Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine which can increase the game amusement.SOLUTION: When a displacement member F130 is displaced from a prescribed position due to the weight of a ball, an opening / closing member F140 is opened. In this case, when there is a ball that moves in a fifth path FRt5, this ball easily flows to an inflow port FOPf1. Namely, when a ball moves in the fifth path FRt5, if the weight of another ball is applied to the displacement member F130, the ball that moves in the fifth path FRt5 easily flows to an inflow port FOPf61. With this configuration, the game amusement can be increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 304

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Among gaming machines such as pachinko machines, there are gaming machines that include a displacement means and a relative movement means that is configured to be capable of relative movement with respect to the displacement means. (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-116782 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional gaming machines described above, There is room for improvement in terms of optimizing the movement of the relative movement means. There was a problem:

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, The movement of the relative moving means is preferable. The object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that allows [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 comprises a gaming board, displacement means configured to be displaceable, relative movement means configured to have a first portion engaged with the displacement means and capable of relative movement with respect to the displacement means, support means for supporting a predetermined portion of a second portion of the relative movement means, and drive means for generating a drive force for causing the displacement, wherein the support means is provided on the gaming board and configured to be capable of restricting a position of the second portion corresponding to a position of the first portion when the displacement means displaces, the displacement means is configured to be capable of displacing a first section and a second section, and the gaming machine is configured such that when the displacement means displaces the first section, a position of the second portion that is different from the predetermined portion of the second portion is different from the predetermined portion of the first portion. The second portion the direction of a straight line connecting a first position and a second position to which the specific part is displaced is different from the direction of a straight line connecting a third position and a fourth position to which the specific part is displaced when the displacement means displaces the second section; the displacement means is configured to move in parallel; displacement of the specific part in a direction different from the displacement direction of the displacement means is suppressed; when the displacement means is displaced, there are cases in which the direction in which the specific part is displaced is along the displacement direction of the displacement means and cases in which the direction in which the specific part is displaced is not along the displacement direction of the displacement means; a first state in which the displacement means is positioned in the first section and the specific part is positioned at the first position, and a second state in which the displacement means is positioned in the second section and the specific part is positioned at the fourth position, the first state can be changed from the first state to the second state by at least the driving force; and the second state can be recognized as being capable of being given a specific value to the player; and the relative movement means rotates around the specific part when the displacement means is displaced.

[0007]

[0008] Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the gaming machine of claim 1, The movement of the relative moving means is preferable. It is possible.

[0010]

[0011] [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Diagram 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. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 1A is a front view of the throwing unit, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the throwing unit. [Figure 8] 1A is an exploded perspective front view of the throwing unit, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective rear view of the throwing unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2A is a front view of the sorting unit, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the sorting unit. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 12(a) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit taken along line XIIa-XIIa in FIG. 9(a), and FIG. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit taken along line XIIb-XIIb in FIG. 12(a). [Figure 13] 12(a) and 12(b) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the sorting unit in a range XIIIa of FIG. 12(b). [Figure 14] FIG. 4A is a front view of the passage unit, and FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a front exploded oblique view of the game board and the operating unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the central structural unit. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the central structural unit. [Figure 26] FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of the game board in range XXVI of FIG. 18. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line XXVII-XXVII in FIG. [Figure 28] 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. 26. [Figure 29] FIG. [Diagram 30] FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 19 is an enlarged front view of the game board in range XXXI of FIG. 18. [Diagram 32] 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line XXXII-XXXII in FIG. 31. [Diagram 33] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the sorting unit. [Diagram 34] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the sorting unit. [Diagram 35] 18A is a partially enlarged front view of the game board in range XXXV of FIG. 18. [Diagram 36] FIG. [Figure 37] FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. [Diagram 40] FIG. [Diagram 41] FIG. [Diagram 42] FIG. [Diagram 43] FIG. [Diagram 44] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the operating unit taken along line XLIV-XLIV in FIG. 36. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the operating unit in range XLV of FIG. 44. [Figure 46] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the operating unit taken along line XLIV-XLIV in FIG. 36. [Figure 47] FIG. [Figure 48] FIG. [Figure 49] 47A is an exploded front perspective view of an outer member, a lifting plate member, and a resistance generating device in a range XLIXa of FIG. 47, and FIG. 47B is a front perspective view of the outer member in a range XLIXb of FIG. [Figure 50] 47A is an exploded front perspective view of the lifting plate member, the inner member, the displacement member, and the rotation posture assist member in range La of FIG. 47, and FIG. 47B is an exploded front perspective view of the displacement member and the rotation posture assist member in range Lb of FIG. [Figure 51] This is an exploded front oblique view of the light-emitting action production unit. [Figure 52] This is an exploded rear perspective view of the light-emitting action production unit. [Figure 53] This is an exploded front oblique view of the light-emitting action production unit. [Figure 54] 54(a) is a front view of the right-side intermediate connecting member, (b) is a side view of the intermediate connecting member as viewed in the direction of arrow LIVb in Figure 54(a), (c) is a side view of the intermediate connecting member as viewed in the direction of arrow LIVc in Figure 54(a), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate connecting member along line LIVd-LIVd in Figure 54(a). [Figure 55] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the game board and the operating unit taken along the line LV-LV in FIG. 36. [Figure 56] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the game board and the operating unit taken along the line LV-LV in FIG. 36. [Figure 57] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the game board and the operating unit taken along the line LV-LV in FIG. 36. [Figure 58]4(a) to 4(c) are schematic side views showing a first elongated hole, a second elongated hole, and a curved elongated hole. FIG. [Figure 59] FIG. [Figure 60] FIG. [Figure 61] FIG. [Figure 62] FIG. [Figure 63] 5(a) to 5(c) are schematic front views of a fastening portion of a displacement member and an elongated hole and a support hole of a connected hole. [Figure 64] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the operating unit taken along line LXIV-LXIV in FIG. 36. [Figure 65] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the operating unit taken along line LXIV-LXIV in FIG. 36. [Figure 66] 37 is a cross-sectional view of the operating unit taken along line LXIV-LXIV in FIG. 36. [Figure 67] A cross-sectional view of the game board and the operating unit taken along line LXVII-LXVII in Figure 36. [Figure 68] A cross-sectional view of the game board and the operating unit taken along line LXVII-LXVII in Figure 36. [Figure 69] A cross-sectional view of the game board and the operating unit taken along line LXVII-LXVII in Figure 36. [Figure 70] FIG. 13(a) is a front view of a sorting unit in a third embodiment, and (b) is a rear view of the sorting unit. [Figure 71] FIG. 13(a) is a front view of a sorting unit in a fourth embodiment, and (b) is a rear view of the sorting unit. [Figure 72] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged front view of a game board in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 73] A partial cross-sectional view of the game board taken along line LXXIII-LXXIII in Figure 72. [Figure 74] 37 is a partial cross-sectional view of a pachinko machine according to a sixth embodiment taken along a line corresponding to line LV-LV in FIG. 36. [Figure 75] 37 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pachinko machine taken along a line corresponding to line LV-LV in FIG. 36. [Figure 76] 13(a) to 13(c) are schematic side views showing a guide portion and an L-shaped slot in a seventh embodiment. [Figure 77] 13(a) to 13(c) are schematic side views showing the second long hole, the curved long hole, the third long hole, the upper part of the first long hole, and the lower part of the first long hole in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 78] 37(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of the displacement member and the light-emitting action production unit in the ninth embodiment taken along a line corresponding to line LXXVIIIa-LXXVIIIa in FIG. [Figure 79] 13(a) and 13(b) are front views of a rotating member and a position detection means in a tenth embodiment. [Figure 80] FIG. 19 is a front view of a pachinko machine in an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 81] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Figure 82] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 83] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 84] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 85] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 86] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 87] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 88] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 89] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 90] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 91] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 92] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 93] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the winning unit. [Figure 94] (a) is a front view of the winning unit, (b) is a side view of the winning unit as viewed in the direction of arrow XVb in Figure 94(a), and (c) is a top view of the winning unit as viewed in the direction of arrow XVc in Figure 94(a). [Figure 95] 94(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the winning unit taken along line XCVa-XCVa in FIG. 94(c). [Figure 96] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit taken along line XCVI-XCVI in Figure 94(c). [Figure 97] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit taken along line XCVII-XCVII in Figure 94(c). [Figure 98] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit taken along line XCVIII-XCVIII in Figure 94(c). [Figure 99] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit taken along line XCVI-XCVI in Figure 94(c). [Figure 100] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit taken along line XCVII-XCVII in Figure 94(c). [Figure 101] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit taken along line XCVIII-XCVIII in Figure 94(c). [Figure 102] 94(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the winning unit taken along line CIIa-CIIa in FIG. 94(c). [Figure 103] 13A to 13D are front perspective views of the winning unit. [Figure 104] 13A to 13D are front perspective views of the winning unit. [Figure 105] 13A to 13D are front perspective views of the winning unit. [Fig. 106] 13A to 13D are front perspective views of the winning unit. [Figure 107] 13A and 13B are front perspective views of the winning unit. [Figure 108]94(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of the winning unit taken along line CVIIIa-CVIIIa in FIG. 94(b). [Fig. 109] 94(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of the winning unit taken along line CVIIIa-CVIIIa in FIG. 94(b). [Figure 110] 11(a) to 11(c) are diagrams showing an example of the change in the state of an electric device over time. [Figure 111] A diagram explaining the relationship between reservation type, game status, special pattern type and variable time. [Figure 112] 102(a) is a cross-sectional view of the slide member, the tilt member, and the transmission member taken along line CXII-CXII in FIG. 102(a). [Figure 113] 102(a) is a cross-sectional view of the slide member, the tilt member, and the transmission member taken along line CXII-CXII in FIG. 102(a). [Fig. 114] 102(a) is a cross-sectional view of the slide member, the tilt member, and the transmission member taken along line CXII-CXII in FIG. 102(a). [Figure 115] 94(c) is a cross-sectional view of the plate member, base plate, slide member, tilt member, and transmission member taken along line XCVII-XCVII in FIG. 94(c). [Fig. 116] 81(a) and (b) are enlarged front views of the upper variable winning device in range CXVIa of FIG. 81. [Figure 117] 81(a) to (c) are enlarged front views of the upper variable winning device in range CXVIa of FIG. 81. [Fig. 118] 81(a) to (c) are enlarged front views of the upper variable winning device in range CXVIa of FIG. 81. [Figure 119] 116(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the movable top cover member and the movable floor member taken along line CXIXa-CXIXa in FIG. 116(a). [Figure 120] 116(a) to (c) are cross-sectional views of the movable top cover member and the movable floor member taken along line CXIXa-CXIXa in FIG. 116(a). [Figure 121](a) is a diagram showing the time changes of the second specific winning port in the first special operation pattern, (b) is a diagram showing the time changes of the second specific winning port in the second special operation pattern, and (c) is a diagram showing the time changes of the second specific winning port in the third special operation pattern. [Figure 122] (a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ROM in the main control unit, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the first winning random number table, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning random number counter and the judgment value in the special pattern 1 random number table, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning random number counter and the judgment value in the special pattern 2 random number table. [Figure 123] 1A is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter in the first winning type selection table and the jackpot type for special patterns, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter in the second winning random number table and the winning type for normal patterns. [Figure 124] A top view of the front frame and outer frame. [Fig. 125] 1A is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of area division settings and effective line settings on a display screen, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of an actual display screen. [Fig. 126] (a) is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the flow of a jackpot presentation, (b) is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the flow of an ending presentation, and (c), (d) and (e) are diagrams illustrating example display screens of an ending display presentation that is displayed in an ending presentation that is part of a jackpot presentation. [Figure 127] 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for a company name display effect displayed during the ending performance, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for a card forgetting prevention display effect displayed during the ending performance. [Figure 128] 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for a card forgetting prevention display effect that is displayed during the ending effect, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of the display screen immediately after the ending effect has ended. [Figure 129] This is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the ending performance and the jackpot type for special patterns. [Fig. 130] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit in the 12th embodiment taken along line XCVII-XCVII in Figure 94(c). [Fig. 131] A cross-sectional view of the winning unit taken along line XCVII-XCVII in Figure 94(c). [Fig. 132] FIG. 23(a) is a schematic diagram showing a winning unit in the thirteenth embodiment, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing another example of the winning unit. [Fig. 133] 23(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the winning unit in the fourteenth embodiment. [Fig. 134] 81(a) and (b) are front views of the upper variable winning device in the 15th embodiment in the range CXVIa of FIG. 81. [Fig. 135] 17(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen for a card forgetting prevention display effect displayed in the ending effect in the 16th embodiment. [Fig. 136] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a card forgetting prevention display effect that is displayed during the ending effect. FIG. [Fig. 137] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen for a card forgetting prevention display effect that is displayed during the ending effect. [Figure 138] 23(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen for a card forgetting prevention display effect displayed in the ending effect in the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 139] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a card forgetting prevention display effect that is displayed during the ending effect. FIG. [Fig. 140] 23(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen for a card forgetting prevention display effect displayed in the ending effect in the 18th embodiment. [Fig. 141] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a card forgetting prevention display effect that is displayed during the ending effect. FIG. [Fig. 142] A figure showing an example of the change over time in the frame button display during the card forgetting prevention display performance, the change over time in the validity of the frame button operation, and the frame button operation. [Fig. 143] FIG. 23 is a front view of a pachinko machine in the 19th embodiment. [Fig. 144] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Fig. 145] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Fig. 146] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Fig. 147] A front oblique view of the variable prize-winning device and the allocation device. [Fig. 148] 13A and 13B are front perspective views of the variable winning device. [Figure 149] FIG. [Fig. 150] FIG. [Fig. 151] An exploded front oblique view of the base plate, variable winning device, collection gutter and sorting device. [Fig. 152] An exploded rear oblique view of the base plate, variable winning device, collection gutter and sorting device. [Fig. 153] An exploded front oblique view of the variable winning device. [Fig. 154] An exploded rear oblique view of the variable winning device. [Fig. 155] FIG. [Fig. 156] FIG. [Fig. 157] FIG. [Fig. 158] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device and the distribution device along the line CLVIII-CLVIII in Figure 157. [Fig. 159] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device and the distribution device along the CLIX-CLIX line in Figure 157. [Fig. 160] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device and the distribution device along the line CLX-CLX in Figure 157. [Fig. 161] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device and the distribution device along the CLIX-CLIX line in Figure 157. [Fig. 162] A cross-sectional view of the variable winning device and the distribution device along the line CLX-CLX in Figure 157. [Fig. 163] A front view of the variable prize-winning device and the allocation device. [Fig. 164] This is an oblique view of the variable winning device and the distribution device as viewed in the direction of the arrow CLXIV in Figure 158. [Fig. 165] This is an oblique view of the variable winning device and the distribution device as viewed in the direction of the arrows CLXV in Figure 158. [Fig. 166] (a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ROM in the main control unit, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the jackpot type for special patterns, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter and winnings for normal patterns. [Fig. 167] This is a diagram showing the changes over time in the operation pattern of the opening and closing plate of the variable winning device and the operation pattern of the sliding displacement member of the distribution device in the first round for each jackpot type. [Fig. 168] FIG. [Fig. 169] FIG. [Fig. 170] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 171] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 172] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 173] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 174] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 175] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 176]11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 177] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Fig. 178] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a first operating unit. [Fig. 179] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first operating unit. [Fig. 180] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a first operating unit. [Fig. 181] FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the first operating unit. [Fig. 182] 13 is a front view of the first operating unit in a performance standby state. FIG. [Fig. 183] 13 is a rear view of the first operating unit in a performance standby state. FIG. [Fig. 184] 183 is a side view of the first operating unit as viewed in the direction of arrow XLII in FIG. 182. [Fig. 185] A front view of the first action unit in an intermediate performance state. [Fig. 186] A rear view of the first action unit in the intermediate performance state. [Fig. 187] FIG. 11 is a front view of the first operating unit in the extended state. [Fig. 188] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the first operating unit in the extended state. [Fig. 189] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing the amount and angle of displacement of a supported member accompanying rotational displacement of a rotating member; [Fig. 190] 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic diagrams showing the magnitude relationship of the displacement amount on the driven side of the supported member when the rotating member rotates in the tilting direction at a constant angular velocity. [Fig. 191] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing changes in angle accompanying rotation of a rotating member. [Fig. 192] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a rear case and a second operating unit. [Fig. 193] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of a rear case and a second operating unit. [Fig. 194]170. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line CXCIVa-CXCIVa in FIG. 170, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line CXCIVb-CXCIVb in FIG. [Fig. 195] 175A is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line CXCVa-CXCVa in FIG. 175, and FIG. 175B is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line CXCVb-CXCVb in FIG. [Fig. 196] 172. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line CXCVIa-CXCVIa in FIG. 172, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line CXCVIb-CXCVIb in FIG. [Figure 197] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the lifting and reversing performance device. [Figure 198] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the lifting and reversing performance device. [Figure 199] 4A and 4B are front views of the transmission device holding plate, the up-down inversion member, the intermediate arm member, the linear motion plate member, and the shaft rotation member. [Figure 200] 199(a) is a cross-sectional view of the transmission device holding plate, the up-down inverted member, the intermediate arm member, the linear plate member and the axial rotation member taken along line CCa-CCa in Figure 199(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the transmission device holding plate, the up-down inverted member, the intermediate arm member, the linear plate member and the axial rotation member taken along line CCb-CCb in Figure 199(b). [Figure 201] 13(a) to 13(c) are front views of the performance device. [Fig. 202] FIG. 13 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Fig. 203] FIG. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Fig. 204] FIG. 13 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Fig. 205] FIG. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Fig. 206]13(a) and (b) are rear views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Fig. 207] 13(a) and (b) are rear views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Fig. 208] 4(a) and (b) are front views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Fig. 209] 4(a) and (b) are front views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Fig. 210] 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the arrangement of the lifting arm member, the driving mode of the drive motor, and the output of the detection sensor in a time series. [Fig. 211] 171 is a cross-sectional view of the third operating unit taken along line CCXI-CCXI in FIG. 170. [Fig. 212] 1A to 1D are schematic front views of the operational units for explaining examples of combined operations of the operational units in chronological order. [Fig. 213] 1A to 1D are schematic front views of the operational units for explaining examples of combined operations of the operational units in chronological order. [Fig. 214] A front view of the game board in the 20th embodiment. [Fig. 215] FIG. [Fig. 216] FIG. [Fig. 217] FIG. [Fig. 218] FIG. [Fig. 219] FIG. [Fig. 220] FIG. [Fig. 221] FIG. [Fig. 222] 220. (a) is a side view of the lower frame as seen in the direction of arrow CCXXIIa in FIG. 220, and (b) is a side view of the lower frame as seen in the direction of arrow CCXXIIb in FIG. [Fig. 223]220 is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXXIII-CCXXIII in FIG. 219. [Fig. 224] 220 is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXXIII-CCXXIII in FIG. 219. [Fig. 225] 225 is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXXV-CCXXV in FIG. 220. [Fig. 226] 223, and FIG. 224(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXXVIb-CCXXVIb in FIG. 219. FIG. [Fig. 227] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame showing the transition of the ball sorting operation by the sorting member, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCXXIII-CCXXIII in Figure 219. [Fig. 228] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame showing the transition of the ball sorting operation by the sorting member, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCXXIII-CCXXIII in Figure 219. [Fig. 229] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame showing the transition of the ball sorting operation by the sorting member, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCXXIII-CCXXIII in Figure 219. [Fig. 230] FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a lower frame in the twenty-first embodiment. [Fig. 231] FIG. [Fig. 232] FIG. [Fig. 233] FIG. [Fig. 234] FIG. [Fig. 235] FIG. [Fig. 236] FIG. [Fig. 237] 235. (a) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCXXXVIIa in FIG. 235, and (b) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCXXXVIIb in FIG. [Fig. 238] 235 is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXXXVIII-CCXXXVIII in FIG. 234. [Fig. 239] 235 is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXXXVIII-CCXXXVIII in FIG. 234. [Fig. 240] FIG. 237 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along the line CCXL-CCXL in FIG. 236. [Fig. 241] FIG. 237 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXLI-CCXLI in FIG. 236. [Fig. 242] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame showing the transition of the ball sorting operation by the sorting member, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCXXXVIII-CCXXXVIII in Figure 234. [Fig. 243] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame showing the transition of the ball sorting operation by the sorting member, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCXXXVIII-CCXXXVIII in Figure 234. [Fig. 244] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame showing the transition of the ball sorting operation by the sorting member, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCXXXVIII-CCXXXVIII in Figure 234. [Fig. 245] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCXLV-CCXLV in Figure 244(b). [Fig. 246] FIG. 22 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a lower frame in the twenty-second embodiment. [Fig. 247] FIG. [Fig. 248] FIG. 22 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a lower frame in the twenty-second embodiment. [Fig. 249] FIG. [Fig. 250] 250(a) is a top view of a dish member in the 23rd embodiment, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the dish member taken along line CCLb-CCLb in Figure 250(a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the dish member taken along line CCLc-CCLc in Figure 250(a). [Fig. 251]236, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame in the 24th embodiment, corresponding to the cross section along line CCXLI-CCXLI in FIG. 236, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame in the 25th embodiment, corresponding to the cross section along line CCXLI-CCXLI in FIG. 236. [Fig. 252] A front view of the game board in the 26th embodiment. [Fig. 253] FIG. [Fig. 254] FIG. [Figure 255] FIG. [Fig. 256] FIG. [Fig. 257] FIG. [Fig. 258] FIG. [Fig. 259] FIG. [Fig. 260] 258A is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of the arrow CCLXa in FIG. 258, and FIG. 258B is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of the arrow CCLXb in FIG. [Fig. 261] 257, (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXIa-CCLXIa in FIG. 257, and (b) is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 262] 257, (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXIa-CCLXIa in FIG. 257, and (b) is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 263] 257, (a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXIa-CCLXIa in FIG. 257, and (b) is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 264]261(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXIVa-CCLXIVa in Figure 257, (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXIVb-CCLXIVb in Figure 257, and (c) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXIVc-CCLXIVc in Figure 261. [Fig. 265] 27(a) and 27(b) are cross-sectional views of a lower frame in the 27th embodiment. [Fig. 266] 28(a) and 28(b) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of a lower frame in the twenty-eighth embodiment. [Fig. 267] 29(a) and 29(b) are enlarged partial rear views of the lower frame in the twenty-ninth embodiment. [Fig. 268] FIG. 30 is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame in the 30th embodiment. [Fig. 269] FIG. 31 is an exploded front perspective view of a lower frame in the thirty-first embodiment. [Fig. 270] FIG. [Fig. 271] FIG. [Fig. 272] 261(a) and 261(b) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the lower frame, where (a) corresponds to the cross-section along line CXIXa-CXIXa in FIG. 257, and (b) corresponds to the cross-section along line CCLXIVc-CCLXIVc in FIG. 261. [Fig. 273] 32(a) to 32(c) are partially enlarged rear views of the lower frame in the thirty-second embodiment. [Fig. 274] 33(a) and 33(b) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of a lower frame in the thirty-third embodiment. [Fig. 275] 274(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXXVa-CCLXXVa in Figure 274(a), and (b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXXVb-CCLXXVb in Figure 274(b). [Fig. 276] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXIVc-CCLXIVc in Figure 261. [Fig. 277] A front view of the game board in the 34th embodiment. [Fig. 278] FIG. [Fig. 279] FIG. [Fig. 280] FIG. [Fig. 281] FIG. [Fig. 282] FIG. [Fig. 283] FIG. [Fig. 284] FIG. [Fig. 285] 283, (a) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCLXXXVa in Figure 283, (b) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCLXXXVb in Figure 283, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame along line CCLXXXVc-CCLXXXVc in Figure 283. [Fig. 286] 1A is a front view of the lower frame with the front member omitted, FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame with the rear cover member omitted, and FIG. 1C is a top view of the lower frame. [Fig. 287] 287(a) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXXXVIIa-CCLXXXVIIa in Figure 286(c), FIG. 287(a) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXXXVIIb-CCLXXXVIIb in Figure 287(a), and FIG. 287(c) is a partially enlarged bottom view of the lower frame. [Fig. 288] 1A is a front view of the lower frame with the front member omitted, FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame with the rear cover member omitted, and FIG. 1C is a top view of the lower frame. [Fig. 289]289(a) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXXXIXa-CCLXXXIXa in Figure 288(c), (b) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCLXXXIXb-CCLXXXIXb in Figure 289(a), and (c) is a partially enlarged underside view of the lower frame. [Fig. 290] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame in the thirty-fifth embodiment, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXXXVIIa-CCLXXXVIIa in Figure 286. [Fig. 291] 291(a) is a front oblique view of the sorting passage, (b) is a front view of the sorting passage as viewed in the direction of arrow CCXCIb in Figure 291(a), (c) is a bottom view of the sorting passage as viewed in the direction of arrow CCXCIc in Figure 291(b), and (d) is a side view of the sorting passage as viewed in the direction of arrow CCXCId in Figure 291(b). [Fig. 292] A partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame in the thirty-sixth embodiment, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXXXVIIa-CCLXXXVIIa in Figure 286. [Fig. 293] 37(a) is a front view of the lower frame in the 37th embodiment, and FIG. 37(b) is a rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 294] 37(a) is a front view of the lower frame in the 37th embodiment, and FIG. 37(b) is a rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 295] FIG. 38(a) is a front view of the lower frame in the thirty-eighth embodiment, and (b) is a rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 296] FIG. [Fig. 297] FIG. 38(a) is a front view of the lower frame in the thirty-eighth embodiment, and (b) is a rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 298] FIG. [Figure 299]288(c), (b) is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame in the 40th embodiment, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXXXIXa-CCLXXXIXa in FIG. 288(c), and (c) is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame in the 41st embodiment, corresponding to the cross section taken along line CCLXXXIXa-CCLXXXIXa in FIG. 288(c). [Figure 300] 42(a) is a partial top view of a lower frame in the forty-second embodiment, and FIG. 42(b) is a partial top view of a lower frame in the forty-third embodiment. [Fig. 301] 288(c) is a view of the sorting passage in the 46th embodiment, viewed in a direction perpendicular to the sorting passage; (d) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the sorting passage in the 47th embodiment, corresponding to the cross section along line CCLXXXIXa-CCLXXXIXa in Figure 288(c); and (e) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the sorting passage in the 48th embodiment, corresponding to the cross section along line CCLXXXIXa-CCLXXXIXa in Figure 288(c). [Fig. 302] 13(a) is a partially enlarged top view of the lower frame in the forty-ninth embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged top view of the lower frame in the fiftieth embodiment. FIG. [Fig. 303] A front view of the game board in the 51st embodiment. [Fig. 304] FIG. [Fig. 305] FIG. [Fig. 306] FIG. [Fig. 307] FIG. [Fig. 308] 1A is an exploded front perspective view of a fixed passage, and FIG. 1B is an exploded front perspective view of a drive means. [Fig. 309]1A is an exploded rear perspective view of a determination passage, and FIG. 1B is an exploded rear perspective view of a drive means. [Fig. 310] FIG. [Fig. 311] FIG. [Fig. 312] FIG. [Fig. 313] 311, (a) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCXIIIa in Figure 311, (b) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCXIIIb in Figure 311, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame along line CCCXIIIc-CCCXIIIc in Figure 311. [Fig. 314] 1A is a partially enlarged front view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 315] 1A is a partially enlarged front view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 316] FIG. [Fig. 317] FIG. [Fig. 318] 318(a) is a rear view of the lower frame, and (b) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCXVIIIb in FIG. 318(a). [Fig. 319] FIG. [Fig. 320] 320(a) is a rear view of the lower frame, and (b) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCXXb in FIG. 320(a). [Fig. 321] 52(a) and (c) are partially enlarged front views of a lower frame in the fifty-second embodiment, and (b) and (d) are partially enlarged top views of the lower frame. FIG. [Fig. 322] 53(a) and 53(b) are partially enlarged rear views of the lower frame in the fifty-third embodiment. [Figure 323] 54(a) is a top view of the lower frame in the 54th embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged front view of the lower frame. FIG. [Fig. 324] 1A is a top view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged front view of the lower frame. [Fig. 325] A front view of the game board in the 55th embodiment. [Fig. 326] FIG. [Fig. 327] FIG. [Fig. 328] FIG. [Fig. 329] FIG. [Fig. 330] FIG. [Fig. 331] FIG. [Fig. 332] FIG. [Figure 333] FIG. [Fig. 334] FIG. [Figure 335] 333, (a) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCXXXVa in Figure 333, (b) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCXXXVb in Figure 333, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame along line CCCXXXVc-CCCXXXVc in Figure 333. [Fig. 336] 1A is a front view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the lower frame. [Figure 337] 1A is a front view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the lower frame. [Figure 338] 1A is a front view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the lower frame. [Figure 339] FIG. 13 is a partial top view of the left displacement member. [Fig. 340] A front view of the game board in the 56th embodiment. [Fig. 341] FIG. [Fig. 342]FIG. [Figure 343] FIG. [Fig. 344] FIG. [Figure 345] FIG. [Fig. 346] FIG. [Figure 347] FIG. [Fig. 348] FIG. [Figure 349] FIG. [Fig. 350] 348. (a) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCLa in Figure 348, (b) is a side view of the lower frame as viewed in the direction of arrow CCCLb in Figure 348, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame along line CCXLVIIIc-CCXLVIIIc in Figure 348. [Fig. 351] 350(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCCLIa-CCCLIa in FIG. 350(c), and FIG. 350(b) is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame. [Fig. 352] 350(a) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower frame taken along line CCCLIa-CCCLIa in FIG. 350(c), and FIG. 350(b) is a partially enlarged rear view of the lower frame. [Figure 353] FIG. [Fig. 354] FIG. [Figure 355] 57(a) is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame in the 57th embodiment, and FIG. 57(b) is a rear view of the lower frame. [Figure 356] 1A is a cross-sectional view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the lower frame. [Figure 357]1A, 1B, and 1C are schematic top views of the fourth passage portion of the sixth passage member, the rolling surface of the intermediate passage member, the displacement passage member of the sorting means, and the second displacement passage portion of the second displacement passage; and FIG. 1B, 1C, and 1C are schematic front views of the fourth passage portion of the sixth passage member, the rolling surface of the intermediate passage member, the displacement passage member of the sorting means, and the second displacement passage portion of the second displacement passage. [Figure 358] A partially enlarged top view of the lower frame in the 58th embodiment. [Figure 359] 59(a) is a partially enlarged top view of a lower frame in the fifty-ninth embodiment, and FIG. 59(b) is a partially enlarged front view of the lower frame. [Figure 360] 1A is a partially enlarged top view of the lower frame, and FIG. 1B is a partially enlarged front view of the lower frame. [Fig. 361] 60(a) is a partially enlarged top view of the lower frame in the sixtieth embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged front view of the lower frame. FIG. [Fig. 362] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the lower frame in the 61st embodiment. [Figure 363] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged top view of the lower frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 16, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine A10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of a game board A13 of the pachinko machine A10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine A10.

