Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of reducing the number of components.SOLUTION: While preventing exposure of electrical wiring DK2 by reducing displacement magnitude itself of the electrical wiring DK2, or by suppressing excessive displacement of the electrical wiring DK2, by allowing journaled means 760 to be displaced so as to reduce a load imposed on the electrical wiring DK2, different auxiliary means becomes unnecessary. An embodiment of the auxiliary means is not restricted at all. For example, a binding band capable of fixing temporarily the electrical wiring DK2 is acceptable, and a cover or a tube made of a silicon resin, for enclosing the periphery of the electrical wiring DK2 is also acceptable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 52

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] There is a gaming machine that is provided with an auxiliary member that assists the displacement of electrical wiring (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-157474 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines have a problem that there is room for improvement in terms of reducing the number of components. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the number of components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 is a gaming machine having a displacement means configured to be displaceable and electrical wiring connected to the displacement means, in which the section in which the displacement means displaces includes a section in which the displacement means displaces so as to reduce the load on the electrical wiring.

[0006] The gaming machine of claim 2 is the gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the electrical wiring is positioned at a predetermined portion outside the displacement means, the displacement means has a guide portion along which the electrical wiring is guided, and is configured to be displaceable so as to reduce the change in the distance between the guide portion and the predetermined portion.

[0007] The gaming machine described in claim 3 is the gaming machine described in claim 1 or 2, and is provided with a driving means for generating a driving force and a transmission means configured to transmit the driving force of the driving means to the displacement means, and the electrical wiring is arranged on the opposite side of the transmission means with respect to the displacement means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, the number of components can be reduced.

[0009] According to the gaming machine of claim 2, in addition to the effect achieved by the gaming machine of claim 1, the load on the electric wiring can be reduced by changing the positional relationship between the predetermined portion and the guide portion.

[0010] According to the gaming machine of claim 3, in addition to the effects achieved by the gaming machine of claim 1 or 2, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in arranging electrical wiring. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board and the operating unit. [Figure 6] A front view of the left side performance unit. [Figure 7] 7A is a cross-sectional view of the left side production unit taken along line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the left side production unit taken along line VIIb-VIIb in FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10]10 is a cross-sectional view of the gaming machine taken along a line corresponding to line XX in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] A rear view of the right-side performance unit. [Figure 12] An exploded rear view of the right side performance unit. [Figure 13] A disassembled front oblique view of the right-side performance unit. [Figure 14] A disassembled rear oblique view of the right-side performance unit. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a first operating unit. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first operating unit. [Figure 21] 1A and 1B are front perspective views of a composite action unit. [Figure 22] 13A and 13B are rear perspective views of the composite action unit. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the combined action unit; [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the combined action unit; [Diagram 25] FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotating left cover portion and the rotating body. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a rotating body and a rotating right cover portion. [Figure 29] 13(a) and (b) are exploded front perspective views of a composite action unit of the first action unit. FIG. [Diagram 30] FIG. 2A is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the configuration of the rotating unit, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a harness constituting electrical wiring. [Diagram 31] (a) is a top view of the guide member, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member and electrical wiring taken along line XXXIb-XXXIb in Figure 31(a), (c) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member and electrical wiring taken along line XXXIc-XXXIc in Figure 31(a), (d) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member taken along line XXXId-XXXId in Figure 31(a), and (e) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member and electrical wiring taken along line XXXIe-XXXIe in Figure 31(d). [Diagram 32] 1A is a left side view of the composite action unit, FIG. 1B is a front view of the composite action unit, and FIG. 1C is a right side view of the composite action unit. [Diagram 33] 1A is a left side view of the composite action unit, FIG. 1B is a front view of the composite action unit, and FIG. 1C is a right side view of the composite action unit. [Diagram 34] 1A is a left side view of the composite action unit, FIG. 1B is a front view of the composite action unit, and FIG. 1C is a right side view of the composite action unit. [Diagram 35] 13(a) to (f) are front views of the third pattern display device and the first operation unit, each showing a schematic view of the third pattern display device and the first operation unit. [Diagram 36] 13A and 13B are left side views of the detection sensor and the driven plate of the rotating right cover portion. [Figure 37] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a second operating unit. [Figure 38] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a second operating unit. [Figure 39] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the second operating unit. [Diagram 40] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the second operating unit. [Diagram 41] FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of a second operating unit. [Diagram 42] FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the second operating unit. [Diagram 43] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a fixed base member, a movable base member, a driving means, a transmission means, and a biasing means. [Diagram 44]FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of a fixed base member, a movable base member, a driving means, a transmission means, and a biasing means. [Diagram 45] FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the pivotally supported means and the connecting means. [Figure 46] FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the supported means and the connecting means. [Figure 47] FIG. [Figure 48] FIG. [Figure 49] 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second operating unit taken along a plane extending horizontally through the columnar fastening portion of the support means. FIG. [Figure 50] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. [Figure 51] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. [Figure 52] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. [Figure 53] 13(a) to 13(c) are front views of a rotating arm member and a terminal gear. [Figure 54] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. [Figure 55] 51 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second operating unit taken along line LV-LV in FIG. 50. [Figure 56] 51 is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit taken along line LVI-LVI in FIG. 50. [Figure 57] 52 is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit taken along line LVII-LVII in FIG. 51. [Figure 58] 53 is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit taken along line LVIII-LVIII in FIG. 52. [Figure 59] 10(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of a game board in the second embodiment taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 60] FIG. 13(a) is a front view of a second operating unit in the third embodiment, and (b) is a front perspective view of a small diameter collar. [Figure 61] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. [Figure 62]A disassembled front oblique view of the right side performance unit in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 63] A disassembled rear oblique view of the right-side performance unit. [Figure 64] FIG. 13 is a front view of a second operating unit in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 65] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. [Figure 66] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. [Figure 67] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second operating unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 58, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0013] In the following description, the front side of the paper will be referred to as the front (front) side and the back side of the paper will be referred to as the rear (rear) side with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Fig. 1. Also, with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Fig. 1, the upper side will be referred to as the upper (upper) side, the lower side will be referred to as the lower (lower) side, the right side will be referred to as the right (right) side, and the left side will be referred to as the left (left) side. Furthermore, the arrows UD, LR, and FB in the figure (see Fig. 2, for example) indicate the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction of the pachinko machine 10, respectively.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 in which an outer shell is formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame 12 formed in substantially the same external shape as the outer frame 11 and supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 11. Metal hinges 18 are attached to the outer frame 11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side as viewed from the front (see Fig. 1) in order to support the inner frame 12, and the inner frame 12 is supported so as to be openable and closable toward the front side, with the side where the hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0015] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having a number of nails and winning holes 63, 64, etc., is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. The inner frame 12 is equipped with a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls to the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0016] On the front side of the inner frame 12, there is provided a front frame 14 that covers the upper side of the front, and a lower plate unit 15 that covers the lower side. Metal hinges 19 are attached to two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15, and the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front front side, with the side where the hinges 19 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing. The locks on the inner frame 12 and the front frame 14 can be released by inserting a special key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0017] The front frame 14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed in a substantially elliptical shape at its approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass sheets is disposed on the rear side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0018] In the front frame 14, the upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top that protrudes to the front side, and prize balls and loan balls are discharged into this upper tray 17. The bottom surface of the upper tray 17 is formed with a downward inclination to the right side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the balls inserted into the upper tray 17 are guided to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) by this inclination. In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, when changing the stage of the performance displayed on the third pattern display device 81 (see FIG. 2) or when changing the content of the performance of the super reach.

[0019] The front frame 14 is provided with various light-emitting means such as lamps around it (for example, at the corners). The light-emitting modes of these light-emitting means are changed and controlled by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state such as when a jackpot is hit or when a predetermined reach is reached, and they play a role in enhancing the presentation effect during the game. The periphery of the window portion 14c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps such as jackpot lamps, and when a jackpot is hit or when a reach is reached, each illumination unit 29-33 lights up or blinks by lighting or blinking the built-in LEDs, thereby informing the player that a jackpot is being hit or that the player is in a reach just before a jackpot is being hit. In addition, the upper left part of the front frame 14 when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1) is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs and capable of indicating that prize balls are being paid out and that an error has occurred.

[0020] Also, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination unit 32 from the back side so that the back side of the front frame 14 can be seen, and the certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see FIG. 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Also, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29-33 to create a more brilliant appearance.

[0021] A ball lending operation unit 40 is disposed below the window portion 14c. The ball lending operation unit 40 is provided with a number display unit 41, a ball lending button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are lent out in response to the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and a built-in LED is lit to display the remaining balance in numbers as the remaining balance information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain loan balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and loan balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispenser to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to commonize pachinko machines using a card unit and cash machines.

[0022] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 on the left side formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. An operating handle 51 is provided on the right side of the lower tray 50 to be operated by the player to hit the ball into the front of the game board 13.

[0023] The operation handle 51 includes a touch sensor 51a for permitting the driving of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of balls while the switch is being pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting the rotation amount (rotation position) of the operation handle 51 by a change in electrical resistance. When the operation handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the rotation amount, and the ball is launched with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, so that the ball is shot into the front of the game board 13 with a flight amount corresponding to the operation of the player. When the operation handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are turned off.

[0024] A ball removal lever 52 is provided on the lower front part of the lower tray 50 to be operated when discharging the balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball removal lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are discharged. This ball removal lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") for receiving the balls discharged from the lower tray 50 placed below the lower tray 50. As described above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a number of nails (not shown) and windmills (not shown) for guiding balls on a base plate 60 that has been machined into a roughly square shape when viewed from the front, as well as rails 61, 62, a general winning port 63, a first winning port 64, a second winning port 640, a variable winning device 65, a through gate 67, a variable display device unit 80, etc., and the peripheral portion of the board is attached to the back side (or front side) of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 1).

[0026] The base plate 60 is formed from a wooden plate member. The general winning opening 63, the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, and the variable display unit 80 are arranged in through holes (see FIG. 5, for example) formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed from the front side of the game board 13 with tapping screws or the like. The base plate 60 may be made of a light-transmitting resin material. In this case, it becomes possible for the player to visually recognize various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 from the front side.

[0027] The front central portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through a window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0028] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially arc shape is set up on the front of the game board 13, and an inner rail 61 formed of a strip-shaped metal plate similar to the outer rail 62 is set up on the inside of the outer rail 62. The outer rail 61 and the outer rail 62 surround the front outer periphery of the game board 13, and the game board 13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) surround the front and rear, forming a game area in front of the game board 13 where games are played based on the behavior of the ball. The game area is an area (an area where winning holes and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down) that is formed in front of the game board 13 and is partitioned by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin outer edge member 73 that connects the rails.

[0029] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the upper part of the game board 13. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip part of the inner rail 61 (upper left part of FIG. 2) to prevent a ball once guided to the upper part of the game board 13 from returning back into the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip part of the outer rail 62 (upper right part of FIG. 2) at a position corresponding to the maximum flight part of the ball, and a ball launched with a certain amount of force or more hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back toward the center while its force is reduced.

[0030] The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, which are equipped with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display as light-emitting means, are arranged in the lower left side of the game area when viewed from the front (lower left side of FIG. 2). The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are used to display information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and mainly display the game status of the pachinko machine 10. In this embodiment, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be used differently depending on whether the ball has won the first winning hole 64 or the second winning hole 640. Specifically, when the ball has won the first winning hole 64, the first symbol display device 37A is activated, and when the ball has won the second winning hole 640, the first symbol display device 37B is activated.

[0031] The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in a special probability, time-saving, or normal state, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbols correspond to a special probability jackpot, a normal jackpot, or a miss, and the number of reserved balls, while displaying the number of rounds during a jackpot and errors using a 7-segment display device. The LEDs are configured to have different light colors (e.g., red, green, and blue), and the combination of light colors can suggest various game states of the pachinko machine 10 with a small number of LEDs.

[0032] In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery is held when a prize is won in the first prize slot 64 and the second prize slot 640. In the lottery, the pachinko machine 10 judges whether or not a jackpot has been won (jackpot lottery), and if a jackpot has been determined, it also judges the type of jackpot. The types of jackpots that can be judged here include a 15R variable jackpot, a 4R variable jackpot, and a 15R normal jackpot. The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B not only show whether or not the result of the lottery is a jackpot as the stopped symbol after the variation ends, but also show a symbol according to the type of jackpot if a jackpot has been won.

[0033] Here, a "15R probability jackpot" refers to a probability jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and a "4R probability jackpot" refers to a probability jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4. Also, a "15R normal jackpot" refers to a jackpot that transitions to a low probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and is in a time-saving state for a predetermined number of variations (for example, 100 variations).

[0034] In addition, the "high probability state" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot is increased as an added value after the jackpot is ended, that is, during a so-called probability fluctuation (during a probability change), in other words, a state of play in which it is easy to transition to a special game state. The high probability state (during a probability change) in this embodiment includes a game state in which the probability of a hit of the second symbol described later is increased and the ball is likely to enter the second winning hole 640. The "low probability state" refers to a time when the probability change is not in progress, and refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot is in a normal state, that is, a state in which the probability of a jackpot is lower than that in a probability change. In addition, the time-saving state (during time-saving) in the "low probability state" refers to a game state in which the probability of a jackpot is in a normal state and the probability of a jackpot remains the same, only the probability of a hit of the second symbol is increased, and the ball is likely to enter the second winning hole 640. On the other hand, the normal state of the pachinko machine 10 refers to a game state in which the probability of a jackpot is not in a probability change state or a time-saving state (a state in which neither the probability of a jackpot nor the probability of a hit of the second symbol is increased).

[0035] During the probability variation or time reduction, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time for which the electric device 640a associated with the second winning port 640 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the electric device 640a is in an open state (open state), the ball is more likely to win the second winning port 640 than when the electric device 640a is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the probability variation or time reduction, the ball is more likely to win the second winning port 640, and the number of times the jackpot lottery is held can be increased.

[0036] In addition, during the probability variation or time reduction, instead of changing the opening time of the electric role 640a associated with the second winning port 640, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times the electric role 640a opens with one win may be increased compared to normal. Also, during the probability variation or time reduction, the winning probability of the second symbol may not be changed, and at least one of the time when the electric role 640a associated with the second winning port 640 is opened and the number of times the electric role 640a opens with one win may be changed. Also, during the probability variation or time reduction, the time when the electric role 640a associated with the second winning port 640 is opened and the number of times the electric role 640a opens with one win may not be changed, and only the winning probability of the second symbol may be changed to be increased compared to normal.

[0037] In the game area, a plurality of general winning holes 63 are arranged, through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball wins. In addition, a variable display unit 80 is arranged in the center of the game area. The variable display unit 80 is provided with a third pattern display device 81 consisting of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply abbreviated as "display device") that performs a variable display of a third pattern while synchronizing with the variable display in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, triggered by winning (initial winning) in the first winning hole 64 and the second winning hole 640, and a second pattern display device (not shown) consisting of an LED that displays a variable display of a second pattern, triggered by the passage of a ball through the through gate 67. In addition, a center frame 86 is arranged in the variable display unit 80 so as to surround the third pattern display device 81 in a front view.

[0038] The third symbol display device 81 is composed of a large liquid crystal display of about 9 inches to 19 inches, and the display contents are controlled by the display control device 114 (see FIG. 4), so that, for example, three symbol rows, upper, middle, and lower, are displayed. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols (third symbols), and these third symbols are scrolled horizontally for each symbol row, so that the third symbols are variably displayed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. The third symbol display device 81 of this embodiment performs decorative display according to the display of the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, while the display of the game state accompanying the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) is performed by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B. Note that, instead of a display device, the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, a reel or the like.

[0039] The second symbol display device performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol as display symbols (second symbol (not shown)) are alternately lit for a predetermined period of time each time the ball passes through the through gate 67. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the through gate 67, a winning lottery is held. If the winning lottery results in a winning, the second symbol display device displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed in a variable manner. If the winning lottery results in a losing, the second symbol display device displays a static "x" symbol after the third symbol is displayed in a variable manner.

[0040] The pachinko machine 10 is configured such that when the varying display in the second pattern display device stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "circle" pattern), the electric device 640a attached to the second winning port 640 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0041] The time required for the second symbol to change is set to be shorter during the probability change or time reduction than during the normal game state. As a result, during the probability change and time reduction, the second symbol changes and is displayed in a short time, so that more winning lotteries can be held than during the normal game state. Therefore, since there are more chances to win in the winning lottery, the player can be given more chances to open the electric role 640a of the second winning hole 640. Therefore, during the probability change and time reduction, the second winning hole 640 can be easily entered.

[0042] In addition, if the state is made such that the ball is likely to enter the second winning slot 640 during the probability variation or time reduction by other methods such as increasing the probability of winning or increasing the opening time or number of openings of the electric device 640a for one win during the probability variation or time reduction, the time taken for the second symbol to be displayed may be constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time taken for the second symbol to be displayed is set shorter during the probability variation or time reduction than during normal play, the probability of winning may be constant regardless of the game state, and the opening time or number of openings of the electric device 640a for one win may be constant regardless of the game state.

[0043] The through gate 67 is attached to the game board 13 in the area to the right of the variable display unit 80, and is configured to allow a part of the ball shot to the game board 13 to pass through. When the ball passes through the through gate 67, a lottery for a second symbol is held. After the lottery for a second symbol is held, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the lottery for a second symbol is a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol of the variable display, and if the lottery for a second symbol is a miss, a "×" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol of the variable display.

[0044] The number of times that the balls pass through the through gate 67 is reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first symbol display device 37A, 37B, and is also displayed by lighting the second symbol reserved lamp (not shown). Four second symbol reserved lamps are provided, the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the third symbol display device 81.

[0045] In addition, the variable display of the second symbol may be performed by switching on and off a plurality of lamps in the second symbol display device as in this embodiment, or may be performed by using a part of the first symbol display device 37A, 37B and the third symbol display device 81. Similarly, the lighting of the second symbol reservation lamp may be performed by a part of the third symbol display device 81.

[0046] In addition, the maximum number of balls that can be reserved for passing through the through gate 67 is not limited to four, but may be set to three or less, or five or more (e.g., eight). In addition, the number of through gates 67 that can be installed is not limited to one, but may be, for example, two.

[0047] In addition, the installation position of the through gate 67 is not limited to the right side of the variable display unit 80, but may be, for example, on the left or right side or below the variable display unit 80. In addition, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the second symbol reserved lamp may not be turned on.

[0048] A first winning hole 64 into which a ball can win is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball wins into this first winning hole 64, a first winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the first winning hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a big win is performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

[0049] On the other hand, a second winning hole 640 into which a ball can win is disposed below the first winning hole 64 as viewed from the front. When a ball wins into this second winning hole 640, a second winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the second winning hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a big win is performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37B.

[0050] In addition, each of the first winning port 64 and the second winning port 640 is also one of the winning ports into which five balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the winning port. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 640, but the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 640 may be different numbers, for example, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 may be three, and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 640 may be five.

[0051] The second winning port 640 is provided with an electric device 640a. This electric device 640a is configured to be openable and closable, and is usually in a closed state (reduced state), making it difficult for the ball to win the second winning port 640. On the other hand, when the second pattern display device displays a "○" pattern as a result of the variable display of the second pattern, which is performed in response to the passage of the ball through the through gate 67, the electric device 640a is in an open state (expanded state), making it easy for the ball to win the second winning port 640.

[0052] As described above, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol is higher than during normal play, and the time it takes for the second symbol to change is also shorter, so the symbol "○" is more likely to be displayed in the change display of the second symbol, and the number of times that the electric device 640a is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, the time that the electric device 640a is open is also longer than during normal play. Therefore, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, it is possible to create a state in which the ball is more likely to win the second winning hole 640 than during normal play.

[0053] Here, the probability of winning a jackpot when a ball enters the first winning slot 64 and when a ball enters the second winning slot 640 is the same in both low and high probability states. However, the probability of a 15R variable jackpot being selected as the type of jackpot when a jackpot occurs is set higher when a ball enters the second winning slot 640 than when a ball enters the first winning slot 64. On the other hand, the first winning slot 64 does not have the electric device 640a that the second winning slot 640 has, and the ball is always in a state where it can win a jackpot.

[0054] Therefore, under normal circumstances, the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is often in a closed state, making it difficult to win at the second winning slot 640. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for a jackpot by shooting the ball toward the first winning slot 64, which does not have the electric device 640a, so that the ball passes to the left of the variable display unit 80 (the so-called "left shot") and having the ball win at the first winning slot 64, thereby gaining more opportunities to win the jackpot lottery.

[0055] On the other hand, during the special bonus period or the time-saving period, the electric device 640a associated with the second winning slot 640 is likely to be opened by passing the ball through the through gate 67, making it easier to win at the second winning slot 640. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the ball toward the second winning slot 640 so that it passes to the right of the variable display device 80 (the so-called "right hit"), passing the ball through the through gate 67 to open the electric device 640a, and aiming for a 15R special bonus jackpot by winning at the second winning slot 640.

[0056] Unlike the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when the game board 13 is symmetrically configured, the first winning hole 64 can be aimed at by "hitting to the right" and the second winning hole 640 can be aimed at by "hitting to the left". Therefore, the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment does not require the player to change the way of shooting the ball between "hitting to the left" and "hitting to the right" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in a special mode, in a time-saving mode, or in a normal mode). Therefore, the hassle of changing the way of shooting the ball can be eliminated.

[0057] On the other hand, the pachinko machine 10 in this embodiment is configured so that the first winning hole 64 cannot be targeted by "right hit" and the ball shot by "left hit" does not pass through the through gate 67. Therefore, the pachinko machine 10 in this embodiment can request the player to change the way the ball is shot to "left hit" or "right hit" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in a probability hit, a time-saving mode, or a normal mode). Therefore, adding a game feature that changes the way the ball is shot can prevent the game from becoming sluggish.

[0058] A variable winning device 65 (see FIG. 2) is provided to the right of the first winning port 64, and a specific winning port 65a is provided in the approximate center of the variable winning device 65. In the pachinko machine 10, when a jackpot lottery performed due to winning in the first winning port 64 or the second winning port 640 results in a jackpot, after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is turned on to show a jackpot stop pattern, and a stop pattern corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 to indicate the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which a ball is likely to win. In this special game state, the specific winning port 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls win).

[0059] This specific winning opening 65a is closed after a predetermined time has passed, and after the closing, the specific winning opening 65a is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of this specific winning opening 65a can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (15 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger amount of prize balls than usual as an addition of game value (game value).

[0060] The special game state is not limited to the above-mentioned form. A large opening opening that is opened and closed separately from the specific winning opening 65a is provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a big win is lit in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time, and a large opening opening provided separately from the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when a ball enters the specific winning opening 65a while the specific winning opening 65a is open. In addition, the specific winning opening 65a is not limited to one, and one or more than two (for example, three) may be arranged, and the arrangement position is not limited to the right of the first winning opening 64, but may be, for example, the lower right side of the first winning opening 64, the lower left side of the first winning opening 64, the left or right side of the variable display unit 80, or above.

[0061] An attachment space K1 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc. is provided in the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13, and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be viewed through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

[0062] The game board 13 is provided with an outlet 71. A ball that flows down the game area and does not win any of the winning holes 63, 64, 65a, 640 is guided through the outlet 71 to a ball discharge path (not shown). The outlets 71 are arranged in pairs on the left and right of the second winning hole 640.

[0063] A large number of nails are set on the game board 13 in order to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and various components (gimmicks) such as windmills are also provided.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is unitized with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113) and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is unitized with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115) and a card unit connection board 116.

[0065] The back pack unit 94 is a unit formed by the back pack 92 forming the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part, a port for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as necessary.

[0066] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each stored in the board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 each include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to store the respective control devices and boards.

[0067] In addition, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) are connected (connected by a crimping structure) between the box base and the box cover by a sealing unit (not shown). In addition, a sealing seal (not shown) is affixed to the connection between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcefully open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or the sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0068] The payout unit 93 includes a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently inclined toward the downstream side, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and paying out balls by a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately pays out the required number of balls. A vibrator 134 for applying vibration to the tank rail 131 is attached to the tank rail 131.

[0069] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state recovery switch 120, the launch control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM erase switch 122. The state recovery switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jams (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the launch force of the launch solenoid. The RAM erase switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0070] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0071] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201 as a one-chip microcomputer that is a calculation device. The MPU 201 has a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 202, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. In the main control device 110, the MPU 201 executes the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as a jackpot lottery, display settings in the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and the third symbol display device 81, and a lottery for the display result in the second symbol display device.

[0072] In addition, in order to instruct sub-control devices such as the dispensing control device 111 and the voice lamp control device 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction, from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices.

[0073] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0074] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including the time of the power outage; the same applies below) are stored in the RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power supply is turned on (including the time of the power supply being turned on due to the power outage being resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power supply was cut off based on the information stored in the RAM 203. Writing to the RAM 203 is executed by the main processing (not shown) when the power supply is cut off, and the restoration of each value written to the RAM 203 is executed in the start-up processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned on. Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 201 is configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 201, an NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as a processing during a power outage.

[0075] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the voice lamp control device 113, the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol reservation lamp, a solenoid 209 consisting of a large opening solenoid for driving the opening / closing plate of the specific winning port 65a to open and close in the forward and backward directions, and a solenoid for driving the electric role 640a, and the like, and the MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0076] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 consisting of a group of switches not shown and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 described below that is provided in the power supply device 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on the signals output from the various switches 208 and the RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0077] The payout control device 111 drives a payout motor 216 to control the payout of prize balls and loan balls. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 used as a work memory, etc.

[0078] The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and the return address of the control program executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working area) in which the values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to hold (back up) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. In addition, like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0079] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, the payout motor 216, the launch control device 112, and the like. Although not shown, the payout control device 111 is connected to a prize ball detection switch for detecting the paid-out prize balls. The prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but is not connected to the main control device 110.

[0080] The launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51 when the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a ball. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and an electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and the electromagnet are permitted to be driven when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and on condition that the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of the ball is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in response to the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of operation of the operating handle 51.

