Pachinko machine

The gaming machine's innovative center accessory design with a permeable protruding wall and detachable seal pedestal addresses the lack of distinctiveness in pachinko machines, ensuring clear seal visibility and durability, and preventing rattling.

JP7713693B2Active Publication Date: 2025-07-28DAIICHI SHOKAI KK

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023022595
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-02-16
Publication Date
2025-07-28
Estimated Expiration
2043-02-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, lack distinctiveness in their center accessories, making it difficult to differentiate between models and manufacturers.

Method used

A gaming machine with a center accessory featuring a permeable protruding wall portion that allows game balls to roll in the left-right direction, includes a stage portion with a ball release mechanism, and incorporates a light-emitting means behind specific areas, along with a detachable seal pedestal having a demolding trace portion and a protruding portion to enhance visibility and durability of seals.

Benefits of technology

Enhances the visual recognition of seals and prevents rattling, maintains seal display quality over time, and allows easy identification of reused or defective products, while increasing the machine's distinctiveness.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007713693000001
    Figure 0007713693000001
  • Figure 0007713693000002
    Figure 0007713693000002
  • Figure 0007713693000003
    Figure 0007713693000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a game machine which makes it easy to see a display by a specific seal such as a certificate stamp, thereby suppressing reduction in amusement for a player.SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine comprises a game board with a game area in which a game ball flows down. The game board has a first information seal pedestal 1016 which is provided so as to be detachable from the front on a front component 1000 constituting an outer peripheral edge of the game area and has a first information seal 1017 as a specific seal adhered on a front surface. The first information seal pedestal 1016 is provided with a projecting part 1016e provided with a removal trace part 2519 on a rear surface and projecting backward from the removal trace part 2519.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 165
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine (commonly also referred to as a "pachinko machine").

Background Art

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines , a frame-shaped center accessory having a protruding wall portion that protrudes forward from the front surface of a game board through which game balls flow in the front direction is provided. The protruding wall portion prevents game balls from entering the frame and forms a region where game balls flow outside the frame, allowing players to enjoy the movement of the game balls (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, in this type of gaming machine, center accessories of similar forms are provided regardless of the model or manufacturer, resulting in a lack of distinctiveness and making it difficult to differentiate from other gaming machines solely based on the center accessory.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances , equipped with a center accessory in a new form the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention comprises a gaming board having a flow-down area for game balls on the front side, and a center accessory attached to the gaming board and having a predetermined stage portion on which game balls can roll in the left-right direction, and is a gaming machine equipped with the gaming board, the center accessory has a protruding wall portion that is permeable and protrudes forward from the front surface of the gaming board, the protruding amount of the protruding wall portion is such that game balls during the game do not pass in front of the protruding wall portion, the front end surface of the protruding wall portion has a general area where no demolding trace portion is provided and a specific area where a demolding trace portion is provided, game balls flowing down the flow-down area during the game do not come into contact with the general area and the specific area, Behind the specific area, a predetermined light-emitting means is provided. Furthermore, the protruding wall portion is located above the stage portion. The stage portion includes a bottom wall member having a ball release portion that can roll game balls in the left-right direction and can drop the rolling game balls toward a special area. At least a part of the demolding trace portion provided on the bottom wall member is provided to be substantially symmetric about the virtual center line of the ball release portion. Furthermore, the front end surface of the protruding wall portion has a plurality of the specific areas. It is characterized by this. And, as an invention different from the present invention, the following means are exemplified. Means 1: In a gaming machine, "A gaming machine in which a game board having a game area where game balls flow down is housed in a main body frame, The gaming machine includes a game window through which the game area can be visually recognized, The main body frame is pivotally supported by an outer frame, The game is played by hitting a game ball into the game area by the operation of a player, The game board, is detachably provided from the front to a front-constituting member that constitutes the outer peripheral edge of the game area, and has a seal pedestal to which a specific seal is attached on the front surface, The seal pedestal, has a demolding trace portion provided on the rear surface and a protruding portion protruding rearward from the demolding trace portion." It is characterized by this.

[0007] Here, examples of the "front-constituting member" include "a member attached to the front surface of a flat game panel (game board) where a game area is provided in the front", "a member provided with a rail member such as an outer rail that partitions the game area", "a member integrally formed with a flat game panel (game board) where a game area is provided in the front", and the like.

[0008] In addition, examples of the "specific seal" include "a certificate on which information about the game machine (game board), such as the manufacturer's name, serial number, and type of game board, is displayed", "a specification seal on which information about the specifications of the game board, such as the jackpot probability, number of prize balls, jackpot round number, and count number, is displayed", "a copyright seal on which information about the copyright of the game machine (game board) is displayed", "an AM seal on which information about the inspection of the game machine (game board) is displayed", and the like.

[0009] Furthermore, examples of the detachable "seal base" include "those that can be detached by locking with a locking claw" and "those that can be detached by mounting screws".

[0010] In addition, the "demolding trace part" refers to the trace on the seal base formed by a mechanism (such as an ejector pin, push-up core, straight-up core, protruding core, etc.) for removing the seal base from the molding die (mold), and it is slightly concave, convex, or inclined compared to other parts. Examples of the shape of this "demolding trace part" include "a shape that is part of a circle like a semi-circle", "a circle", "a triangle", "a quadrilateral", "a pentagon", "a hexagon", "a polygon", "an irregular shape", "a star shape", "a heart shape", and the like.

[0011] Furthermore, examples of the "protrusion" of the seal base include "those that protrude in a columnar shape", "those that protrude in a rib shape", "those that protrude in a lattice shape", "those that protrude in a wall shape (dam shape)", and the like.

[0012] According to the configuration of means 1, a gaming machine includes a game board having a game area through which game balls flow down. The game board is detachably provided from the front with respect to a front constituent member that forms the outer peripheral edge of the game area, and has a seal pedestal to which a specific seal is attached on the front surface. The seal pedestal is provided with a demolding trace portion on the rear surface, and is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes rearward from the demolding trace portion (in [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention], refer to the chapter of [9-1. Demolding Trace Portion Provided on the Front Constituent Member], the description of the front constituent member 1000, the certificate sticking portion 1012, the game board first information display portion 1015, the demolding trace portion 2519, FIGS. 164 and 165, etc.).

[0013] According to this configuration, in a game board having a game area where a game is played with game balls, since a demolding trace portion is provided on the rear surface of the seal pedestal to which a specific seal such as a certificate is attached, there are no irregularities due to the demolding trace portion on the front surface of the seal pedestal. As a result, the unevenness and wrinkles due to the demolding trace portion do not occur on the specific seal attached to the front surface of the seal pedestal, the display by the specific seal can be made easy to see, and the decrease in the interest of the player can be suppressed.

[0014] Also, since a protruding portion that protrudes rearward from the demolding trace portion is provided on the rear surface of the seal pedestal, the demolding trace portion of the seal pedestal does not come into contact with the rear member, and rattling due to contact of the demolding trace portion does not occur. Therefore, even if some vibration is transmitted to the seal pedestal, the seal pedestal does not rattle, and the display of the specific seal attached to the seal pedestal can be visually recognized well.