[0014] In the following description, the front side of the paper will be referred to as the front (front) side and the back side of the paper will be referred to as the rear (rear) side with respect to the pachinko machine A10 in the state shown in Fig. 1. Also, the upper side will be referred to as the upper (upper) side, the lower side as the lower (lower) side, the right side as the right (right) side, and the left side as the left (left) side with respect to the pachinko machine A10 in the state shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the arrows UD, LR, and FB in the figure (see Fig. 2, for example) indicate the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction of the pachinko machine A10, respectively.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the pachinko machine A10 has an outer frame A11, the outer shell of which is formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame A12, which is formed to have substantially the same external shape as the outer frame A11 and is supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame A11. Metal hinges A18 are attached to the outer frame A11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side as viewed from the front (see Fig. 1) in order to support the inner frame A12, and the inner frame A12 is supported so as to be openable and closable toward the front side, with the side where the hinges A18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0016] A game board A13 (see FIG. 2) having a number of nails and winning holes A63, A64, etc., is attached to the inner frame A12 so as to be detachable from the back side. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board A13. The inner frame A12 is equipped with a ball launching unit A112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls to the front area of ​​the game board A13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit A112a to the front area of ​​the game board A13, and the like.

[0017] The front side of the inner frame A12 is provided with a front frame A14 that covers the upper front side, and a lower plate unit A15 that covers the lower side. Metal hinges A19 are attached to the top and bottom of the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1) to support the front frame A14 and the lower plate unit A15, and the front frame A14 and the lower plate unit A15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front side, with the side where the hinge A19 is provided as the axis for opening and closing. The locks of the inner frame A12 and the front frame A14 are each released by inserting a special key into the keyhole A21 of the cylinder lock A20 and performing a specified operation.

[0018] The front frame A14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window A14c formed in a substantially elliptical shape at its approximate center. A glass unit A16 having two glass sheets is disposed on the rear side of the front frame A14, and the front of the game board A13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine A10 through the glass unit A16.

[0019] In the front frame A14, the upper tray A17 for storing balls is formed in a box shape with an open top that protrudes to the front side, and prize balls and loan balls are discharged to this upper tray A17. The bottom surface of the upper tray A17 is formed with a downward inclination to the right side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the balls inserted into the upper tray A17 are guided to the ball launching unit A112a (see FIG. 4) by this inclination. In addition, a frame button A22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper tray A17. This frame button A22 is operated by the player, for example, when changing the stage of the performance displayed on the third pattern display device A81 (see FIG. 2) or when changing the content of the performance of the super reach.

[0020] The front frame A14 is provided with various light-emitting means such as lamps around it (for example, at the corners). The light-emitting means change and control the light-emitting state by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state such as when a jackpot is hit or when a certain reach is reached, and play a role in enhancing the presentation effect during the game. The periphery of the window A14c is provided with illumination units A29-A33 incorporating illumination units such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine A10, these illumination units A29-A33 function as presentation lamps such as jackpot lamps, and when a jackpot is hit or when a reach is reached, each illumination unit A29-A33 lights up or blinks by lighting or blinking the built-in LEDs, thereby informing the player that a jackpot is being hit or that the player is in a reach just before a jackpot is being hit. In addition, the upper left corner of the front frame A14 when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating illumination units such as LEDs that can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error occurs.

[0021] A small window A35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination part A32 from the back side so that the back side of the front frame A14 can be seen, and the certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space AK1 (see FIG. 2) on the front of the game board A13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine A10. In addition, in the pachinko machine A10, a plated member A36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination parts A29-A33 to create a more brilliant look.

[0022] A ball lending operation unit A40 is disposed below the window A14c. The ball lending operation unit A40 is provided with a number display unit A41, a ball lending button A42, and a return button A43. When the ball lending operation unit A40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine A10, balls are lent out in response to the operation. Specifically, the number display unit A41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and a built-in LED is lit to display the remaining balance in numbers as the remaining balance information. The ball lending button A42 is operated to obtain loan balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and loan balls are supplied to the upper tray A17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button A43 is operated when requesting the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispenser to the upper tray A17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit A40 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 A40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to commonize pachinko machines using a card unit and cash machines.

[0023] The lower tray unit A15, located below the upper tray A17, has a lower tray A50 on the left side thereof, which is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top, for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray A17. On the right side of the lower tray A50, an operating handle A51 is provided, which is operated by the player to shoot the ball into the front of the game board A13.

[0024] The operation handle A51 includes a touch sensor A51a for permitting the ball launch unit A112a to be driven, a launch stop switch A51b for stopping the launch of balls while the switch is being pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operation handle A51 by a change in electrical resistance. When the operation handle A51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor A51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes in response to the amount of rotation, and the ball is launched with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, so that the ball is shot into the front of the game board A13 with a flight amount corresponding to the operation of the player. When the operation handle A51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor A51a and the launch stop switch A51b are turned off.

[0025] A ball removal lever A52 is provided on the lower front part of the lower tray A50 to be operated when discharging the balls stored in the lower tray A50 downward. This ball removal lever A52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, the bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray A50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are discharged. The operation of this ball removal lever A52 is usually performed with a box (generally called a "senryo box") for receiving the balls discharged from the lower tray A50 placed below the lower tray A50. As described above, the operating handle A51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray A50, and an ashtray (not shown) is attached to the left side of the lower tray A50.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the game board A13 is constructed by assembling a number of nails for guiding balls (shown below the center frame A86, not shown in the upper half of the game area) and a windmill (not shown) on a base plate A60 that has been machined into a roughly square shape when viewed from the front, as well as rails A61, A62, a general prize opening A63, a first prize opening A64, a second prize opening A140, a variable prize opening A65, a through gate A67, a variable display unit A80, etc., and the peripheral portion of the board is attached to the back side of the inner frame A12 (see Figure 1).

[0027] The base plate A60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material, and allows the player to see various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate A60 from the front side. The general winning hole A63, the first winning hole A64, the second winning hole A140 and the variable winning device A65 are arranged in through holes formed in the base plate A60 by router processing, and are fixed from the front side of the game board A13 by tapping screws or the like.

[0028] The base plate A60 may be made of a wooden plate member. In this case, it is possible to shield various structures arranged on the rear side of the base plate A60 from the front side of the center frame A86 outside so that they cannot be seen by the player.

[0029] The front central portion of the game board A13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame A12 through a window portion A14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame A14. The configuration of the game board A13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0030] An outer rail A62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially arc shape is set up on the front of the game board A13, and an inner rail A61 formed of a strip-shaped metal plate similar to the outer rail A62 is set up on the inside of the outer rail A62. The inner rail A61 and the outer rail A62 surround the front outer periphery of the game board A13, and the game board A13 and the glass unit A16 (see FIG. 1) surround the front and rear, forming a game area in front of the game board A13 where games are played according to the behavior of the ball. The game area is an area (where prize holes and the like are arranged and where the shot balls flow down) that is formed on the front of the game board A13 and is partitioned by the two rails A61 and A62 and the resin outer edge member A73 that connects the rails.

[0031] The two rails A61, A62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit A112a (see FIG. 4) to the top of the game board A13. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip of the inner rail A61 (upper left in FIG. 2) to prevent the ball once guided to the top of the game board A13 from returning back into the ball guide passage. A return rubber A69 is attached to the tip of the outer rail A62 (upper right in FIG. 2) at a position corresponding to the maximum flight part of the ball, and a ball launched with a certain amount of force or more hits the return rubber A69 and bounces back toward the center while its force is reduced.

[0032] The first symbol display devices A37A and A37B, which are equipped with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display as light-emitting means, are arranged in the lower left side of the game area when viewed from the front (lower left side of FIG. 2). The first symbol display devices A37A and A37B display information according to the controls performed by the main control device A110 (see FIG. 4), and mainly display the game status of the pachinko machine A10. In this embodiment, the first symbol display devices A37A and A37B are configured to be used differently depending on whether the ball has won the first winning hole A64 or the second winning hole A140. Specifically, when the ball has won the first winning hole A64, the first symbol display device 37A is activated, while when the ball has won the second winning hole A140, the first symbol display device A37B is activated.

[0033] The first symbol display devices A37A, A37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine A10 is in a special mode, a time-saving mode, or a normal mode, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbols correspond to a special mode jackpot, a normal jackpot, or a miss, and the number of reserved balls, while displaying the number of rounds during a jackpot and errors using a 7-segment display device. The LEDs are configured to have different light colors (e.g., red, green, and blue), and the combination of light colors can indicate various game states of the pachinko machine A10 with a small number of LEDs.

[0034] In this pachinko machine A10, a lottery is held when a prize is won in the first prize slot A64 and the second prize slot A140. In the lottery, the pachinko machine A10 judges whether or not a jackpot has been won (jackpot lottery), and if a jackpot has been determined, it also judges the type of jackpot. The types of jackpots that can be determined here include a 15R variable jackpot, a 4R variable jackpot, and a 4R normal jackpot. The first symbol display devices A37A and A37B not only show whether or not the result of the lottery is a jackpot as the stopped symbol after the fluctuation ends, but also show a symbol according to the type of jackpot if a jackpot has been won.

[0035] Here, a "15R probability jackpot" refers to a probability jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and a "4R probability jackpot" refers to a probability jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4. Also, a "4R normal jackpot" refers to a jackpot that transitions to a low probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4, and is in a time-saving state for a predetermined number of variations (for example, 100 variations).

[0036] In addition, the "high probability state" refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot increases after the jackpot has ended as an added value, that is, during a so-called probability fluctuation (during a probability fluctuation), in other words, a state of play in which it is easy to transition to a special game state. In this embodiment, the high probability state (during a probability fluctuation) includes a game state in which the probability of a jackpot increases during a predetermined number of fluctuations (100 fluctuations in this embodiment), and the probability of a hit of the second symbol described below increases, making it easy for a ball to enter the second winning port A140. The "low probability state" refers to a time when the probability fluctuation is not in progress, and refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot is normal, that is, a state in which the probability of a jackpot is lower than during a probability fluctuation. In addition, the time-saving state (during a time-saving state) in the "low probability state" refers to a game state in which the probability of a jackpot is normal, and the probability of a jackpot remains the same, but only the probability of a hit of the second symbol increases, making it easy for a ball to enter the second winning port A140. On the other hand, the pachinko machine A10 is in a normal state when it is not in a special mode or a time-saving mode (when neither the probability of a jackpot nor the probability of hitting the second symbol has increased).

[0037] In this embodiment, when it is determined that a game ball has passed through the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11 of the distribution device 300 in the first round of the jackpot game, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be in a high probability state for 100 fluctuations. If it is not determined that a game ball has passed through the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be in a time-saving state for 100 fluctuations.

[0038] During the probability variation or time reduction, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time for which the electric role A140a (electric role) associated with the second winning port A140 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the electric role A140a is in an open state (open state), the ball is more likely to win the second winning port A140 than when the electric role A140a is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the probability variation or time reduction, the ball is more likely to win the second winning port A140, and the number of times the big win lottery is held can be increased.

[0039] In addition, during the probability variation or time reduction, instead of changing the opening time of the electric role A140a associated with the second winning port A140, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times the electric role A140a opens with one win may be increased compared to normal. Also, during the probability variation or time reduction, the winning probability of the second symbol may not be changed, and at least one of the time when the electric role A140a associated with the second winning port A140 is opened and the number of times the electric role A140a opens with one win may be changed. Also, during the probability variation or time reduction, the time when the electric role A140a associated with the second winning port A140 is opened and the number of times the electric role A140a opens with one win may not be changed, and only the winning probability of the second symbol may be changed to be increased compared to normal.

[0040] In the game area, a plurality of general winning holes A63 are arranged, through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball wins. In addition, a variable display unit A80 is arranged in the center of the game area. The variable display unit A80 is provided with a third pattern display device A81 consisting of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply abbreviated as "display device") that performs a variable display of a third pattern while synchronizing with the variable display in the first pattern display device A37A, A37B, triggered by winning (initial winning) in the first winning hole A64 and the second winning hole A140, and a second pattern display device (not shown) consisting of an LED that displays a variable display of a second pattern, triggered by the passage of a ball through the through gate A67. In addition, a center frame A86 is arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the third pattern display device A81 of the variable display unit A80 when viewed from the front.

[0041] In this embodiment, the third symbol display device A81 is fastened to a rear case fixed to the rear of the game board A13, and the center frame A86 is arranged to frame the window portion (central opening A60b) of the base plate A60. That is, when viewed from the front, the center frame A86 appears to be arranged to surround the outer periphery of the third symbol display device A81, but in reality, the third symbol display device A81 and the center frame A86 are arranged separately in the front and rear.

[0042] The third symbol display device A81 is configured with a large liquid crystal display of, for example, 9 inches, and the display contents are controlled by the display control device A114 (see FIG. 4), so that, for example, three symbol rows, upper, middle, and lower, are displayed. Each symbol row is configured with a plurality of 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 A81. The third symbol display device A81 of this embodiment performs decorative display according to the display of the first symbol display devices A37A, A37B, while the display of the game state accompanying the control of the main control device A110 (see FIG. 4) is performed by the first symbol display devices A37A, A37B. Note that, instead of a display device, for example, a reel or the like may be used to configure the third symbol display device A81.

[0043] The second symbol display device performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol as display symbols (second symbol (not shown)) are alternately lit for a predetermined period of time each time the ball passes through the through gate A67. In the pachinko machine A10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the through gate A67, a winning lottery is held. If the winning lottery results in 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 winning lottery results in a losing lottery, the second symbol display device displays a static "x" symbol after the third symbol is displayed in a variable manner.

[0044] The pachinko machine A10 is configured so that when the varying display in the second pattern display device stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "○" pattern), the electric device A140a attached to the second winning port A140 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0045] The time required for the second symbol to change is set to be shorter during the probability change or time-saving mode than during the normal game mode. As a result, the second symbol changes and changes in time during the probability change and time-saving mode, so that more winning lotteries can be held than during the normal game mode. Therefore, the chances of winning in the winning lottery increase, so that the player can be given more opportunities to open the electric role A140a of the second winning port A140. Therefore, during the probability change and time-saving mode, the second winning port A140 can be easily entered.

[0046] In addition, if the state is made such that the ball is likely to enter the second winning port A140 during the probability variation or time reduction by other methods such as increasing the winning probability, increasing the opening time or number of openings of the electric device A140a for one winning, etc., the time taken for the second symbol to be displayed may be constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time taken for the second symbol to be displayed is set shorter during the probability variation or time reduction than during normal play, the winning probability may be constant regardless of the game state, and the opening time or number of openings of the electric device A140a for one winning may be constant regardless of the game state.

[0047] The through gate A67 is attached to the game board A13 in the left and right areas of the variable display unit A80, and is configured to allow a part of the ball shot to the game board A13 to pass through. When the ball passes through the through gate A67, a lottery is held to determine whether the second symbol will win. After the lottery, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the lottery results in a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol of the variable display, and if the lottery results in a miss, a "×" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol of the variable display.

[0048] The number of times that the balls pass through the through gate A67 is 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 device A37A, A37B, and is also displayed by lighting the second symbol reserved lamp (not shown). Four second symbol reserved lamps are provided, the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the third symbol display device A81.

[0049] In addition, the variable display of the second pattern may be performed by switching on and off a plurality of lamps in the second pattern display device as in this embodiment, or may be performed using a part of the first pattern display device A37A, A37B and the third pattern display device A81. Similarly, the second pattern reserved lamp may be lit by a part of the third pattern display device A81. In addition, the maximum number of reserved balls for the passage of the ball through the through gate A67 is not limited to four times, and may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (e.g., eight times). In addition, the number of the through gates A67 to be assembled is not limited to two, and may be, for example, one. In addition, the assembly position of the through gate A67 is not limited to the left and right of the variable display device unit A80, and may be, for example, below the variable display device unit A80. In addition, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first pattern display devices A37A, A37B, the second pattern reserved lamp may not be lit.

[0050] A first winning hole A64 into which a ball can win is disposed below the variable display unit A80. When a ball wins into this first winning hole A64, a first winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board A13 turns on, and when the first winning hole switch turns on, a lottery for a big win is performed by the main control device A110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

[0051] On the other hand, the second winning hole A140 into which the ball can win is disposed below the first winning hole A64 as viewed from the front. When a ball wins into this second winning hole A140, a second winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board A13 is turned on, and when the second winning hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a big win is performed by the main control device A110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device A37B.

[0052] In addition, each of the first winning port A64 and the second winning port A140 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 A64 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port A140, but the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port A64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port A140 may be different numbers, for example, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning port A64 may be three, and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning port A140 may be five.

[0053] The second winning port A140 is provided with an electric device A140a. This electric device A140a is configured to be openable and closable, and is usually in a closed state (reduced state) so that the ball is unlikely to win the second winning port A140. On the other hand, when the second pattern display device displays a "○" pattern as a result of the variable display of the second pattern, which is triggered by the passage of the ball through the through gate A67, the electric device A140a is in an open state (expanded state) so that the ball is likely to win the second winning port A140.

[0054] As described above, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol is higher than during normal play, and the time it takes for the second symbol to change is also shorter, so the symbol "○" is more likely to be displayed in the change display of the second symbol, and the number of times the electric device A140a is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, the time for which the electric device A140a is open is longer than during normal play. Therefore, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, it is possible to create a state in which the ball is more likely to win the second winning hole A140 than during normal play.

[0055] Here, the probability of winning the jackpot when the ball enters the first winning slot A64 and when the ball enters the second winning slot A140 is the same in both low and high probability states. However, the probability of the jackpot type selected in the event of a jackpot being a 15R probability jackpot is set higher when the ball enters the second winning slot A140 than when the ball enters the first winning slot A64. On the other hand, the first winning slot A64 does not have an electric device like the second winning slot A140, and the ball is always in a state where it can win a prize.

[0056] Therefore, under normal circumstances, the electric device associated with the second winning port A140 is often in a closed state, making it difficult to win at the second winning port A140. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for a jackpot by shooting the ball toward the first winning port A64, which has no electric device, so that the ball passes to the left of the variable display unit A80 (the so-called "left shot") and aiming for a jackpot by winning at the first winning port A64, thereby gaining more opportunities for the jackpot lottery.

[0057] On the other hand, during the special bonus period or the time-saving period, the electric device A140a associated with the second winning slot A140 is likely to open up by passing the ball through the through gate A67, making it easier to win at the second winning slot A140. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the ball toward the second winning slot A140 so that it passes to the right of the variable display device 80 (the so-called "right hit"), passing the ball through the through gate A67 to open up the electric device, and aiming for the ball to win at the second winning slot A140, resulting in a 15R special bonus jackpot.

[0058] In the pachinko machine A10 of this embodiment, since the game board A13 is symmetrical, the first winning hole A64 can be aimed at by "hitting from the right" and the second winning hole A140 can be aimed at by "hitting from the left". Therefore, the pachinko machine A10 of this embodiment does not require the player to change the way of shooting the ball between "hitting from the left" and "hitting from the right" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine A10 (whether it is in a probability variation, a time-saving period, or a normal period). Therefore, the hassle of changing the way of shooting the ball can be eliminated.

[0059] A variable winning device A65 (see FIG. 2) is disposed below the first winning port A64, and a specific winning port A65a is disposed in the approximate center of the device. In the pachinko machine A10, when a jackpot lottery performed due to winning in the first winning port A64 or the second winning port A140 results in a jackpot, after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device A37B is turned on to show a jackpot stop pattern, and a stop pattern corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device A81 to indicate the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which a ball is likely to win. In this special game state, the specific winning port A65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed, or until 10 balls have won).

[0060] This specific winning hole A65a is closed after a predetermined time has passed, and after the closing, the specific winning hole A65a is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of this specific winning hole A65a 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 amount of prize balls than usual as an addition of game value (game value).

[0061] The special game state is not limited to the above-mentioned form. A large opening opening that is opened and closed separately from the specific winning opening A65a is provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a big win is lit in the first pattern display device A37A, A37B, the specific winning opening A65a is opened for a predetermined time, and a large opening opening provided separately from the specific winning opening A65a is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when a ball enters the specific winning opening A65a while the specific winning opening A65a is open. Also, the specific winning opening A65a is not limited to one, and one or more than two (for example, three) may be arranged, and the arrangement position is not limited to the lower right side of the first winning opening A64 or the lower left side of the first winning opening A64, but may be, for example, the left side of the variable display unit A80.

[0062] An attachment space K1 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc. is provided in the lower right corner of the game board A13, and the stamps, etc. affixed to the attachment space K1 can be viewed through a small window A35 (see Figure 1) in the front frame A14.

