Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suppressing a decrease in interest of a game.SOLUTION: A game machine includes count value update means for updating a count value related to each ball entry when a game ball enters a first ball entry port and when a game ball enters a second ball entry port, specific game state control means for controlling the game state to a specific game state different from a big winning game state when the count value becomes a specific value, and performance control means for executing predetermined performance control. When a game ball enters at least the first ball entry port, variation display of a special symbol is performed over a predetermined variation time. When a game ball enters the second ball entry port and the count value becomes a specific value during the variation display of the special symbol, the specific game state is started during the variation display of the special symbol.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 182

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachinko machines") and slot machine gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachislot machines"). [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a gaming machine that performs a lottery to determine whether or not a jackpot is awarded based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole, and when the lottery result is a jackpot, a jackpot pattern is statically displayed on a display device to generate a jackpot game. In addition, many gaming machines have been proposed that control the state after the jackpot game is over to be more advantageous to the player than normal (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-26097 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional gaming machines are known that provide a time-saving state after a jackpot game ends, but simply providing a time-saving state after a jackpot game ends in this way can make the game monotonous, which could lead to a loss of interest.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can suppress a decline in interest in gaming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Effective solutions for achieving the above-mentioned object are shown below. The operation and other details are explained as necessary. For ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations and other details are also shown in the embodiments of the invention as appropriate, but are not intended to be limiting.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises: A gaming machine that is equipped with a gaming board in which a gaming area through which gaming balls can flow is formed, and that can be controlled to a jackpot gaming state based on the establishment of a predetermined jackpot condition, A first ball entry hole provided on the game board through which a game ball can enter; A second ball entry port provided on the game board and different from the first ball entry port; a count value updating means for updating a count value associated with each ball entry when the game ball enters the first ball entry opening and when the game ball enters the second ball entry opening; A specific game state control means for controlling the game state to a specific game state different from the big win game state when the count value becomes a specific value; A performance control means for executing a predetermined performance control; Equipped with The specific game state is a game state in which the probability of the jackpot condition being satisfied is the same as that in a normal game state, but in which the game can be played with more advantageous control than in the normal game state, When a game ball enters at least the first ball entrance, a special symbol is displayed for a predetermined variation time. When a game ball enters the second ball entrance during the variable display of the special symbol and the count value becomes the specific value, the specific game state is started during the variable display of the special symbol. It is characterized by:

[0008] In the above configuration, when a game ball enters the first ball entrance and when a game ball enters the second ball entrance, the count value related to each ball entrance is updated, and when the count value becomes a specific value, the game is controlled to a specific game state, so that the game does not become monotonous only whether or not to control to a big win game state. Also, when a game ball enters the second ball entrance during the variable display of a special pattern and the count value becomes a specific value, the game starts a specific game state during the variable display of the special pattern, so that the game may suddenly change to an advantageous state without waiting for the variable display of the special pattern to stop, and the player can pay attention to whether or not the game state will change with anticipation. As a result, the decline in interest in the game can be suppressed (for example, see the descriptions in paragraphs 2681 to 2732, figures 241 to 245, etc.). Effect of the Invention

[0009] In this way, according to the present invention, a gaming machine can be provided that is capable of preventing a decline in interest in gaming. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] This is an oblique view of the pachinko machine seen from the front right. [Figure 6] This is an oblique view of the pachinko machine seen from the front left. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a pachinko machine seen from behind. [Figure 8] This is a front view of a pachinko machine when the pressing operation part of the performance operation unit is in the raised position. [Figure 9] This is an oblique view of the pachinko machine from the front right when the pressure operation part of the performance operation unit is in the raised position. [Figure 10]This is an oblique view of a pachinko machine viewed from the front with the door frame open from the main frame and the main frame open from the outer frame. [Figure 11] This is an exploded oblique view of a pachinko machine viewed from the front, disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main frame, and an outer frame. [Figure 12] This is an exploded oblique view of a pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main body frame, and an outer frame, viewed from the rear. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of the outer frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] This is an oblique view of the outer frame from the front. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of the outer frame from the rear. [Figure 18] This is an exploded oblique view of the outer frame disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front. [Figure 19] This is an exploded oblique view of the left and right outer frame assemblies of the outer frame, viewed from the front. [Figure 20] This is an exploded oblique view of the lower outer frame assembly of the outer frame, viewed from the front. [Figure 21] 1A is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame upper hinge assembly of the outer frame, seen from the upper front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of (a), seen from the lower front. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a front view of a door frame in a pachinko machine. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. [Figure 26] This is an oblique view of the door frame from the front right. [Figure 27] This is an oblique view of the door frame from the front left. [Figure 28] This is a perspective view of the door frame from the rear. [Figure 29] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front. [Diagram 30]This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame disassembled into its main components from the rear. [Diagram 31] 1A is a perspective view of a door frame base unit of a door frame as viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the door frame base unit as viewed from the rear. [Diagram 32] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame base unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from the front. [Diagram 33] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame base unit disassembled into its main components from the rear. [Diagram 34] (a) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of the door frame as seen from the front, (b) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) as seen from the front and rear, (c) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of a conventional pachinko machine as seen from the front, and (d) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) as seen from the rear. [Diagram 35] 34(a) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock in FIG. 34(a) as seen from the front, and FIG. 34(b) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock in FIG. 34(a) as seen from the rear. [Diagram 36] 34(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the movable mechanism of the cylinder lock in FIG. 34(a) from the front, (b) is an explanatory diagram of the cylinder lock shown in a state rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the state in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram of the cylinder lock shown in a state rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state in (a). [Figure 37] 1A is a front perspective view of the ball feeding unit of the door frame base unit, and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the ball feeding unit. [Figure 38] (a) is an exploded oblique view of the ball feeding unit seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded oblique view of the ball feeding unit seen from the rear with the rear case and anti-tamper member removed. [Figure 39] 1A is a perspective view of the fall cover unit of the door frame base unit as viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the fall cover unit as viewed from the rear. [Diagram 40] FIG. 2 is a front view of the fall cover unit with the lid member removed. [Diagram 41]1A is an enlarged front view showing the handle unit and the handle cover unit in the door frame, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing the handle unit and the handle cover unit in the door frame. [Diagram 42] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle cover unit as seen from the front. [Diagram 43] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle cover unit as viewed from the rear. [Diagram 44] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit as seen from the front. [Diagram 45] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 46] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. [Figure 47] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. [Figure 48] This is an oblique view of the tray unit of the door frame. [Figure 49] This is an oblique view of the plate unit from behind. [Figure 50] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the key parts of the door frame cut horizontally at the location of the lower tray ball supply port, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the key parts of a conventional door frame cut at the same location as (a), and (c) is a table comparing the number of game balls stored in the lower tray of this embodiment and the conventional product. [Figure 51] This is an enlarged plan view showing the ball lending operation unit area in the tray unit of the door frame. [Figure 52] (a) is an oblique view of the production operation unit seen from the front with the production operation button facing upward, and (b) is an oblique view of the production operation unit of (a) seen from the back. [Figure 53] This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from above and at the front. [Figure 54] This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation unit disassembled into its main components, viewed from below and in the front. [Figure 55](a) is a cross-sectional view of the production operation unit when the production operation unit is in a lowered position and the lifting spring lower holding member is at the upper end of its movement position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the production operation unit when the production operation unit has moved from the position of (a) to the raised position. [Figure 56] This is a cross-sectional view of the performance operation unit when the performance operation unit is in a lowered position and the lifting spring lower holding member is at the downward end of its travel position. [Figure 57] This is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the outer peripheral decorative board of the performance operation unit, the outer decorative board of the buttons, and the inner decorative board of the buttons in a plan view of the performance operation unit viewed from the pressing direction of the pressing operation unit. [Figure 58] (a) is a front view of the dish unit in its normal state, and (b) is a front view of the dish unit when the performance operation unit is in the raised position. [Figure 59] This is a plan view of a performance operation unit showing an example in which multiple contact detection bodies are provided in the performance operation unit of the performance operation unit. [Figure 60] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic example of multiple contact detection bodies connected to one contact detection sensor main body, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic example of an example in which a switching section is provided between the contact detection sensor main body and multiple contact detection bodies in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the plate unit's left plate decoration unit, right plate decoration unit, and performance operation unit, etc. can be advanced and retreated in the forward and backward directions, and contact detection bodies are provided on the front and rear of the performance operation unit, etc. [Figure 61] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a decorative contact detection body, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the performance operation unit. [Figure 62] 1A is a front view of the left side unit of the door frame, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the left side unit of the door frame from the front, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the left side unit of the door frame from the rear. [Figure 63] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame left side unit as seen from the front. [Figure 64] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame left side unit seen from behind. [Figure 65]This is a cross-sectional view taken along line U-U in Figure 62(a). [Figure 66] (a) is a front view of the right side unit of the door frame, (b) is a right side view of the right side unit of the door frame, (c) is an oblique view of the right side unit of the door frame from the front, and (d) is an oblique view of the right side unit of the door frame from the rear. [Figure 67] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame right side unit as seen from the front. [Figure 68] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame right side unit seen from behind. [Figure 69] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 66(a). [Figure 70] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line O-O in Figure 66(a). [Figure 71] 1A is a right side view of the door frame right side unit, showing the two-color molded outer layer of the door frame in an opaque state, and FIG. 1B is a right side view of the door frame right side unit, showing the outer layer in a transparent state while leaving the inner layer intact in FIG. [Figure 72] A front view showing each decorative substrate of the door frame. [Figure 73] This is a plan view showing the decorative board in the part of the door frame's performance operation unit. [Figure 74] A rear view showing each decorative substrate provided around the door window of the door frame. [Figure 75] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main body frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 76] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the main body frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 77] This is an oblique view of the main body frame from the front right. [Figure 78] This is an oblique view of the main body frame from the front left. [Figure 79] This is an oblique view of the main body frame from the rear. [Figure 80] This is an exploded oblique view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front. [Figure 81] This is an exploded oblique view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 82] 1A is an enlarged oblique view showing the lower left corner of the front of the main body frame, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged oblique view showing the lower left corner of the front of the main body frame when the door frame is opened relative to the main body frame. [Figure 83] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the connection cable guide member of the main body frame when the door frame is opened and closed relative to the main body frame. FIG. [Figure 84] 1A is a perspective view of the ball launcher in the main body frame as viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the ball launcher as viewed from the rear. [Figure 85] 1A is a perspective view of the dispensing base unit of the main frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the dispensing base unit seen from the rear. [Figure 86] 1A is a perspective view of the dispensing unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the dispensing unit seen from the rear. [Figure 87] 1A is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit disassembled into its main components as viewed from the rear. [Figure 88] This is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of the dispensing unit, cut at the center of the dispensing blade in the front-to-rear direction. [Figure 89] (a) is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispensing device cut at the center of the dispensing blade in the fore-and-aft direction when the ball-removing movable piece is in the open state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along line AA in (a). [Figure 90] An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the door frame foul cover unit and the lower full ball path unit. [Figure 91] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls in the main body frame. [Figure 92] 1A is a perspective view of a board unit of a main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the board unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 93] 1 is a perspective view of the board unit as viewed from below and rear. [Figure 94] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit as viewed from the front, disassembled into its main components. [Figure 95]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 96] This is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the lower part of the pachinko machine cut in the center in the left-right direction. [Figure 97] 1A is a perspective view of the locking unit of the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the locking unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 98] 1A is a plan view of the main body frame, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 99] This is an enlarged view showing the upper part of the main body frame in a perspective view seen from behind. [Figure 100] 1A is a perspective view of the spherical tank with tank rails etc. assembled, seen from above the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of FIG. 1A seen from below the front. [Figure 101] FIG. 100(a) is an exploded perspective view seen from the front. [Figure 102] An explanatory diagram showing the area through which game balls that overflow from the ball tank at the top of the main body frame circulate. [Figure 103] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls that have overflowed from the ball tank at the top of the main body frame. [Figure 104] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls into the bypass passage at the top of the main frame. [Figure 105] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main body frame from the rear of the hinge side, showing the tank rail and its surroundings. FIG. [Fig. 106] This is an oblique view showing an enlarged portion of the tank rail as viewed from behind of a pachinko machine equipped with a tank rail of a second embodiment. [Figure 107] 106A is a plan view showing the tank rails etc. of FIG. 106 assembled together with a spherical tank, (b) is an oblique view of the tank rails etc. of (a) seen from the front, and (c) is an oblique view of the tank rails etc. of (a) seen from the rear. [Figure 108] 107A is an exploded perspective view of the tank rails, etc. of FIG. 107 as seen from the front, and FIG. 107B is an exploded perspective view of the tank rails, etc. of FIG. 107 as seen from the rear. [Fig. 109] FIG. 107(a) is a cross-sectional view of a tank rail, etc., taken along the line K-K in FIG. [Figure 110] An explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the flow of game balls within the tank rail of Figure 107. [Figure 111] 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main body frame including a tank rail and the like according to a third embodiment, showing the tank rail portion as viewed from the right rear. FIG. [Figure 112] 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a main body frame including a tank rail and the like according to a third embodiment, showing the tank rail portion as viewed from the rear left. FIG. [Figure 113] 1A is a rear view of the main body frame showing an enlarged view of the portion of the external terminal board, and FIG. 1B is a left side view of the main body frame showing an enlarged view of the upper portion. [Fig. 114] 113(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 113(b), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 113(a). [Figure 115] FIG. 114(b) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the tank rail and its vicinity in FIG. [Fig. 116] 10A is a perspective view of the tank rail etc. of the third embodiment as viewed from the front, FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the tank rail etc. of (a) as viewed from the upper right rear, and FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the tank rail etc. of (a) as viewed from the lower right rear. [Figure 117] FIG. 117 is an exploded perspective view of the tank rails and the like in FIG. 116 as viewed from the front. [Fig. 118] FIG. 117 is an exploded perspective view of the tank rail and the like in FIG. 116, seen from the rear. [Figure 119] (a) is a front view of a board unit of another embodiment, (b) is an oblique view of the board unit of (a) seen from the front right, and (c) is an oblique view of the board unit of (a) seen from the front left. [Figure 120] 119(a) is an oblique view of the board unit of FIG. 119(a) seen from the upper right rear, and (b) is an oblique view of the board unit of FIG. 119(a) seen from the lower right rear. [Figure 121] 119(a) is an exploded perspective view of the substrate unit as viewed from the front. FIG. [Figure 122] It is an exploded perspective view of the substrate unit in Fig. 119(a) as seen from the rear after disassembly. [Figure 123] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A line in Fig. 119(a), (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B line in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the C-C line in (a). [Figure 124] It is a bottom view showing a part behind the door frame in a pachinko machine equipped with the substrate unit of Fig. 119(a). [Fig. 125] It is an explanatory view showing an example in which a guiding piece is provided at the out-ball discharge port of the out-ball passage. [Fig. 126] (a) is an explanatory view showing an example in which the out-sensor is detachable, and (b) is an explanatory view showing the state in which the out-sensor is removed in (a). [Figure 127] (a) is a perspective view of the substrate unit of the third embodiment shown with the power supply unit, payout control unit, and interface unit omitted as seen from the upper right front, and (b) is a perspective view of the substrate unit of (a) as seen from the upper left front. [Figure 128] (a) is a perspective view of the substrate unit of Fig. 127 as seen from the upper right rear, and (b) is a perspective view of the substrate unit of (a) as seen from the lower right rear. [Figure 129] (a) is a plan view of the substrate unit of Fig. 127, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the D-D line in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the E-E line in (a). [Fig. 130] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the F-F line in Fig. 129(a). [Fig. 131] It is an exploded perspective view of the substrate unit of Fig. 127 as seen from the front after disassembly. [Fig. 132] It is an exploded perspective view of the substrate unit of Fig. 127 as seen from the rear after disassembly. [Fig. 133] (a) is a perspective view of the ball path member of the substrate unit of Fig. 127 as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball path member of the substrate unit of Fig. 127 as seen from the rear. [Fig. 134]128 is an explanatory diagram showing the elimination of ball clogging in the board unit of FIG. 127. FIG. [Fig. 135] 128 is an explanatory diagram showing how the board unit of FIG. 127 prevents the intrusion of a linear illegal tool. FIG. [Fig. 136] 128 is an explanatory diagram showing how to remove dust from the board unit of FIG. 127. [Fig. 137] This is a front view of a game board in a pachinko machine, in which the center device and other parts are made opaque. [Figure 138] This is an oblique view of the game board in Figure 137 as seen from the front right. [Figure 139] This is an oblique view of the game board in Figure 137 as seen from the front left. [Fig. 140] This is an oblique view of the game board from behind. [Fig. 141] 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of wiring from a function display unit on a main control board. FIG. [Fig. 142] This is a front view of the game board with the center gimmicks and other parts made transparent. [Fig. 143] This is an exploded oblique view of the game board disassembled into its main components as seen from the front. [Fig. 144] This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. [Fig. 145] This is a front view of the game board with the front unit cut parallel to the surface of the game panel to reveal the game area where game balls circulate and the obstacle pins. [Fig. 146] 146 is an enlarged front view showing the left side of FIG. 145. [Fig. 147] 146 is an enlarged front view showing the right side of FIG. 145. [Fig. 148] 1A is a front view showing the right half of the front unit together with the panel board and the interference nails, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of FIG. [Figure 149] 148, (a) is an exploded oblique view of the center right front plate seal and center right front plate as viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded oblique view of the center right front plate seal and center right front plate as viewed from the rear. [Fig. 150]This is an exploded perspective view of only the center right front plate in Figure 148, seen from the rear and seen from the front. [Fig. 151] 1A is a perspective view of the rear box-related configuration of the rear unit as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the rear box-related configuration of the rear unit as seen from the rear. [Fig. 152] 151. (a) is an exploded perspective view of the rear box shown in FIG. 151 broken down into its main components as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) as seen from the rear. [Fig. 153] 152. (a) is an exploded perspective view of the rear box rear unit in FIG. 152 as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) as seen from the rear. [Fig. 154] This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the back-lower front decoration of the back-lower front performance unit and the back-lower rear decoration of the back-lower rear performance unit in the back unit have each moved to their raised positions. [Fig. 155] This is a front view of the game board showing that the back-lower front decorative body of the back-lower front performance unit in the back unit has moved to the center of the game area, the back-upper rear decorative body of the back-upper rear performance unit has moved above the back-lower front decorative body, and the back-lower rear decorative body of the back-lower rear performance unit has moved below the back-lower front decorative body. [Fig. 156] This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the front left decorative body and the front right decorative body in the back-lower-front decorative body of the back-lower-front performance unit have moved to the open position, revealing the central decorative body. [Fig. 157] This is a front view of the game board showing the back-upper rear decorative body of the back-upper rear performance unit in the back unit moving to a lowered position, and the back-lower rear decorative body of the back-lower rear performance unit rising and abutting against the back-upper rear decorative body. [Fig. 158] This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the front left decorative body and the front right decorative body in the back-lower-front decorative body of the back-lower-front performance unit have moved to the open position, revealing the central decorative body. [Fig. 159]This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the back-upper front decorative body of the back-upper front performance unit in the back unit has moved to a lowered position while the back-upper rear decorative body of the back-upper rear performance unit has moved rear of the back-upper front decorative body, the back-down front decorative body of the back-down front performance unit has risen and moved below the back-upper front decorative body while the back-down rear decorative body of the back-down rear performance unit has risen and abutted against the back-upper rear decorative body behind the back-down front decorative body. [Fig. 160] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. [Fig. 161] This is a front view of a game board of a second embodiment, showing the front unit cut parallel to the surface of the game panel to reveal the game area through which game balls circulate. [Fig. 162] 13A is a front perspective view of a center device on a game board of the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a rear perspective view of the center device on a game board of the second embodiment. [Fig. 163] 162. (a) is an exploded oblique view of the right half of the center part in FIG. 162, showing the center front right plate and ball guiding unit disassembled from the front, and (b) is an exploded oblique view of (a) seen from the back. [Fig. 164] 162, (a) is a front view of the ball guiding unit in the center role piece of FIG. 162, and (b) is a right side view of the ball guiding unit. [Fig. 165] (a) is a cross-sectional view cut along the S line in Figure 164, (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along the C line in Figure 164, (c) is a cross-sectional view cut along the S-S line in Figure 164, and (d) is a cross-sectional view cut along the T-T line in Figure 164. [Fig. 166] 164, (a) is an exploded oblique view of the ball guiding unit in Figure 164, viewed from the front right, and (b) is an exploded oblique view of the ball guiding unit in Figure 164, viewed from the front left. [Fig. 167] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed when the main control side is powered on; [Fig. 168] This is a flowchart showing the continuation of the main control side power-on processing in Figure 167. [Fig. 169]13 is a flowchart showing an example of a main control side timer interrupt processing. [Fig. 170] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting change process. [Fig. 171] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting value confirmation display process. [Fig. 172] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an error display process. [Fig. 173] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed when the dispensing control unit is powered on. [Fig. 174] This is a flowchart showing the continuation of the power-on processing of the dispensing control unit in Figure 173. [Fig. 175] This is a flowchart showing the continuation of the processing when the dispensing control unit is powered on, following Figure 174. [Fig. 176] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a dispensing control unit timer interrupt process. [Fig. 177] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit power-on process; [Fig. 178] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit V blank interrupt process. [Fig. 179] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit 1 ms timer interrupt process. [Fig. 180] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit command reception interrupt process. [Fig. 181] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit power outage warning signal interrupt process. [Fig. 182] FIG. 13 is a front view of a game board according to a third embodiment. [Fig. 183] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for special symbol and special electric role control processing (step S114). [Fig. 184] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first starting port passing process (step S232). [Fig. 185] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the performance pre-determination process (step S245). [Fig. 186]13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the second starting port passing process (step S234). [Fig. 187] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for special symbol process processing (step S238). [Fig. 188] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the special symbol normal process (step S280). [Fig. 189] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the hit determination process (step S305). [Fig. 190] Various tables showing the lottery table for low probability (A), the lottery table for high probability (B), the big win pattern determination table (C), the instant short win pattern determination table (D), and the small win pattern determination table (E). [Fig. 191] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for a special symbol stopping symbol setting process (step S281). [Fig. 192] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the variation pattern setting process (step S282). [Fig. 193] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for special symbol variation processing (step S283). [Fig. 194] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for special symbol stop processing (step S284). [Fig. 195] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the number of repairs count process (step S394). [Fig. 196] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the game state. [Figure 197] This is a specific example of how the special symbol changes 600 times in a low probability state. [Figure 198] This is a specific example of a presentation when the ball enters the second starting hole while the count presentation is being executed. [Figure 199] This is a specific example of how the lottery results in an immediate short win. [Figure 200] 11 is a time chart showing a count suppression period. [Figure 201]This is a time chart showing the period during which instantaneous short win patterns are invalid. [Fig. 202] This is a time chart showing the combined use of count suppression period A and instant short win pattern invalid period. [Fig. 203] This is a time chart showing the progress of the RTC performance. [Fig. 204] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation before and after the changing display of the special pattern reaches 600 times (relief count counter = 600). [Fig. 205] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when the conditions for starting the RTC presentation are met before the changing display of the special pattern reaches 600 times (relief count counter = 600). [Fig. 206] This is a time chart showing the progress of the RTC performance when the conditions for starting the RTC performance are met after the special pattern changing display reaches 600 times (relief count counter = 600). [Fig. 207] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation before and after an immediate short hit occurs. [Fig. 208] This is a time chart showing the progress of the RTC presentation when the conditions for starting the RTC presentation are met before an immediate short hit occurs. [Fig. 209] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when the conditions for starting the RTC presentation are met after an immediate short hit. [Fig. 210] 1 is a list of RAM clear conditions indicating the operations required to clear the RAM when the power is turned on. [Fig. 211] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a history display that can be displayed during a period in which setting values ​​are changed or the display of setting values ​​is confirmed. [Fig. 212] This is a time chart showing the behavior related to normal patterns when the power is turned on. [Fig. 213] This is a time chart showing the change in the game state when a RAM clear operation is performed during the time-saving state. [Fig. 214] This is a time chart showing the change in the game state when a RAM clear operation is performed during the execution of a pattern change in which the display of the special pattern changes 600 times in a low probability state. [Fig. 215] 13 is a modified example of a RAM clear condition indicating an operation at power-on for executing a RAM clear. [Fig. 216] 11 is a time chart showing the change in the game state when the power supply to the main control board is cut off and then restored. [Fig. 217] 13 is a time chart showing the change in the game state when the power supply to the main control board is cut off, then restored and a setting key ON signal is input. [Fig. 218] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when no game stop state occurs during the pattern change that results in an immediate short win. [Fig. 219] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when a weak game stop state occurs during the execution of a pattern change that results in an immediate short hit. [Fig. 220] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when a strong play stop state occurs during the execution of a pattern change that results in an immediate short hit. [Fig. 221] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when a game stop state does not occur during the pattern change in which the display of the special pattern in a low probability state reaches 600 times. [Fig. 222] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when a weak game stop state occurs during the execution of pattern fluctuation in which the display of the special pattern in a low probability state reaches 600 times. [Fig. 223] This is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when a strong play stop state occurs during the execution of pattern fluctuation in which the display of the special pattern in a low probability state reaches 600 times. [Fig. 224] 13 is a lottery table and a symbol determination table according to a modified example. [Fig. 225] This is a time chart showing an immediate short hit during control of low probability time-saving state B. [Fig. 226] This is a time chart showing an instantaneous short hit during the control of 100 low-probability time-saving state A, which was initiated by big hit C. [Fig. 227]2 is a block diagram showing the connection between the pachinko machine and external devices. FIG. [Fig. 228] This shows the situation when a pachinko machine transitions from a low-probability non-time-saving state to low-probability time-saving state B, and then transitions to low-probability time-saving state C while in low-probability time-saving state B. [Fig. 229] This shows the situation when a pachinko machine transitions from a low-probability non-time-saving state to a low-probability time-saving state C, and then transitions to a new low-probability time-saving state C while in the low-probability time-saving state C. [Fig. 230] FIG. [Fig. 231] This shows the situation when a pachinko machine transitions from low-probability time-saving state B to low-probability time-saving state A via a jackpot, and then transitions further to low-probability time-saving state C while in low-probability time-saving state A. [Fig. 232] 1 is a time chart showing the progress of the presentation when the power is turned on. [Fig. 233] Various tables showing a pattern determination table (A) for a normal hit in the modified example, and a list of the opening and closing patterns of the variable winning opening (B). [Fig. 234] 13 is a time chart showing the relationship between the game state and the opening and closing pattern of the variable winning opening. [Fig. 235] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the game state in a modified example. [Fig. 236] Various tables showing the lottery table (A) for low probability, the lottery table (B) for high probability, the big win pattern determination table (C), the instantaneous short win pattern determination table (D), and the small win pattern determination table (E) in the modified example. [Fig. 237] Various tables showing an instantaneous short-time winning pattern determination table (A) during a non-time-saving state in a modified example, and an instantaneous short-time winning pattern determination table (B) during a time-saving state. [Fig. 238] Various tables showing a lottery table (A) for low probability in a modified example, a lottery table (B) for high probability, a jackpot pattern determination table (C) for non-time-saving state, and a jackpot pattern determination table (D) for time-saving state. [Fig. 239]Various tables showing a pattern determination table (A) for a normal hit in the modified example, a list of opening and closing patterns of the variable winning port (B), an instantaneous short hit pattern determination table (C) when in a non-time-saving state, and an instantaneous short hit pattern determination table (D) when in a time-saving state. [Fig. 240] (a) An explanatory diagram showing the transition of the game state when the specific instant short win is not won in the drawing of the first special pattern, and (b) an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the game state when the specific instant short win is won in the drawing of the first special pattern. [Fig. 241] 13 is a time chart showing the change in the game state when the variable display of the first special pattern and the second special pattern can be executed simultaneously. [Fig. 242] This is a specific example of a presentation in which there is no change in the second special pattern while the first special pattern is being displayed in a changing state. [Fig. 243] This is a specific example of a presentation in which the display of a second special pattern begins to change while the display of a first special pattern is changing. [Fig. 244] This is a time chart showing the change in the game state when the start of the help mode L start presentation is delayed. [Fig. 245] This is a specific example of a presentation in which the start of the Help Mode L start presentation is delayed. [Fig. 246] An explanatory diagram showing the door frame top unit and performance operation unit that can be attached and detached from the door frame. [Fig. 247] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a determination target of an ID code. [Fig. 248] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing groupings of multiple LEDs mounted on various decorative boards provided on a game board. [Fig. 249] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing groupings of multiple LEDs mounted on various decorative boards provided on a door frame. [Fig. 250] This is a timing chart showing an example of a suggestion effect that is executed as an effect while the pattern is changing. [Fig. 251] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a suggestive effect that is executed as an effect while the pattern is changing when there is a part whose ID code does not match the game board. [Fig. 252] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a button effect A while a rainbow effect is being executed. [Fig. 253] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a button effect B while a rainbow effect is being executed. [Fig. 254] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a button effect C while a rainbow effect is being executed. [Figure 255] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where there is no operation of the effect operation unit during button effect B while a rainbow effect is being executed. [Fig. 256] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where an anti-addiction display is executed after a simulated rainbow effect is executed. [Fig. 257] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case in which the addiction prevention display is erased after the execution of a simulated rainbow effect. [Fig. 258] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where the execution of a simulated rainbow effect is restricted. [Fig. 259] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where LED illumination is confirmed when a simulated rainbow effect is executed. [Fig. 260] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a game board with a rainbow single decorative part attached thereto. [Fig. 261] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a rainbow single decorative part. [Fig. 262] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where a simulated rainbow effect is executed when a rainbow-only decorative part is attached. [Fig. 263] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a rainbow-only decorative part. FIG. [Fig. 264] This is a timing chart showing an example of executing a rainbow effect when there is an initial position error of the back upper front decorative body. [Fig. 265] 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where a rainbow effect is executed when a situation occurs in which the rainbow-patterned effect image on the effect display device cannot be viewed. [Fig. 266]13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where a rainbow effect is executed when the first to third abnormalities occur. [Fig. 267] 13 is a timing chart showing an example in which first to third abnormalities occur during execution of a rainbow effect. [Fig. 268] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a case where a confirmation period other than a simulated rainbow effect is set after power is turned on. [Fig. 269] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the annular decorative portion. [Fig. 270] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a rainbow effect using an annular decorative part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [1. Overall structure of a pachinko machine] A pachinko machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 12. Fig. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a right side view of the pachinko machine, Fig. 3 is a left side view of the pachinko machine, and Fig. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the right front, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the left front, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the rear. Fig. 8 is a front view of the pachinko machine when the pressing operation unit of the performance operation unit is in the raised position, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine when the pressing operation unit of the performance operation unit is in the raised position, seen from the right front. Also, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the front with the door frame opened from the main body frame and the main body frame opened from the outer frame. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main frame, and an outer frame, as viewed from the front, and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main frame, and an outer frame, as viewed from the rear.