[0015] It is desirable that the protruding portion extends along the rear surface of the seal pedestal in a rib shape, a lattice shape, a wall shape, etc. Thereby, since the strength and rigidity of the seal pedestal can be increased by the protruding portion, it is possible to reduce the distortion of the seal pedestal due to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity and aging changes, etc., and the display by the specific seal can be maintained in a good state for a long time.

[0016] Also, it is desirable to make the approach to the part where the seal base is detachably attached (for example, locking claws, mounting screws, etc.) be inhibited by a specific seal attached to the seal base. As a result, when removing the seal base from the game board during the assembly of the game board or during recycling, etc., it is necessary to peel or break the specific seal attached to the seal base, and traces of removing the seal base will remain. Therefore, it becomes possible to determine whether it is a defective product or a reused product, and since it is necessary to break the specific seal to remove the seal base, there is no concern about the specific seal (certificate paper).

[0017] Also, the seal base may be made of a transparent member, and the demolding trace portion may be provided at a portion where the front-rear direction overlaps with the specific seal. As a result, when the specific seal is attached to the front surface of the seal base, the demolding trace portion of the seal base is hidden by the specific seal and cannot be seen from the front. Since the demolding trace portion can be seen when the specific seal is not attached, it becomes possible to notice the omission of attaching the specific seal during the assembly of the game board.

[0018] Also, the demolding trace portion of the seal base may be provided at a portion where the front-rear direction does not overlap with the specific seal, in other words, at a portion that is not hidden by the specific seal. Thereby, it becomes possible to suggest the position where the specific seal is to be attached by the demolding trace portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the protruding portion of the seal base may be provided at least along the outer peripheral edge. That is, a wall-like protruding portion (such as a weir portion, a peripheral wall portion, etc.) that protrudes rearward from the outer peripheral edge beyond the demolding trace portion may be provided on the seal base. Thereby, the same operational effects as described above can be achieved, and the outer peripheral edge of the seal base can be reinforced by the protruding portion, and the strength and rigidity of the seal base can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the distortion of the seal base due to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity or aging, etc., and the display by the specific seal can be maintained in a good state for a long time.

[0020] Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1, "The seal base, has the protruding portion provided at least along the outer peripheral edge." It is characterized by this.

[0021] According to the configuration of Means 2, the seal base has the protruding portion provided at least along the outer peripheral edge (refer to the descriptions of the certificate base 1012b, the first information seal base 1016, FIGS. 164 and 165, etc. in [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]).

[0022] According to this configuration, the protruding portion of the seal base is provided along the outer peripheral edge. That is, a wall-like protruding portion (such as a weir portion, a peripheral wall portion, etc.) that protrudes from the outer peripheral edge to the rear of the demolding trace portion is provided on the seal base. Thereby, the same operational effects as above can be achieved, and the outer peripheral edge of the seal base can be reinforced by the protruding portion, and the strength and rigidity of the seal base can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the distortion of the seal base due to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity and aging, and the display by the specific seal can be maintained in a good state for a long time.

[0023] Means 3: In the configuration of Means 1 or Means 2, the gaming machine, is provided with a winning port into which a game ball can enter the game area, and is a pachinko machine that gives a predetermined privilege when a game ball enters the winning port.

[0024] Here, as the "winning opening", there are "general winning openings that are always open within the game area", "starting winning openings (starting openings) where a lottery of special symbols is conducted to determine whether a favorable gaming state that benefits the player as a predetermined privilege is generated due to the entry of a game ball into an opening that is always open within the game area", "variable winning openings (variable starting openings, accessory winning openings, etc.) where a game ball can enter the game area as a predetermined privilege when a game ball enters a specific receiving opening (chucker) within the game area", "variable winning openings (variable starting openings, accessory winning openings, etc.) where a game ball can enter as a predetermined privilege according to the lottery result of ordinary symbols selected when the game ball passes through a specific area (gate, through chucker, etc.) within the game area", "variable starting winning openings (variable starting openings) where a game ball can enter as a predetermined privilege according to the lottery result of ordinary symbols selected when the game ball passes through a specific area (e.g., gate, chucker, etc.) within the game area, and a lottery of special symbols is conducted to determine whether a favorable gaming state that benefits the player as a predetermined privilege is generated due to the entry of the game ball", "V winning openings where a favorable gaming state that benefits the player as a predetermined privilege is generated when a game ball that has entered an accessory winning opening is distributed and enters by a distributing means", "big winning openings and accessory winning openings that open and close in a predetermined pattern and allow the entry of game balls as a favorable gaming state that benefits the player as a predetermined privilege", etc.

[0025] In addition, as a "pachinko machine", there is "a lottery means for conducting a special symbol lottery to generate an advantageous game state in which a player benefits as a predetermined privilege by the entry of a game ball into the start opening, and a special symbol is variably displayed and then stopped and displayed according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery by the lottery means, and a special lottery result display means as a display for displaying a special lottery result selected by the combination of the special symbols stopped and displayed, and when a special lottery result that generates an advantageous game state is displayed by the special lottery result display means, an advantageous game state generation means for opening and closing the big winning opening in a predetermined pattern to generate an advantageous game state", (so-called, digital pachinko machine), "a distribution means for distributing the game balls that have entered the accessory winning opening, and an advantageous game state generation means for opening and closing the accessory winning opening in a predetermined pattern as a predetermined privilege when the game balls distributed by the distribution means enter the V winning opening to generate an advantageous game state in which the player benefits", (so-called, winged machine), "a machine having a big winning opening and an accessory winning opening, opening and closing the big winning opening or the accessory winning opening in a predetermined pattern according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery selected by the entry of a game ball into the start opening (start entry), and when the game balls that have entered the accessory winning opening are distributed to the V winning opening, opening and closing the accessory winning opening or the big winning opening in a predetermined pattern as a predetermined privilege to generate an advantageous game state in which the player benefits, and having an advantageous game state generation means", (so-called, composite machine), etc. can be mentioned.

[0026] According to the configuration of means 3, the gaming machine is a pachinko machine provided with a winning opening into which game balls can enter the game area, and a predetermined privilege is given by the entry of game balls into the winning opening. As a result, in the pachinko machine, any of the above-described means can exhibit its operational effects.

