Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine that can suppress occurrence of defects compared to the prior arts.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: a game board in which a game using game balls is performed on the front side; a frame main body to which the game board is detachably attached from the front; and a game ball supply unit provided on the rear side of the frame main body for receiving the game balls from the outside of the game machine to guide them to the downstream side. The game ball supply unit includes: a ball storage unit for receiving the game balls from the outside of the game machine; and a ball guiding unit for guiding the game balls stored in the ball storage unit to the downstream side and having a discharge hole that allows foreign matters to fall. A plurality of boards are provided on the rear side of the game machine, and a specific board out of the plurality of boards is arranged on the rear side of the game machine, so as to be positioned in the front side with respect to the ball guiding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Traditionally, The setting state of the winning probability, etc. can be set to one of several states by the setting change operation by the gaming facility manager. Gaming machines have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-91049 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional gaming machines have a problem in that they lack measures to prevent fraudulent activities.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to It is possible to improve the deterrent effect against fraudulent activities. To provide a gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Effective solutions for achieving the above-mentioned object are shown below. The operation and other details will be explained as necessary. For ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations and other details will be 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 present invention provides: A gaming machine that can hold a lottery based on the establishment of a predetermined condition and award a predetermined benefit based on the result of the lottery, a specific mode generating means for generating a specific mode in which progress of a game is disabled; Specific abnormalities detection Specific abnormalities detection Means and a specific abnormality notification means for issuing a specific abnormality notification corresponding to the specific abnormality, The specific mode can be canceled by a specific administrator operation, Not only during normal play, but also during the specific mode, detection By means Detection of the specific anomaly is possible, The specific abnormality notification can be performed using a plurality of notification units, The plurality of notification units are provided at positions that are difficult or impossible for the player to see. identification The notification unit is installed in a position that is easily visible to the player. special and a notification unit, During normal play be The specific abnormality notification is identification The notification unit and the special In both the notification department Recognizable However, it is performed during the specific mode. be The specific abnormality notification is special In the Information Department Unrecognizable, and The aforementioned identification In the Information Department Recognizable , a special light-emitting unit that can emit light in connection with the execution of the lottery and is provided in a position that is easily visible to a player, but is different from the special notification unit; The special light-emitting unit is composed of a plurality of special light-emitting bodies, In the specific mode, all of the plurality of special light emitters in the special light emitting unit are turned off, Furthermore, during the specific mode, a specific mode notification corresponding to the specific mode is executed, The specific abnormality notification can be performed both during the specific mode and during normal play, but the specific mode notification can be performed only during the specific mode. It is characterized by: Furthermore, the following means are disclosed for reference as inventions separate from the present invention. Means 1: In a gaming machine having a board on which a plurality of electronic components including fuses are mounted, The mounting surface of the substrate has a dark resist film, which is green or black, is formed over substantially the entire area, and position specifying information for specifying a mounting area of ​​the fuse is printed on the resist film; the position specifying information has a color that is lighter than the color of the resist film; a specific mounting area facing a glass tube of the fuse among the mounting areas of the fuse identified by the position identification information is configured so that the resist film is formed thereon and is visually recognized in the dark color; The fuse is wired so that AC power is input to a first terminal portion of the fuse and AC power is output from a second terminal portion of the fuse, the signal wiring pattern of the substrate is formed without passing through the specific mounting area; Furthermore, the gaming machine is equipped with a special electronic component that is activated when the voltage of the power supply input to the gaming machine exceeds a preset voltage, and the fuse is electrically connected to the power supply input to the gaming machine. It is characterized by:

[0008] [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the gaming machine of the present invention, , and aims to improve deterrence against fraudulent activities compared to the past. It is possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] 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, as seen from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of a door frame in a pachinko machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the door frame. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the door frame. [Figure 8] This is an oblique view of the door frame from the front right. [Figure 9] This is an oblique view of the door frame from the front left. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the door frame cut in the center in the vertical direction and viewed from above. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the lower door frame unit cut in the center in the left-right direction and viewed from the right. [Figure 12] (a) is an oblique view showing the state in which the first movable part of the door frame performance device has been moved to the upper end, and (b) is an oblique view showing the state in which the performance operation part has been moved to the upper end from the state in (a). [Figure 13] 1A is an enlarged front view of the vicinity of the lower front speaker unit, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged front view of FIG. 1A with the lower front speaker grill, grill decorative frame, and lattice decorative portion removed. [Figure 14] (a) is an enlarged front view of the upper part of the door frame, and (b) is an enlarged front view of (a) with the grill decorative frame and lattice decorative part removed. [Figure 15] This is a plan view of the door frame lower unit showing game balls stored in the upper tray of the door frame. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a peripheral light area in a door frame. [Figure 17] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the relationship between the door frame performance display device and the performance operation unit in the door frame performance device, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of decoration of the performance operation unit using the performance image of the door frame performance display device, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a collaborative performance using the performance image of the door frame performance display device and the movable performance of the performance operation unit. [Figure 18] This is a front view of the main body frame with the game board removed. [Figure 19] This is an oblique view of the main body frame from the front right with the game board removed. [Figure 20] This is an oblique view of the main body frame from the front left with the game board removed. [Figure 21] This is an oblique view of the main body frame as seen from behind. [Figure 22] This is an exploded oblique view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components as seen from the front. [Figure 23] This is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 24] (a) is an enlarged oblique view showing the lower left corner of the front of the main frame, and (b) is an enlarged oblique view showing the lower left corner of the front of the main frame when the door frame is opened relative to the main frame. [Figure 25] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams 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. [Figure 26] (a) is a perspective view of the dispensing base unit of the main frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the dispensing base unit as seen from the back. [Figure 27] 1A is a perspective view of the dispensing unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the dispensing unit as seen from the back. [Figure 28] 1A is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit as viewed from the front, with the dispensing unit disassembled into its main components, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit as viewed from the rear, with the dispensing unit disassembled into its main components. [Figure 29] 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 30] (a) is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispensing device cut at the center of the dispensing blade in the front-to-back direction when the ball removal movable piece is in the open state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along line AA in (a). [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the dispensing device to explain the rotational position of the dispensing blades. [Figure 32] This is a rear view of the dispensing device to explain how to prevent balls from clogging and falling out. [Figure 33] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls in the main body frame. [Figure 34] 1A is a perspective view of the board unit of the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the board unit as seen from the back. [Figure 35] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the board unit as seen from below and behind. [Figure 36] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit, seen from the front, disassembled into its main components. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 38]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 39] 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 40] 1(a) is a plan view of the main body frame, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 41] This is an enlarged view showing the upper part of the main body frame in a perspective view seen from behind. [Figure 42] 1(a) is a perspective view of the spherical tank assembled with tank rails, etc., as seen from above the front, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 1(a) as seen from below the front. [Figure 43] FIG. 42(a) is an exploded perspective view seen from the front. [Figure 44] An explanatory diagram showing the area where game balls that overflow from the ball tank at the top of the main body frame circulate. [Figure 45] 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 46] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls into the bypass passage at the top of the main body frame. [Figure 47] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the main body frame as seen from behind the hinge side, showing the tank rail and its surroundings. [Figure 48] FIG. 40(b) is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section taken along line CC in FIG. 40(a), and is a schematic diagram of a configuration for dealing with metal powder. [Figure 49] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a configuration for dealing with metal powder according to a second embodiment, showing the configuration for dealing with metal powder according to the second embodiment. [Figure 50] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a configuration for dealing with metal powder according to a third embodiment, showing the configuration for dealing with metal powder according to the third embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a configuration for dealing with metal powder according to a fourth embodiment, showing the configuration for dealing with metal powder according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the configuration for preventing metal powder with the game board removed. [Figure 53]This is a front view of the main body frame with the game board attached. [Figure 54] This is a front view of the main body frame with the game board removed. [Figure 55] (A) is an oblique view of the main body frame with the game board removed, viewed from the lower right front, and (B) is an oblique view of the main body frame of a modified example with the game board removed, viewed from the lower right front. [Figure 56] (A) This figure shows with a diagonal line the location where the upper decorative part of the door frame is located, corresponding to the location where the tank rail hangs down into the opening of the game board mounting part when viewed from the front when the game board is removed from the main frame, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the pachinko machine as seen from the left side. [Figure 57] FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a schematic view of the tank rail as seen from above, and FIG. 2B is a front view showing a schematic view of the tank rail as seen from the front of the pachinko machine. [Figure 58] FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a schematic view of the tank rail as seen from above, and FIG. 2B is a front view showing a schematic view of the tank rail as seen from the front of the pachinko machine. [Figure 59] (A) is a front view of the inside of the second rail cover, and (B) is an oblique view showing the inside of the second rail cover when the pachinko machine is tilted so that the side on which the ball guiding unit is installed is facing downwards. [Figure 60] This is a front view of the back side of the pachinko machine to explain areas A and B. [Figure 61] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine with a drawer connector. [Figure 62] 10A is a side view of the main body frame for explaining the position of the drawer connector when the game board is not installed, and FIG. 10B is a side view of the main body frame for explaining the position of the drawer connector when the game board is installed. [Figure 63] This is a front view of the back side of a pachinko machine when an external terminal plate is provided below the tank rail. [Figure 64] A side view of the main body frame to explain the position of the external terminal board when the game board is installed. [Figure 65] FIG. 10 is an oblique view of the main body frame when a protrusion is provided, viewed from the front left. [Figure 66] FIG. 10 is a side view of the main body frame for explaining the position of the protrusion when (A) the game board is not installed and (B) the game board is installed. [Figure 67] This is a front view of a game board in a pachinko machine in which the game panels and other parts are made opaque. [Figure 68] FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the game board of FIG. 67 as seen from the front right. [Figure 69] FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the game board of FIG. 67 as seen from the front left. [Figure 70] This is a perspective view of the game board from behind. [Figure 71] FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of wiring from the function display unit on the main control board. [Figure 72] This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 73] This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. [Figure 74] This is a front view of the game board with the game panel and other parts made transparent. [Figure 75] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the front components and game panel of the game board as seen from the front, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the front components and game panel as seen from the back. [Figure 76] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the front unit of the gaming board as seen from the front, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the front unit of the gaming board as seen from the back. [Figure 77] This is a front view of a game board in which the game panel is made opaque and the front unit is cut parallel to the surface of the game panel to reveal the game area where game balls circulate and the obstacle pins. [Figure 78] FIG. 78 is an enlarged front view of the group of circulation passages in the upper right corner of FIG. 77. [Figure 79] This is an enlarged front view of the attacker unit in the lower right corner of Figure 77. [Figure 80] (a) is an enlarged view of a key part showing an embodiment of a group of circulation passages for a center accessory that is different from that shown in Figure 78, etc., and (b) is an enlarged view of a key part showing an embodiment of a group of circulation passages for a center accessory that is even different from that shown in (a). [Figure 81]80, and (b) is an enlarged view of a main part showing an embodiment of a circulation passage group of a center accessory that is yet different from that shown in FIG. 80. FIG. [Figure 82] 82 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an embodiment of a group of circulation passages for a center accessory that is different from those in FIGS. 80 and 81. FIG. [Figure 83] This is an oblique view of the back unit of the game board as seen from the front. [Figure 84] This is an oblique view of the rear unit of the game board from behind. [Figure 85] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rear unit, broken down into its main components, as viewed from the front. [Figure 86] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rear unit, disassembled into its main components, as viewed from behind. [Figure 87] (a) is an oblique view of the rear first performance unit of the rear unit seen from the front, and (b) is an oblique view of the rear first performance unit of the rear unit seen from the back. [Figure 88] A front view showing the relationship between the light guide plate and the decorative substrate in the rear first performance unit. [Figure 89] This is an oblique view of the rear second performance unit of the rear unit from the front. [Figure 90] This is an oblique view of the rear second performance unit of the rear unit from behind. [Figure 91] This is an exploded oblique view of the rear second performance unit, mainly broken down into its components, viewed from the front. [Figure 92] This is an exploded oblique view of the rear second performance unit, mainly broken down into its components. [Figure 93] A front view showing the drive mechanism in the rear second performance unit. [Figure 94] (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams showing the movement of multiple rotating decorations in the back second performance unit. [Figure 95] (e) to (g) are explanatory diagrams showing the movement of multiple rotating decorations in the back second performance unit, continuing from Figure 94. [Figure 96] A front view showing the arrangement of LEDs in the rear second performance unit. [Figure 97] This is an oblique view of the rear third performance unit of the rear unit from the front. [Figure 98] This is an oblique view of the rear third performance unit of the rear unit from behind. [Figure 99] This is an exploded oblique view of the rear third performance unit, broken down into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 100] This is an exploded oblique view of the rear third performance unit, broken down into its main components. [Figure 101] This is a front view showing the drive mechanism and decorative board in the rear third performance unit when the left and right horizontal ring decorations have been moved to their appearance positions. [Figure 102] This is a front view of the game board showing multiple rotating decorative elements in the rear second performance unit rotating clockwise from their normal state and revolving 15 degrees. [Figure 103] This is a front view showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the game board with the special rotating decoration in the rear second performance unit moved to a specific position. [Figure 104] This is a front view of the game board showing the upper vertical ring decoration and the lower vertical ring decoration in the rear third performance unit moved to their appearance positions. [Figure 105] This is a front view of the game board showing the left and right side ring decorations in the rear third performance unit moved to their appearance positions. [Figure 106] This is a front view of the game board showing the upper vertical ring decoration, lower vertical ring decoration, left horizontal ring decoration, and right horizontal ring decoration in the rear third performance unit moved to their appearance positions. [Figure 107] This is a front view of the game board showing the upper vertical ring decoration and the right horizontal ring decoration in the rear third performance unit moved to halfway to their appearance positions. [Figure 108] This is a front view of the game board showing an example of a presentation image on the presentation display device when a malfunction occurs in the rear upper third presentation unit. [Figure 109] FIG. 10 is a front view of the game board showing an example of a shadow effect executed during a light-emitting effect in the rear unit. [Figure 110] This is a front view of a pachinko machine showing the game board facing through the door window in the door frame. [Figure 111] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. [Figure 112] (a) is an enlarged view of a portion of the area where SMD-type electronic components are mounted on the surface (mounting surface) of the main control board, and (b) is a view of this enlarged view from the right side of the main control board. [Figure 113] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the surface (mounting surface) of a board on which SMD-type electronic components that replace lead-type electronic components are aggregated in a specified area, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic diagram showing the surface (mounting surface) and back surface (solder surface) of a board that has been miniaturized by aggregating SMD-type electronic components that replace lead-type electronic components. [Figure 114] This is a diagram showing the back surface (solder surface) of the main control board in the enlarged view of Figure 112. [Figure 115] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main control board box of the main control unit. [Figure 116] (a) is a diagram showing the surface (mounting surface) of the setting change board, (b) is a diagram showing the back surface (solder surface) of the setting change board, and (c) is a diagram showing the lower part of the left side view of the game board when the main control board box is attached to the game board. [Figure 117] Variant 1(a) shows the lower portion of the left side view of the game board when the main control board box is attached to the game board, and variant 2(b) shows the lower portion of the left side view of the game board when the main control board box is attached to the game board. [Figure 118] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the main control side power is turned on. [Figure 119] This is a flowchart showing the continuation of the main control side power-on processing in Figure 118. [Figure 120] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of main control side timer interrupt processing. [Figure 121] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting change process. [Figure 122]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting value confirmation display process. [Figure 123] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an error display process. [Figure 124] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the dispensing control unit is powered on. [Figure 125] This is a flowchart showing the continuation of the power-on processing of the dispensing control unit in Figure 124. [Figure 126] This is a flowchart following Figure 125, showing the continuation of the processing when the dispensing control unit is powered on. [Figure 127] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a dispensing control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 128] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit power-on process; [Figure 129] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit V blank interrupt process. [Figure 130] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit 1 ms timer interrupt process. [Figure 131] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a peripheral control unit command reception interrupt process. [Figure 132] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a peripheral control unit power outage warning signal interrupt process. [Figure 133] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the special symbol and special electric gimmick control processing executed by the main control MPU of the embodiment. [Figure 134] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first starting port passing process executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 135] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a preliminary determination process executed by a main control MPU in the embodiment. [Figure 136] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the second starting port passing process executed by the main control MPU in the same embodiment. [Figure 137]10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a first special symbol process executed by a main control MPU in the same embodiment. [Figure 138] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first special symbol normal processing executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 139] This is a flowchart showing the steps of the jackpot determination process executed by the main control MPU in this embodiment. [Figure 140] (A) is a jackpot determination table used in the lottery process for jackpots, and (B) is a pattern determination table used in the lottery process for the type of jackpot. [Figure 141] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for a first special symbol stop symbol setting process executed by a main control MPU in the embodiment. [Figure 142] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first variation pattern setting process executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 143] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first special symbol variation processing executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 144] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first special symbol stop processing executed by the main control MPU of the embodiment. [Figure 145] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the jackpot control processing executed by the main control MPU in this embodiment. [Figure 146] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the large prize opening / closing process executed by the main control MPU of the embodiment. [Figure 147] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a second receiving port opening / closing process executed by the main control MPU of the embodiment. [Figure 148] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the normal symbol and normal electric device control processing executed by the main control MPU of this embodiment. [Figure 149]10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a gate passage process executed by a main control MPU in the embodiment. [Figure 150] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for normal symbol normal processing executed by the main control MPU of the embodiment. [Figure 151] 1 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. [Figure 152] 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process when the main control side power is turned on. [Figure 153] 10 is a time chart showing a modified example of the behavior of the pachinko machine when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. [Fig. 154] 10 is a time chart showing the behavior of a pachinko machine during a change of a setting value. [Figure 155] 10 is a time chart showing the behavior of the pachinko machine during confirmation display of the setting value. [Figure 156] 10 is a time chart showing the behavior of the pachinko machine 1 during confirmation display of the setting value. [Figure 157] 10 is a time chart showing a monitoring state of fraudulent activity during a change of a setting value. [Figure 158] 10 is a time chart showing a monitoring state of fraudulent activity while a setting value is being displayed for confirmation. [Figure 159] 10 is a time chart showing the timing of sending commands when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. [Figure 160] 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process when the main control side power is turned on. [Figure 161] 10 is a time chart showing the timing of transmitting game information commands when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. [Figure 162] 10 is a time chart showing a case where the warning notification is extended and executed after the change permission state or the confirmation display state ends. [Figure 163] This is a time chart showing the case where the initial operation of the performance element is performed after the change permission state or the confirmation display state ends. [Fig. 164]10 is a time chart showing a modified example of the fraudulent activity monitoring state during a change of a setting value or during a confirmation display of a setting value. [Figure 165] 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the first variation pattern setting process. [Figure 166] This is a table showing the transition of the fluctuation pattern table after the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. [Figure 167] A time chart showing the execution timing of various effects based on the fluctuation pattern, [Figure 168] A variation pattern table C used when the number of variations of the special symbol after powering on the pachinko machine is 500 times; [Figure 169] This is a specific example of a roulette effect as suggestion effect A2. [Figure 170] This is a table showing a modified example of the transition of the fluctuation pattern table after the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. [Figure 171] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an outline of a circuit configuration of a power supply board. [Fig. 172] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a power supply board. [Fig. 173] This is a view taken along arrow B in Figure 172. [Fig. 174] This is the silk screen printing of electronic components printed on the mounting surface of a power supply board (part 1). [Figure 175] This is the silk screen printing of electronic components printed on the mounting surface of a power supply board (part 2). [Figure 176] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating specific electronic components among a plurality of electronic components having the same shape, according to a layout method. [Figure 177] Examples (a) and (b) show cases where it is difficult to use the melting confirmation area, examples (part 1) (c) and (d) show cases where the melting confirmation area can be used, and examples (part 2) (e) and (f) show cases where the melting confirmation area can be used. [Figure 178] Examples (1) (a) and (b) show examples where the melting confirmation area can be used, and examples (2) (c) and (d) show examples where the melting confirmation area can be used. [Figure 179]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the fuse that is most likely to blow out among three fuses, based on its layout. [Figure 180] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a slot machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [1. Overall structure of a pachinko machine] The overall configuration of a pachinko machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main body frame, and an outer frame, as seen from the front.

[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 that closes the front of the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, a main body frame 4 that 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 that is detachably attached to the main body frame 4 from the front side and is visible from the player side through the door frame 3, and has a game area 5a into which the player hits a game ball B. The combination of the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4 is referred to as the front frame.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 4, the outer frame 2 has a rectangular shape that extends vertically when viewed from the front. The outer frame 2 includes a left outer frame portion 10 and a right outer frame portion 20 that are spaced apart from each other and extend vertically, an upper outer frame portion 30 that connects the upper ends of the left outer frame portion 10 and the right outer frame portion 20, a lower outer frame portion 40 that connects the lower ends of the left outer frame portion 10 and the right outer frame portion 20, an upper outer frame hinge portion 50 attached to the left end of the upper surface of the upper outer frame portion 30, and a lower outer frame hinge portion 60 attached to the lower right side of the left outer frame portion 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the lower outer frame portion 40.

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

[0015] The door frame 3 is equipped with a game window 201 that closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which game balls B are dropped so that it can be seen from the front, an upper tray 130 and a lower tray 140 that store game balls B to be dropped into the game area 5a, and a handle 111 that the player operates to drop the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 into the game area 5a. The door frame 3 also decorates the entire front of the pachinko machine 1. The door frame 3 is attached to the front of the main body frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed by means of an upper main body frame hinge part 510 and a lower main body frame hinge part 520 of the main body frame 4.

[0016] The main body frame 4 is formed in a box shape that is open to the front. The main body frame 4 includes a game board attachment portion 301 that holds the game board 5 detachably from the front, a main body frame upper hinge portion 510 provided at the upper end on the left side when viewed from the front, a main body frame lower hinge portion 520 provided at the lower end on the left side, a ball launcher 540 provided on the right side below the game board attachment portion 301 for shooting game balls B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, a payout device 580 for paying out game balls B to the upper tray 130 or the lower tray 140, and a locking unit 650 that locks the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4, and the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4.

[0017] The main body frame 4 is attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable by the main body frame upper hinge portion 510 and the main body frame lower hinge portion 520 via the outer frame upper hinge portion 50 and the outer frame lower hinge portion 60, and the door frame 3 is attached to the main body frame 4 so as to be openable and closable via the door frame upper hinge portion and the door frame lower hinge portion (not shown).

[0018] The game board 5 is detachably attached to the game board attachment portion 301 of the main body frame 4. Although not shown, the game board 5 is equipped with a general prize opening, a first start opening, a gate portion, a second start opening, and a special prize opening that grant a player a predetermined benefit (for example, the payout of a predetermined number of game balls B) when a game ball B is received or passes through, as well as an effect display device 1600 that can display effect images.

[0019] [2. Outer Frame] The outer frame of the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 4 etc. The outer frame 2 is attached to an island facility (not shown) in an amusement hall or the like where the pachinko machine 1 is installed. When viewed from the front, the outer frame 2 is formed into a rectangular frame that extends vertically.

[0020] As shown in the figure, the outer frame 2 comprises a left outer frame portion 10 and a right outer frame portion 20 that are spaced apart from each other and extend vertically, an upper outer frame portion 30 that connects the upper ends of the left outer frame portion 10 and the right outer frame portion 20, a lower outer frame portion 40 that connects the lower ends of the left outer frame portion 10 and the right outer frame portion 20, an upper outer frame hinge portion 50 attached to the left end of the upper surface of the upper outer frame portion 30, and a lower outer frame hinge portion 60 attached to the lower right side of the left outer frame portion 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the lower outer frame portion 40.

[0021] The outer frame 2 has an upper outer frame hinge portion 50 that can detachably support an upper main body frame hinge portion 510 of the main body frame 4. The outer frame 2 can coaxially support the upper main body frame hinge portion 510 and the lower main body frame hinge portion 520 of the main body frame 4 with the upper outer frame hinge portion 50 and the lower outer frame hinge portion 60, allowing the main body frame 4 to be attached so that it can be opened and closed forward around the left side when viewed from the front.

[0022] [3. Door frame] The door frame 3 in the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 5 to 10. Fig. 5 is a front view of the door frame in the pachinko machine. Fig. 6 is a left side view of the door frame, and Fig. 7 is a right side view of the door frame. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the door frame as seen from the front right, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the door frame as seen from the front left. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the door frame cut at the center in the vertical direction and viewed from above.

[0023] The door frame 3 is formed into a rectangular shape extending vertically in a front view and is approximately the same size as the interior of the outer frame 2. It is attached to the interior of the outer frame 2 via the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed from the front. The door frame 3 includes a game window 201 that closes the game area 5a of the game board 5, into which game balls B are inserted, so that the game area 5a can be viewed from the front. The upper tray 130 stores game balls B to be inserted into the game area 5a. A handle 111 is operated by a player to insert game balls B from the upper tray 130 into the game area 5a. The door frame 3 also decorates the entire front of the pachinko machine 1 and includes various decorative elements. Some of these decorative elements are completely unplated, while others are plated on the entire front and back. These decorative elements are precious metal platings such as chrome plating and hard gold plating, which are conductive and therefore subject to electromagnetic interference.

[0024] Therefore, in this embodiment, among the various decorative parts, those that have decorative plating on the entire front and back surfaces are electrically connected to a metal door frame reinforcement unit in the door frame base unit of the door frame 3, which will be described later, via wiring (not shown) (some of the various decorative parts are electrically connected to the metal door frame reinforcement unit via wiring (not shown), while others are electrically connected by having a conductive member directly attached to the metal door frame reinforcement unit). This allows electromagnetic noise that has entered the various decorative parts to be transmitted to the metal door frame reinforcement unit, thereby preventing it from entering the board ground of the various decorative boards provided on the various decorative parts.

[0025] Furthermore, electromagnetic noise that penetrates into those decorative parts that have decorative plating on the entire front and back surfaces is transmitted to the metal door frame reinforcement unit via wiring (not shown), then transmitted to the frame ground board 559 via the door frame metal earth wire (described later), and then transmitted from the frame ground board 559 via the island equipment earth wire to the ground of the island equipment of the gaming hall, and is removed from the pachinko machine 1. In other words, in this embodiment, the metal door frame reinforcement unit serves as the frame ground on the door frame side.

[0026] The door frame 3 comprises a door frame base unit (not shown) which has a rectangular, frame-shaped outer shape extending vertically when viewed from the front, a lower door frame unit 100 which is provided on the front surface of the door frame base unit and extends from the bottom end to a height of approximately 1 / 4 of the total height, an upper door frame unit 200 which is provided above the lower door frame unit 100 and on the front surface of the door frame base unit, and upper and lower door frame hinge parts (not shown) which are rotatably and detachably supported on the upper and lower main frame hinge parts 510 and 520 of the main frame 4.