[0063] The game board A13 is provided with an outlet A71. A ball that flows down the game area and does not win any of the winning holes A63, A64, A65a, and A140 is guided through the outlet A71 to a ball discharge path (not shown).

[0064] A large number of nails are set on the game board A13 to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and various components (gimmicks) such as windmills are also provided on the game board A13 (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0065] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine A10 is mainly equipped with control board units A90 and A91 and a back pack unit A94. The control board unit A90 is unitized with a main board (main control device A110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device A113), and a display control board (display control device A114). The control board unit A91 is unitized with a payout control board (payout control device A111), a launch control board (launch control device A112), a power supply board (power supply device A115), and a card unit connection board A116.

[0066] The back pack unit A94 is a unit consisting of the back pack A92 that forms the protective cover and the payout unit A93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each unit, 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 necessary.

[0067] The main control device A110, the voice lamp control device A113 and the display control device A114, the payout control device A111 and the launch control device A112, the power supply device A115, and the card unit connection board A116 are housed in the board boxes A100-A104. The board boxes A100-A104 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.

[0068] In addition, the board box A100 (main control device A110) and the board box A102 (dispensing control device A111 and launch control device A112) are connected (connected by a crimping structure) between the box base and the box cover by a sealing unit (not shown). In addition, a sealing seal (not shown) is attached to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover across the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if you try to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box A100, A102 or try to forcefully open the board box A100, A102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or the sealing seal, you can know whether the board box A100, A102 has been opened.

[0069] The payout unit A93 includes a tank A130 located at the top of the back pack unit A94 and opening upward, a tank rail A131 connected to the bottom of the tank A130 and gently inclined toward the downstream side, a case rail A132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail A131, and a payout device A133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail A132 and performing ball payout by a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor A216 (see FIG. 4). The tank A130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall, and the payout device A133 appropriately pays out the required number of balls. A vibrator A134 for applying vibration to the tank rail A131 is attached to the tank rail A131.

[0070] In addition, the payout control device A111 is provided with a state recovery switch A120, the launch control device A112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob A121, and the power supply device A115 is provided with a RAM erase switch A122. The state recovery switch A120 is operated to resolve ball jams (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor A216 (see FIG. 4). The operation knob A121 is operated to adjust the launch force of the launch solenoid. The RAM erase switch A122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine A10 to its initial state.

[0071] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine A10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine A10.

[0072] The main control device A110 is equipped with an MPUA201 as a one-chip microcomputer that is a calculation device. The MPUA201 includes a ROMA202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPUA201, a RAMA203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROMA202, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. The main control device A110 uses the MPUA201 to execute the main processes of the pachinko machine A10, such as drawing a jackpot, setting the display on the first symbol display device A37A, A37B and the third symbol display device A81, and drawing the display result on the second symbol display device.

[0073] In addition, in order to instruct sub-control devices such as the dispensing control device A111 and the voice lamp control device A113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control device A110 to the sub-control devices via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction, from the main control device A110 to the sub-control devices.

[0074] The RAMA203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPUA201 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPUA201 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored. The RAMA203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device A115 even after the power supply to the pachinko machine A10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAMA203 is backed up.

[0075] 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 the time of the power outage, the same below) are stored in the RAMA203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including the time of the power being turned on due to the power outage being resolved, the same below), the state of the pachinko machine A10 is restored to the state before the power outage based on the information stored in the RAMA203. Writing to the RAMA203 is executed by the main processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to the RAMA203 is executed in the start-up processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned on. Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPUA201 is configured to receive a power outage signal ASG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit A252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal ASG1 is input to the MPUA201, the NMI interrupt processing (not shown) as the power outage processing is immediately executed.

[0076] The MPUA201 of the main control device A110 is connected to an input / output port A205 via a bus line A204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The payout control device A111, the voice lamp control device A113, the first symbol display device A37A, A37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol reservation lamp, the large opening solenoid for driving the opening and closing to the front side with the lower side of the opening and closing plate A65b (see FIG. 2) of the specific winning port A65a as an axis, the solenoid A209 consisting of a solenoid for driving the electric role and the like are connected to the input / output port A205, and the MPUA201 transmits various commands and control signals to them via the input / output port A205.

[0077] In addition, the input / output port A205 is connected to various switches A208 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, and a RAM erasure switch circuit A253 (described later) provided in the power supply A115, and the MPUA201 performs various processes based on the signals output from the various switches A208 and the RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit A253.

[0078] The payout control device A111 drives the payout motor A216 to control the payout of prize balls and loan balls. The MPUA211, which is a calculation device, has a ROMA212 that stores control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPUA211, and a RAMA213 used as a work memory, etc.

[0079] The RAMA213 of the payout control device A111, like the RAMA203 of the main control device A110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPUA211 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPUA211 are stored, and a work area (working area) in which the values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAMA213 is configured to be supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device A115 and to hold (back up) data even after the power supply of the pachinko machine A10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAMA213 is backed up. In addition, like the MPUA201 of the main control device A110, the NMI terminal of the MPUA211 is configured to receive a power outage signal ASG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit A252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal ASG1 is input to the MPUA211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a process during a power outage.

[0080] The MPU A211 of the payout control device A111 is connected to an input / output port A215 via a bus line A214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The main control device A110, the payout motor A216, the launch control device A112, and the like are connected to the input / output port A215. Although not shown, the payout control device A111 is connected to a prize ball detection switch for detecting the paid-out prize balls. The prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device A111 but is not connected to the main control device A110.

[0081] The launch control device A112 controls the ball launch unit A112a so that the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle A51 when the main control device A110 issues an instruction to launch a ball. The ball launch unit A112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and an electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and the electromagnet are permitted to be driven when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, the touch sensor A51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle A51, and the launch solenoid is excited in response to the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle A51, on the condition that the launch stop switch A51b for stopping the launch of the ball is off (not operated), and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle A51.

[0082] The voice lamp control device A113 controls the output of voice in the voice output device (such as a speaker not shown) A226, the output of turning on and off in the lamp display device (such as the illumination unit A29 to A33, the display lamp A34, etc.) A227, and the setting of the display mode of the third pattern display device A81 performed by the display control device A114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPUA221, which is a calculation device, has a ROMA222 that stores the control program and fixed value data executed by the MPUA221, and a RAMA223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0083] The MPU A221 of the voice lamp control device A113 is connected to an input / output port A225 via a bus line A224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The main control device A110, the display control device A114, the voice output device A226, the lamp display device A227, the other devices A228, the frame button A22, etc. are connected to the input / output port A225. The other devices A228 include the drive motors A648, 820, the solenoid A651, etc.

[0084] The voice lamp control device A113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device A81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device A110, and notifies the display control device A114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). In addition, the voice lamp control device A113 monitors input from the frame button A22, and when the frame button A22 is operated by the player, instructs the display control device A114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device A81 or change the performance content at the time of super reach. When the stage is changed, a back image change command including information on the changed stage is sent to the display control device A114 so that the third symbol display device A81 displays a back image corresponding to the changed stage. Here, the back image refers to an image displayed on the back side of the third symbol, which is the main image to be displayed on the third symbol display device A81. The display control device A114 displays various images on the third pattern display device A81 in accordance with commands transmitted from this voice lamp control device A113.

[0085] Also, the voice lamp control device A113 receives a command (display command) representing the display contents of the third pattern display device A81 from the display control device A114. Based on the display command received from the display control device A114, the voice lamp control device A113 outputs a sound corresponding to the display contents of the third pattern display device A81 from the voice output device A226 in accordance with the display contents, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device A227 in accordance with the display contents.

[0086] The display control device A114 is connected to the voice lamp control device A113 and the third pattern display device A81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device A81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on the command received from the voice lamp control device A113. The display control device A114 also transmits a display command to notify the display content of the third pattern display device A81 to the voice lamp control device A113 as appropriate. The voice lamp control device A113 can match the display of the third pattern display device A81 with the audio output from the audio output device A226 by outputting audio from the audio output device A226 in accordance with the display content indicated by the display command.

[0087] The power supply device A115 has a power supply unit A251 for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine A10, a power failure monitoring circuit A252 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure or the like, and a RAM erase switch circuit A253 provided with a RAM erase switch A122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit A251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltage to each of the control devices A110 to A114 through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit A251 takes in an AC 24-volt voltage supplied from the outside, generates a 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches A208, solenoids such as the solenoid A209, 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 A110 to A114, etc.

[0088] The power failure monitoring circuit A252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal ASG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPUA201 of the main control device A110 and the MPUA211 of the dispensing control device A111 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit A252 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit A251, and when this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power failure (power failure, power cut) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal ASG1 to the main control device A110 and the dispensing control device A111. By outputting the power failure signal ASG1, the main control device A110 and the dispensing control device A111 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit A251 is configured to maintain the output of the voltage of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the NMI interrupt processing, even after the voltage of 24 volts DC stabilized falls below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control device A110 and the dispensing control device A111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown).

[0089] The RAM clear switch circuit A253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clear signal SG2 to the main control device A110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clear switch A122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device A110 inputs the RAM clear signal SG2 when the pachinko machine A10 is powered on, it clears the backup data and transmits a payout initialization command to the payout control device A111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device A111.

[0090] The winning hole unit A930 and the ball throwing unit A970 disposed on the base plate of the game board A13 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In the description of Figures 5 and 6, Figure 2 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0091] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective front view of the game board A13. Note that in Fig. 5, units other than the winning port unit A930 and the ball throwing unit A970 arranged on the base plate A60 (for example, the center frame A86 (see Fig. 2)) are omitted from the illustration.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 5, a through hole A60a penetrating through the thickness direction of the base plate A60 is formed by router processing on the lower side in the gravity direction (lower side in FIG. 5) of the central opening to which the center frame A86 (see FIG. 2) is attached.

[0093] The through hole A60a is formed slightly smaller than the outer shape of the front unit A940, which will be described later, when viewed from the front, and the drive unit A960 and the specific winning port unit A950 disposed in the front unit A940 are inserted inside.

[0094] On the base plate A60, the winning port unit A930 is disposed from the game area (front side), and the ball throwing unit A970 is disposed from the opposite side (back side) of the game area, and each is fastened and fixed by tapping screws, etc. The detailed configurations of the winning port unit A930 and the ball throwing unit A970 will be described later.

[0095] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the game board A13 taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 illustrates the arrangement of the winning port unit A930 and the ball throwing unit A970 in an assembled state.

[0096] As shown in Figure 6, the connection between the passages of the front unit A940 and the throwing unit A970 is such that they are in contact in the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction in Figure 6), and the convex portion formed on the throwing unit A970 is inserted into the protrusion formed on the front unit A940.

[0097] More specifically, the first ball throwing part A942g and the inlet A982d are arranged such that the second protrusion A982d1 formed on the inlet A982d is disposed inside the first recess A942g1 formed on the first ball throwing part A942g. The second ball throwing part A942c and the side wall A981b are arranged such that the protrusion A981b1 formed on the side wall A981b is disposed inside the second recess A942c1 formed on the second ball throwing part A942c. This makes it easy to align the front unit A940 and the throwing unit A970 when assembling them to the base plate A60.

[0098] Next, the overall configuration of the ball throwing unit A970 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7(a) is a front view of the ball throwing unit A970, and Figure 7(b) is a side view of the ball throwing unit A970. Figure 8(a) is an exploded perspective front view of the ball throwing unit A970, and Figure 8(b) is an exploded perspective rear view of the ball throwing unit A970.

[0099] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the ball throwing unit A970 is formed by including a distribution unit 980 arranged on the player side (play area side) and having a space inside through which game balls can be inserted, and a passage unit A990 arranged on the opposite side of the distribution unit 980 from the play area.

[0100] The distribution unit 980 has an opening (inlet A982d and side wall A981b) connected to the first winning port A64 and the second winning port A140 of the above-mentioned winning port unit A930, and can receive game balls sent from the opening (inlet A982d and side wall A981b) to the opposite side of the game area via the first winning port A64 and the second winning port A140. The distribution unit 980 will be described in detail later.

[0101] The passage unit A990 is disposed on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) of the sorting unit 980. The passage unit A990 has a plurality of openings (first through hole A991a to second through hole A991d) on a surface facing the sorting unit 980, and can receive game balls sent inside the sorting unit 980 from the openings. The passage unit A990 will be described in detail later.

[0102] Next, the configuration of the sorting unit 980 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 12. Fig. 9(a) is a front view of the sorting unit 980, and Fig. 9(b) is a side view of the sorting unit 980. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective front view of the sorting unit 980, and Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective rear view of the sorting unit 980. Fig. 12(a) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XIIa-XIIa in Fig. 9(a), and Fig. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the sorting unit 980 taken along line XIIb-XIIb in Fig. 12(a).

[0103] As shown in Figures 9 to 12, the distribution unit 980 is mainly formed by comprising a rear base A985, a front base A981 arranged on the player side of the rear base A985, a distribution section A983 arranged in a rotatable state between the front base A981 and the rear base, and a cover member A987 arranged on the rear side of the rear base A985 in a position corresponding to the distribution section A983.

[0104] The rear base A985 is formed from a colored translucent resin material (blue in this embodiment) and is mainly formed with a base portion A985a formed into a plate-shaped body, a plurality of openings (openings A985b to 985g) penetrating the thickness direction of the base portion A985a, a recess A985h recessed into the other side of the plurality of openings in the direction of gravity (upward in the direction of gravity), and a accommodating portion A986b and a protruding portion A986e protruding from the opposite surface of the recess A985h.

[0105] The base portion A985a is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, and is formed with a plurality of fastening holes A986c and 986d that penetrate the outer edge in a circular shape, and an inclined surface A986a that inclines toward one side in the direction of gravity on the side opposite to the front base A981 side. The fastening holes A986c are holes into which screws that are inserted through the front base A981 (described later) are screwed. This allows the front base A981 and the rear base A985 to be fastened and fixed. The fastening holes A986d are holes into which screws that are inserted through the passage unit A990 (described later) are screwed. This allows the rear base A985 (distribution unit 980) and the passage unit A990 to be fastened and fixed.

[0106] The inclined surface A986a is formed at a position overlapping with a part of the other side of the openings A985b-985f in the direction of gravity, which will be described later. The inclined surface A986a is also formed at a position facing the inclined portion A982b of the front base A981 when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined. This makes it possible to guide the flow direction of game balls flowing down in the direction of gravity toward the openings A985b-985f. As a result, it is possible to make it easier for the game balls to flow into the openings A985b-985f.

[0107] The recess A985h is recessed toward the side opposite the front base A981 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 9(b)) and is formed at approximately the center of the short side direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 9(b)) of the base portion A985a. The recess A985h is formed with a size capable of accommodating a part of the distribution portion A983 (described later) on the inside, and is provided with a bearing portion A985j protruding in an annular shape on the bottom surface. The bearing portion A985j is a hole into which one end of a shaft member A988a that axially supports the distribution portion A983 is inserted, and is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member A988a.

[0108] The openings A985b and A985c are formed at both ends of the base portion A985a in the short direction, and the size of the inner edge is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. The openings A985b and A985c are formed so that the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is inclined downward toward the opposite side to the front base A981 side. This allows the game ball flowing in from the front base A981 side to roll toward the opposite side to the front base A981 side.

[0109] The opening A985d is formed at a substantially central position in the short side direction (left-right direction in FIG. 9(b)) of the base portion A985a, and its position in the gravity direction (up-down direction in FIG. 9(b)) is set to be substantially the same position as the openings A985b and A985c. Similarly to the openings A985b and A985c, the opening A985d is formed such that the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is inclined downward as it approaches the side opposite the front base A981 side. This allows the game balls flowing in from the front base A981 side to roll to the side opposite the front base A981 side.

[0110] The opening A985e is formed between the openings A985b and A985d, and the opening A985f is formed between the openings A985c and A985d. The openings A985e, A985f are mainly formed by inflow passages A985e1, A985f1 of a space opening on the front base A981 side, discharge passages A985e3, A985f3 of a space opening on the side opposite the front base A981 side, and intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2 extending in the direction of gravity and connecting the inflow passages A985e1, A985f1 and the discharge passages A985e3, A985f3.

[0111] The inflow passages A985e1, A985f1 are connected to a first passage ATR1 and a second passage ATR2 formed between the opposing front base A981 and rear base A985 described later, and are formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. This allows game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 and the second passage to flow into the inflow passages A985e1, A985f1.

[0112] The intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2 are formed by extending in the direction of gravity, and the other side in the direction of gravity (upper side in the direction of gravity) is connected to the inflow passages A985e1, A985f1 and is formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. This allows game balls passing through the inflow passages A985e1, A985f1 to flow into the intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2.

[0113] Further, the intermediate passages A985e2 and A985f2 are formed with a recessed portion A985f4 recessed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the throwing direction of the game ball (gravity direction). The recessed portion A985f4 is a cutout for disposing the detection device ASE3 described later inside, and is set to be substantially the same as the outer shape of the detection device ASE3 when viewed from the back. This allows the detection device ASE3 to be inserted and disposed from the back side of the base portion A985a (the side opposite to the front base A981).

[0114] The detection device ASE3 is a device for detecting the passage of a game ball, and has a detection hole ASE1a with an inner diameter slightly larger than that of the game ball formed therethrough in the thickness direction. The detection hole ASE1a is formed biased to one side or the other in the longitudinal direction of the detection device ASE3 arranged in a horizontally elongated rectangular state when viewed from the rear, and a detection board ASE1b for controlling the detection device ASE3 is disposed on the other side or the other side in the longitudinal direction where the detection hole ASE1a is not formed.

[0115] In this embodiment, when the detection device ASE3 detects the passage of the game ball, five prize balls are paid out and a lottery for the first symbol is executed. In response to this lottery, the third symbol display device A81 executes a variable display of the third symbol.

[0116] In addition, the detection device ASE3 is arranged such that the axial direction of the detection hole ASE1a is set parallel to the extension direction of the intermediate passages A985e2 and A985f2, and the internal space of the detection hole ASE1a and the space of the intermediate passages A985e2 and A985f2 are substantially aligned. This allows the game ball to pass through the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE3 when it flows down from the other side (upper side in the gravity direction) of the intermediate passages A985e2 and A985f2 in the gravity direction to one side (lower side in the gravity direction). This allows the game ball passing through the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 to be detected.

[0117] In addition, since the axial direction of the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE3 is formed parallel to the direction of gravity, the weight of the game ball can be easily utilized when sending the game ball to the detection hole ASE1a. As a result, the game ball can be prevented from getting caught in the connection between the intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2 and the detection hole ASE1a.

[0118] The recessed portions A985e4, A985f4 are formed to be continuous with the spaces of the inlet passages A985e1, A985f1 and the outlet passages A985e3, A985f3. That is, the intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2 are formed using the detection device ASE3. This makes it possible to prevent the length dimension of the intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2 in the direction of gravity from increasing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rear base A985 from becoming large in the direction of gravity.

[0119] The discharge passages A985e3, A985f3 are connected to one side of the intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2 in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the direction of gravity) and are formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. In addition, the discharge passages A985e3, A985f3 are connected to the third insertion hole A991c and the fourth insertion hole A991d of the passage unit A990 described later in a state in which the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined. This allows game balls passing through the intermediate passages A985e2, A985f2 to flow into the discharge passages A985e3, A985f3 and to be sent to the passage unit A990 by passing through the space.

[0120] The opening A985g is formed on one side in the direction of gravity of the opening A985d (the lower side in the direction of gravity). Similarly to the opening A985d, the inner surface of the opening A985g on the one side in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the direction of gravity) is formed so as to be inclined downward toward the side opposite the front base A981. This allows the game balls flowing in from the front base A981 side to roll toward the side opposite the front base A981.

[0121] The inflow passages A985e1, A985f1 are connected to a first passage ATR1 and a second passage ATR2 formed between the opposing front base A981 and rear base A985 described later, and are formed to a size that allows game balls to pass through. This allows game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 to flow into the inflow passages A985e1, A985f1.

[0122] The accommodation portion A986b is formed from a pair of semicircular rings. The accommodation portion A986b is a portion that accommodates the magnetic body A988b described later inside, and its inner diameter is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the magnetic body A988b formed in a cylindrical body. The protruding dimension of the accommodation portion A986b is set to be larger than the axial dimension of the magnetic body A988b. This allows the magnetic body A988b to be accommodated inside the accommodation portion A986b. Since the accommodation portion A986b is formed from a pair of semicircular rings, even if the outer diameter of the magnetic body A988b is formed slightly larger due to a manufacturing error, the pair of semicircular rings can be elastically deformed to accommodate the magnetic body A988b.

[0123] The protruding portion A986e is cylindrically protruding from a position on the opposite side of the bearing portion A985j and the base portion A985a. The protruding portion A986e also has a fastening hole recessed into a circular shape on its axis. The fastening hole is a hole into which the tip of a screw that passes through the cover member A987 described below is screwed, and by screwing the screw while the cover member A987 is in contact, the cover member A987 can be fastened and fixed to the rear base A985.

[0124] The magnetic body A988b is made of a magnet, and by being disposed in the housing portion A986b, it can generate a magnetic field on the front base A981 side via the base portion A985a. This repels the magnetic body A988c disposed in the sorting portion A983 described later, making it easier to displace the sorting portion A983.

[0125] The front base A981 is made of a colored translucent (blue in this embodiment) resin material. The front base A981 is formed in a generally rectangular shape larger than the rear base A985 when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with a base plate A981a and a bulging portion A982 that bulges out from the base plate A981a toward the player side (the side opposite the rear base 986).

[0126] The base plate A981a is formed as a plate member that is approximately rectangular when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with a plurality of insertion holes A981g that penetrate in the plate thickness direction at its outer peripheral edge, a first guide wall A981f and a second guide wall A981d that protrude toward the rear base A985 side, a second insertion hole A981e that penetrates near the first guide wall A981f and the second guide wall A981d, and a through hole A981c that penetrates in the plate thickness direction on one side in the gravity direction of the bulge portion A982 (the lower side in the gravity direction).

[0127] The insertion hole A981g is a hole through which a screw (not shown) that fastens the assembled ball throwing unit A970 to the base plate A60 (see FIG. 5) is inserted, and is set to have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tip of the screw.

[0128] The first guide wall A981f is formed in a semicircular annular shape, and is formed as a pair in the short side direction with a bulging portion A982 (described later) sandwiched therebetween. The first guide wall A981f is formed with the open portion of the semicircle facing approximately the center of the base plate A981a in the short side direction.

[0129] The second guide wall A981d is formed in an annular shape, and is formed at two locations in the short side direction of the base plate A981a. The second guide wall A981d is formed on the lower side in the gravity direction of a bulging portion A982 described later, and a through hole A981c is formed between the two locations.

[0130] The first guide wall A981f and the second guide wall A981d have inner edge shapes formed to be substantially the same as the outer shape of the periphery of the fastening hole A986c of the rear base A985 described above. This allows the wall portions around the fastening hole A986c to be inserted inside the first guide wall A981f and the second guide wall A981d when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined, thereby allowing the first guide wall A981f and the second guide wall A981d to be positioned.

[0131] The second insertion hole A981e is formed at the center of the semicircle of the first guide wall A981f and the center of the second guide wall A981d. The second insertion hole A981e is formed coaxially with the fastening hole A986c when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are assembled, and the front base A981 and the rear base A985 can be fastened together by inserting a screw from the front base A981 side and screwing it into the fastening hole A986d.

[0132] The through hole A981c is formed in a square shape with one side larger than the diameter of the game ball. The through hole A981c is also formed with a side wall portion A981b erected along its edge on the opposite side to the rear base A985 side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 9(a)). The through hole A981c is a portion that communicates with the second winning hole A140 of the above-mentioned winning hole unit A930, and is formed at a position that overlaps with the rolling direction of the game ball that has flowed into the second winning hole A140 when the winning hole unit A930 and the ball sending unit A970 are attached to the base plate A60.

[0133] The side wall portion A981b is formed with a dimension such that the erected tip surface abuts against the second ball throwing portion A942c of the winning opening unit A930 when the winning opening unit A930 and the ball throwing unit A970 are attached to the base plate A60. Also, the side wall portion A981b has a rolling surface A981c1 on the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (lower side in the gravity direction) positioned closer to the one side in the gravity direction than the end surface A943a1 of the rolling portion A943a, and is formed to be inclined downward toward the rear base A985 side (see FIG. 6).

[0134] Furthermore, the side wall portion A981b has a protrusion A981b1 protruding from the upright tip surface. The protrusion A981b1 is formed at a position radially spaced from the rolling surface A981c1 in the gravity direction by the game ball. This makes it difficult for the game ball to get caught between the rolling portion A943a and the through hole A981c when the game ball is sent from the end surface A943a1 of the rolling portion A943a to the rolling surface A981c1 of the through hole A981c. A detailed explanation of the case where the game ball is sent from the end surface A943a1 of the rolling portion A943a to the rolling surface A981c1 of the through hole A981c will be given later.

[0135] The bulging portion A982 is formed in a dome shape bulging from the base plate A981a, and is set to a size that allows a game ball to pass inside, and is formed with a ball throwing passage ATR0 through which a game ball flowing in from an inlet A982d passes, and a first passage ATR1 and a second passage ATR2 branching off from the ball throwing passage ATR0. The bulging portion A982 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with an inlet A982d formed by cutting out an upper end in the direction of gravity, an erected wall A982a bent toward the rear base A985 side at a substantially central position when viewed from the front, and recesses A982e to 982j recessed at multiple locations on the other side in the direction of gravity.

[0136] The inlet A982d is cut out to have a generally U-shape when viewed from the front. The inlet A982d is formed at a position where an inner edge portion of the inlet A982d overlaps with the rolling direction of the game ball that has flowed into the first winning port A64 of the winning port unit A930 when the winning port unit A930 and the ball sending unit A970 are attached to the base plate A60.