[0012] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment comprises a frame-shaped outer frame 2 installed in an island facility (not shown) of a gaming hall, a door frame 3 which closes the front of the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, a main frame 4 which supports the door frame 3 in an openable and closable manner and is attached to the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, and a game board 5 which has a game area 5a which is detachably attached to the main frame 4 from the front and is visible from the player side through the door frame 3, and into which the player hits a game ball B (see Figure 89).

[0013] The outer frame 2 is formed into a vertically extending rectangular frame when viewed from the front. The outer frame 2 includes a left outer frame assembly 10 and a right outer frame assembly 20 that are spaced apart from each other and extend vertically, an upper outer frame member 30 that connects the upper ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, a lower outer frame assembly 40 that connects the lower ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, an upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 attached to the left end of the upper surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and a lower outer frame hinge member 60 attached to the lower right side surface of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the lower outer frame assembly 40.

[0014] The outer frame 2 is attached to the island equipment of the gaming hall in which the pachinko machine 1 is installed, and the outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 and the outer frame lower hinge member 60 support the main frame upper hinge member 510 and the main frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main frame 4 so that they can rotate coaxially, thereby mounting the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed forward around the left side when viewed from the front.

[0015] In addition, when the main body frame 4 is closed, the door frame 3 has the lower outer frame assembly 40 working in cooperation with the speaker unit 620a of the board unit 620 in the main body frame 4 to form part of the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622, and by inverting the phase of the sound output to the rear of the main body frame speaker 622 and radiating it forward, the player can hear a deeper bass sound.

[0016] The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which the game balls B are shot so as to be visible from the front, stores the game balls B to be shot into the game area 5a, and is provided with a handle 195 that is operated by the player to shoot the stored game balls B into the game area 5a. The door frame 3 also decorates the entire front surface of the pachinko machine 1.

[0017] In addition, the door frame 3 is equipped with a performance operation unit 301 that can be operated by the player separately from the handle 195, and when a player-participation performance is executed, the player can participate in the performance by operating the performance operation unit 301, allowing the player to enjoy the game not only with the game ball B, but also by operating the performance operation unit 301.

[0018] The main body frame 4 comprises a frame-shaped main body frame base unit 500 whose rear part can be inserted into the outer frame 2 and can support the outer periphery of the game board 5, a main body frame upper hinge member 510 and a main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 for mounting the main body frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable and for mounting the door frame 3 to be openable and closable, a main body frame reinforcing frame 530 which reinforces the main body frame base unit 500, a ball launching device 540 for shooting game balls B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, and a game ball supplied from the island equipment of the game hall. The pachinko machine is equipped with a payout base unit 550 that receives the game ball B, a payout unit 560 that pays out the game ball B received by the payout base unit 550 to the player, a board unit 620 that has a payout control board 633 in addition to a power supply board 630 equipped with a power switch 630a that can turn on the power to the pachinko machine 1, a back cover 640 that covers the rear side of the game board 5 attached to the main frame base 501, and a locking unit 650 that locks the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4, and the space between the door frame 3 and the main frame 4.

[0019] The main body frame 4 holds the game board 5 having a game area 5a where a game is played by hitting the game ball B, and also pays out the game ball B to the player and ejects the game ball B used in the game to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 (towards the island equipment of the game hall). The main body frame 4 is formed in a box shape with an open front, and the game board 5 is detachably housed inside from the front. The main body frame 4 is attached to a frame-shaped outer frame 2 attached to the island equipment of the game hall at the top and bottom of the front end on the left side of the front side so as to be able to open and close, and a door frame 3 is attached so as to be able to open and close so as to close the open front side.

[0020] The game board 5 includes a game area 5a where a game ball B is thrown by a player, a front component 1000 that defines the outer periphery of the game area 5a and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, a plate-like game panel 1100 that is attached to the rear side of the front component 1000 and defines the rear end of the game area 5a, a board holder 1200 that is attached to the rear lower part of the game panel 1100, and a main control unit 1310 that is attached to the rear surface of the board holder 1200 and has a main control board 1310 and a setting change board 1311. The game console includes a display unit 1300, a functional display unit 1400 that displays the game status based on a control signal from a main control board 1310, a peripheral control unit 1500 (see FIG. 12) that is disposed on the rear side of the game panel 1100, a performance display device 1600 that is disposed in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and is capable of displaying a predetermined performance image, a front unit 2000 that is attached to the front of the game panel 1100, and a back unit 3000 that is attached to the rear of the game panel 1100. The back unit 3000 includes various performance units that can perform movable performances and light-emitting performances according to the game status.

[0021] The game area 5a of the game board 5 is provided with a plurality of obstacle nails N that come into contact with the game ball B and are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement, as well as a general winning opening 2001, a first starting opening 2004, a gate 2002, a second starting opening 2005, and a first large winning opening 2006 that provide a player with a predetermined privilege (for example, the payment of a predetermined number of game balls B) by receiving or passing the game ball B. The obstacle nails N are planted on the front surface of the game panel 1100. The general winning opening 2001, the first starting opening 2004, the gate 2002, the second starting opening 2005, and the first large winning opening 2006 are provided in the front unit 2000.

[0022] A player can shoot a game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5 by operating the handle 195 of the handle unit 180. This allows the player to enjoy operating the handle 195 to shoot the game ball B so that the game ball B is received by or passes through the general winning opening 2001, the first starting opening 2004, the gate 2002, the second starting opening 2005, the first large winning opening 2006, and the like in the game area 5a.

[0023] In addition, the game board 5 can entertain the player by displaying a predetermined performance image on the performance display device 1600 in accordance with the game state, which changes when a game ball B is hit into the game area 5a, and by providing light-emitting and moving performances using the lower right unit 2400 and the back front peripheral decorative unit 3200, back upper front performance unit 3300, back lower front performance unit 3400, back upper rear performance unit 3500, back lower rear performance unit 3600, etc. of the back unit 3000.

[0024] [2. Overall composition of the outer frame] The outer frame 2 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 18. Fig. 13 is a front view of the outer frame of the pachinko machine, Fig. 14 is a rear view of the outer frame, and Fig. 15 is a right side view of the outer frame. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the outer frame seen from the front, and Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the outer frame seen from the rear. Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame disassembled into its main components and seen from the front. The outer frame 2 is attached to an island facility (not shown) in an amusement hall or the like on which the pachinko machine 1 is installed. The outer frame 2 is formed into a rectangular frame that extends vertically when viewed from the front.

[0025] As shown in the figure, the outer frame 2 comprises a left outer frame assembly 10 and a right outer frame assembly 20 which are spaced apart from each other laterally and extend vertically, an upper outer frame member 30 which connects the upper ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, a lower outer frame assembly 40 which connects the lower ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, an upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 which is attached to the left end of the upper surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and a lower outer frame hinge member 60 which is attached to the lower right side of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the lower outer frame assembly 40.

[0026] When the main frame 4 is closed, the outer frame lower assembly 40 cooperates with the speaker unit 620a of the board unit 620 in the main frame 4 to form part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622, and can radiate sound output to the rear of the main frame speaker 622 forward with phase inversion.

[0027] The outer frame 2 can detachably support the main body frame upper hinge assembly 50 of the main body frame 4. The outer frame 2 can coaxially support the main body frame upper hinge member 510 and the main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main body frame 4 by the outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 and the outer frame lower hinge member 60, and can attach the main body frame 4 so as to be openable and closable forward about the left side when viewed from the front.

[0028] [2-1. Left outer frame assembly and right outer frame assembly] The left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the left outer frame assembly and the right outer frame assembly of the outer frame, respectively, disassembled and viewed from the front. The left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 of the outer frame 2 each extend vertically and are arranged spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 support the upper main frame hinge member 510 and the lower main frame hinge assembly 520 of the main frame 4 so that they can rotate coaxially, and are used to attach the main frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed.

[0029] First, the left outer frame assembly 10 comprises a left outer frame member 11 which extends vertically with a constant width (depth) in the front-to-back direction, an upper left connecting member 12 attached to the upper end of the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11, and a lower left connecting member 13 attached to the lower end of the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11.

[0030] The left outer frame member 11 extends vertically with a constant cross-sectional shape, and is formed from an extruded aluminum alloy material. The left outer frame member 11 has a recess 11a that is recessed flat to the right at the rear portion of the left side surface, one of three equal portions of the left side surface divided in the front-rear direction, a bulge 11b that bulges to the right from a portion of the right side surface opposite the recess 11a, and a hollow portion 11c that penetrates the bulge 11b vertically. The strength and rigidity of the left outer frame member 11 are increased by the recess 11a and the bulge 11b, and the weight is reduced by the hollow portion 11c.

[0031] Furthermore, multiple grooves extending vertically are formed on both the left and right side surfaces of the left outer frame member 11. The multiple grooves on the left side surface are V-shaped, and the multiple grooves on the right side surface are semicircular. The left outer frame member 11 is formed in a symmetrical shape with the right outer frame member 21 of the right outer frame assembly 20 described later.

[0032] The upper left connecting member 12 is for connecting the upper end of the outer frame left member 11 and the left end of the outer frame upper member 30. The upper left connecting member 12 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 12a extending horizontally, a flat upper lateral fixing portion 12b extending upward from the center in the front-to-rear direction on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a, and a pair of flat lower lateral fixing portions 12c extending downward from both the front and rear sides of the upper lateral fixing portion 12b on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a. The upper left connecting member 12 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0033] The upper left connecting member 12 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by inserting the rear lower horizontal fixing part 12c into the hollow part 11c of the left outer frame member 11, abutting the horizontal fixing part 12a against the upper end of the left outer frame member 11, and further abutting the front and rear lower horizontal fixing parts 12c against the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11, and then screwing a screw into the lower horizontal fixing part 12c from the outside of the left side surface of the left outer frame member 11. The upper left connecting member 12 is also attached to the upper outer frame member 30 by abutting the horizontal fixing part 12a against the underside of the left end side of the upper outer frame member 30, and inserting the upper horizontal fixing part 12b into the notch part 30a on the left side surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and then screwing a screw into the upper outer frame member 30 through the horizontal fixing part 12a and the upper horizontal fixing part 12b.

[0034] The left lower connecting member 13 is for connecting the lower end of the outer frame left member 11 and the left end of the outer frame lower assembly 40 (outer frame lower member 41). The left lower connecting member 13 includes a horizontally extending flat horizontal fixing portion 13a, a flat upper horizontal fixing portion 13b extending upward from the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 13a and extending rearward from the horizontal fixing portion 13a, a flat lower horizontal fixing portion 13c extending downward from a portion on the lower side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b rearward from the horizontal fixing portion 13a, and a flat abutting portion 13d extending short to the right from the rear side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b. The left lower connecting member 13 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0035] The left lower connecting member 13 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by screwing a screw into the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b from the outside of the left side surface of the left outer frame member 11 with the rear surface of the abutment portion 13d abutting against the front surface of the bulging portion 11b of the left outer frame member 11, the left surface of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b abutting against the right surface of the left outer frame member 11, and the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 13a coinciding with the lower end of the left outer frame member 11. The left lower connecting member 13 is attached to the lower outer frame member 41 by screwing a screw into the lower outer frame member 41 through the horizontal fixing portion 13a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c with the horizontal fixing portion 13a abutting against the upper surface of the left end side of the lower outer frame member 41 and the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c inserted into the notch 41a on the left side surface of the lower outer frame member 41.

[0036] Next, the right outer frame assembly 20 comprises a right outer frame member 21 which extends up and down with a constant width (depth) in the front-to-back direction, an upper right connecting member 22 attached to the upper end of the left side of the right outer frame member 21, a lower right connecting member 23 attached to the lower end of the left side of the right outer frame member 21, an upper hook member 24 attached to the upper part of the left side of the right outer frame member 21, and a lower hook member 25 attached to the lower part of the left side of the right outer frame member 21.

[0037] The right outer frame member 21 extends vertically with a constant cross-sectional shape, and is formed from an extruded aluminum alloy material. The right outer frame member 21 has a recess 21a that is recessed flat toward the left in a rear portion of the right side surface of the member when the right side surface is divided into three equal portions in the front-to-rear direction, a bulge 21b that bulges leftward from a portion of the left side surface opposite the recess 21a, and a hollow portion 21c that penetrates the bulge 21b vertically. The strength and rigidity of the right outer frame member 21 are increased by the recess 21a and the bulge 21b, and the weight is reduced by the hollow portion 21c.

[0038] The right outer frame member 21 has a plurality of grooves extending vertically formed on both the left and right side surfaces. The grooves on the right side surface are V-shaped, and the grooves on the left side surface are semicircular. The right outer frame member 21 is formed in a symmetrical shape to the left outer frame member 11 of the left outer frame assembly 10.

[0039] The upper right connecting member 22 is for connecting the upper end of the outer frame right member 21 and the right end of the outer frame upper member 30. The upper right connecting member 22 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 22a extending horizontally, a flat upper lateral fixing portion 22b extending upward from the middle in the front-to-rear direction on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a, and a pair of flat lower lateral fixing portions 22c extending downward from both the front and rear sides of the upper lateral fixing portion 22b on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a. The upper right connecting member 22 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0040] The upper right connecting member 22 is attached to the right outer frame member 21 by inserting the rear lower horizontal fixing portion 22c into the hollow portion 21c of the right outer frame member 21, abutting the horizontal fixing portion 22a against the upper end of the right outer frame member 21, and further abutting the front and rear lower horizontal fixing portions 22c against the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21, and then screwing a screw into the lower horizontal fixing portion 22c from the outside of the right side surface of the right outer frame member 21. The upper right connecting member 22 is attached to the upper outer frame member 30 by abutting the horizontal fixing portion 22a against the lower surface of the right end side of the upper outer frame member 30, and inserting the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b into the notch portion 30a on the right side surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and then screwing a screw into the upper outer frame member 30 through the horizontal fixing portion 22a and the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b.

[0041] The right lower connecting member 23 is for connecting the lower end of the outer frame right member 21 and the right end of the outer frame lower assembly 40 (outer frame lower member 41). The right lower connecting member 23 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 23a extending horizontally, a flat upper horizontal fixing portion 23b extending upward from the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 23a and extending rearward from the horizontal fixing portion 23a, a flat lower horizontal fixing portion 23c extending downward from a portion on the lower side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b rearward from the horizontal fixing portion 23a, and a flat abutting portion 23d extending short to the left from the rear side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b. The right lower connecting member 23 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0042] The right-lower connecting member 23 is attached to the right outer frame member 21 by screwing a screw into the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b from the outside of the right side surface of the outer frame right member 21 with the rear surface of the abutment portion 23d abutting against the front surface of the bulging portion 21b of the right outer frame member 21, the right surface of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b abutting against the left surface of the right outer frame member 21, and the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 23a coinciding with the lower end of the right outer frame member 21. The right-lower connecting member 23 is attached to the lower outer frame member 41 by screwing a screw into the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b through the horizontal fixing portion 23a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c with the horizontal fixing portion 23a abutting against the upper surface of the right end side of the lower outer frame member 41 and the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c being inserted into the notch 41a on the right side surface of the lower outer frame member 41.

[0043] An outer frame hook 653 of a locking unit 650 in the main frame 4, which will be described later, is hooked to the upper hook member 24 and the lower hook member 25. The upper hook member 24 includes a flat mounting portion 24a that extends vertically with a constant width in the front-rear direction and is attached to the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, and a flat hook piece portion 24b that extends leftward from the front edge of the mounting portion 24a and to which the upper outer frame hook 653 is hooked.

[0044] The lower hook member 25 includes a flat mounting portion 25a which extends vertically with a constant width in the front-to-rear direction and is attached to the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, a flat hanging piece portion 25b which extends leftward from the front edge of the mounting portion 25a and to which the lower outer frame hook 653 is hooked, and an insertion opening 25c which penetrates the hanging piece portion 25b in the front-to-rear direction and through which the lower outer frame hook 653 can be inserted.

[0045] [2-2. Upper outer frame components] The upper outer frame member 30 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Fig. 18. The upper outer frame member 30 is for connecting the upper ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, which are spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides. The upper outer frame member 30 has a width in the front-to-rear direction substantially the same as that of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21 in the front-to-rear direction, a constant thickness in the up-down direction, extends in the left-to-right direction, and is made of wood. The upper outer frame member 30 is formed so that its length in the left-to-right direction is the same as that of the lower outer frame member 41 of the lower outer frame assembly 40, which will be described later.

[0046] The upper outer frame member 30 has cutouts 30a at the center in the front-rear direction on both the left and right side surfaces, which are recessed toward the center in the left-right direction while penetrating vertically. The upper horizontal fixing part 12b of the upper left connecting member 12 and the upper horizontal fixing part 22b of the upper right connecting member 22 are inserted into the cutouts 30a at both left and right ends.

[0047] The upper frame member 30 also has a mounting step 30b at its left end, the top and front surfaces of which are recessed from the general surface. The upper frame hinge assembly 50, which will be described later, is attached to this mounting step 30b.

[0048] [2-3. Lower outer frame assembly] The lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the lower assembly of the outer frame as viewed from the front. The lower assembly 40 connects the lower ends of the left and right outer frame assemblies 10 and 20, which are spaced apart from each other on the left and right, and serves to close off and decorate the area below the door frame 3 in the pachinko machine 1.

[0049] The lower outer frame assembly 40 comprises a lower outer frame member 41 which extends left and right and connects the lower ends of the left and right outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 which are spaced apart left and right, a box-shaped front panel member 42 which is arranged in front of the lower outer frame member 41 and extends left and right along the lower outer frame member 41 and is open at the rear, a box-shaped rear panel member 43 which is attached to the rear side of the front panel member 42 and is attached to the upper surface of the lower outer frame member 41, extending left and right and is open at the front, and an anti-ball jamming mechanism 44 formed at the left end of the upper surface of the rear panel member 43.

[0050] The lower outer frame member 41 has a width in the front-to-rear direction substantially the same as that of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21 in the front-to-rear direction, a constant thickness in the up-down direction, extends in the left-to-right direction, and is made of wood. The lower outer frame member 41 is formed to have a length in the left-to-right direction the same as that of the upper outer frame member 30 in the left-to-right direction.

[0051] The outer frame lower member 41 has cutouts 41a at the center in the front-rear direction on both left and right side surfaces, which penetrate vertically and are recessed toward the center in the left-right direction. The lower lateral fixing portion 13c of the lower left connecting member 13 and the lower lateral fixing portion 23c of the lower right connecting member 23 are inserted and attached into the cutouts 41a at both left and right ends. This allows the lower ends of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21 to be connected to each other.

[0052] The outer frame lower member 41 is recessed from the top surface and has a recess 41b into which the lower part of the back panel member 43 is inserted. The recess 41b extends left and right and extends from a rearward position in the center of the front-rear direction to the front end side. This recess 41b makes the volume of the back panel internal space 40a formed by the front panel front member 42 and the back panel rear member 43 as large as possible.

[0053] The front panel front member 42 has the same left-right length as the outer frame lower member 41, is formed in a horizontally long rectangular box shape with a short depth in the front-to-back direction relative to its height, and is open on the entire rear side. The front panel front member 42 closes the open rear side with the rear panel member 43, thereby forming the front panel internal space 40a which becomes part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 in cooperation with the rear panel member 43. The front panel front member 42 has an elongated hole-shaped opening 42a on the front surface near the right end, which penetrates from front to back and extends from left to right.

[0054] The length of the back panel 43 in the left-right direction is slightly shorter than that of the outer frame lower member 41, and the front is formed in a box shape with an open front. The back panel 43 cooperates with the front panel 42 to form the back panel internal space 40a, which is a part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622, by attaching the front panel 42 to the front surface. The back panel 43 has a cylindrical connecting tube portion 43a in the left-right center of the upper surface, which extends left and right, protrudes upward, and communicates with the back panel internal space 40a. The connecting tube portion 43a is inclined so that the upper end is located higher from the front end side, which coincides with the general upper surface of the back panel 43, toward the rear. In this embodiment, the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees.

[0055] The connecting tube portion 43a has a length in the left-right direction that is approximately 1 / 3 of the length of the entire back panel member 43, and a depth in the front-rear direction that is slightly shorter than the depth of the entire back panel member 43. A plurality of ribs 43b that connect the front end side and the rear end side are provided inside the connecting tube portion 43a. When the main body frame 4 is closed to the outer frame 2, the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a is connected to a connecting portion 621c of a speaker cover 621 of a speaker unit 620a of a board unit 620 in the main body frame 4, and is in communication with the internal space of the speaker unit 620a, forming an enclosure 624.

[0056] The ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 is intended to prevent the game ball B from being pinched between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 by causing the game ball B to remain at the left end of the upper surface of the rear panel member 43, at the portion of the outer frame lower hinge member 60.

[0057] The ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 is formed at the left end of the upper surface of the rear panel member 43 and comprises a mounting portion 44a formed flat to accommodate the outer frame lower hinge member 60 described later, a first discharge outlet 44b opening upward at the left end of the mounting portion 44a, a second discharge outlet 44c opening upward to the right of the first discharge outlet 44b in the mounting portion 44a, a vertical wall portion 44d extending upward from the rear and right sides of the mounting portion 44a, and an upper end protrusion 44e protruding forward from the upper end of the vertical wall portion 44d and inclined so that the upper surface is positioned upward as it extends toward the rear.

[0058] The first discharge opening 44b is formed at a position that coincides with a discharge hole 60d of the outer frame lower hinge member 60 described later. The first discharge opening 44b and the second discharge opening 44c are formed to a size that allows the game ball B to pass through. The first discharge opening 44b and the second discharge opening 44c do not communicate with the front panel internal space 40a, and open to the rear surface of the front panel rear member 43. Therefore, the game ball B that enters the first discharge opening 44b and the second discharge opening 44c can be discharged to the rear of the front panel rear member 43.