Effects of the Invention

[0027] Thus, according to the present invention, Provide a gaming machine equipped with a center accessory in a new form can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

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

Figure 108

Figure 109

Figure 110

Figure 111

Figure 112

Figure 113

Figure 114

Figure 115

Figure 116

Figure 117

Figure 118

Figure 119

Figure 120

Figure 121

Figure 122

Figure 123

Figure 124

Figure 125

Figure 126

Figure 127

Figure 128

Figure 129

Figure 130

Figure 131

Figure 132

Figure 133

Figure 134

Figure 135

Figure 136

Figure 137

Figure 138

Figure 139

Figure 140

Figure 141

Figure 142

Figure 143

Figure 144

Figure 145

Figure 146

Figure 147

Figure 148

Figure 149

Figure 150

Figure 151

Figure 152

Figure 153

Figure 154

Figure 155

Figure 156

Figure 157

Figure 158

Figure 159

Figure 160

Figure 161

Figure 162

Figure 163

Figure 164

Figure 165

Figure 166

Figure 167

Figure 168

Figure 169

Figure 170

Figure 171

Figure 172

Figure 173

Figure 174

Figure 175

Figure 176

Figure 177

Figure 178

Figure 179

Figure 180

Figure 181

Figure 182

Figure 183

Figure 184

Figure 185

Figure 186

Figure 187

Figure 188

Figure 189

Figure 190

Figure 191

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] [1. Overall Structure of Pachinko Machine] A pachinko machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the pachinko machine, FIG. 3 is a left side view of the pachinko machine, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine seen from the right front, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine seen from the left front, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine seen from the rear. Further, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine seen from the front with the door frame opened from the main body frame and the main body frame opened from the outer frame. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine disassembled into the door frame, the game board, the main body frame, and the outer frame and seen from the front, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine disassembled into the door frame, the game board, the main body frame, and the outer frame and seen from the rear.

[0030] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment includes a frame-shaped outer frame 2 installed in island facilities (not shown) in a game hall, a door frame 3 that closes the front surface of the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, a main body frame 4 that supports the door frame 3 in an openable and closable manner and is detachably attached to the outer frame 2, and a game board 5 that is detachably attached to the main body frame 4 from the front side and is visible from the player side through the door frame 3 and has a game area 5a into which a game ball B (see FIGS. 78 etc.) is driven by the player.

[0031] The outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that extends vertically when viewed from the front. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame left assembly 10 and an outer frame right assembly 20 that are spaced apart from each other horizontally and extend vertically, an outer frame upper member 30 that connects the upper ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame lower assembly 40 that connects the lower ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 attached to the left end of the upper surface of the outer frame upper member 30, and an outer frame lower hinge member 60 attached to the lower right side of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the outer frame lower assembly 40.

[0032] The outer frame 2 is attached to the island equipment in the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed. By means of the upper hinge assembly 50 on the outer frame and the lower hinge member 60 on the outer frame, the upper hinge member 510 on the main body frame and the lower hinge assembly 520 on the main body frame of the main body frame 4 are supported to be rotatable coaxially, so as to attach the main body frame 4 to be openable and closable forward with the left side in the front view as the center.

[0033] Also, when the main body frame 4 is closed, the lower assembly 40 of the outer frame cooperates with the speaker unit 620a of the board unit 620 in the main body frame 4 to form a part of the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622, and the sound output to the rear of the main body frame speaker 622 is phase-inverted and radiated forward, so that a more bassy sound can be heard by the player.

[0034] The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which the game balls B are launched so as to be visible from the front side, stores the game balls B for launching into the game area 5a, and is provided with a handle 197 that the player operates to launch the stored game balls B into the game area 5a. Also, the door frame 3 decorates the entire front surface of the pachinko machine 1.

[0035] Also, the door frame 3 is provided with an effect operation unit 301 that can be operated by the player separately from the handle 197. When a player-participation type effect is executed, the player can participate in the effect by operating the effect operation unit 301, so that in addition to the game with the game balls B, the player can also be entertained by operating the effect operation unit 301.

[0036] The main body frame 4 includes a frame-shaped main body frame base unit 500 whose rear part can be inserted into the frame of the outer frame 2 and can support the outer periphery of the game board 5, a main body frame upper hinge member 510 and a main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 for attaching the main body frame 4 to the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner and for attaching the door frame 3 in an openable and closable manner, a main body frame reinforcing frame 530 for reinforcing the main body frame base unit 500, a ball launching device 540 for driving the game ball B into the game area 5a within the game board 5, a payout base unit 550 for receiving the game ball B supplied from the island facilities in the game hall, a payout unit 560 for paying out the game ball B received by the payout base unit 550 to the player side, a board unit 620 having a payout control board 633 in addition to a power supply board 630 provided with a power switch 630a capable of turning on the power of the pachinko machine 1, a back cover 640 attached to the rear side of the game board 5 attached to the main body frame base 501, and a locking unit 650 for locking between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 and between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4.

[0037] The main body frame 4 holds the game board 5 having a game area 5a where the game is played by driving the game ball B, and is for paying out the game ball B to the player side or discharging the game ball B used in the game to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 (the side of the island facilities in the game hall). The main body frame 4 is formed in a box shape with an open front, and the game board 5 is detachably accommodated inside from the front. Also, the main body frame 4 is attached to the frame-shaped outer frame 2 attached to the island facilities in the game hall in an openable and closable manner at the upper and lower parts of the front left side end, and the door frame 3 is attached in an openable and closable manner so that the open front side is closed.

[0038] The game board 5 includes a game area 5a where game balls B are operated by a player, a front component member 1000 that demarcates the outer periphery of the game area 5a and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, a plate-shaped game panel 1100 attached to the rear side of the front component member 1000 and demarcating the rear end of the game area 5a, a main control unit 1300 attached to the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000 and having a main control board 1310, a function display unit 1400 that displays the game situation based on a control signal from the main control board 1310, a peripheral control unit 1500 (see FIG. 10) disposed on the rear side of the game panel 1100, an effect display device 1600 disposed at the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and capable of displaying a predetermined effect image, a front unit 2000 attached to the front surface of the game panel 1100, and a rear unit 3000 attached to the rear surface of the game panel 1100. The rear unit 3000 is provided with various effect units capable of performing movable effects and light-emitting effects according to the game state.

[0039] In the game area 5a of the game board 5, there are a plurality of obstacle pins N that come into contact with the game ball B and are implanted in a predetermined gauge arrangement, and a general winning opening 2001, a first start opening 2002, a gate 2003, a second start opening 2004, a normal winning opening 2011, a first big winning opening 2005, and a second big winning opening 2006 that grant a predetermined privilege (for example, payout of a predetermined number of game balls B) to the player when the game ball B is received or passes through. The obstacle pins N are implanted on the front surface of the game panel 1100. The general winning opening 2001, the first start opening 2002, the gate 2003, the second start opening 2004, the normal winning opening 2011, the first big winning opening 2005, and the second big winning opening 2006 are provided in the front unit 2000.

[0040] In the game area 5a of the game board 5, the player can shoot the game ball B by operating the handle 197 of the handle unit 180. As a result, the player can enjoy the shooting operation of the handle 197 so that the game ball B can be received or passed through the general winning openings 2001, the first start opening 2002, the gate 2003, the second start opening 2004, the normal winning openings 2011, the first big winning opening 2005, the second big winning opening 2006, etc. in the game area 5a.

[0041] In addition, according to the game state that changes by shooting the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, the game board 5 can cause the effect display device 1600 to display a predetermined effect image, or cause the back first effect unit 3300, the back second effect unit 3400, etc. to perform a light emission effect or a movable effect, so as to entertain the player.

