Game machine

Abstract

To disclose a technique such that a button is pressed smoothly.SOLUTION: A game machine 10 has a button 30 supported so as to be pressed by a support member 50. The button 30 forms a container structure in which the lower surface is open and is in a dome shape bulging upward. The button 30 also has a rotating shaft 34J in the rear on its side surface. The rotating shaft 34J of the button 30 is fitted to an axial bearing section 55 of the support member 50 and the button 30 is rotated with the rotating shaft 34J as a center and is pushed down.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine having a button that can be pressed. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a machine in which the lower part of the button is fitted to a support member so as to be able to move linearly is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-051369 A (Fig. 2) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, the buttons may tilt when pressed and may not move smoothly. Therefore, this application discloses a technique for enabling the buttons to be pressed smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the invention made to solve the above problem is a gaming machine having a button that can be pressed, the button having a pivot axis at the rear of its side, and being pressed by rotating around the pivot axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The buttons of the gaming machine of the present disclosure are pressable, but unlike conventional buttons of this type, they have a pivot shaft at the rear of the side and rotate around this pivot shaft, which allows the buttons of the gaming machine of the present disclosure to be pressed more smoothly than conventional buttons that are supported so that they can move linearly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the effect button device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the effect button device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the effect button device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the button seen from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the button seen from below. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the support member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the effect button device when the button is at the upper limit position, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the effect button device when the button is at the lower limit position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the effect button device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the decorative member. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the decorative member as seen from the rear. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the swing restriction mechanism. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a decorative member. [Figure 15] FIG. 15A is a plan view showing the positions of the plurality of detected parts when the rotating member is placed in a first position, and FIG. 15B is a plan view showing the positions of the plurality of detected parts when the rotating member is placed in a second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A gaming machine 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15. As shown in Figure 1, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine that has a front door 10Z on its front side, and a game board (not shown) can be seen through a window 10W formed in the front door 10Z. A launch handle 28 is provided in the lower right corner of the front door 10Z, and when the launch handle 28 is rotated, a game ball is launched toward a game area formed in front of the game board.

[0009] When a game ball flowing down the game area enters a starting winning hole (not shown), a notification judgment effect is executed on a display screen (not shown). In the notification judgment effect, three special symbols are scrolled and then displayed still, and a win / loss determination is made based on whether the three special symbols displayed still are the same. The notification judgment effect includes a button effect that requests the operation of button 30, which will be described next.

[0010] An effect button device 30S is provided at the center of the bottom of the front door 10Z. The effect button device 30S is supported by a support member 50 (see FIG. 2) so that the button 30 can be pressed.

[0011] 5 and 6, the button 30 includes, for example, an upwardly bulging dome portion 31, step walls 32 projecting laterally from both sides of the dome portion 31, and side walls 33 extending downward from the outer edges of the dome portion 31 and step walls 32. The dome portion 31 has, for example, a straight portion formed by horizontally cutting out the rear portion of a circle in a plan view, and is sized to include a circle with a diameter of 15 cm. The outer edge of the front portion of the dome portion 31 is smoothly curved and connected to the side walls 33, while the outer edges other than the front portion are bent approximately vertically before connecting to the side walls 33 or the step walls 32.

[0012] The side wall 33 includes a flat rear side wall 33B that hangs down to match the straight portion at the rear of the dome portion 31, and a front side wall 33F that forms the curved surface at the front of the dome portion 31, and the vertical length increases from the rear side wall 33B to the front side wall 33F. The rear side wall 33B is provided with a support piece 34 that protrudes rearward. The support piece 34 includes a pair of opposing pieces 34A and a connecting wall 34B that connects the upper ends of the pair of opposing pieces 34A, and a rotation shaft 34J is fitted into the pair of opposing pieces 34A.

[0013] As shown in Figure 7, the support member 50 is formed by assembling multiple parts to a base portion 51. The base portion 51 has multiple support walls 53 that stand up from both side edges and the rear of a main plate portion 52 made of sheet metal, and these support walls 53 support an annular member 54. The annular member 54 has a groove shape that can receive the side wall 33 of the button 30 and is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the front. A shaft receiving portion 55 is provided at the rear of the annular member 54. The shaft receiving portion 55 is in the shape of a horizontally elongated box that opens upward and is provided with stepped pedestals (not shown) protruding from both ends, and an engagement portion that can receive the rotation shaft 34J of the button 30 is formed on the upper surface of the pedestal. A pair of notches 55A for receiving the pair of opposing pieces 34A of button 30 are formed in the portion of outer wall 54A of annular member 54 where shaft receiving portion 55 is provided, and the portion of outer wall 54A between the pair of notches 55A is formed low to avoid interference with connecting wall 34B. Also, a notch 55B is formed in the portion of inner wall 54B of annular member 54 where shaft receiving portion 55 is provided. With this configuration, as shown in Figure 3, rotation shaft 34J of button 30 is supported by the engaging portion of shaft receiving portion 55, and button 30 rotates about rotation shaft 34J.

