Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving an amusement to a game of a player.SOLUTION: A game machine comprises: privilege application means for applying a privilege advantageous to a player when a game ball enters a specific region; privilege kind determination means for determining a kind of a privilege applied by the privilege application means; notification means for notifying a player of information related to a kind of the privilege determined by the privilege kind determination means, when the identification information is stopped and displayed; and adjustment means for reducing a flow down amount of game balls guided to specific ball entry means at a position where the game balls can be guided to the specific ball entry means in a prescribed period. Therefore a fraudulent game can be suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Pachinko machines and other gaming machines have A lottery is held when a game ball enters a starting hole provided on a game board, and when the lottery results are notified by displaying a pattern or the like, it is known to notify the results in a predetermined notification manner to maintain fairness in the game. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-147965 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such gaming machines, there is a demand for reducing damage caused by fraudulent play.

[0005] The present invention provides This has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can reduce damage caused by fraudulent play. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 comprises a first flow path through which gaming balls can flow, a second flow path through which gaming balls that have flowed down the first flow path cannot flow, launching means capable of launching gaming balls into the first flow path or the second flow path based on a player's operation, ball entry means through which gaming balls launched by the launching means can enter the ball path, judging means capable of making a judgment when a gaming ball enters the ball entry means, display means for displaying identification information showing the judgment result by the judgment means, dynamic display means for dynamically displaying the identification information on the display means, dynamic display mode determination means for determining the dynamic display mode of the identification information dynamically displayed by the dynamic display means, and bonus game execution means for executing a bonus game that is advantageous to the player when the identification information showing a specific judgment result is statically displayed on the display means. a specific ball entry means arranged at a position where a game ball that has flowed down the second flow path can enter the game while the bonus game is being executed by the bonus game execution means; a specific area where a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry means can enter; a means capable of temporarily suspending the identification information where the bonus game will be executed; and a means capable of notifying a player of information indicating that the game ball will be launched into the second flow path during the temporarily suspended period; and the game ball that can enter the specific ball entry means is received on an upper surface of a rolling direction variable means and the rolling direction is varied, thereby making it possible to vary the interval at which the game balls that enter the specific ball entry means enter the game; and the information indicating that the game ball will be launched can be displayed by displaying a predetermined notification pattern on the display means, and the notification pattern is In a given order It is possible to change The identification information indicating a determination result different from the specific determination result can be notified even during a period in which the identification information is temporarily suspended. .

[0007]

[0008]

[0009] [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, the gaming machine has a first flow path through which gaming balls can flow, a second flow path through which gaming balls that have flowed down the first flow path cannot flow, a launching means capable of launching gaming balls into the first flow path or the second flow path based on a player's operation, a ball entry means through which gaming balls launched by the launching means can enter the ball, a judging means capable of making a judgment when a gaming ball enters the ball entry means, a display means for displaying identification information showing the judgment result by the judging means, a dynamic display means for dynamically displaying the identification information on the display means, a dynamic display mode determining means for determining the dynamic display mode of the identification information dynamically displayed by the dynamic display means, and a bonus game executing means for executing a bonus game that is advantageous to the player when the identification information showing a specific judgment result is statically displayed on the display means, The game machine has a specific ball entry means that is arranged at a position where game balls that have flowed down the second flow path can enter the game machine during the period when the bonus game is being executed by the bonus game execution means, a specific area where game balls that have entered the specific ball entry means can enter, a means that can temporarily stop the identification information that indicates when the bonus game is being executed, and a means that can notify the player of information indicating that game balls will be fired into the second flow path during the temporarily stopped period, and by receiving game balls that can enter the specific ball entry means on the top surface of a rolling direction changing means and changing the rolling direction, it is possible to change the interval at which game balls that enter the specific ball entry means enter the game machine, and the information indicating that game balls will be fired can be displayed by displaying a predetermined notification pattern on the display means, and the notification pattern is In a given order It is possible to change The identification information indicating a determination result different from the specific determination result can be notified even during a period in which the identification information is temporarily suspended. .

[0011] This has the effect of suppressing fraudulent gaming and reducing damage caused by fraudulent gaming.

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017] [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a left displacement member and a right displacement member. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the left and right displacement members. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a front view of a displacement unit in a first embodiment. [Figure 20]20 is a rear view of the displacement unit as seen from the rear in FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a front view of a displacement unit in a first embodiment. [Figure 22] 22 is a rear view of the displacement unit as seen from the rear in FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a front view of a displacement unit in a first embodiment. [Figure 24] 24 is a rear view of the displacement unit as seen from behind in FIG. 23. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a front view of the displacement unit in a second embodiment. [Figure 26] 26 is a rear view of the displacement unit as seen from behind in FIG. 25. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a front view of a displacement unit in a third embodiment. [Figure 28] 28 is a rear view of the displacement unit as seen from the rear in FIG. 27. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a front view of the projection unit. [Figure 30] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the projection unit. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the projection unit. [Figure 32] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the projection unit. [Figure 33] FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the front base and the illumination unit. [Figure 35] FIG. [Figure 36] 35 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the front base and the irradiation unit as viewed in the direction of arrow XXXVI in FIG. 34. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 is a front view of the projection plate member, the gear member, and the groove forming member. [Figure 38] 38 is a partial cross-sectional view of the projection plate member, the gear member, and the groove forming member taken along line XXXVIII-XXXVIII in FIG. 37. [Figure 39]39(a) is a rear view of the projection unit, and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the projection unit taken along line XXXIXb-XXXIXb in FIG. 39(a). [Figure 40] 10(a) to 10(c) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the projection unit. [Figure 41] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a projection plate member, a gear member, and a groove forming member. [Figure 42] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a projection plate member, a gear member, and a groove forming member. [Figure 43] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a projection plate member, a gear member, and a groove forming member. [Figure 44] 44(a) is a top view of the irradiation unit, and (b) is a front view of the irradiation unit as viewed in the direction of arrow XLIVb in FIG. 44(a). [Figure 45] 44(a) is a rear view of the irradiation unit as viewed in the direction of arrow XLVa in FIG. 44(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the irradiation unit taken along line XLVb-XLVb in FIG. 44(b). [Figure 46] (a) is a front view of the first block, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first block along line XLVIb-XLVIb in Figure 46(a), (c) is a front view of the second block, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the second block along line XLVId-XLVId in Figure 46(c). [Figure 47] FIG. [Figure 48] FIG. [Figure 49] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a vertical displacement unit. [Figure 50] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vertical displacement unit. [Figure 51] FIG. 4 is a front view of the vertical displacement unit at a first position. [Figure 52] FIG. 10 is a front view of the vertical displacement unit at an intermediate position. [Figure 53] FIG. 10 is a front view of the vertical displacement unit at the second position. [Figure 54]FIG. 4 is a rear view of the vertical displacement unit at the first position. [Figure 55] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the vertical displacement unit at the intermediate position. [Figure 56] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the vertical displacement unit at the second position. [Figure 57] (a) is a rear view of the transmission gear and the connecting member in the first position, (b) is a rear view of the transmission gear and the connecting member in the intermediate position, and (c) is a rear view of the transmission gear and the connecting member in the second position. [Figure 58] 10(a) to 10(c) are rear views of the transmission gear and the connecting member in the first drive range. [Figure 59] (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vertical displacement unit taken along the LIXa-LIXa line in Figure 54, (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vertical displacement unit taken along the LIXb-LIXb line in Figure 55, and (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vertical displacement unit taken along the LIXc-LIXc line in Figure 56. [Figure 60] 60(a) is a front view of the projection plate member, gear member, and groove forming member in the second embodiment, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the projection plate member, gear member, and groove forming member along line LXb-LXb in FIG. 60(a). [Figure 61] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a projection plate member, a gear member, and a groove forming member. FIG. [Figure 62] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a projection plate member, a gear member, and a groove forming member. FIG. [Figure 63] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a projection plate member, a gear member, and a groove forming member. FIG. [Figure 64] 64(a) is a front view of the projection plate member, gear member and groove forming member in the third embodiment, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the projection plate member, gear member and groove forming member taken along line LXIVb-LXIVb in FIG. 64(a). [Figure 65](a) is a side view of the projection plate member, gear member and groove forming member as viewed in the direction of arrow LXVa in Figure 64(a), (b) is a cross-sectional view of the projection plate member, gear member and groove forming member along line LXVb-LXVb in Figure 65(a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the projection plate member, gear member and groove forming member along line LXVc-LXVc in Figure 65(a). [Figure 66] 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a projection plate member, a gear member, and a groove forming member. [Figure 67] FIG. 10(a) is a top view of an irradiation unit in a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the irradiation unit. [Figure 68] 1A is a partially enlarged schematic view of the projection unit in the vicinity of the first block, and FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged schematic view of the projection unit in the vicinity of the second block. [Figure 69] FIG. 13 is a front view of a projection unit according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 70] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the projection unit. [Figure 71] FIG. [Figure 72] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the projection unit. [Figure 73] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the projection unit in a first state, and FIG. 2(b) is a front view of the projection unit in a second state. [Figure 74] FIG. 2(a) is a rear view of the projection unit in a first state, and FIG. 2(b) is a rear view of the projection unit in a second state. [Figure 75] FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the projection unit in a first state, and FIG. 2(b) is a front view of the projection unit in a third state. [Figure 76] FIG. 2(a) is a rear view of the projection unit in a first state, and FIG. 2(b) is a rear view of the projection unit in a second state. [Figure 77] FIG. 13 is a front view of a projection unit according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 78] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the projection unit. [Figure 79]FIG. 10 is a rear view of the front base with the irradiation unit assembled thereto. [Figure 80] 10(a) to 10(c) are rear views of the projection unit. [Figure 81] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the display area of ​​the third pattern display device in the first control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display mode displayed by the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 82] 10(a) and 10(b) are timing charts showing the game state and the effect content in the first control example. [Figure 83] 10A is a timing chart showing the effect contents of the jackpot effect 1 in the first control example, and FIG. 10B is a timing chart showing the effect contents of the jackpot effect 2 in the first control example. [Figure 84] (a) is a timing chart showing the content of the jackpot performance 3 in the first control example, and (b) is a timing chart showing another example of the content of the jackpot performance 1 in the first control example. [Figure 85] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode at the time when the additional effect displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example is started, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the jackpot continuation effect among the additional effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 86] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when the number of rounds is added among the additional effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when the jackpot continuation effect is added among the additional effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 87] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the ending screen of a jackpot among the additional effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when the jackpot has ended among the additional effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 88](a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode during the high-speed fluctuation of the special pattern after the end of the jackpot, among the additional effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the jackpot continuation effect, among the additional effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 89] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode during the high-speed fluctuation of the special pattern after the end of the jackpot, among the normal winning effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a jackpot is won, among the normal winning effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 90] 10 is a timing chart showing the flow of the battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 91] A figure showing an example of the display mode during battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 92] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of the display mode of the pre-battle performance in the battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 93] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a battle reach in the battle mode displayed on the third symbol display device in the first control example. [Figure 94] (a) A figure showing an example of the display mode of the battle reach in the battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example, and (b) a figure showing an example of the display mode when the battle reach is won in the battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 95] (a) A figure showing an example of the display mode when a battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example ends in a draw with a battle reach, and (b) a figure showing an example of the display mode when a battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example ends in a loss with a battle reach. [Figure 96]10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of the display mode of the revival effect of the battle reach in the battle mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 97] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams showing an example of the display mode of the HP display area displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 98] (a) A figure showing an example of the display mode during a premonition effect, among the suggestive effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example, and (b) a figure showing an example of the display mode during a countdown effect, among the suggestive effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 99] A figure showing an example of the display mode of a specific effect displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 100] (a) and (b) are timing charts showing the flow of suggestive effects executed within one variation among the suggestive effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 101] This is a timing chart showing the flow of suggestive effects executed with multiple variations, among the suggestive effects displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 102] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the display mode of the expectation suggestion effect displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 103] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the display mode of the expectation suggestion effect displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 104] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the expectation indication effect displayed on the third pattern display device in the first control example. [Figure 105] FIG. 10(a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, and FIG. 10(b) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 106](a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the prescribed contents of the first winning random number table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the prescribed contents of the second winning random number table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 107] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the prescribed contents of the first winning type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 108] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the variation pattern selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the variation pattern table for jackpots, (c) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the variation pattern table for misses (normal), and (d) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the variation pattern table for misses (special chance). [Figure 109] This is a diagram showing the specified contents of the special variation pattern table in the variation pattern selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 110] A diagram showing the specified contents of the jackpot transition setting table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 111] (a) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the state transition table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the state transition 1 table, (c) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the state transition 2 table, (d) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the state transition 3 table, (e) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the state transition 4 table, and (f) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the state transition 5 table. [Figure 112](a) is a diagram showing the typical contents of the state transition 6 table among the state transition tables set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing the typical contents of the state transition 7 table, (c) is a diagram showing the typical contents of the state transition 8 table, and (d) is a diagram showing the typical contents of the state transition 9 table. [Figure 113] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of various counters in the first control example. [Figure 114] 10(a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the first control example, and FIG. 10(b) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 115] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the special pattern reserved ball count counter in the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the reserved rank selection table in the first control example, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the jackpot performance selection table. [Figure 116] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the additional number selection table in the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the continuation presentation mode selection table. [Figure 117] (a) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the continuation value main selection table in the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the first continuation value sub-selection table, and (c) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the second continuation value sub-selection table. [Figure 118] 10A is a diagram showing the content of the final mode selection table in the first control example, and FIG. 10B is a diagram explaining the content of the effect set as the final mode. [Figure 119] 10(a) is a diagram schematically showing the prescribed contents of the expectation level selection table in the first control example, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram schematically showing the prescribed contents of the expectation level presentation selection table. [Figure 120] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a display control device in a first control example. [Figure 121] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams illustrating images when the power is turned on in the first control example. [Figure 122] 1A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a rear surface A, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a rear surface B. FIG. [Figure 123] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display data table in the first control example. [Figure 124] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a transfer data table in the first control example. [Figure 125] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a drawing list in the first control example. [Figure 126] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 127] 10 is a flowchart showing the special symbol variation process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 128] 10 is a flowchart showing the special symbol variation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 129] 10 is a flowchart showing a variation count subtraction process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 130] A flowchart showing the start-up winning process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 131] 10 is a flowchart showing a read-ahead process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 132] 10 is a flowchart showing the normal pattern change processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 133] 10 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 134] 10 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 135]10 is a flowchart showing the start-up process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 136] 10 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 137] 10 is a flowchart showing the big win control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 138] 10 is a flowchart showing the start-up process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 139] 10 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 140] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 141] A flowchart showing the winning information command processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 142] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning-related command processing executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 143] 10 is a flowchart showing the performance setting process during a jackpot executed by the MPU in the audio lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 144] A flowchart showing the processing during the additional performance executed by the MPU in the audio lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 145] 10 is a flowchart showing the additional display processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 146] 10 is a flowchart showing the post-jackpot performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 147] 10 is a flowchart showing the variable display setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 148] 10 is a flowchart showing an extension management process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 149] 10 is a flowchart showing the continuation performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 150] 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation value setting process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 151] 10 is a flowchart showing the expectation level presentation setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 152] 10 is a flowchart showing the countdown effect setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 153] A flowchart showing the multiple variable performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 154] 10 is a flowchart showing the performance update process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Figure 155] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 156] 10 is a flowchart showing boot processing executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 157] (a) is a flowchart showing command interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in a first control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing V interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in a first control example. [Figure 158] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 159](a) is a flowchart showing the variation pattern command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing the stop type command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 160] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning-related command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 161] (a) is a flowchart showing the opening command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing the number of rounds command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 162] 10 is a flowchart showing an ending command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 163] (a) is a flowchart showing the background image change command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing the error command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 164] 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation value related command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 165] 10 is a flowchart showing an expectation level presentation related command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 166] 10 is a flowchart showing countdown effect related command processing executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 167] 10 is a flowchart showing a display setting process executed by an MPU in the display device in the first control example. [Figure 168] 10 is a flowchart showing a warning image setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 169]10 is a flowchart showing a pointer update process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 170] (a) is a flowchart showing the transfer setting process executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing the resident image transfer setting process executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Figure 171] 10 is a flowchart showing a normal image transfer setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 172] 10 is a flowchart showing a drawing process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 173] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the display mode of the role effect displayed on the third symbol display device in the effect addition example of the first control example. [Fig. 174] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the role effect displayed on the third pattern display device in the example of adding effects to the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode for resetting the title displayed on the third pattern display device in the example of adding effects to the first control example. [Figure 175] (a) is a block diagram showing the ROM configuration of the voice lamp control device in an example of adding a performance to the first control example, and (b) is a block diagram showing the RAM configuration of the voice lamp control device in an example of adding a performance to the first control example. [Figure 176] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the transformation pattern table in the example of adding effects to the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the title system selection table in the example of adding effects to the first control example, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the title selection table in the example of adding effects to the first control example. [Figure 177] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the reel operation level selection table in the example of adding effects to the first control example, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the effect setting group in the example of adding effects to the first control example. [Figure 178] This is a flowchart showing variable display setting process 2 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in an example of adding a performance to the first control example. [Figure 179] 10 is a flowchart showing frame button input monitoring and effect processing 2 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in an effect addition example of the first control example. [Figure 180] 10 is a flowchart showing the change processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the example of adding a performance to the first control example. [Figure 181] 10 is a flowchart showing the title setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the example of adding a performance to the first control example. [Figure 182] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the main control device in the second control example, (b) is a diagram showing the schematic contents of the fall lottery table set in the ROM of the main control device in the second control example, (c) is a diagram showing the schematic contents of the fall state transition table set in the ROM of the main control device in the second control example, (d) is a diagram showing the schematic contents of the fall state transition 1 table of the fall state transition table set in the ROM of the main control device in the second control example, and (e) is a diagram showing the schematic contents of the fall state transition 2 table of the fall state transition table set in the ROM of the main control device in the second control example. [Figure 183] (a) is a block diagram showing the ROM configuration of the voice lamp control device in the second control example, and (b) is a block diagram showing the RAM configuration of the voice lamp control device in an example of adding a performance to the second control example. [Figure 184] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the continuation presentation mode selection 3 table in the second control example, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the final mode selection 3 table in the second control example. [Figure 185] 10 is a flowchart showing special symbol variation processing 3 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the second control example. [Figure 186]10 is a flowchart showing command determination processing 3 executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second control example. [Figure 187] 10 is a flowchart showing a state determination process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second control example. [Figure 188] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the variation pattern selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in another example of the second control example, and (b) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the post-fall variation pattern table. [Figure 189] This is a flowchart showing countdown performance setting process 3 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in other performance examples. [Figure 190] 10 is a flowchart showing the frame button input monitoring and performance process 3 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in other performance examples. [Figure 191] FIG. 10(a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the main control device in the third control example, and FIG. 10(b) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the main control device in the third control example. [Figure 192] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the prescribed contents of the first winning type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the third control example. [Figure 193] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the prescribed contents of the fluctuation pattern selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the third control example; (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the prescribed contents of the jackpot (probable variable) fluctuation pattern table in the fluctuation pattern selection table in the third control example; (c) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the prescribed contents of the first miss (probable variable) fluctuation pattern table in the fluctuation pattern selection table in the third control example; (d) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the prescribed contents of the second miss (probable variable) fluctuation pattern table in the fluctuation pattern selection table in the third control example; and (e) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the prescribed contents of the special (probable variable) fluctuation pattern table in the fluctuation pattern selection table in the third control example. [Figure 194](a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the variable scenario setting table set in the ROM of the main control device in the third control example, and (b) to (d) are diagrams showing a schematic representation of the contents of variable scenarios 1 to 3 set in the variable scenario table in the third control example. [Figure 195] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams each showing a schematic representation of the contents of fluctuation scenarios 4 to 7 defined in the fluctuation scenario table in the third control example. [Figure 196] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams each showing a schematic representation of the contents of fluctuation scenarios 8 to 11 defined in the fluctuation scenario table in the third control example. [Figure 197] 10(a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the third control example, and FIG. 10(b) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 198] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the specified contents of the first continuation value main selection table set in the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 199] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the specified contents of the second continuation value main selection table set in the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 200] A diagram showing the specified contents of the third continuation value main selection table set in the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 201] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the contents of the continuation performance mode selection 4 table set in the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 202] FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of a display control device in a third control example. [Figure 203] 10 is a flowchart showing special symbol variation processing 4 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the third control example. [Figure 204] 10 is a flowchart showing a variation count subtraction process 4 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the third control example. [Figure 205]10 is a flowchart showing command determination processing 4 executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 206] A flowchart showing the winning information command processing 4 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 207] 10 is a flowchart showing the continuation performance setting process 4 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 208] 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation value setting process 4 executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Figure 209] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process 4 executed by an MPU in the display control device in the third control example. [Figure 210] 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation value related command process 4 executed by an MPU in the display control device in the third control example. [Figure 211] 10 is a flowchart showing a final mode command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the third control example. [Figure 212] 10(a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the main control device in another control example of the third control example, and FIG. 10(b) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the main control device in another control example of the third control example. [Figure 213] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the first winning random number table set in the ROM of the main control device in another control example of the third control example, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the small winning type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in another control example of the third control example. [Figure 214] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the variable scenario A1 specified in the variable scenario setting table set in the ROM of the main control device in another control example of the third control example, and (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the variable scenario after a small win specified in the variable scenario setting table set in the ROM of the main control device in another control example of the third control example. [Figure 215] This is a timing chart showing the flow of the presentation in another example of the suggestive presentation described in the first control example. [Figure 216] This is a timing chart showing the flow of the presentation in another example of the suggestive presentation described in the first control example. [Figure 217] This is a flowchart showing the countdown performance setting process 5 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in another example of the suggestive performance described in the first control example. [Figure 218] This is a flowchart showing the frame button input monitoring and performance processing 5 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in another example of the suggestive performance described in the first control example. [Figure 219] This is a flowchart showing the second precursor effect setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in another example of the suggestive effect described in the first control example. [Figure 220] This is a flowchart showing variable display setting process 6 in additional explanation of the first control example. [Figure 221] This is a timing chart showing the flow of the presentation in another example of the expectation level suggestion presentation described in the first control example. [Figure 222] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a display screen in another example of the expectation degree suggestion effect explained in the first control example. [Figure 223] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a display screen in another example of the expectation degree suggestion effect explained in the first control example. [Figure 224] This is a flowchart showing the countdown effect setting process 5 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in another example of the expectation degree indication effect described in the first control example. [Figure 225] This is a flowchart showing the frame button input monitoring and performance process 7 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in another example of the expectation level indication performance described in the first control example. [Figure 226] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to the A1 embodiment. [Figure 227]FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 228] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine according to the A1 embodiment. [Figure 229] A schematic diagram showing the V winning device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 230] A schematic diagram showing the V winning device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 231] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a movable guide member in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 232] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a variation pattern that does not result in a pseudo-consecutive pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 233] A figure showing an example of a variation pattern that does not result in a pseudo-consecutive pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 234] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the variation of pseudo consecutive 1 displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 235] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the change in button performance during pseudo-consecutive development displayed on the third symbol display device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 236] A figure showing an example of the changing pattern of the button presentation during pseudo-consecutive development displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 237] (a) and (b) are figures showing an example of the fluctuation pattern when the V attacker opens immediately after the pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment stops. [Figure 238] A figure showing an example of the fluctuation pattern when the V attacker opens immediately after the pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment stops. [Figure 239] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 240] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of various counters in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 241]FIG. 1(a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 242] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first winning random number table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the specified contents of the special pattern 1 random number table in the A1 embodiment, (c) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the specified contents of the special pattern 2 random number table in the A1 embodiment, and (d) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the specified contents of the normal pattern random number table in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 243] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first winning type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the special chart 1 jackpot type selection table in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the special chart 2 jackpot type selection table in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 244] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the small win type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the special chart 1 small win type selection table in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the special chart 2 small win type selection table in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 245] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the variation pattern table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, and (b) is a diagram showing the specified contents of the normal variation pattern table in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 246] 10 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the contents of the time-saving variation pattern table in the A1 embodiment. FIG. [Figure 247] 10A and 10B are diagrams explaining each winning type and the operation content of the winning game in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 248](a) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the jackpot scenario table in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of the contents of the small jackpot scenario table in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic representation of an example of jackpot scenario a in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 249] 10A is a diagram showing a typical example of a winning scenario a in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a typical example of a winning scenario b in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 250] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a winning scenario c in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 251] 1A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the voice and lamp control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice and lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 252] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the game flow in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 253] 10(a) to 10(i) are timing charts showing when a small winning V passes in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 254] 10(a) to 10(i) are timing charts showing when the small win V does not pass in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 255] 10(a) to 10(i) are timing charts showing when the big win V is passed in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 256] 10(a) to 10(i) are timing charts showing when the big win V does not pass in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 257] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 258] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams illustrating images displayed when the power is turned on in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 259] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display data table in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 260]FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a transfer data table in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 261] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a drawing list in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 262] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 263] 10 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 264] 10 is a flowchart showing the special symbol variation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 265] 10 is a flowchart showing the small win start setting process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 266] A flowchart showing the start-up winning processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 267] 10 is a flowchart showing a read-ahead process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 268] 10 is a flowchart showing the normal symbol variation processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 269] 10 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 270] 10 is a flowchart showing a V entrance passage process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 271] 10 is a flowchart showing a V-passing process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 272] 10 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 273]10 is a flowchart showing a start-up process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 274] 10 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 275] 10 is a flowchart showing the big win control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 276] 10 is a flowchart showing a specific big win control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 277] 10 is a flowchart showing the big win ending control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 278] 10 is a flowchart showing the small win control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 279] 10 is a flowchart showing the small win ending control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 280] 10 is a flowchart showing the startup process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 281] 10 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 282] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 283] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning-related process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 284] 10 is a flowchart showing a variable display setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 285]10 is a flowchart showing the frame button input monitoring and performance processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 286] 10 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 287] 10 is a flowchart showing boot processing executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 288] (a) is a flowchart showing command interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing V interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 289] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 290] (a) is a flowchart showing the variation pattern command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the stop type command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 291] (a) is a flowchart showing the background image change command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a flowchart showing the error command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a flowchart showing the chance eye command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 292] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning-related command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 293](a) is a flowchart showing the jackpot start command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the round number command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 294] (a) is a flowchart showing the big win end command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the small win start command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 295] (a) is a flowchart showing the small win end command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the V entrance passage command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 296] 10 is a flowchart showing V-performance command processing executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 297] FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine in the A2 embodiment. [Figure 298] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting device according to the A2 embodiment. [Figure 299] 10(a) to 10(d) are diagrams showing the inside of a sorting device B700 in the A2 embodiment. [Figure 300] A3 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in the embodiment. [Figure 301] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a crane member in the A3 embodiment. [Figure 302] A4 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in the embodiment. [Figure 303] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a flow path unit in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 304] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a roulette chance displayed on a third symbol display device in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 305] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a roulette chance displayed on a third symbol display device in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 306] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a roulette chance displayed on a third symbol display device in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 307] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the main control device in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 308] (a) is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a small win V passes in the A4 embodiment, and (b) is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a big win V passes in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 309] (a) is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a small win V does not pass in the A4 embodiment, and (b) is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a big win V does not pass in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 310] 10 is a flowchart showing special symbol variation processing 2 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 311] 10 is a flowchart showing a condition device determination process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A4 embodiment. [Figure 312] A diagram showing the V winning device in the A5 embodiment. [Figure 313] 10 is a flowchart showing specific big win control processing 3 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A5 embodiment. [Figure 314] 10 is a flowchart showing specific big win control process 4 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A5 embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 59, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "pachinko machine") 1 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of the game board 13 of the pachinko machine 1, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, pachinko machine 1 comprises outer frame 2, an outer shell formed by wooden frames assembled into a roughly rectangular shape, and inner frame 4, which is formed in roughly the same external shape as outer frame 2 and is supported so as to be able to open and close relative to outer frame 2. Metal hinges 18 are attached to outer frame 2 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support inner frame 4, and inner frame 4 is supported so as to be able to open and close towards the front, with the side where hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0021] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having numerous nails and winning holes 63, 64, etc., is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 4. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. Attached to the inner frame 4 are a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls into the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0022] On the front side of the inner frame 4, there is a front door 5 that covers the upper front side, and a lower tray unit 15 that covers the lower side. To support the front door 5 and lower tray unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and the front door 5 and lower tray unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front, with the side where the hinges 19 are installed serving as the opening and closing axis. The inner frame 4 and the front door 5 can be unlocked by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0023] The front door 5 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 5c formed in a roughly oval shape at its approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass plates 8 is disposed on the rear side of the front door 5, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 1 through the glass unit 16.

