Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of exhibiting improvement in terms of a presentation effect.SOLUTION: A rotational operation unit A400b is configured to be able to change its external shape during inclination. Therefore, a dynamic presentation can be performed in which the external shape of the rotational operation unit A400b is to be changed during powerful inclination of the rotational operation unit A400b. Accordingly, a presentation effect can be enhanced. As the inclination operation of the rotational operation unit A400b progresses, transition from a first state in which the external shape is maintained to a second state in which the external shape is changed becomes further. Therefore, it is possible to reduce force necessary at the beginning of the inclination. Accordingly, smooth start of the inclination operation can be easily achieved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] First means and second means and said first means and second means engageably configuration engaged means and , and A gaming machine provided with is known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However In the above-described conventional gaming machine, with respect to the engaging means there is room for improvement there was such a problem . The present invention has been made as described above, In order to solve the problem and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine improvement with respect to the engaging means that can be achieved.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve this object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 includes a first means and a second means and , the first engaging body and the second engaging body are respectively provided on the first means and the second means engageably configuration engaged means, and at least a part of the first disposed body disposed on the first means can be interposed between at least a part of the first means and the first engaging body of the engaging means, and at least a part of the second disposed body disposed on the second means can be interposed between at least a part of the second means and the second engaging body of the engaging means and is The first engaging body includes a first engaging body side protrusion configured to protrude toward a predetermined portion of the first disposed body. In a state where the first engaging body and the first means are engaged, when the first engaging body is displaced in a direction to release the engagement with the first means, at least a part of the first engaging body side protrusion can be brought into contact with the first disposed body. The second engaging body includes a second engaging body side protrusion configured to protrude toward a specific portion of the second disposed body. In a state where the second engaging body and the second means are engaged, when the second engaging body is displaced in a direction to release the engagement with the second means, at least a part of the second engaging body side protrusion can be brought into contact with the second disposed body. The engaging means includes a connecting body configured to connect the first engaging body and the second engaging body. In a state where the first engaging body and the first means are engaged and the second engaging body and the second means are engaged, a plurality of locations on the first engaging body side of the connecting body and other plurality of locations on the second engaging body side of the connecting body can be cut. In a state where the connection state between the first engaging body and the connecting body is maintained, the first engaging body is configured to be able to approach or separate the first engaging body side protrusion with respect to a predetermined portion of the first disposed body. The portion of the connecting body connected to the first engaging body is disposed along the displacement direction of the first engaging body when the first engaging body releases the engagement with the first means from the state where the first engaging body is engaged with the first means .

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the gaming machine described in claim 1, improvement with respect to the engaging means can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 31

Figure 32

Figure 33

Figure 34

Figure 35

Figure 36

Figure 37

Figure 38

Figure 39

Figure 40

Figure 41

Figure 42

Figure 43

Figure 44

Figure 45

Figure 46

Figure 47

Figure 48

Figure 49

Figure 50

Figure 51

Figure 52

Figure 53

Figure 54

Figure 55

Figure 56

Figure 57

Figure 58

Figure 59

Figure 60

Figure 61

Figure 62

Figure 63

Figure 64

Figure 65

Figure 66

Figure 67

Figure 68

Figure 69

Figure 70

Figure 71

Figure 72

Figure 73

Figure 74

Figure 75

Figure 76

Figure 77

Figure 78

Figure 79

Figure 80

Figure 81

Figure 82

Figure 83

Figure 84

Figure 85

Figure 86

Figure 87

Figure 88

Figure 89

Figure 90

Figure 91

Figure 92

Figure 93

Figure 94

Figure 95

Figure 96

Figure 97

Figure 98

Figure 99

Figure 100

Figure 101

Figure 102

Figure 103

Figure 104

Figure 105

Figure 106

Figure 107

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 55, as a first embodiment, an embodiment in the case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board A13 of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0013] In the following description, with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in FIG. 1, the front side of the paper surface is defined as the front (front) side, and the back side of the paper surface is defined as the rear (back) side for explanation. Also, with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in FIG. 1, the upper side is defined as the upper (upper) side, the lower side is defined as the lower (lower) side, the right side is defined as the right (right) side, and the left side is defined as the left (left) side for explanation respectively. Further, the arrows U-D, L-R, F-B in the figure (for example, see FIG. 2) indicate the vertical direction, horizontal direction, and front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10 respectively.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 in which an outer shell is formed by a wooden frame combined in a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame 12 formed in substantially the same outer shape as the outer frame 11 and supported by the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. On the outer frame 11, metal hinges 18 are attached at two upper and lower positions on the left side in the front view (see FIG. 1) to support the inner frame 12, and the inner frame 12 is supported so as to be openable and closable to the front side in front with the side provided with the hinge 18 as the axis of opening and closing.

[0015] A game board A13 (see FIG. 2) having a large number of nails, winning holes 63, 64, etc. is detachably attached to the inner frame 12 from the back side. A ball (game ball) flows down the front surface of the game board A13 to perform a pinball game. In addition, a ball launch unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches a ball into the front area of the game board A13 and a launch rail (not shown) that guides the ball launched from the ball launch unit 112a to the front area of the game board A13 are attached to the inner frame 12.

[0016] On the front side of the inner frame 12, a front frame 14 that covers the upper front thereof and a lower dish unit 15 that covers the lower side thereof are provided. In order to support the front frame 14 and the lower dish unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two upper and lower positions on the left side in the front view (see Fig. 1), and the front frame 14 and the lower dish unit 15 are supported so as to be openable and closable to the front near side with the side where the hinge 19 is provided as the axis of opening and closing. Note that the locking of the inner frame 12 and the locking of the front frame 14 are each released by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a predetermined operation.

[0017] The front frame 14 is assembled with a resin part for decoration, an electric part, etc., and a window part 14c formed in a substantially elliptical shape is provided at a substantially central portion thereof. On the back side of the front frame 14, a glass unit 16 having two plate glasses is disposed, and the front of the game board A13 can be visually recognized on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0018] On the front frame 14, an upper dish 17 for storing balls is formed in a substantially box shape that projects to the front side and has an open upper surface, and prize balls, lent balls, etc. are discharged onto this upper dish 17. The bottom surface of the upper dish 17 is formed to be inclined downward on the right side in the front view (see Fig. 1), and the balls put into the upper dish 17 are guided to the ball launching unit 112a (see Fig. 4) by this inclination. Further, a frame button 22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper dish 17. This frame button 22 is operated by a player, for example, when changing the stage of an effect displayed by the third symbol display device 81 (see Fig. 2) or changing the content of the super reach effect.

[0019] On the front frame 14, light-emitting means such as various lamps are provided around it (for example, at the corner portions). These light-emitting means are controlled to change the light-emitting mode by lighting up or flashing in response to changes in the gaming state during a big win or at a predetermined reach, etc., and play a role in enhancing the production effect during the game. Around the periphery of the window portion 14c, decorative parts 29 to 33 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs are provided. In the pachinko machine 10, these decorative parts 29 to 33 function as production lamps such as big win lamps, and during a big win or a reach production, each of the decorative parts 29 to 33 lights up or flashes by lighting up or flashing the built-in LEDs, notifying that it is during a big win or during a reach just before a big win. Also, at the upper left part in the front view (see Fig. 1) of the front frame 14, a display lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs is provided, which can display during the payout of bonus balls and when an error occurs.

[0020] Also, below the lower side of the decorative part 32 on the right side, a small window 35 is formed by attaching a transparent resin from the back side so that the back side of the front frame 14 can be visually recognized, and a certificate or the like pasted in the pasting space K1 (see Fig. 2) on the front of the game board A13 is made visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Further, in the pachinko machine 10, in order to create a more magnificent atmosphere, a plating member 36 made of ABS resin plated around the decorative parts 29 to 33 is attached.

[0021] Below the window portion 14c, a ball lending operation unit 40 is disposed. The ball lending operation unit 40 is provided with a frequency display unit 41, a ball lending button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated with a bill, a card, or the like inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) disposed on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are lent according to the operation. Specifically, the frequency display unit 41 is an area where balance information of a card or the like is displayed, and the built-in LED lights up and the balance is displayed numerically as the balance information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain lent balls based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and lent balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a balance on the card or the like. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. In a pachinko machine that directly lends balls from a ball lending device or the like to the upper tray 17 without passing through the card unit, that is, a so-called cash machine, the ball lending operation unit 40 is not required. In this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation portion of the ball lending operation unit 40 so that the component configuration is common. It is possible to make the pachinko machine using the card unit and the cash machine common.

[0022] In the lower tray unit 15 located below the upper tray 17, a lower tray 50 for storing balls that could not be completely stored in the upper tray 17 is formed in a substantially box shape with an open upper surface on the left side thereof. On the right side of the lower tray 50, an operation handle 51 operated by a player to drive the balls into the front of the game board A13 is disposed.

[0023] Inside the operation handle 51, there are a touch sensor 51a for permitting the drive of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of the ball during the period of the pressing operation, a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting the amount of rotational operation (rotational position) of the operation handle 51 based on the change in electrical resistance, and the like. When the operation handle 51 is rotationally operated clockwise by the player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the amount of rotational operation, and the ball is launched with a strength (launch intensity) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor. Thereby, the ball is driven into the front of the game board A13 with a jumping amount corresponding to the operation of the player. Also, when the operation handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are turned off.

[0024] At the lower front part of the lower tray 50, there is provided a ball extraction lever 52 for operating when discharging the balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball extraction lever 52 is constantly biased in the right direction, and by sliding it leftward against the bias, the bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls naturally fall and are discharged from the bottom opening. The operation of this ball extraction lever 52 is usually performed with a box (generally called a "senryo box") placed below the lower tray 50 to receive the balls discharged from the lower tray 50. To the right of the lower tray 50, the operation handle 51 is disposed as described above, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left of the lower tray 50.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the game board A13 is configured by assembling a base plate A60 machined into a substantially square shape in front view, a number of nails (not shown) and windmills (not shown) for ball guidance, rails 61, 62, a general winning opening 63, a first winning opening 64, a second winning opening 640, a variable winning device 65, a through gate 67, a variable display device unit 80, etc. on it, and the peripheral portion thereof is attached to the back side (or front side) of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 1).

[0026] The base plate A60 is formed from a wooden board member. The general winning opening 63, the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 640, and the variable display device unit 80 are disposed in through-holes formed in the base plate A60 by routing and fixed from the front side of the game board A13 with tapping screws or the like. Note that the base plate A60 may be made of a light-transmissive resin material. In this case, various structures disposed on the back side of the base plate A60 can be visually recognized by the player from the front side thereof.

[0027] The front central portion of the game board A13 can be visually recognized from the front side of the inner frame 12 through the window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. Hereinafter, the configuration of the game board A13 will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0028] On the front surface of the game board A13, an outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially arc shape is planted, and an arc-shaped inner rail 61 formed of a strip-shaped metal plate similar to the outer rail 62 is planted at a position inside the outer rail 62. The front outer periphery of the game board A13 is surrounded by the inner rail 61 and the outer rail 62, and the front and back are surrounded by the game board A13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1), so that a game area where the game is played by the behavior of the ball is formed on the front surface of the game board A13. The game area is an area (an area where winning openings and the like are disposed and the launched ball flows down) defined by the front surface of the game board A13 and the resin outer edge member 73 connecting between the two rails 61, 62.

[0029] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launch unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the upper part of the game board A13. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip portion (the upper left portion in FIG. 2) of the inner rail 61, preventing a situation where the ball once guided to the upper part of the game board A13 returns into the ball guide passage again. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip portion (the upper right portion in FIG. 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight portion of the ball. The ball launched with a momentum more than a predetermined value hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back toward the central portion while its momentum is attenuated.

[0030] In the lower left front view of the gaming area (lower left of FIG. 2), there are provided first symbol display devices 37A and 37B each including a plurality of LEDs as light-emitting means and a seven-segment display. The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to perform displays according to each control performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and mainly display the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10. In the present embodiment, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be selectively used according to whether the ball wins the first winning opening 64 or the second winning opening 640. Specifically, when the ball wins the first winning opening 64, the first symbol display device 37A operates, while when the ball wins the second winning opening 640, the first symbol display device 37B operates.

[0031] Further, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in the probability-variable state, the time-saving state, or the normal state by the lighting state of the LEDs, indicate whether it is in the variable state by the lighting state, indicate whether the stop symbol corresponds to a probability-variable jackpot, a normal jackpot, or a losing symbol by the lighting state, indicate the number of hold balls by the lighting state, and perform the display of the number of rounds during the jackpot and error display by the seven-segment display device. Note that the plurality of LEDs are configured such that the light-emitting colors of the respective LEDs (for example, red, green, blue) are different, and various gaming states of the pachinko machine 10 can be suggested with a small number of LEDs by the combination of the light-emitting colors.

[0032] In addition, in the present pachinko machine 10, a lottery is performed when the ball wins the first winning opening 64 and the second winning opening 640. In the lottery of the pachinko machine 10, a winning or losing determination of whether it is a jackpot (jackpot lottery) is performed, and when it is determined to be a jackpot, the type of the jackpot is also determined. As the types of jackpots determined here, a 15R probability-variable jackpot, a 4R probability-variable jackpot, and a 15R normal jackpot are prepared. The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B not only show whether the result of the lottery is a jackpot as the stop symbol after the variation ends, but also show a symbol corresponding to the type of jackpot when it is a jackpot.

[0033] Here, the "15R probability-variable jackpot" refers to a probability-variable jackpot that transitions to a high-probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15 rounds, and the "4R probability-variable jackpot" refers to a probability-variable jackpot that transitions to a high-probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4 rounds. Also, the "15R normal jackpot" is a jackpot that transitions to a low-probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15 rounds, and becomes a time-saving state for a predetermined number of fluctuations (for example, 100 fluctuations).

[0034] Also, the "high-probability state" refers to a state where the probability of the subsequent jackpot increases as an added value after the jackpot ends, that is, during so-called probability fluctuations (during probability variation). In other words, it is a state of a game where it is easy to transition to a special game state. The high-probability state (during probability variation) in the present embodiment includes a game state where the winning probability of the second symbol described later increases and balls are likely to win in the second winning opening 640. The "low-probability state" refers to a time when it is not during probability variation, and refers to a state where the jackpot probability is normal, that is, a state where the jackpot probability is lower than during probability variation. Also, the time-saving state (during time saving) among the "low-probability states" refers to a game state where the jackpot probability is normal and the probability of the second symbol alone increases while the jackpot probability remains the same, making it easy for balls to win in the second winning opening 640. On the other hand, when the pachinko machine 10 is in the normal state, it is a game state that is neither during probability variation nor during time saving (a state where neither the jackpot probability nor the winning probability of the second symbol has increased).

[0035] During probability variation or time saving, not only does the winning probability of the second symbol increase, but also the time when the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning opening 640 is opened is changed, and a longer time is set compared to the normal state. When the electric accessory 640a is in the opened state (opened state), the state is such that balls are more likely to win in the second winning opening 640 compared to when the electric accessory 640a is in the closed state (closed state). Therefore, during probability variation or time saving, the state is such that balls are likely to win in the second winning opening 640, and the number of times the jackpot lottery is conducted can be increased.

[0036] The state change between the open state and the closed state of the electric accessory 640a is caused by the opening and closing operation of an opening and closing plate that can be displaced slidably back and forth. When the electric accessory 640a is in the open state, the opening and closing plate is retracted behind the front surface of the base plate A60, and the game ball can enter the second winning port 640 side. When the electric accessory 640a is in the closed state, the opening and closing plate closes the space between the game area and the second winning port 640 so that it becomes difficult for the ball to enter the second winning port 640 (to be drained to the left).

[0037] Note that the state change between the open state and the closed state of the electric accessory 640a may be caused by the opening and closing operation of an opening and closing plate that has a rotation axis at the lower end and rotates and displaces in a manner of tilting or standing up toward the game area side. In this case, when the electric accessory 640a is in the open state, it is configured such that the ball is easily guided to the second winning port 640 along the upper surface of the opening and closing plate. When the electric accessory 640a is in the closed state, the opening and closing plate closes the space between the game area and the second winning port 640 so that it becomes difficult for the ball to enter the second winning port 640.

[0038] Note that during the probability-variable period or the time-limited period, instead of changing the opening time of the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning port 640, or in addition to changing the opening time, it may be configured to increase the number of times the electric accessory 640a opens per hit compared to normal. Also, during the probability-variable period or the time-limited period, without changing the hit probability of the second symbol, it may be configured to change at least one of the time when the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning port 640 is opened and the number of times the electric accessory 640a opens per hit. Further, during the probability-variable period or the time-limited period, without changing the time when the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning port 640 is opened or the number of times the electric accessory 640a is opened per hit, it may be configured to only increase the hit probability of the second symbol compared to normal.

[0039] In the gaming area, a plurality of general winning openings 63 are provided, where when a ball wins, 5 to 15 balls are paid out as bonus balls. Also, a variable display device unit 80 is provided at a position visible through the central part of the gaming area (behind the window part of the base plate A60). The variable display device unit 80 includes a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply abbreviated as "display device") configured to perform a variable display of a third symbol while synchronizing with the variable displays of the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, triggered by a win (start-up win) at the first winning opening 64 and the second winning opening 640, and a second symbol display device (not shown) configured by LEDs that perform a variable display of the second symbol triggered by the passage of a ball through the through gate 67. Further, a center frame A86 is provided on the base plate 60 so as to surround the third symbol display device 81 in a front view.

[0040] The third symbol display device 81 is composed of a large liquid crystal display with a size of about 9 inches to 19 inches, and the display content is controlled by a display control device 114 (see FIG. 4), so that, for example, three symbol rows of upper, middle, and lower are displayed. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols (third symbols), and these third symbols scroll horizontally for each symbol row so that the third symbols are variably displayed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. The third symbol display device 81 of the present embodiment performs a decorative display corresponding to the display of the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, while the display of the game state accompanying the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) is performed by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B. Note that, instead of the display device, the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, reels or the like.

[0041] The second symbol display device performs a variable display that alternately lights up the symbol "○" and the symbol "×" as display symbols (second symbols (not shown)) for a predetermined time every time the ball passes through the through gate 67. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the through gate 67, a winning lottery is conducted. As a result of the winning lottery, if it is a win, in the second symbol display device, the symbol "○" is stopped and displayed after the variable display of the second symbol. Also, as a result of the winning lottery, if it is a miss, in the second symbol display device, the symbol "×" is stopped and displayed after the variable display of the third symbol.

[0042] The pachinko machine 10 is configured such that when the variable display in the second symbol display device stops at a predetermined symbol (the symbol "○" in the present embodiment), the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning port 640 is in an operating state (opened) for a predetermined time.

[0043] The time taken for the variable display of the second symbol is set to be shorter during probability variation or time limit than during normal game state. Thereby, during probability variation and time limit, since the variable display of the second symbol is performed in a short time, the winning lottery can be conducted more frequently than during normal times. Therefore, since the chance of winning in the winning lottery increases, the player can be given more opportunities for the electric accessory 640a of the second winning port 640 to be in an open state. Therefore, during probability variation and time limit, the ball can be made more likely to win the second winning port 640.

[0044] In addition, during probability variation or time limit, by other methods such as increasing the opening time or the number of opening times of the electric accessory 640a for one win to increase the winning probability, when the ball is made more likely to win the second winning port 640 during probability variation or time limit, the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol may be made constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, when setting the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol to be shorter during probability variation or time limit than during normal times, the winning probability may be made constant regardless of the game state, or the opening time or the number of opening times of the electric accessory 640a for one win may be made constant regardless of the game state.

[0045] The through gate 67 is assembled to the game board A13 in the area on the right side of the variable display device unit 80 and is configured to allow a part of the balls launched onto the game board A13 to pass through. When a ball passes through the through gate 67, a winning lottery for the second symbol is conducted. After the winning lottery, variable display is performed on the second symbol display device. If the result of the winning lottery is a win, the symbol "○" is displayed as the stopped symbol of the variable display. If the result of the winning lottery is a loss, the symbol "×" is displayed as the stopped symbol of the variable display.

[0046] The total number of times a ball can pass through the through gate 67 is reserved up to a maximum of 4 times. The reserved number of balls is displayed by the above-described first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and is also lit and displayed on a second symbol reserved lamp (not shown). Four second symbol reserved lamps are provided corresponding to the maximum reserved number and are arranged symmetrically left and right below the third symbol display device 81.

[0047] Note that the variable display of the second symbol is performed by switching on and off a plurality of lamps in the second symbol display device as in the present embodiment, but it may also be performed using a part of the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and the third symbol display device 81. Similarly, the lighting of the second symbol reserved lamp may be performed using a part of the third symbol display device 81.

[0048] Also, the maximum number of reserved balls for the passage of balls through the through gate 67 is not limited to 4 times, and it may be set to 3 times or less, or 5 times or more (for example, 8 times). Also, the number of through gates 67 assembled is not limited to one, and may be, for example, two.

[0049] Also, the assembly position of the through gate 67 is not limited to the right side of the variable display device unit 80, and may be, for example, on the left or right or below the variable display device unit 80. Also, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, it may be configured not to perform lighting display with the second symbol reserved lamp.

[0050] Below the variable display device unit 80, a first winning port 64 into which a ball can win is provided. When a ball wins in this first winning port 64, a first winning port switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board A13 is turned on. Due to the turning on of the first winning port switch, a jackpot lottery is conducted by the main control device 110 (see Fig. 4), and a display corresponding to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

[0051] On the other hand, on the lower right side when viewed from the front of the through gate 67, a second winning port 640 into which a ball can win is provided. When a ball wins in this second winning port 640, a second winning port switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on. Due to the turning on of the second winning port switch, a jackpot lottery is conducted by the main control device 110 (see Fig. 4), and a display corresponding to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37B. Note that the arrangement of the second winning port 640 is not limited to this. For example, it may be below the first winning port 64 when viewed from the front, or may be on the left side of the left and right center of the game area.

[0052] Also, the first winning port 64 and the second winning port 640 each become one of the winning ports from which 5 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball wins. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball wins in the first winning port 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball wins in the second winning port 640 are configured to be the same. However, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball wins in the first winning port 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball wins in the second winning port 640 may be different numbers. For example, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball wins in the first winning port 64 may be set to 3, and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball wins in the second winning port 640 may be set to 5.

[0053] An electric accessory 640a is attached to the second winning port 640. This electric accessory 640a is configured to be openable and closable, and normally, the electric accessory 640a is in a closed state (contracted state), making it difficult for the ball to win at the second winning port 640. On the other hand, when the symbol "○" is displayed on the second symbol display device as a result of the variable display of the second symbol triggered by the passage of the ball through the through gate 67, the electric accessory 640a becomes an open state (expanded state), making it easy for the ball to win at the second winning port 640.

[0054] As described above, during the probability-variable state and the time-saving state, the winning probability of the second symbol is higher than that during the normal state, and the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol is also shorter. Therefore, in the variable display of the second symbol, the symbol "○" is more likely to be displayed, and the number of times the electric accessory 640a becomes an open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the probability-variable state and the time-saving state, the time for which the electric accessory 640a is open is also longer than during the normal state. Thus, during the probability-variable state and the time-saving state, it is possible to create a state where it is easier for the ball to win at the second winning port 640 compared to the normal time.

[0055] Here, the probability of a big win is the same whether the ball wins at the first winning port 64 or at the second winning port 640, regardless of whether it is a low-probability state or a high-probability state. However, the probability of a 15R probability-variable big win being selected as the type of big win when a big win occurs is set higher when the ball wins at the second winning port 640 than when the ball wins at the first winning port 64. On the other hand, the first winning port 64 does not have an electric accessory 640a like the one at the second winning port 640, and the ball can always win.

[0056] Therefore, during normal times, since the electric accessory 640a attached to the second winning port 640 is often in a closed state and it is difficult to win at the second winning port 640, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for a big win by firing the ball so that it passes through the left side of the variable display device unit 80 towards the first winning port 64 without an electric accessory 640a (so-called "left shooting") and obtaining more opportunities for the big win lottery by winning at the first winning port 64.

[0057] On the one hand, during probability variation or time shortening, by allowing the ball to pass through the through gate 67, the electric accessory 640a associated with the second winning opening 640 is likely to be in an open state, and it is easy to win at the second winning opening 640. Therefore, it is advantageous for the player to aim at the right side of the variable display device 80 so that the ball passes through and shoot the ball (so-called "right shooting") to pass through the through gate 67 and open the electric accessory 640a, aiming for a 15R probability variation jackpot by winning at the second winning opening 640.

[0058] Note that, unlike the pachinko machine 10 in the present embodiment, when the configuration of the game board 13 is symmetric left and right, it is possible to aim at the first winning opening 64 with "right shooting" or aim at the second winning opening 640 with "left shooting". Therefore, the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment can eliminate the need to change the way of shooting the ball between "left shooting" and "right shooting" for the player according to the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in probability variation, time shortening, or normal). Thus, the annoyance of changing the way of shooting the ball can be eliminated.

[0059] On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, it is configured such that the first winning opening 64 cannot be aimed at with "right shooting", and the ball launched with "left shooting" is configured not to pass through the through gate 67. Therefore, the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment can require the player to change the way of shooting the ball between "left shooting" and "right shooting" according to the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in probability variation, time shortening, or normal). Thus, it is possible to prevent the game from becoming slow by adding the gameplay of changing the way of shooting the ball.