[0059] When an illegal tool such as a piano wire is inserted through the gap between the outer frame lower hinge member 60 and the main frame lower hinge assembly 520 described later, the ball-biting prevention mechanism 44 can prevent the illegal tool from entering by the standing wall portion 44d rising from the rear end of the mounting portion 44a. Even if the tip of the illegal tool abuts against the standing wall portion 44d and bends upward, it abuts against the upper end protrusion portion 44e that protrudes forward and is provided at the upper end of the standing wall portion 44d, and further intrusion can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent illegal acts from being performed through the outer frame lower hinge member 60.

[0060] Incidentally, when the rear end of the placement portion 44a is provided with the standing wall portion 44d, if a game ball B falls onto the placement portion 44a for some reason when the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2, the game ball B is likely to remain on the placement portion 44a because the standing wall portion 44d prevents the game ball B from moving rearward from the outer frame 2. If the game ball B remains on the placement portion 44a, the game ball B will be caught between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 when the main frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2, causing a problem that the main frame 4 cannot be closed.

[0061] In contrast, in the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 of this embodiment, the game ball B that has fallen onto the outer frame lower hinge member 60 or onto the mounting portion 44a can be discharged to the rear of the curtain board rear member 43 (rear of the outer frame 2) through the discharge hole 60d of the outer frame lower hinge member 60 and the first discharge outlet 44b, or through the second discharge outlet 44c, thereby preventing the game ball B from getting caught between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4.

[0062] The lower outer frame assembly 40 comprises a pair of guide members 45 arranged at a distance from each other on the upper surfaces of the front panel member 42 and the rear panel member 43, a flat grill member 46 which closes the opening 42a of the front panel member 42 from the rear, a port member 47 having two cylinders extending forward and backward and which is attached inside the front panel member 42 so as to close the opening 42a by sandwiching the grill member 46, and a frame-shaped sealing member 48 which is arranged at the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a of the rear panel member 43.

[0063] The pair of guide members 45 are contacted by the lower end of the door frame 3 when the main body frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2. The guide members 45 are made of a low-friction material with low friction resistance, making the lower end of the main body frame 4 easier to slide, facilitating opening and closing.

[0064] The grill member 46 is a strip-like plate extending in the left-right direction and has a plurality of blades 46b spaced apart in the up-down direction. The blades 46b are inclined so that the front end is higher than the rear end (see FIG. 47). The grill member 46 allows ventilation between the inside of the front panel member 42 (front panel internal space 40a) and the outside through the gaps between the blades 46b.

[0065] The port member 47, by means of two cylinders, communicates between the panel internal space 40a (enclosure 624) and the front of the outer frame 2 through the gap between the blade portions 46b of the grill member 46. The port member 47 is formed of two cylinders with a specified inner diameter and a specified length, and can resonate and amplify the low-pitched sounds emitted backward (inside the enclosure 624) from the main frame speaker 622 by the principle of Helmholtz resonance, radiating rich low-pitched sounds to the front (player side) of the outer frame 2. In other words, in this embodiment, the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 is of a bass reflex type, and can make the player hear deep low-pitched sounds.

[0066] When the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, the sealing member 48 is sandwiched and compressed between the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a and the lower end of the connecting portion 621c of the speaker cover 621 on the main frame 4, and prevents sound from within the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 from leaking between the connecting tube portion 43a and the connecting portion 621c.

[0067] According to the grill member 46 of this embodiment, the air vibrations emitted from the main frame speaker 622 to the outside from the front panel internal space 40a can be directed by the inclined blades 46b through the lower cutout opening 295b of the handle cover 295 in the handle cover unit 290 at the diagonally upper front side toward the front cylinder 291a of the handle cover base 291 in which the handle unit 180 is housed. As a result, when a player inserts his / her fingers inside the handle cover 295 (the front cylinder 291a of the handle cover base 291) and rotates the handle 195 (the device for striking the game ball B), the main frame speaker 622 is vibrated to send air into the front cylinder 291a, surprising the player and providing an unprecedented performance.

[0068] In addition, since the port member 47 is open toward the front, a portion of the sound pressure emitted from the port member 47 through the multiple blade portions 46b of the grill member 46 is emitted forward, so that the sound effects emitted from the port member 47 can be heard by players seated in front of the pachinko machine 1 and other players wandering around the gaming hall in which the pachinko machine 1 is installed. The sound effects can also attract the attention of players, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that is highly appealing to players.

[0069] Furthermore, since the port member 47 is provided in the lower outer frame assembly 40 of the outer frame 2, the volume of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 provided in the main frame 4 can be increased, making it possible to output a deeper bass sound, which entertains the player and prevents a decline in interest.

[0070] [2-4. Outer frame upper hinge assembly] The outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21(a) is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame upper hinge assembly of the outer frame when disassembled and viewed from above the front, and Fig. 21(b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) when viewed from below the front. The outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 is attached to the upper end of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the left end of the outer frame upper member 30, and is used to attach the main body frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so as to be hinged and rotatable. The outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 includes an outer frame upper hinge member 51 attached to the upper end of the recess 11a of the outer frame left member 11 and the mounting step portion 30b of the outer frame upper member 30, a locking member 52 attached to the outer frame upper hinge member 51, and a mounting screw 53 that attaches the locking member 52 to the outer frame upper hinge member 51.

[0071] The outer frame upper hinge member 51 includes an upper fixing portion 51a in the form of a horizontally extending flat plate attached to the upper surface of the mounting step portion 30b of the outer frame upper member 30, a flat forward extending portion 51b extending forward from the front edge of the upper fixing portion 51a, a bearing groove 51c extending forward from the middle of the right edge of the forward extending portion 51b to the left-right center of the forward extending portion 51b and penetrating vertically, a flat horizontal fixing portion 51d extending downward from the left edge of the upper fixing portion 51a, and a flat edge wall portion 51e extending downward from the edge from the left edge of the forward extending portion 51b around the front edge to the portion where the bearing groove 51c opens and continuing to the horizontal fixing portion 51d. The outer frame upper hinge member 51 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate by press molding. The outer frame upper hinge member 51 can rotatably support a main body frame upper hinge pin 512 (described later) of the main body frame upper hinge member 510 within the bearing groove 51c.

[0072] The locking member 52 includes a band-shaped locking body 52a extending forward and backward, an operating piece 52b protruding rightward from the rear end of the locking body 52a, an elastically deformable rod-shaped elastic portion 52c extending leftward from the rear end of the locking body 52a and then extending diagonally left forward, and a mounting hole 52d penetrating vertically near the rear end of the locking body 52a. The locking member 52 is made of synthetic resin. The locking member 52 is rotatably attached to the lower surface of the forward extending portion 51b of the outer frame upper hinge member 51 at a position rearward of the bearing groove 51c by a mounting screw 53.

[0073] When the locking member 52 is attached to the outer frame upper hinge member 51, the locking body 52a can block the bearing groove 51c in a plan view, and the right side surface near the front end extends forward so that it can abut against a portion of the edge wall portion 51e of the outer frame upper hinge member 51 that extends to the opening of the bearing groove 51c. In addition, the tip of the elastic portion 52c extending leftward from the rear end of the locking body 52a abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the edge wall portion 51e of the outer frame upper hinge member 51. The locking member 52 is biased in a direction in which the front end rotates leftward around the mounting hole 52d by the biasing force of the elastic portion 52c. Therefore, in a normal state, the right side surface near the front end of the locking body 52a of the locking member 52 abuts against the edge wall portion 51e. In this state, a space capable of accommodating main body frame upper hinge pin 512 of main body frame upper hinge member 510 is formed in a portion of bearing groove 51c forward of lock body 52a.

[0074] By operating the operation piece 52b, the lock member 52 can rotate the lock body 52a against the biasing force of the elastic portion 52c. By operating the operation piece 52b, the lock body 52a can be rotated in a direction in which its front end moves leftward, so that the lock body 52a can be retracted from the bearing groove 51c in a plan view, and the bearing groove 51c can be fully opened. This allows the main body frame upper hinge pin 512 to be inserted into the bearing groove 51c or removed from the bearing groove 51c.

[0075] [2-5. Hinge parts under outer frame] The lower outer frame hinge member 60 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Fig. 18. The lower outer frame hinge member 60 comprises a flat horizontal portion 60a extending horizontally, a flat rising portion 60b rising upward from a portion on the left side of the horizontal portion 60a rearward of the center in the front-rear direction, a lower outer frame hinge pin 60c protruding upward from near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a, and a discharge hole 60d penetrating the horizontal portion 60a from top to bottom and large enough to allow only one game ball B to pass through. The lower outer frame hinge member 60 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate by press molding.

[0076] The horizontal portion 60a of the outer frame lower hinge member 60 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the left side as the base in a plan view. The outer frame lower hinge pin 60c is cylindrical, and is formed in a truncated cone shape with a narrowed upper end above the vertical center. This outer frame lower hinge pin 60c is attached to a position near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a, which is leftward. The discharge hole 60d is formed in the horizontal portion 60a so as to contact the central portion of the rising portion 60b in the front-rear direction and extend rightward from the left side of the horizontal portion 60a in an inverted U-shape. This discharge hole 60d is formed to be approximately the same size as the first discharge port 44b of the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 in the outer frame lower assembly 40.

[0077] When assembled to the outer frame 2, the rear of the horizontal portion 60a of the outer frame lower hinge member 60 is placed on the placement portion 44a of the rear panel member 43 of the outer frame lower assembly 40, and is fixed to the rear panel member 43 with screws (not shown). The rising portion 60b is attached with screws (not shown) to a portion forward of the bulging portion 11b on the right side surface of the outer frame left member 11. The outer frame lower hinge member 60 cooperates with the outer frame upper hinge member 51 to attach the main frame 4 so as to be able to open and close by inserting the outer frame lower hinge pin 60c into the outer frame lower hinge hole 521a in the main frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main frame 4.

[0078] Moreover, in the assembled state of the outer frame 2, the discharge hole 60d coincides with the first discharge opening 44b of the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 in the outer frame lower assembly 40. This allows the game ball B on the horizontal portion 60a to drop (discharge) to the rear of the outer frame 2 through the discharge hole 60d and the first discharge opening 44b. In more detail, when the main frame 4 is closed to the outer frame 2, the game ball B that has fallen between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 rolls to the rear side where the gap is wider, and can be discharged from the discharge hole 60d, since the gap between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 gradually narrows as the main frame 4 is closed. In this case, the discharge hole 60d is formed at a position that is approximately the same as the rear end of the main body frame 4 when the main body frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, by discharging the game ball B that falls between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 through the discharge hole 60d, it is possible to easily prevent the game ball B from rolling rearward beyond the main body frame 4, and it is possible to make it difficult for the game ball B to become trapped in the area of ​​the outer frame lower hinge member 60.

[0079] [3. Overall structure of the door frame] The door frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 22 to 30. Fig. 22 is a front view of the door frame in the pachinko machine, Fig. 23 is a rear view of the door frame, Fig. 24 is a left side view of the door frame, and Fig. 25 is a right side view of the door frame. Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the front right, Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the front left, and Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the rear. Fig. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame disassembled into its main components and seen from the front, and Fig. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame disassembled into its main components and seen from the rear.

[0080] The door frame 3 is formed in a rectangular shape extending vertically in a front view with approximately the same size as the inside of the outer frame 2, and is attached to the inside of the outer frame 2 via the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed from the front side. The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which the game balls B are dropped so that it can be seen from the front side, stores the game balls B to be dropped into the game area 5a, and is equipped with a handle 195 that the player operates to drop the stored game balls B into the game area 5a. The door frame 3 also decorates the entire front surface of the pachinko machine 1.

[0081] The door frame 3 comprises a door frame base unit 100 having a rectangular frame-like shape with an outer shape extending vertically when viewed from the front, a glass unit 160 that is removably attached to the door frame base unit 100 and closes a playing area 5a of a playing board 5 attached to the main frame 4 so as to be visible from the front, a security cover 170 that is attached to the door frame base unit 100 so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear, a handle unit 180 that is attached to the front right corner of the door frame base unit 100, and a handle that covers the outer periphery of the handle unit 180. The door frame comprises a cover unit 290, a tray unit 200 attached to the lower front part of the door frame base unit 100, a left side unit 420 attached to the left front part of the door frame base unit 100 above the tray unit 200, a right side unit 430 attached to the right front part of the door frame base unit 100 above the tray unit, and a door frame top unit 450 attached to the upper front part of the door frame base unit 100 above the left side unit 420 and the right side unit 430.

[0082] The door frame base unit 100 comprises a door frame base 101 having an outer shape in a vertically extending quadrangle (rectangle) when viewed from the front and having a door window 101a that penetrates from front to back, a speaker duct 103 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 in the lower right corner when viewed from behind, a door frame main relay board 104 attached to the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 near the right end when viewed from behind, a door frame sub-relay board 105 attached to the left side of the door frame main relay board 104 when viewed from behind, a rear-handle relay board 106 attached to the left side of the rear-handle relay board 105 when viewed from behind, a door frame relay board cover 107 that covers the rear side of the door frame main relay board 104 and part of the door frame sub-relay board 105, a rear-handle relay board cover 108 that covers the rear-handle relay board 106, and a cable cover 109 that covers the wiring cable.

[0083] The door frame base unit 100 also includes a frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit 110 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, an upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and a lower door frame hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a cylinder lock 130 for opening and closing attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a ball feeding unit 140 attached above the handle rear relay board 106 on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a foul cover unit 150 attached to the right side of the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from behind.

[0084] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 to reinforce and provide rigidity to the door frame base 101. The upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and the lower door frame hinge member 125 are for attaching the door frame 3 to the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed. The cylinder lock 130 cooperates with the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4 to be used for opening and closing the door frame 3 and the main frame 4, and for locking and opening the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4.

[0085] The ball feeding unit 140 is for supplying the game balls B in the upper tray 201 one by one to the ball launching device 540 of the main frame 4. The foul cover unit 150 is for guiding the game balls B (foul balls) that have been launched by the ball launching device 540 and have not reached the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower tray 202, and for guiding the game balls B paid out from the payout device 580 to the upper tray 201 or the lower tray 202.

[0086] The glass unit 160 has a transparent glass plate 162 and closes the door window 101a of the door frame base 101. The security cover 170 is attached to the door frame base 101 so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear. The handle unit 180 has a handle 195 that can be rotated by the player, and the handle unit 180 is used to play a game in which the game ball B in the upper tray 201 is shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5 by the ball launcher 540 by operating a handle cover unit 290 that covers the outer periphery.

[0087] [3-1. Overall structure of door frame base unit] The door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. Figure 31(a) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit of the door frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit as seen from the rear. Figure 32 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame base unit disassembled into its main components as seen from the front, and Figure 33 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame base unit disassembled into its main components as seen from the rear.

[0088] The door frame base unit 100 is attached to the main body frame 4 on the left side as viewed from the front so as to be hinged and rotatable, closing the front of the main body frame 4 so as to be able to open and close, while allowing the playing area 5a of the playing board 5 attached to the main body frame 4 to be visible from the front. The door frame base unit 100 comprises a flat door frame base 101 having a rectangular shape extending vertically, and a speaker duct 103 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 in the lower right corner as viewed from behind.

[0089] The door frame base unit 100 also includes a door frame main relay board 104 attached to the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 near the right end when viewed from behind, a door frame sub-relay board 105 attached to the left of the door frame main relay board 104 when viewed from behind, at the lower rear side of the door frame base 101, a rear-handle relay board 106 attached to the left of the door frame sub-relay board 105 at the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from behind, a door frame relay board cover 107 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the door frame main relay board 104 and part of the door frame sub-relay board 105 from the rear, a rear-handle relay board cover 108 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the rear-handle relay board 106 from the rear, and a cable cover 109 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the wiring cable.

[0090] Furthermore, the door frame base unit 100 includes a frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit 110 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, an upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and a lower door frame hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a cylinder lock 130 for opening and closing attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a ball feeding unit 140 attached above the handle rear relay board 106 on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a foul cover unit 150 attached to the right side of the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from behind.

[0091] This door frame base unit 100 has a handle unit 180 and a handle cover unit 290 attached to the lower front corners, a tray unit 200 attached to the lower front surface of the door window 101a, a left side unit 420 attached to the left outer front surface of the door window 101a, a right side unit 430 attached to the right outer front surface of the door window 101a, and a door frame top unit 450 attached to the upper outer front surface of the door window 101a.

[0092] Further, a glass unit 160 is attached to the door frame base unit 100 so as to close the door window 101a from the rear, and a transparent anti-theft cover 170 is attached to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear.

[0093] [3-1a. Door frame base] The door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 31 to 33. The door frame base 101 is formed in a quadrangle (rectangle) with an outer shape extending vertically in front view. The door frame base 101 is provided with a door window 101a that penetrates from front to back and has an inner periphery shape extending vertically in front view. The upper side and both left and right sides that form the inner periphery of the door window 101a are close to the outer periphery of the door frame base 101, respectively, and the lower side that forms the inner periphery is located at about 1 / 3 height in the vertical direction from the lower end of the door frame base 101. In this way, the door frame base 101 is formed in a frame shape as a whole by the door window 101a that penetrates from front to back. This door frame base 101 is integrally molded from synthetic resin.

[0094] The door frame base 101 is provided with a handle mounting seat 101b (see Figure 42, etc.) formed in the lower right corner of the front surface when viewed from the front and inclined so that the left end side protrudes slightly forward more than the right end side, a cylinder insertion hole 101d which penetrates front to back between the handle mounting seat surface 101b and the door window 101a and into which the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 is inserted, and a ball feeding opening 101e which penetrates front to back on the left side of the cylinder insertion hole 101d and the handle mounting seat surface 101b when viewed from the front, allowing the entrance 141a and ball removal opening 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 to be exposed forward.

[0095] The door frame base 101 also has a lower tray ball passing port 101f which penetrates front to back at a position to the left of the center in the left-right direction and at approximately the same height as the handle mounting seat surface 101b, allowing the ball discharge port 150d of the fall cover unit 150 to face forward, an upper tray ball passing port 101g which penetrates front to back adjacent to the lower edge of the door window 101a near the left end when viewed from the front, allowing the through ball passage 150a of the fall cover unit 150 to face forward, and a glass unit mounting portion 101h which is recessed from the rear surface toward the front along the inner circumference of the door window 101a, and into which the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 is inserted.

[0096] The door frame base 101 also has a plurality of vertically elongated slits 101i formed in the lower left corner (below the upper tray ball passage opening 101g) when viewed from the front and penetrating from front to back. The speaker duct 103 is attached to the rear side of the plurality of slits 101i. In addition, when the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the plurality of slits 101i are located in front of the speaker opening 211b of the tray unit base 211 in the tray unit 200, and are located behind the main body frame speaker 622 in the speaker unit 620a of the main body frame 4, so that sound from the main body frame speaker 622 can be emitted forward.

[0097] Furthermore, the door frame base 101 is provided with a through hole 101j penetrating from front to back below the door window 101a and above the handle mounting seat surface 101b. This through hole 101j is for inserting a wiring cable (not shown) connecting the door frame base unit 100 side and the tray unit 200 side, and is formed to match a through part 114b of an intermediate reinforcing frame 114 in the door frame reinforcing unit 110 described later.

[0098] [3-1b. Speaker duct] The speaker duct 103 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 31 to 33. The speaker duct 103 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is attached to a portion where a plurality of slits 101i are formed on the rear side of the door frame base 101. When the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the rear end of the cylindrical portion of the speaker duct 103 is located in front of the main body frame speaker 622 of the main body frame 4. This allows the sound emitted (output) from the main body frame speaker 622 of the main body frame 4 to be guided forward without being diffused, and can be well guided to the front of the pachinko machine 1 (toward the player) through the plurality of slits 101i of the door frame base 101 and the speaker port 211b in the plate unit base 211 of the plate unit 200.

[0099] Furthermore, the speaker duct 103 is provided with a cable holder 103a on the rear surface below the cylindrical portion, which holds the connection cable 503. The cable holder 103a is disposed to the left of the door frame relay board cover 107 when viewed from the front, and holds the connection cable 503 connected to the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 so as to extend to the left end side of the door frame 3.

[0100] [3-1c. Door frame main relay board, door frame sub relay board, handle rear relay board] The door frame main relay board 104, the door frame sub-relay board 105, and the handle rear relay board 106 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 32 and 33. The door frame main relay board 104 has an outer shape formed in a vertically extending rectangle, and is attached to the lower right corner of the rear lower part of the door frame base 101 when viewed from behind. The door frame main relay board 104 serves to relay the connection between the handle rear relay board 106 and the interface board 635 in the board unit 620 of the main body frame 4, and a part of the connection cable 503 (see Figures 82 and 83) extending from the main body frame 4 is connected to the door frame main relay board 104.

[0101] The door frame sub-relay board 105 has an outer shape formed in an inverted L-shape with a rectangle extending vertically combined with a rectangle extending horizontally on the right side of the upper part of the rectangle when viewed from the front, and is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 so that the part extending vertically is adjacent to the left side when viewed from the rear of the door frame main relay board 104. The door frame sub-relay board 105 is for relaying the connection between the handle decoration board 184 of the handle unit 180, the dish unit relay board 214 of the dish unit 200, the door frame left side upper decoration board 422 and the door frame left side lower decoration board 423 of the door frame left side unit 420, the door frame right side upper decoration board 432 and the door frame right side lower decoration board 433 of the door frame right side unit 430, the door frame top relay board of the door frame top unit 450, etc., and the interface board 635 of the main frame 4, and the remainder of the connection cable 503 extending from the main frame 4 is connected to it.

[0102] The door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 are attached to the door frame base 101 so that the connection terminals protrude rearward. When the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the door frame main relay board 104 and the parts extending vertically of the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 are covered at the rear by the door frame relay board cover 107, and the remaining parts of the door frame sub-relay board 105 are covered at the rear by the fall cover unit 150.

[0103] The handle rear relay board 106 has an outer shape formed in a rectangle extending left and right, and is attached to the rear side of the handle mounting seat surface 101b below the ball feed opening 101e on the rear side of the door frame base 101. The handle rear relay board 106 is for relaying the connection between the door frame main relay board 104 and the handle rotation detection sensor 189, handle touch sensor 192, single button operation sensor 194 of the handle unit 180, and the ball feed solenoid 145 of the ball feed unit 140. When the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the rear side of the handle rear relay board 106 is covered by the handle rear relay board cover 108.

[0104] [3-1d. Door frame relay board cover, handle rear relay board cover, cable cover] The door frame relay board cover 107, the handle rear relay board cover 108, and the cable cover 109 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 31 to 33. The door frame relay board cover 107 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 to cover the rear side of the door frame main relay board 104 and part of the door frame sub-relay board 105 (parts extending up and down in an inverted L-shape). The door frame relay board cover 107 is formed in a box shape with an open front and left side when viewed from the front. When assembled to the door frame base unit 100, the connection terminals of the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 covering the rear side are exposed inside the door frame relay board cover 107, and the connection cable 503 can be inserted inside from the open left side and connected to those terminals.

[0105] The handle rear relay board cover 108 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 so as to cover the rear side of the handle rear relay board 106. The cable cover 109 is attached to the rear side of the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 in the door frame reinforcing unit 110, and is intended to cover the wiring cable (not shown) that connects the door frame main relay board 104 and the ball dispensing operation unit 220 of the dish unit 200. The cable cover 109 is formed in a box shape that extends left and right, and has openings formed near the left end of the front surface and in the center of the left and right direction on the bottom surface for passing the wiring cable through.

[0106] [3-1e. Door frame reinforcement unit] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 to reinforce the flat door frame base 101 and provide rigidity to the door frame base unit 100. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 comprises a left reinforcement frame 111 and a right reinforcement frame 112 which extend vertically and are arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right sides, an upper reinforcement frame 113 which extends horizontally and connects the upper ends of the left reinforcement frame 111 and the right reinforcement frame 112, an intermediate reinforcement frame 114 whose left end is attached at a position upward from the lower end of the left reinforcement frame 111 and extends to the right near the right reinforcement frame 112, a cylinder mounting frame 115 which connects the right end of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 to the right reinforcement frame 112, and hook hook members 116 which are attached to the rear side of the right reinforcement frame 112 at a distance from each other on the left and right sides and to which door frame hooks 652 of the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4 are hooked.

[0107] The left reinforcing frame 111 and the right reinforcing frame 112 have a constant width in the left-right direction and extend vertically for a length approximately equal to the vertical height of the door frame base 101. The right reinforcing frame 112 has a plurality of insertion holes that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and penetrate in the front-to-rear direction. When the door frame 3 is closed against the main frame 4, the tips of the door frame hooks 652 of the locking unit 650 are inserted into these insertion holes. The upper reinforcing frame 113 has a constant width in the up-down direction and extends horizontally for a length approximately equal to the left-to-right width of the door frame base 101.

[0108] The middle reinforcement frame 114 extends left and right with a width in the up-down direction that is wider than the width of the upper reinforcement frame 113. The middle reinforcement frame 114 has a rectangular cutout portion 114a cut downward from the upper end near the left end, and a through-hole portion 114b that penetrates front to back near the right end. The cutout portion 114a is formed at a position that coincides with the upper tray ball passage port 101g of the door frame base 101, and the through-hole 101j of the door frame base 101, respectively.

[0109] The cylinder mounting frame 115 includes a pair of rear pieces arranged at a distance from the left and right and formed as rectangular flat plates extending vertically in a front view, a pair of side pieces extending forward in a flat plate shape from the respective opposing sides of the pair of rear pieces, and a flat front piece connecting the front end sides of the pair of forward extending parts. The cylinder mounting frame 115 is formed in a convex shape protruding forward in a plan view. The left rear piece of the cylinder mounting frame 115 is attached to the right end of the intermediate reinforcing frame 114, and the right rear piece is attached to the right reinforcing frame 112. The cylinder mounting frame 115 has a cylinder lock 130 attached to the front piece.

[0110] The hook members 116 are attached to the rear side of the right reinforcing frame 112 at the locations of insertion holes penetrating from front to rear. Door frame hooks 652 of a locking unit 650 are hooked to the hook members 116.