[0014] 5 and 6, a pair of protruding portions 35 are provided on the side wall 33 of the button 30. The pair of protruding portions 35 are arranged at positions on the side wall 33 farthest from the dome portion 31 in the left-right direction, and include a protruding piece 35A extending in the front-to-rear direction, a bent piece 35B bending from the lower rear end of the protruding piece 35A toward the dome portion 31, and a plurality of supports 35C connecting the bent piece 35B and the side wall 33.

[0015] 8A, a plurality of through-holes 54H are formed in the bottom wall 54C of the annular member 54 at positions corresponding to the plurality of support posts 35C. The pair of overhanging portions 35 are engaged with the annular member 54 such that the plurality of support posts 35C are inserted into the plurality of through-holes 54H and the overhanging pieces 35A cover the annular member 54 from the outside. Compression coil springs 35D are inserted in a tensioned state through the plurality of support posts 35C. As a result, the plurality of compression coil springs 35D bias the button 30 toward the upper end (hereinafter referred to as the "upper limit position") of the range in which the button 30 can rotate (move).

[0016] As shown in Figure 7, the front end of the annular member 54 is cut out so as not to interfere with the front decorative body 70, which will be described later, and an L-shaped reinforcing plate 56 is attached to part of the cutout. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the height of the bottom wall 54C is one step higher at the front end of the annular member 54. When the button 30 is pressed against the elastic force of the multiple compression coil springs 35D (see Figure 8B), the button 30 abuts against the reinforcing plate 56 and is positioned at the lower end of its rotatable (movable) range (hereinafter referred to as the "lower limit position").

[0017] As shown in Fig. 9, the front ends of the protruding pieces 35A of the pair of protruding portions 35 are detectable parts for detecting a pressing operation, and a pair of sensors 57S are provided on both sides of the annular member 54. When the button 30 is positioned at the upper limit position, the protruding piece 35A is positioned between the pair of opposing pieces 57A of the detection sensor 57S (only one of the opposing pieces 57A is shown in Fig. 9). When the button 30 rotates (moves) to the lower limit position, the protruding piece 35A is positioned downward from between the pair of opposing pieces 57A, and it is detected that the button 30 has been pressed.

[0018] In this embodiment, the sensor 57S and the protruding piece 35A that detect the pressing operation of the button 30 are provided on both the left and right sides, but they may be provided on only one side. Also, the position where the detection unit that detects the pressing operation (sensor 57S and protruding piece 35A) is provided is not limited to both the left and right sides of the button 30, and may be, for example, the front end.

[0019] As described above, the base portion 51 has the pivot 34J of the button 30 engaged with the pivot receiving portion 55, and the pair of protruding portions 35 covering the annular member 54 from the outside. The front decorative body 70 is attached to the front surface, and the top decorative body 60 is attached to the top surface. As shown in FIG. 7, the front decorative body 70 has a front opening 50B cut out in a roughly U-shape at its upper end, and a visor wall 71 protruding from the edge of the front opening 50B toward the button 30. The top decorative body 60 has an upper opening 50A that opens upward and forward. The button 30 is fitted to the support member 50 with the dome portion 31 protruding from the upper opening 50A of the top decorative body 60 and the front side wall 33F exposed from the front opening 50B of the front decorative body 70, as shown in FIG. 1. The opening of the support member 50 consisting of the upper opening 50A of the top decorative body 60 and the front opening 50B of the front decorative body 70 will be referred to as the button fitting hole 50K.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the front of the button 30 is provided with an interior facing wall 36 that protrudes forward. The interior facing wall 36 is roughly U-shaped (see Figure 7) to correspond to the eave wall 71 of the front decorative body 70, and extends along the lower end of the front side wall 33F, then slopes upward as it goes laterally. The interior facing wall 36 also protrudes more at the center and both ends. Furthermore, a return wall 37 protrudes upward from the front end of the interior facing wall 36.

[0021] The effect button device 30S is provided with a motor 38M as a drive source for vibrating the button 30. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a motor housing 39 that houses the motor 38M is attached directly to the button 30 (Fig. 5 shows a state in which the cover of the motor housing 39 has been removed).

