Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preventing misidentification of a pattern even if print of multiple color paints deviates.SOLUTION: A slot machine includes: a reel having a reel tape T1 in which multiple patterns are disposed; and a backlight that has an LED 315 and applies light to the reel from the inside. A pattern P4 has: a shadow part CHkage that becomes blackish red when a layer of a black paint overlaps with a layer of a red paint; and a shiny part CHteka3A in which a layer of a white paint is exposed. A red area of a green Fuch3A in which a layer of a red paint penetrates into the shiny part CHteka3A is sandwiched between a white area of the shiny part CHteka3A and a blackish red area of the shadow part CHkage. A first passage is shaped so as to be capable of changing a direction in which a token advances, and a first virtual straight line can be drawn without abutting on an inner surface of the first passage if a virtual straight line passing through a hopper-side opening and a tray-side opening is set as the first virtual straight line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (reel type gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on the outer periphery are known. In this type of gaming machine, a certain gaming value is assigned to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and a game is played to acquire such gaming media. In addition, in this type of gaming machine, when a player operates a start lever to start, an internal lottery is performed and the multiple reels start to rotate, and when a player operates a stop button to stop, the multiple reels are stopped in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals and the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

[0003] This type of gaming machine has a reel tape that is wound around the outer circumference of a reel frame to form a reel, and this reel tape has multiple types of patterns printed on it by overlapping multiple types of paint (each color or transparent) as a pattern-forming layer onto a transparent base material, so that multiple types of patterns are printed in an array (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-137428 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, among the multiple types of designs printed on the reel tape as described above, there may be designs such as cherries that have white stripes to create a shiny appearance (hereinafter referred to as "shiny parts"). Such designs with shiny parts are formed by printing a colored paint on the base material in areas other than the shiny parts, and then printing a white paint as a backing to cover the design.

[0006] However, if the parts of the pattern other than the shiny parts are mixed colors, multiple colors of paint will be printed multiple times, and if these prints are misaligned, the shiny parts will be printed out of alignment (seeping through), which may be mistaken for a different pattern by the player compared to the original pattern without any misalignment.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that is capable of preventing misidentification of symbols even if the printing of multiple colored paints is misaligned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a display device comprising: a housing; The housing is attached so as to be openable and closable. Front door and reel ,of Preparation, the front door has a rattle relative to the housing when a predetermined external force is applied thereto in a closed state, the front edge of the housing top surface is located higher than the rear edge of the front door top surface, the front edge of the housing right side surface is located to the right of the rear edge of the front door right side surface, and in a state in which the external force is not being applied to the closed front door, the upper right edge formed by the housing top surface and the housing right side surface is located outward from the right rear vertex formed by the front door top surface and the front door right side surface, and even in a state in which the closed front door has moved outward within the range of the rattle from a state in which the external force is not being applied, the upper right edge is located outward from the right rear vertex, The reel has a reel tape on which a plurality of patterns including a specific pattern are arranged, and a light source that illuminates the reel tape from the inside, the reel tape has a black portion printed with black paint, a red portion printed with red paint, and a white portion printed with white paint, the specific pattern has a black-red region where the black portion and the red portion overlap to make the black-red color visible, a red region where the red portion is visible, and a white region where the white portion is visible, the red region is in contact with the black-red region, the red region is in contact with the white region, and the red region is sandwiched between the black-red region and the white region. To play It is a technological machine. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, even if the printing of paints of a plurality of colors is misaligned, it is possible to prevent misidentification of the design. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is an oblique view showing the internal configuration of a cabinet of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 2 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the housing of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a front door in a first state according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing the front door in a second state according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the front door in a third state according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medal and a game ball according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part C1 in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part C2 in FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a rear perspective view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the housing according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lower panel portion according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of the lower panel portion according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a front panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] 1 is a perspective view showing a reel of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a reel tape of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the reel tape taken along the line AA in FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 13 is a diagram illustrating the colors of each part of the cherry design according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] 20A and 20B are diagrams showing cross sections of a reel tape, in which (a) is a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 19, and (b) is a cross section taken along line CC in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between the cherry design and the LEDs of the backlight according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the receiving tray and the cancel chute in this embodiment, where (a) shows the receiving tray and the cancel chute in close proximity to each other, and (b) shows the receiving tray and the cancel chute in a state separated from each other. [Diagram 23] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the cancel chute according to the present embodiment, in which (a) shows the cancel chute as viewed from the front, and (b) shows the cancel chute as viewed from the rear. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a front view of the hopper unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the rear surface of the lower door according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the cancel chute according to the present embodiment, in which (a) is a diagram showing the cancel chute from above, and (b) is a diagram showing the cancel chute from the left side. [Figure 27] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the cancel chute according to the present embodiment, in which (a) shows a see-through state of the front member of the cancel chute, and (b) shows only the rear member of the cancel chute. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a cancel shot according to the present embodiment, showing a first imaginary line. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a cancel shot according to the present embodiment, showing a second imaginary line. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a cancel shot according to the present embodiment, showing a third imaginary line. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a cancel shot according to the present embodiment, showing one end of a first virtual line. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a cancel shot according to the present embodiment, showing the other end of the first virtual straight line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description, the player's side (nearby) is described as "front" and the opposite side as "rear," and the top, bottom, left and right of the gaming machine are defined based on the front view of FIG. 1. That is, "top and bottom" means that the top side of the slot machine is "top" and the bottom side is "bottom," and "left and right" means that the left hand side of the player playing the slot machine is "left" and the right hand side is "right."

[0012] [Overview of the gaming machine configuration] First, the outline of the gaming machine will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine that uses medals as gaming media. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, this slot machine 1 includes a box-shaped housing BX and a front door FD that can be opened and closed relative to the housing BX. As shown in Fig. 3, the housing BX includes a top plate BXU, a back plate BXH, a bottom plate BXB, and left and right side plates BXL, BXR, and is formed in a box shape with a front opening that opens to the front side of the housing BX. The back plate BXH may be thinner than the top plate BXU, the bottom plate BXB, and the left and right side plates BXL, BXR.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the above-mentioned cabinet BX has an opening BXa on the front side, and various internal devices for making it possible to play games or to make it possible to perform effects are housed inside the opening BXa. As various internal devices, the cabinet BX houses a reel unit 310 having a plurality of reels R1 to R3, and a hopper unit 320 as a medal payout device is housed in the lower part of the reel unit 310, and a control board 10 equipped with a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc., and controlling the operation of the slot machine 1 is housed in the upper part of the reel unit 310. Furthermore, a cash box 325 is provided on the right side of the hopper unit 320, from which surplus medals are sent out when the medals stored in the hopper unit 320 reach a certain amount. Also, a power supply unit 340 is provided on the left side of the hopper unit 320. The power supply unit 340 has a power switch, and when the power switch is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply unit 340 to each component.

[0014] Some components may be configured to be supplied with power even when the power supply unit 340 is in an OFF state. The slot machine 1 may be of a so-called separated cabinet type in which, when replacing the model in the gaming facility, the upper part of the front door FD and the reel unit 310 can be replaced while the cabinet BX, the lower part of the front door FD, and the power supply unit 340 and the hopper unit 320 in the cabinet BX are left attached to the island equipment in the gaming facility.

[0015] The above-mentioned multiple reels R1 to R3 (the first reel R1 located on the leftmost side, the second reel R2 located to the right of the first reel R1, and the third reel R3 located to the right of the second reel R2) have their outer periphery divided into 20 regions (hereinafter, each region will be referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of a number of different patterns arranged thereon. The first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are illuminated from the inside by light from a reel backlight BL, which will be described later, and are supported by a stepping motor M as a reel driving means so that they can be stopped in frame units (in units of a predetermined rotation angle, in units of a predetermined amount of rotation).

[0016] In this embodiment, the first reel R1 is positioned on the leftmost side, the second reel R2 is positioned to the right of the first reel R1, and the third reel R3 is positioned on the rightmost side, but this is not limited to the above, and the first reel to the third reel may be positioned in any order, and there may be a fourth reel other than the first reel to the third reel, and it may be positioned in any position.

[0017] The front door FD is divided into an upper front door UD that can close the upper half of the opening BXa and a lower front door DD that can close the lower half of the opening, each of which can be opened and closed separately. The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are attached to the housing BX so as to be freely opened and closed by hinges HN (see FIG. 4) provided on the left side of each of them, and the right side can be opened and closed relative to the housing BX, and when closed, they block the above-mentioned various internal devices from the front. In this embodiment, even if a device is attached to the front door FD and does not fit inside the housing BX when the front door FD is closed relative to the housing BX, the device that becomes inaccessible from the outside when the front door FD is closed is referred to as an internal device.

[0018] 1, the front upper door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to be observed in their rotating and stopped states. When the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower symbols) that are consecutively arranged on the outer periphery of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 among a plurality of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display window DW.

[0019] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower section are provided for each reel as display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line is set by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, that is, the so-called prescribed insertion number, is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the prescribed insertion number are inserted, an active line LX formed by the middle section of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated.

[0020] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the winning line LX in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the winning line LX corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is deemed to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

[0021] A game information display section DS is provided on the front upper door UD. The game information display section DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in a bonus state, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1 to B3 related to the payout of medals.

[0022] The game information display section DS includes a main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display, and when a specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is tilted, a notification display is displayed which is a display corresponding to a winning command which is a control signal created based on winning information which is information on the winning combination in the current game, and when the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 stop after the notification display is displayed, the notification display ends and the number of medals paid out or won is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 lights up and goes out in a display mode corresponding to the winning command.

[0023] The main control display device 500 is also provided with a favorable period notification unit 500A, which is a dot of a 7-segment display, which lights up when a favorable period has been started by a favorable period control means (not shown) and turns off when a favorable period has not been started, i.e., a non-favorable period has been started, thereby notifying whether or not a favorable period has been started.

[0024] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is provided with a performance device 300 capable of performing performance related to the game, such as assisting the game or livening up the game. The performance device 300 includes a display device 330 provided on the front upper door UD so as to cover the display window DW, a plurality of illumination devices 360, and a plurality of illumination devices 370 provided on the front lower door. The display device 330 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display arranged in front of the display window DW (first reel R1 to third reel R3), and performs a performance of displaying various videos and images according to the progress of the game, that is, the slot machine 1 is configured as a so-called full-surface liquid crystal machine. The illumination devices 360, 370 perform a performance of emitting light according to the progress of the game. The performance device 300 also includes a plurality of sound devices 380, 390, 395 provided on the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. The sound devices 380, 390, 395 are arranged in pairs on the upper and lower parts of the front door FD, specifically on the lower panel part UP described later, and perform effects that output various sounds according to the progress of the game. In addition, an upper panel 350 with a model-specific design is arranged above the display window DW on the front upper door UD.

[0025] The front lower door DD is approximately the same size as the front lower door DD when viewed from the front, and is equipped with an operation section CP where a player performs operations related to the game, an illumination device 370, sound devices 390, 395, a lower panel section UP, a medal receiving tray MP, etc. More specifically, the operation section CP is configured to protrude forward from the upper part of the front lower door DD (the center part of the front door FD), and on its upper surface are attached a medal insertion port MI through which a player inserts medals one by one, and a max bet button MB (bet button) as an insertion operation means for receiving an insertion operation to insert a specified number of medals from among the credited medals in a single operation when the medals are credited (stored). In addition, a reject button REJ is provided near the medal insertion port MI, which is operated when clearing a medal jam that occurs below the medal insertion port MI.

[0026] In addition, on the front surface of the operation unit CP, a single bet button BT as an insert operation means, a start lever SL as a start operation means, a plurality of stop buttons B1 to B3 as a stop operation means, a settlement button BS for settling the credited medals, and a cylinder lock CY for opening and closing the front door FD are attached. The single bet button BT accepts an insert operation for inserting one medal from among the credited medals when the medals are credited. The start lever SL accepts a start operation that triggers the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. The stop buttons B1 to B3 accept a stop operation that triggers the stopping of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are rotated by the stepping motor M. The credited medals are stored (stored) in a control board 10 as a storage means. In addition, the front door FD can be unlocked by rotating (twisting) the door key inserted into the cylinder lock CY clockwise from the initial position, and the error can be cleared by rotating (twisting) it counterclockwise.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a player inserts medals into the medal insertion slot MI, or when medals are credited more than the specified number, the player performs a single bet operation (insertion operation) by pressing the single bet button BT backward the same number of times as the specified number of medals, or a max bet operation (insertion operation) by pressing the max bet button MB downward, and the specified number of medals is set to an inserted state, and the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are set to a ready state in which rotation control can be started. Then, when the player performs a start operation (tilt operation) by tilting the start lever SL with respect to the start lever SL, the control board 10 starts rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving the stepping motor M, and an internal lottery using random numbers is performed, and on the condition that the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 increases to a predetermined speed and becomes a steady rotation, pressing the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is permitted, that is, the stop operation by the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is enabled.

[0028] In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to set a waiting time (about 4.1 seconds) called a wait (or wait time) when the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 start to rotate. Then, the slot machine 1 is configured to start the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to rotate after the waiting time has elapsed if a start operation is performed again within the period from when the waiting time is set to when the waiting time has elapsed.

[0029] Thereafter, when the player presses stop buttons B1 to B3 backwards at any timing (hereinafter referred to as "press timing"), the stop switches serving as stop signal output means built into each of stop buttons B1 to B3 turn ON, changing the reel stop signal output to the control board 10 from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0030] Furthermore, when the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switches corresponding to the stop buttons B1 to B3 perform an OFF operation, and the reel stop signal output to the control board 10 changes from ON to OFF. Then, the control board 10 stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at the stop position according to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, the signal state of which changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0031] In addition, a medal payout outlet MO and a medal receiving tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD, and medals in a number according to the result of the game are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal receiving tray MP. In addition, when the settlement button BS is pressed while the credited medals are stored in the control board 10, a medal settlement switch built into the settlement button BS performs an ON operation in response to the pressing of the settlement button BS, and changes the medal settlement signal output to the control board 10 from an OFF state to an ON state. In response to the change of the medal settlement signal from an OFF state to an ON state, the control board 10 executes a settlement process to pay out medals in a number equivalent to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) from the hopper unit 320, and pays out the medals from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal receiving tray MP, only when the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are not spinning and medals are not bet.

[0032] [Gap at bottom of front door] Next, the lower gap of the front door FD (front lower door DD) will be explained with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. Figs. 5 to 7 are cross-sectional views taken along the line SS shown in Fig. 1. The position of the line SS is a position shifted (offset) to the left by a predetermined dimension (e.g., a dimension equivalent to approximately the diameter of a medal) from the right end of the gaming machine 1 (the right side of the cabinet BX). Details will be described later, but Fig. 5 shows the case where the front door FD is in the "first state", Fig. 6 shows the case where the front door FD is in the "second state", and Fig. 7 shows the case where the front door FD is in the "third state".

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, a supported portion 91 (convex portion) formed to protrude rearward is provided on the right-side back surface of the front door FD (the left side when the back surface of the front door FD is viewed from the front, the opposite side to the hinge HN). In this embodiment, a roller portion is provided at the tip of the supported portion 91. Also, a support portion 92 is formed on the right side when the inside of the housing BX is viewed from the front, at a position corresponding to the supported portion 91 when the front door FD is closed. The support portion 92 is formed so as to be able to support the supported portion 91 from below.

[0034] In this embodiment, the support part 92 is formed in a plate shape and is arranged so as to have a plate surface that is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction. The support part 92 is fixed, for example, by screwing to the inner surface of the right side plate of the housing BX. When the front door FD is moved from an open state (open state) to a closed state (closed state), first, the roller part of the supported part 91 contacts (abuts) the front side (front side) of the support part 92, then the roller part of the supported part 91 rests (rides up) on the support part 92, and the roller part advances on the support part 92 to the rear side. Then, the roller part stops at a predetermined position. When the front door FD is closed, the supported part 91 is supported from below, and when the front door FD is open, the support from below of the supported part 91 is released (released). The front door FD, which has lost support from below, is lowered by its own weight.