[0111] The left reinforcing frame 111, right reinforcing frame 112, upper reinforcing frame 113, middle reinforcing frame 114, cylinder mounting frame 115, and hook member 116 that make up the door frame reinforcement unit 110 are formed by punching and bending metal plates using press molding, and are assembled with rivets.

[0112] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is assembled so that a left reinforcement frame 111, a right reinforcement frame 112, and an upper reinforcement frame 113 are aligned along the left, right, and upper edges of the door frame base 101, and the middle reinforcement frame 114 is assembled so as to be positioned below the door window 101a of the door frame base 101.

[0113] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 with a number of screws (not shown). When this door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the door frame base 101, the cutout portion 114a and the through portion 114b of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 are aligned with the upper tray ball passage opening 101g and the through hole 101j of the door frame base 101, and the cylinder mounting frame 115 is inserted into the cylinder insertion hole 101d of the door frame base 101.

[0114] [3-1f. Door frame upper hinge assembly] The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 of the door-frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 31 to 33. The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 is attached to the upper left corner of the door-frame reinforcement unit 110 when viewed from the front. The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 is for attaching the door frame 3 to the main body frame 4 so as to be hinged and rotatable in cooperation with the lower door-frame hinge member 125. The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 includes a hinge bracket 121 attached to the door-frame reinforcement unit 110, an upper door-frame hinge pin 122 attached to the hinge bracket 121 so as to be movable in the up-down direction, a flange member 123 attached to the upper door-frame hinge pin 122, and a lock spring 124 that biases the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 to move upward.

[0115] The hinge bracket 121 includes a flat mounting piece 121a that is rectangular when viewed from the front, and flat protruding pieces 121b that extend forward from the upper and lower sides of the mounting piece 121a. The mounting piece 121a of the hinge bracket 121 is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110. The hinge bracket 121 is formed by bending a metal plate.

[0116] The door-frame upper hinge pin 122 is a cylindrical metal rod bent into an L-shape. When assembled to the door-frame upper hinge assembly 120, the portion of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 that extends vertically penetrates from below near the front ends of the pair of protruding pieces 121b in the hinge bracket 121, the upper end extends upward beyond the upper protruding piece 121b, and the portion that extends horizontally abuts against the lower surface of the lower protruding piece 121b. The upper end of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 is rotatably inserted into the door-frame upper hinge hole 511a of the upper hinge main body 511 in the main body frame upper hinge member 510 of the main body frame 4.

[0117] The flange member 123 is an E-ring, and is attached to a portion between the pair of protruding pieces 121b of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122. The lock spring 124 is formed in a coil shape, and is placed around a portion of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 that extends vertically between the flange member 123 and the lower protruding piece 121b of the hinge bracket 121. The lock spring 124 urges the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 upward via the flange member 123.

[0118] In the upper door-frame hinge assembly 120, the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 is biased upward by the lock spring 124, and the horizontally extending portion of the lower end of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 abuts against the lower surface of the lower protruding piece 121b, restricting further upward movement. In this state, the upper end of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 protrudes a predetermined amount above the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b.

[0119] When the horizontally extending portion of the lower end of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 of the door-frame upper hinge assembly 120 is moved downward against the biasing force of the lock spring 124, the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 can be moved downward as a whole, and the upper end of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 can be retracted below the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b. Therefore, the door-frame upper hinge assembly 120 can insert the upper end of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 into the door-frame upper hinge hole 511a of the main body frame upper hinge member 510 from below, and can pull it out downward. As a result, by inserting the upper end of the door-frame upper hinge pin 122 into the door-frame upper hinge hole 511a of the main body frame upper hinge member 510, the upper left end of the door frame 3 as viewed from the front can be supported so as to be hinge-rotatable relative to the main body frame 4.

[0120] Furthermore, in the upper door-frame hinge assembly 120, the portion of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 that extends vertically is positioned coaxially with a lower door-frame hinge pin 126 of a lower door-frame hinge member 125 described below. This allows the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 and the lower door-frame hinge pin 126 to hinge rotate the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4 in a favorable state.

[0121] [3-1g. Door frame bottom hinge parts] The door-frame bottom hinge member 125 of the door-frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The door-frame bottom hinge member 125 is attached to the lower left corner of the door-frame reinforcement unit 110 when viewed from the front. The door-frame bottom hinge member 125 cooperates with the door-frame upper hinge assembly 120 to attach the door frame 3 to the main body frame 4 so that it can rotate about a hinge.

[0122] The lower door frame hinge member 125 comprises a flat mounting piece 125a which is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and is rectangular when viewed from the front, a flat protruding piece 125b which extends forward from the lower edge of the mounting piece 125a, and a lower door frame hinge pin 126 (see Figure 22, etc.) which protrudes downward from the underside near the front end of the protruding piece 125b.

[0123] The mounting piece 125a and the protruding piece 125b of the lower door-frame hinge member 125 are formed by bending a metal plate. The lower door-frame hinge pin 126 is a cylindrical metal bar with a tapered chamfer on the outer periphery of the lower end. When assembled to the door-frame base unit 100, the lower door-frame hinge pin 126 is attached to a portion of the protruding piece 125b that is coaxial with the portion of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 of the upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 that extends vertically.

[0124] This door-frame lower hinge member 125 can support the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4 so that it can rotate about a hinge by inserting the door-frame lower hinge pin 126 into the door-frame lower hinge hole 522a of the main body frame lower hinge assembly 520.

[0125] [3-1h. Cylinder lock] The cylinder lock 130 in the door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 34 to 36. Fig. 34(a) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of the door frame seen from the front, (b) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) seen from the rear front, (c) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock in a conventional pachinko machine seen from the front, and (d) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) seen from the rear. Fig. 35(a) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock of Fig. 34(a) seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock of Fig. 34(a) seen from the rear. Fig. 36(a) is an explanatory view showing the movable mechanism of the cylinder lock of Fig. 34(a) from the front, (b) is an explanatory view of the cylinder lock shown in a state rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the state of (a), and (c) is an explanatory view of the cylinder lock shown in a state rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state of (a).

[0126] The cylinder lock 130 is attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110, and cooperates with the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4 to be used for opening and closing the door frame 3 and the main frame 4, and for opening and closing / locking the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4. The cylinder lock 130 comprises a cylindrical cylinder body 131 extending forward and backward, a keyhole 132 formed in the front end surface of the cylinder body 131, and a rotation transmission member 133 provided at the rear of the cylinder body 131, which rotates together with the rotation of a regular key inserted in the keyhole 132.

[0127] The cylinder body 131 of the cylinder lock 130 penetrates the front piece of the cylinder mounting frame 115 from the rear, and the rear end is attached to the front piece. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed in a cylindrical shape (more specifically, a conical cylinder shape whose diameter increases toward the rear) with an open rear, and has a pair of notches cut from the rear end toward the front at positions opposite each other across the central axis. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed so that the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4 is inserted from the rear, and the rotation of the rotation transmission member 133 (the key inserted in the keyhole 132) can be transmitted to the transmission cylinder 654 to rotate it by inserting a pair of protrusions of the transmission cylinder 654 into the pair of notches.

[0128] In more detail, the cylinder lock 130 comprises a first cam member 134 provided at the rear end side of the cylinder body 131 and which rotates together with the genuine key inserted into the keyhole 132 when it is rotated; a second cam member 135 which is rotatably attached around an axis in the front-to-rear direction at a position below the cylinder body 131 on the cylinder mounting frame 115; a strip-shaped first arm 136 which has an upper end side rotatably attached at a position to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and a lower end side rotatably attached at a position to the right of the rotation center of the second cam member 135; and a strip-shaped second arm 137 which has an upper end side rotatably attached at a position below the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and a lower end side rotatably attached at a position below the rotation center of the second cam member 135.

[0129] The cylinder lock 130 also includes a rear cover 138 attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 so as to cover the cylinder body 131, the first cam member 134, the first arm 136, and the second arm 137 from the rear, except for the second cam member 135 (rotation transmission member 133), and a rivet 139 that attaches both the upper and lower ends of each of the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 to the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, respectively, so that they can rotate.

[0130] The first cam member 134 has an upper end side of a first arm 136 attached to the rear side, and an upper end side of a second arm 137 attached to the front side. The second cam member 135 is rotatably attached from the rear side by the cylinder mounting frame 115, and a rotation transmission member 133 is attached to the rear side across the front side of the cylinder mounting frame 115 so as to be rotatable together with the first cam member 134. The second cam member 135 has a lower end side of the first arm 136 attached to the front side, and a lower end side of the second arm 137 attached to the front side forward of the first arm 136.

[0131] In each of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, a portion where the first arm 136 is attached and a portion where the second arm 137 is attached are separated by an angle of 90 degrees around the respective rotation axes. Also, in each of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, the portion where the first arm 136 is attached is provided at a position farther from the rotation center than the portion where the second arm 137 is attached.

[0132] The rear cover 138 is removably attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 at its upper end by screws (not shown), with the shaft portion 138a, which protrudes cylindrically outward from the lower ends of both the left and right sides, engaged with the L-shaped locking slit 115b of the cylinder mounting frame 115.

[0133] In this cylinder lock 130, the cylinder mounting frame 115, the cylinder body 131, the rotation transmission member 133, the first cam member 134, the second cam member 135, the first arm 136, and the second arm 137 are formed from metal.

[0134] When the cylinder lock 130 is assembled to the door frame 3 , the front end of the cylinder body 131 is substantially aligned with the front end of the cylinder insertion opening 440 b of the door frame right side unit 430 .

[0135] Here, the conventional cylinder lock 130A will be described. As shown in Figures 34(c) and (d), the conventional cylinder lock 130A has a cylinder body 131 that penetrates the front piece of the cylinder mounting frame 115A from the rear and has its rear end attached to the front piece. In this cylinder lock 130A, a rotation transmission member 133 is provided on the axis of the cylinder body 131.

[0136] Next, the operation of the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment will be described. In the conventional cylinder lock 130, as shown in Figures 34(c) and (d), the rotation transmission member 133 is provided on the axis of the cylinder body 131, whereas in the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 34(a) and (b), the rotation transmission member 133 is provided at a position spaced downward from the axis of the cylinder body 131.

[0137] 36(a), in the normal state, the upper and lower ends of the first arm 136 are attached to the right of the rotation centers of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, respectively, and the upper and lower ends of the second arm 137 are attached to the lower of the rotation centers of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135. The cylinder body 131 can be rotated by an angle of 90 degrees in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the normal state with the use of a regular key.

[0138] In this state, when the first cam member 134 is rotated counterclockwise via the cylinder of the cylinder body 131 with the key inserted in the keyhole 132, the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 move upward. At this time, since the upper end side of the first arm 136 is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, a large force acts on the first arm 136 to rotate the second cam member 135 counterclockwise, whereas since the upper end side of the second arm 137 is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, almost no force acts on the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 counterclockwise.

[0139] In this way, when the first cam member 134 rotates counterclockwise from the normal state, the force is transmitted mainly via the first arm 136, the second cam member 135 rotates counterclockwise, and the rotation transmission member 133 rotates together with the second cam member 135. The force acting upward due to the counterclockwise rotation of the first cam member 134 is proportional to the left-right distance between the portion where the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are attached to the first cam member 134 and the rotation center of the first cam member 134. Therefore, as the first cam member 134 rotates counterclockwise from the normal state, the force acting upward in the first arm 136 decreases, whereas the force acting upward in the second arm 137 increases.

[0140] Therefore, when first cam member 134 exceeds 45 degrees in counterclockwise rotation from the normal state, the force acting upward on second arm 137 becomes greater than that on first arm 136, and second cam member 135 rotates counterclockwise mainly via second arm 137. Then, the key inserted in keyhole 132 can be rotated counterclockwise up to an angle of 90 degrees from the normal state (see FIG. 36(b)).

[0141] Furthermore, when using the key to rotate the key 90 degrees counterclockwise from the normal state and then rotate it 90 degrees clockwise to return it to the normal state, the operation is reversed to that described above.

[0142] On the other hand, when the first cam member 134 is rotated clockwise via the cylinder of the cylinder body 131 by a key inserted in the keyhole 132 from the normal state, the first arm 136, the upper end of which is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, moves downward, and the second arm 137, the upper end of which is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, moves upward. At this time, since the upper end of the first arm 136 is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, a large force acts to rotate the second cam member 135 in the clockwise direction by the first arm 136, whereas since the upper end of the second arm 137 is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, almost no force acts from the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 in the clockwise direction.

[0143] In this way, when the first cam member 134 rotates in the clockwise direction from the normal state, the force is transmitted mainly via the first arm 136, the second cam member 135 rotates in the clockwise direction, and the rotation transmission member 133 rotates together with the second cam member 135. The force that transmits the rotation of the first cam member 134 by the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 to the second cam member 135 is proportional to the left-right distance between the portion where the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are attached to the first cam member 134 and the rotation center of the first cam member 134. Therefore, as the first cam member 134 rotates in the clockwise direction from the normal state, the force of the first arm 136 that tries to rotate the second cam member 135 decreases, whereas the force of the second arm 137 that tries to rotate the second cam member 135 increases.

[0144] Therefore, when the rotation angle of first cam member 134 in the clockwise direction from the normal state exceeds 45 degrees, the force of second arm 137 trying to rotate second cam member 135 becomes stronger than that of first arm 136, and second cam member 135 rotates in the clockwise direction mainly via second arm 137. Then, the key inserted in keyhole 132 can be rotated in the clockwise direction up to an angle of 90 degrees from the normal state (see FIG. 36(c)).

[0145] Furthermore, when using the key to rotate the lock 90 degrees clockwise from its normal state to return it to its normal state by rotating it 90 degrees clockwise again, the operation is the reverse of that described above.

[0146] In this way, according to the cylinder lock 130 of the present embodiment, the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 are connected by the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 which are attached at a 90 degree angle from each other to transmit rotation, so that no matter what rotation position the first cam member 134 (the key inserted in the keyhole 132) is in, the rotation can be transmitted by at least one of the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 (rotation transmission member 133), thereby enabling the door frame 3 and the main frame 4 to be locked and unlocked smoothly.

[0147] Furthermore, according to the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, by transmitting rotation using the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 as a rotation transmission mechanism, the axis of the rotation transmission member 133 (the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4) can be set at a different position relative to the axis of the cylinder body 131. This makes it possible to change the position of the cylinder body 131 in the door frame 3 to any position without changing the locking unit 650, and allows the cylinder body 131 (keyhole 132) to be provided in a position that does not interfere with the decoration of the door frame 3, thereby making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 with a highly decorative door frame 3.

[0148] Furthermore, as described above, even if the position of the cylinder body 131 is changed in the door frame 3, there is no need to change the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4, so the locking unit 650 can be reused, thereby suppressing any increase in costs associated with the pachinko machine 1.

[0149] Incidentally, in the conventional cylinder lock 130A, the rotation transmission member 133 is provided at the rear of the cylinder body 131, so that a fraudulent person who knows the configuration may insert a tool from the front to the rear of the cylinder body 131 and use the tool to fraudulently rotate the rotation transmission member 133, thereby opening the door frame 3 and committing a fraudulent act. In contrast, in the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, the rotation transmission member 133 is provided at a position away from the axis (rear) of the cylinder body 131, so even if a tool is inserted at the rear of the cylinder body 131 to rotate the rotation transmission member 133, the rotation transmission member 133 cannot be rotated because the rotation transmission member 133 is not present at that position, and therefore it is possible to prevent a fraudulent act of opening the door frame 3, the main body frame 4, etc.

[0150] Furthermore, in cylinder lock 130, second arm 137 connects portions of first cam member 134 and second cam member 135 that are spaced apart by a rotation angle of 90 degrees relative to first arm 136. Therefore, even if the portions of either first arm 136 or second arm 137 attached to first cam member 134 and second cam member 135 are positioned on a line connecting the center of first cam member 134 and the center of second cam member 135, the other of first arm 136 or second arm 137 connects the portions that are furthest from the line connecting the center of first cam member 134 and the center of second cam member 135. Therefore, even if one of first arm 136 or second arm 137 is positioned at the dead center of first cam member 134 and second cam member 135 and therefore cannot transmit rotation from first cam member 134 to second cam member 135, the other of first arm 136 or second arm 137 can transmit rotation from first cam member 134 to second cam member 135. As a result, there is no significant resistance to the rotation of first cam member 134 and the key inserted in keyhole 132 can be rotated smoothly, making it easy to lock and unlock the door, and also making it possible to avoid forcing the key inserted in the keyhole to rotate, thereby preventing damage to the key.

[0151] Furthermore, since the rotation of the key inserted into the keyhole 132 is transmitted to the rotation transmission member 133 located in an eccentric position by two arms, the first arm 136 and the second arm 137, even if one of the arms is damaged for some reason, the rotation can be transmitted by the remaining arm, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 having a highly reliable cylinder lock 130.

[0152] In addition, the rotation of the key inserted in the keyhole 132 is transmitted to the rotation transmission member 133 located at an eccentric position by the smooth rod-shaped (strip-shaped) first arm 136 and second arm 137. If the rotation were transmitted by a gear, there is a risk that the gear would rotate and rotate the rotation transmission member 133 by catching the tip of a tool on the teeth of the gear. However, by making the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 into a rod-shaped arm with a smooth surface, it is possible to make it difficult for the tip of a tool to get caught on the first arm 136 or the second arm 137. This makes it possible to prevent the rotation transmission member 133 from being rotated by moving the first arm 136 or the second arm 137. This makes it possible to reliably prevent the locking unit 650 from being operated improperly and the door frame 3 or the main frame 4 from being unlocked.

[0153] In addition, in the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are used as a rotation transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135, but this is not limited to this, and for example, a rotation transmission mechanism using multiple gears, a rotation transmission mechanism using a gear and a rack gear, a rotation transmission mechanism using a sprocket and a chain, a rotation transmission mechanism using a pulley and a belt, etc. may also be used.

[0154] [3-1i. Ball feeding unit] The ball feeding unit 140 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 37 and 38. Figure 37(a) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit of the door frame base unit seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit seen from the back. Figure 38(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit seen from the back with the rear case and anti-tampering member removed. The ball feeding unit 140 can supply the game balls B supplied from the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 one by one to the ball launching device 540 of the main frame 4, and can extract the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202 by operating the upper tray ball extraction button 222.

[0155] The ball feeding unit 140 includes a box-shaped front cover 141 having an entrance 141a penetrating in the front-rear direction through which the game balls B are supplied from the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 and a ball ejection port 141b opening below the entrance 141a, and a rear cover 142 that is box-shaped and has an open front end, a rear cover 142 that closes the rear end of the front cover 141 and has a ball supply port 142a for supplying the game balls B that enter from the entrance 141a of the front cover 141 penetrating in the front-rear direction to the ball launching device 540, and a rear cover 142 and The ball removal member 143 is rotatably supported around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction between the front cover 141 and the front cover 141, and has a partition portion 143a that separates the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b at the rear of the front cover 141, a ball feeding member 144 that is rotatably supported around an axis extending in the up-down direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142 and sends the game balls B on the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 one by one to the ball supply opening 142a of the rear cover 142, and a ball feeding solenoid 145 that rotates the ball feeding member 144.

[0156] As shown in the figure, when viewed from the front, this ball feeding unit 140 has a ball feeding member 144 arranged to the right of the entrance 141a, a ball removal member 143 arranged to the left of the ball feeding member 144, and a ball feeding solenoid 145 arranged to the right of the ball feeding member 144.

[0157] The front cover 141 of the ball feeding unit 140 has an arc-shaped slit 141c formed concentrically with the center of rotation of the ball extracting member 143 to the left of the ball extracting opening 141b when viewed from the front, and the operating rod 143c of the ball extracting member 143 described later extends forward from this slit 141c. In addition, the upper side of the front cover 141 extends upward from the upper edge of the entrance 141a, and is formed so as to close from the rear the portion of the ball feeding guide path 241b and the ball extracting guide path 241c of the rear base 241 in the upper tray ball extracting unit 240 that is open to the rear at the upstream end side when the door frame 3 is assembled.

[0158] The ball removal member 143 comprises a partition portion 143a which acts as a partition between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b below the entrance 141a and has its upper surface lowering toward the ball feeding member 144, a pivoting rod portion 143b which extends downward from the end of the partition portion 143a opposite the ball feeding member 144 and is bent in an L-shape from near the middle in the vertical direction toward the lower center of the ball removal opening 141b, with its lower end supported for rotation around an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction, a rod-shaped operating rod 143c which protrudes forward from the upper end of the rotating rod portion 143b, and a weight portion 143d which protrudes from the side of the rotating rod portion 143b below the operating rod 143c on the opposite side from the partition portion 143a. The operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143 is formed so as to protrude forward through an arc-shaped slit 141c formed in the front cover 141 (see FIG. 37(a)). The operating rod 143c abuts against the upper end (upper surface) of the operating transmission part 242b of the upper tray ball removal slider 242, which moves downward by pressing the upper tray ball removal button 222 of the tray unit 200, through the ball feed opening 101e of the door frame base 101.

[0159] The ball feeding member 144 has a cutoff portion 144a that is fan-shaped in plan view and is centered on the rotation axis extending vertically toward the entrance 141a and the partition portion 143a of the ball extracting member 143, a ball holding portion 144b that is recessed in an arc shape from the rear end of the cutoff portion 144a toward the rotation axis, and a rod-shaped shaft portion 144c that extends downward from the rear end of the ball holding portion 144b. The cutoff portion 144a and the ball holding portion 144b in the ball feeding member 144 are formed adjacent to each other within an angle range of about 180° centered on the rotation axis. The ball holding portion 144b of the ball feeding member 144 is sized to be able to hold one game ball B. The ball feeding member 144 rotates around the rotation axis by moving the shaft portion 144c, which is arranged at an eccentric position with respect to the rotation axis, in the left-right direction by the drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0160] The ball feeding member 144 is adapted to rotate between a supply position where the blocking portion 144a faces the direction of the partition portion 143a and the ball holding portion 144b faces the direction communicating with the ball supply port 142a, and a holding position where the ball holding portion 144b faces the direction of the partition portion 143a. When the ball feeding member 144 is in the supply position, the game ball B held by the ball holding portion 144b is supplied from the ball supply port 142a to the ball launching device 540, and the game ball B that has entered the partition portion 143a from the entrance 141a is prevented from moving toward the ball holding portion 144b (ball supply port 142a) by the blocking portion 144a, and remains on the partition portion 143a. On the other hand, when the ball feeding member 144 rotates to the holding position, the ball holding portion 144b faces the partition portion 143a, and the end portion of the ball holding portion 144b on the rod portion 144c side closes the ball supply port 142a, and only one game ball B on the partition portion 143a is held in the ball holding portion 144b.

[0161] The ball feeding unit 140 also includes a ball feeding operating rod 146 whose tip swings up and down when driven (energized) by the ball feeding solenoid 145, and a ball feeding crank 147 which rotates around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction due to the movement of the tip of the ball feeding operating rod 146 swinging up and down, and which rotates the ball feeding member 144 around an axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0162] The ball feeding operating rod 146 is provided with an iron plate 146a at a position below the ball feeding solenoid 145. The ball feeding operating rod 146 extends left and right, and the end (right end) opposite the ball feeding crank 147 is attached to the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending forward and backward. When the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven, the iron plate 146a of the ball feeding operating rod 146 is pulled toward the ball feeding solenoid 145 (upward) by the generated magnetic force, and the left end side close to the ball feeding crank 147 rotates upward around the right end. After that, when the driving of the ball feeding solenoid 145 is released, the magnetic force disappears and the weight of the iron plate 146a acts, rotating the left end side close to the ball feeding crank 147 downward around the right end, returning to the initial state. As a result, the ball feeding operating rod 146 has its left end (tip) near the ball feeding crank 147 swung up and down by the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0163] The ball feeding crank 147 comprises an engagement portion 147a extending in the left-right direction and capable of engaging with the up-and-down moving tip of the ball feeding operating rod 146, an axle portion 147b arranged on the opposite side of the side of the engagement portion 147a that engages with the ball feeding operating rod 146 and supported rotatably around an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142, and a transmission portion 147c extending upward from the axle portion 147b and engaging with a rod-shaped rod portion 144c (see Figure 38 (b)) that protrudes downward from a position eccentric to the rotation center of the ball feeding member 144.

[0164] This ball feeding unit 140 can rotate a ball feeding crank 147 around an axis extending forward and backward via the ball feeding operating rod 146 by moving the tip (left end) of the ball feeding operating rod 146 upward by driving the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0165] When the ball feeding solenoid 145 is not driven (normally), the ball feeding operation rod 146 is separated from the lower end of the ball feeding solenoid 145 and the tip is positioned downward, and in this state, the ball feeding member 144 is positioned in the feeding position. When the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven, the ball feeding operation rod 146 is attracted to the lower end of the ball feeding solenoid 145 and the tip (left end) is positioned upward, and the ball feeding member 144 rotates to the holding position. In other words, when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven (ON state), the ball feeding member 144 receives one game ball B, and when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is deactivated (OFF state), the game ball B received by the ball feeding member 144 can be sent (supplied) to the ball launcher 540 side. The drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145 in this ball feeding unit 140 is controlled in synchronization with the drive control of the firing solenoid 542 by the launch control unit 633b (see Figure 160) of the payout control board 633.

[0166] In addition, the ball feeding unit 140 is configured to receive a moment of rotation in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the front by the ball removal member 143, which is rotatably supported by the pivot, or the weight portion 143d. However, the rotation of the ball removal member 143 is restricted by the actuation rod 143c protruding forward from the ball removal member 143 coming into contact with the upper end of the actuation transmission portion 242b of the upper tray ball removal slider 242, which is operated by pressing the upper tray ball removal button 222 of the tray unit 200. Therefore, in the normal state, the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 is located between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b to separate them, and the game ball B does not enter the ball removal opening 141b side.

[0167] When the player presses the upper tray ball removal button 222 of the tray unit 200 downward, the upper tray ball removal slider 242 slides downward together with the actuation transmission part 242b, and the actuation rod 143c also moves downward relatively with the downward movement of the actuation transmission part 242b. When the actuation rod 143c moves downward together with the actuation transmission part 242b, the ball removal member 143 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front, and the partition part 143a moves from between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b to release the partition. As a result, the game ball B that entered from the entrance 141a falls to the ball removal opening 141b side, and is discharged from the ball removal opening 141b to the ball removal guide path 241c of the upper tray ball removal unit 240 in the tray unit 200, and can be discharged (supplied) to the lower tray 202 through the lower tray ball supply opening 211c.