[0042] [2. Overall Structure of the Outer Frame] The outer frame 2 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16. FIG. 11 is a front view of the outer frame of the pachinko machine, FIG. 12 is a rear view of the outer frame, and FIG. 13 is a right side view of the outer frame. Further, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the outer frame seen from the front, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the outer frame seen from the back. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame disassembled by each main member and seen from the front. The outer frame 2 is attached to an island facility (not shown) where the pachinko machine 1 such as a game hall is installed. The outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that extends vertically when viewed from the front.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the outer frame 2 includes an outer frame left assembly 10 and an outer frame right assembly 20 that are spaced apart from each other left and right and extend vertically, an outer frame upper member 30 that connects the upper ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame lower assembly 40 that connects the lower ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 attached to the left end of the upper surface of the outer frame upper member 30, and an outer frame lower hinge member 60 attached to the lower part of the right side surface of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the outer frame lower assembly 40.

[0044] When the main body frame 4 is closed, the outer frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2 cooperates with the speaker unit 620a of the substrate unit 620 in the main body frame 4 to form a part of the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622, and the sound output to the rear of the main body frame speaker 622 can be phase-inverted and radiated forward.

[0045] The outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 of the outer frame 2 can detachably support the main body frame upper hinge member 510 of the main body frame 4. The outer frame 2 can coaxially and rotatably support the main body frame upper hinge member 510 and the main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main body frame 4 by the outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 and the outer frame lower hinge member 60, and the main body frame 4 can be attached so as to be openable and closable with the left side in the front view as the center.

[0046] [2-1. Outer Frame Left Assembly and Outer Frame Right Assembly] The outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame left assembly and the outer frame right assembly of the outer frame, respectively, as seen from the front after disassembly. The outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20 of the outer frame 2 each extend vertically and are arranged at a distance from each other left and right. The outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20 are for coaxially and rotatably supporting the main body frame upper hinge member 510 and the main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main body frame 4 so that the main body frame 4 can be attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable.

[0047] First, the outer frame left assembly 10 includes an outer frame left member 11 that extends vertically with a constant width (depth) in the front-rear direction, an upper left connecting member 12 attached to the upper end of the right side surface of the outer frame left member 11, and a lower left connecting member 13 attached to the lower end of the right side surface of the outer frame left member 11.

[0048] The left outer frame member 11 extends vertically with a constant cross-sectional shape and is formed of an extruded aluminum alloy profile. The left outer frame member 11 has a concave portion 11a that is flat and recessed to the right at a rear portion that trisects the front-rear direction on the left side surface, a bulging portion 11b that bulges to the right from a portion on the right side surface opposite to the concave portion 11a, and a cavity portion 11c that penetrates the bulging portion 11b vertically. The left outer frame member 11 has enhanced strength and rigidity due to the concave portion 11a and the bulging portion 11b, and its weight is reduced due to the cavity portion 11c.

[0049] In addition, a plurality of grooves extending vertically are formed on both the left and right side surfaces of the left outer frame member 11. The plurality of grooves on the left side surface are formed in a V shape, and the plurality of grooves on the right side surface are formed in a semicircular shape. The left outer frame member 11 is formed in a shape symmetrical about the left-right direction with the right outer frame member 21 of the right outer frame assembly 20 described later.

[0050] The upper left connecting member 12 is for connecting the upper end of the left outer frame member 11 and the left end of the upper outer frame member 30. The upper left connecting member 12 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 12a extending horizontally, a flat upper horizontal fixing portion 12b extending upward from the middle in the front-rear direction on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a, and a pair of flat lower horizontal fixing portions 12c extending downward from both the front and rear sides of the upper horizontal fixing portion 12b on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a. The upper left connecting member 12 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0051] The upper left connecting member 12 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by inserting the rear lower horizontal fixing portion 12c into the cavity portion 11c of the left outer frame member 11, abutting the horizontal fixing portion 12a against the upper end of the left outer frame member 11, and further screwing a screw into the lower horizontal fixing portion 12c from the outside of the left side surface of the left outer frame member 11 while the front and rear lower horizontal fixing portions 12c are in contact with the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11. Further, the upper left connecting member 12 is attached to the upper outer frame member 30 by abutting the horizontal fixing portion 12a against the lower surface of the left end side of the upper outer frame member 30 and inserting the upper horizontal fixing portion 12b into the notch portion 30a on the left side surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and then screwing a screw through the horizontal fixing portion 12a and the upper horizontal fixing portion 12b into the upper outer frame member 30.

[0052] The lower left connecting member 13 is for connecting the lower end of the left outer frame member 11 and the left end of the lower outer frame assembly 40 (lower outer frame member 41). The lower left connecting member 13 includes a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 13a, a flat plate-shaped upper horizontal fixing portion 13b that extends upward from the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 13a and also extends rearward from the horizontal fixing portion 13a, a flat plate-shaped lower horizontal fixing portion 13c that extends downward from a portion on the rear side of the horizontal fixing portion 13a on the lower side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b, and a flat plate-shaped abutting portion 13d that extends short to the right from the rear side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b. The lower left connecting member 13 is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped metal plate.

[0053] The lower left connecting member 13 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by abutting the rear surface of the abutting portion 13d against the front surface of the bulging portion 11b of the left outer frame member 11, abutting the left side surface of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b against the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11, and screwing a screw into the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b from the outside of the left side surface of the left outer frame member 11 with the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 13a aligned with the lower end of the left outer frame member 11. Further, the lower left connecting member 13 is attached to the lower outer frame member 41 by abutting the horizontal fixing portion 13a against the upper surface of the left end side of the lower outer frame member 41 and inserting the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c into the notch portion 41a on the left side surface of the lower outer frame member 41, and then screwing a screw through the horizontal fixing portion 13a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c into the lower outer frame member 41.

[0054] Next, the right outer frame assembly 20 includes a right outer frame member 21 that extends vertically with a constant width (depth) in the front-rear direction, an upper right connecting member 22 attached to the upper end of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21, a lower right connecting member 23 attached to the lower end of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21, an upper hook member 24 attached to the upper part of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21, and a lower hook member 25 attached to the lower part of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21.

[0055] The right outer frame member 21 extends vertically with a constant cross-sectional shape and is formed of an extruded aluminum alloy profile. The right outer frame member 21 has a concave portion 21a that is flat and recessed leftward at a rear portion that trisects the front-rear direction on the right side surface, a bulging portion 21b that bulges leftward from a portion on the left side surface opposite to the concave portion 21a, and a hollow portion 21c that penetrates the bulging portion 21b vertically. The right outer frame member 21 has enhanced strength and rigidity due to the concave portion 21a and the bulging portion 21b, and its weight is reduced due to the hollow portion 21c.

[0056] Also, the right outer frame member 21 has a plurality of grooves formed vertically on both the left and right side surfaces. The plurality of grooves on the right side surface are formed in a V shape, and the plurality of grooves on the left side surface are formed in a semi-circular shape. The right outer frame member 21 is formed in a shape symmetric to the left outer frame member 11 of the left outer frame assembly 10.