[0060] A variable winning device 65 (see FIG. 2) is provided to the right of the first winning port 64, and a specific winning port 65a is provided in the approximate center of the variable winning device 65. In the pachinko machine 10, when a jackpot lottery performed due to winning in the first winning port 64 or the second winning port 640 results in a jackpot, after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is turned on to show a jackpot stop pattern, and a stop pattern corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 to indicate the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which a ball is likely to win. In this special game state, the specific winning port 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls win).

[0061] This specific winning opening 65a is closed after a predetermined time has passed, and after the closing, the specific winning opening 65a is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of this specific winning opening 65a can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (15 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger amount of prize balls than usual as an addition of game value (game value).

[0062] The special game state is not limited to the above-mentioned form. A large opening opening that is opened and closed separately from the specific winning opening 65a is provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a big win is lit in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time, and a large opening opening provided separately from the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when a ball enters the specific winning opening 65a while the specific winning opening 65a is open. In addition, the specific winning opening 65a is not limited to one, and one or more than two (for example, three) may be arranged, and the arrangement position is not limited to the right of the first winning opening 64, but may be, for example, the lower right side of the first winning opening 64, the lower left side of the first winning opening 64, the left or right side of the variable display unit 80, or above.

[0063] At the lower right corner of the game board A13, there is an attachment space K1 for attaching certificates, identification labels, etc. The certificates, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be visually recognized through the small window 35 (see Fig. 1) of the front frame 14.

[0064] The game board A13 is provided with an out port 71. Balls flowing down in the game area that do not win in any of the winning ports 63, 64, 65a, 640 are guided through the out port 71 to a ball discharge path (not shown).

[0065] A large number of nails are implanted in the game board A13 to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the balls, and various members (effect devices) such as windmills are arranged.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 3, on the back side of the pachinko machine 10, there are mainly provided a control board unit 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is unitized with a main board (main control device 110), an audio lamp control board (audio lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114) mounted thereon. The control board unit 91 is unitized with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a firing control board (firing control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116 mounted thereon.

[0067] The back pack unit 94 is unitized with a back pack 92 forming a protection cover portion and a payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is mounted with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer in charge of each control, a port for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generation circuit used when performing time counting and synchronization, etc., as required.

[0068] Note that the main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113, the display control device 114, the payout control device 111, the emission control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are respectively housed in the substrate boxes 100 to 104. The substrate boxes 100 to 104 include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to house each control device and each substrate.

[0069] In addition, the substrate box 100 (main control device 110) and the substrate box 102 (payout control device 111 and emission control device 112) are connected in a non-openable manner (connected by a caulking structure) by a sealing unit (not shown) between the box base and the box cover. Further, a sealing tape (not shown) is attached across the connection portion between the box base and the box cover. This sealing tape is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing tape to open the substrate boxes 100 and 102, or if an attempt is made to forcibly open the substrate boxes 100 and 102, it will be cut between the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or the sealing tape, it is possible to know whether the substrate boxes 100 and 102 have been opened.

[0070] The payout unit 93 includes a tank 130 that is located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opens upward, a tank rail 131 that is connected below the tank 130 and gently slopes downward, a case rail 132 that is vertically connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 that is provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and pays out balls by a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The tank 130 is sequentially replenished with balls supplied from the island facilities in the game hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately pays out the required number of balls. A vibrator 134 for applying vibration to the tank rail 131 is attached to the tank rail 131.

[0071] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state return switch 120, the emission control device 112 is provided with an operation knob 121 of a variable resistor, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM erase switch 122. The state return switch 120 is operated, for example, to eliminate a ball jam (return to the normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the emission force of the emission solenoid. The RAM erase switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on when it is desired to return the pachinko machine 10 to the initial state.

[0072] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0073] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201 as a one-chip microcomputer which is an arithmetic device. The MPU 201 is provided with a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed-value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 which is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 202, and in addition, various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are built in. In the main control device 110, the MPU 201 executes main processes of the pachinko machine 10 such as jackpot lottery, setting of the display in the first symbol display devices 37A, 37B and the third symbol display device 81, and lottery of the display result in the second symbol display device.

[0074] Note that, in order to instruct operations to sub-control devices such as the payout control device 111 and the voice lamp control device 113, various commands are transmitted from the main control device 110 to the sub-control device by the data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are transmitted only in one direction from the main control device 110 to the sub-control device.

[0075] In addition to various areas, counters, and flags, the RAM 203 has a stack area that stores the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and the return destination address of the control program executed by the MPU 201, and a work area (working area) that stores various flags, counters, values of I / O, etc. Note that the RAM 203 is configured such that backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 115 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and data can be retained (backed up). All data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0076] When the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the stack pointer and the values of each register at the time of power cut-off (including the time of power failure; the same applies hereinafter) are stored in the RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including power-on due to power failure recovery; the same applies hereinafter), based on the information stored in the RAM 203, the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power cut-off. Writing to the RAM 203 is executed at the time of power cut-off by the main process (not shown), and the restoration of each value written to the RAM 203 is executed in the startup process (not shown) at the time of power-on. Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 201 is configured such that a power failure signal SG1 from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 is input at the time of power cut-off due to a power failure or the like. When the power failure signal SG1 is input to the MPU 201, the NMI interrupt process (not shown) as the power failure time process is immediately executed.

[0077] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 composed of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to a solenoid 209 composed of a payout control device 111, a voice lamp control device 113, first symbol display devices 37A, 37B, a second symbol display device, a second symbol hold lamp, a large opening solenoid for driving the opening / closing plate of the specific winning port 65a in the front-rear direction, a solenoid for driving the electric accessory 640a, etc. The MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0078] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 including a switch group (not shown), a sensor group including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, etc., and a RAM erase switch circuit 253 provided in the power supply device 115 which will be described later. The MPU 201 executes various processes based on signals output from the various switches 208 and a RAM erase signal SG2 output from the RAM erase switch circuit 253.

[0079] The payout control device 111 drives the payout motor 216 to control the payout of prize balls and loaned balls. The MPU 211, which is an arithmetic unit, has a ROM 212 that stores a control program, fixed value data, etc. executed by the MPU 211, and a RAM 213 used as a work memory, etc.

[0080] Similar to the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, the RAM 213 of the payout control device 111 has a stack area that stores the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211, the return destination address of the control program executed by the MPU 211, etc., and a work area (working area) that stores various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. The RAM 213 is configured such that backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 115 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and data can be held (backed up). All data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. Similar to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured such that a power failure signal SG1 is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure, etc. When the power failure signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, NMI interrupt processing (not shown) as power failure time processing is immediately executed.

[0081] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 composed of an address bus and a data bus. The main control device 110, the payout motor 216, the launch control device 112, etc. are respectively connected to the input / output port 215. Although not shown in the figure, a prize ball detection switch for detecting the payout prize balls is connected to the payout control device 111. Note that the prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but not to the main control device 110.

[0082] When the main control device 110 gives an instruction to launch the ball, the launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the launch strength of the ball corresponds to the rotation operation amount of the operation handle 51. The ball launch unit 112a includes a launch solenoid and an electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and the electromagnet are permitted to be driven when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operation handle 51, and on the condition that the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the ball launch is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited corresponding to the rotation operation amount (rotation position) of the operation handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the operation amount of the operation handle 51.

[0083] The voice lamp control device 113 controls the output of voice in the voice output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of lighting and extinguishing in the lamp display device (the electric decoration parts 29 - 33, the display lamp 34, etc.) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 performed by the display control device 114 such as variable effects (variable display) and preview effects. The MPU 221, which is an arithmetic device, has a ROM 222 that stores the control program, fixed value data, etc. executed by the MPU 221, and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0084] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the voice lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 composed of an address bus and a data bus. The main control device 110, the display control device 114, the voice output device 226, the lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc. are respectively connected to the input / output port 225. The other devices 228 include drive motors AMT1, AMT2, AMT3, AMT4, etc.

[0085] Based on various commands (variable pattern commands, stop type commands, etc.) received from the main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variable pattern commands, display stop type commands, etc.). Further, the voice lamp control device 113 monitors the input from the frame button 22, and when the frame button 22 is operated by the player, it instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or to change the production content at the time of super reach. When the stage is changed, a background image change command including information regarding the changed stage is transmitted to the display control device 114 so as to display a background image corresponding to the changed stage on the third symbol display device 81. Here, the background image is an image displayed on the back side of the third symbol which is the main image to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 according to the commands transmitted from this voice lamp control device 113.

[0086] Also, the voice lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third symbol display device 81 from the display control device 114. In the voice lamp control device 113, based on the display command received from the display control device 114, in accordance with the display content of the third symbol display device 81, the corresponding voice is output from the voice output device 226, and the lighting and extinguishing of the lamp display device 227 are controlled corresponding to the display content.

[0087] The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third symbol display device 81, and controls the display such as the variable effect of the third symbol on the third symbol display device 81 based on the command received from the voice lamp control device 113. Further, the display control device 114 appropriately transmits a display command for notifying the display content of the third symbol display device 81 to the voice lamp control device 113. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display on the third symbol display device 81 with the voice output from the voice output device 226 by outputting voice from the voice output device 226 according to the display content indicated by this display command.

[0088] The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure or the like, and a RAM erase switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM erase switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltage to each of the control devices 110 to 114 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As an overview, the power supply unit 251 takes in an AC 24-volt voltage supplied from the outside, and generates a 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as various switches 208, solenoids such as solenoid 209, motors, etc., a 5-volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies these 12-volt voltage, 5-volt voltage, and backup voltage to the control devices 110 to 114 and the like as necessary voltages.

[0089] The power failure monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 and the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 when the power supply is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 252 monitors the voltage of 24 VDC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251. When this voltage becomes less than 22 V, it determines that a power failure (power cut, power supply cut-off) has occurred, and outputs the power failure signal SG1 to the main control device 110 and the payout control device 111. By the output of the power failure signal SG1, the main control device 110 and the payout control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that even after the voltage of 24 VDC from the power supply unit 251 becomes less than 22 V, the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the 5 V voltage, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the NMI interrupt processing. Therefore, the main control device 110 and the payout control device 111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown).

[0090] The RAM erase switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM erase signal SG2 for clearing backup data to the main control device 110 when the RAM erase switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM erase signal SG2 when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, it clears the backup data and transmits a payout initialization command for clearing the backup data to the payout control device 111 to the payout control device 111.

[0091] Next, the structures of the game board A13 and the operation unit A200 will be described. FIG. 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board A13 and the operation unit A200, and FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective view of the game board A13 and the operation unit A200. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the illustration of the liquid crystal display device (variable display device unit 80) disposed in the opening A211a of the rear case A210 is omitted, and the inside is shown so as to be visible through the opening A211a. Also, in the description of FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG. 2 is appropriately referred to.

[0092] The operation unit A200 includes a rear case A210 that is formed in a box shape with an open front side from a bottom wall portion A211 and an outer wall portion A212 erected from the outer edge of the bottom wall portion A211. The rear case A210 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front by forming a rectangular opening A211a in the center of the bottom wall portion A211. The opening A211a is formed to have a size corresponding to the outer shape (outer edge) of the display area of the third symbol display device 81 (that is, capable of partitioning the display area of the third symbol display device 81 when viewed from the front).

[0093] The rear case A210 includes a support plate portion A213 that extends as a flat plate along the back surface of the game board A13 (for example, arranged in parallel) at the front end of the outer wall portion A212 and is supported by the game board A13 in a surface contact manner in the assembled state (see FIG. 2).

[0094] With the support plate portion A213 supported by the game board A13 in a surface contact manner, by screwing fastening screws into the base plate A60 of the game board A13, the game board A13 and the operation unit A200 can be integrally fixed, so that the rigidity of the entire game board A13 and the operation unit A200 can be improved.

[0095] A pair of displacement restricting devices A214 are arranged on the back side of the rear case A210. The displacement restricting device A214 is configured to be able to change its state between a protruding state and a retracted state by manual operation from the back surface of the rear case A210, and in the protruding state, it restricts the start of movement of movable accessories (the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500) described later from the production standby state.

[0096] By adopting the displacement restricting device A214, even when the opening in the center of the base plate A60 is blocked by the light guide plate unit A700 as in the present embodiment, the shipping and conveyance of the pachinko machine 10 can be facilitated.

[0097] Specifically, conventionally, there has been a method of suppressing the displacement of a movable component by packing a cushioning material (such as a cushion member like cotton) in the range where the movable component displaces, and removing the cushioning material after arriving at the game hall to prevent the displacement of the movable component during shipping or transportation. However, if the central opening of the base plate A60 is blocked as in this embodiment, there is no through-hole for removing the cushioning material, so the cushioning material cannot be removed without disassembling the game board A13 and the back case A210, which may impose a great burden on the game hall.

[0098] As a countermeasure, in this embodiment, a displacement restricting device A214 is adopted. Thereby, without releasing the fixation of the game board A13 and the back case A210, the state of the displacement restricting device A214 can be switched between a protruding state that restricts the movement of the movable component and a submerged state in which the restriction is released.

[0099] Note that the pair of displacement restricting devices A214 are respectively arranged as members that restrict the movement of different movable components. That is, if the number of movable components increases or decreases, it can be dealt with by increasing or decreasing the number of displacement restricting devices A214.

[0100] The base plate A60 is formed in a plate shape from a light-transmissive resin material and is configured to make it easy for a player to visually recognize various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate A60 from the front side. Thereby, regardless of the shape and arrangement of the base plate A60, the structures arranged on the back side thereof can be visually recognized and used for various effects. If there are parts that are not intended to be shown to the player, it may be dealt with by attaching a seal member with low light transmittance (or light-impervious).

[0101] The operation unit A200 is arranged on the back side of the game board A13, and various light-emitting means and various operation units are arranged inside. That is, the operation unit A200 includes a back case A210, a first operation unit A400 arranged in the inner right part and the inner upper part of the back case A210 in the front view and arranged closer to the front side of the back case A210, a second operation unit A500 arranged in the inner left part and the inner upper part of the back case A210 in the front view and arranged between the first operation unit A400 and the bottom wall part A211 of the back case A210, a third operation unit A600 arranged in the inner lower part of the back case A210 in the front view, and a light guide plate unit A700 fastened and fixed to the front end face of the outer wall part A212 of the back case A210 on the front side of the first operation unit A400.

[0102] Specifically, the third operation unit A600 is fastened and fixed to the bottom wall part A211 of the back case A210 at a position below the opening A211a, and the second operation unit A500 is fastened and fixed to the bottom wall part A211 of the back case A210 at positions to the left and above the opening A211a. Also, the first operation unit A400 is fastened and fixed to the bottom wall part A211 of the back case A210 at a position to the right of the opening A211a and is fastened and fixed to the front side surface of the second operation unit A500 at a position above the opening A211a. First, an overview of the operation control of this operation unit A200 will be described.

[0103] Figures 7 to 12 are front views of the operation unit A200 showing an example of the operation control of the operation unit A200. In Figure 7, the first operation unit A400, the second operation unit A500, and the third operation unit A600 in the production standby state are shown. In Figure 8, the first operation unit A400 in the protruding state, the second operation unit A500, and the third operation unit A600 in the production standby state are shown.

[0104] Also, in FIG. 9, the second operation unit A500 in the protruding state, the first operation unit A400 and the third operation unit A600 in the production standby state are shown. In FIG. 10, the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 in the protruding state, and the third operation unit A600 in the production standby state are shown. In FIG. 11, the third operation unit A600 in the protruding state, the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 in the production standby state are shown.

[0105] Also, in FIG. 12, the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 after rotating without changing the outer shape from the production standby state, and the third operation unit A600 after rising while maintaining the outer shape in the production standby state are shown.

[0106] Also, in FIGS. 7 to 12, the shape surrounded by the edge of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b of the light guide plate unit A700, the edge of the decorative member A808, and the edge of the center frame A86 is shown by an imaginary line. The shape surrounded by this imaginary line is the actual size at which the third symbol display device 81 can be visually recognized in the front view. Outside the shape surrounded by this imaginary line (especially on the left and right sides), the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b of the light guide plate unit A700 and the decorative member A808 block the view, so the visibility of the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 in the retracted state can be reduced.

[0107] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the displacement locus of the first operation unit A400 and the displacement locus of the second operation unit A500 partially overlap in the front view, but the displacement locus of the first operation unit A400 and the displacement locus of the second operation unit A500 are shifted back and forth (do not overlap in the top view), so the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 do not collide with each other during operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, both the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 can be in the protruding state.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the displacement locus of the first operation unit A400 or the second operation unit A500 partially overlaps with the displacement locus of the third operation unit A600 when viewed from the front. Therefore, for example, when the first operation unit A400 or the second operation unit A500 is in the protruding state, if the third operation unit A600 changes its state from the production standby state, there is a possibility of collision.

[0109] On the contrary, in this embodiment, the state change of the first operation unit A400 or the second operation unit A500 from the production standby state is controllably executed on the condition that the third operation unit A600 is in the production standby state, or the state change of the third operation unit A600 from the production standby state is controllably executed on the condition that the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 are in the production standby state, so as to avoid the collision between the first operation unit A400 or the second operation unit A500 and the third operation unit A600. Thereby, the degree of freedom in arranging the first operation unit A400, the second operation unit A500, and the third operation unit A600 can be improved (the overlapping of the displacement loci when viewed from the front can be tolerated).

[0110] The operation modes of the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 are configured to be executed in such a manner that the longitudinal and lateral lengths of the rotatable operation units A400b and A500b change during the rotation operation. Details will be described later.

[0111] The operation mode of the third operation unit A600 is configured such that the lifting operation of the opening and closing operation unit A600b and the opening and closing operation of the moving member A650 can be executed at different timings. That is, the opening and closing operation of the moving member A650 is controlled to be executed in a state where the opening and closing operation unit A600b is disposed at the upper end position.

[0112] As described above, in this embodiment, there may be a case where the operation timings of the respective operation units A400, A500, and A600 are shifted in anticipation of a possible collision. However, if the possibility of a collision can be eliminated from the beginning, it is naturally possible to drive them simultaneously. FIG. 12 shows a case where the respective operation units A400, A500, and A600 are simultaneously driven from the production standby state and move to positions where they do not collide with each other.

[0113] That is, the state change of moving the respective operation units A400, A500, and A600 from the production standby state to the state shown in FIG. 12 is configured to be realizable by driving a driving device that drives the respective operation units A400, A500, and A600 on the condition that the respective operation units A400, A500, and A600 are in the production standby state. Therefore, it is possible to realize an integrated operation performance by the plurality of operation units A400, A500, and A600.

[0114] In the state shown in FIG. 12, the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500 are in a posture immediately before the vertical and horizontal lengths of the rotation operation units A400b and A500b start to change during the rotation operation. That is, if further tilting operations occur, the driving force will be consumed in changing the vertical and horizontal lengths of the rotation operation units A400b and A500b, so the operating resistance of the rotation operation units A400b and A500b will increase. Therefore, it is possible to easily stop the operation units A400 and A500 in the posture of FIG. 12 where the operating resistance starts to change.

[0115] If the tilting operation further progresses, the amount of change in the vertical and horizontal lengths of the rotation operation units A400b and A500b will become increasingly large, so the operating resistance will become increasingly large. Due to this resistance, it is possible to cause a change in the operating resistance similar to the elastic force due to spring elasticity. Therefore, it is possible to easily maintain the operation units A400 and A500 in the posture of FIG. 12 or return them even if they are tilted too much.

[0116] Regarding the third operation unit A600, as will be described later, since the drive device used for the lifting operation is separate from the drive device for opening and closing the moving member A650, by only executing the drive of the drive device used for the lifting operation and not executing the drive of the moving member A650, it is possible to easily perform control to stop the third operation unit A600 in the state shown in FIG. 12.

[0117] In this way, it is possible to execute control to drive the first operation unit A400, the second operation unit A500, and the third operation unit A600 simultaneously, and while realizing an integrated operation, it is possible to avoid the collision of each operation unit A400, A500, A600.

[0118] Corresponding to the arrangement of each operation unit A400, A500, A600, the range in which the display of the third symbol display device 81 arranged behind it can be seen changes. That is, when all of the operation units A400, A500, A600 are in the production standby state, it is the state (see FIG. 7) where the range (area) in which the display of the third symbol display device 81 can be seen is the largest, and corresponding to the operation units A400, A500, A600 in the protruding state, the hidden range (area and position) of the display area of the third symbol display device 81 is configured to be different.

[0119] The hidden range (area and position) of the display area of the third symbol display device 81 also differs depending on the degree of protrusion of each operation unit A400, A500, A600 from the production standby state. Further, for example, even when the same operation unit (for example, the first operation unit A400) operates, the amount of operation and the outer shape of the rotational operation unit A400b are different between the state shown in FIG. 8 and the state shown in FIG. 12 (the side on the protruding position side is larger), so the hidden range (area and position) of the display area of the third symbol display device 81 is different.

[0120] Also, for example, even when the same operation unit (e.g., the third operation unit A600) is operating, in the state shown in FIG. 11 and the state shown in FIG. 12, although the vertical positions are the same, the left - right arrangement of the moving member A650 is different, so that the hidden range (area and position) of the display area of the third symbol display device 81 is different.

[0121] Also, for example, even when a plurality of the same operation units (e.g., the first operation unit A400 and the second operation unit A500) are operating, in the state shown in FIG. 10 and the state shown in FIG. 12, whether the plurality of operation units A400, A500 intersect or not is different, so that the number of ranges that are continuously visible as the ranges not hidden by the plurality of operation units A400, A500 in the display area of the third symbol display device 81 is different (4 in the up, down, left, and right directions in FIG. 10, and 1 in FIG. 12).

[0122] In this way, by providing a plurality of types of ranges for hiding the display area of the third symbol display device 81 by each of the operation units A400, A500, A600, it is possible to increase the variations in the effects of making the display of the third symbol display device 81 and each of the operation units A400, A500, A600 visible together.

[0123] That is, in the third symbol display device 81, it is controlled to develop a display effect in the range not hidden by each of the operation units A400, A500, A600. Since the ranges hidden by each of the operation units A400, A500, A600 change in a plurality of types, it is possible to increase the variations in the display effect in the range not hidden by each of the operation units A400, A500, A600, and improve the display effect.

[0124] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when a continuously visible display area that spreads over a large range is retained, the player can be relaxed by playing an animation across the entire screen and making it visible to the player. On the other hand, when the display area is visually recognized as being divided as in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, or FIG. 10, etc., the displays in each divided range are distinguished (for example, as displays distinguished between advantageous development and disadvantageous development), and if an effect is produced such that one of those displays is selected and the subsequent effect development is determined, the attention paid to the displays in each divided range can be improved.

[0125] Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 26, the first operation unit A400 will be described. FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the first operation unit A400, and FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the first operation unit A400.

[0126] The first operation unit A400 includes a support unit A400a held by a rear case A210 (see FIG. 5), and a rotation operation unit A400b rotatably supported about a rotation shaft bar AJ1 disposed at the lower right front side of the support unit A400a.

[0127] In the first operation unit A400, a drive motor AMT1 is disposed on the upper left side, and the rotation shaft bar AJ1 is disposed on the lower right side. Thereby, compared with the case where the drive motor AMT1 is disposed near the rotation shaft bar AJ1, the structure around the rotation shaft bar AJ1 can be simplified, and the arrangement of the rotation shaft bar AJ1 can be shifted closer to the right corner.

[0128] Furthermore, compared with the case where the drive motor AMT1 is disposed on the front side or the rear side of the rotation operation unit A400b as seen when the drive motor AMT1 is disposed near the rotation shaft bar AJ1, the front-rear width of the first operation unit A400 can be shortened. Therefore, sufficient space can be ensured when a plurality of movable accessories are stacked and arranged in the front-rear direction of the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5).

[0129] FIG. 15 is an exploded front perspective view of the first operation unit A400, and FIG. 16 is an exploded rear perspective view of the first operation unit A400. In FIGS. 15 and 16, the support unit A400a is disassembled, and the rotation operation unit A400b is shown in a non-disassembled state.

[0130] The support unit A400a includes a fixed support unit A410 fastened and fixed to the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5), and a drive motor AMT1 whose arrangement is fixed to the fixed support unit A410, and is configured to be able to transmit the driving force of the drive motor AMT1 to the rotation operation unit A400b, and a drive transmission unit A420.

[0131] The fixed support unit A410 includes a vertically long member A411 fastened and fixed to the right part in the front view of the bottom wall portion A211 of the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5), a horizontally long member A413 arranged to face the upper end side portion of the vertically long member A411 in the front-rear direction, a reinforcing member A415 in which a sheet metal member disposed between the horizontally long member A413 and the vertically long member A411 is bent forward, and an upper cover member A417 fastened and fixed to the horizontally long member A413 in an arrangement that sandwiches the bent portion of the reinforcing member A415 between the horizontally long member A413.

[0132] The vertically long member A411 includes a cylindrical support portion A411a through which the rotation shaft bar AJ1 of the rotation operation unit A400b is inserted, a non-performance hole A411b into which the protruding tip of the displacement restricting device A214 (see FIG. 6) disposed on the lower right side is inserted, a repair hole A411c formed to penetrate with a size that allows fastening screws to be removed for maintenance, and a detection sensor A411d for detecting that the first operation unit A400 is in a performance standby state or a protruding state by detecting the arrangement of the rotation operation unit A400b.

