Game machine

Abstract

To appeal the installation position of a game machine more effectively.SOLUTION: A game machine comprises a decoration unit 200 provided in a casing and multiple sheets 250 disposed separately inside the decoration unit 200 (surrounding space V). In the decoration unit 200, at least one side surface has a transmission member (plate section 220), the sheets 250 include a first sheet (right sheet 250R) decorated including a transmission area R and a second sheet (left sheet 250L) with a predetermined decoration, the first sheet (right sheet 250R) is disposed in a transmission member side relative to the second sheet (left sheet 250L) in the inside (surrounding space V) of the decoration unit 200, and a predetermined decoration to the second sheet (left sheet 250L) can be visually recognized via the transmission member (plate section 220) and the transmission area R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, gaming parlors have become overflowing with a wide variety of gaming machines, making it difficult for players to find a location where the gaming machine they want is installed.

[0003] In order to highlight the installation location of the gaming machine, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a gaming machine is known that is equipped with a decorative unit designed with characters related to the gaming machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-156088 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In such gaming machines, it is desirable to provide a decorative unit that can more effectively highlight the installation location.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can more effectively highlight its installation location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises: a decorative unit provided on the housing; A plurality of sheets spaced apart from one another within the decorative unit; Equipped with The decorative unit has at least one side surface having a transparent member, The sheet includes a first sheet having a decoration including a transparent region and a second sheet having a predetermined decoration, Within the decorative unit, the first sheet is positioned closer to the transparent member than the second sheet, and the specified decoration applied to the second sheet can be seen through the transparent member and the transparent area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to more effectively promote the installation location of a gaming machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a portion of the decorative unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a sheet. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a sheet that can be seen in a decorative unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0011] A decorative unit is provided in the gaming machine according to the embodiment. The decorative unit is provided to appeal to players that the gaming machine is installed on the floor of a gaming parlor where the gaming machine is located, for example. The following mainly describes the decorative unit provided in the gaming machine.

[0012] First, a gaming machine 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100. In Fig. 1 and each of the drawings described below, the near side (front side) of the depth direction of the gaming machine 100 is referred to as the near direction, and the far side (rear side) is referred to as the far direction. In addition, when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 100, the right side of the width direction of the gaming machine 100 is referred to as the right direction, and the left side is referred to as the left direction. In addition, in the vertical direction, the upper side is referred to as the up direction, and the lower side is referred to as the down direction.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 100 is provided with a cabinet 102 and a front door 104 rotatably supported at one end of the front surface of the cabinet 102. The gaming machine 100 is also provided with a decorative unit 200. The decorative unit 200 provided on the gaming machine 100 protrudes forward from the gaming machine 100. The decorative unit 200 may be formed integrally with the cabinet 102 or the front door 104 of the gaming machine 100, or may be formed detachably from the cabinet 102 or the front door 104.

[0014] Next, the decorative unit 200 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the decorative unit 200. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the decorative unit 200. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the decorative unit 200 comprises a frame 210, a plate portion 220, a diffusion portion 230, and an intermediate member 240.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 , the frame 210 has an upper region 211, a middle region 212, and a lower region 213. The upper region 211 is a region of the frame 210 that extends in a substantially straight line from the front to the back of the gaming machine 100 and bends downward. The middle region 212 is a region of the frame 210 that is located below the upper region 211, extends in a substantially straight line from the front to the back of the gaming machine 100, and bends downward. The lower region 213 is a region of the frame 210 that is located below the middle region 212 and is separated from the upper region 211 in the up-down direction. The lower region 213 is a region that extends from the front to the back of the gaming machine 100. The upper region 211, the middle region 212, and the lower region 213 each have an upper end and a lower end. A lower end 211b of the upper region 211 is joined to an upper end 212a of the middle region 212, and a lower end 212b of the middle region 212 is joined to an upper end 213a of the lower region 213.