[0057] The upper right connecting member 22 is for connecting the upper end of the right outer frame member 21 and the right end of the upper outer frame member 30. The upper right connecting member 22 includes a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 22a, a flat plate-shaped upper horizontal fixing portion 22b that extends upward from the middle in the front-rear direction on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a, and a pair of flat plate-shaped lower horizontal fixing portions 22c that extend downward from both the front and rear sides of the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a. The upper right connecting member 22 is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped metal plate.

[0058] The upper right connecting member 22 has its rear lower horizontal fixing portion 22c inserted into the cavity portion 21c of the outer frame right member 21, and its horizontal fixing portion 22a abutted against the upper end of the outer frame right member 21. Further, with the front and rear lower horizontal fixing portions 22c abutted against the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, screws are screwed into the lower horizontal fixing portion 22c from the outside of the right side surface of the outer frame right member 21, thereby attaching it to the outer frame right member 21. Also, the upper right connecting member 22 has its horizontal fixing portion 22a abutted against the lower surface of the right end side of the outer frame upper member 30, and its upper horizontal fixing portion 22b inserted into the notch portion 30a on the right side surface of the outer frame upper member 30. Then, screws are screwed into the outer frame upper member 30 through the horizontal fixing portion 22a and the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b, thereby attaching it to the outer frame upper member 30.

[0059] The lower right connecting member 23 is for connecting the lower end of the outer frame right member 21 and the right end of the outer frame lower assembly 40 (outer frame lower member 41). The lower right connecting member 23 includes a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 23a, a flat plate-shaped upper horizontal fixing portion 23b that extends upward from the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 23a and also extends rearward from the horizontal fixing portion 23a, a flat plate-shaped lower horizontal fixing portion 23c that extends downward from a portion on the lower side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b that is rearward of the horizontal fixing portion 23a, and a flat plate-shaped abutting portion 23d that extends short leftward from the rear side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b. The lower right connecting member 23 is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped metal plate.

[0060] The lower right connecting member 23 has the rear surface of the abutting portion 23d abutted against the front surface of the bulging portion 21b of the outer frame right member 21, the right side surface of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b abutted against the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, and the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 23a aligned with the lower end of the outer frame right member 21. Then, screws are screwed into the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b from the outside of the right side surface of the outer frame right member 21, thereby attaching it to the outer frame right member 21. Also, the lower right connecting member 23 has its horizontal fixing portion 23a abutted against the upper surface of the right end side of the outer frame lower member 41, and its lower horizontal fixing portion 23c inserted into the notch portion 41a on the right side surface of the outer frame lower member 41. Then, screws are screwed into the outer frame lower member 41 through the horizontal fixing portion 23a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c, thereby attaching it to the outer frame lower member 41.

[0061] The upper hook member 24 and the lower hook member 25 are for the outer frame hooks 653 of the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4 described later to be hooked. The upper hook member 24 has a flat mounting portion 24a that extends vertically with a constant width in the front-rear direction and is attached to the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, and a flat locking piece portion 24b that extends leftward from the front edge of the mounting portion 24a and to which the upper outer frame hook 653 is hooked.

[0062] The lower hook member 25 has a flat mounting portion 25a that extends vertically with a constant width in the front-rear direction and is attached to the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, a flat locking piece portion 25b that extends leftward from the front edge of the mounting portion 25a and to which the lower outer frame hook 653 is hooked, and an insertion opening 25c that penetrates the locking piece portion 25b in the front-rear direction and through which the lower outer frame hook 653 can be inserted.

[0063] [2-2. Upper Outer Frame Member] Regarding the upper outer frame member 30 of the outer frame 2, it will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 16. The upper outer frame member 30 is for connecting the upper ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20 that are spaced apart left and right. The upper outer frame member 30 has a width in the front-rear direction that is substantially the same as the front-rear direction of the outer frame left member 11 and the outer frame right member 21, a constant thickness in the vertical direction, and extends in the left-right direction, and is formed of wood. The length of the upper outer frame member 30 in the left-right direction is formed to be the same as the length in the left-right direction of the outer frame lower member 41 of the outer frame lower assembly 40 described later.

[0064] The upper outer frame member 30 is provided with notch portions 30a that are recessed toward the center in the left-right direction in a state of penetrating vertically at the center in the front-rear direction on both the left and right side surfaces. The upper horizontal fixing portions 12b of the upper left connecting member 12 and the upper horizontal fixing portions 22b of the upper right connecting member 22 are respectively attached to the notch portions 30a at both the left and right ends in a state of being inserted.

[0065] Also, the upper outer frame member 30 is provided with a mounting step portion 30b at the left end portion where the upper surface and the front surface are recessed more than the general surface. The outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 described later is attached to this mounting step portion 30b.

[0066] Lower Outer Frame Assembly The lower outer frame assembly 40 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the lower outer frame assembly of the outer frame as seen from the front. The lower outer frame assembly 40 connects the lower ends of the left and right outer frame assemblies 10 and 20 which are spaced apart from each other, and is for closing and decorating the lower side of the door frame 3 in the pachinko machine 1.

[0067] The lower outer frame assembly 40 includes an outer frame lower member 41 which connects the lower ends of the left and right outer frame assemblies 10 and 20 which are spaced apart from each other and extends left and right, a box-shaped front curtain member 42 which is disposed in front of the outer frame lower member 41 and extends left and right along the outer frame lower member 41 with its rear open, a box-shaped rear curtain member 43 which is attached to the rear side of the front curtain member 42, is attached to the upper surface of the outer frame lower member 41, and extends left and right with its front open, and a ball biting prevention mechanism 44 formed at the left end on the upper surface of the rear curtain member 43.

[0068] The outer frame lower member 41 has a width in the front-rear direction substantially the same as the front-rear direction of the left and right outer frame members 11 and 21, a constant thickness in the vertical direction, extends in the left-right direction, and is formed of wood. The length of the outer frame lower member 41 in the left-right direction is formed to be the same as the length of the upper outer frame member 30 in the left-right direction.

[0069] The outer frame lower member 41 is provided with cutouts 41a which penetrate vertically and are recessed toward the center in the left-right direction at the center in the front-rear direction on both left and right side surfaces. The lower horizontal fixing portions 13c of the left lower connecting member 13 and the lower horizontal fixing portions 23c of the right lower connecting member 23 are respectively attached in a state of being inserted into the cutouts 41a at both left and right ends. Thereby, the lower ends of the left and right outer frame members 11 and 21 can be connected.

[0070] Further, the lower outer frame member 41 is recessed from the upper surface and has a recess 41b into which the lower part of the curtain plate rear member 43 is inserted. The recess 41b extends horizontally and opens from a position near the rear in the center in the front-rear direction toward the front end side. This recess 41b maximally expands the volume of the curtain plate internal space 40a formed by the curtain plate front member 42 and the curtain plate rear member 43.