[0081] The voice lamp control device 113 controls the output of voice in the voice output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of turning on and off the lamp display device (such as the illumination unit 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third pattern display device 81 performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores the control program executed by the MPU 221, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0082] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the voice and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, the voice output device 226, the lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc. The other devices 228 include the drive motors 441, 541, 731 and the electromagnetic solenoid 2086d.

[0083] The voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device 110, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). In addition, the voice lamp control device 113 monitors input from the frame button 22, and when the frame button 22 is operated by the player, instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or change the performance content at the time of super reach. When the stage is changed, a back image change command including information on the changed stage is sent to the display control device 114 so that the third symbol display device 81 displays a back image corresponding to the changed stage. Here, the back image is an image displayed on the back side of the third symbol, which is the main image to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 according to the command sent from this voice lamp control device 113.

[0084] Also, the voice lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the display control device 114. Based on the display command received from the display control device 114, the voice lamp control device 113 outputs a sound corresponding to the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device 227 in accordance with the display content.

[0085] The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device 81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on the command received from the voice lamp control device 113. The display control device 114 also transmits a display command to notify the display content of the third pattern display device 81 to the voice lamp control device 113 as appropriate. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display of the third pattern display device 81 with the audio output from the audio output device 226 by outputting audio from the audio output device 226 in accordance with the display content indicated by the display command.

[0086] The power supply device 115 has a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure or the like, and a RAM deletion switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM deletion switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltage to each of the control devices 110-114, etc. through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit 251 takes in an AC voltage of 24 volts supplied from the outside, generates a voltage of 12 volts for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, motors, etc., a voltage of 5 volts for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0087] The power failure monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 252 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and when this voltage becomes less than 22 volts, it judges that a power failure (power failure, power cut) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal SG1 to the main control device 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power failure signal SG1, the main control device 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the voltage of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the NMI interrupt processing, even after the voltage of 24 volts DC becomes less than 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown).

[0088] The RAM clear switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clear signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clear switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clear signal SG2 when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, it clears the backup data and transmits a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0089] Next, a description will be given of the structure of the game board 13 and the operation unit 300. Fig. 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board 13 and the operation unit 300. In addition, in the description of Fig. 5, Fig. 2 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0090] As described above, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a number of nails (not shown) and windmills (not shown) for guiding balls on a base plate 60 machined into a roughly square shape when viewed from the front, as well as rails 61, 62, a general winning opening 63, a first winning opening 64, a second winning opening 640, a through gate 67, a variable winning device 65, a variable display unit 80, a center frame 86 configured to be fitted from the front into a window 60a opened in the base plate 60, a left side presentation unit 150 arranged in the lower left of the center frame 86 and configured to guide a ball to the general winning opening 63, a right side presentation unit 160 in which the variable winning device 65 is arranged and which is configured to be fitted from the front into a small window 60b opened in the base plate 60, and a ball flow-down unit (not shown) configured to allow balls discharged from the game area to flow down, and the peripheral portion of the unit is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 1).

[0091] The center frame 86, the left side performance unit 150 and the right side performance unit 160 are arranged in through holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed to the base plate 60 from the front side of the game board 13 by tapping screws or the like.

[0092] The base plate 60 is formed from a wooden plywood made by overlapping plywood sheets, and is configured to be able to shield various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 from the front side so that they cannot be seen by the player, except for openings such as the window portion 60a and the small window portion 60b.

[0093] As shown in Figure 5, the left side performance unit 150 is a unit formed from a light-transmitting resin material, and mainly comprises an upper plate portion 151 arranged along the front of the base plate 60 and formed in a plate-like shape of the same width as the inner rail 61, a lower plate portion 152 extending downward from the left end of the upper plate portion 151 in a plate-like shape of the same width as the upper plate portion 151, an opposing plate portion 153 formed in a flat plate shape connected to the rear end of the lower plate portion 152 and the rear end of the upper plate portion 151 and arranged opposite the front of the base plate 60 in a state of face-to-face contact, a ball guide member 154 which is a plurality of members fastened and fixed to the front side of the opposing plate portion 153 and has a bottomed semi-cylindrical shape that has a bottom on the front side and is open upward, and a plurality of protrusion portions 155 formed in a protrusion shape extending upward from the upper surface of the lower plate portion 152 at a position below the ball guide member 154.

[0094] In the portion of the base plate 60 facing the left side performance unit 150, no openings are formed except for an opening corresponding to the general winning port 63. This makes it possible to prevent the displacement (deformation) of the facing plate portion 153 by utilizing the rigidity of the base plate 60, so that the flow of balls down the front side of the facing plate portion 153 can be stabilized regardless of the thickness of the facing plate portion 153.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, the opposing plate portion 153 is disposed on the rear side of the path along which balls that have deviated from the ball guide member 154 and are determined not to enter the general winning opening 63 (and the first winning opening 64 and the second winning opening 640) flow. This makes it possible to reduce the effect of the opposing plate portion 153 on the flow of balls that may enter the winning openings 63, 64, and 640.

[0096] In this embodiment, while the base plate 60 is configured to be formed from a wooden plate member, it is possible to show the player light irradiated from an illumination device (for example, the LED member 544 of the rotation unit 500, see FIG. 25) arranged on the rear side of the base plate 60 toward the front side through the opening corresponding to the general winning opening 63. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform a light-emitting effect in which only the ball guide member 154 arranged corresponding to the general winning opening 63 is illuminated, without illuminating the surrounding opposing plate portion 153, upper plate portion 151, etc.

[0097] That is, for example, even if the distance between the light emitting means and the ball guiding member 154 is large, the light is narrowed by the opening formed in the base plate 60 at the position corresponding to the general winning opening 63, so that it is possible to perform a light emitting effect in which only the ball guiding member 154 is illuminated. Therefore, even if a light emitting means dedicated to illuminating the ball guiding member 154 is not provided, it is possible to perform a light emitting effect in which the ball guiding member 154 is illuminated by making the light irradiated from the LED member 544 (see FIG. 25) of the rotation unit 500 described later reach the opening formed in the base plate 60 at the position corresponding to the general winning opening 63.

[0098] This makes it possible to easily highlight a location in the game area where a player can benefit if the ball reaches the location (for example, general winning hole 63). The left side performance unit 150 will be described in detail below.

[0099] Fig. 6 is a front view of the left side performance unit 150. As shown in Fig. 6, the protrusion 155 is a portion formed in a protruding shape from the upper surface of the lower plate 152 in the front-rear direction, and includes a first protrusion 156 disposed on the more upstream side, and a second protrusion 157 disposed on the downstream side of the first protrusion 156. The first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157 have different shapes (protruding manner), but the basic concept is the same, so the shape of the first protrusion 156 will be described in detail, and the second protrusion 157 will be described with respect to the differences from the first protrusion 156, and a detailed description will be omitted.

[0100] The first protrusion portion 156 is configured with four protrusions of approximately the same shape arranged in a staircase pattern. Since the protrusions are formed in approximately the same shape in the front-to-rear direction, they can come into contact with the ball regardless of the front-to-rear position of the ball, thereby slowing down the ball.

[0101] The protrusions are disposed in four equal areas divided horizontally into the area vertically below ball guide member 154. That is, since the area vertically below ball guide member 154 is formed with a left-right width of approximately 16 mm, each protrusion is formed with a left-right width of approximately 4 mm.

[0102] Each protrusion is configured so that the vertical dimension gradually becomes shorter toward the downstream side. This difference in vertical length is generated by adjusting the vertical length of the right side 156c of the protrusion. Therefore, the upper side 156a and the curved portion 156b of the protrusion are made to have the same shape for each protrusion. The details of the upper side 156a, the curved portion 156b, and the right side 156c will be described later.

[0103] As described above, the difference in the vertical length of each protrusion is created by adjusting the vertical length of the right side portion 156c of the protrusion, so the first protrusion portion 156 is formed in a stepped shape in which the step width is equal but the vertical dimensions of each step become smaller as it goes downward.

[0104] In particular, the difference in vertical dimension between the leftmost protrusion and the adjacent protrusion to the right of it is the largest (approximately 0.35 mm), and thereafter, the difference in vertical dimension between adjacent protrusions is about half (approximately 0.16 to 0.18 mm). The vertical dimensions of each protrusion will be described later.

[0105] According to this configuration, the deceleration effect on the ball flowing down from the upstream side of the first ridge portion 156 can be maximized at the first ridge (the ridge at the left end) and can be gradually reduced at the subsequent ridges. As a result, an appropriate load is applied to the ball at multiple points, so the ball can be sufficiently decelerated without causing local overload (stress concentration). In addition, compared to a case where the deceleration effect is constant for each ridge, the deceleration effect can be more easily adapted to the change in speed (speed reduction) of the ball rolling on the first ridge portion 156, so excessive deceleration can be avoided and it is easier to prevent the ball from stopping unintentionally.

[0106] In the second protrusion 157 described later, the difference in the vertical dimension between adjacent protrusions is all equal (approximately 0.11 mm), and the leftmost protrusion is not configured to have a dramatically larger vertical dimension. The vertical dimensions of each protrusion will be described later. This is to ensure that the inclination of the lower plate 152 relative to the horizontal is small enough that it is not necessary to significantly decelerate the ball, and to prevent damage to the second protrusion 157, as will be described in detail later.

[0107] In addition, the outline of the game ball B1 that abuts on the curved portion 156b of the upstream protrusion and the upper side portion 156a of the downstream protrusion at the position where the vertical height of the adjacent protrusions is smallest is illustrated by imaginary lines. As shown in Fig. 6, the center (center of gravity) of the game ball B1 is located to the right of the right end of the upper side portion 156a.

[0108] When the abutting protrusion is changed and the game ball is positioned so that it abuts at the same two points, the more upstream the abutting protrusion is, the larger the vertical dimension of the upstream protrusion becomes, and the game ball will be positioned further to the right, and naturally the center (center of gravity) of game ball B1 will be positioned to the right of the right end of the upper edge portion 156a.

[0109] Therefore, when the game ball B1 is positioned in a state where it is sandwiched between adjacent protrusions, the weight of the game ball is oriented in the direction of rolling downstream over the multiple protrusions, thereby preventing the game ball from coming to a stop in a state where it is sandwiched between adjacent protrusions.

[0110] A detailed description will be given of the configuration of each protrusion of the first protrusion portion 156. Each protrusion has an upper side portion 156a extending from the left end portion at a downward incline with respect to the horizontal direction, a curved portion 156b formed continuously from the right end portion of the upper side portion 156a, and a right side portion 156c extending downward in the vertical direction from the lower right end portion of the curved portion 156b.

[0111] The upper side portion 156a is inclined downward from the horizontal direction in a front view and is configured as a flat portion extending in a plane in the front-to-back direction, which makes it easier to prevent a ball rolling on the upper surface from stopping unintentionally. The length of the upper side portion 156a in a front view is 3.15 mm, the inclination angle of the upper side portion 156a from the horizontal direction is about 7 degrees, and the angle with respect to the lower plate portion 152 is about 35 degrees.

[0112] The curved portion 156b is a curved surface configured with a curved shape of a radius of about 1 mm in front view, and serves to assist the rolling of the ball. That is, compared to the case where the curved portion 156b is configured as a corner, the contact between the ball and the protrusion can be continued, making it easier to maintain the rolling state, and therefore the effect of decelerating the ball can be maintained.

[0113] The lengths of the lower side 156c are designed to be approximately 1.42 mm, approximately 1.58 mm, approximately 1.76 mm, and approximately 2.11 mm from the downstream side, respectively. As a result, the vertical dimensions of each protrusion are designed to be approximately 2.80 mm, approximately 2.96 mm, approximately 3.14 mm, and approximately 3.49 mm from the downstream side, respectively.

[0114] The lower side portion 156c extends vertically in a front view and is configured as a flat portion extending in a plane in the front-to-rear direction, so that it is possible to prevent the ball from being displaced against the inclination of the lower plate portion 152. This makes it possible to make it easier for the ball that is displaced in a direction away from the outlet 71 (see FIG. 2) to flow down toward the outlet 71.

[0115] The angle of the lower side portion 156c with respect to the horizontal direction is approximately 90 degrees, and the angle with respect to the lower plate portion 152 is approximately 56 degrees. In this manner, the inclination angle of the protrusion with respect to the lower plate portion 152 on the downstream side is configured to be larger than the angle with respect to the lower plate portion 152 on the upstream side.

[0116] As a result, for a ball reaching the ridge from the upstream side, the change in the inclination angle of the rolling surface is small, resulting in a small deceleration effect that does not stop the ball, while for a ball reaching the ridge from the downstream side, the change in the inclination angle of the rolling surface is large, effectively reducing the speed of the ball heading upstream and making it easier for the ball to flow downstream.

[0117] The second protrusion 157 is configured so that the vertical width of each protrusion is shorter than that of the first protrusion 156, and this difference is caused by making different the lengths of the right side portions 156c of the second protrusion 157. Therefore, the shape and inclination angle (i.e., about 7 degrees) of the upper side portion 156a with respect to the horizontal direction, the shape of the curved portion 156b, etc. are configured similarly for each protrusion.

[0118] On the other hand, the lower plate portion 152 is configured in a curved shape with the center of the radius of curvature located on the upper right side, and the inclination angle (inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction) near the second protrusion portion 157 is smaller than the inclination angle (inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction) near the first protrusion portion 156, so the angle between each protrusion of the second protrusion portion 157 and the lower plate portion 152 is different from that described above for the first protrusion portion 156.

[0119] That is, the length of the upper side portion 156a of the second protrusion portion 157 in a front view is 3.15 mm, the angle of the upper side portion 156a with respect to the lower plate portion 152 is approximately 19 degrees, and the angle of the right side portion 156c with respect to the lower plate portion 152 is approximately 70 degrees. In this way, the inclination angle of the protrusion with respect to the lower plate portion 152 on the downstream side is greater than the angle with respect to the lower plate portion 152 on the upstream side, which is greater than the above-mentioned numerical values ​​for the first protrusion portion 156.

[0120] As a result, more than what has been described above for the first protrusion portion 156, the change in the inclination angle of the rolling surface is small for a ball reaching the protrusion from the upstream side, resulting in a small deceleration effect that does not cause the ball to stop, while the change in the inclination angle of the rolling surface is large for a ball reaching the protrusion from the downstream side, effectively reducing the speed of the ball heading upstream and making it easier for the ball to flow downstream.

[0121] The lower side 156c of the second protrusion 157 is designed to have lengths of approximately 0.16 mm, approximately 0.27 mm, approximately 0.38 mm, and approximately 0.49 mm, respectively, from the downstream side. As a result, the vertical dimensions of each protrusion are designed to be approximately 1.54 mm, approximately 1.65 mm, approximately 1.76 mm, and approximately 1.87 mm, respectively, from the downstream side.

[0122] The second ridge portion 157 has a shorter vertical dimension for each step than the first ridge portion 156, and the differences in the vertical dimensions of adjacent ridges are all equal (approximately 0.11 mm). In other words, the left-most ridge does not have a dramatically larger vertical dimension, so the deceleration rate of the balls rolling on the upper surface can be made uniform, and the durability of the second ridge portion can be improved by taking measures against the fragility of the left end portion.

[0123] The left side performance unit 150 is equipped with a diffusion section 158 in which a diffusion shape capable of diffusing light is formed on the front end faces of the upper plate section 151 and the lower plate section 152. The diffusion section 158 diffuses light that reaches the left side performance unit 150 from the front side through the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) and light that reaches the left side performance unit 150 from the top, bottom, left, right, or rear side, allowing the player to see linear light and improving the performance effect.

[0124] Since the diffusion portion 158 is also formed on the front end surfaces of the first ridge portion 156 and the second ridge portion 157, it is possible to make the diffusion portion 158 wider in part. This makes it possible to make the width of the light visible at the first ridge portion 156 and the second ridge portion 157 larger than the width of the light visible around them (places where neither the first ridge portion 156 nor the second ridge portion 157 is formed).

[0125] In addition, the maximum width of light visible at the diffusion portion 158 on the front side of the first protrusion portion 156 can be made larger than the maximum width of light visible at the diffusion portion 158 on the front side of the second protrusion portion 157. In more detail, the width of light visible at the diffusion portion 158 can be changed in stages in accordance with the vertical dimension of each of the protrusions described above, and since the protrusion having the smallest vertical dimension among the protrusions in the first protrusion portion 156 has a larger vertical dimension than the protrusion having the largest vertical dimension among the protrusions in the second protrusion portion 157, the width of light visible at the diffusion portion 158 on the front side of the first protrusion portion 156 can be made larger than the width of light visible at the diffusion portion 158 on the front side of the second protrusion portion 157.

[0126] This allows the degree of attention of the player watching the left-side performance unit 150 to be different for each range. That is, the degree of attention of the second protrusion 157 is higher than the degree of attention of a portion that is neither the first protrusion 156 nor the second protrusion 157, and the degree of attention of the first protrusion 156 can be higher than the degree of attention of the second protrusion 157.

[0127] The ball guide member 154, which is arranged corresponding to the general winning opening 63, is disposed above the first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157, which are intended to attract a high degree of attention. Since the player's basic playing posture is one in which he or she looks down on the general winning opening 63 and the ball guide member 154 arranged in front of it, there is a high possibility that the first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157, which are arranged below the ball guiding member 154, will be within the player's field of vision.

[0128] In addition, by increasing the attention to the first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157 (by shining light on them), it is possible to make it easier for the player to grasp the left and right positions of the general winning opening 63. This makes it easier to draw attention to the general winning opening 63 and the ball guide member 154 arranged on the front side thereof.

[0129] In other words, according to this embodiment, the attention to the general winning opening 63 and the ball guide member 154 can be improved (made more noticeable) by increasing the attention to the first protrusion portion 156 and the second protrusion portion 157 without directly making the general winning opening 63 and the ball guide member 154 shine or decorating them in a flashy manner.

[0130] Also, the width of the light visible through the diffusion section 158 is configured to change depending on the vertical dimension of each ridge, but since the vertical dimension of the ridge at the left end of the first ridge section 156 is configured to be significantly larger, it has the effect of strongly attracting the player's gaze. This makes it possible to increase the attention to the ridge at the left end of the first ridge section 156, which is the most upstream position where a ball flowing down from the upstream side of the upper plate section 151 lands.

[0131] In addition, the width of the light visible through the diffusion unit 158 ​​is configured to change depending on the vertical dimension of each protrusion, so the width of the light is gradually reduced as it moves downstream (to the right). This allows the light that gradually becomes thinner toward the downstream side of the play area to be visible through the diffusion unit 158, so that it is possible to achieve effects as a light-emitting performance, such as showing the trajectory of the ball with light or forming a sharp appearance by decorating the outer edge of the play area with light of different thicknesses (tapering light).

[0132] 6 shows flow-down paths L1 and L2 as main examples of the flow-down paths of the ball. Flow-down path L1 is the path that the ball takes after reaching the upper plate portion 151 and dropping from the right end portion of the upper plate portion 151. The ball that flows down flow-down path L1 reaches (lands on) the upper surface of the lower plate portion 152 on the upstream side of the first protrusion portion 156.

[0133] Flow path L2 is the path taken by a ball that flows over a nail (not shown) and down to the right without reaching the upper plate portion 151 as it flows down between a pair of ball guide members 154, and the ball that flows down flow path L2 reaches (lands on) the upper surface of the lower plate portion 152 upstream of the second protrusion portion 157.

[0134] In this way, the first protrusion portion 156 and the second protrusion portion 157 are formed in a range different from the range where the ball flowing down the ball flow paths L1, L2 reaches (lands) on the lower plate portion 152, so that it is possible to prevent the impact of the ball arriving (landing) from being given to the first protrusion portion 156 or the second protrusion portion 157.

[0135] In addition, since the first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157 are disposed downstream of the range where the ball will reach (land), the ball flowing down the flow paths L1, L2 can be decelerated before reaching the outlet 71. This makes it easier to prevent parts arranged on the path to the outlet 71 from being damaged by the load (impact) received from the ball.

[0136] When a ball rolling on lower plate 152 begins to come into contact with first ridge 156, the repulsive force applied to the ball from first ridge 156 faces to the right, rather than toward the side the ball will reach, preventing the ball from coming to a stop. However, the direction of the repulsive force depends on the shape of each ridge, and therefore varies greatly depending on the side the ball will reach.

[0137] For example, when a ball reaches (starts contacting) first protrusion 156 from the upstream side (left side), the direction of the repulsive force is perpendicular to upper side 156a, resulting in a substantially upward load F1. On the other hand, when a ball reaches (starts contacting) first protrusion 156 from the downstream side (right side), the direction of the repulsive force is perpendicular to curved portion 156b without contacting right side 156c, resulting in a substantially rightward load F2.

[0138] Therefore, for a ball arriving from the upstream side, a gentle change in speed in the left-right direction can be caused, and for a ball arriving from the downstream side, a drastic change in speed in the left-right direction can be caused (the speed can be reversed).

[0139] The ball may bounce to the left if it collides with another ball positioned near the outlet 71 or with a component positioned in front of the outlet 71. This ball is unlikely to reach the first ridge 156, but is likely to reach the second ridge 157, which is positioned lower and closer to the outlet 71.

[0140] Therefore, although the second protrusion portion 157 is formed on the underside of the ball guide member 154 at a position away from the landing position of the ball flowing down the flow paths L1, L2, there is still a possibility that the ball will bounce back due to the reasons mentioned above and collide with the second protrusion portion 157. Therefore, if the second protrusion portion 157 is weak, the second protrusion portion 157 may be damaged by the impact of the ball colliding with it.

[0141] In contrast, in this embodiment, the second protrusion portion 157 is configured such that the difference in vertical dimension between adjacent protrusions is equal (equal difference), and a configuration in which the vertical dimension of the leftmost protrusion is dramatically larger is not adopted. This makes it possible to configure the second protrusion portion 157 to be less prone to damage, compared to a configuration in which a specific protrusion is made excessively sharp.

[0142] Furthermore, since each protrusion is formed in a protruding shape from the upper surface of the lower plate portion 152 in the front-to-rear direction, the second protrusion portion 157 can be configured to be less susceptible to damage compared to when the protrusions are formed in a horn-like shape.

[0143] 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the left side performance unit 150 taken along line VIIa-VIIa in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the left side performance unit 150 taken along line VIIb-VIIb in FIG.

[0144] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157 are configured to have the same thickness, and a groove of a corresponding depth is formed on the opposite side of the protrusion. By making the thicknesses the same, it is possible to maintain high molding precision of the left side performance unit 150 formed from a resin material.

[0145] As described above, the first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157 are formed to have the same thickness, while the diffusion portion 158 is formed to protrude downward from the first protrusion 156 and the second protrusion 157 so as to cover the recessed groove from the front side.

[0146] As described above, the vertical dimension of each ridge of the first ridge portion 156 is longer than that of the second ridge portion 157, and therefore the recessed groove of the first ridge portion 156 is deeper than that of the second ridge portion 157. Correspondingly, the width dimension (maximum value) of the diffusion portion 158 disposed on the front side of the first ridge portion 156 is longer than that of the diffusion portion 158 disposed on the front side of the second ridge portion 157.

[0147] This makes it possible to increase the width of the diffusion portion 158 regardless of the thickness of the first protrusion portion 156 and the second protrusion portion 157, and therefore makes it possible to increase the width of the light visible through the diffusion portion 158.

[0148] This makes it possible to improve the attention to the diffusion portion 158 and the first protrusion portion 156 and the second protrusion portion 157 connected to the upper end portion of the diffusion portion 158, and it is possible to know whether or not a ball has entered the general winning hole 63 by looking in the direction toward the first protrusion portion 156 and the second protrusion portion 157. This will be explained below.

[0149] As shown in Fig. 7(a), the line of sight YE1 of a player playing a game often follows a line (radial line) that points outward from the play area toward the rear side. Therefore, the line of sight YE1 of a player looking at the protrusion 155 corresponding to the lower edge of the play area is a direction that slopes downward toward the rear side.

[0150] A player who looks in the direction of the line of sight YE1 can see not only the protrusion 155 that intersects with the line of sight YE1, but also the light reflected by the protrusion 155. In other words, the reflected light R1 that is incident on the protrusion 155 via the opposing plate portion 153 and reflected along the line of sight YE1 can be seen via the protrusion 155.

[0151] The reflected light R1 is light that travels downward through ball guiding member 154, is incident (reflected) on opposing plate portion 153, and travels to be incident (reflected) on protrusion portion 155. In other words, the light source of reflected light R1 is disposed above ball guiding member 154, and the opposing plate portion 153 acts as a reflecting means (for example, a mirror), allowing the reflected light R1 to reach protrusion portion 155.

[0152] In this way, the reflected light R1 is light that passes through the ball guide member 154, which is the path through which the ball passes to the general winning opening 63 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, when the protrusion 155 is viewed with the line of sight YE1, the ball is reflected on the protrusion 155, or the protrusion 155 appears dark due to the light being blocked by the ball. This allows the player to know whether or not the ball has entered the general winning opening 63 through the change in the reflected light R1. Therefore, the player can efficiently understand information that is beneficial to him or her while reducing fatigue. This will be explained below.

[0153] Conventionally, in a normal game state, a player often moves his / her gaze between the general winning opening 63 and the vicinity of the inner rail 61. This is to obtain information useful for the game from the flow of the balls in the game area.

[0154] First, when a ball enters the general winning opening 63, prize balls (in this embodiment, 5 to 15 balls) are paid out, so the higher the frequency of balls entering the general winning opening 63, the better the ball holding capacity of the pachinko machine 10 during play. Second, the higher the frequency of balls arriving near the inner rail 61, the higher the frequency of balls being discharged from the outlet 71 during play of the pachinko machine 10. At first glance, it seems that the lower the frequency of balls arriving near the inner rail 61, the more profitable the pachinko machine 10 is for the player, but this is not necessarily the case.

[0155] It is incomplete to grasp these pieces of information individually, and it is necessary to grasp them comprehensively. For example, even if the frequency of balls reaching the vicinity of the inner rail 61 is low, it does not mean that the pachinko machine 10 is profitable for players.

[0156] Even in this case, if the frequency of balls entering the general winning port 63 is excessively high, the frequency of balls entering the first winning port 64 will be low, and the frequency of big win lotteries during play on the pachinko machine 10 is considered to be low. Therefore, it is expected that it will take a long time to win a big win, so it is highly likely that this game is not suitable for players who have a short amount of time available to play (it is highly likely that it will not be profitable for players).