[0168] Furthermore, the upper tray ball removal slider 242, which forms the operating transmission part 242b with which the operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143 abuts, is biased upward by a spring. Therefore, even if a game ball B is supplied forcefully onto the partition part 143a, the impact can be absorbed by the spring via the operating rod 143c, preventing damage to the ball removal member 143 etc. and preventing the game ball B from bouncing off the partition part 143a.

[0169] Additionally, ball feeding unit 140 is formed with a rectangular mounting recess 142b (see FIG. 38(b), etc.) recessed forward at the upper right when viewed from behind of ball supply port 142a in rear cover 142, and anti-tampering member 148 is attached within mounting recess 142b. Anti-tampering member 148 of ball feeding unit 140 is formed from a hard metal plate such as tool steel or stainless steel, and is attached removably from the rear side within mounting recess 142b of rear cover 142.

[0170] The anti-tampering member 148 has an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape extending from left to right when viewed from the front, and includes an upper piece portion 148a and a lower piece portion 148b that are separated vertically at approximately the center in the vertical direction within a predetermined distance to the left from the right side, and an inclined portion 148c that is formed in a C-chamfered shape at the tip side (right end side when viewed from the front) of the opposing sides of the upper piece portion 148a and the lower piece portion 148b. The upper piece portion 148a of the anti-tampering member 148 is bent so that the right end when viewed from the front protrudes backward with respect to the general surface of the anti-tampering member 148. The lower piece portion 148b extends on the same plane as the general surface of the anti-tampering member 148. As a result, the upper piece portion 148a and the lower piece portion 148b form a V-shaped groove that widens toward the right when viewed from the top.

[0171] When the tamper-proof member 148 is attached to the mounting recess 142b of the rear cover 142, the V-shaped groove formed by the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b communicates with the inside of the ball supply port 142a.

[0172] According to this fraud prevention member 148, when a fraudulent game ball B with a string attached is shot from the upper tray into the game area 5a by the ball launching device 540 via the ball feeding unit 140, and the string attached to the fraudulent game ball B is manipulated to move the fraudulent game ball B into or out of the first starting hole 2004 or the like, the momentum of the fraudulent game ball B shot (shot) by the ball launching device 540 causes the string attached to the fraudulent game ball B to be inserted between the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b, and the string can then be cut by the narrow V-shaped portion formed by the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b, thereby preventing fraudulent activities using the fraudulent game ball B with a string attached.

[0173] [3-1j. Foul Cover Unit] The foul cover unit 150 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 39 and 40. Fig. 39(a) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit of the door frame base unit seen from the front, and Fig. 39(b) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit seen from the back. Fig. 40 is a front view of the foul cover unit with the cover member removed. The foul cover unit 150 is attached to the right side of the lower part of the rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from the rear. The foul cover unit 150 guides the game ball B (foul ball) that has been launched by the ball launching device 540 and has not reached the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower tray 202, and also guides the game ball B that has been paid out from the payout device 580 to the upper tray 201 or the lower tray 202. As shown in the figure, the fall cover unit 150 comprises a shallow box-shaped unit body 151 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and open at the front, and a flat cover member 152 attached to the front of the unit body 151.

[0174] The foul cover unit 150 is equipped with a through ball passage 150a that penetrates from front to back at the upper left corner when viewed from the front, connecting the lower normal payout passage 610a of the lower full ball path unit 610 of the main body frame 4 and the upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit 200, and a full ball receiving port 150b that opens toward the rear on the lower right side when viewed from the front, and is capable of communicating with the lower full payout passage 610b of the lower full ball path unit 610 of the main body frame 4.

[0175] The foul cover unit 150 also has a foul ball receiving port 150c that opens upward on the right side of the full ball receiving port 150b when viewed from the front, and receives game balls B (foul balls) that have been launched by the ball launching device 540 of the main frame 4 but have not reached the game area 5a, and a ball discharge port 150d that opens forward near the lower right corner when viewed from the front, and discharges game balls B received in the full ball receiving port 150b and the foul ball receiving port 150c forward, and is connected to the lower tray ball supply port 211c of the tray unit 200.

[0176] Furthermore, the foul cover unit 150 is provided with a storage passage 150e formed by the unit body 151 and the cover member 152 between the full ball receiving port 150b, the foul ball receiving port 150c, and the ball discharge port 150d, and having a width sufficient to store a predetermined amount of game balls B.

[0177] The through ball passage 150a is formed across both the unit body 151 and the cover member 152. The full ball receiving port 150b and the foul ball receiving port 150c are formed in the unit body 151. The ball discharge port 150d is formed in the cover member 152. The storage passage 150e is formed by the unit body 151 and the cover member 152.

[0178] The fall cover unit 150 also includes a flat plate-shaped movable piece 153 which forms part of the inner wall of the storage passage 150e and whose lower end is rotatably attached to the unit body 151 and the cover member 152, a full tank detection sensor 154 which detects the rotation of the movable piece 153 in a direction away from the storage passage 150e, and a spring 155 which biases the movable piece 153 toward the storage passage 150e.

[0179] When the lower tray 202 of the tray unit 200 is filled with game balls B and the game balls B are no longer discharged from the ball discharge port 150d to the lower tray 202 side, the foul cover unit 150 can store a certain number of game balls B in the storage passage 150e. When a certain number of game balls B are stored in the storage passage 150e, the weight of the game balls B causes the movable piece 153 to rotate so that the upper end of the movable piece 153 moves in a direction away from the storage passage 150e against the biasing force of the spring 155, and the rotation is detected by the full tank detection sensor 154. As a result, it can be determined that the lower tray 202 is full of game balls B, so when the full tank detection sensor 154 detects the full tank, the payout of any more game balls B is stopped and the fact is notified to the player or the attendant of the game hall, and the player can be prompted to clear the full tank of the lower tray 202.

[0180] In addition, the ball cover unit 150 is attached to the lower side of the through ball passage 150a at the rear side of the unit body 151, and is provided with a door opening / closing abutment 150f against which the operating protrusion 613a of the dispensing passage opening / closing door 613 of the lower full ball path unit 610 in the dispensing unit 560 of the main body frame 4 described later can abut (see FIG. 90). The door opening / closing abutment 150f is inclined so that it moves forward as the rear surface faces downward. When the operating protrusion 613a of the dispensing passage opening / closing door 613 abuts against this door opening / closing abutment 150f, the dispensing passage opening / closing door 613 can be rotated to open the downstream ends (front openings) of the lower normal dispensing passage 610a and the lower full dispensing passage 610b.

[0181] [3-2. Glass unit] The glass unit 160 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 29 and 30. The glass unit 160 is inserted from the rear into the glass unit attachment portion 101h and detachably attached so as to close the door window 101a of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100. When the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main body frame 4, this glass unit 160 makes the playing area 5a of the playing board 5 attached to the main body frame 4 visible from the player side (front) and closes the front of the playing area 5a.

[0182] The glass unit 160 comprises a frame-shaped glass frame 161 that is larger than the inner peripheral shape of the door window 101a of the door frame base 101 and can be attached to the glass unit mounting portion 101h, two transparent glass plates 162 that close the inside of the glass frame 161 and have their outer peripheries attached to the glass frame 161, and a pair of glass unit mounting members 163 that are rotatably attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100 for mounting the glass frame 161 to the door frame base 101.

[0183] The glass frame 161 has a pair of mounting pieces 161a extending outward in a flat plate shape from positions lower than the upper left and right corners when viewed from the front, and a band-shaped locking piece 161b protruding downward from the lower end and extending along the lower side. The mounting pieces 161a of the glass frame 161 can abut against the protruding portion 163b of the glass unit mounting member 163. The locking piece 161b can be inserted into the space between the door frame base 101 and the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 of the door frame reinforcing unit 110 (see FIG. 96). The two glass plates 162 are attached to the front end side and the rear end side of the glass frame 161, respectively, and are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear directions so that a space is formed between them (see FIG. 96).

[0184] The glass unit mounting member 163 has a disk-shaped base 163a that is rotatably attached around an axis extending forward and backward on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a rod-shaped protrusion 163b that protrudes from the base 163a in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The glass unit mounting member 163 is rotatably attached to the outside of the upper two of the four corners of the door window 101a on the rear surface of the door frame base 101.

[0185] To attach the glass unit 160 to the door frame base 101, first, the glass unit attachment member 163 attached to the door frame base 101 is rotated so that the protruding portion 163b is positioned above the base portion 163a. ​​Then, from the rear side of the door frame base 101, the locking piece 161b of the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 is inserted from above into the gap between the door frame base 101 and the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 of the door frame reinforcing unit 110, and the front end of the glass frame 161 is abutted against the rear surface of the glass unit attachment portion 101h of the door frame base 101. After that, the glass unit attachment member 163 is rotated so that the protruding portion 163b is positioned below the base portion 163a, and the protruding portion 163b is abutted against the rear surface of the attachment piece 161a of the glass frame 161. In this way, the glass unit 160 is attached to the door frame base 101.

[0186] When removing the glass unit 160 from the door frame base 101, the above-mentioned procedure can be reversed to remove the glass unit 160. In this way, the glass unit 160 is detachable from the door frame base 101 (door frame base unit 100).

[0187] In the glass unit 160, when the protrusion 163b of the glass unit mounting member 163 is in a rotation position located below the base 163a, the protrusion 163b restricts the rearward movement of the glass frame 161, so that even if vibration or the like acts on the glass unit mounting member 163, the protrusion 163b will not rotate to a position where it is above the base 163a. ​​Therefore, the restriction on the rearward movement of the glass frame 161 will not be released naturally, and the glass unit 160 will not come off the door frame base 101 naturally.

[0188] [3-3. Security cover] The security cover 170 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 29 and 30. The security cover 170 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base unit 100 so as to cover the lower part of the rear surface of the glass unit 160, and is made of a transparent synthetic resin. The security cover 170 includes a flat body portion 171 having an outer periphery formed into a predetermined shape, a flat rear projection 172 that protrudes rearward along the outer periphery of the body portion 171, and a pair of locking pieces 173 that are spaced apart on the left and right, protrude forward beyond the body portion 171, and are capable of being locked to the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0189] The main body 171 of the security cover 170 is formed so that the lower end thereof protrudes downward from the lower end of the glass unit 160 when attached to the door frame base unit 100. The upper end of the main body 171 is formed in a shape that conforms to the lower end of the play area 5a of the play board 5 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. In more detail, the upper end of the main body 171 is formed in a shape that conforms to a part of the inner rail 1002, the out guide part 1003, a part of the lower right rail 1004, and the right rail 1005 of the component member 1000 described later, and is formed so as not to protrude into the play area 5a when assembled to the pachinko machine 1.

[0190] The rear protrusion 172 is formed around substantially the entire circumference of the outer periphery of the main body 171. Therefore, the security cover 170 is formed by the main body 171 and the rear protrusion 172 into a shallow box shape that is open to the rear, and has high strength and rigidity. The rear protrusion 172 also protrudes rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body 171 that is different from the outer periphery of the main body 171. The rear protrusion 172 protruding rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body 171 is formed so as to fit along a part of the outer rail 1001 in the front component 1000 of the game board 5 when assembled into the pachinko machine 1.

[0191] In addition, the rear protrusion 172 is not formed in a portion of the game board 5 located between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 when assembled in the pachinko machine 1. As a result, the game ball B (the game ball B launched by the ball launcher 540) passing between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 does not come into contact with the rear protrusion 172 of the security cover 170, and does not hinder the game ball B from being shot into the game area 5a.

[0192] The pair of locking pieces 173 are elastically locked to the rear side of the door frame base unit 100 (the speaker duct 103 and the cable cover 109). This allows the security cover 170 to be easily attached to and detached from the door frame base unit 100.

[0193] When the security cover 170 is assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the front surface of the main body 171 abuts against the rear surface of the glass unit 160 (the rear end of the glass frame 161), and the rear projection 172 excluding the portion projecting rearward from the bottom edge of the main body 171 is inserted into the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000. Also, the security cover 170 is in a state in which the rear projection 172 projecting rearward from the bottom edge of the main body 171 projects rearward beyond the front surface of the front component 1000 so as to contact the bottom surface of the front component 1000. As a result, the area between the security cover 170 and the game board 5 (front component 1000) is complexly bent by the rear protrusion 172 of the security cover 170 and the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000, so that even if an attempt is made to insert an illegal tool such as a piano wire into the game area 5a between the security cover 170 and the front component 1000 from below the front of the game board 5, the attempt will be blocked by the rear protrusion 172 and the security recess 1009, preventing the illegal tool from entering the game area 5a.

[0194] [3-4. Handle unit and handle cover unit] The handle unit 180 and the handle cover unit 290 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 41 to 47. Fig. 41(a) is an enlarged front view showing the parts of the handle unit and the handle cover unit in the door frame, and Fig. 41(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the parts of the handle unit and the handle cover unit in the door frame. Fig. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the handle cover unit disassembled and seen from the front, and Fig. 43 is an exploded perspective view of the handle cover unit disassembled and seen from the rear. Fig. 44 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit disassembled and seen from the front, and Fig. 45 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit disassembled and seen from the rear. Fig. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Fig. 41(a). Fig. 47 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1. Fig. 46 shows a cross-sectional view of only the door frame 3, with the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 omitted.

[0195] The handle unit 180 in this embodiment is attached to the door frame base unit 100 and the tray unit 200 together with a handle cover unit 290 that covers the outer periphery, and when operated by a player, the game ball B in the upper tray 201 can be shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5.

[0196] First, the handle unit 180 will be described. The handle unit 180 includes a handle base 181, the rear end of which is attached to the handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101 via a handle cover base 291 of a handle cover unit 290 described later, a handle 195 rotatably attached to the front end of the handle base 181, a plurality of handle guides 196 attached to the rear side of the handle 195 and guided by the handle cover base 291 described later, a disk-shaped cover base 183 attached to the handle base 181 so as to cover the center of the front end side of the handle 195, a handle decoration board 184 attached to the front side of the cover base 183 and having a plurality of LEDs 184a mounted on the front surface, and a handle front lens 185 attached to the cover base 183 so as to cover the front side of the handle decoration board 184.

[0197] The handle unit 180 also includes an inner base 186 that is attached to the front of the handle base 181 behind the handle 195, an axle member 187 that has the handle 195 attached to its front end and is rotatably attached by the inner base 186 and the handle base 181 and has a drive gear portion 187a on its outer periphery, a transmission gear 188 that meshes with the drive gear portion 187a of the axle member 187, and a handle rotation detection sensor 189 that has a detection shaft 189a that rotates integrally with the transmission gear 188 and is sandwiched between the handle base 181 and the inner base 186.

[0198] Furthermore, the handle unit 180 is equipped with a handle return spring 190 having one end attached to the handle base 181 and the other end attached to the handle 195, urging the handle 195 to return it to its initial rotation position (the end of rotation in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front), and an auxiliary spring 191 having one end attached to the inner base 186 and the other end attached to the transmission gear 188, urging the detection shaft 189a of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front via the transmission gear 188.

[0199] The handle unit 180 also includes a handle touch sensor 192 attached to the handle base 181 behind the inner base 186, a single button 193 whose tip side protrudes outward from the left side of the front end outer circumferential surface of the handle base 181 when viewed from the front and whose base end side is attached to the handle base 181 behind the inner base 186 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending forward and backward, and a single button operation sensor 194 attached to the handle base 181 and detects the pressing operation of the single button 193.

[0200] The handle base 181 of the handle unit 180 includes a cylindrical base 181a extending forward and backward, a disk-shaped front end 181b protruding radially from the front end of the base 181a, and three grooves 181c recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical base 181a and extending in the axial direction, and formed at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction. The base 181a of the handle base 181 is formed to have an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of a rear cylinder 291c of the handle cover base 291 in the handle cover unit 290. The three grooves 181c are formed at positions corresponding to three protrusions 291d of the handle cover base 291 described later. Therefore, with the three groove portions 181c aligned with the three protrusions 291d, the base portion 181a can be inserted into the rear tubular portion 291c of the handle cover base 291, and by inserting the protrusions 291d into the three groove portions 181c, respectively, the handle base 181 becomes unable to rotate relative to the handle cover base 291.

[0201] The handle 195 includes a disk-shaped central hub portion 195a, a plurality of (three in this example) spoke portions 195b extending radially outward from the central hub portion 195a at intervals in the circumferential direction, an annular outer peripheral ring portion 195c connecting the tips of the plurality of spoke portions 195b, two slits 195d extending in an arc shape about the rotation axis (shaft member 187) and penetrating the central hub portion 195a in the front-rear direction, and a locking projection 195e projecting rearward from a position inside the rotation center of the slits 195d and locking the other end of the handle return spring 190. The outer diameter of the central hub portion 195a is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the general outer peripheral surface of the handle of a conventional pachinko machine.

[0202] When the handle 195 is in a free state (not being rotated), the three spoke parts 195b of the handle 195 extend horizontally from the central hub part 195a to the left, and two spoke parts 195b extend clockwise and counterclockwise from positions at angles of 120 degrees each. The three spoke parts 195b extend to such a length that a gap is formed between the central hub part 195a and the outer peripheral ring part 195c into which a player's fingers can be inserted.

[0203] The outer circumferential ring portion 195c of the handle 195 is provided coaxially with the center of the central hub portion 195a. The outer circumferential ring portion 195c is formed in an annular shape with a constant cross-sectional shape with the U-shaped radius side facing forward.

[0204] The handle 195 is formed so as to be entirely translucent, and is partially plated so as to be electrically continuous from the central hub portion 195a to the outer circumferential ring portion 195c. This allows the handle touch sensor 192 to detect the touch of the handle 195 even when only the outer circumferential ring portion 195c is touched. Therefore, the game ball B can be shot in by rotating the outer circumferential ring portion 195c.

[0205] The handle guide 196 has a U-shaped guide portion 196a that is open toward the center of the handle 195, and a flat mounting stay 196b that extends from the front end of the guide portion 196a toward the center. The mounting stay 196b of the three handle guides 196 is attached to the rear side of the spoke portion 195b of the handle 195 so that the guide portion 196a is located rearward of the outer circumferential ring portion 195c of the handle 195. The handle guide 196 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction by inserting a guide piece 291g of a handle cover base 291 (described later) into the inside of the guide portion 196a.

[0206] The cover base 183 is formed in a disk shape with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the central hub portion 195a of the handle 195, and has three mounting bosses 183a protruding rearward from the rear surface. The three mounting bosses 183a penetrate slits 195d of the handle 195 from the front and are attached to the front surface of the handle base 181. Since the mounting bosses 183a of the cover base 183 penetrate the slits 195d of the handle 195, the mounting bosses 183a come into contact with the circumferential ends of the slits 195d, thereby restricting the rotation angle of the handle 195. In this example, the handle 195 can be rotated within a rotation angle range of approximately 120 degrees.

[0207] The handle decoration board 184 is equipped with a total of ten LEDs 184a (full-color LEDs) in a triple concentric arrangement: one in the center, three at regular intervals on the middle circumference, and six at regular intervals along the outer circumference. These LEDs 184a are divided into five groups: one in the center, three in the middle, two at the top left of the outer circumference, two at the top right of the outer circumference, and two at the bottom of the outer circumference (see FIG. 72). This handle decoration board 184 is equipped with a 24-bit LED driver 184b with a unique address for illuminating each LED 184a. This LED driver 184b can control up to 24 systems, and controls a total of 15 systems, with three systems for each group, so that the five groups of ten LEDs 184a can each be illuminated in full color.

[0208] Although not shown, this handle decoration board 184 is connected to a wiring cable consisting of four electric wires: two power lines (one is a ground line) that supply power to drive the LEDs 184a and the LED driver 184b, one control signal line for receiving signals such as commands and addresses from the peripheral control board 1510, and one clock line for synchronizing the LED driver 184b with the peripheral control board 1510. When the LED driver 184b of this handle decoration board 184 receives a command addressed to the address from the peripheral control board 1510 (performance control board) via the control signal line, it can make the 10 LEDs 184a divided into five groups emit light with appropriate colors and intensities for each group in response to the command.

[0209] As such, since this handle decorative board 184 has an LED driver 184b, it is possible to individually (here, by group) control the light emission of a greater number of LEDs 184a than the number of electric wires that make up the connected wiring cable, thereby reducing the number of electric wires and simplifying the configuration related to the electrical wiring.

[0210] The handle front lens 185 has a rounded bulge at the front and is translucent. The handle front lens 185 is provided with a lens member formed three-dimensionally from a transparent member inside. The handle front lens 185 is illuminated and decorated by appropriately illuminating the LED on the front of the handle decoration board 184.

[0211] The handle rotation detection sensor 189 is a variable resistor, and when the handle 195 is rotated, a detection shaft 189a of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 rotates via the shaft member 187 and the transmission gear 188. The internal resistance of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 changes according to the rotation angle of the detection shaft 189a. Therefore, when the handle 195 is rotated to change the internal resistance of the handle rotation detection sensor 189, the driving force of a launch solenoid 542 in a ball launching device 540 (described later) changes according to the internal resistance, and the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 195.

[0212] The handle touch sensor 192 detects static electricity acting on the handle unit 180, and when the player touches the handle 195, it detects the static electricity acting from the player and detects the player's touch to the handle 195. Then, when the handle touch sensor 192 detects the player's touch, if the handle 195 is rotated, the detection of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 is accepted, and the drive of the launch solenoid 542 is controlled with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 195, so that the game ball B can be shot in.

[0213] Therefore, even if a player tries to shoot the game ball B into the game area 5a by rotating the handle 195 in some way without touching the handle 195, the handle touch sensor 192 does not detect the touch of the player, so the launch solenoid 542 is not driven and the game ball B cannot be shot in. This makes it possible to prevent a player from playing a game by rotating the handle 195 in a way other than the normal way, and reduces the load (burden) on the game hall in which the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

[0214] The single button operation sensor 194 detects the pressing of the single button 193 by the player. When the single button operation sensor 194 detects the operation of the single button 193, the firing control unit 633b of the payout control board 633 stops the driving of the firing solenoid 542. Therefore, when the player presses the single button 193 while rotating the handle 195, the firing of the game ball B can be temporarily stopped without returning the rotation of the handle 195, and by releasing the pressing of the single button 193, the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a again with the same hitting strength before the operation of the single button 193.

[0215] Next, the handle cover unit 290 will be described. The handle cover unit 290 includes a handle cover base 291 that covers the outer periphery of the handle unit 180 behind the handle 195 and has a rear end attached to the handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101, an inner 292 that covers the outer periphery of the handle cover base 291 and has a rear end attached to the dish unit main body 252 of the dish unit 200, a ring-shaped handle cover decorative board 293 that is provided on the front side of the inner 292 and has multiple LEDs 293a mounted on the front surface, a ring-shaped board cover 294 that covers the handle cover decorative board 293 from the front, and a handle cover 295 that covers the outer periphery of the inner 292 and has a rear end attached to the dish unit main body 252 of the dish unit 200.

[0216] The handle cover base 291 comprises a cylindrical front tube portion 291a extending forward and backward with an inner diameter approximately the same as the inner diameter of the outer peripheral ring portion 195c of the handle 195, a middle wall portion 291b extending forward from the rear end of the front tube portion 291a so that the inner diameter becomes smaller as it extends forward, a cylindrical rear tube portion 291c penetrating the middle wall portion 291b and extending forward and backward with an inner diameter into which the base portion 181a of the handle base 181 can be inserted, and multiple (here, three) protrusions 291d protruding inward from the inner circumference of the rear tube portion 291c and extending forward and backward, and are provided at positions corresponding to the groove portions 181c of the handle base 181 in the circumferential direction.

[0217] The handle cover base 291 also includes a flange portion 291e extending outward from a portion rearward of the front end of the outer periphery of the front tube portion 291a, a cylindrical outer tube portion 291f protruding forward from the middle of the flange portion 291e to a position equal to the front end of the front tube portion 291a, a guide piece 291g protruding outward from the front tube portion 291a at a portion between the front end of the front tube portion 291a and the flange portion 291e, and an opening 291h penetrating the lower portion of the front tube portion 291a.

[0218] The middle wall portion 291b of the handle cover base 291 extends from the rear end of the front tube portion 291a to the center in the front-rear direction, with the cross section bulging outward in an arc shape. The rear end of the rear tube portion 291c is attached to the handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101. This rear tube portion 291c is formed to have the same length as the base portion 181a of the handle base 181, and the base portion 181a of the handle base 181 is inserted into the rear tube portion 291c. The three protrusions 291d correspond to the three groove portions 181c of the handle base 181, and by inserting them into the groove portions 181c, the handle base 181 can be made non-rotatable relative to the flange portion 291e. The outer tube portion 291f extends forward from a position outside the center in the radial direction of the flange portion 291e. In this handle cover base 291, a plurality of triangular ribs are provided in the circumferential direction so as to connect the front surface of the flange portion 291e and the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 291f.

[0219] The guide piece 291g protrudes from the outer periphery of the front tube portion 291a from the center between the outer periphery of the front tube portion 291a and the inner periphery of the outer tube portion 291f to a position close to the front tube portion 291a. The guide piece 291g extends in the circumferential direction with a length in the range of about 110 degrees, and three guide pieces 291g are provided in the circumferential direction at intervals of 10 degrees. By inserting the rear end side of the guide portion 196a of the handle guide 196 in the handle unit 180 rearward of the guide piece 291g through between the guide pieces 291g and rotating the handle 195, the guide piece 291g can be positioned within the U-shaped guide portion 196a, and the movement of the guide portion 196a (handle 195) in the front-rear direction can be restricted.

[0220] The opening 291h penetrates the front tubular portion 291a with a length in the front-rear direction from the rear end of the front tubular portion 291a to the vicinity of the flange portion 291e and a size in the circumferential direction within an angle range of approximately 90 degrees.

