The manager of the game hall inserts a predetermined key into the setting key switch 67, rotates it, and turns on the power while pressing the RAM clear switch 68. Then, the RAM clear is performed on the pachinko machine 1, and the setting value is changed. When the pachinko machine 1 is in this state, the administrator can select a desired setting value from among settings 1 to 6 by pressing the RAM clear switch 68. In this embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 displays the numbers "1" to "6" corresponding to the currently selected setting value in sequence on the setting display device 69 every time the RAM clear switch 68 is pressed. Therefore, the administrator can select a desired setting value by repeatedly pressing the RAM clear switch 68 so that the number displayed on the setting display device 69 corresponds to the desired setting value. The setting value selected by operating the RAM clear switch 68 is confirmed by the administrator by rotating the key inserted into the setting key switch 67 and returning it to the initial position, and is set as the jackpot probability of the special pattern. By performing such operations, the administrator can set one of settings 1 to 6 for each pachinko machine 1.In this embodiment, the setting value is selected and set using the setting key switch 67 and the RAM clear switch 68, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the setting value may be selected and set using any other operating means that can be operated from the outside, such as a rotary knob, or a dedicated switch for selecting the setting value may be provided. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 displays the setting value on the setting display device 69, but the setting value may be displayed on another display device or may be notified by sound. In addition, the setting value is not limited to six, from settings 1 to 6, and any number of setting values ​​may be selected from a plurality of setting values.

[0032] The payout control device 70 is responsible for controlling the payout of prize balls and loan balls. A detection signal from a ball-out switch 76 that detects a ball-out in a ball tank 77 for storing game balls to be paid out to the upper tray 11 is input to the payout control device 70 via the back wiring relay terminal board 64, a detection signal from a payout switch 74 that detects game balls to be paid out to the upper tray 11 is input via the payout relay terminal board 71 and the back wiring relay terminal board 64, and a detection signal from a full switch 75 that detects a fullness of the lower tray 12 is directly input to the payout control device 70. On the other hand, a drive signal to the payout motor 73 is output from the payout control device 70 via the back wiring relay terminal board 64 and the payout relay terminal board 71. The payout control device 70 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the main control device 60, and drives the payout motor 73 according to a command sent from the main control device 60 to pay out prize balls. When the payout control device 70 receives a detection signal from either the ball out switch 76 or the full switch 75, it stops driving the payout motor 73 and suspends the payout operation of winning balls until the detection condition is resolved and the detection signal is no longer input.

[0033] The payout control device 70 is also configured to be able to communicate with the CR unit 50 via the CR unit terminal board 51. The CR unit terminal board 51 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the settlement display device 52, and detection signals from the ball lending switch 53a and the settlement switch 54a provided on the settlement display device 52 are input to the payout control device 70 via the CR unit terminal board 51. The ball lending switch 53a detects the operation of the ball lending button 53 and outputs a detection signal, and the settlement switch 54a detects the operation of the settlement button 54 and outputs a detection signal. When the payout control device 70 inputs a ball lending command, it drives the payout motor 73 to pay out the loaned balls. The payout control device 70 is also configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the launch control device 80, and when a predetermined launch stop condition, such as inputting a detection signal from the full switch 75, is met, it sends a launch stop command to the launch control device 80.

[0034] The launch control device 80 is responsible for controlling the launch of game balls into the play area 21. The launch control device 80 receives inputs such as a rotation amount signal output in response to the rotation operation of the launch handle 13, a launch stop signal from a launch stop switch 81 that detects the operation of the launch stop button, and a touch signal from a touch switch 82 that detects that the player is touching the launch handle 13. On the other hand, a drive signal to the launch motor 83 is output from the launch control device 80. The launch control device 80 controls the launch motor 83 so that the game balls are launched into the play area 21 with a launch strength based on the rotation amount signal. When the launch control device 80 has not input a touch signal or has input a launch stop command, it stops the drive of the launch motor 83 regardless of the operation of the launch handle 13, and does not launch the game balls.