[0157] From this perspective, the player needs to move his / her eyes between the general winning opening 63 and the vicinity of the inner rail 61 to obtain information at each location. However, if the player has to move his / her eyes too many times, the player becomes tired and loses interest in playing the game.

[0158] In contrast, this embodiment is configured to allow the player to obtain information from multiple locations without moving his / her line of sight. That is, the frequency of balls arriving near the inner rail 61 and the frequency of balls entering the general winning hole 63 can be grasped without moving the line of sight from the line of sight YE1 that looks at the protruding portion 155. This reduces the player's fatigue and prevents a decline in the player's motivation to play, while allowing the player to efficiently grasp information that is beneficial to the player.

[0159] Incidentally, since the presence or absence of a ball entering the general winning opening 63 can be ascertained by a change in the state of the reflected light R1, the degree of light reflection through the opposing plate portion 153 is not limited in any way, and various states are exemplified. For example, the shape may be textured to reduce the light reflection efficiency, or may be mirror-finished or a separate member having a mirror surface (a seal member or a mirror-like member) may be provided to increase the light reflection efficiency.

[0160] Furthermore, the angle between the plate front of the opposing plate portion 153 and the plate front of the base plate 60 is not limited in any way, and various embodiments are exemplified. For example, they may be parallel, or the plate front of the opposing plate portion 153 may be configured as an inclined surface. This allows it to suitably correspond to the position of the light source of the reflected light R1.

[0161] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the game board 13 taken along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 8, a ball that reaches (lands on) the lower plate portion 152 flows downward through a flow path L3 toward the bottom of the game area.

[0162] The ball flowing down the flow path L3 hits the glass unit 16 (front side) and the base plate 60 (rear side) before reaching the front side of the outlet 71, and then passes through the outlet 71 to be discharged from the playing area.

[0163] If the ball has a strong momentum, the ball that flies out to the right from the lower end of the lower plate portion 152 may collide with the movable part 640a. If the movable part 640a is damaged by this collision, it becomes difficult to continue playing normally, so it is desirable to prevent the ball from colliding with the movable part 640a.

[0164] In addition, a front design member FD1 made of a light-transmitting resin is arranged on the front side of the movable part 640a, and since the movable part 640a is covered by the front design member FD1, it is difficult to notice whether the movable part 640a is damaged or not. For this reason, it is required to prevent damage to the movable part 640a, and it is desirable to avoid the ball colliding with the movable part 640a.

[0165] In contrast, in this embodiment, a protrusion 155 is provided in the flow path L3 to decelerate the ball, so that the momentum of the ball flying out to the right from the lower end of the lower plate 152 is reduced to less than the momentum required to reach the movable accessory 640a. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the movable accessory 640a.

[0166] 8, protrusion 155 is disposed at a position included in the left-right width of ball guiding member 154 when viewed from above. In detail, ball guiding member 154 is configured so that the sum of the left-right width of the ball passage path and the left-right width of a pair of fastening portions disposed on the left and right of the ball passage path is equal to or greater than the left-right width of protrusion 155 (approximately 16 mm).

[0167] This allows ball guide member 154 to be used as a protective member for protrusion 155. That is, when a ball falls toward protrusion 155, ball guide member 154 interferes with the falling path of the ball, so the falling path of the ball can be changed, making it easier to avoid (reducing the frequency of) the ball colliding (landing) with protrusion 155.

[0168] Therefore, contact between the ball and the protrusion portion 155 can be easily limited to contact with the ball flowing down (rolling) after landing on the lower plate portion 152, so that the protrusion portion 155 can be prevented from cracking or being damaged by the collision of the ball, and the ball deceleration effect of the protrusion portion 155 can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0169] As described above, the variable display unit 80 is provided with the center frame 86 so as to surround the third pattern display unit 81 in front view, and the window portion 60a is formed to have an opening in accordance with the size of the center frame 86, but in this embodiment, the shape of the window portion 60a relative to the shape of the center frame 86 is characteristic. This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0170] Fig. 9 is a front view of the base plate 60. In Fig. 9, lines indicating the shape of the center frame 86 in a state where it is attached to the base plate 60 are diagrammatically shown by imaginary lines.

[0171] That is, the center frame 86 is a member formed from a light-transmitting resin material and comprises a flat plate portion 86a arranged facing the front side of the base plate 60 and having a through hole for passing a fastening screw, a boundary wall portion 86b which protrudes like a wall on the front side of the flat plate portion 86a and forms the boundary portion of the play area, and a flow diverter plate portion 86c which protrudes like a plate on the front side of the flat plate portion 86a at a position approximately midway between the inner rail 61 and the lower left part of the boundary wall portion 86b and is arranged parallel to the adjacent boundary wall portion 86b (see Figure 5). In Figure 9, the outer edge shape and inner edge shape of the flat plate portion 86a, the shape of the boundary wall portion 86b, and the shape of the flow diverter plate portion 86c are shown by imaginary lines.

[0172] 9, in the range where the boundary wall portion 86b forms the rolling surface (flow down surface) of the ball (the range where the normal line passing through the outer surface of the boundary wall portion faces upward), the window portion 60a of the base plate 60 is provided in a range that extends to the outside of the boundary wall portion 86b in a front view. Therefore, light can pass through the window portion 60a not only inside the boundary wall portion 86b (the center side of the window portion 60a) but also outside the boundary wall portion 86b.

[0173] This allows the light passing through the window 60a to hit the ball rolling on the upper surface of the boundary wall 86b, and a light-emitting effect can be performed that makes the ball glow. Here, the upper surface of the boundary wall 86b is a place that is likely to be a blind spot for a player who plays while paying attention to the third pattern display device 81 (see FIG. 2), and the ball is likely to be partially hidden and difficult to see, but since the state of the light that passed through the window 60a changes depending on whether or not there is a ball, the player can easily know whether or not there is a ball by checking the state of the light.

[0174] In this embodiment, the blind spot is utilized to improve the efficiency of the area in which the performance is performed, and this will be described with reference to FIG.

[0175] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the gaming machine 13 taken along a line corresponding to line XX in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 shows an example of the position of the player's eyes when playing a game while looking directly at the third symbol display device 81. In the position of the eyes shown in Fig. 10, the third symbol display device 81 can be viewed from a line of sight YE2 in the front-back direction, while the boundary wall portion 86b disposed on the upper portion of the center frame 86 is viewed from a line of sight YE3 in a direction such as looking up.

[0176] When the play area is viewed from the line of sight YE3, at least a part of the field of view is blocked by the boundary wall 86b and the decorative portion disposed inside (below) it, making it difficult to see the blocked area SE1 blocked by the boundary wall 86b and the decorative portion (a blind spot). In this embodiment, an opening is intentionally formed in the base plate 60 at a position overlapping the blocked area SE1 in the front-to-rear direction to provide a window portion 60a. In other words, the blocked area SE1 is not treated as a place where a pattern or figure is drawn, thereby making effective use of the blind spot. This will be explained below.

[0177] Conventionally, when the base plate 60 is made of wooden members, a decorative method has been adopted in which stickers with patterns or figures drawn (printed) on them are affixed mainly to the rear area of ​​the gaming area to create individuality for each gaming machine.

[0178] In this case, even if patterns or figures are drawn in areas that are prone to blind spots, such as the boundary wall portion 86b and decorative parts near the wall-like portions that extend into the playing area, it is difficult to enhance the presentation effect because the patterns or figures are difficult for players to see.

[0179] There is also the option of not sticking stickers in these areas prone to becoming blind spots, which would reduce the sticker area and therefore the cost of sticker materials, but since the player's line of sight is not always fixed, if the player's line of sight changes and an area where no sticker is attached and the base plate 60 (wooden plate member) is exposed is visible, this may give the player the impression that it looks cheap, which may lead to a decrease in motivation to play. For this reason, it is difficult to say that the option of not sticking decorative stickers in areas prone to becoming blind spots is desirable, and improvements were desired.

[0180] Furthermore, when completing a pattern or figure outside of a blind spot, it is necessary to draw the pattern or figure in an even narrower area of ​​the play area, which is already limited in size, making it difficult to increase the freedom of decoration of the play area.

[0181] In contrast, in this embodiment, a window portion 60a is provided in the base plate 60 in an area that overlaps with at least a portion of the shielded area SE1, so that the shielded area SE1 is used as a path for light, rather than as a location for drawing figures or patterns. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to configure so that transmitted light R2 that is irradiated from a performance means (e.g., a pivotally supported means 760, see FIG. 37) arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 and travels toward the front side passes through the flat plate portion 86a in the shielded area SE1.

[0182] As a result, even if the player selects not to place a sticker with a pattern or figure in the hidden area SE1, the flat plate portion 86a shining in the transmitted light R2 can be seen by the player viewing the hidden area SE1, which reduces the possibility of the player getting the impression that it is cheap, thereby preventing a decline in motivation to play.

[0183] In addition, since the line of sight YE3 and the transmitted light R2 overlap, the player can see the transmitted light R2 superimposed on the patterns and figures drawn on the sticker attached to the base plate 60. At least, the appearance of the game area seen by the line of sight YE3 can be changed depending on whether the transmitted light R2 is irradiated or not, so that the degree of freedom in decorating the game area can be improved.

[0184] In this manner, in this embodiment, the shielded area SE1 serving as a blind spot is effectively utilized, and the degree of freedom in the decoration of the game board 13 can be increased, so that the presentation effect of the game board 13 can be improved.

[0185] In this embodiment, the boundary wall portion 86b comprises a left boundary wall portion 86b1 extending from the upper end to the lower left, and a right boundary wall portion 86b2 extending from the upper end to the lower right, each of which has a linear light-transmitting area that is visible within the play area, but has different widths.

[0186] That is, on the right boundary wall 86b2 side, the distance between the outer rail 62 and the outer edge member 73 is narrow, and the path of the ball is almost constant, so the width through which light passes is also narrow (approximately 5 [mm] or less). On the other hand, on the left boundary wall 86b1 side, the location where the ball lands varies depending on the launch strength, and the way the ball bounces after landing changes depending on whether or not it collides with a nail (not shown) before landing, so the path of the ball is unlikely to be constant (variation occurs). Therefore, in this embodiment, one of the purposes is to accommodate the variation in the path of the ball flowing down, and the width through which light passes is wide (maximum approximately 12 [mm]).

[0187] In particular, around the periphery of the flow dividing plate 86c, the window 60a is provided in a manner that expands to a position overlapping both the left and right areas of the flow dividing plate 86c, and the width through which light passes is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the sphere (approximately 11 mm or more). This allows the transmitted light R2 to hit the sphere flowing down either the left or right side of the flow dividing plate 86c.

[0188] Thus, according to this embodiment, the shape of the window 60a is designed to easily illuminate the ball rolling on the boundary wall 86b with the transmitted light R2, so that the transmitted light R2 can be efficiently illuminated on the ball flowing down the play area. Therefore, even if the ball is blocked by the boundary wall 86b and flows down a place that is likely to be a blind spot, the appearance of the transmitted light R2 can be changed depending on whether or not the ball is present, so that the player can easily know whether or not the ball is present.

[0189] An example of the irradiation mode of the transmitted light R2 will be described. For example, when informing the player to play with a left hand shot, the light may be irradiated toward the left boundary wall portion 86b1, and when informing the player to play with a right hand shot, the light may be irradiated toward the right boundary wall portion 86b2. In this case, the player can easily understand whether to shoot the ball with a left hand shot or with a right hand shot by looking at the boundary wall portion 86b.

[0190] Furthermore, the irradiation mode of the transmitted light R2 is not limited in any way. For example, the irradiation mode may be a continuous lighting mode, or a lighting mode in which the light is turned on and off repeatedly (blinking).

[0191] The illumination mode for illuminating the periphery of the flow diverting plate portion 86c is not limited in any way. For example, the illumination mode may be such that both the left and right sides of the flow diverting plate portion 86c are illuminated, or the illumination mode may be such that only one of the left and right sides of the flow diverting plate portion 86c is illuminated.

[0192] For example, if the game area is configured so that most of the times that a ball will flow to the left of the diverter plate portion 86c, it will only occur when the ball's launch strength is weaker than a specific standard, in a control mode in which transmitted light R2 is irradiated so as to illuminate only the left side of the diverter plate portion 86c, the player can easily determine whether or not the ball's launch strength is weaker than a specific standard by checking the brightness of this transmitted light R2.

[0193] That is, when the ball passes the left side of the diverting plate portion 86c, the transmitted light R2 is blocked by the ball, and the left side of the diverting plate portion 86c appears dark, so the brightness of the transmitted light R2 can be associated with the fact that the ball's launch strength is weaker than a specific standard. This reduces the stress felt by the player when adjusting (maintaining) the ball's launch strength, compared to when the ball's landing position is checked to determine the ball's launch strength.

[0194] In this way, according to this embodiment, the blind spots blocked by the boundary wall 86b and the diverting plate 86c are configured as paths for the transmitted light R2 traveling from the back side to the front side, thereby improving the freedom of the light presentation in the play area. Note that the range in which the blind spots are configured is not limited to the upper part of the boundary wall 86b or the left side of the diverting plate 86c, and various modes are exemplified.

[0195] For example, it may be the area below a pair of plate-shaped portions extending to the lower left and right of the first winning opening 64, or it may be the area outside the inner rail 61 and outer rail 62 (the opposite side of the playing area), or it may be the area below the upper plate portion 151 (see Figure 5) of the left-side presentation unit 150, or it may be the area below the ball guide member 154 (see Figure 5) that guides balls to the general winning opening 63 located on the left side of the playing area, or it may be the area below a plate-shaped portion extending to the lower right of the general winning opening 63 (see Figure 2) located on the right side of the playing area, or it may be the area outside the center frame 86 (the opposite side of the third pattern display device 81 when viewed from the front), or it may be the peripheral area of ​​other plate-shaped portions protruding toward the front side of the base plate 60.

[0196] Returning to Fig. 5, the right-side performance unit 160 is a unit equipped with a variable winning device 65, and is fitted from the front side into the small window portion 60b of the base plate 60. A ball that enters a specific winning port 65a (see Fig. 2) of the variable winning device 65 flows down a flow path FL1 (see Fig. 11) formed on the back side of the right-side performance unit 160, and is guided to a ball discharge path not shown.

[0197] 11 is a rear view of the right-side performance unit 160. The right-side performance unit 160 includes a base member 161 having an opening portion that opens toward the rear side and constituting the front side of the flow path FL1, a first flow path member 162 and a second flow path member 163 constituting the rear side of the flow path FL1, an adjustment member 165 arranged on the front side of the second flow path member 163 and configured to be able to fit with the second flow path member 163, and a plurality of illumination boards 168 on which light-emitting means such as LEDs that emit light toward the front side are arranged.

[0198] The game ball that passes through the specific winning opening 65a and enters the flow path FL1 flows down the front side of the first flow path member 162, and then flows down the front side of the second flow path member 163. That is, the first flow path member 162 constitutes the flow path FL1 upstream of the second flow path member 163.

[0199] The illuminated board 168 comprises a first illuminated board 168a arranged on the rear side of the opening and closing plate of the variable winning device 65, a second illuminated board 168b arranged on the rear side of the area outside the ball flow path, and a third illuminated board 168c fastened and fixed to the rear side of the second flow path member 163 and arranged on the rear side of the flow path FL1.

[0200] In addition, in Fig. 11, the outline of each LED (light emitting means) is illustrated by hidden lines inside the illumination board 168. As shown in Fig. 11, each LED is arranged in a substantially uniform manner on the illumination board 168, rather than being arranged so that the LEDs are densely or coarsely arranged in some places.

[0201] The first illumination board 168a can perform a light-emitting effect by lighting up the opening and closing plate of the variable winning device 65 and the opening part into which the game ball can enter when the opening and closing plate is open. The second illumination board 168b can perform a light-emitting effect by lighting up the front design part of the right performance unit 160, regardless of the game balls flowing down inside the right performance unit 160.

[0202] The third illumination board 168c can perform a light-emitting effect in which the way the light shines changes in relation to the game ball flowing down the flow path FL1. That is, when a game ball is placed in the second flow path member 163, the player can see the shadow that is created when the light emitted from the third illumination board 168c is blocked by the game ball. On the other hand, when a game ball is not placed in the second flow path member 163, the shadow of the game ball can be made invisible.

[0203] The light emitted from the third illuminated board 168c passes through the second flow path member 163, the adjustment member 165, and the base member 161 in that order, passing through the front side of the right-side performance unit 160 and becoming visible to the player; however, the more members the light passes through, the more likely it is that the amount of light visible will be attenuated.

[0204] In contrast, in this embodiment, the adjustment member 165 is disposed on the front side of the lower end of the second flow path member 163 (the end of the flow path FL1 that is visible to the player), so that the area where the light quantity is likely to attenuate can be limited to the vicinity of the end of the flow path FL1. This can improve the presentation effect of the light irradiated from the third illumination board 168c compared to the case where the light quantity is attenuated in the middle of the flow path FL1.

[0205] Furthermore, while the ball passing through the flow path FL1 can be seen from the front, the player usually looks down at the right performance unit 160 located at the lower right of the play area. Therefore, the line connecting the player's line of sight and the third illumination board 168c (a line that slopes diagonally downward as it approaches the pachinko machine 10 from the player's eyes) is unlikely to intersect with the line connecting the adjustment member 165 and the third illumination board 168c (a line that passes through a part of the adjustment member 165 and extends in the front-rear direction).

[0206] This is an effect of placing the adjustment member 165 at a position away from the player's eyes (near the lower end position of the window portion 14c (see FIG. 2)), which reduces the possibility that the player will focus on the area where the amount of light is attenuated by the adjustment member 165. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the adjustment member 165 from reducing the effect of the light that is irradiated from the third illumination board 168c and is visually recognized by the player.

[0207] Fig. 12 is an exploded rear view of the right side performance unit 160, Fig. 13 is an exploded front perspective view of the right side performance unit 160, and Fig. 14 is an exploded rear perspective view of the right side performance unit 160. In Fig. 12, for ease of understanding, the first flow path member 162 is assembled to the base member 161, and the second flow path member 163 and the adjustment member 165 are shown in an exploded state.

[0208] The base member 161 includes a half-forming portion 161a that is open toward the rear side and forms the front side surface of the flow path FL1, a pair of columnar fastening portions 161b that protrude cylindrically toward the rear side and have a female thread formed at their tip into which a fastening screw that is inserted into the first flow path member 162 is screwed, a specific columnar fastening portion 161c that has a protruding length longer than the columnar fastening portions 161b, protrudes cylindrically toward the rear side and has a female thread formed at its tip into which a fastening screw that is inserted into the second flow path member 163 is screwed, a plurality of protrusion portions 161d that protrude radially outward in a thin plate shape at the base end side of the specific columnar fastening portion 161c, and a recessed portion 161e that is recessed from the rear side to the front side of the base member 161 in an area that includes the specific columnar fastening portion 161c.

[0209] The multiple protrusions 161d are formed at angular positions corresponding to the cutout portions 165e and outer diameter recessed portions 165g of the adjustment member 165, and by aligning the cutout portions 165e with the protrusions 161d, alignment can be easily performed when assembling the adjustment member 165.

[0210] The recessed portion 161e is recessed in a shape corresponding to the plate-like portion 165a of the adjustment member 165 (a shape larger by the adjustment width), and functions as a recess for arranging the plate-like portion 165a. In an assembled state (see FIG. 11) in which the plate-like portion 165a is arranged in the recessed portion 161e, the back surface of the plate-like portion 165a is arranged on the surface on which the back surface of the base member 161 is arranged (in other words, the back surface of the base member 161 and the back surface of the plate-like portion 165a are arranged flush with each other).

[0211] That is, although the adjustment member 165 is a member disposed on the front side of the downflow path FL1, differences in the arrangement within the recessed portion 161e do not affect the shape of the downflow path FL1. Therefore, as described below, even if the position of the adjustment member 165 is adjusted by an adjustment width between the adjustment member 165 and the recessed portion 161e, the shape of the downflow path FL1 can be prevented from being changed by the position adjustment.

[0212] In other words, regardless of the arrangement of the adjustment member 165, if the base member 161, the first flow path member 162, and the second flow path member 163 are assembled in an arrangement suitable for causing the ball to flow down, the ball is configured to be able to flow down the flow path FL1. Therefore, the difficulty of assembling the right side performance unit 160 can be reduced compared to when the adjustment member 165 is also formed with a part of the flow path shape (for example, a half-pipe shape) as seen in the half-formed parts 161a, 162a, 163a.

[0213] The first flow path member 162 includes a half-forming portion 162a that is open toward the front side and forms the rear side surface of the flow down path FL1, a pair of insertion holes 162b through which fastening screws to be fastened to the columnar fastening portion 161b can be inserted, and a columnar fastening portion 162c that protrudes cylindrically toward the rear side and has a female thread formed at its tip into which a fastening screw to be inserted into the second flow path member 163 can be screwed.

[0214] The second flow path member 163 comprises a half-forming portion 163a that is open toward the front side and forms the rear side surface of the flow path FL1, an insertion hole 163b through which a fastening screw that is fastened to the columnar fastening portion 162b can be inserted, an insertion hole 163c through which a fastening screw that is fastened to the specific columnar fastening portion 161c can be inserted, and a plurality of fitting protrusions 163d that are thin-diameter cylindrical and protrude from the front side end of the half-forming portion 163a toward the front side.

[0215] The adjustment member 165 is a member formed from a light-transmitting resin material, and includes a plate-like portion 165a formed in a plate shape with an outer shape slightly smaller than that of the recessed portion 161e and a thickness equivalent to the recess depth of the recessed portion 161e, a plurality of fitting holes 165b formed in the plate-like portion 165a at positions corresponding to the fitting protrusions 163d and with a diameter slightly larger than that of the fitting protrusions 163d, and a chamfered portion 165c formed by chamfering a corner where the upper surface and the back surface of the plate-like portion 165a intersect. The plate-shaped portion 165a has a right end portion 165d formed on a deep dish with an open front side, a notch 165e tapered from the edge of the dish portion 165d toward the dish bottom side, an adjustment hole 165f drilled in the front-to-rear direction in the center of the bottom of the dish portion 165d with an inner diameter sufficiently larger than the diameter of the specific columnar fastening portion 161c, and a plurality of outer diameter recesses 165g recessed into the adjustment hole 165f toward the outer diameter direction of the adjustment hole 165f.

[0216] The fitting hole 165b is configured so as to be able to fit with the fitting protrusion 163d of the second flow path member 163 in the assembled state (see FIG. 11).

[0217] In detail, it is desirable that the second flow path member 163 be formed thin not only from the viewpoint of material costs, but also for the purpose of making it easier for the player to see the light irradiated from the light-emitting means such as LEDs arranged on the front side of the third illumination board 168c (for the purpose of suppressing attenuation of light).

[0218] On the other hand, if the second flow path member 163 is formed with a thin wall, there is a risk that the second flow path member 163 will deform outward from the flow path due to the load applied by the game ball flowing down unless some countermeasure is taken. In contrast, in this embodiment, the fitting protrusion 163d of the second flow path member 163 is fitted into the fitting hole 165b, thereby generating resistance to the load toward the outside of the flow path. This makes it possible to prevent the second flow path member 163 from deforming.

[0219] The chamfered portion 165c is a processed portion for preventing the corner from colliding with the ball flowing down the flow path FL1. Therefore, it is sufficient to form the chamfered portion 165c only at a minimum location (for example, the range between the pair of fitting holes 165b) that faces the ball flowing down the flow path FL1, and by forming it in this way, it is possible to reduce unnecessary processing costs.

[0220] By forming chamfered portion 165c at the corner disposed opposite the ball flowing down flow path FL1, even if adjustment member 165 protrudes from recessed portion 161e of base member 161 to the back side due to dimensional errors or the like, it is possible to configure the collision point between the ball and adjustment member 165 as a surface. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of damage to adjustment member 165 and to reduce the flow resistance of the ball.

[0221] The plate portion 165d is easy to grasp because it protrudes more toward the rear side than the plate portion 165a, and functions as a handle when removing the adjustment member 165 during assembly or maintenance. During assembly, the cutout portion 165e is easily guided by the protrusion portion 161d because the cutout portion 165e is tapered, so that the position of the adjustment member 165 can be easily adjusted. Therefore, the assembly work of inserting the specific columnar fastening portion 161c into the adjustment hole 165f can be easily performed.

[0222] With the specific columnar fastening portion 161c inserted through the adjustment hole 165f, the attitude of the adjustment member 165 can be changed (adjusted) with the gap dimension between the notch portion 165e and the outer diameter recessed portion 165g and the protruding portion 161d as the upper limit. The manner of adjustment will be described later.

[0223] Here, the purpose of configuring the adjustment member 165 as a variable member will be described. In this embodiment, the front side shape of the flow-down path FL1 is configured by utilizing the rear side shape of the base member 161 for both the upstream first flow path member 162 and the downstream second flow path member 163, and the number of members configuring the flow-down path FL1 can be reduced compared to the case where other members configuring the front side shape of the flow-down path FL1 are individually prepared for each of the first flow path member 162 and the second flow path member 163. This allows the material cost to be reduced.

[0224] On the other hand, since resin molding causes dimensional variations, flow path members of exactly the same shape are not produced. Depending on the dimensional variations of the flow path members, there are cases where the balls cannot pass through the flow path FL1. Therefore, in the actual assembly process, when fastening and fixing the first flow path member 162 to the base member 161, it is confirmed that the balls can pass through the flow path FL1, and the first flow path member 162 is fastened and fixed at a position where the balls can pass through, and then the second flow path member 163 is fastened and fixed to the columnar fastening portion 162c of the first flow path member 162 and the specific columnar fastening portion 161c of the base member 161.

[0225] In this way, it is preferable to provide a certain range of adjustment for the fixed position of the first flow path member 162 relative to the base member 161. In this embodiment, the difference between the inner diameter of the insertion hole 162b and the outer diameter of the fastening screw inserted into the insertion hole 162b can be used as the adjustment range. Regardless of the adjustment range, the second flow path member 163 is directly fastened and fixed to the first flow path member 162 near the connection position of the flow down path FL1, making it easier to ensure the shape of the flow down path FL1.