[0221] The inner 292 has an annular base 292a with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the front cylinder 291a of the handle cover base 291 and an outer diameter larger than the flange 291e, a leg 292b extending rearward from the outer periphery of the base 292a, and a plurality of (four in this example) notches 292c cut out from the rear end of the leg 292b to the vicinity of the base 292a and spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The front cylinder 291a of the handle cover base 291 is inserted into the base 292a from the front, and the base 292a is positioned behind the flange 291e. The leg 292b extends in a curved shape that bulges outward, and its rear end is attached to the dish unit main body 252 of the dish unit 200. The notches 292c are provided at the top and bottom and the left and right parts of the leg 292b.

[0222] The handle cover decorative board 293 is formed in a circular shape with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the front cylinder part 291a of the handle cover base 291 and the same outer diameter as the flange part 291e. The handle cover decorative board 293 is equipped with 12 LEDs 293a and an LED driver 293b having a unique address for illuminating each LED 293a. The 12 LEDs 293a (full color LEDs) are arranged in a row with intervals in the circumferential direction. These 12 LEDs 293a are divided into six groups, two on the lower left, two on the left, two on the upper left, two on the upper right, two on the right, and two on the lower right from the center (see FIG. 72). The LED driver 293b can control up to 24 systems, and controls a total of 18 systems, with three systems for each group, so that the 6 groups of 10 LEDs 293a can each be illuminated in full color.

[0223] Although not shown, this handle cover decoration board 293 is connected to a wiring cable consisting of four electric wires: two power lines (one is a ground line) for supplying power to drive the LEDs 293a and the LED driver 293b, one control signal line for receiving signals such as commands and addresses from the peripheral control board 1510, and one clock line for synchronizing the LED driver 293b with the peripheral control board 1510. When the LED driver 293b of this handle cover decoration board 293 receives a command addressed to the address from the peripheral control board 1510 (performance control board) via the control signal line, it can make the 12 LEDs 293a divided into six groups emit light with appropriate color and intensity for each group according to the command.

[0224] The board cover 294 has an annular front plate portion 294a with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the front cylinder portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 and an outer diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the base portion 292a of the inner casing 292, and a cylindrical side plate portion 294b with the outer peripheral edge of the front plate portion 294a extending rearward. The front plate portion 294a of this board cover 294 is located between the flange portion 291e of the handle cover base 291 and the handle cover decorative board 293, and the side plate portion 294b extends to the base portion 292a of the inner casing 292.

[0225] The handle cover 295 has a front hole 295a at its front end with an inner shape the same as the outer diameter of the outer cylinder portion 291f of the handle cover base 291, and is formed in a tubular shape resembling a spindle (snow igloo-shaped or bowl-shaped, etc.) that bulges toward the rear, and is provided with a plurality of (four in this case) notched openings 295b cut from the rear end toward the front in the circumferential direction. The handle cover 295 is formed to cover the outer periphery of the inner 292, and the plurality of notched openings 295b are formed to coincide with the notches 292c. The rear end of the handle cover 295 is attached to the dish unit main body 252 of the dish unit 200 via the inner 292.

[0226] The handle cover 295 is two-color molded from synthetic resins with different colors and translucency (light transmittance). More specifically, the handle cover 295 is two-color molded from two types of resin, an inner layer 3a and an outer layer 3b, and a part of the inner layer 3a penetrates the outer layer 3b and appears on the outer surface, forming a circular or radial pattern. In other words, the circular or radial pattern appearing on the surface of the handle cover 295 is the inner layer 3a, and the circular or radial pattern is connected on the back side of the outer layer 3b (see FIG. 71(a)). When molding the handle cover 295, the inner layer 3a may be injection molded first, or the outer layer 3b may be injection molded first.

[0227] 46 and the like, when the handle unit 180 and the handle cover unit 290 of this embodiment are assembled to the pachinko machine 1, a portion of the handle unit 180 rearward of the handle 195 is inserted inside the front cylinder portion 291a of the handle cover base 291, and the handle 195 and the handle front lens 185 are positioned forward of the handle cover unit 290. The rear end of the handle base 181 of the handle unit 180 is attached to the handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101 with a portion closing the rear end of the rear cylinder portion 291c of the handle cover base 291 in the handle cover unit 290 sandwiched therebetween.

[0228] The handle 195 of the handle unit 180 has a central hub portion 195a rotatably supported by the handle base 181. The handle 195 has an outer peripheral ring portion 195c on the outside of the central hub portion 195a, which is rotatably supported by the handle cover unit 290 via a handle guide 196 attached to the rear side of the handle 195. The rear end side of the guide portion 196a of the handle guide 196 is inserted (locked) between the front cylinder portion 291a and the outer cylinder portion 291f of the handle cover base 291, and between the flange portion 291e and the guide piece 291g, and is rotatably supported in a state in which movement in the front-rear direction (axial direction) is restricted.

[0229] The handle 195, and the handle cover base 291, inner 292, board cover 294, and handle cover 295 in the handle cover unit 290 are formed to be translucent, and by illuminating the LED 293a of the handle cover decorative board 293, not only can the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195 be illuminated and decorated, but the inside of the handle cover base 291 (front tube portion 291a), the handle cover 295, etc. can also be illuminated and decorated.

[0230] The handle cover unit 290 has a notched opening 295b and a notched portion 292c that match each other in the handle cover 295 and the inner 292, so that when viewed from the outside, it can be seen that there are holes on both the left and right sides and on the bottom that communicate with the inside of the front cylinder portion 291a of the handle cover base 291. This can ease the player's mental anxiety of sticking his / her hand (fingers) into the inside of the front cylinder portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 through between the central hub portion 195a of the handle 195 and the outer peripheral ring portion 195c.

[0231] The upper cutout opening 295b of the handle cover 295 (the upper cutout 292c of the inner cover 292) is closed by the right plate decorative unit 275 and the right door frame unit 430.

[0232] In the handle cover unit 290 of this embodiment, the inside of the front cylinder part 291a of the handle cover base 291 into which the rear side of the handle unit 180 is inserted is connected to the lower cutout part 292c and the cutout opening 295b of the inner 292 and the handle cover 295 through the opening 291h (see FIG. 47). As a result, even if liquid such as a drink or a game ball B enters the front cylinder part 291a of the handle cover base 291 through the gap between the central hub part 195a and the outer circumferential ring part 195c of the handle 195, it can be discharged downward of the handle cover unit 290 through the lower opening 291h, the cutout part 292c, and the cutout opening 295b.

[0233] In addition, if liquid or game balls B enter the cutout openings 295b on both the left and right sides of the handle cover 295, they can pass through the gap between the front tube portion 291a and the leg portion 292b of the inner 292 and be discharged downward through the lower cutout opening 295b.

[0234] 47, the opening 291h of the handle cover base 291, the lower cutout 292c of the inner 292, and the lower cutout opening 295b of the handle cover 295 are provided on an extension line of the inclination direction of the blades 46b of the grill member 46 in the outer-frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2. This allows the wind (wind pressure) discharged diagonally upward and forward from the grill member 46 via the blades 46b due to vibration of the main frame speaker 622 to enter the front tube portion 291a through the opening 291h, the cutout 292c, and the cutout opening 295b. Therefore, when a player inserts his / her fingers inside the handle cover 295 (the front tube portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) and rotates the handle 195 (the device for striking the game ball B), the main frame speaker 622 is vibrated to send air into the front tube portion 291a, surprising the player and providing an unprecedented performance.

[0235] Furthermore, since the handle cover 295 has a cutout opening 295b, when opening the door frame 3 or the main frame 4, the user can hook his / her finger into the cutout opening 295b on the right side and pull it, which can be used as a handle when opening the door frame 3, etc.

[0236] In addition, since the handle 195 is plated up to the outer circumferential ring portion 195c, the handle touch sensor 192 can detect the touch of the handle 195, and the game ball B can be shot in even when only the outer circumferential ring portion 195c is touched.

[0237] In addition, since the handle cover 295 has a cutout opening 295b, the rotational position of the handle 195 can be easily fixed by gripping the outer circumferential ring portion 195c of the handle 195 and the cutout opening 295b with fingers, and the game ball B can be continuously shot into the game area 5a with a constant strength even without continuing to twist the hand. In this way, the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a by rotating the handle 195 in various ways, so that a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that allows the player to select a shooting operation that suits him / her.

[0238] This handle unit 180 is attached to the handle mounting seat 101b of the door frame base 101 via a handle cover unit 290 (handle cover base 291). The handle mounting seat 101b of the door frame base 101 is inclined so that the right end side is located further back than the left end side in a plan view, and faces outward (the open side). Therefore, the handle unit 180 attached via the handle cover base 291 is also inclined outward in a plan view (in other words, its tip is inclined so as to face the outside of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to a line perpendicular to the front surface of the pachinko machine 1). It is attached and fixed to the door frame 3. This makes it easy for the player to grip the handle 195 of the handle unit 180, and allows the player to perform a rotation operation without any discomfort.

[0239] In this manner, according to the handle unit 180 and the handle cover unit 290 of this embodiment, the handle 195 is provided at the lower right corner of the door frame 3 that is provided so as to be openable and closable around the left side as an axis and closes the playing area 5a of the playing board 5 so as to be visible from the front. The handle 195 has a disk-shaped central hub portion 195a, a plurality of spoke portions 195b that protrude radially from the central hub portion 195a, and an annular outer peripheral ring portion 195c that connects the tips of the plurality of spoke portions 195b. In addition, a cylindrical handle cover unit 290 extends rearward from the outer peripheral ring portion 195c. Since the present invention is provided with a handle cover unit 290, a handle 195 and handle cover unit 290 of a never-before-seen form can be seen in the area where a handle is provided in a conventional pachinko machine, which makes a strong impact on the player and strongly attracts the player's interest while increasing the player's motivation to play with the present pachinko machine 1. As a result, it is possible to make it easier for players wandering around the game hall in which the present pachinko machine 1 is installed to select the present pachinko machine 1 as the pachinko machine to play on.

[0240] In addition, since the player's fingers can be inserted into the handle cover unit 290 (the front tube portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) through the gap between the central hub portion 195a and the outer peripheral ring portion 195c of the handle 195, when the player operates the handle 195 to shoot the game ball B into the game area 5a, when the player grasps the central hub portion 195a of the handle 195, the player's fingers become inserted into the handle cover unit 290. This gives the player a different feeling when operating the handle 195 than the handles of conventional pachinko machines, and the player can be entertained by the new sensation of shooting the game ball B, thereby preventing a decline in interest.

[0241] When the player operates the handle 195 and causes a sound effect to be output from the main frame speaker 622 mounted on the speaker unit 620a in the base unit 620A of the main frame 4, the vibration of the main frame speaker 622 causes the air in the enclosure 624 formed by the speaker box 623 to vibrate, and the vibration of the air in the enclosure 624 is released forward as sound pressure (sound wind) through the front panel internal space 40a and port member 47 of the outer frame lower assembly 40 in the outer frame 2 which is connected to the enclosure 624. At this time, the multiple blade portions 46b of the grill member 46 provided at the front end of the port member 47 can guide the sound pressure (sound wind) from the main frame speaker 622 into the handle cover unit 290 (inside the front tube portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) through the cutout opening 295b of the handle cover 295 and the opening 291h of the handle cover base 291, and the sound pressure can stimulate the fingers of the player who is operating the handle 195 with their fingers inserted into the handle cover unit 290 through the gap between the central hub portion 195a and the outer peripheral ring portion 195c. Therefore, by supplying sound pressure from the port member 47 through the cutout opening 295b and the opening 291h to the player's fingers inserted into the handle cover unit 290 depending on the game status within the game area 5a, the player can be surprised, given a sense of an upcoming opportunity, or have the amount of handle operation changed, which can entertain the player and prevent the player from becoming bored, thereby preventing a decline in interest in the game.

[0242] In addition, sound pressure (sound wind) from the main frame speaker 622 can be supplied into the handle cover unit 290 (front tube portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) through the cutout opening 295b and the opening 291h, making it possible to cool the inside of the handle cover unit 290 and making the environment around the player's hands and fingers operating the handle 195 more comfortable, thereby relieving stress on the player and preventing a decline in interest in the game.

[0243] As described above, the sound pressure (sound wind) emitted forward from the port member 47 provided in the outer frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2 different from the door frame 3 in which the handle 195 and the handle cover unit 290 are provided is guided by the multiple blade portions 46b of the grill member 46 to stimulate the fingers of the player who is operating the handle 195 with his / her fingers inserted into the handle cover unit 290 through the gap between the central hub portion 195a and the outer peripheral ring portion 195c. Therefore, compared to a case in which a vibration device is provided in the handle 195, there is no damage to the various sensors (handle rotation detection sensor 189, handle touch sensor 192, single button operation sensor 194, etc.) and bearing mechanism provided in the handle 195, and it is possible to make the handle unit 180 less likely to be damaged, and it is possible to avoid causing discomfort to the player due to damage to the handle unit 180 and suppress a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0244] Furthermore, since the handle 195 has a central hub portion 195a, spoke portions 195b, and an outer circumferential ring portion 195c, the handle 195 has an appearance similar to that of a steering wheel of an automobile, so that even if the appearance is significantly different from that of the handles of conventional pachinko machines, the player can intuitively recognize that the operation of the handle 195 is the same as that of conventional pachinko machines. Therefore, even a player who has seen the present pachinko machine 1 for the first time can operate the handle 195 of the present pachinko machine 1 without confusion, and the player can easily select the present pachinko machine 1 as the pachinko machine to play without hesitation.

[0245] In addition, since cutout opening 295b and opening 291h are provided on the downward facing portion of the outer surface of the handle cover unit 290, into which the player can insert his / her fingers between the central hub portion 195a and the outer peripheral ring portion 195c of the handle 195, when looking inside the handle cover unit 290 (the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) from the front, the lower part of the handle cover unit 290 can be seen through opening 291h and the lower cutout opening 295b, which gives the cylindrical handle cover unit 290 a sense of openness, thereby reducing the player's anxiety about inserting his / her fingers into the handle cover unit 290 and allowing the player to operate the handle 195 without hesitation.

[0246] In addition, through-hole cutout openings 295b and openings 291h are provided in the downward facing portion of the outer peripheral surface of the handle cover unit 290, and the port member 47 of the outer frame 2 (outer frame lower assembly 40) is opened toward the front. Therefore, even if liquid such as a drink or game balls B enter the handle cover unit 290, it can be discharged downward from the lower cutout openings 295b and opening 291h, and liquids discharged downward from the cutout openings 295b and openings 291h are less likely to enter the port member 47.

[0247] Furthermore, the handle 195 has a central hub portion 195a, spoke portions 195b, and an outer peripheral ring portion 195c, and a plurality of cutout openings 295b are provided in the handle cover 295 of the handle cover unit 290, whose front end has the same diameter as the outer peripheral ring portion 195c. This allows the handle to be gripped and operated by hand using the central hub portion 195a in the same way as the handle of a conventional pachinko machine, operated using only the spoke portions 195b, operated like a steering wheel of an automobile using the outer peripheral ring portion 195c, operated by hooking the fingers on the outer peripheral ring portion 195c and the cutout openings 295b, or operated by straddling the outer peripheral ring portion 195c and pinching the inside and outside of the handle cover unit 290 with the fingers. This provides a pachinko machine 1 that allows a variety of operations for shooting in the game ball B (handle operation). Therefore, depending on the game status and the player's condition, the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a in a manner that is easy for the player to operate, which makes it possible to prevent the player from becoming bored and allows the player to enjoy the operation of shooting the game ball B, thereby preventing a decline in interest in the game.

[0248] Also, it is possible to fix the operating position of the handle 195 by hooking and grabbing the outer circumferential ring portion 195c and the cutout opening 295b of the handle 195 with fingers, or by straddling the outer circumferential ring portion 195c and pinching the inside and outside of the handle cover unit 290 with fingers. Therefore, in addition to handle operations similar to those of conventional pachinko machines, handle operations that cannot be performed with conventional pachinko machines can also be performed, so that a variety of handle operations can be provided to the player, and the player can enjoy the handle operations and not easily become bored.

[0249] Furthermore, since the diameter of the front end of the handle cover unit 290 is the same as the diameter of the outer peripheral ring portion 195c of the handle 195, the handle cover unit 290 extends rearward from the outer peripheral ring portion 195c, giving the appearance that the handle cover unit 290 is integrated with the handle 195, resulting in a pachinko machine 1 that looks good and is capable of attracting the attention of players.

[0250] In addition, since the diameter of the front end of the handle cover unit 290 is the same as the diameter of the outer peripheral ring portion 195c, it is possible to prevent the vertical dimension of the handle cover unit 290 from becoming larger than necessary, and by preventing the handle cover unit 290 from compressing the play area 5a (door window 101a) upward, it is possible to prevent the play area 5a from becoming narrower. As a result, the play area 5a can be made larger relatively, and the large play area 5a can make the pachinko machine 1 stand out, resulting in a pachinko machine 1 that is highly appealing and strongly attracts the attention of players.

[0251] Furthermore, by appropriately illuminating the LEDs 293a of the handle cover decorative board 293, the handle cover unit 290 (the inside of the front tube portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 and the handle cover 295) and the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195 can be illuminated and decorated. Therefore, even when the player is operating the handle 195, the illuminated decoration of the handle cover 295 and the outer ring portion 195c is not obstructed by the player's hand, making the handle cover 295 and the outer ring portion 195c stand out, and a highly appealing pachinko machine 1 that is capable of strongly attracting the player's attention can be provided.

[0252] Furthermore, since the handle 195 is provided in the lower right corner of the door frame 3 on the opposite side to the hinge side, and the cutout opening 295b is provided in a portion facing the right side of the outer peripheral surface of the handle cover 295 of the handle cover unit 290, the cutout opening 295b can be used as a handle for opening and closing the door frame 3. Therefore, there is no need to provide the door frame 3 with a handle that would make it look unattractive, and the appearance of the door frame 3 can be improved.

[0253] In addition, the handle cover unit 290 (handle cover base 291) supports the outer peripheral ring portion 195c (handle guide 196) of the handle 195 so that it can rotate in the circumferential direction, and has flange portions 291e and guide pieces 291g that restrict movement in the front-to-rear direction. Even if the outer peripheral ring portion 195c of the handle 195 is pulled forward, the forward movement of the outer peripheral ring portion 195c can be restricted by the guide pieces 291g, etc., so that the outer peripheral ring portion 195c and the spoke portions 195b connecting the outer peripheral ring portion 195c and the central hub portion 195a will not deform, and damage to the handle 195 can be prevented.

[0254] Furthermore, the handle touch sensor 192 detects that the player is touching the handle 195, and then accepts the operation of the handle 195 to shoot the game ball B. Therefore, the game ball B can be shot in even if the handle 195 is operated while touching only the spoke portion 195b or the outer ring portion 195c. This makes it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that allows for a variety of shooting operations (handle operations) as described above, and also prevents the game ball B from being shot in when the player is not touching the handle 195, thereby preventing the handle from being operated using tools and reducing the burden on the game hall.

[0255] [3-5. Overall structure of the plate unit] The dish unit 200 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. Figure 48 is an oblique view of the dish unit of the door frame, and Figure 49 is an oblique view of the dish unit from behind. The dish unit 200 is attached to a portion below the door window 101a on the front side of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100. The dish unit 200 comprises an upper dish 201 for storing game balls B to be shot into the game area 5a, and a lower dish 202 arranged below the upper dish 201 and capable of storing game balls B supplied from the upper dish 201 and the foul cover unit 150.

[0256] The plate unit 200 comprises a plate base unit 210 having an upper plate 201 and attached to the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, a plate decoration unit 250 having a lower plate 202 attached to the front surface of the plate base unit 210, and a performance operation unit 300 attached to the front surfaces of the plate decoration unit 250 and the plate base unit 210 and operable by a player.

[0257] The dish base unit 210 comprises a flat dish unit base 211 extending to the left and right, an upper dish main body 212 attached to the upper front part of the dish unit base 211 and having an upper dish 201, a mounting base (not shown) attached to the right of the upper dish main body 212 and protruding forward, a dish unit relay board (not shown) attached to the right of the mounting base, a ball lending operation unit 220 attached to the top surface of the mounting base, an upper dish pre-ball removal unit (not shown) attached below the mounting base, and an upper dish post-ball removal unit 240 attached to the rear of the upper dish pre-ball removal unit.

[0258] The plate decoration unit 250 comprises a lower plate main body 251 which is attached to the lower front part of the plate unit base 211 and has a lower plate 202, a plate unit main body 252 which is attached to the front part of the plate unit base 211 so as to cover the outer periphery of the lower plate main body 251, a lower plate ball removal unit 260 which is attached to the underside of the lower plate main body 251, and a left plate decoration unit 270 and a right plate decoration unit 275 which are attached to the upper front part of the plate unit main body 252, spaced apart from each other on the left and right.

[0259] The performance operation unit 300 is provided with a performance operation section 301 that can be operated by the player, which includes a touch operation section 302 that can be operated by the player through contact and a press operation section 303 that can be operated by the player through pressing. The performance operation unit 300 is provided with a performance operation section cover unit 310 having a spherical outer surface, an operation section base 315 that is housed in the performance operation section cover unit 310 and attached to the front of the plate decoration unit 250, a circular performance operation section outer periphery decoration board 320 attached to the upper surface of the operation section base 315, an outer periphery board cover 325 that covers the upper side of the performance operation section outer periphery decoration board 320, and an operation section relay board unit 330 attached to the rear side of the operation section base 315.

[0260] In addition, the performance operation unit 300 is equipped with a performance operation unit unit 350 which is capable of protruding upward from the performance operation unit cover unit 310 and on which the performance operation unit 301 is provided, a performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 which is attached to the operation unit base 315 and supports the performance operation unit unit 350 so that it can be raised and lowered, and a protrusion force adjustment mechanism 380 which adjusts the upward protrusion force of the performance operation unit unit 350 by the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360.

[0261] The tray unit 200 bulges forward as a whole, with the performance operation unit 300 positioned in the left-right center so that the top surface of the performance operation unit 301 faces diagonally upward and forward, with the upper tray 201 positioned to the left of the performance operation unit 300 on the top surface and the ball lending operation unit 220 positioned to the right of the performance operation unit 300, and the lower tray 202 positioned below the upper tray 201 and to the left of the performance operation unit 300.

[0262] [3-5a. Upper plate] The upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The upper tray 201 is formed by a tray unit base 211 and an upper tray body 212, and is formed in a container shape that is open upward and bulges forward more on the left side than the center when viewed from the front. The upper tray 201 (upper tray body 212) bulges forward most at about 1 / 3 of the left end to the right side relative to the left-right width of the door frame 3. The upper tray 201 has a guide passage portion 201a (see Figure 73) whose front end recedes backward as it moves from the most bulging portion to the right when viewed from the front, and whose depth in the front-back direction is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The entire bottom surface of the upper tray 201, including the guide passage portion 201a, is inclined so that the right end side is lower, and the right end side of the guide passage portion 201a when viewed from the front is recessed below the ball lending operation unit 220.

[0263] When assembled to the tray unit 200, the upper tray 201 has a bottom surface that is inclined downward from a position lower than the upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit base 211 to a position slightly lower than the outer diameter of the game ball B relative to the upper end of the upper tray ball delivery port (not shown). This allows the game ball B released forward from the upper tray ball supply port 211a to be received and stored within the upper tray 201, and the received game ball B can be supplied from the right end side of the guide passage portion 201a through the upper tray ball delivery port to the ball delivery unit 140 side.

[0264] In addition, the guide passage section 201a is equipped with a metal earth fitting that is electrically grounded (earthed) in the pachinko machine 1, and when the game ball B comes into contact with it (rolls), the static electricity charged to the game ball B can be removed.

[0265] [3-5b. Lower plate] The lower tray 202 of the tray unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 50. Figure 50(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part by cutting horizontally at the lower tray ball supply port in the door frame, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part by cutting the same part as (a) in a conventional door frame, and (c) is a table comparing the number of game balls stored in the lower tray in the present embodiment and the conventional product. The lower tray 202 is located below the upper tray 201, to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the tray unit 200 (door frame 3) when viewed from the front. The lower tray 202 is formed of a lower tray main body 251 and a tray unit base 211. The lower tray 202 is formed in a container shape capable of storing game balls B, and is provided with a lower tray ball removal hole 202a that penetrates the bottom wall vertically and allows the game balls B to be discharged. The lower dish ball removal hole 202a of the lower dish 202 is closed by a lower dish ball removal cover 265 of the lower dish ball removal unit 260 in a manner that allows it to be opened and closed.

[0266] The lower tray 202 is formed in a generally rectangular shape extending left and right when viewed from above, with the front end on the left side protruding further forward than the right side from the center in the left-right direction. The lower tray 202 has a lower tray ball removal hole 202a that penetrates from top to bottom, located near the front end near the right end. The lower tray 202 is inclined so that the bottom surface is lower toward the lower tray ball removal hole 202a. When assembled to the tray unit 200, the lower tray ball removal hole 202a of the lower tray 202 is located below the performance operation unit 300, to the left of the front of the lower tray ball supply port 211c.

[0267] When the lower tray ball ejection hole 202a is closed, the lower tray 202 can store the game ball B released forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211c, and by opening the lower tray ball ejection hole 202a, the stored game ball B can be discharged below the tray unit 200 (e.g., a cash box). Also, when the lower tray ball ejection hole 202a of the lower tray 202 is open, since the lower tray ball ejection hole 202a is disposed in front of the lower tray ball supply port 211c, the game ball B released forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211c can be quickly discharged downward from the lower tray ball ejection hole 202a by moving the shortest distance.

[0268] Here, in a conventional pachinko machine, as shown in FIG. 50(b), a lower tray ball ejection hole 202b of the lower tray 202 is provided in front of the central axis of the lower tray ball supply port 211j of the tray unit base 211 in the tray base unit 210 that communicates with the ball ejection port 150d of the far cover unit 150. The lower tray ball supply port 211j is made cylindrical and extends straight forward so that the game ball B ejected forward from the ball ejection port 150d goes straight to the lower tray ball ejection hole 202b. This allows the game ball B ejected forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211j to be quickly ejected downward from the lower tray ball ejection hole 202b by moving the shortest distance.

[0269] By the way, when the lower tray ball supply port 211j is designed to guide the game ball B straight toward the lower tray ball removal hole 202b, if the lower tray ball removal hole 202b is closed by the lower tray ball removal cover 265, the game ball B may be concentrated in the area to the right of the center in the lower tray 202, since the lower tray ball removal hole 202b and the lower tray ball supply port 211j are provided near the right end of the lower tray 202. If the game balls B concentrated in the right area in the lower tray 202 block the front of the lower tray ball supply port 211j, the game balls B will not be released from the storage passage 150e of the far cover unit 150 to the lower tray 202 side, and the full tank detection sensor 154 may be activated, and the lower tray 202 may be determined to be full, even though there is still room in the left area in the lower tray 202.