[0027] The door frame base unit comprises a door frame base (not shown) whose outer shape when viewed from the front is a square (rectangle) extending vertically and has a play window 201 that penetrates from front to back, a door frame main relay board (not shown) attached to the lower rear side of the door frame base near the right end when viewed from the rear, a door frame sub-relay board (not shown) attached to the left side of the door frame main relay board when viewed from the rear, a handle rear relay board (not shown) attached to the left side of the door frame sub-relay board when viewed from the rear, a door frame relay board cover (not shown) that covers the door frame main relay board and part of the door frame sub-relay board from the rear, a handle rear relay board cover (not shown) that covers the handle rear relay board from the rear, and a cable cover (not shown) that covers the wiring cable (not shown).

[0028] The door frame base unit also includes a metal frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit (not shown) attached to the rear side of the door frame base, a metal upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and a metal lower door frame hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit, and a metal cylinder lock 127 for opening and closing attached to the door frame reinforcement unit.

[0029] The door frame reinforcement unit is attached to the rear side of the door frame base to reinforce the door frame base and provide rigidity. The upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and the lower door frame hinge member 125 are used to attach the door frame 3 to the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed. The cylinder lock 127, in cooperation with the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4, is used to open and close the door frame 3 and the main frame 4, and to lock and open the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4.

[0030] The door frame reinforcement unit not only functions to reinforce the door frame base and provide rigidity, but also functions as a door frame metal ground, and is electrically connected to the frame ground board 559 via a door frame metal ground wire (not shown). The frame ground board 559 is electrically connected to the ground of the island equipment of the game hall via an island equipment ground wire (not shown).

[0031] The door frame lower unit 100 of the door frame 3 is equipped with a handle 111 that can be operated by a player to shoot game balls B into the game area 5a, a bulging portion 120 that bulges out forward, an upper tray 130 that is provided on the upper surface of the bulging portion 120 and stores game balls B to be shot into the game area 5a, a lower tray 140 that is provided below the upper tray 130 and stores game balls B, a door frame performance device 150 that is provided on the upper surface of the bulging portion and presents a predetermined performance to the player, an upper tray ball removal button 124 that is provided on the upper surface of the bulging portion 120 and releases game balls B in the upper tray 130 into the lower tray, a ball lending button 125 and a return button 126 that are provided on the upper surface of the bulging portion 120, a door frame sub-display unit 185 that is provided behind the ball lending button 125 and the return button 126, and a lower front speaker 191 that is provided on the front of the bulging portion 120.

[0032] The upper door frame unit 200 of the door frame 3 comprises a game window 201 with an inverted U-shaped inner periphery that allows the game area 5a of the game board 5 to be seen from the front, a transparent closing glass 205 that closes the game window 201, an upper door frame interior decorative unit 210 that is provided along the inner periphery of the game window 201, an upper door frame exterior decorative unit 220 that is provided on the outside of the upper door frame interior decorative unit 210, an upper door frame exterior edge decorative unit 230 that covers the upper door frame interior decorative unit 210 and the upper door frame exterior decorative unit 220, and an upper speaker unit 240 that is provided on the upper front surface of the upper door frame exterior edge decorative unit 230.

[0033] The door frame 3 also includes a ball feeding unit (not shown) for sending the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 one by one to the ball launching device 540 of the main frame 4. The ball feeding unit includes a ball feeding solenoid 105 (see Figure 67) controlled by the launch control unit 372 of the payout control board 370.

[0034] [3-1. Door frame lower unit] Next, the door frame lower unit 100 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 5 to 13. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the door frame lower unit cut at the center in the left-right direction and viewed from the right. Figure 12(a) is a perspective view showing the state in which the first movable part of the door frame performance device has been moved to the upper end, and Figure 12(b) is a perspective view showing the state in which the performance operation part has been moved to the upper end from the state in Figure 12(a). Figure 13(a) is an enlarged front view of the vicinity of the lower front speaker unit, and Figure 13(b) is an enlarged front view showing the state in which the lower front speaker grill, grill decorative frame, and lattice decorative part have been removed from Figure 13(a).

[0035] The door frame lower unit 100 of the door frame 3 is disposed below the game window 201 that closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 held by the main frame 4 so that it can be seen from the front. The door frame lower unit 100 is provided with a handle unit 110 that is provided in the lower right corner when viewed from the front and can be operated by a player to shoot a game ball B into the game area 5a, and bulging portions 120 that bulge outward above and to the left of the handle unit 110 relative to the surface that closes the front of the main frame 4.

[0036] The door frame lower unit 100 also includes an upper tray 130 for storing game balls B, which is arranged on the upper surface of the bulging portion 120 to surround the device placement section 123, a lower tray 140 for storing game balls B, which is arranged below the upper tray 130 and to the left of the center in the left-right direction, a door frame performance device 150 which is arranged in the device placement section 123 on the upper surface of the bulging portion 120 and can present predetermined performances to the player, a door frame sub-display section 185 which is arranged in the upper right corner when viewed from the front, and a lower front speaker unit 190 which is arranged on the front surface of the bulging portion 120.

[0037] [3-1a.Handle unit] The handle unit 110 of the door frame lower unit 100 comprises a handle 111 that a player can grasp and rotate, a handle cover 112 provided in front of the handle 111, and a handle base 113 that rotatably supports the handle 111. The handle unit 110 is also provided within the handle base 113 and comprises a handle rotation detection sensor 114 (see Figure 67) that detects the rotation angle of the handle 111, a handle touch sensor 115 that detects that the player is touching the handle 111, a handle return spring (not shown) that urges the handle 111 counterclockwise, and a single button 116 that can be pressed by the player.

[0038] The handle unit 110 is inclined so that the rotation axis of the handle 111 moves to the right as it moves forward. This makes it easy for a player to grip the handle 111 of the handle unit 110 and allows for a comfortable rotation operation. Furthermore, the handle unit 110 is configured so that the handle base 113 can be extended and retracted in the direction in which the rotation axis of the handle 111 extends, and can be held in a desired extended and retracted position. This allows the position of the handle 111 in the front-to-rear direction to be adjusted, allowing the player to operate the handle 111 in a position that is easy for them to operate.

[0039] The handle 111 is supported by a handle base 113 so as to be rotatable only within a predetermined angular range. The handle 111 has multiple (four in this example) protrusions spaced apart in the circumferential direction and protruding from the outer circumferential surface. The handle cover 112 is translucent, and can be decorated with illumination in various colors using multiple full-color LEDs located at the rear.

[0040] The handle rotation detection sensor 114 of the handle unit 110 is a variable resistor whose internal resistance changes according to the rotation angle of the handle 111. The driving force of the launch solenoid 331 in the ball launcher 540 (described later) changes according to the internal resistance of the handle rotation detection sensor 114, which changes with the rotation operation of the handle 111, and the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 111.

[0041] The handle touch sensor of the handle unit 110 detects the electrostatic capacitance of the handle 111, etc. When a player touches the handle 111, etc., the electrostatic capacitance of the handle 111, etc. changes, and therefore, by detecting the electrostatic capacitance of the handle 111, etc. using the handle touch sensor, it is possible to detect whether or not the player is touching the handle 111. In this embodiment, if the handle 111 is rotated while the handle touch sensor 115 detects the player's contact, the detection of the handle rotation detection sensor 114 is accepted, and the drive of the launch solenoid 331 is controlled with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 111, allowing the game ball B to be shot into the ball.

[0042] In other words, even if a player tries to shoot game ball B into the game area 5a by rotating the handle 111 in some way without touching it, the handle touch sensor 115 does not detect the player's contact, so the launch solenoid 331 is not driven and game ball B cannot be shot in. This makes it possible to prevent a player from rotating the handle 111 in a way that is different from the intended way to play a game, and reduces the burden (stress) on the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

[0043] When the player presses the single-shot button 116 of the handle unit 110 while rotating the handle 111, the launch control unit 372 of the payout control board 370 stops the driving of the launch solenoid 331. This makes it possible to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball B without returning the rotation of the handle 111. Then, by releasing the pressing of the single-shot button 116, the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a again with the same shooting strength as before the single-shot button 116 was operated.

[0044] [3-1b.bulge] The bulging portion 120 of the door frame 3 has a T-shape in front view with a short axis extending vertically, and an isosceles trapezoidal shape in plan view, with the rear end being the full width of the door frame 3 in the left-right direction and narrowing toward the front (see FIG. 10, etc.). The bulging portion 120 bulges forward a length slightly longer than half the full width in the left-right direction. The top surface of the bulging portion 120 is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that it slopes downward toward the front.

[0045] The bulging portion 120 bulges forward in the left-right direction at its center, which divides the overall width of the door frame 3 into thirds, across the entire height from the bottom end to the top of the door frame 3, while the remaining portions (portions on both the left and right sides) bulge forward up to approximately one-third of the top of the overall height from the bottom end to the top of the door frame 3. This results in the bulging portion 120 having a T-shape when viewed from the front. The bulging portion 120 has a speaker mounting opening 120a that opens in a square shape at the bottom center of the front surface. A lower front speaker unit 190 is attached to this speaker mounting opening 120a.

[0046] Furthermore, the bulging portion 120 is provided with sound release slits 120b and heat release slits 120c that extend vertically on both the left and right sides of the portion (where the speaker mounting opening 120a opens) that extends vertically in a T-shape when viewed from the front. The sound release slits 120b are for releasing sound from a lower front speaker 191 (described later) to the outside. The heat release slits 120c are for releasing heat from a first lift drive motor 175b, a second lift drive motor 182, the lower front speaker 191, and the like within the door frame performance device 150 (described later) to the outside.

[0047] The bulge portion 120 comprises an upper bulge decorative portion 121 provided on the upper edge of the front surface, a lower bulge decorative portion 122 provided on the lower edge of the front surface, a device placement portion 123 provided on the top surface in the center in the left-right direction so as to protrude forward from the rear end side, an upper tray ball removal button 124 provided on the top surface for releasing game balls B in the upper tray 130 into the lower tray 140, and a ball lending button 125 and a return button 126 provided behind the upper tray ball removal button 124.

[0048] The bulge-upper decorative portion 121 and the bulge-lower decorative portion 122 are translucent milky white and formed in a semi-cylindrical shape. The bulge-upper decorative portion 121 extends along the upper edge of the front surface of the bulge 120, and is provided to decorate the upper front edge of the upper tray 130 described above. The bulge-upper decorative portion 121 has multiple LEDs 121a inside (see Figure 16). The multiple LEDs 121a are aligned in a line in the direction in which the bulge-upper decorative portion 121 extends. These multiple LEDs 121a are full-color LEDs.

[0049] The distance between the two rear ends of the bulge upper decorative portion 121, which are spaced apart in the left-right direction, matches the distance between the lower ends of the upper interior decorative portions 212, which are spaced apart in the left-right direction, in the door frame upper interior decorative unit 210 of the door frame upper unit 200, which will be described later. This bulge upper decorative portion 121 is formed to match the upper interior decorative portion 212 when assembled to the door frame 3, and forms a single continuous decoration together with the upper interior decorative portion 212. This bulge upper decorative portion 121, together with the upper interior decorative portion 212, constitutes a first luminous area LA1 that illuminates and decorates the area around the gaming window 201.

[0050] Furthermore, the bulge upper decorative portion 121 decorates the upper side of the upper tray 130 above the upper end of the front peripheral wall 134, and also raises the front wall (front peripheral wall 134) of the upper tray 130. This bulge upper decorative portion 121 is configured so that part of the light from the LED 121a is irradiated into the upper tray 130 (inside the storage area 131), and the light can be irradiated onto the game balls B stored in the storage area 131 to create an illuminated decoration.

[0051] The lower-bulge decorative portion 122 extends along the lower edge of the front surface of the bulge 120. The lower-bulge decorative portion 122 has multiple LEDs 122a inside (see FIG. 16). The multiple LEDs 122a are aligned in a line in the direction in which the lower-bulge decorative portion 122 extends. The multiple LEDs 122a are full-color LEDs.

[0052] The device mounting section 123 has a shape in plan view that is a combination of a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction and an isosceles trapezoid with the front side of the rectangular shape as the base. The left-right width of the rear end of the device mounting section 123 is approximately half the overall width of the door frame 3. The device mounting section 123 is open at the top on the upper surface of the bulging section 120 and is formed in the shape of a container that extends from the top into the interior of the bulging section 120.

[0053] The upper tray ball removal button 124 is located to the right of the upper tray 130, in the right corner of the top surface of the bulge portion 120. By pressing the upper tray ball removal button 124 downward, the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 can be released from the discharge port 136 to the lower tray 140. This upper tray ball removal button 124 releases the game balls B in the upper tray 130 to the lower tray 140 only while it is pressed, and when the pressure is released, it moves upward to return to its original state and stops releasing them to the lower tray 140.

[0054] The upper tray ball removal button 124 has a square outer shape. The upper tray ball removal button 124 has an illuminating decorative part 124a that is illuminated by an LED located below. The illuminating decorative part 124a is arranged to surround the outer periphery of the upper tray ball removal button 124. By illuminating the illuminating decorative part 124a, the upper tray ball removal button 124 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0055] The ball lending button 125 is located behind the upper tray ball removal button 124 on the top surface of the bulging portion 120. The ball lending button 125 has a circular outer shape. The return button 126 is located to the right of the ball lending button 125 on the top surface of the bulging portion 120. The return button 126 has an equilateral triangular outer shape.

[0056] The ball lending button 125, when pressed after inserting cash or a prepaid card into a ball lending machine (not shown) provided adjacent to the pachinko machine 1, supplies a predetermined number of game balls B into the upper tray 130, lending the game balls B to the player. The return button 126, when pressed, returns the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine minus the amount of the loaned game balls B. The remaining amount of cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine is displayed on the door frame sub-display unit 185.

[0057] [3-1c.Top plate] The upper tray 130 of the door frame 3 is recessed downward on the upper surface of the bulging portion 120, and has a storage area 131 in which game balls B are stored. The storage area 131 is made up of a front area 131a (area surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 15) on the front side of the device placement section 123, and side areas 131b (areas surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 15) on both the left and right sides of the device placement section 123, which are connected to each other by the front area 131a.

[0058] The front region 131a has a substantially constant width in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction. The left side region 131b extends in the front-rear direction so that its width in the left-right direction narrows as it moves forward from the rear end side toward the front region 131a side. The right side region 131b extends in the front-rear direction so that its width in the left-right direction widens as it moves rearward from the front end side of the front region 131a side until it moves partway, and then extends in the front-rear direction so that its width narrows toward the rear end side. The upper tray 130 (storage region 131) is formed to surround the front side and both left and right outer sides of the device placement section 123.

[0059] The upper tray 130 comprises a bottom wall 132 forming the bottom surface, a rear peripheral wall 133 rising upward from the rear end of the bottom wall 132, a front peripheral wall 134 rising upward from the front end of the bottom wall 132, a supply port 135 opening forward at the rear end of the left side region 131b, a discharge port 136 opening forward at the rear end of the right side region 131b, and an alignment section 137 located near the discharge port 136 for aligning the game balls B toward the discharge port 136.

[0060] The bottom wall 132 of the upper tray 130 is inclined so as to become lower from the supply port 135 side toward the discharge port 136. The front peripheral wall 134 and rear peripheral wall 133 rise approximately vertically. The surfaces of the bottom wall 132, rear peripheral wall 133, and front peripheral wall 134 are formed in a mirror-like finish. The bottom wall 132, rear peripheral wall 133, and front peripheral wall 134 of the upper tray 130 form a storage area 131. The depth of the upper tray 130 (the height from the bottom wall 132 to the upper ends of the rear peripheral wall 133 and front peripheral wall 134) is formed deeper than the diameter of the game ball B even at its shallowest point (near the supply port 135).

[0061] The supply port 135 is for supplying the game balls B dispensed from the dispensing device 580 of the main body frame 4 into the storage area 131. The delivery port 136 is for delivering the game balls B stored in the storage area 131 from the storage area 131 to the ball launching device 540 or the lower tray 140. The alignment section 137 is bent downward near the boundary between the rectangle and the isosceles trapezoid in the device arrangement section 123, which combines a rectangle and an isosceles trapezoid in a plan view, so that the bottom wall 132 becomes lower toward the delivery port 136.

[0062] The upper tray 130 also has a storage light-emitting decoration part 138 having a plurality of LEDs 138a that can irradiate light into the storage area 131. The plurality of LEDs 138a of the storage light-emitting decoration part 138 are provided on the rear peripheral wall 133, and are provided at a height that is above half the outer diameter of the game balls B from the bottom wall 132 and approximately parallel to the upper end of the rear peripheral wall 133. These LEDs 138a are full-color LEDs. By illuminating the LEDs 138a of the storage light-emitting decoration part 138, the storage area 131 and the game balls B stored in the storage area 131 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0063] The upper tray 130 has a bulge upper decorative portion 121 of the bulge portion 120 provided at the upper end of the front peripheral wall 134, and the bulge upper decorative portion 121 raises the front end side of the storage area 131, allowing more game balls B to be stored. In addition, the upper tray 130 is configured so that some of the light from the LED 121a of the bulge upper decorative portion 121 is irradiated into the storage area 131, and the game balls B in the storage area 131 are also illuminated and decorated by the light from the bulge upper decorative portion 121.

[0064] The upper tray 130 has a front area 131a in front of the device placement section 123 where the door frame effect device 150 is placed, and side areas 131b on both the left and right outside, and the front area 131a allows game balls B to be stored in front of the door frame effect device 150, making it easier for players to see the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130. Also, in the upper tray 130, the two side areas 131b connected by the front area 131a are areas that extend back and forth, making it easier for players to see the game balls B stored in the side areas 131b as well as the front area 131a.

[0065] Therefore, by making the game balls B in the upper tray 130 easier to see, the player can be made aware of the amount of game balls B stored. Therefore, even if the game balls B in the upper tray 130 are consumed as the game progresses and the amount stored decreases, the player can be made to recognize the decrease in the amount of stored game balls B and can have game balls B replenished in the upper tray 130. This prevents the game balls B from disappearing from the upper tray 130 without the player noticing, prevents the game from being suddenly interrupted, prevents the player from becoming discouraged due to the game being interrupted, and suppresses a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0066] Furthermore, the upper tray 130 makes it easy for the player to see the game balls B in the front area 131a and the two side areas 131b, so that the player can instantly recognize whether or not there are game balls B in the front area 131a simply by lowering his or her gaze from the game area 5a to the door frame effect device 150 below. This eliminates the need for the player to carefully check whether or not there are game balls B in the upper tray 130, making it easier for the player to concentrate on the game, making the game more enjoyable and preventing a decline in interest.

[0067] Furthermore, in the upper tray 130, the game balls B supplied from the supply port 135 into the storage area 131 are sent out of the storage area 131 through the discharge port 136 through the front area 131a. Therefore, when the game balls B in the upper tray 130 are consumed by playing, the game balls B flow in front of the player (front area 131a), making it easier for the player to recognize the consumption speed and amount of the game balls B, and making it easier to achieve the above-mentioned effects.

[0068] In addition, the upper tray 130 is provided with a storage illuminating decoration section 138 that emits light into the storage area 131, and the light from the storage illuminating decoration section 138 (LED 138a) is reflected upward by the game balls B, so that the light from the storage illuminating decoration section 138 causes the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 to sparkle and become illuminating and decorated, allowing players to enjoy the illuminating decoration of the game balls B and strongly attracting the player's attention to the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130, allowing the player to check the amount of game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 and achieving the same effect as described above.

[0069] In addition, since the inner surfaces of the bottom wall 132, rear peripheral wall 133, and front peripheral wall 134 of the upper tray 130 are formed in a mirror-like finish, the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 are reflected on the peripheral walls of the upper tray 130, giving the player the illusion that game balls B are stored on the other side of the peripheral walls, and making it appear as if a large number of game balls B are stored in the upper tray 130.

[0070] Furthermore, in the upper tray 130, an alignment section 137 is provided near the outlet 136 to align the game balls B, which prevents the game balls B from clogging near the outlet 136, and allows the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 to be smoothly discharged from the outlet 136 to the ball launcher 540 or the lower tray 140. Therefore, it is possible to avoid interruptions to the game due to clogging of the game balls B, allowing the player to enjoy the game and preventing a decline in interest.

[0071] Furthermore, in the upper tray 130, the outlet 136 located in the right side area 131b can be seen from the front, so that the player can see the game ball B being released from the outlet 136, which was not possible to see in previous pachinko machines, and this can surprise the player and strongly attract the player's attention, thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

[0072] [3-1d. Bottom plate] The lower tray 140 is located below the upper tray 130, to the left of the central part of the bulging portion 120 that bulges forward, and is formed in the shape of a shallow tray that opens upward. There is a gap between the lower tray 140 and the upper tray 130 (the underside of the left part of the bulging portion 120) that allows the player to insert their hand. The front surface of the lower tray 140 is formed in approximately the same shape as the front surface of the bulging portion 120 when viewed in a plane.

[0073] The lower tray 140 is formed at the lowest part of the bottom wall and has an openable / closable lower tray ball removal hole 141 (see Figure 9), a lower tray ball removal button 142 for opening and closing the lower tray ball removal hole 141 to eject the game balls B in the lower tray 140 downward, and a full tank detection sensor 143 (see Figure 67) for detecting when the lower tray 140 is full of game balls B.

[0074] The lower tray 140 is supplied with game balls B in the upper tray 130 by operating the upper tray ball removal button 124. In addition, when the upper tray 130 is full of game balls B, the lower tray 140 is supplied with game balls B paid out from the payout device 580. When the lower tray 140 is full of game balls B, the full tank detection sensor 143 detects that the lower tray 140 is full, and when the full tank of the lower tray 140 is detected, the payout of game balls B by the payout device 580 is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, when the full tank in the lower tray 140 is resolved (the full tank detection sensor 143 is no longer detecting), the temporary suspension of payout is lifted.

[0075] The lower tray ball removal button 142 is provided on the front of the lower tray 140 and has a rectangular outer shape. When the lower tray ball removal button 142 is pressed backward, the lower tray ball removal hole 141 opens and the lower tray ball removal button 142 remains pressed. When the lower tray ball removal button 142 is pressed backward further in this state, the lower tray ball removal hole 141 closes and the lower tray ball removal button 142 moves forward, returning to its original state.

[0076] The lower tray ball removal button 142 has an illuminating decorative portion 142a that is illuminated by an LED (not shown). The illuminating decorative portion 142a is arranged to surround both the left and right sides and the top of the lower tray ball removal button 142. By illuminating the illuminating decorative portion 142a, the lower tray ball removal button 142 can be illuminated and decorated. For example, during a "jackpot" game in which many game balls B are paid out, the illuminating decorative portion 142a can illuminate the lower tray ball removal button 142 to draw the player's attention to the lower tray 140, and by operating the lower tray ball removal button 142, the game balls B in the lower tray 140 can be discharged into a box below, etc., thereby preventing the lower tray 140 from becoming full and temporarily halting the payout of game balls B.

[0077] [3-1e. Overall configuration of the door frame effect device] The door frame effect device 150 is disposed in a device placement section 123 provided on the upper surface of the bulging section 120. The door frame effect device 150 includes a transparent device cover 151 that closes the device placement section 123 that is open upward, a door frame effect display device 152 that is provided so as to be visible from the front through the device cover 151, a lower speaker unit 153 that is provided in front of the door frame effect display device 152, a first movable section 155 that is provided in front of the lower speaker unit 153 and whose upper surface is capable of rising and falling above the device cover 151, an effect operation section 160 that is provided in the first movable section 155 so as to be capable of rising and falling and that can be pressed by a player, a first lifting mechanism 170 that raises and lowers the first movable section 155, and a second lifting mechanism 180 that raises and lowers the effect operation section 160.

[0078] [3-1e-1.Device cover] The device cover 151 has a planar shape that combines a rectangular shape elongated from side to side, the same as the device mounting section 123, with an isosceles trapezoid with the front side of the rectangular shape as the base. The device cover 151 has an opening 151a that is a large opening in the isosceles trapezoidal shape, an inclined surface 151b that is bent and inclined near the center of the rectangular section in the front-to-rear direction so that the rear end side is upward, and multiple grill holes 151c that penetrate in a hexagonal shape near the front end of the rectangular section. The device cover 151 is inclined as a whole so that the front end side is lower. A first movable part 155 is inserted into the opening 151a of the device cover 151.

[0079] The upper end of the inclined surface portion 151b of the device cover 151 coincides with the lower end of the door frame upper cover 232 of the door frame upper unit 200. The device cover 151 is also inclined so that the side in front of the inclined surface portion 151b is lower toward the front. This allows game ball B to roll forward and be released into the upper tray 130 even if it is placed on the top surface of the device cover 151.

[0080] [3-1e-2. Door frame display device] The door frame effect display device 152 has a display screen that displays effect images and is formed in a rectangular shape that is elongated from side to side, with the horizontal length being slightly shorter than half the overall width of the door frame 3. The door frame effect display device 152 is installed in an inclined position so that the lower edge is positioned forward relative to the upper edge. In other words, the door frame effect display device 152 is directed toward the head of a player seated in front of the pachinko machine 1. The door frame effect display device 152 has its upper edge positioned at a height near the upper end of the door frame lower unit 100 and its lower edge positioned below the bottom surface of the front region 131a of the upper tray 130. In addition, the door frame effect display device 152 has its upper edge positioned near the rear end of the door frame lower unit 100 (device cover 151) and its lower edge positioned near the front end of the inclined surface portion 151b of the device cover 151. The door frame effect display device 152 is a liquid crystal display device with a screen ratio of 16:9.

[0081] [3-1e-3. Lower speaker unit] The lower speaker unit 153 has a pair of lower speakers 153a spaced apart on the left and right, a lower speaker base 153b on which the pair of lower speakers 153a are mounted, and lower speaker decorative parts 153c attached to the lower speaker base 153b to decorate the outer peripheries of the lower speakers 153a and the spaces between the lower speakers 153a. The pair of lower speakers 153a are tweeters that output high-frequency sounds.

[0082] The lower speaker base 153b has a front surface that is inclined so that the rear edge is positioned above the front edge, and a rear surface that extends downward from the rear edge of the front surface perpendicular to the front surface, and is formed in the shape of a long container that is open downward. In addition, the lower speaker base 153b has circular mounting holes formed on the front surface, spaced apart on the left and right. The front surface of the lower speaker base 153b is inclined at an angle from the horizontal that is smaller than the angle from the horizontal of the door frame effect display device 152 (see FIG. 11, etc.).

[0083] The lower speaker decorative part 153c is attached to the front of the lower speaker base 153b and is composed of an annular part arranged on the outer periphery of the lower speaker 153a and multiple arc-shaped parts arranged between the pair of lower speakers 153a. The lower speaker decorative part 153c is translucent and can be illuminated by illuminating an LED mounted on a lower speaker decorative board (not shown).

[0084] The lower speaker unit 153 is attached to the inside of the lower speaker base 153b so that the pair of lower speakers 153a face forward from the mounting holes of the lower speaker base 153b. As a result, the pair of lower speakers 153a are directed toward the vicinity of the head of a player seated in front of the pachinko machine 1. The upper end of the lower speaker unit 153 is located at a height slightly lower than the vertical center of the door frame effect display device 152, and the lower end is located at a height slightly lower than the bottom end of the door frame effect display device 152.