[0226] In this case, the second flow path member 163 is also affected by the adjustment width of the first flow path member 162. Here, as described above, the rigidity of the second flow path member 163 can be improved by fitting the second flow path member 163 to the back surface of the base member 161 rather than simply arranging the second flow path member 163 facing the back surface of the base member 161. However, when the fitting portion is fixed to the base member 161, the adjustment width of the first flow path member 162 may affect the positions of the fitting portion on the base member 161 side and the fitting portion on the second flow path member 163 side, resulting in assembly failure.

[0227] Taking this misalignment into consideration, the mating portion on the base member 161 side and the mating portion on the second flow path member 163 side may be fitted with a gap; however, the larger the gap, the less effective it is in strengthening the rigidity of the second flow path member 163, which is not preferable.

[0228] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the fitting portion on the base member 161 side is provided on the adjustment member 165, and the adjustment member 165 is configured so that its position can be adjusted with an adjustment range that exceeds the adjustment range of the first flow path member 162. This makes it possible to offset the positional shift of the fitting portion caused by adjusting the position of the first flow path member 162, and to avoid assembly defects.

[0229] In this case, there is no need to ensure a sufficient gap between the fitting hole 165b of the adjustment member 165 and the fitting protrusion 163d of the second flow path member 163, so by fitting them together with a small gap, the rigidity of the second flow path member 163 can be sufficiently strengthened.

[0230] 12, the difference between the dimensions of the base member 161 and the adjustment member 165 is used as the adjustment width. For example, the width wa1 of the protruding portion 161d of the base member 161 is configured to be shorter than the width wa2 of the outer diameter recessed portion 165g of the adjustment member 165, so that the adjustment width can be secured (wa1 <wa2)。

[0231] Furthermore, for example, the width wb1 of the recessed portion 161e of the base member 161 is configured to be longer than the width wb2 of the plate-shaped portion 165a of the adjustment member 165, thereby ensuring an adjustment width (wb1>wb2).

[0232] In addition, when the second flow path member 163 is fastened, the adjustment member 165 is fixed between the base member 161 and the second flow path member 163 by having the adjustment hole 165f supported by the specific columnar fastening portion 161c so as not to fall off, the fitting protrusion 163b being inserted into the fitting hole 165b, and the back surface of the plate-shaped portion 165a being supported so as to be able to abut against the front end portion of the half-formed portion 163a of the second flow path member 163.

[0233] Therefore, a dedicated fastener for fastening and fixing the adjustment member 165 is not required, and therefore the number of fasteners can be reduced, leading to a reduction in product costs and a reduction in the number of assembly steps.

[0234] Returning to Fig. 5, the operation unit 300 is disposed on the rear side of the game board 13, and various light emitting means and various operation units are disposed therein. The operation unit 300 will be described below.

[0235] 15 and 16 are front views of the operation unit 300, and Fig. 17 is a front perspective view of the operation unit 300. In Fig. 15 and Fig. 17, the movable members (movable parts) of the first operation unit 400 and the second operation unit 700 are illustrated in a state in which they are arranged in a standby position, and Fig. 16 illustrates the movable members (movable parts) of the first operation unit 400 and the second operation unit 700 in a protruding position protruding in front of the third pattern display device 81.

[0236] As shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17, the operating unit 300 has movable parts arranged above and below the front side of the third pattern display device 81 that displace in the vertical direction, and the movable parts arranged above and below have different shapes and operating modes from each other.

[0237] The movable parts arranged above and below are configured to be independently operable, and when both are arranged in the extended position, they are configured to hide most of the display area of ​​the third pattern display device 81. In other words, when either the movable part arranged on the upper side or the movable part arranged on the lower side is arranged in the extended position, the other range of the third pattern display device 81 is not hidden by the movable part, and in addition to being able to use this range to execute a liquid crystal performance, it is possible to execute a performance that combines the liquid crystal performance with the movable part arranged in the extended position.

[0238] Furthermore, as will be described in more detail later, the movable parts located on the lower side are arranged in a row in the left-right direction (four in this embodiment), and each is configured to be able to move up and down independently. Therefore, in addition to arranging all of the movable parts in the extended position (see Figure 16), it is possible to arrange the movable parts in a state where only a portion of the movable parts (for example, the left end) are arranged in the extended position, or to arrange the movable parts at different vertical heights between the extended position and the standby position.

[0239] 18 is an exploded front perspective view of the operating unit 300. The operating unit 300 includes a bottom wall portion 311, an outer wall portion 312 erected from the outer edge of the bottom wall portion 311, and a rear case 310 formed in a box shape with the front side open from the bottom wall portion 311.

[0240] The rear case 310 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front by forming a rectangular opening 311a in the center of the bottom wall portion 311. The opening 311a is formed to a size corresponding to the outer shape (outer edge) of the display area of ​​the third pattern display device 81 (i.e., capable of dividing the display area of ​​the third pattern display device 81 when viewed from the front).

[0241] The operating unit 300 is configured as one unit by housing within the internal space of the rear case 310 a first operating unit 400 in which a movable prop is arranged so as to be displaceable along a path that includes the underside of the opening 311a, left and right performance units 600 which are arranged on both the left and right sides of the opening 311a and perform lighting performances, etc., and a second operating unit 700 in which a movable prop is arranged so as to be displaceable along a path that includes the upper side of the opening 311a.

[0242] Specifically, the first operating unit 400 is disposed below the opening 311a, and the second operating unit 700 is disposed above the opening 311a, on the bottom wall 311 of the rear case 310. Note that Fig. 18 illustrates a state in which the first operating unit 400 and the second operating unit 700 are disassembled from the rear case 310.

[0243] The left and right performance units 600 are equipped with an illumination board having light emitting means such as LEDs inside, but the illumination board is arranged at an angle, and the light axis of the light emitting means is inclined so that it faces inward to the left and right as it approaches the player. As a result, the light axis of the light emitting means intersects on the front side for the player, so the light emitted from the left and right performance units 600 can be viewed three-dimensionally.

[0244] The rear case 310 is provided as a flat plate extending from the front end of the outer wall portion 312 along the rear surface of the game board 13 (e.g., arranged parallel to the rear surface), and is provided with a support plate portion 313 that provides surface support for the game board 13 in the assembled state (see FIG. 2).

[0245] The support plate portion 313 has a positioning protrusion 313a that protrudes toward the front side and has a shape that can fit into a fitting recess (not shown) formed in the base plate 60 of the game board 13, and a plurality of insertion holes 313b that are drilled to allow the insertion of fastening screws that are fastened to the base plate 60.

[0246] The rear case 310 is positioned relative to the base plate 60 by fitting the positioning protrusion 313a into the fitting recess of the base plate 60, and the fastening screw is inserted into the insertion hole 313b and screwed into the base plate 60, so that the game board 13 and the operating unit 300 can be fixed together, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the game board 13 and the operating unit 300.

[0247] The shape of the positioning protrusion 313a is not limited in any way, and various modes are exemplified. For example, it may be a protrusion with an outer shape slightly smaller than the inner shape of the fitting recess of the base plate 60 (circular or elliptical in this embodiment), or it may be a protrusion with a shape (even smaller outer shape) that increases the fitting gap in consideration of workability during assembly. Also, when the inner shape of the fitting recess is formed into a rectangular shape, it is naturally assumed that the shape of the positioning protrusion 313a will also be rectangular correspondingly.

[0248] As shown in Figures 5 and 18, in this embodiment, many support plate portions 313 are densely arranged on the left and upper sides of the rear case 310, and fewer support plate portions 313 are formed on the right and lower sides. This is the result of a design that takes into consideration the balance between improving the overall rigidity of the game board 13 and operating unit 300 and space efficiency.

[0249] In other words, when the base plate 60 of the game board 13 is formed from plywood made by overlapping plywood as in this embodiment, the movable members arranged on the back side of the game board 13 cannot be seen through the flesh of the base plate 60, so the entire back side of the area where an opening can be formed in the base plate 60 of the game board 13 (or a recess can be formed from the side) becomes effective as an area for displaying the movable members in a visible manner.

[0250] In contrast, at the location where support plate portion 313 is formed, the internal space of rear case 310 is encroached on inward by the area of ​​support plate portion 313 in a front view, and the area in which the movable member can be disposed is narrowed by that amount. Therefore, if the strength problem can be resolved and maintained even if support plate portion 313 is omitted, omitting support plate portion 313 can avoid limiting the range in which the movable member can be disposed.

[0251] In this embodiment, the reason why many support plate parts 313 are arranged on the left side and upper side of the rear case 310 is related to the range of the area where the player can see the ball shot into the play area, etc. In other words, the support plate parts 313 are formed in places other than the range where the shot ball can be seen.

[0252] To explain in more detail, in this embodiment, the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) is introduced into the play area by passing between the inner rail 61 and the outer rail 62 and passing through the return ball prevention member 68 (see FIG. 2), and thereafter flows down the play area. In a pinball game, the place that is thought to attract the most attention is the place where the ball passes, and other outer areas (for example, the area on the opposite side of the third pattern display device 81 across the outer rail 62 and inner rail 61) usually attract less attention.

[0253] Therefore, it is thought that players will pay less attention to the lower left and upper left areas based on the left-convex arc formed by the outer rail 62, and the upper left and upper right areas based on the upward-convex arc, which are areas that the ball cannot reach.

[0254] In addition, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned outer edge member 73 and the block-shaped member 74, which is arranged on the front side of the game board 13 and whose surfaces facing the outer rail 62 at the lower left and upper left parts of the outer rail 62 are formed into a shape that follows the outer rail 62, are made of a light-opaque resin material. In addition to the fact that the game board 13 is made of plywood, which is difficult to transmit light through, the game board 13 is configured so that the back side of the game board 13 cannot be seen from the front side of the game board 13 through the outer edge member 73 or the block-shaped member 74, which is further thought to reduce the player's attention.

[0255] In this embodiment, the support plate parts 313 are preferentially disposed in such locations where attention is low or where the support plate parts 313 are not visible. In fact, even in the left side and upper side where many support plate parts 313 are formed, the support plate parts 313 are formed near the corners of the rear case 310, avoiding the center part as the protruding end part of the outer rail 62.

[0256] In other words, by selecting the area where space will be encroached upon by forming the support plate portion 313 from an area that has low visibility (low performance potential) to begin with, it is possible to ensure the rigidity of the operating unit 300 and the entire game board 13 while ensuring a high degree of design freedom for the area within the field of vision of the player who is focusing on the ball.

[0257] From this perspective, since there is a common configuration in pachinko machines in which the ball launched by the ball launching unit 112a (see Figure 4) rolls along the outer rail 62 and is introduced into the playing area, areas where the balls do not flow down can be easily arranged in the lower left, upper left, and upper right parts.

[0258] In this embodiment, the support plate portion 313 extending from the lower outer wall portion 312 is arranged to be shifted toward the rear side from the support plate portions 313 extending from the left, right and upper outer wall portions 312. With this configuration, the positioning protrusions 313a formed on the left, right and upper support plate portions 313 are fitted into fitting recesses formed on the rear side of the base plate 60, while the positioning protrusions 313a formed on the lower support plate portion 313 are not directly fitted into the base plate 60, but are formed with a shape corresponding to a ball flow-down unit (not shown) arranged on the rear side of the base plate 60, and are fitted into the shape of the ball flow-down unit. That is, the positioning protrusions 313a arranged on the lower side of the rear case 310 are indirectly fixed to the base plate 60 via the ball flow-down unit.

[0259] Fig. 19 is a front perspective view of the first operating unit 400, and Fig. 20 is a rear perspective view of the first operating unit 400. The first operating unit 400 includes a base member 401 that is fitted into and fastened to the rear case 310 from the front side, and four composite operating units 402 of approximately the same configuration are fastened and fixed to the front side of the base member 401 in positions aligned to the left and right.

[0260] The composite action unit 402 includes a rotation unit 500 formed in a substantially dice shape and configured to be rotatable about a left-right axis, and a mechanism for raising and lowering the rotation unit 500. The composite action unit 402 will be described in detail below.

[0261] 21(a) and 21(b) are front perspective views of the combined action unit 402, and Fig. 22(a) and 22(b) are rear perspective views of the combined action unit 402. Note that Fig. 21(a) and Fig. 22(a) show a state in which the rotation unit 500 is arranged in a raised position, and Fig. 21(b) and Fig. 22(b) show a state in which the rotation unit 500 is arranged in a lowered position.

[0262] In the composite action unit 402, the columnar member 431 guides the rotating unit 500 in the up and down direction, and the drive motor 441 generates a driving force for moving the rotating unit 500 up and down. The electric wiring DK1 guided inside the rotating unit 500 is composed of a bundle of multiple electric wires, and is configured to hang down through the left and right opposite sides of the side where the columnar member 431 is disposed, and to be able to enter the wiring auxiliary means 460 while sagging. Each component of the composite action unit 402 will be described below.

[0263] 23 and 24 are exploded front perspective views of the composite action unit 402. Note that in Figs. 23 and 24, the exploded state of the rotation unit 500 is omitted.

[0264] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the composite operating unit 402 mainly comprises a support means 410 that supports the rotation unit 500, a stacking means 420 that is stacked and fixed to the support means 410, a guide means 430 that guides the movement of the support means 410 by limiting the movement direction of the stacking means 420 to one direction (in this embodiment, the vertical direction), a drive means 440 having a drive motor 441 that generates a driving force to move the support means 410, a split base member 442 that supports the drive motor 441, a transmission means 450 that is meshed with the drive gear 441a of the drive motor 441 and is configured to be able to transmit the driving force, and a wiring auxiliary means 460 that is configured to be able to arrange (store) an electrical wiring DK1 of a length corresponding to the amount of movement of the support means 410 without it becoming tangled or pinched.

[0265] The support means 410 comprises a flat plate portion 411 formed in a flat plate shape, an annular protrusion 412 protruding in a ring shape from the upper surface of the flat plate portion 411, an irregularly shaped hole 413 formed in the center of the annular protrusion 412 as a through hole that is open in the vertical direction, a front upright portion 414 formed by bending downward from the front edge of the flat plate portion 411, a left upright portion 415 which is a plate-like portion connected to the left end of the front upright portion 414 and is formed by bending downward from the left edge of the flat plate portion 411, and a connecting plate portion 416 having a long through hole 416a drilled at the lower end of the left upright portion 415 as a long hole extending in the front-to-rear direction and through which a connecting member 454 of the transmission means 450 is inserted.

[0266] The stacking means 420 mainly comprises an end plate member 421 configured as a plate-shaped member that is approximately symmetrical in the front-to-back direction, a recessed portion 422 formed in the front and rear end portions of the end plate member 421, a cylindrical guide tube portion 423 configured in a size that can be stored in the recessed portion 422, and a right cover member 424 disposed between the end plate member 421 and the support means 410, fastened and fixed to the end plate member 421, and covering the recessed portion 422 from the right side.

[0267] The guide tube portion 423 is accommodated only in the recessed portion 422 at the front end of the end plate member 421, and is not arranged in the recessed portion 422 at the rear end (arrangement is omitted).

[0268] This makes it possible to minimize the posture shift that occurs at the front end portion farthest from the rear end portion (see Figure 34 (c)) supported by the transmission means 450 when the rotation unit 500 is positioned in the lowered or raised position, just as in the case where the guide tube portion 423 is disposed in both the front and rear recessed portions 422, thereby stabilizing the positioning of the rotation unit 500.

[0269] Furthermore, compared to the case where the guide tube portion 423 is arranged in both the front and rear recessed portions 422, a larger gap can be created between the recessed portion 422 and the columnar member 431 at the rear end portion supported by the transmission means 450, thereby reducing the resistance generated when the stacking means 420 moves up and down.

[0270] The right cover member 424 is provided with a pair of insertion holes 424a through which fastening screws are inserted to be fastened to the end plate member 421, a plurality of insertion openings 424b formed to allow the insertion of fastening screws which are inserted through the right cover member 424 from the end plate member 421 side and fastened to the left surface vertical portion 415 of the support means 410, and a recessed support portion 424c which is recessed so as to be able to receive the guide tube portion 423 of the stacking means 420 in a shape that prevents it from falling off in the vertical direction.

[0271] The guide means 430 mainly comprises a pair of metal columnar members 431 arranged in front and behind so as to pass through at least one of the guide tube portion 423 or the recessed portion 422, a metal plate portion 432 arranged on the left surface of the columnar member 431 and composed of a metal plate, an upper bent portion 433 bent to the right from an upper portion of the metal plate portion 432, a lower bent portion 434 bent to the right from a lower portion of the metal plate portion 432, and a rear bent portion 435 bent to the right from a rear portion of the metal plate portion 432.

[0272] Metal plate portion 432 is cut downward from the top, and is formed into a U-shape when viewed from the left side. This allows an assembly worker or maintenance worker to reach the front-rear middle portion of end plate member 421 (the portion between the pair of front and rear recessed portions 422) through the cut-out area, thereby improving the efficiency of assembly work or maintenance work, as will be described in detail later.

[0273] The metal plate portion 432 is disposed close to the end plate member 421 in the left-right direction, except for the central portion in the front-rear direction. As a result, even if the end plate member 421 is displaced in the left-right direction, the displacement can be restricted not only by contact with the columnar member 431 but also by contact with the metal plate portion 432.

[0274] This makes it possible to suppress left-right displacement of the stacking means 420, thereby suppressing left-right displacement of the support means 410 fastened and fixed to the stacking means 420 and the transmission means 450 connected to the support means 410.

[0275] The upper bent portion 433 and the lower bent portion 434 are through holes formed at positions overlapping when viewed in the up-down direction, and include support holes 433a, 434a formed with a size capable of supporting the columnar member 431 by inserting therethrough.

[0276] In an assembled state, the columnar member 431 is inserted into the support holes 433a, 434a, and the ends are formed to a length that slightly protrudes from the upper side of the upper bent portion 433 and the lower side of the lower bent portion 434 (see FIG. 21(a)). A so-called "E-ring" is fitted into a groove formed in the outer diameter direction in the slight protruding portion, thereby preventing the columnar member 431 from coming out of the support holes 433a, 434a.

[0277] The lower bent portion 434 stably supports the divided base member 442 while supporting it from below. In this supported state, the rear side plate portion of the divided base member 442 overlaps with the rear bent portion 435 in the front-rear direction, and a fastening screw inserted from the rear side through the base member 401 (see FIG. 20) disposed on the rear side of the divided base member 442 is fastened and fixed to a female screw portion formed in the rear bent portion 435, thereby fixing the base member 401, the divided base member 442, and the guide means 430 together.

[0278] In the driving means 440, components are arranged on the left and right sides according to their functions by a partition plate portion 442a of the divided base member 442. That is, a configuration for transmitting a driving force (transmission means 450, etc.) is arranged on the left side of the partition plate portion 442a, and a configuration for supplying power or a configuration to be supplied with power (a main body of the driving motor 441, a wiring auxiliary means 460 in which the electric wiring DK1 is housed, etc.) is arranged on the right side of the partition plate portion 442a. Note that, although the illustration of the electric wiring DK1 used for supplying power is omitted in Figs. 23 and 24, the relationship and displacement of the electric wiring DK1 with the wiring auxiliary means 460 will be described in detail later.

[0279] The drive motor 441 is attached to the partition plate portion 442a from the right side, and the drive gear 441a protrudes to the left of the partition plate portion 442a through an opening formed in the partition plate portion 442a. When the drive motor 441 is driven in the assembled state (see FIG. 21) and the drive gear 441a rotates, the drive force is transmitted to the transmission means 450 via the transmission gear 451 that meshes with the drive gear 441a.

[0280] The partition plate portion 442a mainly comprises a plurality of protrusions 442b protruding leftward from the left surface in a columnar shape, a metal columnar portion 442c made of metal and fixed above the upper end protrusions 442b and formed in a cylindrical shape having an axis parallel to the protrusion direction of the protrusions 442b, a photocoupler type detection sensor 442d fastened and fixed in a position where the detection groove is positioned opposite the metal columnar portion 442c, and an opening 442e formed in the left-right direction.

[0281] The protruding portion 442b is configured to be able to pivotally support the transmission gear 451 and the intermediate gear 452, and has a female screw formed at the protruding tip, and by fastening and fixing a flanged fastening screw to the female screw, the transmission gear 451 and the intermediate gear 452 can be pivotally supported so as not to fall off. The metal columnar portion 442c is formed with a diameter capable of pivotally supporting the rotating arm member 453.

[0282] The detection sensor 442d is configured to be able to detect that the detected plate portion 453d of the rotating arm member 453 is placed in the detection groove. This makes it possible to detect the position of the rotating arm member 453.

[0283] The opening 442e is an opening for passing the electric wiring DK1 that has reached between the divided base member 442 and the wiring auxiliary means 460 in the left-right direction and guiding it to the rear side, and will be described in detail later.

[0284] The transmission means 450 mainly comprises a transmission gear 451 that meshes with the drive gear 441a, an intermediate gear 452 that is arranged on the upper side of the transmission gear 451 (opposite the drive gear 441a) and meshes with the transmission gear 451, a rotating arm member 453 having a gear portion 453a that meshes with the intermediate gear 452, and a connecting member 454 that is supported at the rotating tip of the rotating arm member 453 so that it cannot fall off.

[0285] The rotating arm member 453 is a member rotatably supported on the metal cylindrical portion 442c of the partition plate portion 442a, and includes a gear portion 453a formed in a gear tooth shape along an arc centered on the rotation axis, an extended arm portion 453b extending radially outward at a position axially offset from the gear portion 453a, a support hole 453c formed at the extended tip of the extended arm portion 453b in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and a detectable plate portion 453d extending from the extended arm portion 453b along the rotation direction.

[0286] The connecting member 454 mainly comprises a cylindrical brass supported portion 454a whose tip side is inserted into the long through hole 416a, and a synthetic resin fitting lid portion 454b which is fitted into the base end side of 454a and has a flange portion 454c which protrudes like a flange from the base end portion.

[0287] A well-known E-ring (not shown) is fitted into the tip of the supported portion 454a. This can prevent the connecting member 454 from falling off to the left from the long through hole 416a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connecting member 454 from falling off and being lost before the stacking means 420 and the guiding means 430 are assembled to the divided base member 442 (in the middle of assembly).

[0288] In addition, in the assembled state (see FIG. 22(a)), the right cover member 424 is positioned facing the left side of the connecting member 454 (so as to overlap in the left-right direction), thereby physically preventing the connecting member 454 from falling off to the left.

[0289] The outer diameter of the fitting lid portion 454b is formed to be shorter than the vertical width of the long through hole 416a, and the outer diameter of the flange portion 454c is formed to be longer than the vertical width of the long through hole 416a. Thus, by disposing the resin fitting lid portion 454b between the long through hole 416a and the metal supported portion 454a, it is possible to suppress deformation of the long through hole 416a, and in addition, since the flange portion 454c is configured with a dimension that does not allow it to pass through the long through hole 416a, it is possible to prevent the connecting member 454 from falling off to the right from the long through hole 416a.

[0290] The wiring auxiliary means 460 is configured in a bottomed container shape from two members correspondingly arranged in the left-right direction. That is, the wiring auxiliary means 460 mainly includes a left side member 461 arranged opposite to the right surface side of the partition plate portion 442a and fastened and fixed to the partition plate portion 442a, and a right side member 468 arranged opposite to the right surface side of the left side member 461, having a shape capable of covering the internal shape of the left side member 461 when viewed in the left-right direction, and fastened and fixed to the left side member 461.

[0291] The left side member 461 mainly comprises a plate-shaped opposing plate 462 that is fastened and fixed to a portion that is raised to the right at the front and rear positions of the partition plate portion 442a and arranged opposite to it, a band-shaped extension portion 463 that extends in a band-like shape to the right from the front, rear and lower edges of the opposing plate 462, a support column portion 464 that protrudes in a pillar-like shape to the right near the upper end portion of the opposing plate 462 and has a female screw formed at the protruding tip, and a wiring support portion 465 that is configured on the diagonally upper rear side of the support column portion 464 and has a shape that allows a thin-diameter member such as a cable tie that supports the electrical wiring DK1 to be inserted therethrough.

[0292] As described above, the opposing plate 462 is fastened to the raised portion of the partition plate portion 442a, so that a gap is generated between the opposing plate 462 and the partition plate portion 442a at the front-rear intermediate position (a position other than the raised portion) of the partition plate portion 442a. This gap functions as a gap through which the electric wiring DK1 passes.

[0293] The electrical wiring DK1 (see Figures 21 and 22), details of which will be described later, passes through opening 442e, through the gap between partition plate portion 442a and wiring auxiliary means 460, through wiring support portion 465, passes from the rear side to the underside of support column portion 464, and faces upward along the front side of support column portion 464, where it is supported by support means 410 and rotating unit 500.

[0294] Therefore, the electrical wiring DK1 needs to be long enough (extra length) to accommodate the vertical movement of the support means 410 and the rotating unit 500, and when the support means 410 and the rotating unit 500 are positioned in the lowered position, this extra length of electrical wiring DK1 is accommodated in the wiring auxiliary means 460 in a loosely wound state around the support pillar portion 464.

[0295] Here, in this embodiment, the shape of the wiring auxiliary means 460 is designed to reduce the load applied to the electric wiring DK1 loosely wound around the support pillar 464. That is, when the electric wiring DK1 is wound around the support pillar 464, the longer the length of the wound electric wiring DK1, the larger the maximum diameter of the electric wiring DK1 centered around the support pillar 464 becomes. Therefore, if the distance between the belt-like extension 463 and the electric wiring DK1 is short, a load may be generated as a reaction force from the belt-like extension 463 to the electric wiring DK1. In this embodiment, the belt-like extension 463 is disposed at a sufficient interval in the radial direction of the support pillar 464.

[0296] In particular, as described later, in this embodiment, the lower extension portion 519 serving as a portion supporting the electric wiring DK1 at a position close to the wiring auxiliary means 460 in the rotating unit 500 is disposed on the front side of the support column portion 464. Therefore, the excess length of the electric wiring DK1 that is left over as the support means 410 and the rotating unit 500 move to the lowered position is disposed mainly on the front side of the support column portion 464.