[0270] In contrast, in this embodiment, the details of which will be described later, as shown in Figure 50 (a), the left side wall (ball guide portion 213) of the lower tray ball supply port 211c is inclined so as to extend diagonally left forward. In more detail, the left side wall of the lower tray ball supply port 211c is inclined diagonally left forward at the location directly behind the lower tray ball removal hole 202a so that the distance between the left side wall and the front of the tray unit base 211 is a distance that allows at least one game ball B to circulate.

[0271] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 50, the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is moved to the left of the central axis (line shown by a dotted line) of the rear end (ball release port 150d) of the lower tray ball supply port 211c.

[0272] As a result, by moving the lower tray ball removal hole 202a to the left, the lowest part of the lower tray 202 (the part of the lower tray ball removal hole 202a) moves to the left, thereby reducing the concentration and accumulation of game ball B on the right side of the lower tray 202 when the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is closed. Furthermore, even if multiple game balls B are stored in the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball removal hole 202a and reach the rear end of the lower tray 202 (the front of the tray unit base 211), the left side wall of the lower tray ball supply port 211c extends diagonally to form a gap between the rear end of the lower tray 202 and the rear end of the lower tray 202 through which the game balls B can flow.Therefore, the game balls B released from the foul cover unit 150 (ball release port 150d) or the upper tray ball removal unit 240 (ball removal guide path 241c) toward the lower tray ball supply port 211c can be guided along the diagonally extending left side wall to the left side of the lower tray 202 and released, allowing the game balls B to be properly stored throughout the lower tray 202.

[0273] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the full tank detection sensor 154 from activating and reporting a full tank even when there is sufficient space remaining in the lower tray 202 to store the game balls B, and it is possible to store more game balls B in the lower tray 202.

[0274] [3-5c. Dish base unit] The dish base unit 210 in the dish unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The dish base unit 210 comprises a flat dish unit base 211 attached to the lower front surface of the door frame base unit 100 and extending left and right, an upper dish main body 212 attached to the upper front surface of the dish unit base 211 and having an upper dish 201, and a dish unit relay board 214 attached to the rear surface of the dish unit base 211 near the lower right corner.

[0275] In addition, the dish base unit 210 is equipped with a ball lending operation unit 220 attached to the upper part of the front side of the dish unit base 211, an upper tray pre-ball removal unit (not shown) attached to the front side of the dish unit base 211 below the ball lending operation unit 220, and an upper tray post-ball removal unit 240 attached to the rear side of the dish unit base 211 behind the upper tray pre-ball removal unit.

[0276] [3-5c-1. Dish unit base] The dish unit base 211 of the dish base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The dish unit base 211 is attached below the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, and is formed in a flat plate shape (a shallow box shape with an open rear) extending left and right across the entire width of the door frame base 101.

[0277] The tray unit base 211 is equipped with an upper tray ball supply port 211a that penetrates from front to back near the upper left corner when viewed from the front and extends cylindrically to the rear, a speaker port 211b that penetrates from front to back below the upper tray ball supply port 211a and has a punched metal attached to the front, a lower tray ball supply port 211c that penetrates from front to back at the lower part toward the left of the center when viewed from the front and extends cylindrically to the rear, a notch 211d that is cut out in the right side wall of the part that extends cylindrically to the rear of the lower tray ball supply port 211c to a size that allows a game ball B to pass through, and an upper tray ball delivery port (not shown) that penetrates from front to front on the upper right side of the lower tray ball supply port 211c when viewed from the front and extends vertically, with its upper portion located at the right end of the upper tray main body 212.

[0278] When assembled to the door frame 3, the upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit base 211 has a front end that opens into the rear wall of the upper tray 201, and a cylindrical rear end that passes through the upper tray ball passage port 101g of the door frame base 101 from the front side and connects to the front end of the through ball passage 150a of the foul cover unit 150. This allows the game ball B paid out from the payout device 580 of the payout unit 560 to be supplied (paid out) into the upper tray 201 through the upper tray ball supply port 211a.

[0279] When assembled to the door frame 3, the lower tray ball supply port 211c has a front end that opens into the rear wall of the lower tray 202, and a cylindrical rear end that penetrates the lower tray ball passage port 101f of the door frame base 101 from the front side and connects to the front end of the ball discharge port 150d of the foul cover unit 150. As a result, the game ball B circulating in the storage passage 150e of the foul cover unit 150 is supplied into the lower tray 202 through the lower tray ball supply port 211c. In addition, the downstream end of the ball removal guide path 241c in the rear base 241 of the upper tray ball removal unit 240 is connected to the cutout portion 211d formed in the cylindrically extending portion of the lower tray ball supply port 211c. As a result, by operating the upper tray ball removal button 222, the game ball B stored in the upper tray 201 is discharged from the lower tray ball supply port 211c into the lower tray 202 through the upper tray ball supply port, the entrance 141a and ball removal port 141b of the ball supply unit 140, the ball supply guide path 241b and ball removal guide path 241c of the upper tray post-ball removal unit 240, and the cutout portion 211d.

[0280] When assembled to the tray base unit 210, the upper tray ball supply port 211a is located in front of the ball receiving port (not shown) of the rear base 241 in the upper tray ball removal unit 240, and the game ball B in the upper tray 201 is supplied from the ball receiving port of the upper tray ball removal unit 240 to the ball supply guide path 241b.

[0281] In addition, the dish unit base 211 of this embodiment has a ball guide section 213 that guides the game ball B supplied into the lower dish 202 to a position far from the lower dish ball removal hole 202a. The ball guide section 213 guides the game ball B guided from the upper dish 201 by the ball removal guide path 241c to a position far from the lower dish ball removal hole 202a of the lower dish 202 (the left part of the lower dish 202). As shown in FIG. 50(a), this ball guide section 213 forms a part of the inner wall of the lower dish ball supply port 211c. In detail, the ball guide section 213 forms a left inner wall that faces the right inner wall where the ball removal guide path 241c opens in the inner wall of the cylindrically formed lower dish ball supply port 211c, and is inclined so as to move leftward as it moves from the rear end side to the front end side. Due to the inclination of the left inner wall (ball guide section 213), a distance (gap) is formed between the front surface of the dish unit base 211 (rear end of the lower dish 202) of the dish unit base 211 at the portion directly behind the lower dish ball ejection hole 202a, through which at least one game ball B can flow. As a result, when the game ball B that has flowed through the ball ejection guide section 241c from the upper dish 201 abuts against the ball guide section 213 from the right, it is guided to the left front by the inclination of the ball guide section 213, and the game ball B can be guided to the left end side of the lower dish 202, away from the lower dish ball ejection hole 202a in the lower dish 202. In other words, the ball guide section 213 can guide the game ball B to a position far from the lowest portion in the lower dish 202 (the lower dish ball ejection hole 202a).

[0282] However, as shown in Figure 50 (b), the lower tray ball supply port 211j in a conventional pachinko machine (also referred to as a conventional product) extends straight in the front-to-back direction, so when the game ball B guided by the ball removal guide path 241c hits the inner wall on the left side of the lower tray ball supply port 211j, it bounces to the right and rolls forward, and is not sent to a position far from the lower tray ball removal hole 202b in the lower tray 202, but is instead stored in the right-side area of ​​the lower tray 202 where the lower tray ball removal hole 202b is located. Therefore, in conventional products, game balls B (shown by a dotted line in Figure 50 (b)) tend to accumulate in the area to the right of the center in the lower tray 202. If the game balls B concentrated in the right-hand area of ​​the lower tray 202 block the front of the lower tray ball supply port 211j, the game balls B will no longer be released from the storage passage 150e of the foul cover unit 150 toward the lower tray 202, which may cause the full tank detection sensor 154 to be activated and determine that the lower tray 202 is full, even though there is still room in the left-hand area of ​​the lower tray 202.

[0283] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, since it has the ball guiding section 213, the game ball B that has circulated through the ball removal guiding section 241c can be guided to the left area in the lower tray 202. In addition, even if multiple game balls B are stored in the lower tray 202 from the area of ​​the lower tray ball removal hole 202a and reach the rear end of the lower tray 202 (the front of the tray unit base 211), the game ball B released from the foul cover unit 150 (ball discharge port 150d) or the upper tray ball removal unit 240 (ball removal guide path 241c) to the lower tray ball supply port 211c side can be guided to the left side in the lower tray 202 through the space between the left side wall (ball guiding section 213) of the lower tray ball supply port 211c and the rear end of the lower tray 202, and the game ball B can be stored throughout the entire lower tray 202. Therefore, even if there is sufficient space remaining in the lower tray 202 to store the game balls B, the full tank detection sensor 154 can be prevented from activating and reporting that the tank is full, and more game balls B can be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0284] And, to support the above-mentioned operational effect, the inventors of the present application counted the number of game balls B stored in each lower tray 202 when the full tank detection sensor 154 was activated in the product of this embodiment and the conventional product. The game balls B were counted 10 times for each. As a result, as shown in the table of FIG. 50(c), the number of stored game balls B in the lower tray 202 of this embodiment (product of this embodiment) was significantly greater than that of the conventional product in every count, and it was confirmed that, on average, about 40% more game balls B can be stored than in the conventional product.

[0285] [3-5c-2. Upper plate body] The upper tray body 212 of the tray base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The upper tray body 212 is attached to the front of the tray unit base 211 and cooperates with the tray unit base 211 to form the upper tray 201. The upper tray body 212 is formed in a container shape (dish shape) with an open top and rear. The upper tray body 212 extends left and right, and the left side bulges forward more than the center left and right when viewed from the front. The front end of the upper tray body 212 retreats rearward from the most forward bulging part toward the right when viewed from the front, and the depth in the front-to-rear direction is formed to a width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The bottom surface of the upper tray body 212 is inclined so that the right end is the lowest. The upper part of the upper tray body 212 near the right end is closed.

[0286] When the upper tray body 212 is assembled to the tray unit 200, the portion that is closed at the top near the right end is attached so that it fits under the ball lending operation unit 220. In addition, the upper tray body 212 has a performance operation unit attachment portion 212a formed in the middle of the upper part in the left-right direction, and a part of the performance operation unit 300 is attached to this performance operation unit attachment portion 212a.

[0287] [3-5c-3. Dish unit relay board] The dish unit relay board 214 of the dish base unit 210 is intended to relay the connection between the door frame sub-relay board 105 in the door frame base unit 100 and the dish left decorative board 273, dish right decorative board 278, and operation unit relay board 332. The dish unit relay board 214 is attached near the lower right corner of the rear surface of the dish unit base 211. When attached to the dish unit base 211, the rear surface of this dish unit relay board 214 faces the rear side of the dish unit base 211.

[0288] [3-5c-4. Ball lending operation unit] The ball dispensing operation unit 220 of the tray base unit 210 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 51. FIG. 51 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of the ball dispensing operation unit in the tray unit of the door frame. This ball dispensing operation unit 220 is for discharging game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202, dispensing a predetermined number of game balls B into the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 after inserting cash or a prepaid card into a ball dispensing machine (not shown) provided adjacent to the pachinko machine 1, displaying the remaining amount of cash or a prepaid card inserted into the ball dispensing machine, returning the cash or a prepaid card inserted into the ball dispensing machine minus the amount of the dispensed game balls B, adjusting the volume, and adjusting the amount of light.

[0289] The ball lending operation unit 220 comprises a base portion 221 attached to the upper front part of the tray unit base 211, an upper tray ball removal button 222 arranged near the left end of the top surface of the base portion 221, a translucent, disk-shaped ball lending operation base 223 arranged to the right of the upper tray ball removal button 222 on the top surface of the base portion 221, a ball lending button 224 arranged on the front left side of the ball lending operation base 223, a return button 225 arranged on the front right side of the ball lending operation base 223, a ball lending display unit 226 arranged at the lower rear of the ball lending operation base 223, a volume adjustment button 227 arranged in front of the ball lending button 224 on the outside of the base portion 221, and a light intensity adjustment button 228 arranged to the left of the volume adjustment button 227.

[0290] The upper tray ball removal button 222 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape from the top surface of the base portion 221, and can be moved downward by the player pressing it. The ball lending button 224 is formed in a circular shape, and the character "ball" (ball) is inscribed on the upper surface. The return button 225 is formed in a triangular shape. The ball lending display portion 226 is composed of three 7-segment LEDs and one bullet-shaped LED, and can be clearly seen by the player through the transparent ball lending operation base 223 when illuminated.

[0291] The ball lending operation unit 220 can discharge game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray by pressing the upper tray ball removal button 222. Furthermore, when cash or a prepaid card with a remaining balance is inserted into the ball lending machine and the ball lending button 224 is pressed, a predetermined number of game balls B are supplied to the upper tray 201. When the return button 225 is pressed, the amount of the lent game balls B is deducted from the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine and returned. The ball lending display unit 226 displays the remaining amount of cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine. Furthermore, the ball lending display unit 226 displays an error code when the ball lending machine breaks down.

[0292] The volume control button 227 is for adjusting the volume of music, voice, sound effects, and other sound for presentation output from the top center speaker and top side speaker of the door frame 3 and the low-pitched main frame speaker 622 of the main frame 4. This volume control button 227 is formed in a bicircular gourd shape that combines two circles. The volume control button 227 has the character "+" in the center of one (upper) circle and the character "-" in the center of the other (lower) circle, and a pattern that looks like sound is coming from a speaker is applied to the area between the two circles. The volume control button 227 is formed so that the diameter of the circle on the "+" side is larger than the diameter of the circle on the "-" side. When the "+" side of this volume control button 227 is pressed, the volume increases, and when the "-" side is pressed, the volume decreases.

[0293] The light intensity adjustment button 228 is for adjusting the light intensity of the LEDs of various decorative boards provided on the door frame 3 and the game board 5, and the brightness of the display screen of the performance display device 1600. This light intensity adjustment button 228 is formed in a bicircular gourd shape that resembles a combination of two circles. The light intensity adjustment button 228 has the character "+" in the center of one (upper) circle and the character "-" in the center of the other (lower) circle, and a light bulb pattern is applied to the area between the two circles. The light intensity adjustment button 228 is formed so that the diameter of the circle on the "+" side is larger than the diameter of the circle on the "-" side. When the "+" side of this light intensity adjustment button 228 is pressed, it becomes brighter, and when the "-" side is pressed, it becomes darker.

[0294] The volume control button 227 and the light control button 228 are different colors (for example, the volume control button 227 is white and the light control button 228 is black) to make it difficult for a player to confuse them.

[0295] By the way, when the touch operation unit 302 or the pressing operation unit 303 of the performance operation unit 301 is used to adjust the volume or light intensity, when a player-participation performance that requires the operation of the performance operation unit 301 is not being performed, the performance operation unit 301 is operated appropriately to display a setting menu for adjusting the volume or light intensity on the performance display device 1600, and an item to be adjusted is selected, and then the touch operation unit 302 is operated to change the volume or the brightness of the light intensity, etc., which takes time (effort) to adjust the volume or light intensity. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the volume adjustment button 227 or the light intensity adjustment button 228 can be operated to directly adjust the volume or light intensity, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that simplifies the effort required for adjusting the volume or light intensity and allows adjustment in a short time.

[0296] [3-5c-5. Upper tray ball removal unit] The upper tray pre-ball removal unit and upper tray post-ball removal unit 240 in the tray base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 49. The upper tray post-ball removal unit 240 cooperates with the ball delivery unit 140 to discharge the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202 when the upper tray ball removal button 222 of the ball lending operation unit 220 is pressed.

[0297] The upper tray ball removal unit 240 comprises a rear base 241 attached to the rear surface of the tray unit base 211 so as to close the upper tray ball supply port from the rear, an upper tray ball removal slider 242 attached to the front surface of the rear base 241 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, a spring (not shown) that biases the upper tray ball removal slider 242 upwardly, and a rear cover 244 attached to the rear side of the rear base 241.

[0298] The rear base 241 is equipped with a ball receiving opening (not shown) that protrudes upward from the portion where the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is slidably attached and opens toward the front, allowing the game ball B to pass through, a ball feed guide path 241b that guides the game ball B received in the ball receiving opening downward on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then rearward, and a ball removal guide path 241c that guides the game ball B downward from a position lower than the ball feed guide path 241b on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then guides it to the right when viewed from behind.

[0299] The ball receiving port is formed at the downstream end (right end when viewed from the front) of the guide passage section 201a of the upper tray 201 in a position that opens forward through the upper tray ball supply port of the tray unit base 211 when assembled to the tray base unit 210. The ball supply guide path 241b is formed so that the entrance 141a of the ball supply unit 140 is located at the rear of the lower part when assembled to the door frame 3. This allows the game ball B supplied to the upper tray 201 to enter the entrance 141a of the ball supply unit 140 through the ball receiving port and the ball supply guide path 241b.

[0300] The left and right extending portion of the ball removal guideway 241c protrudes to the right when viewed from the rear from the portion where the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is slidably attached, is inclined so that the right end side when viewed from the rear is lower, and opens to the right side when viewed from the rear. The rear side of the left and right extending portion of the ball removal guideway 241c is closed by the rear cover 244. When assembled to the door frame 3, the upper part of the portion extending vertically below the ball supply guideway 241b is located in front of the ball removal opening 141b of the ball supply unit 140, and is formed so that the right end when viewed from the rear of the portion extending left and right is connected to the cutout portion 211d of the lower tray ball supply opening 211c in the tray unit base 211. As a result, the game ball B discharged from the ball removal port 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 is released into the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball supply port 211c via the ball removal guide path 241c and the cutout portion 211d.

[0301] The upper tray ball removal slider 242 is formed in a square shape when viewed from the front, and includes an actuation receiving part (not shown) protruding forward from the upper left corner, and an actuation transmitting part 242b protruding rearward from the rear surface of the actuation receiving part. The actuation receiving part has a flat upper surface. The actuation transmitting part 242b is inclined so that the upper surface is positioned downward as it approaches the rear, and the lower surface extends horizontally so as to connect with the rear end of the upper surface.

[0302] When the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the actuation receiving portion protrudes forward through the tray unit base 211 from the rear side, and the lower end of the upper tray ball removal button 222 abuts against the upper surface of the actuation receiving portion. Also, when the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the actuation transmission portion 242b protrudes rearward from the rear base 241, and the actuation rod 143c of the ball removal member 143 of the ball feeding unit 140 abuts against the upper surface.

[0303] The spring has an upper end attached to the rear base 241 and a lower end attached to the upper tray ball removal slider 242, and urges the upper tray ball removal slider 242 upward. Therefore, the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is positioned at the upper limit of its upward movement due to the urging force of the spring, and can move downward by resisting the urging force of the spring.

[0304] The upper tray ball removal unit 240 positions the upper tray ball removal slider 242 at its upward end of movement due to the biasing force of the spring, and positions the upper tray ball removal button 222 at its upward end of movement via the actuation receiving part of the upper tray ball removal slider 242. In addition, because the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is positioned at its upward end of movement due to the biasing force of the spring, the actuation rod 143c abutting against the upper surface of the actuation transmission part 242b is prevented from moving downward, and the partition part 143a of the ball removal member 143 is positioned between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b, separating the two.

[0305] Therefore, when the upper tray ball removal button 222 is not pressed, the entrance 141a and the ball removal port 141b in the ball feeding unit 140 are partitioned, and the game ball B sent from the upper tray 201 to the ball receiving port can be sent from the entrance 141a and the ball feeding member 144 through the ball supply port 142a to the ball launching device 540 side.

[0306] On the other hand, when the upper tray ball removal button 222 is pressed downward against the spring force, the upper tray ball removal slider 242 moves downward, and the operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143 that is in contact with the upper surface of the operating transmission part 242b of the upper tray ball removal slider 242 can move downward, and the ball removal member 143 rotates due to the load of the weight part 143d of the ball removal member 143, and the partition part 143a retreats from between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b. As a result, the game ball B that entered the entrance 141a from the upper tray 201 through the ball receiving opening and the ball delivery guide path 241b is discharged forward from the ball removal opening 141b that opens below the entrance 141a. Then, the game ball B discharged forward from the ball removal opening 141b passes through the ball removal guide path 241c and is guided through the cutout portion 211d into the lower tray ball supply opening 211c, and is then released from the lower tray ball supply opening 211c into the lower tray 202, and the game ball B in the upper tray 201 is discharged into the lower tray 202.

[0307] When the downward pressure on the upper tray ball removal button 222 is released, the upper tray ball removal slider 242 moves upward due to the spring force, the upper tray ball removal button 222 rises, and the ball removal member 143 rotates due to the operating rod 143c abutting the operating transmission part 242b, so that the partition part 143a is positioned between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b, returning to the original state.

[0308] In this way, the upper tray ball removal unit 240 can feed the game ball B in the upper tray 201 to the ball launching device 540 side via the ball feeding unit 140, or discharge it to the lower tray 202 side.

[0309] [3-5d. Plate decoration unit] The plate decoration unit 250 in the plate unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 22 to 48. The plate decoration unit 250 has a lower plate 202 and is attached to the front of the plate base unit 210, and the performance operation unit 300 is attached from the front in the center in the left-right direction. The plate decoration unit 250 decorates almost the entire plate unit 200.

[0310] The plate decoration unit 250 comprises a lower plate body 251 which is attached to the lower front part of the plate unit base 211 and cooperates with the plate unit base 211 to form the lower plate 202, a plate unit body 252 which is attached to the front part of the plate unit base 211 so as to cover the outer periphery of the lower plate body 251, a lower plate ball removal unit 260 which is attached to the underside of the lower plate body 251, and a left plate decoration unit 270 and a right plate decoration unit 275 which are attached to the upper front part of the plate unit body 252, spaced apart from each other on the left and right.

[0311] [3-5d-1. Bottom plate body] The lower plate body 251 in the plate decoration unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 50. The lower plate body 251 cooperates with the plate unit base 211 of the plate base unit 210 to form the lower plate 202. The lower plate body 251 extends left and right and is formed in a container shape (dish shape) with an open top and rear. This lower plate body 251 is attached to the lower front part of the plate unit base 211 at a position to the left of the center in the left and right direction, so that the open rear is closed.

[0312] The lower plate body 251 is formed in a generally rectangular shape extending left and right in plan view, with the front end on the left side protruding further forward than the right side from the center in the left-right direction. A lower plate ball removal hole 202a that penetrates vertically is formed in the lower plate body 251 near the front end on the right side in plan view. The bottom surface of the lower plate body 251 is inclined so that it is lower toward the lower plate ball removal hole 202a. The lower plate ball removal hole 202a is closed by the lower plate ball removal cover 265 of the lower plate ball removal unit 260 so as to be able to be opened and closed.

[0313] When the lower dish body 251 is assembled to the dish decoration unit 250, the outer periphery and part of the bottom surface are covered by the dish unit body 252. When the lower dish body is assembled to the dish unit 200, the bottom surface is located below the lower dish ball supply port 211c of the dish unit base 211, and the lower dish ball removal hole 202a is located in front of the lower dish ball supply port 211c. This allows the game balls B released forward from the lower dish ball supply port 211c to be stored.

[0314] [3-5d-2. Dish unit body] The dish unit main body 252 in the dish decoration unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The dish unit main body 252 is attached to the front of the dish unit base 211 in the dish base unit 210 and decorates the front of the dish unit 200. The dish unit main body 252 bulges out so that the center in the left-right direction protrudes forward at the upper side, and bulges out so that the left side in the left-right direction protrudes forward at the lower side. The dish unit main body 252 is also curved such that the upper surface is lowest in the center in the left-right direction. The dish unit main body 252 is formed in a box shape that is open to the rear.

[0315] The plate unit main body 252 has an upper side bulge portion 252a at the upper part that bulges forward from both the left and right ends toward the center in the left-right direction and extends downward and is spaced apart on the left and right, and a lower front decorative portion 252b at the lower part that bulges forward on the left side of the center in the left-right direction so as to cover the outer circumference of the lower plate main body 251.

[0316] A left plate decorative unit 270 and a right plate decorative unit 275 are attached to the front of each of the left and right upper side bulges 252a.

[0317] The plate unit body 252 has a lower plate opening 252d that penetrates from front to back between the upper side bulge 252a on the left side and the lower front decorative part 252b. The lower plate opening 252d is large enough for the player's fingers to be inserted, and is formed so that it becomes wider from top to bottom as it moves to the left. The lower plate opening 252d is formed into a cylindrical shape that extends from front to back by the lower plate body 251 and the underside of the upper side bulge 252a on the left side.

[0318] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, the dish unit main body 252 is provided with a performance operation unit mounting portion formed between a pair of upper side bulges 252a in the left-right center, to which the performance operation unit 300 is attached. The performance operation unit mounting portion is formed to a width of approximately 1 / 3 of the left-right width of the dish unit main body 252.

[0319] The dish unit main body 252 is formed so as to entirely cover the front surface of the dish base unit 210 when assembled to the dish unit 200, with the speaker port 211b facing forward through the lower dish opening 252d.

[0320] [3-5d-3. Bottom tray ball removal unit] The lower tray ball removal unit 260 in the tray decoration unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 27 and 50. The lower tray ball removal unit 260 is attached to the underside of the lower tray body 251, and is for storing game balls B in the lower tray 202 and discharging game balls B from the lower tray 202 by opening and closing the lower tray ball removal hole 202a.

[0321] The lower tray ball removal unit 260 is equipped with a lower tray ball removal button 263 and a lower tray ball removal cover 265 that opens and closes the through hole by operating the lower tray ball removal button 263.

[0322] When the lower tray ball removal unit 260 is assembled to the tray decoration unit 250, the lower tray ball removal button 263 coincides with the front surface of the lower front decorative part 252b of the tray unit main body 252, and the lower tray ball removal lid 265 closes the lower tray ball removal hole 202a. In this normal state, the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is closed by the lower tray ball removal lid 265, and game balls B can be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0323] In the normal state, when the lower tray ball removal button 263 is pressed rearward, the lower tray ball removal cover 265 moves and the lower tray ball removal hole 202a opens, allowing the game ball B in the lower tray 202 to be discharged downwardly of the tray unit 200 through the lower tray ball removal hole 202a.