[0035] The states (positions) of the front door FD include a first state, a second state, and a third state. (First state) 5, the first state is a state in which the front door FD is closed and a supported portion 91 of the front door FD is supported by a support portion 92 of the housing BX (closed state, closed state). In this embodiment, this is a state in which the supported portion 91 applies a load to the support portion 92. It can also be said that the support portion 92 lifts the supported portion 91 upward. (Second state) As shown in FIG. 6, the second state is a state in which the front door FD is open and the supported portion 91 of the front door FD is not in contact with the support portion 92 of the housing BX (a spaced state, open state). (Third state) As shown in FIG. 7, the third state is a state in which the front door FD is open and the supported portion 91 of the front door FD abuts (contacts) the support portion 92 of the housing BX. It can also be said that the supported portion 91 abuts against the support portion 92, and the front door FD is open without being completely closed. It can also be said that the front door FD abuts against the support portion 92, but the supported portion 91 is not supported by the support portion 92, and the front door FD is open without being completely closed (half-open state: slightly open state). The third state may be a state in which (only) the tip portion of the support portion 92 supports the supported portion 91 (the supported portion 91 may be supported by (only) the tip portion of the support portion 92). The third state can also be said to be a state in which the opening angle of the front door FD is smaller than that of the second state. That is, the opening angle of the front door FD in the third state is smaller than the maximum opening angle of the front door FD. The opening angle of the front door FD is, for example, the angle formed by the front surface of the casing BX and the rear surface of the front door FD.

[0036] The bottom surface (lower surface) BXb of the gaming machine (cabinet BX) is the surface that comes into contact with the mating member (island equipment, etc.). Hereinafter, this bottom surface BXb will be referred to as the placement surface Z of the cabinet BX. The placement surface Z of the cabinet BX is flush with the upper surface of the installation stand (base). The installation stand is formed to extend from the rear side to the front side, and is also located (present) below the medal receiving tray MP. Hereinafter, when referring to the placement surface Z of the cabinet BX, it may refer to the entire surface (including the upper surface of the installation stand) that is flush with the placement surface Z. Note that the player can place a beverage, etc., in the space above the base, for example to the left of the medal receiving tray MP.

[0037] The bottom end (lower surface) of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) is located above the bottom surface BXb (mounting surface Z) of the housing BX. As shown in Fig. 5, in the first state (closed state), the dimension (vertical dimension) of the gap from the bottom end (lower edge, rear edge of the lower surface of the front door FD) Y1 of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) to the mounting surface Z of the housing BX is the first dimension L1 (designed to be the first dimension L1). The first dimension L1 is approximately 3 to 5 mm.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, in the second state (open state), the dimension (vertical dimension) of the gap from the lower end (lower surface, rear edge of the lower surface of the front door FD) Y2 of the front door FD (medal tray MP) to the placement surface Z of the housing BX is the second dimension L2, which is smaller than the first dimension L1 (it is designed to be the second dimension L2). The second dimension L2 is about 2 to 3 mm.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 7, in the third state, the dimension (vertical dimension) of the gap from the bottom end (bottom surface, rear edge of the bottom surface of the front door FD) Y3 of the front door FD (medal tray MP) to the placement surface Z of the housing BX is a third dimension L3 that is smaller than the first dimension L1 (it is designed to be the third dimension L3). The third dimension L3 is about 2 to 3 mm.

[0040] The first dimension L1 to the third dimension L3 can also be said to be the vertical distance (difference) between the lower end (lower surface) of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) and the bottom surface BXb (placing surface Z) of the housing BX. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the medal receiving tray MP is a surface that slopes upward from the rear to the front in the front-to-rear direction (a surface that slopes downward from the front side to the rear side of the gaming machine 1). Therefore, the first dimension L1 to the third dimension L3 are the vertical distance between the rear end (lowest end) of the lower surface of the medal receiving tray MP and the bottom surface BXb (placing surface Z) of the housing BX. The thickness of the bottom plate BXB of the housing BX is about 15 mm.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8, the diameter of the medal M is defined as dimension L4. The thickness of the medal M is defined as dimension L5. The medal M used in a game on the gaming machine according to this embodiment has dimension L4 of Φ25 (diameter of approximately 25 mm) and dimension L5 of approximately 1.6 mm. However, the medal M may have dimension L4 of Φ30 (diameter of approximately 30 mm) and dimension L5 of approximately 1.7 mm. The diameter of the game ball B is defined as dimension L6. Dimension L6 is approximately 11 mm.

[0042] The first dimension L1 shown in FIG. 5 is smaller than the diameter L6 of the game ball B and larger than the thickness L5 of the medal M (it is designed to be larger). The second dimension L2 shown in FIG. 6 is smaller than the diameter L6 of the game ball B and larger than the thickness L5 of the medal M (it is designed to be larger). The third dimension L3 shown in FIG. 7 is smaller than the diameter L6 of the game ball B and larger than the thickness L5 of the medal M (it is designed to be larger).

[0043] As described above, when the front door FD is closed (first state), the supported portion 91 is supported from below. On the other hand, when the front door FD is open (second and third states), the support from below of the supported portion 91 is released (opened). Therefore, the front door FD in the open state, which has lost support from below, is slightly lowered (downward) by its own weight. In other words, the lower end Y2 (second state) and the lower end Y3 (third state) are located lower than the lower end Y1 (first state), and the second dimension L2 and the third dimension L3 are smaller than the first dimension L1. In other words, the lower end of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) is closer to the upper surface of the stand (the placement surface Z of the housing BX) in the open state than in the closed state.

[0044] (Relationship with the thickness of medal M) When the gaming machine of this embodiment is placed on the placement surface Z, a gap (first dimension L1, second dimension L2, and third dimension L3) larger than the thickness of the medal M is formed between the lower end of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) and the placement surface Z, regardless of the state of the front door FD. In other words, the first dimension L1, the second dimension L2, and the third dimension L3 are larger than the thickness (dimension L5) of the medal M. For this reason, even if the front door FD is opened and closed in a state in which the medal M has entered between the lower side of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) and the base below the medal receiving tray MP (the medal M is hidden), the lower end of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) and the medal M will not come into contact with each other. In other words, the medal M hidden in the gap between the medal receiving tray MP and the base will not hinder the opening and closing of the front door FD. For this reason, even if the medal M is present on the upper surface (placement surface Z) of the base, the front door FD can be opened and closed smoothly. Furthermore, if the lower end of the front door FD comes into contact with a medal M when the front door FD is opened, the medal M will be pushed out and fall off the base, resulting in the trouble of searching for the medal M, but according to this embodiment, such trouble can be prevented.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the medals M are placed on the placement surface Z (top surface of the table) of the housing BX without overlapping, the front door FD is not prevented (not prevented, not hindered) from changing from the second state (open state) to the first state (closed state) by the medals M. A staff member at an amusement facility (hall) may open the front door FD to eliminate the cause of an empty error caused by a shortage (loss) of medals M in the hopper, and when closing the opened front door FD, even if a medal M is placed on the placement surface Z of the housing BX, the front door FD can be closed without the medal M coming into contact with the front door FD. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the front door FD cannot be closed because the medal M is caught in the gap between the front door FD and the housing BX (front surface of the housing BX) or the front door FD being damaged by the impact of the medal M being caught.

[0046] Furthermore, when medals M are placed on the placement surface Z (top surface of the table) of the cabinet BX without overlapping, the front door FD is not prevented from changing from the first state (closed state) to the second state (open state) by the medals M. When an amusement parlor (hall) clerk opens the closed front door FD to eliminate the cause of an empty error caused by a shortage (running out) of medals M in the hopper, even if a medal M is placed on the placement surface Z of the cabinet BX, the front door FD can be opened without the medal M coming into contact with the front door FD. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the front door FD cannot be opened because the medal M is caught in the gap between the front door FD and the placement surface Z (top surface of the table), or a situation in which the front door FD is damaged by forcibly opening the front door FD with the medal M caught in it. Furthermore, the second dimension L2 is smaller than the first dimension L1, and the gap between the lower end of the front door FD and the placement surface Z of the housing BX when the front door FD is open is narrower than the gap when the front door FD is closed. Therefore, when the front door is open, it is more difficult to insert a member or the like through the gap. Therefore, fraudulent acts can be suppressed. In other words, fraud prevention performance can be improved.

[0047] (Relationship with Game Ball B) For example, consider a case where a slot machine and a pachinko game machine are installed close to each other, and a game ball B is present near the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP). Even if the game ball B rolls under the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP) when the front door FD is closed (first state), the first dimension L1 is smaller than the diameter L6 of the game ball B, so the game ball B does not enter the back side (rear side) under the medal receiving tray MP. The lower surface of the medal receiving tray MP is inclined so that it faces upward toward the front, but the game ball B abuts (comes into contact with) the inclined surface and stops before reaching the lower end of the front door FD (medal receiving tray MP). Then, when the front door FD is opened in this state, the game ball B is pushed toward the front side and falls from the top of the table. Furthermore, since the game ball B falls in this way, it does not interfere with closing the open front door FD. The same can be said if game ball B rolls under front door FD (medal tray MP) when front door FD is in the second or third state. That is, game ball B comes into contact with the inclined surface and stops before reaching the bottom end of front door FD (medal tray MP), and when front door FD is opened in that state, game ball B is pushed forward and falls. And because game ball B falls, it does not get in the way of closing the open front door FD.

[0048] The gap (first dimension L1 to third dimension L3) between the bottom end of the front door FD (medal tray MP) and the placement surface Z is smaller than the diameter L6 (approximately 11 mm) of the game ball B, but it is more preferable that it is equal to or smaller than the thickness of two medals M (the thickness of two medals M stacked on top of each other). The thickness of two medals M is approximately 3.2 mm. In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the game ball B from getting under the medal tray MP.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first dimension L1 is larger than the third dimension L3, the third dimension L3 is larger than the second dimension L2, and the second dimension L2 is larger than the dimension L5 (the thickness of the medal M). In other words, the following relationship is established. L1>L3>L2>L5 The third dimension L3 may be equal to or greater than the second dimension L2 (L3≧L2). The third dimension L3 may be substantially the same as the second dimension L2 (L3≒L2). "Substantially the same" means that the difference between the two is within 1 mm, for example.

[0050] In the state shown in FIG. 7 (third state), the gap from the right side (right end) of the front door FD to the right side (right end) of the housing BX (the dimension of the distance (minimum distance) between the right side of the front door FD and the right side of the housing BX) is the fourth dimension L7. The fourth dimension L7 may be the opening dimension of the right end of the front door FD in the third state. Note that although the fourth dimension L7 is shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the SS line shown in FIG. 1, and does not strictly refer to the distance (dimension) between the right end of the front door FD and the right end of the housing BX. The fourth dimension L7 is about 33 mm. This fourth dimension L7 is larger (designed to be larger) than the diameter dimension L4 of the medal M (L7>L4).

[0051] In this embodiment, the second dimension L2 and the third dimension L3 are designed to be larger than the thickness L5 of the medal M, but due to the precision (variation) of the component dimensions, deterioration of the quality (durability) of the hinge HN (see FIG. 4), assembly errors, etc., the second dimension L2 and the third dimension L3 may be equal to or smaller than the thickness L5 of the medal M. Even in that case, in the process of the front door FD moving from the third state (FIG. 7) to the first state (FIG. 5), the supported portion 91 of the front door FD is supported so as to rest (ride up) on the support portion 92 of the housing BX (the supported portion 91 is supported so as to rest on the support portion 92), and a dimension equivalent to the thickness of the medal M is secured between the lower end of the front door FD and the placement surface Z (bottom surface BXb). Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the front door FD cannot be closed or a situation in which the front door FD is damaged by being pinched by the medal M.

[0052] (Modification) The second state (open state) shown in Fig. 6 includes a 21st state in which the opening angle of the front door FD is a first opening angle, and a 22nd state in which the opening angle of the front door FD is a second opening angle larger than the first opening angle. The first opening angle is a predetermined angle of 10° (ten degrees) or less. In addition, in the 21st state, the distance (gap) between the end (right end) of the front door FD and the end (right end) of the housing BX on the opposite side to the rotation shaft side (hinge HN side) of the front door FD is the distance between one end and the other end when two to three medals are lined up in a row on a horizontal plane (the distance for two to three medals, for example, about 50 mm to about 75 mm). In this modified example, in the 21st state, the bottom end (bottom end on the right side) of the front door FD approaches the placement surface Z, and the second dimension L2 becomes smaller than the first dimension (first state: closed state) (in other words, the second state includes the 21st state in which the second dimension L2 becomes smaller than the first dimension L1). However, in the 21st state, the second dimension is larger than the thickness L5 of the medal M.

[0053] In this modified example, when the opening angle of the front door FD is larger than the first opening angle, the larger the opening angle, the more gradually the lower end (lower end on the right side) of the front door FD moves away from the placement surface Z. In this case, if the vertical dimension between the lower end of the right side (opposite the rotation shaft side) of the front door FD and the placement surface Z is taken as the second dimension L2, in the 22nd state (for example, the state where the opening angle of the front door FD is at its maximum), the second dimension L2 is larger than the first dimension.

[0054] [Exterior damage prevention structure] Next, a configuration for preventing damage to the exterior of the slot machine 1 will be described. The exterior of the slot machine 1 is composed of the front door FD and the housing BX described above, and even when the front door FD is closed, it may come into contact with an obstacle during transportation of the gaming machine or installation in a hall, and may be damaged. In particular, since the worker carries the slot machine 1 by holding the gripping portion 400 (see FIG. 2) formed on the side of the housing BX, the corners of the front door FD and the housing BX are most likely to come into contact with an obstacle, and are also prone to being scratched due to their shapes that tend to concentrate stress. In the following, a configuration for preventing damage to the exterior of the slot machine 1 will be described.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1, the outer shape (periphery) of the front door FD is formed by an upper surface (top surface) FDu, a lower surface (bottom surface) FDb, and left and right side surfaces FDl, FDr, and the outer shape (periphery) of the cabinet BX is similarly formed by an upper surface (top surface) BXu, a lower surface (bottom surface) BXb, left and right side surfaces BXl, BXr, and a rear surface BXh (see FIG. 11). In the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, the outer shape of the front door FD is formed smaller than the outer shape of the cabinet BX, and the outer shape of the cabinet BX is the maximum outer shape of the slot machine 1. That is, in this embodiment, the upper surface FDu, the lower surface FDb, and the left and right side surfaces FDl, FDr of the front door FD are formed to be located inside the upper surface BXu, the lower surface BXb, and the left and right side surfaces BXl, BXr of the cabinet BX, respectively, when viewed from the front.

[0056] In other words, the left-right dimension of the top surface BXu of the cabinet BX (width direction of the gaming machine) is larger than the left-right dimension of the top surface FDu of the front door FD, and the top surface FDu of the front door FD is arranged to fit within the left-right dimension of the top surface BXu of the cabinet BX. The left-right dimension of the bottom surface BXb of the cabinet BX is larger than the left-right dimension of the bottom surface FDb of the front door FD, and the bottom surface FDb of the front door FD is arranged to fit within the left-right dimension of the bottom surface BXb of the cabinet BX. The up-down dimension (height direction of the gaming machine) of the left and right side surfaces BXl, BXr of the cabinet BX is larger than the up-down dimension of the left and right side surfaces FDl, FDr of the front door FD, and the left and right side surfaces FDl, FDr of the front door FD are arranged to fit within the up-down dimension of the left and right side surfaces BXl, BXr of the cabinet BX.