[0137] The inlet A982d is provided with a second protrusion A982d1 that protrudes from the edge on the other side in the direction of gravity (upper side in the direction of gravity) opposite the rear base A985. The second protrusion A982d1 is formed in the shape of the inner edge of the first recess A942g1 of the winning opening unit A930 described above, and when the winning opening unit A930 and the ball throwing unit A970 are disposed on the base plate A60, the second protrusion A982d1 abuts against the inner edge of the first recess A942g1.

[0138] Also, the distance dimension L14 (see FIG. 9(a)) from the second protrusion A982d1 to the end face of the inlet A982d on one side in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the direction of gravity) is set to be larger than the distance dimension L35 (see FIG. 87(b)) from the inner edge of the first recessed portion A942g1 to the inner edge of the first ball throwing portion A942g on one side in the direction of gravity. This makes it possible for the game ball sent to the first ball throwing portion A942g through the first winning port A64 to be less likely to be pinched between the inlet A982d (the bulging portion A982) and the first ball throwing portion A942g when it flows into the inlet A982d.

[0139] The standing wall A982a is formed in a rectangular shape with a predetermined gap from the outer edge shape of the bulging portion A982 in a front view. The standing wall A982a is formed on the lower side of the inlet A982d in the gravity direction, and is provided with a contact portion A982a1 formed in a triangular shape in the standing direction on the upper side in the gravity direction.

[0140] The vertical wall A982a has a horizontal separation distance L16 (see Figure 12 (b)) from the inner edge of the outer circumferential portion of the bulge portion A982 that is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball, and a first passage ATR1 and a second passage ATR2 are formed between the opposing portions, which are spaces through which the game ball can pass.

[0141] The first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 are formed downstream of a distribution section A983 described later, and game balls passing through the distribution section A983 are sent to one of them. The distribution section A983 is set so that game balls flowing into the inlet A982d can be sent alternately to the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2. This makes it possible to prevent the sending of game balls flowing into the first winning port A64 from becoming monotonous. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player's interest from being lost.

[0142] A bearing portion A982c is formed on the other side in the gravity direction (upper side in the gravity direction) of the standing wall A982a, protruding in an annular shape from the inner surface of the bulging portion A982 toward the rear base A985. The bearing portion A982c is a portion that supports the other end side of the shaft member A988a that axially supports the distribution portion A983 described below, and has an inner diameter set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the shaft member A988a. Therefore, by inserting the shaft member A988a into the bearing portion A982c, the other end side of the shaft member A988a can be supported.

[0143] Furthermore, as described above, one end of the shaft member A988a is inserted into the bearing portion A985j of the rear base A985. Therefore, when combining the front base A981 and the rear base A985, one end of the shaft member A988a is inserted into the bearing portion A985j and the other end of the shaft member A988a is inserted into the bearing portion A982c, thereby allowing the shaft member A988a to be supported between the front base A981 and the rear base A985.

[0144] The contact portion A982a1 is formed on a rotation trajectory of the allocating portion A983 described later, and the amount of rotational displacement of the allocating portion A983 is restricted by contact with the action portion A983a of the allocating portion A983. The contact state between the contact portion A982a1 and the allocating portion A983 will be described in detail later.

[0145] The recesses A982e and A982f are recessed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 from the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) of the bulging portion A982. Further, inside the recesses A982e and A982f, a first branch passage ABK1 or a second branch passage ABK2 is formed as a space communicating with the first passage ATR1 or the second passage ATR2.

[0146] The first branch passage ABK1 is connected to the opening A985b of the rear base A985 when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined. Therefore, the first branch passage ABK1 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1, and is also able to allow the received game balls to flow into the opening A985b of the rear base A985.

[0147] The second branch passage ABK2 is connected to the opening A985c of the rear base A985 when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined. Therefore, the second branch passage ABK2 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the second passage ATR2, and is also able to allow the received game balls to flow into the opening A985c of the rear base A985.

[0148] The recesses A982h and A982j are recessed from an inner surface on one side in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the direction of gravity) of the bulging portion A982 in the direction in which the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 extend. That is, the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 extend to one side in the direction of gravity by the amount of the recesses A982h and the recesses 982j.

[0149] The first passage ATR1 communicates with the opening A985e of the rear base A985 when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined. Therefore, the first passage ATR1 receives the game balls that have flowed into the inlet A982d, and allows the game balls to flow into the opening A985e of the rear base A985.

[0150] The second passage ATR2 is connected to the rear base A985 when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined. Therefore, the second passage ATR2 receives the game balls that have flowed into the inlet A982d, and allows the game balls to flow into the opening A985f of the rear base A985.

[0151] The recess A982g is formed between the recess A982h and the recess A982j, and the recessed direction is set parallel to the extending direction of the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2. Further, inside the recess A982g, a third branch passage ABK3 is formed as a space communicating with the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2. Therefore, since the third branch passage ABK3 communicating with the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 is formed between the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2, the sorting unit 980 can be made compact.

[0152] The third branch passage ABK3 is connected to the opening A985d of the rear base A985 when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined. Therefore, the third branch passage ABK3 is formed to be able to receive game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 or the second passage ATR2, and is also able to allow the received game balls to flow into the opening A985d of the rear base A985.

[0153] The inclined portion A982b is formed on one side in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the direction of gravity) of the bulging portion A982, and is extended at an angle toward the rear base A985 side toward the one side in the direction of gravity. The inclined portion A982b is formed at a position facing the opening A985b from the opening A985f when the front base A981 and the rear base A985 are combined. This allows the game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1, the second passage ATR2, the first branch passage ABK1, the second branch passage ABK2, and the third branch passage ABK3 to come into contact with the inclined portion A982b, thereby guiding the flowing game balls toward the openings A985b-985f and making it easier for them to flow into the openings A985b-985f.

[0154] The guide portions A982h1, A982j1 are connected to the recesses A982h and 982j and the inclined portion A982b, and the erected end faces are inclined downward toward the rear base A985 side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 9(b)). This allows the game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 to come into contact with the erected end faces of the guide portions A982h1, A982j1 and be guided to the openings A985e and A985f, making it easier for them to flow into the openings A985e and A985f.

[0155] Also, the guide portions A982h1, A982j1 are formed connected to the inclined portion A982b. This allows the game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 to come into contact with the inclined portion A982b and be guided toward the rear base A985 while colliding with the guide portions A982h1, A982j1, making it easier for the game balls to flow into the openings A985e and A985f. Furthermore, the erection distance of the guide portions A982h1, A982j1 can be reduced by the inclination of the inclined portion A982b, so that the rigidity of the guide portions A982h1, A982j1 can be increased to improve durability.

[0156] Here, as described above, the sorting unit 980 (ball throwing unit A970) is made visible to the player through the front unit A940 (winning port unit A930) disposed on the player side. Therefore, the game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 are difficult to see from the player side through the front unit A940. Furthermore, when the guide parts A982h1 and A982j1 are erected on the front side of the openings A985e and A985f, there is a problem that the game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 are difficult to see from the player due to the thickness of the guide parts A982h1 and A982j1.

[0157] In contrast, in this embodiment, the guide portions A982h1 and A982j1 are formed in connection with the inclined portion A982b, so that the erection dimension of the inclined portion A982b can be made small. Therefore, the game balls sent to the openings A985e and A985f (the game balls flowing down the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2) can be easily seen even through the front unit A940. That is, in this embodiment, the inclined portion A982b is inclined so as to be positioned closer to the back base A985 as it moves toward the flow direction of the game ball, so that the thickness of the guide portions A982h1 and A982j1 in the front-rear direction can be made thinner while ensuring rigidity and guiding the game ball, so that visibility of the game ball can be ensured.

[0158] The allocating portion A983 is set to a thickness slightly smaller than the dimension between the opposing front base A981 and the rear base A985, and is formed in a generally T-shape when viewed from the front. The allocating portion A983 is mainly formed with an acting portion A983a on one side of the T-shape, an intermediate plate A983b protruding from approximately the center position in the extension direction of the acting portion A983a, a through hole A983c penetrating the connecting portion of the acting portion A983a and the intermediate plate A983b, a contact portion A983d bulging out in a circular shape around the axis of the through hole A983c, and a wall portion A983e formed connecting the acting portion A983a and the intermediate plate A983b to the rear base A985 side.

[0159] The through-hole A983c is a hole into which the shaft member A988a supported between the opposing front base A981 and the rear base A985 is inserted, and is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member A988a. As a result, when assembling the front base A981 and the rear base A985, by inserting the shaft member A988a into the through-hole A983c of the distribution part A983, the distribution part A983 is disposed between the opposing front base A981 and the rear base A985 in a rotatable state.

[0160] The intermediate plate A983b is formed extending radially outward from the through hole A983c, and when the displacement of the distribution portion A983 is restricted by rotating to one side or the other, the distance L17 (see FIG. 12(b)) from its tip to the inside of the intermediate plate A983b is set to a dimension smaller than the diameter of the game ball. This restricts the throwing of the game ball to one side or the other of the first passage ATR1 or the second passage ATR2. In addition, the intermediate plate A983b is switched from a state in which the throwing of the game ball is restricted to one side of the first passage ATR1 to a state in which the throwing of the game ball is restricted to the other side of the second passage ATR2 by rotating the distribution portion A983 about the through hole A983c.

[0161] The action portion A983a is formed extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the intermediate plate A983b in a front view. In addition, the action portion A983a is set at a connecting position with the abutting portion A983d on one side in the gravity direction (lower side in the gravity direction) than the connecting position with the abutting portion A983d of the intermediate plate A983b. As a result, the game ball sent to the distribution portion A983 through the inlet A982d is in a state of applying a load to the action portion A983a side. As a result, the distribution portion A983 is rotationally displaced around the through hole A983c.

[0162] The wall portion A983e is connected to the action portion A983a and the intermediate plate A983b, and is formed in a substantially semicircular plate shape when viewed in the axial direction of the through hole A983c. The wall portion A983e is formed to protrude outward from the action portion A983a and the intermediate plate A983b in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the through hole A983c, and the thickness dimension is set to be smaller than the recessed dimension of the recess A985h of the back base A985 described above. Therefore, in a state in which the distribution portion A983 is disposed between the opposing back base A985 and the front base A981, the wall portion A983e can be disposed inside the recess A985h. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball sent from the inlet A982d to the inside of the distribution unit 980 from being caught inside the recess A985h, thereby preventing the flow of the game ball from being hindered.

[0163] The wall portion A983e is provided with a housing portion A983e1 recessed toward the intermediate plate A983b at the radially outer end from the through hole A983c on the rear side of the intermediate plate A983b. The housing portion A983e1 is a portion that houses the magnetic body A988c formed into a cylindrical body, and is recessed in a circular shape with an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the magnetic body A988c. The housing portion A983e1 is recessed from the rear base A985 side toward the front base A981 side, and the magnetic body A988c is housed inside from the rear base A985 side.

[0164] The magnetic body A988c is formed of a magnet and is disposed in a state where it repels the magnetic body A988b disposed on the rear base A985. As a result, the magnetic body A988c is subjected to a magnetic force from the magnetic body A988b disposed on the rear base A985, and the distribution portion A983 can rotate about the through hole A983c as an axis, so that the extension direction of the action portion A983a is tilted to one side or the other.

[0165] In addition, since the magnetic body A988c and the magnetic body A988b are arranged in a state where they are repelled by each other and the housing portion A983e1 is recessed toward the front side, the magnetic body A988c inserted into the housing portion A983e1 can be prevented from slipping out of the housing portion A983e1. That is, since there is no need for a portion for locking the magnetic body A988c inserted into the housing portion A983e1, the structure of the sorting portion A983 can be simplified and the magnetic body A988c can be easily disposed in the sorting portion A983.

[0166] The magnetic force of the magnetic body A988b and the magnetic body A988c is set to a magnetic force smaller than the load of the game ball. This makes it possible to prevent the game ball sent inside the sorting unit 980 from being magnetically attracted to the magnetic body A988b and the magnetic body A988c and stagnating inside the sorting unit 980.

[0167] The cover member A987 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape when viewed from above, and is disposed on the opposite side of the recess A985h of the rear base A985 from the front base A981. The cover member A987 is also formed with two recesses, a first recess A987a and a second recess A987b, which are recessed side by side in the direction of gravity and have a circular shape when viewed from the front.

[0168] The first recess A987a is a portion that accommodates the accommodation portion A986b of the rear base A985 described above on the inside, and is set to have an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the accommodation portion A986b. Therefore, by accommodating the tip of the accommodation portion A986b in the first recess A987a with the magnetic body A988b accommodated inside the accommodation portion A986b as described above, it is possible to prevent the magnetic body A988b accommodated inside the accommodation portion A986b from slipping out of the accommodation portion A986b.

[0169] The second recess A987b has a through hole A987b1 at its bottom surface for fastening to the rear base A985. The inner diameter of the recessed portion of the second recess A987b is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the protruding portion A986e of the rear base A985. This allows the cover member A987 to be positioned by receiving the second recess A987b in the protruding portion A986e of the rear base A985, and allows screws to be fastened to fastening holes of the protruding portion A986e in the positioned state via the through hole A987b1.

[0170] Next, referring to Fig. 13, the operation of the distribution part 983 when a game ball flows into the distribution unit 980 from the inlet A982d will be described. Fig. 13(a) and Fig. 13(b) are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of the distribution unit 980 in the range XIIIa of Fig. 12(b). Note that, hereinafter, only the case where the action part A983a of the distribution part A983 is displaced from a state in which the game ball is restricted from being thrown to one side of the first passage ATR1 to a state in which the game ball is restricted from being thrown to the other side of the second passage ATR2 will be described, and a description of the case where the action part A983a of the distribution part A983 is displaced from a state in which the game ball is restricted from being thrown to the other side of the second passage ATR2 to a state in which the game ball is restricted from being thrown to one side of the first passage ATR1 will be omitted.

[0171] 13(a) and 13(b), before the game ball is sent to the distribution section A983 (before the game ball abuts against the action section A983a), as described above, the magnetic body A988c arranged in the distribution section 983 repels the magnetic body A988b (see FIG. 10), so that the intermediate plate A983b on the radially outer side from the through hole A983c is inclined toward the second passage ATR2 side. Note that the action section A983a on the second passage ATR2 side abuts against the abutment section A982a1 of the front base A981, so that the amount of rotation is regulated (see FIG. 13(a)).

[0172] When the game ball is sent to the distribution section A983 in this state, the game ball is sent between the intermediate plate A983b and the action section A983a on the first passage ATR1 side. As described above, the action section A983a is set at a connecting position with the abutment section A983d on one side in the direction of gravity (lower in the direction of gravity) than the connecting position with the abutment section A983d of the intermediate plate A983b, so that the load of the game ball can be applied to the action section A983a on the first passage ATR1 side.

[0173] 13(b), the distribution portion A983 is rotated about the through hole A983c, and the intermediate plate A983b on the radially outer side from the through hole A983c is tilted toward the first passage ATR1 side. The amount of rotation is restricted by the action portion A983a on the first passage ATR1 side abutting against the abutment portion A982a1 of the front base A981. In this case, the repulsive direction of the magnetic body A988c is switched from a state in which the intermediate plate A983b on the radially outer side from the through hole A983c acts toward the second passage ATR2 side to a state in which the intermediate plate acts toward the first passage ATR1 side.

[0174] Therefore, the distribution unit A983 can rotate around the through hole A983c by utilizing the load of the game ball and the repulsive force of the magnetic body A988c. Also, since the direction of the repulsive force of the magnetic body A988c is switched, the distribution unit A983 can maintain the rotated state. Therefore, the distribution unit A983 can send the game balls one by one to the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 by changing the inclination direction of the middle plate A983b every time a game ball is sent.

[0175] Next, the configuration of the passage unit A990 will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 16. Figure 14(a) is a front view of the passage unit A990, and Figure 14(b) is a side view of the passage unit A990. Figure 15 is an exploded perspective front view of the passage unit A990, and Figure 16 is an exploded perspective rear view of the passage unit A990.

[0176] As shown in Figures 14 to 16, the passage unit A990 is formed mainly by including a first passage member A991 having a plurality of openings that open on the distribution unit 980 side, a second passage member A992 arranged in the first passage member A991 for sending game balls that pass through the first passage member A991, a third passage member A993 arranged in the second passage member A992 for sending game balls that have passed through the second passage member A992, and a detection device ASE4 arranged between the second passage member A992 and the third passage member A993.

[0177] The first passage member A991 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape in a front view and is formed with a predetermined width on the second passage member A992 side. The first passage member A991 is mainly formed with a first insertion hole A991a formed to penetrate on the other side in the gravity direction (upper side in the gravity direction) on the sorting unit 980 side, a second insertion hole A991b formed to penetrate on one side in the gravity direction (lower side in the gravity direction) of the first insertion hole A991a, a third insertion hole A991c and a fourth insertion hole A991d formed to penetrate on both sides in the horizontal direction of the second insertion hole A991b, and a plurality of through holes A991f formed in a circular shape around the outer periphery in a front view.

[0178] The first insertion hole A991a is formed in a square shape with one side greater than the diameter of the game ball when viewed from the front. The first insertion hole A991a is formed at a position where the opening A985d of the distribution unit 980 and the internal space are connected when the distribution unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined. This allows the game ball that flows down inside the distribution unit 980 and passes through the opening A985d to be received in the first insertion hole A991a.

[0179] Also, the first insertion hole A991a is formed such that the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is inclined downward toward the second passage member A992 side, so that the game ball sent to the first insertion hole A991a can be rolled toward the second passage member A992 side.

[0180] Furthermore, an annular projection A991g having a fastening hole A991g1 into which a screw that passes through the second passage member A992 is screwed is formed and connected to the outer periphery of the first insertion hole A991a, whereby the first passage member A991 and the second passage member A992 can be fastened and fixed together.

[0181] The second insertion hole A991b is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle in a front view, and the width dimension in the short direction is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. In addition, the second insertion hole A991b is formed at a position where the internal space is connected to the opening A985g of the distribution unit 980 when the distribution unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined. This allows the game ball that flows down the inside of the distribution unit 980 and passes through the opening A985g to be received in the second insertion hole A991b.

[0182] In addition, the second insertion hole A991b is formed such that the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is inclined downward toward the second passage member A992 side. This allows the game ball sent to the second insertion hole A991b to roll toward the second passage member A992 side.

[0183] The third insertion hole A991c is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle in a front view, and the width dimension in the short direction is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. The third insertion hole A991c is formed at a position where the internal space of the opening A985e of the distribution unit 980 is continuous when the distribution unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined. This allows the game ball that flows down the inside of the distribution unit 980 (first passage ATR1) and passes through the opening A985e to be received in the third insertion hole A991c.

[0184] Further, the third insertion hole A991c has recessed portions A991c1 recessed on both horizontal sides on the other side in the gravity direction (upper side in the gravity direction). The recessed portions A991c1 are portions that accommodate the detection board ASE1b of the detection device ASE3 arranged in the sorting unit 980, and are formed with substantially the same dimensions as the outer shape of the detection device ASE3. This makes it possible to protect the detection board ASE1b side of the detection device ASE3 by the recessed portions A991c1, and also makes it possible to prevent unauthorized operation of the detection device ASE3 from the outside in a state in which the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined.

[0185] Furthermore, when combining the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit A990, the detection board ASE1b of the detection device ASE3 disposed in the sorting unit 980 can be received inside the recessed portion A991c1 of the passage unit A990, so that the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit A990 can be positioned. This prevents a part of the detection device ASE3 from protruding outward, and allows the ball throwing unit A970 to be made smaller overall.

[0186] The third insertion hole A991c has a protruding portion A991c2 protruding from the second insertion hole A991b side on the inner edge on the second passage member A992 side, and the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is formed to be inclined downward in a direction away from the horizontally adjacent second insertion hole A991b. This allows the game ball that has flowed into the third insertion hole A991c to collide with the protruding portion A991c2 and to roll in a direction away from the second insertion hole A991b (leftward in FIG. 14(a)).

[0187] The fourth insertion hole A991d is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle in a front view, and the width dimension in the short direction is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. In addition, the fourth insertion hole A991d is formed at a position where the internal space of the opening A985f of the distribution unit 980 is connected when the distribution unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined. This allows the game ball that flows down the inside of the distribution unit 980 (the second passage ATR2) and passes through the opening A985f to be received in the fourth insertion hole A991d.

[0188] Moreover, the fourth insertion hole A991d has recessed portions A991d1 recessed on both horizontal sides on the other side in the gravity direction (upper side in the gravity direction). The recessed portions A991d1 are portions that accommodate the detection board ASE1b of the detection device ASE3 arranged in the sorting unit 980, and are formed with approximately the same dimensions as the outer shape of the detection device ASE3. This makes it possible to protect the detection board ASE1b side of the detection device ASE3 by the recessed portions A991d1, and also makes it possible to prevent unauthorized operation of the detection device ASE3 from the outside in a state in which the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined.

[0189] Furthermore, the fourth insertion hole A991d has a protruding portion A991d2 protruding from the second insertion hole A991b side on the inner edge on the second passage member A992 side, and the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is formed to be inclined downward in a direction away from the horizontally adjacent second insertion hole A991b. This allows the game ball that has flowed into the fourth insertion hole A991d to collide with the protruding portion A991d2 and to roll in a direction away from the second insertion hole A991b (to the right in FIG. 14(a)).

[0190] The second passage member A992 is formed as a roughly T-shaped plate that is upside down when viewed from the front, and is mainly formed with a fifth insertion hole A992b that penetrates to the other side in the direction of gravity (upper side in the direction of gravity), a sixth insertion hole A992c that penetrates to one side in the direction of gravity of the fifth insertion hole A992b (lower side in the direction of gravity), and an upright wall A992a that is erected on the inner peripheral edge of the fifth insertion hole A992b.

[0191] The fifth insertion hole A992b is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape in a front view, and the width dimension in the short direction is set to be larger than the diameter of a game ball. The fifth insertion hole A992b is formed at a position where the internal space of the first insertion hole A991a of the first passage member A991 is connected when the first passage member A991 and the second passage member A992 are combined. This allows the game ball passing through the first insertion hole A991a of the first passage member A991 to be received in the fifth insertion hole A992b.

[0192] The standing wall A992a stands from the entire edge of the fifth insertion hole A992b toward the third passage member A993. The standing wall A992a is formed such that the inner surface on one side in the direction of gravity (the lower side in the direction of gravity) is inclined downward toward the third passage member A993. This allows the game ball sent to the fifth insertion hole A992b to roll toward the third passage member A993 (the right side in FIG. 14(b)).

[0193] The outer peripheral surface of the standing wall A992a is provided with an engagement portion A992d that projects horizontally, and a protruding wall A992e that projects horizontally from the end portion on the first passage member A991 side. The engagement portion A992d projects horizontally and is formed in an L-shape with its tip bent toward the third passage member A993 side. Wiring of a detection device ASE4 (described later) and a detection device ASE3 arranged in the sorting unit 980 is inserted between the engagement portion A992d and the standing wall A992a. This makes it possible to lock the wiring of the detection device ASE3 and the detection device ASE4, and therefore makes it possible to prevent the detection device ASE3 and the detection device ASE4 from slipping out of the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit A990.

[0194] The protruding walls A992e are formed to protrude in a semicircular shape when viewed from the front on both sides of the standing wall A992a in the horizontal direction, and have a through hole A992e1 that penetrates the axis of the semicircle. Furthermore, the protruding walls A992e are formed at a position facing the annular projection A991g of the first passage member A991 when the first passage member A991 and the second passage member A992 are combined, and the through hole A992e1 is positioned coaxially with the fastening hole A991g1. This allows the first passage member A991 and the second passage member A992 to be fastened and fixed by inserting a screw into the through hole A992e1 from the second passage member A992 side and screwing the screw into the fastening hole A991g1.

[0195] The sixth insertion hole A992c is formed in a square shape with one side greater than the diameter of a game ball when viewed from the front. The sixth insertion hole A992c is formed at a position where its internal space communicates with the internal space of the second insertion hole A991b of the first passage member A991 when the first passage member A991 and the second passage member A992 are combined. This allows a game ball passing through the second insertion hole A991b of the first passage member A991 to be received in the sixth insertion hole A992c.

[0196] Additionally, a guide wall A992c1 is formed around the sixth insertion hole A992c, standing toward the third passage member A993. The guide wall A992c1 is formed of a first wall portion A992c2 standing on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) of the sixth insertion hole A992c, and a second wall portion A992c3 continuing from an end portion in the extension direction of the first wall portion A992c2 and extending in the gravity direction.

[0197] The first wall portion A992c2 and the second wall portion A992c3 are wall surfaces that serve to position the detection device ASE4, and the dimension between the opposing upright wall A993e formed in the third passage member A993 and the engagement portion A993d is set to be approximately the same as the dimension between the opposing detection device ASE4.

[0198] In addition, the detection device ASE4 is disposed at a position where the internal space of the detection hole ASE1a is connected to the internal space of the sixth insertion hole A992c, whereby the game ball passing through the sixth insertion hole A992c passes through the detection hole ASE1a and is detected by the detection device ASE4, and is sent to the third passage member A993 side.

[0199] The second passage member A992 also has a ring-shaped protrusion A992f that protrudes toward the third passage member A993 at a position spaced horizontally (left-right direction in FIG. 14(a)) from the sixth insertion hole A992c. The ring-shaped protrusion A992f has a circular fastening hole A992f1 on its axis. The fastening hole A992f1 is a hole into which a screw inserted through the third passage member A993 is screwed, thereby fastening and fixing the second passage member A992 and the third passage member A993 together.

[0200] The first insertion hole A991a is formed in a square shape with one side greater than the diameter of the game ball when viewed from the front. The first insertion hole A991a is formed at a position where the opening A985d of the distribution unit 980 and the internal space are connected when the distribution unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined. This allows the game ball that flows down inside the distribution unit 980 and passes through the opening A985d to be received in the first insertion hole A991a.