[0024] In the front door 5, an upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top and protruding forward, and prize balls, loan balls, etc. are discharged onto this upper tray 17. The bottom of the upper tray 17 is formed to slope downward to the right when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and this slope guides balls dropped into the upper tray 17 to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4). In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the top surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, to change the stage of the effect displayed on the third pattern display device 81 (see FIG. 2) or to change the content of the super reach effect.

[0025] The front door 5 is provided with various light-emitting devices such as various lamps around its periphery (e.g., corners). These light-emitting devices change their light-emitting modes by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or when a predetermined reach is reached, thereby enhancing the presentation effects during the game. The periphery of the window 5c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 1, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps, such as jackpot lamps. When a jackpot is hit or a reach presentation is being performed, the built-in LEDs cause each illumination unit 29-33 to light up or blink, thereby indicating that a jackpot is being achieved or that the player is in a reach phase just before a jackpot. Furthermore, the upper left corner of the front door 5, as viewed from the front (see Figure 1), is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs, which can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error has occurred.

[0026] Additionally, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the backside of the lower side of the right-side illumination unit 32 so that the backside of the front door 5 can be seen, and certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see Figure 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 1. Additionally, in the pachinko machine 1, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29 to 33 to create a more dazzling appearance.

[0027] A ball dispensing operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 5c. The ball dispensing operation unit 40 is provided with a number display unit 41, a ball dispensing button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball dispensing unit) (not shown) located on the side of the pachinko machine 1, balls are dispensed in accordance with the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and an internal LED lights up to display the remaining balance numerically as the remaining balance information. The ball dispensing button 42 is operated to obtain dispensed balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and dispensed balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated to request the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispensing device to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to standardize pachinko machines that use card units and cash machines.

[0028] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 in the center, which is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top, for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. On the right side of the lower tray 50, an operating handle 51 is provided which is operated by the player to shoot the ball into the front of the game board 13.

[0029] The operating handle 51 contains a touch sensor 51a for permitting the operation of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b that stops the launch of balls while the switch is pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51 by changes in electrical resistance. When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the amount of rotation, launching the ball with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, thereby hitting the ball toward the front of the game board 13 at a distance corresponding to the player's operation. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are off.

[0030] A ball ejection lever 52 is provided on the lower front portion of the lower tray 50 to be operated when ejecting balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball ejection lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are ejected. This ball ejection lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") placed below the lower tray 50 to receive the balls ejected from the lower tray 50. As mentioned above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a base plate 60 machined into a generally square shape when viewed from the front, along with numerous ball-guiding nails (not shown) and a windmill, as well as rails 76, 77, a general winning opening 63, a first winning opening 64, a second winning opening 140, a variable winning device 65, a first through gate 66, and a variable display unit 80, and the peripheral portion of the base plate 60 is attached to the back side of the inner frame 4 (see FIG. 1). The base plate 60 is made of wood, with thin sheets of wood glued together, and is formed so that the player cannot see the various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60 from the front side. The general winning opening 63, the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 140, the variable winning device 65, and the variable display unit 80 are arranged in through-holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed to the front side of the game board 13 with tapping screws or the like.

[0032] The central portion of the front surface of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 4 through the window portion 5c (see FIG. 1) of the front door 5. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0033] An outer rail 77 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a generally arcuate shape is installed on the front of the gaming board 13, and an arcuate inner rail 76 formed from a strip-shaped metal plate like the outer rail 77 is installed inside the outer rail 77. The inner rail 76 and outer rail 77 surround the front periphery of the gaming board 13, and the gaming board 13 and glass unit 16 (see Figure 1) surround the front and back, forming a gaming area in front of the gaming board 13 where games are played based on the behavior of the ball. The gaming area is an area in front of the gaming board 13 that is partitioned by the two rails 76, 77 and the resin outer edge member 73 connecting the rails (an area where winning slots and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down).

[0034] The two rails 76, 77 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see Figure 4) to the top of the game board 13. A ball return prevention member 68 is attached to the tip (upper left in Figure 2) of the inner rail 76, preventing a ball that has been guided to the top of the game board 13 from returning into the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip (upper right in Figure 2) of the outer rail 77 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight point of the ball, and a ball launched with more than a predetermined force hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back toward the center while its force is reduced.

[0035] First symbol display devices 37A and 37B, each equipped with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display as light-emitting means, are disposed in the lower left portion of the game area as viewed from the front (lower left portion of FIG. 2). The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B display information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and primarily display the game status of the pachinko machine 1. In this embodiment, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be selectively used depending on whether the ball has entered the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 140. Specifically, when the ball has entered the first winning slot 64, the first symbol display device 37A is activated, and when the ball has entered the second winning slot 140, the first symbol display device 37B is activated.

[0036] Furthermore, the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 1 is in a probability variable, time-saving, or normal mode, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbol corresponds to a probability variable jackpot, a normal jackpot, or a missing symbol, and the number of reserved balls, and also display the number of rounds during a jackpot and errors using a 7-segment display device.The multiple LEDs are configured to emit different colors (e.g., red, green, blue), and the various game states of the pachinko machine 1 can be indicated using a small number of LEDs by combining these colors.

[0037] In this pachinko machine 1, a lottery is held when either the first winning slot 64 or the second winning slot 140 is won. In the lottery, the pachinko machine 1 determines whether or not a jackpot has been won (jackpot lottery), and if a jackpot has been determined, it also determines the type of jackpot. The types of jackpots that can be determined here include a 15R variable jackpot, a 4R variable jackpot, and a 15R regular jackpot. The first symbol display devices 37A, 37B not only show whether or not the result of the lottery is a jackpot as the stopped symbol after the variation has ended, but also display a symbol corresponding to the type of jackpot if a jackpot has been won.

[0038] Here, a "15R probability variable jackpot" refers to a probability variable jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and a "4R probability variable jackpot" refers to a probability variable jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4. Also, a "15R normal jackpot" refers to a jackpot that transitions to a low probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and is in a time-saving state for a predetermined number of variations (for example, 100 variations).

[0039] Furthermore, the "high probability state" refers to a state in which the probability of a subsequent jackpot is increased as an added value after a jackpot, i.e., during a so-called probability fluctuation (probability change state). In other words, it refers to a game state in which a transition to a special game state is likely. In this embodiment, the high probability state (probability change state) includes a game state in which the probability of a second symbol (described later) is increased, making it easier for a ball to enter the second winning slot 140. The "low probability state" refers to a state when the probability change state is not in a probability change state, in which the jackpot probability is normal, i.e., a state in which the jackpot probability is lower than during a probability change state. Furthermore, the time-saving state (time-saving state) within the "low probability state" refers to a game state in which the jackpot probability is normal, and the jackpot probability remains the same, but only the probability of a second symbol is increased, making it easier for a ball to enter the second winning slot 140. On the other hand, the pachinko machine 1 is in a normal state when it is neither in a probability change state nor a time-saving state (a state in which neither the jackpot probability nor the probability of a second symbol is increased).

[0040] During the probability variation or time reduction, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time for which the first electric device 140a associated with the second winning slot 140 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the first electric device 140a is in an open state (open state), it becomes easier for the ball to win the second winning slot 140 than when the first electric device 140a is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the probability variation or time reduction, it becomes easier for the ball to win the second winning slot 140, and the number of times the jackpot lottery is held can be increased.

[0041] During a probability variation or a time-saving period, instead of changing the opening time of the first electric device 140a associated with the second winning slot 140, or in addition to changing the opening time, a change may be made to increase the number of times the first electric device 140a opens per hit compared to normal times. Also, during a probability variation or a time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol may not be changed, but at least one of the opening time of the first electric device 140a associated with the second winning slot 140 and the number of times the first electric device 140a opens per hit may be changed. Also, during a probability variation or a time-saving period, the opening time of the first electric device 140a associated with the second winning slot 140 or the number of times the first electric device 140a and the second electric device 82 open per hit may not be changed, but only the probability of winning the second symbol may be changed to be increased compared to normal times.

[0042] The game area is provided with a plurality of general winning openings 63, through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the winning opening. A variable display device unit 80 is also provided in the center of the game area. The variable display device unit 80 is provided with a third symbol display device 81, which is comprised of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as "display device") that displays a variable third symbol in synchronization with the variable display in the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, triggered by a winning (initial winning) in either the first winning opening 64 or the second winning opening 140, and a second symbol display device (not shown), which is comprised of an LED that displays a variable second symbol in response to a ball passing through the first through gate 66.

[0043] In addition, a center frame 86 is arranged in the variable display device unit 80 so as to surround the outer periphery of the third pattern display device 81. The third pattern display device 81 can be seen from an opening opened in the center of this center frame 86.

[0044] The third symbol display device 81 is configured with a large 9-inch liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the display control device 114 (see FIG. 4), thereby displaying, for example, three symbol rows: top, middle, and bottom. Each symbol row is composed of multiple symbols (third symbols), and these third symbols are scrolled horizontally for each symbol row, so that the third symbols are variably displayed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. While the game status display associated with the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) is performed by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the third symbol display device 81 of this embodiment performs decorative display corresponding to the display of the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B. Note that the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, reels instead of a display device.

[0045] The second symbol display device performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol are alternately lit for a predetermined time as a display symbol (second symbol (not shown)) each time the ball passes through the first through gate 66. In the pachinko machine 1, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the first through gate 66, a winning lottery is held. If the result of the winning lottery is a winning lottery, the second symbol display device displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed in a variable manner. If the result of the winning lottery is a losing lottery, the second symbol display device displays a static "x" symbol after the third symbol is displayed in a variable manner.

[0046] The pachinko machine 1 is configured so that when the variable display on the second pattern display device stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, the pattern "○"), the first electric device 140a attached to the second winning port 140 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0047] The time required for the second symbol to change is set to be shorter during a probability variation or time-saving mode than during a normal game state. As a result, the second symbol changes and changes over a shorter period of time during a probability variation or time-saving mode, allowing for more winning lotteries than during normal game states. This increases the chances of winning in the winning lottery, giving players more opportunities to open the first electric device 140a of the second winning slot 140. Therefore, during a probability variation or time-saving mode, it is possible to create a state in which the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 140.

[0048] In addition, if the state is made such that the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 140 and the third winning slot during a probability variation or time-saving period by other methods, such as increasing the probability of winning or increasing the opening time or number of openings of the first electric device 140a per winning, the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol may be kept constant regardless of the gaming state. On the other hand, if the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol is set shorter during a probability variation or time-saving period than during normal periods, the winning probability may be kept constant regardless of the gaming state, and the opening time or number of openings of the first electric device 140a per winning may be kept constant regardless of the gaming state.

[0049] The first through gate 66 is attached to the game board in the area to the right of the variable display unit 80. The first through gate 66 is configured to allow some of the balls that are launched onto the game board to pass through as they flow down the game board. When a ball passes through the first through gate 66, a lottery is held to determine whether a second symbol will be a winning symbol. After the lottery, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the result of the lottery is a winning symbol, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display, and if the result of the lottery is a losing symbol, an "X" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display.

[0050] The number of times that a ball passes through the first through gate 66 can be reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first symbol display devices 37A, 37B, and is also displayed by lighting the second symbol reservation lamp (not shown). Four second symbol reservation lamps are provided, the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the third symbol display device 81.

[0051] In addition, the variable display of the second symbol may be performed by switching on and off multiple lamps in the second symbol display device, as in this embodiment, or may be performed using a portion of the first symbol display device 37A, 37B and the third symbol display device 81. Similarly, the second symbol reserve lamp may be lit by a portion of the third symbol display device 81. Furthermore, the maximum number of reserved balls for ball passage through the first through gate 66 is not limited to four, but may be set to three or less, or five or more times (e.g., eight times). Furthermore, the number of through gates installed is not limited to two, but may be three or more. Furthermore, the installation positions of the through gates are not limited to both the left and right sides of the variable display device unit 80, but may be, for example, below the variable display device unit 80. Furthermore, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, the second symbol reserve lamp may not be illuminated.

[0052] A first winning hole 64, into which a ball can win, is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball wins in this first winning hole 64, a first winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the first winning hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a jackpot is held in the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

[0053] On the other hand, a second winning opening 140 into which a ball can enter is disposed below the first winning opening 64 as viewed from the front. When a ball enters the second winning opening 140, a second winning opening switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the second winning opening switch is turned on, a lottery for a jackpot is conducted by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37B.

[0054] Furthermore, each of the first winning port 64 and the second winning port 140 is also one of the winning ports from which five balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the winning port. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 140, but the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 140 may be different numbers, for example, three prize balls may be paid out when a ball enters the first winning port 64 and five prize balls may be paid out when a ball enters the second winning port 140.

[0055] A first electric device 140a is attached to the second winning opening 140. This first electric device 140a is configured to be able to open and close, and normally the first electric device 140a is in a closed state (reduced state), making it difficult for the ball to win the second winning opening 140. On the other hand, when a "○" symbol is displayed on the second symbol display device as a result of the variable display of the second symbol, which is triggered by the passage of the ball through the first through gate 66, the first electric device 140a is in an open state (expanded state), making it easier for the ball to win the second winning opening 140.

[0056] As described above, during the probability variation and time-saving mode, the probability of winning the second symbol is higher than during normal play, and the time required for the second symbol to change is also shorter, so the "○" symbol is more likely to appear in the change display of the second symbol, and the number of times the first electric device 140a is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the probability variation or time-saving mode, the time for which the first electric device 140a is open is longer than during normal play. Therefore, during the probability variation or time-saving mode, it is possible to create an environment in which the ball is more likely to enter the second winning slot 140 than during normal play.

[0057] Here, the probability of winning a jackpot when a ball enters the first winning slot 64 and when a ball enters the second winning slot 140 is the same in both low and high probability states. However, the probability of a 15R probability jackpot being selected as the type of jackpot when a jackpot occurs is set higher when a ball enters the second winning slot 140 than when a ball enters the first winning slot 64. On the other hand, the first winning slot 64 does not have the first electric device 140a like the second winning slot 140, and is always in a state where a ball can enter.

[0058] Therefore, under normal circumstances, the electric device associated with the second winning slot 140 is often in a closed state, making it difficult to win at the second winning slot 140. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for the first winning slot 64, which has no electric device, by firing the ball so that it passes to the left of the variable display unit 80 (the so-called "left shot"), thereby gaining more opportunities to win the jackpot by winning at the first winning slot 64 and aiming to win the jackpot.

[0059] On the other hand, during the special rate or time-saving period, passing the ball through the first through gate 66 makes it easier for the first electric device 140a attached to the second winning slot 140 to open, making it easier to win at the second winning slot 140. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the ball towards the second winning slot 140 so that it passes to the right of the variable display device 80 (the so-called "right hit"), pass the ball through the first through gate 66 to open the first electric device 140a, and aim for the ball to win at the second winning slot 140, resulting in a 15R special rate jackpot.

[0060] In this way, the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment can allow the player to change the way the ball is shot between "left hit" and "right hit" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine 1 (whether it is in a probability variation mode, a time-saving mode, or a normal mode). Therefore, the player can have fun playing the game because it can change the way the ball is shot.

[0061] A variable winning device 65 is disposed to the right of the first winning opening 64, and a horizontally elongated rectangular specific winning opening (large open opening) 65a is disposed in the approximate center of the variable winning device 65. In the pachinko machine 1, when a jackpot lottery held due to a winning at either the first winning opening 64 or the second winning opening 140 results in a jackpot, after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is illuminated to display a jackpot stop symbol, and the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device 81, indicating the occurrence of a jackpot. The game state then transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which balls are more likely to win. In this special game state, the specific winning opening 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls have won).

[0062] This specific winning opening 65a is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed, and after that closure, the specific winning opening 65a is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of this specific winning opening 65a can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (15 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger number of prize balls than usual as an added gaming value (game value).

[0063] Specifically, the variable winning device 65 includes a horizontally elongated rectangular opening / closing plate that covers the specific winning opening 65a, and a large opening solenoid (not shown) that drives the opening / closing plate to open and close forward around the lower edge of the opening / closing plate. The specific winning opening 65a is normally in a closed state in which a ball cannot or does not easily win a prize. In the event of a jackpot, the large opening solenoid is driven to tilt the opening / closing plate downward toward the front, temporarily creating an open state in which a ball can easily win a prize in the specific winning opening 65a, and the device operates to alternate between this open state and the normal closed state.

[0064] The special game state is not limited to the above-described form. A large opening that opens and closes separately from the specific winning opening 65a may be provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a jackpot is lit in the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time. While the specific winning opening 65a is open, a ball entering the specific winning opening 65a triggers the large opening provided separately from the specific winning opening 65a to open for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, thereby forming a special game state. The number of specific winning openings 65a is not limited to one, and one or more (e.g., three) may be provided. The location of the opening is not limited to the right side of the first winning opening 64, but may be, for example, to the left of the variable display unit 80.

[0065] An attachment space K1 is provided in the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc., and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be seen through the small window 35 in the front door 5 (see Figure 1).

[0066] The game board 13 is provided with a first outlet 71. Balls flowing down the game area that do not win in any of the winning holes 63, 64, 65a, 640, 82 are guided through the first outlet 71 to a ball discharge path (not shown). The first outlet 71 is disposed below the first winning hole 64.

[0067] The game board 13 has many nails planted thereon to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and is also provided with various components (apparatuses) such as windmills.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 1 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is a unit equipped with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is a unit equipped with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

[0069] The back pack unit 94 is a unit consisting of the back pack 92 that forms the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each function, ports for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as needed.

[0070] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each housed in board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 each include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to house the respective control devices and boards.

[0071] Furthermore, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) have their box bases and box covers connected (connected by a crimping structure) by a sealing unit (not shown) so that they cannot be opened. A sealing seal (not shown) is affixed to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcibly open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0072] The payout unit 93 comprises a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently sloping downstream, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and dispensing balls using a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately dispenses the required number of balls. A vibrator 134 is attached to the tank rail 131 to impart vibrations to the tank rail 131.

[0073] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state restoration switch 120, the firing control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM deletion switch 122. The state restoration switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jamming (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see Figure 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the firing force of the firing solenoid. The RAM deletion switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 1 to its initial state.

[0074] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1.