[0085] The front end of the lower speaker unit 153 is located forward of the rear end of the opening 151a of the device cover 151 (slightly behind the performance operation unit 160), and the rear end is located near the front end of the inclined surface portion 151b of the device cover 151. The lower speaker unit 153 can be seen through the transparent device cover 151. The sound output from the pair of lower speakers 153a can be radiated well to the outside (outside the pachinko machine 1) through the grill holes 151c of the device cover 151 and the grill holes 156b of the first movable part main body 156.

[0086] In addition, the lower speaker unit 153 can illuminate and decorate the lower speaker decorative part 153c using the LEDs on the lower speaker decorative board (not shown), thereby illuminating and decorating the space between the lower speaker 153a and the speaker grill of the lower speaker 153a (the upper wall of the device cover 151 and the first movable part main body 156), allowing players to see the illuminated decoration inside the speaker, which has not been seen in previous pachinko machines.

[0087] [3-1e-4. First movable part] The first movable part 155 comprises a transparent, container-shaped first movable part body 156 that is open at the rear and bottom, a first movable part base 157 attached to the underside of the first movable part body 156, a first movable part cover 158 attached to the top surface of the first movable part body 156, and a first movable part decorative board 159 attached to the inside of the side of the first movable part body 156 (see Figures 11 and 12). The first movable part 155 is disposed in an opening 151a of the device cover 151. The first movable part 155 is supported by a first lifting mechanism 170 so that it can be raised and lowered, and is raised and lowered by the first lifting mechanism 170.

[0088] The shape of first movable part body 156 in a plan view is similar to the shape of opening 151a of device cover 151, and is formed in a shape that combines a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction with an isosceles trapezoid with the front side of the rectangle as its base. First movable part body 156 is formed in the shape of a container that is open at the rear and bottom, with an upper wall shaped like a combination of a rectangle and an isosceles trapezoid, and side walls extending downward from the side sides of the upper wall excluding the rear side. The upper wall (upper surface) of first movable part body 156 is inclined so that the front side is lower and curved so that the center in the left-right direction is higher.

[0089] The first movable part body 156 has an opening 156a that penetrates the upper wall near the front end in a rectangular shape that is long from side to side, multiple grill holes 156b that penetrate the upper wall in a hexagonal shape in the area excluding the opening 156a, and multiple rectangular through holes 156c that are lined up in the circumferential direction in the side wall. The lower end of the opening frame 158a of the first movable part cover 158 is inserted into the opening 156a. The through hole 156c is sized so that the LED 159a mounted on the first movable part decorative board 159 faces outward.

[0090] The first movable part base 157 is formed in the shape of a flat plate that is long in the left-right direction. The first movable part base 157 is formed so that its front-rear width is shorter than the front-rear width of the opening 156a of the first movable part main body 156. The first movable part base 157 is attached to the first movable part main body 156 so that its front end is at approximately the same position in the front-rear direction as the front end of the opening 156a of the first movable part main body 156. The first movable part base 157 is attached to the first movable part main body 156 in a horizontal state. A pair of lift sliders 172 of the first lift mechanism 170 is attached to the lower surface of this first movable part base 157, and a second lift base 181 of the second lift mechanism 180 is attached to the upper surface.

[0091] The first movable part cover 158 has an outer shape and size that is the same as the upper wall of the first movable part body 156. The first movable part cover 158 has a horizontally elongated rectangular opening frame portion 158a that corresponds to the opening 156a of the first movable part body 156, and a plurality of louver portions 158b that extend left and right and are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. The surface of the first movable part cover 158 is provided with a plating layer that has a silver metallic luster. The lower end of the opening frame portion 158a of the first movable part cover 158 protrudes downward beyond the lower end of the louver portions 158b, and is inserted into the opening 156a of the first movable part body 156. The performance operation unit 160 is inserted within the frame of the opening frame portion 158a.

[0092] The louver portions 158b of the first movable portion cover 158 extend at a constant width except for both left and right ends, and are formed in a triangular shape with both left and right ends widening diagonally forward. The multiple (here, five) louver portions 158b are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction at intervals slightly larger than the outer diameter of the game ball B. This allows the game ball B to be stored between the louver portions 158b. Incidentally, one game ball B can be stored between the first two louver portions 158b from the front, two game balls B can be stored between the second two louver portions 158b, and three game balls B can be stored between the third two louver portions 158b (see Figure 15).

[0093] The first movable part decorative substrate 159 has multiple LEDs 159a mounted on its front surface. The multiple LEDs 159a are arranged in positions corresponding to the through holes 156c of the first movable part main body 156. The first movable part decorative substrate 159 is attached to the inside of the side wall of the first movable part main body 156, so that the multiple mounted LEDs 159a face outward through the through holes 156c in the side wall. The LEDs 159a on the first movable part decorative substrate 159 are full-color LEDs.

[0094] When the LED 159a of this first movable part decorative substrate 159 is illuminated with the first movable part 155 lowered (normal state), it can illuminate and decorate the upper part of the rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130 through the gap between the rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130 and the side wall of the first movable part main body 156. Also, when the LED 159a of the first movable part decorative substrate 159 is illuminated with the first movable part 155 raised, it can illuminate and decorate the side wall of the first movable part main body 156, and can also irradiate light into the storage area 131 and forward (towards the player).

[0095] [3-1e-5. Production operation section] The effect operation unit 160 is provided so as to be movable up and down relative to the first movable unit 155, and is a so-called push button that can be pressed by a player. The effect operation unit 160 is supported so as to be movable up and down by a second lifting mechanism 180, and is raised and lowered by the second lifting mechanism 180 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

[0096] The performance operation unit 160 comprises a translucent pressing operation unit 161 with the word "PUSH" formed on its upper surface, an operation unit decorative board 162 arranged below the pressing operation unit 161 and having multiple LEDs mounted on its upper surface, an operation unit movable base 163 on whose upper surface the pressing operation unit 161 and operation unit decorative board 162 are attached, an operation unit base 164 which supports the operation unit movable base 163 so that it can be raised and lowered and whose lower surface is attached to the first movable unit 155 via a second lifting mechanism 180 (second lifting base 181), an operation unit spring which urges the operation unit movable base 163 upward, and a pressure detection sensor 165 (see Figure 67) which detects the pressing operation unit 161 moving downward against the urging force of the operation unit spring.

[0097] The pressing operation part 161 is a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction, and the word "PUSH" is formed in relief on the top surface. The outer periphery of the pressing operation part 161 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inside of the frame of the opening frame part 158a of the first movable part cover 158.

[0098] The multiple LEDs mounted on the upper surface of the operation unit decorative board 162 are full-color LEDs. A first LED that emits light upward and a second LED that emits light outward along the upper surface of the operation unit decorative board 162 are mounted on the upper surface of the operation unit decorative board 162. By illuminating the first LED, the operation unit decorative board 162 can illuminate and decorate the pressing operation unit 161 (the letters "PUSH"). Furthermore, by illuminating the second LED, the peripheral wall of the operation unit movable base 163 can be illuminated and decorated, and when the performance operation unit 160 is at its lowered end, the opening frame portion 158a of the first movable unit cover 158 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0099] The operation unit movable base 163 is formed in the shape of a long box that is open at the bottom and extends from side to side. The operation unit movable base 163 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer circumference of the pressing operation unit 161. The pressing operation unit 161 is attached to the top surface of the operation unit movable base 163 so as to sandwich the operation unit decorative board 162. The operation unit base 164 is inserted into the operation unit movable base 163 from below.

[0100] The operation unit base 164 is composed of a box-shaped portion that is long in the left-right direction and is open at the top and is large enough to be inserted into the operation unit movable base 163, and a flange-shaped portion that protrudes outward from the box-shaped portion to a position coincident with the outer periphery of the operation unit movable base 163. The operation unit base 164 supports the operation unit movable base 163 so that it can be raised and lowered within a predetermined range. A second lifting mechanism 180 is attached to the underside of this operation unit base 164.

[0101] The upper end of the operation spring abuts against the lower surface of the upper wall of operation unit movable base 163, and the lower end abuts against the upper surface of the lower wall of operation unit base 164. Pressing detection sensor 165 is attached inside operation unit base 164, and detects a detecting piece (not shown) of operation unit movable base 163, thereby detecting the pressing operation of pressing operation unit 161 via operation unit movable base 163.

[0102] [3-1e-6. First lifting mechanism] 11, the first lifting mechanism 170 is attached inside the bulging portion 120 and serves to raise and lower the first movable portion 155. The first lifting mechanism 170 includes a pair of lifting rails 171 attached to the left and right of the inside of the bulging portion 120 and extending vertically, a pair of lifting sliders 172 each guided in the vertical direction by the pair of lifting rails 171, a connecting portion 173 connecting the pair of lifting sliders 172 to each other, a pair of rod-shaped lifting arms 174 each rotatably attached to the lifting sliders 172 at one end and rotatably attached to the bulging portion 120 at the other end, a first lifting drive mechanism 175 that rotates each of the pair of lifting arms 174, and a first lifting detection sensor 176 that detects the raised or lowered position of the lifting sliders 172 (first movable portion 155).

[0103] The pair of lifting rails 171 are spaced apart laterally by an interval longer than the left-right length of the performance operation unit 160 (pressing operation unit 161). The pair of lifting rails 171 are attached to the inside of the bulging portion 120 so as to extend vertically. The pair of lifting sliders 172 have their upper ends attached to the underside of the first movable portion base 157 of the first movable portion 155, and their lower ends attached to the connecting portion 173.

[0104] The front ends of the pair of lifting arms 174 are attached to the corresponding lifting sliders 172 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction and so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the lifting arms 174. The rear ends of the pair of lifting arms 174 are attached to the bulging portion 120 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of lifting arms 174 has a slit 174a extending in the longitudinal direction at a position closer to the front end than the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0105] The first lifting / lowering drive mechanisms 175 are provided for each of the pair of lifting / lowering arms 174. That is, a pair of first lifting / lowering drive mechanisms 175 are provided. The first lifting / lowering mechanism 170 can raise and lower the first movable unit 155 (performance operation unit 160) via the pair of lifting / lowering sliders 172 to which the tips of the pair of lifting / lowering arms 174 are respectively attached, by rotating each of the pair of lifting / lowering arms 174 by the first lifting / lowering drive mechanism 175 in a direction in which the front ends of the pair of lifting / lowering arms 174 move upward.

[0106] Describing the first lifting drive mechanism 175 in detail, the first lifting drive mechanism 175 has a first lifting pin 175a that is slidably inserted into a slit 174a of the lifting arm 174 and revolves around an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a first lifting drive motor 175b that revolves the first lifting pin 175a. More specifically, the first lifting drive mechanism 175 has a flat drive base 175c that is attached inside the bulging portion 120 and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions, a spur gear-shaped lifting gear 175d that is attached to the drive base 175c rotatably around an axis extending in the left-right direction and has the first lifting pin 175a attached at a position eccentric to the rotation axis, and a drive gear 175e that meshes with the lifting gear 175d and is attached to the rotation axis of the first lifting drive motor 175b.

[0107] In this embodiment, two first lift drive motors 175b are attached to the drive base 175c, and drive gears 175e attached to the rotation shafts of the first lift drive motors 175b are meshed with lift gears 175d, respectively. In other words, one lift gear 175d is rotated by two first lift drive motors 175b.

[0108] In this first lifting drive mechanism 175, when the drive gears 175e attached to the respective rotation shafts of the two first lifting drive motors 175b are rotated in the same direction, the lifting gears 175d meshing with the drive gears 175e rotate, and the first lifting pins 175a revolve around the axis of the lifting gears 175d. As the first lifting pins 175a revolve, the first lifting pins 175a slide within the slits 174a of the lifting arm 174 and press the interior of the slits 174a in the vertical direction, causing the lifting arm 174 to rotate (pivot) around its rear end. As a result, the front end of the lifting arm 174 moves up and down, and the first movable part 155 can be raised and lowered via the lifting slider 172 to which the front end of the lifting arm 174 is attached.

[0109] The first lifting / lowering detection sensor 176 is in a detection state when the pair of lifting / lowering sliders 172 are positioned at the downward movement end (lowering end). In other words, the first lifting / lowering detection sensor 176 detects, via the lifting / lowering sliders 172, that the first movable part 155 is positioned at the lowering end.

[0110] [3-1e-7. Second lifting mechanism] The second lifting mechanism 180 is attached to the upper surface of the first movable part base 157 of the first movable part 155 and comprises a second lifting base 181 that supports the operation part base 164 of the performance operation part 160 so that it can be raised and lowered; a second lifting drive motor 182 attached to the second lifting base 181; a second lifting pin 183 that is attached to the rotation shaft of the second lifting drive motor 182 and revolves at an eccentric position relative to the rotation shaft; a lifting transmission piece 184 that has a slit 184a extending in the front-to-rear direction into which the second lifting pin 183 can be slidably inserted and whose upper part is attached to the operation part base 164; and a second lifting detection sensor 180a that detects the raising and lowering of the second lifting base 181 (performance operation part 160).

[0111] The second lifting base 181 of the second lifting mechanism 180 supports the operation unit base 164 so that it can be raised and lowered in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the pressing operation unit 161 (in the direction of an inclined axis that moves forward as it goes upward).

[0112] In the second lifting mechanism 180, when the second lifting pin 183 is revolved by the second lifting drive motor 182, the second lifting pin 183 slides within the slit 184a of the lifting transmission piece 184 and presses the inner surface of the slit 184a in the vertical direction, causing the lifting transmission piece 184 to move in the vertical direction. Since the operation unit base 164 of the performance operation unit 160 is attached to this lifting transmission piece 184, the performance operation unit 160 can be raised and lowered via the lifting transmission piece 184.

[0113] In the second lifting mechanism 180, when the lifting transmission piece 184 (performance operation unit 160) is positioned at the lower end, the second lifting pin 183 is positioned near the rear end of a slit 184a extending in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the second lifting pin 183 is positioned at the bottom dead center. When the lifting transmission piece 184 is to be raised from this state, the second lifting drive motor 182 causes the second lifting pin 183 to revolve so as to have a forward movement vector. As a result, the second lifting pin 183 slides forward within the slit 184a, and the second lifting pin 183 presses upward against the inner surface of the slit 184a, causing the lifting transmission piece 184 to move upward.

[0114] As the second lift pin 183 further revolves, the line connecting the center of the second lift pin 183 and the center of revolution passes the central axis of the slit 184a, and the second lift pin 183 slides rearward within the slit 184a while pressing upward against the inner surface of the slit 184a. Then, when the second lift pin 183 reaches near the rear end of the slit 184a, the drive of the second lift drive motor 182 stops, and the revolution of the second lift pin 183 stops. In this state, the second lift pin 183 is located at the top dead center, and the lift transmission piece 184 is located at the upper end.

[0115] When the lift transmission piece 184 (performance operation unit 160) is positioned at the upper end and a force is applied to move the lift transmission piece 184 downward, for example by pressing the performance operation unit 160, the second lift pin 183 is positioned at the top dead center, so no force in the front-to-rear direction is applied to the second lift pin 183. Therefore, the second lift pin 183 does not revolve, and the lift transmission piece 184 does not move downward.

[0116] Furthermore, when the performance operation unit 160 is pressed while the lift transmission piece 184 is positioned at the upper end, since the operation is performed by a player positioned in front of the performance operation unit 160, a backward movement vector in addition to a downward movement vector acts on the performance operation unit 160. In contrast, in the upper end state, the second lift pin 183 is positioned at the rear end of the slit 184a, so even if a backward movement vector acts on the second lift pin 183 via the slit 184a, the second lift pin 183 abuts against the rear end of the slit 184a, preventing the second lift pin 183 from revolving, preventing the lift transmission piece 184 from moving downward, and allowing the performance operation unit 160 to be maintained at the upper end position.

[0117] The second lifting / lowering detection sensor 180a is in a detection state when the second lifting / lowering base 181 is positioned at the downward movement end (lowering end). In other words, the second lifting / lowering detection sensor 180a detects, via the second lifting / lowering base 181, that the performance operation unit 160 is positioned at the lowering end.

[0118] [3-1f. Door frame sub-display] The door frame sub-display unit 185 is located to the right of the door frame performance display device 152 in the door frame performance device 150, behind the upper tray ball removal button 124, ball lending button 125, and return button 126. The door frame sub-display unit 185 is composed of three 7-segment LEDs lined up on the left and right. The door frame sub-display unit 185 is installed at an angle so that its lower end is positioned forward relative to its upper end. The lower end of the door frame sub-display unit 185 is located at the same height as the top surface of the bulge portion 120 from which the upper tray ball removal button 124, ball lending button 125, and return button 126 protrude.

[0119] The door frame sub-display unit 185 comprises a frame-shaped sub-display unit decorative frame 186 that illuminates and decorates the outer periphery of three square 7-segment LEDs, and a transparent sub-display unit cover 187 that covers the three 7-segment LEDs and the sub-display unit decorative frame 186 and is inclined at the same angle as the inclined surface portion 151b of the device cover 151 in the door frame performance device 150.

[0120] [3-1g. Lower front speaker unit] As shown in Figures 11 and 13, the lower front speaker unit 190 comprises a lower front speaker 191 attached to the rear of the speaker mounting opening 120a of the bulge portion 120, a lower front speaker grill 192 with multiple grill holes passing through it and closing the speaker mounting opening 120a, a horizontal lattice-shaped grill decoration frame 193 arranged in front of the lower front speaker grill 192 and attached to the front of the bulge portion 120, rod-shaped lattice decoration portions 194 respectively arranged on the rear side of each lattice portion of the grill decoration frame 193, and lattice decoration LEDs 195 provided at both ends of each lattice decoration portion 194 to illuminate and decorate the lattice decoration portion 194.

[0121] The lower front speaker 191 is a woofer that outputs low-frequency sounds. The lower front speaker grill 192 is attached to the inside of the bulge 120. The lower front speaker grill 192 is made of punched metal.

[0122] The grill decorative frame 193 has a surface provided with a plated layer with a silver metallic luster. The grill decorative frame 193 is composed of a rectangular frame portion along the inner periphery of the speaker mounting opening 120a of the bulge portion 120, and multiple lattice portions that connect two sides extending up and down of the frame and are arranged spaced apart from each other. The lattice portions extending to the left and right of the grill decorative frame 193 extend at a constant width in the region (general region) excluding both left and right ends, and are formed into a trapezoid shape in which both left and right ends widen diagonally downward toward the ends and then extend at a constant width again.

[0123] The lattice decoration portion 194 is translucent and formed in a cylindrical shape that is long in the left-right direction. Both left and right ends of the lattice decoration portion 194 are located behind the trapezoidal portion of the lattice portion of the grill decoration frame 193, and the remaining portion is located below the general portion of the lattice portion. This allows the lattice decoration portion 194, excluding both ends, to be seen from the front. Multiple lattice decoration portions 194 are provided in front of the lower front speaker grill 192. The lattice decoration LED 195 is a full-color LED.

[0124] The lower front speaker unit 190 can output low-pitched sounds (low frequencies) from the lower front speaker 191. This lower front speaker unit 190 faces forward from the front of the bulging portion 120 that bulges forward, and can therefore apply sound pressure to a player seated in front of the pachinko machine 1. In addition, the lower front speaker unit 190 can illuminate and decorate the lattice decoration portion 194 by appropriately illuminating the multiple lattice decoration LEDs 195, and can also illuminate and decorate the inside of the grill decoration frame 193 (the front side of the lower front speaker grill 192) via the lattice decoration portion 194.

[0125] [3-1h. Cylinder lock] Next, we will briefly explain the cylinder lock 127 of the door frame base unit. The cylinder lock 127 is attached to the cylinder mounting frame of a metal door frame reinforcement unit (not shown) and is used in cooperation with the locking unit 650 to open and close the door frame 3 and main frame 4, and to lock and open the outer frame 2 and main frame 4. The cylinder lock 127 includes a metal cylindrical cylinder body (not shown) that extends forward and backward, a metal keyhole 128 formed in the front end face of the cylinder body, and a metal rotation transmission member (not shown) attached to the rear side of the cylinder body, which is inserted into the keyhole 128 and rotates together with the rotation of a regular metal key.

[0126] The cylinder body of cylinder lock 127 penetrates the front piece of the cylinder mounting frame of the door frame reinforcement unit from the rear, and its rear end is attached to the front piece. The rotation transmission member 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 is formed so that, when door frame 3 is closed relative to main frame 4, metal transmission cylinder 654 of metal locking unit 650 in main frame 4 is inserted from the rear, and by inserting a pair of protrusions of transmission cylinder 654 into the pair of notches, the rotation of the rotation transmission member (the key inserted in keyhole 128) can be transmitted to transmission cylinder 654, causing it to rotate. When the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main frame 4 and the rotation transmission member of the cylinder lock 127 in the door frame 3 is in contact with the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main frame 4, the cylinder lock 127 and the locking unit 650 are electrically connected.

[0127] When opening the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2 or the door frame 3 relative to the main frame 3, an attendant such as a game hall clerk inserts a genuine metal key into the keyhole 128 of the cylinder lock 127 and turns it in a predetermined direction (either clockwise or counterclockwise). When the attendant such as a game hall clerk inserts a genuine metal key into the keyhole 128 of the cylinder lock 127, the attendant becomes charged with static electricity and discharges it, causing electromagnetic noise to be transmitted to the cylinder lock 127 via the genuine metal key. Therefore, in this embodiment, various circuit boards (e.g., circuit boards having power supply lines or circuit board ground lines) are not arranged near the cylinder lock 127 to prevent the intrusion of electromagnetic noise.

[0128] [3-2. Door frame upper unit] Next, the door frame upper unit 200 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 5 to 10 and Figure 14. Figure 14(a) is an enlarged front view of the upper part of the door frame, and Figure 14(b) is an enlarged front view of Figure 14(a) with the grill decorative frame and lattice decorative portion removed. The door frame upper unit 200 of the door frame 3 includes a game window 201 that allows the inside of the game area 5a of the game board 5 held by the main frame 4 to be viewed from the front when the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main frame 4, a door frame upper unit base 202 that has an outer periphery that is elongated vertically in a front view and an inverted U-shape with the inner periphery that forms the game window 201 open downward, and a transparent closing glass 205 that is provided in the door frame upper unit base 202 and closes the inverted U-shaped inner periphery (game window 201) of the door frame upper unit base 202.

[0129] The upper door frame unit 200 also includes an upper door frame interior decorative unit 210 arranged in a strip shape along the inner periphery of the inverted U-shape of the game window 201 on the front surface of the upper door frame unit base 202, an upper door frame exterior decorative unit 220 arranged outside the upper door frame interior decorative unit 210 on the front surface of the upper door frame unit base 202, an upper door frame outer edge decorative unit 230 covering the upper door frame interior decorative unit 210 and the upper door frame exterior decorative unit 220, and an upper speaker unit 240 arranged on the upper front surface of the upper door frame unit base 202.

[0130] [3-2a. Door frame upper unit base] The door frame upper unit base 202 forms the rear surface of the door frame upper unit 200 (see Figure 10). The door frame upper unit base 202 is flat and formed in a gate shape that is open downward. When viewed from the front, the door frame upper unit base 202 has an outer periphery that is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction, and an inner periphery that is formed in an inverted U shape that is open downward. The size of the inner periphery of the door frame upper unit base 202 is formed larger than the playing area 5a of the playing board 5 that is placed behind it.

[0131] [3-2b. Closing Glass] The closing glass 205 is detachably provided at the rear end of the door frame upper unit base 202 so as to close the inner periphery (game window 201) of the door frame upper unit base 202 (see Figure 10). This closing glass 205 is used to close the front side of the game area 5a so that the game ball B does not fall out forward from the game area 5a of the game board 5 held by the main frame 4 when the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main frame 4. The closing glass 205 is transparent tempered glass.

[0132] [3-2c. Door frame upper interior decorative unit] The door frame upper interior decorative unit 210 comprises a wall-shaped upper interior base 211 that extends at a constant width along the inner circumference of the door frame upper unit base 202 and protrudes forward, a semi-cylindrical upper interior decorative part 212 that extends along the upper interior base 211 and is provided at the front end of the upper interior base 211, and an upper interior decorative substrate 213 that is provided behind the upper interior decorative part 212 and has multiple LEDs 213a mounted on its front surface.

[0133] The upper internal base 211 has an inverted U-shape when viewed from the front. At the front end of the upper internal base 211, a pair of linearly extending portions of the inverted U-shape extend vertically in the up-down direction, and the semicircular arc-shaped portion of the inverted U-shape curves to protrude forward as it extends upward. This upper internal base 211 is opaque. The left-right distance at the lower end of the upper internal base 211 matches the distance between the left and right rear ends of the bulge-up decorative portions 121 of the bulge portion 120 of the door frame lower unit 100.

[0134] The upper interior decorative portion 212 is translucent, milky white, and formed in a semi-cylindrical shape. The upper interior decorative substrate 213 is attached to the upper interior base 211, and a plurality of LEDs 213a mounted on the front surface are arranged in a row along the upper interior decorative portion 212. The plurality of LEDs 213a on the upper interior decorative substrate 213 are full-color LEDs. By appropriately illuminating the plurality of LEDs 213a on the upper interior decorative substrate 213, the upper interior decorative portion 212 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0135] The door frame upper interior decorative unit 210 is formed so that when assembled to the door frame 3, the lower end of the upper interior decorative part 212 coincides with the rear end of the bulge upper decorative part 121 of the bulge part 120, and the upper interior decorative part 212 and the bulge upper decorative part 121 form one continuous decoration.

[0136] The upper interior decorative part 212 of this door frame upper interior decorative unit 210, together with the bulge upper decorative part 121, constitutes a first circumferential light area LA1 (the area surrounded by a dashed line in Figure 16) that illuminates and decorates the area around the game window 201. In addition, since the upper interior decorative part 212 is formed in a milky white color, it is possible to reduce the light from the multiple LEDs 213a and radiate it outward, thereby preventing the inside of the game window 201 surrounded by the upper interior decorative part 212 from becoming difficult to see due to glare, and the game area 5a can be clearly seen from the front through the game window 201.

[0137] [3-2d. Door frame upper exterior decorative unit] The upper door frame external decorative unit 220 has its rear end attached to the front surface of the upper door frame unit base 202, and comprises a plurality of protruding bases 221 that protrude forward and are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, an upper outer apex decorative portion 222 provided at the front end of the protruding base 221, upper outer valley decorative portions 223 each arranged between the protruding bases 221, upper outer apex LEDs 224 each arranged behind the upper outer apex decorative portion 222, and upper outer valley LEDs 225 arranged behind the upper outer valley decorative portion 223.

[0138] The protruding base 221 is formed into an isosceles triangle shape in a side view. The protruding base 221 extends in the left-right direction from the outer peripheral surface of the upper internal base 211 to the vicinity of the left and right side pieces of the door frame upper unit base 202, and is formed so as to extend outward from the upper internal base 211. The front end of the protruding base 221 protrudes forward to a position substantially coincident with the front end of the portion of the upper internal base 211 that it contacts.