[0022] The motor housing 39 is disposed on the side wall 33 of the button 30 (more specifically, above one of the protruding portions 35 on the side wall 33) and is fixed to the side wall 33 with, for example, screws. When the motor 38M is operated, the eccentric weight 38A rotates around the rotation output shaft 38J, and the eccentric weight 38A causes the motor 38M to vibrate. The vibrations are transmitted to the button 30 via the motor housing 39, causing the button 30 to vibrate in the vertical direction, including the rotational direction of the button 30. As shown in Figure 8A, the motor housing 39 is covered from above by the top decorative body 60, making it difficult to see from the outside.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the motor 38M is disposed outside the button 30, but it may also be disposed inside the button 30. The motor 38M is preferably disposed at a location other than the rear, away from the rotation shaft 34J. In the above embodiment, the motor housing 39 is provided as a separate component from the button 30. Alternatively, the motor 38M may be attached directly to the button 30 by integrally forming an engagement portion with which the motor 38M can be engaged. The rotation output shaft 38J of the motor 38M extends in the front-rear direction, but this is not limiting. For example, the rotation output shaft 38J may extend in the vertical direction, or may be inclined relative to the front-rear and vertical directions.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, a light-shielding plate 40 is placed on the inner surface of the dome portion 31 of the button 30. The light-shielding plate 40 is roughly semi-cylindrical in plan view and is positioned toward the rear of the dome portion 31. As a result, the portion of the dome portion 31 in front of the light-shielding plate 40 forms a light-transmitting portion 41, and the decorative member 80S housed inside the support member 50 can be seen through this light-transmitting portion 41.

[0025] The light-shielding plate 40 is not limited to being provided at the rear of the dome portion 31, but may also be provided, for example, at the outer edge of the dome portion 31. Furthermore, the entire dome portion 31 may be made a light-transmitting portion without providing the light-shielding plate 40.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, decorative member 80S has a structure in which a rotating member 80 is rotatably supported on an inclined base 100 that slopes downward as it moves forward, and the rotating member 80 is received within dome portion 31.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the tilting base 100 includes a pedestal 101 and a base portion 110 that is placed on the pedestal 101. The pedestal 101 is provided with a plurality of support pillars 102 that protrude forward so as to be tilted. The plurality of support pillars 102 are formed so that the rear portion of the pedestal 101 is taller than the front portion. The plurality of support pillars 102 fix a main plate portion 111 of the base portion 110 so as to be tilted.

[0028] 10, an engaging portion 120 (described below) that engages with the rotating member 80 is formed on the main plate portion 111 of the base portion 110, and for example, a circular decorative portion 112 is attached so as to surround the engaging portion 120. In addition, a plurality of support posts 113 protrude from the periphery of the decorative portion 112 on the base portion 110, and a decorative cover 114 is supported by these plurality of support posts 113. The decorative cover 114 has a ring shape that can receive the rotating member 80 and covers the outer edge of the base portion 110.

[0029] 10 and 11, the engaging portion 120 has a circular shape in plan view and includes a large diameter portion 123 and a small diameter portion 124 that protrude rearward in a stepped manner, with a surrounding wall 123W standing along the outer edge of the large diameter portion 123. In addition, an engaging protrusion 121 that protrudes forward is provided at the center of the small diameter portion 124.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 11 , the pivoting member 80 includes a shaft portion 81, a decorative body 85 that covers the shaft portion 81, and a pivoting base 90 that supports the decorative body 85. The shaft portion 81 is fitted into the inside of the engaging protrusion 121 of the engaging portion 120 and fixed to the base portion 110 with screws. The shaft portion 81 also includes an expanded diameter portion 81A at its front end, to which a light-emitting substrate 82 with a light-emitting element mounted is attached. A first light guide plate 83 that covers the entire light-emitting substrate 82 and a second light guide plate 84 that covers only a portion of the light-emitting substrate 82 are stacked on the front surface of the light-emitting substrate 82. The shaft portion 81 has a hollow structure, and wiring extending from the light-emitting substrate 82 passes through the shaft portion 81 and extends from the inside of the engaging protrusion 121 to the rear side of the base portion 110.