[0057] Therefore, the four corners of the front door FD are configured so as not to protrude outward from the corresponding corners of the housing BX. For example, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the C1 portion (the upper right corner of the mating surface S1 between the front door FD and the housing BX) in FIG. 2, where (a) is an enlarged side view of the C1 portion, (b) is an enlarged plan view of the C1 portion, and (c) is an enlarged front view of the C1 portion. As shown in FIG. 9(a) and (c), the top surface FDu of the front door FD is also located inward (lower) than the top surface BXu of the housing BX in the C1 portion. Therefore, the front edge 601 of the top surface (top surface of the housing) BXu of the housing BX is located above the rear edge 701 of the top surface (top surface of the front door) FDu of the front door FD. Also, as shown in FIG. 9(b) and (c), the right side surface FDr of the front door FD is located inward (leftward) than the right side surface BXr of the housing BX. Therefore, a front edge 602 of the right side surface (right side surface of the housing) BXr of the housing BX is located to the right of a rear edge 702 of the right side surface (right side surface of the front door) FDr of the front door FD.

[0058] The side 700 where the top surface FDu of the front door FD and the right side surface FDr of the front door FD intersect is located inside the side 600 where the top surface BXu of the housing BX and the right side surface BXr of the housing BX intersect. In other words, the upper right side 600 of the housing BX formed by the top surface BXu of the housing BX and the right side surface BXr of the housing BX is located outside (upper right in this embodiment) the upper right side 700 of the front door FD formed by the top surface FDu and the right side surface FDr. In other words, when the side formed by the above two planes is regarded as a corner, the corner 700 of the front door FD is configured not to protrude outward from the corner 600 of the housing BX.

[0059] Furthermore, when comparing the vertices where the three sides intersect as corners, it is obvious that the apex 710 on the rear side of the upper right edge 700 of the front door FD (the apex where the upper right edge 700 intersects with the rear edge (left and right edges on the rear side of the top surface FDu) 701 of the top surface FDu, and the rear edge (top and bottom edges on the rear side of the right surface FDr) 702 of the right surface FDr; hereinafter also referred to as simply the right rear apex or the upper right rear apex of the front door FD) is located inside the apex 610 on the front side of the upper right edge 600 of the housing BX (the apex where the upper right edge 600 intersects with the front edge (left and right edges on the front side of the top surface BXu) 601 of the top surface BXu, and the front edge (top and bottom edges on the front side of the right surface BXr) 602 of the right surface BXr; hereinafter also referred to as simply the right front apex or the upper right front apex of the housing BX). In other words, the right front vertex 610 is located outward (upper right in this embodiment) than the right rear vertex 710. In other words, the corner 710 of the front door FD is configured not to protrude outward from the corner 610 of the housing BX.

[0060] In the above-mentioned configuration, the upper right edge 600 of the cabinet BX constitutes the maximum outer shape of the slot machine 1, and is the part that is likely to come into contact with an obstacle. For this reason, in this embodiment, the upper right edge 600 is chamfered. More specifically, in this embodiment, the angle between the top surface BXu and the right side surface BXr of the cabinet BX that form the upper right edge 600 is configured to be an obtuse angle. In this chamfered state, the upper right edge 600 of the cabinet BX is located outside (upper right) the right rear vertex 710 of the front door FD. In addition, the upper right front vertex 610 of the cabinet BX is also chamfered (corner cut).

[0061] Because of this configuration, when the cabinet BX comes into contact with an obstacle, the upper right edge (corner) 600 (610) of the cabinet BX comes into contact before the corner 700 (710) of the front door FD, which can prevent scratches on the exterior of the front door FD, where various performance devices 300 are arranged and which is easily noticeable to players. In addition, because the corner 600 (610) of the cabinet BX is chamfered, even if the corner 600 (610) of the cabinet BX comes into contact with an obstacle, there is less stress concentration compared to a right-angled corner, and it is less likely to be scratched.

[0062] In addition, since the upper right edge 600 of the housing BX is formed by a chamfered surface, in terms of the external shape, it can also be said to be the upper right surface of the housing BX. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the upper right surface 600 has an upper edge 600u and a lower edge 600l on the upper side. In this embodiment, the upper edge 600u is located above and to the left of the corner (upper right edge 700 / upper right vertex 710) of the front door FD, and the lower edge 600l is located above and to the right of the corner 700 (710) of the front door FD.

[0063] In this embodiment, the front edge 601 of the upper surface BXu of the housing BX is also chamfered to form a chamfered surface similar to the upper right edge 600. As shown in FIG. 9(c), this chamfered surface 601 has an upper edge 601u and a lower edge 601l, and is formed so that the lower edge 601l is located higher than the rear edge 701 (right rear vertex 710) of the front door upper surface FDu in the vertical direction. That is, the vertical dimension from the housing upper surface BXu to the rear edge 701 (right rear vertex 710) of the front door upper surface FDu is larger than the lower edge (front edge) 601l of the chamfered surface 601 from the housing upper surface BXu. This prevents an unnecessary gap from being generated between the front door FD and the housing BX due to the chamfered surface.

[0064] In this embodiment, the amount of protrusion in the vertical direction, which has looser dimensional restrictions than the width direction (left-right direction) in which the slot machines 1 are arranged, is made larger. That is, the amount of protrusion of the upper surface BXu of the housing BX from the upper surface FDu of the front door FD is made larger than the amount of protrusion of the right side surface BXr of the housing BX from the right side surface FDr of the front door FD. As a result, the positional relationship described above is obtained, but the positional relationship between the upper side 600u and the lower side 600l and the corner portion 700 (710) of the front door FD is not limited to this, as long as the positional relationship in which the upper right surface 600 of the housing BX is located outside the corner portion 700 (710) of the front door FD is maintained. For example, the upper side 600u may be located above and to the right of the corner portion 700 (710) of the front door FD, and the lower side 600l may be located below and to the right of the corner portion 700 (710) of the front door FD.

[0065] In this embodiment, the corner 700 of the front door FD is also chamfered. In addition, the upper right edge 700 (upper surface FDu) of the front door FD may have a draft angle that slopes downward from the front side to the rear side, for example. Furthermore, the upper right edge 700 may be formed by a part of the front door FD that constitutes the front side part of the performance device 300, etc., and a rear side part that forms the mating surface S1, and the above-mentioned slope may be formed only on the rear side that forms the right rear vertex 710. In addition, in this embodiment, the entire upper right edge 700 of the front door FD is configured not to protrude from the upper right edge 600 of the housing BX, but it is sufficient that at least the right rear vertex 710 of the front door FD is located inside the upper right edge 600 of the housing BX.

[0066] Furthermore, as described above, the front door FD of the slot machine 1 has some rattling due to the tolerance and deterioration of the hinge HN. Also, even when the front door FD is closed relative to the cabinet BX, there is a clearance between the cabinet BX and the front door FD. Therefore, even when the front door FD is in a closed state (closed state), the front door FD has rattling in a predetermined direction (up / down, left / right, front / rear directions). Therefore, the corners of the front door FD are more likely to protrude outward on the side where the hinge HN is not provided (the right side in this embodiment) than on the side where the hinge HN is provided (the left side in this embodiment). However, in this embodiment, not only the upper right corner (see FIG. 9), but also the lower right corner as shown in FIG. 10, the corners 900 (910) of the front door FD are located inside the corners 800 (810) of the cabinet BX, so that the corners 900 (910) of the front door FD do not protrude from the corners 800 (810) of the cabinet BX. Further, the lower right side 800 and the lower right front vertex 810 of the housing BX are chamfered in the same manner as the upper right side 600 and the upper right front vertex 610.

[0067] The side 900 of the front door FD is the lower right side where the bottom surface FDb of the front door FD intersects with the right side surface FDr of the front door FD, and the apex 910 is the lower right rear vertex where the bottom right side 900 intersects with the rear side of the bottom surface FDb (the left and right sides of the rear side of the bottom surface FDb) and the rear side of the right side surface FDr (the upper and lower sides of the rear side of the right side surface FDr). The side 800 of the housing BX is the lower right side where the bottom surface BXb intersects with the right side surface BXr of the housing BX, and the apex 810 is the lower right front vertex where the bottom right side 800 intersects with the front side of the bottom surface BXb (the left and right sides of the front side of the bottom surface BXb) and the front side of the right side surface BXr (the upper and lower sides of the front side of the right side surface BXr).

[0068] As a result, even if the front door FD is tilted in the closed state due to the rattle, the corner 710(700) / 910(900) of the front door FD can be prevented from protruding from the chamfered corner 600 / 800 of the casing BX on the side opposite the hinge HN. Also, even if the front door FD is moved from a normal state (no rattle, first state) in which no external force is applied to the front door FD to a rattled state (a state moved outward from the normal state, second state) within the clearance range by, for example, the front door FD being gripped when the slot machine 1 is moved, the corner 600 / 800 of the casing BX is positioned inside the corner 710(700) / 910(900) of the front door FD.

[0069] Furthermore, in addition to the above-mentioned sides 600 and 800, the cabinet BX also has sides 920-970 shown in FIG. 11 as corners that form the outermost shape of the slot machine 1, and these sides are also easily damaged, so they are chamfered. Similarly, in addition to the apexes 610 and 810, the apexes 1010-1060 are also chamfered (corner-removed). For example, the front edge (not shown) of the cabinet left side BXl is located to the left of the rear edge (not shown) of the front door left side FDl, and the upper left edge 920 of the cabinet BX is chamfered and is located outward from the apex 730 on the rear side of the upper left edge 720 of the front door FD.

[0070] The top 730 of the front door FD is formed by the top surface FDu of the front door FD and the left side surface FDl of the front door FD, and more specifically, it is the top (left rear vertex, upper left rear vertex of the front door FD) where the upper left edge 7200, the rear edge (left and right edges on the rear side of the top surface FDu) 740 of the top surface FDu, and the rear edge of the left side surface FDl (upper and lower edges on the rear side of the left side surface FDl, not shown) intersect. The upper left edge of the housing BX is formed by the top surface BXu and left side surface BXl of the housing BX. The side 930 is the lower left edge of the housing BX, and is formed by the bottom surface BXb and left side surface BXl of the housing BX (see FIG. 1). The side 940 is the rear edge of the top surface BXu of the housing BX, and is formed by the top surface BXu and rear surface BXh of the housing BX. Side 950 is the rear side of the bottom surface BXb of the housing BX and is formed by the bottom surface BXb and the rear surface BXh of the housing BX. Side 960 is the rear side of the right side surface BXr of the housing BX and is formed by the right side surface BXr and the rear surface BXh of the housing BX. Side 970 is the rear side of the left side surface BXl of the housing BX and is formed by the left side surface BXl and the rear surface BXh of the housing BX.

[0071] Furthermore, top 1010 is the upper right rear vertex of the cabinet BX. Top 1020 is the lower right rear vertex of the cabinet BX. Top 1030 is the upper left front vertex of the cabinet BX. Top 1040 is the lower left front vertex of the cabinet BX (see FIG. 1). Top 1050 is the upper left rear vertex of the cabinet BX. Top 1060 is the lower left rear vertex of the cabinet BX. As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, the corners of the front door FD and the corners of the cabinet DX are configured to be less susceptible to damage. Therefore, when reusing the slot machine 1, the exterior is less likely to be damaged, making it possible to smoothly reuse the slot machine 1.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, all four corners of the front door FD are configured to be on the inside of the corresponding corners of the housing BX, but it is sufficient that any corner of the front door FD is on the inside of the corresponding corner of the housing BX. For example, it is also possible to configure only the right or upper corner of the front door FD to be on the inside of the corresponding corner of the housing BX. Also, it is more preferable that the corners of the front door FD are located on the inside of the corresponding corners of the housing BX, but for example, it is also possible to configure the corners of the front door FD and the corners of the housing BX to overlap (be in the same position) when viewed from the front.

[0073] Similarly, it is not necessary to chamfer all corners of the cabinet BX forming the outermost shape of the slot machine 1. For example, only the sides 600, 920, 940, 960, 970 and the tops 610, 1010, 1050 of the cabinet BX may be configured to be chamfered. Also, only the side 940 of the cabinet BX may be configured to be chamfered. Also, only the sides 600, 601 (see FIG. 9), 602 (see FIG. 9), 920, 940, 960, 970, 800, 950 of the cabinet BX may be configured to be chamfered. Also, only the sides 600, 601 (see FIG. 9), 602 (see FIG. 9), 920, 940, 960, 970 of the cabinet BX may be configured to be chamfered.

[0074] In the above-mentioned embodiment, "chamfering" includes both C-chamfering, in which the corner is cut at an angle, and R-chamfering, in which the corner is rounded. The angle of the corner is the angle of the surface cut at an angle in the case of C-chamfering, and the angle of the R of the corner in the case of R-chamfering. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, "chamfering" does not only mean chamfering as a post-processing, but also refers to the state in which the angle of the corner is an obtuse angle. That is, for example, in the case of an integrally molded resin product such as the above-mentioned case BX, it is sufficient that the radius of the corner or the angle of the surface is an obtuse angle that is designed in advance. In addition, the case BX does not necessarily have to be manufactured as an integrally molded product, and may be an assembly type in which a box shape is formed by multiple parts, and the material may be, for example, wood.

[0075] Specifically, Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a modified example in which the housing is configured by assembling a top plate, a bottom plate, and left and right side plates, and is an enlarged perspective view of the upper right portion of the housing BX2 according to the modified example. As shown in Fig. 12, the housing BX2 is formed of a top plate BXu2 and a right side plate BXr2, which are separate members. The top plate BXu2 is formed by chamfering an upper right edge 6002 and a front upper edge 6012, which respectively constitute the upper right edge of the housing BX2 and the front edge of the top surface BXu of the housing BX. Similarly, a right front edge 6022 of the right side plate BXr2 is also formed by chamfering, and this right front edge 6022 constitutes the front edge of the right side surface of the housing BX.

[0076] In this embodiment, the right side plate BXr2 has its front surface BXr21 located approximately 1 mm forward of the front surface BXu21 of the top plate BXu2. The right front edge 6022 of the right side plate BXr2 is chamfered so that the position of the right end L forming the front edge of the right side surface BXr22 of the housing BX2 is aligned with the position of the front surface BXu21 of the top plate BXu2. That is, the right front edge 6022 of the right side plate BXr2 is chamfered so that the end position is aligned with the position of the corner 6102 where the front surface BXu21 and the right side surface BXu22 of the top plate BXu2 intersect at the boundary L with the right side surface BXr22 of the housing BX. That is, the right front edge 6022 of the right side plate BXr2 is chamfered so that its dimension is not 1 mm less rearward from the position of the front surface BXr21. In this way, by matching the chamfering dimensions of the right front edge 6022 of the right side plate BXr2 with the front surface BXu21 of the top plate BXu2, the corner 6102 of the underside of the top plate BXu2 is prevented from protruding. Note that, in Fig. 12, the upper right part of the housing BX2 has been explained as an example, but the upper left, lower right and lower left parts of the housing BX2 are not limited to the upper right part and also have the same configuration as the upper right part described above.

[0077] Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the mating surface S1 between the front door FD and the cabinet BX is inclined so that the lower part is further forward than the upper part in a side view, and the force that tends to cause the front door FD to fall forward when it is opened is mitigated, but the mating surface S1 does not necessarily need to be inclined. Furthermore, in the above description, the front door FD is configured as being divided into upper and lower parts, but it may be configured as one piece. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to gaming machines such as pachinko machines. In addition, the inventions described in the above-mentioned embodiment may be combined in any way.

[0078] [Lower panel configuration] Next, the lower panel part UP arranged on the front lower door DD of the front door FD in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 13, 14, and 15. As shown in Figures 1 and 13, the lower panel part UP is arranged between the operation part CP of the front lower door DD and the medal receiving tray MP.

[0079] As shown in Figure 13, the lower panel portion UP is provided with a lower panel frame 81 which forms part of the front door FD and constitutes the exterior of the slot machine 1, a front panel 82 which constitutes the exterior of the slot machine 1, a decorative sheet 83 having an image 85 (see Figure 14) arranged on the back side of the front panel 82, and a rear panel 88 which holds the decorative sheet 83 together with the front panel 82.