[0133] The non-performance hole A411b is formed at a location hidden from the decorative member A808 on the right side in the front view (see FIG. 8). Therefore, regardless of the arrangement of the rotation operation unit A400b, it is possible to easily avoid the displacement restricting device A214 (see FIG. 6) from being visually recognized by the player through the non-performance hole A411b.

[0134] Incidentally, such a blind - effect also occurs similarly for the upper displacement restricting device A214. That is, the upper displacement restricting device A214 is for restricting the displacement of the second operation unit A500. Also for this device, by being hidden by the upper decorative member A808, it becomes easier to avoid the displacement restricting device A214 from being visually recognized by the player.

[0135] As the detection sensor A411d, usually, a sensor in the form of a photocoupler is used, but it is not limited to this. For example, a magnetic sensor or a contact - type sensor may also be used.

[0136] The horizontally - long member A413 includes a plate - like main body A413a formed in a horizontally - long plate shape from a resin material, a guide long - hole A414 formed to penetrate the plate - like main body A413a, a motor support hole A413b formed to penetrate a bulging portion bulged forward on the left - end side of the plate - like main body A413a so as to support the drive motor MT1, and a plate - like extended portion A413d formed by extending forward in a plate shape from the upper - end portion of the plate - like main body A413a and having a plurality of protruding portions A413c formed with female threads on the extended tip side.

[0137] The reinforcing member A415 is a member formed by bending from a metal plate. It includes a plate - like main body A415a arranged to be bonded to the back side of the plate - like main body A413a and sandwiched between the vertically - long member A411 and the horizontally - long member A413 in the assembled state (see FIG. 13), a bent plate A415c formed by bending from the upper - end of the plate - like main body A415a to the front side and having a plurality of through - holes A415b through which the plurality of protruding portions A413c can be inserted, a pair of holding bent portions A415d formed by bending from the bent plate A415c and having through - holes through which the metal rod AMB1 is inserted, and a long - hole A415e formed in a shape surrounding the guide long - hole A414 from the outside.

[0138] The upper cover member A417 is a member formed of a resin material, and is fastened and fixed to the horizontally long member A413 by a fastening screw that is screwed into the female screw of the protruding portion A413c inserted into the through hole A415b in a positional relationship that sandwiches the reinforcing member A415 between the horizontally long member A413. It includes a plate-like main body A417a, a biasing spring A417b with one end supported by the plate-like main body A417a, and a damper member A417c with the other end of the biasing spring A417b supported and biased to the right end of the movable range extending in the left-right direction by the biasing force of the biasing spring A417b.

[0139] The drive transmission unit A420 is a sheet metal member with a drive motor AMT1 supported on the left end side, and includes a support member A421 fastened and fixed to the horizontally long member A413 at both left and right ends, a transmission mechanism A423 composed of a plurality of rotatable members rotatably supported on the front side of the support member A421, a covering cover A425 fastened and fixed to the support member A421 so as to cover the rotating members of the transmission mechanism A423 from the front side, and a connecting mechanism A427 connecting the transmission mechanism A423 and the rotation operation unit A400b.

[0140] The transmission mechanism A423 includes an annular belt A423a with teeth formed on the inner peripheral side, a pair of left and right pulleys A423b, A423c rotatably supported on the columnar portion A421a of the support member A421 so that the teeth meshing with the teeth of the belt A423a are formed on the outer peripheral side and the belt A423a can be supported without looseness, a drive gear A423d fixed to the drive shaft of the drive motor AMT1 so as not to relatively move, a gear portion A423e formed on the back side of the left pulley A423c, and a transmission gear A423f rotatably supported on the columnar portion A421a of the support member A421 so as to mesh with the drive gear A423d.

[0141] The covering cover A425 is not only fastened and fixed to the female screw formed on the main body plate portion of the support member A421, but also fastened and fixed to the female screw formed at the tip of the columnar portion A421a that supports the pulleys A423b and A423c and the transmission gear A423f. Thereby, the rigidity of the columnar portion A421a can be improved, and the rotation of the pulleys A423b and A423c and the transmission gear A423f can be stabilized.

[0142] The connecting mechanism A427 includes a connecting member A427a whose upper end side portion of the rotational operation unit A400b is connected and whose operation direction is set to the left - right direction by receiving the metal rod AMB1 in the concave portion A427b on the front side, a prevention member A427c that is fastened and fixed to the connecting member A427a so as to block the concave portion A427b of the connecting member A427a from the front side to prevent the metal rod AMB1 from falling out between it and the connecting member A427a, and a belt fixing member A427d that is fastened and fixed to the prevention member A427c with the belt A423a sandwiched between it and the prevention member A427c.

[0143] A cylindrical collar A427f through which the metal rod AMB1 is inserted is disposed in the pair of concave portions A427b, and a pulley A427g that supports the metal rod AMB1 inserted through the collar by the groove portion on the outer circumference is rotatably supported by the connecting member A427a. Thereby, it is easy to prevent the posture of the connecting member A427a with respect to the metal rod AMB1 from shifting, and the operating resistance can be reduced.

[0144] An engaging protrusion A427h corresponding to the tooth shape formed on the inner peripheral side of the belt A23a is formed on the upper surface portion of the belt fixing member A427d that is disposed opposite to the belt A423a. The belt A423a is arranged so that the engaging protrusion A427h and the teeth of the belt A423a mesh with each other, and the prevention member A427c is disposed opposite to the outer peripheral side (above the upper belt A423a) of the belt A423a, and the belt fixing member A427d and the prevention member A427c are fastened and fixed.

[0145] This can prevent the belt A423a from falling off the engagement protrusion A427h. Also, unlike the case where the belt A423a is fixed by pressing, while improving the durability of the belt A423a, it is possible to prevent the belt A423a from slipping relative to the connection mechanism A427.

[0146] With such a structure, when the drive motor AMT1 is driven to rotate and the left pulley A423c is rotated by gear transmission, the connection mechanism A427 is guided by the metal rod AMB1 and moves in the left - right direction as the portions of the belt A423a extending left and right are moved in the left - right direction.

[0147] The connecting member A427a is provided with a guide long hole A427e extending in the vertical direction through which the columnar protruding portion A448 of the rotational operation unit A400b is inserted. The columnar protruding portion A448 of the rotational operation unit A400b is inserted through the guide long hole A427e and the guide long hole A414 of the fixed support unit A410. As the connection mechanism A427 moves in the left - right direction, the columnar protruding portion A448 of the rotational operation unit A400b moves in the vertical and left - right directions.

[0148] Through the connection mechanism A427 that moves in the left - right direction in this way, a driving force is transmitted to the rotational operation unit A400b, causing the rotational operation unit A400b to be displaced. Hereinafter, the details of the rotational operation unit A400b will be described.

[0149] FIG. 17 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotary operation unit A400b, and FIG. 18 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rotary operation unit A400b. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the rotary operation unit A400b includes a base plate member A430 into which a rotary shaft rod AJ1 is fitted on the lower end side, a moving member A440 connected to the base plate member A430 so as to be slidable in a linear direction passing through the rotary shaft rod AJ1 on a plane orthogonal to the rotary shaft rod AJ1, a direction switching member A450 inserted through the base plate member A430 and the moving member A440 and movable in a direction orthogonal to the sliding movement when the moving member A440 slides, a decorative member A460 for showing the player that the length in the short side direction of the rotary operation unit 400b changes by changing the arrangement or posture due to the movement of the direction switching member A450, and a covering member A470 formed in a shape that fits or is fastened and fixed to the base plate member A430 so as to cover the direction switching member A450 from the front side by arranging the direction switching member A450 in a space formed between the base plate member A430 and the covering member A470.

[0150] The base plate member A430 includes a long plate-shaped plate body A431 into which the rotary shaft rod AJ1 is fitted, a pair of upper and lower guide long holes A432 bored on the same straight line passing through the rotary shaft rod AJ1 in the plate body A431, a plurality of auxiliary long holes A433 bored so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the guide long holes A432 at a position between the pair of guide long holes A432, a pair of support long holes A434 formed as long holes parallel to the guide long holes A432 at the short side end of the plate body A431 near the lower end of the upper guide long hole A432, a malfunction prevention cylinder portion A435 projecting cylindrically from the plate body A431 to the back side, a pair of guide extension portions A436 projecting from the front of the lower end of the plate body A431 in a shape extending parallel to the straight line where the guide long holes A432 are arranged, and a plate-shaped detection piece A437 projecting downward in a plate shape from the lower end of the plate body A431.

[0151] The malfunction prevention cylinder part A435 is a through hole formed to have a size through which the protruding tip of the displacement restricting device A214 on the right side (see Fig. 6) can be inserted. This malfunction prevention cylinder part A435 is arranged in front of the non-production hole A411b (see Fig. 8) in the production standby state of the first operation unit A400.

[0152] When the protruding tip of the displacement restricting device A214 is in a protruding state where it protrudes forward, the protruding tip passes through the non-production hole A411b and is inserted into the malfunction prevention cylinder part A435, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the rotational movement unit A400b.

[0153] The plate-shaped detection piece A437 is formed at a front-back position where it can be arranged in the detection groove of the detection sensor A411d (see Fig. 15). The plate-shaped detection piece A437 is formed on the side (back side) where the rotary shaft rod AJ1 is supported. Thereby, even when a situation occurs where the rotary shaft rod AJ1 bends (tilts) due to deformation of the rotary shaft rod AJ1 or the like, the displacement of the plate-shaped detection piece A437 can be minimized, so it is easy to avoid the plate-shaped detection piece A437 being arranged at a position deviating from the front-back position where it fits into the detection groove of the detection sensor A411d.

[0154] By detecting the arrangement of the plate-shaped detection piece A437 with the detection sensor A411d (see Fig. 15), the posture of the rotational movement unit A400b can be grasped. Therefore, even when a plurality of operation units A400 to A600 are driven by individual drive sources, it is possible to avoid a situation where they collide with each other.

[0155] The moving member A440 is configured to be able to execute an effect of brightly illuminating the front decorative plate A441 with light irradiated from the light-emitting means of the light-emitting substrate disposed inside, and is disposed so as to sandwich the light-emitting substrate between the decorative plate A441, a plate-shaped main body A442 disposed between the decorative plate A441, a pair of insertion protrusions A443 protruding from the back surface of the plate-shaped main body A442, a plurality of functional long holes A444 formed in a shape combining the vertical direction and the left-right inclined direction at a position corresponding to the auxiliary long hole A433 of the base plate member A430, an extension portion A445 extending parallel to the straight line on which the pair of insertion protrusions A443 are arranged, and a columnar protruding portion A448 protruding from the upper right corner portion of the plate-shaped main body A422 to the back side and inserted into the guide long hole A427e (see FIG. 15) of the drive transmission unit A420.

[0156] The decorative plate A441 includes a light-transmitting region A441a extending in the longitudinal direction at the central portion in the short side direction, and gold plating regions A441b plated with gold on both sides in the short side direction of the light-transmitting region A441a.

[0157] Thus, due to the formation of the functional long holes A444, even when the arrangement of the substrate is restricted closer to the central portion in the short side direction, the light-emitting effect is performed in the light-transmitting region A441a closer to the central portion in the short side direction, and in the other gold plating regions A441b, the effect is performed by reflection from the gold plating, so that a decrease in the effect can be avoided.

[0158] The insertion protrusion A443 is inserted into the guide long hole A432 of the base plate member A430 and is configured to be prevented from falling off the guide long hole A432 by a screw screwed into the tip and a collar member AC1.

[0159] The functional long holes A444 are composed of four long holes, namely, a pair of upper and lower long holes and another pair of upper and lower long holes having a shape inverted with respect to the straight line connecting the pair of insertion protrusions A443, and the shapes of the respective long holes are common except for the inversion relationship.

[0160] Among the plurality of functional long holes A444, a pair of upper and lower long holes are formed at positions where one of the long holes is translated in parallel along a straight line connecting a pair of insertion protrusions A443. That is, the corresponding portions of the pair of upper and lower long holes maintain a relationship of extending on the same straight line or being arranged in parallel.

[0161] The extension portion A445 is formed with a width length slightly shorter than the interval between the pair of guide extension portions A436 of the base plate member A430 and functions as a guide when the moving member A440 moves. Further, the extension portion A445 is formed in a U-shaped cross-section in the extension direction with the front side open. This shape not only improves rigidity but also functions to prevent the disconnection of the wiring A449 connected to the substrate. That is, by holding the wiring A449 in the extension portion A445 from the open side of the U-shape, contact between the other operating members and the wiring A449 can be avoided.

[0162] The wiring A449 is composed of a flat cable and is composed of a wiring that can bend in a direction corresponding to the rotation around the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and a wiring that can bend in the extending direction of the extension portion A445.

[0163] In this embodiment, since the drive motor AMT1 is disposed at a position away from the rotary shaft bar AJ1 (see FIG. 14), it is easy to secure a space around the rotary shaft bar AJ1, and this space can be used as a space for the wiring A449 to bend. Thereby, an excessive load can be avoided from being applied to the wiring A449, and the durability of the wiring A449 can be improved.

[0164] The direction switching member A450 and the decorative member A460 will be described together. The direction switching member A450 is composed of a pair of left and right members and includes a plate-shaped main body A451, columnar portions A452 projecting in a pair from the back side at the left and right inner portions of the plate-shaped main body A451, and a pair of upper and lower through holes A453 formed at the left and right outer portions of the plate-shaped main body A451.

[0165] The columnar portion A452 is inserted in sequence into the functional long hole A444 of the moving member A440 and the auxiliary long hole A433 of the base plate member A430, and is displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the straight line connecting the pair of insertion protrusions A443 according to the arrangement of the moving member A440. That is, according to the arrangement of the moving member A440, the direction switching member A450 can be displaced in a direction orthogonal to the straight line connecting the pair of insertion protrusions A443 (it can be displaced in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving member A440).

[0166] The decorative member A460 includes a pair of left and right parallel moving members A461 and a pair of left and right rotational moving members A465. The parallel moving member A461 includes a plate-shaped main body A462, a columnar portion A463 protruding from the lower corner on the left and right outer sides of the plate-shaped main body A462 toward the back side, and a long columnar portion A464 protruding from the central side portion on the left and right outer sides of the plate-shaped main body A462 toward the back side.

[0167] The rotational moving member A465 includes a plate-shaped main body A466, a columnar portion A467 protruding from the back at the upper end of the plate-shaped main body A466, and a through hole A468 formed below the columnar portion A467.

[0168] The columnar portion A463 has a female screw formed at its tip. By screwing a fastening screw inserted into the lower through hole A453 of the direction switching member A450 into the female screw, the decorative member A460 and the direction switching member A450 are fastened and fixed.

[0169] The long columnar portion A464 has a female screw formed at its tip, but is not used for fastening and fixing, and is used for the purpose of preventing the member from falling off. That is, the rotational moving member A465 through which the long columnar portion A464 is inserted is configured to be rotatable with respect to the parallel moving member A461.

[0170] The long columnar portion A464 is first inserted into the through hole A453 above the direction switching member A450, and then into the through hole A468 of the rotary moving member A465. By fixing a screw with a large screw head to the tip of the long columnar portion A464, it is possible to prevent the rotary moving member A465 from falling off the long columnar portion A464.

[0171] The columnar portion A467 of the rotary moving member A465 is supported by the support long hole A434 of the base plate member A430, so that the displacement is reduced. By configuring in this way, it is possible to make the displacement of the end portion (lower end portion) on the opposite side of the columnar portion A467 of the rotary moving member A465 larger than the displacement of the direction switching member A450 that displaces the through hole A468.

[0172] The covering member A470 includes a light-transmitting region A471 that extends in the longitudinal direction at the center in the short-side direction, and plating regions A472 where plating is applied on both sides in the short-side direction of the light-transmitting region A471.

[0173] Thereby, even at both positions on the short-side where light irradiated from the moving member A440 side is easily blocked by the arrangement of the direction switching member A450 and the decorative member A460, the production effect can be maintained at a high level. That is, for the light-emitting production, it is performed in the light-transmitting region A471 closer to the center in the short-side direction, and in the other plating regions A472, the production is performed by reflection from the plating, so that a decrease in the production effect can be avoided.

[0174] The covering member A470 includes a pair of protruding portions A473 that protrude toward the back side at the lower end portion. The protruding portions A473 are arranged at positions corresponding to the front-side end portions of the guide extending portion A436 of the base plate member A430.

[0175] By arranging in this way, in the assembled state, an opening through which the extending portion A445 of the moving member A440 is inserted can be formed by the covering member A470 and the base plate member A430. Thereby, the moving direction of the moving member A440 can be stabilized in the extending direction of the extending portion A445.

[0176] Figures 19(a), 19(b), 20(a) and 20(b) are rear views of the rotary operation unit A400b. In Figures 19(a), 19(b), 20(a) and 20(b), the state in which the moving member A440 of the rotary operation unit A400b moves relative to the base plate member A430 is illustrated in time series.

[0177] That is, the state of relative movement from the rotary operation unit A400b (see Figure 19(a)) in the production standby state (see Figure 7) of the first operation unit A400 to the rotary operation unit A400b (see Figure 20(b)) in the protruding state (see Figure 8) is illustrated. Note that the up and down in the paper surface of Figures 19 and 20 is different from the actual up and down directions, and the sliding movement direction of the moving member A440 is illustrated in a posture that coincides with the up and down of the paper surface.

[0178] The functional long hole A444 includes a first parallel portion A444a extending parallel to a straight line passing through the pair of insertion protrusions A443, an inclined portion A444b formed so that one end is connected to the first parallel portion A444a and extending linearly in a direction inclined with respect to the first parallel portion A444a, and a second parallel portion A444c formed so as to be connected to the other end of the inclined portion A444b and extending parallel to the extending direction of the first parallel portion A444a.

[0179] Here, in Figure 19(a), the state in which the columnar portion A452 of the direction switching member A450 is disposed on the end side of the first parallel portion A444a is illustrated, in Figure 19(b), the state in which the columnar portion A452 of the direction switching member A450 is disposed at the intersection position of the first parallel portion A444a and the inclined portion A444b is illustrated, in Figure 20(a), the state in which the columnar portion A452 of the direction switching member A450 is disposed at the intersection position of the inclined portion A444b and the second parallel portion A444c is illustrated, and in Figure 20(b), the state in which the columnar portion A452 of the direction switching member A450 is disposed on the end side of the second parallel portion A444c is illustrated.

[0180] The length of the first parallel portion A444a is formed to be sufficiently long. As a result, even when the moving member A440 starts relative movement with respect to the base plate member A430 from the state shown in Fig. 19(a), for a while (until the state shown in Fig. 19(b)), the direction switching member A450 is not moved in the short-side direction of the moving member A440, and the rotation operation unit A400b can be rotationally operated while maintaining an appearance with a short width in the short-side direction.

[0181] The inclined portion A444b extends outward in the short-side direction of the moving member A440 from the position where the first parallel portion A444a is formed. Therefore, when the moving member A440 moves relative to the base plate member A430 from the state where the columnar portion A452 of the direction switching member A450 is disposed on the first parallel portion A444a and the columnar portion A452 enters the inclined portion A444b, the direction switching member A450 moves outward in the short-side direction of the moving member A440.

[0182] The pair of columnar portions A452 of the direction switching member A450 are inserted into the pair of auxiliary long holes A433 and are guided in parallel. Therefore, the relative movement of the direction switching member A450 with respect to the base plate member A430 is a parallel movement in the short-side direction of the base plate member A430.

[0183] The speed of the movement is proportional to the speed at which the moving member A440 moves relative to the base plate member A430 due to the inclined portion A444b being formed in a straight line. Therefore, it is possible to easily execute an interlocking operation effect among the moving member A440, the direction switching member A450, and the decorative member A460.

[0184] The second parallel portion A444c is not as long as the first parallel portion A444a and is formed with the minimum necessary length. The purpose of forming the second parallel portion A444c is to improve the production effect of the rotation operation unit A400b.

[0185] That is, when the first operation unit A400 is driven to the protruding state and the drive motor AMT1 (see FIG. 15) is stopped, the connecting mechanism A427 is slightly pushed back by the biasing force applied from the biasing spring A417b to the damper member A417c, and even when the moving member A440 relatively moves in the opposite direction (return direction) with respect to the base plate member A430, due to the presence of the second parallel portion A444c, it is possible to prevent the position of the direction switching member A450 in the short side direction of the moving member A440 from changing.

[0186] Thereby, even when the pushing-back operation due to the biasing force of the biasing spring A417b that may occur when adopting the control of stopping the drive of the drive motor AMT1 in the protruding state of the first operation unit A400 occurs, it is possible to easily maintain the appearance (the length in the short side direction of the rotational operation unit A400b) of the first operation unit A400 in the protruding state.

[0187] In the state shown in FIG. 19(a), the distance between the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 is set as the first length AD1, and the angle between the straight line passing through the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 and the straight line passing through the pair of insertion protrusions A443 is set as the first angle Aθ1.

[0188] In the state shown in FIG. 19(b), the distance between the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 is set as the second length AD2, and the angle between the straight line passing through the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 and the straight line passing through the pair of insertion protrusions A443 is set as the second angle Aθ2.

[0189] The second length AD2 is configured to be longer than the first length AD1 (the first length AD1 < the second length AD2). The second angle Aθ2 is configured to be smaller than the first angle Aθ1 (the first angle Aθ1 > the second angle Aθ2).

[0190] In the state shown in FIG. 20(a), the distance between the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 is set as the third length AD3, and the angle between the straight line passing through the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 and the straight line passing through the pair of insertion protrusions A443 is set as the third angle Aθ3.

[0191] The third length AD3 is configured to be longer than the second length AD2 (the first length AD1 < the second length AD2 < the third length AD3). The third angle Aθ3 is configured to be smaller than the second angle Aθ2 (the first angle Aθ1 > the second angle Aθ2 > the third angle Aθ3).

[0192] In the state shown in FIG. 20(b), the distance between the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 is the fourth length AD4, and the angle between the straight line passing through the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 and the straight line passing through the pair of insertion protrusions A443 is the fourth angle Aθ4.

[0193] The fourth length AD4 is configured to be longer than the third length AD3 (the first length AD1 < the second length AD2 < the third length AD3 < the fourth length AD4). The fourth angle Aθ4 is configured to be smaller than the third angle Aθ3 (the first angle Aθ1 > the second angle Aθ2 > the third angle Aθ3 > the fourth angle Aθ4).

[0194] Therefore, until the first operation unit A400 changes from the production standby state to the protruding state, the rotation operation unit A400b changes the distance between the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 to gradually increase, and accordingly, the angle between the straight line passing through the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 and the straight line passing through the pair of insertion protrusions A443 is changed to gradually decrease.

[0195] FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 are front views of the first operation unit A400. In FIGS. 21, 22, and 23, the state in which the first operation unit A400 is driven from the production standby state to the protruding state is illustrated in time series.

[0196] In FIG. 21, the production standby state of the first operation unit A400 is illustrated. In FIG. 22, a state between the production standby state and the protruding state of the first operation unit A400, in which the appearance of the rotation operation unit A400b is the same as the production standby state except for the posture change, is illustrated. In FIG. 23, the protruding state of the first operation unit A400 is illustrated.

[0197] In the state shown in FIG. 21, the plate-shaped detection piece A437 is disposed in the detection groove of the detection sensor A411d. As a result, it is possible to cause the corresponding control device to recognize that the first operation unit A400 is in the effect standby state.

[0198] The guide slot A414 includes an arc portion A414a along an arc shape centered on the rotary shaft bar AJ1 formed on the right side of the columnar protruding portion A448 shown in FIG. 22, and a straight line formed linearly on the left side of the columnar protruding portion A448 shown in FIG. 22 and smoothly continuous with the arc portion A414a (extending in the tangential direction of the arc portion A414a at the continuous portion). A straight line portion A414b.

[0199] That is, in a state where the columnar protruding portion A448 is disposed in the arc portion A414a (see FIGS. 21 and 22), even if a rotational operation of the rotational operation unit A400b occurs, the distance between the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 is the first length AD1 (see FIG. 19(a)). ), and the relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 does not occur, so the appearance of the rotational operation unit A400b is maintained.

[0200] In the process of the rotational operation from the state shown in FIG. 22 to the state shown in FIG. 23, the appearance of the rotational operation unit A400b is changed so that the rotational movement member A465 protrudes in the short side direction of the rotational operation unit A400b.

[0201] Between the state shown in FIG. 22 and the state shown in FIG. 23, the straight line portion A414b in which the columnar protruding portion A448 is guided intersects the circle centered on the rotary shaft bar AJ1 at one point. Therefore, the arrangement of the columnar protruding portion A448 and the distance between the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 correspond one-to-one.

[0202] The overhang amount of the rotary moving member A465 is configured to correspond to the distance between the rotary shaft rod AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 (see FIGS. 19 and 20). Therefore, the position of the columnar protruding portion A448 where the rotary moving member A465 starts to overhang and the overhang amount of the rotary moving member A465 corresponding to the position of the columnar protruding portion A448 can be specified from the structural surface.

[0203] Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the rotary moving member A465 protrudes in a state where the amount of change (angle) in the posture of the rotary operation unit A400b is insufficient, which may cause a problem when the posture change of the rotary operation unit A400b and the overhang of the rotary moving member A465 are executed by individual drive sources, and the rotary moving member A465 collides with the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5).