[0035] The sub-integrated control device 90 is responsible for controlling the effects of the game. The sub-integrated control device 90 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 90a, and in addition to the CPU 90a, it is equipped with a ROM 90b, a RAM 90c, an input / output port, a communication port, and the like. This sub-integrated control device 90 can receive various commands from the main control device 60 by one-way communication via the effect relay terminal board 63, and performs effect control according to the received command. A detection signal from the effect button switch 16a that detects the operation (pressing) of the effect button 16 is input to the sub-integrated control device 90. On the other hand, the sub-integrated control device 90 outputs an audio signal to the speaker 14, a lighting signal to the LED 15, and a drive signal 9 to the movable role motor 18b. In addition, the sub-integrated control device 90 outputs a command for effect display control to the effect display control device 91 by one-way communication. The effect display control device 91 receives a command for effect display control from the sub-integrated control device 90, and controls the display of the effect display device 37 so that an effect image corresponding to the command is displayed on the effect display device 37.

[0036] The power supply board 95 is a DC power supply that converts AC voltage from an external AC power supply into DC voltage, and supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 1 by operating the power switch 95a. Even when the power switch 95a is turned off and the power supply of the pachinko machine 1 is turned off, the power supply board 95 supplies power from the AC power supply to the RAM 60c of the main control device 60, etc., and data in the RAM 60c is held by the power from the AC power supply. The power supply board 95 also includes an auxiliary power supply composed of a capacitor or the like, and stores the power supplied from the AC power supply in the auxiliary power supply. As a result, during a power outage in which the supply of power from the AC power supply is cut off, power from the auxiliary power supply is supplied to the RAM 60c of the main control device 60, etc., and data in the RAM 60c of the main control device 60 is held for a certain period of time. In this way, the main control device 60 has a backup function that holds the memory of the RAM 60c by power from the AC power supply or the auxiliary power supply even when the power switch 95a is turned off or a power outage occurs. On the other hand, the sub integrated control device 90 does not have such a backup function, so when the power switch 95a is turned off or a power outage occurs, the memory of the RAM 90c is cleared.

[0037] [About mounting the panel] When the front frame 3 and game board 20 are removed and the inner frame 5 is attached to the outer frame 2, it will look like Figure 4. The inner frame 5 has an upper board fixing part 150, a lower board fixing part 151, and a frame drawer connector 702 on the right side, and an upper game board engaging part 141a and a lower game board engaging part 141b on the left side.

[0038] 6 is a diagram illustrating the attachment of the game board 20 to the inner frame 5, as seen from above the pachinko machine 10. Note that parts that are not relevant to the explanation of attachment have been omitted, and the diagram is a cross-sectional view to make it easier to understand the engagement portion and the drawer connector. As shown in Fig. 6, the operation of assembling the game board 20 to the inner frame 5 is performed by assembling the game board 20 from the front inside the inner frame 5. First, the upper engagement portion 41a and the lower engagement portion 41b provided on the left side of the game board 20 are inserted obliquely from the front into the upper game board engagement portion 141a and the lower game board engagement portion 141b, respectively (Fig. 6 shows the upper engagement portion 41a and the upper game board engagement portion 141a), and with the game board 20 oblique to the inner frame 5, the upper engagement portion 41a and the lower engagement portion 41b are engaged with the upper game board engagement portion 141a and the lower game board engagement portion 141b, respectively (Figs. 6(a) and (b)). After the engagement, the right side of the game board 20 is pushed into the inner frame 5 in the direction of arrow G (shown in Figure 6(b)) using the engaged part as the center of rotation (Figures 6(c) and (d)), and locked by the upper board fixing part 150 and the lower board fixing part 151. In addition, when the game board 20 is attached, the board drawer connector 701 and the frame drawer connector 702 provided on the back side of the game board are connected, enabling an electrical connection between the game board 20 side and the game frame (front frame 3 and inner frame 5) side.

[0039] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a fixing method of the upper plate fixing portion 150 provided on the inner frame 5. As shown in FIG. Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the game board 20 is not fixed. The upper board fixing part is provided with a knob part 160, and the knob part 160 can be rotated around a rotation axis 161 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The arrow is actually formed, and it is possible to understand that the game board 20 can be fixed by rotating the knob part 160. In the state of Fig. 7(a), the game board is fitted, but the knob part 160 is still in the non-fixed position, and the game board 20 can be fitted or removed. When the knob portion 160 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the fixing portion 162 provided on the left side of the knob portion 160 rotates downward, so that the knob portion 160 moves to a fixed position and fixes the upper fixing portion 250 of the game board 20. The movable range of the knob portion 160 is the movable limit range from the state of FIG. 7(a) to the state of FIG. 7(b), so that the fixed position and the non-fixed position can be easily understood. Although the details are omitted because they are the same as in the conventional case, when the game board 20 is fitted by the lower board fixing portion 151 on the lower side, the lower side is also fixed by fixing the lower fixing portion 251. As a result, the game board 20 is fixed to the inner frame 5 and cannot be removed.