[0201] Also, the first insertion hole A991a is formed such that the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is inclined downward toward the second passage member A992 side, so that the game ball sent to the first insertion hole A991a can be rolled toward the second passage member A992 side.

[0202] Furthermore, an annular projection A991g having a fastening hole A991g1 into which a screw that passes through the second passage member A992 is screwed is formed and connected to the outer periphery of the first insertion hole A991a, whereby the first passage member A991 and the second passage member A992 can be fastened and fixed together.

[0203] The second insertion hole A991b is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle in a front view, and the width dimension in the short direction is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball. In addition, the second insertion hole A991b is formed at a position where the internal space is connected to the opening A985g of the distribution unit 980 when the distribution unit 980 and the passage unit A990 are combined. This allows the game ball that flows down the inside of the distribution unit 980 and passes through the opening A985g to be received in the second insertion hole A991b.

[0204] In addition, the second insertion hole A991b is formed such that the inner surface on one side in the gravity direction (the lower side in the gravity direction) is inclined downward toward the second passage member A992 side. This allows the game ball sent to the second insertion hole A991b to roll toward the second passage member A992 side.

[0205] The third passage member A993 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular plate shape in a front view. The third passage member A993 is mainly provided with a seventh insertion hole A993a formed penetrating at approximately the middle position in the longitudinal direction, a guide wall A993b erected from an edge of the seventh insertion hole A993a, an erect wall A993e erected from an edge on the other side in the gravity direction toward the second passage member A992, an engagement portion A993d protruding in the longitudinal direction, and a recess A993c recessed into a side surface on the second passage member A992 side.

[0206] The seventh insertion hole A993a is formed in a square shape with one side longer than the diameter of the game ball when viewed from the front. The seventh insertion hole A993a is formed at a position communicating with the internal space of the detection device ASE4 disposed in the second passage member A992 when the second passage member A992 and the third passage member A993 are combined. This allows the game ball that has passed through the seventh insertion hole A993a of the second passage member A992 and the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE4 to be received in the seventh insertion hole A993a.

[0207] The guide wall A993b is erected from the edge of the seventh insertion hole A993a in three directions excluding the other side in the gravity direction (upper side in the gravity direction) toward the opposite side to the second passage member A992 side. The guide wall A993b is formed such that the inner surface of one side in the gravity direction (lower side in the gravity direction) is inclined upward toward the second passage member A992 side (inclined downward toward the opposite side to the second passage member A992 side). This allows the game ball sent to the seventh insertion hole A993a to roll toward the opposite side to the second passage member A992 side (the right side in FIG. 14(b)).

[0208] As shown in Fig. 14(b), the third passage member A993 is disposed on one side in the direction of gravity (the lower side in Fig. 14(b)) of the erected wall A992a of the second passage member A992. As described above, the other side in the direction of gravity (the upper side in Fig. 14(b)) of the third passage member A993 is open, so that the third passage member A993 can be disposed closer to the erected wall A992a. As a result, the opening A985d and the opening A985g of the above-mentioned sorting unit 980 can be brought closer to each other, and the outer shapes of the sorting unit 980 and the passage unit A990 in the direction of gravity can be reduced in size.

[0209] In a state in which the second passage member A992 and the third passage member A993 are combined, the distance dimension between the erected wall A993e and the first wall portion A992c2 of the second passage member A992 is set to be substantially the same as the distance dimension on the short side in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE4. This makes it possible to position the detection device ASE4 in the direction of gravity.

[0210] In addition, a first wall portion A992c2 that positions the detection device ASE4 on the lower side in the gravity direction is formed on the upstream side (the second passage member A992 side) where the game ball is sent. This makes it easier for the game ball passing through the sixth insertion hole A992c to be inserted into the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE4.

[0211] That is, since the detection hole ASE1a is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball in order to prevent cheating by the player, a slight misalignment in the height of the rolling surface of the game ball would prevent the game ball from being inserted therein, but in this embodiment, a first wall portion A992c2 that positions the lower side of the detection device ASE4 in the gravity direction is formed on the upstream side (the second passage member A992 side) where the game ball is sent, so that the height misalignment between the sixth insertion hole A992c, the detection hole ASE1a, and the rolling surface can be suppressed. As a result, the game ball that passes through the sixth insertion hole A992c can be easily inserted into the detection hole ASE1a.

[0212] The engaging portion A993d is formed to protrude in the longitudinal direction of the third passage member A993, and includes a bent portion A993d1 at its protruding tip that is bent toward the second passage member A992. When the second passage member A992 and the third passage member A993 are combined, the distance dimension between the bent portion A993d1 and the second wall portion A992c3 of the second passage member A992 is set to be approximately the same as the distance dimension on the longitudinal side in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE4. This allows the detection device ASE4 to be positioned in the horizontal direction.

[0213] The recess A993c is formed at a position facing the annular protrusion A992f of the second passage member A992 when the second passage member A992 and the third passage member A993 are combined, and is formed with an inner edge shape larger than the outer diameter of the annular protrusion A992f. The recess A993c also has a through hole A993c1 formed coaxially with the fastening hole A992f1 of the annular protrusion A992f on its recessed bottom surface. This allows the second passage member A992 and the third passage member A993 to be fastened and fixed by inserting the annular protrusion A992f of the second passage member A992 into the recess A993c and inserting a screw through the through hole A993c1 from the third passage member A993 side and screwing it into the fastening hole A992f1.

[0214] According to the ball throwing unit A970 configured as described above, the ball throwing unit A970 is formed from a unit different from the first winning port A64 and the second winning port A140, and is arranged on the back side (opposite the game area) of the front unit A940 which has the first winning port A64 and the second winning port A140. Therefore, by replacing the ball throwing unit A970 (distribution unit 980) and arranging a different unit, a different game form can be created without affecting the flow of game balls down the game area.

[0215] Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 69. In the first embodiment, the first passage ATR1 and the second passage ATR2 of the sorting unit A980 are formed as passages that guide the balls backward without allowing them to return forward, but the sorting unit A300 of the second embodiment is configured to allow the balls to return forward. Note that the same parts as those of the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0216] First, the configuration of the game board A13 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 17 to 35, and then the configuration of the operating unit A500 will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

[0217] Fig. 17 is a front exploded perspective view of the game board A13 and the operating unit A500 in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, an internal opening is formed in the center frame A86 disposed inside the game board A13, and the player can see the operating unit A500 through the internal opening of the center frame A86.

[0218] In addition, in this embodiment, since the base plate A60 of the game board A13 is formed from a light-transmitting resin material, the visibility is not limited to through the internal opening of the center frame A86, but the operating unit A500 can be viewed through the base plate A60 located outside the center frame A86.

[0219] Fig. 18 is a front view of the game board A13, Fig. 19 is a rear view of the game board A13, Fig. 20 is a front perspective view of the game board A13, and Fig. 21 is a rear perspective view of the game board A13. Fig. 18 also illustrates the windmill AFS1 and nails AKG1, which are omitted in Fig. 2.

[0220] In this embodiment, as described below, an upper connecting member A270 is provided which replaces the function of the nail of sorting the flow path of the ball, and the nail AKG1 is not arranged in the area where the upper connecting member A270 is arranged.

[0221] This makes it possible to prevent the non-transparent nature of the nail AKG1 from acting as a drawback. In other words, by removing the nail AKG1 from the upper position of the center frame A86 where the upper connecting member A270 is disposed (a position above the center frame A86 and below the outer rail A62), it is possible to prevent the light passing through the upper position of the center frame A86 from being reflected in various directions or blocked by the nail AKG1, thereby improving the visibility of the light effect at the upper position of the center frame A86. The manner of the light effect at the upper position of the center frame A86 will be described later.

[0222] FIG. 19 shows that the shape of the central opening A60b of the base plate A60 is formed into a shape that is recessed upward at the center position between the left and right, and also shows a sensor cover A254 that is used to hold the electrical wiring ADH1 connected to the illumination board A251 placed in the recessed portion.

[0223] As shown in Figure 19, at a position below the center frame A86, a collective gutter A480 which forms a path for balls that enter the general winning opening A63 to flow down, and a wide decorative member A490 which is disposed above the collective gutter A480 and is shaped to straddle the rear side of the first winning opening A64 are fastened and fixed to the back side of the base plate A60.

[0224] The collecting gutter A480 is made of a colorless and transparent resin material. This prevents the collecting gutter A480 from blocking the light coming from the back side. Also, when viewed from the front, the visibility of the balls entering the general winning opening A63 and flowing down the collecting gutter A480 can be improved.

[0225] The wide decorative member A490 is made of a colored transparent (blue in this embodiment) resin material, which allows the wide decorative member A490 to stand out to a player viewing the play area from the front.

[0226] The wide decorative member A490 has fastening screw insertion holes A491 at the left and right ends. Fastening screws that are screwed into the collective gutter A480 are inserted into the insertion holes A491, and the wide decorative member A490 is fastened and fixed to the collective gutter A480 by the fastening screws. This allows attention to be drawn to the wide decorative member A490, and attention to the ball flowing down the collective gutter A480.

[0227] The wide decorative member A490 is provided with a pair of left and right inclined forming portions A492 formed at the same inclination angle as the plate-shaped portion (ceiling plate portion A455) that rolls the balls above the general winning opening A63, behind the plate-shaped portion, and a central forming portion A493 extending in the left and right direction on the left and right inner sides of the inclined forming portions A492.

[0228] The inclined forming part A492 is arranged so that the upper surface of the member is aligned with the plate-shaped part (ceiling plate part A455) that rolls the balls above the general winning opening A63 when viewed from the front. Therefore, even if the plate-shaped part that rolls the balls is made of a colorless and transparent resin material, it is possible to make the balls look as if they are rolling on the inclined forming part A492 when viewed from the front, making it easier to grasp the flow path of the balls.

[0229] The central forming portion A493 constitutes the ceiling portion of the flow path (the inclined extension portion A315 described later) of the ball that entered the first winning opening A64. This makes it possible to prevent the ball from falling off the flow path, and even if the flow path of the ball that entered the first winning opening A64 is made of a colorless and transparent resin material, the central forming portion A493 made of a colored and transparent resin material makes it easy to grasp the flow path of the ball when viewed from the front.

[0230] In Fig. 20, resin members such as the upper connecting member A270 and the winning hole component A400, which are made of a light-transmitting resin material and have a portion that protrudes into the play area, are shown above and below the center frame A86. These resin members can provide an effect of stably maintaining the flow of the balls, but the details will be described later. Note that the nails AKG1 and the windmill AFS1 are omitted in Fig. 20.

[0231] To give an overview, a common advantage of resin materials such as the upper connecting member A270 and the winning hole component A400 is that they are easy to repair when cracked or chipped. This advantage is not achieved when using commonly used metal nails.

[0232] In the case of nails that are set into the base plate A60, there is a possibility that the nails may bend or break if they are hit by a ball, if an operator accidentally overloads the nail, etc. If the nail is bent, it may be possible to return it to its original state by bending it in the opposite direction by the same amount, but if it is broken, it is difficult to return it to its original state.

[0233] In the first place, nails are driven into the base plate A60 by an automatic machine, and generally, nails are not driven in one by one, but rather, driven into the entire game board all at once. Therefore, even if only one nail is broken, it is difficult to re-drive the broken nail when other nails are already installed, and it may become necessary to replace the entire base plate A60.

[0234] In this case, since the rails A61, A62, the outer edge member A73, etc. are assembled to the base plate A60, it is necessary to either reassemble these assembled members to the replacement base plate A60 or to replace these members altogether, which tends to increase repair costs in either case.

[0235] On the other hand, if a part of a resin member such as the upper connecting member A270 or the winning opening component A400 is cracked or chipped, the repair can be completed by replacing it with a new member, and there is no need to replace the base plate A60. In addition, since the resin member is independent of the rails A61, A62 and the outer edge member A73, etc., no costs related to the rails A61, A62 and the outer edge member A73, etc. are incurred when replacing the resin member, so repair costs can be reduced.

[0236] In Figure 21, the illuminated board A251 and board holding plate A252 arranged on the upper part of the center frame A86 are arranged so that the board holding plate A252 fits within the plate thickness dimension of the base plate A60, and the illuminated board A251 arranged in front of the board holding plate A252 is arranged so that it fits within the inner position of the thickness dimension of the base plate A60, as will be described in more detail below.

[0237] 21, the base plate A60 has a plurality of fitting portions A60c formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer shape tapered from the rear surface of the plate toward the rear surface side. The fitting portions A60c have female threads formed on the inner diameter side and function as portions into which fastening screws are screwed when fastening and fixing the operating unit A500 to the base plate A60.

[0238] Fig. 22 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board A13, and Fig. 23 is an exploded rear perspective view of the game board A13. As shown in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23, the game board A13 includes a base plate A60, a central component unit A240 that is disposed inside the base plate A60 and has a center frame A86, an upper connecting member A270 that connects the upper portion of the central component unit A240 to the base plate A60 and limits the flow direction of balls flowing down the play area, and a thin plate member A290 that is disposed between the upper connecting member A270 and the central component unit A240.

[0239] The central component unit A240 will be described in detail later, but as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 22, the central component unit A240 is formed with a fixing portion A244 used for positioning and fixing the thin plate member A290.

[0240] Fig. 24 is an exploded front perspective view of the central component unit A240, and Fig. 25 is an exploded rear perspective view of the central component unit A240. The central component unit A240 is a unit assembled into a ring shape when disposed in the central opening A60b of the base plate A60, and has a center frame A86 to guide the balls downward.

[0241] The central structural unit A240 includes an upper structural member A241 that constitutes the upper part of the center frame A86, and a lower structural member A261 that constitutes the lower part of the center frame A86. The upper structural member A241 and the lower structural member A261 each constitute the upper and lower halves of a ring shape from a light-transmitting resin material, thereby forming the center frame A86 that surrounds the third pattern display device in a front view in the assembled state (see FIG. 18).

[0242] In this way, by forming the center frame A86 into an annular shape by combining multiple components rather than forming it into an annular shape from a single component, the size of the resin mold required for molding the resin member can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the resin mold.

[0243] For example, if the design of the base plate A60 is changed so that the shape of the upper edge of the central opening A60b of the base plate A60 is formed in an approximately arc shape rather than being concave upward in the left-right center to correspond to the shape of the thin plate portion A242 as in this embodiment, the center frame A86 can be assembled to the base plate A60 by changing the design of only the upper half (upper component A241) accordingly, and therefore the component designed to correspond to this embodiment can be reused for the lower half (lower component A261).

[0244] This eliminates the need to manufacture a new large mold that encompasses the entire center frame A86 when making minor changes such as changing the design of the base plate A60 or changing the shape of the center frame A86 to change its appearance, thereby reducing mold costs.

[0245] The upper component A241 comprises a thin plate portion A242 that is arranged flush with the front surface of the base plate A60 in the assembled state (see Figure 18), a band-shaped frame portion A245 that extends in a band shape on the front side of the thin plate portion A242 and is formed with dimensions that prevent balls from passing between it and the glass unit A16 (see Figure 1) during play and is formed to be able to guide the balls as they flow down, and a decorative portion A247 that is arranged below and on the left and right inner sides of the band-shaped frame portion A245 and forms an approximately arc shape.

[0246] The thin plate portion A242 has extension portions A243 that extend toward the rear side for reinforcement at the left, right and upper edges, and a fixing portion A244 that is used to position and fix the upper connecting member A270 (see Figures 22 and 23).

[0247] The extension portion A243 is designed so that its front-to-rear width is approximately the same as the thickness of the base plate A60. That is, the front-to-rear thickness of the thin plate portion A242, which has a shorter front-to-rear width than the extension portion A243, is designed to be thinner than the thickness of the base plate A60. This makes it easier to ensure space on the back side of the thin plate portion A242.

[0248] The fixing portion A244 has, at symmetrical positions, a recessed portion A244a which is recessed for positioning with the upper connecting member A270 (see Figures 22 and 23), a protruding portion A244b which is positioned close to the recessed portion A244a and protrudes toward the front side, and a fastening portion A244c into which a fastening screw is screwed which is inserted into the upper connecting member 271 from the front side.

[0249] The thin plate portion A242 is disposed flush with the base plate A60, and the protruding portion A244b can be formed at any position on the front side. This improves the design freedom for positioning with the upper connecting member A270 (see Figs. 22 and 23). The assembly of the upper connecting member A270 using the fixing portion A244 will be described later.

[0250] The decorative portion A247 is formed with a plurality of three-dimensional patterns and figures, and is formed to have lower light transmittance than the thin plate portion A242. This allows the decorative portion A247 to be used as a portion that divides the field of view while retaining some light transmittance.

[0251] Up to this point, the configuration of the front side of the upper component A241 has been mainly described. Next, the configuration arranged on the back side of the upper component A241 will be described. The upper component A241 includes an illumination board A251 fastened to a fastening portion formed on the back side of the thin plate portion A242, a board holding plate A252 fastened together with a fastening screw that fastens the illumination board A251, a dish-shaped member A253 that is sandwiched between the illumination board A251 and the thin plate portion A242 and formed into a dish shape that widens toward the front side, and a sensor cover A254 that is fastened and fixed to a position on the back side of the decorative portion A247 on one of the left and right sides (the right side in this embodiment) of the upper component A241.

[0252] The board holding plate A252 is not symmetrical, and the lower right portion is omitted compared to the left side portion. This makes it easy to connect the electrical wiring ADH1 (see FIG. 19) that is passed through from the sensor cover A254 side. That is, the connection terminal A251a of the illumination board A251 is disposed on the back of the board at the lower right side of the board, and the shape of the board holding plate A252 is designed to make it easy to connect the electrical wiring ADH1 to this position.

[0253] Furthermore, the substrate holding plate A252 has a recessed portion A252a formed in a central position on the left and right in a curved upward convex shape. The recessed portion A252a is a portion formed for the purpose of improving the degree of freedom in arranging the operating unit A500, and will be described in detail later.

[0254] The sensor cover A254 is a fixing member for fixing a capacitance sensor (for example, a sensor capable of detecting when a player places his / her hand over the front side of the glass unit A16) therein. In this embodiment, the sensor cover A254 is not only used to fix the capacitance sensor, but also serves as a relay part for the electric wiring ADH1 connected to the illumination board A251.

[0255] That is, the electric wiring ADH1 can be held at the rear position of the decorative part A247 by fixing the electric wiring ADH1 to the hook-shaped part formed on the illumination board A251 with a cable tie or the like. This makes it possible to hide the electric wiring ADH1 so that it is difficult for the player to see. In this way, by using the sensor cover A254 to hold the position of the electric wiring ADH1, it is possible to reduce the number of assembly steps and the material cost compared to the case where a dedicated member for holding the position of the electric wiring ADH1 is prepared.

[0256] The lower component A261 includes a thin plate portion A262 fastened to the front plate of the base plate A60 in an assembled state (see FIG. 18), a strip-shaped extension portion A263 extending from the thin plate portion A262 to the rear surface side in a strip shape, a rear surface covering portion A264 fastened to a fastening portion formed at the extended end of the strip-shaped extension portion A263 and covering the rear surface side of the strip-shaped extension portion A263 so as to close it, and a right and left lower end of the thin plate portion A262. The thin plate portion A262 is fastened to the rear side of the front flow path portion A265 and is coupled to a half portion protruding inwardly to the left and right from the thin plate portion A262 of the front flow path portion A265 to form a flow path for guiding the balls to the upper surface of the band-shaped extension portion A263. The thin plate portion A262 is fastened to the rear side of the left and right lower end portions of the front flow path portion A265 and is coupled to a half portion protruding inwardly to the left and right from the thin plate portion A262 of the front flow path portion A265 to form a flow path for guiding the balls to the upper surface of the band-shaped extension portion A263.

[0257] The belt-like extension A263 has an upper surface that slopes downward toward the left-right center and functions to return the rolling ball to the front side of the base plate A60. The belt-like extension A263 has a central rear slope A263a that slopes downward toward the rear side so that the ball whose left-right speed has decreased can easily flow toward the rear side, a pair of left and right front slopes A263b that are arranged slightly lower than the central rear slope A263a on both the left and right sides of the central rear slope A263a and slope downward toward the front side so that the ball whose left-right speed has decreased can easily flow toward the front side, and a ball discharge hole A263c that is formed through the central rear slope A263a so that the ball that has flowed toward the rear side by the central rear slope A263a and then guided to the front side by the rear covering portion A264 can be discharged to the front side of the base plate A60.

[0258] In relation to the belt-like extension A263, the back covering portion A264 basically blocks the back end of the belt-like extension A263 to prevent balls from falling out, but behind the central rear inclined portion A263a only, a gap is formed between the belt-like extension A263 and the back covering portion A264, allowing balls to flow downward. Balls guided to the front side through this gap are discharged from the ball discharge hole A263c.

[0259] The ball discharge hole A263c is located at the center position in the left-right direction, and the first winning hole A64 is disposed below it (see FIG. 18), so that the ball discharged from the ball discharge hole A263c has a high probability of entering the first winning hole A64 (higher probability than the ball approaching the first winning hole A64 while being bounced off the nail AKG1). Therefore, when a ball is guided to the band-shaped extension portion A263, the attention to the ball can be improved.

[0260] The front flow path component A265 forms a guide path that guides the balls flowing down the front side of the thin plate portion A262 to the rear side, and the rear flow path component A266 forms the rear end face of the guide path to guide the balls to the upper surface of the band-shaped extension portion A263. In other words, the front flow path component A265 and the rear flow path component A266 form a tunnel-shaped portion that discharges the balls that have flowed in from the front side of the base plate A60 to the upper surface of the band-shaped extension portion A263.

[0261] 22 and 23, the upper connecting member A270 is a member formed from a light-transmitting resin material, and includes a thin plate-like portion A271, protruding portions A272-277 which protrude from the plate-like portion A271 as if being pushed out from the rear side to the front side, a thin portion A278 formed partially thin on the rear side of the plate-like portion A271, and a protruding portion A279 formed on the thin portion A278 so as to protrude toward the rear side.

[0262] The plate-shaped portion A271 is formed in a symmetrical arch shape that is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and the shape of the lower edge portion is shaped to match the shape of the upper edge portion of the center frame A86. The plate-shaped portion A271 also has a curved upper edge portion, and more specifically, the shape is such that a tangent at a specific point on the upper edge portion of the plate-shaped portion A271 is parallel to a tangent at a corresponding point on the outer rail A62 that is disposed adjacent to the specific point.

[0263] The outer rail A62 and the plate-shaped part A271 are spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the diameter of a ball (game ball) (see FIG. 18). This makes it easier to avoid a situation in which the ball rolling along the outer rail A62 collides with the plate-shaped part A271 and loses momentum.

[0264] That is, the ball introduced into the play area is configured to leave the outer rail A62 before colliding with the plate-shaped part A271. In other words, as long as the ball is in contact with the outer rail A62, it will not collide with the plate-shaped part A271, so it is possible to prevent a ball launched with maximum launch strength (for example, a ball that rolls in contact with the outer rail A62 until it collides with the return rubber A69) from colliding with the plate-shaped part A271 and losing momentum.

[0265] This makes it possible to avoid unnecessary attenuation of the ball, and also to prevent the plate-shaped portion A271 from cracking or chipping due to a ball with maximum emission strength colliding with the plate-shaped portion A271.

[0266] The interval between the outer rail A62 and the plate-shaped part A271 is not limited to the diameter of the sphere, and various embodiments are exemplified. For example, the interval may be changed in the front-rear direction (the interval becomes wider as it moves away from the base plate A60) in consideration of the shape of the sphere so as to avoid collision between the sphere and the plate-shaped part A271. In this case, since the interval between the plate-shaped part A271 and the outer rail A62 on the side closer to the base plate A60 can be narrowed, when decoration is applied to the plate-shaped part A271, the area for forming the decoration can be increased.

[0267] The protrusions A272 to 277 are parts that protrude from the rear side of the plate-shaped portion A271 to the front side from positions that are symmetrical with respect to the left-right center of the plate-shaped portion A271, and have a left-right symmetrical shape with respect to the left-right center of the plate-shaped portion A271 as the reference, and each of them substitutes the function of a nail.

[0268] From the left-right center side, they will be described as a first overhanging portion A272, a second overhanging portion A273, a third overhanging portion A274, a fourth overhanging portion A275, a fifth overhanging portion A276, and a sixth overhanging portion A277.

[0269] The first overhanging portion A272 and the second overhanging portion A273 are disposed in front of the central component unit A240 via the thin plate member A290. The third overhanging portion A274 is disposed so as to straddle the central component unit A240 and the base plate A60. The fourth overhanging portion A275, the fifth overhanging portion A276, and the sixth overhanging portion A277 are disposed in front of the base plate A60.

[0270] In this way, the projections A272 to 277 differ in which member they are disposed on in front of, and therefore there may be differences in function and design concept, but this will be described in detail later.

[0271] The thin portion A278 is a portion formed to be thin by shifting the rear surface of the plate toward the front side by the thickness dimension of the thin plate member A290 or a dimension slightly exceeding the thickness dimension in order to place the thin plate member A290. In this embodiment, a mode in which the thin plate member A290 is held by the fixing portion A244 (see FIG. 22) is adopted, instead of a mode in which the thin plate member A290 is held by applying a pressing force from the thin portion A278 to the thin plate member A290.

[0272] The offset dimension of the plate back surface toward the front side in the thin portion A278 is not limited to being greater than or equal to the thickness dimension of the thin plate member A290, and various embodiments are exemplified. For example, the offset dimension of the plate back surface toward the front side may be designed to be less than the thickness dimension of the thin plate member A290. In this case, by forming the thin plate member A290 to be expandable (compressible) in the thickness direction, it is possible to easily fix the arrangement of the thin plate member A290 while avoiding application of excessive pressure to the thin plate member A290.