[0139] The upper outer apex decorative portions 222 are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, with both left and right ends formed in a hemispherical shape. The outer diameter of the upper outer apex decorative portions 222 is formed to be approximately 1 / 3 of the outer diameter of the upper inner decorative portion 212. The upper outer apex decorative portions 222 are each formed to a length corresponding to the left-right length of the protruding base 221 provided thereon. These upper outer apex decorative portions 222 are translucent.

[0140] The upper outer valley decorative portion 223 is composed of a portion (vertical surface portion) extending parallel to the front surface of the door frame upper unit base 202 between the protruding bases 221, and a portion (slope portion) extending diagonally from the upper and lower edges of the portion along the lower and upper surfaces of the protruding bases 221 to near the front end of the protruding bases 221. The upper outer valley decorative portion 223 has a mirror-like plating layer on its surface (front surface). In addition, the upper outer valley decorative portion 223 has a square opening formed in the portion extending parallel to the front surface of the door frame upper unit base 202 so that the upper outer valley LED 225 located at the rear faces forward.

[0141] The upper outer apex LED 224 is a full-color LED, and the upper outer valley LED 225 is a high-brightness full-color LED.

[0142] The door frame upper exterior decorative unit 220 can illuminate and decorate the upper exterior apex decorative portion 222 by appropriately illuminating the upper exterior apex LED 224. In addition, the door frame upper exterior decorative unit 220 can illuminate and decorate the upper exterior valley decorative portion 223 by appropriately illuminating the upper exterior valley LED 225, and can also brightly illuminate the space between the upper exterior apex decorative portions 222 that are spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0143] The upper outer apex decorative portion 222 and the upper outer valley decorative portion 223 of the door frame upper outer decorative unit 220 constitute a second circumferential light area LA2 (the area surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 16) that illuminates and decorates the outside of the first circumferential light area LA1 around the game window 201. In addition, since the front ends of the upper outer apex decorative portion 222 and the upper outer valley decorative portion 223 of the door frame upper outer decorative unit 220 are located further rearward than the front end of the upper inner decorative portion 212 of the door frame upper inner decorative unit 210, the light irradiated from the upper outer apex LED 224 and the upper outer valley LED 225 toward the game window 201 is blocked by the upper inner base 211 and the upper inner decorative portion 212. Even if the upper outer apex decorative portion 222 and the upper outer valley decorative portion 223 are illuminated and decorated, the inside of the game window 201 is prevented from being difficult to see due to glare, and the game area 5a can be clearly seen from the front through the game window 201.

[0144] [3-2e. Door frame upper outer edge decorative unit] The door frame upper outer edge decorative unit 230 comprises a plurality of upper outer edge LEDs 231 arranged in a row along the outer peripheral edge (both left and right sides and the top edge) of the door frame upper unit base 202, a door frame upper cover 232 attached to the outer peripheral edge of the door frame upper unit base 202 and covering the door frame upper interior decorative unit 210 and the door frame upper exterior decorative unit 220, and opaque decorative parts 233 provided on both the left and right side walls of the door frame upper cover 232. The plurality of upper outer edge LEDs 231 are full-color LEDs.

[0145] The door frame upper cover 232 is made up of a pair of side walls extending forward from positions near the left and right ends of the door frame upper unit base 202, an upper wall connecting the upper edges of the pair of side walls and extending forward from a position near the upper end of the door frame upper unit base 202, and a front wall connecting the front edges of the pair of side walls and the front edge of the upper wall, and is formed in a box shape that is open at the rear and bottom. The door frame upper cover 232 is formed to be entirely transparent.

[0146] The door frame upper cover 232 is formed in a shape that follows the shape of the front end of the upper interior decorative part 212 so that the front ends of the side walls are located slightly forward of the front end of the upper interior decorative part 212. More specifically, the front ends of the side walls of the door frame upper cover 232 extend vertically from the bottom end to a height near the top end of the inverted U-shaped linear extension of the gaming window 201, and then extend in an arc-like curve so as to be positioned further forward as they extend upward to approximately the same height as the state of the door frame upper unit base 202. In addition, the front ends of the left and right side walls of the door frame upper cover 232 are curved in such a way that the arc-shaped curved parts that extend upward approach each other as they extend upward.

[0147] The door frame upper cover 232 has a pair of speaker mounting openings 232a formed at both left and right corners of the upper part of the front wall, to which the grill decorative frame 243 of the upper speaker unit 240 and the like are attached.

[0148] The opaque decorative portion 233 is provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the door frame upper cover 232. The opaque decorative portion 233 has a slit 233a extending forward and backward formed at a position at the same height as the protruding base 221 of the door frame upper outer decorative unit 220. Through the slit 233a of the opaque decorative portion 233, a part of the transparent side wall of the door frame upper cover 232 is exposed to the outside.

[0149] The door frame upper outer edge decorative unit 230 covers the door frame upper interior decorative unit 210 and the door frame upper exterior decorative unit 220 so that they can be seen from the front with the door frame upper cover 232. In addition, the door frame upper outer edge decorative unit 230 can illuminate and decorate the outer edge of the door frame upper unit base 202 and the outer edge of the front wall of the door frame upper cover 232 (the front ends of the side walls and top wall) by appropriately illuminating the multiple upper outer edge LEDs 231.

[0150] In addition, since the door frame upper outer edge decorative unit 230 has opaque decorative parts 233 on both the left and right outer sides, it is possible to prevent light from the upper outer apex LED 224 and upper outer valley LED 225 of the door frame upper outer decorative unit 220 from being irradiated onto other players seated in front of other pachinko machines placed adjacent to this pachinko machine 1.

[0151] The plurality of upper outer edge LEDs 231 (the front outer edge of the door frame upper cover 232) of the door frame upper outer edge decorative unit 230 constitute a third circumferential light area LA3 (the area surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 16) that illuminates and decorates the outside of the second circumferential light area LA2 around the game window 201. In addition, the plurality of upper outer edge LEDs 231 of the door frame upper outer edge decorative unit 230 are arranged on the front side of the door frame upper unit base 202, that is, behind the front end of the upper interior decorative part 212 of the door frame upper interior decorative unit 210. Therefore, the light irradiated from the upper outer edge LEDs 231 toward the game window 201 is blocked by the upper interior base 211 and the upper interior decorative part 212. This prevents the inside of the game window 201 from being difficult to see due to glare even when the plurality of upper outer edge LEDs 231 are illuminated, and the game area 5a can be clearly seen from the front through the game window 201.

[0152] [3-2f. Upper speaker unit] The upper speaker unit 240 comprises upper speakers 241 mounted near the left and right corners of the upper front surface of the door frame upper unit base 202, upper speaker grills (not shown) that close the speaker mounting openings 232a of the door frame upper cover 232 in front of each upper speaker 241, a horizontal lattice-shaped grill decorative frame 243 that is positioned in front of the upper speaker grills and attached to the front wall of the door frame upper cover 232, rod-shaped lattice decorative portions 244 that are positioned behind the upper speaker grills at approximately the same intervals as each lattice portion in the grill decorative frame 243, and lattice decorative LEDs 245 that are provided at the outer left and right ends of each lattice decorative portion 244 and illuminate and decorate the lattice decorative portion (see Figure 14).

[0153] The upper speakers 241 are each installed at an angle facing slightly downward in the left-right center of the door frame upper unit 200. The upper speakers 241 are installed further back than the adjacent upper outer apex decorative part 222 of the door frame upper outer decorative unit 220. The upper speakers 241 are full-range speakers that output a full range of sound from low to high frequencies. The upper speaker grill is installed on the inside of the door frame upper cover 232 (the rear surface of the front wall). The upper speaker grill is made of punched metal.

[0154] The grill decorative frame 243 has a surface provided with a plated layer with a silver metallic luster. The grill decorative frame 243 is composed of a frame portion shaped along the inner periphery of the speaker mounting opening 232a of the door frame upper cover 232, and multiple lattice portions arranged spaced apart from each other and connecting two sides extending up and down from the frame portion. The lattice portions extending to the left and right of the grill decorative frame 243 extend at a constant width in the general portion excluding the ends on the outside of the door frame 3 in the left-right direction, and the ends on the outside of the left-right direction are formed into a trapezoidal shape that expands diagonally downward toward the ends and then extends at a constant width.

[0155] The lattice decoration part 244 is translucent and formed in a cylindrical shape that is long in the left and right directions. The lattice decoration part 244 can be seen from the front through the upper speaker grill. The lattice decoration LED 245 is a full-color LED.

[0156] The upper speaker unit 240 is located close to the head of a player seated in front of the pachinko machine 1, and can output high-quality stereo sound to the player. In addition, the upper speaker unit 240 can illuminate and decorate the lattice decoration part 244 by appropriately illuminating the multiple lattice decoration LEDs 245, and can also illuminate and decorate the inside of the grill decoration frame 243 (the rear side of the upper speaker grill) through the lattice decoration part 244.

[0157] In addition, in a front view of the upper speaker unit 240, the upper outer apex decorative part 222 arranged inside the upper speaker grill (grill decorative frame 243) is located forward of the upper speaker 241. In other words, the lattice decorative part 244 and upper outer apex decorative part 222, which can be illuminated, are arranged between the upper speaker 241 and the upper speaker grill. As a result, when the upper outer apex decorative part 222 and the lattice decorative part 244 are illuminated, the player can see an effect in which the inside of the speaker grill is illuminated, which has not been seen in previous pachinko machines.

[0158] [3-3. Overall structure of the door frame] Next, the overall configuration of the door frame 3 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 to 16. Figure 15 is a plan view of the door frame lower unit showing a state in which game balls are stored in the upper tray of the door frame. Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the peripheral light area of ​​the door frame. When the front of the main frame 4 of the door frame 3 is closed, most of the front of the game board 5 held in the main frame 4, including the game area 5a, can be seen from the front through the game window 201. In addition, the front side of the game board 5 (game area 5a) can be closed by the closing glass 205 of the game window 201.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 16, the door frame 3 has a bulge upper decorative portion 121 and an upper interior decorative portion 212 connected in a ring shape, with the upper tray 130, door frame effect device 150, and game window 201, etc., arranged within the ring. In other words, the upper tray 130, door frame effect device 150, and game window 201, etc., are surrounded by the bulge upper decorative portion 121 and the upper interior decorative portion 212 (first circumferential light area LA1). Furthermore, the outside of the upper interior decorative portion 212 is surrounded by the upper outer apex decorative portion 222 and the upper outer valley decorative portion 223 (second circumferential light area LA2) and the upper outer edge LED 231 (third circumferential light area LA3). In other words, the game window 201 is triple-surrounded by three circumferential light areas: the first circumferential light area LA1, the second circumferential light area LA2, and the third circumferential light area LA3.

[0160] The door frame 3 is formed so that the storage area 131 of the upper tray 130 surrounds the front and both left and right sides of the door frame performance device 150, and the game balls B supplied from the supply port 135 flow along the front edge of the bulge portion 120 and are sent out from the delivery port 136 to the outside (the lower tray 140 or the ball launching device 540).

[0161] In the normal state of the door frame 3, the first movable part 155 and the performance operation part 160 of the door frame performance device 150 are each positioned at the downward movement end (lowering end). In this state, the upper surface of the first movable part 155 (first movable part main body 156) is positioned slightly above the upper surface of the device cover 151 through the opening 151a of the device cover 151. In addition, the pressing operation part 161 of the performance operation part 160 is positioned slightly above the upper surface of the first movable part main body 156 through the opening 156a of the first movable part main body 156.

[0162] The door frame 3 has a bulging upper decorative portion 121 provided along the entire length at the upper end of the front peripheral wall 134 of the upper tray 130. This bulging upper decorative portion 121 raises the upper end of the wall that stores game balls B on the upper tray 130. The upper end of the front side (front region 131a side) of the bulging upper decorative portion 121 is higher than the front end of the upper surface of the door frame presentation device 150 (first movable part 155) in the normal state. This causes the game balls B to overflow onto the door frame presentation device 150 side when the upper tray 130 is filled with game balls B, making it easier for the player to recognize that the upper tray 130 is full of game balls B and preventing the game balls B from spilling forward from the upper tray 130.

[0163] The door frame 3 has the upper tray ball removal button 124, ball lending button 125, and return button 126 concentrated in the right corner on the top surface of the bulging portion 120, to the right of the upper tray 130. The surface on which the upper tray ball removal button 124, ball lending button 125, and return button 126 are located is located higher than the upper tray 130 and lower than the bulging portion upper decorative portion 121, and is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the front. As a result, when a game ball B is placed on the surface on which the upper tray ball removal button 124, ball lending button 125, and return button 126 are located, the surface and the bulging portion upper decorative portion 121 cause the game ball B to roll toward the upper tray 130, allowing it to be released into the upper tray 130.

[0164] Furthermore, the surfaces of the bottom wall 132, rear peripheral wall 133, and front peripheral wall 134 that make up the upper tray 130 (i.e., the inner surfaces of the upper tray 130) of the door frame 3 are formed in a mirror-like manner, so that the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 are reflected on the inner surface of the upper tray 130, and the reflected game balls B are visible, creating the illusion that a large number of game balls B are stored in the upper tray 130 and making the volume of the upper tray 130 appear larger.

[0165] In the door frame 3, in the upper tray 130, the game ball B supplied from the supply port 135 first rolls forward in the left side region 131b, then enters the front region 131a and rolls to the right within the front region 131a. The game ball B then enters the right side region 131b from the right end of the front region 131a, rolls backward within the right side region 131b, and is then discharged to the outside through the discharge port 136, allowing the player to see the flow of the game ball B (see FIG. 15). At this time, since the game ball B flows through the front region 131a, which is closer to the player in front of the door frame effect device 150, the game ball B in the front region 131a can be clearly seen, and the amount of game ball B stored in the upper tray 130 can be easily confirmed.

[0166] Furthermore, in the door frame 3, the outlet 136 is provided at the rear end of the right side region 131b where the game ball B rolls backward on the upper tray 130, so the outlet 136 can be seen from the player side. This allows the player to see how the game ball B is sent from the outlet 136 (upper tray 130) to the ball launcher 540, something that could not be seen in previous pachinko machines.

[0167] The pair of lower speakers 153a can be seen through the transparent device cover 151 and the upper wall of the first movable part main body 156 of the door frame 3, and the door frame effect display device 152 can also be seen behind the lower speakers 153a. In the door frame 3, the upper end of the door frame effect display device 152 is close to the upper end of the door frame lower unit 100, that is, the lower end of the game window 201. This brings the door frame effect display device 152 and the effect display device 1600 of the game board 5 into close proximity, so that an effect image can be displayed in which the door frame effect display device 152 and the effect display device 1600 form a single screen.

[0168] In the door frame 3, the door frame performance display device 152 is disposed behind the performance operation unit 160, and the lower edge is positioned below the upper front edge of the performance operation unit 160, and the upper edge is positioned above the upper front edge of the performance operation unit 160, so that the upper part of the door frame performance display device 152 is higher than the performance operation unit 160. As a result, compared to when the entire door frame performance display device 152 is lower than the performance operation unit 160, the door frame performance display device 152 can be more easily seen by the player even when the door frame performance display device 152 is brought closer to the performance operation unit 160. Furthermore, because the depth of the door frame performance display device 152 in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced, the amount of forward bulging of the bulging portion 120 can be reduced, and it is possible to avoid the player feeling oppressed by the bulging portion 120, allowing the player to enjoy the game in a comfortable state and preventing a decrease in interest.

[0169] Furthermore, the door frame 3 is provided with a door frame performance display device 152 that is positioned diagonally behind the performance operation unit 160 so that the vertical projection range VP of the display screen (the range between the two dotted lines in Figure 11) is close to the performance operation unit 160. Therefore, when the player looks at the door frame performance display device 152, the performance operation unit 160 can be seen near the lower outer edge of the door frame performance display device 152. Therefore, by displaying a performance image on the door frame performance display device 152 that decorates the performance operation unit 160, the performance operation unit 160 can be decorated with the performance image, and by changing the performance image, the decoration of the performance operation unit 160 can be changed in various ways, making it less likely that the player will get bored.

[0170] Furthermore, since the door frame 3 allows the display screen of the door frame performance display device 152 to be seen near the performance operation unit 160, even if the image of the performance operation unit 160 is not displayed on the door frame performance display device 152, it is possible to display images of arrows or hands pointing towards the performance operation unit 160 to encourage the player to operate the performance operation unit 160, making it possible to immediately direct the player's gaze towards the performance operation unit 160, making it less likely that the timing of operating the performance operation unit 160 will be delayed, allowing the player to enjoy the player-participation performance of operating the performance operation unit 160 and preventing a decline in interest.

[0171] In addition, the door frame 3 has a lower front speaker grill 192 of the lower front speaker unit 190 and an upper speaker grill of the upper speaker unit 240, so that under normal conditions the lower front speaker 191 and the upper speaker 241 are difficult to see from the front (player's side).

[0172] [3-4. Door frame electromagnetic noise countermeasures] Next, a brief description of noise countermeasures for the door frame 3 will be given. As described above, the door frame 3 includes a door frame base unit (not shown) that has a rectangular, frame-shaped outer shape extending vertically in a front view. As described above, this door frame base unit includes a metal, frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit (not shown) attached to the rear side of the door frame base (not shown), which has a rectangular, frame-shaped outer shape extending vertically in a front view and a game window 201 extending from front to rear. A metal cylinder lock 127 for opening and closing the door frame is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit. As described above, the door frame reinforcement unit not only reinforces the door frame base and provides rigidity, but also functions as a door frame metal earth and is electrically connected to the frame earth board 559 provided on the main frame 4 via a door frame metal earth wire (not shown). In other words, in this embodiment, the metal door frame reinforcement unit serves as the frame ground on the door frame side. The frame earth substrate 559 is capable of collecting electromagnetic noise generated in various locations and grounding (earthing) it to the island equipment of the amusement hall, and is electrically connected to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall via an island equipment earth wire not shown.

[0173] As mentioned above, some of the various decorative parts on the door frame 3 are completely unplated, while others are completely plated on both sides. This decorative plating is made of precious metals such as chrome or hard gold, and is electrically conductive. Those decorative parts with fully plated surfaces are electrically connected to the door frame reinforcement unit via wiring (not shown) or a metal conductive plate (not shown). Therefore, for example, when a player touches a decorative part with decorative plating, static electricity stored on the player is discharged and transmitted as electromagnetic noise from the player to the door frame reinforcement unit via the decorative part. The static electricity is then conducted from the door frame reinforcement unit to the door frame metal ground wire (not shown), the frame ground board 559, and the island equipment ground wire (not shown) to the ground of the game hall's island equipment, where it is removed.

[0174] When the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main frame 4, as described above, the rotation transmission member of the cylinder lock 127 in the door frame 3 and the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main frame 4 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected. Therefore, when an attendant such as a store clerk of the game hall opens the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2 while the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main frame 4, for example, an attendant such as a store clerk of the game hall or a person who possesses a setting key (which can change the setting value as well as check the current setting value, etc.) When a person (limited to a certain person) touches the locking unit 650 on the main frame 4, static electricity charged to an attendant such as a store clerk of the amusement hall or a person carrying a setting key described later is discharged as electrostatic discharge and transmitted as electromagnetic noise from the attendant such as a store clerk of the amusement hall or a person carrying a setting key described later via the locking unit 650 to the door frame reinforcement unit, and is then conducted from the door frame reinforcement unit to the door frame metal earth wire (not shown), the frame earth board 559, and the island equipment earth wire (not shown) to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall, where it is removed.

[0175] [3-5. Door frame lighting effect] Next, we will explain the light-emitting effects by the door frame 3. The door frame 3 surrounds the upper tray 130, the door frame effect device 150, the game window 201, etc. with a milky white cylindrical bulge upper decorative portion 121 and an upper inner decorative portion 212 (first circumferential light area LA1). The multiple LEDs 121a of the bulge upper decorative portion 121 and the multiple LEDs 213a of the upper inner decorative portion 212 are arranged in a row in the direction in which they extend. As a result, by appropriately illuminating the multiple LEDs 121a and 213a, the area around the game window 201, etc. can be illuminated and decorated. In this case, by illuminating the multiple LEDs 121a and 213a in sequence, the player can see a light-emitting effect in which light circulates around the game window 201.

[0176] In addition, the door frame 3 is equipped with an upper outer apex decorative portion 222 and an upper outer valley decorative portion 223 (second circumferential light area LA2) arranged outside the upper inner decorative portion 212, so that by illuminating and decorating the upper outer apex decorative portion 222 and the upper outer valley decorative portion 223 using the upper outer apex LED 224 and upper outer valley LED 225, the outside of the first circumferential light area LA1 can be illuminated and decorated, allowing players to see an illuminated effect in which the outside of the game window 201 is illuminated twice.

[0177] Since the upper outer apex decorative parts 222 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, they can be illuminated sequentially from one side in the vertical direction to show the player a light-emitting effect like a level meter. For example, when a chance arrives, the player can be shown the expected value for the game as a level meter, or a sound meter that matches the output music.

[0178] Furthermore, since the upper outer valley decorative portion 223 is formed in a mirror-like shape, by illuminating the upper outer valley LED 225, the spaces between the upper outer peak decorative portions 222 can be made to shine brighter than the upper inner decorative portion 212, and players can be shown a lighting effect that can strongly attract their attention.

[0179] This door frame 3 is equipped with a plurality of upper outer edge LEDs 231 arranged in a row on the outer edge of the door frame upper unit base 202, and by illuminating these upper outer edge LEDs 231, the player can see a light-emitting effect in which the outer edge (third peripheral light area LA3) of the door frame 3 is illuminated, which was not possible with previous pachinko machines 1.

[0180] The door frame 3 has three circumferential light areas on the outside of the game window 201, namely, a first circumferential light area LA1, a second circumferential light area LA2, and a third circumferential light area LA3, and by appropriately illuminating each circumferential light area, the player can be shown various light-emitting effects, such as a light-emitting effect that revolves around the game window 201, a light-emitting effect that comes from the outside towards the game window 201, and a light-emitting effect that comes from the game window 201 towards the outside.

[0181] In addition, in the door frame 3, by appropriately illuminating the lattice decoration LED 195 of the lower front speaker unit 190 and the lattice decoration LED 245 of the upper speaker unit 240, the lattice portion (lattice decoration portion 194) of the grill decoration frame 193 and the lattice portion (lattice decoration portion 244) of the grill decoration frame 243 can be illuminated and decorated, allowing the player to see an illuminated effect that makes the grill decoration frame 193 of the lower front speaker unit 190 and the grill decoration frame 243 of the upper speaker unit 240 stand out.

[0182] Furthermore, in the door frame 3, by illuminating the lower speaker decorative portion 153c of the lower speaker unit 153, the lattice decorative portion 244 of the upper speaker unit 240, and the upper outer apex LEDs 224 and upper outer valley LEDs 225 located behind the grill decorative frame 243 (upper speaker grill) of the upper speaker unit 240 in the multiple upper outer apex LEDs 224 and upper outer valley LEDs 225, it is possible to illuminate and decorate the space between the pair of lower speakers 153a and the upper wall of the first movable part main body 156, and the space between the upper speaker 241 and the upper speaker grill, allowing players to see an illuminated effect that has not been seen in previous pachinko machines, where the space between the speaker and the speaker grill is illuminated and decorated.

[0183] Furthermore, in the door frame 3, the rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130 is provided with a plurality of LEDs 138a of the storage light-emitting decoration portion 138, and by illuminating the plurality of LEDs 138a, the upper tray 130 and the game balls B stored within the upper tray 130 can be illuminated and decorated. For example, when there are no game balls B stored within the upper tray 130, the plurality of LEDs 138a can be illuminated, and since the inner surface of the upper tray 130 is formed like a mirror, the entire inside of the upper tray 130 can be dazzlingly illuminated and decorated, and the dazzling glow of the upper tray 130 of this pachinko machine 1 can strongly attract the interest of a player who is selecting a pachinko machine to play.

[0184] This storage light-emitting decorative section 138 is located above half the outer diameter of the game ball B from the bottom wall 132 of the upper tray 130, so when the multiple LEDs 138a are illuminated while the game ball B is stored in the upper tray 130, the light is irradiated onto the upper half of the game ball B and reflected upward, allowing the player to see the game ball B stored in the upper tray 130 sparkling and illuminating.

[0185] Furthermore, when the bulge upper decorative portion 121 is illuminated, some of the light is also irradiated into the upper tray 130, so the player can see an illumination effect in which the bulge upper decorative portion 121 illuminates and decorates the inside of the upper tray 130 and the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130.

[0186] In addition, the door frame 3 is provided with an illuminating decorative portion 124a surrounding the upper tray ball removal button 124 and an illuminating decorative portion 142a surrounding the lower tray ball removal button 142, so that the upper tray ball removal button 124 and the lower tray ball removal button 142 can be illuminated by illuminating the illuminating decorative portion 124a of the upper tray ball removal button 124 and the illuminating decorative portion 142a of the lower tray ball removal button 142. Therefore, by illuminating the upper tray ball removal button 124 and the lower tray ball removal button 142 when many game balls B are paid out, such as during a "jackpot" game, an illuminating effect can be displayed that encourages the player to operate the upper tray ball removal button 124 and the lower tray ball removal button 142 to prevent the upper tray 130 and the lower tray 140 from becoming full of game balls B.

[0187] In this way, the door frame 3 of this embodiment can show the player a variety of light-emitting effects, and by appropriately combining these, it is possible to present the player with a wider variety of effects, which can entertain the player and make it less likely that the player will get bored.

[0188] [3-6. Door frame effect device] Next, the effects produced by the door frame effect device 150 of the door frame 3 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 17 etc. Fig. 17(a) is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the relationship between the door frame effect display device and the effect operation unit in the door frame effect device, (b) is an explanatory diagram that shows an example of decoration of the effect operation unit by the effect image of the door frame effect display device, and (c) is an explanatory diagram that shows an example of collaboration effect produced by the effect image of the door frame effect display device and the movable effect of the effect operation unit.

[0189] In the normal state of the door frame performance device 150, the first movable part 155 and the performance operation unit 160 are each positioned at the lower end of their movement (lower end). In this state, the upper surface of the first movable part 155 (first movable part main body 156) is positioned slightly above the upper surface of the device cover 151 through the opening 151a of the device cover 151. In addition, the pressing operation unit 161 of the performance operation unit 160 is positioned slightly above the upper surface of the first movable part main body 156 through the opening 156a of the first movable part main body 156. Even in this normal state, the pressing operation unit 161 of the performance operation unit 160 can be pressed.

[0190] When the first LED of the operation unit decorative board 162 is illuminated in the normal state, the player can see a light-emitting effect in which the upper surface of the pressing operation unit 161 is illuminated and decorated. Also, when the second LED of the operation unit decorative board 162 is illuminated in the normal state, the player can see a light-emitting effect in which the opening frame portion 158a of the first movable portion cover 158 that surrounds the outside of the pressing operation unit 161 is illuminated and decorated. These light-emitting effects can draw the player's attention to the pressing operation unit 161, encouraging the player to press the pressing operation unit 161 and making it easier for the player to participate in a player-participation effect by operating the pressing operation unit 161.