[0031] 11 and 12, the rotating base 90 is made up of multiple parts, and has a large diameter portion 93 at its base end that engages with the large diameter portion 123 of the engagement portion 120. The large diameter portion 93 is circular in plan view, has a gear 94 integrally molded on its rear surface, and has an engagement hole 91H in its center that penetrates the large diameter portion 93 and the gear 94. A plurality of sliding ridges 93T are formed on the rear surface of the large diameter portion 93, closer to the outer edge than the gear 94. When the engagement hole 91H is engaged with the outside of the engagement ridge 121 of the engagement portion 120 of the base portion 110, the rotating base 90 receives the large diameter portion 93, causing the plurality of sliding ridges 93T to abut against the bottom surface, and the gear 94 is received in the small diameter portion 124. As shown in FIG. 3, the decorative portion 112 is fixed to the main plate portion 111 so as to cover the outer edge portion of the rotating base 90 from above, and restricts movement of the rotating base 90 in the direction of the central axis.

[0032] 11, a front projection 95 that projects forward in a stepped manner is provided on the front surface of the rotating base 90, and a cone-shaped engagement recess 96 is formed at the front end of the front projection 95. The engagement recess 96 includes a reduced diameter portion 96A that tapers downward and reduces in diameter, and a bottom wall 96B that forms the bottom of the reduced diameter portion 96A, and a through-hole 96H through which the shaft portion 81 is inserted is formed in the center of the bottom wall 96B.

[0033] The decorative body 85 comprises a disk portion 85A and an engagement protrusion 85B protruding from the rear surface of the disk portion 85A. The disk portion 85A has a space inside that can accommodate the expanded diameter portion 81A of the shaft portion 81. The front end of the disk portion 85A is provided with a decorative portion 86 that emits light in response to light from a light-emitting element mounted on the light-emitting substrate 82 of the expanded diameter portion 81A. The engagement protrusion 85B is tapered, with a slope that changes midway, and comprises a base end 85B1 and a tip end 85B2 that is steeper than the base end 85B1. The tip end 85B2 of the engagement protrusion 85B also has a through-hole 85H formed therein, into which the shaft portion 81 fits loosely. The diameter of the through-hole 85H is slightly larger than the diameter of the through-hole 96H of the engagement recess 96. Then, with the shaft portion 81 loosely fitted into the through hole 85H of the decorative body 85 and the enlarged diameter portion 81A housed within the disk portion 85A, the tip portion 85B2 of the engaging protrusion 85B of the decorative body 85 is received in the reduced diameter portion 96A of the engaging recess 96.

[0034] A plurality of hook portions 85F, 95F are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the rear surface of the decorative body 85 and the base end of the front projection 95. Each end of a compression coil spring 97 is engaged with these hook portions 85F, 95F, and the compression coil spring 97 is locked in a tensioned state. As a result, when the rotating member 80 is stopped, the plurality of compression coil springs 97 cause the center of the decorative body 85 to approximately coincide with the center of the shaft portion 81H.

[0035] As shown in Figure 12, a motor 98M is provided on the rear surface of the base 110 as a drive source, and the motor 98M engages with the gear 94 of the rotating base 90 via a relay gear 99. When the motor 98M operates, the rotating base 90 rotates. Then, the decorative body 85 tilts so that the tip 85B2 of the engaging protrusion 85B abuts the inner surface of the reduced diameter portion 96A due to centrifugal force, and rolls within the reduced diameter portion 96A in an inclined state. This causes the rotating member 80 to rotate and swing around the rotation axis 80J.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 10, the base portion 110 is provided with a pair of swing restriction mechanisms 130 for restricting the swing of the rotating member 80. The pair of swing restriction mechanisms 130 are arranged at positions near the front end of the outer edge of the base portion 110, and as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, comprise a motor 130M as a drive source, multiple relay gears 131, a cam 132, and a gear 133G formed integrally with the cam 132. When the motor 130M is activated, the cam 132 rotates from a standby position (shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 14) to a restriction position via the multiple relay gears 131, and approaches or abuts against the side of the decorative body 85 from below, restricting the swing of the decorative body 85. Decorative cover 114, which covers the pair of swing restriction mechanisms 130, is provided with radially extending notches 114K and bulges 114A that cover the outer portions of notches 114K at positions facing cam 132. Camshaft 132S of cam 132 is provided with detectable portion 134, and the position of cam 132 is detected depending on whether or not detectable portion 134 is located between a pair of opposing pieces of sensor 135S.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, a decorative portion 86 is provided on the front surface of the rotating member 80, imitating, for example, a character or mark that appears in the determination notification performance. The decorative portion 86 has, for example, a shape resembling an equilateral triangle protruding forward, and includes a plurality of special decorative portions 86S as light-transmitting portions at the vertices. The plurality of special decorative portions 86S are each disposed equidistant from the rotation axis 80J of the rotating member 80. In order to stop the decorative portion 86 of the rotating member 80 in a first position of an upward-pointing triangle shown in FIG. 15A or a second position of a downward-pointing triangle shown in FIG. 15B, the rotating member 80 and the base portion 110 are provided with a plurality of detectable portions 94T, a first sensor 141S, and a second sensor 142S.