[0075] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201, which is a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The MPU 201 contains a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 202 are executed, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. The main control device 110 uses the MPU 201 to execute the main processes of the pachinko machine 1, such as drawing a jackpot, setting the display on the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and the third symbol display device 81, and drawing the display result on the second symbol display device.

[0076] In addition, in order to instruct sub-controllers such as the dispensing control unit 111 and the voice lamp control unit 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers.

[0077] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201, and a work area (working region) for storing values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data even after the power supply to the pachinko machine 1 is cut off by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0078] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including when a power outage occurs; the same applies below) are stored in RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including when the power is turned on after the power outage is resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 1 is restored to the state before the power was turned off based on the information stored in RAM 203. Writing to RAM 203 is executed by main processing (not shown) when the power is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to RAM 203 is executed in start-up processing (not shown) when the power is turned on. Note that, when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SG1 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of MPU 201 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to MPU 201, NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage processing.

[0079] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the sound lamp control device 113, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol hold lamp, and solenoids 209 consisting of a large opening solenoid for driving the opening and closing of the specific winning port 65a forward with the lower edge of the opening / closing plate as the axis, and a solenoid for driving the electric role device, and the like, and the MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0080] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 consisting of a group of switches (not shown) and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, as well as a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 (described below) provided in the power supply device 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on signals output from the various switches 208 and a RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0081] The payout control device 111 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by driving a payout motor 216. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores control programs executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0082] Like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, the RAM 213 of the payout control device 111 has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply to the pachinko machine 1 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. Like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like. When the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0083] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, payout motor 216, launch control device 112, etc. Also, although not shown, a prize ball detection switch for detecting paid-out prize balls is connected to the payout control device 111. Note that this prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but not to the main control device 110.

[0084] When the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a ball, the launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and electromagnet are permitted to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and when the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the ball launch is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in accordance with the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51.

[0085] The audio lamp control device 113 controls the output of audio from the audio output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of lighting and extinguishing from the lamp display device (such as the illumination units 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 221, and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0086] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the audio and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, the audio output device 226, the lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc. The other devices 228 include the drive motors 481, 491, 661, and 880.

[0087] The voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device 110, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). The voice lamp control device 113 also monitors input from the frame button 22, and when the player operates the frame button 22, instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or change the performance content during a super reach. When the stage is changed, the voice lamp control device 113 transmits a back image change command including information about the changed stage to the display control device 114 so that the third symbol display device 81 displays a back image corresponding to the changed stage. Here, the back image refers to an image displayed behind the third symbol, which is the main image displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 in accordance with the commands transmitted from the voice lamp control device 113.

[0088] Furthermore, the voice lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the display control device 114. Based on the display command received from the display control device 114, the voice lamp control device 113 outputs a voice corresponding to the display content from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content of the third pattern display device 81, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device 227 in accordance with the display content.

[0089] The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device 81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on commands received from the voice lamp control device 113. The display control device 114 also transmits display commands to the voice lamp control device 113 as appropriate, notifying the display content of the third pattern display device 81. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display of the third pattern display device 81 with the voice output from the voice output device 226 by outputting voice from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content indicated by the display command.

[0090] The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each component of the pachinko machine 1, a power outage monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruptions due to power outages and the like, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM erasure switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc., via a power supply path (not shown). In summary, the power supply unit 251 takes in 24-volt AC voltage supplied from an external source, generates 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, motors, etc., a 5-volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0091] The power outage monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power outage signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control unit 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when power is cut off due to a power outage or other reason. The power outage monitoring circuit 252 monitors the 24-volt DC voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and if this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power outage (power outage, power interruption) has occurred and outputs the power outage signal SG1 to the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power outage signal SG1, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power outage and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the 5-volt voltage, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute NMI interrupt processing, even after the 24-volt DC voltage falls below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown) normally.

[0092] The RAM clearing switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clearing signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clearing switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clearing signal SG2 when the pachinko machine 1 is powered on, it clears the backup data and sends a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0093] Next, the schematic configuration of the operation unit 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 59. Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the operation unit 200, and Fig. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the operation unit 200. Also, Figs. 7 and 8 are front views of the operation unit 200.

[0094] 7 shows a state in which the left displacement member 420L, the right displacement member 420R, and the protruding member 485 of the displacement unit 400 and the displacement member 850 of the vertical displacement unit 800 are each displaced to the retracted position, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the left displacement member 420L, the right displacement member 420R, and the protruding member 485 of the slide unit 400 and the displacement member 850 of the vertical displacement unit 800 are each displaced to the extended position.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the operating unit 200 includes a box-shaped rear case 300, and the rear case 300 accommodates a displacement unit 400, a projection unit 600, and a vertical displacement unit 800 in the internal space thereof, in that order.

[0096] The rear case 300 has a bottom wall 301 that is generally rectangular when viewed from the front, and outer wall 302 that stands upright from the outer edges of the four sides of the bottom wall 301 toward the front, and is formed into a box shape with one side (front side) open by the walls 301, 302. The bottom wall 301 has an opening 301a that is rectangular when viewed from the front at its center, and the third pattern display device 81 (see FIG. 2) that is arranged on the back side of the bottom wall 301 can be seen through the opening 301a.

[0097] The displacement unit 400 comprises a base member 410 having a frame shape when viewed from the front and arranged on the bottom wall portion 301 of the rear case 300, and a left displacement member 420L, a right displacement member 420R and a protruding member 485 which are arranged so as to be displaceable on the base member 410, and these left displacement member 420L, right displacement member 420R and protruding member 485 can be displaced between a retracted position in which they are retracted to the rear side of the projection unit 600 and an extended position in which they extend to the front side of the opening 301a of the rear case 300 (i.e., the third pattern display device 81) (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0098] In this case, the displacement unit 400 is provided with two drive means (a first drive motor 481 and a second drive motor 491) for driving the displacement members (the left displacement member 420L, the right displacement member 420R, and the protruding member 485), and by selecting the drive means to drive, it is possible to vary the displacement mode of the displacement members (form a plurality of types of displacement modes). Details of this structure will be described later.

[0099] The projection unit 600 includes a base member 610 having a circular ring shape in a front view and disposed in front of the displacement unit 400, a disk-shaped projection board member 620 disposed on the inner periphery of the base member 610, and a plurality of LEDs 651 that emit light from the outer periphery of the projection board member 620. The projection board member 620 is made of a light-transmitting material, and allows the display of the third pattern display device 81 to be visible to the player. When light is incident from the LEDs 651, the incident light is emitted from the front of the projection board member 620 in a form that forms a pattern or design. In other words, a pattern or design can be made to appear (display) in front of the third pattern display device 81.

[0100] In this case, the projection unit 600 employs a structure that increases the efficiency with which light emitted from the LEDs 651 enters the projection panel member 620, thereby making it possible to intensify the light emitted from the front of the projection panel member 620 (making patterns and designs stand out more clearly). Also, a structure is employed that increases the ease of assembly when assembling the multiple LEDs 651 (illumination units 650) to the base member 610. Details of these structures will be described later.

[0101] The vertical displacement unit 800 comprises a front base 820 and a rear base 830 arranged on the top of the base member 610 of the projection unit 600, and a displacement member 850 having one end rotatably supported on both base members 820, 830, and the other end of the displacement member 850 can be displaced between a retracted position above the opening 301a of the rear case 300 (i.e., the third pattern display device 81) and an extended position extending toward the front side (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0102] In this case, the vertical displacement unit 800 is provided with a biasing spring SP that biases the displacement member 850, and employs a structure in which the gravity acting on the displacement member 850 and the elastic recovery force of the biasing spring SP are balanced at a predetermined position between the retracted position and the extended position, thereby causing the displacement member 850 to perform reciprocating displacement (approximately simple harmonic motion) due to the action of gravity and the elastic recovery force of the biasing spring SP around the balanced position (predetermined position). Details of this structure will be described later.

[0103] Next, the displacement unit 400 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 28. Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the displacement unit 400, and Figure 10 is a rear view of the displacement unit 400.

[0104] The displacement unit 400 mainly includes a base member 410 fastened to the bottom wall portion 301 (see FIG. 6) of the rear case 300, displacement members (left displacement member 420L and right displacement member 420R) displaceably disposed on the base member 410, and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) drive means (lower drive mechanism 480 and upper drive mechanism 490) that apply driving force to the displacement members. As described above, the displacement member is displaced by driving the lower drive mechanism 480 (first drive motor 481), by driving the upper drive mechanism 490 (second drive motor 491), or by driving both the lower drive mechanism 480 (first drive motor 481) and the upper drive mechanism 490 (second drive motor 491). The displacement member can be displaced in different ways depending on the case. Details of the structure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 18.

[0105] First, the displacement members (left displacement member 420L and right displacement member 420R) will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R, and Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R.

[0106] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the displacement unit 400 is equipped with a left displacement member 420L and a right displacement member 420R formed as displacement members that perform effects through displacement, and the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are connected to a left driven member 430L and a right driven member 430R, a carriage member 440, and an upper left rack 450L and an upper right rack 450R.

[0107] The left displacement member 420L is an elongated member disposed in a vertical position, and includes a connecting shaft 421 protruding from the back surface, a connecting hole 422 formed in the upper end, and a sliding groove 423 formed in the lower end. The connecting shaft 421 is a shaft with a circular cross section, and is rotatably supported by a connecting hole 431 of the left driven member 430L. That is, the upper end of the left driven member 430L is rotatably connected to the back surface side of the left displacement member 420L.

[0108] The connecting shaft 421 is set to a length dimension such that its tip protrudes from the back surface of the left driven member 430L, and the protruding tip of the connecting shaft 421 is slidably inserted into a drive groove 494c (see FIGS. 17 and 18) in the drive arm 494 of the upper drive mechanism 490. That is, when the drive arm 494 of the upper drive mechanism 490 is driven (rotated), the inner wall surface of the drive groove 494c acts on the connecting shaft 421, and the left displacement member 420L is displaced.

[0109] The connecting hole 422 is a hole with a circular cross section, and one of two connecting shafts 441 of the carriage member 440 (described later) is rotatably inserted through the connecting hole 422. That is, the left displacement member 420L is connected in a state in which a relative posture change (rotation around the axis of the connecting hole 422 as the rotation center) with respect to the carriage member 440L is permitted.

[0110] The slide groove 423 is a groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the left displacement member 420L, and a drive pin 488b (see FIG. 15) of a lower left rack 488L (described later) is rotatably and slidably inserted into the slide groove 423. Therefore, in either the case where only the upper drive mechanism 490 is driven with the lower left rack 488L stopped, or the case where it is reversed, it is possible to form a change in the posture (rotation) of the left displacement member 420L relative to the base member 410.

[0111] The left driven member 430L is a member that is installed between the base member 410 and the left displacement member 420L and is thereby driven by the displacement of the left displacement member 420L, and is equipped with a connecting hole 431 drilled at one end (upper end) and a sliding pin 432 protruding from the back surface.

[0112] The connecting hole 431 is a hole with a circular cross section, and as described above, the connecting shaft 421 of the left displacement member 420L is rotatably inserted through the connecting hole 431. The slide pin 432 is a pin (rod-shaped body) with a circular cross section, and is rotatably and slidably inserted through the slide groove 410a formed on the side of the base member 410. Therefore, when the left displacement member 420L is displaced, the left driven member 430L can be moved while changing its relative position with respect to the left displacement member 420L.

[0113] The carriage member 440 is a member that rolls on a rolling surface that is provided on the upper part (upper middle part 410f and upper front part 410g, see FIGS. 17 and 18) of the base member 410 and extends in the left-right direction (width direction), and includes two connecting shafts 441 that are provided side by side in parallel, and four rolling wheels 442 that are rotatably supported on both ends of each connecting shaft 441. Therefore, the upper end of the left displacement member 420L is displaced in the left-right direction (width direction) via the carriage member 440 as each of the rolling wheels 442 of the carriage member 440 rolls on the rolling surface.

[0114] The rolling surface of the base member 410 is formed as a substantially horizontal flat surface facing vertically upward, and each of the rolling wheels 442 of the carriage member 440 is placed on the rolling surface. That is, the left displacement member 420 is supported in a state of being suspended from the rolling surface of the base member 410 via the carriage member 440.

[0115] The upper left rack 450L is a long plate-shaped member that slides on a guide portion that extends in the left-right direction (width direction) on the upper part of the base member 410 (upper middle part 410f and upper front part 410g, see Figures 17 and 18), and is equipped with two connecting holes 451 through which the two connecting shafts 441 of the trolley member 440 are rotatably inserted, and a rack gear 452 that is engraved along the longitudinal direction on the back surface of the upper left rack 450L.

[0116] Here, the right displacement member 420R is formed in a shape that is approximately symmetrical with respect to the left displacement member 420L, the right driven member 430R is formed in a shape that is approximately symmetrical with respect to the left driven member 430L, and the upper right rack 450R is formed in a shape that is approximately symmetrical with respect to the upper left rack 450L, and they have essentially the same configuration, so the same parts are given the same symbols and their explanations are omitted.

[0117] However, the upper right rack 450R has a rack gear 452 formed on its front surface. Furthermore, the portion of the upper right rack 450R where the connecting hole 451 is formed is offset toward the front side, and the upper right rack 450R is disposed at a different position in the front-to-rear direction from the upper left rack 450L. Therefore, the rack gear 452 of the upper left rack 450L and the rack gear 452 of the upper right rack 450R are disposed opposite each other with a predetermined gap between them. In this case, both rack gears 452 are engaged with pinion gears 459 that are rotatably supported on the base member 410.

[0118] Therefore, when the upper left rack 450L is displaced (slid) in the left-right direction (width direction, left-right direction in Figure 19) along the guide portion (not shown) of the base member 410 in accordance with the displacement of the left displacement member 420L, the displacement of the upper left rack 450L is transmitted to the upper right rack 450R via the pinion gear 459, thereby displacing the right displacement member 420R.

[0119] In this embodiment, since the number of pinion gears 459 disposed between the upper left rack 450L and the upper right rack 450R is an odd number (i.e., one), the displacement directions of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R can be opposite (directions in which they move closer to or farther away from each other). However, the number of pinion gears 459 disposed may be an even number, and the displacement directions of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R may be the same.

[0120] Next, the lower drive mechanism 480 out of the plurality of drive means (lower drive mechanism 480 and upper drive mechanism 490) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0121] 13 and 15 are front perspective views of the displacement unit 400, and Figs. 14 and 16 are rear perspective views of the displacement unit 400. Note that Figs. 13 and 14 show a state in which the rear cover 412 is attached, and Figs. 15 and 16 show a state in which the rear cover 412 has been removed. Also, Figs. 13 to 16 omit illustration of the raised cover 413.

[0122] As shown in Figures 13 to 16, the lower drive mechanism 480 mainly comprises a first drive motor 481, a pinion gear 482 attached to the drive shaft of the first drive motor 481, a drive gear 483 with which the pinion gear 482 is engaged, a drive arm 484 which forms a crank mechanism together with the drive gear 483, a protruding member 485 driven by the drive arm 484, a rack gear 486 arranged on the back of the protruding member 485, a gear train (gears 487a to 487e) in which the leading gear 487a is engaged with the rack gear 486, and a lower left rack 488L and a lower right rack 488R which are engaged with the last gear 487e of the gear train.

[0123] The first drive motor 481 is attached to the front of the left front cover 411L, and a pinion gear 482 is attached (fixed) to the drive shaft of the first drive motor 481 protruding from the back of the left front cover 411L. The drive gear 483 is rotatably supported on the back of the left front cover 411L, and the drive arm 484 is rotatably supported on the front of the base member 410.

[0124] The drive gear 483 has an eccentric pin 483a that is positioned eccentrically from the center of rotation and that protrudes from the back surface. The drive arm 484 has a shaft support hole 484a through which the support shaft of the base member 410 is rotatably inserted, a linear slide groove 484b through which the eccentric pin 483a of the drive gear 483 is slidably inserted, and a drive pin 484c that protrudes from the front surface at the end opposite to the side where the shaft support hole 484a and slide groove 484b are formed.

[0125] Therefore, when the driving force of the first driving motor 481 rotates the driving gear 483 in the forward or reverse direction via the pinion gear 482, the eccentric pin 483a of the driving gear 483 acts on one or the other inner wall surface of the sliding groove 484b of the driving arm 484, causing the driving arm 484 to rotate in the forward or reverse direction around the pivot hole 484a as the center of rotation, and causing the driving pin 484c of the driving arm 484 to rise or fall.

[0126] The protruding member 485 has a linear slide groove 485a through which the drive pin 484c of the drive arm 484 is slidably inserted, and is disposed in front of the base member 410 via a slide rail SL. The slide rail SL is an extendable linear guide mechanism and is disposed in a vertical position with its extension direction aligned along the vertical direction. The slide rail SL includes a base rail disposed in front of the base member 410, a tip rail disposed on the back surface of the protruding member 485, and an intermediate rail interposed between the base rail and the tip rail to enable the base rail and the tip rail to be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0127] Therefore, when the drive arm 484 is rotated and the drive pin 484c of the drive arm 484 pushes up or down the inner wall surface of the sliding groove 485a of the protruding member 485, the slide rail SL is extended and retracted, and the protruding member 485 is raised and lowered vertically relative to the base member 410.

[0128] The rack gear 486 is formed along the ascending / descending direction of the protruding member 485, and the gear train (gears 487a to 487e) is rotatably supported between the front surface of the base member 410 and the rear surface of the right front cover 411R, with the leading gear 487a meshed with the rack gear 486. Therefore, by ascending / descending the protruding member 485, the linear motion of the rack gear 486 can be used to rotate the gear train (gears 487a to 487e).

[0129] The lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R are long, plate-shaped members each having a rack gear 488a carved into the side surface along the longitudinal direction and a drive pin 488b protruding from the front surface at the longitudinal end. The lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R are positioned at different positions in the vertical direction, and are held between the rear surface of the base member 410 and the front surface of the rear cover 412 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction (width direction, left-right direction in Figure 19) with their rack gears 488a facing each other.

[0130] The final gear 487e of the gear train is fixed coaxially to the adjacent gear 487d, and is engaged with the respective rack gears 488a of the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R by protruding to the rear side through an opening 410b formed in the base member 410. Therefore, as described above, when the gear train (gears 487a to 487e) rotates as the protruding member 485 moves up and down, the rotation of the final gear 487a can linearly move the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R in opposite directions (directions in which they move closer to or farther away from each other).

[0131] The drive pins 488b of the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R protrude to the front side through linear insertion grooves 410c formed in the base member 410, and are rotatably and slidably inserted into the slide grooves 423 of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R, as described above. Therefore, linear movement of the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R can displace the lower end sides (slide groove 423 sides) of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R.

[0132] The direction in which the insertion grooves 410c extend is substantially parallel to the rolling surface on which the rolling wheels 442 of the carriage member 440 roll. That is, the direction of linear motion of the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R is substantially parallel to the direction of linear motion of the upper left rack 450L and the upper right rack 450R, which will be described later.

[0133] Next, the upper drive mechanism 490 out of the plurality of drive means (the lower drive mechanism 480 and the upper drive mechanism 490) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0134] Fig. 17 is a front perspective view of the displacement unit 400, and Fig. 18 is a rear perspective view of the displacement unit 400. For ease of understanding, in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, the pinion gear 459 and the upper right rack 450R are illustrated between the opposing upper middle portion 410f and upper front portion 410g.

[0135] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the upper drive mechanism 490 mainly comprises a second drive motor 491, a pinion gear 492 attached to the drive shaft of the second drive motor 491, a drive gear 493 with which the pinion gear 492 is meshed, and a drive arm 494 which forms a crank mechanism together with the drive gear 493.

[0136] The upper part of the base member 410 (the upper side part formed in a roughly frame shape when viewed from the front) is formed as a divided structure in which an upper rear part 410e, an upper middle part 410f, and a front part 410g are stacked in this order on the front side.

[0137] The second drive motor 491 is attached to the front of the portion that protrudes upward of the upper intermediate portion 410f, and a pinion gear 492 is attached (fixed) to the drive shaft of the second drive motor 491 that protrudes from the back of the protruding portion. The drive gear 493 and the drive arm 494 are rotatably supported on the back of the upper intermediate portion 410f.

[0138] The drive gear 493 has an eccentric pin 493a that is positioned eccentrically from the rotation center thereof and that protrudes from the back surface. The drive arm 494 has a shaft support hole 494a through which the support shaft of the upper intermediate portion 410f is rotatably inserted, a linear slide groove 494b through which the eccentric pin 493a of the drive gear 493 is slidably inserted, and a linear drive groove 494c that is located at the end opposite to the side where the shaft support hole 494a and the slide groove 494b are formed.

[0139] Therefore, when the driving force of the second drive motor 491 rotates the drive gear 493 in the forward or reverse direction via the pinion gear 492, the eccentric pin 493a of the drive gear 493 acts on one or the other inner wall surface of the sliding groove 494b of the drive arm 494, causing the drive arm 494 to rotate in the forward or reverse direction around the pivot hole 494a as the center of rotation, and displacing the drive groove 494c of the drive arm 494 left and right.

[0140] As described above, the tip of the connecting shaft 421 of the left displacement member 420L is slidably inserted into the drive groove 494c of the drive arm 494. Therefore, by driving the drive arm 494 (rotating around the shaft support hole 494a) and causing the inner wall surface of the drive groove 494c, which is displaced left and right, to act on the connecting shaft 421, the carriage member 440 (rolling wheel 442) rolls along the rolling surface, and the upper end side of the left displacement member 420L can be displaced left and right.

[0141] In this case, when the left displacement member 420L is displaced left and right and the carriage member 440 (rolling wheels 442) rolls on the rolling surface, as described above, the upper left rack 450L is displaced (slid) in the left and right direction (width direction, left and right direction in FIG. 19) along the guide portion of the base member 410, and the displacement of the upper left rack 450L is transmitted to the upper right rack 450R via the pinion gear 459, thereby displacing the right displacement member 420R. The rolling surface on which the rolling wheels 442 of the carriage member 440 roll is formed by the upper middle portion 410f and the upper front portion 410g.

[0142] Next, the operation of the displacement unit 400 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0143] First, the first mode in which both the lower drive mechanism 480 (first drive motor 481) and the upper drive mechanism 490 (second drive motor 491) are driven to displace the displacement members (left displacement member 420L, right displacement member 420R, and protrusion member 485) will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 24.

[0144] 19, 21 and 23 are front views of the displacement unit 400 in the first mode, and FIGS. 20, 22 and 24 are rear views of the displacement unit 400 as seen from the rear of FIGS.

[0145] 19 and 20 correspond to a state in which the left displacement member 420L, the right displacement member 420R, and the protruding member 485 are arranged in the retracted position, and FIGS. 23 and 24 correspond to a state in which the left displacement member 420L, the right displacement member 420R, and the protruding member 485 are arranged in the extended position in the first mode.

[0146] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, when placed in the retracted position, the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are positioned at the outermost positions (the positions where they are furthest apart from each other in the left-right direction), and the protrusion member 485 is positioned at the lowest position.

[0147] When the first drive motor 481 of the lower drive mechanism 480 and the second drive motor 491 of the upper drive mechanism 490 are driven from this state, the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are displaced in a direction approaching each other in the left-right direction (width direction) and the protrusion member 485 is raised to the state shown in Figures 21 and 22, and then to the state shown in Figures 23 and 24 (the extended position in the first mode). Note that in the extended position in the first mode, the left displacement member 420L, the right displacement member 420R, and the protrusion member 485 are formed in a combined state (a state in which the side surfaces of the three are in close contact with each other).