[0191] Furthermore, when the multiple LEDs 159a of the first movable part decorative board 159 are illuminated under normal conditions, the space between the rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130 and the first movable part main body 156 can be illuminated and decorated through the side wall of the first movable part main body 156. In other words, the player can see a lighting effect in which the area near the upper end of the rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130 is illuminated and decorated.

[0192] In this normal state, when a predetermined sound is output from the pair of lower speakers 153a, the sound is emitted toward the player through the grill holes 151c of the device cover 151 and the grill holes 156b of the first movable part body 156, allowing the player to hear an acoustic effect in which the sound is heard from the direction of the effect operation unit 160 (press operation unit 161). This makes it possible for the sound from the lower speaker 153a to attract the player's attention to the press operation unit 161, encouraging the player to press the press operation unit 161 and making it easier for the player to participate in a player-participation effect by operating the press operation unit 161.

[0193] Furthermore, under normal conditions, the door frame effect device 150 allows the player to see the door frame effect display device 152 in good condition through the device cover 151, and the player can be entertained by the effect images displayed on the door frame effect display device 152 (see Figure 17(a) etc.).

[0194] In the normal state, the door frame effect device 150 can show the player a moving effect in which the first movable part 155 moves to the upper movement end (rising end) together with the effect operation unit 160 via the pair of lift arms 174 and lift slider 172 by revolving the first lift pins 175a using the four first lift drive motors 175b of the first lift mechanism 170. As a result, the first movable part 155 pops out upward together with the effect operation unit 160, surprising the player and strongly encouraging the player to press the pressing operation unit 161. In addition, the rising of the first movable part 155 can make the player think that something good is about to happen, increasing the player's expectations for the game.

[0195] When the first movable part 155 is moved to the upper end, the side wall of the first movable part body 156 becomes visible to the player, as shown in Figure 12(a). In this state, when the multiple LEDs 159a on the first movable part decorative board 159 are illuminated, the player can see a light-emitting effect in which the side wall of the first movable part body 156 is illuminated and decorated. Therefore, when the first movable part 155 is moved from the lowering end to the upper end while the side wall of the first movable part body 156 is illuminated and decorated, the player can see an effect in which the first movable part 155 rises from the light, which can have a strong impact on the player.

[0196] Furthermore, when the first movable part 155 is moved to the raised end and the multiple LEDs 159a on the first movable part decorative substrate 159 are illuminated, some of the light is irradiated onto the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130, so that the multiple LEDs 159a can also be used to show the player an illumination effect that makes the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 sparkle, thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

[0197] Furthermore, because the first movable part 155 can be raised and lowered by the four first lifting drive motors 175b, the first movable part 155 can be vibrated by repeatedly rotating the first lifting drive motors 175b forward and backward in short bursts. As a result, if a player touches the first movable part 155 or the effect operation unit 160 while the first movable part 155 is vibrating, the player can be surprised by the vibration. Furthermore, if the first movable part 155 is vibrated at the timing when the effect operation unit 160 (press operation unit 161) is pressed, the feel of the pressing operation can be changed by making it heavier or lighter, which can be entertaining for the player.

[0198] Furthermore, when first movable part 155 is moved from the lowering end to the upper end, the plurality of grill holes 156b formed in the upper wall of first movable part body 156 moves upward, thereby increasing the volume of the space between the plurality of grill holes 156b and the pair of lower speakers 153a. This changes the volume between lower speaker 153a and grill holes 156b, changing the natural vibration of that part and changing the resonance frequency of the sound output from lower speaker 153a, allowing the player to hear an acoustic effect in which the tone of the sound radiated toward the player through the plurality of grill holes 156b changes.

[0199] Furthermore, when the first movable part 155 is moved from the lowering end to the rising end, it appears to the player seated in front of the pachinko machine 1 that the upper part of the first movable part 155 covers the lower part of the display screen of the door frame effect display device 152. As a result, when the first movable part 155 is moved to the rising end, part of the effect image displayed on the door frame effect display device 152 is blocked by the first movable part 155, so that the player can be made aware of the rising of the first movable part 155, and the same effect as above can be achieved.

[0200] At this time, by displaying on the door frame effect display device 152, for example, an effect image in which a predetermined character lifts the first movable part 155, or an effect image in which a predetermined character is lifted by the first movable part 155 rising, the player can be shown a collaborative effect made up of the movement effect of the first movable part 155 and the effect image, which can be greatly entertaining for the player.

[0201] Furthermore, in the normal state, when the second lifting pin 183 is revolved by the second lifting drive motor 182 of the second lifting mechanism 180, the door frame effect device 150 can show the player a moving effect in which the effect operation unit 160 moves to the upper moving end (rising end) via the lifting transmission piece 184. This causes the upper surface of the pressing operation unit 161 of the effect operation unit 160 to protrude upward more than the upper surface of the first movable unit 155, which strongly attracts the player's attention to the pressing operation unit 161 and strongly urges the player to press the pressing operation unit 161. In addition, the rising of the pressing operation unit 161 makes the player think that something good is about to happen, which increases the player's expectations for the game.

[0202] When the effect operation unit 160 is moved to the upper end, the peripheral wall of the operation unit movable base 163 below the pressing operation unit 161 is exposed to the outside, as shown in Figure 12 (b). In this state, if the second LED of the operation unit decorative board 162 is illuminated, the player can see a light-emitting effect in which the peripheral wall of the operation unit movable base 163 is illuminated and decorated. Therefore, if the effect operation unit 160 is moved from the lower end to the upper end while the peripheral wall of the operation unit movable base 163 of the effect operation unit 160 is illuminated and decorated, the player can see an effect in which the effect operation unit 160 is rising from the light, which can make a strong impact on the player.

[0203] Furthermore, because the second lifting drive motor 182 can raise and lower the effect operation unit 160, the effect operation unit 160 can be vibrated by repeatedly rotating the second lifting drive motor 182 forward and backward in short bursts. As a result, if a player touches the effect operation unit 160 while it is vibrating, the player can be surprised by the vibration. Furthermore, by vibrating the effect operation unit 160 at the timing when the effect operation unit 160 (press operation unit 161) is pressed, the feel of the press operation can be changed by making it heavier or lighter, which can be entertaining for the player.

[0204] Furthermore, when the performance operation unit 160 is moved from the lowering end to the rising end, it appears to the player seated in front of the pachinko machine 1 that the upper part of the performance operation unit 160 covers the lower part of the display screen of the door frame performance display device 152. As a result, when the performance operation unit 160 is moved to the rising end, part of the performance image displayed on the door frame performance display device 152 is blocked by the performance operation unit 160, so that the player can be made aware of the rising of the performance operation unit 160, and the same effect as above can be achieved.

[0205] At this time, by displaying on the door frame effect display device 152, for example, an effect image that decorates the area around the effect operation unit 160 (see Figure 17(b)), an effect image that shows a specified character lifting the effect operation unit 160, an effect image that shows a specified character being lifted by the rise of the effect operation unit 160 (see Figure 17(c)), etc., the player can be shown a collaborative effect created by the moving effect of the effect operation unit 160 and the effect image, which can be greatly entertaining for the player.

[0206] This effect operation unit 160 can move the first movable part 155 to the rising end when it is at the falling end, and can also raise the first movable part 155 when it is at the rising end (the state of FIG. 12(b)). For example, by moving the first movable part 155 from the falling end to the rising end and then moving the effect operation unit 160 from the falling end to the rising end, it is possible to show the player a moving effect in which the effect operation unit 160 rises in two stages. As a result, because the effect operation unit 160 rises in two stages, it is possible to strongly convince the player that operating the effect operation unit 160 will start a "jackpot" game (the result of the special lottery is a "jackpot"), which can heighten the player's expectations for the game, and also allow the player to operate the effect operation unit 160 and enjoy a player-participation effect.

[0207] In this way, the door frame effect device 150 can present various effects to the player, such as light-emitting effects, moving effects, image effects, player participation effects, sound effects, etc., as described above, and by appropriately combining these, it is possible to present a wider variety of effects to the player, making it less likely for the player to get bored and allowing the player to enjoy the game.

[0208] [3-7. Characteristic Effects of the Present Embodiment] Thus, according to the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the upper tray 130 is provided on the upper surface of the bulging portion 120 of the door frame 3, which is provided in front of and below the game area 5a where the game is played, with the upper tray 130 having the storage area 131 for game balls B, which surrounds the device placement section 123, by the front area 131a on the front side of the device placement section 123 where the door frame effect device 150 is located, and the side areas 131b on both the left and right outside. Therefore, the game balls B are stored in front of the door frame effect device 150 by the front area 131a, making it possible for the player to easily see the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130. In addition, the two side areas 131b connected by the front area 131a are areas that extend forward and backward, making it possible for the player to easily see the game balls B stored in the side areas 131b in addition to the front area 131a.

[0209] Therefore, by making the game balls B in the upper tray 130 easier to see, the player can be made aware of the amount of game balls B stored. Therefore, even if the game balls B in the upper tray 130 are consumed as the game progresses and the amount stored decreases, the player can be made to recognize the decrease in the amount of stored game balls B and can have game balls B replenished in the upper tray 130. This prevents the game balls B from disappearing from the upper tray 130 without the player noticing, prevents the game from being suddenly interrupted, prevents the player from becoming discouraged due to the game being interrupted, and suppresses a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0210] Furthermore, as described above, the game balls B in the front area 131a and the two side areas 131b can be easily seen by the player, so that the player can instantly recognize whether or not there are game balls B in the front area 131a simply by lowering his or her gaze from the game area 5a to the door frame effect device 150 below. This eliminates the need for the player to carefully check whether or not there are game balls B in the upper tray 130, making it easier for the player to concentrate on the game, making the game more enjoyable and preventing a decline in interest.

[0211] Furthermore, since the supply port 135 is located on the left side of the two side areas 131b connected by the front area 131a and the discharge outlet 136 is located on the opposite right side, the front area 131a is located halfway from the supply port 135 to the discharge outlet 136, and the game balls B supplied from the supply port 135 into the storage area 131 are discharged out of the storage area 131 through the front area 131a and from the discharge outlet 136.Therefore, when the game balls B in the upper tray 130 are consumed while playing, the game balls B flow in front of the player (front area 131a), making it easier for the player to recognize the consumption speed and amount of the game balls B, and making it easier to achieve the above-mentioned effects.

[0212] Furthermore, since the supply port 135 is located on the left side of the side area 131b on both the left and right sides of the device placement section 123 and the discharge port 136 is located on the right side, the distance between the supply port 135 and the discharge port 136 in the left-right direction can be increased, which means that the storage area 131 is also likely to be larger in the left-right direction, and therefore the amount of game balls B that can be stored in the upper tray 130 can be increased. Therefore, since a large number of game balls B can be stored on the upper tray 130, players can play without worrying about the amount of game balls B stored, allowing them to concentrate on the game and enjoy it more.In addition, by simply lowering their gaze from the game area 5a to the door frame performance device 150 below, players can instantly recognize whether or not there are game balls B in the front area 131a.This means that players do not need to carefully check whether or not there are game balls B in the upper tray 130, making it easier for players to concentrate on the game, allowing them to enjoy the game and preventing a decline in interest.

[0213] In addition, a storage luminous decoration part 138 is provided that irradiates light into the storage area 131 of the upper tray 130 from the bottom surface (bottom wall 132) of the upper tray 130 above half the outer diameter of the game balls B, and light from the LED 138a of the storage luminous decoration part 138 is irradiated onto the area above half of the game balls B stored in the storage area 131, so that the light from the storage luminous decoration part 138 can be reflected upward by the game balls B. Therefore, the light from the storage luminous decoration part 138 can make the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 sparkle and illuminate, allowing the player to enjoy the luminous decoration of the game balls B and strongly attracting the player's attention to the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130, allowing the player to check the amount of game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 and achieving the same effect as above.

[0214] In addition, since the storage illuminating decorative portion 138 is provided on the rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130, by illuminating the LED 138a of the storage illuminating decorative portion 138, the forward-facing rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130 is illuminated, and the player can be shown an illuminating decoration not seen in previous pachinko machines, which can surprise the player and draw the player's attention to the upper tray 130 (storage area 131), allowing the player to confirm the amount of game balls B stored, thereby reliably achieving the above-mentioned effects. In this case, since the inner surface of the upper tray 130 is formed like a mirror, light from the storage illuminating decorative portion 138, or light from the storage illuminating decorative portion 138 reflected by the game balls B, is reflected on the inner surface of the upper tray 130, which can further increase the sparkle in the storage area 131 caused by the storage illuminating decorative portion 138, entertaining the player and preventing a decline in interest.

[0215] Furthermore, since an alignment section 137 is provided near the outlet 136 to align the game balls B, it is possible to prevent the game balls B from clogging near the outlet 136, and the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 can be smoothly discharged from the outlet 136 to the ball launcher 540 and the lower tray 140. Therefore, it is possible to avoid interruptions to the game due to clogging of the game balls B, allowing the player to enjoy the game and preventing a decline in interest.

[0216] Furthermore, the outlet 136 located in the side region 131b of the upper tray 130 can be seen from the front, so that the player can see the game ball B being released from the outlet 136, which was not possible in previous pachinko machines, and this can surprise the player and strongly attract the player's attention, thereby achieving the same effects as those described above.

[0217] Furthermore, since a front area 131a in the storage area 131 in which the game ball B is stored is provided on the front side of the device placement section 123, even if the game ball B is placed on the door frame performance device 150 provided in the device placement section 123 and rolls forward, it will fall into the front area 131a, thereby preventing the game ball B from falling forward from the bulge section 120.

[0218] Furthermore, since the inner surfaces of the bottom wall 132, rear peripheral wall 133, and front peripheral wall 134 of the upper tray 130 are formed in a mirror-like finish, the game balls B stored in the upper tray 130 are reflected onto the peripheral walls of the upper tray 130, giving the player the illusion that game balls B are stored on the other side of the peripheral walls, making it appear as if a large number of game balls B are stored in the upper tray 130.

[0219] In addition, since it is equipped with a storage luminous decorative part 138 that irradiates light into the storage area 131, the light from the storage luminous decorative part 138, or the light from the storage luminous decorative part 138 reflected by the game ball B, is reflected on the inner surface of the upper tray 130, thereby further increasing the sparkling effect inside the storage area 131 caused by the storage luminous decorative part 138, which entertains the player and prevents a decline in interest.

[0220] Furthermore, since the door frame effect device 150 is placed in the device placement section 123 of the bulge section 120, the player can be entertained by the effects produced by the door frame effect device 150, and a decline in the player's interest in the game can be prevented.

[0221] In the above embodiment, the storage area 131 in which the game balls B are stored on the upper tray 130 is shown to be composed of a front area 131a in front of the device placement section 123 (door frame effect device 150) and two side areas 131b on both the left and right sides of the device placement section 123, but this is not limited to this and may be composed of a front area in front of the device placement section 123, one side area to the left of the device placement section 123, and a back area behind the device placement section 123. Alternatively, the storage area 131 may be composed of a front area 131a in front of the device placement section 123, two side areas 131b on both the left and right sides of the device placement section 123, and a back area behind the device placement section 123 (the device placement section 123 is arranged in an island shape within the upper tray 130). The back area of ​​the storage area 131 may be tunnel-shaped so that the game balls B are not visible from the player's side. In addition, the back area of ​​the storage area 131 may be configured to pass between the door frame effect display device 152 and the effect operation unit 160 in the door frame effect device 150.

[0222] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the upper tray 130 has a mirror-finished inner surface, but this is not limitative, and the inner surface of the upper tray 130 may be non-mirror-finished.

[0223] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the storage and luminous decorative portion 138 is shown to be provided on the rear peripheral wall 133 of the upper tray 130, but this is not limited to this, and the storage and luminous decorative portion 138 may also be provided on the front peripheral wall 134.

[0224] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first movable part 155 of the door frame performance device 150 is shown as being able to store a certain number of game balls B on the upper surface of the first movable part 155 by using the multiple louver parts 158b of the first movable part cover 158, but this is not limited to this, and the upper surface of the door frame performance device 150 may be inclined so that it is lower toward the upper tray 130, and game balls B placed on the upper surface of the door frame performance device 150 may be rolled onto the upper tray 130 so that game balls B do not accumulate (do not continue to be placed) on the upper surface of the door frame performance device 150.

[0225] [4. Main frame] The main body frame 4 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described mainly with reference to Figure 4 and Figures 18 to 39. The main body frame 4 holds the game board 5 having a game area 5a where a game is played by hitting a game ball B, and also pays out the game ball B to the player side (the upper tray 130 of the door frame 3) and discharges the game balls B used in the game to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 (the island equipment side of the game hall).

[0226] [4-1. Overall structure of the main frame] As shown in the figure, the main body frame 4 is formed in a box shape with an open front, and a game board 5 is housed inside in a detachable manner from the front. The main body frame 4 is openably and closably 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 face, and a door frame 3 is openably and closably attached to close the open front side.

[0227] The main body frame 4 comprises a frame-shaped main body frame base unit 500 whose rear can be inserted into the frame of the outer frame 2 and can support the outer periphery of the game board 5; a main body frame upper hinge part 510 attached to the upper end of the main body frame base unit 500 when viewed from the front, which is rotatably attached to the outer frame upper hinge part 50 of the outer frame 2 and to which the door frame upper hinge part of the door frame 3 is rotatably attached; and a main body frame lower hinge part 520 attached to the lower end of the main body frame base unit 500 when viewed from the front, which is rotatably attached to the outer frame lower hinge part 60 of the outer frame 2 and to which the door frame lower hinge part of the door frame 3 is rotatably attached.

[0228] The main frame 4 also includes a metal main frame reinforcing frame 530 that is attached to the left side of the main frame base unit 500 as viewed from the front and reinforces the main frame base unit 500, a ball launching device 540 that is attached to the lower front of the main frame base unit 500 and that shoots game balls B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, an inverted L-shaped payout base unit 550 that is attached along the upper and left sides as viewed from the front at the rear of the main frame base unit 500, and a payout unit 560 that is attached to the rear of the payout base unit 550 and that pays out game balls B to the player side (upper tray 130 and lower tray 140). the main frame base unit 501, which will be described later, and which covers the rear side of the game board 5 attached to the main frame base 501 and has a plurality of slits 641 penetrating from front to back and extending up and down; and a metal locking unit 650, which is attached to the right side of the main frame base unit 500 when viewed from the front, and which locks the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4, and the door frame 3 and the main frame 4.

[0229] Two left position control members 531 are attached to the rear side of the main frame reinforcement frame 530, spaced apart vertically, at the rear of the portion extending to the right from the front end, to restrict the forward and vertical movement of the game board 5 inserted into the game board mounting portion 301 of the main frame base 501 (described later).

[0230] The main body frame reinforcement frame 530 reinforces the left side (hinge side) of the main body frame base 501 (described later) of the main body frame base unit 500, and also prevents unauthorized tools from being inserted into the main body frame 4 (game board 5) from the left side through the gap between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4.

[0231] The main frame base unit 500 of the main frame 4 is recessed rearward from its upper end downward by a height of approximately ¾ of its total height when viewed from the front, and has a game board attachment portion 301 into which the game board 5 is detachably inserted from the front side. The ball launcher 540 is attached to the front of the main frame base unit 500 at a position below the game board attachment portion 301.

[0232] Furthermore, the frame base unit 500 of the main frame 4 is provided with a frame opening switch 4a, which detects the opening of the frame 3 relative to the frame 4, attached below the cylinder insertion port through which the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 is inserted. When the frame 3 is opened (released) relative to the frame 4, the frame opening switch 4a is released, allowing the opening of the frame 3 to be detected. A detection signal from the frame opening switch 4a is input to the main control board 1310 via the dispensing control board 633. The frame base unit 500 of the main frame 4 is provided with a frame opening switch 4b, which detects the opening of the frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2, attached to its rear surface below the position where the frame opening switch 4a is attached. When the frame 4 is opened (released) relative to the outer frame 2, the frame opening switch 4b is released, allowing the opening of the frame 4 to be detected. The detection signal from the main frame open switch 4b is input to the main control board 1310 via the dispensing control board 633.

[0233] The door frame opening switch 4a and the main frame opening switch 4b do not detect the opening of the door frame 3 relative to the main frame 4 and the opening of the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2 due to the input of an electrical signal caused by the opening / closing operation of the locking unit 650, but rather detect the opening of the door frame 3 relative to the main frame 4 and the opening of the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2, respectively, separately and independently of the opening / closing operation of the locking unit 650. Furthermore, the door frame opening switch 4a and the main frame opening switch 4b are not arranged in the vicinity of the cylinder lock 127, and so as not to be affected by electromagnetic noise that has entered the cylinder lock 127, the door frame opening switch 4a is arranged below the cylinder insertion port through which the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 is inserted, and the main frame opening switch 4b is arranged on the rear surface below the position where the door frame opening switch 4a is attached. In this way, even if electromagnetic noise enters the cylinder lock 127, the signal transmission lines from the door frame opening switch 4a and the main body frame opening switch 4b are not affected by this electromagnetic noise.

[0234] The main frame base unit 500 comprises a main frame base 501 which is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame extending vertically when viewed from the front, a connection cable guide member 502 which guides a connection cable 503 for connecting to the door frame 3 side, and a game board lock member 505 for detachably holding the game board 5, and the main frame base 501 is formed with a game board mounting portion 301 into which the game board 5 is detachably inserted from the front side.

[0235] The dispensing base unit 550 comprises a dispensing base 551 attached to the rear side of the main frame base 501 of the main frame base unit 500, a sphere tank 552 attached to the dispensing base 551, which is box-shaped and extends left and right and is open upward, a tank rail 553 attached to the left side of the sphere tank 552 as seen from the front and which extends leftward as seen from the front in the shape of a groove that is open upward, a first rail cover 554 attached to the upper end of the tank rail 553, and a second rail cover 554 attached to the upper end of the tank rail 553, spaced apart from the first rail cover 554 to the left as seen from the front. The tank rail 553 includes a second rail cover 555 attached to the tank rail 553, a ball rectifying member 556 attached to the upper end of the tank rail 553 between the first rail cover 554 and the second rail cover 555, a ball stopper member 557 attached to the downstream end of the tank rail 553, an external terminal board 558 disposed above the tank rail 553 and attached to the payout base 551, and a frame earth board 559 housed in a board housing portion 551aa formed in the payout base 551 corresponding to the front of the external terminal board 558 (the front of the pachinko machine 1). The external terminal board 558 is connected to a hall computer installed in the gaming hall and can transmit various information to the hall computer. The frame earth board 559 collects electromagnetic noise generated in various places and grounds it to the gaming hall's island equipment.

[0236] The dispensing base 551 is molded from a transparent synthetic resin and comprises a top plate portion 551a extending left and right with a substantially constant width in the front-to-back direction, a left side plate portion 551b extending long downward from the left side of the top plate portion 551a when viewed from the front with a width substantially the same as that of the top plate portion, a right side plate portion 551c extending short downward from the right side of the top plate portion 551a when viewed from the front with a width substantially the same as that of the top plate portion 551a, and an upper back plate portion 551b extending downward from the rear side of the top plate portion 551a to the same position as the bottom side of the right side plate portion 551c. The dispenser base 551 includes a left back panel 551e extending from a position forward of the rear edge of the left side panel 551b to the right at a substantially constant width to the lower end, an inner panel 551f extending rearward from the right edge of the left back panel 551e to the same position as the rear edge of the left side panel 551b, a bottom panel 551g extending rightward from the front of the lower edge of the left side panel 551b to the same position as the right edge of the left back panel 551e, and a connecting panel 551h connecting the right edge of the bottom panel 551g to the lower edge of the inner panel 551f. The dispenser base 551 is formed in an inverted L-shape when viewed from the front, and is formed in a box-like shape that is open forward and inward of the L-shape. A visor 551da is formed in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the upper back panel 551d at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the lower edge of the upper back panel 551d, protruding rearward.

[0237] The payout base 551 has a top plate 551a that extends left and right with a length that is approximately the same as the left-right width of the game board insertion opening 501b of the main frame base 501, and a left side plate 551b that extends up and down with a length that is approximately the same as the up-down height of the game board insertion opening 501b. The payout base 551 has the front ends of the top plate 551a, left side plate 551b, and right side plate 551c attached to the rear side of the main frame base 501.

[0238] Dispenser base 551 is provided with a shallow recessed portion that is open to the rear and extends vertically, and is defined by left side plate portion 551b, left back plate portion 551e, and inner plate portion 551f, to which dispensing unit 560 is attached. Dispensing base 551 also has rear cover attachment portion 551i that protrudes to the right at the top of the right side of inner plate portion 551f when viewed from the front, and to which rear cover 640 is attached.

[0239] The payout unit 560 comprises a ball guide unit 570 having a single guide passage 570a that guides game balls B from the tank rail 553 downward in a serpentine manner, a payout device 580 that pays out game balls B guided by the single guide passage 570a of the ball guide unit 570 one by one based on instructions from the payout control board 633, an upper full ball path unit 600 that guides game balls B that have passed through the payout device 580 downward, and a lower full ball path unit 610 that guides game balls B that have passed through the upper full ball path unit 600 toward the door frame 3 or the board unit 620.

[0240] The board unit 620 comprises a speaker unit 620a attached below the game board mounting portion 501c on the rear surface of the main frame base 501 of the main frame base unit 500, a base unit 620b attached to the rear surface of the main frame base 501 of the main frame base unit 500, a power supply unit 620c attached to the rear side of the base unit 620b, a payout control unit 620d attached to the right side of the power supply unit 620c when viewed from the front, and an interface unit 620e attached to the left side of the power supply unit 620c when viewed from the front.

[0241] The base unit 620b includes a front base 625 attached to the rear surface of the main body frame base 501, and a rear base 626 attached to the rear side of the front base 625, with the power supply unit 620c attached to its rear surface.

[0242] The power supply unit 620c includes a power supply board 630 attached to the rear side of a rear base 626 (not shown) of the base unit 620b, and a power supply board cover 631 attached to the rear base 626 so as to cover the rear side of the power supply board 630.

[0243] The payout control unit 620d comprises a box-shaped transparent payout control board box 632 that is detachably attached to the right side of the power supply board cover 631 of the power supply unit 620c when viewed from the front, and a payout control board 633 housed within the payout control board box 632. The payout control board box 632 is composed of a transparent cover body and a transparent base body. The payout control board 633 is housed in the payout control board box 632 and is configured as a crimped case. The payout control board 633 controls the payout motor 584 of the payout device 580 in response to a payout command from the main control board of the game board 5 or the pressing of the ball lending button 224 of the ball lending operation unit 220 in the tray unit 200, to pay out the specified number of game balls B to the player's side (upper tray 201 or lower tray 202).

[0244] The dispensing control board box 632 is composed of a cover body (not shown) and a base body (not shown). The cover body and the base body are made of polycarbonate resin and are molded transparently. The internal space formed by the cover body and the base body can accommodate the dispensing control board 633. Because the cover body and the base body are molded transparently from polycarbonate resin, the condition of the front and back sides of the dispensing control board 633 (whether or not tampering has occurred or whether or not a tampered IC is installed) can be confirmed from the outside of the dispensing control board box 632. The dispensing control board box 632 is equipped with multiple sealing mechanisms corresponding to the cover body and the base body, respectively. When the dispensing control board box 632 is closed using one sealing mechanism, the sealing mechanism must be destroyed to open the dispensing control board box 632, leaving traces of the opening and closing of the dispensing control board box 632. Therefore, by looking at the traces of opening and closing, it is possible to detect any unauthorized opening and closing of the dispensing control board box 632, thereby increasing the deterrent effect against fraudulent acts against the dispensing control board box 632.