[0297] Correspondingly, the band-shaped extension 463 is designed to ensure a larger internal space in front of the support pillar 464, with the support pillar 464 as the reference in the front-rear direction. The band-shaped extension 463 also includes a functional curved surface 463a below the support pillar 464, which is a surface that displaces downward toward the front side and is a curved surface with the center of curvature radius located on the lower side.

[0298] Due to its shape, the functional curved surface 463a can apply a load in an obliquely upward forward direction as a reaction force to the electric wiring DK1 arranged nearby. This makes it easier for the electric wiring DK1 to gather in a range on the front side with respect to the support column portion 464.

[0299] In addition, the functional curved surface 463a is curved to protrude inward of the wiring auxiliary means 460, which makes it easier to secure space for arranging the drive motor 441. That is, the curved shape of the functional curved surface 463a not only stabilizes the arrangement of the electric wiring DK1, but also allows the wiring auxiliary means 460 and the drive motor 441 to be arranged in a minimum space.

[0300] Fig. 25 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotating unit 500, and Fig. 26 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rotating unit 500. As shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, the rotating unit 500 mainly includes a fixing means 510 fastened to the support means 410 (see Fig. 23) and formed in a U-shape when viewed from the front, a both-end fixing means 520 fixed inside the fixing means 510 and constituting a rotation center, a shaft forming means 530 fixed to the both-end fixing means 520 and disposed inside the U-shape of the fixing means 510, a rotating left lid part 550 disposed inside the U-shape of the fixing means 510 and on the left side of the shaft forming means 530, a rotating body 560 fastened to the rotating left lid part 550 and having an outer shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and a rotating right lid part 570 fastened to the right side of the rotating body 560 and disposed inside the U-shape of the fixing means 510.

[0301] The outline of the rotation unit 500 will be described. It is composed of a rotation part, mainly consisting of a rotor 560, which rotates about a left-right axis, and a fixed part, mainly consisting of a fixing means 510, which supports the rotation part.

[0302] The rotating part is composed of a rotating body 560, a rotating left plate 550, a motor gear 542 meshed with the rotating left plate 550, and a driven plate 575 of the rotating right cover part 570, and the other components excluding these (the fixing means 510, the both end fixing means 520, the shaft forming means 530 excluding the motor gear 542, and the attitude fixing bush 571 of the rotating right cover part 570) constitute the fixed part.

[0303] The fixing means 510 mainly comprises a U-shaped metal plate 511 which is formed into a U-shape when viewed from the front by bending the metal plate at a right angle, left and right fixed covers 514 which are arranged on the left and right sides of the U-shaped metal plate 511 and are configured to have a shape which can form a closed cross section between them, and a guide member 516 which is fastened and fixed from below the U-shaped metal plate 511 and which guides the electrical wiring DK1.

[0304] In the description of the left and right fixed lids 514, the closed cross section does not mean a complete seal (closed), but may be any closing method suited to the purpose of this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the electric wiring DK1 is passed through the closed cross section, so an opening that the electric wiring DK1 cannot pass through is acceptable (for example, an opening with an opening diameter smaller than the thickness of the electric wiring DK1, or an opening with an opening width larger than the thickness of the electric wiring DK1 aligned along the longitudinal direction of the electric wiring DK1, so that the electric wiring DK1 can be accommodated). The details of the path of the electric wiring DK1 will be described later.

[0305] The U-shaped metal plate 511 has female screws and positioning through holes formed in appropriate positions on the long plate portion, and is used for alignment and fastening to the left and right fixed covers 514 and guide member 516.

[0306] Both ends of the U-shaped metal plate 511 are arranged opposite each other, and the left and right sides are cut out in different shapes. That is, a substantially circular first opening 512 is formed on the left side, while a substantially gourd-shaped second opening 513 and a pair of circular holes 513a are formed on the right side.

[0307] The guide member 516 mainly comprises an irregularly shaped hole 517 that is roughly gourd-shaped and drilled in the vertical direction at the center position in the left-right direction, a lowered bottom portion 518 to the right of the irregularly shaped hole 517 and configured to leave a gap with the U-shaped metal plate 511, and a lower extension portion 519 that extends downward from the right rear end portion of the lowered bottom portion 518.

[0308] The irregular hole 517 is located above the irregular hole 413 (see FIG. 23), and is formed with a size capable of guiding the electric wiring DK1. The electric wiring DK1 that passes above the irregular hole 517 is disposed between the lowered bottom portion 518 and the U-shaped metal plate 511, bends upward, is disposed between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the left and right fixed covers 514, is disposed on the inner diameter side of the right fixed bush 522 of the both end fixing means 520, and is disposed inside the U-shaped metal plate 511. The state of the electric wiring DK1 in the path will be described later.

[0309] The lower extension portion 519 is a portion configured in a shape capable of supporting the electric wiring DK1, which moves up and down in response to the up and down movement, with a cable tie. That is, the forming portion 411a is formed in a shape capable of fixing a cable tie directly to the right of the irregular shaped hole 413 of the flat plate portion 411. The electric wiring DK1 is fixed to the forming portion 411a with a cable tie, and is fixed to the lower extension portion 519, which is disposed on the rear side and below the forming portion 411a, with a cable tie.

[0310] This allows the electrical wiring DK1 to be moved toward the rear side, thereby preventing the electrical wiring DK1 from being displaced toward the front side and being pinched between the front upper edge of the strip-shaped extension portion 463 and the front vertical portion 414 of the support means 410 (see Figure 23).

[0311] In the configuration of the lower extension portion 519, the plate portion constituting the right side surface functions as a restricting portion for preventing the cable tie from rising up. That is, the cable tie is maintained in a state fixed to the U-shaped portion projecting downward at the lower end of the lower extension portion 519, and by restricting the cable tie from rising up, the fixing position of the electrical wiring DK1 to the lower extension portion 519 can be limited to the vicinity of the lower end of the lower extension portion 519.

[0312] The two-end fixing means 520 includes a left fixing bush 521 that is fitted into the first opening 512 of the U-shaped metal plate 511 from the left side, and a right fixing bush 522 that is fitted into the second opening 513 from the right side.

[0313] The left fixed bush 521 and the right fixed bush 522 have formed portions (convex portions) that fit into notches (concave portions) formed above and below both the first opening 512 and the second opening 513, and the posture is stabilized by this concave-convex fit, and the axial (left-right) positioning is determined by the flange-shaped portion that is formed into a flange shape with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the first opening 512 and the second opening 513.

[0314] That is, in the assembled state (see FIG. 21), the left fixed bush 521 and the right fixed bush 522 are supported by their flange-like portions being disposed between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the left and right fixed covers 514, and their postures are fixed by recess-projection fitting.

[0315] A support hole 521a having a D-shaped cross section is formed at the rotation axis position in the left fixed bush 521. The support hole 521a is a portion that supports one end of the shaft forming means 530, and will be described in detail later.

[0316] The right fixed bush 522 mainly comprises a pair of insertion holes 523 formed to allow the insertion of fastening screws inserted into the circular holes 513a, an annular protrusion 524 having an irregular ring shape that can be fitted into the second opening 513 and protruding to the left, and an omission portion 525 in which the formation of a flange-shaped portion is omitted in approximately the lower half for the purpose of ensuring a passage path for the electrical wiring DK1.

[0317] The annular protrusion 524 is formed with a protruding length that exceeds the plate thickness of the U-shaped metal plate 511. This makes it possible to easily align the position of the protruding fastening portion 532 of the shaft configuring means 530, and details will be described later.

[0318] The shaft forming means 530 mainly comprises a right shaft body portion 531 which is fastened to the U-shaped metal plate 511 by screwing in a fastening screw inserted through the insertion hole 523, a left shaft body portion 535 which is arranged opposite to the left side of the right shaft body portion 531 and fastened to the right shaft body portion 531, a drive motor 541 which is fastened to the left shaft body portion 535, a motor gear 542 which is fixed to the drive shaft of the drive motor 541, an illumination board 543 which is arranged on the front side of the right shaft body portion 531 and the left shaft body portion 535, a light diffusion plate 545 which is stacked on the front side of the illumination board 543, has a light diffusion shape formed on its back surface, and is positioned by being sandwiched between the right shaft body portion 531 and the left shaft body portion 535 from the front, rear, left, right, top and bottom, and a photocoupler type detection sensor 547 which is fastened to the right shaft body portion 531 from the right side.

[0319] As described above, the shaft configuration means 530 includes a plurality of components (i.e., the drive motor 541, the illumination board 543, and the detection sensor 547) that require the supply of electricity. Therefore, it is considered that the problem is how to arrange the electric wiring DK1 compactly. In this embodiment, on the other hand, all of the connection terminals 541a, 547a of the electric wiring DK1 are gathered in the area between the opposing shaft right main body portion 531 and the shaft left main body portion 535.

[0320] That is, the connection terminal 541a of the drive motor 541 is disposed in the motor body portion which is arranged surrounded by the axial right body portion 531 and the axial left body portion 535, the connection terminal (not shown) of the illumination board 543 is disposed on the back side facing the space between the axial right body portion 531 and the axial left body portion 535, and the connection terminal 547a of the detection sensor 547 is disposed passing through the opening 533a of the axial right body portion 531 and protruding to the left side of the axial right body portion 531 (the axial left body portion 535 side).

[0321] As a result, it is possible to supply electricity without excess or deficiency simply by guiding the electrical wiring DK1 into the area between the opposing axial right body portion 531 and the opposing axial left body portion 535, so that the electrical wiring DK1 can be contained in the area between the opposing axial right body portion 531 and the opposing axial left body portion 535 (the area on the inner diameter side of the arc-shaped wall extended toward the opposing side).

[0322] Furthermore, the fastening directions of the fastening between the shaft configuring means 530 and the U-shaped metal plate 511, between the shaft right main body portion 531 and the shaft left main body portion 535, between the shaft left main body portion 535 and the drive motor 541, and between the shaft right main body portion 531 and the detection sensor 547 are unified in the left-right direction (direction parallel to the rotation axis). Therefore, it is possible to easily configure the radial dimension of the shaft configuring means 530 to be small.

[0323] In this way, in addition to being able to integrate the main functional parts, the electrical wiring DK1 can be stored compactly by the shaft configuring means 530. Details of each component of the shaft configuring means 530 will be described below.

[0324] The right shaft main body portion 531 mainly comprises a pair of protruding fastening portions 532 which protrude towards the right in a front-rear direction and have female threads formed at their protruding tips, an opening 533a which is drilled in the left-right direction below the protruding fastening portions 532 and is large enough to allow the connection terminal 547a of the detection sensor 547 to pass through, a wiring opening 533b which is drilled in the left-right direction above the protruding fastening portions 532 and is large enough to allow the electrical wiring DK1 (and the connector arranged at the tip) to be inserted therethrough, and a pair of locking claw portions 534 which protrude in a claw-like manner at a gap on the front side of the front plate portion of the right shaft main body portion 531.

[0325] The protruding fastening portion 532 has its posture fixed by loosely fitting into the annular protrusion 524 of the right fixed bush 522, and its tip abuts against the U-shaped metal plate 511, and is fastened and fixed to the U-shaped metal plate 511 by screwing in a fastening screw inserted through the circular hole 513a and the insertion hole 523. The protruding fastening portion 532 is also inserted into an insertion hole 572 of the posture fixing bush 571, which will be described in detail later.

[0326] The locking claws 534 are parts for supporting the illumination board 543 and the light diffusion plate 545 by sandwiching them from the left and right directions in the assembled state (see FIG. 21). In addition, the illumination board 543 and the light diffusion plate 545 are sandwiched (directly or indirectly) by a pair of regulating protrusions 534a protruding from the front side at the upper and lower ends of the front plate, so that the vertical displacement can be regulated.

[0327] The left shaft main body portion 535 mainly comprises a plate-like portion 536 formed in a plate shape that intersects the rotation axis (left-right axis) at a right angle, a pair of protruding fastening portions 537 that protrude cylindrically to the right from the plate-like portion 536 and have female threads formed at the protruding tips, a support portion 538 that protrudes cylindrically to the left from the plate-like portion 536 along the rotation axis, and a pair of locking claw portions 539 that protrude in a claw-like shape at positions with a gap on the front side of the front plate portion of the left shaft main body portion 535.

[0328] Protruding fastening portion 537 protrudes up to the same plane as the plane on which the right tip portion of the arc-shaped wall of left shaft body portion 535 is disposed. In this case, the arc-shaped wall of left shaft body portion 535 and protruding fastening portion 537 can be abutted on the same plane against a plate portion that is a constituent plate portion of right shaft body portion 531 and is disposed parallel to plate-like portion 536.

[0329] This allows the right shaft body portion 531 to be stably positioned relative to the left shaft body portion 535, and the fastening screw inserted into the insertion hole formed in the right shaft body portion 531 can be easily screwed into the female thread at the tip of the protruding fastening portion 537, so that the right shaft body portion 531 can be easily fastened and fixed to the left shaft body portion 535.

[0330] The shaft support part 538 is configured in a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly shorter than the circular opening formed in a circle at the center of the flanged gear 551 of the rotating left cover part 550, thereby rotatably supporting the flanged gear 551. In addition, the tip of the shaft support part 538 is formed in a D-shape slightly smaller than the support hole 521a, thereby being configured to be able to fit into the support hole 521a.

[0331] That is, in the assembled state (see FIG. 21), the pivot support portion 538 is supported so as not to be rotatable by fitting into the support hole 521a, and functions as a portion that pivotally supports the rotating left cover portion 550 so as to be rotatable.

[0332] The locking claw portion 539 is configured in approximately the same shape as the locking claw portion 534 of the shaft right main body portion 531, and in the assembled state (see FIG. 21), supports the illumination board 543 and the light diffusion plate 545 by sandwiching them from the left and right directions. At this time, by sandwiching the illumination board 543 and the light diffusion plate 545 between the front plate portion arranged with a gap on the rear side and the locking claw portions 534, 539, it is possible to regulate displacement in the front-rear direction as well.

[0333] In addition, the illumination board 543 and the light diffusion plate 545 are sandwiched (directly or indirectly) by a pair of regulating protrusions 539a that protrude toward the front side at the upper and lower ends of the front plate, thereby regulating vertical displacement.

[0334] As a result, by utilizing the shape of the right-hand body portion 531 and the left-hand body portion 535, it is possible to fix the illumination board 543 and the light diffusion plate 545 to the right-hand body portion 531 and the left-hand body portion 535 in conjunction with fastening the right-hand body portion 531 and the left-hand body portion 535 without having to prepare separate fastening means (e.g., fastening screws) for fixing the illumination board 543 and the light diffusion plate 545 to the right-hand body portion 531 and the left-hand body portion 535.

[0335] The illumination board 543 is provided with a plurality of LED members 544 arranged vertically on the left end, and the LED members 544 are arranged so that their optical axes extend to the right along the surface of the illumination board 543. The plurality of LED members 544 are configured so that the light emission colors of the respective LEDs (e.g., red, green, blue) are different, and by combining the light emission colors, it is possible to perform a multi-color light emission performance with a small number of LEDs.

[0336] The light diffusion plate 545 has a light diffusion shape formed on the back surface thereof, and this light diffusion shape is formed so as to be able to emit light in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the light diffusion plate 545. This allows the number of LED members 544 to be reduced while allowing the rotating body 560, which is irradiated with light transmitted through the light diffusion plate 545, to be illuminated evenly.

[0337] The detection sensor 547 is disposed inside the rotating body 560 on the right side opposite to the left side where the components for transmitting driving force such as the drive motor 541 and the transmission gear 552 are disposed. This allows the space inside the rotating body 560 to be effectively utilized and allows for a compact arrangement.

[0338] By disposing the detection sensor 547 inside the rotating body 560, it is possible to easily displace the detection sensor 547 in association with the vertical displacement of the rotating body 560. In other words, when the detection sensor 547 is disposed outside the rotating body 560, in most cases, a member supporting the detection sensor 547 is also disposed outside the rotating body 560, but in this case, in order to displace the detection sensor 547 in association with the vertical displacement of the rotating body 560, the member supporting the detection sensor 547 must also be displaced in the same manner.

[0339] In contrast, in the case where the detection sensor 547 is disposed inside the rotating body 560 as in the present embodiment, by disposing the detection sensor 547 on a member constituting the rotation shaft of the rotating body 560, the detection sensor 547 can be configured to be displaced up and down in association with the upward and downward displacement of the rotating body 560 (the upward and downward displacement of the member constituting the rotation shaft).

[0340] The detection sensor 547 is disposed with the detection groove facing the tangent direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis of the rotor 560. This allows the configuration such that the detection target portion 577 protruding in the axial direction from an eccentric position of the rotor 560 passes through the detection groove.

[0341] The rotating left cover part 550 mainly includes a flanged gear 551 that is journalled on the journal part 538, and a driven plate 555 that is fixed to the flanged gear 551 in the rotational direction.

[0342] The flanged gear 551 mainly comprises a transmission gear 552 arranged to be able to mesh with the motor gear 542, a stepped disk portion 553 extending radially outward from the axial end of the transmission gear 552 and formed into a stepped disk shape, and a plurality of protrusion portions 554 protruding from specific positions on the outer periphery of the small diameter circle of the stepped disk portion 553 (in this embodiment, positions spaced 120 degree apart which divide the circumference into thirds) toward the outer periphery of the large diameter circle.

[0343] The driven plate 555 has a special-shaped opening 556 that is slightly larger than the shape that continuously connects the small diameter circle of the stepped disk portion 553 and the outer shape of the protruding portion 554 when viewed in the rotation axis direction.

[0344] By fitting the irregular shaped opening 556 onto the small diameter circle of the stepped disk portion 553 and the protruding portion 554 , it is possible to prevent misalignment of the driven plate 555 relative to the flanged gear 551 in the rotational direction.

[0345] Furthermore, since the large diameter circle of the stepped disk portion 553 is shaped to be larger than the irregular shaped opening 556, the flanged gear 551 is restricted from passing through the irregular shaped opening 556 to the right.

[0346] The shape of the left side surface of the flanged gear 551 is designed so that a gap is created between the flanged gear 551 and the U-shaped metal plate 511 when it abuts against the protruding portion that protrudes in a ring shape to the right from around the support hole 521a of the left fixed bush 521.

[0347] This allows the left side surface of flanged gear 551 to rub only against the annular protruding portion of left fixed bush 521 when rotating body 560, thereby preventing friction between flanged gear 551 and U-shaped metal plate 511. Therefore, wear of flanged gear 551 can be suppressed.

[0348] Rotating body 560 is formed from a light-transmitting resin material and has four plate-like members with different or identical patterns or figures formed on their surfaces, and is fastened and fixed to rotating left cover portion 550 and rotating right cover portion 570 to form an approximately cubic shape, as will be described in more detail below.

[0349] The rotating right cover portion 570 mainly comprises a posture fixing bush 571 having a pair of insertion holes 572 through which the protruding fastening portion 532 of the shaft configuring means 530 can be inserted, and a driven plate 575 rotatably supported by the posture fixing bush 571.

[0350] The attitude fixing bush 571 is configured so that the outside diameter of the outer circumferential surface is different, similar to the stepped disk portion 553 of the flanged gear 551. That is, the right end portion is configured to have a larger diameter than the left end portion, thereby defining the limit position when the driven plate 575 is displaced rightward relative to the attitude fixing bush 571. This makes it possible to prevent the driven plate 575 from falling off the attitude fixing bush 571.

[0351] The driven plate 575 mainly comprises a shaft support hole 576 drilled in the center in a circular shape slightly larger than the small diameter circle of the attitude fixing bush 571, and a detected portion 577 protruding to the left along an arc shape concentric with the central axis of the shaft support hole 576.

[0352] The driven plate 575 is disposed in the gap (see Figure 30(a)) between the right end of the arc-shaped portion located on the right side of the shaft right main body portion 531 and the flange-shaped portion of the posture fixing bush 571, thereby regulating displacement in the rotation axis direction (left and right direction).

[0353] Furthermore, since the driven plate 575 is supported in a sliding manner on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter cylindrical portion of the attitude fixing bush 571, the attitude during rotation can be stabilized compared to when it is supported by a thin diameter rotating shaft.

[0354] In the assembled state (see FIG. 21), the detectable portion 577 is disposed so as to be able to enter the detection groove of the detection sensor 547. The detection sensor 547 determines the presence or absence of the detectable portion 577 (whether the detectable portion 577 is in the detection groove of the detection sensor 547 or is not in the detectable portion 577 because the non-formation range of the detectable portion 577 faces the detection sensor 547), thereby allowing the MPU 221 of the voice lamp control device 113 to determine the posture of the rotating body 560.

[0355] Fig. 27 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotating left cover part 550 and the rotating body 560, and Fig. 28 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotating body 560 and the rotating right cover part 570. In Fig. 27, the opposing surfaces of the rotating left cover part 550 and the rotating body 560 are illustrated in a position facing the front side, and in Fig. 28, the opposing surfaces of the rotating right cover part 570 and the rotating body 560 are illustrated in a position facing the front side. In other words, they are illustrated in an arrangement in which the rear side of the opposing surfaces is the axis and the front side is away from each other.

[0356] Since the rotating body 560 is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape by multiple (four in this embodiment) surface constituent members 560a-560d having similar shapes, the surface constituent member 560a will be described in detail, and only the differences between the other surface constituent members 560b-560d will be described, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0357] The surface component 560a comprises a substantially square plate-shaped portion 561 having a decorative pattern formed on its outer surface and constituting the outer wall of the rotating body 560, and a pair of symmetrical protrusions 562 which protrude inward from the left and right ends of the plate-shaped portion 561 in a shape that is rotationally symmetrical about the center point of the plate-shaped portion 561.

[0358] The symmetrical protrusion portion 562 mainly comprises an opposing plate portion 563 arranged opposite to the driven plate 555 or the driven plate 575, a left / right opposing portion 564 arranged on the left / right inner side of the opposing plate portion 563 and protruding outward from the front / rear of the opposing plate portion 563, a fastening auxiliary portion 565 arranged on the left / right inner side of the left / right opposing portion 564 and ensuring the screwing thickness, and an attitude adjustment portion 566 drilled into the opposing plate portion 563.

[0359] The plate-shaped portion 561 has different decorative patterns on the surface constituent members 560a to 560d. As a result, as the rotating body 560 rotates and the surface constituent members 560a to 560d facing the player change (periodically), the figures and patterns visible through the rotating body 560 can be changed to multiple types (four types in this embodiment).

[0360] In detail, a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating a "△" (triangle) is formed on the surface of plate-shaped portion 561 of surface component member 560a, a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating a "?" (question mark) is formed on the surface of plate-shaped portion 561 of surface component member 560b, a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating an "!" (exclamation mark) is formed on the surface of plate-shaped portion 561 of surface component member 560c, and a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating a "○" (circle) is formed on the surface of plate-shaped portion 561 of surface component member 560d.

[0361] In the four composite action units 402 arranged side by side on the left and right (see FIG. 19), a common decorative pattern is formed on the surface constituent members 560a, 560b, 560d, while a different decorative pattern is formed on the surface constituent member 560c.

[0362] That is, a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating "H" is formed on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 561 of the surface component member 560c of the composite operation unit 402 located on the far left, a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating "I" is formed on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 561 of the surface component member 560c of the composite operation unit 402 located second from the left, a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating "T" is formed on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 561 of the surface component member 560c of the composite operation unit 402 located third from the left, and a decorative pattern consisting of a figure indicating "!" (exclamation mark) is formed on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 561 of the surface component member 560c of the composite operation unit 402 located on the far right; the uses of these will be described later.

[0363] The opposing plate portion 563 has a surface facing the rotation axis of the central portion formed from an arc shape that forms part of the same circle with the surface constituent members 560a to 560d, and a convex portion 563a is formed on one side of the front and rear ends (the front side of the surface constituent member 560a), and a concave portion 563b is formed on the other side (the rear side of the surface constituent member 560a).

[0364] The concave portion 563b is formed from a shape that can fit into the convex portion 563a when rotated 90 degrees around the left-right axis. For example, the convex portion 563a on the lower side of the surface forming member 560b that corresponds to a state rotated 90 degrees around the left-right axis with respect to the surface forming member 560a fits into the concave portion 563b on the left side of the surface forming member 560a. At the same time, the concave portion 563b on the lower side of the surface forming member 560b fits into the convex portion 563a on the left side of the surface forming member 560a.

[0365] As long as the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied, the shapes of the convex portion 563a and the concave portion 563b can be set arbitrarily. For example, they may be angular, semicircular, or inclined. In this embodiment, the convex portion 563a is configured as a portion that exerts the fastening force of the fastening screw by making the convex portion 563a a size that allows a female screw to be configured.

[0366] In a similar manner, adjacent surface constituent members 560a to 560d are fitted together, whereby they can be aligned into a rectangular tubular shape. Left-right positional deviation of surface constituent members 560a to 560d is prevented by left-right opposing portions 564.

[0367] That is, in a state in which the surface constituent members 560a to 560d form a rectangular tubular shape, the left and right opposing portions 564 abut (are disposed facing) against the recessed portions 563b of the adjacent surface constituent members 560a to 560d from the inside in the left and right direction.

[0368] For example, a right side surface continuing from its left side (outside the left-right direction of the rotating body 560) to a concave portion 563b arranged on the underside of the surface forming member 560d abuts (is arranged facing) against a left-right opposing portion 564 arranged on the front side of the surface forming member 560a. That is, after an arrangement capable of forming a rectangular cylindrical shape is achieved, the left-right position of the surface forming member 560d relative to the surface forming member 560a can be adjusted by displacing the surface forming member 560d rightward relative to the surface forming member 560a.

[0369] Furthermore, the left side surface continuing from the right side (outside the left-right direction of the rotating body 560) to the concave-shaped portion 563b arranged on the front side of the surface forming member 560a abuts against (is arranged facing) the left-right opposing portion 564 arranged on the lower side (lower right side) of the surface forming member 560d. That is, after the arrangement capable of forming a rectangular cylindrical shape is achieved, the left-right position of the surface forming member 560d with respect to the surface forming member 560a can be adjusted by displacing the surface forming member 560d to the right with respect to the surface forming member 560a.