[0148] In detail, when the first drive motor 481 of the lower drive mechanism 480 is driven from the state shown in Figure 19, the drive arm 484 is rotated, and the drive pin 484c of the drive arm 484 pushes up the inner wall surface of the sliding groove 485a of the protruding member 485, thereby raising the protruding member 485 (see Figures 13 and 14).

[0149] Furthermore, when the protruding member 485 is raised, the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R are displaced (linearly moved) via the rack gear 486, the gear train (gears 487a to 487e) and the rack gear 488a (see Figures 15 and 16), and the drive pins 488b of the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R act on the inner wall surfaces of the sliding grooves 423 of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R, causing the lower end sides (sliding groove 423 sides) of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R to be displaced (linearly moved) in directions approaching each other along the insertion groove 410c of the base member 410.

[0150] 19, when the second drive motor 491 of the upper drive mechanism 490 is driven, the drive arm 494 is rotated, and the inner wall surface of the drive groove 494c of the drive arm 494 acts on the connecting shaft 421 of the left displacement member 420L. As a result, the carriage member 440 rolls on the rolling surface, and the upper end side (carriage member 440) of the left displacement member 420L is displaced (linearly moved) in a direction approaching the right displacement member 420R (see FIGS. 17 and 18).

[0151] In addition, when the upper end side (carriage member 440) of the left displacement member 420L is displaced, the displacement is transmitted from the upper left rack 450L to the upper right rack 450R via the pinion gear 459, causing the upper end side (carriage member 440) of the right displacement member 420R to be displaced (linearly move) in a direction approaching the left displacement member 420L (see Figures 11 and 12).

[0152] In this embodiment, the amount of displacement of the left and right displacement members 420L and 420R in the left-right direction (width direction, left-right direction in Figure 20) is set so that the amount of displacement at the lower end is smaller than the amount of displacement at the upper end (i.e., the movable range of the drive pin 488b (extension length of the insertion groove 410c) is set shorter than the movable range of the carriage member 440 (extension length of the rolling surface)).

[0153] In this case, the lower drive mechanism 480 and the upper drive mechanism 490 are driven so that the lower and upper end sides of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R start to move from the retracted position (see FIGS. 19 and 20) at approximately the same time and reach the extended position in the first mode (see FIGS. 23 and 24) at approximately the same time. That is, the displacement speed in the left-right direction of the upper end side (carriage member 440) is made faster than that of the lower end side (drive pin 488b).

[0154] As a result, the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R can be displaced left and right while rotating their postures, rather than being displaced parallel to the left and right direction without rotating while maintaining their vertical posture. That is, displacing the postures while rotating them like this is not possible with a configuration in which the displacement members slide along the slide grooves using the driving force of the driving means (1), but it is only possible by using the driving means (2) as in this embodiment.

[0155] Furthermore, when the displacement speed in the left-right direction of the upper end side (carriage member 440) is different from that of the lower end side (drive pin 488b), the distance between drive pin 488b and cart member 440 changes, but in this embodiment, slide groove 423 is shaped like an elongated hole that extends in the up-down direction with a length greater than the diameter of drive pin 488b, so that the change in distance between them can be absorbed. In other words, there is no need to provide a complex mechanism, and it is sufficient to form slide groove 423 and drive pin 488b to be rotatable and slidable, so that in addition to reducing product costs, operational reliability and durability can be improved.

[0156] When the first drive motor 481 of the lower drive mechanism 480 and the second drive motor 491 of the upper drive mechanism 490 are driven in the opposite direction from the state shown in Figures 23 and 24 to the state shown in Figures 21 and 22, the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are displaced in a direction away from each other in the left-right direction (width direction) to the state shown in Figures 19 and 20 (retracted position), and the protrusion member 485 is lowered.

[0157] Next, a second mode in which the displacement members (left displacement member 420L, right displacement member 420R, and protrusion member 485) are displaced by driving only the lower drive mechanism 480 (first drive motor 481) (i.e., the upper drive mechanism 490 (second drive motor 491) is maintained in a non-driven state) will be described with reference to Figures 25 and 26. In the description of the second mode, Figures 19 and 20 will also be referred to as appropriate.

[0158] Fig. 25 is a front view of the displacement unit 400 in the second mode, and Fig. 26 is a rear view of the displacement unit 400 as seen from the rear in Fig. 25. Note that Figs. 25 and 26 correspond to a state in which the left displacement member 420L, the right displacement member 420R, and the protruding member 485 are arranged in the protruding position in the second mode.

[0159] 19 and 20 (when the upper drive mechanism 490 is disposed at the retracted position), the drive arm 494 of the upper drive mechanism 490 is disposed in a position that allows the left displacement member 420L to rotate around its upper end (the axis of the connecting hole 422) as the rotation center. In other words, the connecting shaft 421 of the left displacement member 420L is allowed to slide along the drive groove 494c of the drive arm 494.

[0160] 19 and 20), when only the first drive motor 481 of the lower drive mechanism 480 is driven, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the drive pin 484c of the drive arm 484 pushes up the inner wall surface of the sliding groove 485a of the protruding member 485, thereby raising the protruding member 485, and the drive pins 488b of the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R act on the inner wall surfaces of the sliding grooves 423 of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R, thereby displacing (linearly moving) the lower end sides (sliding groove 423 sides) of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R in directions approaching each other. That is, in the second mode, the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R can be rotated around their upper end sides (axial centers of the connecting holes 422) as the rotation center.

[0161] Next, a third mode in which the displacement members (left displacement member 420L and right displacement member 420R) are displaced by driving only the upper drive mechanism 490 (second drive motor 491) (i.e., the lower drive mechanism 480 (first drive motor 481) is maintained in a non-driven state) will be described with reference to Figures 27 and 28. In the description of the third mode, Figures 19 and 20 will also be referred to as appropriate.

[0162] Fig. 27 is a front view of the displacement unit 400 in the third mode, and Fig. 28 is a rear view of the displacement unit 400 as seen from the rear of Fig. 27. Note that Figs. 27 and 28 correspond to a state in which the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are arranged in the extended position in the third mode.

[0163] Here, the sliding grooves 423 of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are elongated holes extending in the vertical direction with a length greater than the diameter of the drive pin 488b, allowing the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R to be lifted upward.

[0164] Therefore, when only the second drive motor 491 of the upper drive mechanism 490 is driven from the state shown in Figures 19 and 20 (state when placed in the retracted position), as shown in Figures 27 and 28, the inner wall surface of the drive groove 494c of the drive arm 494 acts on the connecting shaft 421 of the left displacement member 420L, and the upper end side (carriage member 440) of the left displacement member 420L is displaced (linearly moves) in a direction approaching the right displacement member 420R, and this displacement is transmitted from the upper left rack 450L to the upper right rack 450R via the pinion gear 459, so that the upper end side (carriage member 440) of the right displacement member 420R is displaced (linearly moves) in a direction approaching the left displacement member 420L.

[0165] That is, in the third mode, the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R can be rotated around the lower end side (the side of the slide groove 423) of each member as the center of rotation. Also, in the third mode, only the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R can be displaced, and the protruding member 485 can be maintained in a stationary state.

[0166] In conventional gaming machines, a guide means (for example, a guide groove) is provided on the base member 410, and the displacement member is formed so as to be displaceable (guided) along the guide means, so that the displacement mode of the displacement member (the trajectory of the displacement member relative to the base member) is limited to one type. As a result, the effects based on the displacement of the displacement member are monotonous, making it difficult to create effects that surprise the player. Even if the driving force (driving speed) of the driving means (for example, a driving motor) is varied in strength, only the displacement speed of the displacement member increases or decreases, and the displacement mode (trajectory) remains constant, making it difficult to create effects that surprise the player.

[0167] In contrast, the displacement unit 400 of this embodiment is provided with a lower drive mechanism 480 (first drive motor 481) and an upper drive mechanism 490 (second drive motor 491), and by selecting (changing) the drive state thereof, it is possible to displace the displacement members (left displacement member 420L, right displacement member 420R, and protruding member 485) in three different modes (first mode, second mode, and third mode). In other words, unlike conventional products in which the displacement mode of the displacement members is limited to one type, the presentation is not monotonous, and the displacement members can be displaced in at least three different displacement modes, so that by switching between these displacement modes, it is possible to produce presentations that will surprise the player.

[0168] In particular, in the first mode (see FIGS. 19 to 24), the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R can be caused to undergo displacement dominated by translation (linear motion), while in the second and third modes (see FIGS. 19, 25 to 28), the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R can be caused to undergo displacement solely by rotation (rotational motion), making it possible to vary the form of the displacement motion. As a result, the change in the displacement mode of the displacement members can be made greater, making it easier to create effects that will surprise the player.

[0169] In this case, in conventional products, the center of rotation remains constant and the displacement pattern is changed by changing only the direction of rotation, but the second and third patterns in this embodiment do not have the same center of rotation and only the direction of rotation is different; rather, the direction of rotation is different and the center of rotation is also formed differently (in the second pattern, the upper end side is the center of rotation, and in the third pattern, the lower end side is the center of rotation), so the change in the displacement pattern of the displacement members (left displacement member 420L and right displacement member 420R) can be made greater, making it easier to create performances that surprise the player.

[0170] Furthermore, in the first mode, the displacement members (the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R) are displaced by a combination of rotation and translation (linear motion), and the direction of this rotation is the same as the direction of rotation in the third mode. Therefore, in the initial stages of the first and third modes (see, for example, FIGS. 21 and 27), the player can visually recognize that the displacement members are being displaced in a direction toward each other, making it difficult to distinguish between them. On the other hand, in the first mode, the protruding member 485 is raised as the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are displaced in a direction toward each other, whereas in the third mode, the protruding member 485 can be maintained in a stationary state. In other words, if the protruding member 485 is raised in the initial stages when the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are displaced in a direction toward each other, the player can expect the displacement members to be displaced to the extended position in the first mode.

[0171] In the displacement unit 400, a carriage member 440, a lower left rack 488L, and a lower right rack 488R are arranged (held) on a base member 410 so as to be linearly displaceable, and the upper ends (connecting holes 422) of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R are rotatably connected to the carriage member 440, and the drive pins 488b of the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R are rotatably and slidably inserted into the lower ends (sliding grooves 423) of the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R.

[0172] This simplifies the structure for causing the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R to perform linear motion (first mode) including a rotational component and rotational motion (second and third modes), as described above. For example, it is conceivable to provide a curved guide groove and displace the displacement members along the guide groove, but sliding displacement along such a curved trajectory requires a complex structure (that is, a curved trajectory requires not only a mechanism for guiding the member corresponding to the carriage member 440 and the members corresponding to the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R along a curved line, but also a mechanism for continuously applying driving force to each of these members 440, 488L, 488R).

[0173] In contrast, in this embodiment, the carriage member 440, the lower left rack 488L, and the lower right rack 488R only need to be guided in a linear direction, and therefore the carriage member 440 only needs to be guided by a flat rolling surface, and the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R can use a rack-and-pinion mechanism, which simplifies their structure. As a result, it is possible to reduce product costs and improve durability and operational reliability.

[0174] Furthermore, according to the displacement unit 400, the first, second, and third modes all share the same mechanism for guiding the left displacement member 420L and the right displacement member 420R. Specifically, one end (upper end) of each displacement member 420L, 420R is guided by the carriage member 440 rolling on the rolling surface, and the other end (lower end) is guided by the lower left rack 488L and the lower right rack 488R sliding (linear motion) between the base member 410 and the rear cover 412. In other words, there is no need to provide different guide mechanisms for each mode, and therefore no need to adopt a structure for switching between different guide mechanisms. As a result, the structure can be simplified, operational reliability and durability can be improved, and product costs can be reduced.

[0175] Next, the projection unit 600 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0176] First, the overall configuration of projection unit 600 will be described with reference to Fig. 29 to Fig. 32. Fig. 29 is a front view of projection unit 600, and Fig. 30 is a rear view of projection unit 600. Also, Fig. 31 is an exploded front perspective view of projection unit 600, and Fig. 32 is an exploded rear perspective view of projection unit 600.

[0177] As shown in Figures 29 to 32, the projection unit 600 is formed mainly by a base member 610 that is circular in shape when viewed from the front, a disk-shaped projection plate member 620 that is rotatably arranged on the base member 610, a plurality of irradiation units 650 that are arranged surrounding the outer periphery of the projection plate member 620, a drive motor 661 for rotating the projection plate member 620, and a gear train (gears 662 to 664) for transmitting the driving force of the drive motor 661 to the projection plate member 620.

[0178] The base member 610 comprises a circular ring-shaped rear base 611 and a circular ring-shaped front base 612 arranged in front of the rear base 611, and the projection panel member 620, the irradiation unit 650 and the gear train (gears 662-664) are housed in the internal space formed between the opposing surfaces of the rear base 611 and the front base 612.

[0179] In addition, the projection panel member 620 is visible to the player in the area inside the inner periphery of the front base 612 when viewed from the front (hereinafter referred to as the "display area"), and the projection panel member 620 is not visible to the player in the area outside the inner periphery of the front base 612 (i.e., the area blocked by the front base 612) (hereinafter referred to as the "outside the display area").

[0180] The projection board member 620 is made of a light-transmitting material, and transmits the display of the third symbol display device 81 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the rear side, allowing the player to see it, and when light irradiated from the irradiation unit 650 is incident on the outer peripheral surface, the incident light is emitted from the front of the projection board member 620 in a form of a pattern or symbol, allowing the player to see it. In other words, the pattern or symbol can be made to appear (display) in front of the third symbol display device 81.

[0181] A gear member 630 and a groove forming member 640 are disposed on the rear and front sides, respectively, of the outer peripheral edge of the projection panel member 620. The gear member 630 and the groove forming member 640 are formed in an annular shape when viewed from the front, and are disposed concentrically with the projection panel member 620.

[0182] The gear member 630 has a plurality of teeth cut along its outer circumferential surface, and meshes with the last gear 664 of the gear train. The groove forming member 640 is a member for forming a guide groove 641 with a U-shaped cross section that continues in the circumferential direction between the gear member 630 and the projection plate member 620, and a plurality of collars C rotatably supported on the base member 610 are guided by the guide groove 641, thereby rotatably holding the projection plate member 620 on the base member 610. The detailed configurations of the gear member 630 and the groove forming member 640 will be described later.

[0183] The irradiation unit 650 is a unit that includes a plurality of light-emitting devices (LEDs 651) for emitting light from the outer peripheral surface of the projection plate member 620, and a plurality of LEDs 651 (five in this embodiment) are arranged so that each LED 651 faces (faces) the outer peripheral surface of the projection plate member 620. More specifically, in this embodiment, the extension line of the irradiation direction of each LED 651 passes through approximately the center of the projection plate member 620. Details of the attachment structure of the irradiation unit 650 to the base member 610 will be described later.

[0184] Drive motor 661 is disposed on the rear side of rear base 611, and gear 662, the first gear in a gear train, is connected (fixed) to the drive shaft of drive motor 661. Gear member 630 disposed on projection panel member 620 is meshed with gear 664, the last gear in the gear train. Therefore, when the drive shaft of drive motor 661 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to gear member 630 via the gear train (gears 662 to 664), and projection panel member 620 rotates.

[0185] Next, the holding structure of the projection panel member 620 will be described with reference to Fig. 33 to Fig. 38. Fig. 33 is a front view of the rear base 611. Fig. 34 is a rear view of the front base 612 and the irradiation unit 650, and Fig. 35 is a rear view of the front base 612.

[0186] As shown in Figure 33, the back base 611 is formed mainly by an inner upright portion 611a standing on the inner edge of the annular plate member, an outer upright portion 611c standing on the outer edge of the annular plate member, an intermediate upright portion 611b standing between the inner upright portion 611a and the outer upright portion 611c, an inner recessed groove 611d in the area surrounded by the inner upright portion 611b and the inner upright portion 611a, an outer recessed portion 611e in the area surrounded by the inner upright portion 611b and the outer upright portion 611c, and a regulating protrusion 611f protruding from the annular plate member at a predetermined interval.

[0187] The inner standing portion 611a stands from the inner edge of the annular plate member toward the front side (the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 33), and has a constant thickness in the radial direction.

[0188] The outer erected portion 611c is erected from the outer edge of the annular plate member toward the front side (the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 33), and has a constant thickness in the radial direction.

[0189] The middle upright portion 611b is erected at an intermediate position between the inner upright portion 611a and the outer upright portion 611b. The middle upright portion 611b is divided into seven parts around the axis, and each divided end is connected to the outer upright portion 611c.

[0190] The inner recessed groove 611d is an area for placing the outer edge of the projection plate member 620 (described later) inside, and is formed by being surrounded on three sides by the annular plate member, the inner standing portion 611a, and the intermediate standing portion 611b.

[0191] The outer recessed groove 611e is an area for disposing an irradiation unit 650 (described later) therein, and is formed by being surrounded on three sides by the annular plate member, the outer standing portion 611c, and the middle standing portion 611b.

[0192] The restricting protrusions 611f are protrusions that prevent the collar C, which is journaled on the front base 612, from rattling toward the rear side, and are formed in an annular shape with an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the hole that opens at the axis of the collar C, and are formed to protrude toward the front side. In this embodiment, the restricting protrusions 611f are formed in six locations at predetermined intervals.

[0193] 34 and 35, an inner standing portion 612a, an intermediate standing portion 612b, an outer standing portion 612c, and a shaft portion 612f are erected on the rear surface of the front base 612, corresponding to the inner standing portion 611a, the intermediate standing portion 611b, the outer standing portion 611c, and the restricting protrusion 611f of the rear base 611. That is, when the base member 610 is assembled, the erected tip end surfaces of the erected portions 611a to 611c of the rear base 611 are respectively overlapped with the erected tip end surfaces of the erected portions 612a to 612c of the front base 612, and the tip of the shaft portion 612f is inserted into the restricting protrusion 611f.

[0194] A plurality of holding pins 612g are erected in the region between the intermediate erected portion 611b and the outer erected portion 612c on the back surface of the front base 612. The holding pins 612g are axially shaped with a circular cross section for positioning and holding the irradiation unit 650, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0195] As described above, the irradiation unit 650 is a unit that includes a plurality of LEDs 651 and causes light emitted from the LEDs 651 to be incident on the outer peripheral surface of the projection plate member 620, and is disposed along the periphery of the projection plate member 620. In other words, the outer peripheral side of the projection plate member 620 is surrounded by a plurality of irradiation units 650.

[0196] The irradiation unit 650 is attached to the rear surface of the front base 612, in the area between the intermediate standing portion 611b and the outer standing portion 612c, and is accommodated between the opposing surfaces (internal space) of the two bases 611, 612 by overlapping the front surface of the rear base 611 with the rear surface of the front base 612.

[0197] FIG. 36 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the front base 612 and the irradiation unit 650 as viewed in the direction of arrow XXXVI in FIG.

[0198] 36, a substantially semicircular cutout portion 612b1 is cut out and formed on the upright tip side of the intermediate upright portion 612b of the front base 612. Similarly, a substantially semicircular cutout portion 611b1 is cut out and formed on the upright tip side of the intermediate upright portion 611b of the back base 611 at a position in phase with the cutout portion 612b1 (see FIG. 33).

[0199] That is, when the upright tip surfaces of the intermediate upright portions 611b, 612b are overlapped with each other (that is, when the base member 610 is assembled), the cutout portions 611b1, 612b2 form openings that are generally circular in front view. These circular openings are formed at positions facing the respective LEDs 651 of the irradiation unit 650 (positions where the LEDs are in phase).

[0200] Therefore, light emitted from each LED 651 of irradiation unit 650 passes through the circular opening formed by notched portions 611b1, 612b1 of intermediate standing portions 611b, 612b, and is incident on the outer circumferential surface of projection panel member 620. The diameter of the circular opening is set to be larger than the diameter of the light-emitting portion of LED 651.

[0201] Next, the projection plate member 620, the gear member 630, and the groove forming member 640 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0202] Fig. 37 is a front view of the projection plate member 620, the gear member 630, and the groove forming member 640. Fig. 38 is a partial cross-sectional view of the projection plate member 620, the gear member 630, and the groove forming member 640 taken along line XXXVIII-XXXVIII in Fig. 37. Note that in Fig. 38, the boundary between the above-mentioned display area and the outside of the display area is indicated by a virtual line M.

[0203] 37 and 38, projection plate member 620 is formed in the form of a plate-like body that is circular when viewed from the front. Projection plate member 620 has notched portion 621 on part of the outer edge and reflecting portion 622 that diffuses light.

[0204] The cutout portion 621 is a portion for making it easier to place the collar C on the restricting protrusion 611f of the rear base 611, and is formed by cutting out part of the outer edge of the projection panel member 620 in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

[0205] The reflecting portion 622 is a portion of the inside of the projection panel member 620 that has been roughened by laser processing or the like, and is processed into the shape of a pattern, design, or the like across the entire area when viewed from the front of the projection panel member 620. As a result, when light that has entered the inside of the projection panel member 620 is irradiated onto the reflecting portion 622, it is diffusely reflected by the rough surface of the reflecting portion 622 and is emitted from the surface side of the game board.

[0206] As a result, the player can easily see the diffusely reflected light and can visually recognize the shape of the reflecting portion 622. In other words, by irradiating the light onto the projection panel member 620, the shape of the reflecting portion 622 can be displayed on the front side of the projection panel member 620.

[0207] Gear member 630 is made of a light-transmitting material with a refractive index lower than that of projection plate member 620, is formed from a plate-like body that is annular when viewed from the front, has an outer diameter that is set larger than that of projection plate member 620, and is disposed on the non-display area side of front base 612 (i.e., disposed on the back side of front base 612). Gear member 630 is also disposed on the back side of projection plate member 620 (the far side of the paper surface in FIG. 37), and its axis is disposed coaxially with the axis of projection plate member 620.

[0208] The gear member 630 has a tooth portion 631 engraved along the outer peripheral surface, a back portion 632 on the side surface on the back side, and an inclined surface portion 633 that is inclined from the end on the inner peripheral side (left side of Figure 38) of the back portion 632 toward the front side.

[0209] The toothed portion 631 is a tooth surface with which the gear 664 meshes as described above, and is engraved on the outer circumferential surface of the gear member 630 over the entire circumference.

[0210] The inclined surface portion 633 is a surface that is connected to an end portion 634 on the inner circumferential side (left side in FIG. 38) of the rear surface portion 632 and is inclined toward the front side. The inclination angle of the inclined surface portion 633 toward the front side is set so that an intersection angle θ1 between an imaginary line B connecting the light source A of the LED 651 and the end portion 634 and the rear surface portion 632 is substantially the same as an intersection angle θ2 between an imaginary line C extending the rear surface portion 632 toward the inner circumferential side and the inclined surface portion 633 (θ1=θ2).

[0211] The groove forming member 640 is made of a light-transmitting material with a lower refractive index than the projection plate member 620, and is formed in a circular ring shape when viewed from the front, with a cross section bent in a substantially L-shape, with the inner bent side facing the projection plate member 620. The groove forming member 640 is also disposed on the non-display area side of the front base 612 (i.e., on the back side of the front base 612). The groove forming member 640 is also disposed on the front side of the projection plate member 620 (upper side in FIG. 38), and its axis is disposed coaxially with the axis of the projection plate member 620.

[0212] The groove forming member 640 has a side portion 641a on one surface of the inner portion bent in an approximately L-shape in cross section, an abutment surface 641b on the other surface of the inner portion bent in an approximately L-shape in cross section, a front portion 642 on the side surface on the front side, and an inclined surface portion 643 that is inclined from the end on the inner peripheral side (left side of Figure 38) of the front portion 642 toward the back side.