[0245] Furthermore, the payout control board 633 is equipped with an error LED indicator (not shown) that displays the status of the pachinko machine 1, as well as an RWM clear button 633z having a push operation unit that serves multiple functions. In this embodiment, a lead type RWM clear button 633z is used, and each lead of the RWM clear button 633z is soldered to the back surface (solder surface) of the payout control board 633. The push operation unit of the RWM clear button 633z is exposed from an opening formed in the transparent cover body, and can be pushed when the payout control board 633 is housed in the payout control board box 632.

[0246] The RWM clear button 633z functions as a RAM clear switch for completely erasing information stored in the RAM built into the payout control MPU, which is a microprocessor provided on the payout control board 633, and the RAM built into the main control MPU, which is a microprocessor provided on the main control board that controls the game content (game progress), as well as a setting switch button for selecting and switching setting values, and an error reset switch for resetting errors displayed on the error LED indicator. In other words, in this embodiment, the setting change function related to the game specifications (function as a setting switch button for selecting and switching setting values) is mounted on the payout control board 633, which is a board separate from the main control board that controls the game content (game progress). In addition, the separate board does not have to be the payout control board 633; ​​it could be a board not housed in a board case, a board housed in a board case, or a board housed in a board case configured as a crimped case. However, since the setting change function (function as a setting switch button for selecting and switching setting values) is an important function for a gaming machine, high security is desirable, and boards stored in a board case have higher security than boards not stored in a board case, and boards with even higher security are boards stored in a board case configured as a crimped case. The payout control board 633 is a board stored in a board case configured as a crimped case, so it can be said to have high security. In addition, the main control board 1310 that controls the game content (game progress) is attached to the board holder 1200 attached to the lower rear of the gaming panel 1100 as described below, while the payout control board 633 is attached to the main frame 4, which also contributes to improved security.

[0247] The interface unit 620e comprises a board base 634 attached to the left side of the power supply board cover 631 in the power supply unit 620c when viewed from the front, an interface board 635 attached to the rear surface of the board base 634, and an interface board cover 636 attached to the board base 634 so as to cover the rear side of the interface board 635.

[0248] One end of a connection cable extending from the main body frame 4 is connected to the interface board 635. The interface board 635 is connected to the power supply board 630, the payout control board 633, the main control board that controls the game content (progress of the game), the peripheral control board that controls the progress of the presentation, etc., and is also connected to a CR unit (not shown) that is installed outside the pachinko machine 1. The interface board cover 636 extends further to the right than the interface board 635 when viewed from the front, so as to cover a portion of the payout control unit 620d.

[0249] The rear cover 640 covers the rear side of the game board 5, which is inserted from the front into the game board mounting portion 301 of the main body frame base 501 of the main body frame base unit 500 and mounted thereon. The right side of the rear cover 640 in a front view is rotatably mounted around an axis extending vertically to the right end of the rear surface of the main body frame base 501 in a front view, and the left side of the rear cover 640 in a front view is pivotally mounted to the rear cover mounting portion 551i of the payout base 551 and the rear cover mounting portion 601a of the upper full ball path unit 600 so as to be able to open and close freely. A locking screw 642 is provided on the left side of the rear cover 640, in a portion corresponding to the rear cover mounting portion 601a of the upper full ball path unit 600. The left side of the back cover 640 is attached to the back cover attachment portion 551i of the payout base 551 and the back cover attachment portion 601a of the upper full ball path unit 600, and a locking screw 642 is threaded into the back cover attachment portion 601a to fix the back cover 640. The back cover 640 can be rotated approximately 180 degrees from a closed state that covers the rear side of the game board 5 to an open state that exposes the rear side of the game board 5.

[0250] The rear cover 640 is formed in a shape such that the right side of a flat plate extending in all directions is bent forward when viewed from the front, and is formed so that when assembled to the main body frame 4, its rear surface is positioned on approximately the same plane as the rear surface of the payout base 551. The rear cover 640 is formed with a plurality of heat dissipation slits 641 that penetrate from front to back and extend up and down. In this embodiment, the rear cover 640 is formed from a transparent synthetic resin, and the inside of the main body frame 4 can be seen from the rear side of the pachinko machine 1. Note that the slits 641 are not formed at all in an area corresponding to a main control board box (described later) that is attached to the rear side of the game board 5.

[0251] Incidentally, when the game balls B flow from the ball tank 552 into the tank rail 553, metal powder peels off from the game balls B and falls due to wear caused by the game balls B colliding with and rubbing against each other. For this reason, if metal powder generated by wear of the game balls B adheres to the inside of the tank rail 553 on which the game balls B roll downstream, the flow of the game balls B in the downstream direction is obstructed, making it difficult to smoothly supply the game balls B downstream, and the payout of the game balls B by the payout device 580 of the payout unit 560 will stop.

[0252] Therefore, in this embodiment, multiple cutout portions 553aa are formed on the underside of the tank rail 553 (on the underside of the rear surface of the tank rail 553 when viewing the pachinko machine 1 from the front), so that metal powder generated by wear of the game ball B can be removed from the tank rail 553. As a result, for example, metal powder generated by wear of game ball B falls naturally from tank rail 553 to the outside through cutout portion 553aa, and the metal powder can be removed from tank rail 553; metal powder generated by wear of game ball B adhering to the inside of tank rail 553 due to the vibration of game ball B rolling inside tank rail 553 falls from tank rail 553 to the outside through cutout portion 553aa, and the metal powder can be removed from inside tank rail 553; and metal powder can be removed from inside tank rail 553 by an attendant such as a game hall staff member inserting a cotton swab into cutout portion 553aa and removing metal powder generated by wear of game ball B adhering to the inside of tank rail 553.

[0253] Furthermore, since multiple pachinko machines 1 are arranged in a row facing each other in the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the game balls B discharged from the pachinko machines 1 are polished by a ball polishing device and then supplied again to the ball tank 552 of the pachinko machine 1 by a ball lifting device, the temperature inside the island equipment of the gaming hall is extremely high compared to the temperature inside the gaming hall. For this reason, the back cover 640 covering the rear side of the gaming board 5 attached to the main body frame base 501 has multiple heat dissipation slits 641 that penetrate from front to back and extend vertically, as described above, in order to dissipate heat emitted from the various circuit boards, electrical drive sources such as various motors and various solenoids, and light-emitting means such as various LEDs and various lamps provided on the gaming board 5 to the outside of the pachinko machine 1. In addition, since the rear cover 640 has multiple slits 641 formed therein, although it is difficult to completely prevent metal powder generated by abrasion of the game ball B that has fallen through the cutout portion 553aa of the tank rail 553 from penetrating the rear side of the game board 5, it is possible to suppress this metal powder from penetrating the rear side of the game board 5.

[0254] Furthermore, inside the island equipment of the gaming hall, multiple types of wiring are suspended from above for electrically connecting to the various connection terminals of the external terminal board 558 of the pachinko machine 1, and depending on the specifications of the pachinko machine 1, there are wiring that is electrically connected to the external terminal board 558 and wiring that is not electrically connected to the external terminal board 558. In other words, the wiring that is not electrically connected to the external terminal board 558 is unconnected wiring, and is suspended from above inside the island equipment of the gaming hall. Since multiple pachinko machines 1 are installed back to back on the island equipment of the gaming hall, if this unconnected wiring comes into contact with the various circuit boards provided on the gaming board 5, the electrical drive sources such as the various motors and solenoids, or the light-emitting means such as the various LEDs and lamps, a short circuit may occur, causing damage (and potentially a fire). Although the rear cover 640 has multiple slits 641 formed therein, many of the tips of the unconnected wiring are bent at or near the tips, and the tips of the unconnected wiring are caught in the slits 641, making it difficult for them to penetrate toward the rear side of the game board 5, thereby preventing short circuits.

[0255] Of the various boards provided on the game board 5, the boards near the back cover 640 (excluding relay boards such as the panel relay board 1410 described below) are covered by a cover body molded from the non-conductive resin that makes up the board box, and even if the tip of the unconnected wiring penetrates into the back side of the game board 5 through the slit 641 and comes into contact with the cover body, it will not have any effect on the boards covered by the cover body. Relay boards such as the panel relay board 1410 described below are boards that relay one board to another, and therefore are an assembly of various connectors, and the wiring patterns for electrically connecting the various connectors are formed not on the surface (mounting surface) of the relay board on which the various connectors are mounted, which is the surface facing the rear cover 640, but on the back surface (soldering surface) of the relay board opposite the surface facing the rear cover 640, and the front surface (mounting surface) and back surface (soldering surface) of the relay board are solidly coated with a resist of a predetermined color (e.g., green, yellow, red, blue, black, etc.) except for through holes through which pin terminals of the various connectors can be inserted and soldered, so that the wiring patterns are covered with the resist of the predetermined color and are not exposed. In other words, even if the tip of an unconnected wire penetrates the back side of the game board 5 through the slit 641 and comes into contact with the relay board, it will not have any effect on the relay board.

[0256] In this way, the back cover 640 that covers the rear side of the game board 5 attached to the main body frame base 501 has the following functions: a protective cover function that can protect the rear side of the game board 5 by covering the rear side of the game board 5; a heat dissipation function that can release heat generated from the various boards, electric drive sources such as various motors and various solenoids, and light-emitting means such as various LEDs and various lamps that are provided on the game board 5 to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through the multiple slits 641 by covering the rear side of the game board 5; a metal powder intrusion prevention function that can prevent metal powder generated by wear of the game ball B that has fallen through the cutout portion 553aa of the tank rail 553 from invading the back side of the game board 5; and a protective wall function that can prevent unconnected wiring hanging from inside the island equipment of the game hall from coming into contact with the various boards, electric drive sources such as various motors and various solenoids, and light-emitting means such as various LEDs and various lamps that are provided on the game board 5.

[0257] The locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 39. Figure 39(a) is a perspective view of the locking unit of the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the locking unit as seen from the back. The locking unit 650 is attached to the main body frame base 501 of the main body frame 4, and locks the space between the main body frame 4 and the door frame 3, and the main body frame 4 and the outer frame 2. The locking unit 650 comprises a metal unit base 651 attached to the main frame base 501, a plurality of metal door frame hooks 652 protruding forward from the unit base 651 and capable of engaging with the door frame 3, a plurality of metal outer frame hooks 653 protruding rearward from the unit base 651 and capable of engaging with the outer frame 2, a metal transmission cylinder 654 that moves the door frame hooks 652 or the outer frame hooks 653 in the vertical direction, a metal lock spring 655 that urges the door frame hooks 652 downward and the outer frame hooks 653 upward, and a metal outer frame unlocking lever 656 that moves the outer frame hooks 653 downward.

[0258] The main body frame reinforcement frame 530, which is attached to the left side of the main body frame base unit 500 as viewed from the front, is attached to the left side of the main body frame base 501 of the main body frame base unit 500 as viewed from the front. The main body frame reinforcement frame 530 has a U-shaped cross section in plan view that is open on the right side as viewed from the front, and extends vertically with a constant cross section. In this embodiment, the main body frame reinforcement frame 530 is formed from an extruded metal profile.

[0259] When the locking unit 650 is assembled to the main frame 4, the multiple (three) door frame hooks 652, the transmission cylinder 654, and the outer frame unlocking lever 656 protrude forward from the front surface of the main frame base 501. The transmission cylinder 654 protrudes forward through the cylinder insertion opening 501f of the main frame base 501, and by closing the door frame 3 relative to the main frame 4, the front end of the transmission cylinder 654 engages with the rotation transmission member 133 of the cylinder lock 130 of the door frame 3, and the rotation of the key inserted in the keyhole 132 is transmitted and rotated. In addition, the locking unit 650 has multiple (three) door frame hooks 652 that are engaged with the hook member 116 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 in the door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3, and multiple (two) outer frame hooks 653 that are engaged with the upper hook member 24 and the lower hook member 25 of the outer frame right assembly 20 in the outer frame 2.

[0260] When the locking unit 650 is assembled to the pachinko machine 1, inserting a key that corresponds to the keyhole 132 of the cylinder lock 130 and rotating it counterclockwise as viewed from the front causes the multiple door frame hooks 652 to move upward via the transfer cylinder 654, unlocking the door frame 3 from the main frame 4. On the other hand, when the key is rotated clockwise as viewed from the front, the multiple outer frame hooks 653 move downward via the transfer cylinder 654, unlocking the main frame 4 from the outer frame 2. With the door frame 3 open relative to the main frame 4, sliding the outer frame unlocking lever 656 downward causes the multiple outer frame hooks 653 to move downward, unlocking the main frame 4 from the outer frame 2. In this way, the lock between the main frame 4 and the door frame 3 or between the main frame 4 and the outer frame 2 can be unlocked.

[0261] When locking the space between the main frame 4 and the door frame 3 or the space between the main frame 4 and the outer frame 2, the hooks for the door frame 652 and the hooks for the outer frame 653 are inclined so that the tips become thinner, so that when the door frame 3 is closed against the main frame 4 or the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, the hooks for the door frame 652 and the hooks for the outer frame 653 move downward or upward to get over the hook member 116, the upper hook member 24, and the lower hook member 25, and then the locking state is achieved by the biasing force of the lock spring 655.

[0262] The metal main body frame reinforcing frame 530 not only functions to reinforce and rigidify the main body frame base unit 500 but also functions as a main body frame metal earth and is electrically connected to the above-mentioned frame earth board 559 via a main body frame metal earth wire (not shown). The frame earth board 559 is electrically connected to the ground of the island equipment in the gaming hall via an island equipment earth wire (not shown). The fact that the metal main body frame reinforcing frame 530 functions to reinforce and rigidify the main body frame base unit 500 and also functions as a main body frame metal earth will be explained later.

[0263] [4-3. Electromagnetic noise countermeasures for the main frame] Next, we will briefly explain noise countermeasures for the main body frame 4. As described above, the main body frame 4 includes a frame-shaped main body frame base unit 500 whose rear portion can be inserted into the outer frame 2 and which can support the outer periphery of the game board 5, an inverted L-shaped payout base unit 550 attached along the upper and left sides in front view at the rear side of the main body frame base unit 500, a payout unit 560 for paying out game balls B received by the payout base unit 550 to the player side (upper tray 130 or lower tray 140), a power supply board 630 equipped with a power switch 630a capable of turning on the power of the pachinko machine 1, and a board unit 620 having a payout control board 633.

[0264] As described above, the main body frame base unit 500 is formed from a metal extrusion and includes a main body frame reinforcement frame 530 attached to the left side of the main body frame base 501 when viewed from the front. As described above, the main body frame reinforcement frame 530 not only reinforces and rigidifies the main body frame base unit 500, but also functions as a main body frame metal ground and is electrically connected to the frame ground board 559 provided on the main body frame 4 via a main body frame metal ground wire (not shown). In other words, in this embodiment, the metal main body frame reinforcement frame 530 serves as the frame ground on the main body frame side. Furthermore, the ball tank 552 has a metal plate (not shown) located across its entire bottom that is electrically connected to the frame ground board 559 via a ball tank ground wire (not shown). Furthermore, the ground connection terminal (not shown) provided on the interface board 635 of the board unit 620 is electrically connected to the frame ground board 559 via an interface ground wire (not shown). Furthermore, the ground connection terminal (not shown) provided on the power supply board 630 of the board unit 620 is electrically connected to the frame ground board 559 via a power supply ground wire (not shown). This frame earth substrate 559 is electrically connected to the earth of the island equipment of the gaming hall via an island equipment earth wire (not shown).

[0265] In this way, as a noise countermeasure for the main frame 4, electromagnetic noise that enters the main frame reinforcement frame 530, ball tank 552, interface board 635 in board unit 620, and power supply board 630 in board unit 620 is removed by being guided from the main frame reinforcement frame 530, ball tank 552, interface board 635 in board unit 620, and power supply board 630 in board unit 620 to various corresponding earth wires (not shown), frame earth board 559, and island equipment earth wires (not shown) to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall.

[0266] [4-4. Frame ground board] Next, a brief description will be given of the frame earth board 559. As described above, the frame earth board 559 is capable of collecting electromagnetic noise generated at various locations and grounding (earthing) it to the island equipment of the amusement hall, and is provided with multiple earth terminals. The first earth terminal (interface earth terminal) serves as an interface earth and is electrically connected to an earth connection terminal provided on the interface board 635 in the board unit 620 of the main frame 4 via an interface earth wire (not shown). The second earth terminal (island equipment earth terminal) serves as an island equipment earth and is electrically connected to an earth connection terminal in the island equipment of the amusement hall via an island equipment earth wire (not shown). The third earth terminal (bulb tank earth terminal) serves as a bulb tank earth and is attached to a metal plate (not shown) arranged across the entire bottom of the bulb tank 552 by a metal screw (not shown). One end of the bulb tank earth wire (not shown) is attached to the metal plate (not shown) by a metal screw (not shown), and the other end of the bulb tank earth wire is electrically connected to the fourth earth terminal (main frame metal earth terminal). is a main frame metal earth terminal, one end of which is attached to the metal main frame reinforcement frame 530 in the main frame base unit 500 of the main frame 4 by a metal screw not shown, and the other end of which is electrically connected; the fifth earth terminal (power supply earth terminal) is a power supply earth terminal, which is electrically connected to an earth connection terminal provided on the power supply board 630 in the board unit 620 of the main frame 4 via a power supply earth wire not shown; and the sixth earth terminal (door frame metal earth) is a door frame metal earth terminal, which is attached to the metal door frame reinforcement unit in the door frame base unit 3 by a metal screw not shown, and the other end of which is electrically connected.

[0267] In the circuit of the frame ground board 559, the third ground terminal (sphere tank ground terminal) serving as the bulb tank ground is electrically connected to one end of a first resistor (not shown). The other end of this first resistor is electrically connected to the fifth ground terminal (power supply ground terminal) serving as the power supply ground, the second ground terminal (island equipment ground terminal) serving as the island equipment ground, and the first ground terminal (interface ground terminal) serving as the interface ground. The fourth ground terminal (main frame metal ground terminal) serving as the main frame metal ground and the sixth ground terminal (door frame metal ground) serving as the door frame metal ground are electrically connected to one end of a second resistor (not shown). The other end of this second resistor is electrically connected to the fifth ground terminal (power supply ground terminal) serving as the power supply ground, the second ground terminal (island equipment ground terminal) serving as the island equipment ground, and the first ground terminal (interface ground terminal) serving as the interface ground. In other words, the other end of the first resistor is electrically connected to the other end of the second resistor. In this embodiment, the first resistor and the second resistor are 510 ohms (Ω) and 2 watts (W), respectively.

[0268] Electromagnetic noise flowing into the first earth terminal (interface earth terminal) as an interface earth is conducted to the island equipment earth of the game hall via the second earth terminal (island equipment earth terminal) as an island equipment earth and the island equipment earth wire, and is eliminated. Electromagnetic noise flowing into the third earth terminal (bulb tank earth terminal) as a ball tank earth is conducted to the island equipment earth of the game hall via the second earth terminal (island equipment earth terminal) as an island equipment earth and the island equipment earth wire, and is eliminated. Electromagnetic noise flowing into the fourth earth terminal (main frame metal earth terminal) as a main frame metal earth is conducted to the island equipment earth and the island equipment earth wire, and is eliminated. The electromagnetic noise flowing into the fifth earth terminal (power supply earth terminal) as the power supply earth is conducted via the second earth terminal (island equipment earth terminal) as the island equipment earth and the island equipment earth wire to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall and is removed, and the electromagnetic noise flowing into the sixth earth terminal (door frame metal earth) as the door frame metal earth is conducted via the second earth terminal (island equipment earth terminal) as the island equipment earth and the island equipment earth wire to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall and is removed.

[0269] Meanwhile, a ball tank 552, a payout unit 560, and the like are attached to the payout base unit 550 in the main body frame 4. The ball tank 552 is supplied with game balls B from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the game balls B are supplied from the ball tank 552 to the payout unit 560. The game balls B are polished in the island equipment of the gaming hall and rub against each other as they circulate between the island equipment and the pachinko machine 1, which causes them to become charged and discharge static electricity, thereby emitting electromagnetic noise. For this reason, static electricity is likely to accumulate in and around the areas where the ball tank 552 and the payout unit 560, which can store game balls B, are attached.

[0270] Therefore, in this embodiment, a frame earth substrate 559 is placed near the ball tank 552 and the payout unit 560, which are prone to accumulate static electricity, and for the ball tank 552 and the metal main body frame reinforcement frame 530 in the main body frame base unit 500 of the main body frame 4, which are prone to accumulate static electricity and are therefore strongly affected by electromagnetic noise, the frame earth substrate 559 gradually attenuates and flows electromagnetic noise through the first resistor and the second resistor to the third earth terminal (ball tank earth terminal) as the ball tank earth and the fourth earth terminal (main body frame metal earth terminal) as the main body frame metal earth, respectively, thereby suppressing instantaneous discharge of high voltage, and the noise can be led from the second earth terminal (island equipment earth terminal) as the island equipment earth to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall via the island equipment earth wire. In other words, electromagnetic noise that enters from the ball tank 552 and payout unit 560, which are prone to accumulate static electricity, can be removed by being led to the ground of the island equipment of the amusement hall through the frame ground substrate 559 via the ball tank 552 and the metal main frame reinforcement frame 530, which serves as a frame ground called the frame ground. Thus, in this embodiment, the metal main frame reinforcement frame 530 functions not only to reinforce the main frame base unit 500 and provide it with rigidity, but also as a main frame metal ground.

[0271] As mentioned above, some of the various decorative parts provided on the door frame 3 are decoratively plated on the entire front and back surfaces. This decorative plating is a precious metal plating such as chrome plating or hard gold plating, and is conductive. The decorative plated parts are electrically connected to the door frame reinforcement unit in the door frame base unit (not shown) of the door frame 3 via wiring (not shown) or a metal conductive plate (not shown). Therefore, for example, when a player touches a decoratively plated decorative part, static electricity charged to the player is discharged and transmitted as electromagnetic noise from the player to the door frame reinforcement unit via the decorative part. Furthermore, when an attendant such as a game hall staff member or a person holding a setting key described later (a limited number of people who can change the setting values ​​as well as check the current setting values, etc.) touches the locking unit 650 on the main frame 4, as described above, the static electricity charged on the attendant such as a game hall staff member or the person holding the setting key described later is discharged as electrostatic noise and transmitted from the attendant such as a game hall staff member or the person holding the setting key described later to the door frame reinforcement unit via this locking unit 650.

[0272] Therefore, in this embodiment, for the door frame reinforcement unit in the door frame base unit (not shown) of the door frame 3, the sixth earth terminal (door frame metal earth) as the door frame metal earth in the frame earth board 559 is connected via a second resistor to gradually flow and attenuate electromagnetic noise, thereby suppressing instantaneous discharge of high voltage, and can be led from the second earth terminal (island equipment earth terminal) as the island equipment earth to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall via an island equipment earth wire. In other words, electromagnetic noise from decorative plated decorative parts, players, staff such as skill hall clerks, and persons possessing the setting keys described below (limited persons who can not only change setting values ​​but also check the current setting values ​​that have been set) can be routed to the earth of the island equipment of the amusement hall through the door frame reinforcement unit as a frame earth called a frame ground, and thereby eliminated.

[0273] [4-5.Detailed structure of the upper part of the main frame] Next, the detailed configuration of the upper part of the main body frame 4 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 40 to 47. Figure 40(a) is a plan view of the main body frame, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (a). Figure 41 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the main body frame in a perspective view seen from the rear. Figure 42(a) is a perspective view seen from the front above of the ball tank with the tank rail and other components assembled, and (b) is a perspective view of (a) seen from the front below. Figure 43 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 42(a) seen from the front. Figure 44 is an explanatory diagram showing the area through which game balls overflowing from the ball tank in the upper part of the main body frame flow. Figure 45 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls overflowing from the ball tank in the upper part of the main body frame. Figure 46 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls into the bypass passage in the upper part of the main body frame. Figure 47 is an enlarged view of the tank rail area in a perspective view of the main body frame seen from the rear of the hinge side.

[0274] As described above, the main body frame 4 comprises a frame-shaped main body frame base 501 whose rear portion can be inserted into the outer frame 2 and which is detachably and hinge-rotatably attached to the outer frame 2 by the main body frame upper hinge portion 510 and the main body frame lower hinge portion 520, and which can support the outer periphery of the game board 5; an inverted L-shaped payout base 551 attached along the upper and left sides in a front view at the rear of the main body frame base 501; a box-shaped (container-shaped) ball tank 552 attached to the payout base 551, which extends left and right, and is open upward; and a groove-shaped tank 552 attached to the left side of the ball tank 552, which is open upward and extends leftward. It comprises a rail 553, a first rail cover 554 attached to a part of the upper end of the tank rail 553, a second rail cover 555 attached to the upper end of the tank rail 553 spaced to the left of the first rail cover 554 when viewed from the front, a ball straightening member 556 attached to the upper end of the tank rail 553 at a position between the first rail cover 554 and the second rail cover 555, a ball stopping member 557 attached to the downstream end of the tank rail 553, and a payout device 580 attached to the downstream side of the tank rail 553 behind the payout base 551 for paying out game balls B to the player.

[0275] The ball tank 552 has a rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction in a plan view, a bottom wall 552a that is inclined so that the left side is lower in a front view, a front wall 552b and a rear wall 552c that extend upward from the front and rear edges of the bottom wall 552a, respectively, and a left wall 552d and a right wall 552e that extend upward from both the left and right edges of the bottom wall 552a, respectively, and is formed like a container with an open top. The ball tank 552 stores game balls B supplied from island facilities such as a game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

[0276] The spherical tank 552 also has an overflow section 552f that is cut out from above in the front wall 552b and formed lower than the remaining outer circumferential upper edge. This overflow section 552f is formed over approximately three-quarters of the length of the front wall 552b in the left-right direction, from the end of the left wall 552d of the front wall 552b to the end on the opposite side (the right wall 552e side).

[0277] The tank rail 553 has a right end (upstream side) that communicates with the interior of the ball tank 552 in a front view, and a downstream side that extends to one side in the left-right direction (left side) away from the ball tank 552. The tank rail 553 has a gutter-shaped main guide section 553a that extends from the upstream side to the downstream end at the bottom and has a width direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the game ball B that allows only one game ball B to flow. The main guide section 553a is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the left in a front view. In addition, the main guide section 553a extends parallel to an axis extending leftward from the right end to a position that is approximately 1 / 10 of the total length in the left-right direction, then extends diagonally from the right end to a position that is approximately 4 / 10 of the total length in the left-right direction, moving rearward as it moves leftward, and then is formed into a crank shape that extends parallel to the axis extending left-right to the left end.