[0370] In this manner, in this embodiment, by making the shape of the symmetrical protrusion 562 rotationally symmetrical about the center point of the plate-shaped portion 561, it is possible to align the left-right position of one surface component member relative to the other surface component member by displacing the other surface component member (e.g., surface component member 560d) in one left-right direction relative to an adjacent surface component member (e.g., surface component member 560a).

[0371] The position adjustment portion 566 is formed as position adjustment portions 566a to 566d in each of the surface constituent members 560a to 560d, and is configured as a through hole having a different shape in each of the surface constituent members 560a to 560d.

[0372] That is, posture adjustment portion 566a formed in surface component member 560a is drilled in a circular cross-section, posture adjustment portion 566b formed in surface component member 560b is drilled in a rectangular shape with a short side in the direction along which plate-shaped portion 561 extends, posture adjustment portion 566c formed in surface component member 560c is drilled in a rectangular shape with a long side in the direction along which plate-shaped portion 561 extends, and posture adjustment portion 566d formed in surface component member 560d is drilled in a regular triangular cross-section.

[0373] The driven plate 555 includes a plurality of fitting protrusions 555a to 555d that protrude from positions that allow the plate 555 to be inserted into the position adjustment portions 566a to 566d and have shapes that correspond to the position adjustment portions 566a to 566d.

[0374] That is, the pair of engaging protrusions 555a protrude with a circular cross-section, the pair of engaging protrusions 555b protrude with a rectangular shape with a short side in the direction along the adjacent side of the driven plate 555, the pair of engaging protrusions 555c protrude with a rectangular shape with a long side in the direction along the adjacent side of the driven plate 555, and the pair of engaging protrusions 555d protrude with an equilateral triangular cross-section.

[0375] The driven plate 575 includes a plurality of fitting protrusions 575a to 575d that protrude from positions that allow the plate 575 to be inserted into the position adjustment portions 566a to 566d and have shapes that correspond to the position adjustment portions 566a to 566d.

[0376] That is, the pair of engaging protrusions 575a protrude with a circular cross-section, the pair of engaging protrusions 575b protrude with a rectangular shape with a short side in the direction along the adjacent side of the driven plate 575, the pair of engaging protrusions 575c protrude with a rectangular shape with a long side in the direction along the adjacent side of the driven plate 575, and the pair of engaging protrusions 575d protrude with an equilateral triangular cross-section.

[0377] In this manner, by configuring the posture adjustment portions 566a-566d, and the mating protrusions 555a-555d and mating protrusions 575a-575d with corresponding shapes, the rotating left cover portion 550, the rotating body 560 and the rotating right cover portion 570 can be mated with each other and fastened and fixed together with the relative angle being appropriate.

[0378] In actual assembly procedures, all four surface constituent members 560a-560d of rotating body 560 are assembled and fitted into a rectangular tubular shape, and the left and right positions are adjusted, and then fitting convex portions 555a-555d of rotating left lid portion 550 are fitted into attitude adjustment portions 566a-566d of rotating body 560, and fastening screws inserted into insertion holes formed at the four corners are screwed into the female threads of convex portion 563a, thereby fastening and fixing rotating body 560 and rotating left lid portion 550. Next, by screwing in fastening screws in the same procedure, rotating right lid portion 570 can also be fastened and fixed to rotating body 560.

[0379] In this embodiment, the fitting direction and fastening direction of rotating left cover part 550 and rotating right cover part 570 to position adjustment parts 566a to 566d of rotating body 560 are designed to be both left and right directions (directions parallel to the rotation axis).

[0380] This makes it possible to eliminate the fastening screws from the outer surface (display surface) of each of the surface constituent members 560a-560d of the rotating body 560, thereby preventing the fastening screws from being visible on the display surface. In this case, a seal member for hiding the fastening screws is not necessary, and the decorative pattern can be formed using the entire region (total area) of the outer surface (display surface) of each of the surface constituent members 560a-560d, so that the size (area, i.e. density) of the decorative pattern relative to the size (area) of each of the constituent members 560a-560d can be increased.

[0381] Here, for example, even if one surface forming member (e.g., surface forming member 560a) is fastened to the rotating left cover part 550 and then another surface forming member (e.g., surface forming member 560d) is to be assembled, the fitting convex part 555d of the rotating left cover part 550 fastened to the first surface forming member 560a interferes with the opposing plate part 563 of the other surface forming member 560d. Therefore, the concave part 563b of the other surface forming member 560d cannot slide between the left / right opposing parts 564 of the first surface forming member 560a and the driven plate 555, and assembly is not possible.

[0382] In this manner, in this embodiment, the rotating left cover portion 550 and the rotating right cover portion 570 can be fastened and fixed only after all of the surface constituent members 560a-560d have been assembled into a rectangular cylindrical shape, thereby preventing assembly errors (for example, assembling with any of the surface constituent members 560a-560d missing).

[0383] That is, in this embodiment, the mating protrusions 555a-555d, 575a-575d can simultaneously achieve the following effects: the rigidity of the rotating left cover portion 550, the rotating body 560, and the rotating right cover portion 570 can be strengthened by mating; the shape of the mating protrusions 555a-555d and 575a-575d can match the shapes of the mating objects, thereby allowing the rotating left cover portion 550, the rotating body 560, and the rotating right cover portion 570 to be assembled in an appropriate posture; and the assembly procedure can be limited to prevent forgetting to assemble each of the surface components 560a-560d.

[0384] 29(a) and 29(b) are exploded front perspective views of the composite action unit 402 of the first action unit 400. Note that in Fig. 29(a) and Fig. 29(b), perspective views from different directions are shown, and the rotation unit 500 is disposed with its lower surface facing the front side.

[0385] The annular protrusion 412 is a C-shaped protrusion when viewed from above, having a divided portion 412a (a slit) on the right side, and a protruding portion 516a corresponding to this divided portion 412a is formed on the lower surface of a guide member 516.

[0386] In the assembled state (see FIG. 21), the protruding portion 516a is disposed on the separated portion 412a, thereby defining the posture of the rotating unit 500 relative to the supporting means 410. With the posture of the rotating unit 500 defined, the fastening screw inserted into the insertion hole 413a is screwed into the fastening portion 517a having a female thread, thereby fastening and fixing the guide member 516 to the supporting means 410.

[0387] In the assembled state (see FIG. 21), the irregular shaped hole 413 and the irregular shaped hole 517 communicate as a passageway for the electrical wiring DK1, but have different internal shapes that form the outer frame of the passageway. This difference in shape corresponds to a difference in the manner in which the electrical wiring DK1 (see FIG. 21) is guided from the irregular shaped hole 413 or the irregular shaped hole 517.

[0388] More specifically, the electric wiring DK1 displaces up and down in accordance with the up and down movement of the support means 410 below the irregular shaped hole 413, whereas above the irregular shaped hole 517 (on the rotating unit 500 side), it is fixed and disposed regardless of the arrangement of the support means 410. Therefore, below the irregular shaped hole 413, it is preferable to have a configuration that can easily accommodate up and down displacement, and above the irregular shaped hole 517, it is preferable to have a configuration that can easily accommodate a path for fixing the electric wiring DK1. Below, the configuration of the electric wiring DK1 of this embodiment from this viewpoint will be described.

[0389] In this embodiment, below the irregular hole 413, the electrical wiring DK1, which is composed of a bundle of multiple electric wires, is configured as an electric wire bundle having a cross-section that is nearly circular by bundling it into a tubular member formed of a flexible resin material and having a spiral slit (a so-called spiral tube).

[0390] In this embodiment, at least in the range of the electrical wiring DK1 that can enter (or exit) the wiring auxiliary means 460, the spiral tube is wound around it.

[0391] By configuring the electrical wiring DK1 as a bundle of electric wires having a cross section that is nearly circular, it is possible to configure the electrical wiring DK1 so that no significant difference occurs in the resistance to bending of the electrical wiring DK1 and the load applied as a result of the bending, regardless of in which direction the electrical wiring DK1 is bent as the support means 410 moves up and down.

[0392] In order to facilitate arranging the electric wiring DK1 into an electric wire bundle having a nearly circular cross section, the front-to-rear width of the irregular shaped hole 413 is shortened in both the left-to-right direction compared to the shape of the irregular shaped hole 517. This makes it possible to prevent the electric wires of the electric wiring DK1 from being arranged so as to spread out in the front-to-rear direction, while making it possible to facilitate arrangement so as to spread out in the left-to-right direction even when there are many electric wires. Therefore, when the electric wiring DK1 is guided rightward from the irregular shaped hole 413 and fixed at the forming portion 411a by a fixing member such as a cable tie, it is easy to form an electric wire bundle having a short front-to-rear width and a substantially circular cross section.

[0393] The cross-sectional shape of the electric wire bundle of the electric wiring DK1 does not need to be circular, and various shapes are exemplified. For example, the more electric wires that constitute the electric wiring DK1, the more likely the cross section of the electric wire bundle is to have an elliptical shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. Even in this case, the resistance and load when the electric wiring DK1 is curved in the front-back direction can be reduced compared to when the electric wiring DK1 is curved in the left-right direction. Curving in the front-back direction is a type of curvature that is likely to occur in this embodiment, and details will be described later.

[0394] Fig. 30(a) is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the configuration of the rotation unit 500, and Fig. 30(b) is a perspective view showing a harness constituting the electric wiring DK1. As shown in Fig. 30(b), the electric wiring DK1 is configured such that a plurality of covered flexible electric wires are connected and fixed at approximately equal intervals to a connector as a connection end.

[0395] In the rotation unit 500 of this embodiment, connectors are connected to the drive motor 541, the detection sensor 547, and the illumination board 543, respectively, and a total of 16 electric wires extend from each connector.

[0396] Figure 30(a) illustrates the U-shaped metal plate 511, the right-side left and right fixed covers 514, the guide member 516, the end fixing means 520, the right shaft main body portion 531, the left shaft main body portion 535, the drive motor 541, the detection sensor 547, and the posture fixing bush 571 of the rotating unit 500, and the left and right fixed covers 514 and the guide member 516 are illustrated spaced apart from the U-shaped metal plate 511, and only the left and right fixed covers 514 are illustrated as viewed in different directions.

[0397] 30(a) will mainly describe the guidance of the electrical wiring DK1 to the rotating unit 500. The electrical wiring DK1 that has passed upward through the irregular hole 517 is routed through a gap that is long in front-to-back width and short in top-to-bottom width between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the lowered bottom portion 518, so that the electric wires that make up the electrical wiring DK1 are preferably arranged in a front-to-back arrangement rather than being stacked up and down.

[0398] In contrast, in this embodiment, the guide member 516 is provided with a sector-shaped adjustment portion 517b at the right end of the irregular shaped hole 517, which is formed in a sector shape in top view from the lowered bottom portion 518 and is one step lower, for adjusting the degree of spread in the front-rear direction of the multiple electric wires constituting the electric wiring DK1. The function of this sector-shaped adjustment portion 517b will be described with reference to FIG.

[0399] Figure 31(a) is a top view of the guide member 516, Figure 31(b) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member 516 and electrical wiring DK1 taken along line XXXIb-XXXIb in Figure 31(a), Figure 31(c) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member 516 and electrical wiring DK1 taken along line XXXIc-XXXIc in Figure 31(a), Figure 31(d) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member 516 taken along line XXXId-XXXId in Figure 31(a), and Figure 31(e) is a cross-sectional view of the guide member 516 and electrical wiring DK1 taken along line XXXIe-XXXIe in Figure 31(d).

[0400] In Figures 31(a) and 31(d), a portion of the path of each wire of the electrical wiring DK1 guided through the irregular hole 517 is diagrammatically illustrated by imaginary lines, and in Figures 31(b), 31(c), and 31(e), an example of the arrangement of each wire of the electrical wiring DK1 is illustrated.

[0401] That is, each wire of the electrical wiring DK1 is curved so as to be positioned close to (in contact with) the lower corner where the irregular hole 517 and the sector-shaped adjustment portion 517b form two surfaces, and the corner located to the right of the lower corner where the lowered bottom portion 518 and the sector-shaped adjustment portion 517b form two surfaces, and in this state, dispersion (spreading) in the front-to-back direction is restricted by the front and rear wall portions of the sector-shaped adjustment portion 517b (see Figures 31(a) and 31(c)).

[0402] In other words, the degree of dispersion of the electrical wiring DK1 can be adjusted by adjusting the angle at which the front and rear walls of the sectorial adjustment portion 517b are formed. From this viewpoint, in this embodiment, the front and rear walls of the sectorial adjustment portion 517b are configured such that an extension line 517x extending linearly from the end of the front and rear walls of the sectorial adjustment portion 517b in a top view becomes a straight line that reaches a corner of the lowered bottom portion 518.

[0403] This makes it possible to maximize the degree of dispersion of the electrical wiring DK1 while the electrical wiring DK1 is arranged on one plane (the plane between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the lowered bottom portion 518) above the irregular shaped hole 517. That is, it is possible to make it easy to disperse the individual wires of the electrical wiring DK1 over the front-to-rear width of the lowered bottom portion 518 near the right end portion of the lowered bottom portion 518 (see FIG. 31(b)).

[0404] In this embodiment, the sectorial adjustment portion 517b is designed so that the front-to-rear spacing at the left end is approximately 6.4 mm, and the front and rear inclined walls are inclined at an angle of 35 degrees (central angle 70 degrees) relative to the left-to-right direction.

[0405] 31(b), over the range from the right end of the lowered bottom portion 518 to the center of the fastening portion 516b, the electric wires of the electric wiring DK1 are not folded vertically but can be arranged in a state in which the electric wires abut against the bottom surface of the lowered bottom portion 518. That is, a front-rear width (about 15.4 [mm] in this embodiment) of a dimension equal to or larger than a dimension (about 11.2 [mm] for 16 wires in this embodiment) required for the electric wires having an outer diameter (about 0.7 [mm] in this embodiment) to be arranged side by side on the same plane is ensured.

[0406] This makes it possible to easily prevent compressive load from being applied to the electrical wiring DK1 from the components assembled around the electrical wiring DK1, even if the depth of the lower bottom portion 518 (the gap dimension between the lower surface of the U-shaped metal plate 511) is designed to be small (approximately 2 mm in this embodiment).

[0407] The shape of the sector-shaped adjustment portion 517b may be exemplified in various ways. For example, when the front-rear width is larger than that of the shape of this embodiment, the wires of the electric wiring DK1 can be expanded to the front-rear width of the lowered bottom portion 518 from near the center of the left and right of the lowered bottom portion 518, and the width of the wire passage can be increased, which has the advantage of reducing the load applied to the wires from the sector-shaped adjustment portion 517b even when there are a large number of wires. However, there is a disadvantage that the wires may come close to the front and rear walls of the guide member 516 before reaching the right end of the lowered bottom portion 518, and may bend (bend) on the plane between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the lowered bottom portion 518.

[0408] In addition, for example, when the front-to-rear width is smaller than the shape of this embodiment, there is an advantage in that the possibility of the electric wires curving (bending) in the plane between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the lowered bottom portion 518 can be reduced. However, there is also a disadvantage in that the width of the path through which the electric wires pass becomes narrower, so that when there are a large number of electric wires, the load applied to the electric wires from the fan-shaped adjustment portion 517b is likely to be large.

[0409] Therefore, the shape of the sectorial adjustment portion 517b in this embodiment can be said to be a preferable shape in that it can maximize the width of the passage path for the electric wire while maintaining the advantage of reducing the possibility of the electric wire curving (bending) in the plane between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the lowered bottom portion 518 (the advantage of allowing the electric wiring DK1 to reach the right end of the lowered bottom portion 518 along a straight horizontal line).

[0410] Further, the extension line 517x, which serves as a guide for the arrangement range of each electric wire of the electric wiring DK1 and mainly serves as a guide for the outer edge of the arrangement, is configured to intersect to the right of the center of the irregular shaped hole 517. In other words, the extension line 517x intersects to the right of the straight line connecting the centers of the pair of upper and lower fastening portions 517a.

[0411] This allows the position where the wires of the electrical wiring DK1 are gathered below the irregular shaped hole 517 to be located to the right of the center of the irregular shaped hole 517 (see FIG. 31(e)). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 31(d) as a schematic diagram, even if the electrical wiring DK1 passes only through a right-hand range of the irregular shaped hole 517 in relation to the arrangement of the forming portion 411a, the electrical wiring DK1 can be guided to the forming portion 411a (see FIG. 23) with the wires sufficiently gathered.

[0412] In this way, the irregular hole 517 is formed in a shape capable of assisting the change in the degree of dispersion (state) of the electric wiring DK1 when the degree of dispersion (state) of each electric wire of the electric wiring DK1 changes before and after the passage. Therefore, compared with the case where the degree of dispersion (state) of each electric wire of the electric wiring DK1 changes suddenly, the possibility of each electric wire being bent can be reduced, and the load applied to the electric wiring DK1 can be reduced.

[0413] The guide member 516 is provided with a plurality of fastening portions 516b each composed of a positioning pin used for fastening to the U-shaped metal plate 511 and an insertion hole for inserting a fastening screw fastened to the U-shaped metal plate 511.

[0414] Since the fastening portion 516b is also arranged on the lowered bottom portion 518 on which the electrical wiring DK1 is arranged, the arrangement area of ​​the electrical wiring DK1 is somewhat limited, but in this embodiment, the arrangement is devised to minimize this limitation.

[0415] First, multiple fastening portions 516b are arranged on the opposite side (left side) of the lowered bottom portion 518 so as not to interfere with the electrical wiring DK1, and by ensuring the fastening force, the number of fastening portions 516b arranged on the lowered bottom portion 518 is minimized.

[0416] Note that it is also possible not to dispose fastening portion 516b in lowered bottom portion 518, but in that case, there is a possibility that U-shaped metal plate 511 and lowered bottom portion 518 may become misaligned due to the weight of electrical wiring DK1 fixed to lower extension portion 519 and vibrations and loads generated when rotating unit 500 moves up and down. In order to avoid this, guide member 516 may be made thick, but in that case, the thickness of guide member 516 when viewed from the front becomes large, making it difficult to make rotating body 560 stand out, which is disadvantageous in terms of presentation.

[0417] That is, in this embodiment, by arranging a minimum number of fastening portions 516b at the lowered bottom portion 518, the effect of ensuring the arrangement width of the electrical wiring DK1 can be maintained, while by making the guide member 516 thin, the effect of enhancing the presence of the rotating body 560 when viewed from the front can be achieved.

[0418] Furthermore, by making the fastening portion 516b on the side to be left the fastening portion 516b on the side farther from the right end portion of the lowered bottom portion 518, it is possible to minimize the degree to which the arrangement width of the electrical wiring DK1 is reduced.

[0419] The fastening portion 516b arranged on the lowered bottom portion 518 has a positioning pin 516c like the fastening portion 516b arranged on the left side of the guide member 516 (see FIG. 30(a)), but the positioning pin 516c is arranged at a location where the fastening portion 516b has already made it impossible to arrange the electrical wiring DK1. That is, the positioning pin 516c is arranged on a straight line drawn from the irregular hole 517 and overlapping with the fastening portion 516b, at a position that is the opposite side of the irregular hole 517 with the fastening portion 516b as a reference.

[0420] This prevents the positioning pin 516c from narrowing the arrangement range (arrangement width) of the electrical wiring DK1, thereby ensuring ease of arrangement when assembling the guide member 516 to the U-shaped metal plate 511 using the positioning pin 516c, while ensuring the wiring range (arrangement width) of the electrical wiring DK1.

[0421] 30(a) will be explained. The electrical wiring DK1 that has reached the right end of the lowered bottom portion 518 curves upward along the left surface of the plate of the left and right fixed lids 514, and is then disposed between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the left and right fixed lids 514.

[0422] The left and right fixed covers 514 mainly comprise a main body plate portion 514a formed in a flat plate shape, an extended frame portion 514b extending along the outer shape of the main body plate portion 514a to a position where it is positioned opposite the front, rear, upper and lower surfaces of the U-shaped metal plate 511, a space securing portion 514c formed to fill the corner formed by the extended frame portion 514b and the main body plate portion 514a and recessed toward the main body plate portion 514a more than the extended frame portion 514b, a fastening portion 514d formed in part of the space securing portion 514c and consisting of a positioning pin used for fastening to the U-shaped metal plate 511 and an insertion hole for inserting a fastening screw fastened to the U-shaped metal plate 511, and a jig hole 514e drilled in the main body plate portion 514a at the front or rear position of the fastening portion 514b.

[0423] The space securing portion 514c is formed at a position where it abuts the U-shaped metal plate 511 in the left-right direction, thereby allowing the electrical wiring DK1 to be routed through the gap, which is the thickness of the space securing portion 514c, generated between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the main body plate portion 514a.

[0424] The fastening portion 514d is disposed on the front side, similar to the fastening portion 516b disposed on the lowered bottom portion 518. This makes it possible to ensure a range on the rear side in which the electrical wiring DK1 is disposed continuously from the lowered bottom portion 518 to the left and right fixed covers 514.

[0425] Here, by arranging the fastening parts 514d and 516b on the front side, it is possible to reduce the degree of deterioration of the presentation performance due to the loosening of the fastening screw. For example, if the fastening parts 514d and 516b were arranged on the rear side, when the fastening screw becomes loose, the displacement of the U-shaped metal plate 511 would be large in the front part which is easily visible to the player, and this may result in a deterioration of the presentation performance.

[0426] On the other hand, when the fastening screws of the fastening parts 514d, 516b arranged on the front side become loose, the rear part where the fastening screws are not arranged becomes displaced more with respect to the U-shaped metal plate 511, but since the rear part is difficult for the player to see, the player does not easily notice the loosening of the fastening screws. Therefore, the degree of deterioration of the performance can be reduced.

[0427] Furthermore, since the positioning pins of the fastening portion 514d are arranged above and below the insertion holes (in the longitudinal direction of the electrical wiring DK1), it is possible to minimize the degree to which the insertion holes and positioning pins narrow the arrangement range of the electrical wiring DK1.

[0428] The jig hole 514e is an opening for inserting a jig (not shown) from the outside for adjusting the position of the electrical wiring DK1 to prevent the electrical wiring DK1 from being pinched (crushed) between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the space securing portion 514c when assembling the left and right fixed covers 514 to the U-shaped metal plate 511.

[0429] From this viewpoint, the jig hole 514e becomes unnecessary after the assembly work is completed. In contrast, in this embodiment, the jig hole 514e is formed at the left and right positions where it is difficult for the player to see, so that it is possible to prevent the presentation effect from being reduced due to the player seeing the jig hole 514e.

[0430] The electric wiring DK1 arranged between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the left and right fixed covers 514 passes through the inner diameter side of the right fixed bush 522 of the both end fixing means 520 and is arranged inside the U-shaped metal plate 511. Each electric wire of the electric wiring DK1 arranged inside the U-shaped metal plate 511 is connected to the drive motor 541, the illumination board 543, and the detection sensor 547, thereby enabling electricity supply.

[0431] Here, the electrical wiring DK1 passes not only inside the right fixed bush 522, but also inside the right shaft body portion 531, the left shaft body portion 535, and the attitude fixed bush 571. This makes it possible to physically prevent the electrical wiring DK1 from contacting the rotating parts of the rotating unit 500 (the rotating body 560, the left rotating plate 550, the motor gear 542 meshed with the left rotating plate 550, and the driven plate 575 of the right rotating cover portion 570).

[0432] In addition, the electrical wiring DK1 passes through the inside of the right shaft body portion 531 arranged on the right side, which is opposite the left and right side of the left shaft body portion 535 to which the drive motor 541 is fastened and fixed, and is arranged inside the U-shaped metal plate 511, and is arranged at a position on the opposite side of the drive motor 541 with respect to the protruding fastening portion 537, i.e., between the protruding fastening portion 537 and the arc-shaped extension portion 535a extending to the right along the outer shape of the left shaft body portion 535.

[0433] This allows the electric wiring DK1 to be arranged away from the drive motor 541, and therefore it is possible to prevent the electric wiring DK1 from becoming hot and being damaged due to heat generated from the drive motor 541. In addition, this effect is produced by the routing of the electric wiring DK1 to the protruding fastening portion 537 as a fastening portion, and can be achieved without adding a separate dedicated member for arranging the electric wiring DK1 away from the drive motor 541, thereby reducing product costs.

[0434] The up and down movement of the composite operating unit 402 of the first operating unit 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 32 to Fig. 34. The up and down movement of the first operating unit 400 is illustrated in chronological order in Fig. 32 to Fig. 34. That is, Fig. 32 illustrates a state in which the rotation unit 500 is disposed in a lowered position, Fig. 33 illustrates a state in which the rotation unit 500 is disposed in an intermediate position of the range of up and down movement, and Fig. 34 illustrates a state in which the rotation unit 500 is disposed in an elevated position.

[0435] Fig. 32(a) is a left side view of the combined action unit 402, Fig. 32(b) is a front view of the combined action unit 402, and Fig. 32(c) is a right side view of the combined action unit 402. Note that in Fig. 32(a), for ease of understanding, the rear side of the metal plate portion 432 is shown through the metal plate portion 432 and the outline of the metal plate portion 432 is shown by imaginary lines, and in Fig. 32(c), the right side member 468 is omitted.

[0436] 33(a) is a left side view of the combined action unit 402, FIG. 33(b) is a front view of the combined action unit 402, and FIG. 33(c) is a right side view of the combined action unit 402. In FIG. 33(a), for ease of understanding, the back side of the metal plate portion 432 is shown through the metal plate portion 432 and the outline of the metal plate portion 432 is shown by imaginary lines, and in FIG. 33(c), the right side member 468 is omitted.

[0437] 34(a) is a left side view of the combined action unit 402, FIG. 34(b) is a front view of the combined action unit 402, and FIG. 34(c) is a right side view of the combined action unit 402. In FIG. 34(a), for ease of understanding, the back side of the metal plate portion 432 is shown through the metal plate portion 432 and the outline of the metal plate portion 432 is shown by imaginary lines, and in FIG. 34(c), the right side member 468 is omitted.

[0438] 32(a), 33(a) and 34(a), the operation of the transmission means 450 by the drive means 440 will be described. When the drive gear 441a rotates with the rotation of the drive shaft of the drive motor 441 of the drive means 440, the transmission gear 451 meshed with the drive gear 441a, the intermediate gear 452 meshed with the transmission gear 451, and the rotating arm member 453 whose gear portion 453a meshes with the intermediate gear 452 rotate simultaneously.