[0213] The side surface portion 641a is a surface that sandwiches the collar C between itself and the side surface of the front side (upper side in Figure 38) of the projection panel member 620, and is formed at a fixed distance from the plane of the front side of the projection panel member 620 around the axis.

[0214] The contact surface 641b is a surface that contacts the collar C arranged between the side portion 641a and the projection plate member 620, thereby rotatably holding the projection plate member 620, and has a cross section that is perpendicular to the side portion 641a and is formed in a circular shape around the axis.

[0215] Therefore, by arranging the side surface portion 641a and the contact surface 641b on the projection panel member 620, it is possible to form a guide groove 641 that guides the collar C. In other words, by assembling the projection panel member 620 and the groove forming member 640, the guide groove 641 is formed between the projection panel member 620 and the groove forming member 640.

[0216] The inclined surface portion 643 is a surface that is connected to an end portion 644 on the inner circumferential side (left side in FIG. 38) of the front portion 642 and is inclined toward the rear side. The inclination angle of the inclined surface portion 643 toward the rear side is set so that an intersection angle θ3 between an imaginary line D connecting the light source A of the LED 651 and the end portion 644 and the front portion 642 is substantially the same as an intersection angle θ4 between an imaginary line E extending the front portion 642 toward the inner circumferential side and the inclined surface portion 643 (θ3=θ4).

[0217] Next, the projection panel member 620 and the collar C will be described with reference to Figures 39 and 40. Figure 39(a) is a rear view of the projection unit 600, and Figure 39(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the projection unit 600 taken along line XXXIXb-XXXIXb in Figure 39(a). Figures 40(a) to 40(c) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the projection unit 600. Note that Figures 40(a) to 40(c) illustrate the transitional state when the collar C is attached to the shaft portion 612f of the front base 612. Figures 39 and 40 also illustrate the state in which the rear base 611 has been removed from the projection unit 600.

[0218] As shown in Figures 39(a) and 39(b), when the collar C is positioned on the shaft portion 612f, the protrusion C1 protruding radially outward is positioned between the side surface on the front side (lower side in Figure 39(b)) of the projection plate member 620 and the side surface portion 641a of the groove forming member 640 (guide groove 641).

[0219] In addition, the distance L1 between the tip end surface of the protrusion C1 of the collar C and the side surface 641a of the groove forming member 640 is set to be smaller than the distance L2 between the shaft portion of the collar C and the outer circumferential surface of the groove forming member 640 (L1 <L2)。

[0220] Therefore, when the groove forming member 640 and the collar C are arranged with a predetermined gap between them to allow the projection plate member 620 to rotate, even if the projection plate member 620 shifts up, down, left, or right by the gap, the abutment surface 641b of the groove forming member 640 can abut against the tip of the protrusion C1 of the collar C. As a result, the projection plate member 620 can be rotatably held by the tip of the protrusion C1 of the collar C, and the projection plate member 620 can be rotated smoothly.

[0221] Next, with reference to Figures 40(a) to 40(c), the attachment of the collar C to the shaft portion 612f of the front base 612 will be described.

[0222] As shown in FIGS. 39(a) and 40(a), when the collar C is placed on the shaft portion 612f, the projection panel member 620 is placed on the front base 612.

[0223] Here, projection plate member 620 is arranged on front base 612 by placing groove forming member 640 inside inner groove 612d of front base 612. That is, the radial distance dimension of inner groove 612d is formed to be larger than the radial distance dimension of groove forming member 640, and by placing groove forming member 640 inside inner groove 612d, projection plate member 620 can be positioned and arranged.

[0224] Next, the projection plate member 620 is rotated to displace the notch 621 of the projection plate member 620 toward the shaft portion 612f on which the collar C is to be placed. That is, by aligning the position of the notch 621 with the shaft portion 612f, the collar C can be placed on the front base 612 in a state in which the projection plate member 620 is placed.

[0225] Next, the collar C is placed on the shaft 612f with the shaft of the collar C tilted from the rear side (upper side in FIG. 40(a)) toward the inner periphery (left side in FIG. 40(a)) relative to the shaft of the shaft 612f. In this state, the shaft of the collar C is inserted into the tip of the shaft 612f, and the protrusion C1, which is positioned on the inside of the projection panel member 620, is inserted into the cutout 621 and the guide groove 641.

[0226] From this state, as shown in Figure 40(b), the opposite side is rotated toward the front (the lower side in Figure 40(b)) around the tip of protrusion C1 located inside projection panel member 620. This allows the axis of collar C to be positioned concentrically with the axis of shaft portion 612f.

[0227] 40(c), by displacing the collar C toward the front side (the lower side of FIG. 40(c)), the collar C is positioned so that the tip surface of the protrusion C1 of the collar C faces the abutment surface of the groove forming member 640. Thereafter, by rotating the projection panel member 620, the collar C can be positioned inside the guide groove 641.

[0228] Here, if a groove is formed on the outer edge of a circular rotating member and multiple collars are placed inside the groove, the rotating member must be lifted (operated) to place the collars, which poses the problem of inefficient assembly since both hands must be used for assembly.

[0229] In contrast to this, in the projection unit 600, the cutout portion 621 is formed in the projection panel member 620, and as described above, there is no need to lift (operate) the projection panel member 620 when placing the collar C. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of assembling the projection unit 600.

[0230] By covering the projection unit 600 assembled in this manner with the rear base 611 from the rear side, the projection unit 600 can be assembled.

[0231] Next, the light emitted from the LED 651 (light source A) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0232] Figures 41(a) to 43(b) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of the projection plate member 620, the gear member 630, and the groove forming member 640. Note that cross-sectional lines are omitted in Figures 41(b), 42(b), and 43(b) to facilitate understanding.

[0233] 41(b), 42(b), and 43(b), the refraction angle when light from light source A is incident on projection plate member 620, gear member 630, and groove forming member 640 is considered to have no effect on the present invention, and the light incident from light source A on projection plate member 620, gear member 630, and groove forming member 640 is shown as being orthogonal. Furthermore, in Figures 41 to 43, the boundary between the above-mentioned display area and outside the display area is indicated by virtual line M.

[0234] As shown in Figures 41(a) and 41(b), the light emitted from light source A of the LED 651 at an illumination angle α that illuminates the outer surface of the projection panel member 620 is incident on the side of the outer edge of the projection panel member 620. The light that enters the projection panel member 620 is reflected at the same angle as the incident angle by being irradiated on the side surfaces of the front and back sides of the projection panel member 620. This allows the light that enters the projection panel member 620 to travel from the edge side toward the center of the projection panel member 620. Therefore, the light from light source A that is irradiated at an illumination angle α1 passes through the projection panel member 620 and is diffusely reflected by the reflecting portion 622, and is emitted toward the front side of the gaming machine (the upper side of Figure 41(b)).

[0235] In this case, when light traveling inside the projection plate member 620 is irradiated onto the front or back of the projection plate member 620 at a position where the projection plate member 620 and the groove forming member 640 or the gear member 630 are adjacent to each other, it is conceivable that the light will enter the groove forming member 640 or the gear member 630 from the side of the front or back of the projection plate member 620, thereby reducing the amount of light traveling inside the projection plate member 620.

[0236] In contrast, in this embodiment, the groove forming member 640 and the gear member 630 are formed from a light-transmitting material with a refractive index lower than that of the light-transmitting material of the projection plate member 620. Therefore, even when light traveling through the projection plate member 620 is irradiated onto the front or back surface of the projection plate member 620 at a position where the projection plate member 620 and the groove forming member 640 or the gear member 630 are adjacent to each other, the light can be totally reflected by the side surface of the front or back surface of the projection plate member 620. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of light incident from the edge of the projection plate member 620.

[0237] That is, when light passing through a medium with a high refractive index proceeds to a medium with a low refractive index, if the angle of incidence is large, the light is totally reflected without entering the medium with a low refractive index. In the projection unit 600, the projection plate member 620 is formed as a plate-like body, and light is incident from its end face (edge), so the angle of incidence of light is set sufficiently large. Therefore, light does not enter the groove forming member 640 and gear member 630, which have a low bending coefficient, from the projection plate member 620, and can be totally reflected inside the projection plate member 620. As a result, a decrease in the amount of light traveling through the projection plate member 620 can be suppressed.

[0238] Similarly, in the relationship between the projection plate member 620 and air, the refractive index of air is a value (refractive index 1) that is sufficiently smaller than that of the light-transmitting material, so light traveling inside the projection plate member 620 does not enter the air (atmosphere) from the projection plate member 620, but can be totally reflected inside the projection plate member 620. As a result, a decrease in the amount of light traveling through the projection plate member 620 can be suppressed.

[0239] Next, as shown in FIGS. 42(a) and 42(b), of the light emitted from the light source A of the LED 651, the light irradiating the groove forming member 640 at an irradiation angle β is incident on the groove forming member 640.

[0240] Light incident on the groove forming member 640 can be reflected inside the groove forming member 640 and travel toward the axis of the projection plate member 620. In this case, at a position where the side surface of the groove forming member 640 and the projection plate member 620 are adjacent to each other (facing each other), the light that has been reflected inside the groove forming member 640 can be made to enter the projection plate member 620 side.

[0241] That is, in a position where the groove forming member 640 and the projection plate member 620 are not adjacent to each other, the groove forming member 640 is adjacent to the air (atmosphere), and therefore can reflect light irradiated onto the side surface. On the other hand, in a position where the groove forming member 640 and the projection plate member 620 are adjacent to each other, the groove forming member 640 is formed from a light-transmitting material with a refractive index lower than that of the light-transmitting material of the projection plate member 620, and therefore can allow the irradiated light to enter the projection plate member 620.

[0242] Like the light at the irradiation angle α, the light incident on the projection plate member 620 from the groove forming member 640 can travel after being totally reflected by the inner side surface of the projection plate member 620. The reason for this is the same as in the case of the irradiation angle α, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0243] Therefore, the light from the light source A irradiated at the irradiation angle β can also pass through the projection panel member 620, be diffused by the reflecting portion 622, and be emitted toward the front side of the gaming machine. As a result, the intensity (amount of light) of the light emitted from the projection panel member 620 can be increased without changing the thickness of the projection panel member 620 or increasing the intensity (amount of light) of the light from the irradiating LED 651.

[0244] That is, not only is the light emitted from light source A of the LED 651 incident from the side edge surface of the projection plate member 620, but the light irradiated onto the groove forming member 640 can also be made to incident from the side edge surface of the projection plate member 620, thereby increasing the light collection efficiency of light incident on the side edge surface of the projection plate member 620. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light irradiated from light source A that reaches the reflecting portion 622 of the projection plate member 620, and therefore increase the amount of light reflected by the reflecting portion 622 and emitted from the front of the projection plate member 620, making it possible to clearly highlight (display) patterns and designs. Furthermore, because there is no need to increase the output of the LED 651, the amount of heat generated can be reduced, suppressing the thermal impact on other members and devices.

[0245] Furthermore, since the groove forming member 640 is disposed on the non-display area side of the front base 612 (i.e., disposed on the back side of the front base 612), it is difficult for players to see, which prevents the appearance from deteriorating.

[0246] Here, compared to the light incident on projection plate member 620 from light source A described above, the angle of incidence of light incident on groove forming member 640 when irradiated onto the inner side surface of groove forming member 640 is smaller because groove forming member 640 is positioned offset from light source A in the front direction (upward in FIG. 42(a)). This makes it difficult to totally reflect the light traveling inside groove forming member 640 on its inner side surface, but at least a portion of the light incident on groove forming member 640 from light source A is reflected, making it possible to create the state described above (a state in which light is reflected on the inner side surface of groove forming member 640).

[0247] Furthermore, the groove forming member 640 includes an inclined surface portion 643, which can increase the amount of light that is irradiated at an irradiation angle β and reflected toward the projection plate member 620. That is, as described above, the inclined surface portion 643 is formed so that its intersection angle θ4 is the same as the intersection angle θ3 between the front portion 642 and the imaginary line D connecting the light source A of the LED 651 and the end portion 644 (see FIG. 38 ). Therefore, after reflecting the light irradiated from the LED 651 (light source A) toward the end portion 644, the light can travel along the inclined surface portion 643, and the area over which the light at the irradiation angle β is reflected toward the projection plate member 620 can be increased. As a result, the amount of light reflected toward the projection plate member 620 can be increased.

[0248] Furthermore, because the outer diameter of the groove forming member 640 is larger than the outer diameter of the projection plate member 620, the irradiation angle β from the light source A can be increased accordingly. As a result, the light irradiated from the light source A can be reflected by the outer edge of the groove forming member 640, making it easier for the light to be incident on the side end surface of the projection plate member 620. As a result, the light collection efficiency of the light incident on the side end surface of the projection plate member 620 can be increased accordingly.

[0249] As shown in FIGS. 43(a) and 43(b), of the light emitted from the light source A of the LED 651, the light irradiating the gear member 630 at an irradiation angle γ is incident on the gear member 630.

[0250] Light incident on gear member 630 is reflected inside gear member 630 and travels toward the axis of projection plate member 620. In this case, at a position where the side surface of gear member 630 and projection plate member 620 are adjacent to (facing) each other, light reflected inside gear member 630 can be made to enter projection plate member 620.

[0251] That is, in a position where the gear member 630 and the projection plate member 620 are not adjacent to each other, the gear member 630 is adjacent to the air (in contact with the atmosphere), and therefore can reflect light irradiated onto the inner side surface of the gear member 630. On the other hand, in a position where the gear member 630 and the projection plate member 620 are adjacent to each other, the gear member 630 is formed from a light-transmitting material with a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the light-transmitting material of the projection plate member 620, and therefore can allow the irradiated light to enter the projection plate member 620.

[0252] Like the light at irradiation angle α, the light incident on projection plate member 620 from gear member 630 is totally reflected inside projection plate member 620 and travels toward the axis of projection plate member 620. The reason for this is the same as in the case of irradiation angle α, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0253] Therefore, the light from light source A irradiated at irradiation angle γ passes through projection panel member 620, is diffused by reflecting portion 622, and is emitted toward the front side of the gaming machine. As a result, the amount of light emitted from projection panel member 620 can be increased without changing the thickness of projection panel member 620 or increasing the amount of light (light quantity) of irradiated LED 651.

[0254] That is, not only is the light emitted from light source A of LED 651 incident on the side end surface of the projection panel member 620, but light irradiated onto the gear member 630 can also be made to enter from the side end surface of the projection panel member 620, thereby increasing the light collection efficiency of light incident on the side end surface of the projection panel member 620. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light irradiated from light source A that reaches the reflecting portion 622 of the projection panel member 620, thereby increasing the amount of light reflected by the reflecting portion and emitted from the front of the light-transmitting member, making it possible to clearly highlight (display) patterns and designs. Furthermore, because there is no need to increase the output of LED 651, the amount of heat generated can be reduced, suppressing the thermal impact on other members and devices.

[0255] Furthermore, since the gear member 630 is disposed on the non-display area side of the front base 612 (i.e., disposed on the back side of the front base 612), it is difficult for players to see, and therefore the deterioration of the appearance can be prevented.

[0256] Furthermore, compared to the light incident on projection plate member 620 from light source A described above, the angle of incidence of light incident on gear member 630 when irradiating the inner side surface of gear member 630 is smaller because gear member 630 is positioned offset from light source A toward the rear (downward in FIG. 43(a)). This makes it difficult to totally reflect the light traveling inside gear member 630 on the side surface, but at least a portion of the light incident on gear member 630 from light source A is reflected, making it possible to create the state described above (a state in which light is reflected on the inner side surface of gear member 630).

[0257] The gear member 630 includes an inclined surface portion 633, which can increase the amount of light that is irradiated at an irradiation angle γ and reflected toward the projection plate member 620. That is, as described above, the intersection angle θ2 of the inclined surface portion 633 is formed to be the same as the intersection angle θ1 between the back surface portion 632 and the imaginary line B connecting the light source A and the end portion 634 of the LED 651 (see FIG. 38 ). Therefore, after reflecting the light irradiated from the LED 651 (light source A) toward the end portion 634, the light can travel along the inclined surface portion 633, and the area over which the light irradiated at the irradiation angle γ is reflected toward the projection plate member 620 can be increased. As a result, the amount of light reflected toward the projection plate member 620 can be increased.

[0258] Furthermore, because the outer diameter of the gear member 630 is larger than the outer diameter of the projection plate member 620, the irradiation angle β from the light source A can be increased accordingly. As a result, the light irradiated from the light source A can be reflected by the outer edge of the gear member 630, making it easier for the light to be incident on the side end surface of the projection plate member 620. As a result, the light collection efficiency of the light incident on the side end surface of the projection plate member 620 can be increased accordingly.

[0259] Next, the detailed configuration of the irradiation unit 650 and the attachment structure to the base member 610 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0260] Fig. 44(a) is a top view of the irradiation unit 650, and Fig. 44(b) is a front view of the irradiation unit 650 as viewed in the direction of arrow XLIVb in Fig. 44(a). Fig. 45(a) is a rear view of the irradiation unit 650 as viewed in the direction of arrow XLVa in Fig. 44(a), and Fig. 45(b) is a cross-sectional view of the irradiation unit 650 taken along line XLVb-XLVb in Fig. 44(b). Figs. 44 and 45 show the irradiation unit 650 in a state before being attached to the base member 610 (front base 612) (i.e., a state in which the substrate member 652 has not been elastically deformed).

[0261] As shown in Figures 44 and 45, the irradiation unit 650 includes a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) LEDs 651, a substrate member 652 on the front of which the plurality of LEDs 651 are mounted, and a plurality of (two of each in this embodiment) first blocks 653 and second blocks 654 arranged on the back of the substrate member 652.

[0262] The substrate member 652 is formed from an elastically deformable material in the shape of a horizontally long band when viewed from the front. As described above, the LEDs 651 are light-emitting means that emit light to be incident from the outer peripheral surface of the projection panel member 620. A plurality of LEDs 651 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the substrate member 652 (the left-right direction in FIG. 44(b)) with their irradiated surfaces facing the front of the substrate member 652.

[0263] The first block 653 and the second block 654 are components interposed between the substrate member 652 and the base member 610, with two first blocks 653 arranged at the center of the substrate member 652 in the longitudinal direction, and two second blocks 654 arranged on either side of the substrate member 652 in the longitudinal direction, sandwiching the first blocks 653.

[0264] The first block 653 and the second block 654 are formed from a resin material in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and have higher rigidity (resistance to elastic deformation) than the substrate member 652. Therefore, when attached to the base member 610 (front base 612), only the portions of the substrate member 652 located between the adjacent blocks 653, 654 can be elastically deformed. Here, the first block 653 and the second block 654 will be described with reference to FIG. 46.

[0265] Fig. 46(a) is a front view of the first block 653, and Fig. 46(b) is a cross-sectional view of the first block 653 taken along line XLVIb-XLVIb in Fig. 46(a). Also, Fig. 46(c) is a front view of the second block 654, and Fig. 46(d) is a cross-sectional view of the second block 654 taken along line XLVId-XLVId in Fig. 46(c).

[0266] The first block 653 is formed in a box shape with an open front side (the front side of the paper in Figure 46(a)) and is made up of a bottom wall portion 653a that is horizontally rectangular when viewed from the front and side wall portions 653b that extend from the four sides of the bottom wall portion 653a toward the front side.

[0267] Of the four side walls 653b, opposing side walls 653b (standing from the short sides of the bottom wall 653a) have fastening holes h recessed in their front end surfaces so that screws S1 can be fastened. The side walls 653b other than the side walls 653b having the fastening holes h recessed therein are connected to each other by connecting walls 653c, and protrusions 653c1 are provided on the front end surfaces of the connecting walls 653c.

[0268] The second block 654 is formed in a box shape with an open front side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 46(c)) and includes a bottom wall 654a that is rectangular when viewed from the front and side walls 654b that extend from the four sides of the bottom wall 654a toward the front side. An opening 654a1 that is rectangular when viewed from the front is formed in the bottom wall 654a, and an electrical connection wire can be inserted through the opening.

[0269] Of the four side walls 654b, each side wall 654b erected from a short side of the bottom wall 654a has a fastening hole h recessed in its front end surface so that the screw S1 can be fastened therein. The side walls 653b erected from the long sides of the bottom wall 654a are connected to each other by a connecting wall 654c, and the connecting wall 654c has a fastening hole h recessed in its front end surface so that the screw S1 can be fastened therein.

[0270] In the first block 653 and the second block 654, side wall portions 653b, 654b extending from the long sides of the bottom wall portions 653a, 654a are provided with insertion holes 653b1, 654b1 at two locations on each side wall portion 653b, 654b (see FIGS. 45(a) and 46(b)). Retaining pins 612g of the front base 612 are inserted into the insertion holes 653b1, 654b1. This allows the placement positions of both blocks 653, 654 relative to the front base 612 to be determined and retained in those positions.

[0271] The first block 653 is formed in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a first imaginary plane (i.e., an imaginary plane including the axes of the two fastening holes h) that passes through the center in the vertical direction (vertical direction in Figure 46(a)), and with respect to a second imaginary plane that passes through the center in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in Figure 46(a)) and is perpendicular to the first imaginary plane.

[0272] Therefore, in the irradiation unit 650 in which two first blocks 653 are arranged on one board member 620, the first blocks 653 can be shared, thereby reducing the number of parts and product costs. Furthermore, when assembling the first blocks 653 to the board member 620, the first blocks 653 do not have any orientation in the up-down direction or the longitudinal direction relative to the board member 620, thereby improving workability during assembly.

[0273] Similarly, the second block 654 is formed in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a first imaginary plane (i.e., an imaginary plane that includes the axes of the two fastening holes h) that passes through the center in the vertical direction (vertical direction in Figure 46 (c)).

[0274] Therefore, in the irradiation unit 650 in which two second blocks 654 are arranged for one board member 620, the second blocks 654 can be shared, thereby reducing the number of parts and product costs. Furthermore, when assembling the second blocks 654 to the board member 620, the second blocks 654 do not have any vertical orientation relative to the board member 620, which improves workability during assembly.

[0275] 44 and 45, the first block 653 and the second block 654 are arranged on the back surface side of the substrate member 652 with their longitudinal directions aligned with the longitudinal direction of the substrate member 652 and with a predetermined gap between adjacent blocks.

[0276] Specifically, the first block 653 and the second block 654 are placed with their front faces overlapping the rear face of the base member 652, and screws S1 inserted through insertion holes drilled in the base member 652 are threaded into the fastening holes h, thereby fastening and fixing them to the rear face side of the base member 652. In this case, the protrusion 653c1 of the first block 653 protrudes from the insertion holes drilled in the base member 652 toward the front face side.

[0277] Only the LED 651 is disposed (mounted) on the front surface of the board member 652, and other electronic components and connectors are disposed (mounted) on the back surface of the board member 652. In this case, as described above, the first block 653 and the second block 654 are formed in a box shape with an open front, and are disposed with the open side overlapping the back surface of the board member 652. That is, both blocks 653 and 654 have recesses on the surfaces that are overlapped (disposed) on the board member 652, and the recesses (internal spaces) can accommodate the electronic components and connectors that are mounted on the board member 652. Therefore, the electronic components and connectors can be covered and protected by both blocks 653 and 654, and therefore, damage to the electronic components and connectors caused by contact with surrounding displacing members (for example, the projection panel member 620) can be prevented.