[0080] The lower panel frame 81 is formed of a colored synthetic resin, and its outer surface is painted, plated, metal-deposited, etc., so as to have light-shielding properties, i.e., configured as a light-shielding cover, and is attached to the front lower door DD of the front door FD and fixed integrally with the front door FD to form the appearance of the front lower door DD. The lower panel frame 81 has an opening 81a that exposes the front panel 82 to the outside, and makes an image 85 of a decorative sheet 83, which will be described later, visible through the front panel 82. The opening 81a is configured to be smaller than the front panel 82, i.e., the lower panel frame 81 has the function of pressing the front panel 82, the decorative sheet 83, and the rear panel 88 from the front, and restricting the position of the front panel 82 in the left-right and up-down directions by a restricting plate 81b (see FIG. 14) that extends backward in a plate-like shape, and fixing it integrally with the front door FD. In addition, the lower panel frame 81 may be formed integrally with other exterior parts of the front lower door DD of the front door FD, and the front panel 82, decorative sheet 83, and rear panel 88 may be attached by inserting them from the rear, in which case an opening may be formed in the front lower door DD of the front door FD to make the image 85 of the decorative sheet 83 visible.

[0081] The lower panel frame 81 has a roughly rectangular main frame 81mf, and on the inside of this main frame 81mf, side protrusions 81si, 81si protruding in the left and right directions, and an under protrusion 81un protruding from the bottom to the top, are formed. Therefore, the opening 81a is formed in a complex non-rectangular shape. The side protrusions 81si, 81si and the under protrusion 81un are formed so as not to overlap with the audio device 395 in the front-rear direction.

[0082] The front panel 82 is made of a synthetic resin having high light transmission (transparent in this embodiment) and is formed of a rectangular plate-like member. The front panel 82 has a grained portion 82S on the edge (periphery, outer edge) of its front surface 82FS, which is a grained portion having grains (wrinkles) that will be described later in detail. The front panel 82 is disposed facing the front of the decorative sheet 83, and covers and protects the front side of the decorative sheet 83. As shown in FIG. 14, the outer edge portion of the rear surface of the front panel 82 is formed with an outer edge protrusion 82a that protrudes forward and a protrusion 82b that is disposed at a position that forms a rectangular shape when viewed from the rear. The front panel 82 is positioned relative to the lower panel frame 81 by fitting the outer edge protrusion 82a into the rear side of the lower panel frame 81, and the decorative sheet 83 and a surface 88a of a rear panel 88 described later are positioned relative to the front panel 82 by being inserted and fitted inside the protrusion 82b of the front panel 82.

[0083] 1 and 13, the front panel 82 is formed with a number of holes 82h at positions overlapping the acoustic device 395 when viewed from the front, so that sound output from the acoustic device 395 can be easily heard in the front (outside). Note that holes may also be provided in the decorative sheet 83 and rear panel 88, which are located behind these many holes 82h, at positions overlapping in the front-to-rear direction, so that sound output from the acoustic device 395 can be even more easily heard.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 13, the decorative sheet 83 has a base material 83a formed into an approximately rectangular sheet-like shape from a synthetic resin with high light transmittance (transparent in this embodiment), and images 85 (see FIG. 14) such as the product name of the slot machine 1 and images of related characters, etc., and images for decorating the outer surface of the slot machine 1, are printed (applied) on the back surface of the base material 83a using colored paint, thereby forming a decorative image surface.

[0085] The decorative sheet 83 is sandwiched between the rear panel 88 arranged on the back side and the front panel 82, so that the player can view the image 85 of the decorative sheet 83 from the front through the front panel 82. The rear panel 88 is formed in a plate shape with a smooth surface 88a by a synthetic resin with high light transmission (transparent in this embodiment), and the surface 88a of the rear panel 88 is formed to be approximately the same size as the decorative sheet 83 (image 85). That is, the surface 88a of the rear panel 88 and the decorative sheet 83 (image 85) are configured to be smaller than the size of the front panel 82, and more specifically, larger than the inner edge (transparent area 82T) of the textured portion 82S described later. Note that the rear panel 88 is not limited to being transparent, and may be formed, for example, with unevenness or the like that diffuses light on the front or back surface so as to diffuse the light that passes through.

[0086] 13 and 14, the rear panel 88 has a protruding plate 88b extending outward from the outer edge of the surface 88a, and the protruding plate 88b restricts the position of the rear panel 88 in the left-right and up-down directions relative to the restricting plate 81b of the lower panel frame 81, and also sandwiches and holds the front panel 82 between the lower panel frame 81 and the rear panel 88. As shown in FIG. 14, a leg 88c is formed on the back side of the rear panel 88 so as to extend rearward, and is restricted so as to abut against a component of the front lower door DD and to be positioned in the front-back direction between the rear panel 88 and the lower panel frame 81. Furthermore, a side surface 88d, which is the outer edge of the surface 88a of the rear panel 88, is inserted inside the protruding portion 82b of the front panel 82, and the left-right and up-down positions of the rear panel 88 relative to the front panel 82 are restricted. Therefore, with these configurations, the front panel 82, the decorative sheet 83, and the rear panel 88 are positioned in the left-right and up-down directions relative to the front lower door DD.

[0087] A backlight board 95 having a plurality of LEDs 95a and a reflector 89 that reflects light from the LEDs 95a are provided on the rear side of the rear panel 88. In this embodiment, the backlight board 95 is disposed on the rear side of the reflector 89, and light from the LEDs 95a is irradiated forward from the opening of the reflector 89. Note that the front lower door DD may be provided with a light-emitting source such as a fluorescent lamp or a lamp, such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube, instead of the backlight board having LEDs. The reflector 89 is formed of a material that has light-shielding properties and is easy to reflect light, such as a white synthetic resin.

[0088] Therefore, the lower panel section UP of the front lower door DD configured as above allows the decorative sheet 83 illuminated by the light of the LEDs 95a of the backlight board 95 through the rear panel 88 to be visible from the opening 81a of the lower panel frame 81 through the front panel 82. The rear panel 88, decorative sheet 83, and front panel 82 are arranged on the front lower door DD of the front door FD so as to be in front of the various internal devices described above (particularly the reel unit 310, hopper unit 320, backlight board 95, reflector 89, peripheral members of the backlight board 95, etc.), and therefore have the function of making the internal devices invisible, particularly by the image 85 of the decorative sheet 83.

[0089] [Details of the textured part] Next, the details of the embossed portion 82S according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figs. 1, 13, 14, and 15, the front panel 82 according to this embodiment has the embossed portion 82S on the edge (periphery, outer edge) of the front surface 82FS. In detail, the embossed portion 82S is formed by applying embossing to an area that extends from the outer edge of the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82 to the inside of the opening 81a of the lower panel frame 81 by a predetermined distance d1 (see Figs. 14 and 15). In other words, the embossed portion 82S is formed on the front surface 82FS so that it is at least partially overlapping with the edge (periphery, outer edge) of the image 85 of the decorative sheet 83 when viewed from the front, covering the edge of the image 85 and being located to the outside of the image 85. In this embodiment, the embossing is formed by imparting wrinkles (fine irregularities) to the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82 due to the shape of the mold used to manufacture the front panel 82, but the invention is not limited to this. The entire front surface 82FS of the front panel 82 may be formed smooth, and then chemically treated by etching or sandblasting may be performed in a subsequent process.

[0090] 15, the textured portion 82S has two regions: a first region 82Sh that overlaps the rear side of the lower panel frame 81 and is hidden from view, and a second region 82Sx that protrudes from the inside of the opening 81a of the lower panel frame 81 and is exposed and visible, as viewed from the front. Therefore, the textured portion 82S is arranged on the outer periphery of the transparent region 82T, while a transparent region 82T that allows the image 85 to be clearly visible is secured inside the opening 81a. This transparent region 82T is smaller than the outer edge of the image 85.

[0091] In addition, the first region 82Sh has a region 82Shmf behind the main frame 81mf (see Figures 1 and 13) of the lower panel frame 81, two regions 82Shsi, 82Shsi behind the side protrusions 81si, 81si (see Figures 1 and 13) of the lower panel frame 81, and a region 82Shun behind the under protrusion 81un (see Figures 1 and 13) of the lower panel frame 81.

[0092] The second region 82Sx has an area 82Sxup in the upper portion of the opening 81a which extends below the main frame 81mf by a predetermined distance d1, areas 82Sxsi, 82Sxsi in the lateral portion of the opening 81a which extend a predetermined distance d1 inward in the left-right direction from the side protrusions 81si, 81si, and an area 82Sxun in the lower portion of the opening 81a which extends a predetermined distance d1 above the under protrusion 81un.

[0093] By forming the textured portion 82S in this manner, the inner edge of the second region 82Sx is similar to and smaller than the opening 81a, and is located at a position that protrudes inward from the opening 81a at any point by a predetermined distance d1, that is, the textured portion 82S protrudes inward from the opening 81a in a band shape having a width of approximately the predetermined distance d1. As described above, the front panel 82 has a plurality of holes 82h (see FIG. 1) formed in a position corresponding to the front of the audio device 395, but the textured portion S is formed so as not to overlap these holes 82h, in other words, the plurality of holes 82h are arranged at a distance of the predetermined distance d1 or more from the inside of the opening 81a.

[0094] 14, the thickness d2 of the front panel 82 is formed to be, for example, about 3 mm so as to be able to withstand external impacts. Meanwhile, the textured portion 82S is formed so that the predetermined distance d1 protruding from the opening 81a is, for example, about 5 mm, that is, the distance of the textured portion 82S protruding from the opening 81a is longer than the thickness d2 of the front panel 82. Particularly in this embodiment, the predetermined distance d1 is set so that, for example, even if a player tries to look inside through the front panel 82, the outer edge of the image 85 cannot be seen even when the line of sight is at an angle of 45 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the textured portion 82S, while taking into consideration the refractive index of light of the front panel 82, etc. Therefore, the embossed portion 82S, which has a predetermined distance d1 that is longer than the thickness d2 of the front panel 82, blocks the view outside the outer edge of the image 85, and the rear panel 88 and the internal equipment beyond it (particularly the reel unit 310, hopper unit 320, backlight board 95, reflector 89, peripheral components of the backlight board 95, etc.) are not visible.

[0095] In this way, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, the embossed portion 82S is formed in the range from the opening 81a of the lower panel frame 81 to a predetermined distance d1 inside the opening 81a so as to protrude from the inside of the opening 81a by a predetermined distance d1. In other words, the embossed portion 82S is formed on the edge of the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82, and is formed so as to cover the edge of the image 85 of the decorative sheet 83. Therefore, the embossed portion 82S is disposed so as to straddle between the opening 81a and the edge of the image 85. This makes it impossible to see the inside (internal equipment) of the front door FD through the front panel 82.

[0096] Incidentally, if the size of the image 85 formed on the decorative sheet 83 is, for example, about 5 mm larger than the opening 81a of the lower panel frame 81 (the same applies if the opening 81a is relatively smaller than the image 85), the internal devices can be hidden even without the textured portion 82S. However, it is difficult to make the decorative sheet 83 larger due to the positional relationship with the surrounding components, and if the opening 81a of the lower panel frame 81 is made smaller, the visible range of the image 85 becomes smaller, and there is a risk that the design of the slot machine 1 will lack impact. Therefore, by providing the textured portion 82S as in this embodiment, it is possible to avoid interference between the image 85 and the surrounding components, and also improve the design of the slot machine 1.

[0097] Moreover, by providing an opaque portion instead of the textured portion 82S, it is possible to make the internal devices invisible. However, since the light from the LEDs 95a of the backlight board 95 is not transmitted, dark portions are generated in the lower panel portion UP, which may result in poor appearance. Therefore, by providing the textured portion 82S having transparency as in this embodiment, the light from the LEDs 95a of the backlight board 95 is transmitted, ensuring the brightness of the lower panel portion UP and improving the appearance.

[0098] [Modification of the embossed part] In this embodiment, the embossed portion 82S is described as being embossed in the first region 82Sh from the outer edge of the front panel 82 and in the second region 82Sx inside the first region 82Sh, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first region 82Sh may be embossed only in part, or the first region 82Sh may not be embossed. That is, if the second region 82Sx is embossed, the embossing is arranged in the range from the opening 81a to a predetermined distance d1 inside the opening 81a, so that it is possible to make it impossible to see the inside of the front door FD through the front panel 82. Even in this case, a gap may occur between the lower panel frame 81 and the front panel 82 due to tolerance, so it is preferable that the embossing is arranged so that it overlaps the opening 81a even slightly when viewed from the front.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82 is embossed to form the embossed portion 82S, but this is not limited to the above, and it is also possible to use a configuration in which, for example, a separate sheet that has been embossed is adhered to the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the opening 81a is entirely surrounded by the lower panel frame 81, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper side of the frame forming the opening 81a may be formed by the operation unit CP on which the start lever SL and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are arranged, or the left and right sides of the frame forming the opening 81a may be formed by the illumination device 370. In other words, it is sufficient that the opening 81a that makes the image 85 visible is formed in the front door FD. In addition, the lower panel frame 81 and the members forming these openings 81a may be made of a colored resin such as black, a resin whose surface is colored and painted or plated, or a metal, in other words, it is sufficient that they are opaque and the internal devices cannot be seen.

[0101] In addition, in this embodiment, the lower panel portion UP is described as having the lower panel frame 81, but this is not limiting, and the lower panel frame may be a part that constitutes a part of the front door, that is, the lower panel frame may not be unitized as a component of the lower panel portion. In this case, the lower panel frame may be structured to support the lower panel portion (front panel, decorative sheet, rear panel).

[0102] In the present embodiment, the embossed portion 82S is described as extending from the opening 81a by a predetermined distance d1 all around, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the distance extending from the opening 81a may vary depending on the part of the embossed portion 82S. In particular, since it is easier for players to look into the lower part and the left and right parts than the upper part, the distance extending from the opening 81a may be longer than the predetermined distance d1. Furthermore, the present invention is described in which the inner edge of the embossed portion 82S is similar to the shape of the inner edge of the opening 81a with the predetermined distance d1 being inward, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the distance extending from the opening 81a may not necessarily be constant, for example, by matching the shape to a shape related to the design of the image 85.

[0103] In addition, in this embodiment, the embossing applied to the embossed portion 82S has been described as a type in which unevenness is formed on the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82, but this is not limited thereto, and the embossing may be such that only convex portions are formed on the front surface 82FS, or such that only concave portions are formed on the front surface 82FS.

[0104] In addition, in this embodiment, a number of holes 82h in the front panel 82 that overlap the acoustic device 395 are described as not overlapping with the embossed portion 82S, but this is not limited thereto, and some or all of these holes 82h may overlap with the embossed portion 82S.

[0105] Further, in this embodiment, the image 85 is printed over the entire back surface of the decorative sheet 83, but this is not limited thereto, and the image may be printed in an area smaller than the back surface of the decorative sheet 83, particularly in an area that fits inside the opening 81a, as long as it is arranged so as to overlap an area larger than the embossed portion 82S.

[0106] In addition, in this embodiment, the lower panel portion UP has been described as having an embossed portion 82S, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a panel located between the operation portion CP and the display window DW or above the display window DW may also be configured to have a similar embossed portion.

[0107] In the present embodiment, the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82 of the lower panel portion UP, the decorative sheet 83, the surface 88a of the rear panel 88, etc., are flat, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any surface shape may be used, such as a curved shape in which the center of the left and right sides bulge more than the ends. In particular, in a configuration in which the center bulges, the angle between the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82 and the line of sight at the ends becomes small, which may make it easy to see the internal devices, so the predetermined distance d1 that protrudes from the opening 81a of the textured portion 82S may be made longer than other portions.