[0040] 8 is a schematic diagram of the back side of the front frame 3, with parts not directly related to the contents of the present invention omitted. A knob storage section 350 is provided in the upper left corner of the back side (upper right corner when viewed from the front). Although detailed explanations will be omitted as it is similar to conventional gaming machines, the front frame is rotatably supported on the outer frame 5 on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1, and the front frame 3 can be opened by rotating it around the axis. The knob storage section 350 has a recessed shape that is the same as the knob section 160.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state in which the knob portion 160 and the knob portion storage portion 350 are opened and closed. When the knob 160 is in the fixed position (the limit of movement in the direction of the fixed position), the knob storage section 350 fits snugly together as shown in Fig. 9(b) when the front frame 3 is closed from the state shown in Fig. 9(a), and the knob storage section 350 and the knob 160 have a zero-touch design with no gaps in the front-to-back direction, allowing the front frame 3 to be in a closed state. Although omitted in Fig. 9, there are slight gaps in the left-right, up-down and down directions because the structure would prevent the door from closing when rotated, but the gap is kept to the minimum required structurally.

[0042] The state in which the knob portion 160 is in the unlocked position is shown in Fig. 10. When the knob portion 160 is in the unlocked position, closing the front frame 3 from the state shown in Fig. 10(a) results in the knob portion 160 not being stored in the knob portion storage portion 350 and not being fitted, as shown in Fig. 10(b), and the front frame 3 cannot be completely closed. This prevents the player from forgetting to properly secure the game board 20 to the inner frame 5 after fitting it in. If the front frame 3 is closed without fixing the game board 20, the game board 20 will be prone to shaking back and forth, resulting in an unstable situation, which may result in the pachinko machine 1 being intentionally shaken, resulting in an unintended game result. In particular, in gaming machines in which the movement of the game ball has a large effect on the game result, the game performance may change significantly, and there is a possibility of cheating by opening the front frame 3 and releasing the fixation of the game board 20, but in this embodiment, as described above, the front frame 3 cannot be closed unless the game board 20 is fixed to the inner frame 5, so this can be prevented. Also, when the front frame 3 is closed, the knob part 160 and the knob part storage part 350 are designed to have zero touch in the front and rear directions, so it is quite difficult to shake the game board 20 by applying an impact from the front, and it is possible to make it resistant to cheating.

[0043] In this embodiment, the non-fixed position refers to a position other than the limit of movement in the direction of the fixed position. Therefore, even if the position is fixed, the front frame 3 cannot be closed unless the knob portion 160 is rotated to the limit of movement position and firmly fixed, and since the knob portion 160 is engaged when the front frame 3 is closed, it cannot be moved from the fixed position.

[0044] Since the pachinko machine 1 is conventionally installed on an island facility and used, the pachinko machine 1 itself is unstable and prone to falling over when not installed on the island. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 may fall over when it is standing upright before it is attached to the island facility or during development. When it falls over, the center of gravity is likely to be toward the rear side because various boards and ball passages are provided on the rear side of the pachinko machine 1, and it is highly likely to fall backwards. Some pachinko machines 1 have a cover on the rear side, but if it is not attached, an impact will be applied from the rear side to the front side. As described above, the game board is designed to be inserted from the front, so if there is an impact from behind, a force acts in the direction of removing the game board 20. If there is play between the upper board fixing part 160 and the front frame 3, when the game board 20 is subjected to an impact in the forward direction, the impact on the fixing parts and the game board will be strong, destroying the upper board fixing part 150 or the lower board fixing part 151 and causing the board surface to come off (for example, the knob part will break and come off the rotating shaft 161), and the front frame 3 may also be damaged. However, in the configuration of this embodiment, the game board 20 and the front frame 3 are designed with zero touch, so it is possible to suppress the impact even when it comes from behind, making it possible to make the game machine resistant to sudden tipping over.