[0278] Furthermore, the circuit (pattern) formed on the substrate member 652 is formed on its back surface. Therefore, the circuit can also be covered and protected by both blocks 653, 654, which prevents the circuit from being damaged (disconnected) by contact with a surrounding displaceable member (for example, the projection panel member 620). Furthermore, the portion of the substrate member 652 where the blocks 653, 654 are not disposed is elastically deformed (bent) into a curved shape that is convex toward the back surface (see FIG. 34), which allows the circuit to be spaced apart from the projection panel member 620 by that amount. This prevents the circuit from being damaged (disconnected) even in the portion where the blocks 653, 654 are not disposed.

[0279] A method of arranging (assembling) the irradiation unit 650 configured in this manner on the base member 610 will be described. First, the irradiation unit 650 is attached to the back surface of the front base 612, in the region between the middle standing portion 611b and the outer standing portion 612c. In this case, while elastically deforming (bending) the board member 652, each holding pin 612g erected from the back surface of the front base 612 is inserted into each insertion hole 653b1, 654b1 of the first block 653 and the second block 654.

[0280] As a result, both blocks 653, 654 (i.e., the irradiation unit 650) can be held on the back surface of the front base 612, and the installation position of the irradiation unit 650 (i.e., the irradiation direction of the LEDs 651) can be positioned at a predetermined position (see FIG. 34). Thereafter, the front surface of the rear base 611 is overlapped on the back surface of the front base 612, and the irradiation unit 650 is housed between the opposing surfaces (internal space) of the two bases 611, 612. That is, the irradiation unit 650 is disposed (assembled) on the base member 610.

[0281] In this embodiment, when the irradiation units 650 are disposed on the base member 610, the LEDs 651 are disposed at equal circumferential intervals on the outer periphery of the projection panel member 620, as described above. That is, not only the circumferential intervals between the LEDs 651 in one irradiation unit 650, but also the circumferential intervals between the LEDs 651 in that irradiation unit 650 and the irradiation units 650 adjacent to that irradiation unit 650 are set to the same intervals as the others.

[0282] Here, the projection unit 600 causes light emitted from the multiple LEDs 651 to be incident on the outer peripheral surface of the projection plate member 620. Therefore, the multiple LEDs 651 need to be arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the projection plate member 620. In addition to the large number of LEDs 651, the arrangement (mounting) of each LED 651 requires adjusting the orientation so that the irradiation surface (irradiation direction) of each LED 651 faces the center of the projection plate member 620, which makes the arrangement work more time-consuming.

[0283] In contrast, according to this embodiment, a plurality of LEDs 651 (eight in this embodiment) are mounted on the substrate member 652 formed to be elastically deformable, so that by disposing (attaching) one substrate member 652 (illumination unit 650) on the front base 612 (base member 610), the disposing work of a plurality of LEDs 651 (eight in this embodiment) can be completed at once (see FIG. 34). Therefore, the labor required for disposing the LEDs 651 can be reduced accordingly.

[0284] Furthermore, by inserting the holding pins 612g of the rear base 612 into the insertion holes 653b1, 654b1 of the first block 653 and the second block 654, the board member 652 can be held in a predetermined elastically deformed posture, and the direction of the irradiation surface of the LEDs 651 can be determined (see FIG. 34). That is, there is no need to assemble the multiple LEDs 651 to the rear base 612 while individually adjusting their irradiation surfaces. The posture (irradiation direction) of each LED 651 can be set (adjusted) simply by inserting the holding pins 612g into the insertion holes 653b1, 654b1 of both blocks 653, 654. This also reduces the effort required for arranging (mounting) the LEDs 651.

[0285] In this case, the irradiation unit 650 includes a first block 653 and a second block 654 formed with higher rigidity than the substrate member 652, and both of these blocks 653 and 654 are held by the rear base 612, so that warping or bending of the substrate member 652 due to input of external force such as vibration is suppressed, or warping or bending of the substrate member 652 itself is corrected, making it easier to regulate the posture of the substrate member 652 at a desired posture. As a result, the posture of each LED 651 is prevented from being affected by warping or bending of the substrate member 652, making it possible to orient the irradiation surface of each LED 651 in an appropriate direction and to easily maintain that orientation.

[0286] In particular, each LED 651 is disposed in an area of ​​the substrate member 652 where the first block 653 or the second block 654 is disposed (i.e., inside an area surrounded by four side wall portions 653b, 654b in a front view). This makes it easier to suppress warping or bending of the substrate member 652 due to input of external force such as vibration, or to easily correct warping or bending that the substrate member 652 itself has, making it easier to regulate the posture of the substrate member 652 to a desired posture. As a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress the posture of each LED 651 from being affected by warping or bending of the substrate member 652, and it is possible to orient the irradiation surface of each LED 651 in an appropriate direction and to more easily maintain that orientation.

[0287] Furthermore, each LED 651 is mounted on the front side of the substrate member 652, while the first block 653 and the second block 654 are arranged on the back side of the substrate member 652. This allows the LED 651 to be positioned closer to the outer peripheral surface of the projection panel member 620, while also achieving the effect of stabilizing the posture of the substrate member 652 with the two blocks 653 and 654.

[0288] Here, the LEDs 651 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 44 and 45) of the substrate member 652. That is, when the irradiation unit 650 is attached to the base member 610 (front base 612), the LEDs 651 can be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the projection plate member 620 (see FIG. 34), thereby ensuring uniformity of the light incident from the outer periphery surface of the projection plate member 620.

[0289] In this case, in the present embodiment, one of the fastening holes h formed in two locations in the second block 654 is formed in the connecting wall 654c, which allows the longitudinal dimension of the second block 654 to be shortened accordingly. Also, the second block 654 is disposed on the base member 652 with the side wall portion 653b in which the fastening hole h is formed facing the first block 653. In other words, the side wall portion 653b in which the fastening hole h is not formed is positioned on both longitudinal end sides of the base member 652.

[0290] This allows the LEDs 651 to be arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the substrate member 652, ensuring uniformity of light incident on the projection plate member 620, while shortening the overall length of the irradiation units 650 in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 44 and 45) and providing a gap (space) between adjacent irradiation units 650. In this case, this space can be used to arrange the shafts 612f, making it easier to shorten the distance between the LEDs 651 and the outer peripheral surface of the projection plate member 620.

[0291] On the other hand, since the first block 653 has two fastening holes h formed in the connecting wall 654c, the distance between the fastening holes h and the LEDs 651 can be shortened. That is, the position where the board member 652 is fastened to the first block 653 by the screws S1 can be brought closer to the LEDs 651. As a result, the LEDs 651 are less likely to be affected by warping or bending of the board member 652 due to external force input such as vibration, and warping or bending of the board member 652 itself can be easily corrected, especially near the LEDs 651. Therefore, the attitude of each LED 651 can be more reliably prevented from being affected by warping or bending of the board member 652, so that the illumination surface of each LED 651 can be oriented in an appropriate direction and the orientation can be more easily maintained.

[0292] In this case, the distance between the two fastening holes h formed in the first block 653 is large, which may weaken the restraint of the board member 652 between the two fastening holes h. In contrast, in this embodiment, a connecting wall 653c is provided between the side wall portions 653b where the fastening holes h are formed, and a protrusion 653c1 protruding from the connecting wall 653c is inserted into an insertion hole drilled in the board member 652. Therefore, engagement between the protrusion 653c1 and the insertion hole can easily suppress warping or deflection of the board member 652 due to external force input such as vibration, or can easily correct warping or deflection of the board member 652 itself, making it easier to define the orientation of the board member 652 in a desired position. As a result, the need for a separate screw S1 is eliminated, reducing the number of parts, thereby reducing product costs and making it possible to orient the illumination surface of each LED 651 in an appropriate direction and more easily maintain that orientation.

[0293] Note that both longitudinal ends of the substrate member 652 (the outermost ends in the longitudinal direction, the left and right ends in FIG. 45(b)) are free ends (i.e., not constrained by the second block 654), which may cause the posture of the LEDs 651 located at these longitudinal ends to become unstable. In contrast, in this embodiment, the first block 653 and the second block 654 are disposed on the back side of the substrate member 652, and the substrate member 652 is elastically deformed (bent) in a direction in which the center of the arc is located on the front side thereof (see FIG. 34). This allows the elastic recovery force of the substrate member 652 to act as a force in a direction pressing the back sides of the both longitudinal ends of the substrate member 652 against the front sides of the second block 654. As a result, the posture of the LEDs 651 located at both longitudinal ends of the substrate member 652 can be stabilized.

[0294] Next, the vertical displacement unit 800 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0295] Fig. 47 is a front view of the vertical displacement unit 800, and Fig. 48 is a rear view of the vertical displacement unit 800. Also, Fig. 49 is a front perspective view of the vertical displacement unit 800, and Fig. 50 is a rear perspective view of the vertical displacement unit 800.

[0296] As shown in Figures 47 to 50, the up-down displacement unit 800 mainly comprises a rear base 830 that is rectangular when viewed from the front, a front base 820 that is superimposed on the front side of the rear base 830, a drive motor 880 that is arranged on the rear side of the rear base 830, a displacement member 850 that is rotated relative to the rear base 830 and the front base 820 by the driving force of the drive motor 880, a transmission mechanism 860 that transmits the driving force of the drive motor 880 to the displacement member 850, a connecting member 870 that connects the transmission mechanism 860 and the displacement member 850, and a cover member 840 that is arranged in front of the shaft hole 851 of the displacement member 850 and is attached to the front base 820.

[0297] The rear base 830 mainly comprises an opening 831 formed in a size that allows the transmission gear 861 of the transmission mechanism 860 connected to the drive motor 880 to be inserted therethrough, shaft portions 832, 833 formed to protrude from the respective axes of the transmission gears 862, 863 of the transmission mechanism 860, and a rear side regulating portion 834 that protrudes from the front side and extends in a curved shape.

[0298] The shaft of a drive motor 880 attached to the rear side of the rear base 830 is inserted through the opening 831. This allows the driving force of the drive motor 880 to be transmitted to a transmission mechanism 860 arranged on the front side of the rear base 830.

[0299] Moreover, the opening 831 is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the transmission gear 861 of the transmission mechanism 860. As a result, if the transmission gear 861 is damaged, the transmission gear 861 can be removed from the up-down displacement unit 800 by removing the drive motor 880 from the rear base 830. As a result, the number of work steps required to replace the transmission gear 861 when it is damaged can be reduced.

[0300] The shafts 832 and 833 are shafts on which transmission gears 862 and 863 of a transmission mechanism 860 (described later) are axially supported and rotatably held, respectively, and are formed in a cylindrical shape protruding from the rear base 830 toward the front side.

[0301] The rear side regulating portion 834 is a protrusion that regulates the displacement of the connecting member 870 described later in the rear direction (toward the back of the paper in Figure 47), and is protruded from the front side of the rear base 830 and extends in a curved shape that follows the displacement of the connecting member 870 described later.

[0302] The front base 820 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and has an outer shape that is slightly larger than the rear base 830. The front base 820 mainly includes a pivot support portion 821 recessed from the front side toward the rear side (from the front side of the paper in FIG. 47 toward the rear side), a side wall 822 erected at the edge on the rear side, a protrusion 823 protruding toward the rear side, a front side restriction portion 824 protruding toward the rear side and extending in a curved shape, and a bulge portion 825 protruding toward the rear side.

[0303] The pivot support portion 821 is a pivot hole into which one end of a pin member 890 (described later) is inserted, and is recessed into the lower right side of the front base 820 when viewed from the front.

[0304] The side walls 822 are walls for forming a gap between the rear base 830 and the front base 820 in which a transmission mechanism 860 and a connecting member 870, which will be described later, can be disposed, and are erected on the upper and left and right edges (excluding the bottom end) of the front base 820 with dimensions larger than the thickness dimensions in the front-rear direction of the transmission mechanism 860 and the connecting member 870. This allows the transmission mechanism 860 and the connecting member 870 to be disposed therebetween in a displaceable state when the front base 820 and the rear base 830 are fastened together.

[0305] The protrusion 823 is a protrusion with which one end side (upper side in FIG. 48) of a biasing spring SP, which will be described later, is engaged. The protrusion 823 is formed in a cylindrical shape and protrudes from the rear surface side of the front base 820.

[0306] The front side regulating portion 824 is a protrusion that regulates the displacement of the connecting member 870 in the front direction (toward the front of the paper in Figure 47), and is protruded from the back side of the front base 820 and extends in a curved shape that follows the displacement of the connecting member 870.

[0307] The bulging portion 825 is a protruding wall that is arranged laterally adjacent to a biasing spring SP, which will be described later, with a predetermined gap therebetween, and is formed to protrude from the lower end of the front base 820 toward the rear side.

[0308] The transmission mechanism 860 is a gear train made up of transmission gears 861 to 863, which are meshed with each other in series, so that the driving force applied from the drive motor 880 is transmitted to the transmission gear 863 via the transmission gears 861 and 862.

[0309] The transmission gear 863 mainly comprises a tooth portion 863a that meshes with the transmission gear 862, a shaft portion 863b that is connected to the connecting member 870, a protrusion portion 863c that protrudes in an arc shape centered on the shaft, and a plate-shaped sensor detection plate 863d for detecting its rotational position.

[0310] The tooth portion 863 a is a meshing surface formed on about two-thirds of the circular side surface of the transmission gear 863 , and this allows the driving force to be transmitted from the transmission gear 862 to the transmission gear 863 .

[0311] The shaft portion 863b is a shaft connected to the connecting member 870, and is cylindrically protruded from the rear surface side, and is disposed at a position different from the rotation axis of the transmission gear 863 (eccentric position).

[0312] The protrusion 863c is a protrusion for preventing the connecting member 870 from being displaced in the forward direction, and is formed to protrude from the outer edge portion on the rear side of the transmission gear 863, and is formed to be curved in a circular shape centered on the axis of the transmission gear 863.

[0313] The sensor detection plate 863d is a plate that blocks the detection area of ​​a position detection sensor (not shown) that is arranged on the front base to detect the rotational position of the transmission gear 863, and is formed to protrude radially outward on the side where the tooth portion 863a of the transmission gear 863 is not formed.

[0314] The connecting member 870 is a member that transmits the rotational driving force of the transmission mechanism 860 to the displacement member 850, and is formed to be curved in an approximately C-shape when viewed from the front, and is equipped with a gear-side connecting hole 871 that is formed to penetrate in the front-to-rear direction at one end of the curved shape (top end of Figure 48), a displacement-side connecting hole 872 that is formed to penetrate in the front-to-rear direction at the other end of the curved shape (bottom end of Figure 48), and an abutment portion 873 that is formed to protrude upward from the outside of the curved portion.

[0315] The gear-side connecting hole 871 is a through-hole into which the shaft portion 863b of the transmission gear 863 is inserted, and is formed in a circular shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 863b. This allows the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 to be connected, and the driving force of the transmission gear 863 to be transmitted to the connecting member 870.

[0316] The displacement-side connecting hole 872 is a through-hole into which a shaft portion 853 of the displacement member 850, which will be described later, is inserted, and is formed in a circular shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 853. This allows the connecting member 870 and the displacement member 850 to be connected, and the driving force of the connecting member 870 can be transmitted to the displacement member 850.

[0317] The contact portion 873 is a protrusion for restricting the displacement of the displacement member 850 in the front-rear direction, and its tip is disposed between the rear side restricting portion 834 of the rear base 830 and the front side restricting portion 824 of the front base 820, facing each other.

[0318] Furthermore, the abutting portion 873 is formed so that the width dimension of the tip in the front-rear direction is slightly smaller than the distance between the opposing rear-side restricting portion 834 of the rear base 830 and the front-side restricting portion 824 of the front base 820. Therefore, when the connecting member 870 is displaced, the abutting portion 873 is displaced into the gap between the rear-side restricting portion 834 and the front-side restricting portion 824, thereby preventing an increase in resistance to the displacement of the connecting member 870. On the other hand, when the connecting member 870 is displaced in the front-rear direction, the abutting portion 873 comes into contact with the front base 820 or the rear base 830, thereby stabilizing the displacement of the connecting member 870.

[0319] The cover member 840 is a member that holds one end side (the right end part in FIG. 47) of the displacement member 850, is formed in a vertically long rectangle when viewed from the front, and is fastened to the front base 820 with a pin member 890 interposed therebetween. In addition, the cover member 840 is formed with a pivot support part 841 that is recessed in a circular shape from the back side to the front side.

[0320] The pivotal support portion 841 is a groove into which the front end portion of the pin member 890 is inserted to hold (pivotally support) the pin member 890 in a rotatable state, and is formed at a position facing the pivotal support portion 821 of the front base 820. As a result, the pin member 890 is disposed between the pivotal support portion 821 of the front base 820 and the pivotal support portion 841 of the cover member 840, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the pin member 890 from falling off the up-down displacement unit 800.

[0321] Displacement member 850 is a member decorated on the front side, with one end (right side in FIG. 47) formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and the other end (left side in FIG. 47) formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front. Displacement member 850 is formed with an axial hole 851 through which pin member 890 is inserted, a protrusion 852 to which biasing spring SP is connected, and an axial portion 853 that transmits the driving force of connecting member 870.

[0322] As described above, the shaft hole 851 is a through-hole into which the pin member 890 is inserted, and is formed to penetrate one end of the displacement member in the front-rear direction, with an inner diameter thereof being larger than the outer diameter of the pin member 890. Therefore, with the pin member 890 inserted into the shaft hole 851, the pin member 890 is disposed between the opposing shaft support portion 821 of the front base 820 and the shaft support portion 841 of the cover member 840, so that the displacement member 850 can be disposed in front of the front base 820 in a state where it can rotate about the axis of the shaft hole 851.

[0323] The protrusion 852 is a protrusion with which the other end (the lower end in FIG. 50) of the biasing spring SP engages, and is formed to protrude from the rear side of the displacement member 850. Furthermore, when the displacement member 850 is placed on the front base 820, the protrusion 852 is formed at a position that protrudes from below the protrusion 823 of the front base 820 toward the rear side, and the protrusion distance is formed to a position that approximately coincides with the front side surface of the rear base. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the biasing spring SP can be made parallel to the direction of gravity. As a result, the displacement member 850 is always biased upward in the direction of gravity relative to the front base 820.

[0324] As described above, the shaft portion 853 is a shaft that is inserted into the displacement-side connecting hole 872 of the connecting member 870, and is formed to protrude from a position below the front base 820 (lower side in FIG. 50) when the displacement member 850 is placed on the front base 820. Therefore, the displacement member 850 and the connecting member 870 can be connected, and the driving force of the displacement member 850 can be transmitted to the connecting member 870.

[0325] As described above, pin member 890 is a shaft that is inserted into shaft hole 851 of displacement member 850, and is formed from a metal rod that is harder than displacement member 850. This makes it possible to prevent the rotation shaft from being damaged when a force is applied to the rotation shaft when displacement member 850 is displaced.

[0326] Furthermore, the resistance of the shaft portion when the displacement member 850 rotates can be divided into two: the resistance when the pin member 890 rotates relative to each of the support portions 821, 841, and the resistance when the displacement member 850 rotates relative to the pin member 890, thereby preventing damage to parts due to excessive resistance in one location.

[0327] Next, the operation of the vertical displacement unit 800 configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 51 to 56. Figure 51 is a front view of the vertical displacement unit 800 at the first position, Figure 52 is a front view of the vertical displacement unit 800 at the intermediate position, and Figure 53 is a front view of the vertical displacement unit 800 at the second position.

[0328] Fig. 54 is a rear view of the vertical displacement unit 800 at the first position, Fig. 55 is a rear view of the vertical displacement unit 800 at the intermediate position, and Fig. 56 is a rear view of the vertical displacement unit 800 at the second position. Note that Figs. 54 to 56 show a state in which the rear base 830 has been removed for ease of understanding.

[0329] 51 and 54, when the other end side (left side in FIG. 52) of displacement member 850 is positioned in an elevated position (first position), shaft portion 863b of transmission gear 863 is positioned upward, and connecting member 870 connected to shaft portion 863b is positioned upward. As a result, shaft portion 853 of displacement member 850 inserted into displacement-side connecting hole 872 of connecting member 870 is positioned upward, and displacement member 850 is in a posture in which it is lifted upward.

[0330] Also, in the first position, the line connecting the axis of the transmission gear 863 and the axis of the shaft portion 863b and the line connecting the axis of the protrusion portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 and the displacement side connecting hole 872 of the connecting member 870 are arranged on the same straight line.

[0331] Therefore, at the first position, it is possible to form a state (i.e., a dead point) in which displacement member 850 does not generate a force component in a direction that pushes or pulls connecting member 870 to rotate transmission gear 863. As a result, after displacement member 850 is placed at the first position, rattle of displacement member 850 can be suppressed, and durability can be improved.

[0332] 51 and 54, when power is supplied to drive motor 880, drive motor 880 is rotated, and each of transmission gears 861, 862, 863 (transmission mechanism 860) is rotated, shaft portion 863b of transmission gear 863 is displaced downward. Therefore, gear-side connecting hole 871 of connecting member 870 connected to shaft portion 863b of transmission gear 863 is pushed downward as shaft portion 863b is rotated. As a result, displacement-side connecting hole 872 formed on the other end side (lower side in FIGS. 54 and 55) of connecting member 870 pushes down shaft portion 853 of displacement member 850, causing displacement member 850 to rotate.

[0333] In this case, by rotating the transmission gear 863, a line connecting the axis of the transmission gear 863 and the axis of the shaft portion 863b intersects with a line connecting the axis of the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 and the displacement-side connecting hole 872 of the connecting member 870. This allows the displacement member 850 to release a state in which no force component is generated in the direction of rotating the transmission gear 863 by pushing or pulling the connecting member 870 (i.e., a dead point). As a result, when the transmission gear 863 begins to rotate in the rotation direction that displaces the displacement member 850 (clockwise rotation in FIG. 54), the force that pulls the gear-side connecting hole 871 of the connecting member 870 due to the gravity of the displacement member 850 can be applied in the direction in which the transmission gear 863 rotates. As a result, the energy consumed by the drive motor 880 during displacement from the first position can be reduced.

[0334] Next, with reference to Figures 52 and 55, we will explain what happens when the power supply to the drive motor 880 is turned off after the displacement member 850 is displaced from the state shown in Figures 51 and 54 (i.e., the state where it is located at the dead center).

[0335] As shown in Figures 52 and 55, when the power supply to the drive motor 880 is turned off after the displacement from the first position, the direction connecting the axis (center of rotation) of the transmission gear 863 and the shaft portion 863b of the transmission gear 863 is approximately perpendicular to the direction connecting the gear side connecting hole 871 and the displacement side connecting hole 872 of the connecting member 870, and the gravity acting on the displacement member 850 and the elastic recovery force of the biasing spring SP are in balance (intermediate position).

[0336] Therefore, when displacing the displacement member 850 from the first position to a second position described later, by turning off the supply of power to the drive motor 880, the displacement member 850 can be caused to perform a reciprocating displacement around the intermediate position (balance position) due to the weight acting on the displacement member 850 and the elastic recovery force of the biasing spring SP. That is, the displacement of the displacement member 850 in the direction of gravity can be made to be an orthogonal projection of uniform circular motion, and the displacement speed can be changed, so that the displacement member can be caused to perform interesting displacements.

[0337] On the other hand, if power is supplied to drive motor 880 and a driving force is applied from transmission mechanism 860 to displacement member 850 via connecting member 870, it is possible to displace displacement member 850 between the first position and the second position in a manner different from the above-described displacement (motion of the orthogonal projection of uniform circular motion), thereby increasing the variation in displacement. That is, simply by turning on or off the power supply to drive motor 880 to switch whether or not to apply driving force from transmission mechanism 860 to displacement member 850, it is possible to increase the variation in displacement, and there is no need to complicate the structure or control, which makes it possible to reduce product costs and improve reliability.