[0108] In addition, in this embodiment, the outer edge shapes of the front surface 82FS of the front panel 82, the decorative sheet 83, and the surface 88a of the rear panel 88 are described as being rectangular, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be similar in shape to the opening 81a, or further may be any shape, such as a shape that follows the opening only on the left and right sides, or a shape that follows the opening only on the top and bottom sides.

[0109] [Reel unit details] Next, the reel unit 310 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 16, the reel unit 310 has a stepping motor M provided for each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to rotate each reel, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 supported by the drive shaft of each stepping motor M, and a reel sensor 26 (see Fig. 16) which is a transmission type optical sensor provided corresponding to each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to detect the rotational position of each reel. In addition, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 of the reel unit 310 has a reel backlight BL provided for each of the reels to illuminate each reel from the inside toward the front, and a reflector RL which reflects light from the reel backlight BL and guides it forward. The reel backlight BL has a plurality of light source LEDs consisting of LEDs (light emitting diodes) and a backlight board 316 on which the plurality of light source LEDs are mounted. A total of six LEDs 315 (315-11 to 315-23) are arranged on the backlight board 316 in three columns and two rows from each opening of the reflector RL (see FIG. 21).

[0110] As shown in FIG. 16, the first reel R1 has a reel frame FR1, a thin strip-shaped reel tape T1 on which a number of patterns are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index section 27. The second reel R2 has a reel frame FR2, a thin strip-shaped reel tape T2 on which a number of patterns are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index section 27. The third reel R3 has a reel frame FR3, a thin strip-shaped reel tape T3 on which a number of patterns are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) Y, and an index section 27. The index section 27 is held by the reel frames FR1 to FR3 so as to be able to block the optical axis of the reel sensor 26, and the reel sensor 26 detects the rotational position of each reel depending on the timing at which the index section 27 blocks and transmits the optical axis of the reel sensor 26.

[0111] Each of the reel frames FR1 to FR3 has a hub portion 24 attached to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor M, a first rim portion 21 and a second rim portion 22, a plurality of connection portions 23 connecting between the first and second rim portions 21, 22, and a plurality of spoke portions 25, and is integrally formed from a synthetic resin with high light transmittance (transparent in this embodiment).

[0112] The first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 are formed in an annular shape concentric with the rotation axis of the stepping motor M and are spaced apart in the left-right direction (axial direction), i.e., in the short side direction (width direction) X perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tapes T1 to T3. A plurality of connection portions 23 are provided at different positions on the circumference of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 and extend along the short side direction X to bridge between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, connecting the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22.

[0113] The reel frame may not have a connecting portion, and the first and second rim portions may be formed independently, and connected via the reel tape. The reel frame may be formed from a colored synthetic resin, and when it is formed from a colored synthetic resin (e.g., a black synthetic resin), it becomes possible to form the above-mentioned index portion integrally with the reel frame.

[0114] The spokes 25 are provided at multiple different positions in the circumferential direction of either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22, connect either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22 to the hub portion 24, and transmit the rotational force of the stepping motor from the hub portion 24 to the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22. In this embodiment, the spokes 25 connect the hub portion 24 to the second rim portion 22.

[0115] The first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 each have a cylindrical end support surface 21a, 22a formed on their outer periphery, the end support surface having a predetermined width in the left-right direction (for example, about 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm) and abutting against the back surface (inner surface) of the reel tapes T1 to T3 to support the left and right ends of the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel. In this embodiment, the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 are formed such that the width of the end support surface 21a and the width of the end support surface 22a in the short direction X are substantially the same. The first rim portion and the second rim portion may be formed such that the widths of the end support surfaces are different.

[0116] Additionally, the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 have flange portions 21b, 22b that are capable of contacting the ends of the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the short direction X, outside the end support surfaces 21a, 22a in the left-right direction. The flange portions 21b, 22b are formed to have a width of, for example, about 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm in the left-right direction, and regulate the left-right positions of the reel tapes T1 to T3.

[0117] The connection portion 23 is formed with a connection support surface 23a that is continuous with the end support surfaces 21a, 22a of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 and that supports the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22. This connection support surface 23a and the above-mentioned end support surfaces 21a, 22a form a support surface FRa that supports the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel.

[0118] [Reel tape mounting structure] Next, the attachment structure of the reel tapes T1 to T3 will be described with reference to Figures 16, 17, and 18. Since the attachment structures of the reel tapes T1 to T3 are similar, the attachment structure of the reel tape T1 will be described below as an example, and details of the attachment structures of the reel tapes T2 and T3 will be omitted.

[0119] As shown in Figures 16, 17, and 18, adhesive regions are formed on the backs of both ends of the reel tape T1 in the short-side direction X, where adhesive members 65, 65 such as double-sided tape are affixed to adhere the reel tape T1 to the end support surface 21a of the first rim portion 21 and the end support surface 22a of the second rim portion 22. When the reel tape T1 is viewed from the front side, the adhesive regions include a right adhesive region within a range of distance b inward from the right end T1c in the short-side direction X of the reel tape T1, and a left adhesive region within a range of distance b inward from the left end (edge ​​on the X2 direction side) T1d in the short-side direction X of the reel tape T1. For example, the distance b is set to a distance in a range of 4 mm to 6 mm, and it is desirable that the adhesive region is formed larger in the left-right direction (short-side direction X) by about 1 mm (for example, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm) than the end support surfaces 21a, 22a.

[0120] The reel tape T1 wound (wound) around the reel frame FR1 is held in the reel frame FR1 by adhesive member 65, with the right adhesive area formed on the inner surface (back surface) adhered to the end support surface 21a and the left adhesive area formed on the inner surface adhered to the end support surface 22a.

[0121] As described above, the reel tape T1 is formed so that the length in the longitudinal direction Y is longer than the circumferential length (circumferential length) of the end support surfaces 21a, 22a, and is wound (wound) around the reel frame FR1 so that the other end (terminal end) T12 on the other side overlaps with the one end (start end) T11 on one side in the longitudinal direction Y from the outside in the radial direction of the reel. When the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, the transparent portion 63 and the pattern P6, which is the pattern (pattern No. 19) arranged on the furthest other side in the longitudinal direction Y, overlap in the radial direction of the reel. In other words, when the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, the outer surface (front surface, outer circumferential surface) of the transparent portion 63 is covered by the other end T12 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0122] In addition, in a state where the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, the other end T12, which is the end on the other side in the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tape T1, and the one end T11, which is the end on one side, are adhered to each other by an adhesive member 66 such as a double-sided tape. This adhesive member 66 extends inward from the other end T1b along the short direction X within a range of a distance c. The adhesive member 66 enables the reel tape T1 to maintain a state in which the back surface of the other end T12 and the front surface of the one end T11 are in close contact with each other. Note that the distance c is set to a distance in the range of 8 mm to 12 mm, for example. In addition, the adhesive members 65 and 66 are preferably made of a double-sided tape or the like made of a material that is, for example, white, milky white, transparent, or the like, through which light from the reel backlight BL can easily pass, but may be made of an adhesive or the like applied to the back surface of the reel tape T1.

[0123] [Reel tape details] As shown in Figure 16, the reel tape T1 (as well as the reel tape T2 and reel tape T3) is wound around the support surface FRa of the reel frame FR1 (reel frame FR2, reel frame FR3) so that one end T11 on the Y1 side in the longitudinal direction Y overlaps with the other end T12 on the Y2 side in the longitudinal direction Y from the outside, forming a cylindrical (endless) shape.

[0124] FIG. 17 is a view of the reel tape T1 as viewed from its front side (the outer peripheral side when wound around the reel frame FR1 (see FIG. 16)). As shown in FIG. 17, the multiple designs arranged on the reel tapes T1 to T3 are composed of numbers, character strings, fruits, characters, etc., designed specifically for each model, or combinations of these. These multiple designs include, for example, a design P1 (design "red 7"), a design P2 (design "blue 7"), a design P3 (design "BAR"), a design P4 (design "cherry"), a design P5 (design "watermelon"), a design P6 (design "bell"), a design P7 (design "replay"), a design P8A (design "blank A"), a design P8B (design "blank B"), etc. Although the actual design P4 (design "cherry") has the shape shown in FIG. 19, the design P4 (design "cherry") in FIG. 17 and the like is shown in a simplified manner for the sake of convenience of explanation.

[0125] Pattern P1 (symbol "red 7"), pattern P2 (symbol "blue 7"), and pattern P3 (symbol "BAR") are formed to be at least as wide in the short direction X as the other symbols, making them highly visible, and are symbols that can be displayed on the pay line or within the display window DW when the stop button is operated at a predetermined timing depending on the result of an internal lottery, etc., and are symbols for forming a pattern combination that will trigger a transition to a state advantageous to the player, such as a bonus state or an AT state (assist state).

[0126] The specific symbols P4 (the symbol "cherry") and P5 (the symbol "watermelon") are symbols that can be displayed on the pay line or in the display window DW when the stop button is stopped at a predetermined timing depending on the result of the internal lottery, etc., and are symbols that form a symbol combination of a chance role (a so-called rare role) that will trigger a lottery advantageous to the player, or a symbol combination that will trigger a special benefit to the player.

[0127] The symbols P6 (symbol "bell") and P7 (symbol "replay") can be displayed on the winning line or in the display window DW regardless of when the stop button is pressed depending on the results of the internal lottery, etc., and are used to form a symbol combination for a minor win or replay if a win is won.

[0128] The symbols P8A (symbol "blank A") and P8B (symbol "blank B") are symbols that can be displayed on the pay line or in the display window DW when the stop button is operated at a predetermined timing according to the result of the internal lottery, and even if they are aligned in a straight line on the pay line or in the display window DW, they are symbols for forming a losing combination, etc., and do not constitute a winning combination. In addition, when the symbols P8A (symbol "blank A") and P8B (symbol "blank B") are stopped in a straight line or in a predetermined shape (such as a mountain shape or L-shape), they are used as symbols that do not win a prize depending on the machine, but can be used as a chance role to trigger a lottery that is advantageous to the player, or to notify the player that a situation is advantageous to the player. In addition, the symbols P8A (symbol "blank A") and P8B (symbol "blank B") may be used as a special small role (such as a 1-piece role) in a symbol combination combined with other symbols.

[0129] Each of the above-mentioned patterns P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, and P7 has an edge P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, P6a, and P7a that form the edge (contour) of the outer shape of the pattern by printing paint as described later in detail, and a colored portion P1b, P2b, P3b, P4b, P5b, P6b, and P7b that are colored inside the edge P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, P6a, and P7a. The colored portion P4b of the pattern P4 (pattern "cherry") will be described later in detail.

[0130] In addition, when viewed from the radial direction, the above-mentioned patterns P1, P2, and P3 are arranged such that edge portions P1a, P2a, and P3a partially overlap the first rim portion 21, the second rim portion 22, and the adhesive members 65, 65 in the short side direction X, and colored portions P1b, P2b, and P3b do not overlap either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22. This makes the patterns P1, P2, and P3 appear larger in the short side direction X without the light from the reel backlight BL transmitting through colored portions P1b, P2b, and P3b being blocked by the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22.

[0131] Meanwhile, each of the above-mentioned patterns P8A and P8B has an edge portion P8Aa and an edge portion P8Ba that form the edge of the outer shape of the pattern, and a pattern portion P8Ab and a pattern portion P8Bb that form a pattern inside the edge portion P8Aa and the edge portion P8Ba. Note that the edge portion P8Aa and the edge portion P8Ba and the pattern portion P8Ab and the pattern portion P8Bb of the patterns P8A and P8B are drawn by lines, and the other parts are printed with a background forming layer 61 that forms a background portion H described later in detail inside the patterns, that is, the color is the same as the background portion H of the patterns P8A and P8B.

[0132] The reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1 (i.e., the other end T12 overlaps the transparent portion 63), and in each of the 20 imaginary regions that are obtained by dividing the longitudinal direction Y into 20 equal parts, any one of the patterns P1 to P8B is arranged. The numbers on the left side of the reel tape T1 shown in Fig. 17 indicate the pattern number, and the side closest to the one end T11 is pattern 0, and from there, in the Y2 direction, any one of the patterns P1 to P8B is arranged in the order shown in Fig. 17 as patterns 2, 3, ..., 19. Note that in the reel tape T2 and reel tape T3, any one of the patterns P1 to P8B is similarly arranged in the imaginary regions as patterns 0 to 19 in an arrangement different from that of the reel tape T1 shown in Fig. 17.

[0133] In addition, in this embodiment, the patterns arranged in each virtual area are arranged so that the center of the virtual area where the center line of the virtual area in the X direction (width direction) and the center line of the virtual area in the Y direction (circumferential direction) intersect with the center line of the virtual area in the X direction (width direction) and the center line of the virtual area in the Y direction (circumferential direction) coincide with the center of the virtual area. However, this is not limited to this, and the center of the pattern may be arranged to be shifted from the center of the virtual area depending on the shape and arrangement of the pattern. In this embodiment, the adhesive member 66 is arranged so that the adhesive member 66 overlaps the edge portion 6a of the pattern P6 and does not overlap the colored portion P6b, so that the colored portion P6b does not become dark and is configured to be beautiful and easy to see as the pattern P6. For example, when the height distance of the pattern P6 in the Y direction (circumferential direction) is even greater, the center of the pattern can be shifted in the Y1 direction relative to the center of the virtual area, thereby preventing the shadow of the adhesive material 66 from making the colored portion P6b of the pattern P6 difficult to see.

[0134] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 17. Reel tapes T1 to T3 differ in the arrangement of patterns (type of pattern, number of specific patterns, order of patterns, etc.) and identification markings 70 for identifying them, but other configurations are similar, so the following description will be given taking reel tape T1 as an example, and descriptions of the configurations of reel tape T2 and reel tape T3 that are similar to reel tape T1 will be omitted.

[0135] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the reel tape T1 is constructed by laminating printing layers that are silk-screened with multiple types of paint or the like having different colors and transparencies on the back surface of a substrate 60 made of transparent synthetic resin. For example, from the side closest to the back surface of the substrate 60, a pattern forming layer (pattern portion) 67 that forms multiple patterns, a background forming layer 61 that forms a background portion H that is an area extending around the patterns when viewed from the front side, and a diffusion layer 64 for diffusing light from the reel backlight BL are layered on top of each other, and each layer is formed by screen printing or the like.

[0136] The background forming layer 61 includes a first background forming layer (background portion) 61A printed on a side closer to the back surface of the base material 60, and a second background forming layer 61B printed on the opposite side of the base material 60 with the first background forming layer 61A sandwiched therebetween. A transparent portion 63 is formed at one end T11 on one side (Y1 direction side, the lower side shown in FIG. 17) in the longitudinal direction Y of the reel tape T1, where none of the pattern forming layer 67, the background forming layer 61, and the diffusion layer 64 are formed. The transparent portion 63 (one end T11) is arranged so as to be overlapped and hidden by the other end T12 when the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR1, in other words, is formed so as to be connected at least once around the background portion H.

[0137] The pattern forming layer 67, as will be described in detail later, is formed by layering paints of multiple colors or transparent paints, etc., and forms the shapes (designs) of the patterns when viewed from the surface of the reel tape T1. The pattern forming layer 67 is printed in a single color or multiple colors in the order of a black paint (K: key plate) layer (edge ​​portion described later), a blue paint (C: cyan) layer (blue portion), a red paint (M: magenta) layer (red portion), a yellow paint (Y: yellow) layer (yellow portion), and a transparent paint layer, in order from the side closer to the back surface of the base material 60 to the four primary colors of the printed matter, roughly from low brightness to high brightness. In particular, in this embodiment, at least six colors of paint are printed in layers in order, including a light blue paint (paint with a high cyan content) which is a type of blue paint between the blue paint and the red paint, and a pink paint (paint with a high magenta content) which is a type of red paint between the red paint and the yellow paint. As described later, the background forming layer 61, which is a white paint layer (white portion), is printed after these pattern forming layers 67.