[0045] In the embodiment, the upper panel fixing part 150 closes the front frame 3 to fit into the knob part storage part 350, resulting in a zero-touch design, but the front frame 3 may be provided with a storage part into which the lower panel fixing part 151 fits, or the front frame 3 may be provided with a storage part into which both the upper panel fixing part 150 and the lower panel fixing part 151 fit, resulting in a zero-touch design. Fixing parts other than the upper panel fixing part 150 and the lower panel fixing part 151 may also be provided, with a storage part into which the fixing parts fit. Furthermore, the knob storage section 350 provided on the front frame is adapted to fit a structure that fixes the game board 20 by rotating a knob as shown in FIG. 7, but it may also be adapted to fit a fixing section of another structure, and is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure that can be fitted into the storage section of the front frame 3 to achieve a zero-touch design.

[0046] Basically, when the game board 20 is attached, the power is not turned on, but in rare cases, when the front frame is opened and work is performed, the fixation may come off, and if the game board 20 and the inner frame 5 are not electrically connected by a drawer connector, it is also possible to remove the game board 20 with the power turned on. In this case, if the upper board fixing part 150 is forgotten to be fixed or is not noticed and comes off, the front frame 3 cannot be closed, and a front frame open notification is issued when the power is on, which is annoying, but it is difficult to understand why it is not closed, and the notification may continue. Therefore, it is possible to make it possible to detect whether the board fixing part that is fitted and stored with the front frame 3 is fixed, and to make it possible to notify the fact that it is not fixed. In this way, it is possible to know the reason why the front frame 3 cannot be closed, and to prevent the frame open notification from continuing without closing it. Note that the notification that the board fixing part is not fixed is basically a frame open notification and a voice notification is issued, so a notification to the extent that it is displayed on the performance display device 37 is sufficient.

[0047] In the embodiment, the game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall are paid out to the upper tray 11 as prize balls or loan balls, but it may be a so-called sealed type pachinko machine. The sealed type pachinko machine plays games by circulating the game balls sealed inside. The pachinko machines of the embodiment and the modified example may be applied to a so-called managed game machine. The managed game machine restricts external access to the main control device, and allows only specific information (information that affects the performance of the game or information that may affect the result of the game) to be transmitted from the frame control device (corresponding to the payout control device in the embodiment) to the main control device, and the frame control device is connected to the CR unit and is configured to be able to communicate with the outside only via the frame control device.

[0048] The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be explained below. The upper board fixing part 150 corresponds to an example of a "fixing means", the knob part 160 corresponds to an example of a "at least part of the fixing means", and the knob part storage part 350 corresponds to an example of a "fitting part". In addition, the correspondence between the main elements of the Examples and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since the Examples are examples for specifically explaining the form for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be made based on the description in that column, and the Examples are merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

[0049] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and it is of course possible to carry out the present invention in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Pachinko machine, 2 outer frame, 3 front frame, 4 glass plate, 5 inner frame, 20 game board, 41a upper engagement portion, 41b lower engagement portion, 60 main control device, 70 payout control device, 90 sub-integrated control device, 90a CPU, 90b ROM, 90c RAM, 91 performance display control device, 141a upper game board engagement portion, 141b lower game board engagement portion, 150 upper board fixing portion, 151 lower board fixing portion, 160 knob portion, 161 rotating shaft, 162 fixing portion, 250 upper fixing portion, 350 knob portion storage portion.

Claims

[Claim 1] The game machine is provided with an inner frame for mounting a game board having a plurality of game pins and a prize slot attached to the front surface thereof, a front frame attached to the front of the inner frame so as to be capable of opening and closing, and an outer frame for attaching the inner frame, A fixing means is provided for fixing the game board to the inner frame, When the front frame is closed, at least a part of the fixing means is fitted into a fitting portion provided on the front frame, The fitting portion and at least a part of the fixing means are fitted together to come into close contact with each other at least in the front-rear direction, This gaming machine is characterized in that when the fixing means is not fixing the game board, at least a part of the fixing means and the mating portion do not engage with each other, making it impossible to close the front frame, and when the fixing means is in a fixed state, the engagement becomes possible and the front frame can be closed.

Images