[0071] The curtain plate front member 42 extends in the left-right direction to the same length as the lower outer frame member 41, is formed in a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped box shape with a shorter depth in the front-rear direction than the height, and has an open rear surface. The curtain plate front member 42 closes the open rear side with the curtain plate rear member 43 to form, in cooperation with the curtain plate rear member 43, a curtain plate internal space 40a that is part of the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622. The curtain plate front member 42 has an elongated hole-shaped opening 42a that penetrates in the front-rear direction and extends in the left-right direction on the front surface near the right end.

[0072] The curtain plate rear member 43 extends in the left-right direction slightly shorter than the lower outer frame member 41 and is formed in a box shape with an open front. The curtain plate rear member 43 attaches the curtain plate front member 42 to the front surface to form, in cooperation with the curtain plate front member 42, a curtain plate internal space 40a that is part of the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622. The curtain plate rear member 43 has a cylindrical connection tube portion 43a that extends in the left-right direction, protrudes upward, and communicates with the curtain plate internal space 40a at the center in the left-right direction on the upper surface. The upper end of the connection tube portion 43a is inclined so that it is positioned upward more from the front end side, which coincides with the general upper surface of the curtain plate rear member 43, toward the rear. In this embodiment, the upper end of the connection tube portion 43a is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees.

[0073] This connecting cylinder part 43a is formed such that its length in the left - right direction is about 1 / 3 of the length of the entire rear curtain member 43, and its depth in the front - rear direction is formed slightly shorter than the depth of the entire rear curtain member 43. Inside the connecting cylinder part 43a, a plurality of ribs 43b connecting the front - end side and the rear - end side are provided. At the upper end of this connecting cylinder part 43a, when the main body frame 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the connecting part 621c of the speaker cover 621 in the speaker unit 620a of the substrate unit 620 in the main body frame 4 is connected, and it is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the speaker unit 620a, forming the enclosure 624.

[0074] The ball - biting prevention mechanism 44 is for preventing the game ball B from being pinched between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 when the game ball B stays at the part of the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame at the left end on the upper surface of the rear curtain member 43.

[0075] The ball - biting prevention mechanism 44 is formed at the left end on the upper surface of the rear curtain member 43, and includes a placement part 44a formed flat so that the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame described later is placed thereon, a first discharge port 44b opening upward at the left end of the placement part 44a, a second discharge port 44c opening upward and to the right of the first discharge port 44b in the placement part 44a, a standing wall part 44d extending upward from the rear side and the right side of the placement part 44a, and an upper - end protruding part 44e protruding forward from the upper end of the standing wall part 44d and having an inclined upper surface that is positioned upward as it goes rearward.

[0076] The first discharge port 44b is formed at a position that coincides with the discharge hole 60d of the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame described later. The first discharge port 44b and the second discharge port 44c are formed to have a size through which the game ball B can pass. The first discharge port 44b and the second discharge port 44c are not in communication with the internal space 40a of the curtain, but open to the rear surface of the rear curtain member 43. Therefore, the game ball B that has entered the first discharge port 44b and the second discharge port 44c can be discharged to the rear of the rear curtain member 43.

[0077] This ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 can prevent an unauthorized tool such as a piano wire from being inserted through the gap between the outer frame lower hinge member 60 and the main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 described later. When an unauthorized tool is inserted, the standing wall portion 44d rising from the rear end of the placement portion 44a can block the intrusion of the unauthorized tool. Even if the tip of the unauthorized tool abuts against the standing wall portion 44d and bends upward, it will abut against the upper end protruding portion 44e protruding forward provided at the upper end of the standing wall portion 44d, preventing further intrusion. Therefore, unauthorized acts can be prevented through the portion of the outer frame lower hinge member 60.

[0078] By the way, when the standing wall portion 44d is provided at the rear end of the placement portion 44a, when the main body frame 4 is opened with respect to the outer frame 2, the game ball B that has fallen onto the placement portion 44a for some reason is blocked from moving backward by the outer frame 2 by the standing wall portion 44d, so the game ball B tends to stay on the placement portion 44a. And when the game ball B stays on the placement portion 44a, when the main body frame 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the game ball B will be sandwiched between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4, causing a problem that the main body frame 4 cannot be closed.

[0079] In contrast, in the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 of this embodiment, the game ball B that has fallen onto the outer frame lower hinge member 60 or the placement portion 44a can be discharged to the rear of the curtain plate rear member 43 (behind the outer frame 2) through the discharge hole 60d of the outer frame lower hinge member 60 and the first discharge port 44b, or through the second discharge port 44c, preventing the game ball B from being sandwiched between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4.

[0080] The outer frame lower assembly 40 includes a pair of guide members 45 spaced apart left and right on the upper surfaces of the curtain plate front member 42 and the curtain plate rear member 43, a flat grill member 46 that closes the opening 42a of the curtain plate front member 42 from the rear side, a port member 47 having two cylinders extending in the front-rear direction and attached inside the curtain plate front member 42 so as to close the opening 42a with the grill member 46 sandwiched therebetween, and a frame-shaped seal member 48 disposed at the upper end of the connection cylinder portion 43a of the curtain plate rear member 43.

[0081] The pair of guide members 45 are such that when the main body frame 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the lower end of the door frame 3 abuts thereon. The guide members 45 are formed of a low-friction material with low frictional resistance, facilitating the sliding of the lower end of the main body frame 4 and making opening and closing easier.

[0082] The grill member 46 is in a strip plate shape extending in the left-right direction and has a plurality of blade portions 46b provided at intervals in the vertical direction. The blade portions 46b are provided in an inclined state such that the front end side is higher than the rear end side. This grill member 46 allows the interior (the curtain plate interior space 40a) and the exterior of the curtain plate front member 42 to communicate with each other in a ventilable manner through the gaps between the blade portions 46b.

[0083] The port member 47 allows the curtain plate interior space 40a (the enclosure 624) and the front of the outer frame 2 to communicate with each other through the gaps between the blade portions 46b of the grill member 46 by means of two cylinders. The two cylinders of the port member 47 are formed with a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined length, and resonate and amplify the bass sound emitted from the main body frame speaker 622 to the rear (inside the enclosure 624) according to the principle of Helmholtz resonance, enabling rich bass to be radiated to the front of the outer frame 2 (the player side). That is, in this embodiment, the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622 is of the bass-reflex type, allowing the player to hear heavy bass.

[0084] The seal member 48 is compressed and sandwiched between the upper end of the connection cylinder portion 43a and the lower end of the connection portion 621c of the speaker cover 621 in the main body frame 4 when the main body frame 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, preventing the sound inside the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622 from leaking from between the connection cylinder portion 43a and the connection portion 621c.

[0085] According to the grill member 46 of the present embodiment, the air vibration released from the inner space 40a of the curtain plate to the outside by the main body frame speaker 622 is directed by the plurality of inclined blade portions 46b into the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 where the handle unit 180 is accommodated through the notch opening 295b below the handle cover 295 in the handle cover unit 290 obliquely forward. As a result, when a player inserts a finger inside the handle cover 295 (the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) and rotates the handle 197 (the game ball B driving device), the main body frame speaker 622 can be vibrated to send air into the front cylindrical portion 291a, surprising the player and creating an unprecedented effect.