[0204] When the driving force of the drive motor AMT1 (see FIG. 15) is transmitted and the belt A423a is operated, the connecting mechanism A427 is guided by the metal rod AMB1 and is slidably displaced in the left - right direction. In this embodiment, by controlling the driving amount of the drive motor AMT1, the rotary operation unit A400b can be operated to reciprocate between the state shown in FIG. 21 and the state shown in FIG. 22, or the rotary operation unit A400b can be operated to reciprocate between the state shown in FIG. 22 and the state shown in FIG. 23, or the rotary operation unit A400b can be operated to reciprocate between the state shown in FIG. 21 and the state shown in FIG. 23.

[0205] On the overhanging side (left side), the connecting mechanism A427 abuts against the damper member A417c and is decelerated by the elastic force from the biasing spring A417b. Thereby, even when the belt A423a is operated at high speed in the direction of making the first operation unit A400 in the overhanging state, it is easy to avoid the situation where the connecting mechanism A427 rebounds on the overhanging side (left side) and an excessive load is applied to the belt A423a, and the durability of the belt A423a and the connecting mechanism A427 can be improved.

[0206] When the rotating operation unit A400b starts from the production standby state of the first operation unit A400 shown in FIG. 21, the starting direction of the columnar protruding portion A448 is directed toward the tangential direction AT1 of the circle passing through the columnar protruding portion A448 with the rotation shaft rod AJ1 as the center.

[0207] In the present embodiment, in the state shown in FIG. 21, since the angle formed by the tangential direction AT1 and the direction in which the metal rod AMB1 extends (left - right direction) is configured to be small, the driving force of the drive motor AMT1 can be efficiently transmitted to execute the rotating operation of the rotating operation unit A400b.

[0208] In the state shown in FIG. 22, the direction of the tangential direction AT1 is parallel to the straight portion A414b. Therefore, when the rotating operation unit A400b is rotated counterclockwise in a front view from the state shown in FIG. 22, the resistance in the rotation direction can be reduced.

[0209] Between the state shown in FIG. 22 and the state shown in FIG. 23, the angle formed by the direction of the tangential direction AT1 and the direction in which the metal rod AMB1 extends (left - right direction) gradually increases, and the downward component of the tangential direction AT1 becomes larger. Therefore, the proportion of the self - weight in the force for rotating the rotating operation unit A400b increases, and an excess occurs in the driving force of the drive motor AMT1. This excess driving force can be used for the relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430.

[0210] In this way, while adopting the configuration of using the driving force of the drive motor AMT1 for both the rotating operation of the rotating operation unit A400b and the relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430, by configuring to shift the timing at which driving force is required for these multiple operations, the maximum value of the driving force required at one point can be reduced, and the drive motor AMT1 can be downsized.

[0211] As shown in Fig. 23, the angle formed by the direction in which the moving member A440 moves relative to the base plate member A430, i.e., the moving direction AM1, and the extending direction of the metal bar AMB1 is smaller than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 as the driving force transmission location and the extending direction of the metal bar AMB1.

[0212] In this embodiment, the angle formed by the moving direction AM1 and the extending direction of the metal bar AMB1 is an acute angle, which makes it easier to ensure the component of the driving force of the driving motor AMT1 transmitted in the extending direction of the metal bar AMB1 that is directed toward the moving direction AM1. Therefore, before the relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430, it is possible to avoid a situation where the driving force is transmitted in the direction of rotating the rotation operation unit A400b, resulting in an increase in the operating resistance of the rotation operation unit A400b. In this embodiment, the moving direction AM1 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the rotation operation unit A400b.

[0213] When the load from the driving motor AMT1 is transmitted in the left - right direction to the columnar protruding portion A448, the load is decomposed into a downward load that relatively moves the moving member A440 in the moving direction AM1 and an upward load in the direction of rotating (causing) the rotation operation unit A400b about the rotary shaft bar AJ1. It is precisely because the load from the driving motor AMT1 is in the left - right direction (exactly horizontal direction) that such a smooth decomposition of the load in the up - down direction can occur.

[0214] At this time, since the rotary shaft bar AJ1 is not arranged in the direction of the load decomposed in the moving direction AM1, that load also acts to rotate the rotation operation unit A400b about the rotary shaft bar AJ1.

[0215] That is, in the present embodiment, since the columnar protruding portion A448 is disposed at a position deviated from a straight line passing through the rotary shaft bar AJ1 and parallel to the moving direction AM1, a load of a component that relatively moves the moving member A440 in the moving direction AM1 also occurs in the rotational direction of the rotation operation unit A400b. Thus, it is possible to easily avoid the occurrence of a rotational operation failure such as when the load from the columnar protruding portion A448 toward the rotary shaft bar AJ1 becomes excessive.

[0216] Figs. 24, 25, and 26 are rear views of the first operation unit A400. In Figs. 24, 25, and 26, the state in which the first operation unit A400 is driven from the production standby state to the protruding state is illustrated in time series, and the illustration of the vertically long member A411 is omitted.

[0217] In Fig. 24, the production standby state of the first operation unit A400 is illustrated. In Fig. 25, a state between the production standby state and the protruding state of the first operation unit A400 is illustrated, in which the appearance of the rotation operation unit A400b is the same as the production standby state except for the posture change. In Fig. 26, the protruding state of the first operation unit A400 is illustrated.

[0218] That is, Fig. 24 corresponds to a rear view of the rotation operation unit A400b in the state shown in Fig. 21, Fig. 25 corresponds to a rear view of the rotation operation unit A400b in the state shown in Fig. 22, and Fig. 26 corresponds to a rear view of the rotation operation unit A400b in the state shown in Fig. 23.

[0219] Mainly with reference to Fig. 25, the operation of the rotation operation unit A400b starting from the production standby state of the first operation unit A400 will be described. In addition, appropriately refer to Figs. 19 and 20.

[0220] From the state shown in FIG. 25, while the rotational operation unit A400b is rotated counterclockwise in a rear view, until the distance between the rotary shaft rod AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 becomes the second length AD2 (see FIG. 19(b)), relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 occurs, but movement of the direction switching member A450 of the moving member A440 in the short side direction does not occur. Therefore, the appearance of the rotational operation unit A400b changes so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, and no change occurs in the short side direction.

[0221] While the rotational operation unit A400b is further rotated counterclockwise in a rear view, until the distance between the rotary shaft rod AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 becomes the third length AD3 (see FIG. 20(a)) from the state where the distance is the second length AD2, relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 occurs, and further movement of the direction switching member A450 of the moving member A440 in the short side direction occurs.

[0222] Therefore, the appearance of the rotational operation unit A400b changes so as to extend in the longitudinal direction and also changes so that the width in the short side direction becomes wider. Thus, the change in the appearance of the rotational operation unit A400b is configured to occur in two stages, in a state where only the longitudinal direction changes and in a state where both the longitudinal direction and the short side direction change, during the rotational operation of the rotational operation unit A400b.

[0223] While the rotational operation unit A400b is further rotated counterclockwise in a rear view, until the distance between the rotary shaft rod AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 becomes the fourth length AD4 (see FIG. 20(b)) from the state where the distance is the third length AD3, relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 occurs, but movement of the direction switching member A450 of the moving member A440 in the short side direction does not occur. Therefore, the appearance of the rotational operation unit A400b changes so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, and no change occurs in the short side direction.

[0224] Accordingly, even when a pushing-back operation due to the biasing force of the biasing spring A417b (see FIG. 21) occurs, which may happen when adopting the control of stopping the drive of the drive motor AMT1 in the protruding state of the first operation unit A400 (see FIG. 26), it is possible to easily maintain the appearance of the first operation unit A400 in the protruding state (the length in the short direction of the rotary operation unit A400b).

[0225] Thus, in the tilting operation of the rotary operation unit A400b, the number of members that relatively move with respect to the base plate member A430 is different in each section. By controlling so as to switch the control load of the drive motor AMT1 corresponding to the number of these relatively moving members (for example, increasing the control load in the range where the number of members increases and decreasing the control load in the range where the number of members decreases), it is possible to suppress the influence of the change in the operating resistance and easily prevent the operating speed of the rotary operation unit A400b from changing locally.

[0226] The change in the rotation angle of the rotary operation unit A400b when the columnar protruding portion A448 moves with a constant leftward speed component from the state shown in FIG. 25 will be described. First, in the state shown in FIG. 25, the straight line connecting the rotary shaft rod AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 is orthogonal to the straight line portion A414b of the guide long hole A414.

[0227] When the columnar protruding portion A448 moves with a constant leftward speed component from the state shown in FIG. 25, since the columnar protruding portion A448 is guided by the straight line portion A414b of the guide long hole A414, the rotation angle Aφ1 of the rotary operation unit A400b is, as shown in FIG. 26, the acute angle of a right triangle having as the hypotenuse the straight line connecting the rotary shaft rod AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448, as the base the straight line connecting the rotary shaft rod AJ1 and the columnar protruding portion A448 shown in FIG. 25, and as the height AX1 the straight line along the straight line portion A414b.

[0228] Here, assuming that the first length AD1 is the unit length, since the equation 1 [tanAφ1 = AX1] holds from the trigonometric function as the relational expression of a right triangle, the equation 2 [Aφ1 = arctanAX1] holds as its inverse function.

[0229] From Equation 2, when the height AX1 increases at a constant speed as the columnar protruding portion A448 moves with a constant leftward velocity component, the change amount of the rotation angle Aφ1 will gradually decrease. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the drive motor AMT1 is driven at a constant speed and the connecting member A427a (see FIG. 21) of the connecting mechanism A427 is moved in the left - right direction at a constant speed, the change amount of the rotation angle Aφ1 at the start from the state shown in FIG. 25 to the state shown in FIG. 26 is maximized, and the rotation operation unit A400b can be rotationally operated in an operation mode where the change amount of the rotation angle Aφ1 gradually decreases.

[0230] That is, while adopting a simple control of driving the drive motor AMT1 at a constant speed, for the rotation operation unit A400b, an operation mode of gradually decreasing the rotation speed can be realized.

[0231] Thereby, when the first operation unit A400 operates from the production standby state to the protruding state, at the start, it rotates at a high speed, but as it approaches the protruding state, the rotation speed of the rotation operation unit A400b is decreased. Therefore, while giving the player a surprise when the rotation operation unit A400b appears, by maintaining the arrangement and posture of the rotation operation unit A400b in the protruding state, it is easy to leave it in the player's field of vision, which can be realized by the control of driving the drive motor AMT1 at a constant speed.

[0232] On the other hand, when the first operation unit A400 operates from the extended state to the production standby state, at the start, it rotates at a slow speed, but as it approaches the production standby state, the rotation speed of the rotation operation unit A400b is increased. Therefore, while leaving the aftertaste at the start toward the retracted side of the rotation operation unit A400b, by setting the rotation speed of the rotation operation unit A400b to a high speed near the production standby state, it is possible to realize quickly retracting the rotation operation unit A400b by controlling the drive motor AMT1 to drive at a constant speed.

[0233] As a result, as the operation of the rotation operation unit A400b, it is possible to configure an operation state in which the displacement in the rotation direction is prominent (the rotation speed is high) and an operation state in which the displacement in the rotation direction is not prominent (the rotation speed is low) and the displacement in the linear motion direction is prominent while simultaneously causing displacement in the rotation direction and displacement in the linear motion direction.

[0234] That is, when causing the first operation unit A400 to execute a rotational operation in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the back from the production standby state (see FIG. 24), almost no relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 is caused until the state shown in FIG. 25, and further, in the rotational operation from the state shown in FIG. 25, the rotation speed of the first operation unit A400 when the drive motor AMT1 is driven at a constant speed is gradually reduced.

[0235] As a result, it is possible to cause a smooth transition between an operation state in which the displacement in the rotation direction is prominent and an operation state in which the displacement in the rotation direction is not prominent and the displacement in the linear motion direction is prominent, with the state where the columnar protruding portion A448 is disposed at a position where the tip of the straight line of the second length AD2 coincides with the center line of the guide elongated hole A414 as a boundary, without a sense of incongruity.

[0236] As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, in the rotational operation of the rotation operation unit A400b from the production standby state, from the start of rotation in FIG. 24 to the state shown in FIG. 25, since the columnar protruding portion A448 is guided by the arc portion A414a, there is no relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430, and only the rotational operation occurs.

[0237] From the state shown in FIG. 25 to the state shown in FIG. 26, with the rotational operation of the rotation operation unit A400b, relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 occurs. The mode of relative movement occurs in the order shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0238] In FIG. 25, the first length AD1, the second length AD2, the third length AD3, and the fourth length AD4 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 are correspondingly shown. The postures of the first length AD1, the second length AD2, the third length AD3, and the fourth length AD4 shown in FIG. 25 correspond to the postures of the rotation operation unit A400b in each state of the first length AD1, the second length AD2, the third length AD3, and the fourth length AD4 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0239] That is, when the rotation operation unit A400b rotates from the state shown in FIG. 25 to the posture of the second length AD2, only relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 occurs (see FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b)).

[0240] Furthermore, when the rotation operation unit A400b rotates from the posture of the second length AD2 to the posture of the third length AD3, in addition to the relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430, relative movement of the direction switching member A450 also occurs (see FIGS. 19(b) and 20(a)).

[0241] Furthermore, when the rotation operation unit A400b rotates from the posture of the third length AD3 to the posture of the fourth length AD4, only relative movement of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 occurs (see FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b)).

[0242] As described above, in this embodiment, with the rotation operation of the rotation operation unit A400b, relative operations of a plurality of other members are also configured to occur. However, the start timings of the relative operations of the respective members are not the same and are configured to be shifted from each other. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a rapid increase in the driving force required for the operation of the rotation operation unit A400b.

[0243] The correspondence between the changes in the lengths of the first length AD1, the second length AD2, the third length AD3, and the fourth length AD4 shown in FIG. 25 and the changes in the posture will be described. The angle between the first length AD1 and the second length AD2 shown on the right side and the angle between the second length AD2 and the third length hardly change (about 18 degrees), but the difference between the first length AD1 and the second length AD2 and the difference between the second length AD2 and the third length AD3 are such that the latter is more than three times the former.

[0244] Therefore, the moving length of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 per unit angle when the rotation operation unit A400b rotates from the posture of the first length AD1 shown on the right side to the posture of the second length AD2 is smaller than the moving length of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 per unit angle when the rotation operation unit A400b rotates from the posture of the second length AD2 to the posture of the third length AD3 by more than three times.

[0245] Furthermore, the moving length of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 per unit angle when the rotation operation unit A400b rotates from the posture of the second length AD2 to the posture of the third length AD3 is smaller than the moving length of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 per unit angle when the rotation operation unit A400b rotates from the posture of the third length AD3 to the posture of the fourth length AD4.

[0246] Thereby, the operation mode of the rotation operation unit A400b can be gradually shifted from a state where the rotation operation is the main state to a state where the relative movement (linear movement) of the moving member A440 with respect to the base plate member A430 is the main state.

[0247] Here, at the end of the rotational movement of the first operation unit A400 toward the protruding state (for example, the state from the posture of the third length AD3 in FIG. 25 to the posture of the fourth length AD4), with respect to the columnar protruding portion A448 that moves in the counterclockwise direction in the rear view around the rotation axis bar AJ1, the moving direction AM1 is configured to return in the clockwise direction in the rear view (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0248] That is, the angle between the columnar protruding portion A448 and the moving direction AM1 is reduced so as to partially cancel the rotation angle of the rotation operation unit A400b. Therefore, the change in the angle of the moving direction AM1 (see FIG. 23) in the state shown in FIG. 26 can be suppressed. Thereby, for example, even if the rotation operation unit A400b is slightly pushed back by the biasing force of the biasing spring A417b via the damper member A417c (see FIG. 23), the change in the angle of the moving direction AM1 due to this can be suppressed.

[0249] Thereby, not only is the first operation unit A400 configured such that the width in the short side direction of the rotation operation unit A400b is difficult to change in the protruding state (see FIG. 20), but also the change in the angle of the moving direction AM1 can be suppressed. Therefore, the first operation unit A400 can be easily stabilized in the protruding state.

[0250] Further, according to the rotation operation unit A400b, since it is configured to become longer in the longitudinal direction as it moves toward the protruding state, the air resistance applied to the rotation operation unit A400b from the rotation direction becomes larger toward the tilting end side. Therefore, the braking action due to the air resistance can be effectively generated.

[0251] Furthermore, according to the rotation operation unit A400b, as it moves toward the protruding state, the direction switching member A450 and the decorative member A460 protrude in the short side direction, increasing the area when viewed in the front - rear direction. Therefore, the air resistance against the tilting in the front - rear direction can be increased, making it easier to prevent the rotation operation unit A400b from tilting in the front - rear direction.

[0252] Next, referring to FIGS. 27 to 34, the second operation unit A500 will be described. FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of the second operation unit A500, and FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the second operation unit A500.

[0253] The second operation unit A500 includes a support unit A500a held by a rear case A210 (see FIG. 5), and a rotation operation unit A500b rotatably supported about a rotation shaft bar AJ2 disposed at the lower left front side of the support unit A500a when viewed from the front.

[0254] In the second operation unit A500, a drive motor AMT2 is disposed on the upper right side, and the rotation shaft bar AJ2 is disposed on the lower left side. As a result, compared with the case where the drive motor AMT2 is disposed near the rotation shaft bar AJ2, the structure around the rotation shaft bar AJ2 can be simplified, and the arrangement of the rotation shaft bar AJ2 can be moved closer to the left corner.

[0255] Furthermore, compared with the case where the drive motor AMT2 is disposed on the front side or the rear side of the rotation operation unit A500b as seen in the case where the drive motor AMT2 is disposed near the rotation shaft bar AJ2, the front-to-rear width of the second operation unit A500 can be shortened. Therefore, sufficient space can be secured when a plurality of movable components are stacked and arranged in the front-to-rear direction of the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5).

[0256] Furthermore, by setting the direction of the axis of the drive motor AMT2 to the vertical direction, the front-to-rear width is suppressed to the front-to-rear width about the diameter of the main body portion of the drive motor AMT2. As a result, the front-to-rear width of the second operation unit A500 can be shortened.

[0257] Also, by making the direction of the axis of the drive motor AMT1 (see FIG. 14) orthogonal to the direction of the axis of the drive motor AMT2, it is easier to avoid the situation where the other drive motor AMT2 is moved (malfunctioned) due to the vibration generated during the drive of one drive motor AMT1 (vibration on a plane orthogonal to the axis).

[0258] FIG. 29 is an exploded front perspective view of the second operation unit A500, and FIG. 30 is an exploded rear perspective view of the second operation unit A500. In FIGS. 29 and 30, the support unit A500a is disassembled, and the rotation operation unit A500b is shown in a non-disassembled state.

[0259] The support unit A500a includes a fixed support unit A510 fastened and fixed to the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5), a drive motor AMT2 disposed and fixed on the fixed support unit A510, and a drive transmission unit A520 configured to be able to transmit the driving force of the drive motor AMT2 to the rotation operation unit A500b.

[0260] The fixed support unit A510 includes a vertically long member A511 fastened and fixed to the right part in the front view of the bottom wall portion A211 of the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5), a horizontally long member A513 fastened and fixed to the upper end side portion of the vertically long member A511, a reinforcing member A515 formed by bending a sheet metal member disposed on the rear side of the horizontally long member A513, and a covering member A517 disposed on the lower side portion of the vertically long member A511 and configured to cover the lower end portion of the rotation operation unit A500b from the front side.

[0261] The horizontally long member A513 includes a plate-like main body A513a formed in a horizontally long plate shape from a resin material, a guide long hole A514 formed through the plate-like main body A513a, a support portion A513b formed to support the drive gear A523d of the drive transmission unit A520 as a protruding portion protruding forward in a bifurcated shape on the right end side of the plate-like main body A513a, a biasing spring A513c with one end supported on the plate-like main body A513a, and a damper member A513d with the other end of the biasing spring A513c supported and biased to the left end of the movable range extending in the left-right direction by the biasing force of the biasing spring A513c.

[0262] Note that the shape of the guide slot A514 is symmetric with the shape of the guide slot A414 (see FIG. 24) described in the first operation unit A400 with respect to the left and right. Accordingly, the relationship of the rotation operation of the rotation operation unit A500b (the relationship between the rotation angle and the moving width in the longitudinal direction) is the same as the rotation operation described in the rotation operation unit A400b (see FIGS. 21 to 26) except that it is symmetric with respect to the left and right. Therefore, the description of the rotation operation of the second operation unit A500 is omitted.

[0263] Note that the guide slot A514 corresponds to the location where the protruding tip of the upper displacement restricting device A214 (see FIG. 6) is inserted. When the upper displacement restricting device A214 is in the protruding state, the protruding tip thereof interferes with the columnar protruding portion A546 (see FIG. 28) and is configured to restrict the movement of the columnar protruding portion A546.

[0264] The reinforcing member A515 is a member formed by bending a metal plate, and includes a plate-shaped main body A515a disposed so as to be bonded to the back side of the plate-shaped main body A513a, a pair of holding bent portions A515b formed by bending from the plate-shaped main body A515a and having through holes through which the metal rod AMB2 is inserted, and a long hole A515c formed in a shape surrounding the guide slot A514 from the outside.

[0265] The covering member A517 is a member formed of a resin material, and includes a main body portion A517a formed in a shape in which the left and right end portions and the lower end portion of the plate-shaped portion extend to the back side, a cylindrical support portion A517b formed in the main body portion A517a and through which the rotation shaft rod AJ2 of the rotation operation unit A500b is inserted, and a detection sensor A517c for detecting that the second operation unit A500 is in the production standby state or the protruding state by detecting the arrangement of the rotation operation unit A500b.

[0266] As the detection sensor A517d, a sensor of the photocoupler type is usually used, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a magnetic sensor or a contact type sensor may be used.

[0267] The drive transmission unit A520 includes a support member A521 that is fastened and fixed to the right end of the horizontally long member A513 and supports the drive motor AMT2, a transmission mechanism A523 composed of a plurality of rotating members rotatably supported on the upper surface side of the support member A521, a left end holding member A525 that holds the rotating member at the left end of the transmission mechanism A523 and is fastened and fixed to the horizontally long member A513, and a coupling mechanism A527 that couples the transmission mechanism A523 and the rotation operation unit A500b.

[0268] The transmission mechanism A523 includes an annular belt A523a having teeth formed on the inner peripheral side, a pair of left and right pulleys A523b, A523c that are rotatably supported on the horizontally long member A513 via the support member A521 and the left end holding member A525 so that teeth having a shape meshing with the teeth of the belt A523a are formed on the outer peripheral side and the belt A523a can be supported without slack, a drive gear A523d that is fixedly and non-relative-operably attached to the drive shaft of the drive motor AMT2, and a transmission gear portion A523e that is a gear-shaped portion formed at the lower end of a cylindrical portion extending in a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis from the lower surface of the right pulley A523b and meshes with the drive gear A523d.

[0269] The rotation axes of the pulleys 523b, 523c and the drive gear A523d are configured to be parallel to each other. Thus, when the drive motor AMT2 is driven and the drive gear A523d rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the transmission gear portion A523e, causing the right pulley A523b to rotate, and the belt A523a is driven in such a manner that the portion of the belt A523a extending in the left-right direction is moved in the left-right direction.

[0270] The left end holding member A525 includes an upper member A525a formed of a resin material, fastened and fixed to the plate-shaped main body A513a, and rotatably supporting the left pulley A523c, and a lower member A525b formed of a metal material, fastened and fixed to the upper member A525a in an arrangement that sandwiches the left pulley A523c therebetween.

[0271] The connecting mechanism A527 includes a connecting member A527a whose upper end side is connected to the upper end side of the rotary operation unit A500b and whose operation direction is the left - right direction by receiving the metal rod AMB2 in the recess A527b on the front side, and a preventing member A527c that is fastened and fixed to the connecting member A527a so as to block the recess A527b of the connecting member A527a from the front side to prevent the metal rod AMB2 from falling out from between them.

[0272] The connecting member A527a includes a flat plate - shaped abutting portion A527d that abuts against the rear surface of the belt 523a at the upper end portion, and the preventing member A527c includes a serrated abutting portion A527e at a position corresponding to the abutting portion A527d.

[0273] By sandwiching the belt A523a with the abutting portion A527d and the serrated abutting portion A527e in a state where the abutting portion A527d is disposed opposite to the flat portion (outer peripheral side portion) of the belt A523a and the serrated abutting portion A527e is disposed opposite to the serrated portion (inner peripheral side portion) of the belt A523a, it is possible to prevent displacement of the flat abutting portion A527d and the serrated abutting portion A527e due to slipping with respect to the belt A523a.

[0274] A columnar fastening portion is formed on the connecting member A527a for fastening and fixing to the preventing member A527c. One of them rotatably supports a pulley A527g, and the connecting mechanism A527 is designed such that the metal rod AMB2 is disposed in the groove on the outer periphery of the pulley A527g. Thereby, the operating resistance generated between the connecting mechanism A527 and the metal rod AMB2 can be reduced, so that the driving force required for the drive motor AMT2 to operate the second operating unit A500 can be reduced, and the drive motor AMT2 can be miniaturized.

[0275] With such a structure, when the drive motor AMT2 is driven to rotate and the right pulley A523b is rotated by gear transmission, the portion of the belt A523a extending in the left - right direction moves in the left - right direction, and the connecting mechanism A527 is guided by the metal rod AMB2 and moves in the left - right direction.