[0278] In the main guide section 553a of the tank rail 553, a section extending parallel to an axis extending laterally from the left end to the right extends to the upper end with the same width, and the upper side is closed by attaching a first rail cover 554, a second rail cover 555, and a ball rectifying member 556 to the upper end of this section. In addition, in the section where the upper side is closed, the tank rail 553 is formed so that the height of the flow path through which the game ball B flows becomes lower toward the downstream end (left end), and at the downstream end it is formed to a height (slightly higher than the outer diameter of the game ball B) that allows only one game ball B to flow.

[0279] Furthermore, in the tank rail 553, three rectangular cutouts 553aa, each having a predetermined length (approximately 30 mm in this embodiment) in the left-right direction, are formed at predetermined intervals (approximately 10 mm in this embodiment) in the bottom surface of the gutter-shaped main guide section 553a and in the rear wall of the main guide section 553a in a front view, at a portion where the upper side is closed. The rectangular cutouts 553aa form a rectangular hole in the bottom surface of the main guide section 553a, which has a length of approximately 30 mm in the left-right direction and a height of approximately 7 mm (adding the thickness of the rear wall (approximately 2.5 mm in this embodiment)) extending forward from the rear wall of the main guide section 553a, and a rectangular hole in the rear wall of the main guide section 553a, which has a height of approximately 7 mm (adding the thickness of the bottom plate of the bottom surface of the main guide section 553a) and a length of approximately 30 mm in the left-right direction, and these rectangular holes are formed in communication with each other.

[0280] When the game balls B flow from the ball tank 552 into the tank rail 553, metal powder peels off and falls from the game balls B due to wear caused by collisions and rubbing against each other. Therefore, when metal powder generated by wear of the game balls B adheres to the main guide section 553a, the flow of the game balls B in the downstream direction is obstructed, making it difficult to smoothly supply the game balls B downstream, and the payout of the game balls B by the payout device 580 stops.

[0281] Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of notches 553aa are formed in the main guide portion 553a, and it is configured so that metal powder generated by the wear of the game ball B can be removed from the main guide portion 553a. As a result, for example, metal powder generated by wear of game ball B falls naturally from main guide portion 553a to the outside through cutout portion 553aa, and the metal powder can be removed from main guide portion 553a; metal powder generated by wear of game ball B adhering to main guide portion 553a due to the vibration of game ball B rolling in main guide portion 553a falls from main guide portion 553a to the outside through cutout portion 553aa, and the metal powder can be removed from main guide portion 553a by an attendant such as a game hall staff member inserting a cotton swab into cutout portion 553aa and removing the metal powder generated by wear of game ball B adhering to main guide portion 553a.

[0282] The tank rail 553 also has a bulging portion 553b that extends from the upstream end to a portion where the upper side is closed above the main guide portion 553a. The bulging portion 553b bulges out wider than the width of the main guide portion 553a so that multiple game balls B are lined up in a width direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the game balls B, and narrows in width from the upstream end toward the downstream side to match the width of the main guide portion 553a. This bulging portion 553b allows multiple game balls B, which are spread out in the width direction on the upstream side, to be aligned in a width direction that is the width of a single game ball B as they move downstream. The bulging portion 553b is also formed so that its width narrows as it moves from the upper end toward the lower main guide portion 553a. As a result, the tank rail 553 can align multiple game balls B flowing through the bulging portion 553b in a single line in the width direction as they move downstream and downward.

[0283] The bulging portion 553b of the tank rail 553 has a center of curvature located on the inner side and is formed into a three-dimensionally curved shape. Since the center of curvature of the bulging portion 553b is located higher than the main guide portion 553a, a slightly chamfered corner is formed at the boundary between the main guide portion 553a and the bulging portion 553b in the tank rail 553. Furthermore, the bulging portion 553b is formed with a larger curvature on the downstream side than on the upstream side. For this reason, when a game ball B flows through the three-dimensionally curved bulging portion 553b, the direction of the reaction force from the bulging portion 553b side acts varies depending on the position of the bulging portion 553b it abuts, thereby suppressing ball jamming within the bulging portion 553b. In more detail, if the bulging portion 553b is formed into a shape that extends uniformly, a reaction force always acts in a uniform direction from the inner surface of the bulging portion 553b on the game ball B circulating inside the bulging portion 553b, and since the reaction force is difficult to disperse, the game ball B inside is always pushed in a uniform direction, making it difficult for the game ball B to escape and making ball jamming (ball jamming) more likely to occur. In contrast, since the bulging portion 553b is formed into a three-dimensional curved surface, the direction of the reaction force acting from the inner surface of the bulging portion 553b varies depending on the position of the game ball B, and since the pushing direction of the multiple game balls B circulating inside is dispersed, it is possible for the pushed game balls B to escape more easily and making it difficult for ball jamming (ball jamming) to occur.

[0284] Furthermore, the tank rail 553 is molded from a transparent material (such as polycarbonate resin) so that the interior can be seen from the outside. As a result, even if ball jamming occurs within the tank rail 553, the state of the game balls B within the tank rail 553 can be seen from the outside, allowing the location of the jammed balls to be quickly identified. Therefore, ball jamming within the tank rail 553 can be quickly resolved, minimizing interruptions to gameplay due to ball jamming and preventing a player's loss of interest in the game due to interruptions. Furthermore, because the tank rail 553 is transparent, the rear side (back unit 3000) of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 can be seen from behind through the tank rail 553. Therefore, when a malfunction occurs in the movable effect unit of the game board 5, the status of the transmission mechanism, such as the drive motor, gears, and belts, can be confirmed while the game board 5 is attached to the main frame 4, achieving the same effect as the mutual effect described above.

[0285] The main body frame 4 is provided on the front side of the ball tank 552, extends in the front-to-back direction, and extends outward (to the left) from the left side wall 552d of the ball tank 552 on the same side as the downstream side of the tank rail 553 in the left-to-right direction (the left side when viewed from the front).It is equipped with an overflow surface portion 501m whose rear end is at the same height as the overflow portion 552f and is sloped so that the front end is higher in order to return game balls B that have overflowed forward from the ball tank 552 to the ball tank 552, and a bypass passage 552g which extends rearward from the outside of the left side wall 552d of the ball tank 552 at the rear end of the overflow surface portion 501m to above the bulge portion 553b of the tank rail 553, the upper side of which is open, and is sloped so that the rear end is lower and also sloped so that the side away from the ball tank 552 in the left-to-right direction (the left side) is lower, and which guides some of the game balls B that have overflowed from the ball tank 552 to the overflow surface portion 501m.

[0286] The main body frame 4 also includes a discharge section 551j which is provided on both the left and right outer sides of the bypass passage 552g, opposite the left wall 552d of the ball tank 552, and which has a left-right spacing wider than the outer diameter of the game balls and a bottom height lower than the portion of the tank rail 553 where the upper side is open, an external terminal board 558 which is provided on the opposite side of the bypass passage 552g across the discharge section 551j, at a position lower than the overflow surface section 501m, and which has a plurality of wire connection terminals 558a to which electrical wiring can be connected from the rear, and a terminal cover 551k which covers the upper sides of the plurality of wire connection terminals 558a (external terminal board 558) and whose upper surface extends horizontally at a position higher than the overflow surface section 501m.

[0287] The overflow surface portion 501m is formed on the main body frame base 501. The overflow surface portion 501m extends rearward in a flat plate shape from a position two to four times the outer diameter of the game ball B lower than the upper edge of the rear surface of the base main body 501a, which has a rectangular shape extending vertically when viewed from the front. The overflow surface portion 501m is formed so that its left-right length is approximately one-third of the left-right length of the main body frame base 501, and its left end when viewed from the front is located to the right of one-third of the total length in the left-right direction from the left end of the main body frame base 501. The overflow surface portion 501m is formed so that its height from its front end to its rear end is approximately one-half the outer diameter of the game ball B. When the main body frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2, a gap of approximately twice the outer diameter of the game ball B is formed between this overflow surface portion 501m and the outer frame upper member 30.

[0288] The main frame base 501 is disposed on both the left and right sides of the overflow surface 501m. The main frame base 501 has flat left and right step portions 501n and 501o extending horizontally at the same height as the front end of the overflow surface 501m. The main frame base 501 has a plurality of ribs 501p extending in a strip-like manner in the front-to-rear direction on both the left and right outer sides of the left and right step portions 501n and 501o, with their upper ends higher than those of the left and right step portions 501n and 501o. The ribs 501p are arranged in a row in the front-to-rear direction at intervals narrower than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The left step portion 501n is shorter in the left-to-right direction than its length in the front-to-rear direction. The left step portion 501n is inclined so that its rear right corner is slightly lower than the horizontal plane when viewed from the front. The right step portion 501o is longer in the left-to-right direction than its length in the front-to-rear direction. The right step portion 501o is inclined so that its rear left corner is slightly lower than the horizontal plane when viewed from the front.

[0289] The multiple ribs 501p of the main frame base 501 are formed higher than the upper surface of the terminal cover 551k, and when the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, the gap between the outer frame 2 and the lower surface of the outer frame upper member 30 is formed at a height narrower than the outer diameter of the game ball B.

[0290] When the main frame base 501 is assembled to the main frame 4, when viewed from the front, the right end of the overflow surface portion 501m is aligned left-right with the right end of the overflow portion 552f of the spherical tank 552, the left end of the overflow surface portion 501m is aligned left-right with the left end of the bypass passage 552g, and the right end of the right step portion 501o is aligned left-right with the right side wall 552e of the spherical tank 552.

[0291] The bypass passage 552g is formed integrally with the spherical tank 552. Note that, hereinafter, the container-like area surrounded by the bottom wall 552a, front wall 552b, rear wall 552c, left side wall 552d, and right side wall 552e will also be referred to simply as the spherical tank 552. The bypass passage 552g has a passage surface 552h that extends leftward from the outside of the left side wall 552d of the spherical tank 552 in a flat plate shape and is inclined so that its front end is at the same height as the overflow portion 552f and its rear end is lower, and a weir portion that extends upward from the edge of the passage surface 552h opposite the left side wall 552d to the same height as the left side wall 552d. The rear edge of the passage surface 552h of the bypass passage 552g extends rearward at its left end (toward the weir portion 552i) in a front view to the same position as the rear wall 552c of the spherical tank 552, and extends obliquely so as to move forward from the left end to the right end. Note that the inclination in the left-right direction of the passage surface 552h of the bypass passage 552g may be horizontal.

[0292] When assembled to the main body frame 4, the rear end of the bypass passage 552g extends along the front end of the portion of the tank rail 553 that extends in a crank-like shape in the left-right direction and that extends obliquely relative to the left-right direction. In other words, the rear end of the bypass passage 552g extends obliquely relative to the left-right direction. As a result, the flow direction of the game ball B guided rearward by the bypass passage 552g changes from the oblique rear end to a direction perpendicular to the oblique rear end. The obliquely extending rear end of the bypass passage 552g extends approximately parallel to the obliquely extending portion of the tank rail 553 (the flow direction of the game ball B within the tank rail 553). Therefore, the game ball B is released from the rear end of the bypass passage 552g in a direction approximately perpendicular to the flow direction (width direction) of the tank rail 553, so that the game ball B from the bypass passage 552g can be received by a wide portion of the tank rail 553. Furthermore, since the game balls B are supplied from the bypass passage 552g into the tank rail 553 in a direction approximately perpendicular (perpendicular to) the flow direction of the game balls B, it is possible to prevent the game balls B from the bypass passage 552g from clogging the tank rail 553.

[0293] The bypass passage 552g extends diagonally in the left-right direction so that its rear end moves rearward as it approaches the downstream side of the tank rail 553. Therefore, when the game ball B is released from the bypass passage 552g toward the tank rail 553, the diagonally extending rear end allows the game ball B to be released toward the upstream side, which is wider than the downstream side, which is narrower, of the tank rail 553. By releasing the game ball B into the wider section, it is possible to prevent ball jamming within the tank rail 553.

[0294] In addition, the portion of the tank rail 553 where the game ball B is guided by the bypass passage 552g corresponds to the rear of the left side wall 552d of the ball tank 552 and the outside of the left portion of the rear wall 552c when viewed from the front. Game balls B that pass under the guide surface portion 552j of the ball tank 552 (the ceiling side of the opening 552k) flow through this portion from inside the ball tank 552. For this reason, in the portion of the tank rail 553 behind the bypass passage 552g, the height of multiple game balls B stacked up vertically does not exceed the height of the ceiling of the opening 552k (the height of the wall of the tank rail 553). Therefore, a space (empty space) can be secured downstream of the ball tank 552 on the tank rail 553, that is, at the rear end of the bypass passage 552g, so that the game balls B can be stacked upwards, and the game balls B guided rearward by the bypass passage 552g can be reliably received by the tank rail 553, and the game balls B will not spill rearward from the tank rail 553.

[0295] The spherical tank 552 has a flat guide surface 552j that extends downward to the right from a position slightly lower than the overflow portion 552f on the left wall 552d within the space surrounded by the front wall 552b, rear wall 552c, and left side wall 552d. The guide surface 552j extends from the front wall 552b to the rear wall 552c in the front-rear direction. In addition, when viewed from the front, the right end edge of the guide surface portion 552j is formed in a shape such that, when viewed from the front, the right end edge extends diagonally rearward from a position from the left end of the front wall 552b to a position at a distance of approximately 1 / 3 of the total length of the front wall 552b in the left-right direction, from the left end of the front wall 552b to a position at a distance of approximately 1 / 9 of the total length of the front wall 552b in the left-right direction, and from the left end of the front wall 552b to a position at a distance of approximately 1 / 2 of the total length of the front-to-back direction of the left wall 552d, and then extends parallel to the left side wall 552d to the vicinity of the rear wall 552c, and from there extends parallel to the rear wall 552c with a constant width in the front-to-back direction from the left end of the rear wall 552c to a position at a distance of approximately 1 / 3 of the total length of the rear wall 552c in the left-to-right direction.

[0296] In plan view, the spherical tank 552 has an opening 552k formed to penetrate vertically in an area enclosed by the right edge of the guide surface portion 552j, which is shaped as described above, and a straight line connecting the end of the right edge on the front wall 552b side and the end on the rear wall 552c side. The spherical tank 552 also has flat flange portions 552l, which extend outward in the left-right direction and vertically on the same plane as the front wall 552b, at the front end of the right wall 552e and at the front end of the weir portion 552i of the bypass passage 552g. The upper edge of the front wall 552b excluding the overflow portion 552f and the upper edges of the two flange portions 552l are higher than the upper edges of the left wall 552d and the rear wall 552c (the upper surfaces of the left step portion 501n and right step portion 501o of the main body frame base 501).

[0297] When the spherical tank 552 and tank rail 553 are assembled together, the upstream end (the right end in front view) of the tank rail 553 is connected to the opening 552k of the spherical tank 552. In addition, the diagonally extending portion of the tank rail 553, which extends left and right in a crank shape in a plan view, and the portion extending straight left and right on its left side are located rearward (protruding) from the spherical tank 552. The rear end edge of the left bypass passage 552g of the left side wall 552d of the spherical tank 552 is located at the front end of the diagonally extending portion of the tank rail 553, which extends left and right in a crank shape in a plan view.

[0298] The discharge portion 551j is formed on the upper surface of the dispensing base 551. When assembled to the main body frame 4, the discharge portion 551j extends rearward from the rear side of the flange portion 552l on the left side as viewed from the front of the spherical tank 552 to the tank rail 553, so that the discharge portion 551j decreases in a stepped manner rearward from a height lower than the bypass passage 552g to the same height as the bottom wall 552a of the spherical tank 552, and then extends leftward along the tank rail 553 to a position higher than the upper end of the tank rail 553 (a position near the center in the left-right direction of the second rail cover 555), and then extends rearward.

[0299] The external terminal board 558 has a plurality of wire connection terminals 558a attached to its rear surface, lined up in the left-right direction. The wire connection terminals 558a are one-touch terminals whose grips open by operating a lever, allowing them to grip the ends of electrical wiring. When assembled to the main body frame 4, the external terminal board 558 is located in front of the area of ​​the tank rail 553 whose upper side is closed by the first rail cover 554, the second rail cover 555, and the ball rectifying member 556. A terminal cover 551k, which covers the upper side of the external terminal board 558 (the plurality of wire connection terminals 558a), is formed on the upper surface of the dispensing base 551. The upper surface of the terminal cover 551k is formed at approximately the same height as the upper end of the flange portion 552l of the ball tank 552.

[0300] Next, the effects of the upper portion of the main body frame 4 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. First, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 44, the overflow surface portion 501m, the left step portion 501n, the right step portion 501o, and the bypass passage 552g are inclined so that the rear ends of the overflow surface portion 501m and the bypass passage 552g are lower, and the rear right corner of the left step portion 501n and the rear left corner of the right step portion 501o are lower. Also, the bottom wall 552a of the ball tank 552 and the tank rail 553 (main guide portion 553a) are inclined so that the left end is lower when viewed from the front. Also, the guide surface portion 552j of the ball tank 552 is inclined so that the right end side, opposite the bottom wall 552a, is lower.

[0301] As the amount of game balls B stored in the ball tank 552 increases due to supply from the island equipment, they first flow out over the overflow section 552f, which is the lowest part of the outer periphery's upper edge, to the outside (front) of the ball tank 552. The game balls B that overflow from the ball tank 552 can escape to the overflow surface section 501m, and the game balls B that flow out from the ball tank 552 to the front overflow surface section 501m can be returned into the ball tank 552 due to the slope of the overflow surface section 501m (see Figure 45). Therefore, since it is possible to prevent any further increase in the game balls B in the ball tank 552, it is possible to suppress the game balls B from pressing against each other strongly (increase in ball pressure) in the ball tank 552, and it is possible to prevent clogging due to the game balls B interlocking with each other in the ball tank 552 (so-called ball jamming).

[0302] In addition, since the bypass passage 552g is provided, as shown in FIG. 46, game balls B that have overflowed from the ball tank 552 onto the overflow surface portion 501m can be sent to the tank rail 553 via the bypass passage 552g. This prevents the game balls B in the ball tank 552 from exerting a strong backward pressure on them by the game balls B that have accumulated on the overflow surface portion 501m, thereby preventing clogging of the game balls B in the ball tank 552. In addition, since the game balls B can be sent to the tank rail 553 via the bypass passage 552g, it is possible to prevent the game balls B that have overflowed from the ball tank 552 or the overflow surface portion 501m from spilling outside (to the rear side) of the main body frame 4. This prevents the game balls B that have spilled outside the main body frame 4 from getting caught between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4, preventing the main body frame 4 from opening or closing.

[0303] Furthermore, some of the game balls B that have overflowed from the ball tank 552 onto the overflow surface 501m can be guided downstream of the tank rail 553 by the bypass passage 552g, and the game balls B can be sent to the tank rail 553 from a certain position along the left side away from the ball tank 552.Therefore, the flow (pressure) caused by the game balls B sent to the tank rail 553 by the bypass passage 552g can be directed downstream of the tank rail 553, preventing the game balls B from pressing against each other too hard within the tank rail 553 and preventing the game balls B from clogging.

[0304] In addition, at the outer circumferential upper edge of the ball tank 552, the height of the remaining upper edge other than the overflow section 552f is made higher than the overflow section 552f, so that the upper edge of the left side wall 552d on one side of the ball tank 552 in the left-right direction between the ball tank 552 and the bypass passage 552g is higher than the overflow section 552f, that is, the rear end of the overflow surface section 501m. As a result, game balls B that overflow from the ball tank 552 over the overflow section 552f and overflow into the overflow surface section 501m and then flow from the overflow surface section 501m to the bypass passage 552g are blocked by the left side wall 552d on one side of the ball tank 552, preventing them from returning from the bypass passage 552g to the ball tank 552 side, and preventing the game balls B on the bypass passage 552g side from pressing against the game balls B in the ball tank 552 and causing clogging of the game balls B in the ball tank 552.

[0305] Furthermore, as described above, the upper edge of the left side wall 552d between the ball tank 552 and the bypass passage 552g is higher than the rear end of the overflow surface 501m (the passage surface 552h on which the game ball B rolls in the bypass passage 552g), so that the game ball B can be prevented from overflowing from the ball tank 552 into the bypass passage 552g without passing through the overflow surface 501m. This prevents the game ball B from flowing in from the side (ball tank 552) into the bypass passage 552g, so that the flow of the game ball B in the bypass passage 552g can be made to flow in a fixed direction from the overflow surface 501m on the front end side toward the tank rail 553 on the rear end side, and the pressure of the game ball B guided from the bypass passage 552g to the tank rail 553 can be made to be in a fixed direction. Therefore, within the tank rail 553, the pressure acting on the game balls B is varied in direction, which prevents the game balls B from pushing against each other and becoming jammed, thereby preventing the game balls B from becoming jammed.

[0306] Furthermore, since the bottom of the tank rail 553 is provided with a main guide section 553a extending to the downstream end, when the game balls B in the tank rail 553 reach the main guide section 553a, they are lined up in a row in the left-right direction, so that the game balls B in the tank rail 553 can be aligned and the game balls B can be reliably guided to the downstream payout device 580. Furthermore, since the tank rail 553 is provided with a wide bulge section 553b in which multiple game balls B can be lined up in a row in the upper open portion, the game balls B released from the rear end of the bypass passage 552g can be reliably received, and the above-mentioned operational effects can be reliably achieved.

[0307] Furthermore, the bulging portion 553b of the tank rail 553 extends from the upstream end to the portion closed at the top, and narrows in width from the upstream end toward the downstream side to match the width of the main guide portion 553a. Therefore, as the game balls B move downstream within the bulging portion 553b, they can be aligned in a single line in the width direction. Furthermore, the closed portion of the tank rail 553 is formed so that the height of the flow path through which the game balls B flow decreases toward the downstream end. Therefore, the game balls B that were stacked in multiple layers in the height direction on the upstream side (ball tank 552 side) can be aligned in a single line by circulating them downstream through the closed portion of the tank rail 553. Therefore, the tank rail 553 can guide the game balls B aligned in a single line toward the downstream side (dispensing device 580 side).

[0308] Furthermore, since it is equipped with an overflow surface portion 501m and a bypass passage 552g, it is possible to store a certain number of game balls B therein, and since the tank rail 553 is equipped with a bulge portion 553b, the volume inside the tank rail 553 can be increased, so that in combination with the ball tank 552, more game balls B can be stored.

[0309] In addition, on the opposite side of the ball tank 552, across the bypass passage 552g and the discharge section 551j, there is provided an external terminal board 558 having a plurality of wire connection terminals 558a to which electrical wiring is connected, and a terminal cover 551k covering the upper side of the plurality of wire connection terminals 558a (external terminal board 558).Therefore, the wire connection terminals 558a and the terminal cover 551k can be placed farther away from the ball tank 552 to which the game balls B are supplied from the island equipment.As a result, even if the game balls B supplied from the island equipment bounce or are supplied with force at the ball tank 552 or the overflow surface section 501m, it is difficult for them to reach (contact) the wire connection terminals 558a, etc., and there is no risk of malfunction such as a short circuit or the electrical wiring coming loose due to the game balls B contacting them.

[0310] Furthermore, since the multiple wire connection terminals 558a are facing rearward and the upper surface of the terminal cover 551k is higher than the overflow surface 501m, even if the game ball B supplied from the island equipment to the ball tank 552 bounces off the ball tank 552 or the overflow surface 501m, it is difficult for it to land on the upper surface of the terminal cover 551k, and even if the game ball B does land on the upper surface of the terminal cover 551k, it is difficult for it to fall from the rear side, making it easier to avoid the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems.

[0311] Furthermore, the game balls B returned from the overflow surface 501m to the guide surface 552j of the ball tank 552 are sent to the upstream side of the ball tank 552 (to the right in FIG. 45) due to the inclination of the guide surface 552j. This prevents the game balls B on the guide surface 552j from pressing downstream against the game balls B in the ball tank 552, and prevents the game balls B from clogging the ball tank 552.

[0312] Furthermore, even if the game ball B supplied from the island equipment to the ball tank 552 bounces off the ball tank 552 or the overflow surface 501m and lands on the left step 501n or the right step 501o on both sides of the overflow surface 501m, as shown in Figure 45, the slope of these parts can guide the game ball B to the overflow surface 501m or the bypass passage 552g, preventing problems caused by the game ball B spilling outside the main frame 4.

[0313] Furthermore, since the game balls B are configured to pass under the guide surface portion 552j when circulating from the ball tank 552 to the tank rail 553 side, the guide surface portion 552j can regulate the amount (height) of game balls B piled up on the upper side of the tank rail 553 so that it does not exceed the lower surface of the guide surface portion 552j. Therefore, a space (empty space) can be secured on the downstream side of the ball tank 552 (guide surface portion 552j) on the tank rail 553, that is, on the rear end side of the bypass passage 552g, whereby the game balls B can be piled up on the upper side, and the game balls B guided by the bypass passage 552g can be reliably received.

[0314] Furthermore, since the multiple electric wire connection terminals 558a and the terminal cover 551k are positioned in front of the portion of the tank rail 553 whose upper side is closed, even if the game ball B falls rearward from the terminal cover 551k, the game ball B will not be received by the tank rail 553, and it is possible to prevent the game ball B from affecting the game ball B inside the tank rail 553 and causing a malfunction.

[0315] Furthermore, the ball tank 552 is made of an electrically conductive material (in this example, it is molded from a conductive synthetic resin), whereas the tank rail 553 and the peripheral control board box of the peripheral control unit 1500 described below are made of an insulator (in this example, it is molded from a non-conductive synthetic resin). In this embodiment, when the tank rail 553 and the peripheral control board box become charged, they have the same polarity, so that when metal powder of the game ball B adhering to the tank rail 553 falls from the cutout portion 553aa, it adheres to the peripheral control board box of the same polarity as the tank rail 553. In other words, the metal powder of the game ball B does not adhere to the ball tank 552 but moves to the tank rail 553, adheres to the tank rail 553, and remains within the tank rail 553. Furthermore, when the metal powder of the game ball B adhering to the tank rail 553 falls from the cutout portion 553aa, it adheres to the peripheral control board box of the same polarity as the tank rail 553 (for example, the top surface of the peripheral board box).

[0316] [4-6. Composition of measures against metal powder] Next, with reference to Fig. 48, a description will be given of the configuration of a metal powder countermeasure that can avoid electrical trouble (short circuit) caused by metal powder of game balls B that have fallen to the outside from main guide portion 553a through multiple cutout portions 553aa formed in trough-shaped main guide portion 553a of tank rail 553. Fig. 48 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a part of the cross section cut along line CC in Fig. 40(a), and shows an overview of the configuration of the metal powder countermeasure.