[0086] In addition, since the port member 47 is opened forward, a part of the sound pressure released from the port member 47 through the plurality of blade portions 46b of the grill member 46 is released forward. Therefore, the effect sound released from the port member 47 can also be heard by the player sitting in front of the pachinko machine 1 or other players wandering in the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, and the player's interest can be attracted by the effect sound, providing a pachinko machine 1 with a high appeal to players.

[0087] In addition, since the port member 47 is provided on the outer frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2 with respect to the enclosure 624 of the main body frame speaker 622 provided on the main body frame 4, the volume of the enclosure 624 can be increased, so that a more bassy effect sound can be output, entertaining the player and suppressing the decline in interest.

[0088] [2-4. Outer frame upper hinge assembly] The upper hinge assembly 50 on the outer frame 2 of the outer frame will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19(a) is an exploded perspective view of the upper hinge assembly on the outer frame of the outer frame as seen from the front upper side after disassembly, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) as seen from the front lower side. The upper hinge assembly 50 on the outer frame is attached to the upper end of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the left end of the upper outer frame member 30, and is for pivotally attaching the main body frame 4 to the outer frame 2. The upper hinge assembly 50 on the outer frame includes an upper hinge member 51 attached to the upper end of the recess 11a of the left outer frame member 11 and the mounting step portion 30b of the upper outer frame member 30, a lock member 52 attached to the upper hinge member 51, and a mounting screw 53 attaching the lock member 52 to the upper hinge member 51.

[0089] The upper hinge member 51 has a horizontally extending flat plate shape and is attached to the upper surface of the mounting step portion 30b of the upper outer frame member 30, a flat plate-shaped front extending portion 51b extending forward from the front side of the upper fixing portion 51a, a bearing groove 51c extending from the middle of the right side of the front extending portion 51b to the left and right center of the front extending portion 51b and penetrating vertically, a flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 51d extending downward from the left side of the upper fixing portion 51a, and a flat plate-shaped edge wall portion 51e extending downward from the edge of the front extending portion 51b from the left side around the front side to the portion where the bearing groove 51c opens and continuous with the horizontal fixing portion 51d. The upper hinge member 51 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate by press forming. The upper hinge member 51 can rotatably support a main body frame upper hinge pin 512, which will be described later, of the main body frame upper hinge member 510 in the bearing groove 51c.

[0090] The lock member 52 includes a strip-shaped lock body 52a extending in the front-rear direction, an operation piece 52b protruding rightward from the rear end of the lock body 52a, an elastically deformable rod-shaped elastic part 52c extending leftward from the rear end of the lock body 52a and then obliquely forward-leftward, and a mounting hole 52d penetrating vertically near the rear end of the lock body 52a. The lock member 52 is formed of synthetic resin. The lock member 52 is rotatably mounted by a mounting screw 53 on the lower surface of the front extension part 51b of the outer frame upper hinge member 51 at a position behind the bearing groove 51c.

[0091] When the lock member 52 is mounted on the outer frame upper hinge member 51, the lock body 52a can block the bearing groove 51c in plan view, and the right side surface near the front end extends forward so as to be able to contact a part extending to the opening of the bearing groove 51c on the edge wall part 51e of the outer frame upper hinge member 51. Also, the tip of the elastic part 52c extending leftward from the rear end of the lock body 52a is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the edge wall part 51e of the outer frame upper hinge member 51. This lock member 52 is biased in a direction in which the front end rotates leftward about the mounting hole 52d by the biasing force of the elastic part 52c. Therefore, in the normal state, the right side surface near the front end of the lock body 52a of the lock member 52 is in contact with the edge wall part 51e. In this state, a space capable of accommodating the main body frame upper hinge pin 512 of the main body frame upper hinge member 510 is formed in the part of the bearing groove 51c in front of the lock body 52a.

[0092] By operating the operation piece 52b, this lock member 52 can rotate the lock body 52a against the biasing force of the elastic part 52c. Then, by operating the operation piece 52b to rotate the lock body 52a in a direction in which its front end moves leftward, the lock body 52a can be retracted from the bearing groove 51c in plan view, and the bearing groove 51c can be made to be in a fully open state. Thereby, the main body frame upper hinge pin 512 can be inserted into or removed from the bearing groove 51c.

[0093] [2-5. Lower hinge member of the outer frame] The lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame 2 of the outer frame will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 16. The lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame includes a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal portion 60a, a flat plate-shaped upright portion 60b that rises upward from a portion on the left side of the horizontal portion 60a that is behind the center in the front-rear direction, an outer frame lower hinge pin 60c that protrudes upward from near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a, and a discharge hole 60d that penetrates the horizontal portion 60a vertically and has a size that allows only one game ball B to pass through. This lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame is formed by punching and bending a metal plate by press molding.

[0094] The horizontal portion 60a of the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame is formed in a trapezoid shape with the left side as the bottom side in a plan view. The outer frame lower hinge pin 60c is cylindrical, and the upper part above the center in the vertical direction is formed in a frustum of a cone shape with a narrowed upper end. This outer frame lower hinge pin 60c is attached to a position on the left side near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a. The discharge hole 60d is in contact with the horizontal portion 60a at the center in the front-rear direction of the upright portion 60b and is formed to extend in an inverted U shape from the left side to the right side of the horizontal portion 60a. This discharge hole 60d is formed to have substantially the same size as the first discharge port 44b of the ball biting prevention mechanism 44 in the outer frame lower assembly 40.

[0095] In a state where the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame is assembled to the outer frame 2, the rear part of the horizontal portion 60a is placed on the placement portion 44a of the curtain plate rear member 43 in the outer frame lower assembly 40 and is fixed to the curtain plate rear member 43 with screws (not shown). Further, the upright portion 60b is attached to a portion in front of the bulging portion 11b on the right side surface of the outer frame left member 11 with screws (not shown). This lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame can be attached to the main body frame 4 so as to be openable and closable in cooperation with the upper hinge member 51 of the outer frame by inserting the outer frame lower hinge pin 60c into the outer frame lower hinge hole 521a in the main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main body frame 4.

[0096] In addition, in the state where the outer frame 2 is assembled, the discharge hole 60d coincides with the first discharge port 44b of the ball biting prevention mechanism 44 in the lower outer frame assembly 40. As a result, the game ball B on the horizontal portion 60a can be dropped (discharged) backward of the outer frame 2 through the discharge hole 60d and the first discharge port 44b. More specifically, when the main body frame 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, as the main body frame 4 is closed, the game ball B that has fallen between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 gradually narrows the space between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4, so that it rolls toward the rear side with a wider interval and can be discharged from the discharge hole 60d. At this time, since the discharge hole 60d is formed at a position substantially the same as the rear end of the main body frame 4 when the main body frame 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2 in the state where the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, it is easy to prevent the game ball B that has fallen between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 from rolling to the rear side by discharging it from the discharge hole 60d, and it is possible to make it difficult for the game ball B to stay at the portion of the lower outer hinge member 60 of the outer frame.