[0016] In addition, the surface of the frame 210 is decorated with decorations similar to those on the cabinet 102 or front door 104 of the gaming machine 100.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 210 is composed of a right frame 210R and a left frame 210L. The right frame 210R is located on the right side when the decorative unit 200 shown in FIG. 2 is divided in half approximately symmetrically. The left frame 210L is located on the left side when the decorative unit 200 shown in FIG. 2 is divided in half approximately symmetrically. Hereinafter, the upper region 211, middle region 212, and lower region 213 of the right frame 210R will be referred to as the upper region 211R, middle region 212R, and lower region 213R, respectively. Furthermore, the upper region 211, middle region 212, and lower region 213 of the left frame 210L will be referred to as the upper region 211R, middle region 212R, and lower region 213R, respectively. When the right frame 210R and the left frame 210L are arranged so that the upper region 211R faces the upper region 211L, the middle region 212R faces the middle region 212L, and the lower region 213R faces the lower region 213L, respectively, the opposing surfaces serve as joining surfaces, and the frame 210 is formed by joining these joining surfaces.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the plate portion 220 is held by the frame 210. As shown in FIG. 3, the plate portion 220 is composed of a right plate portion 220R held by the right frame 210R and a left plate portion 220L held by the left frame 210L. When the joining surfaces of the right frame 210R and the left frame 210L are joined, the right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L face each other in the left-right direction of the gaming machine 100, maintaining a predetermined distance between them. The right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L are, for example, transparent members made of resin. The right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L have shapes that follow the insides of the right frame 210R and the left frame 210L, and their front sides extend in a substantially straight line in the up-down direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the diffusion section 230 is disposed between the upper end 211a and the lower end 213b, and extends vertically in a generally linear fashion. The upper end 231 of the diffusion section 230 is connected to the upper end 211a of the frame 210, and the lower end 232 of the diffusion section 230 is connected to the lower end 213b of the frame 210. The diffusion section 230 is also connected to the front edges of the right plate section 220R and the left plate section 220L. As a result, the decorative unit 200 forms an enclosed space V with the right frame 210R, right plate section 220R, left frame 210L, left plate section 220L, and diffusion section 230. The diffusion section 230 diffuses light emitted from a light source (not shown) into the enclosed space V.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , the intermediate member 240 is disposed in the enclosed space V and serves as a partition plate that divides the enclosed space V into left and right spaces. Here, the right side of the enclosed space V divided into left and right spaces is referred to as the right enclosed space VR, and the left side is referred to as the left enclosed space VL. The intermediate member 240 is a transparent member made of resin and has a predetermined thickness. The intermediate member 240 has a shape that conforms to the outer side of the frame 210, and its front side extends in a substantially linear manner in the vertical direction. The intermediate member 240 having such a shape is sandwiched between the joint surfaces of the right frame 210R and the left frame 210L. The intermediate member 240 may also have a shape that conforms to the inner side of the frame 210, similar to the plate portion 220, and be sandwiched between the right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L.

[0021] The intermediate member 240 is also provided with protrusions 242 on both the left and right side surfaces. Of the protrusions 242, a right protrusion 242R provided on the right side surface of the intermediate member 240 protrudes toward the right plate portion 220R. Of the protrusions 242, a left protrusion 242L provided on the left side surface of the intermediate member 240 protrudes toward the left plate portion 220L. The right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L are provided at positions that are approximately symmetrical left and right with respect to the intermediate member 240. The right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L have, for example, a conical shape.

[0022] The protruding tips of the right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L are slightly spaced apart from the right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L, respectively. That is, the protruding tips of the right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L are not in contact with the right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L, respectively.

[0023] Here, the right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L are integrally molded with the intermediate member 240. However, the bottom surfaces of the conical shapes of the right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L may be joined to the intermediate member 240. In this case, the right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L may be elastic and deformable when an external force is applied. If the right protrusion 242R and the left protrusion 242L are deformable, their tips may come into contact with the right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L. Note that the protrusions 242 are made of a transparent resin material, similar to the intermediate member 240.

[0024] The decorative unit 200, which includes the above-mentioned components, holds a sheet 250, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The sheet 250 will be described below.

[0025] First, as shown in FIG. 2, the seat 250 is placed in the above-mentioned enclosed space V. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the seat 250 is placed separately in each of the right enclosed space VR and the left enclosed space VL, which are separated by the intermediate member 240. Here, the seat 250 placed in the right enclosed space VR is referred to as the right seat 250R, and the seat 250 placed in the left enclosed space VL is referred to as the left seat 250L. The right seat 250R and the left seat 250L have a shape that follows the inside of the frame 210, and their front sides extend in a substantially straight line in the up-down direction. The right seat 250R and the left seat 250L are, for example, sheets made of resin.