[0317] As described above, if metal powder (foreign matter) from game ball B that falls from the multiple notches 553aa formed in the trough-shaped main guide section 553a of tank rail 553 adheres to the peripheral control unit 1500 disposed below tank rail 553, electrical problems may occur, causing malfunctions or other problems in the peripheral control unit 1500. For example, the peripheral control board 1510 of the peripheral control unit 1500 is equipped with ICs such as a peripheral control IC, ROM, and SDRAM, which will be described later, and the peripheral data ROM board 1510 is equipped with ICs such as a peripheral data ROM. The pin spacing of these ICs is becoming smaller, and the pin spacing of the various connectors and special connectors provided on the peripheral control board 1510 is becoming narrower. The increased number of connectors on the peripheral control board 1510 has narrowed the spacing between the various connectors and also narrowed the spacing between the connectors and the special connectors. Therefore, measures must be taken to prevent electrical problems caused by foreign matter falling from the tank rail.

[0318] First, the multiple cutout portions 553aa formed in the gutter-shaped main guide portion 553a of the tank rail 553 are positioned rearward (in this embodiment, shifted by a distance dimension approximately half the diameter of the game ball B) relative to the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 attached to the rear side of the game panel 1100 of the game board 5 (rear side of the performance display device 1600 attached to the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000), as shown in Figure 48.

[0319] As described above, the cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction of the top plate portion 551a of the payout base 551 on which the tank rail 553 is arranged is formed in a stepped shape with multiple bends downward from the front edge to the rear edge of the top plate portion 551a (from the front to the rear of the top plate portion 551a). In the example shown in Fig. 48, the lower end of this top plate portion forms a first overhang portion 551da that extends rearward of the pachinko machine 1 so as to be substantially flush with the rear surface of the tank rail 553. In addition, when the rear cover 640 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the upper end of the rear cover 640 is in face-to-face contact with the rear surface of the first overhang portion 551da.

[0320] As a result, metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guiding section 553a through the cutout portion 553aa can be received and adhered to the first overhanging portion 551da of the top plate portion 551a. That is, the first overhanging portion 551da of the top plate portion 551a prevents metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guiding section 553a through the cutout portion 553aa from falling toward the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 and the base body 1502, and thus prevents metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guiding section 553a through the cutout portion 553aa from entering the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, thereby preventing electrical trouble caused by metal powder of the game ball B adhering to the peripheral control board 1510.

[0321] Furthermore, in the pachinko machine 1 of this example, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the rear cover 640 is extended downward from the abutting portion with the first overhanging portion 551da so as to cover at least a part of the rear of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500. Therefore, when metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the cutout portion 553aa and adhered to the first overhanging portion 551da of the top plate portion 551a falls from the first overhanging portion 551da of the top plate portion 551a, the metal powder will be stuck to the rear side (back unit) of the game panel 1100 of the game board 5. This prevents the game ball B from falling onto the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 attached to the rear side of the performance display device 1600 attached to the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of the knit 3000) and the base body 1502, and also prevents metal powder from the game ball B falling from the first eave portion 551da of the top plate portion 551a from entering the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, thereby preventing electrical problems from occurring due to metal powder from the game ball B adhering to the peripheral control board 1510.

[0322] In this way, the top plate 551a of the payout base 551 and the back cover 640 function as eaves or covers that can prevent metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen from the main guide section 553a to the outside through the multiple cutouts 553aa formed in the main guide section 553a from falling toward the peripheral control unit 1500 attached to the rear side of the game panel 1100 of the game board 5 (behind the performance display device 1600 attached to the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000). Therefore, electrical problems caused by metal powder of the game ball B from the tank rail 553 can be prevented.

[0323] In addition, in the pachinko machine 1 of this example, a first eaves portion 551da is provided below the cutout portion 553aa, so that not only when the rear cover 640 is closed but also when the rear cover 640 is opened, metal powder of game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the cutout portion 553aa can be received and adhered to the first eaves portion 551da, thereby preventing the metal powder of game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the cutout portion 553aa from falling toward the cover body 1501 and base body 1502 of the peripheral control unit 1500, and thus preventing the metal powder of game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the cutout portion 553aa from entering the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, thereby preventing electrical problems caused by metal powder of game ball B adhering to the peripheral control board 1510.

[0324] In the above example, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the upper end of the rear cover 640 is in contact with the rear surface of the first overhanging portion 551da, but the upper end of the rear cover 640 and the first overhanging portion 551da may be spaced apart. That is, the arrangement of the rear cover 640 and the first overhanging portion 551da does not matter as long as the rear cover 640 and the first overhanging portion 551da cooperate to prevent metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a via the cutout portion 553aa from entering the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500.

[0325] In addition, in this embodiment, the cutout portions 553aa formed in multiple positions in the gutter-shaped main guide portion 553a of the tank rail 553 and the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 attached to the rear side of the game panel 1100 of the game board 5 (rear side of the performance display device 1600 attached to the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000) are positioned offset in the front-to-rear direction of the pachinko machine 1 (in this embodiment, offset by a distance dimension of approximately half the diameter of the game ball B) (in other words, the structure is such that the peripheral control unit 1500 is not positioned directly below the cutout portions 553aa), which is effective in preventing electrical problems caused by metal powder from the game ball B coming from the tank rail 553.

[0326] Furthermore, the ventilation holes 1501az formed in the cover body 1501 are provided on the rear surface of the cover body 1501 (the cover plate described later), but are not provided on the cover side walls provided on the top, left, bottom, and right sides of the cover body 1501 (the cover plate described later). Therefore, even if metal powder from the game ball B adheres to the top wall of the cover body 1501 (the cover side wall formed on the top side of the cover plate described later), it is difficult for the powder to penetrate into the interior of the cover body 1501.

[0327] Note that a plurality of ventilation holes 1501az may be formed in any one or a combination of cover side walls 1501b to 1501e provided on the upper, left, lower, and right sides of the cover plate of the cover body 1501, except for the cover side wall 1501b provided on the upper side. For example, a plurality of ventilation holes 1501az may be formed only in the cover side wall 1501c provided on the left side, a plurality of ventilation holes 1501az may be formed only in the cover side wall 1501d provided on the lower side, a plurality of ventilation holes 1501az may be formed only in the cover side wall 1501e provided on the right side, or a plurality of ventilation holes 1501az may be formed in a combination of a plurality of cover side walls 1501c to 1501e provided on the cover plate 1510a, left, lower, and right sides. Even with this configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matter generated by the game ball B (for example, metal powder generated by wear of the game ball B) from falling and infiltrating into the interior of the peripheral control board box 1505 through the ventilation holes 1501az. This makes it possible to prevent electrical problems caused by foreign matter falling onto various boards in the peripheral control board box 1505. Therefore, it is possible to prevent electrical problems caused by foreign matter falling from the tank rail 553. The reason why the ventilation holes 1501az are not formed in the cover side wall 1501b provided on the upper edge is that if the ventilation holes 1501az were formed in the cover side wall 1501b provided on the upper edge, foreign matter generated by the game ball B (for example, metal powder generated by wear of the game ball B) would fall and infiltrate into the interior of the peripheral control board box 1505 through the ventilation holes 1501az, increasing the likelihood of electrical problems caused by foreign matter falling onto various boards in the peripheral control board box 1505.

[0328] Furthermore, if no ventilation holes 1501 are provided on the top surface of the cover body 1501, the heat dissipation function may be compensated for by increasing the number of ventilation holes 1501 provided on other surfaces or by increasing the area of ​​the ventilation holes 1501. This can contribute to suppressing the temperature rise of the peripheral control board box 1505, and can prevent electrical problems such as thermal runaway from occurring.

[0329] Furthermore, the upper surface of the cover body 1501 is in a substantially horizontal state when attached to the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, even if metal powder of the game ball B falls from the main guide portion 553a to the outside through the cutout portion 553aa and adheres to the upper surface of the cover body 1501, this metal powder can be retained on the upper surface of the cover body 1501. This makes it possible to prevent the metal powder of the game ball B from entering the inside of the cover body 1501. Note that part or all of the upper surface of the cover body 1501 may be inclined as long as it does not cause the metal powder of the game ball B to fall toward the ventilation holes 1501az formed in the cover body 1501.

[0330] Furthermore, the first overhanging member 551a disposed below the tank rail 553 may be attached to the top plate portion 551a as a separate member (separate structural component).

[0331] Furthermore, in cases where the top or rear of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 is covered by the first eave portion 551da of the top plate portion 551a and / or the back cover 640, or where the multiple cutout portions 553aa formed in the gutter-shaped main guide portion 553a of the tank rail 553 and the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 are positioned offset in the front-to-rear direction of the pachinko machine 1, and there is a low probability that metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a will head towards the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 through the multiple cutout portions 553aa formed in the main guide portion 553a, ventilation holes 1501az may be provided in part of the upper surface of the cover body 1501 when attached to the pachinko machine 1 (for example, a corner of the cover body 1501, or where most of the upper surface of the cover body 1501 is closed but ventilation holes 1501az are formed in part, etc.).

[0332] Furthermore, this technical idea is not limited to completely preventing metal powder of game ball B that has fallen to the outside from main guide section 553a through cutout section 553aa from entering cover body 1501 of peripheral control unit 1500, but is sufficient as long as it suppresses metal powder of game ball B that has fallen to the outside from main guide section 553a through cutout section 553aa from entering cover body 1501 of peripheral control unit 1500 compared to conventional pachinko machines, and for example, the provision of ventilation holes 1501az in part of the upper surface of cover body 1501 when attached to pachinko machine 1 (for example, a corner of cover body 1501, or a part of the upper surface of cover body 1501 where most of it is closed but ventilation holes 1501az are formed, etc.) also falls under this technical idea.

[0333] Furthermore, a plurality of slit holes are formed in the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500. Further, along the bottom side of the cover body 1501, seven connector holes and a volume adjustment hole are formed at positions corresponding to seven connectors and a volume adjustment switch (described later) provided on a peripheral control board 1510 attached to the inside of the cover body 1501, and two connector holes are formed at positions corresponding to two connectors provided on a liquid crystal output board (described later). When the peripheral control board 1510 is attached to the inside of the cover body 1501, gaps are formed between the seven connectors provided on the peripheral control board 1510 and the seven connector holes formed in the cover body 1501, and the seven connectors provided on the peripheral control board 1510 are exposed from these seven connector holes, and a gap is formed between the volume adjustment switch provided on the peripheral control board 1510 and the volume adjustment hole formed in the cover body 1501, and the volume adjustment switch provided on the peripheral control board 1510 is exposed from this volume adjustment hole. Furthermore, when the liquid crystal output board described later is attached inside the cover body 1501, gaps are formed between the two connectors on the liquid crystal output board and the two connector holes formed in the cover body 1501, and the two connectors on the liquid crystal output board are exposed from these two connector holes.

[0334] The cover body 1501 in the peripheral control unit 1500 takes in air from outside the peripheral control unit 1500 through multiple ventilation holes 1501az formed in the cover body 1501 and multiple ventilation holes 1540az formed in the shield plate 1540 housed in the space between the cover body 1501 and the base body 1502, and also through the gaps mentioned above (gaps formed between the seven connectors on the peripheral control board 1510 and the seven connector holes formed in the cover body 1501, gaps formed between the volume adjustment switch on the peripheral control board 1510 and the volume adjustment hole formed in the cover body 1501, and gaps formed between the two connectors on the liquid crystal output board and the two connector holes formed in the cover body 1501).

[0335] Incidentally, when the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 takes in air from outside the peripheral control unit 1500, there is a high probability that the heavy metal powder of the game ball B will be sucked into the inner space of the cover body 1501 due to the influence of the air flow, and electrical problems (short circuits) caused by the sucked-in metal powder will result in malfunctions (failures) in various electronic components mounted on various boards such as the peripheral data ROM board 1520 and the liquid crystal output board 1530 attached to the inside of the cover body 1501.

[0336] In the pachinko machine 1 of this example, in order to prevent such electrical trouble (short circuit), a first overhanging portion 551da is formed along the upper side of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, thereby making it possible to configure the peripheral control unit 1500 to function as an overhang that prevents heavy powder such as metal powder of the game ball B from being sucked into the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 through the ventilation holes 1501az formed in the cover body 1501. The configuration of the peripheral control unit 1500 will be described in detail later.

[0337] In the above-described embodiment, multiple cutouts 553aa were formed in the main guide portion 553a of the tank rail 553 so that metal powder generated by wear of the game ball B could be removed from the main guide portion 553a, but a single cutout, hole, or groove similar to the cutouts 553aa may be formed in the ball passage in which the game ball B rolls. Specifically, in the ball guide unit 570 shown in FIG. 33, which has a single guide passage 570a that guides the game ball B from the tank rail 553 downward in a serpentine manner, a cutout, hole, or groove that can remove metal powder of the game ball B in the guide passage 570a to the outside from the guide passage 570a can be formed on the rear surface of the guide unit base 571 of the guide unit 570 shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 33, below the ball guiding unit 570, a payout device 580 and a board unit 620 are arranged, and the payout device 580 has a board on which a blade rotation detection sensor 590 is mounted, and the board unit 620 has a power supply board 630, a payout control board 633, an interface board 635, etc. shown in Fig. 34, and various boards are arranged. For this reason, when a cutout, hole, or groove is formed on the rear surface of the induction unit base 571, it is necessary to prevent metal powder of the game ball B that falls through the cutout, hole, or groove formed on the rear surface of the induction unit base 571 from adhering to the various boards arranged below the induction unit 570. Therefore, a canopy-like member can be formed to protrude rearward along the upper edge of dispensing device rear cover 582 of dispensing device 580 shown in Figure 27, or the position of the cutout, hole, or groove formed on the rear surface of induction unit base 571 can be shifted from the position of various boards such as the board on which blade rotation detection sensor 590 in dispensing device 580 is mounted, or both can be used in the configuration.In addition, a configuration can be made in which a canopy-like member is formed to protrude rearward along the upper edges of the power supply board cover 631 of the power supply board 630, the dispensing control board box 632 of the dispensing control board 633, the interface board cover 636 of the interface board 635, etc. shown in Figure 34, and the positions of the cutouts, holes, or grooves formed on the rear surface of the induction unit base 571 can be offset from the positions of the power supply board cover 631, the dispensing control board box 632, and the interface board cover 636, or both can be used in a configuration.

[0338] Next, other configurations of the present invention in which measures against metal powder are taken to avoid electrical trouble caused by metal powder on game ball B (hereinafter referred to as "configurations against metal powder according to second to fifth embodiments") will be described with reference to FIGS. 49 to 51. FIG. 49 shows a configuration against metal powder according to a second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram of the configuration against metal powder according to the second embodiment. FIG. 50 shows a configuration against metal powder according to a third embodiment, and is a schematic diagram of the configuration against metal powder according to the third embodiment. FIG. 51 shows a configuration against metal powder according to a fourth embodiment, and is a schematic diagram of the configuration against metal powder according to the fourth embodiment. Note that in FIGS. 49 to 51, components that perform the same functions as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. 48 (hereinafter referred to as "configuration against metal powder according to the first embodiment") are denoted by the same reference numerals, the outline of the game board 5 is shown by solid lines, and only parts of the game board 5 necessary for explanation are shown in cross section.

[0339] [Comparison between the configuration for preventing metal powder according to the first embodiment and the configuration for preventing metal powder according to the second embodiment] In the configuration for preventing metal powder in the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the front-to-rear direction of the top plate portion 551a on which the tank rail 553 is arranged is formed in a stepped shape with multiple bends downward as it moves from the front edge to the rear edge of the top plate portion 551a (from the front to the rear of the top plate portion 551a), as described above, and forms a first eave portion 551da extended to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 so that the lower end of this top plate portion 551a is approximately on the same plane as the rear surface of the tank rail 553.

[0340] In contrast to this, in the configuration for preventing metal powder according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, the cross-sectional shape in the front-to-rear direction of the top plate portion 551a on which the tank rail 553 is arranged is formed in a stepped shape with multiple bends downward as it moves from the front edge to the rear edge of the top plate portion 551a (from the front to the rear of the top plate portion 551a), and the lower end of the top plate portion 551a forms a first eaves portion 551da that extends to the rear of the pachinko machine 1, but the first eaves portion 551da is not extended so as to be on approximately the same plane as the rear surface of the tank rail 553, but is only extended up to that point (to the front of the pachinko machine 1) (in the example shown in FIG. 48, up to just below the cutout portion 553aa formed in the gutter-shaped main guide portion 553a of the tank rail 553).

[0341] On the other hand, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the upper end of the back cover 640 bends toward the front side of the pachinko machine 1 (toward the game board 5) and forms a second eaves portion 640a that extends to just below the notch portion 553aa formed in the gutter-shaped main guide portion 553a of the tank rail 553, and this second eaves portion 640a is in contact with the first eaves portion 551da of the top plate portion 551a. Also, the rear end surface of the back cover 640 is arranged further rearward of the pachinko machine 1 than the rear surface of the tank rail 553.

[0342] Thus, the configuration for preventing metal powder in the first embodiment differs in that the first eave portion 551da alone forms the eave portion, whereas the configuration for preventing metal powder in the second embodiment differs in that the first eave portion 551da and the second eave portion 640a are connected to jointly form the eave portion.

[0343] Note that, as long as the first overhanging portion 551da and the second overhanging portion 640a are connected to jointly form the overhanging portion, the lengths of the first overhanging portion 551da and the second overhanging portion 640a, i.e., the proportion of each portion to the overhanging portion and the position at which the first overhanging portion 551da and the second overhanging portion 640a abut are not limited to those described above. For example, the first overhanging portion 640a may be extended to the vicinity of the front surface of the tank rail 553, and the second overhanging portion 640a may be extended to the vicinity of the front surface of the tank rail 553 to abut against the first overhanging portion 640a (abutting on the same plane as the front surface of the tank rail 553), so that metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a via the cutout portion 553aa is mainly received and adhered to the second overhanging portion 640a.

[0344] The configuration of the metal powder countermeasure according to the second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the configuration of the metal powder countermeasure according to the first embodiment. That is, metal powder of the game ball B that falls to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the plurality of cutout portions 553aa formed in the main guide portion 553a can be received and adhered to the first overhang portion 551da arranged below the tank rail 553, or can be received and adhered to the second overhang portion 640a of the rear cover 640. Furthermore, in a state where the rear surface of the rear cover 640 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the rear surface of the rear cover 640 is extended to cover at least a part of the rear of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500. Therefore, when metal powder of the game ball B falls to the outside from the main guide section 553a through the cutout section 553aa and adheres to the first overhanging section 551da of the top plate section 551a or the second overhanging section 640a of the rear cover 640, the metal powder falls from the first overhanging section 551da of the top plate section 551a or the second overhanging section 640a of the rear cover 640. This prevents the game ball B from falling toward the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 attached to the rear side of the performance display device 1600 attached to the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of .000) and the base body 1502, and thus prevents the metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide section 553a via the cutout section 553aa from entering the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, thereby preventing electrical problems from occurring due to the metal powder of the game ball B adhering to the peripheral control board 1510.

[0345] [Comparison between the configuration for preventing metal powder according to the first embodiment and the configuration for preventing metal powder according to the third embodiment] In the configuration for preventing metal powder in the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the front-to-rear direction of the top plate portion 551a on which the tank rail 553 is arranged is formed in a stepped shape with multiple bends downward as it moves from the front edge to the rear edge of the top plate portion 551a (from the front to the rear of the top plate portion 551a), as described above, and forms a first eave portion 551da extended to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 so that the lower end of this top plate portion 551a is approximately on the same plane as the rear surface of the tank rail 553, and behind the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, no top plate portion 551a is provided but a rear cover 640 is provided.

[0346] In contrast, in the configuration for preventing metal powder according to the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 50, when tank rail 553 is attached to top plate portion 551a, first overhang portion 551da is disposed below tank rail 553, and the rear end portion of top plate portion 551a is bent downward to form back plate upper portion 551d. The lower end portion of back plate upper portion 551d abuts against the upper end portion of rear cover 640. Note that the length of back plate upper portion 551d is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 50, and it may be extended to a position covering the area directly behind cover body 1501 of peripheral control unit 1500, or it may be extended above that area without extending to a position covering the area directly behind cover body 1501 of peripheral control unit 1500 as shown in Fig. 50.

[0347] Thus, in the configuration for preventing metal powder in the first embodiment, the rear cover 640 alone covers at least a portion of the rear of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, whereas in the configuration for preventing metal powder in the second embodiment, the upper part of the back plate 551d and the rear cover 640 are connected to jointly cover at least a portion of the rear of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, which is different.

[0348] The configuration of the metal powder countermeasure according to the third embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the configuration of the metal powder countermeasure according to the first embodiment. That is, metal powder of the game ball B that falls to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the plurality of cutout portions 553aa formed in the main guide portion 553a can be received and adhered to the first overhang portion 551da arranged below the tank rail 553, or can be received and adhered to the second overhang portion 640a of the rear cover 640. Furthermore, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the upper part 551d of the back plate and the rear surface of the rear cover 640 are connected to jointly cover at least a part of the rear of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500. Therefore, when metal powder of the game ball B falls to the outside from the main guide part 553a through the notch part 553aa and adheres to the first eaves part 551da of the top plate part 551a or the second eaves part 640a of the rear cover 640, if the metal powder falls from the first eaves part 551da of the top plate part 551a or the second eaves part 640a of the rear cover 640, the metal powder will be stuck to the rear side of the game panel 1100 of the game board 5. This prevents the game ball B from falling toward the cover body 1501 and base body 1502 of the peripheral control unit 1500 attached (to the rear side of the performance display device 1600 attached to the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000), and thus prevents metal powder from the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guiding section 553a via the cutout section 553aa from entering the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, thereby preventing electrical problems from occurring due to metal powder from the game ball B adhering to the peripheral control board 1510.

[0349] [Comparison between the configuration of measures against metal powder according to the first embodiment and the configuration of measures against metal powder according to the fourth embodiment] In the configuration for preventing metal powder in the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape in the front-to-rear direction of the top plate portion 551a on which the tank rail 553 is arranged is formed in a stepped shape with multiple bends downward as it moves from the front edge to the rear edge of the top plate portion 551a (from the front to the rear of the top plate portion 551a), as described above, and forms a first eave portion 551da extended to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 so that the lower end of this top plate portion 551a is approximately on the same plane as the rear surface of the tank rail 553.

[0350] 51, the cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction of the top plate portion 551a on which the tank rail 553 is arranged is formed in a stepped shape with multiple bends downward from the front edge to the rear edge of the top plate portion 551a (from the front to the rear of the top plate portion 551a), but the rear edge of the bent top plate portion 551a is parallel to the front wall of a gutter-shaped main guide portion 553a formed in the top plate portion 551a, and is formed with a predetermined distance dimension (a distance dimension of about half the diameter of the game ball B in this embodiment) downward from the bottom of the main guide portion 553a. In other words, the end face of the bent top plate portion 551a is arranged to protrude downward compared to the bottom of the main guide portion 553a.

[0351] Furthermore, in the configuration for preventing metal powder according to the fourth embodiment, when rear cover 640 is assembled to main body frame 4, the front surface of second overhanging portion 640a, which is formed by significantly bending the upper edge side of rear cover 640 forward, is disposed parallel to the front wall of gutter-shaped main guide portion 553a and is in surface contact with the rear surface of top plate portion 551a, which is disposed to protrude downward compared to the bottom of main guide portion 553a. Furthermore, the portion where the front surface of second overhanging portion 640a and the rear surface of top plate portion 551a abut is disposed significantly forward of notches 553aa formed in main guide portion 553a.

[0352] Thus, the configuration for preventing metal powder in the first embodiment differs in that the first eave portion 551da alone forms the eave portion, whereas the configuration for preventing metal powder in the fourth embodiment does not include the first eave portion 551da and the second eave portion 640a alone forms the eave portion.

[0353] The configuration of the metal powder countermeasure according to the fourth embodiment can also achieve the same effect as the configuration of the metal powder countermeasure according to the first embodiment. That is, metal powder of the game balls B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the plurality of cutout portions 553aa formed in the main guide portion 553a can be received and adhered to the upper surface of the second overhang portion 640a that is disposed below the tank rail 553 and is formed by bending the upper edge side of the back cover 640 largely forward. Furthermore, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the rear surface of the rear cover 640 is extended to cover at least a part of the rear of the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500. Therefore, when metal powder of the game ball B falls to the outside from the main guide portion 553a through the notch portion 553aa and adheres to the second eaves portion 640a of the rear cover 640, the metal powder falls from the second eaves portion 640a of the rear cover 640. This prevents the game ball B from falling towards the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 attached to the rear side of the performance display device 1600 (which is attached to the rear side of the performance display device 1600 attached to the game ball B), and the base body 1502, and also prevents the metal powder of the game ball B that has fallen to the outside from the main guide section 553a via the cutout section 553aa from entering the cover body 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, thereby preventing the occurrence of electrical problems caused by the metal powder of the game ball B adhering to the peripheral control board 1510.

[0354] In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the first eave portion 551da is formed by the top plate portion 551a of the payout base 551 attached to the rear side of the main frame base 501 of the main frame base unit 500, but this is not limited to this, and the first eave portion 551da may be formed by any of the components attached to the rear side of the game panel 1100, such as the upper wall 3010a of the rear box 3010 in the rear unit 3000, or any of the components attached to the main frame base unit 500.

[0355] [4-7-1. Check for dust when removing and installing the game board 1] As partially mentioned above, while it has been possible to smooth the flow of game balls down the tank rail by allowing foreign matter such as metal powder and dust to fall from the discharge holes 553aa provided in the tank rail, there have been problems with the foreign matter that has fallen in this way adhering to the control board, etc., located below, causing problems with the game components and causing malfunctions or failures in the gaming machine, etc. Specifically, metal powder generated by the flow of game balls down the tank rail, etc., falls from the discharge holes 553aa in the tank rail and adheres to a predetermined portion (connector portion, etc.) of the control board located below, which can cause electrical problems in the control board and interfere with game progress on the gaming machine. Furthermore, vibrations generated during the process of replacing the game board with a new one (such as installing or removing the game board) can cause foreign objects to f...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine capable of holding a lottery based on the establishment of a predetermined condition and awarding a predetermined benefit based on the result of the lottery, A specific mode generating means for generating a specific mode in which progress of a game is disabled; A specific abnormality detection means for detecting a specific abnormality; A specific abnormality notification means for performing a specific abnormality notification corresponding to the specific abnormality, The specific mode can be canceled by a specific administrator operation, The specific abnormality detection means is capable of detecting the specific abnormality not only during normal play but also during the specific mode, The specific abnormality notification can be performed using a plurality of notification units, the plurality of notification units include a specific notification unit provided at a position that is difficult or impossible for a player to see, and a special notification unit provided at a position that is easy for a player to see, The specific abnormality notification performed during normal play can be recognized by both the specific notification unit and the special notification unit, but the specific abnormality notification performed during the specific mode cannot be recognized by the special notification unit and can be recognized by the specific notification unit, A special light-emitting unit that can emit light in connection with the execution of the lottery and is provided at a position that is easily visible to a player but is different from the special notification unit; The special light-emitting unit is composed of a plurality of special light-emitting bodies, In the specific mode, all of the plurality of special light emitters in the special light emitter are turned off, Furthermore, during the specific mode, a specific mode notification corresponding to the specific mode is executed, The specific abnormality notification can be performed both during the specific mode and during normal play, but the specific mode notification can be performed only during the specific mode. A gaming machine characterized by:

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