[0439] When the drive gear 441a is rotated clockwise when viewed from the left side from the state shown in Figure 32(a), the pivot arm member 453 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the left side and is stopped at a position where it abuts against the rotation regulating portion 442f extending to the left from the upper end of the partition plate portion 442a of the split base member 442, as shown in Figure 34(a).

[0440] Conversely, when the drive gear 441a is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the left side from the state shown in Figure 34(a), the pivot arm member 453 rotates clockwise when viewed from the left side, and as shown in Figure 32(a), the detection sensor 442d is inserted into the detectable plate portion 453d, thereby detecting that the pivot arm member 453 is positioned at the rotation end position (see Figure 32(a)), and the drive of the drive motor 441 is controlled to stop.

[0441] At the end position of this movement, the connecting member 454 connected to the rotating tip of the rotating arm member 453 abuts against the inner wall of the long through hole 416a of the support means 410 in the left-right direction (a direction intersecting at right angles to the direction in which the displacement of the support means 410 is allowed), thereby restricting the rotation of the rotating arm member 453, so no additional abutment portion (for example, a portion corresponding to the rotation restriction portion 442f) is intentionally provided.

[0442] As shown in Figures 32(a), 33(a) and 34(a), the detected plate portion 453d is formed in an arc shape centered on the rotation axis of the rotating arm member 453, and the detection sensor 442d is oriented so that the detection groove overlaps with the arc, and the base end side portion of the detection groove is positioned radially outward from the arc.

[0443] This enables the detection sensor 442d to detect the detected plate portion 453d, and prevents the detected plate portion 453d from colliding with the base end side portion of the detection groove of the detection sensor 442d even if the rotating arm member 453 rotates beyond the rotation end position (the position in Figure 32 (a)).

[0444] As shown in FIG. 34(a), when the rotation unit 500 is in the raised position, the fastening screw insertion hole of the end plate member 421 is positioned inside the cutout portion of the metal plate portion 432, so that the fastening screw can be turned with a screwdriver.

[0445] That is, during assembly, the rotation unit 500 is placed in the raised position so that the stacking means 420 and the support means 410 can be fixed together, and during maintenance, the rotation unit 500 is placed in the raised position so that the fixation between the stacking means 420 and the support means 410 can be released.

[0446] A description will be given of the assembly sequence of the composite motion unit 402 of the first motion unit 400 and the rotation unit 500. In addition, in describing the assembly sequence, reference will be made to Figures 23, 24, 25, 26, 30(a) and 31 as appropriate.

[0447] First, the rotating unit 500 is assembled. At that time, each component of the shaft configuration means 530 is assembled and integrated in a state where one end of the electric wiring DK1 corresponding to the drive motor 541, the illumination board 543, and the detection sensor 547 is connected. At this time, the other end side of the electric wiring DK1 is exposed to the outside through the wiring opening 533b (see FIG. 25 and FIG. 30(a)).

[0448] Next, the rotating left cover part 550, the rotor 560, and the rotating right cover part 570 are assembled and integrated into the shaft configuration means 530. At this time, the other end side of the electric wiring DK1 is passed through the central opening of the attitude fixing bush 571 and extended to the outside (see FIG. 25 and FIG. 30(a)).

[0449] With the rotating left cover portion 550, the rotating body 560, and the rotating right cover portion 570 integrated together, the distance between the left face of the flanged gear 551 and the right face of the attitude fixing bush 571 is configured to be slightly shorter than the distance between the plate portions arranged opposite each other as the tip portions of the U-shaped metal plate 511.

[0450] Therefore, the assembly in which the rotating left cover part 550, the rotor 560, and the rotating right cover part 570 are integrated can be placed between the opposing plate parts as the tip part of the U-shaped metal plate 511. At this time, the protruding fastening part 532 is placed in accordance with the position of the circular hole 513a.

[0451] Next, the two-end fixing means 520 are fitted from the left and right outer sides of the U-shaped metal plate 511. At this time, the other end side of the electric wiring DK1 is passed through the center opening of the right fixing bush 522 and extended to the outside (see FIG. 30(a)).

[0452] The shapes of the both end fixing means 520 and the U-shaped metal plate 511 are such that rotation of the both end fixing means 520 relative to the U-shaped metal plate 511 can be restricted (for example, recess-projection fitting), and the shapes of the both end fixing means 520 and the shaft configuring means 530 are such that rotation of the shaft configuring means 530 relative to the both end fixing means 520 (for example, fitting at a D-shaped cross section). Therefore, rotation of the shaft configuring means 530 relative to the U-shaped metal plate 511 can be restricted (see FIG. 25).

[0453] By inserting a fastening screw through the insertion hole 523 and screwing the fastening screw into the protruding fastening portion 532, the shaft forming means 530 can be fastened and fixed to the U-shaped metal plate 511. This makes it possible to integrate the U-shaped metal plate 511, the both end fixing means 520, the shaft forming means 530, the rotating left cover portion 550, the rotor 560, and the rotating right cover portion 570. Of the both end fixing means 520, the left fixed bush 521 is prevented from coming off by the left and right fixed covers 514, and the provision of a fastening screw is omitted.

[0454] Next, the left and right fixed covers 514 and the guide member 516 are fastened and fixed to the U-shaped metal plate 511. At this time, the other end side of the electric wiring DK1 is exposed downward through the irregular shaped hole 517 of the guide member 516 (see FIG. 30(a)).

[0455] In order to narrow the gap between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the left and right fixed covers 514, it is preferable to distribute the multiple electric wires constituting the electrical wiring DK1 arranged between the U-shaped metal plate 511 and the left and right fixed covers 514 in the front and back directions (see Figure 31 (b)).

[0456] In the assembly work of this embodiment, a dedicated jig (a rod-shaped, string-shaped, or dedicated specially shaped jig) is inserted through the jig hole 514e, so that the left and right fixed covers 514 can be assembled to the U-shaped metal plate 511 while adjusting the arrangement of the electric wiring DK1. This makes it possible to reduce the difficulty of the process of assembling the multiple electric wires that make up the electric wiring DK1 while distributing them.

[0457] When fastening and fixing the guide member 516 to the U-shaped metal plate 511, the electric wiring DK1 is naturally drawn into the inside of the fan-shaped adjustment portion 517b by assembling the guide member 516 to the U-shaped metal plate 511 while pulling the electric wiring DK1 downward (see FIG. 31(c)). This makes it possible to reduce the difficulty of the process of assembling the electric wiring DK1 while arranging it in an appropriate position.

[0458] When assembling the rotating unit 500 assembled integrally in the above procedure to the support means 410, care should be taken to ensure that the other end of the electrical wiring DK1 is exposed downward through the irregular shaped hole 413. A spiral tube is wound around the electrical wiring DK1 exposed on the lower side of the irregular shaped hole 413.

[0459] Of the components of the composite operating unit 402 of the first operating unit 400, except for the wiring auxiliary means 460, they can be assembled separately from the rotating unit 500, so they are assembled together before assembling the rotating unit 500, and in that state, the rotating unit 500 is fixed to the support means 410, and then the other end of the electrical wiring DK1 is fixed and positioned.

[0460] That is, the electrical wiring DK1 is fixed with a fixing member such as a cable tie inserted into the forming portion 411a of the support means 410, fixed to the lower extension portion 519 of the guide member 516 in a similar manner, passed under the support pillar portion 464 of the wiring auxiliary means 460, fixed with a fixing member such as a cable tie inserted into the wiring support portion 465, and passed through the opening 442e of the split base member 442 to the rear side (see Figure 23).

[0461] By fastening and fixing the left side member 461 to the divided base member 442 with the electrical wiring DK1 passing through the opening 442e, the electrical wiring DK1 can be arranged in the gap between the partition plate portion 442a and the left side member 461. According to this assembly method, compared to the case where the arrangement of the electrical wiring DK1 is determined with the left side member 461 fixed to the divided base member 442, the electrical wiring DK1 can be arranged in a gap narrower than the size of the connector at the tip of the electrical wiring DK1, so that the gap between the partition plate portion 442a and the left side member 461 can be designed to be narrow.

[0462] Thereafter, the right side member 468 is fastened and fixed to the left side member 461, thereby completing the assembly of the composite operating unit 402 of the first operating unit 400. In this manner, according to the present embodiment in which the wiring auxiliary means 460 is not formed as an integral unit but is formed separately from the left side member 461 and the right side member 468, the workability of arranging the electrical wiring DK1 inside the wiring auxiliary means 460 can be improved.

[0463] Next, with reference to Figures 32(b), 32(c), 33(b), 33(c), 34(b) and 34(c), the relationship between the wiring auxiliary means 460, the electrical wiring DK1, the support means 410 supporting the electrical wiring DK1, and the guide member 516 will be described.

[0464] 32(b), when the rotation unit 500 is in the lowered position, the front vertical portion 414 of the support means 410 abuts against and is supported by the upper end portion of the left side member 461 of the wiring auxiliary means 460. In other words, the wiring auxiliary means 460 also functions as a means for supporting the rotation unit 500.

[0465] In other words, while adopting a configuration in which only the left side of the rotating unit 500 is supported by the stacking means 420 and the guiding means 430 (see Figure 23), the rotating unit 500 can be supported on both the left and right sides only when the rotating unit 500 is positioned in the lowered position.

[0466] This allows the upper limit of the rotational speed of the rotating body 560 when the wobble of the rotating unit 500 falls within an acceptable range to be increased when the rotating unit 500 is in the lowered position compared to other states (for example, when the rotating unit 500 is in the raised position).

[0467] As shown in Fig. 32(c), when the rotation unit 500 is in the lowered position, the lower end of the front hanging portion 414 abuts against the front upper end of the band-shaped extension portion 463 of the wiring auxiliary means 460. This makes it possible to block the upper opening of the wiring auxiliary means 460 from the player's line of sight (looking diagonally downward). This makes it possible to prevent the electric wiring DK1 housed in the wiring auxiliary means 460 from being seen by the player when the rotation unit 500 is in the lowered position.

[0468] The electrical wiring DK1 is fixed to the forming portion 411a (see Figure 23) with a fixing member such as a cable tie, and below that is fixed to the lower end of the lower extension portion 519 with a fixing member such as a cable tie, and the portion hanging down below is supported (housed) inside the wiring auxiliary means 460.

[0469] The length of the electrical wiring DK1 (see Figure 32(c)) housed inside the wiring auxiliary means 460 is designed to be long enough that the portion located between the strip-shaped extension portion 463 and the support pillar portion 464 floats when the rotating unit 500 is placed in the raised position (see Figure 34(c)).

[0470] Further, the shape of the band-like extension portion 463 is designed to have a length such that the electrical wiring DK1 arranged in a substantially arc shape in front of the functional curved surface 463a reaches the lower extension portion 519 without excessive slack (see FIG. 32(a)).

[0471] In this way, by designing the electrical wiring DK1 to have a sufficient length so as not to place a burden on the electrical wiring DK1, the electrical wiring DK1 can be arranged with a sufficient margin inside the wiring auxiliary means 460. In addition, since the electrical wiring DK1 reaches the lower extension portion 519 without excessive slack, it is possible to prevent the electrical wiring DK1 from being pinched between the band-shaped extension portion 463 and the front vertical portion 414.

[0472] The spiral tube (not shown) wound around the electrical wiring DK1 is made of flexible silicone resin, but its shape makes it slightly more rigid than the electrical wiring. This makes it possible to suppress the variation in the displacement of the electrical wiring DK1 caused by the vertical movement of the rotating unit 500.

[0473] Furthermore, since the electrical wiring DK1 can be supported by the rigidity of the spiral tube (the electrical wiring DK1 can be supported from below by the spiral tube), even when the electrical wiring DK1 is suspended from the wiring support portion 465 and the lower extension portion 519, the electrical wiring DK1 can be prevented from sagging due to its own weight, thereby stabilizing the positioning of the electrical wiring DK1.

[0474] The electric wiring DK1 supported on the inside of the wiring auxiliary means 460 is fixed to the wiring support part 465 with a fixing member such as a cable tie, passes between the left side member 461 and the partition plate part 442a, and is guided rearward from the opening part 442e (see FIG. 23). That is, in this embodiment, the electric wiring DK1 is supported by the lower extension part 519 and the wiring support part 465 and is suspended.

[0475] Of the lower extension portion 519 and the wiring support portion 465, the wiring support portion 465 is fixed and the lower extension portion 519 is configured to be able to move up and down. Since the arrangement of the electrical wiring DK1 is more likely to vary on the lower extension portion 519 side (front side), the lower extension portion 519 side (front side) is configured to ensure a larger space above the band-shaped extension portion 463.

[0476] Specifically, the shape of the front side is lower than the shape of the back side, and is configured as an arc shape with its center inside (above) the wiring auxiliary means 460, thereby ensuring a large space in which the electrical wiring DK1 can be arranged.

[0477] As shown in FIG. 33(b), the rotating arm member 453 is disposed on the left side of the complex motion unit 402, and the electrical wiring DK1 is disposed on the right side of the complex motion unit 402, with their respective arrangement ranges being separated by a partition plate portion 442a.

[0478] Here, the partition plate portion 442a is an essential component as a portion that supports the drive motor 441 and the transmission means 450. That is, the arrangement range of the rotating arm member 453 and the electrical wiring DK1 can be separated without adding a dedicated member, so that it is possible to reduce material costs and avoid interference between the rotating arm member 453 and the electrical wiring DK1.

[0479] 34(c), when the rotation unit 500 is in the raised position, the extension direction of the extended arm portion 453b of the rotating arm member 453 is the vertical direction starting from the rotation axis, and therefore intersects at a right angle with the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the long through hole 416a when viewed in the left-right direction. In other words, the straight line connecting the rotation axis of the rotating arm member 453 and the center of the connecting member 454 is in the vertical direction, and intersects at a right angle with the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the long through hole 416a when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0480] As a result, the weight of the rotating unit 500 is directed toward the rotation axis of the rotating arm member 453, and it is possible to prevent the weight from being loaded in the rotation direction of the rotating arm member 453 (the so-called dead point effect is generated), so that even if the driving force of the drive motor 441 is released with the rotating unit 500 placed in the raised position, the vertical position of the rotating unit 500 can be maintained. This makes it possible to reduce the driving time of the drive motor 441 and to easily suppress heat generation.

[0481] The extending direction of the extended arm portion 453b of the rotating arm member 453 intersects with the long through hole 416a at a right angle when viewed in the left-right direction, even when the rotating unit 500 is placed in the lowered position (see FIG. 32(a)).

[0482] As a result, when the rotating unit 500 undergoes a bounding displacement (rebounding displacement) after being placed in the lowered position, the upward load is directed toward the rotation axis of the rotating arm member 453, and the load is prevented from being applied in the rotational direction of the rotating arm member 453 (the so-called dead point effect is created), making it easier to prevent bounding displacement (rebounding displacement) from occurring even when the rotating unit 500 is moved to the lowered position at high speed.

[0483] Therefore, since it is partially unnecessary for the drive motor 441 to generate a load for preventing bound displacement (rebound displacement), the drive time of the drive motor 441 can be reduced, and heat generation therefrom can be easily suppressed.

[0484] 34(c), when the rotating unit 500 is in the raised position, the connecting member 454 of the rotating arm member 453 is disposed at the rear end of the long through hole 416a, i.e., at a position overlapping in the left-right direction with the rear columnar member 431. Therefore, the supporting force via the rotating arm member 453 is concentrated on the rear side of the supporting means 410, and the supporting means 410 and the front side of the rotating unit 500 are likely to wobble.

[0485] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the front columnar member 431 is configured to support the stacking means 420 via the guide tube portion 423 (see FIG. 23). This makes it possible to increase the area (surface area) in which the stacking means 420 is supported by the columnar member 431, thereby making it possible to suppress wobbling of the front portion of the stacking means 420, the support means 410, and the rotation unit 500.

[0486] The displacement of the electric wiring DK1 when the rotating unit 500 moves from the raised position to the lowered position will be described. As shown in FIG. 34(c), the electric wiring DK1 is guided from the lower side of the support column 464 through the front side to the upper side and fixed to the lower extension part 519.

[0487] As shown in Figure 34 (c), the lower extension portion 519 is positioned on the front side of the support pillar portion 464, so that the portion (excess portion) hanging down from the lower extension portion 519 of the electrical wiring DK1 is positioned on the front side of the support pillar portion 464.

[0488] This excess portion of the electrical wiring DK1 is displaced up and down with the up and down movement of the lower extension portion 519. For example, when the lower extension portion 519 moves downward from the state shown in Fig. 34(c), the excess portion of the electrical wiring DK1 also moves down and starts to abut against the functional curved surface 463a of the band-shaped extension portion 463 (see Fig. 33(c)).

[0489] As the lower extension portion 519 approaches the arrangement of the rotating unit 500 in the lowered position, the length of the electrical wiring DK1 accommodated in the wiring auxiliary means 460 increases, and the diameter of the arc formed by the electrical wiring DK1 increases.

[0490] In this embodiment, the electrical wiring DK1 will be displaced toward the front side due to the load received from the functional curved surface 463a. As a countermeasure to this, the upper area of ​​the band-shaped extension portion 463 is configured to be larger on the front side than on the rear side, thereby reducing the load applied to the electrical wiring DK1 from the band-shaped extension portion 463.

[0491] In addition, the electrical wiring DK1 near the functional curved surface 463a (electrical wiring DK1 near the bottom of the wiring auxiliary means 460) to which a load is applied when the electrical wiring DK1 abuts against the functional curved surface 463a is moved toward the front side, while the electrical wiring DK1 is configured to hang down from the lower extension portion 519 located at a position far from the front end of the wiring auxiliary means 460 before abutting against the functional curved surface 463a, thereby preventing the electrical wiring DK1 from protruding out toward the front side from the front end of the wiring auxiliary means 460.

[0492] As a result, while adopting a configuration in which the front vertical portion 414 and the wiring auxiliary means 460 abut (partially closing the opening of the wiring auxiliary means 460) when the rotating unit 500 is positioned in the lowered position (see Figure 32 (c)), it is possible to prevent the electrical wiring DK1 from being pinched in the abutting portion (closed location).

[0493] In this embodiment, the functional curved portion 463a is configured as an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front side, so that the main direction of displacement of the electrical wiring DK1 is the front-rear direction. This makes it possible to select an appropriate shape for the wiring auxiliary means 460 from a shape that is short (narrow) in the left-right direction, where displacement of the electrical wiring DK1 is unlikely to occur, and long (wide) in the front-rear direction, where displacement of the electrical wiring DK1 is likely to occur.

[0494] By partially restricting the direction of displacement of the electric wiring DK1 and allowing the wiring auxiliary means 460 to have a shape with a narrow width in the left-right direction, the left-right width of the composite action unit 402 can be reduced.

[0495] Therefore, even in a configuration in which multiple composite operating units 402 are arranged on the left and right sides as in this embodiment (see Figure 19), it is possible to avoid a reduction in the freedom of arrangement of the rotation unit 500, which plays the main role of being visually recognized by the player as a presentation device, due to the restriction imposed by the shape of the wiring auxiliary means 460, which has the auxiliary role of accommodating the electrical wiring DK1.

[0496] Regarding misalignment of the electrical wiring DK1 in the left-right direction, firstly, by ensuring a gap between the left and right upper ends of the wiring auxiliary means 460 and the support means 410 (see Figure 32 (c)), it is possible to prevent the electrical wiring DK1 from being subjected to a pinching load.

[0497] Secondly, the opposing plate 462 has an inclined portion 462a at its upper end which inclines in a direction away from the right-side member 468 as it moves upward, and the right-side member 468 has an inclined portion 468a at its upper end which inclines in a direction away from the opposing plate 462 as it moves upward, thereby making it easier for the electrical wiring DK1 to slide inside the wiring auxiliary means 460.

[0498] That is, the inclined portions 462a, 468a are configured in an inverted V shape as viewed from the front, with the opening width becoming longer as it approaches the side receiving the electric wiring DK1, so that even if the electric wiring DK1 is misaligned to the left or right, the electric wiring DK1 can be easily guided into the wiring auxiliary means 460. This makes it easier to avoid a situation in which the electric wiring DK1 gets caught on the upper edge of the wiring auxiliary means 460, is not guided by the wiring auxiliary means 460, and is sandwiched between the support means 410 and the wiring auxiliary means 460.

[0499] Thirdly, the wiring support part 465 and the lower extension part 519, which fix the electric wiring DK1 so as to hang it, are designed to be aligned in the left and right positions (see Fig. 33(b) and Fig. 34(b)). That is, by arranging the positions for fixing the electric wiring DK1 on the same plane perpendicular to the left and right direction, it is possible to suppress the left and right positional deviation of the electric wiring DK1 caused by the vertical displacement of the rotation unit 500.

[0500] With reference to Fig. 35, an example of an action presentation using the first action unit 400 will be described. Fig. 35(a), Fig. 35(b), Fig. 35(c), Fig. 35(d), Fig. 35(e) and Fig. 35(f) are front views of the third pattern display device 81 and the first action unit 400, which are schematic views of the third pattern display device 81 and the first action unit 400.

[0501] Figures 35(a), 35(b), 35(c) and 35(d) show an example of the changes in the first operating unit 400 during play in chronological order, and Figures 35(e) and 35(f) show an example of a presentation in which multiple rotation units 500 work together to provide different notifications.

[0502] In this embodiment, the turning on and off of the rotating unit 500 is controlled to correspond to the number of reserved balls that changes with the entry of a ball into the first winning opening 64 (or the second winning opening 640, the through gate 67). That is, before the ongoing change stops, the rotating unit 500 lights up (the LED member 544 lights up) from the left end each time a ball enters the first winning opening 64 (or the second winning opening 640, the through gate 67) (each time the number of reserved balls increases). That is, FIG. 35(a) shows a state in which there are three reserved balls.

[0503] The light color of the rotating unit 500 can be changed according to the light color of the LED member 544, and the difference in the light color may be used to indicate the difference in the chance of a big win (or a small win, a win, or the chance of profit that the player can obtain) of the corresponding fluctuation.

[0504] The multiple LED members 544 are configured so that each LED has a different light emission color (for example, red, green, blue), and by combining the light emission colors, it is possible to achieve a multi-color light emission effect with a small number of LEDs.

[0505] When the ongoing fluctuation stops, the leftmost rotating unit 500 goes out (see FIG. 35(b)), and the pending display correspondences shift one by one to the left (see FIG. 35(c)).

[0506] As described above, the rotation unit 500 is capable of being displaced between the raised position and the lowered position, and therefore can be controlled to rotate in the raised position while partially hiding the third pattern display device 81, as shown in Figure 35(b).

[0507] This can improve the attention to the rotation unit 500. In addition, by controlling the decorative pattern arranged on the front side of the rotation unit 500 in association with the large or small guide of the large win expectation rate (or small win expectation rate, win expectation rate, or the expectation rate of the profit that the player can obtain) of the corresponding change, the attention to the rotation unit 500 can be improved.

[0508] For example, in Fig. 35(b), the third rotating unit 500 from the left rises and rotates, and then the surface component 560b is placed on the front side, so that the player can see the decorative pattern of "?". This notifies the player that the fluctuation of the big win expectation (or small win expectation, win expectation, or profit expectation that the player can obtain) is unknown, and can attract the player's interest.

[0509] However, the manner of attracting interest is not limited to this. For example, the rotating body 560 may be rotated continuously, or the LED member 544 may be blinked at high speed.

[0510] After that, the corresponding reserved display is shifted one by one to the left, and as a result, the surface component 560a is arranged on the front side of the second rotating unit 500 from the left, and the "△" decorative pattern is visually recognized by the player. When the "△" decorative pattern is controlled so that the jackpot expectation (or small jackpot expectation, winning expectation, or profit expectation obtained by the player) is higher than the "○" decorative pattern, it is possible to increase the attention to the fluctuation corresponding to the second rotating unit 500 from the left.

[0511] The notification of the probability of a big win (or the probability of a small win, the probability of a win, or the probability of a profit that the player can obtain) may be performed by changing the color or form of the reserved display displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in accordance with the number of reserved balls. Also, the reserved display displayed on the third pattern display device 81 may be controlled to correspond to the state of the spin unit 500. Also, a presentation may be adopted that provides a time lag between the change in the reserved display and the change in the state of the spin unit 500.

[0512] As shown in Fig. 35(c), as a result of the pending display correspondence shifting one by one to the left, the third rotating unit 500 from the left goes out and moves to the lowered position. This displacement makes the hidden area of ​​the third symbol display device 81 visible, but by drawing an indication that heightens the player's expectations in this area (for example, an indication showing "coin"), it is possible to increase the attention to the third symbol display device 81 after the rotating unit 300 is displaced to the lowered position.

[0513] In this way, according to this embodiment, not only is it possible to improve the player's attention by controlling the rotation unit 500 in relation to the change in the patterns and the number of reserved balls, but it is also possible to configure the display area of ​​the third pattern display device 81 to be partially hidden, thereby functioning as a blind when changing the display of the third pattern display device 81.

[0514] At this time, as a supplementary effect of improving the attention to the rotation unit 500 that partially hides the third pattern display device 81, by moving the rotation unit 500 away (see FIG. 35(c)) from a state in which the player's attention is directed to the rotation unit 500 arranged in front of the third pattern display device 81 (see FIG. 35(b)), the player's line of sight can be kept directed to the third pattern display device 81. As a result, the player's line of sight can be guided to the third pattern display device 81, and the attention to the third pattern display device 81 can be improved.

[0515] From the state shown in Figure 35(c), if the pending display shifts two spaces to the left and the fluctuation corresponding to the pending indicated by the decorative pattern "△" in Figure 35(c) is a jackpot, by placing multiple rotating bodies 560 in an elevated position as shown in Figure 35(d) and positioning surface component 560c on the front side until the fluctuation stops, the player can be made to see the string "HIT!" (a string that evokes a change to a state in which the player will gain some kind of benefit, such as a jackpot).

[0516] In this case, it is preferable to light up the LED member 544 regardless of the number of reserved balls. This allows the rotation unit 500 to emit brilliant light, and an effect that stimulates the player's sense of expectation can be performed.