[0026] The right seat 250R is disposed in the right enclosed space VR between the intermediate member 240 and the right plate portion 220R. Specifically, the right seat 250R is disposed between the right protrusion 242R of the intermediate member 240 and the right plate portion 220R such that the right side surface of the right seat 250R is in close contact with the right plate portion 220R. The right protrusion 242R presses the right seat 250R against the right plate portion 220R to maintain the position of the right seat 250R.

[0027] Similarly, the left seat 250L is disposed in the left enclosed space VL between the intermediate member 240 and the left plate portion 220L. Specifically, the left seat 250L is disposed between the left protrusion 242L of the intermediate member 240 and the left plate portion 220L such that the left side surface of the left seat 250L is in close contact with the left plate portion 220L. The left protrusion 242L presses the left seat 250L against the left plate portion 220L to maintain the position of the left seat 250L. In other words, the right seat 250R and the left seat 250L are disposed in the enclosed space V separated laterally by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the intermediate member 240 in the left-right direction and the protruding height of the protrusion 242 in the left-right direction.

[0028] In addition, the sheet 250 described above may be held in the decorative unit 200 so that it can be inserted and removed. For example, the diffusion unit 230 may be configured to be detachable from the frame 210. In this case, when the diffusion unit 230 is removed from the frame 210, the front sides of the right enclosed space VR and the left enclosed space VL are opened. Therefore, the sheet 250 can be inserted from the front side toward the back side of the right enclosed space VR and the left enclosed space VL. Alternatively, the right frame 210R and the left frame 210L may be configured to be detachable from each other. In this way, in the decorative unit 200, the sheet 250 can be replaced with another sheet having a similar shape.

[0029] Next, the right seat 250R and the left seat 250L will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a specific example of the right seat 250R and the left seat 250L. Fig. 4 shows the right side surfaces of the right seat 250R and the left seat 250L.

[0030] The right sheet 250R is a decorated sheet including a transmissive region R. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the right side of the right sheet 250R is decorated with a transmissive region R and a black band D at a position corresponding to the protrusion 242 of the intermediate member 240. The transmissive region R is a region that transmits light. Here, the transmissive region R is not decorated and is a colorless and transparent region. However, the transmissive region R only needs to be transmissive, and may be colored or decorated.

[0031] The left seat 250L is a seat that is decorated with a predetermined decoration. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the right side of the left seat 250L is decorated with a character related to the gaming machine 100. In addition, the right side of the left seat 250L is decorated with a shadow S that corresponds to the black band D on the right seat 250R so as to be superimposed on the character decoration. Note that the left seat 250L only needs to have the above-described decoration on the right side, and it does not matter whether the left side is decorated or not.

[0032] For example, the left sheet 250L may be a transparent sheet with decoration, or a non-transparent sheet with decoration. Furthermore, for example, the left sheet 250L may have a shape as shown in FIG. 4 when a single sheet is folded in half. Specifically, when a single sheet is folded in half, the left sheet 250L may have a first sheet portion located on the right sheet 250R side and a second sheet portion located on the opposite side of the right sheet 250R, with the first sheet portion as a boundary. In this case, the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are stored in the left enclosed space VL in a state where they are overlapped in the left-right direction.

[0033] At least one of the first and second sheet portions is made of an opaque material or is entirely covered with opaque decoration. The first sheet portion is decorated on the side facing the right sheet 250R, and the second sheet portion is decorated on the side opposite the first sheet portion with a different decoration from the first sheet portion. This results in the decorative unit 200 having different decorations on both the left and right sides.

[0034] The left sheet 250L may include two sheets configured as separate bodies, and the two sheets may be stacked and stored in the left enclosed space VL.

[0035] A barcode 250B may be provided on the right sheet 250R or the left sheet 250L. For example, by reading the barcode 250B, staff at the gaming facility where the gaming machine 100 is installed can confirm whether the sheet 250 is decorated to correspond to the gaming machine 100 when placing the sheet 250 in the decorative unit 200.

[0036] Next, the appearance of the decorative unit 200 equipped with the right sheet 250R and left sheet 250L as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a sheet that can be seen in the decorative unit 200. Fig. 5 shows an example in which the right sheet 250R and left sheet 250L of Fig. 4 are held in the decorative unit 200.