[0038] 12, the plurality of detectable parts 94T are provided on the gear 94 of the rotation base 90 of the rotating member 80. The plurality of detectable parts 94T are arranged with gaps between them along an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis 80J of the gear 94. In this embodiment, the number n of detectable parts 94T is 3, and the plurality of detectable parts 94T are arranged at intervals of 120° (=360° / n).

[0039] 11 and 12, an annular groove 124M is formed in the small diameter portion 124 of the base portion 110 to receive a plurality of detected portions 94T. A first sensor 141S and a second sensor 142S are provided in the annular groove 124M. The first sensor 141S and the second sensor 142S are attached to the base portion 110 from the rear side so that a pair of opposing pieces 140 face each other in the width direction of the annular groove 124M and protrude forward.

[0040] 15, when viewed from the front, the first sensor 141S is disposed on the left side of the rotation shaft 80J, and the second sensor 142S is disposed on the right side of the rotation shaft 80J, 180° away from the first sensor 141S. In detail, when the decorative part 86 in the first position is rotated by 60° (=360° / 2n), it assumes the second position, so the second sensor 142S is disposed at a position that is an odd multiple of 60° (an odd multiple of 360° / 2n; in this embodiment, three times 60° is 180°) away from the first sensor 141S.

[0041] When the rotating member 80 rotates, a first detection signal is output each time the first sensor 141S overlaps with one of the plurality of detectable portions 94T, and a second detection signal is output each time the second sensor 142S overlaps with one of the plurality of detectable portions 94T. The gaming machine 10 is provided with a CPU (not shown), which serves as a discrimination unit that discriminates between the first detection signal and the second detection signal. When the CPU receives the first detection signal to stop the decorative portion 86 in the first position, it stops the rotation of the rotating member 80. When the CPU receives the second detection signal to stop the decorative portion 86 in the second position, it stops the rotation of the rotating member 80.

[0042] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which three detectable parts 94T are provided, but the number of detectable parts 94T may be any number equal to or greater than three. Also, an example has been described in which sensors (first sensor 141S and second sensor 142S) are provided on base part 110 and multiple detectable parts 94T are provided on rotating member 80, but conversely, sensors may be provided on rotating member 80 and multiple detectable parts may be provided on base part 110.

[0043] This completes the explanation of the configuration of the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment. Next, the effects of the gaming machine 10 will be explained. In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, when a gaming ball enters the start winning slot, a notification determination effect is executed on the display screen, and in this notification determination effect, a button effect requesting the player to operate the button 30 may be executed. One of the button effects, for example, is provided to request the player to operate the button 30 one or more times.

[0044] Although the button 30 of this embodiment is operated by pressing, it differs from the conventional structure in that it is supported so as to be linearly movable, in that it has a rotation shaft 34J at the rear of the side wall 33 and rotates around the rotation shaft 34J. This allows the button 30 to be pressed more smoothly than a conventional button that is supported so as to be linearly movable.

[0045] Furthermore, by smoothly pressing the button 30, the pressing operation of the button 30 can be detected more accurately than before, reducing the discrepancy between the notification determination performance and the button performance, and improving the ingenuity of the performance.

[0046] 1, the button 30 is supported by the support member 50 with the dome portion 31 protruding from the upper opening 50A and the front sidewall 33F exposed from the front opening 50B. This makes it easier for the player to place their hand over the front end of the button 30, which is away from the rotation axis 34J.

[0047] Furthermore, the button 30 of this embodiment is large enough to include a circle with a diameter of 15 cm in plan view, so that an average adult can comfortably place their entire palm on top of the button 30 with their palm open. This allows the player to easily press the button 30 using the weight of their arm. Moreover, the button 30 has a dome shape that bulges upward, making it easy for the player's palm to fit comfortably and for the player to press the button.