[0324] Furthermore, when the lower tray ball removal lid 265 is moved by pressing the lower tray ball removal button 263, the lower tray ball removal lid 265 remains in the moved position, the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is kept in the open position, and the game balls B in the lower tray 202 can be continuously discharged downward.

[0325] To close the lower tray ball hole 202a from this state, press the lower tray ball removal button 263, which is set back from the front of the lower front decorative part 252b, backward and then release the pressure, and the lower tray ball removal cover 265 returns to its normal position, and the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is closed. This allows the game ball B to be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0326] [3-5d-4. Left plate decorative unit and right plate decorative unit] The left dish decorative unit 270 and the right dish decorative unit 275 in the dish decorative unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 48 etc. The left dish decorative unit 270 and the right dish decorative unit 275 are attached to the upper part of the front surface of the upper side bulge 252a of the dish unit main body 252. The left dish decorative unit 270 and the right dish decorative unit 275 are disposed on the upper part of the dish unit 200 and decorate both the left and right sides of the performance operation unit 300.

[0327] The left dish decorative unit 270 comprises a left dish decorative body 271 which is semi-cylindrical, extends to the left and right, and is translucent, a left dish decorative lens 272 which is translucent and penetrates the left dish decorative body 271, and a left dish decorative board 273 which is provided behind the left dish decorative lens 272 and has multiple LEDs mounted on the front side.

[0328] The left decorative body 271 extends in a curved shape, moving forward and downward as it moves from the left end to the right end, and is attached to the top of the upper left side bulge 252a. The left decorative body 271 bulges forward in a semicircular arc, with the central axis extending diagonally upward and to the left at the left end and the central axis extending left and right at the right end, forming a shape resembling a twisted semicylinder. The left decorative body 271 is formed in a milky white color.

[0329] The left plate decorative lens 272 extends in the longitudinal direction while coinciding with the front surface of the left plate decorative body 271. The multiple LEDs mounted on the left plate decorative board 273 are full-color LEDs, and when illuminated, the left plate decorative body 271 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0330] When assembled to the door frame 3, the left end of the plate left decorative unit 270 is continuous with the lower end of the door frame left side unit 420. Since the plate left decorative unit 270 does not have ribs midway along the longitudinal direction of the plate left decorative body 271, when the multiple LEDs of the plate left decorative board 273 are illuminated, the entire front of the plate left decorative body 271 can be illuminated and decorated in an approximately uniform manner, giving the appearance of embedded fluorescent lights.

[0331] The right-hand plate decorative unit 275 comprises a right-hand plate decorative body 276 which is semi-cylindrical, extends to the left and right, and is translucent, a right-hand plate decorative lens 277 which penetrates the right-hand plate decorative body 276 and is translucent, and a right-hand plate decorative board 278 which is provided behind the right-hand plate decorative lens 277 and has multiple LEDs mounted on the front side.

[0332] The right plate decorative body 276 extends in a curved shape, moving forward and downward as it moves from the right end to the left end, and is attached to the top of the upper right side bulge 252a. The right plate decorative body 276 is formed in a shape resembling a twisted semicylinder, with a central axis extending diagonally to the upper right at the right end and a central axis extending left and right at the left end. The right plate decorative body 276 is formed in a milky white color.

[0333] The right plate decorative lens 277 extends in the longitudinal direction while coinciding with the front surface of the right plate decorative body 276. The multiple LEDs mounted on the right plate decorative board 278 are full-color LEDs, and when illuminated, the right plate decorative body 276 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0334] When assembled to the door frame 3, the right end of the plate right decorative unit 275 is continuous with the lower end of the door frame right side unit 430. Since the plate right decorative unit 275 does not have ribs along the length of the plate right decorative body 276, when the multiple LEDs on the plate right decorative board 278 are illuminated, the entire front of the plate right decorative body 276 can be illuminated and decorated in an approximately uniform manner, giving the appearance of embedded fluorescent lights.

[0335] When assembled to the door frame 3, the left and right plate decorative units 270 and 275 protrude upward from the front end of the upper side bulge 252a of the plate unit body 252 of the plate decorative unit 250, forming a step between the upper side bulge 252a and the left and right plate decorative units 270 and 275. This allows the player to hook his / her fingers using the step between the left and right plate decorative units 270 and 275 and the upper side bulge 252a, and can be used as a finger hook when leveling the game balls B in the upper plate 201 or operating the performance operation unit 301 described later. In addition, the step between the left and right plate decorative units 270 and 275 and the upper side bulge 252a can prevent the game balls B on the upper side bulge 252a from flowing forward.

[0336] [3-5e. Overall configuration of the production operation unit] The overall configuration of the production operation unit 300 in the plate unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 52 to 56. Fig. 52(a) is a perspective view of the production operation unit seen from the front with the production operation button facing upward, and (b) is a perspective view of the production operation unit of (a) seen from the back. Fig. 53 is an exploded perspective view of the production operation unit disassembled into main components and seen from the front above, and Fig. 54 is an exploded perspective view of the production operation unit disassembled into main components and seen from the front below. Fig. 55(a) is a cross-sectional view of the production operation unit in a state where the production operation unit is in a lowered position and the lift spring support member is at the upper end of the movement, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the production operation unit in a state where the production operation unit has moved from the state of (a) to the upper position. Fig. 56 is a cross-sectional view of the production operation unit in a state where the production operation unit is in a lowered position and the lift spring support member is at the lower end of the movement.

[0337] The performance operation unit 300 is provided in the center of the plate unit 200 in the left-right direction, and serves to decorate the plate unit 200. When a player-participation performance is executed, the player can operate the performance operation unit 300 to participate in the performance. The performance operation unit 300 is attached to the plate base unit 210 and the plate decoration unit 250.

[0338] The performance operation unit 300 includes a performance operation section 301 that can be operated by a player. The performance operation section 301 is composed of a touch operation section 302 that can be operated by a player by touching and a pressing operation section 303 that can be operated by a player by pressing, and can receive operations by the player and move (vibrate) the performance operation section 301, allowing the player to participate in not only the operation of hitting the game ball B but also the performance during the game. The performance operation section 301 includes the touch operation section 302 provided on the upper part of the pressing operation section 303. The performance operation section 301 includes the touch operation section 302 and the pressing operation section 303 formed in a circular shape with a diameter that is about 5 / 8 the outer diameter of the performance operation unit 300.

[0339] The performance operation unit 300 comprises a performance operation unit cover unit 310 with a spherical outer shape that is provided on the front of the dish unit 200 in the left-right center, an operation unit base 315 to which the performance operation unit cover unit 310 is attached on the outside and which is attached to the front of the dish decoration unit 250, a performance operation unit outer periphery decorative board 320 that is provided on the upper surface of the operation unit base 315 and has multiple LEDs 320a mounted thereon for lighting and decorating the upper part of the performance operation unit cover unit 310 (unit upper cover 312), an outer periphery board cover 325 that is attached to the operation unit base 315 so as to cover the performance operation unit outer periphery decorative board 320 from above, and an operation unit relay board unit 330 that is attached to the rear surface of the operation unit base 315.

[0340] In addition, the production operation unit 300 includes a production operation unit unit 350 having the production operation unit 301, a production operation unit lifting mechanism 360 that raises and lowers the production operation unit unit 350, and a protruding force adjustment mechanism 380 that adjusts the protruding force of the production operation unit unit 350. The production operation unit unit 350 is provided so that it can advance and retreat upward from the top surface of the production operation unit cover unit 310 by the production operation unit lifting mechanism 360.

[0341] [3-5e-1. Production control cover unit] The production operation section cover unit 310 of the production operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The production operation section cover unit 310 is attached to the production operation unit attachment section of the dish unit main body 252 of the dish decoration unit 250 via the operation section base 315. The production operation section cover unit 310 decorates the outer periphery of the production operation unit 300 (the periphery of the production operation section unit 350) at the center of the left-right direction of the dish unit 200.

[0342] The performance operation unit cover unit 310 includes a hemispherical unit lower cover 311 that is open upward and backward, and a circular unit upper cover 312 that is provided above the unit lower cover 311 and has an insertion opening 312a through which the performance operation unit 301 is inserted. The unit lower cover 311 is formed in a hemispherical shape so as to cover the front and bottom of the operation unit base 315. The unit upper cover 312 is formed so as to be continuous with the outer surface of the unit lower cover 311. In other words, the performance operation unit cover unit 310 has an outer surface that is formed in a substantially spherical shape. Incidentally, the performance operation unit cover unit 310 of this embodiment is spherical in shape with a diameter of 216 mm.

[0343] The performance operation section cover unit 310 is attached in an inclined state so that the axis of the annular unit upper cover 312 is positioned forward as it goes upward. In this embodiment, it is inclined at an angle of about 18 degrees (18.65 degrees) with respect to the vertical line.

[0344] When the performance operation unit cover unit 310 is assembled to the door frame 3, its front end becomes the front end of the door frame 3, and the distance from the front of the door frame base 101 to the front end of the unit lower cover 311 is approximately 1 / 2 the total width of the door frame base 101 in the left-right direction.

[0345] At least the unit upper cover 312 of the performance operation section cover unit 310 is translucent, and can be illuminated and decorated by the illumination of multiple LEDs on the performance operation section outer periphery decorative board 320 described later.

[0346] When assembled to the tray unit 200, the front end of the performance operation unit cover unit 310 protrudes further forward than the upper tray 201 and the lower tray 202. The performance operation unit cover unit 310 is also connected so that the left tray decorative body 271 and the right tray decorative body 276 extend outward from both the left and right sides of the unit lower cover 311. This makes the performance operation unit 300 stand out, and the integrated decoration gives it a good appearance.

[0347] [3-5e-2. Operation unit base] The operation unit base 315 of the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The rear side of the operation unit base 315 is attached to the performance operation unit attachment portion 212a of the upper tray body 212 in the tray base unit 210. The operation unit base 315 is covered at the front and bottom by the unit lower cover 311, and is covered at the top by the unit upper cover 312 and the performance operation unit 301. The operation unit base 315 is formed in the shape of a container with an open top.

[0348] The operation unit base 315 includes a main body 315a that is a substantially cubic box-like body with an open top, and a flange 315b that extends outward from the top end of the main body and has a circular outer periphery. The main body 315a accommodates the performance operation unit 350. The main body 315a also has a pair of guide shafts 362 and a lower end of a central shaft 366 of a performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 in the performance operation unit 350, which will be described later, attached to its bottom wall. The main body 315a also rotatably supports the lower end side of an adjustment screw 384 of a protruding force adjustment mechanism 380 on the upper surface of the bottom wall. Furthermore, a board base 331 of the operation unit relay board unit 330 is attached to the rear surface of the rear wall of the main body 315a.

[0349] The flange portion 315b has the outer peripheral decorative board 320 of the performance operation unit placed on the upper surface. In addition, the flange portion 315b has the annular outer peripheral board cover 325 attached so as to sandwich the outer peripheral decorative board 320 of the performance operation unit. The unit upper cover 312 is attached to the outer peripheral board cover 325.

[0350] When the operation unit base 315 is assembled to the performance operation unit 300, the upper surface of the flange portion 315b is positioned approximately flush with the upper surface of the unit lower cover 311.

[0351] [3-5e-3. Operation unit relay board unit] The operation unit relay board unit 330 of the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The operation unit relay board unit 330 is attached to the rear surface of the operation unit base 315. The operation unit relay board unit 330 includes a board base 331 attached to the rear surface of the main body 315a of the operation unit base 315, an operation unit relay board 332 attached to the rear surface of the board base 331, and a board cover 333 attached to the board base 331 so as to cover the operation unit relay board 332 from the rear.

[0352] The operation unit relay board 332 relays the connections between the performance operation unit outer decorative board 320 (front decorative board 321 and rear decorative board 322), button outer decorative board 355, vibration motor 356, contact detection sensor main body 358, button middle decorative board 364, operation button lifting drive motor 367, pressure detection sensor 373, lifting detection sensor 374, protrusion force detection sensor 375, and protrusion force adjustment drive motor 381 and the dish unit relay board 214 of the dish base unit 210.

[0353] [3-5e-4. Production operation unit] The production operation unit 350 in the production operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The production operation unit 350 is provided so as to face the outside from the insertion port 312a of the unit upper cover 312 in the production operation unit cover unit 310, and can function as the touch operation unit 302 and the pressing operation unit 303.

[0354] The performance operation unit 350 comprises a cylindrical button body 351 with a bottom and a closed upper end, a disk-shaped contact detection body 352 attached to the upper part of the button body 351, a cylindrical button sleeve 353 inserted into the button body 351 from below, a disk-shaped button base 354 attached to the lower end of the button sleeve 353 and supported so that it can be raised and lowered by a performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360, and an annular outer button decorative board 355 arranged above the button base 354 and having multiple LEDs 355a mounted on its upper surface.

[0355] The performance operation unit 350 also includes a vibration motor 356 arranged between the button body 351 and the button sleeve 353, a motor cover 357 that attaches the vibration motor 356 to the button sleeve 353, and a contact detection sensor body 358 that is connected to the contact detection body 352 and attached to the outer periphery of the button sleeve 353.

[0356] The button body 351 is formed entirely transparent. The button body 351 has a disk-shaped upper surface portion 351a that curves so as to bulge upward, a cylindrical tubular portion 351b that extends downward from the outer periphery of the upper surface portion 351a, and a locking portion 351c that protrudes downward from the lower end of the tubular portion 351b. The upper surface portion 351a is formed in a shape that constitutes a part of a sphere having the same diameter as the spherical surface of the performance operation unit cover unit 310. This upper surface portion 351a is decorated with a circular shape that is formed with a diameter of about 1 / 2 the outer diameter. The outer diameter (diameter) of the upper surface portion 351a (tubular portion 351b) is about 5 / 8 of the diameter of the performance operation unit cover unit 310. The length (height) of the tubular portion 351b is about 5 / 8 of the diameter of the upper surface portion 351a. Four locking portions 351c are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 351b. The locking portions 351c are locked to a button base 354. Incidentally, the button body 351 of this embodiment has a diameter of about 127 mm.

[0357] The contact detector 352 has a circular outer circumference and is formed in a dish shape with a certain width inside bulging upward from the outer circumference. The contact detector 352 is formed below the circular decoration on the upper surface 351a of the button body 351, bulging obliquely upward and with a flat inner surface. This makes the contact detector 352 look like a part of the decoration of the button body 351. The contact detector 352 has flat downward extension pieces 352a extending downward from both left and right ends of the outer circumference and the rear end. The contact detector 352 is attached to the lower surface of the upper surface 351a of the button body 351. The contact detector 352 is formed of punching metal. The capacitance of the contact detector 352 relative to the entire area is suppressed by the multiple holes in the punching metal, preventing erroneous detection. Furthermore, since the contact detector 352 is made of punched metal, light from the LED 364a of the button interior decorative substrate 364 provided below can be transmitted upward, allowing the central portion of the upper surface 351a of the button body 351 to be illuminated and decorated in an excellent condition.

[0358] The contact detection body 352 is connected to an external electrode terminal of a connector in the contact detection sensor body 358. This allows the contact detection body 352 to function as a sensor electrode for detecting capacitance, and allows the contact and approach of a detection target (a player's hand) to the top or side surface of the button body 351. In other words, the contact detection body 352 and the contact detection sensor body 358 allow the button body 351 to function as the contact operation unit 302.

[0359] The button sleeve 353 has a cylindrical sleeve body 353a that extends vertically, and an annular flange portion 353b that extends outward from the lower end of the sleeve body 353a. The button sleeve 353 is formed to be entirely transparent. The outer diameter of the sleeve body 353a is approximately 4 / 7 of the inner diameter of the button body 351, and the length is approximately the same as the length of the cylindrical portion 351b of the button body 351. The button sleeve 353 allows light from the multiple LEDs 355a of the button outer decoration board 355 to pass upward through the flange portion 353b.

[0360] The button base 354 is disk-shaped with a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the button body 351, and is attached to the lower end of the button body 351 so as to close the open lower end side of the button body 351. The button base 354 has a pair of guide holes 354a penetrating vertically at positions symmetrical with respect to the center, a central hole 354b penetrating vertically at the center, and a pair of guide pins 354c protruding from the inner surface of the central hole toward the center. The pair of guide holes 354a are slidably inserted with the guide shafts 362 of the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360. The central hole 354b is formed with an inner diameter large enough to allow the lifting cam member 371 to pass through. The pair of guide pins 354c face each other on the same axis and are attached rotatably around the axis.

[0361] The button base 354 extends downward and further has a flat detection piece 354d that is detected by a pressure detection sensor 373 of the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360. The button base 354 has a locking portion 351c of the button body 351 locked to its outer circumferential surface. The button base 354 is guided so as to be liftable in the vertical direction by a pair of guide shafts 362 being inserted into a pair of guide holes 354a. The button base 354 is also moved in the vertical direction by a pair of guide pins 354c being guided by a cam portion 371a of the lifting cam member 371. The upper ends of a pair of lifting springs 365 of the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 abut against the bottom surface of the button base 354, and the button base 354 is urged upward by the pair of lifting springs 365.

[0362] The button outer decoration board 355 has a plurality of LEDs 355a mounted on its upper surface. The plurality of LEDs 355a are arranged in a row on two concentric circles. More specifically, the plurality of LEDs 355a are provided in a portion slightly outside the sleeve body 353a of the button sleeve 353 and in a portion near the center of the width of the flange portion 353b. By appropriately illuminating the LEDs 355a of the button outer decoration board 355, the portion on the upper surface of the button body 351 outside the contact detector 352 and the side surface (circumferential surface) of the button body 351 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0363] The vibration motor 356 has an eccentric weight attached to its rotation shaft, and can generate vibration by rotating the weight. The vibration motor 356 is arranged so that its rotation shaft extends in the left-right direction. In other words, the vibration motor 356 is arranged so that its rotation shaft extends in a direction perpendicular to the forward and backward direction of the performance operation unit 301. The vibration motor 356 is also provided on a straight line passing through a pair of guide shafts 362 that guide the performance operation unit 301 (the performance operation unit 350) in the up-down direction. This allows the vibration from the vibration motor 356 to be transmitted well to the performance operation unit 301. Also, the effect of the vibration from the vibration motor 356 on the pair of guide holes 354a (the pair of guide shafts 362) can be reduced.

[0364] The contact detection sensor body 358 is a capacitance sensor. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the contact detection sensor body 358 has a sensor IC having a surge protection circuit, a transmission circuit, a detection smoothing circuit, a comparison circuit, etc., an output circuit, a constant voltage circuit that supplies power to the sensor IC and the output circuit, a sensor electrode, and a connection connector. The contact detection sensor body 358 can detect the capacitance of the sensor electrode inside. In addition, the connection connector of the contact detection sensor body 358 has an external electrode terminal connected to the sensor electrode, and the external electrode terminal is connected to the contact detection body 352. In other words, the contact detection sensor body 358 can make the contact detection body 352 function as an external sensor electrode. The contact detection sensor body 358 detects the capacitance with the sensor electrode and outputs an ON signal when the capacitance exceeds a predetermined capacitance set by an external resistor. In this embodiment, the contact detection sensor body 358 outputs an ON signal when the capacitance exceeds a predetermined capacitance, but it may output a signal in multiple stages depending on the magnitude of the capacitance.

[0365] In the embodiment, the production operation unit 350 is provided with a contact detector 352 that is made to function as a sensor electrode for detecting capacitance by the contact detection sensor main body 358 on the lower surface of the upper surface part 351a of the button main body 351, so that it is possible to detect the contact or approach of a detection target (a player's hand) to the upper surface of the button main body 351 through the contact detector 352. In addition, the contact detector 352 of the production operation unit 350 has a plurality of downward extension pieces 352a extending downward, so that it is possible to detect the contact or approach of a detection target (a player's hand) to the side of the button main body 351 with the production operation unit 350 protruding upward. For this reason, the production operation unit 350 can make the button main body 351 function as the contact operation unit 302 by the contact detector 352 and the contact detection sensor main body 358.

[0366] This production operation unit 350 is supported by the production operation unit lifting mechanism 360 so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. When the production operation unit 350 is moved to the lowest position (normal state), the upper surface 351a of the button body 351 coincides with the upper surface of the unit upper cover 312 of the production operation unit cover unit 310, so that the production operation unit 300 looks like a single sphere. When the production operation unit 350 is moved upward from the normal state by the production operation unit lifting mechanism 360, the upper surface 351a of the button body 351 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the unit upper cover 312, and can function as the pressing operation unit 303 by pressing downward against the biasing force of the lifting spring 365.

[0367] In detail, when the performance operation unit 350 is in the state where it has been moved to the lowest position (normal state), it will not move further downward even if it is pressed, and it is in a state where pressing operation cannot be performed. In this normal state, the detection piece 354d of the button base 354 is detected by the pressing detection sensor 373 of the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360. Then, when the performance operation unit 350 is moved upward from the normal state by the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360, the detection piece 354d of the button base 354 leaves the pressing detection sensor 373 and becomes in a non-detection state. Then, when the upper surface of the performance operation unit 350 is pressed downward and the performance operation unit 350 is lowered to the lower movement end against the biasing force of the lifting spring 365, the detection piece 354d of the button base 354 is detected by the pressing detection sensor 373. As a result, the pressing operation of the performance operation unit 350 (pressing operation unit 303) is detected.

[0368] In addition, since the performance operation unit 350 covers the upper side of the contact detection body 352 made of punching metal with the button body 351, when operating the contact operation unit 302, the player touches the smooth spherical upper surface of the button body 351, and the player does not directly touch the surface of the punching metal with the unevenness caused by the multiple holes, allowing the player to smoothly operate the contact operation unit 302. In addition, since the contact detection body 352 is covered with the button body 351, it is possible to give any tactile sensation to the contact operation unit 302 by forming fine unevenness or multiple streaks on the surface (upper surface) of the button body 351, and the degree of freedom in designing the contact operation unit 302 can be increased, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that is more entertaining to players.

[0369] In the above, the button body 351 is transparent, but the present invention is not limited to this. The button body 351 may be opaque or semi-transparent, so that the lower side is difficult to see through the button body 351. This makes it difficult to see the touch detector 352 made of punching metal through the button body 351, improving the appearance of the performance operation unit 350. In addition, when the button body 351 is opaque, it is preferable that the button body 351 has translucency. This allows the button body 351 to be illuminated and decorated by light from the LED 355a of the button outer decoration board 355 and the LED 364a of the button inner decoration board 364 provided below, and the player can be entertained by the illumination performance of the button body 351.

[0370] [3-5e-5. Lifting mechanism for the production operation unit] The production operation unit lifting mechanism 360 in the production operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The production operation unit lifting mechanism 360 is attached to the operation unit base 315 and can lift and lower the production operation unit 350. The performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 comprises a lifting mechanism base 361 having a substantially circular outer periphery and attached within the main body 315a of the operation unit base 315 below the performance operation unit unit 350; a pair of cylindrical guide shafts 362 arranged symmetrically about the central axis of the lifting mechanism base 361, with their lower ends attached to the bottom wall of the main body 315a of the operation unit base 315 and their upper ends extending upward through the operation unit base 315 and the button base 354; a disk-shaped upper base 363 connecting the upper ends of the pair of guide shafts 362 and having an outer periphery smaller than the inner diameter of the button sleeve 353; and a button decorative board 364 attached to the upper surface of the upper base 363 and having a plurality of LEDs 364a mounted thereon that can emit light upward.

[0371] The performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 also includes a pair of lifting springs 365 through which a pair of guide shafts 362 are respectively inserted and which urge the button base 354 upward, and a central shaft 366 which penetrates vertically at the center of the lifting mechanism base 361 and the button base 354, with its lower end attached to the bottom wall of the main body portion 315a and its upper end attached to the upper base 363.

[0372] Furthermore, the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 includes an operation button lifting drive motor 367 attached to the underside of the lifting mechanism base 361 so that its rotating shaft protrudes upward, a spur gear-shaped lifting drive gear 368 attached to the rotating shaft of the operation button lifting drive motor 367, a spur gear-shaped driven gear 369 meshing with the lifting drive gear 368 and rotatably attached to the upper side of the lifting mechanism base 361, and a lifting cam drive gear member 370 which is rotated by the driven gear 369 and has the central shaft 366 inserted therethrough and is rotatably attached.

[0373] The performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 also includes a lifting cam member 371 which is connected at its lower end to a lifting cam drive gear member 370 and is rotatably attached by having a central shaft 366 inserted therethrough, and which raises and lowers the button base 354 by rotating, and a disk-shaped gear cover 372 which is attached to the upper side of the lifting mechanism base 361 so as to cover the lifting drive gear 368, the driven gear 369, and the lifting cam drive gear member 370 from above.

[0374] In addition, the performance operation unit lifting mechanism 360 is equipped with a pressure detection senso...

Claims

A gaming machine capable of executing a predetermined symbol variation based on the establishment of a predetermined start condition, a first light-emitting unit provided at a predetermined position, specific multi-color light-emitting control means for causing the first light-emitting unit to emit light in a specific multi-color mode, a second light-emitting unit which is a separate member from the first light-emitting unit and is capable of emitting light in the specific multi-color mode, wherein a plurality of light-emitting bodies are provided in the second light-emitting unit, and the specific multi-color mode can be exhibited by the emission of the plurality of light-emitting bodies, the second light-emitting unit is not determined to be abnormal even when not electrically connected to the gaming machine, when the second light-emitting unit is electrically connected to the gaming machine during a specific period which is a period during which the predetermined symbol variation is not executed and the first light-emitting unit emits light in the specific multi-color mode while the second light-emitting unit is not electrically connected to the gaming machine, the second light-emitting unit electrically connected to the gaming machine can emit light in the specific multi-color mode during the specific period, the specific multi-color light-emitting control means causes the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit to emit light in the specific multi-color mode respectively during the specific period, and can cause the second light-emitting unit to emit light in the specific multi-color mode regardless of whether the first light-emitting unit is in a state capable of emitting light in the specific multi-color mode, furthermore, it further includes a special light-emitting unit different from the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit, and the special light-emitting unit is capable of emitting light in a special multi-color mode different from the specific multi-color mode, the special light-emitting unit can execute emission in the special multi-color mode, but does not execute emission in the specific multi-color mode during the specific period A gaming machine characterized by the above.

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