[0138] In this embodiment, the pattern forming layer 67 is described as having a layer of light blue paint and a layer of pink paint as intermediate colors to improve the design of the pattern, but it may be formed without these and only with layers of the four primary colors of the printed matter, or may further include layers of other intermediate colors. In the following description of this embodiment, the light blue paint layer is treated as a type of blue paint and is also treated as a blue part, and the pink paint layer is treated as a type of red paint and is also treated as a red part.

[0139] In addition, the color of each part, which will be described in detail later, refers to the color that has the highest proportion of paint of that color, and refers to a color that can be recognized as that color using common sense. Specifically, for example, the color of the blue part refers to the color that has the highest proportion of blue-based paint among the four primary colors of the printed matter, and refers to a color that can be recognized as blue using common sense. For example, cyan is a light blue with a slight greenish tint, a blue-green color close to light blue, etc., and is a cool color that is blue using common sense.

[0140] The pattern forming layer 67 formed in this manner by printing each color paint in layers is formed by overlapping an edge forming layer 67a which forms the edge of the pattern (P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, P6a, P7a, P8Aa, P8Ba), a color forming layer 67b which forms a colored portion in at least a part of the inner region of the edge, and a light-transmitting forming layer 67c which, depending on the pattern, forms a portion which is colored in at least a part of the inner region of the edge and which is easily light-transmitting.

[0141] The edges (P1a, P2a, P3a, P4a, P5a, P6a, P7a, P8Aa, P8Ba) form the outer shape (contour) of the pattern. The edge forming layer 67a is formed in black with the above-mentioned black-based paint, and is formed so that light (visible light) from the reel backlight BL is less likely to pass through, that is, so that the brightness is low. Note that the edge forming layer 67a only needs to form at least the edge of the pattern, and a part of the internal region of the edge may be formed with the same paint or the like as the paint that forms the edge. In addition, the edge forming layer 67a is not limited to being formed with the same paint or the like between each pattern, and may be formed with different paints between each pattern. In addition, the edge of this embodiment is described as being formed in black with a black-based paint, but may be dark gray, dark navy blue, or the like.

[0142] The color forming layer 67b is formed by, for example, the above-mentioned blue, light blue, red, pink, yellow, etc. paints that are colored to have higher saturation and brightness than the border forming layer 67a (black) and to be easily transmitted by light. In FIG. 18, the color forming layer 67b is a single layer because it shows the red part of the pattern P1 (pattern "Red 7"), but it is not limited to this, and as will be described later in detail, the paint forming the color forming layer 67b may be made of paints of multiple colors different for each pattern, that is, color forming layers of multiple colors may be formed by overlapping them. Details of the color forming layer 67b will be described later.

[0143] The light-transmitting layer 67c is formed by a paint that is colored to have a higher saturation and brightness than the colored layer 67b and to allow light to easily pass through. The paint forming the light-transmitting layer 67c is a paint of a plurality of colors that differ for each design, and may be a paint of a color with a higher saturation and brightness than the colored layer 67b, or a paint mixed with a transparent paint, in which a colored layer and a transparent layer are layered, or a plurality of transparent layers are layered.

[0144] The first background forming layer 61A of the background forming layer 61 is formed in white with a paint that is more transparent to light from the reel backlight BL and has higher saturation and brightness than the border forming layer 67a and the color forming layer 67b, for example, a white paint. The first background forming layer 61A is formed around each pattern in the region from the end 61Aa (the other end (the edge in the Y2 direction) of the transparent portion 63) of the first background forming layer 61A in the longitudinal direction Y to the other end (the edge in the Y2 direction) T1b of the reel tape T1 so as to overlap with the border forming layer of each pattern and not overlap with the color forming layer and the translucent forming layer, that is, it is formed on almost the entire surface except for the transparent portion 63 and each pattern.

[0145] The second background forming layer 61B of the background forming layer 61 is formed as a so-called backing layer (backing portion) printed on the opposite side of the base material 60 with the first background forming layer 61A interposed therebetween, and is formed in white with the same paint as the first background forming layer 61A. The second background forming layer 61B is formed around the light-transmitting portion of each pattern so as to overlap the border forming layer 67a and the color forming layer 67b of each pattern and not overlap the light-transmitting forming layer 67c in the region from the end 61Ba (the other end (the edge in the Y2 direction) of the transparent portion 63, which is the same position as the end 61Aa of the first background forming layer 61A) of the second background forming layer 61B in the longitudinal direction Y to the other end (the edge in the Y2 direction) T1b of the reel tape T1, that is, the second background forming layer 61B is formed on substantially the entire surface except for the light-transmitting portion. In this way, since the second background forming layer 61B is backed on the back of the first background forming layer 61A, even if air bubbles are generated during the silk printing of the first background forming layer 61A and the air bubbles are crushed to form gaps such as pinholes, the gaps are blocked by the second background forming layer 61B, and it is possible to prevent the light of the reel backlight BL from leaking out. Also, since the first background forming layer 61A is formed up to a range where it overlaps with the border forming layer 67a of each pattern, and the second background forming layer 61B is formed so as to overlap with the border forming layer 67a and the color forming layer 67b, the end of the first background forming layer 61A is formed on the border forming layer 67a of each pattern, but the end is covered by the second background forming layer 61B, so that the unevenness on the back surface can be reduced compared to the case where the printing areas of the first background forming layer 61A and the second background forming layer 61B are reversed.

[0146] The diffusion layer 64 is what is called a shrinkage, and in this embodiment, it is formed so as to cover the area where the pattern forming layer 67 is formed in the pattern P1 (pattern "red 7") and pattern P2 (pattern "blue 7") from the back side, that is, to the area outside the edge of each pattern. The diffusion layer 64 is formed by, for example, applying a thick layer of ultraviolet-curing transparent paint and curing and shrinking the paint by irradiating ultraviolet rays, thereby forming fine irregularities on the back side. As a result, when light from the reel backlight BL passes through the area where the diffusion layer 64 is formed, the light can be diffused by irregularly refracting and reflecting it, and the light of the LED 315 (see FIG. 4) that transmits through the transparent and colored parts of the pattern is diffused, and for example, the light of the LED 315, which has a high linearity, is concentrated and so-called point light is generated, which suppresses poor appearance.

[0147] In this embodiment, the diffusion layer 64 is formed to cover the entire pattern from the back side, even outside the edges of each pattern. However, this is not limited to this. As long as the diffusion layer 64 is arranged to cover at least the translucent parts of each pattern, the light passing through the translucent parts can be diffused, and the light from the LEDs 315 of the reel backlight BL can be prevented from becoming spot light.

[0148] [Details of the colored part of the cherry design] Next, the coloring of each part in the colored portion P4b of the cherry design P4 and the trapping process in the shiny part will be described with reference to Fig. 19 and Fig. 20. Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining the colors of each part of the cherry design according to this embodiment, and Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a cross section of a reel tape, where (a) is a cross section taken along the line BB in Fig. 19, and (b) is a cross section taken along the line CC in Fig. 19.

[0149] As shown in Fig. 19, in the pattern P4, which is a cherry pattern, a branch part CHeda representing a branch in brown, a leaf part CHha representing a leaf in green, and three real parts CHmi representing three fruits in red are formed as a plurality of colored parts P4b inside an edge part P4a formed in black, and the edge part P4a forms the outer edge of each of the branch part CHeda, the leaf part CHha, and the real part CHmi and divides them. In addition, inside the leaf part CHha, a leaf vein part CHhamya representing a leaf vein is formed in black, and inside the real part CHmi, a shadow part CHkage representing a shadow is formed in reddish black. Then, the branch part CHeda has a shiny part CHteka1 representing a so-called shine, the leaf part CHha has a shiny part CHteka2 representing a shine, and the two real parts CHmi have shiny parts CHteka3A and CHteka3B representing a shine, respectively.

[0150] The branch portion CHeda is printed as a colored layer 67b on the base material 60 as a layer of pink paint (a type of red portion) so that the area excluding the shiny portion CHteka1 is visible as brown, and then a layer of yellow paint (yellow portion) is printed on the back side of the layer of pink paint (yellow portion), and further, in the area of ​​the shiny portion CHteka1, for example, a layer of white paint (white portion) formed together with the background portion H is printed so as to be overlaid after the yellow paint layer. In other words, the shiny portion CHteka1 is formed so that the layer of white paint is exposed while adjacent to the branch portion CHeda and visible as white. When printing the branch portion CHeda in this way, a layer of pink paint and a layer of yellow paint are printed separately, but since thousands to tens of thousands of copies are printed depending on the number of units to be shipped, there is a risk of errors in the position of the printing.For example, if the pink paint seeps into the inside of the shiny portion CHteka1, not only will it detract from the design, but it may also be mistaken for a different pattern compared to the correctly printed cherry pattern.

[0151] Therefore, in this embodiment, a region where a yellow layer is printed (yellow region) is set so that at least a part of the layer of yellow paint, which is lighter, brighter, and closer to white than pink, seeps into the region of the edge Fuch1 corresponding to the outer edge of the shiny part CHteka1, that is, the trapping process is set so that the region of the yellow layer is larger than the region of the pink layer by the amount corresponding to the region of the edge Fuch1. In other words, the yellow region is formed so as to be sandwiched between the white region in the shiny part CHteka1, which is white, and the brown region in the branch part CHeda, which is brown. This allows yellow, which is less noticeable than pink, to seep into the shiny part CHteka1, and even if the printing of the pink paint layer and the yellow paint layer is misaligned, it is possible to prevent the pink color from seeping into the shiny part CHteka1, and to prevent misrecognition of the pattern.

[0152] Similarly, in the leaf part CHha, a layer of light blue paint (blue part) 67bC is printed on the base material 60 as a color formation layer 67b so that the area (green area) excluding the shiny part CHteka2 is visible as green, as shown in Fig. 20(a), and then a layer of yellow paint (yellow part) 67bY is printed on the back side so as to be overlaid, and further, in the shiny part CHteka2 area, for example, a layer of white paint (white part) 61 formed together with the background part H is printed so as to be overlaid after the yellow paint layer. In other words, the shiny part CHteka2 is formed so as to be visible as white by exposing the white paint layer while adjacent to the leaf part CHha. In this embodiment, the area where the yellow paint layer (yellow part) 67bY is printed is set so that at least a part of the yellow paint layer 67bY, which is lighter, brighter, and closer to white than light blue, seeps into the area of ​​the edge Fuch2 corresponding to the outer edge of the shiny part CHteka2, that is, the trapping process is set so that the area of ​​the yellow paint layer 67bY is larger than the area where the light blue paint layer 67bC is printed by an amount corresponding to the edge Fuch2. In other words, the yellow area is formed so as to be sandwiched between the white area in the shiny part CHteka2, which is white, and the green area in the leaf part CHha, which is green. This allows yellow, which is less noticeable than light blue, to seep into the shiny part CHteka2, and even if the printing of the light blue paint layer and the yellow paint layer is misaligned, it is possible to prevent the light blue from seeping into the shiny part CHteka2, and to prevent misrecognition of the pattern.

[0153] As shown in Fig. 20(a), the width d of the edge Fuch2, which is set so that the yellow paint layer 67bY extends beyond the light blue paint layer 67bC, i.e., the width d of the yellow region, is set to, for example, 1 mm in design in this embodiment. The width d of the edge Fuch2 is set to a width narrower than the narrowest width (for example, 2 mm) of the edge P4a (see Fig. 19) so as to be inconspicuous.

[0154] Similarly, in the above-mentioned real part CHmi, as shown in FIG. 20(b), a layer of black paint (black part) 67bK is printed on the base material 60 as a color forming layer 67b with dots in which the non-printed area is 30% and the printed area is 70%, and then a layer of red paint (red part) 67bM is printed on the back side so that it is superimposed, so that the area excluding the shiny part CHteka3A and the shiny part CHteka3B is visible as red, and the area of ​​the shadow part CHkage (black-red area) is visible as black-red, and then a layer of red paint (red part) 67bM is printed on the back side so that it is superimposed, and further, in the area of ​​the shiny part CHteka3A and the shiny part CHteka3B, for example, a layer of white paint (white part) 61 formed together with the background part H is printed after the layer of red paint 67bM. In other words, the shiny part CHteka3A and the shiny part CHteka3B are formed so that the layer of white paint is exposed while adjacent to the shadow part CHkage and can be viewed as white. In this embodiment, the area where the red paint layer 67bM is printed (red area) is set so that at least a part of the red paint layer 67bM, which is lighter, brighter, and closer to white than black, seeps into the area of ​​the edges Fuch3A and Fuch3B corresponding to the outer edges of the shiny parts CHteka3A and CHteka3B, that is, the trapping process is set so that the area of ​​the red paint layer is larger than the area where the black (70%) paint layer is printed by the amount corresponding to the edges Fuch3A and Fuch3B. In other words, the red area is formed so as to be sandwiched between the white area in the shiny part CHteka3A that is white and the black-red area in the shadow part CHkage that is black-red. This solid part CHmi is originally formed in red, but it is possible to prevent black (70%) from seeping into the shiny part CHteka3A, especially in areas where the shiny part CHteka3A and the shadow part CHkage are close to each other (the boundary between the shiny part CHteka3A and the shadow part CHkage), thereby preventing misrecognition of the pattern.

[0155] As shown in Fig. 20(b), the width d of the edge Fuch3A, which is set so that the red paint layer 67bM extends beyond the black paint layer 67bK, i.e., the width d of the red region, is also set to, for example, 1 mm in design in this embodiment. Similarly, the width d of this edge Fuch3A is set to a width narrower than the narrowest width (for example, 2 mm) of the edge P4a (see Fig. 19) so as to be inconspicuous.

[0156] In the above-mentioned cherry pattern P4, the yellow is set to seep into the shiny part in the combination of yellow and pink (brown), the yellow is set to seep into the shiny part in the combination of yellow and light blue (green), and the red is set to seep into the shiny part in the combination of red and black (black-red), but this is not limited to the above. For example, a trapping process may be performed so that the yellow (yellow part) seeps into the shiny part in the combination of yellow (yellow part) and blue (blue part) (visible as green or dark green), the yellow (yellow part) seeps into the shiny part in the combination of yellow (yellow part) and red (red part) (visible as orange (orange area)) when used for a pattern representing vegetables or fruits, and the light blue seeps into the shiny part in the combination of light blue and dark blue (visible as light blue) when used for a replay pattern or plum pattern.

[0157] In addition, in the case of pattern P4, which is the cherry design described above, the yellow and red regions are formed as the edges of each shiny portion, sandwiched between the outer circumferential region and the white region, but depending on the design, the yellow and red regions do not necessarily form only the edges of the shiny portions; in other words, at least a part of the yellow region may be sandwiched between the green or brown region and the white region, or at least a part of the red region may be sandwiched between the black-red region and the white region, etc.

[0158] Further, the above-mentioned shiny portions CHteka1 to CHteka3B are described as being printed with white paint as the colored formation layer 67b, but they may be printed in white by the first background formation layer 61A or the second background formation layer 61B.

[0159] [Positional relationship between the shining part and the backlight LED] Next, the positional relationship between the shining portion and the LEDs 315 of the reel backlight BL will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the cherry symbol and the LEDs of the backlight when, for example, the cherry symbol is viewed by an average player. Note that the state shown in Fig. 21 may deviate slightly depending on the player's height (sitting height) and errors in the reel stop positions, but it is an example that shows that such a state may occur with a certain probability. Also, the hyphens "-11" to "-23" in the symbols of each LED 315 are used to distinguish the positions, and when there is no need to distinguish them, they are simply called LEDs 315.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 4, on the backlight substrate 316 of the reel backlight BL, a total of six LEDs 315 are arranged in three columns and two rows so that they are exposed from each opening of the reflector RL. For example, when reel R1 (as well as reel R2 and reel R3) is stopped, the six LEDs 315 are arranged so that they illuminate one pattern on the reel tape T1 (as well as reel tape T2 and reel tape T3) relative to the opening of the reflector RL, that is, illuminate one pattern with the optical axis of the LEDs 315 as the central axis.