[0048] Furthermore, a larger button 30 may require a larger depression stroke, and in the button 30 of this embodiment, the depression stroke is greatest at the front of the button 30, which is farther from the pivot shaft 34J. Furthermore, in a structure in which the button 30 is fitted into the button fitting hole 50K of the support member 50 from below (from the support member 50 side), a foreign object such as a coin may be inserted into the gap between the side of the button 30 and the inner surface of the button fitting hole 50K, causing the foreign object to become trapped inside the support member 50. However, as shown in FIG. 4 , the button 30 of this embodiment is provided with an inner facing wall 36 that protrudes forward from the button 30 and faces the opening edge of the button fitting hole 50K on the inner surface of the support member 50, and furthermore, a return wall 37 protrudes from the inner facing wall 36 toward the opening edge of the support member 50, thereby preventing the occurrence of a foreign object X such as a coin becoming trapped inside the support member 50. In addition, the button 30 prevents the problem of foreign objects X, such as coins, getting inside the support member 50 not only by the front but also by the step walls 32 provided on both sides and the connecting wall 34B provided on the rear.

[0049] Furthermore, during the judgment notification effect, the player may place their palms together in order to press the button 30, and a button effect is provided that vibrates the button 30 in this state. In this embodiment, the motor 38M for vibrating the button 30 is attached to the button 30, so the vibrations caused by the force are transmitted efficiently (with minimal loss) to the hand operating the button 30. Furthermore, the force acts in the direction that rotates the button 30, so the force is transmitted efficiently to the button 30. This makes it easier for the player to sense the vibrations of the button 30 in this embodiment, improving the appeal of the button effect.

[0050] Furthermore, the button effects include an effect in which the rotation of the rotating member 80 is stopped based on the player's pressing of the button 30. Conventional gaming machines have provided one detectable portion per sensor to detect the stopped position of the rotating member, but this configuration poses the problem of taking a long time to stop the rotating member, as it takes up to one rotation of the rotating member. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of n detectable portions 94T (three or more) are provided per sensor (first sensor 141S or second sensor 142S), thereby shortening the time required to stop the rotating member 80 compared to conventional methods. This allows the player to instantly stop the rotating member 80 after pressing the button 30, improving the appeal of the button effects.

[0051] Furthermore, in the button effects, for example, the benefit given to the player differs depending on whether the decorative portion 86 stops in the first position or the second position. Therefore, in this embodiment, a first sensor 141S for detecting the first position and a second sensor 142S for detecting the second position are provided. This allows for determining whether the rotating member 80 is located at n first positions spaced apart by 360° / n per rotation or n second positions shifted by 360° / 2n from the three first positions, depending on whether the first sensor 141S outputs a first detection signal or the second sensor 142S outputs a second detection signal. In other words, with just two sensors 141S and 142S, it is possible to determine whether the rotating position is located at n first positions or n second positions (n ​​is an integer greater than or equal to three). This allows, for example, if the rotating member 80 assumes a first position each time it rotates 360° / n, and assumes a second position when it deviates 360° / 2n from the first position, to distinguish between the first and second positions of the decorative part 86 of the rotating member 80 using an inexpensive configuration.

[0052] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the button 30 is dome-shaped, but this is not limiting. The button 30 may, for example, be flat with a flat portion on the top surface, or may have a shape with protrusions and recesses on the top surface that resemble characters or marks that appear in the game, or may be shaped to resemble the handle of a sword or knife.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the button 30 is pressed in the up and down direction around the rotation axis 34J, but the pressing direction of the button 30 is not limited to the up and down direction and may be, for example, the front and back direction or the left and right direction. Furthermore, depending on the pressing direction of the button 30, the position of the rotation axis 34J may be located at a position other than the rear of the side surface.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the button 30, which is a push button as an operating member that can be operated by a player, has a rotation axis and is pressed around the rotation axis, but this is not limited to this. For example, an operating member that is shaped like a lever and operated by pushing or pulling in the forward / backward direction, or an operating member that is operated in the forward / backward or left / right direction like a cross key, may have a rotation axis on its side and be rotated around the rotation axis. The position of the rotation axis may be at the front, rear, or side of the side surface depending on the direction of movement of the operating member.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the motor 38M is exemplified as a drive source that applies force to the button 30. However, the drive source is not limited to a motor and may be, for example, a solenoid, an actuator, or the like. These drive sources may also apply an impact instead of vibration. Furthermore, for example, the drive source may be configured to apply a force that rotates the button 30 around the vertical direction, or to move the button 30 to a lower end position in the rotation direction when the button 30 is not in use, thereby positioning the button 30 so that it cannot be pressed.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a configuration was exemplified in which the button 30, which rotates around the rotation axis 34J and is pressed, is provided with an internal opposing wall 36 and a return wall 37. However, this is not limited to the rotating button 30, and the internal opposing wall and return wall may also be applied to, for example, a button that moves linearly or a button that rotates or tilts around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0057] <Additional Notes> The following describes the features extracted from the above embodiment, while indicating, as necessary, the effects, etc. Note that, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above embodiment are indicated in parentheses as appropriate below, but these features are not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses.