[0273] Also, for example, the deviation of the back surface of the thin portion A278 toward the front side may be reduced only in the portion corresponding to the edge of the thin plate member A290. In this case, the range in which pressure is applied to the thin plate member A290 can be limited to the edge of the thin plate member A290.

[0274] The protruding portion A279 is a portion that is inserted into a positioning hole A291 drilled in the thin plate member A290, and is a protruding portion for positioning the thin plate member A290. Since a recess (depression) corresponding to the shape of the protruding portion A272, 273 is formed on the back side of the arrangement position of the first protruding portion A272 or the second protruding portion A273 in the thin portion A278, the protruding portion A279 cannot be protruded from this position. In other words, the protruding portion A279 is protruded from a position of the thin portion A278 that avoids the arrangement of the first protruding portion A272 or the second protruding portion A273.

[0275] The thin plate member A290 is a member formed in a thin plate (sheet) shape from an optically transparent resin material, and is provided with a plurality of positioning holes A291 drilled for positioning during assembly, and a plurality of insertion holes A292 drilled as holes for inserting fastening screws that fasten the upper connecting member A270 to the central structural unit A240.

[0276] The positioning holes A291 include holes A291a drilled on the left and right outer sides and through which the protruding portions A244b of the central component unit A240 are inserted, and holes A291b drilled on the left and right inner sides and through which the protruding portions A279 of the upper connecting member A270 are inserted. In other words, the thin plate member A290 is used for positioning both the central component unit A240 and the upper connecting member A270.

[0277] In this embodiment, the left and right outer sides refer to the left and right edge sides of the game board A13 or the operating unit A500 when viewed from the front, and the left and right inner sides refer to the left and right central sides of the game board A13 or the operating unit A500 when viewed from the front.

[0278] 22 and 23, the protrusion A244b is formed at a position opposite to a recessed portion on the back side of the second overhang A273. Therefore, in a front view, the protrusion A244b is hidden by the second overhang A273. This reduces the visibility of the protrusion A244b while allowing the protrusion A244b to position (stabilize) the thin plate member A290.

[0279] 22 and 23, by forming the protrusion A279 instead of a hole in the upper connecting member A270, a positioning portion can be formed without any problems even in a narrow range such as the boundary position of the overhanging portions A272, 273. In other words, when forming a through hole or a recess in a narrow range, the thickness of the member may become excessively thin, resulting in insufficient strength, but this situation can be avoided.

[0280] In other words, it is possible to easily avoid the arrangement of the overhanging parts A272, 273 being restricted or the strength being reduced due to the positioning portion of the thin plate member A290. That is, when forming a positioning hole at the boundary position of the overhanging parts A272, 273, it is necessary to make the width of the boundary position of the overhanging parts A272, 273 equal to or greater than the width of the hole (or equal to or greater than the diameter if the hole is circular), and there is a possibility that the strength of the overhanging parts A272, 273 will be reduced by the amount of material removed by the hole, but according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily solve these problems.

[0281] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the back surface of the extension portions A272, 273 is recessed, so that it is not possible to form the protrusion portion A279. However, this position can be accommodated by making the protrusion portion A244b protrude from the central structural unit A240, as shown in FIG. 22, so that the positioning portion (protrusion portion A244b, 279) of the thin plate member A290 can be positioned without being restricted by the positioning of the extension portions A272, 273.

[0282] Thus, according to this embodiment, by forming the protrusions A244b, 279 for positioning the thin plate member A290 on both the central structural unit A240 and the upper connecting member A270, it is possible to avoid restricting the arrangement of the positioning parts of the thin plate member A290 while maintaining a high degree of design freedom and strength of the upper connecting member A270, and therefore it is possible to stabilize the position of the thin plate member A290.

[0283] Furthermore, by designing the protrusion portion A279 inserted into the thin plate member A290 to be insertable into the recessed portion A244a of the central component unit A240, it is possible to position the thin plate member A290 relative to the central component unit A240 and the upper connecting member A270, and at the same time, to position the upper connecting member A270 relative to the central component unit A240.

[0284] The thin plate member A290 is a member that can be seen by the player via the upper connecting member A270. Although not shown in the figures, in this embodiment, colorful patterns, figures, letters, or characters are drawn on the front surface of the thin plate member A290, and the color and brightness seen through the thin plate member A290 change in various ways according to the difference in the light emission mode (difference in color and brightness) of the light irradiated from the LEDs arranged on the illumination board A251 of the central component unit A240.

[0285] Unlike the case where patterns, figures, letters or characters are drawn directly on the base plate A60, according to this embodiment, the patterns, figures, letters or characters drawn on the thin plate member A290 can be removed from the game board A13 by removing the thin plate member A290, so that the appearance of the game board A13 can be easily changed.

[0286] For example, when the shape of the game board A13 is the same but the playability is changed (so-called different specifications), the patterns, figures, letters or characters drawn on the game board A13, or the colors, etc. may be changed to make it easier for the player to understand the playability.

[0287] If patterns, figures, letters or characters are directly drawn on the base plate A60, it becomes necessary to replace the entire base plate A60, which essentially means replacing the entire game board A13, and the cost of changing the gameplay tends to increase.

[0288] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, it is sufficient to replace the thin plate member A290 with another thin plate member A290 having a different pattern, figure, letter or character, color, etc., so there is no need to replace the entire game board A13. Therefore, it is easy to suppress the cost for changing the gameplay.

[0289] 26 is an enlarged front view of the game board A13 in range XXVI of FIG. 18, FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the game board A13 taken along line XXVII-XXVII of FIG. 26, and FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional view of the game board A13 taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG. 26.

[0290] As shown in FIG. 26, while the protrusions A272-277 are each formed in an individual shape, they all have a common purpose of slowing down the momentum of a ball introduced into the playing area and causing the ball to flow down to the left or right side of the center frame A86 when it collides with the ball.

[0291] The protruding portions A272-277 are formed as substitutes for nails that have been conventionally planted in a similar arrangement. That is, each of the protruding portions A272-277 is designed to have a shape that surrounds the nails to be planted in a front view.

[0292] As seen in common with the first overhanging portion A272, the second overhanging portion A273, and the third overhanging portion A274, the upper side surface is formed wider than the other sides. This allows the ball to flow in the same direction along the slope of the upper side surface regardless of where the ball lands on the upper side surface. This makes it easier to make the ball flow down a similar flow path even if the adjustment of the launching force is slightly off, so it is possible to reduce stress during play for players who want the ball to flow down a similar path.

[0293] Because the third protrusion A274 and the fourth protrusion A275 are disposed next to each other, even a slight deviation in the ball launch force adjustment will change which side the ball will land on, but the inclination of the upper surface is significantly different. That is, the upper surface of the third protrusion A274 is a gently sloping downward surface that slopes inwardly to the left and right, whereas the upper surface of the fourth protrusion A275 is a steeply sloping downward surface that slopes inwardly to the left and right.

[0294] Therefore, when a ball reaches the upper surface of the fourth protruding portion A275 and flows down, it bounces upwards when it collides with the center frame A86, and it is easy for the ball to lose momentum. Therefore, it is easy for the ball to flow down toward the outlet A71 or toward the general winning port A63 without reaching the first winning port A64 on the downstream side of the game area.

[0295] On the other hand, a ball that reaches the upper surface of the third protrusion A274 and flows down collides with the center frame A86 from the left to right, and the load in the rebound direction can also be used as momentum for the ball to flow down, making it easier for the ball to reach the first winning port A64 downstream of the play area.

[0296] That is, the shapes of the overhanging parts A272-276 are designed so that the flow pattern of the ball on the downstream side of the play area changes depending on which overhanging part A272-276 the ball reaches. This makes it possible for the player to actively adjust the force with which the ball is launched.

[0297] As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the base plate A60 and the extension portion A243 of the central component unit A240 are designed to be arranged with gaps ACL1, ACL2 approximately the thickness of the thin plate portion A242 of the central component unit A240 between the top and bottom.

[0298] In other words, rather than being designed to position the central component unit A240 in the central opening A60b of the base plate A60, a gap is left between the central opening A60b of the base plate A60 and the central component unit A240, and the central component unit A240 is aligned with the base plate A60 at the same time as being fastened (connected) by the upper connecting member A270.

[0299] 27 and 28, a thin plate member A290 and a central structural unit A240 are disposed on the rear surface of the first overhanging portion A272, while a base plate A60 is disposed on the rear surface of the third overhanging portion A274. In this manner, the members disposed on the rear surfaces of the overhanging portions A272 to 277 are not all the same, and may be different.

[0300] 27, since the thin plate portion A242 of the central component unit A240 is formed with a thin wall, for example, when a load is applied to the first overhang portion A272 causing the first overhang portion A272 to flex and deform, the thin plate portion A242 of the central component unit A240 can also flex and deform, and can absorb the load applied to the first overhang portion A272. This can reduce the possibility of the first overhang portion A272 cracking or chipping.

[0301] Therefore, for example, even if the momentum of a ball is very high when it collides with the first protrusion A272, the momentum of the ball can be sufficiently reduced by the bending deformation of the first protrusion A272 and the bending deformation of the thin plate portion A242 caused by the bending deformation, so that the flow of the ball after colliding with the first protrusion A272 can be calmed.

[0302] As described above, the flexural deformation of the thin plate portion A242 is easily caused by adopting a configuration in which gaps ACL1, ACL2 are provided between the thin plate portion A242 and the base plate A60, rather than a configuration in which the thin plate portion A242 and the base plate A60 are fitted together. That is, in this embodiment, by providing gaps ACL1, ACL2 between the thin plate portion A242 and the base plate A60, the central structural unit A240 is flexibly deformed, and the load applied to the first protruding portion A272 can be released.

[0303] A similar effect can be expected for the second protruding portion A273. Note that the load applied to the first protruding portion A272 may be a load due to the collision of game balls, a load applied by a staff member of a game machine store when clearing a ball jam in the game area, a load applied by a worker performing maintenance work, or the like.

[0304] 28, the base plate A60 is formed thick enough not to bend, so that, for example, when a load is applied to the third overhanging portion A274, it is not possible to expect the base plate A60 to bend and deform to release the load, but since the height position of the third overhanging portion A274 is lower than the overhanging portions A272 and 273, the momentum of the colliding ball is relatively small. Therefore, even in a configuration in which the third overhanging portion A274 is disposed in front of the base plate A60, the possibility of the third overhanging portion A274 cracking or chipping can be reduced.

[0305] Furthermore, taking into consideration that if the momentum of a ball that collides with the third protrusion A274 is excessively reduced at a point where the momentum of the colliding ball is relatively small, the ball's downward flow may be stopped, this embodiment adopts a configuration in which the third protrusion A274 is positioned in front of the base plate A60.

[0306] Furthermore, since the deflection of the third protrusion A274 is suppressed and the state is stable, the guidance of the ball can be stabilized in a position close to the left and right regions and lower region of the center frame A86, which are the play areas in which the nails are planted, and the correspondence between the launch strength of the ball and the flow-down pattern of the ball can be stabilized.

[0307] In order to reliably prevent the third overhang portion A274 from cracking or chipping, it is preferable to design the impact angle with the ball and the shape of the third overhang portion A274 so that the load applied to the third overhang portion A274 is small (so that the load can be easily released). It is preferable to adopt a similar design concept for the fourth overhang portion A275 to the sixth overhang portion A277.

[0308] The advantages of using the protruding parts A272-277 as substitutes for the nails AKG1 that are set in the base plate A60 will be described below. In particular, it is possible to improve the presentation effect. That is, in the case of the protruding parts A272-277 made of a light-transmitting resin material, there are fewer parts that are hidden from the player's eyes compared to the nails AKG1 made of metal.

[0309] For example, even in a configuration in which the illuminated board A251 and the thin plate member A290 are arranged on the back side of the protrusions A272, 273 (see Figure 27) as in this embodiment, the protrusions A272, 273 transmit light, making it possible for the player to easily see the light emitted from light-emitting means such as LEDs arranged on the illuminated board A251 and the patterns, figures, letters or characters drawn on the thin plate member A290.

[0310] The illumination board A251 includes a central light emitting means A251b consisting of four LEDs arranged in the center of the lower part, a surrounding light emitting means A251c consisting of seven LEDs arranged to surround the left and right sides and the upper side of the central light emitting means A251b, and a distant light emitting means A251d consisting of two LEDs arranged near both the left and right ends, and the arrangement in this embodiment is shown by hidden lines in Figure 26. The light emitting means 251b, 251c, and 251d do not necessarily have the same light irradiation direction, and each of them has a different target to be illuminated.

[0311] The central light-emitting means A251b emits light in a forward direction (with the optical axis in the front-rear direction) and illuminates the symbol mark (shown in white in FIG. 26) in the center of the left and right of the decorative part A247 of the central structural unit A240. In order to softly illuminate the entire symbol mark, the central light-emitting means A251b is designed to have a large width angle of the irradiation direction based on the optical axis of the light emitted from the central light-emitting means A251b.

[0312] The surrounding light emitting means A251c is disposed so that the light irradiation direction is forward (the optical axis is in the front-rear direction) and introduces light into parts having width in the front-rear direction, such as the belt-shaped frame part A245 and the edges of the overhanging parts A272, 273. In order to prevent the light visually recognized by the player from becoming weak after passing through the part with a long width in the front-rear direction, the width angle of the irradiation direction based on the optical axis of the light irradiated from the surrounding light emitting means A251c is designed to be small in order to concentrate the energy of the light on the optical axis.

[0313] This allows for a direct emphasis on the path of light (the path of light passing through the belt-shaped frame portion A245 and the protruding portions A272, 273) by changing the brightness and color of the light, and allows for a performance that differentiates how the path of light is emphasized. For example, by creating a difference in brightness between the left and right, it is possible to perform a light emission performance that implicitly suggests the direction in which the ball is launched.

[0314] For example, the LEDs of the surrounding light emitting means A251c arranged behind the lower edge A272a of the first overhang A272 are arranged to guide light from the lower edge A272a of the first overhang A272 to the left and right outer edge A272b. This allows the player to easily shoot a ball using the light of the first overhang A272 as a marker to make the ball reach the left and right outer edge A272b of the first overhang A272. The optical axis of the light passes through a position where the front-to-back width of the first overhang A272 is long, making it easier to totally reflect the light inside the first overhang A272.

[0315] In addition, since the internal shape of the first overhanging portion A272 is curved so that the rear part protrudes inward, the light that travels to the inside of the first overhanging portion A272 is repeatedly reflected inside the first overhanging portion A272, making it easy to collect the light inside the first overhanging portion A272. This allows the first overhanging portion A272 to emit light brighter than the surroundings when viewed from the front.

[0316] As shown in Fig. 27, the illumination board A251 is disposed on the back side of the thin plate portion A242 of the central structural unit A240. In this embodiment, the illumination board A251 is disposed within the thickness dimension (within the front-rear dimension) of the thick portion (thick portion required to drive the nail AKG1) of the base plate A60 on the back side of the upper connecting member A270 in the range where the ball is guided on the front side. That is, the front-rear position of the illumination board A251 is set closer to the front side than the front-rear position of the back side of the thick portion of the base plate A60.

[0317] This is an impossible board arrangement in the range where the nail AKG1 as a part for guiding the ball is driven into the base plate A60. In other words, since the base plate A60 must be made sufficiently thick in the range where the nail AKG1 is driven in, it is not possible to secure space for arranging the illumination board A251 within the thickness dimension of the base plate A60 (front side from the front and rear positions of the back side surface of the thick part of the base plate A60).

[0318] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a thin upper connecting member A270 is used instead of a nail AKG1 as the part for guiding the ball, and the central opening A60b of the base plate A60 is placed on the back side of the member A270, and the thin plate portion A242 of the central structural unit A240 is arranged in place of the base plate A60, thereby ensuring space for placing the illumination board A251 on the back side of the area where the ball is guided.

[0319] This improves the design freedom for the placement of the illumination board A251, and allows the illumination board A251 to be positioned closer to the front, compared to when the illumination board A251 has to be positioned on the back side of the base plate A60.

[0320] By positioning the illuminated board A251 closer to the front, it is easier to position the rotational performance device A800 (see Figure 17) of the operating unit A500 located on the back side of the game board A13 closer to the front, and since the central light-emitting means A251b and surrounding light-emitting means A251c arranged on the illuminated board A251 and the light sources arranged on the rotational performance device A800 are positioned on the front side, the light visible to the player can be brighter.

[0321] The far-field light-emitting means A251d is arranged so that the light irradiation direction (optical axis direction) intersects with the front-to-rear direction (the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 26), and irradiates light onto the extension portions A274-276 arranged on the left and right outer sides, the belt-shaped frame portion A245, the outer rail A62, etc.

[0322] As a result, even in a configuration such as this embodiment in which a thick portion is formed in the base plate A60 to ensure strength and the protrusions A274-276 are arranged in front of the thick portion, the protrusions A274-276 can be sufficiently illuminated by utilizing the light irradiation from the far-field light-emitting means A251d.

[0323] In particular, in this embodiment, the illuminated substrate A251 is positioned closer to the front end than the rear end of the thickness of the base plate A60 (arranged within the thickness dimension), making it easier for light emitted from the remote light-emitting means A251d in a direction intersecting the front-to-back direction to reach the fifth protrusion portion A276 located to the left and right outside.

[0324] The shapes of the projections A274-276 that receive the light from the far light emitting means A251d are designed to ensure the amount of light. That is, for example, in the third projection A274, the side surface A274a (the inner left and right and upper side surfaces) on the far light emitting means A251d side is formed wide so as to receive the light from the far light emitting means A251d over its surface.

[0325] On the opposite side (the left and right outer sides and the lower side) of the far light emitting means A251d, a corner A274b is formed at the joining position between the faces, and the cut formed in the protruding part A274 is formed in a shape that concentrates light at this corner A274b. This makes it possible to ensure the emission intensity even at the corner A274b away from the far light emitting means A251d.

[0326] In addition, light is irradiated onto the sixth protrusion A277 not by light from the illumination board A251, but by light that passes through the thin plate portions A242 (the thin plate portions A242 on the outer left and right, not the center left and right) located on the inner left and right sides when viewed from the front of the sixth protrusion A277 to the front side.

[0327] In addition, the lighting effect of the sixth protrusion A277 is also produced by light irradiated from a rotating member A810 of the rotating performance device A800 described later, but the configuration for directing the light irradiated from the rotating member A810 toward the front side and the settings for the intensity of the light will be described later.

[0328] Returning to Fig. 20, the winning openings A63, A64, etc., disposed below the center frame A86, are formed as part of a winning opening component A400 made of a light-transmitting resin material.

[0329] Fig. 29 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board A13, and Fig. 30 is an exploded rear perspective view of the game board A13. Figs. 29 and 30 show the winning hole component A400 in an exploded state.

[0330] The winning port component A400 includes a central component A410 fastened to the base plate A60 at the left-right center of the game board A13, a covering member A430 configured to cover the lower part of the central component A410 from the front side, a left component A450 disposed to the left of the central component A410 and fastened to the base plate A60, and a right component A470 disposed to the right of the central component A410 and fastened to the base plate A60. The right component A470 is formed in a generally symmetrical shape to the left component A450.

[0331] The central component member A410 comprises a flat main body plate portion A411 which is fastened and fixed in face-to-face contact with the base plate A60, a horizontally long opening A412 formed as an opening constituting the specific winning port A65a, a pair of left and right distribution portions A413 which protrude upwardly on the left and right sides of the horizontally long opening A412 so as to be able to distribute the flow path of the balls, a pair of left and right curved protruding portions A414 which have their upper surfaces formed like curved plates above the distribution portion A413 and which protrude toward the front side so as to be able to distribute the flow path of the balls, and a pair of left and right outlets A415 which are drilled at positions away from the left and right ends of the horizontally long opening A412 to the outside on the left and right sides so as to be able to discharge the balls.

[0332] The main body plate portion A411 has sheet installation recesses A411a recessed on both the left and right sides from the back side to thin the plate thickness. The sheet installation recesses A411a are recessed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the sheet member (thin plate member A380) for performance, and are formed with a recess depth approximately equal to the thickness of the sheet member.

[0333] The gap between the sorting portion A413 and the curved protruding portion A414 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the ball. This allows the ball to flow down through the gap between the sorting portion A413 and the curved protruding portion A414, thereby increasing the randomness of the flow of the ball and improving attention to the ball.

[0334] The distribution section A413 has a plurality of ridges A413a protruding from the left and right inner side (the second winning opening A140 side). The ridges A413a are shaped to slow down the flowing speed of the balls by contacting the balls, and the deceleration effect of the ridges A413a can reduce the impact force applied from the balls to the opening / closing plate A65b of the specific winning opening A65a. This can prevent damage to the opening / closing plate A65b.

[0335] The tangent AHL1 (see FIG. 31) of the curved surface passing through the lower end of the curved surface of the curved protrusion A414 is designed to pass through the left and right inner side surfaces (side surfaces on the first winning port A64 side) of the distribution part A413. Therefore, it is easy for a ball that has rolled down the curved surface of the curved protrusion A414 to reach the left and right inner side surfaces of the distribution part A413.

[0336] The covering member A430 is formed from a light-transmitting resin material and includes a main body plate portion A431 formed in a thin plate shape, a pair of left and right band-shaped portions A432 extending from the left and right side ends of the main body plate portion A431 toward the left and right inner portions toward the rear side in a band-like shape, a pair of left and right vertical plate portions A433 connected to the left and right inner ends of the band-shaped portions A432 and extending toward the rear side in a vertically elongated plate shape, a pair of left and right inclined plate portions A434 extending from the upper end of the vertical plate portion A433 toward the left and right inner portions toward the rear side in a elongated plate shape that ascends and slopes upward as it approaches the left and right inner portions, and an upright portion A435 formed upright from the main body plate portion A431 toward the rear side below the electric role A140a so as to regulate the rotation angle of the electric role A140a.

[0337] The belt-like portion A432, the vertical plate portion A433, the inclined plate portion A434 and the standing portion A435 are formed with a length that allows their tips to abut against the main body plate portion A411 of the central component member A410 when the covering member A430 is fastened and fixed to the central component member A410. In other words, the belt-like portion A432, the vertical plate portion A433, the inclined plate portion A434 and the standing portion A435 change the flow path of the ball and distribute the flow path of the ball.

[0338] The belt-shaped portion A432 is disposed along the left and right outer sides and the lower side of the outlet A415, and the balls rolling down the belt-shaped portion A432 are guided to the outlet A415 and discharged from the play area.

[0339] The inclined plate portion A434 is positioned closer to the specific winning port A65a than the outlet A415, but since the inclination direction of the upper surface slopes downward toward the outlet A415, the balls that roll onto the inclined plate portion A434 and flow downward are also guided to the outlet A415 and discharged from the play area.

[0340] The standing portions A435 are disposed on the left and right inner sides of the distribution portion A413 of the central component member A410 in an assembled state of the central component member A410 and the covering member A430 (see FIG. 17), with a gap equal to or larger than the diameter of a sphere. This allows the sphere to flow down between the distribution portion A413 and the standing portions A435.

[0341] The left-side component A450 is formed from a colorless and transparent resin material and comprises a flat main body plate portion A451 which is fastened and fixed to the base plate A60 while being in surface contact with the base plate A60, a protruding portion A453 which is formed over a wide area on the left side of the main body plate portion A451 and protrudes toward the front side, a ceiling plate portion A455 which is formed in a shape that slopes downward toward the right side, and a plurality of ball guide portions 457, 459 which are formed below the ceiling plate portion A455 in a shape that can guide a ball to the general winning opening A63.

[0342] The ceiling plate portion A455 is formed in a plate shape that is not divided in the middle so that only balls that pass through the gap between the overhang portion A453 and the ceiling plate portion A455 can flow down the ball guide portions 457, 459.

[0343] The left component A450 and the right component A470 have sheet installation recesses A451b, A471b formed on the rear side thereof to thin the plate thickness from the rear side. The sheet installation recesses A451b, A471b are formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the sheet member (not shown) for performance, and are formed with a recess depth approximately equal to the thickness of the sheet member. An example of the decoration of this sheet member is substituted for the explanation of the thin plate member A380.

[0344] Figure 31 is an enlarged front view of the game board A13 in range XXXI in Figure 18. A ball that does not pass through the gap between the overhanging portion A453 and the ceiling board portion A455 and rolls down on the upper surface of the ceiling board portion A455 is not guided to the guide portions 457, 459, but flows down so as to be guided to the central component member A410 side. The flow path of the ball from the upstream side of the left component member A450 and the central component member A410 will be described.

[0345] As shown in Figure 31, multiple nails AKG1 are embedded in a base plate A60 and arranged with gaps less than the diameter of a ball along a straight line that slopes downward as it moves inward from left to right, thereby forming a path for the ball to flow down toward the center on the left and right (main path AFL1).However, by leaving gaps larger than the diameter of the ball in places, paths FL2, FL3 are formed for the ball to pass through the gaps and deviate from the main path.

[0346] The ceiling plate portion A455 is formed so that the ball can roll on its upper surface, but the speed at which the ball rolls on the ceiling plate portion A455 varies depending on the timing at which the ball falls downward from the main path AFL1. In more detail, when the path of the ball changes from the main path AFL1 to the falling path FL2, the flow speed of the ball switches from a state in which it faces mainly in the left-right direction to a state in which it faces mainly in the up-down direction.

[0347] Then, after reaching the ceiling panel portion A455, the speed switches back to facing left and right, so the earlier the ball reaches the ceiling panel portion A455 (the further upstream on the flow path), the greater the ball's rolling speed (momentum) as it flows down the ceiling panel portion A455, and the easier it is to reach the inner left and right sides of the play area (the side of the specific winning port A65a).