[0276] The connecting member A527a includes a guide long hole A527f extending in the vertical direction through which the columnar protruding portion A546 of the rotational operation unit A500b is inserted. The columnar protruding portion A546 of the rotational operation unit A500b is inserted through the guide long hole A527f and the guide long hole A514 of the fixed support unit A510. As the connecting mechanism A527 moves in the left - right direction, the columnar protruding portion A546 of the rotational operation unit A500b moves in the vertical and left - right directions.

[0277] Through the connecting mechanism A527 that moves in the left - right direction in this way, a driving force is transmitted to the rotational operation unit A500b, and the rotational operation unit A500b is displaced. Hereinafter, the details of the rotational operation unit A500b will be described.

[0278] FIG. 31 is an exploded front perspective view of the rotational operation unit A500b, and FIG. 32 is an exploded rear perspective view of the rotational operation unit A500b. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the rotational operation unit A500b includes a base member A530 rotatably supported by a rotary shaft rod AJ2 on the lower end side, a moving member A540 connected to the base member A530 so as to be slidable in a linear direction passing through the rotary shaft rod AJ2 on a plane orthogonal to the rotary shaft rod AJ2, a direction switching member A550 inserted through the base member A530 and the moving member A540 and movable in a direction orthogonal to the sliding movement of the moving member A540 when the moving member A540 slides, a changing member A560 for showing the player that the length in the short - hand direction of the rotational operation unit 500b changes due to the arrangement or posture being changed by the movement of the direction switching member A550, and a covering member A570 disposed and fixed in front of the changing member A560 and fixed to the base member A530 via a fixed support member A565 so as to arrange the moving member A540 and the direction switching member A550 in the space formed between the covering member A570 and the base member A530.

[0279] The base member A530 includes a long plate-shaped plate body A531, a pair of upper and lower guide long holes A532 formed as long holes parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plate body A531, a plurality of functional long holes A533 formed in a shape combining the vertical direction and a direction inclined left and right at a position between the pair of guide long holes A532, a space forming member A534 fastened and fixed to both ends in the short direction of the lower end of the plate body A531 so as to form a space between the plate body A531, a support hole A535 formed in the space forming member A534 in the front-rear direction and supported by the rotary shaft rod AJ2, and a pair of protruding insertion portions A536 formed so as to protrude in the short direction of the plate body A531 above the position where the space forming member A534 is fastened and fixed and functioning as insertion portions for fastening screws.

[0280] The functional long holes A533 are composed of four long holes, namely, a pair of upper and lower long holes and another pair of upper and lower long holes having a shape inverted with respect to the pair of long holes, and the shape of each long hole is common except for the inversion relationship.

[0281] Among the plurality of functional long holes A533, a pair of upper and lower long holes are formed at positions where one of the long holes is translated parallel along the longitudinal direction of the guide long hole A532. That is, the corresponding portions of the pair of upper and lower long holes are on the same straight line or maintain a parallel arrangement relationship.

[0282] Among the functional long holes A533, a pair of upper and lower long holes and another pair of upper and lower long holes are arranged with a shift along the extending direction of the guide long hole A532. By configuring in this way, it becomes easier to utilize the empty space compared to the case where the arrangement is not shifted, and it is possible to easily secure the length of the functional long hole A533 in the short direction of the plate body A531 while suppressing the length of the plate body A531 in the short direction.

[0283] The space forming member A534 includes a plate-shaped detection piece A534a that protrudes in a plate shape in a direction away from the support hole A535 starting from the lower end portion on the front side. The plate-shaped detection piece A534a is formed at a front-rear position where it can be arranged in the detection groove of the detection sensor A517c (see FIG. 30).

[0284] The plate-shaped detection piece A534a is formed on the side (front side) where the rotary shaft bar AJ2 is supported. Thereby, even when a situation occurs in which the rotary shaft bar AJ2 bends (tilts) due to deformation or the like of the rotary shaft bar AJ2, the displacement of the plate-shaped detection piece A534a can be minimized, so that it is easy to avoid the plate-shaped detection piece A534a being disposed at a position deviating from the front-rear position where it fits into the detection groove of the detection sensor A517c.

[0285] By detecting the arrangement of the plate-shaped detection piece A534a by the detection sensor A517c, the posture of the rotation operation unit A500b can be grasped. Therefore, even when a plurality of operation units A400 to A600 are driven by individual drive sources, it is possible to avoid a situation where they collide with each other.

[0286] The moving member A540 includes a plate-shaped main body A541 formed of a resin material, a light-emitting substrate A542 that is fastened and fixed to the front side of the plate-shaped main body A541 and on which a plurality of light-emitting means such as LEDs are disposed on the front side, a decorative member A543 that is configured to cover the upper portion of the light-emitting substrate A542 and has a portion through which light from the light-emitting means of the light-emitting substrate A542 can pass and is fastened and fixed to the plate-shaped main body A541, a pair of insertion protrusions A544 that protrude so as to be inserted into the guide long hole A532 of the base member A530, a plurality of auxiliary long holes A545 that are formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the guide long hole A532 at a position corresponding to the functional long hole A533 of the base member A530, and a columnar protrusion A546 that protrudes from the upper left corner of the plate-shaped main body A541 to the back side and is inserted into the guide long hole A527f (see FIG. 30) of the drive transmission unit A520.

[0287] By configuring the moving member A540 in this way, it becomes possible to execute an effect of brightly illuminating the decorative member A543 with the light emitted from the light-emitting means disposed on the light-emitting substrate A542. In addition, the light-emitting means such as LEDs disposed on the light-emitting substrate A542 includes not only LEDs whose optical axes are arranged forward (in a direction orthogonal to the front surface of the substrate), but also LEDs whose optical axes are arranged laterally (in a direction parallel to the front surface of the substrate), particularly at the short-side end portions. Thereby, the effect of the light-utilizing effect can be improved, and the details will be described later.

[0288] The lower end portion of the moving member A540 is disposed in the space formed between the plate-shaped main body A531 of the base member A530 and the space forming member A534 in the effect standby state of the second operation unit A500 (see FIG. 27). That is, in a front view, the moving member A540 is configured to overlap with the rotary shaft rod AJ2 inserted into the support hole A535, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the moving member A540 can be improved.

[0289] The decorative member A543 includes a light-transmitting region A543a extending in the longitudinal direction at the central portion in the short-side direction, and gold plating regions A543b where gold plating is applied on both sides in the short-side direction of the light-transmitting region A543a.

[0290] Thereby, even when the arrangement of the substrate is restricted closer to the central portion in the short-side direction due to the formation of the functional long hole A533 and the auxiliary long hole A545, the forward-facing light-emitting effect is performed in the light-transmitting region A543a closer to the central portion in the short-side direction, and in the other gold plating regions A543b, the effect is performed by reflection from the gold plating, so that a decrease in the effect can be avoided.

[0291] In addition, the short-side end portions of the decorative member A543 do not extend to the back side and do not cover the side surface of the light-emitting substrate A542. Thereby, the light irradiated laterally to the light-emitting substrate A542 is not attenuated by the decorative member A543, and in the light-emitting effect, the object can be sufficiently illuminated.

[0292] The insertion projection A544 is configured to be inserted into the guide long hole A532 of the base member A530 and to be prevented from falling off the guide long hole A532 by a screw and a collar member AC1 screwed into the tip. By configuring in this way, the moving member A540 is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the base member A530 along the guide long hole A532.

[0293] The direction switching member A550 is composed of a set of left and right corresponding members, and includes a corresponding plate-like body A551, a pair of front columnar portions A552 arranged in a longitudinal direction protruding forward on the left and right inner sides of the plate-like body A551, a pair of rear columnar portions A553 arranged in a longitudinal direction protruding rearward on the same straight line as the protruding direction of the front columnar portion A552, through holes A554 formed in the longitudinal direction on the left and right outer sides of the plate-like body A551, and a moving decorative member A555 fastened and fixed to the plate-like body A551 at the left and right outer peripheral ends and the upper peripheral end of the plate-like body A551 so as to maintain a space where the moving member A540 can be arranged between the plate-like body A551, and a through hole A556 formed in the longitudinal direction (a direction parallel to the through hole A554) from the lower end portion of the moving decorative member A555.

[0294] In the present embodiment, the plate-like body A551 and the moving decorative member A555 are formed from a colored transparent resin material in consideration of the effect. In particular, since the color of the resin is configured to be yellow, the color continuity with the gold plating region A543b (gold plating) of the moving member A540 can be improved, and the light emission effect during operation can be enhanced.

[0295] If the plate-like body A551 and the moving decorative member A555 can be composed of exactly the same shaped members, there may be a possibility of sharing the members, which may be preferable. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the plate-like body A551 and the moving decorative member A555 are composed of two corresponding members and are not composed of exactly the same shape, but this difference in shape is designed based on functional requirements.

[0296] For example, the difference in shape at the upper end is that a notch is formed on the side where the columnar protruding portion A546 of the moving member A540 is located to avoid interference with the columnar protruding portion A546, resulting in different shapes.

[0297] Also, for example, the difference in the arrangement of the front columnar portion A552 and the rear columnar portion A553 is that the functional long holes A533 and the auxiliary long holes A545 are arranged at asymmetric positions on the left and right, resulting in different shapes.

[0298] By having such functional requirements borne by the configuration on the back side, the degree of freedom in designing the shape of the front side of the moving decorative member A555 visible to the player can be improved. In this embodiment, by adopting a symmetric shape, the production effect of the rotation operation unit A500b can be improved.

[0299] The front columnar portion A552 is inserted into the auxiliary long hole A545 of the moving member A540, and the rear columnar portion A553 is inserted into the functional long hole A533 of the base member A530. As a result, the direction switching member A550 can be displaced in the extending direction of the auxiliary long hole A545 according to the arrangement of the moving member A540 with respect to the base member A530.

[0300] The rear columnar portion A553 is inserted into the functional long hole A533 of the base member A530 and is configured to be prevented from falling off the functional long hole A533 by a screw screwed into the tip and a collar member AC1.

[0301] On the other hand, with respect to the base member A530, the moving member A540 is connected by the insertion protrusion A544, and the direction switching member A550 is connected by the rear columnar portion A553, which is sufficient to prevent detachment. Therefore, between the front columnar portion A552 and the moving member A540, a collar member AC1 is arranged, and detachment prevention by screwing a screw is not performed.

[0302] As a result, even if the light-emitting substrate A542 is formed near the auxiliary long hole A545, there is no rubbing between the color member AC1 and the light-emitting substrate A542. Therefore, the durability of the light-emitting substrate A542 does not decrease, and the degree of freedom in designing the shape of the light-emitting substrate A542 can be improved.

[0303] In addition, it is possible to avoid the screw head from interfering with the moving decorative member A555, and the front-rear interval between the moving decorative member A555 and the moving member A540 can be shortened. As a result, the front-rear thickness of the direction switching member A550 can be shortened.

[0304] The changing member A560 is composed of a pair of left and right members, and includes a guide support member A561 that is displaceably supported (capable of rotational displacement and displacement in the extending direction of the through hole A554) in the through hole A554 of the direction switching member A550, a wing-shaped member A562 to which the guide support member A561 is fastened and fixed on the back side, an intermediate displacement member A563 that is rotatably supported by the wing-shaped member A562, a fixing member A564 that is fastened and fixed to the wing-shaped member A562 with the intermediate displacement member A563 sandwiched between the wing-shaped member A562, a fixing support member A565 that is fastened and fixed to the overhanging insertion portion A536 of the base member A530 and rotatably supports the intermediate displacement member A563, and a fixing member A566 that is fastened and fixed to the fixing support member A565 with the intermediate displacement member A563 sandwiched between the fixing support member A565.

[0305] The wing-shaped member A562 is a columnar portion that rotatably supports the intermediate displacement member A563, and includes a support fastening portion A562a to which a fastening screw is screwed into a female screw formed at the tip end to fasten and fix the fixing member A564, and a fastened portion A562b to which the guide support member A561 is fastened and fixed.

[0306] The intermediate displacement member A563 is a plate-shaped member, and includes a first through-hole A563a through which the support fastening portion A562a is inserted, a second through-hole A563b through which the fixed support member A565 is inserted and which is rotatably supported by the fixed support member A565, and an insertion protrusion A563c that is inserted into the through-hole A556 of the direction switching member A550 and is supported so as to be displaceable (capable of rotational displacement and displacement in the extending direction of the through-hole A556).

[0307] The fixed support member A565 has a symmetrical shape in which a pair of linear legs are formed from the outer peripheral portion of the arc-shaped portion, and includes a columnar fixing portion A565a that protrudes columnarly from the lower end of the leg to the back side and is fastened and fixed to the overhanging insertion portion A536 of the base member A530, and columnar support portions A565b that protrude to the back side at the left and right upper end portions of the arc-shaped portion and rotatably support the second through-hole A563b of the intermediate displacement member A563.

[0308] The columnar support portion A565b has a female screw formed at its tip, and the fastening screw inserted into the insertion hole A566a of the fixing member A566 is screwed into the female screw, so that the fixing member A566 can be fastened and fixed to the fixed support member A565 in a manner that prevents the intermediate displacement member A563 from falling off the fixed support member A565.

[0309] In this embodiment, as the insertion portion of the fastening screw of the fixing member A566, not only the insertion hole A566a but also an insertion hole A566b through which a fastening screw for fastening and fixing to the fixed support member A565 without sandwiching another member in between is provided.

[0310] Therefore, the screwing position of the fastening screw can be changed as needed. For example, the fastening screw may be inserted and screwed into all of the insertion holes A566a and A566b. In this case, the strength of the columnar support portion A565b can be improved by the strength of the fastening screw, so that it is easier to avoid the columnar support portion A565b from being damaged and the intermediate displacement member A563 from falling out.

[0311] Alternatively, for example, a fastening screw may be inserted and screwed into either the insertion hole A566a or the insertion hole A566b. In this case, the required number of fastening screws can be reduced, so that the manufacturing cost of the product can be reduced.

[0312] The covering member A570 includes a light-transmissive region A571 extending in the longitudinal direction at the central portion in the short-side direction, a plating region A572 where plating is applied on both sides in the short-side direction of the light-transmissive region A571, a pair of claw-shaped portions A573 extending from the outer end portion in the short-side direction to the back side on the back side of the plating region A572 and bent from the extended end portions, and a plurality of fastened columnar portions A574 fastened and fixed to the fixed support member A565.

[0313] Even when the shape of the light-emitting substrate A542 is restricted to a shape that does not interfere with the auxiliary long hole A545 by the light-transmissive region A571 and the plating region A572, the lighting effect of the lighting performance can be maintained at a high level. That is, for the lighting performance, it is performed in the light-transmissive region A571 closer to the central portion in the short-side direction, and in the other plating regions A572, the performance is performed by reflection from the plating, so that a decrease in the performance effect can be avoided.

[0314] The claw-shaped portions A573 are configured to support both sides in the short-side direction of the decorative member A543 of the moving member A540 in a guidable manner. Thereby, the positional deviation of the moving member A540 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed, and in particular, it can be easily prevented that the moving member A540 tilts forward or backward with respect to the base member A530 in the protruding state (see FIG. 9).

[0315] The fastened columnar portions A574 are arranged at positions corresponding to the central side portions of the pair of leg portions and the central portion of the arc-shaped portion of the fixed support member A565, and are fastened and fixed to the fixed support member A565 by screwing fastening screws inserted through the fixed support member A565 at each position.

[0316] Figures 33(a), 33(b), 34(a) and 34(b) are rear views of the rotational operation unit A500b. In Figures 33(a), 33(b), 34(a) and 34(b), the state of relative movement of the moving member A540 of the rotational operation unit A500b with respect to the base member A530 is illustrated in time series. Note that in Figures 33(a), 33(b), 34(a) and 34(b), the illustration of the color member AC1 is omitted.

[0317] In Figures 33(a), 33(b), 34(a) and 34(b), the state of relative movement from the rotational operation unit A500b (see Figure 33(a)) in the production standby state (see Figure 7) of the second operation unit A500 to the rotational operation unit A500b (see Figure 34(b)) in the protruding state (see Figure 9) is illustrated.

[0318] The guide elongated holes A532 are a pair of elongated holes extending in parallel, but are not formed in a straight line. The upper guide elongated hole A532 is formed at the center in the short side direction of the base member A530, while the lower guide elongated hole A532 is disposed at a position slightly deviated from the center in the short side direction so as to avoid the rotary shaft bar AJ2.

[0319] Thus, even when the guide elongated holes A532 are slightly shifted, since the moving member A540 is supported by the pair of guide elongated holes A532, the moving member A540 can be smoothly moved in the extending direction of the guide elongated holes A532. Further, by shifting the arrangement of the guide elongated holes A532 in this way, the rotary shaft bar AJ2 can be disposed at the center position in the short side direction of the base member A530.

[0320] The functional elongated hole A533 includes a first parallel portion A533a extending parallel to the direction in which the guide elongated hole A532 extends, an inclined portion A533b formed so that one end is continuous with the first parallel portion A533a and linearly extending in a direction inclined with respect to the first parallel portion A533a, and a second parallel portion A533c formed so as to be continuous with the other end of the inclined portion A533b and extending parallel to the extending direction of the first parallel portion A533a.

[0321] Here, in Fig. 33(a), a state is illustrated where the rear columnar portion A553 of the direction switching member A550 is disposed on the end side of the first parallel portion A533a. In Fig. 33(b), a state is illustrated where the rear columnar portion A553 of the direction switching member A550 is disposed at the intersection position of the first parallel portion A533a and the inclined portion A533b. In Fig. 34(a), a state is illustrated where the rear columnar portion A553 of the direction switching member A550 is disposed at the intersection position of the inclined portion A533b and the second parallel portion A533c. In Fig. 34(b), a state is illustrated where the rear columnar portion A553 of the direction switching member A550 is disposed on the end side of the second parallel portion A533c.

[0322] The length of the first parallel portion A533a is formed to be sufficiently long. Thereby, even when the moving member A540 starts relative movement with respect to the base member A530 from the state shown in Fig. 33(a), for a while (until the state shown in Fig. 33(b)), the direction switching member A550 is configured to be difficult to move in the short side direction of the moving member A540.

[0323] In the operation of the second operation unit A500, the relative movement of the moving member A540 with respect to the base member A530 is to be performed simultaneously with the rotational operation of the rotational operation unit A500b centered on the rotary shaft bar AJ2. However, from the state shown in Fig. 33(a) to the state shown in Fig. 33(b), the rotational operation unit A500b can be rotationally operated while maintaining an appearance with a short short side width.

[0324] The inclined portion A533b extends outward in the short side direction of the base member A530 from the position where the first parallel portion A533a is formed. Therefore, when the moving member A540 relatively moves with respect to the base member A530 from the state where the rear columnar portion A553 of the direction switching member A550 is disposed on the first parallel portion A533a and the rear columnar portion A553 enters the inclined portion A533b, the direction switching member A550 moves outward in the short side direction of the moving member A540.

[0325] The pair of rear columnar parts A553 of the direction switching member A550 are inserted into a pair of auxiliary long holes A545 (see FIG. 32), and the pair is guided in parallel. Therefore, the relative movement of the direction switching member A550 with respect to the moving member A540 is a parallel movement in the short side direction of the moving member A540.

[0326] The speed of the movement is proportional to the speed at which the moving member A540 moves relative to the base member A530 because the inclined part A533b is formed linearly. Therefore, it is possible to easily execute an operation effect in which the moving member A540 and the direction switching member A550 interlock.

[0327] The second parallel part A533c is not as long as the first parallel part A533a and is formed with the minimum necessary length. The purpose of forming the second parallel part A533c is to improve the production effect of the rotation operation unit A500b.

[0328] That is, when the second operation unit A500 is driven to the protruding state and the drive motor AMT2 (see FIG. 29) is stopped, the connecting mechanism A527 is slightly pushed back by the biasing force given from the biasing spring A513c to the damper member A513d, and the moving member A540 moves relative to the base member A530 in the reverse direction (return direction). Even in this case, due to the second parallel part A533c, it is possible to prevent the position of the direction switching member A550 in the short side direction of the moving member A540 from changing.

[0329] Thereby, even when a pushing-back operation due to the biasing force of the biasing spring A513c (see FIG. 29) occurs, which may occur when adopting control to stop the drive of the drive motor AMT2 in the protruding state of the second operation unit A500, it is possible to easily maintain the appearance of the second operation unit A500 in the protruding state (the length in the short side direction of the rotation operation unit A500b).

[0330] Here, the differences between the rotation operation unit A500b of the second operation unit A500 and the rotation operation unit A400b of the first operation unit A400 will be described. First, as described above, in the rotation operation unit A500b, the guide long holes A532 are not arranged in a straight line.

[0331] In the rotation operation unit A500b of the second operation unit A500, the functional long holes A533 are not arranged in the lateral direction of the base member A530, but are arranged with a shift in the longitudinal direction. As a result, a part of the functional long holes A533 formed on the opposite side in the lateral direction can enter the gap between the functional long holes A533 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the base member A530, so that the length of the base member A530 in the lateral direction can be shortened.

[0332] The arrangement of the rear columnar portion A553 of the direction switching member A550 is configured to be shifted up and down in accordance with the dimension of the vertical shift in the arrangement of the functional long holes A533. Thereby, the operation timings in the opposite directions (the lateral direction of the moving member A540) of the left and right direction switching members A550 can be matched.

[0333] In the rotation operation unit A400b, the functional long holes A444 were formed in the moving member A440, but in the rotation operation unit A500b, the functional long holes A533 are formed in the base member A530.

[0334] Therefore, in the first operation unit A400, as the rotation operation unit A400b rotates and the moving member A440 moves relative to the base plate member A430, the functional long holes A444 also move relative to the base plate member A430 (see FIGS. 19 and 20). However, in the second operation unit A500, even when the rotation operation unit A500b rotates and the moving member A540 moves relative to the base member A530, the arrangement of the functional long holes A533 does not move relative to the base member A530.

[0335] Conversely, in the first operation unit A400, an auxiliary long hole A433 (see Fig. 17) was formed in the base plate member A430, while in the second operation unit A500, an auxiliary long hole A545 is formed in the moving member A540 (see Fig. 32), and the correspondence is reversed.

[0336] From this relationship, the functional long hole A533 formed in the rotation operation unit A500b of the second operation unit A500 has an upside-down relationship with the functional long hole A444 formed in the rotation operation unit A400b of the first operation unit A400.

[0337] In this way, by reversing the vertical relationship of the functional long holes A444 and A533 to correspond to the reversed correspondence of the arrangements of the functional long holes A444 and A533 and the auxiliary long holes A433 and A545, in the rotation operation unit A500b as well, an operation mode similar to that of the rotation operation unit A400b can be realized, in which the length in the short direction of the rotation operation unit A500b increases during the process of extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0338] In the second operation unit A500, the arrangement of the direction switching member A550 in the longitudinal direction of the rotation operation unit A500b corresponds to the arrangement of the auxiliary long hole A545 of the moving member A540. Therefore, as the moving member A540 moves relative to the base member A530 in the longitudinal direction of the rotation operation unit A500b, the direction switching member A550 moves in the longitudinal direction of the rotation operation unit A500b by the same amount as the moving amount of the moving member A540, and at the same time, it moves in the short direction of the moving member A540.

[0339] That is, the movement of the direction switching member A550 is a relative movement in the short direction of the moving member A540 (a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the guide long hole A532) with respect to the moving member A540, and a relative movement along the formation direction of the functional long hole A533 with respect to the base member A530.

[0340] The changing member A560 is supported by the columnar support portion A565b of the fixed support member A565 where the second through-hole A563b is fixed to the base member A530. On the other hand, the insertion protrusion A563c is supported by the through-hole A556 of the displaceable direction switching member A550, and the guide support member A561 is supported by the displaceable through-hole A554. Thus, a displacement different from both the displacement of the moving member A540 and the displacement of the direction switching member A550 can be generated for the changing member A560, which rotates corresponding to the displacement amount in the short-side direction of the moving member A540 with the base member A530 as a fulcrum.

[0341] Note that until the second operation unit A500 changes from the production standby state to the protruding state, the rotation operation unit A500b is changed so that the distance between the rotary shaft rod AJ2 and the columnar protruding portion A546 gradually increases. Along with this, the angle between the straight line passing through the rotary shaft rod AJ2 and the columnar protruding portion A546 and the straight line extending in the longitudinal direction of the rotation operation unit A500b (the moving direction of the moving member A540) is changed so as to gradually decrease. This is the same as described above in the explanation of the first operation unit A400 with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, so the explanation is omitted here.

[0342] Next, the third operation unit A600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 42. FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of the third operation unit A600, and FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of the third operation unit A600.

[0343] The third operation unit A600 includes a support unit A600a held by the rear case A210 (see FIG. 5), and an opening / closing operation unit A600b supported by the support unit A600a so as to be capable of lifting and lowering.

[0344] FIG. 37 is an exploded front perspective view of the third operation unit A600, and FIG. 38 is an exploded rear perspective view of the third operation unit A600. In FIGS. 37 and 38, the support unit A600a is disassembled, and the opening / closing operation unit A600b is shown in a non-disassembled state.

[0345] The support unit A600a includes a fixed support unit A610 fastened and fixed to the back case A210 (see Fig. 5), a drive motor AMT3 whose arrangement is fixed to the fixed support unit A610, and a drive transmission unit A620 configured to be able to transmit the driving force of the drive motor AMT3 to the opening / closing operation unit A600b.