[0058] [Feature 1] A gaming machine (10) having a button (30) that can be pressed, the button having a rotation axis (34J) at the rear part (33B) on the side thereof, and rotating around the rotation axis when pressed.

[0059] The buttons of the gaming machine of Feature 1 are operated by pressing them, but unlike conventional buttons of that structure, they have a pivot at the rear of the side and are pressed by rotating around the pivot. This allows the buttons to be pressed more smoothly than conventional buttons that are supported so that they can move linearly.

[0060] [Feature 2] The gaming machine described in feature 1 is equipped with a power source (38M) attached to a position other than the rear of the side of the button and applying a force to the button in a direction that rotates the button.

[0061] In the gaming machine with Feature 2, the drive source that applies force to the button is attached to the button, so the impact and vibration caused by that force can be transmitted efficiently (with minimal loss) to the hand operating the button. Also, because the force acts in the direction that rotates the button, the force is transmitted to the button efficiently.

[0062] [Feature 3] 3. The gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, wherein the top surface of the button is sized to include a circle with a diameter of 15 cm when viewed in a plane.

[0063] [Feature 4] The gaming machine according to Feature 3, wherein the button has a container structure that is open at the bottom and has a dome shape that bulges upward.

[0064] In the gaming machine of Feature 3, the top surface of the button is large enough to contain a circle with a diameter of 15 cm in plan view, so that an average adult can comfortably place their entire palm over the top of the button with their palm open. This allows the player to easily press the button using the weight of their arm. Also, as in Feature 4, the button has a dome shape that bulges upward, so it fits comfortably in the player's palm and is easy to press.

[0065] [Feature 5] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 4, comprising a cover member (60, 70) having a button fitting hole (50K) into which the button is fitted, an internal opposing wall (36) extending laterally from the button and facing the opening edge of the button fitting hole on the inner surface of the cover member, and a return wall (37) protruding from the internal opposing wall toward the opening edge of the cover member.

[0066] In a structure in which a button is fitted into a button fitting hole in a cover member, as in the gaming machine of Feature 5, a foreign object such as a coin can get stuck in the gap between the side of the button and the inner surface of the button fitting hole, causing the foreign object to get inside the cover member. However, the gaming machine of Feature 5 is provided with an inner facing wall that protrudes laterally from the button and faces the opening edge of the button fitting hole on the inner surface of the cover member, and a return wall protrudes from the inner facing wall toward the opening edge of the cover member, preventing the occurrence of the problem of foreign objects getting inside the cover member.

[0067] [Feature 6] a light-transmitting portion (41) provided on at least a part of the button and making the inside of the button visible; a rotating member (80) arranged at a position visible through the light-transmitting portion; a base member (110) rotatably supporting the rotating member; a plurality of detectable portions (94T) provided on one of the base member and the rotating member and arranged at intervals of 360° / n along an imaginary circle centered on the rotation center of the rotating member, where n is a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 3; and a plurality of detectable portions (94T) provided on the other of the base member and the rotating member and arranged at intervals of 360° / n along an imaginary circle centered on the rotation center of the rotating member. 2. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising: first and second sensors (141S, 142S) that are arranged at a first position on an imaginary circle centered at and at a second position that is an odd multiple of 360° / 2n away from the first position and that may overlap with the plurality of detectable portions as the rotating member rotates; and a discrimination unit that determines whether the detectable portion is overlapping with the first or second sensor based on a first detection signal output by the first sensor each time it overlaps with the detectable portion and a second detection signal output by the second sensor each time it overlaps with the detectable portion.

[0068] According to the configuration of Feature 6, it is possible to determine whether the rotating member is located at n first positions spaced apart by 360° / n per rotation or n second positions shifted by 360° / 2n from the n first positions, depending on whether the first sensor outputs a first detection signal or the second sensor outputs a second detection signal. That is, with just two sensors, it is possible to determine whether the rotating member is located at n first positions or n second positions (n ​​is an integer greater than or equal to 3). This makes it possible to distinguish between the first and second positions of the rotating member with an inexpensive configuration, for example, in a case where the rotating member assumes a first position every time it rotates by 360° / n and assumes a second position when shifted by 360° / 2n from the first position.

[0069] [Feature 7] A gaming machine as described in Feature 6, wherein the visible surface of the rotating member is provided with a plurality of special decorative parts arranged at intervals of 360° / n along an imaginary circle centered on the rotation center.

[0070] In the gaming machine of feature 7, the plurality of special decorative parts of the rotating member can be switched between a first position and a second position.