[0348] In addition, since the left and right inner ends (lower ends) of the upper surface of the ceiling plate portion A455 are positioned higher than the upper ends of the adjacent curved protrusion portions A414, it is easy to prevent a ball rolling over the ceiling plate portion A455 and passing too far to the left or right from being blocked by the left or right outer side surfaces of the curved protrusion portions A414.

[0349] If the ball's rolling speed is increased as it flows down the ceiling panel portion A455 and it reaches the specific winning opening A65a at that speed, there is a risk that the opening and closing plate A65b will be damaged due to the large impact force transmitted from the ball to the opening and closing plate A65b. However, in this embodiment, a protrusion portion A413a is arranged in the path the ball takes to flow down to the opening and closing plate A65b, which slows down the ball's flow speed.

[0350] In addition, the vertical portions A435 are arranged on the left and right inner sides of the protrusion portion A413a to face each other, preventing multiple balls from flowing down side by side. This makes it possible to prevent balls from clogging between the protrusion portion A413a and the vertical portions A435 (rectification effect), and also makes it easier to prevent balls from landing on the opening / closing plate A65b at the same time, making it easier to prevent damage to the opening / closing plate A65b (improved durability).

[0351] In this way, the flow speed of the ball is reduced and the flow path of the ball is restricted, which reduces the impact force generated when the ball collides with the opening / closing plate A65b, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a problem in which the opening / closing plate A65b is damaged.

[0352] In this embodiment, the protrusion portions A413a are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical portion A435, so that if balls flow simultaneously down a pair of flow paths formed by a pair of left and right protrusion portions A413a and the vertical portion A435, it is possible that multiple balls will land on the opening and closing plate A65b at the same time.

[0353] Therefore, in the special game state, it is easy to make multiple balls enter the specific winning hole A65a at the same time by hitting the balls to the left and right. This makes it easy to avoid a situation where the progress of the special game state becomes too slow.

[0354] The upper surface of the ceiling panel portion A455 is formed as a wide inclined surface on both sides, so that the ceiling panel portion A455 can receive multiple balls at the same time, and these balls can be forcefully flowed inward to the left and right (towards the specific winning port A65a) while aligned.

[0355] The balls that are diverted to the left and right inner sides pass through the left and right inner sides (the sides where the protrusions A413a are formed) of the distribution section A413 in order, and reach the open opening / closing plate A65b in order. In this way, according to this embodiment, the paths of the balls that reach the opening / closing plate A65b are consolidated into paths that pass through the left and right inner sides of the distribution section A413, so that it is possible to prevent the balls from colliding with each other upstream of the opening / closing plate A65b and deviating from the specific winning opening A65a.

[0356] Furthermore, by designing the left and right ends of the specific winning opening A65a and the opening / closing plate A65b to be located on the left and right outside of the position where the balls flow down while contacting the protruding portion A413a of the distribution portion A413 and reach the opening / closing plate A65b, even if the balls collide with each other on the opening / closing plate A65b and bounce left and right, the state in which the balls are placed on the upper surface of the opening / closing plate A65b can still be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the balls fall off the opening / closing plate A65b.

[0357] Furthermore, even if multiple balls are closely packed together at the left and right ends of the opening and closing plate A65b, in this embodiment, a space is formed below the inclined plate portion A434, allowing the balls to flow to the outside left and right of the opening and closing plate A65b, thereby preventing the path of the balls passing through the inside left and right of the distribution portion A413 from becoming clogged.

[0358] In this embodiment, a gap larger than the diameter of the ball is provided between the ceiling plate portion A455 and the curved protruding portion A414, thereby allowing the ball to flow down through this gap. For example, when a ball rolling down the ceiling plate portion A455 collides with a ball flowing down through the inner drop path AFL3, the ball rolling down the ceiling plate portion A455 has its left-right speed reduced, and is likely to enter the gap between the ceiling plate portion A455 and the curved protruding portion A414.

[0359] The frequency with which balls that flow down the main path AFL1 flow down the outer drop path AFL2 or the inner drop path AFL3 may vary depending on the condition of the nails AKG1 (adhesion of dirt, production lot). Therefore, without measures, the gaming efficiency and gaming profits will be affected by the condition of the nails AKG1, and it will not be possible to provide a game under equal conditions.

[0360] In contrast, in this embodiment, if balls that roll along the outer drop-out path AFL2 and the ceiling plate portion A455 occur more frequently than balls that flow down the inner drop-out path AFL3, fewer balls will reach the first winning port A64, which is disadvantageous in a game state (normal state, time-saving state, high probability state, etc.) in which a lottery is entered to aim for a jackpot; however, in a jackpot game state in which the specific winning port A65a opens and closes, the possibility of balls getting into the gap between the ceiling plate portion A455 and the curved protruding portion A414 can be reduced, and most balls that reach the ceiling plate portion A455 can be guided to the specific winning port A65a, thereby improving game efficiency (for example, the time required for a jackpot game can be shortened).

[0361] On the other hand, if the balls that flow down the inner drop path AFL3 occur more frequently than the balls that pass through the outer drop path AFL2 and roll on the ceiling plate portion A455, more balls will reach the first winning hole A64, which is advantageous in a game state (normal state, time-saving state, high probability state, etc.) where a lottery is drawn to aim for a big win, but in a big win game state where the specific winning hole A65a opens and closes, balls that flow down from the inner drop path AFL3 collide with the path of the balls that roll down the ceiling plate portion A455, and balls that fall into the gap between the ceiling plate portion A455 and the curved protruding portion A414 or pass through the gap between the distribution portion A413 and the curved protruding portion A414 and flow to the out hole A415 side frequently occur. As a result, the number of balls that deviate from the specific winning hole A65a increases, and the game efficiency of the big win game decreases.

[0362] In this way, in this embodiment, when the relationship between the frequency of balls rolling down the ceiling panel portion A455 via the outer drop path AFL2 and the frequency of balls flowing down the inner drop path AFL3 changes, the gaming state changes between an advantageous and an unfavorable state, and the game is designed so that the player is not unilaterally advantageous or unilaterally disadvantaged.

[0363] In other words, while allowing the state of the nails AKG1 to vary, the system aims to provide equal conditions for playing by maintaining a relationship in which, whatever the state of the nails AKG1, it is advantageous to the player in some states and disadvantageous to the player in other states.

[0364] This section describes the path that the ball takes as it flows down the outer drop path AFL2 and between the extension plate portion A455a, which extends upward at the left end of the ceiling plate portion A455, and the side wall portion A453a, which is curved downward and outward on the left and right inner sides of the protrusion portion A453, which is arranged opposite the extension plate portion A455a.

[0365] The rate at which the ball is guided to this flow path varies depending on the state of the adjacent nails AKG2 (the distance between the nails at the position where the ball flows down). The state of the nails AKG2 may change due to collision with the ball or touch by the staff of the game machine shop.

[0366] In addition, the percentage of the ball reaching just before the nail AKG2 varies depending on whether the ball rolls on the upper surface of the side wall portion 453. Whether the ball reaches the upper surface of the side wall portion 453 varies depending on the state of the windmill AFS1 arranged above the side wall portion 453. Since the rotation axis of the windmill AFS1 is also driven into the base plate A60 like the nail AKG2, the state may change due to a ball hitting it or being touched by a staff member of the game machine store.

[0367] The first ball guide A457 is disposed directly below the flow path between the extension plate A455a and the side wall A453a, so that the ball that flows down is usually discharged from the game area through the first ball guide A457. The first ball guide A457 constitutes the general winning opening A63, and when the ball is guided to the first ball guide A457, the prize ball is paid out to the player.

[0368] In this embodiment, when a ball flows straight down between the extension plate portion A455a and the side wall portion A453a, the ball has an 80% probability of entering the first ball guiding portion A457, a 10% probability of deviating to the left, and a 10% probability of deviating to the right. Note that these ratios can be designed to be different depending on the shapes (slope, interval, etc.) of the extension plate portion A455a and the side wall portion A453a and the arrangement of the first ball guiding portion A457.

[0369] In contrast, for example, if a next ball arrives at the first ball guide part A457 while a ball that has arrived there is still remaining there, the next ball will tend to deviate to the left or right of the first ball guide part A457 and flow down. Also, for example, if multiple balls flow toward the first ball guide part A457 in a gathered state, some of the multiple balls will tend to deviate to the left or right of the first ball guide part A457 and flow down.

[0370] If the ball deviates from the first ball guide portion A457 to the outside to the right or left, there is no winning port downstream, and the ball is discharged from the outlet A415. On the other hand, if the ball deviates from the first ball guide portion A457 to the inside to the right or left, it can reach the second ball guide portion A459 by rolling along the inclined guide portion A458 that protrudes from the first ball guide portion A457 to the inside to the right or left. The second ball guide portion A459 constitutes the general winning port A63, and when the ball is guided to the second ball guide portion A459, a prize ball is paid out to the player.

[0371] The number of prize balls paid out when a ball is guided to the first ball guiding section A457 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball is guided to the second ball guiding section A459 can be set arbitrarily, but in this embodiment, they are set so that a greater number of prize balls are paid out when the ball is guided downstream.

[0372] In other words, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball is guided to the second ball guiding portion A459 is set to be greater than the number of prize balls paid out when a ball is guided to the first ball guiding portion A457.

[0373] This creates a gameplay that the player desires, in which if a ball flows down to the left of the left end of the ceiling slope portion 455, the ball will not enter the first ball guide portion A457 but will instead deviate to the right (towards the second ball guide portion A459), thereby increasing attention to the left-hand component A450.

[0374] For example, if it is set up so that one prize ball is paid out when a ball is guided into the first ball guiding section A457, then if the ball heading towards the first guiding section 457 deviates to the outside left or right (left side of Figure 31), the number of balls held by the player will decrease, and if the ball is guided to the first guiding section 457, the number of balls will remain the same (one prize ball for each ball fired), and if the ball deviates to the inside left or right (right side of Figure 31), the ball will be guided to the second ball guiding section A459 and a prize ball (more than one, typically 2 to 15) will be paid out, potentially increasing the number of balls held.

[0375] This makes it possible to easily associate the flow of the balls near the first guide portion 457 with the amount of profit the player can obtain, thereby improving attention to the flow of the balls near the first guide portion 457.

[0376] The inclined guide portion A458 extending to the right of the first guide portion 457 is made of a resin material, and therefore easily breaks when bent. Therefore, unlike the nail AKG1, it is easy to grasp the change in state. If the broken state can be grasped, the pachinko machine A10 can be stopped in operation until the part is replaced, thereby preventing players from suffering unexpected disadvantages.

[0377] In this embodiment, various shape improvements are made to ensure that the ball that rolls on the inclined guide portion A458 is guided to the second ball guide portion A459 with a high probability. First, a bulging portion A456 that bulges out toward the lower surface side of the ceiling plate portion A455 is formed at the upper left position of the second ball guide portion A459.

[0378] When the ball starts to roll on the top surface of the inclined guide portion A458 and has not yet fully stopped bouncing up and down, it comes into contact with the bulge portion A456 in the left-right direction, and the ball's speed direction is redirected downward. This makes it possible to prevent the ball, which has rolled on the top surface of the inclined guide portion A458, from deviating to the right side of the second ball guide portion A459 due to its momentum.

[0379] Secondly, the inclined guide portion A458 extends toward the second ball guide portion A459 to a position where the left-right distance between it and the second ball guide portion A459 is shorter than the radius of the ball and the up-down distance between it and the second ball guide portion A459 is shorter than the diameter of the ball (it is formed with a dimensional relationship that does not allow the ball to pass between the inclined guide portion A458 and the second ball guide portion A459), so that the inclined guide portion A458 makes it easier to prevent the ball from deviating to the left side of the second ball guide portion A459.

[0380] The winning opening component A400 is a resin molded component, and is attached to the base plate A60 by fastening screws, so that replacement in the event of a defect is easier than replacing (re-driving) the nail AKG1.

[0381] For example, if a nail AKG1 breaks, there is a high possibility that the gaming machine will have to be shut down for a long period of time. However, since the nails AKG1 are usually not driven in one by one, but multiple nails AKG1 are driven in by an automatic machine, it is not easy to re-drive the nails AKG1 just because some of the nails AKG1 have broken.

[0382] Therefore, in order to repair the machine, it is often necessary to replace the entire game board, but if it is determined that the cost of replacement cannot be covered, the machine may be put away in storage without being put back into operation, even if there is no other broken part other than the nail AKG1. In other words, there was room for improvement in terms of maintainability and extending the operating life of the machine.

[0383] In this embodiment, in order to prevent defects of the nail AKG1 as much as possible, the ball falling in the vertical direction is received by the overhanging part A453 of the left component A450, and the received ball is made to roll left and right on the upper surface of the overhanging part A453 to reduce the momentum in the vertical direction, and then it is made to abut against the nail AKG1 downstream. This reduces the load applied from the ball to the nail AKG1, and suppresses the occurrence of defects in the nail AKG1.

[0384] In addition, when attention is paid to the nails AKG1 arranged on the left and right outer sides of the outer drop path AFL2, the left and right outer sides are covered with the overhanging parts A453, so the balls do not collide with these nails AKG1 from the left and right outer sides. Therefore, the period until the nail AKG1 breaks can be made longer compared to the case where the nail AKG1 is subjected to load from random directions.

[0385] The ball that flows down the front side of the left component A450 passes through the outlet A415 and is discharged to the rear side of the base plate A60. At this time, the vertical plate portion A433 restricts the ball from passing to the inside on the left or right (the side close to the opening and closing plate A65b), so it is possible to prevent the ball from flowing to the opening and closing plate A65b side without passing through the outlet A415.

[0386] Therefore, since the pivot axis of the opening / closing plate A65b can prevent balls from flowing in from the left component A450 side, there is no need to always leave a gap between the opening / closing plate A65b and the inner rail A61 so that balls can pass through as a countermeasure against ball clogging, and the vertical distance between the inner rail A61 and the pivot axis (lower edge) of the opening / closing plate A65b can be set to less than the diameter of the ball.

[0387] Even with this configuration, if a ball on the opening / closing plate A65b falls to the left or right, it can be temporarily placed between the vertical plate portion A433 and the opening / closing plate A65b, and when the opening / closing plate A65b is closed, the opening / closing plate A65b that was blocking the ball's flow path moves away from the ball's flow path, so the temporarily placed ball flows down toward the outlet A71. This reduces the possibility of ball clogging.

[0388] Fig. 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of the game board A13 taken along line XXXII-XXXII in Fig. 31. The main body plate A451 of the left component A450 has a thin plate-like extension A451a (thinner than the thickness of the main body plate A451) extending from the left and right inner edge portions along the front surface of the base plate A60, and the main body plate A411 of the central component A410 has a covering extension A411b extending from the left and right outer edge portions along the front side surface.

[0389] In this embodiment, the extension A451a is sandwiched between the covering extension A411b and the base plate A60. This allows the fastening screws for fixing to be removed from the left and right inner ends of the left component A450, which is the side to be sandwiched, and therefore makes it easier to avoid the problem of the fastening screws being conspicuous when decorating the left component A450, thereby reducing the presentation effect. In addition, the number of fastening screws for fastening and fixing the components can be reduced, which reduces the assembly man-hours and material costs.

[0390] The front-rear position of the front end of the covering extension A411b in a state in which the extension A451a is sandwiched between the base plate A60 and the covering extension A411b is located on the rear side of the front end of the main body plate A451. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which a ball flowing down the front side of the main body plate A451 collides with the front end of the covering extension A411b and bounces off to the outside to the left or right when the ball flows toward the front side of the main body plate A411.

[0391] Fig. 33 is an exploded front perspective view of the sorting unit A300, and Fig. 34 is an exploded rear perspective view of the sorting unit A300. As shown in Fig. 33 and Fig. 34, the sorting section A983 described above is rotatably disposed inside the sorting unit A300, and is configured so that balls guided through the first winning port A64 into the sorting unit A300 are alternately sorted to the left and right.

[0392] The sorting unit A300 is a member arranged such that the sorting section A983 can rotate from the rear side. The sorting unit A300 includes a first component A310 that constitutes a flow path for sorting balls that have passed through the first winning opening A64 to the left and right and letting them flow down; a ceiling component A330 that constitutes the ceiling of the path for balls that have passed through the first winning opening A64 to flow backwards; a first auxiliary member A340 that supports the shaft member A988a of the sorting section A983 at both ends together with the first component member A310 and abuts against the sorting section A983 to prevent the flowing balls from falling off to the rear side; and a first auxiliary member A340 that supports the shaft member A988a of the sorting section A983 at both ends together with the first component member A310 and abuts against the sorting section A983 to prevent the flowing balls from falling off to the rear side. The device comprises a second component A350 which forms a discharge path for balls discharged rearward from the downstream side of the component A310, a pair of left and right second auxiliary members A370 to which the second component A350 is fastened and which are arranged so as to cover the rear and upper part of the discharge path formed by the second component A350 and are fastened and fixed to the first component A310, and a pair of left and right thin plate members A380 which are positioned on the front side of the first component A310 and are arranged between the first component A310 and the main plate portion A411 of the central component A410.

[0393] The first component A310 is formed from a colorless, translucent resin material and comprises a plate-shaped central plate portion A311 formed along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, an extension plate portion A313 extending from the upper end of the central plate portion A311 to the front side, a pair of inclined extension portions A315 extending from the back side of the central plate portion A311 and extending in a band-like manner in a direction sloping downward toward the left and right outside, a pair of direction switching portions A317 connected to the left and right outer ends of the inclined extension portions A315 and switching the direction in which the balls flow downward (in this embodiment, switching by 90 degrees from the left-to-right direction to the front-to-rear direction), and a pair of left and right opening forming portions A320 in which multiple openings large enough for balls to pass through are arranged on the left and right sides of the front side of the central plate portion A311.

[0394] The central plate portion A311 includes a substantially cylindrical bearing portion A312 directly below the rear end portion of the extension plate portion A313 into which one end of the shaft member A988a that axially supports the distribution portion A983 is inserted. The bearing portion A312 is formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member A988a.

[0395] The extension plate portion A313 includes a protrusion portion A313a formed as a protrusion whose upper end surface slopes downward toward the rear along the left and right central portion to form a rolling path for the ball, and a pair of left and right wall-shaped portions A314 erected from the left and right edges to guide the ball rearward.

[0396] The balls flowing down the inclined extension portion A315 flow outward to the left and right while being prevented from falling off to the rear side by the front plate portion A371 of the second auxiliary member A370. The second auxiliary member A370 is also used as a member for preventing the detection device ASE3 from falling off.

[0397] The direction switching portion A317 includes an inclined surface portion A318 which is formed as a plate surface on which a ball can roll at a position one step lower than the inclined extension portion A315 on the left and right outer sides of the left and right ends of the inclined extension portion A315 and which slopes downward toward the front side, and an upright curved portion A319 which is erected from the rear edge and the left and right outer edges of the inclined surface portion A318 and is curved toward the front side in a shape that can guide the ball to the front side.

[0398] The opening forming portion A320 includes a sensor positioning opening A321 through which the detection device ASE3 is inserted from the rear side, a pair of left and right support extension portions A322 extended toward the front side along the left and right side surfaces of the sensor positioning opening A321 and supporting the left and right ends of the detection sensor SE3, a winning opening A323 formed between the support extension portions A322 to allow a ball to pass through, a pair of discharge openings A325 formed on the left and right opposite sides of the winning opening A323 based on the support extension portion A322 to allow a ball to pass through, a bottom surface constituent portion A327 having a bottom portion curved toward the rear in a shape that can receive balls that have passed through the winning opening A323 and the discharge opening A325 and guide them to the rear side, and a pair of partition wall portions A328 extended from the lower edge of the support extension portion A322 toward the bottom surface constituent portion A327 so as to partition the upper side of the bottom surface constituent portion A327.

[0399] When the detection device ASE3 is inserted into the sensor placement opening A321, the detection hole ASE1a is designed to be positioned inside the winning opening A323. The positioning protrusion A322a protruding from the front edge of the support extension A322 comes into contact with the front end of the detection device ASE3, making it easy to position the detection device ASE3 in the front-rear direction.

[0400] The balls that pass through the direction switching section A317 and reach the opening forming section A320 pass through either the winning opening A323 or the discharge opening A325, and roll along the upper surface of the bottom surface forming section A327 to be guided to the rear side. Each rolling path is divided by the partition wall section A328, so that the possibility of the balls crossing or colliding with each other on the upper surface of the bottom surface forming section A327 can be reduced. This allows the flow of the balls to be rectified, and therefore prevents the balls from clogging or becoming stagnant.

[0401] Of the balls rolling on the top surface of the bottom component A327, those that pass through the winning opening A323 are detected by the detection device ASE3. On the other hand, those that pass through the discharge opening A325 are not detected by the detection device ASE3. In either case, the balls that roll on the top surface of the bottom component A327 are detected by a detection device (not shown) that detects the discharge of balls, and are then guided to a ball discharge path (not shown).

[0402] To reach the ball discharge passage (not shown), the ball rolls toward the inside to the left and right on the rolling surface A351 of the second component member A350 while being prevented from falling out to the rear side by the second auxiliary member A370, and is guided through the common drop flow paths A352 arranged on both the left and right sides.

[0403] The second auxiliary member A370 includes a front plate portion A371 that covers the space opening on the rear side of the inclined extension portion A315 to prevent the balls from falling out, a rear plate portion A372 that blocks the upper and rear sides of the flow path of the balls that flow down along the rolling surface A351 and the common fall flow path A352 of the second component member A350 to prevent the balls from falling out, an insertion hole A373 drilled in the front plate portion A371 so that a fastening screw screwed into the fastening portion A329 of the first component member A310 can be inserted therethrough, and an insertion hole A374 drilled in the rear plate portion A372 so that a fastening screw screwed into the fastening portion A353 of the second component member A350 can be inserted therethrough.

[0404] The materials for forming the second component member A350 and the second auxiliary member A370 can be set arbitrarily, but in this embodiment, the second component member A350 is formed from a colored, opaque resin material, and the second auxiliary member A370 is formed from a colorless, transparent resin material.

[0405] This reduces the visibility of the balls flowing through the common drop flow path A352 and reduces attention to the discharged balls, and since light can be taken in from the back side of the second auxiliary member A370, the taken-in light can brightly illuminate the first component member A310 arranged in front, improving the visibility of the balls flowing down the first component member A310.

[0406] The thin plate member A380 is positioned by being accommodated in the sheet placement recess A411a (see FIG. 30) of the main body plate portion A411. In this positioned state, the game board A13 is assembled, and the thin plate member A380 is sandwiched in the front-rear direction between the main body plate portion A411 and the first component member A310.

[0407] The following describes the forward / backward / left / right displacement (change in position) of the ball that entered the first winning hole A64 as it flows down the hole. First, the ball that entered the first winning hole A64 is displaced backward along the extension plate portion A313. Then, the ball is distributed left and right by the rotational displacement of the distribution portion A983 described in the first embodiment, and displaced outward left and right along the inclined extension portion A315.

[0408] Then, the direction of the ball is switched to the front side by the direction switching part A317, and the ball is displaced forward. If a guide part with a curved surface for switching the direction of the ball is placed on the front side of the ball, the guide part may easily block the line of sight to the ball, and visibility may decrease, but in this embodiment, the upright curved part A319 as the guide part is placed on the back side of the ball, so the upright curved part A319 is unlikely to block the line of sight to the ball. This makes it easier to ensure the visibility of the ball.

[0409] Thereafter, the ball flowing straight down the winning opening A323 is detected by the detection device ASE3 and then displaces backward along the bottom surface component A327. Also, the ball displaces to the left or right above the winning opening A323 and reaches directly above the discharge opening A325, passes through the discharge opening A325 and displaces backward along the bottom surface component A327.

[0410] In this manner, in this embodiment, the position of the ball that enters the first winning port A64 is shifted to the rear when it first enters, then flows to the left and right, and then shifts to the front just before passing through the detection device ASE3. This allows the distribution section A983 to be shifted to the rear, and also allows more space to be created below the extension plate section A313, compared to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0411] This free space can be used to place a drive mechanism for operating the electric device A140a of the second winning port A140. As a result, in this embodiment, the second winning port A140 can be placed closer to the first winning port A64 than in the first embodiment.

[0412] In addition, by configuring the path through which the sorted balls flow down so that the path can be switched between forward and backward directions, the vertical width of the path as viewed from the front can be reduced compared to when the paths are consistently arranged vertically (for example, in the above-mentioned configuration of the sorting unit A980). This improves the design freedom of the vertical arrangement of the detection device ASE3 relative to the first winning port A64.

[0413] Figure 35 is a partially enlarged front view of the game board A13 in the range XXXV of Figure 18. In Figure 35, the central component A410 and the thin plate member A380 are illustrated semi-transparently, and the distribution unit A300 is visible. In addition, in Figure 35, for convenience of explanation, the external shapes of the electric role A140a in both the closed state and the open state are illustrated. In addition, in the explanation of Figure 35, Figures 33 and 34 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0414] The thin plate member A380 is a member formed in a thin plate (sheet) shape from a light-transmitting resin material, and is a member that can be viewed by the player through the central component member A410. Although not shown in the figures, in this embodiment, colorful patterns, figures, letters, or characters are drawn on the front surface of the thin plate member A380, and the colors and brightness that are viewed through the thin plate member A380 change in various ways depending on the difference in the form of the irradiated light (differences in the form of color and brightness).

[0415] Unlike the case where patterns, figures, letters or characters are drawn directly on the base plate A60, according to this embodiment, the patterns, figures, letters or characters drawn on the thin plate member A380 can be removed from the game board A13 by removing the thin plate member A380, so that the appearance of the game board A13 can be easily changed.

[0416] For example, when the shape of the game board A13 is the same but the playability is changed (so-called different specifications), the patterns, figures, letters or characters drawn on the game board A13, or the colors, etc. may be changed to make it easier for the player to understand the playability.