[0346] The fixed support unit A610 includes a horizontally long member A611 fastened and fixed to the lower part of the bottom wall portion A211 of the back case A210 (see Fig. 5) when viewed from the front, a decorative member A613 fastened and fixed to the upper right side portion of the horizontally long member A611, a right side member A615 fastened and fixed to the horizontally long member A611 below the decorative member A613, and a left side member A617 fastened and fixed with a space where the drive transmission unit A620 can move left open between the left side portion of the horizontally long member A611.

[0347] The horizontally long member A611 includes a plate-shaped main body A611a, a pair of support forming portions A611b bent from the upper and lower end portions of the plate-shaped main body A611a to the front side, and a lifting support rod A611c formed from a metal cylindrical member inserted and fixed in the support forming portions A611b in the vertical direction.

[0348] The lifting support rod A611c is supported by the support forming portions A611b while being inserted into the back side portion of the opening / closing operation unit A600b, thereby guiding the lifting direction of the opening / closing operation unit A600b and functioning to maintain the front-rear arrangement of the opening / closing operation unit A600b with respect to the plate-shaped main body A611a.

[0349] The decorative member A613 includes a main body portion A613a formed in a box shape with an open back side, and a protruding portion A613b protruding leftward from the left end portion of the front side surface of the main body portion A613a. The protruding portion A613b functions to suppress the forward fall of the opening / closing operation unit A600b in the production standby state of the third operation unit A600, and the details will be described later.

[0350] The right member A615, together with the left member A617, supports the light guide plate unit A700 (see FIG. 5), and is a member to which the light guide plate unit A700 is fastened and fixed. That is, the opening / closing operation unit A600b is disposed behind the light guide plate unit A700 in the production standby state of the third operation unit A600, and is configured to be displaced upward toward the center side of the light guide plate unit A700 by changing to the protruding state.

[0351] The left member A617 includes a plate-shaped main body A617a, a support portion A617b protruding cylindrically from the back side of the plate-shaped main body A617a, a fan-shaped through hole A617c formed along an arc centered on the support portion A617b, a torsion spring A617d wound around a metal rod disposed on the plate-shaped main body A617a in an arrangement coaxial with the support portion A617b, with one end fixed and the other end disposed at a position facing the fan-shaped through hole A617c for urging in the upward direction, a box-shaped portion A617e formed in a box shape with the back side opened on the lower side of the plate-shaped main body A617a, a support portion A617f protruding cylindrically from the back side of the box-shaped portion A617e, an insertion hole A617g formed in the box-shaped portion A617e with a size allowing the drive gear AMG3 of the drive motor AMT3 to be inserted therethrough, a covering portion A617h extending in an arc-shaped cross section from the lower edge portion of the insertion hole A617g to the back side and partially covering the insertion hole A617g at the extending end portion, and a detection sensor A617i fastened and fixed to the back side of the box-shaped portion A617e in a posture facing the detection gap toward the support portion A617f side.

[0352] The covering portion A617h functions as a stopper to prevent the drive gear AMG3 from coming off the drive shaft of the drive motor AMT3 and the drive gear AMG3 from dropping to the back side. Thereby, the situation where the drive gear AMG3 drops from the drive motor AMT3 can be avoided.

[0353] The detection sensor A617i is a device for enabling the third operation unit A600 to determine whether it is in the production standby state or the protruding state by detecting the arrangement of the drive transmission unit A620.

[0354] The drive transmission unit A620 includes a rotary member A621 that is supported by a support portion A617b so as to be rotatable between a horizontally long member A611 and a left member A617 and is connected to an opening / closing operation unit A600b, and a transmission member A625 that is rotatably supported by a support portion A617f so as to be able to transmit the driving force of a drive motor AMT3 to the rotary member A621.

[0355] The rotary member A621 includes a plate-like main body A621a, an insertion hole A621b formed at an end of the plate-like main body A621a so as to be able to insert the support portion A617b of the left member A617, a transmission long hole A621c formed as a long hole through which a straight line in the longitudinal direction passes through the insertion hole A621b, a spring receiving protrusion A621d protruding from an upper end portion near the insertion hole A621b to the front side to receive the other end of a torsion spring A617d, and an insertion protrusion A621e protruding in a columnar shape to the front side at an end of the plate-like main body A621a opposite to the end where the insertion hole A621b is disposed and inserted into the opening / closing operation unit A600b.

[0356] The rotary member A621 is rotatably supported by the left member A617 when the support portion A617b is inserted into the insertion hole A621b. A retaining screw screwed into the tip of the support portion A617b is configured to be attachable and detachable through a through hole A611d of the horizontally long member A611. That is, in the present embodiment, an assembly procedure of screwing a screw into the tip of the support portion A617b after fastening and fixing the left member A617 to the horizontally long member A611 can be adopted.

[0357] The transmission member A625 includes a main body gear portion A625a meshed with a drive gear AMG3, an overhanging portion A625b protruding in a flange shape from the entire circumference on the back side of the main body gear portion A625a, an insertion protrusion A625c protruding in a columnar shape from the outer peripheral side end portion of the overhanging portion A625b to the back side, and an extending portion A625d formed by bending from the outer peripheral side end portion of the overhanging portion A625b and extending in a direction away from the rotation axis.

[0358] The insertion projection A625c is inserted into the transmission elongated hole A621c of the rotation operation member A621 via the color member AC1. Thereby, the rotation of the transmission member A625 and the rotation of the rotation operation member A621 can be interlocked.

[0359] The extended portion A625d is disposed at a position where it can cross the detection gap of the detection sensor A617i. That is, whether the extended portion A625d is disposed in the detection gap of the detection sensor A617i or not, the attitude of the transmission member A625 can be grasped by the corresponding control device.

[0360] FIG. 39 is an exploded front perspective view of the opening / closing operation unit A600b, and FIG. 40 is an exploded rear perspective view of the opening / closing operation unit A600b. The opening / closing operation unit A600b includes a plate-like member A630 formed of a resin material, a space forming member A640 fastened and fixed to the front side of the plate-like member A630 so as to form a space between the plate-like member A630, a pair of moving members A650 movably supported in the space between the plate-like member A630 and the space forming member A640, a drive motor AMT4 fastened and fixed to the plate-like member A630, a drive transmission unit A660 configured to transmit the driving force of the drive motor AMT4 to the moving member A650, a rear cover member A670 fastened and fixed to the plate-like member A630 so as to sandwich the drive transmission unit A660 between the plate-like member A630, and a guide unit A680 fastened and fixed to the rear cover member A670 so as to sandwich the lifting support rod A611c between the rear cover member A670.

[0361] The plate-like member A630 includes a plate-like main body A631, a protruding support portion A632 protruding in a columnar shape on the back side of the plate-like main body A631, a pair of arc-shaped holes A633 bored in an arc shape centered on the protruding support portion A632, a protruding support portion A634 protruding in parallel with the protruding support portion A632, and a frame-like portion A635 protruding in a frame shape along the outer edge portion of the plate-like main body A631 to the back side to form a space between the protruding support portion A632 and the rear cover member A670.

[0362] The space forming member A640 includes a main body member A641 forming a framework, a light-transmitting member A642 fastened and fixed to the front side of the main body member A641, a non-transmitting plating member A643 that is internally hollowed out to surround the light-transmitting member A642 and is fastened and fixed to the main body member A641 in a state where plating is applied to the front side, a light-emitting substrate A644 formed to be able to irradiate light over the entire area of the light-transmitting member A642 and fastened and fixed to the main body member A641, and a detection sensor A645 disposed on the back side of the main body member A641 to detect the arrangement of the moving member A650.

[0363] The main body member A641 includes a pair of guide groove portions A641a that are long in the left-right direction on the back side, and a stopper portion A641b that protrudes and is formed near the end of the guide groove portion A641a. The guide groove portions A641a are a pair of grooves arranged parallel to each other vertically, and are linear long grooves extending from the upper left to the lower right, and are configured to be able to guide the movement of the moving member A650. The stopper portion A641b is a protrusion for preventing the moving member A650 from falling off the space forming member A640, and is configured to be able to engage with the moving member A650 disposed at the end position of the movement range.

[0364] Power can be supplied to the moving member A650 by a flat cable A644a extending from the light-emitting substrate A644. In this embodiment, the flat cable A644a is disposed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the guide groove portion A641a. Thereby, it is easy to avoid applying an excessive load to the flat cable A644a when the moving member A650 moves, and the durability of the flat cable A644a can be improved.

[0365] The moving member A650 includes a main body member A651 formed of a pair of members having the same shape arranged in rotational symmetry and forming a framework, and a decorative member A655 formed in a different shape and fastened and fixed to the corresponding main body member A651.

[0366] By configuring it in this way, for the locations where the driving force is transmitted, by making the shapes common, it is possible to simplify the transmission mechanism and make use of the resin mold. On the other hand, by disposing the decorative member A655 on the side visible to the player, it is possible to avoid the simplified shape from affecting the production aspect.

[0367] The main body member A651 is disposed in a posture where the longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the guide groove portion A641a, and is extended from the leading side to the front side when moving outward in the left - right direction, so that it is formed in an L - shaped in top view, and includes a long main body portion A652 and a pair of roller members A653 which are configured to be rotatable and are formed in a size that can be arranged inside the guide groove portion A641a.

[0368] The long main body portion A652 includes a stopper - receiving portion A652a that can be disposed opposite to and abutted against the stopper portion A641b when moving outward in the left - right direction, a detected portion A652b that projects plate - like in the short - hand direction from substantially the central portion in the longitudinal direction, and a recessed portion A652c that is recessed in a rectangular shape extending in the short - hand direction from the back side.

[0369] The detected portion A652b is disposed in a shape that can cross the detection groove of the detection sensor A645. When the detected portion A652b is disposed in the detection groove of the detection sensor A645, it is possible to let the corresponding control device grasp that the moving member A650 is disposed at the moving end.

[0370] In this embodiment, since the detection sensor A645 is disposed only below the lower main body member A651, it is sufficient that the detected portion A652b is disposed on the lower main body member A651, and the detected portion A652b is unnecessary on the upper main body member A651. However, due to the common use of the resin mold, the detected portion A652b is also formed on the upper main body member A651.

[0371] The roller member A653 functions to reduce the operating resistance against the guide groove portion A641a of the moving member A650. That is, compared with the case where the moving member A650 slides with respect to the guide groove portion A641a, since the roller member A653 rolls, the frictional force can be reduced, and thus the movement of the moving member A650 can be made smooth.

[0372] The decorative member A655 is a member fastened and fixed to the front side portion of the end on the side opposite to the end on which the stopper portion A652a of the main body member A651 is disposed, and includes a light-transmissive member A656 formed of a light-transmissive resin material, a frame-shaped member A657 formed in a frame shape surrounding the light-transmissive member, and a light-emitting substrate A658 provided with a light-emitting means such as an LED that irradiates light to the light-transmissive member A656 and the frame-shaped member A657 side.

[0373] By fastening the decorative member A655 and the main body member A651, a U-shape with one side in the left-right direction open in top view can be formed. A flat cable A644a is disposed inside this U-shape, and one end of the flat cable A644a is connected to the light-emitting substrate A658. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to avoid the flat cable A644a protruding outside the main body member A651 and the decorative member A655 and being visually recognized by the player.

[0374] The decorative member A655 is disposed so as to cover the front side of the light-transmissive member A642 in the closed state (see FIG. 7) of the moving members A650 arranged close to each other, and in the open state (see B5) of the moving members A650 moving away from each other, it is disposed so as to retreat from the front side of the light-transmissive member A642 and allow the light-transmissive member A642 and the decorative member A655 to be visually recognized simultaneously.

[0375] That is, it is possible to switch between a state in which only the decorative member A655 is visually recognized to perform a light-emitting effect, and a state in which the light-transmissive member A642 is disposed between the decorative members A655 and these are visually recognized simultaneously to perform a light-emitting effect, according to the arrangement of the moving members A650.

[0376] The drive transmission unit A660 includes a drive gear A661 that is non-rotatably fixed to the drive shaft of the drive motor AMT4, a rotary plate member A662 that is rotatably supported by the protruding support portion A632 of the plate-like member A630, and a transmission gear A663 that is rotatably supported by the protruding support portion A634 of the plate-like member A630 and interlocks the drive gear A661 and the rotary plate member A662.

[0377] The rotary plate member A662 includes a through hole A662a that is formed so as to be able to penetrate the protruding support portion A632, a pair of fan-shaped plate portions A662b that are formed in a fan shape centered on the through hole A662a, an arc-shaped gear portion A662c in which gear teeth meshing with the transmission gear A663 are formed on the arc-shaped portion of one of the fan-shaped plate portions A662b, and a pair of protruding portions A662d that protrude in a columnar shape on the front side of the fan-shaped plate portion A662b at positions that are rotationally symmetric about the through hole A662a (in this embodiment, positions that are shifted by 180 degrees).

[0378] Since the rotary plate member A662 is not formed as a circular disk-shaped member but is formed in a shape that is like a part of a circle being cut out, the area where rubbing occurs between the rotary plate member A662 and the plate-like main body A631 can be reduced. As a result, the resistance generated during the rotation of the rotary plate member A662 can be reduced, so that the driving force required for the drive motor AMT4 can be reduced.

[0379] The protruding portion A662d passes through the arc-shaped hole A633 of the plate-like member A630 and is inserted into the recessed portion A652c of the moving member A650. That is, when the arrangement of the protruding portion A662d is changed, the arrangement of the recessed portion A652c changes in conjunction with it, and the moving member A650 moves.

[0380] The back cover member A670 includes a plate-shaped main body A671 having the same outer shape as the frame-shaped portion A635 of the plate-shaped member A630 and fastened and fixed to the plate-shaped member A630, an overhanging portion A672 protruding in a plate shape from the right end of the plate-shaped main body A671, a pair of upper and lower protruding support portions A673 protruding from the back side of the plate-shaped main body A671 to support the rotation shaft of the rotating member of the guide unit A680, and a plurality of arc-shaped through holes A674 formed in the plate-shaped main body A671 in relation to the rotation locus of the rotating plate member A662.

[0381] The overhanging portion A672 is a portion disposed behind the overhanging portion A613b (see FIG. 37) in the production standby state, and in a case where the opening / closing operation unit A600b returns from the overhanging state to the production standby state in a state where it has fallen forward, etc., by receiving a backward load from the overhanging portion A613b, it functions as a portion that returns (tilts backward) the posture of the opening / closing operation unit A600b to its original state.

[0382] The guide unit A680 includes a box-shaped main body A681 formed in a box shape with an open front side, a pair of upper and lower roller members A682 rotatably configured by a rotation shaft extending in the left-right direction and disposed inside the box-shaped main body A681, a pair of left-right pulley-shaped members A683 rotatably configured by a rotation shaft extending in the front-rear direction and disposed inside the box-shaped main body A681, and a long through hole A684 formed in a left-right long shape.

[0383] Since the roller member A682 is configured to protrude from the through hole A681a of the box-shaped main body A681 to the back side, when the back of the box-shaped main body A681 is disposed opposite to the plate-shaped main body A611a of the fixed support unit A610 (see FIG. 37), the contact relationship with the plate-shaped main body A611a can be made to be rolling of the roller member A682 instead of rubbing of the box-shaped main body A681. Thereby, it is possible to easily reduce the resistance received from the fixed support unit A610 during the lifting operation of the opening / closing operation unit A600b.

[0384] Between the pulley-shaped members A683, a lifting support rod A611c (see Fig. 37) passed through the recessed portion A681b of the box-shaped main body A681 is disposed. Thereby, since the guide unit A680 is guided by the lifting support rod A611c and moves up and down in the vertical direction, the operation direction of the opening / closing operation unit A600b can be stabilized.

[0385] The long through-hole A684 is a long hole through which the insertion protrusion A621e (see Fig. 37) of the rotary operation member A621 is inserted. That is, the driving force of the drive motor AMT3 (see Fig. 37) is transmitted to the opening / closing operation unit A600b through the long through-hole A684.

[0386] Figs. 41 and 42 are rear views of the opening / closing operation unit A600b of the third operation unit A600. In Fig. 41, the opening / closing operation unit A600b in the production standby state of the third operation unit A600 is shown, and in Fig. 42, the opening / closing operation unit A600b in the protruding state of the third operation unit A600 is shown.

[0387] In addition, in Figs. 41 and 42, for ease of understanding, the illustration of the rear cover member A670 and the guide unit A680 is omitted, the arrangement of the arc-shaped through-hole A674 of the rear cover member A670 is shown by an imaginary line, and the arrangement of the protruding portion A662d of the rotary plate member A662 is shown by an imaginary line.

[0388] As shown in Figs. 41 and 42, the operation mode of the opening / closing operation unit A600b is such that as the arrangement of the protruding portion A662d changes along an arc centered on the protruding support portion A632 as the rotary plate member A662 rotates, the pair of moving members A650 move in parallel in opposite directions along the formation direction (directions parallel to each other) of the corresponding guide groove portions A641a (see Fig. 40) above and below the protruding support portion A632.

[0389] Here, as described above, the main body member A651 of the moving member A650 is composed of a pair of members having the same shape arranged rotationally symmetrically, and the arrangement of the protruding portion A662d is also symmetrically positioned about the protruding support portion A632 that serves as the rotation axis of the rotational symmetry of the main body member A651. Therefore, the influence exerted on the moving member A650 from the protruding portion A662d is commonly exerted by the pair of members.

[0390] That is, for example, if the rotary plate member A662 rotates at high speed, the pair of moving members A650 will translate in parallel at high speed with a common speed. Also, even when the rotary plate member A662 suddenly reverses (an operation to change the rotation direction), the pair of moving members A650 can be simultaneously reversed.

[0391] The arrangement relationship between the fan-shaped plate portion A662b of the rotary plate member A662 and the arc-shaped through hole A674 of the back cover member A670 will be described. The area where the fan-shaped plate portion A662b and the arc-shaped through hole A674 overlap in the front-rear direction changes during the rotation of the rotary plate member A662. Although air resistance is generated by the air sandwiched between the fan-shaped plate portion A662b and the back cover member A670, the air resistance is reduced at the location where the arc-shaped through hole A674 is formed in the back cover member A670.

[0392] In FIG. 42, the angular width of the arrangement range (see FIG. 41) of the fan-shaped plate portion A662b of the rotary plate member A662 in the production standby state of the third operation unit A600 is illustrated in the first region AE21. After the rotary plate member A662 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the back from the state shown in FIG. 41, the angular width of the arrangement range of the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is illustrated in the second region AE22. After the rotary plate member A662 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the back from the state where the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is arranged in the second region AE22, the angular width of the arrangement range of the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is illustrated in the third region AE23. The angular width of the arrangement range of the fan-shaped plate portion A662b of the rotary plate member A662 in the protruding state of the third operation unit A600 is illustrated in the fourth region AE24.

[0393] As shown in FIG. 41, in the present embodiment, regardless of the posture of the rotary plate member A662, one sector plate portion A662b is disposed opposite to at least one arc-shaped through hole A674. Therefore, the state shown in FIG. 41 (the state where the sector plate portion A662b is disposed in the first region AE21) is illustrated as a state where the overlapping area between the sector plate portion A662b and the arc-shaped through hole A674 is the smallest, that is, a state where the air resistance applied to the sector plate portion A662b is the largest.

[0394] In the state of being disposed in the first region AE21, the edge portion on the clockwise side in the rear view of the sector plate portion A662b is disposed at a position where it does not overlap with the arc-shaped through hole A674. Therefore, when the rotary plate member A662 starts to rotate clockwise in the rear view, in addition to the arc-shaped through holes A674 (the arc-shaped through holes A674 disposed on the left and right) that originally overlapped with the sector plate portion A662b, other arc-shaped through holes A674 (the arc-shaped through holes A674 disposed above and below) also start to overlap, and this state continues until the sector plate portion A662b is disposed in the second region AE22.

[0395] Since the overlapping area between the other arc-shaped through holes A674 and the sector plate portion A662b increases as the rotation angle of the rotary plate member A662 increases, the air resistance can be gradually reduced from the start of rotation of the rotary plate member A662, and the air resistance applied to the rotary plate member A662 can be further reduced as the rotation progresses. Thereby, the rotation of the rotary plate member A662 and the movement of the moving member A650 can be smoothly executed.

[0396] In the state where the sector plate portion A662b is disposed in the second region AE22, the edge portion on the counterclockwise side in the rear view of the sector plate portion A662b is disposed at a position overlapping with the edge portion on the counterclockwise side in the rear view of the arc-shaped through holes A674 disposed on the left and right. That is, when the rotary plate member A662 rotates clockwise in the rear view, the edge portion on the counterclockwise side in the rear view of the sector plate portion A662b enters the inside of the arc-shaped through hole A674 in the rear view.

[0397] Therefore, when the rotating plate member A662 continues to rotate counterclockwise in a rear view, the overlapping area between the arc-shaped through holes A674 arranged on the left and right and the fan-shaped plate portion A662b gradually decreases. On the other hand, the overlapping area between the other arc-shaped through holes A674 (the arc-shaped through holes A674 arranged vertically) and the fan-shaped plate portion A662b gradually increases. Since these changes occur at the same angular intervals, ultimately, the overlapping area between the arc-shaped through holes A674 and the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is maintained constant.

[0398] This state continues until the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is disposed in the third region AE23. That is, from the state where the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is disposed in the second region AE22 to the state where it is disposed in the third region AE23, the air resistance applied to the rotating plate member A662 can be maintained constant.

[0399] From the state where the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is disposed in the third region AE23 to the state where the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is disposed in the fourth region AE24, since the overlapping area between the fan-shaped plate portion A662b and the arc-shaped through holes A674 arranged on the left and right gradually decreases, as the rotation of the rotating plate member A662 progresses, the air resistance applied to the rotating plate member A662 can be increased. Therefore, the deceleration of the rotating plate member A662 and the moving member A650 can be smoothly performed.

[0400] The state where the fan-shaped plate portion A662b is disposed in the fourth region AE24 is a position where the edge portion of the fan-shaped plate portion A662b on the counterclockwise side in a rear view overlaps with the edge portion of the arc-shaped through holes A674 arranged on the left and right on the clockwise side in a rear view.

[0401] Therefore, even when the rotating plate member A662 is rotated counterclockwise in a rear view from the state shown in Fig. 42 (when operating from the arrangement in the extended state of the third operation unit A600 to the arrangement in the production standby state), the same change in air resistance as described above can be caused.

[0402] Therefore, regardless of whether the rotary plate member A662 rotates clockwise in a rear view from the state shown in Fig. 41 or counterclockwise in a rear view from the state shown in Fig. 42, it is possible to cause the change in air resistance as described above in both directions.

[0403] Moreover, the moving member A650 operated by the driving force transmission via the rotary plate member A662 is composed of a pair in the vertical direction, and the direction of the load applied from the moving member A650 to the rotary plate member A662 is the same regardless of the operating direction of the rotary plate member A662.

[0404] That is, when the rotary plate member A662 rotates clockwise in a rear view from the state shown in Fig. 41, a load from the upper moving member A650 is generated to the left, and a load from the lower moving member A650 is generated to the right. On the other hand, when the rotary plate member A662 rotates counterclockwise in a rear view from the state shown in Fig. 42, a load from the upper moving member A650 is generated to the right, and a load from the lower moving member A650 is generated to the left.

[0405] That is, the load applied to the rotary plate member A662 only has its direction reversed, and there is no change due to the difference in the rotation direction. Therefore, regardless of whether the rotary plate member A662 rotates clockwise in a rear view from the state shown in Fig. 41 or counterclockwise in a rear view from the state shown in Fig. 42, it is possible to make the operating resistance generated in both directions the same and to make the operating speed common.

[0406] Next, referring to Figs. 43 to 48, the light guide plate unit A700 will be described. Fig. 43 is an exploded front perspective view of the light guide plate unit A700, and Fig. 44 is an exploded rear perspective view of the light guide plate unit A700.

[0407] As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the light guide plate unit A700 includes a covering light guide plate unit A700a that is held by a back case A210 (see FIG. 5) and is formed in a size that covers most of the front-side opening of the back case A210, and an auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b that is fastened and fixed to the left side portion of the covering light guide plate unit A700a.

[0408] The covering light guide plate unit A700a includes a plate-shaped light guide plate A701, a left light-emitting substrate A702 that has a plurality of light-emitting means such as LEDs for irradiating light toward the light guide plate A701 and is disposed on the left side of the light guide plate A701, an upper light-emitting substrate A703 that has a plurality of light-emitting means such as LEDs for irradiating light toward the light guide plate A701 and is disposed on the upper side of the light guide plate A701, and a set of front and rear frame-shaped members A710 that are fixed to prevent displacement of the light guide plate A701, the left light-emitting substrate A702, and the upper light-emitting substrate A703.

[0409] The light guide plate A701 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape from a light-transmissive resin material and has a notch A701a at the lower right portion. On the back surface of the light guide plate A701, groove portions are formed along the contour of an illustration including a specific character, logo, etc. When light is incident from the left light-emitting substrate A702 or the upper light-emitting substrate A703 into the light guide plate A701, the light is refracted at the groove portions, and the player can visually recognize line-shaped light along the contour of a specific character or the like.