[0338] Furthermore, as described above, since displacement member 850 undergoes rotational displacement about shaft hole 851, when the application of the driving force of displacement member 850 from transmission mechanism 860 is released and displacement member 850 undergoes reciprocating displacement due to the action of gravity of displacement member 850 and the elastic recovery force of biasing spring SP, the displacement of the other end side (left side of FIG. 52) of displacement member 850 can be a displacement that combines not only linear movement in the vertical direction but also rotational movement about shaft hole 851. As a result, displacement member 850 can be caused to perform interesting displacements.

[0339] In this case, connecting member 870 connected to displacement member 850 is pushed and pulled (displaced in the vertical direction) in accordance with the displacement of displacement member 850, causing transmission gear 863 to rotate, and since the posture of transmission gear 863 changes in accordance with the pushing and pulling, it is possible to change the magnitude of the force component in the pushing and pulling direction that rotates the rotating member. In other words, it is possible to change the magnitude of the resistance that displacement member 850 receives from transmission mechanism 860 and connecting member 870 when displacement member 850 is displaced back and forth. As a result, it is possible to change the displacement speed of the reciprocating displacement of displacement member 850, and it is possible to cause the displacement member to perform interesting displacements.

[0340] Furthermore, as described above, in a state where gravity acting on displacement member 850 and the elastic recovery force of biasing spring SP are balanced (intermediate position), a line connecting the axis of transmission gear 863 and the axis of shaft portion 863b of transmission gear 863 and a line connecting the axis of gear-side connecting hole 871 of connecting member 870 and the axis of displacement-side connecting hole 872 are positioned approximately perpendicular to each other, so that the magnitude of the force component in the direction rotating transmission gear 863, out of the forces in the pushing and pulling directions, is maximized at the balanced position (intermediate position), and the force component can be reduced in both the pushing and pulling directions from the balanced position. In other words, when displacement member 850 is displaced back and forth, the resistance that displacement member 850 receives from transmission mechanism 860 and connecting member 870 can be changed approximately symmetrically around the balanced position, making it easier to continue the reciprocating displacement of displacement member 850.

[0341] 52 and 55, when power is supplied to drive motor 880 and transmission gears 861, 862, 863 (transmission mechanism 860) are further rotated, shaft portion 863b of transmission gear 863 is further displaced downward. Therefore, gear-side connecting hole 871 of connecting member 870 connected to shaft portion 863b is pushed further downward as shaft portion 863b is driven to rotate. As a result, displacement-side connecting hole 872 formed on the other end side of connecting member 870 pushes down shaft portion 853 of displacement member 850, causing displacement member 850 to rotate.

[0342] 53 and 56, when the other end side (left side in FIG. 53) of displacement member 850 is arranged in the lowered position (second position), shaft portion 863b of transmission gear 863 is arranged downward, and connecting member 870 connected to shaft portion 863b is arranged downward. As a result, shaft portion 853 of displacement member 850 inserted into displacement-side connecting hole 872 of connecting member 870 is arranged downward, so that displacement member 850 can be placed in a posture in which it is pressed downward.

[0343] In addition, in the second position, the straight line connecting the axis of the transmission gear 863 and the axis of the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 and the axis of the displacement side connecting hole 872 of the connecting member 870 are arranged to have the same straight line length.

[0344] Therefore, at the second position, it is possible to form a state (i.e., a dead point) in which displacement member 850 does not generate a force component in a direction that pushes or pulls connecting member 870 to rotate transmission gear 863. As a result, after displacement member 850 is placed at the second position, rattle of displacement member 850 can be suppressed, and durability can be improved.

[0345] Next, the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 will be described with reference to Figure 57. Figure 57(a) is a rear view of the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 in the first position, Figure 57(b) is a rear view of the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 in the intermediate position, and Figure 57(c) is a rear view of the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 in the second position. Note that in Figures 57(a) to 57(c), a part of the transmission gear 863 (the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 located in front of the connecting member 870) is shown by a dashed line.

[0346] 57(a), in the first position, the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 is disposed at a position facing the connecting member 870 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the gap in the front-rear direction of the connecting member 870 disposed between the rear base 830 and the transmission gear 863 can be reduced, making it easier to bring the connecting member 870 into contact with the rear base 830 or the transmission gear 863.

[0347] Therefore, at the first position, it is possible to increase the resistance when driving the displacement member 850. As a result, at the first position, it is preferable to position the displacement member 850 upward and to form a retracted state in which the third symbol display device 81 is visible to the player, so that the displacement member 850 is in a stopped state, but it is possible to increase the resistance when driving the displacement member 850 and make it easier to maintain the stopped state.

[0348] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 57(b) and 57(c), when power is applied to the drive motor 880 and the transmission gear 863 is rotated by a certain amount or more (when the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 is driving the second driving range θ6), the connecting member 870 and the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 do not face each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0349] Therefore, when the transmission gear 863 is rotated beyond a certain degree, the gap in the front-to-rear direction of the connecting member 870 arranged between the transmission gear 863 and the rear base 830 can be increased, thereby reducing the resistance when displacing the connecting member 870.

[0350] Therefore, when displacing the displacement member 850 from the first position to the second position, it is preferable to displace it in front of the third pattern display device 81 in a short period of time, and by reducing the resistance to displacing the connecting member 870, the displacement member 850 can be displaced from the first position to the second position in a short period of time.

[0351] 57(c), at the second position, the contact portion 873c of the connecting member 870 can be brought into contact with the tooth portion 863a of the transmission gear 863.

[0352] Here, when a displacement member that displaces up and down is displaced downward and stopped, the gravity of the displacement member is added to the inertial force at the time of stopping, which poses a problem in that the displacement member cannot be stopped quickly.

[0353] In contrast, the vertical displacement unit 800 can bring the abutment portion 873c of the connecting member 870 into contact with the transmission gear 863 when the displacement member 850 is displaced to the second position, and therefore the force used to stop the displacement of the displacement member 850 can be divided into two forces: a force that is stopped by the connecting member 870 coming into contact with the transmission gear 863, and a force that is stopped by stopping the rotation (driving of the drive motor 880) of the transmission gear 863. As a result, the displacement member 850 that has been displaced from the first position to the second position can be quickly stopped at the second position.

[0354] Next, with reference to Figures 58(a) to 58(c), the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 when displaced from the first position will be described. Figures 58(a) to 58(c) are rear views of the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 in the first driving range θ5. Note that Figures 58(a) to 58(c) illustrate a transition state from the first position. Also, in Figures 58(a) to 58(c), a part of the transmission gear 863 (the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 located in front of the connecting member 870) is illustrated by a dashed line.

[0355] As shown in Figures 58(a) to 58(c), when the transmission gear 863 rotates and the shaft portion 863b of the transmission gear 863 moves within the first driving range θ5, the area where the protrusion portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 faces the connecting member 870 can be reduced as it moves from the first position to the second position.

[0356] Therefore, when the transmission gear 863 is rotated from the first position, the resistance to displacing the displacement member 850 can be reduced in accordance with the displacement, so that the displacement member 850 can be displaced smoothly.

[0357] Furthermore, when displacing the displacement member 850 from the second position to the first position, the sliding resistance of the displacement member 850 can be increased while displacing it to the first position, which is the retracted position, so that when the displacement member 850 is displaced to the first position and stopped, the displacement member 850 can be quickly brought to a stopped state.

[0358] That is, when displacing and stopping the displacement member 850, it is difficult to quickly achieve a stopped state due to the inertial force that stops the movement, but since the resistance of the displacement member 850 when stopping can be increased, it is possible to quickly achieve a stopped state.

[0359] On the other hand, when the shaft portion 863b of the transmission gear 863 is displaced within the second driving range θ6, a state can be created in which the protruding portion 863c of the transmission gear 863 and the connecting member 870 are not positioned opposite each other in the front-rear direction, thereby reducing the resistance to displacing the displacement member 850. As a result, when the shaft portion 863b of the transmission gear 863 drives the second driving range θ6, the displacement member 850 can be quickly displaced, and the dramatic effect produced by the protruding movement of the displacement member 850 can be enhanced.

[0360] Furthermore, in the second driving range θ6, when the driving force from the transmission mechanism 860 to the displacement member 850 is released and the displacement member 850 is caused to move back and forth around the intermediate position (balance position), the generation of resistance by the protrusion portion 863c is avoided, and the displacement member 850 can be moved back and forth smoothly.

[0361] Next, with reference to Figures 59(a) to 59(c), the abutment portion 873, the front base 820, and the rear base 830 will be described. Figure 59(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vertical displacement unit 800 taken along line LIXa-LIXa in Figure 54, Figure 59(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vertical displacement unit 800 taken along line LIXb-LIXb in Figure 55, and Figure 59(c) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vertical displacement unit 800 taken along line LIXc-LIXc in Figure 56.

[0362] As shown in FIGS. 59(a) and 59(b), the tip of the contact portion 873 of the connecting member 870 is disposed between the front side restricting portion 824 of the front base 820 and the rear side restricting portion 834 of the rear base 830.

[0363] That is, the front-side restricting portion 824 of the front base 820 and the rear-side restricting portion 834 of the rear base 830 are formed in a curved shape in accordance with the displacement of the tip of the abutting portion 873 of the connecting member 870. This restricts the displacement of the connecting member 870 in the front-rear direction.

[0364] Here, the connecting member 870 and the displacement member 850 are in a state in which the shaft portion 853 is inserted into the displacement side connecting hole 872, so there is a problem in that the displacement member 850 tilts in the forward / backward direction due to the gravity of the displacement member 850 due to the gap between the shaft and the hole, causing deformation of the displacement side connecting hole 872 or the shaft portion 853.

[0365] In contrast to this, the vertical displacement unit 800 is prevented from tilting in the front-rear direction by the abutting portion 873, so that the displacement member 850 can be displaced smoothly.

[0366] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 59(c), when the displacement member 850 is displaced to the second position, the rear side regulating portion 834 of the rear base 830 can be positioned so as not to face the abutment portion 873 of the connecting member 870.

[0367] This increases the gap between the abutment portion 873 of the connecting member 870 at the second position and the front base 820 and the rear base 830. As a result, the resistance when displacing the displacement member 850 from the second position to the first position is reduced, making it easier to displace the displacement member 850 from the second position.

[0368] Furthermore, the vertical displacement unit 800 is arranged such that the abutment portion 873 is on an approximately straight line connecting the axial center of the shaft portion 853 of the displacement member 850 and the axial center of the gear side connecting hole of the connecting member 870, and is positioned on the opposite side of the axial center of the axial hole 851 of the displacement member 850 across the axial centers of the transmission gear 863 and the gear side connecting hole of the connecting member 870 (see Figure 54).

[0369] Therefore, when the connecting member 870 rattles relative to the front base 820 and the rear base 830, the abutment portion 873 of the connecting member 870 abuts against the front base 820 and the rear base 830, which makes it possible to easily suppress tilt of the shaft portion 863b of the transmission gear 863 and the gear-side connecting hole 871 of the connecting member 870. As a result, the driving force of the drive motor 880 can be smoothly transmitted to the displacement member 850 via the transmission mechanism 860 and the connecting member 870.

[0370] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 60 to 63. In the first embodiment, the outer diameter of the projection plate member 620 is set smaller than those of the gear member 630 and the groove forming member 640, but in the second embodiment, the outer diameter of the projection plate member 620 is set to be the same as those of the gear member 630 and the groove forming member 640.

[0371] 60 and 61, the projection plate member 2620, gear member 630, and groove forming member 2640 will be described. Note that the same parts as those in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0372] Figure 60(a) is a front view of the projection plate member 2620, gear member 630 and groove forming member 2640 in the second embodiment, and Figure 60(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the projection plate member 2620, gear member 630 and groove forming member 2640 along line LXb-LXb in Figure 60(a).

[0373] 60(a) and 60(b), a gear member 630 and a groove forming member 2640 are disposed on the rear and front sides, respectively, of the outer peripheral edge of the projection plate member 2620. The projection plate member 2620 is formed into a plate-like body that is circular when viewed from the front, and its outer diameter is formed to be the same as the outer diameters of the gear member 630 and the groove forming member 2640. The projection plate member 2620 also has a notch 621 on part of its outer edge and a reflecting portion 622 that diffuses light.

[0374] The groove forming member 2640 is made of a light-transmitting material with a lower refractive index than the projection plate member 2620, and is formed in an annular shape when viewed from the front, with a guide groove 2641 whose cross section is U-shaped and concave from the outer edge to the inner edge. The groove forming member 2640 is disposed on the front side of the projection plate member 2620 (upper side in FIG. 60(b)), and its axis is disposed coaxially with the axis of the projection plate member 2620. The groove forming member 2640 is disposed on the non-display area side of the front base 612 (i.e., disposed on the back side of the front base 612).

[0375] The guide groove 2641 is a groove that guides the collar C inward, and is formed with a recessed width greater than the axial dimension of the protrusion C1 of the collar C. Therefore, by guiding the multiple collars C rotatably supported on the base member 610 in the guide groove 2641, the projection panel member 2620 is rotatably held on the base member 610.

[0376] Next, the light emitted from the LED 651 (light source A) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0377] 61 to 63 are schematic cross-sectional views of the projection plate member 2620, the gear member 630, and the groove forming member 2640. Note that cross-sectional lines are omitted in Figures 61(b), 62(b), and 63(b) to facilitate understanding.

[0378] 61(b), 62(b), and 63(b), similar to the first embodiment, the refraction angle when light from light source A is incident on projection plate member 2620, gear member 630, and groove forming member 2640 is considered to have no effect on the present invention, and the light incident from light source A on projection plate member 2620, gear member 630, and groove forming member 2640 is shown as being orthogonal. Furthermore, in FIGS. 61 to 63, similar to the first embodiment, the boundary between the display area and outside the display area is indicated by virtual line M.

[0379] As shown in Figures 61(a) and 61(b), the light emitted from light source A of the LED 651 at an illumination angle α2 that illuminates the outer surface of the projection panel member 2620 is incident on the side surface of the outer edge of the projection panel member 620. The light incident on the projection panel member 2620 is reflected at the same angle as the incident angle by being irradiated on the side surfaces of the front and back sides of the projection panel member 2620. This allows the light incident on the projection panel member 2620 to travel from the edge side toward the center (axis center) of the projection panel member 2620. Therefore, the light from light source A irradiated at an illumination angle α1 passes through the projection panel member 2620, is diffusely reflected by the reflecting portion 622, and is emitted toward the front side of the gaming machine.

[0380] In this case, the projection plate member 2620 is formed with larger outer dimensions than the projection plate member 620 in the first embodiment. This allows the edge of the projection plate member 2620 to be located closer to the LED 651 (light source A). Therefore, the illumination angle α2 in the second embodiment can be made larger than the illumination angle α1 in the first embodiment, and the amount of light (light quantity) projected onto the projection plate member 2620 can be increased accordingly. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the projection plate member 2620 can be increased without changing the thickness of the projection plate member 2620 or increasing the amount of light emitted by the LED 651.

[0381] As shown in Figures 62(a) and 62(b), of the light emitted from light source A of LED 651, light at an irradiation angle β2 that irradiates the groove forming member 640 on the front side (upper side of Figure 62(a)) from the guide groove 641 is incident on the edge part on the front side of the groove forming member 2640.

[0382] The light that is irradiated within the range of irradiation angle β2 and enters the groove forming member 2640 is reflected inside the groove forming member 2640 and travels toward the axis of the projection plate member 2620. In this case, similar to the first embodiment, at a position where the side surface of the groove forming member 2640 and the projection plate member 2620 are adjacent to (facing) each other, the light that is irradiated onto the inner side surface of the groove forming member 2640 can be made to enter the projection plate member 2620.

[0383] As shown in Figures 63(a) and 63(b), of the light irradiated from light source A of LED 651, light at an irradiation angle Δ2 that irradiates groove forming member 2640 on the back side of guide groove 641 (lower side of Figure 62(a)) is incident from the edge on the back side of groove forming member 2640.

[0384] The light that is irradiated within the range of irradiation angle Δ2 and enters groove forming member 2640 is irradiated and reflected by the side surface of guide groove 2641 of groove forming member 2640. The reflected light can be incident on projection plate member 2620 by being irradiated on the side surface of groove forming member 2640 at a position where the side surface and projection plate member 2620 are adjacent (facing) each other.

[0385] That is, by recessing the guide groove 2641 into the side surface of the outer edge of the groove forming member 2640, light that enters the groove forming member 2640 from between the guide groove 2641 and the projection panel member 2620 can be reflected by the side surface of the guide groove 2641 and made to enter the projection panel member 2620.

[0386] Therefore, by forming the guide groove 2641 as a recess on the side surface of the outer edge of the groove forming member 2640, it can serve both to hold the collar C and to collect light onto the projection panel member 2620.

[0387] Furthermore, compared to the first embodiment, the amount of light (light quantity) incident on the projection plate member 2620 from the groove forming member 2640 can be increased by the additional irradiation angle Δ. Therefore, the intensity (light quantity) of light emitted from the projection plate member 2620 can be increased without changing the thickness of the projection plate member 2620 or increasing the intensity (light quantity) of light from the irradiating LEDs 651.

[0388] Furthermore, since the groove forming member 2640 is disposed on the non-display area side of the front base 612 (i.e., disposed on the back side of the front base 612), it is difficult for players to see, which prevents the appearance from deteriorating.

[0389] Of the light emitted from the light source A of the LED 651, the light that illuminates the gear member 630 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0390] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 64 to 66. In the first embodiment, the gear member 630 and groove forming member 640 are in contact with the ground around the entire outer edge of the projection plate member 620, but in the third embodiment, the gear member 3630 and groove forming member 640 form surfaces that are raised relative to the projection plate member 3620.

[0391] First, with reference to Figures 64 and 65, we will explain the shapes of the projection plate member 3620, the gear member 3630, and the groove forming member 640. Note that the same parts as those in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

[0392] Figure 64(a) is a front view of the projection plate member 3620, gear member 3630 and groove forming member 3640 in the third embodiment, and Figure 64(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the projection plate member 3620, gear member 3630 and groove forming member 640 along line LXIVb-LXIVb in Figure 64(a).

[0393] Figure 65(a) is a side view of the projection plate member 3620, gear member 3630 and groove forming member 640 as viewed in the direction of arrow LXVa in Figure 64(a), Figure 65(b) is a cross-sectional view of the projection plate member 3620, gear member 3630 and groove forming member 640 along line LXVb-LXVb in Figure 65(a), and Figure 65(c) is a cross-sectional view of the projection plate member 3620, gear member 3630 and groove forming member 640 along line LXVc-LXVc in Figure 65(a).

[0394] 64 and 65, the projection plate member 3620 in the third embodiment is formed as a plate-like body that is circular when viewed from the front, and a gear member 3630 and a groove forming member 3640 are disposed on the outer periphery of the projection plate member 3620 on the rear and front sides, respectively. The projection plate member 3620 is formed so that its outer diameter is larger than the gear member 3630 and the groove forming member 3640, and protrusions 3623 that protrude on the front and rear sides are formed on its outer edge.

[0395] The protrusion 3623 is formed in a generally triangular cross section, protruding toward the front side (upper side in FIG. 64(b)) or the back side (lower side in FIG. 64(b)) toward the outer edge. The tip of the protrusion 3623 protruding toward the front side is set on a virtual line F that connects the light source A of the LED 651 and the outer edge of a recessed groove 3645 formed in a groove forming member 3640, which will be described later. On the other hand, the tip of the protrusion 3623 protruding toward the back side is set on a virtual line G that connects the light source A of the LED 651 and the outer edge of a recessed groove 3635 formed in a gear member 3630, which will be described later.

[0396] The gear member 3630 is formed into a plate-like body that is circular when viewed from the front, and is disposed coaxially with the axis of the projection plate member 620. The gear member 3630 also includes grooves 3635 recessed at predetermined intervals in the side surface on the front side (upper side in FIG. 64(b)) and stop holes 636 for screw fastening that are formed through the gear member 3630 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0397] The recessed grooves 3635 are grooves recessed in the radial direction and are formed on both circumferential sides of each stop hole 636. This allows a gap to be formed between the projection panel member 3620 and the gear member 3630 when the gear member 3630 is placed on the projection panel member 3620 (see FIG. 64(b)).

[0398] The groove forming member 3640 is formed into a plate-like body that is annular when viewed from the front, and is disposed coaxially with the axis of the projection plate member 620. The groove forming member 3640 also has grooves 3645 recessed at predetermined intervals in the side surface on the rear side (lower side in FIG. 64(b)) and screw openings 646 formed through the groove forming member 3640 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0399] The groove 3645 is a groove recessed in the radial direction, and is formed at a position facing the groove 3636 formed in the gear member 3630. This allows a gap to be formed between the projection plate member 3620 and the gear member 3630 when the groove forming member 3640 is placed on the projection plate member 3620.

[0400] 65 , the surface where the projection plate member 3620 and the groove forming member 3640 come into contact with each other is a surface that radially overlaps with an opening 646 through which a bolt T that fastens the projection plate member 3620, the groove forming member 3640, and the gear member 3630 is inserted. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the holding force when a gap is formed between the projection plate member 3620 and the gear member 3630 and the groove forming member 3640. That is, when a gap is formed between the projection plate member 3620 and the gear member 3630 and the groove forming member 3640, the projection plate member 3620 and the gear member 3630 and the groove forming member 3640 can be grounded by the diameter of the opening 646, thereby ensuring a holding surface that sandwiches the projection plate member 3620 and the gear member 3630 and the groove forming member 3640.

[0401] Next, with reference to FIG. 66, the light emitted from the LED 651 (light source A) will be described.

[0402] Figures 66(a) and (b) are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of a projection plate member 620, a gear member 630, and a groove forming member 640. Note that in Figure 66(b), cross-sectional lines are omitted for ease of understanding.

[0403] 66(b), similar to the first embodiment, the refraction angle when light from light source A is incident on projection plate member 3620, gear member 3630, and groove forming member 3640 is considered to have no effect on the present invention, and the light incident from light source A on projection plate member 3620, gear member 3630, and groove forming member 3640 is shown as being orthogonal. Furthermore, in FIG. 66, similar to the first embodiment, the boundary between the display area and outside the display area is indicated by virtual line M.

[0404] As shown in Figures 66(a) and 66(b), of the light emitted from light source A of LED 651, light at an irradiation angle α3 that illuminates the outer surface of the projection plate member 3620 is incident from the side of the outer edge of the projection plate member 3620.

[0405] Light incident on the projection panel member 3620 is irradiated onto the front and rear side surfaces of the projection panel member 3620, and is therefore totally reflected at the same angle as the angle of incidence. This allows the light incident on the projection panel member 3620 to travel from the edge of the projection panel member 3620 toward the center (axial center side). Therefore, the light from the light source A irradiated at an irradiation angle α3 passes through the projection panel member 3620, is diffusely reflected by the reflecting portion 622, and is emitted toward the front of the gaming machine.

[0406] In this case, in the third embodiment, gaps are formed between the projection plate member 3620 and the groove forming member 3640 and the gear member 3630, which makes it easier for light incident from the side end face of the projection plate member 3620 to reach the reflecting portion 622. As a result, since light incident from the side end face of the projection plate member 3620 can be made to reach the reflecting portion 622 more easily, the light reflected by the reflecting portion 622 and emitted from the front side of the projection plate member 3620 can be strengthened, making patterns and designs stand out more clearly.