[0037] As described above, the decorative unit 200 is configured by arranging the intermediate member 240, the sheet 250, and the plate portion 220 in layers in the left-right direction. The intermediate member 240 and the plate portion 220 are also configured from transparent members. Therefore, when the decorative unit 200 is viewed from the right side of the gaming machine 100, the decoration applied to the right side of the left sheet 250L can be seen through the intermediate member 240, the transparent region R of the right sheet 250R, and the right plate portion 220R. If decorations are applied to both sides of the left sheet 250L, when the decorative unit 200 is viewed from the left side of the gaming machine 100, the predetermined decoration applied to the left side of the left sheet 250L can be seen through the left plate portion 220L.

[0038] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the character decoration on the left sheet 250L can be seen through the transparent region R and the right plate portion 220R of the right sheet 250R. In addition, the shadow S on the left sheet 250L and the decoration of the black band D on the right sheet 250R are superimposed. Therefore, when viewed from the right direction of the gaming machine 100, a sense of three-dimensionality can be felt, and the decorativeness of the decorative unit 200 can be improved.

[0039] Furthermore, since the decoration of the black band D on the right seat 250R is provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion 242 of the intermediate member 240, the protrusion 242 can be prevented from being seen when the decorative unit 200 is viewed from the right direction of the gaming machine 100. This makes it possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable about the decoration when viewing the decorative unit 200 from the right direction of the gaming machine 100.

[0040] Furthermore, in the decorative unit 200, the light emitted from the light source is reflected in the enclosed space V by the diffusion section 230, so when the decorative unit 200 is viewed from the left or right of the gaming machine 100, the decorations on the right sheet 250R and the left sheet 250L appear to be luminous. This emphasizes the decorations on the sheets 250, more effectively highlighting the presence of the gaming machine 100.

[0041] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0042] The gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the gaming machine 100 described above. A decorative unit 200 provided in the housing 102; A plurality of sheets 250 arranged at intervals inside the decorative unit 200 (enclosed space V); Equipped with The decorative unit 200 has at least one side surface with a transparent member (plate portion 220), The sheet 250 includes a first sheet (right sheet 250R) decorated with a transparent region R, and a second sheet (left sheet 250L) decorated with a predetermined decoration. Inside the decorative unit 200 (enclosed space V), the first sheet (right sheet 250R) is positioned closer to the transparent member (plate portion 220 side) than the second sheet (left sheet 250L), and it is sufficient that the specified decoration applied to the second sheet (left sheet 250L) can be seen through the transparent member (plate portion 220) and the transparent region R of the first sheet (right sheet 250R).

[0043] In addition, in the above embodiment, when the decorative unit 200 is viewed from the right side of the gaming machine 100, the decoration as shown in Figure 5 can be seen. However, by swapping the arrangement of the right sheet 250R and the left sheet 250L, the decorative unit 200 can also be configured so that when viewed from the left side of the gaming machine 100, the decoration as shown in Figure 5 can be seen.

[0044] Furthermore, in the plate portion 220 of the above embodiment, both the right plate portion 220R and the left plate portion 220L are made of transparent material, but it is sufficient if either the right plate portion 220R or the left plate portion 220L is made of transparent material, and when the decorative unit 200 is viewed from the side made of transparent material, the decoration as shown in Figure 5 can be seen.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, two sheets, the right sheet 250R and the left sheet 250L, are arranged in the enclosed space V of the decorative unit 200, but three or more sheets may be arranged.

[0046] In addition, in the above embodiment, the sheet 250 placed in the enclosed space V of the decorative unit 200 is configured to be decorated with illustrations of characters, etc., but it may also be decorated with a string of characters showing various information indicating the specifications and status of the gaming machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 gaming machines 102 Case 200 decorative units 210 frames 220 Board part 230 Diffusion section 240 Intermediate parts 250 seats 250R right seat (first seat) 250L left seat (second seat) R transmission area V. Enclosed space (inside the decorative unit)

Claims

[Claim 1] a decorative unit provided on the housing; A plurality of sheets spaced apart from one another within the decorative unit; Equipped with The decorative unit has at least one side surface having a transparent member, The sheet includes a first sheet having a decoration including a transparent region and a second sheet having a predetermined decoration, Within the decorative unit, the first sheet is disposed closer to the transparent member than the second sheet, and the predetermined decoration applied to the second sheet can be seen through the transparent member and the transparent area. A gaming machine characterized by:

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