[0410] The left light-emitting substrate A702 and the upper light-emitting substrate A703 are disposed such that the optical axes of the plurality of LEDs are incident perpendicularly to the end surface of the light guide plate A701. By configuring the direction of incidence into the light guide plate A701 in two directions, the above-described line-shaped light can be generated in at least two types: a case where only the light from the left light-emitting substrate A702 is incident and a case where only the light from the upper light-emitting substrate A703 is incident.

[0411] The frame member A710 is formed in a shape where a notch A701a of the light guide plate A701 is divided from a rectangular frame shape, and is fastened and fixed to the front end portion of the outer wall portion A212 of the back case A210 (see FIG. 5) by a pair of left and right fixing portions A711, and a pair of lower fixing portions A712 fastened and fixed to the right side member A615 and the left side member A617 of the third operation unit A600 (see FIG. 5), and an abutting support portion A713 that abuts in the front-rear direction against the support member A421 of the first operation unit A400 (see FIG. 13).

[0412] The abutting support portion A713 is disposed between belts A423a arranged vertically (see FIG. 15). Since the connecting mechanism A427 is disposed on the upper belt A423a, by disposing the abutting support portion A713 at a position closer to the lower belt A423a, the rigidity of the support member A421 can be utilized for supporting the abutting support portion A713 of the frame member A710 without hindering the movement of the connecting mechanism A427.

[0413] FIG. 45 is an exploded front perspective view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b, and FIG. 46 is an exploded rear perspective view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b. The auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b includes a plate-shaped light emitting substrate A720 having LEDs disposed on the front and back surfaces, a front side plate member A730 formed in a plate shape from a light transmissive resin material and disposed on the front side of the light emitting substrate A720 so as to be able to receive light irradiated from the LEDs of the light emitting substrate A720, a rear side plate member A740 formed in a plate shape from a light transmissive resin material and disposed on the back side of the light emitting substrate A720 so as to be able to receive light irradiated from the LEDs of the light emitting substrate A720, and a front cover member A750 formed from a light transmissive resin material and disposed so as to sandwich the front side plate member A730 between the light emitting substrate A720.

[0414] The light-emitting substrate A720 includes a long plate-shaped main body A721 extending vertically, a plurality of bulging plate portions A722 formed to bulge in an arc shape at the tip to the right from the plate-shaped main body A721, a plurality of recessed portions A723 recessed on the left side portion of the plate-shaped main body A721 at positions corresponding to the bulging plate portions A722, a plurality of light-emitting means such as highly directional LEDs arranged vertically on the front side of the plate-shaped main body A721 and having light axes directed leftward, i.e., a plurality of front light-emitting portions A724, and a plurality of light-emitting means such as low-directional LEDs arranged vertically at positions on the back side of the plate-shaped main body A721 corresponding to the front light-emitting portions A724 (positions translated parallel on the arrow F - B) and having light axes directed leftward, i.e., a plurality of back light-emitting portions A725.

[0415] Since the bulging plate portions A722 are formed at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, a large support area (the area of surface contact with each other) between the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740 and the light-emitting substrate A720 can be ensured. Thereby, the posture stability of the light-emitting substrate A720 in the assembled state can be achieved.

[0416] The light from the front light-emitting portions A724 is received by the front side plate member A730. Since the light axes of the light from the plurality of front light-emitting portions A724 are each directed leftward and parallel to each other, the front side plate member A730 can be uniformly illuminated over a wide range.

[0417] The light from the back light-emitting portions A725 is received by the rear side plate member A740. Since the light axes of the light from the plurality of back light-emitting portions A725 are each directed leftward and parallel to each other, the rear side plate member A740 can be uniformly illuminated over a wide range.

[0418] As described above, since the front light-emitting portions A724 and the back light-emitting portions A725 are arranged at corresponding positions in the front-rear direction, the range of the front side plate member A730 illuminated by the front light-emitting portions A724 and the range of the rear side plate member A740 illuminated by the back light-emitting portions A725 can be made to correspond.

[0419] Accordingly, when both the front light-emitting part A724 and the rear light-emitting part A725 emit light, the combination of their lights can make the illuminated range of the front light-emitting part A724 or the rear light-emitting part A725 on the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740 be visually recognized more brightly.

[0420] On the other hand, even when only one side of the front light-emitting part A724 or the rear light-emitting part A725 emits light, the bright part of the front side plate member A730 or the rear side plate member A740 does not shift in position, so it is possible to make it less likely to cause a sense of disharmony in the effect.

[0421] Since the illuminated ranges by the front light-emitting part A724 or the rear light-emitting part A725 are made the same, for example, even when shifting from a state where only the front light-emitting part A724 emits light to a state where only the rear light-emitting part A725 emits light, it is possible to avoid a change in the planar light brightness pattern (the pattern of which position is bright and which position is dark when viewed from the front) received by the player. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the fatigue of the player.

[0422] The front side plate member A730 includes a plate-like main body A731 whose front side side surface is formed as a smooth surface, a linear groove part A732 formed along the contour of an illustration shape including specific characters, logos, etc. on the rear side side surface of the plate-like main body A731, a plurality of fastening parts A733 that are protruded in a cylindrical shape on the rear side of the plate-like main body A731 and are fastened and fixed to the frame-like member A710 (see FIG. 43) by screwing a screw into a female screw formed at the tip, an insertion through hole A734 that is circularly drilled for fastening and fixing with the front cover member A750, and an alignment long hole A735 that is drilled on a long hole that is long in the vertical direction for alignment with the front cover member A750.

[0423] When the light from the front light-emitting part A724 is received by the front side plate member A730, the light is refracted by the linear groove part A732, so that the contour of the above-mentioned illustration shape is visually recognized brightly in a linear form.

[0424] The rear side plate member A740 includes a plate-shaped body A741 formed of a light-transmissive resin material and having the same front-view outer shape as that of the front side plate member A730, a light-impermeable (or low-transparency) white sheet A742 formed in the same shape as the front-view outer shape of the plate-shaped body A741 and disposed on the back side of the plate-shaped body A741, a light-transmissive thin resin plate A743 formed in the same shape as the front-view outer shape of the plate-shaped body A741 and disposed on the front side of the plate-shaped body A741, first through holes A741a, A742a, A743a formed at the upper left corner portion so as to penetrate the plate-shaped body A741, the sheet A742, and the thin resin plate A743 in the front-rear direction at the same position, and second through holes A741b, A742b, A743b formed at the lower side portion so as to penetrate the plate-shaped body A741, the sheet A742, and the thin resin plate A743 in the front-rear direction at the same position.

[0425] The front side surface of the plate-shaped body A741 is formed as a smooth surface, and innumerable unevennesses are formed on the back side surface. Thus, among the light received by the plate-shaped body A741, when the light that has passed through to the back side is reflected by the sheet A742, the light is diffused by the innumerable unevennesses and surface-emitted. Thereby, the back side portion of the plate-shaped body A741 can be efficiently brightened.

[0426] An illustration serving as the outline of the linear groove portion A732 is drawn on the thin resin plate A743, and in this embodiment, the color corresponding to the illustration is painted. Therefore, when the light from the backlight portion A725 is received by the rear side plate member A740, the illustration drawn on the thin resin plate A743 is brightly visually recognized by surface emission due to the unevennesses on the back side of the plate-shaped body A741.

[0427] The front cover member A750 includes a plate-shaped main body A751 formed with innumerable hemispherical protruding portions on the back side, an extended edge portion A752 extending plate-shaped from the upper edge portion and the right edge portion of the plate-shaped main body A751 to the back side, a fastening portion A753 composed of a protruding portion used for aligning the light-emitting substrate A720 and a female screw portion used for fastening at the left end portion of the plate-shaped main body A751, a plurality of columnar fastening portions A754 protruding columnar from the right end portion of the plate-shaped main body A751 to the back side, a protruding portion A755 having a smaller diameter and a shorter protruding length than the columnar fastening portion A754, and a light-transmissive decorative seal A756 decorated on the front side and attached to the front side of the plate-shaped main body A751.

[0428] In the assembly, the protruding portion A755 is inserted into the alignment elongated hole A735 of the front side plate member A730, and the columnar fastening portion A754 is inserted into the insertion through hole of the front side plate member A730, so that the front side plate member A730 can be aligned with the front cover member A750.

[0429] Subsequently, the light-emitting substrate A720 is aligned with the fastening portion A753 so as to overlap the front side plate member A730, and the rear side plate member A740 is arranged so as to overlap the light-emitting substrate A720. At this time, the columnar fastening portion A754 is inserted into the first through holes A741a, A742a, A743a of the rear side plate member A740, and the fastening portion A733 at the lower right of the front side plate member A730 is inserted into the second through holes A741b, A742b, A743b of the rear side plate member A740, so that the rear side plate member A740 can be aligned with the front side plate member A730.

[0430] When the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b is fastened and fixed to the covering light guide plate unit A700a (see FIG. 43) in a state where the front side plate member A730, the light-emitting substrate A720, and the rear side plate member A740 are aligned with the front cover member A750, a pressing force (fastening force) is applied to the fastening portion A733 of the front side plate member A730 and the columnar fastening portion A754 of the front cover member A750.

[0431] In this embodiment, since the fastening portion A733 and the columnar fastening portion A754 are disposed outside the light-emitting substrate A720, even when the pressing force (fastening force) becomes excessively large unintentionally during assembly, it is possible to easily avoid a situation where the light-emitting substrate A720 cracks or breaks.

[0432] The columnar fastening portion A754 disposed at the upper right of the front cover member A750 allows the alignment of the front side plate member A730, the rear side plate member A740, and the front cover member A750, and the pressing (pressing) of the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740 against the light-emitting substrate A720 to be performed at one location. Thereby, the man-hours for assembly can be reduced.

[0433] FIG. 47 is a rear view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b, FIG. 48(a) is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b taken along line XLVIIIa-XLVIIIa of FIG. 47, and FIG. 48(b) is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b taken along line XLVIIIb-XLVIIIb of FIG. 47. In FIG. 48(a), a cross-section passing through the center of the columnar fastening portion A754 is shown.

[0434] When assembling the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b, after aligning and assembling the front side plate member A730 with the front cover member A750, when assembling the light-emitting substrate A720 to the front cover member A750, the height (front-rear direction position) of the end face of the fastening portion where the female screw of the fastening portion A753 is formed and the rear side surface of the front side plate member A730 where the bulging plate portion A722 abuts in a surface contact are made to match, so that the posture of the light-emitting substrate A720 is stabilized.

[0435] Furthermore, when the rear side plate member A740 is assembled from behind the light-emitting substrate A720, the front side surface of the rear side plate member A740 abuts against the bulging plate portion A722 in a wide area in a surface contact, thereby achieving the stabilization of the posture of the rear side plate member A740 and the reduction of local load.

[0436] As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48(a), since the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740 are formed to have the same overlapping shape with the light emitting substrate A720, the pressing force by the fastening screw screwed into the cylindrical fastening portion A754 is evenly transmitted to the light emitting substrate A720 via the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740. Since it is possible to avoid the pressing force from functioning as a force that shears the light emitting substrate A720, cracking and chipping of the light emitting substrate A720 can be avoided.

[0437] By applying a pressing force from the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740 to the edge of the light emitting substrate A720, the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740 are pressed against the front and back surfaces of the light emitting substrate A720.

[0438] Thereby, by accurately aligning the front and rear positions of the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740 with respect to the plate-like main body A721 of the light emitting substrate A720, the front and rear positions of the front side plate member A730 with respect to the front light emitting portion A724 and the front and rear positions of the rear side plate member A740 with respect to the rear light emitting portion A725 can be easily aligned. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate aligning the light receiving positions on the front side plate member A730 and the rear side plate member A740.

[0439] The cylindrical fastening portion A754 is disposed at a position (an intermediate position) that does not overlap with the optical axes of the front light emitting portion A724 and the rear light emitting portion A725. Thereby, since the cylindrical fastening portion A754 does not block the optical axis of the light from the front light emitting portion A724 received by the front side plate member A730, the lighting effect of the lighting performance using the front side plate member A730 can be improved.

[0440] FIG. 48(b) is shown as a cross section passing through the center of the third rear light emitting portion A725 from the bottom. As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48(b), the fastening portion A733 is disposed at a position overlapping with the optical axis of the rear light emitting portion A725.

[0441] Even when the fastening part A733 is arranged in this way, the fastening part A733 does not penetrate the front side plate member A730 and does not block the light of the front light emitting part A724. Also, since the light received by the rear side plate member A740 is made to have a slightly lower directivity in order to cause surface light emission of the rear side plate member A740 (so it is easy to select LEDs with low directivity), even if the fastening part A733 is arranged on the optical axis, the light is not completely blocked, so the influence on the light emission effect can be reduced. That is, the degree of freedom in arranging the fastening part A733 of the front side plate member A730 can be improved without reducing the effect of the light emission effect using the rear side plate member A740.

[0442] In the fastening and fixing of the rear side plate member A740 to the front cover member A750, the front side surface of the plate-shaped main body A741 is fastened and fixed so as to sandwich the left edge of the thin resin plate A743 between the rear side surface of the plate-shaped main body A721, thereby preventing the thin resin plate A743 from lifting off the plate-shaped main body A741.

[0443] In this case, the load applied to the thin resin plate A743 is not a load generated at a point like a fastening screw, but a load generated in a line (plane) along the left edge of the thin resin plate A743 between the plate-shaped main body A721 of the light emitting substrate A720, so the pressing force per unit area applied to the thin resin plate A743 can be reduced. Thereby, it is easy to avoid cracking and chipping of the thin resin plate A743.

[0444] As shown in FIGS. 48(a) and 48(b), the traveling path AL1 of the irradiation light from the front light emitting part A724 selected from LEDs with high directivity extends in the left-right direction until it reaches the linear groove part A732 in a mode of total reflection on the front and rear surfaces of the front side plate member A730 after being received by the front side plate member A730, and is refracted when it reaches the linear groove part A732 and its direction is changed toward the front side.

[0445] Therefore, when light is irradiated from the front light-emitting part A724 when the front side plate member A730 is visually recognized from the front side, since the light traveling from the linear groove part A732 toward the front side reaches the player's eyes, it is possible to make it appear as if the contour of the shape of an illustration including a specific character, logo, or the like, which is the shape that forms the linear groove part A732, is glowing.

[0446] Since the light from the back light-emitting part A725 has lower directivity than the light from the front light-emitting part A724, the light from the back light-emitting part A725 does not totally reflect inside the rear side plate member A740 and functions to evenly illuminate the rear side plate member A740.

[0447] As shown in FIG. 48, the end part on the front light-emitting part A724 side of the front side plate member A730 and the end part on the back light-emitting part A725 side of the rear side plate member A740 are arranged on the front light-emitting part A724 and back light-emitting part A725 sides rather than on the irradiation direction side (right side) end parts of the front light-emitting part A724 and back light-emitting part A725 of the light-emitting substrate A720.

[0448] Thereby, since the plate-like main body A721 of the light-emitting substrate A720 can be used as a shielding plate, it is possible to avoid the light irradiated from the front light-emitting part A724 (back light-emitting part A725) from leaking before being received by the front side plate member A730 (rear side plate member A740). Thereby, for example, it is easier to avoid a situation where the light irradiated from the front light-emitting part A724 is received by the rear side plate member A740 or a situation where the light irradiated from the back light-emitting part A725 is received by the front side plate member A730, and it is easier to avoid the light emission effect from becoming poor.

[0449] When the plate-like main body A751 receives light from the front side, the innumerable hemispherical protruding parts A751a formed on the back side diffuse the light to cause surface light emission. Thereby, the effect of the light emission effect can be improved and the visibility on the back side of the front cover member A750 can be lowered, so it can be used as a blind for the light-emitting substrate A720.

[0450] On the back side of the plate-shaped body A751, the front light-emitting portion A724 of the light-emitting substrate A720 is disposed. However, the light emitted from the front light-emitting portion A724 is incident on the front side plate member A730 in a direction orthogonal to the direction toward the plate-shaped body A751 side and is totally reflected within the front side plate member A730. Therefore, the plate-shaped body A751 is configured to be difficult to be illuminated by the light emitted from the front light-emitting portion A724, is visually recognized as dark, and is not easily used as an effect area.

[0451] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the innumerable hemispherical protruding portions A751a formed on the back side of the plate-shaped body A751 can diffuse the received light, the player can visually recognize the plate-shaped body A751 in a bright state.

[0452] Furthermore, by attaching the decorative sticker A756 having a shape covering the entire front side surface of the plate-shaped body A751 to the front side of the plate-shaped body A751, the effect of making the shape of the innumerable protruding portions A751a formed on the back side of the plate-shaped body A751 conspicuous by light is reduced, and the visibility of the decoration on the front side of the brightly illuminated decorative sticker A756 can be improved.

[0453] FIGS. 49(a) to 49(f) are schematic front views of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b schematically showing the visual aspect of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b. For convenience of explanation, the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b is schematically illustrated with a rectangular outer shape, and triangular illustrations AIL1 and AIL2 are illustrated inside thereof. The triangular illustrations AIL1 and AIL2 correspond to an example of the contour of the shape of an illustration including specific characters, logos, etc. formed by the thin resin plate A743 and the linear groove portion A732 (see FIG. 46).

[0454] In FIGS. 49(a) to 49(f), an example of the difference in the appearance of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b due to the difference in lighting or extinguishing of the front light-emitting portion A724 (see FIG. 45) and the difference in lighting or extinguishing of the back light-emitting portion A725 (see FIG. 46) is illustrated.

[0455] In Fig. 49(a), the case where the front light-emitting part A724 (see Fig. 45) is turned off and the back light-emitting part A725 (see Fig. 46) is turned off is illustrated. In this case, the illustrations AIL1 and AIL2 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed on the thin resin plate A743 are made visible.

[0456] In Fig. 49(b), the case where the front light-emitting part A724 (see Fig. 45) is turned off and the back light-emitting part A725 (see Fig. 46) is turned on is illustrated. In this case, the illustrations AIL1 and AIL2 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed on the thin resin plate A743 are made visible in a state where they are illuminated.

[0457] In Fig. 49(c), the case where the front light-emitting part A724 (see Fig. 45) is turned on and the back light-emitting part A725 (see Fig. 46) is turned off is illustrated. In this case, the outlines of the shapes of the illustrations AIL1 and AIL2 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed in the linear groove part A732 (see Fig. 46) are illuminated and are visually recognized as linear light. In this case, the shapes of the illustrations AIL1 and AIL2 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed on the thin resin plate A743 are blocked by the linear light, and the visibility is reduced.

[0458] In Fig. 49(d), the case where the front light-emitting part A724 (see Fig. 45) is turned on and the back light-emitting part A725 (see Fig. 46) is turned on is illustrated. In this case, the brightness of the front side part of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b can be improved compared to the state illustrated in Fig. 49(c).

[0459] In Fig. 49(e), the front light-emitting part A724 (see Fig. 45) above the upper and lower half positions of the plate-shaped main body A721 is turned off, the front light-emitting part A724 below the upper and lower half positions of the plate-shaped main body A721 is turned on, the back light-emitting part A725 (see Fig. 46) above the upper and lower half positions of the plate-shaped main body A721 is turned on, and the back light-emitting part A725 (see Fig. 46) below the upper and lower half positions of the plate-shaped main body A721 is turned off are illustrated.

[0460] In this case, in the upper half of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b, an illustration AIL1 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed on the thin resin plate A743 can be visually recognized in an illuminated state, and in the lower half of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b, the outline of the shape of an illustration AIL2 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed in the linear groove portion A732 (see FIG. 46) is illuminated and visually recognized as linear light.

[0461] In FIG. 49(f), a case is illustrated where the front light emitting portion A724 (see FIG. 45) above the upper and lower half positions of the plate-shaped main body A721 is lit, the front light emitting portion A724 below the upper and lower half positions of the plate-shaped main body A721 is turned off, and the back light emitting portion A725 (see FIG. 46) is turned off.

[0462] In this case, in the upper half of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b, the outline of the shape of an illustration AIL1 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed in the linear groove portion A732 (see FIG. 46) is illuminated and visually recognized as linear light, and in the lower half of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b, an illustration AIL2 including specific characters, logos, etc. formed on the thin resin plate A743 can be visually recognized.

[0463] As shown in FIGS. 49(a) to 49(f), in the present embodiment, the visual recognition mode on the front side of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A700b can be changed corresponding to variations in the combination of lighting and extinguishing of the front light emitting portion A724 (see FIG. 45) and lighting and extinguishing of the back light emitting portion A725 (see FIG. 46).

[0464] FIG. 50 is an exploded front perspective view of the game board A13, and FIG. 51 is an exploded back perspective view of the game board A13. As shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, in the game board A13, a center frame A86 is fastened and fixed to the window portion A60a of the base plate A60 from the front side, and the left and right sides of the center frame A86 are configured such that game balls can flow down.

[0465] The game board A13 is formed in a shape having a protruding portion that branches the flow of the game balls from a light-transmissive resin material and is disposed on the upper left side of the center frame A86, and is formed in a shape that constitutes two guide channels provided side by side on the left and right as channels for guiding the flow of the game balls from a light-transmissive resin material and is disposed on the front right side of the center frame A86. A guide member A802, a downstream guide member A803 that is fixed to the base plate A60 below the guide member A802 and is formed in a shape that constitutes two guide channels provided side by side on the left and right as channels for guiding the flow of the game balls from a light-transmissive resin material, and an auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 that is disposed on the back side of the light-transmissive decorative member A808 disposed inside the center frame A86 and is configured to irradiate the decorative member A808 with light.

[0466] The flow-down branching member A801 is disposed in front of the region inside the window portion A60a when the center frame A86 is disposed on the base plate A60. In this case, the light traveling from the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 toward the flow-down branching member A801 reaches the flow-down branching member A801 through the center frame A86, which is thinner than the thickness of the base plate A60, without passing through the base plate A60. Therefore, attenuation of the light reaching the flow-down branching member A801 can be suppressed.

[0467] The guide member A802 includes a plate-shaped main body A802a formed in a shape that covers the upper right region A60b of the window portion A60a of the base plate A60 from the front side, a pair of extended plates A802b extending plate-shaped from the plate-shaped main body A802a to the front side, and a plurality of deceleration protrusions A802c protruding from the plate-shaped main body A802a or the extended plates A802b to decelerate the game balls, and is fastened and fixed to the base plate A60 at the upper and lower positions of the upper right region A60b.

[0468] On the back side of the guide member A802, an auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 is disposed while sandwiching the protruding plate portion A86a of the center frame A86, which is housed in the upper right region A60b and has a thickness thinner than that of the base plate A60. In this case, the light traveling from the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 toward the guide member A802 does not pass through the base plate A60, but passes through the protruding plate portion A86a of the center frame A86, which is thinner than the thickness of the base plate A60, and reaches the guide member A802. Therefore, attenuation of the light reaching the guide member A802 can be suppressed.

[0469] The deceleration protrusion A802c protrudes from both of the pair of extended plates A802b facing each other with respect to the left flow path, and thus the game balls flowing down can be swayed left and right. With respect to the right flow path, the deceleration protrusion A802c protrudes from the right extended plate A802b and also protrudes forward from the plate-shaped main body A802a, and thus the game balls flowing down can be swayed in the left-right and front-rear directions.

[0470] In this way, the game balls flowing down through the two flow paths formed by the guide member A802 both receive deceleration from the deceleration protrusion A802c, but their flowing-down modes differ depending on which flow path they flow through. Thereby, the player can immediately grasp which flow path the game ball is flowing through by observing the flowing-down mode of the game ball.

[0471] Also, by configuring in this way, there is no need to form a deceleration protrusion on the outer edge member 73 (see FIG. 2), so the outer edge member 73 can be configured as a common component. Thereby, cost reduction of the product can be achieved.

[0472] In the present embodiment, since the guide member A802 constitutes two flow paths that are wider in the left-right width than a single flow path, problems in terms of strength are likely to occur. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the extended plate A802b forming the flow path is disposed at the center of the plate-shaped main body A802a and also serves as a reinforcing member for the guide member A802. Thereby, even if the guide member A802 is configured as a thin member, it is easy to avoid insufficient strength.

[0473] The downstream guide member A803 includes a plate-shaped main body A803a and an extended plate A803b extending from the back surface of the plate-shaped main body A803a, and their front-back relationship is opposite to that of the guide member A802.

[0474] Unlike the two flow paths formed by the guide member A802, the two guide flow paths formed by the downstream guide member A803 are different in their flow path shapes on the left and right. That is, the left flow path is a flow path inclined downward to the left, while the right flow path is formed as a path that meanders left and right. Thus, depending on which flow path the game ball flows down, the flowing state of the game ball can be greatly changed.

[0475] FIG. 52 is an exploded front perspective view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810, and FIG. 53 is an exploded rear perspective view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810. The auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 includes a pair of plate-shaped front light-emitting substrates A820 with LEDs disposed on the front surface, a pair of plate-shaped rear light-emitting substrates A830 with LEDs disposed on the back surface, a front side plate member A840 formed in a plate shape from a light-transmissive resin material and disposed on the front side of the front light-emitting substrate A820 so as to be capable of receiving light irradiated from the LEDs of the front light-emitting substrate A820, a rear side plate member A850 formed in a plate shape from a light-transmissive resin material and disposed on the back side of the rear light-emitting substrate A830 so as to be capable of receiving light irradiated from the LEDs of the rear light-emitting substrate A830, and a base member A860 formed from a white resin material with low light transmittance and disposed so as to sandwich the rear side plate member A850 between the rear light-emitting substrate A830.