[0161] As shown in Fig. 21, when the reel R1 (reel tape T1) is stopped, six LEDs 315-11, 315-12, 315-13, 315-21, 315-22, and 315-23 may be located on the back side of the pattern P4, which is a cherry pattern. In this state, the LED 315-12 overlaps with a part of the shiny part CHteka2 described above, so that the shiny part CHteka2 and the edge Fuch2 are illuminated by the light passing through the central axis of the LED 315-12. For this reason, although the yellow paint has seeped into the edge Fuch2 part of the shiny part CHteka2 described above, it is brightly irradiated by the light passing through the central axis of the LED 315-12, so that the yellow of the edge Fuch2 becomes brighter than the green of the leaf part CHha, and the brightness approaches the white of the shiny part CHteka2, making it less noticeable, thereby preventing misidentification of the pattern.

[0162] In addition, when the reel R1 (reel tape T1) is rotating, the LEDs 315-11 and 315-21 in the same row as the pattern P4 move relative to each other so as to pass through the virtual line LED-L1 shown virtually in Fig. 21, the LEDs 315-12 and 315-22 in the same row move relative to each other so as to pass through the virtual line LED-L2, and the LEDs 315-13 and 315-23 in the same row move relative to each other so as to pass through the virtual line LED-L3. Of these, the virtual line LED-L1 overlaps the shining portion CHteka3B, and the virtual line LED-L2 overlaps the shining portion CHteka2. In other words, the shining portion CHteka3B is arranged at a position overlapping the LED315-11 and LED315-21 (at least one of the multiple LEDs) in the short side direction X (width direction), and the shining portion CHteka2 is arranged at a position overlapping the LED315-12 and LED315-22 (at least one of the multiple LEDs) in the short side direction X (width direction). Therefore, when the reel R1 (reel tape T1) is rotating, the shining portion CHteka3B is illuminated by light passing through the central axes of the LED315-11 and LED315-21, and the shining portion CHteka2 is illuminated by light passing through the central axes of the LED315-12 and LED315-22.

[0163] For this reason, when the reel R1 (reel tape T1) is rotating, red paint seeps into the edge Fuch3B of the shiny part CHteka3B in the area close to the shadow part CHkage, but it is irradiated brightly by the light passing through the central axis of LED315-11 and LED315-21, making the red of the edge Fuch3B brighter than the black of the shadow part CHkage, and the brightness approaches the white of the shiny part CHteka3B, making it less noticeable. Similarly, when the reel R1 (reel tape T1) is rotating, yellow paint seeps into the edge Fuch2 of the shiny part CHteka2, but it is irradiated brightly by the light of LED315-12 and LED315-22, making the yellow of the edge Fuch brighter than the green of the leaf part CHha, making it less noticeable.

[0164] In the explanation using Figure 21, reel R1 (reel tape T1) is described as being in a rotating state, but depending on the position where reel R1 (reel tape T1) stops and the player's line of sight, it is possible that LED315-11, for example, overlaps with shiny portion CHteka1 or shiny portion CHteka3B, and even in such a case, the effect of making edge Fuch1 or edge Fuch3B less noticeable is the same.

[0165] [Variations of reel tape] In the present embodiment described above, the background portion H is described as having a background color formed by the white paint of the first background forming layer 61A, but the present invention is not limited to this and may have a background color of any color, and in particular, a white-based background color is preferable, and may also have a background color containing, for example, a luster pigment.

[0166] In addition, in this embodiment, a white shiny portion is formed in the pattern, but this is not limited to this, and it may be configured as a so-called highlight area such as one that represents the light and dark of an object, or one that represents water droplets, etc. Furthermore, the color of such a highlight area is not limited to white, and can be any color as long as it is brighter than the color of the surrounding area.

[0167] In addition, in this embodiment, the edges of each pattern are described as being formed with paint of low brightness (paint of black, dark gray, navy blue, etc.), but it is preferable to use paint of a similar color for each pattern. Note that similar colors include not only the same color, but also similar colors, such as magenta for red, cyan for blue, gray for black, etc. Specifically, similar colors are colors that have a small color difference (ΔE * ab) is a color with a small color difference, preferably less than 10, more preferably less than 5.0. * ab is ΔE * ab = √((ΔL * ) 2 +(Δa * ) 2 +(Δb * )2 ) and the higher the value, the greater the difference in color when viewed with the naked eye.

[0168] In addition, in this embodiment, the symbol design P3 (design "BAR") is described as having no light-transmitting portion, but this is not limiting, and the design P3 (design "BAR"), design P4 (design "cherry"), design P6 (design "bell"), etc. may have light-transmitting portions. In this case, it is preferable that the design having the light-transmitting portion also has a diffusion layer 64.

[0169] In addition, in this embodiment, the color forming layer 67b is described as a single layer of paint of various colors that forms the colored portion inside the pattern, or multiple layers of mixed colors, but the present invention is not limited to this and may also be one that expresses shades using dots, etc.

[0170] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has been described as a so-called full-screen liquid crystal machine equipped with the display device 330, which is a liquid crystal display, so as to cover the display window DW, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the display device 330 may be disposed in a location other than the display window DW. Even in this case, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be brightened by making the illumination of the reel backlight BL easily transmittable by including a transparent paint in the background portion H of the reel tape T1 to the reel tape T3, and the appearance can be improved by making the patterns easier to see.

[0171] [Medal guide passage structure] As shown in Fig. 1, a medal receiving tray MP and a medal payout outlet MO are provided below the front door FD. Also, as shown in Fig. 22(a), a cancel chute 40 is provided behind the medal receiving tray MP. Although not shown, a hopper unit 320 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is disposed behind (on the back side of) the cancel chute 40.

[0172] FIG. 22(b) is a diagram showing the state in which the medal receiving tray MP and the cancel chute 40 are separated. The medal receiving tray MP is formed in a substantially square (substantially rectangular) dish that is long in the left-right direction. The medal receiving tray MP mainly comprises a bottom part MP1, an edge part (wall part) MP2 that is formed (standing up) so as to surround the bottom part MP1, and a medal payout outlet MO that is formed in the rear edge part MP2. Note that in this embodiment, the medal receiving tray MP has a concave storage part MP3 that can store medals and the like, but the storage part MP3 does not have to be provided. In other words, the storage part MP3 may not be provided and the bottom part MP1 may be larger.

[0173] The edge part MP2 has the function of preventing medals paid out from the medal payout outlet MO from spilling out of the medal tray MP. The edge part MP2 is made up of a front edge part (front wall part MP2a) provided on the front side of the bottom part MP1, a right edge part provided on the right side of the bottom part MP1, a left edge part provided on the left side of the bottom part MP1, and a rear edge part provided on the rear side of the bottom part MP1. In this embodiment, the height of the front edge part (height from the bottom part MP1) is the lowest, but this height is a dimension equal to or greater than the diameter of the medal.

[0174] The cancel chute 40 is formed to have a space on the inside (interior), allowing medals to pass (be guided) inside. The cancel chute 40 functions as a medal passage (guide passage) that guides medals that have entered the interior to the medal tray MP. In this embodiment, the cancel chute 40 may be referred to as a "medal passage." The cancel chute 40 has multiple openings (described later). In other words, the cancel chute 40 has an entrance section and an exit section for medals. In this embodiment, the cancel chute 40 is composed of two members, a first member (front member) and a second member (rear member) combined from the front and rear, but is not limited to this and may be composed of one member, or may be composed of two or more members.

[0175] The medal passage (i.e., the cancel chute 40) is required to be formed so that medals can flow (pass) smoothly in order to prevent medal clogging within the passage. However, if the medal passage is shaped in such a way that the smooth flow of medals is given too much priority in order to prevent medal clogging, a problem occurs in that it becomes easier to commit fraud against the hopper unit 320 located at the rear (deterioration of anti-fraud performance). Furthermore, if the medal passage is shaped in a complex manner in order to improve anti-fraud performance, it becomes difficult to achieve the smooth flow of medals, and furthermore, the complex shape creates a problem in that it impedes the installation (placement) of other components on the front door FD (reducing the installation space for other components).

[0176] In this embodiment, we will describe a shape of a medal passage that can achieve a good balance between allowing the medals to flow smoothly, improving anti-fraud performance, and preventing interference with the installation of other components.

[0177] (Second opening 4002) As shown in FIG. 22(b), a second opening 4002 (receiving tray side opening) that opens in the front-rear direction is provided at the lower front side of the cancel chute 40. FIG. 23(a) is a view of the cancel chute 40 as viewed from the front side. The second opening 4002 has a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 22(a), the second opening 4002 contacts the medal payout outlet MO of the medal receiving tray MP. Note that contact includes being close to the medal payout outlet MO and being in contact with the medal payout outlet MO. The second opening 4002 is provided at a position corresponding to (facing) the medal payout outlet MO. It can also be said that the second opening 4002 and the medal payout outlet MO are formed to overlap in the front-rear direction. The second opening 4002 is an outlet for medals from the cancel chute 40.

[0178] The cancel chute 40 is located between the medal receiving tray MP and the hopper unit 320 (Figure 3) in the front-to-rear direction, and is capable of guiding medals sent out from the hopper unit 320 to the medal receiving tray MP (details will be described later).

[0179] FIG. 24 is a view of the hopper unit 320 as seen from the front side. A medal payout outlet 321 (payout section, launch port section) is provided on the front side (front surface side) of the hopper unit 320. The medal payout outlet 321 is formed to allow medals to pass through, and medals are sent out (launched) from the medal payout outlet 321 when, for example, a small winning combination is achieved or when the settlement button BS is pressed with credited medals present. The opening of the medal payout outlet 321 is substantially rectangular, and is diagonally downward to the right when viewed from the front.

[0180] A peripheral wall 322 is provided around the medal payout outlet 321. The peripheral wall 322 is a portion (wall portion) of a predetermined range around the medal payout outlet 321 on the front surface of the hopper unit 320. The predetermined range is at least a range that includes a range facing a first opening 4001 (opening area of ​​the first opening 4001) described next (for example, the range inside the dashed line W in FIG. 24). The peripheral wall 322 is a surface that is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0181] (First opening 4001) FIG. 23(b) is a view of the cancel chute 40 as seen from the rear side (back side). A first opening 4001 (hopper side opening) that opens in the front-rear direction is provided on the rear side of the cancel chute 40. The first opening 4001 is substantially rectangular and slopes downward to the left when viewed from the rear (downward to the right when viewed from the front). When the front door FD is closed, the first opening 4001 contacts the medal payout outlet 321 of the hopper unit 320. Note that contact includes being close to and being in contact with each other.

[0182] With the front door FD closed, the first opening 4001 and the medal payout outlet 321 face each other. The opening size of the first opening 4001 is larger than (the opening of) the medal payout outlet 321. The first opening 4001 is provided at a position corresponding to (facing) the medal payout outlet 321. It can also be said that the first opening 4001 and the medal payout outlet 321 are formed to overlap in the front-to-rear direction. The first opening 4001 serves as an entrance (first entrance) for medals to the cancel chute 40.

[0183] Figure 25 is a view of the front door FD (lower door) as seen from the rear side. Below the medal insertion port MI (see Figure 1) in the front door FD, a medal selector (selector) 200 is provided. The medal selector 200 is provided above the cancel chute 40. The medal selector 200 has the function of selecting medals inserted through the medal insertion port MI. For example, if the inserted medal is not a genuine medal or if the timing of inserting the medal is not appropriate, the medal selector 200 guides the inserted medal downward to the cancel chute 40 (drops the medal toward the cancel chute 40 downward).

[0184] (Third opening 4003) FIG. 26(a) is a view of the cancel chute 40 as seen from above. A third opening 4003 (selector side opening) is provided on the upper side (upper right side) of the cancel chute 40. The third opening 4003 is open in the vertical direction. The third opening 4003 is in contact with the lower end of the medal selector 200. Note that "in contact" includes being close to the medal and being in contact with the medal. The third opening 4003 is approximately rectangular in shape. The third opening 4003 serves as an entrance (second entrance) for medals into the cancel chute 40.

[0185] (Positional relationship of each opening) FIG. 26(b) is a view of the cancel chute 40 as seen from the left side (left side view). The first opening 4001 and the second opening 4002 are provided at different heights (shifted heights) in the vertical direction. The first opening 4001 is provided above the second opening 4002. The third opening 4003 and the second opening 4002 are provided at different heights in the vertical direction. The third opening 4003 is provided above the second opening 4002. The first opening 4001 and the third opening 4003 are provided at different heights in the vertical direction. The third opening 4003 is provided above the first opening 4001.

[0186] A medal released from the medal payout outlet 321 of the hopper unit 320 enters the interior of the cancel chute 40 (medal passage) through the first opening 4001. The cancel chute 40 then leads (guides) the medal that has entered the interior from the first opening 4001 forward. The medal that has entered the interior of the cancel chute 40 from the first opening 4001 passes through (flows down, slides) the interior of the cancel chute 40 and exits the cancel chute 40 from the second opening 4002.

[0187] Furthermore, the medals sent out from the medal selector 200 (that have passed through the medal selector 200) enter the interior of the cancel chute 40 via the third opening 4003. The cancel chute 40 then leads (guides) the medals that have entered the interior through the third opening 4003 downward. The medals that have entered the interior of the cancel chute 40 from the third opening 4003 pass through the interior of the cancel chute 40 and exit the cancel chute 40 from the second opening 4002.

[0188] FIG. 27(a) is a view of the cancel chute 40 as seen from the front, with the members constituting the front side of the cancel chute 40 seen through (transparent). The first opening 4001 and the second opening 4002 are provided at different positions (displaced positions) in the left-right direction. The first opening 4001 is provided to the left of the second opening 4002. The third opening 4003 and the second opening 4002 are provided at different positions (displaced positions) in the left-right direction. The third opening 4003 is provided to the right of the second opening 4002. The first opening 4001 and the third opening 4003 are provided at different positions (displaced positions) in the left-right direction.

[0189] In this embodiment, the left end of the first opening 4001 is located to the left of the left end of the second opening 4002, but the right end of the first opening 4001 is located between the left end of the second opening 4002 and the right end of the second opening 4002. The first opening 4001 and the second opening 4002 have a relatively small offset in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, but a relatively large offset in the up-down direction (height direction), so there is no overlapping area (overlapping portion) when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, the first opening 4001 and the second opening 4002 are provided at positions where they do not overlap when viewed from the front.

[0190] The left end of the third opening 4003 is provided to the right of the right end of the second opening 4002. The third opening 4003 and the second opening 4002 are relatively largely offset in the left-right and up-down directions (height directions), and there is no overlapping area (overlapping portion) when viewed from the front. The third opening 4003 and the second opening 4002 have different opening directions (opening orientations). In this embodiment, the third opening 4003 and the second opening 4002 are provided at positions where they do not overlap when viewed from the front.

[0191] The first opening 4001 and the third opening 4003 are relatively largely offset in the left-right and up-down directions (height directions), and do not have an overlapping area (overlapping portion) when viewed from the front. The first opening 4001 and the third opening 4003 have different opening directions (opening orientations). In this embodiment, the first opening 4001 and the third opening 4003 are provided at positions where they do not overlap when viewed from the front.

[0192] 27(b) is a diagram showing (only) the members constituting the rear side of the cancel chute 40. The inner surface of the cancel chute 40 (the surface constituting the medal passage) includes a first inclined surface 4011, a second inclined surface 4012, and a third inclined surface 4013.

[0193] The first inclined surface 4011 is a surface that inclines downward toward the right in the left-right direction (a surface that slopes downward to the right). The first inclined surface 4011 is formed so that it can come into contact with a medal that has entered through the first opening 4001, and when the medal comes into contact with the first inclined surface 4011, the first inclined surface 4011 guides the medal to the lower right (to the second inclined surface 4012).