[0417] If patterns, figures, letters or characters are directly drawn on the base plate A60, it becomes necessary to replace the entire base plate A60, which essentially means replacing the entire game board A13, and the cost of changing the gameplay tends to increase.

[0418] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, it is sufficient to replace the thin plate member A380 with another thin plate member A380 having a different pattern, figure, letter or character, color, etc., so there is no need to replace the entire game board A13. Therefore, it is easy to suppress the cost for changing the gameplay.

[0419] The form of decoration applied to the thin plate member A380 is not limited in any way, and various forms are exemplified. For example, a colorless and transparent area may be formed above the detection device ASE3 to improve the visibility of the ball rolling on the inclined surface portion A318, and other parts may be densely decorated with figures and patterns. Also, for example, marks such as numbers may be drawn at the places corresponding to the winning opening A323 and the ejection opening A325 when viewed from the front, so that the player can easily understand the profit he or she can obtain depending on which mark the ball flows down close to.

[0420] The thin plate member A380 is designed to have a large shape so as to protrude outward to the left and right beyond the through-hole A60a, and is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the base plate A60 and the main plate portion A411 of the central component member A410.

[0421] In this embodiment, the thin plate member A380 is disposed so that the rear end surface of the thin plate member A380 abuts against the front end of the first component member A310 (for example, the front end of the support extension portion A322). That is, since the detection device ASE3 is disposed close to the thin plate member A380, the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE3 can be moved closer to the player. This improves the visibility of the ball passing through the detection device ASE3, making it easier to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which a ball passing through the detection device ASE3 is overlooked.

[0422] In addition, the detection device ASE3 is disposed on the left and right outer sides of the electric prop A140a in a front view, and is not hidden by the electric prop A140a. This improves the visibility of the ball passing through the detection device ASE3 regardless of the state (open state, closed state) of the electric prop A140a, compared to when the ball's flow path is hidden by the electric prop A140a (see FIG. 5).

[0423] In addition, since the detection device ASE3 is disposed behind the main body plate portion A411 of the central component A410, it does not affect the manner in which the balls flow down the front side of the main body plate portion A411. In other words, the design freedom of the play area can be improved compared to the case in which the detection device ASE3 is disposed protruding forward of the main body plate portion A411 (forward of the front end surface of the base plate A60).

[0424] For strength reasons, nails are not provided on the main body plate A411, but in this embodiment, as a substitute for nails, the distribution part A413 and the curved protruding part A414 are configured to distribute the path of the balls. This makes it possible to prevent the flow path of the balls on the front side of the main body plate A411 from becoming monotonous.

[0425] Both the balls that pass through the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE3 and are detected by the detection device ASE3 (balls that pass through the winning opening A323) and the balls that pass through the ejection opening A325 follow a path that rolls along the inclined surface portion A318 and displaces toward the front side. Therefore, there may be a difference between the number of balls that reach the inclined surface portion A318 and the number of balls detected by the detection device ASE3.

[0426] Although the inclined surface portion A318 displaces the ball towards the player, improving its visibility, the configuration makes it difficult to distinguish whether the ball has passed through the winning opening A323 or the ejection opening A325, which could lead to dissatisfaction among players as they are unable to determine whether the ball has actually not passed through the detection device ASE3 or whether it has passed through the detection device ASE3 but there is a detection failure.

[0427] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a ball passing from the inclined surface portion A318 through the winning opening A323 is seen to flow downward when viewed from the front along the winning flow path AFL31, whereas a ball passing from the inclined surface portion A318 through the ejection opening A325 flows along the non-winning flow path AFL32, with the flow direction when viewed from the front being switched 90 degrees from downward to left or right.

[0428] In other words, whether the ball passes through the detection device ASE3 can be determined based on whether there is a left-right component in the direction of the ball's flow, which reduces the possibility of misjudging the ball's passage point. This makes it easier to determine whether the ball has passed through the detection hole ASE1a of the detection device ASE3.

[0429] Both the game balls that flow along the winning flow path AFL31 and the non-winning flow path AFL32 flow near the distribution section A413 and the curved protrusion section A414 when viewed from the front, and therefore their flow paths are visually seen to overlap with the flow paths of the game balls flowing toward the specific winning port A65a.

[0430] Therefore, the game balls flowing down through the inclined surface portion A318 can be made to look as if they are flowing down toward the specific winning opening A65a. The player often visually checks the number of game balls that reached the top of the opening / closing plate A65b but did not enter the specific winning opening A65a (game balls that passed when the opening / closing plate A65b was in a closed state) among the game balls that were shot, and grasps the number of game balls that roll on the inner rail A61 toward the outlet A71. However, since the game balls flowing down through the inclined surface portion A318 flow down the winning time flow path AFL31 or the non-winning time flow path AFL32, they are flowed backward along the bottom surface component portion A327 (see FIG. 34), and do not appear in front of the outlet A71.

[0431] This allows the game balls that have entered the first winning port A64 during the execution of a big win game to be added to the number of game balls that appear to be flowing down toward the specific winning port A65a, so that regardless of the number of game balls that have entered the first winning port A64, it is possible to create the illusion that most of the game balls that are shot have entered the specific winning port A65a.

[0432] Furthermore, the game balls flowing down through the inclined surface portion A318 and the game balls actually flowing down toward the specific winning opening A65a do not collide with each other because the thin plate member A380 separates the game balls from the front and rear. This allows the illusion to be created without impeding the flow of the game balls flowing down toward the specific winning opening A65a.

[0433] In this embodiment, the non-winning flow path AFL32 is formed as a flow path that flows in the left-right direction, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the main body plate portion A411 and the thin plate member A380 may be configured to have openings in the front-rear direction in the path along which the balls flow after flowing down the inclined surface portion A318 toward the detection device ASE3, and the non-winning flow path AFL32 may be formed as a flow path along which the balls flow toward the front side by passing through the openings.

[0434] That is, the ball flowing through the non-winning flow path AFL32 may return to the front side of the main body plate portion A411 and flow down toward the outlet A71. In this case, if the opening and closing plate A65b is in the open state, the ball flowing through the non-winning flow path AFL32 may be picked up by the opening and closing plate A65b and enter the specific winning port A65a.

[0435] In other words, a game can be created in which a ball that has entered the first winning port A64 can enter a specific winning port A65a after returning to the front side of the main body plate portion A411, thereby improving attention to the ball that has entered the first winning port A64 (especially during a jackpot game in which the opening and closing plate A65b opens and closes).

[0436] Next, the structure of the operation unit A500 (see FIG. 17) fastened to the rear side of the game board A13 will be described. The operation unit A500 is fastened to the base plate A60 (see FIG. 2) of the game board A13 from the rear side.

[0437] Figures 36, 37, 38 and 39 are front views of the operating unit A500. Figure 36 illustrates the retracted state of the internal operating unit A600 of the operating unit A500, Figure 37 illustrates the intermediate state of the internal operating unit A600, Figure 38 illustrates the extended state of the internal operating unit A600, and Figure 39 illustrates one operation error limit state of the internal operating unit A600.

[0438] In this embodiment, the retracted state is a state in which the light-emitting action performance unit A700 of the internal operation unit A600 is positioned at the upper end position of its up-down operation range, the intermediate state is a state in which the light-emitting action performance unit A700 is positioned at the lower end position of its operable range while maintaining its forward / backward tilting posture from the retracted state, and the extended state is a state in which the light-emitting action performance unit A700 is positioned at the lower end position of its up-down operation range and the rotation axis ARJ1 of the rotation performance device A800 faces in the forward / backward direction.

[0439] When the state changes from the intermediate state to the extended state, a change in posture (tilting movement) occurs in the front-back direction of the light-emitting movement production unit A700. This posture change is executed as a rotation movement around a predetermined rotation axis (a central axis AJ1 described later).

[0440] In this embodiment, one operation error limit state is one of the states in which the tilt in the left-right direction that is allowed by design of the light-emitting operation unit 700 is at its limit. For convenience, in FIG. 39, the right side of the light-emitting operation unit 700 is shown in the same position as in the retracted state, and the left side is shown shifted downward. In this embodiment, the operation unit A500 is configured so that the light-emitting operation unit 700 can be operated in the up-down direction while maintaining the tilt angle in one operation error limit state, as will be described in detail later.

[0441] As shown in FIG. 36, when the internal operating unit A600 is in the retracted state, the rotation member A810 of the rotation performance device A800 is in a position in which the decorative plate A811 on which decorative figures and patterns are formed faces the front side.

[0442] The figures and patterns formed on the decorative plate A811 are formed in a manner related to the figures and patterns formed on the bottom wall portion A511 of the rear case A510, as shown in Figure 37, and are viewed as a single unit in the intermediate state of the internal operating unit A600 (the straight lines extending radially and the wavy patterns formed on the left and right outer sides, including the straight lines, are viewed when formed on the rotating member A810).

[0443] In other words, the figures and patterns formed on the decorative plate A811 can be designed as part of a figure that is visually recognized as one with the bottom wall portion A511, thereby avoiding the size of the rotating member A810 from limiting the figures and patterns formed on the rotating member A810.

[0444] Also, as shown in FIG. 38, when the internal operation unit A600 is in the extended state, the light-emitting operation performance unit A700 tilts in the forward direction, and the figures and patterns formed on the main body member A710 of the light-emitting operation performance unit A700 can be seen when viewed from the front.

[0445] These figures and patterns are also formed in a manner related to the figures and patterns formed on the bottom wall portion A511 of the rear case A510, and are viewed as a single unit when the internal operating unit A600 is in the extended state (of the radially extending straight line shapes and the wave patterns formed on the left and right outer sides, the straight line shapes are formed only on the bottom wall portion A511, and the wave patterns are viewed as being formed on the main body member A710).

[0446] In other words, since the figures and patterns formed on the main body member A710 can be designed as part of a figure that is visually recognized integrally with the bottom wall portion A511, it is possible to avoid the size of the main body member A710 limiting the figures and patterns formed on the main body member A710.

[0447] As the light-emitting action performance unit A700 displaces vertically from the retracted state to the extended state, in relation to the fixed bottom wall portion A511, the figures and patterns formed on the bottom wall portion A511 and the figures and patterns formed on the rotating member A810 begin to shift from a state in which the figures and patterns are viewed as a single unit in the retracted state.

[0448] This misalignment becomes more noticeable as the vertical displacement increases. In contrast, in this embodiment, the light-emitting action production unit A700 tilts and displaces in the extended state, switching the surface that the player can see, and the player can newly see the figures and patterns that are seen integrally with the bottom wall A511. Therefore, the figures and patterns formed on the bottom wall A511 and the figures and patterns formed on the light-emitting action production unit A700 (main body member A710, rotating member A810) that displaces in the vertical direction can be configured to be seen integrally in the retracted state and the extended state.

[0449] During the vertical displacement of the light-emitting motion production unit A700 described here, the external shape of the light-emitting motion production unit A700 when viewed from the front changes. This allows a single production unit to be given the illusion of being multiple different production units, improving the design freedom of the motion production.

[0450] Fig. 40 is an exploded front perspective view of the operating unit A500, and Fig. 41 is an exploded rear perspective view of the operating unit A500. In Fig. 40 and Fig. 41, the liquid crystal display device (third pattern display device A81) disposed in the opening A511a of the rear case A510 is omitted, and the rear side is shown visible through the opening A511a.

[0451] The operating unit A500 includes a bottom wall A511 and an outer wall A512 standing from the outer edge of the bottom wall A511, and a rear case A510 formed in a box shape with the front side open. The rear case A510 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front by forming a rectangular opening A511a in the center of the bottom wall A511. The opening A511a is formed to a size corresponding to the outer shape (outer edge) of the display area of ​​the third pattern display device A81 (i.e., capable of dividing the display area of ​​the third pattern display device A81 when viewed from the front).

[0452] The rear case A510 is provided as a flat plate extending from the front end of the outer wall portion A512 along the rear surface of the game board A13 (for example, arranged parallel to the rear surface) and includes a support plate portion A513 that supports the surface of the game board A13 in the assembled state (see FIG. 2).

[0453] The support plate portion A513 has a plurality of positioning protrusions A513a which protrude in a circular ring shape toward the front side and have a shape which can fit into a fitting recess (not shown) formed in the base plate A60 of the game board A13, and a plurality of insertion holes A513b which are drilled in the center of the positioning protrusions A513a so that a fastening screw which is fastened to the base plate A60 can be inserted therethrough.

[0454] The rear case A510 is positioned relative to the base plate A60 by engaging the positioning protrusion A513a with the engaging portion A60c (see Figure 21) of the base plate A60, and the fastening screw is inserted into the insertion hole A513b and screwed into the female thread of the engaging portion A60c, thereby fixing the game board A13 and the operating unit A500 together, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the game board A13 and the operating unit A500.

[0455] The shape of the positioning protrusion A513a is not limited in any way, and various modes are exemplified. For example, it may be an annular protrusion with an outer shape slightly smaller than the outer shape of the fitting portion A60c of the base plate A60 (circular in this embodiment), or it may be a protrusion with a shape (large-diameter ring shape) that increases the fitting gap in consideration of workability during assembly. In addition, when the outer shape of the fitting portion A60c is formed into a rectangular shape, it is naturally assumed that the shape of the positioning protrusion A513a will also be rectangular in response to that.

[0456] The operation unit A500 is disposed on the rear side of the game board A13, and has a light emitting means and an operation unit disposed therein. That is, the operation unit A500 includes a rear case A510, a decorative fixing member A520 that is inserted into the rear case A510 from the front side and fastened and fixed thereto, an internal operation unit A600 disposed on the upper inside of the rear case A510, and a light emitting performance unit A518 disposed on the lower inside of the rear case A510.

[0457] The light-emitting performance unit A518 is a unit that emits light forward from behind the distribution unit A300 and the winning port component A400 (see Figure 29), and functions to brightly illuminate the ball passage path formed by the distribution unit A300 and the winning port component A400.

[0458] The decorative fixing member A520 is made of a light-transmitting resin material, and is composed of a plurality of thin plate-like members arranged symmetrically on both the left and right sides and each of which can be divided into upper and lower parts. The decorative fixing member A520 includes a first fixing member A530 arranged on the upper left side, a second fixing member A540 arranged on the lower left side, a third fixing member A550 arranged on the upper right side, a fourth fixing member A560 arranged on the lower right side, a left-side illumination board A570 arranged on the back side of the first fixing member A530 and the second fixing member A540, and a right-side illumination board A580 arranged on the back side of the third fixing member A550 and the fourth fixing member A560. The configuration and role of each part will be described with reference to Figs. 42 and 43.

[0459] Fig. 42 is an exploded front perspective view of the operating unit A500, and Fig. 43 is an exploded rear perspective view of the operating unit A500. Figs. 42 and 43 show the state in which the decorative fastening member A520 is disassembled from the rear case A510 and placed in front, and the internal operating unit A600 is disassembled from the rear case A510 and placed between the rear case A510 and the decorative fastening member A520.

[0460] The first fixing member A530 includes a thin insertion plate portion A531 extending in the front-to-rear direction, a front plate portion A534 extending rightward from the front portion of the insertion plate portion A531, and an outer plate portion A537 extending leftward from the front portion of the insertion plate portion A531.

[0461] The insertion plate portion A531 has a plurality of insertion projections A532 projecting from the extended tip to the rear side with a shape and arrangement that allows it to be inserted into the receiving hole A623 of the internal operating unit A600, and serves to prevent the outer member A610 of the internal operating unit A600 from tilting outward. The relative functions of the insertion plate portion A531 and the outer member A610 will be described later.

[0462] The front plate portion A534 is a plate-like portion disposed in front of the left side illumination board A570 and formed from a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the left side illumination board A570 (formed to cover the left side illumination board A570), and a light diffusion treatment is formed on the back side in order to diffuse light from a light-emitting means such as an LED disposed on the front side of the left side illumination board A570. In addition, the front plate portion A534 is provided with an insertion hole A535 through which a fastening screw that is fastened to the outer member A610 of the internal operation unit A600 can be inserted.

[0463] The outer plate portion A537 is a portion that can come into contact with the front portion of the outer wall portion A512 of the rear case A510, and has an insertion hole A538 drilled therein to allow the insertion of a fastening screw that is screwed into a fastening portion A512a formed in the outer wall portion A512.

[0464] That is, the first fixing member A530 connects and fixes the outer wall portion A512 of the rear case A510 and the outer member A610 of the internal operating unit A600 in the assembled state of the operating unit A500 (see FIG. 36).

[0465] The second fixing member A540 comprises a front plate portion A541 which is arranged in the same fore-aft position as the front plate portion A534 of the first fixing member A530 and is arranged with a slight gap from the lower end of the front plate portion A534, a fastening extension portion A544 which extends to the right from the lower right side of the front plate portion A541, and an outer plate portion A547 which extends to the left from the left end portion of the front plate portion A541.

[0466] The front panel portion A541 is a panel-like portion that is positioned in front of the left side illuminated board A570 and is formed in a shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the left side illuminated board A570 (formed to cover the left side illuminated board A570), and has a light diffusion treatment formed on the back side to diffuse light from light-emitting means such as an LED arranged on the front side of the left side illuminated board A570.

[0467] Furthermore, the internal operating unit A600 has an insertion hole A542 through which a fastening screw can be inserted to be fastened to the outer member A610 of the internal operating unit A600, and an insertion hole A543 through which a fastening screw can be inserted to be fastened to the inner member A670 of the internal operating unit A600. That is, the outer member A610 and the inner member A670 of the internal operating unit A600 can be connected and fixed by fastening via the front plate portion A541.

[0468] The connecting extension portion 544 has an insertion hole A545 drilled to allow the insertion of a fastening screw screwed into the fastening portion A518a of the light emitting performance unit A518. The outer plate portion A547 is a portion that can abut against the front portion of the outer wall portion A512 of the rear case A510, and has an insertion hole A548 drilled to allow the insertion of a fastening screw screwed into the fastening portion A512b formed on the outer wall portion A512.

[0469] That is, in the assembled state of the operating unit A500 (see FIG. 36), the second fixing member A540 connects and fixes the outer wall portion A512 of the rear case A510, the outer member A610 and the inner member A670 of the internal operating unit A600, and the light emitting performance unit A518.

[0470] The third fixing member A550, the fourth fixing member A560 and the right side lighting board A580 have slightly different shapes from the first fixing member A530, the second fixing member A540 and the left side lighting board A570 due to the difference in the shape of the inner member A670 of the internal operating unit A600 that is located on the rear side and is the subject of coverage; however, they are basically formed symmetrically to the first fixing member A530 and the second fixing member A540 and have the same configuration and the role of each component, so descriptions of overlapping parts will be omitted and the symbols mentioned above in the description of the first fixing member A530 and the second fixing member A540 will be illustrated for convenience.

[0471] The order of assembling the internal operating unit A600 and the decorative fastening member A520 to the rear case A510 will be described below. When assembling to the rear case A510, the internal operating unit A600 is first assembled to the rear case A510 (see FIG. 40), and then the decorative fastening member A520 is assembled to the rear case A510.

[0472] In summary, the process of assembling the internal operation unit A600 to the rear case A510 is performed in the following order: first, the left and right outer members A610 and the inner member A670 are fastened to the rear case A510, then the light-emitting operation production unit A700 is inserted from the front side inside the rear case A510 and positioned between the left and right outer members A610 and the inner member A670, the light-emitting operation production unit A700 is positioned in the assembly position with the displacement member A680, and the members (screws, collars, etc.) to prevent it from falling off are assembled to the fastening part A682 from the front side.

[0473] In this embodiment, since there is no need to assemble the decorative fixing member A520 to the rear case A510 during the assembly work of the light emitting action production unit A700, the front side of the rear case A510 can be left wide open, and the movement of the worker's hands can be prevented from being blocked by the decorative fixing member A520. This improves work efficiency.

[0474] Furthermore, since the work of inserting the fastening screws into the insertion holes A535, 538, 542, 543, 545, and 548 of the decorative fixing member A520 and fastening the same can be performed from the front side of the back case A510, after the work of assembling the light-emitting action production unit A700 to the displacement member A680 is completed, the work of fastening the decorative fixing member A520 can be performed without changing the position of the back case A510. This can further improve the work efficiency. Next, the details of the assembly work will be described.

[0475] 44 is a cross-sectional view of operational unit A500 taken along line XLIV-XLIV in FIG. 36, FIG. 45 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of operational unit A500 in range XLV in FIG. 44, and FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of operational unit A500 taken along line XLIV-XLIV in FIG.

[0476] 44 and 45, the light emitting operation production unit A700 is disassembled from the rear case A510, and the decorative fixing member A520 is not shown, indicating the state before the decorative fixing member A520 is attached. Meanwhile, FIG. 46 shows the light emitting operation production unit A700 and the decorative fixing member A520 attached to the rear case A510 (see FIG. 36).

[0477] In this embodiment, the fastening positions are designed so that sufficient rigidity is not achieved by simply fixing the internal operating unit A600 to the rear case A510 (for example, the fastening positions are located only at one of the upper and lower ends), and the internal operating unit A600 is configured to be able to flex and deform outwardly to the left and right relative to the rear case A510 (able to change posture) (see imaginary lines in Figure 45).

[0478] By utilizing this flexural deformation, it is possible to quickly assemble the light emitting action production unit A700. That is, the light emitting action production unit A700 is assembled by screwing a fastening screw into the fastening part A682 while the fastening part A682 is inserted into the connected hole A764 of the light emitting action production unit A700, and since the internal operation unit A600 flexes and deforms outwardly to the left and right, the dimension of the path through which the light emitting action production unit A700 advances toward the fastening part A682 can be expanded to the left and right from the fixed width dimension AW1 to the flexed width dimension AW2, thereby improving the workability of the assembly work.

[0479] At this time, the internal operating unit A600 flexes and deforms outward to the left and right, causing the direction in which the fastening screw enters the fastening portion A682 to incline inward to the left and right as it approaches the rear side (the front side inclines outward to the left and right).

[0480] In this case, compared to when the fastening screw is inserted in the front-to-back direction, the fastening screw can be inserted into the rear case A510 with the screwdriver used to insert the fastening screw separated (avoided) from the decorative member A750 of the light-emitting action production unit A700 (in a direction inclined relative to the front-to-back direction).

[0481] Therefore, the fastening work can be facilitated, and the design freedom of the decorative member A750 of the light-emitting action production unit A700, the shape of which is designed for one of the purposes of avoiding contact with the driver, can be improved. In other words, the work efficiency of the assembly work of the light-emitting action production unit A700 can be improved, and the design freedom of the decorative member A750 can be improved.

[0482] In order to achieve this effect, in this embodiment, the left-right dimension of the long hole A764a of the connected hole A764 through which the fastening screw is inserted is designed to have a dimension (sufficient left-right length) that can accommodate misalignment of the fastening portion A682 due to bending deformation of the internal operating unit A600.

[0483] In addition, bending deformation of the internal operating unit A600 inwardly to the left and right is less likely to occur than bending deformation to the left and right outward, because resistance is generated when the cylindrical member A695 abuts against the bottom wall portion A511 of the rear case A510.

[0484] In this embodiment, the decorative fastening member A520 is attached to suppress outward bending deformation of the internal operating unit A600 to the left and right. This effect is achieved by the fact that there are more fastening positions (fastening positions arranged on the outer wall A512 of the rear case A510 or the front side of the internal operating unit A600, fastening positions arranged closer to the front side) between the internal operating unit A600, the decorative fastening member A520 and the rear case A510 than there are fastening positions (fastening positions arranged on the bottom wall A511 of the rear case A510, fastening positions arranged closer to the rear side) between the internal operating unit A600 and the rear case A510, and by the ingenuity of the shape of the decorative fastening member A520.

[0485] First, the decorative fixing member A520 has an outer plate portion A547 fastened to the outer wall portion A512 or the support plate portion A513, and the support plate portion A513, which is integrally formed with the outer wall portion A512, is fastened to the base plate A60 (see FIG. 42). That is, the decorative fixing member A520 is restricted from displacement by the base plate A60 via the support plate portion A513. This makes it possible to utilize the rigidity of the base plate A60 to improve the rigidity of the decorative fixing member A520 and the internal operating unit A600, thereby suppressing bending deformation of the internal operating unit A600 outward to the left and right.

[0486] Secondly, the insertion plate portions A531 of the decorative fixing member A520 are disposed in contact with the outer left and right sides of the internal operating unit A600. That is, the insertion plate portions A531 can suppress bending deformation of the internal operating unit A600 to the outer left and ...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine comprising: a game board; a displacement means configured to be displaceable; a relative movement means configured to be capable of relative movement with respect to the displacement means, with a first portion being engaged with the displacement means; a support means for supporting a predetermined portion of a second portion of the relative movement means; and a drive means for generating a drive force for causing the displacement, The support means is The game board is provided with: a position of the second portion corresponding to a position of the first portion when the displacement means is displaced; The displacement means is configured to be able to displace the first section and the second section, The gaming machine includes: a direction of a straight line connecting a first position and a second position to which a specific portion of the second portion different from the predetermined portion of the second portion is displaced when the displacement means displaces the first section is different from a direction of a straight line connecting a third position and a fourth position to which the specific portion is displaced when the displacement means displaces the second section, The displacement means is configured to move in a translational manner, The displacement of the predetermined portion in a direction different from the displacement direction of the displacement means is suppressed, When the displacement means is displaced, there are a case where the direction in which the specific part is displaced is along the displacement direction of the displacement means, and a case where the direction in which the specific part is displaced is not along the displacement direction of the displacement means, a first state in which the displacement means is located in the first section and the specific portion is located at the first position, and a second state in which the displacement means is located in the second section and the specific portion is located at the fourth position, The actuator is changeable from the first state to the second state by at least the driving force, In the second state, the device is configured to recognize that a predetermined value can be given to the player, The gaming machine, wherein the relative movement means rotates about the predetermined portion when the displacement means is displaced.

Images