[0517] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to configure a performance in which the multiple rotating bodies 560 are individually visible, and a performance in which the multiple rotating bodies 560 are collectively visible. Here, the performance in which the multiple rotating bodies 560 are collectively visible is not limited to the form shown in Fig. 35(d), and various forms are exemplified.

[0518] For example, as shown in FIG. 35(e), by placing the third rotating body 560 from the left in a lowered position and placing the remaining rotating bodies 560 in an elevated position, the player can see the string of characters "HI!" (a string of characters reminiscent of a greeting).

[0519] By controlling the state shown in FIG. 35(e) to occur periodically in the standby state before the player starts playing, it is possible to attract the player's interest.

[0520] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 35(f), if the surface component 560b of only the right-most rotating body 560 is oriented to face the front side, the character string "HIT?" can be visually recognized by the player.

[0521] In this case, the player's interest can be attracted by the expectation that it may soon change to "HIT!". This may also be performed. That is, the rotating body 560 on the right side may be controlled to rotate from the state shown in Fig. 35(f) to the state shown in Fig. 35(d).

[0522] 36(a) and 36(b) are left side views of the detection sensor 547 and the driven plate 575 of the rotating right cover part 570. Fig. 36(a) illustrates a state in which the detection sensor 547 is disposed at one end (the front end in Fig. 36(a)) of the non-forming range of the detection target part 577, and Fig. 36(b) illustrates a state in which the detection sensor 547 is disposed at the opposite end (the rear end in Fig. 36(b)) of the non-forming range of the detection target part 577.

[0523] Both of the states shown in Fig. 36(a) and Fig. 36(b) show a state of waiting for rotation (stop state). That is, Fig. 36(a) shows a state in which the drive motor 541 is stopped after rotating the drive motor 541 by an angle half (30 degrees in this embodiment) of the non-forming range angle α1 (60 degrees in this embodiment) of the detected portion 577 from the point in time when the detected portion 577 retreats from the detection groove of the detection sensor 547 during the rotation of the rotating body 560, and Fig. 36(b) shows a state in which the drive motor 541 is stopped immediately after the detected portion 577 enters the detection groove of the detection sensor 547 while the rotating body 560 is rotating counterclockwise as viewed from the left.

[0524] 36(a) and 36(b) depends on the angle of the non-formed portion of the detected portion 577. In this embodiment, the detected portion 577 is formed so that the angle α1 of the non-formed portion is 60 degrees, and the angle difference between the states shown in FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b) is approximately 45 degrees.

[0525] This angle difference is designed to correspond to the direction of the player's line of sight, which changes as the rotation unit 500 is raised and lowered. That is, when the rotation unit 500 is placed in the raised position, the line of sight of the player looking at the rotation unit 500 is directed substantially horizontally, so stopping the rotating body 560 in the position shown in Fig. 36(a) makes it easier to see the decorative pattern of the rotating body 560, and can enhance the presentation effect of the rotating body 560.

[0526] On the other hand, when the rotating unit 500 is placed in a lowered position, the player's line of sight when looking at the rotating unit 500 is looking down, so stopping the rotating body 560 in the position shown in Figure 36(b) makes it easier to see the decorative pattern of the rotating body 560 and enhances the presentation effect of the rotating body 560.

[0527] In this manner, in this embodiment, by configuring the stopping posture of the rotation unit 500 in a plurality of types in relation to the line of sight of the player viewing the rotation unit 500, the rotation body 560 can be stopped in a posture that makes it easy for the player to see the decorative pattern of the rotation body 560, regardless of whether the rotation unit 500 is positioned in an elevated position or a lowered position.

[0528] The reason why the correspondence between the detection sensor 547 and the detected part 577 differs between the state shown in FIG. 36(a) and the state shown in FIG. 36(b) is due to the difference in the presentation manner using the rotating body 560 (e.g., the rotation speed of the rotating body 560).

[0529] In other words, the state shown in Figure 36(a) is the stopping position when the rotation unit 500 is placed in the raised position. When the rotation unit 500 is placed in the raised position, the player's attention is fully focused on the rotation unit 500, so by slowing down the rotation speed of the rotating body 560 and slowly stopping it, it is possible to increase the player's interest over a long period of time.

[0530] For example, by slowly rotating the rotating body 560 to produce a change from the state shown in Fig. 35(f) to the state shown in Fig. 35(d), the period during which the player's sense of expectation is heightened can be lengthened, and the attention of the rotating body 560 can be maintained. Therefore, even if the rotating body 560 is stopped after rotating an angle that is half the non-formation range of the detection target portion 577 (about 30 degrees in this embodiment) after determining the position with the detection sensor 547, the stopping posture of the rotating body 560 is unlikely to shift, and the rotating body 560 can be easily stopped in the posture shown in Fig. 36(a).

[0531] According to this control mode, the rotating body 560 can be stopped in the position shown in Fig. 36(a) in the same control mode regardless of the rotation direction of the rotating body 560. Therefore, since it is possible to select a control mode in which the rotating body 560 stops after a forward rotation and a control mode in which the rotating body 560 stops after a reverse rotation depending on the situation, it is possible to make it difficult to predict the operation mode until the rotating body 560 stops. This can increase the interest of the player.

[0532] The state shown in Figure 36 (b) is the stopping position when the rotation unit 500 is placed in the lowered position. However, when the rotation unit 500 is placed in the lowered position, the player's attention is often not sufficiently focused on the rotation unit 500, so it is easier to increase the player's interest by increasing the rotation speed of the rotating body 560.

[0533] In the case of high-speed rotation, if the position is determined by the detection sensor 547 and then the rotor 560 is rotated through an angle that is half the non-forming range of the detection target portion 577 (approximately 30 degrees in this embodiment) and then stopped, there is a risk that the stopping position of the rotor 560 may shift. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 36(b), the driving motor 541 is stopped immediately after the detection target portion 577 enters the detection groove of the detection sensor 547, thereby preventing the rotor 560 from shifting from its stopping position.

[0534] The rotation control of the rotation unit 500 can be performed by rotating it from the multiple stop positions mentioned above through rotation angles (90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees) set at 90 degree intervals and then stopping it, thereby stopping it in a position that allows the player to view any of the faces of the surface constituent members 560a to 560d.

[0535] As described above, the postures shown in Figures 36(a) and 36(b) are intended to accommodate changes in the player's line of sight, while preventing the drive motor 541 (see Figure 25) from being visible to the player in either line of sight.

[0536] In other words, since the drive motor 541 is positioned inside the rotating body 560, the rotating body 560 can block the player's line of sight regardless of the direction of the player's line of sight, thereby preventing the drive motor 541 from being seen by the player.

[0537] 36(a) and 36(b), in the rotation unit 500, a configuration for detecting the angle of the rotating body 560 is disposed inside the rotating body 560. Therefore, it is possible to provide a decorative pattern on most of the outer part of the rotating body 560, and it is possible to improve the presentation effect of the rotating body 560.

[0538] In addition, the rotating body 560 can be configured to rotate more than one revolution while omitting the provision of a concealing portion (a structure for preventing the structure for angle detection from being visible) that may be necessary when the structure for detecting an angle is disposed outside the rotating body 560.

[0539] 37 and 38 are front perspective views of the second operation unit 700, and Fig. 39 and Fig. 40 are rear perspective views of the second operation unit 700. Fig. 37 and Fig. 39 show the standby state of the second operation unit 700 in which the displacement base member 720 and the performance means 780 are arranged in the standby position (upward terminal position), and Fig. 38 and Fig. 40 show the state in which the displacement base member 720 and the performance means 780 are arranged in the protruding position (downward terminal position) protruding in front of the third pattern display device 81.

[0540] The second operating unit 700 has a feature that each movable part is displaced so as to reduce the amount of displacement of the electric wiring DK2, DK3 guided to each movable part for the supply of electricity, and a feature that the spring cover SC1 is provided to hide the coil spring SP1 from view from the front and that the spring cover SC1 advances inside the displacement base member 720 and the performance means 780, the details of which will be described later. The coil spring SP1 is illustrated as a curved rectangular prism.

[0541] Fig. 41 is an exploded front perspective view of the second operating unit 700, and Fig. 42 is an exploded rear perspective view of the second operating unit 700. Fig. 43 is an exploded front perspective view of the fixed base member 701, the displacement base member 720, the driving means 730, the transmission means 740, and the biasing means 750, and Fig. 44 is an exploded rear perspective view of the fixed base member 701, the displacement base member 720, the driving means 730, the transmission means 740, and the biasing means 750. That is, Fig. 43 shows an enlarged portion of Fig. 41, and Fig. 44 shows an enlarged portion of Fig. 42.

[0542] Moreover, Fig. 45 is an exploded front perspective view of the supported means 760L, 760R and the connecting means 770, and Fig. 46 is an exploded rear perspective view of the supported means 760L, 760R and the connecting means 770. That is, Fig. 45 shows an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 41, and Fig. 46 shows an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 42.

[0543] Also, Fig. 47 is an exploded front perspective view of production means 780, and Fig. 48 is an exploded rear perspective view of production means 780. That is, Fig. 47 shows an enlarged portion of Fig. 41, and Fig. 48 shows an enlarged portion of Fig. 42.

[0544] Moreover, Figure 49 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second moving unit 700 in a plane extending horizontally and passing through the columnar fastening portion 705c of the support means 705. In addition, in the description of Figures 41 to 49, Figures 37 to 40 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0545] As shown in FIGS. 41 to 44, the second operating unit 700 includes a fixed base member 701 that is long in the left and right directions and fastened to the bottom wall portion 311 of the rear case 310, a movable base member 720 that is disposed on the front side of the base member 701 and configured to be displaceable in the up and down direction relative to the fixed base member 701, a driving means 730 that generates a driving force for displacing the movable base member 720, and a transmission means configured to be able to transmit the driving force generated by the driving means 730 to the movable base member 720. The fixed base member 701 is provided with a fixing means 780, a reaching means 740, a biasing means 750 which applies an upward biasing force to the displacement base member 720, a pair of pivotally supported means 760L, 760R which are arranged on the left and right sides of the displacement base member 720 and have one end (the end on the left and right central side) rotatably supported by a shaft, a pair of connecting means 770 which connect the other ends (the ends on the left and right outer sides) of the pivotally supported means 760L, 760R to the left and right ends of the fixed base member 701, and a presentation means 780 which is fastened and fixed to the front side of the displacement base member 720 and intended for decoration when viewed from the front.

[0546] The fixed base member 701 is made of a synthetic resin material and comprises a main body plate portion 702 formed in a long plate shape on the left and right sides, a plurality of cover support projections 703 that are rod-like and of the same length protruding from the main body plate portion 702 toward the front side and are formed at their tips so that the spring cover SC1 can be fastened and fixed, a spring support portion 704 that extends from the main body plate portion 702 toward the front side above the cover support projection 703 at the left end, support means 705 that supports gear members such as a transmission gear 734 for transmitting driving force and an end gear 745, and a portion that supports a rotating arm member 743 of the transmission means 740, which is approximately circular in front view and has a front side the metal slide rail 711 having a rear plate fixed to the left and right central portion of the main plate portion 702 in a position that allows it to slide up and down; a pair of tubular extension portions 714 that extend in a cylindrical shape when viewed from the front from a position raised toward the front side from the circular extension portion 708; a pair of left and right upper end stoppers 717 arranged juxtaposed to the tubular extension portion 714 above the tubular extension portion 714; and a pair of left and right lower end stoppers 719 formed with a plane that runs along the radial direction of the tubular extension portion 714 rearward of the fore-aft position that supports the connecting means 770 of the tubular extension portion 714.

[0547] The support means 705 mainly comprises a columnar fastening portion 705a which protrudes from the back surface of the plate of the fixed base member 701 in a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly shorter than the opening of the transmission gear 734 and has a female screw formed at its tip, an annular recessed portion 705b which is recessed in a double annular shape from the front surface of the plate of the fixed base member 701, a columnar fastening portion 705c which protrudes from the front surface of the plate of the fixed base member 701 at the center position of the annular recessed portion 705b in a cylindrical shape and has a female screw formed at its tip, a plurality of protrusion portions 705d which are formed as protrusions extending in the front-rear direction on the side surface of the annular recessed portion 705b, and a meshing opening 705e which is drilled in the inner surface of the outermost periphery of the annular recessed portion 705b.

[0548] The annular recess 705b is formed with a diameter and width that allow placement of an annular portion (an annular portion having a gear formed on its outer periphery) of the terminal gear 745. A fastening screw is inserted into an opening drilled in the center of the terminal gear 745 and screwed into the columnar fastening portion 705c, whereby the terminal gear 745 is rotatably supported.

[0549] The protrusions 705d are disposed at eight locations at 45 degree intervals, and are formed with a protruding height that allows the tips to abut against the inner circumference of the annular portion of the terminal gear 745. This makes it possible to reduce the contact area between the annular portion of the terminal gear 745 and the annular recessed portion 705b while maintaining the function of stabilizing the rotation shaft of the terminal gear 745 (stability of the shaft support state) compared to when circles are fitted together. This makes it possible to reduce the driving force required to rotate the terminal gear 745.

[0550] The meshing opening 705e is formed from the inner circumference of the annular recess 705b to the bottom on the back side. At least an opening is formed in the bottom on the back side at a position that overlaps with a circle (the outermost circle of the transmission gear 734) centered on the columnar fastening portion 705a when viewed from the back. This allows the transmission gear 734 to be journaled on the columnar fastening portion 705a in a state where it protrudes to the inside of the meshing opening 705e (the inner diameter side of the annular recess 705b).

[0551] In this embodiment, a gear tooth portion of the transmission gear 734 that passes through the meshing opening 705e and protrudes toward the inner diameter side of the annular recessed portion 705b is configured to mesh with a gear tooth portion of the terminal gear 745. As a result, while adopting a configuration in which the transmission gear 734 is attached to the fixed base member 701 from the back side and is axially supported, and the terminal gear 745 is attached to the fixed base member 701 from the front side and is axially supported, a driving force can be transmitted by meshing transmission between the transmission gear 734 and the terminal gear 745.

[0552] The meshing openings 705e are formed only at locations necessary for the transmission gear 734 to protrude toward the inner diameter side of the annular recessed portion 705b, and no openings are formed at other locations. This makes it possible to prevent the strength of the fixed base member 701 in the vicinity of the support means 705 from being excessively insufficient.

[0553] The circular protruding portion 708 includes a plurality of alignment pins 709 protruding from the front end face, and a plurality of ridges 710 protruding radially outward over the length of the protrusion.

[0554] The protrusion 710 is disposed between the opposing rotating arm member 743 and the circular protrusion 708, and functions to reduce the contact area between the rotating arm member 743 and the circular protrusion 708. In this case, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance of the pivot support portion, which is likely to be an issue when the circular protrusion 708 is configured with a large diameter, and therefore it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance that occurs with the displacement of the rotating arm member 743 while stabilizing the pivot support state of the rotating arm member 743. This makes it possible to reduce the driving force required to displace the second operating unit 700.

[0555] The metal slide rail 711 has a plurality of metal plates laminated on the front and rear sides, and the metal plate at the front end is connected and fixed to the displacement base member 720. That is, the displacement base member 720 is guided by the metal slide rail 711 so as to be displaced in the up and down direction.

[0556] The cylindrical extension portion 714 has an outer peripheral shape that is circular when viewed from the front, and thereby rotatably supports the connecting means 770. The cylindrical extension portion 714 is provided with an opening 714a that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction, a plurality of alignment pins 715 that protrude from the front end toward the front side, and a plurality of fastening portions 716 that are formed with female threads at the front end in the portion where the protruding pins 715 are not protruding.

[0557] The opening 714a becomes a passageway for the electrical wiring DK2. That is, the electrical wiring DK2 is guided to the front side through the opening 714a and fixed to the front side end portions of the left and right upper stoppers 717 by fastening members for fastening the wiring such as cable ties to fixing shapes 718.

[0558] In this embodiment, of the left and right end upper stoppers 717, a fixing shape portion 718 shaped to allow a cable tie to pass therethrough is formed so as to protrude from the front end surface of the left-hand left and right end upper stopper 717, while no fixing shape portion 718 is formed on the right-hand left and right end upper stopper 717.

[0559] In this way, by forming the fixing shape portion 718 only on the left side of the left and right end upper stoppers 717 where the electrical wiring DK2 is guided, and omitting its formation on the opposite side, it is possible to simplify the shape of the fixed base member 701. Also, by not forming the fixing shape portion 718 in unnecessary locations, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of the assembly worker.

[0560] Since the openings 714a are arranged in a pair on the left and right, it is possible for the electrical wiring DK2 to be guided to the front side at both the left and right ends, but in this embodiment, the electrical wiring DK2 is guided only through the left opening 714a, and the electrical wiring DK2 is not arranged in the right opening 714a.

[0561] As a result, there is no need to design the right-side tubular extension portion 714 and the right-side connecting means 770 that is journalled to the right-side tubular extension portion 714 while taking into consideration its relationship with the electrical wiring DK2, thereby improving the design freedom of the right-side tubular extension portion 714, the right-side connecting means 770 and their surrounding configurations.

[0562] Regardless of this, the electrical wiring DK2 may be passed through both of the pair of left and right openings 714a to the front side and guided to the left and right supported means 760L, 760R, respectively. In this case, since the load applied to the supported means 760L, 760R via the electrical wiring DK2 can be easily made equal on the left and right, it is possible to easily make the displacement of the supported means 760L, 760R, which is displaced following the displacement of the displacement base member 720, symmetrical on the left and right.

[0563] The protruding pin 715 and the fastening portion 716 are formed so as to protrude toward the center of a circle (the circumscribing circle of the opening 714a) that is formed by connecting the surfaces that constitute the shape of the opening 714a and on which neither the protruding pin 715 nor the fastening portion 716 is disposed. That is, the inner peripheral shape of the cylindrical protruding portion 714 differs from the outer peripheral shape (circular) in that the circle is recessed toward the central axis at multiple points on the circumference.

[0564] Here, for example, if the inner circumferential shape of the cylindrical protrusion 714 is a perfect circle, the durability of the electric wiring DK2 may decrease. That is, since the electric wiring DK2 inserted into the opening 714a is connected to the illumination board 764 of the pivotally supported means 760L, it may be displaced according to the displacement of the pivotally supported means 760L. If the degree of friction with the edge of the cylindrical protrusion 714 due to this displacement is large, the coating of the electric wiring DK2 may be damaged early or the electric wiring DK2 may be disconnected early.

[0565] As a countermeasure to this, a cylindrical intermediate member (collar) that can slide between the cylindrical extension portion 714 and the electrical wiring DK2 can be provided, or a separate covering member can be wrapped around the electrical wiring DK2; however, this would increase the cost of the separate member, resulting in increased product costs.

[0566] In contrast, by making the inner peripheral shape of the tubular extension portion 714 a shape that is concave toward the central axis at multiple points on the circle, the displacement of the electrical wiring DK2, which tends to displace along the edge of the opening 714a, can be limited at the protruding pin 715 and the fastening portion 716, thereby minimizing the degree of friction of the electrical wiring DK2 against the edge of the tubular extension portion 714.

[0567] This improvement does not require a separate member, and the problem is solved simply by improving the inner peripheral shape of the opening 714a. Therefore, it is possible to improve the durability of the electric wiring DK2 while suppressing an increase in the product cost.

[0568] Although it is possible to limit the free displacement of the electric wiring DK2 by wrapping a spiral tube around the electric wiring DK2, in this case, there is a risk that the rigidity of the spiral tube will increase the resistance to the displacement of the second operating unit 700. In contrast, in this embodiment, the provision of a spiral tube is omitted to reduce the displacement resistance, while the free displacement of the electric wiring DK2 is limited by changing the posture of the supported means 760, which will be described later.

[0569] The left and right end upper stoppers 717 are configured to be able to abut against the short side surfaces of the connecting means 770 pivotally supported by the cylindrical protruding portion 714, and this abutment defines the upward displacement end of the connecting means 770. This makes it possible to limit the displacement angle of the connecting means 770.

[0570] The left and right end lower stoppers 719 are configured to be able to come into contact with the rotational direction side surface of the arcuate protrusion 775 of the connecting means 770 journaled on the cylindrical protrusion 714, and this contact defines the downward displacement end of the connecting means 770. This makes it possible to limit the displacement angle of the connecting means 770.

[0571] In this way, the left and right upper end stoppers 717 and the left and right lower end stoppers 719 are configured to be able to abut against the connecting means 770 in the rotational direction of the connecting means 770, and the front-rear positions at which they abut against the connecting means 770 are different. This makes it possible to avoid accumulation of load (fatigue) due to abutment at a specific position (front-rear position) of the connecting means 770, and makes it possible to improve the durability of the connecting means 770.

[0572] The contact position corresponding to the displacement direction of the connecting means 770 can be selected according to the purpose. For example, in this embodiment, the upward displacement is a displacement of the performance means 780 toward the upper side of the third symbol display device 81 (see FIG. 15), and since the connecting means 770 is located on the back side of the game board 13 at the terminal position of the upward displacement and is difficult to be seen by the player (see FIG. 2), fine adjustment of the displacement terminal position is not necessary. Therefore, it is possible to adopt the option of defining the displacement by contacting the connecting means 770 with an external part whose design is difficult to change due to the strength or structural relationship of the connecting means 770.

[0573] In addition, during upward displacement, gravity acts in a direction that suppresses the displacement of the connecting means 770, thereby suppressing the displacement speed of the connecting means 770. Therefore, an option can be adopted in which the displacement is regulated by abutting against the thin portion of the connecting means 770.

[0574] On the other hand, the downward displacement is the displacement of the performance means 780 toward the front side of the third symbol display device 81 (see FIG. 15), and since the connecting means 770 and the pivoted means 760L, 760R, whose position is determined by the connecting means 770, are located on the front side of the third symbol display device 81 at the end position of the downward displacement and are easily seen by the player (see FIG. 16), it is considered that fine adjustment of the displacement end position is necessary at the design prototype stage. Therefore, adopting the option of defining the displacement by abutting against the arc-shaped protrusion 775, which is easy to change the design, rather than the external shape, can minimize the design changes required for fine adjustment of the displacement end positions of the connecting means 770 and the pivoted means 760L, 760R at the design prototype stage.

[0575] That is, by changing the shape and arrangement of the arc-shaped protrusion 775, it is possible to change the displacement end positions of the connecting means 770 and the supported means 760L, 760R.

[0576] In addition, during downward displacement, gravity is in the same direction as the displacement of the connecting means 770, and there is a high possibility that a performance will be adopted in which the performance means 780 is displaced toward the front side of the third pattern display device 81 at high speed, so it is thought that the downward displacement of the connecting means 770 is likely to be high speed, and the load at the time of contact will be large.

[0577] Therefore, since there is a possibility that connecting means 770 may be damaged when the thin portion is brought into contact, it is better to adopt the option of making arc-shaped protrusion 775 longer to ensure a large contact area and reduce the pressure applied to connecting means 770, thereby improving the durability of connecting means 770.

[0578] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the contact positions of the connecting means 770 and the left and right end upper stoppers 717 and the left and right end lower stoppers 719 are set according to the purpose. Therefore, when the purpose changes due to the change in the arrangement of the second operation unit 700 relative to the third pattern display device 81 or the change in the direction of displacement, it is natural that the options for the contact position of the connecting means 770 and the options to be adopted may change.

[0579] The displacement base member 720 mainly comprises a main body plate portion 721 to which the metal slide rail 711 is fastened and fixed on the rear side, a protruding fastening portion 722 that protrudes in a columnar shape from the left-right center of the main body plate portion 721 to the front side and has a female screw at the protruding tip into which a screw member for fixing an end of the coil spring SP1 can be screwed, a long opening 723 that is drilled in a left-right elongated shape in the left half of the main body plate portion 721, a pair of cylindrical extension portions 724 that extend from the main body plate portion 721 to the front side in a cylindrical shape when viewed from the front, upper and lower stoppers 727 that protrude from the main body plate portion 721 to the front side at upper and lower positions outside the left-right direction of the cylindrical extension portions 724 and regulate the displacement angle of the supported shaft means 760L, 760R, and an interference avoidance structure 728 that is formed in a pair on the left and right in the lower half of the main body plate portion 721 and has one of the purposes of avoiding interference between the electrical wiring DK3 and other structures.

[0580] The long opening 723 is an opening through which the connecting post 743b and collar C1 of the transmission means 740 are inserted, and is formed with a width and length that allow the connecting post 743b and collar C1 to be displaced.

[0581] The tubular extension portion 724, like the tubular extension portion 714 described above in the fixed base member 701, is a portion that rotatably supports the supported means 760L, 760R by having an outer peripheral shape that is circular when viewed from the front, and is equipped with an opening 724a that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction, a plurality of protruding pins 725 for alignment that protrude from the front side end toward the front side, and a plurality of fastening portions 726 that are formed with female threads at the front side end in the portion where the protruding pins 725 are not protruding.

[0582] The opening 724a becomes a passageway for t...

Claims

Claim 1: A gaming machine comprising a first downward flow region that is visible to a player and is configured such that game balls can flow downward, a first constituent member that constitutes one side of the first downward flow region, a second constituent member that constitutes the other side of the first downward flow region, a second downward flow region that is constituted by the first constituent member on one side and is visible to a player and is configured such that game balls can flow downward, and a third constituent member that constitutes at least a part of the other side of the second downward flow region, wherein the first downward flow region and the second downward flow region are configured continuously, the third constituent member is a member different from the second constituent member and is fastened to the second constituent member, the gaming machine has a first inclined portion formed on the front side of the second constituent member above a position where the second constituent member and the third constituent member overlap in a front view, the first inclined portion being capable of displacing a game ball that has flowed down in a predetermined manner in the first downward flow region toward the first constituent member side. A predetermined surface of the first constituent member that constitutes the one side is non-parallel to the first inclined portion, and a game ball that has come into contact with the first inclined portion is displaced toward the predetermined surface side, and a game ball that has flowed down on the predetermined surface side is displaced toward a second inclined portion side formed on the third constituent member side. The gaming machine is characterized in that no operating member capable of coming into contact with a game ball flowing down in the second downward flow region is provided on the third constituent member.

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