[0194] The third inclined surface 4013 is a surface that inclines downward in the left-right direction toward the left (a surface that slopes downward to the left). The third inclined surface 4013 is formed so as to be able to come into contact with a medal that has entered through the third opening 4003, and when the medal comes into contact with the third inclined surface 4013, the third inclined surface 4013 guides the medal to the lower left (the second inclined surface 4012).

[0195] The second inclined surface 4012 is provided below the first inclined surface 4011 and the third inclined surface 4013. The second inclined surface 4012 is inclined downward in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the second inclined surface 4012 is made up of two inclined surfaces with different gradients (inclination), and the inclined surface on the front side has a greater gradient (inclination with respect to the horizontal plane) than the inclined surface on the rear side.

[0196] The second inclined surface 4012 is formed so as to come into contact with a medal falling from above, and guides the medal that comes into contact with it forward (i.e., to the second opening 4002). The second inclined surface 4012 is formed so as to continue to the second opening 4002, and the medal that travels down the inclined surface and reaches the second opening 4002 is discharged from the second opening 4002 to the outside (i.e., to the medal tray MP).

[0197] Here, the medal passage from the first opening 4001 to the second opening 4002 (connecting the first opening 4001 and the second opening 4002) is referred to as the first passage F1, and the medal passage from the third opening 4003 to the second opening 4002 (connecting the third opening 4003 and the second opening 4002) is referred to as the second passage F2.

[0198] The first passage F1 has a shape that can change the direction in which the medal advances (traveling direction). It can also be said that the first passage F1 has at least one bent portion (curved portion). In other words, the first passage F1 is crank-shaped.

[0199] The second passage F2 has a shape that can change the direction in which the medal moves (traveling direction). It can also be said that the second passage F2 has at least one bent portion (curved portion). In other words, the second passage F2 is crank-shaped.

[0200] The first passage F1 from the first opening 4001 to the second opening 4002 is a passage that proceeds from the rear to the front, turns at a bend (first bend) to proceed to the right side (lower right side), and then turns at the next bend (second bend) to proceed to the front side (lower front side), as shown by the arrow F1.

[0201] A medal launched from the rear to the front through the first opening 4001 may collide with the flat front surface inside the passage (surface marked with the symbol V in FIG. 31). A metal plate (buffer member) may be arranged on the front surface with which the medal collides in order to cushion the impact of the medal collision. In other words, a part (of the inner surface) of the medal passage may be formed from a metal plate. By arranging the metal plate, it is possible to prevent the inner surface of the passage from being deformed or damaged by the medal collision. The metal plate may be, for example, a stainless steel plate with a thickness of about 0.4 mm. Note that rubber (elastic body) may be used as the buffer member instead of a metal plate.

[0202] In this embodiment, the medal launched forward from the rear collides with a flat front surface in the passage, but this is not limiting, and the medal may collide with a curved front surface in the passage. In other words, the front surface may be curved. A curved surface may be, for example, a shape that is concave (recessed) toward the front. When the front surface that the medal collides with is curved, the impact of the medal collision is mitigated compared to when it is flat. This allows the medal to be guided more smoothly to the medal tray MP.

[0203] The second passage F2 from the third opening 4003 to the second opening 4002 is a passage that proceeds from top to bottom, turns at a bend (third bend) to proceed to the left (lower left side), and then turns at the next bend (second bend) to proceed to the front (lower front side), as shown by the arrow F2.

[0204] Further, a passage from the third opening 4003 to the first opening 4001 is referred to as a third passage F3. Although not shown in the drawings, the third passage F3 has at least one bent portion, similar to the first passage F1 and the second passage F2.

[0205] If the first passage F1 and the second passage F2 were not shaped to change the direction in which the medals move, but were straight (without any curved sections), it would be easy for a player to insert a tool (rod-shaped member) or the like to commit fraud (pranks). In this embodiment, as described above, the first passage F1 and the second passage F2 are shaped to change the direction in which the medals move (because they have curved sections), making it difficult for a player to insert a tool (member) or the like. This makes it possible to improve the anti-fraud performance. Note that being able to improve the anti-fraud performance includes reducing the risk of parts being damaged by the insertion of a tool or the like.

[0206] Here, as shown in FIG. 28, a virtual line passing through (going through) the first opening 4001 and the second opening 4002 is defined as a first virtual line VL1. In this embodiment, it is possible to draw (draw) the first virtual line VL1 without contacting the inner surface of the medal passage (first passage F1). In other words, the first virtual line VL1 is a line that can be drawn without contacting the inner surface of the medal passage. In further other words, it is possible to connect the first opening 4001 and the second opening 4002 with a straight line (first virtual line VL1) that does not contact the inner surface of the medal passage.

[0207] With this configuration, the medal passage (first passage F1) has a shape (a shape with a linearly communicating space) that makes it possible to draw the first virtual straight line VL1 without contacting the inner surface of the medal passage, thereby enabling smooth passage (payout) of medals. Also, compared to a medal passage (first passage) with a complicated shape that makes it impossible to draw the first virtual straight line VL1, this simple shape prevents it from interfering with the installation of other components.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 29, a virtual line passing through (passing through) the first opening 4001 and the third opening 4003 is defined as a third virtual line VL3. In this embodiment, it is impossible to draw (draw) the third virtual line VL3 without contacting the inner surface of the medal passage (third passage F3). In other words, the third virtual line VL3 is a line that cannot be drawn without contacting the inner surface of the medal passage. In further other words, it is impossible to connect the first opening 4001 and the third opening 4003 with a line (third virtual line VL3) that does not contact the inner surface of the medal passage. It can also be said that the third virtual line VL3 contacts the inner surface of the medal passage (the inner surface of the medal passage exists on this line).

[0209] According to this configuration, the medal passage (third passage F3) has a shape that makes it impossible to draw the third virtual straight line VL3, so that it is difficult to insert a tool (rod-shaped member) or the like through the third opening 4003 to access the first opening 4001 (medal payout outlet 321). This improves fraud prevention performance. In addition, because the shape makes it impossible to draw the third virtual straight line VL3 (because it is not linear), it is possible to prevent irregular movement of medals that enter the cancel chute 40 from the third opening 4003 and flow down toward the first opening 4001.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 30, a virtual line that passes through (goes through) the second opening 4002 and the third opening 4003 is defined as the second virtual line VL2. In this embodiment, it is impossible to draw (draw) the second virtual line VL2 without contacting the inner surface of the medal passage (second passage F2). In other words, the second virtual line VL2 is a line that cannot be drawn without contacting the inner surface of the medal passage. In further other words, it is impossible to connect the second opening 4002 and the third opening 4003 with a straight line (second virtual line VL2) that does not contact the inner surface of the medal passage. It can also be said that the second virtual line VL2 contacts the inner surface of the medal passage (the inner surface of the medal passage exists on that straight line).

[0211] According to this configuration, the medal passage (second passage F2) is shaped in such a way that the second virtual straight line VL2 cannot be drawn, so it is difficult to insert a tool (rod-shaped member) or the like from the second opening 4002 to access the third opening 4003 (medal selector 200). This improves fraud prevention performance.

[0212] In this embodiment, medals pass through the first passage F1 more frequently than through the second passage F2. The first passage F1 has a shape that allows the drawing of the first virtual straight line VL1 while strengthening fraud prevention measures, taking into account the high frequency of medals passing through it, and realizes smooth passage of medals. On the other hand, the second passage F2 has a shape that makes it impossible to draw the second virtual straight line VL2, while strengthening fraud prevention measures since medals pass through it less frequently.

[0213] As shown in Fig. 31, the front end (nearby side) of the first imaginary straight line VL1 is one end VL1a (one end). The first imaginary straight line VL1 can be drawn so that the one end VL1a does not come into contact with the front edge (front wall MP2a) of the medal tray MP, but comes into contact with the bottom MP1 of the medal tray MP. In other words, the first imaginary straight line VL1 is a line that can come into contact with the bottom MP1 without coming into contact with the front wall MP2a of the medal tray MP.

[0214] According to this configuration, the one end VL1a contacts the bottom part MP1 instead of the front wall part MP2a, so that the medals passing through the medal passage contact the bottom part MP1 instead of the front wall part MP2a. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the medals from climbing over the front wall part MP2a and spilling out of the medal tray MP.

[0215] In addition, when the one end VL1a contacts the bottom MP1 (when the one end VL1a is located further back) than when the one end VL1a contacts the front wall MP2a, it becomes more difficult to insert a tool (rod-shaped member) into the first passage from the front side because the bottom MP1 becomes an obstacle. This improves the fraud prevention performance.

[0216] As shown in Fig. 32, the rear end (deeper side) of the first imaginary straight line VL1 is the other end VL1b (other end). The first imaginary straight line VL1 can be drawn such that the other end VL1b does not come into contact with the medal payout outlet 321 of the hopper unit 320, but comes into contact with the peripheral wall portion 322 (Fig. 24). In other words, the first imaginary straight line VL1 is a line that can come into contact with the peripheral wall portion 322 without coming into contact with the medal payout outlet 321 of the hopper unit 320.

[0217] According to this configuration, the other end VL1b contacts the peripheral wall portion 322 instead of the medal payout outlet 321, so even if an implement (rod-shaped member) or the like is inserted into the first passage F1, it is difficult for the tip of the implement to contact the medal payout outlet 321 (to access the medal payout outlet 321) (to be inserted into the medal payout outlet 321). This can further improve fraud prevention performance.

[0218] (Component G) Here, a rod-shaped member having a predetermined diameter (for example, about 5 mm) and a predetermined length is defined as member G. The predetermined length is, for example, a length longer than the linear distance from third opening 4003 to second opening 4002.

[0219] When the front door FD is open and a component G is inserted into the first opening 4001 from the rear side, the component G can be inserted into the first passage F1 without contacting the inner surface of the first passage F1, and the tip of the component G coming out of the second opening 4002 comes into contact with the bottom MP1 of the medal receiving tray MP.

[0220] Furthermore, when a member G is inserted into the second opening 4002 with the front door FD closed and the medal receiving tray MP not present, the member G can be inserted into the first passage F1 without contacting the inner surface of the first passage F1, and the tip of the member G protruding from the first opening 4001 comes into contact with the peripheral wall 322 of the hopper unit 320. In reality, however, it is difficult to insert the member G into the first passage F1 from the front side, since the presence of the medal receiving tray MP acts as an obstacle.

[0221] Furthermore, when the front door FD is open and a member G is inserted into the third opening 4003 on the rear side, the tip of the member G cannot be taken out of the second opening 4002. In other words, the member G cannot be inserted into the second passage F2.

[0222] Furthermore, when the front door FD is closed and the medal tray MP is not present, if the member G is inserted into the second opening 4002, the tip of the member G cannot be taken out of the third opening 4003. In other words, the member G cannot be inserted into the second passage F2.

[0223] Furthermore, when the front door FD is open and a member G is inserted into the third opening 4003 on the rear side, the tip of the member G cannot be ejected from the first opening 4001. In other words, the member G cannot be inserted into the third passage F3.

[0224] According to the present embodiment described above, the first passage F1 is shaped to change the direction in which the game value (medals) advance, making it difficult for players to insert tools or the like. This improves the fraud prevention performance. In other words, it reduces the risk of parts being damaged by the insertion of tools or the like.

[0225] In addition, the first passage F1 can draw the first virtual straight line VL1 without contacting the inner surface of the first passage F1. This allows for smooth passage of the game value (medals). In addition, the first passage F1 has a simple shape compared to a shape that is so complex that the first virtual straight line VL1 cannot be drawn. This prevents the passage F1 from interfering with the installation of other components.

[0226] Moreover, the first virtual straight line VL1 can be drawn so that one end VL1a contacts the bottom MP1 and the other end VL1b contacts the peripheral wall 322. With this configuration, the game value (medals) that pass through the guide passage (cancel chute 40) contacts the bottom MP1 instead of the front wall MP2a. This more reliably prevents the game value (medals) from climbing over the front wall MP2a and spilling out of the medal tray MP. Also, because the bottom MP1 acts as an obstacle, it becomes more difficult to insert a tool or the like into the first passage F1 from the front side. This further improves fraud prevention performance.

[0227] In addition, even if an implement or the like is inserted into the first passage F1, the tip of the implement will contact the surrounding wall, not the launch port. This makes it difficult for the tip to contact the medal payout outlet 321 (to access the launch port) (to be inserted into the launch port). This further improves fraud prevention performance.

[0228] Also, the second virtual straight line VL2 is a line that cannot be drawn without contacting the inner surface of the second passage F2. In other words, the second passage F2 cannot draw the second virtual straight line VL2 without contacting the inner surface of the second passage F2. For this reason, it is difficult to insert an implement or the like through the second opening 4002, which is the tray side opening, to access the third opening 4003, which is the selector side opening. This can improve the fraud prevention performance.

[0229] Also, the third virtual straight line VL3 is a line that cannot be drawn without contacting the inner surface of the third passage F3. In other words, the third passage F3 cannot draw the third virtual straight line VL3 without contacting the inner surface of the third passage F3. For this reason, for example, it is difficult to insert a tool or the like through the third opening 4003, which is the selector side opening, and access the first opening 4001 (the medal payout outlet 321), which is the hopper side opening. This can improve the fraud prevention performance.

[0230] In addition, since the third passage F3 has a shape that does not allow the third virtual straight line VL3 to be drawn (because it is not straight), it is possible to prevent the game value (medals) that enter the guide passage (cancel chute 40) from the third opening 4003, which is the selector side opening, from flowing irregularly downward toward the first opening 4001, which is the hopper side opening.

[0231] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and each component may be freely combined, any component may be modified, or any component may be omitted, without departing from the gist of the present invention. In other words, the configuration of the gaming machine is not limited to that of the above-mentioned embodiment. The present invention is also applicable to other gaming machines, such as managed slot machines (medalless gaming machines) that are structured so that players can play games without using gaming medals, without being limited to slot machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0232] 1...Amusement machine (slot machine) / 40...Guide passage (cancel chute) / 67aK...Black part (black paint layer) / 67aM...Red part (red paint layer) / 61...White part (background forming layer) / 315...Light source (LED) / 320...Hopper (hopper unit) / 321...Firing port part (medal payout port) / 322...Surrounding wall part / 4001...Hopper side opening (first opening) / 4002...Receiving tray side opening (second opening) / 40 03...Selector side opening (third opening) / BX...Housing / CHkage...Black and red area (shadow area) / CHteka3A...White area (shiny area) / F1...First passage / F2...Second passage / FD...Front door / Fuch3A...Red area (edge) / MP...Receptacle (medal tray) / MP1...Bottom / MP2a...Front wall / P4...Specific design (design) / R1~R3...Reel / T1~T3...Reel tape / VL1...First imaginary line / VL2...Second imaginary line

Claims

[Claim 1] The game machine includes a housing, a front door attached to the housing so as to be openable and closable, and a reel, the front door has a rattle relative to the housing when a predetermined external force is applied to the front door in a closed state; The front edge of the top surface of the housing is located higher than the rear edge of the top surface of the front door, The front edge of the right side of the housing is located to the right of the rear edge of the right side of the front door, In a state in which the external force is not applied to the closed front door, an upper right edge formed by the housing top surface and the housing right side surface is located outward from a right rear vertex formed by the front door top surface and the front door right side surface, Even if the closed front door is moved outward within the range of rattling from a state where the external force is not applied, The upper right side is located outward from the right rear vertex, The reel has a reel tape on which a plurality of patterns including a specific pattern are arranged, and a light source that illuminates the reel tape from the inside, the reel tape has a black portion printed with black paint, a red portion printed with red paint, and a white portion printed with white paint, The specific pattern has a black-red area where the black part and the red part overlap to make the black-red color visible, a red area where the red part is visible, and a white area where the white part is visible, the red region is in contact with the black-red region, the red region is in contact with the white region, The red area is sandwiched between the black-red area and the white area.

Images