[0071] [Feature 8] A gaming machine having a button that can be pressed, the gaming machine further comprising a power source attached to the side of the button for applying a force to the button in a direction that rotates the button.

[0072] The gaming machine of Feature 8 has the same effect as Feature 2 above.

[0073] [Feature 9] A gaming machine having a button that can be pressed, the top surface of which is large enough to contain a circle with a diameter of 15 cm when viewed in a plane.

[0074] The gaming machine of Feature 9 has the same effect as Feature 3 above.

[0075] [Feature 10] A gaming machine comprising: a moving operation member that can be moved by a player; a cover member having an opening into which the moving operation member fits; an internal opposing wall provided on the moving operation member that faces the edge of the opening on the inner surface of the cover member; and a return wall that protrudes from the internal opposing wall toward the edge of the opening of the cover member.

[0076] According to the configuration of feature 10, the same effect as feature 5 above can be achieved.

[0077] [Feature 11] a base member disposed on the rear side of the rotating member; a plurality of detectable parts provided on one of the base member and the rotating member and spaced apart at intervals of 360° / n along an imaginary circle centered on the rotation center of the rotating member, where n is a predetermined integer greater than or equal to 3; first and second sensors provided on the other of the base member and the rotating member and disposed at a first position on the imaginary circle centered on the rotation center of the rotating member and at a second position that is an odd multiple of 360° / 2n away from the first position, and that can overlap with the plurality of detectable parts as the rotating member rotates; and a discrimination unit that determines whether the detectable part is overlapping with the first or second sensor based on a first detection signal output by the first sensor each time it overlaps with the detectable part and a second detection signal output by the second sensor each time it overlaps with the detectable part.

[0078] According to the configuration of feature 11, the same effect as feature 6 above can be achieved.

[0079] [Feature 12] A gaming machine having an operating member that can be moved and operated by a player, the operating member having a rotation shaft at the rear of its side, and rotating around the rotation shaft.

[0080] According to the configuration of feature 12, the same effect as feature 1 above is achieved.

[0081] Although the present specification and drawings disclose specific examples of the technology included in the scope of the claims, the technology described in the claims is not limited to these specific examples, but also includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples, and also includes parts of the specific examples taken out alone. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Gaming machines 30 buttons 31 Dome section 33 Side wall 33B Rear side wall 34J rotating shaft 36 Internal facing wall 37 Return wall 38M motor (drive source) 41 Translucent part 50 Support member 50K button fitting hole 55 Axle receiving part 71 Eave wall 80 Rotating member 86 Decoration Department 86S Special Decoration 90° Rotating Base 94T Detected part 100 Inclined Base 101 Pedestal 110 base part (base member) 141S First sensor 142S Second sensor

Claims

1. In a gaming machine having a button that can be pressed, The button has a pivot shaft at the rear of its side, and rotates around the pivot shaft when pressed.

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a drive source attached to the side surface of the button at a position other than the rear portion, the drive source applying a force to the button in a direction that rotates the button.

3. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the button is sized to include a circle having a diameter of 15 cm in a plan view.

4. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the button has a container structure with an open bottom and a dome shape that bulges upward.

5. a cover member having a button fitting hole into which the button is fitted; an inner facing wall that projects laterally from the button and faces an opening edge of the button fitting hole on the inner surface of the cover member; a return wall protruding from the inner facing wall toward the opening edge of the cover member; The gaming machine according to claim 1 .

6. a light-transmitting portion provided in at least a portion of the button, allowing the inside of the button to be seen; a rotating member disposed at a position visible through the light transmitting portion; a base member that rotatably supports the rotating member; a plurality of detectable portions provided on one of the base member and the rotating member, the detectable portions being spaced apart at intervals of 360° / n along an imaginary circle centered on the rotation center of the rotating member, where n is a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 3; first and second sensors provided on the other of the base member and the rotating member, disposed at a first position on an imaginary circle centered on the rotation center of the rotating member and at a second position spaced apart from the first position by an odd multiple of 360° / 2n, and capable of overlapping with the plurality of detectable portions as the rotating member rotates; The gaming machine described in claim 1, further comprising a discrimination unit that determines whether the detectable portion overlaps with the first or second sensor based on a first detection signal output by the first sensor each time the first sensor overlaps with the detectable portion and a second detection signal output by the second sensor each time the second sensor overlaps with the detectable portion.

7. 7. The gaming machine of claim 6, wherein the visible surface of the rotating member is provided with a plurality of special decorative portions arranged at intervals of 360° / n along an imaginary circle centered on the rotation center.

Images