[0407] On the other hand, light irradiated at irradiation angles other than irradiation angle α3 is incident on groove forming member 3640 or gear member 3630. In this case, because groove forming member 3640 and gear member 3630 are arranged with a gap between them and the projection plate member 620 as described above, light incident on groove forming member 3640 or gear member 3630 is not incident on the projection plate member 620 side as in the first embodiment.

[0408] Therefore, by allowing light from a light source other than light source A of LED 651 projected toward the projection plate member 3620 to enter groove forming member 3640 and gear member 3630, it is possible to prevent light from light sources other than light source A from entering the projection plate member 3620. This makes it possible to prevent the display on reflecting portion 622 of projection plate member 3620 from being highlighted (displayed) by light from sources other than LED 651.

[0409] Furthermore, as described above, the contact surface of the fastening portion between the projection plate member 3620 and the groove forming member 3640 and the gear member 3630 is a surface that radially overlaps with the opening 646 (see Figure 65(c)), so that a location where light is not normally incident can be used as the contact surface.

[0410] That is, because the bolt T is inserted into the opening 646, when light is incident from the radially outer side of the opening 646, the light is blocked by the bolt T, and the light from the LED 651 is not incident on the reflecting portion 622. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the light incident on the groove forming member 3640 and the gear member 3630 from being incident on the projection panel member 3620.

[0411] Furthermore, in this case, the contact surface of the fastening portion between the projection plate member 3620 and the groove forming member 3640 and the gear member 3630 can be formed over the entire surface that radially overlaps with the opening 646, so that the contact surface can be secured and the groove forming member 3640 and the gear member 3630 can be prevented from shifting relative to the projection plate member 3620.

[0412] Here, if a gap is formed between the projection plate member 3620 and the groove forming member 3640 and the gear member 3630, the light from the LED 651 may be inserted through the gap toward the axial center of the projection plate member 3620, causing the light to leak from the edge of the projection plate member 3620 to the center.

[0413] In contrast, since protrusions 3623 are formed on the edges of the projection plate member 3620 of the third embodiment, light from light source A of the LED 651 is not irradiated into the gaps between the projection plate member 3620 and the groove forming member 3640 and the gear member 3630. This prevents light from leaking from the edges of the projection plate member 3620 to the center.

[0414] Furthermore, the protrusions 3623 can increase the dimension of the edge side surface of the projection plate member 3620 in the front-to-back direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 66(a)), thereby increasing the irradiation angle α3. Therefore, the intensity (amount of light) of the light emitted from the projection plate member 3620 can be increased without changing the thickness of the projection plate member 3620 or increasing the intensity (amount of light) of the light emitted by the LEDs 651.

[0415] Next, an irradiation unit 4650 in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 67 and 68. Note that the same parts as those in the above embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0416] Fig. 67(a) is a top view of an irradiation unit 4650 in the fourth embodiment, and Fig. 67(b) is a cross-sectional view of the irradiation unit 4650. Fig. 68(a) is a partially enlarged schematic view of the projection unit 4600 in the vicinity of the first block 653, and Fig. 68(b) is a partially enlarged schematic view of the projection unit 4600 in the vicinity of the second block 654. Fig. 67(b) corresponds to Fig. 44(b). Fig. 68 also schematically illustrates a state in which the irradiation unit 4650 is disposed on the base member 610.

[0417] 67, in the irradiation unit 4650 of the fourth embodiment, a first block 653 and a second block 654 are fastened to a board member 620 by screws S2. In this case, the height dimension of the head of the screw S2 (the vertical dimension in FIG. 67) is set to be larger than the height dimension of the LED 651. In other words, the amount of protrusion of the screw S2 from the front surface of the board member 620 is set to be larger than the amount of protrusion of the LED 651.

[0418] More specifically, as shown in Figure 68, the height dimension of the head of the screw S2 is set to a dimension such that when the outer surface of the projection panel member 620 abuts (externally contacts) the head of one screw S2 and the head of the screw S2 adjacent to that screw S2, the outer surface of the projection panel member 620 cannot abut against the LED 651 arranged between those two screws S2.

[0419] This allows the head of the screw S2 to protect the LED 651. That is, when the projection panel member 620 is rotated and brought close to the irradiation unit 2650 due to, for example, radial play caused by dimensional tolerances or assembly tolerances, the outer peripheral surface of the projection panel member 620 can be brought into contact with the head of the screw S2, thereby preventing the LED 651 from coming into contact with the screw S2, and as a result, damage to the LED 651 can be suppressed.

[0420] In particular, in this embodiment, the projection plate member 620 is made of a resin material, while the screws S2 are made of a metal material, which enhances the effect of protecting the LEDs 651 when the projection plate member 620 rattles in the radial direction. Furthermore, if the projection plate member 620 is continuously rotated while in contact with the screws S2, the projection plate member 620 will wear out, and therefore, even if the projection plate member 620 rattles in the radial direction, it is possible to prevent the projection plate member 620 from coming into contact with the LEDs 651.

[0421] In this way, by using the screw S2 to protect the LED 651, it is possible to omit the formation of the intermediate standing portions 611b, 612b. Therefore, in this case, by omitting a complex shape, it is possible to simplify the shapes of the rear base 611 and the front base 612, and improve the moldability in resin molding. As a result, it is possible to improve the yield.

[0422] Furthermore, by using the screw S2 to protect the LED 651, the tolerance for radial play caused by dimensional tolerances of parts and assembly tolerances can be relaxed, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design. That is, the LED 651 and the outer peripheral surface of the projection panel member 620 can be brought closer together, and as a result, the light emitted from the LED 651 can be efficiently incident on the outer peripheral surface of the projection panel member 620.

[0423] Next, a projection unit 5600 of a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 69 to Fig. 76. In the first embodiment, the projection plate member 620 is formed in a disk shape when viewed from the front and rotates around the center of the circle as an axis, but in the fifth embodiment, the projection plate member 5620 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front and is slidably displaced in one direction.

[0424] First, the overall configuration of the projection unit 5600 will be described with reference to Figures 69 to 71. Note that the same parts as those in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0425] Fig. 69 is a front view of the projection unit 5600 in the fifth embodiment. Fig. 70 is an exploded front perspective view of the projection unit 5600. Fig. 71 is a rear view of the front base 5612. Fig. 72 is a rear view of the projection unit 5600. Note that Fig. 72 shows a state in which the rear base 5611 has been removed.

[0426] As shown in Figures 69 to 72, the projection unit 5600 is formed mainly by a base member 5610 that is circular when viewed from the front and has an opening in the center, a projection plate member 5620 that is arranged so that it can slide in the opening of the base member 5610, an irradiation unit 650 that directs light from the outer peripheral surface of the projection plate member 5620, a drive motor 661 for slidingly displacing the projection plate member 5620, and a gear train (gears 662 to 664, 5665 to 5668) for transmitting the driving force of the drive motor 661 to the projection plate member 5620.

[0427] The base member 5610 comprises a rear base 5611 which is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front and has a horizontally elongated rectangular opening in the center, and a front base 5612 which is arranged in front of the rear base 5611 and has approximately the same outer shape as the rear base 5611.The internal space formed between the opposing surfaces of the rear base 5611 and the front base 5612 houses a projection panel member 5620, an irradiation unit 650 and a gear train (gears 662-664, 5665-5668).

[0428] As described above, the front base 5612 is a plate member formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed by an outer upright portion 612c standing on the outer edge on the back side, a central opening 5612h that opens in the center in the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, an inner upright portion 612a standing on the back side edge of the central opening 5612h, a pair of left and right holding portions 5612i that protrude from both upper ends of the central opening 5612h, two shaft portions 5612k that protrude from between the pair of holding portions 5612i to the back side, and a sliding protrusion 5612m that protrudes from below the central opening 5612h to the back side.

[0429] The central opening 5612h is opened in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape in the center of the front base 5612 when viewed from the front. A player can view the patterns and designs of the third pattern display device 81 arranged on the back side of the projection unit 5600 through the central opening 5612h.

[0430] The holding portions 5612i are protruding portions for holding a rod member 5625, which will be described later, and are formed at both ends above a central opening 5612h to protrude toward the rear side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 71) of the front base 5612. In addition, the holding portions 5612i have recessed grooves 5612i1 formed on their protruding surfaces so as to be recessed toward the front side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 71).

[0431] The groove 5612i1 is recessed to have an arc-shaped cross section extending from the center of the front base 5612 in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 71) toward the end, and the inner diameter of the groove 5612i1 is larger than the outer diameter of a rod member 5625, which will be described later. The pair of grooves 5612i1 are formed at the same height in the up-down direction (up-down direction in FIG. 71), and the distance between their ends in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 71) is set larger than the axial dimension of the rod member 5625. Therefore, after the rod member 5625 is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the groove 5612i1, by disposing, on both ends, holder covers 5628 having grooves with a radius larger than the outer diameter of the rod member 5625, at positions facing the groove 5612i1 from the rear side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 71), the rod member 5625 can be disposed in the front base 5612 (see FIG. 72).

[0432] The shaft portion 5612k is a protrusion that serves as the rotation axis of the rotating member 5670 described later, and is disposed symmetrically with respect to a perpendicular line that passes through the center of the disk-shaped front base 5612 above the central opening 5612h.

[0433] The sliding protrusions 5612m are protrusions that guide the displacement of a rack 5627, which will be described later, and are formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes from the lower side of the central opening 5612h to the rear side. The pair of sliding protrusions 5612m are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to a perpendicular line that passes through the center of the disk-shaped front base 5612.

[0434] The projection board member 5620 is made of a light-transmitting material, and the display of the third pattern display device 81 is visible to the player, and when light from the LED 651 is incident, the incident light is emitted from the front of the projection board member 5620 in a form of a pattern or design. In other words, the pattern or design can be made to appear (display) in front of the third pattern display device 81.

[0435] The projection plate member 5620 includes a rack 5627 extending in the left-right direction at the lower end, and a reflector 622 formed inside the projection plate member 5620. The rack 5627 is disposed below the central opening of the base member 610 (the central opening 5612h of the front base 5612) and is located in a position that is not visible from the front side of the assembled projection unit 5600. The rack 5627 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and its longitudinal dimension is set to be longer than the left-right dimension of the projection plate member 5620 (left-right direction in FIG. 72). This allows the movable range of sliding displacement of the projection plate member 5620 to be larger than the left-right dimension of the projection plate member 5620.

[0436] The rack 5627 has a rack gear 5627a formed on its underside to mesh with the gear 5668, and a sliding groove 5627b formed in the center thereof to penetrate in the front-rear direction.

[0437] The rack gear 5627a is a gear tooth surface that displaces the rack 5627 (projection panel member 5620) left and right when the driving force of the drive motor 661 is transmitted via a gear train (gears 662 to 664, 5665 to 5668), and is formed over the entire underside of the rack 5627.

[0438] The sliding grooves 5627b are grooves for preventing the rack 5627 from tilting when the rack 5627 is displaced left and right by the drive of the drive motor 661, and are long in the left and right direction, into which a pair of sliding protrusions 5612m of the front base 5612 are inserted. As a result, when the rack 5627 is displaced relative to the rear base 5611, the direction of displacement is restricted, and the rack 5627 is slidably displaced. The operation of the rack 5627 (projection panel member 5620) will be described in detail later.

[0439] Above the rear side of the projection panel member 5620, there is arranged a cylindrical rod member 5625 extending in the left-right direction (left-right direction in Figure 72), and a front cover 5626 having a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front, located opposite the projection panel member 5620 across the rod member 5625.

[0440] The rod member 5625 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the left-right dimension of the projection plate member 5620 and shorter than the outer diameter of the rear base 5611, and is sandwiched between the front cover 5626 and the projection plate member 5620 and arranged on the projection plate member 5620.

[0441] The front cover 5626 is a plate member guided by a rod member 5625, and its length dimension in the left-right direction (left-right direction in Figure 72) is set to be approximately the same as the length dimension in the left-right direction of the projection plate member 5620.The front cover 5626 is arranged on the projection plate member 5620 with the rod member 5625 sandwiched between it and the projection plate member 5620.

[0442] The front cover 5626 has a groove 5626a, which is recessed toward the front side (the far side of the paper in FIG. 72) and extends in the left-right direction, on the side facing the projection panel member 5620. The groove 5626a is a groove inside which the rod member 5625 is placed, and is recessed with a substantially U-shaped cross section, with the recess dimensions in the up-down direction and toward the front side set larger than the outer diameter of the rod member 5625.

[0443] This allows the rod member 5625 to be disposed inside the groove portion 5626a. This allows the projection panel member 5620 to be disposed so as to be slidable relative to the rod member 5625 in the axial direction of the rod member 5625.

[0444] Furthermore, the rod member 5625 is disposed closer to the rear side than the front side of the front cover 5626. In other words, the rod member 5625 does not protrude from the front surface of the front cover 5626, so the front cover 5626 can be disposed on the projection panel member 5620 without forming a recessed portion in the projection panel member 5620.

[0445] Here, when the rod member 5625 protrudes from the front surface of the front cover 5626, it is necessary to form a groove on the back side of the projection plate member 5620 for inserting the rod member 5625. However, since the projection plate member 5620 is a member that causes light that has entered the interior thereof to exit from the front surface of the projection plate member 5620 in the form of a pattern or design, forming a groove in the projection plate member 5620 to partially reduce its thickness poses a problem in that the reduced thickness makes it more difficult for light that has entered the interior of the projection plate member 5620 to travel, thereby reducing the amount of light that is emitted from the front surface of the projection plate member 5620.

[0446] In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, the projection plate member 5620 can be placed on the front cover 5626 with the rod member 5625 placed inside, without changing the thickness of the projection plate member 5620. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light that has entered the projection plate member 5620 from becoming difficult to travel, and to prevent a decrease in the amount of light that is emitted from the front of the projection plate member 5620.

[0447] Furthermore, as described above, both ends of the rod member 5625 are arranged on the front base 5612 so as not to come off, and therefore the projection panel member 5620 is held slidably in the axial direction of the rod member 5625 relative to the front base 5612. In other words, the projection panel member 5620 is arranged suspended from the rod member 5625 in a manner that allows it to slide in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 72).

[0448] Therefore, when a driving force is applied to drive motor 661, the driving force is transmitted to rack 5627 via the gear train (gears 662 to 664, 5665 to 5668), causing rack 5627 to slide left and right. When rack 5627 slides left and right, projection panel member 5620 connected to rack 5627 can also be displaced in that sliding direction.

[0449] The first block 653 of the irradiation unit 650 is arranged in a substantially straight line along the upper end surface of the projection plate member 5620, and the LED 651 disposed in front of the first block is arranged in a position facing the upper end surface of the projection plate member 5620. This allows light emitted from the LED 651 of the irradiation unit 650 to be incident on the upper end surface of the projection plate member 5620, making the pattern or design on the reflecting portion 622 of the projection plate member 5620 stand out.

[0450] Furthermore, a bulging portion 5612n that bulges out in a generally rectangular shape in rear view toward the rear side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 71) is formed on the side surface of the front base 5612 on which the first block 653 of the irradiation unit 650 is disposed. The bulging portion 5612n is a portion for raising the first block 653 toward the rear side, and the raised dimension is set to be larger than the plate thickness of a rotation member 5670 (described later). This allows the rotation member 5670 (described later) to be disposed in the gap between the second block 654 and the front base 6512.

[0451] Further, a protrusion 612g is formed on the bulging portion 5612n. The first block 653 of the irradiation unit 650 is disposed in the irradiation unit 5600 by inserting the protrusion 612g into the insertion hole 653b1 and by being sandwiched between the front base 5612 and the rear base 5611.

[0452] A rotary member 5670 is attached to the front side of the second block 654 disposed on both ends of the irradiation unit 650 .

[0453] The rotating member 5670 is a plate member bent into an L-shape when viewed from the front, and is disposed on the front base 5612 with the bent portion positioned at the center in the left-right direction, and the second block 654 of the irradiation unit 650 is attached to one of the longitudinal sides. In addition, a through-hole 5671 is formed in the bent portion of the rotating member 5670, penetrating in the front-rear direction.

[0454] The through-hole 5671 is an opening into which the shaft portion 5612k of the front base 5612 is inserted, and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 5612k. Therefore, when the rotating member 5670 is disposed on the front base 5612, it can rotate relative to the front base 5612 around the shaft portion 5612k.

[0455] Here, since the irradiation unit 650 is attached to the rotation member 5670, when the rotation member 5670 is rotated relative to the front base 5612, the irradiation unit 650 can be displaced. That is, by displacing the rotation member 5670, the base member 652 of the irradiation unit 650 is bent, and the second block 654 can be displaced relative to the first block 653.

[0456] The rotating member 5670 is disposed on the front base 5612 while being biased in a direction that displaces one tip portion of the shaft portion 5612k downward by a biasing spring (not shown) interposed between the rotating member 5670 and the front base 5612. In addition, a displacement restricting protrusion 5612j that protrudes toward the rear side is formed on the lower side of the shaft portion 5612k of the front base 5612 on which the rotating member 5670 is disposed.

[0457] The displacement restricting protrusion 5612j is a member that restricts downward displacement of one end of the rotating member 5670, and is formed so that its protruding tip is located rearward (toward the rear base 5611) of the rotating member 5670 when it is arranged on the front base 5612, and is located forward (toward the front base 5612) of the LED 651 of the irradiation unit 650 attached to the rotating member 5670. As a result, downward displacement of the one end of the rotating member 5670 is restricted by the displacement restricting protrusion 5612j, and it is possible to prevent light irradiated from the LED 651 of the irradiation unit 650 toward the projection panel member 5620 from being blocked by the displacement restricting protrusion 5612j.

[0458] Next, the operation of the projection unit 5600 will be described with reference to Figures 73 to 76. Figure 73(a) is a front view of the projection unit 5600 in a first state, and Figure 73(b) is a front view of the projection unit 5600 in a second state. Figure 74(a) is a rear view of the projection unit 5600 in the first state, and Figure 74(b) is a rear view of the projection unit 5600 in the second state.

[0459] Fig. 75(a) is a front view of the projection unit 5600 in the first state, and Fig. 75(b) is a front view of the projection unit 5600 in the third state. Fig. 76(a) is a rear view of the projection unit 5600 in the first state, and Fig. 76(b) is a rear view of the projection unit 5600 in the second state. Note that Figs. 74 and 76 show a state in which the rear base 5611 has been removed. Furthermore, the displacement operation from the first state to the third state is simply the left-right reversal of the displacement direction of the displacement operation from the first state to the second state, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0460] As shown in FIGS. 73(a) and 74(a), in the first state in which the projection plate member 5620 is positioned approximately in the center of the central opening 5612h, the rotation members 5670 disposed on both sides in the left-right direction are biased by biasing springs (not shown) so that one end is displaced downward. This allows the second block 654 of the irradiation unit 650 disposed on the rotation member 5670 to be displaced relative to the first block 653, and the irradiation direction of the LED 651 disposed on the front surface of the second block 654 to be tilted toward the projection plate member 5620. As a result, light from the LED 651 disposed on the front surface of the second block 654 can be incident from the left and right sides of the projection plate member 5620 (the left and right sides in FIG. 74(a)). This increases the amount of light emitted from the front surface of the projection plate member 5620, allowing the pattern or design of the projection plate member 5620 to be clearly displayed.

[0461] 73(a) and 74(a), when a driving force is applied to the drive motor 661 and the driving force is transmitted via the gear train (gears 662 to 664, 5665 to 5668) to slide the rack 5627 to the right as viewed from the front (to the right in FIG. 73), the projection panel member 5620 connected to the rack 5627 is also slid to the right (see FIGS. 73(b) and 74(b)). This creates a second state in which the projection panel member 5620 is positioned to the right of the central opening 5612h as viewed from the front.

[0462] In this case, a front cover 5626 disposed on the front side of the upper end of the projection panel member 5620 abuts against a side surface on the other end of the L-shaped (as viewed from the front) rotating member 5670 disposed in the sliding direction. This causes a rotational moment to act on the rotating member 5670 in a direction pushing one end upward around the axis of the shaft portion 5612k, which serves as the rotation axis. As a result, one end of the rotating member 5670 is pushed upward, and the second block 654 disposed on the rotating member 5670 is similarly displaced relative to the first block 653, and is displaced to a position where the longitudinal direction of the first block 653 (the left-right direction in FIG. 74(b)) and the longitudinal direction of the second block 654 are substantially on the same straight line.

[0463] This allows the irradiation direction of the LEDs 651 arranged in front of the second block 654 to be displaced in accordance with the sliding displacement of the projection panel member 5620, thereby increasing the amount of light incident on the upper end surface of the projection panel member 5620. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the front side of the projection panel member 5620 can be increased, allowing the patterns and designs on the projection panel member 5620 to be displayed clearly.

[0464] Furthermore, since the irradiation direction of the LED 651 disposed in front of the second block 654 can be displaced in accordance with the sliding displacement of the projection panel member 5620, it is possible to change the amount of light emitted from the front of the projection panel member 5620. In other words, it is possible to change the appearance of the patterns and designs displayed on the projection panel member 5620. As a result, it is possible to more easily arouse the interest of the player.

[0465] However, if the projection panel component were to be displaced and LEDs located in different positions were turned on in response to the displacement to maintain a constant light output, it would be necessary to control whether the LEDs were turned on or off in response to the displacement. This posed the problem of reduced product reliability as the displacement of the projection panel component became more complex, and there was also the problem of increased product costs due to the need to dispose of LEDs in different positions.

[0466] In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, the direction of illumination of the LED 651 can be displaced in accordance with the displacement of the projection plate member 5620, so there is no need to detect the position of the projection plate member 5620 and control turning on or off an LED arranged in a different position. This simplifies the control of the LED 651, improves product reliability, and prevents product costs from increasing.

[0467] Furthermore, if multiple fixed illuminators (LEDs) are arranged around the illuminator to irradiate the displacing illuminator (projection panel member), there will be areas of weak light between the illumination ranges of each illuminator, and when the illuminator displaces, there will be differences in brightness and darkness, reducing the interest of the player. While it may be possible to solve the...

Claims

[Claim 1] A first flow path through which game balls can flow; A second flow path through which the game balls that have flowed down the first flow path cannot flow down; a launching means capable of launching a game ball into the first flow path or the second flow path based on an operation by a player; A ball entry means capable of allowing the game ball launched by the launching means to enter the ball; A determination means capable of making a determination when a game ball enters the ball entry means; a display means for displaying identification information for indicating a result of the determination by the determination means; a dynamic display means for dynamically displaying the identification information on the display means; a dynamic display mode determining means for determining a dynamic display mode of the identification information dynamically displayed by the dynamic display means; and a bonus game execution means for executing a bonus game advantageous to a player when the identification information for indicating a specific judgment result is stopped and displayed on the display means. A specific ball entry means is disposed at a position where a game ball can be entered during a period in which the bonus game is being executed by the bonus game execution means and where a game ball that has flowed down the second flow path can be entered; A specific area into which the game ball that has entered the specific ball entry means can enter; A means for temporarily suspending the identification information that will be used to execute the bonus game; and a means for notifying a player of information indicating that the game ball is to be shot to the second flow path during the period of the temporary stop, The game ball that can enter the specific ball entry means is received on the upper surface of the rolling direction changing means, and the rolling direction is changed, thereby making it possible to change the entry interval of the game ball that enters the specific ball entry means, A gaming machine characterized in that information for indicating to the player that a game ball should be fired can be displayed by causing the display means to display a predetermined notification pattern, the notification pattern can be changed in a predetermined order, and the identification information for indicating a judgment result different from the specific judgment result can be notified even during a period during which it is temporarily stopped.

Images