[0476] The front light-emitting substrate A820 includes an upper substrate A821 disposed on the upper side and a right substrate A825 disposed on the right side. The upper substrate A821 includes a plate-shaped main body A822, a plurality of edge light-emitting portions A823 which are light-emitting means such as a plurality of LEDs arranged at the lower right corner on the front side of the plate-shaped main body A822 and whose optical axes are directed to the right side, and a plurality of surface light-emitting portions A824 which are light-emitting means such as a plurality of LEDs disposed on the left side of the edge light-emitting portion A823 and whose optical axes are directed to the front side.

[0477] The light from the edge light-emitting part A823 is received by the front side plate member A840. Since the optical axes of the light from the plurality of edge light-emitting parts A823 face the right side respectively and are parallel to the front plane of the front side plate member A840, the front side plate member A840 can be illuminated over a wide range.

[0478] Furthermore, the edge light-emitting part A823 is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and the optical axes of the respective LEDs are not directed straight to the right, but are configured to be directed in a radial direction such that the interval between the optical axes becomes wider toward the right side. Thereby, the light from the edge light-emitting part A823 can be guided to a wide range of the front side plate member A840.

[0479] The light from the surface light-emitting part A824 is received by the decorative member A808 (see FIG. 50) disposed on the front side. Since the optical axes of the light from the plurality of surface light-emitting parts A824 face the front side respectively and are parallel to each other, the decorative member A808 can be uniformly illuminated over a wide range.

[0480] The right side substrate A825 includes a plate-like main body A826, a plurality of edge light-emitting parts A827 which are light-emitting means such as a plurality of LEDs arranged at the upper left corner on the front side of the plate-like main body A826 and whose optical axes are directed upward, and a plurality of surface light-emitting parts A828 which are light-emitting means such as a plurality of LEDs arranged below the edge light-emitting parts A827 and whose optical axes are directed to the front side.

[0481] The light from the edge light-emitting part A827 is received by the front side plate member A840. Since the optical axes of the light from the plurality of edge light-emitting parts A827 face the upper side respectively and are parallel to the front plane of the front side plate member A840, the front side plate member A840 can be illuminated over a wide range.

[0482] Furthermore, the edge light-emitting part A827 is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and the optical axes of the respective LEDs are not directed straight upward, but are configured to be directed in a radial direction such that the interval between the optical axes becomes wider toward the upper side. Thereby, the light from the edge light-emitting part A827 can be guided to a wide range of the front side plate member A840.

[0483] Light from the edge light-emitting portion A823 of the upper substrate A821 is received from the left end of the front side plate member A840, while light from the edge light-emitting portion A827 is received from the lower end of the front side plate member A840. Therefore, even when the front side plate member A840 has a bent shape with a constricted portion A844 on the central side when viewed from the front, light can easily reach the entire area of the front side plate member A840.

[0484] Light from the surface light-emitting portion A828 is received by the decorative member A808 (see FIG. 50) disposed on the front side. Since the optical axes of the light from the plurality of surface light-emitting portions A828 are directed toward the front side and are parallel to each other, the decorative member A808 can be uniformly illuminated over a wide range.

[0485] The backlight substrate A830 includes an upper substrate A831 disposed on the upper side and a right substrate A835 disposed on the right side. The upper substrate A831 includes a plate-shaped main body A832 and a plurality of edge light-emitting portions A833 which are light-emitting means such as a plurality of LEDs arranged at the lower right corner on the back side of the plate-shaped main body A832 and whose optical axes are directed to the right side.

[0486] Light from the edge light-emitting portion A833 is received by the rear side plate member A850. Since the optical axes of the light from the plurality of edge light-emitting portions A833 are each directed to the right side and are parallel to the front plane of the rear side plate member A850, the rear side plate member A850 can be uniformly illuminated over a wide range.

[0487] Furthermore, the edge light-emitting portion A833 is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and the optical axes of the respective LEDs are not directed straight to the right, but are configured to be directed in a radial direction such that the interval between the optical axes becomes wider toward the right side. Thereby, the light from the edge light-emitting portion A833 can be guided to a wide range of the rear side plate member A850.

[0488] The right substrate A835 includes a plate-shaped main body A836 and a plurality of edge light-emitting portions A837 which are light-emitting means such as a plurality of LEDs arranged at the upper left corner on the front side of the plate-shaped main body A836 and whose optical axes are directed to the upper side.

[0489] The light from the edge light-emitting part A837 is received by the rear side plate member A850. Since the optical axes of the light from the plurality of edge light-emitting parts A837 are each directed upward and are parallel to the front plane of the rear side plate member A850, the rear side plate member A850 can be uniformly illuminated over a wide range.

[0490] Furthermore, the edge light-emitting part A837 is composed of a plurality of LEDs, and the optical axes of the respective LEDs are not directed straight upward, but are configured to be directed in a radial direction such that the interval between the optical axes becomes wider toward the upper side. Thereby, the light from the edge light-emitting part A837 can be guided to a wide range of the rear side plate member A850.

[0491] The light from the edge light-emitting part A833 of the upper substrate A831 is received from the left end of the rear side plate member A850, while the light from the edge light-emitting part A837 is received from the lower end of the rear side plate member A850. Therefore, even when the rear side plate member A850 has a shape that is constricted on the central side in a front view, light can easily reach the entire area of the rear side plate member A850.

[0492] Since the edge light-emitting parts A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 and the edge light-emitting parts A833 and A837 of the rear light-emitting substrate A830 are arranged at corresponding positions in the front-rear direction (positions translated in parallel on the arrow F - B), the range of the front side plate member A840 illuminated by the edge light-emitting parts A823 and A827 and the range of the rear side plate member A850 illuminated by the edge light-emitting parts A833 and A837 can be made to correspond.

[0493] Thereby, when both the edge light-emitting parts A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 and the edge light-emitting parts A833 and A837 of the rear light-emitting substrate A830 emit light, the combination of their lights can make the range illuminated by the edge light-emitting parts A823 and A827 or the edge light-emitting parts A833 and A837 on the front side plate member A840 and the rear side plate member A850 be visually recognized more brightly.

[0494] On the other hand, even when one side of the edge light-emitting portions A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 or the edge light-emitting portions A833 and A837 of the back light-emitting substrate A830 emits light, the bright portions of the front side plate member A840 or the rear side plate member A850 do not shift in position, so it is possible to make it difficult to cause a sense of incongruity in the effect.

[0495] Since the ranges illuminated brightly by the edge light-emitting portions A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 or the edge light-emitting portions A833 and A837 of the back light-emitting substrate A830 are made the same, for example, even when shifting from a state where only the edge light-emitting portions A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 emit light to a state where only the edge light-emitting portions A833 and A837 of the back light-emitting substrate A830 emit light, it is possible to avoid a change in the planar light brightness pattern (the pattern of which positions are bright and which are dark when viewed from the front) received by the player. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the player's fatigue.

[0496] The front side plate member A840 includes a plate-shaped main body A841 whose front side surface is formed as a smooth surface, a linear groove portion A842 formed along the contour of an illustration shape including a specific character, logo, etc. on the back side surface of the plate-shaped main body A841, an insertion through-hole A843 bored in a circular shape for fastening and fixing to the base member A860, and a constricted portion A844 formed so that the middle part of the plate-shaped main body A841 is constricted.

[0497] When light from the edge light-emitting portions A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 is received by the front side plate member A840, the light is refracted by the linear groove portion A842, so that the contour of the illustration shape is visibly bright in a linear form.

[0498] The shape of the plate-shaped main body A841 having the constricted portion A844 is a resulting shape that matches the outer shape of the illustration shape that is the origin of the linear groove portion A842. That is, since the shape that shines in a linear form is visible over the entire area of the plate-shaped main body A841, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of unnecessary portions in terms of the effect on the plate-shaped main body A841.

[0499] The rear side plate member A850 includes a plate-like main body A851 formed of a light-transmissive resin material and having the same shape as the front view outer shape of the front side plate member A840, a light-transmissive thin resin plate A855 formed in the same shape as the front view outer shape of the plate-like main body A851 and disposed on the front side of the plate-like main body A851, first through holes A851a and A855a formed at the upper left corner portion so as to penetrate the plate-like main body A851 and the thin resin plate A855 in the front-rear direction at the same position, and second through holes A851b and A855b formed at the lower side portion so as to penetrate the plate-like main body A851 and the thin resin plate A855 in the front-rear direction at the same position.

[0500] The plate-like main body A851 includes a constricted portion A852 formed in the same shape as the constricted portion A844 at a position corresponding to the constricted portion A844 of the front side plate member A840. The front side surface is formed as a smooth surface, and innumerable unevennesses are formed on the back side surface. Thus, when the light that has passed through to the back side among the light received by the plate-like main body A851 is reflected by the white base member A860, the light is diffused by the innumerable unevennesses and emits surface light. Thereby, the back side portion of the plate-like main body A851 can be efficiently brightened.

[0501] The plate-like main body A851 includes the constricted portion A852. Since the light received from one side of the constricted portion A852 tends to travel within a range limited by the width of the constricted portion A852 after passing through the constricted portion A852, when it is formed wider than the width of the constricted portion A852 on both sides of the constricted portion A852 as in the plate-like main body A851 of the present embodiment, it is difficult to spread the light received from one side of the constricted portion A852 over the entire area of the plate-like main body A851.

[0502] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light from the edge light emitting unit A833 is received by the plate-like main body A851 above the constricted portion A852, and the light from the edge light emitting unit A837 is received by the plate-like main body A851 below the constricted portion A852. By configuring in this way, even when adopting the constricted portion A852, it is possible to receive light over the entire area of the plate-like main body A851 as compared with the case of receiving light only from the upper side or the lower side of the constricted portion A852. As a result, the entire area of the plate-like main body A851 can be efficiently brightened.

[0503] An illustration that forms the outline of the linear groove portion A842 is drawn on the thin resin plate A855, and in the present embodiment, the color corresponding to the illustration is painted. Therefore, when the light from the edge light emitting units A833 and A837 of the backlight substrate A830 is received by the rear plate member A850, the illustration drawn on the thin resin plate A855 is brightly visually recognized by surface light emission due to the unevenness on the back side of the plate-like main body A851.

[0504] The base member A860 is a member formed of a white resin material, and includes a plate-like main body A861 formed in a substantially L shape in a front view, an alignment protrusion A862 for aligning the rear plate member A850 supported by the plate-like main body A861, a fastening portion A863 to which the rear plate member A850 is fastened and fixed, a substrate fastening portion A864 to which the backlight substrate A830 is aligned and fastened and fixed, a pedestal portion A865 formed in a trapezoidal shape from the plate-like main body A861 to the front side, a columnar fastening portion A866 protruding in a columnar shape from the front of the plate-like main body A861 to the front side surface of the pedestal portion A865 and having a female screw formed at the tip, and a plate clamping fastening portion A867 protruding in a columnar shape from the front of the plate-like main body A861 and having a female screw formed at the tip, and protruding in the protruding direction by a length corresponding to the thickness of the front light emitting substrate A820 more than the protruding length of the columnar fastening portion A866.

[0505] The assembly of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 is performed by fastening and fixing the rear plate member A850, the backlight substrate A830, the front light emitting substrate A820, and the front plate member A840 to the base member A860 in this order.

[0506] First, the fastening and fixing of the rear side plate member A850 to the base member A860 will be described. The fastening and fixing of the rear side plate member A850 to the base member A860 is performed by screwing a fastening screw inserted through the plate-shaped body A851 with the first through hole A851a and the second through hole A851b inserted through the corresponding alignment protrusion A862 into the fastening portion A863.

[0507] At this time, the fastening screw is inserted through the plate-shaped body A851 but not through the thin resin plate A855. Therefore, with the plate-shaped body A851 fastened and fixed to the base member A860, by inserting the first through hole A855a and the second through hole A855b through the corresponding alignment protrusion A862, the alignment of the thin resin plate A855 with respect to the base member A860 and the plate-shaped body A851 can be easily performed.

[0508] Furthermore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the thin resin plate A855 cracks due to the pressing force during fastening. Also, it is possible to replace the thin resin plate A855 while maintaining the fastening of the plate-shaped body A851.

[0509] Next, the fastening and fixing of the backlight substrate A830 to the base member A860 will be described. The fastening and fixing of the backlight substrate A830 to the base member A860 is performed by fastening and fixing the backlight substrate A830 to the substrate fastening portion A864.

[0510] The substrate fastening portion A864 is inserted through the through hole A853 of the rear side plate member A850 respectively, and also functions as an alignment of the rear side plate member A850 with respect to the base member A860.

[0511] In the fastening and fixing of the backlight substrate A830 to the base member A860, the back side surface of the plate-shaped body A832 of the upper substrate A831 is fastened and fixed so as to sandwich the left edge portion of the thin resin plate A855 between the front side surface of the plate-shaped body A851, and the back side surface side of the plate-shaped body A836 of the right substrate A835 is fastened and fixed so as to sandwich the lower right edge portion of the thin resin plate A855 between the front side surface of the plate-shaped body A851. By doing so, the thin resin plate A855 is prevented from lifting off the plate-shaped body A851.

[0512] In this case, the load applied to the thin resin plate A855 is not a load generated at a point like a fastening screw, but a load generated along the left edge portion in a line (plane). Therefore, the pressing force per unit area applied to the thin resin plate A855 can be reduced. As a result, it is easier to avoid cracking and chipping of the thin resin plate A855.

[0513] As described above, in the fastening and fixing of the backlight substrate A830, since the back side surface of the plate-shaped body A832 is configured to be in surface contact with the front side surface of the rear plate member A850, it is possible to easily align the optical axes of the edge light emitting portions A833 and A837 of the backlight substrate A830 and the rear plate member A850 in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the front side surface of the rear plate member A850 faces). As a result, the light reception by the rear plate member A850 can be improved.

[0514] Next, the fastening and fixing of the front light emitting substrate A820 to the base member A860 will be described. The fastening and fixing of the front light emitting substrate A820 to the base member A860 is performed by fastening and fixing the front light emitting substrate A820 to the columnar fastening portion A866 in a state where the lower left side portion of the back side surface of the front light emitting substrate A820 is in surface contact with the pedestal portion A865.

[0515] The front light emitting substrate A820 and the back light emitting substrate A830 are arranged in parallel, and there is a gap between them. Therefore, no pressing force is generated between the front light emitting substrate A820, the back light emitting substrate A830, and the rear plate member A850.

[0516] Next, the fastening and fixing of the front side plate member A840 to the base member A860 will be described. The fastening and fixing of the front side plate member A840 to the base member A860 is performed by fastening and fixing the front side plate member A840 to the plate clamping fastening portion A867.

[0517] Since the plate clamping fastening portion A867 is arranged outside and in the vicinity of the front light-emitting substrate A820, it is possible to avoid the pressing force generated during the fastening and fixing to the plate clamping fastening portion A867 being applied to the front light-emitting substrate A820 as a point load. Thereby, cracking and chipping of the front light-emitting substrate A820 can be prevented.

[0518] The front side plate member A840 is formed with through holes A845 for securing the arrangement positions of LEDs such as the edge light-emitting portion A823 arranged on the front light-emitting substrate A820. The back side surface of the plate-shaped main body A841 excluding the through holes A845 is fastened and fixed to the base member A860 so as to apply a surface pressing force to the plate-shaped main bodies A822 and A826 of the front light-emitting substrate A820. Thereby, the support area of the front side plate member A840 can be increased by using the plate-shaped main bodies A822 and A826 of the front light-emitting substrate A820.

[0519] In the fastening and fixing of the front side plate member A840 to the base member A860, since the back side surface of the plate-shaped main body A841 of the front side plate member A840 is configured to be in surface contact with the front side surface of the front light-emitting substrate A820, the optical axes of the edge light-emitting portions A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 and the front side plate member A840 can be easily aligned in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the front side surface of the front side plate member A840 faces). Thereby, the light reception by the rear side plate member A850 can be made good.

[0520] As described above, the front light-emitting substrate A820, the back light-emitting substrate A830, the front side plate member A840, and the rear side plate member A850 are respectively aligned with and fastened to the respective components formed on the base member A860. Thereby, it is possible to easily align the front light-emitting substrate A820, the back light-emitting substrate A830, the front side plate member A840, and the rear side plate member A850 in the direction parallel to the front side surface of the base member A860.

[0521] Also, even when the substrate is composed of a set of front light-emitting substrates A820 and back light-emitting substrates A830 arranged one behind the other, by fastening and fixing them so as to abut in the front-rear direction with the corresponding front side plate member A840 or rear side plate member A850 as the member that receives light, it is possible to easily align the front light-emitting substrate A820, the back light-emitting substrate A830, the front side plate member A840, and the rear side plate member A850 in the direction intersecting the front side surface of the base member A860.

[0522] FIG. 54 is a front view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810, and FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 taken along the LV-LV line in FIG. 54. In FIG. 54, the outer shape of the decorative member A808 and the outer shape of the upper right region A60b (see FIG. 50) are shown by imaginary lines, and the portion overlapping the front side plate member A840 within the outer shape of the front light-emitting substrate A820 is shown by hidden lines. In FIG. 55, a cross-section passing through the center of the columnar fastening portion A866 (see FIG. 52) arranged on the center side of the base member A860 is shown.

[0523] As shown in FIG. 54, the front light-emitting substrate A820 is arranged so as to be accommodated within the outer shape of the decorative member A808 in a front view, and the front side plate member A840 that receives light from the edge light-emitting portions A823 and A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 is arranged so as to protrude from the decorative member A808 in a front view.

[0524] This makes it possible to suppress the front-to-back thickness of the entire auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 while covering the front light-emitting substrate A820 with the decorative member A808. That is, when arranging the light-emitting substrate on the back side of the front side plate member A840 of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 to perform a light-emitting effect on the front side plate member A840, it is necessary to arrange the light-emitting substrate at an appropriate distance from the front side plate member A840 to cause the front side plate member A840 to emit light, so the front-to-back width of the unit increases, and the space for arranging operating components behind it is reduced.

[0525] In contrast, in this embodiment, by arranging the front light-emitting substrate A820 not behind the front side plate member A840 but at a position shifted in the left-right or front-back direction with respect to the front side plate member A840, the front-to-back width of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 can be shortened, so a sufficient space for arranging operating components behind the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 can be secured.

[0526] In this embodiment, by adopting the guide member A802 (see FIG. 50), a game area is also formed in front of the upper right region A60b of the window portion A60a. The right end portion of the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 enters the upper right region A60b. That is, it is arranged inside the thickness of the base plate A60 in the front-to-back direction.

[0527] This makes it possible to reduce the front-to-back thickness of the game board A13 (see FIG. 50) as compared with the case where the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 is arranged behind the base plate A60. Furthermore, compared with the light that passes through the thickness of the base plate A60 when the auxiliary light guide plate unit A810 is arranged behind the base plate A60 and reaches the game area, it is possible to make it difficult for the light entering the game area to be attenuated, so the game area in front of the upper right region A60b can be brightly illuminated.

[0528] The front side plate member A840 is formed in a shape that overlaps with the edge of the front light-emitting substrate A820. That is, when the front side plate member A840 is fastened and fixed to the base member A860 from the front side of the front light-emitting substrate A820, the pressing force applied from the front side plate member A840 to the front light-emitting substrate A820 is divided along the edge of the front light-emitting substrate A820, so the load per unit area can be reduced.

[0529] As a result, while avoiding an excessive load being applied between the front light-emitting substrate A820 and the front side plate member A840, the front light-emitting substrate A820 and the front side plate member A840 can be brought into surface contact, so that the optical axes of the edge light-emitting portions A823, A827 of the front light-emitting substrate A820 and the front side plate member A840 can be easily aligned.

[0530] As shown in FIG. 55, the traveling path AL2 of the irradiation light from the edge light-emitting portions A823, A827 selected from high-directivity LEDs extends in the left-right direction until it is received by the front side plate member A840 and reaches the linear groove portion A842 by total reflection on the front and rear surfaces of the front side plate member A840, and is refracted when it reaches the linear groove portion A842 and the direction is changed toward the front side.

[0531] Therefore, when light is irradiated from the edge light-emitting portions A823, A827 when visually recognizing the front side plate member A840 from the front side, the light traveling from the linear groove portion A842 toward the front side reaches the player's eyes, so that the outline of the shape of an illustration including a specific character, logo, etc., which is the shape that forms the linear groove portion A842, can be visually recognized as shining.

[0532] Note that LEDs constituting the edge light-emitting portions A833, A837 (see FIG. 53) are LEDs with lower directivity than the LEDs constituting the edge light-emitting portions A823, A827. Thereby, the entire area of the rear side plate member A850 can be made to emit light uniformly.

[0533] That is, the light from the edge light emitting portions A833 and A837 (see FIG. 53) does not totally internally reflect within the rear side plate member A850, but rather functions to uniformly illuminate the rear side plate member A850.

[0534] Returning to FIG. 2 for explanation. As shown in FIG. 2, a downstream guide member A803 is disposed on the lower right side of the center frame A86 in a front view. The downstream guide member A803 constitutes a flow path for guiding a game ball guided by the guide member A802, regardless of whether the game ball passes through the through gate 67.

[0535] FIG. 56 is an exploded front perspective view of the downstream guide member A803, and FIG. 57 is an exploded rear perspective view of the downstream guide member A803. In FIGS. 56 and 57, only a part of the base plate A60 to which the downstream guide member A803 is fixed is shown, and illustration of other parts of the base plate A60 is omitted.

[0536] The downstream guide member A803 includes a front side member A803z having a plate-like body A803a and an extension plate A803b extending from the back surface of the plate-like body A803a, and a rear side member A804 formed of a light-transmissive resin material that is disposed on the back side of the front side member A803z and is fastened and fixed to the base plate A60 in a state of being fastened and fixed to the front side member A803z so as to form a path through which a game ball can flow down between the front side member A803z and the rear side member A804, and a decorative plate member A805 attached to the front surface of the plate-like body A803a of the front side member A803z. In the assembled state (see FIG. 2), the game ball guided by the guide member A802 is configured to be able to flow down through the region between the plate-like body A803a and the rear side member A804.

[0537] The extended plate A803b includes a left extended plate A803c formed by a plate portion extending vertically from the left edge of the plate-shaped main body A803a and an inclined plate portion extending in the lower left direction, a middle left extended plate A803d formed in a shape corresponding to that of the left extended plate A803c and arranged oppositely to form a left flow path ATL1 in the region between the left extended plate A803c and the middle left extended plate A803d, a middle right extended plate A803e having a portion branched from an intermediate position of the middle left extended plate A803d and extending rightward and formed to extend downward while bending left and right, and a right extended plate A803f arranged oppositely to the middle right extended plate A803e and forming a right flow path ATL2 in the region between the middle right extended plate A803e and the right extended plate A803f.

[0538] The game ball flowing down the left flow path ATL1 flows downward in the lower left direction, which is the extending direction of the left extended plate A803c and the middle left extended plate A803d. On the way, it passes through a detection sensor ASE1 for ball detection, which is disposed between the left extended plate A803c and the middle left extended plate A803d and held by the sensor support portion A804a of the rear member A804 in the assembled state, and is discharged through the opening A804b of the rear member A804 toward the rear of the base plate A60. Therefore, the game ball flowing into the left flow path ATL1 is not guided to the second winning port 640 or the specific winning port 65a (see FIG. 2).

[0539] Since the extending direction (lower left direction) of the left flow path ATL1 is a direction away from the right flow path ATL2, it is easy to avoid misidentifying the game ball flowing through the left flow path ATL1 and the game ball flowing through the right flow path ATL2 when both the left flow path ATL1 and the right flow path ATL2 are visible.

[0540] As f...

Claims

【Claim 1】 A gaming machine comprising a first means and a second means, and an engaging means configured such that a first engaging body and a second engaging body can be respectively engaged with the first means and the second means, wherein at least a part of a first disposed body disposed on the first means can be interposed between at least a part of the first means and the first engaging body of the engaging means, and at least a part of a second disposed body disposed on the second means can be interposed between at least a part of the second means and the second engaging body of the engaging means. The first engaging body includes a first engaging body side protrusion configured to protrude toward a predetermined portion of the first disposed body, and in a state where the first engaging body and the first means are engaged, when the first engaging body is displaced in a direction to release the engagement with the first means, at least a part of the first engaging body side protrusion can be brought into contact with the first disposed body. The second engaging body includes a second engaging body side protrusion configured to protrude toward a specific portion of the second disposed body, and in a state where the second engaging body and the second means are engaged, when the second engaging body is displaced in a direction to release the engagement with the second means, at least a part of the second engaging body side protrusion can be brought into contact with the second disposed body. The engaging means includes a connecting body configured to connect the first engaging body and the second engaging body, and in a state where the first engaging body and the first means are engaged and the second engaging body and the second means are engaged, a plurality of locations on the first engaging body side of the connecting body and a plurality of other locations on the second engaging body side of the connecting body can be cut. In a state where the connection state between the first engaging body and the connecting body is maintained, the first engaging body is configured to be able to approach or separate the first engaging body side protrusion from a predetermined portion of the first disposed body. A gaming machine, characterized in that a portion of the connecting body connected to the first engaging body is disposed along the displacement direction of the first engaging body when the first engaging body releases the engagement with the first means from a state where the first engaging body is engaged with the first means.

Images