[0097] [3. Overall Structure of the Door Frame] The door frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 20 to 33 and the like. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the front, and FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the rear. FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame top decorative body and the upper door frame decorative body disassembled from the front, and FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame top decorative body and the upper door frame decorative body disassembled from the rear. FIG. 24 is a front view of the door frame shown in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, FIG. 25 is a rear view of the door frame shown in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, FIG. 26 is a left side view of the door frame shown in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, and FIG. 27 is a right side view of the door frame shown in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the door frame shown in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, seen from the right front, FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the door frame shown in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, seen from the left front, and FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the door frame shown in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, seen from the rear. FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, disassembled by each main member, seen from the front, and FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed, disassembled by each main member, seen from the rear. FIG. 33 is a longitudinal sectional view of the door frame in a state where the upper door frame decorative body is removed.

[0098] The door frame 3 is formed in a rectangular shape that is approximately the same size as the inside of the outer frame 2 and extends vertically in a front view, and is attached to the inside of the outer frame 2 via the main body frame 4 so as to be openable and closable from the front side. The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which the pachinko balls B are driven so that it can be visually recognized from the front side, stores the pachinko balls B for driving into the game area 5a, and is provided with a handle 197 that is operated by the player to drive the stored pachinko balls B into the game area 5a. Further, the door frame 3 decorates the entire front surface of the pachinko machine 1.

[0099] The door frame 3 includes a frame-shaped door frame base unit 100 whose outer shape in a front view is a rectangle extending vertically, a glass unit 160 that is detachably attached to the door frame base unit 100 and closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main body frame 4 so that it can be visually recognized from the front, a security cover 170 that is attached to the door frame base unit 100 so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear side, a handle unit 180 that is attached to the lower right corner of the front surface of the door frame base unit 100, a handle cover unit 290 that covers the outer periphery of the handle unit 180, a dish unit 200 that is attached to the lower part of the front surface of the door frame base unit 100, a door frame left side unit 420 that is attached to the left part of the front surface of the door frame base unit 100 above the dish unit 200, a door frame right side unit 430 that is attached to the right part of the front surface of the door frame base unit 100 above the dish unit, a door frame top unit 450 that is attached to the upper part of the front surface of the door frame base unit 100 above the door frame left side unit 420 and the door frame right side unit 430, and a door frame upper decoration body 480 that is attached to the door frame top unit 450.

[0100] The door frame base unit 100 includes a door frame base 101 whose outer shape in a front view is formed as a rectangle (elongated rectangle) extending vertically and has a door window 101a penetrating through in the front-rear direction, a speaker duct 103 attached to the lower right corner in a rear view on the rear side of the door frame base 101, a main door frame relay board 104 attached near the right end in a rear view at the lower part on the rear side of the door frame base 101, a sub door frame relay board 105 attached to the left side in a rear view of the main door frame relay board 104, a handle rear relay board attached to the left side in a rear view of the sub door frame relay board 105, a door frame relay board cover 107 covering a part of the main door frame relay board 104 and the sub door frame relay board 105 from the rear side, a handle rear relay board cover 108 covering the handle rear relay board from the rear side, and a cable cover 109 covering a wiring cable.

[0101] Also, the door frame base unit 100 includes a frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit 110 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, a door frame upper hinge assembly 120 and a door frame lower hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, an opening / closing cylinder lock 130 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a ball feeding unit 140 attached above the handle rear relay board on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a far cover unit 150 attached to the right side in a rear view at the lower part on the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0102] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 reinforces the door frame base 101 and imparts rigidity by being attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101. The door frame upper hinge assembly 120 and the door frame lower hinge member 125 are for attachably opening and closing the door frame 3 with respect to the main body frame 4. The cylinder lock 130 is used in cooperation with the locking unit 650 of the main body frame 4 for opening and closing the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4, and for opening and closing and locking the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4.

[0103] In addition, the ball feeding unit 140 is for feeding the game balls B in the upper tray 201 one by one to the ball launching device 540 of the main body frame 4. The far ball cover unit 150 guides the game balls B (far balls) that have been launched by the ball launching device 540 and have not reached the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower tray 202, and also guides the game balls B paid out from the payout device 580 to the upper tray 201 or the lower tray 202.

[0104] The glass unit 160 has a transparent glass plate 162 and closes the door window 101a of the door frame base 101. The security cover 170 is attached to the door frame base 101 so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear. The handle unit 180 is provided with a handle 197 that can be rotated by the player. The handle unit 180 performs a game of driving the game balls B in the upper tray 201 into the game area 5a of the game board 5 by the ball launching device 540 by operating the handle cover unit 290 that covers the outer periphery.

[0105] The handle 197 operated by the player is provided on the handle unit 180. The handle 197 of the handle unit 180 protrudes forward of the handle cover unit 290.

[0106] The door frame right side unit 430 has a right side left panel 442 detachably provided on the left side surface and a right side right panel 443 detachably provided on the right side surface. Therefore, when replacing the game board 5 due to a specification change or model change in the pachinko machine 1, by replacing the right side left panel 442 and the right side right panel 443 with decorations and patterns corresponding to the decoration (concept) of the game board 5, it is possible to easily cope with model changes and the like, and it is easy to provide a pachinko machine 1 with a high appeal to players.

[0107] The door frame top unit 450 is provided such that the door frame top decorative body 453 is detachably attached to the door frame top base 451. The door frame top decorative body 453 can be removed forward by loosening the hand screw 469 that is screwed in from the rear of the door frame base unit 100. Therefore, when replacing the game board 5 due to a specification change, model change, etc. in the pachinko machine 1, by replacing it with the door frame top decorative body 453 that is decorated (concept) corresponding to the decoration of the game board 5, it is possible to easily cope with a model change, etc., and it is easy to provide a pachinko machine 1 with a high appeal to players.

[0108] [3-1. Overall Structure of Door Frame Base Unit] The door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 34. FIG. 34(a) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit of the door frame of the second embodiment as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit as seen from the rear.

[0109] The door frame base unit 100 is attached to the left side of the front view so as to be hinge-rotatable with respect to the main body frame 4, closes the front surface of the main body frame 4 so as to be openable and closable, and makes the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main body frame 4 visible from the front. The door frame base unit 100 includes a door frame base 101 having a rectangular and flat plate shape whose outer shape extends vertically, and a speaker duct 103 attached to the lower right corner of the rear view on the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0110] In addition, the door frame base unit 100 includes a main relay board 104 for the door frame attached near the right end in the rear view at the lower part on the rear side of the door frame base 101, a sub-relay board 105 for the door frame attached to the left of the main relay board 104 for the door frame in the rear view at the lower part on the rear side of the door frame base 101, a handle rear relay board attached to the left of the sub-relay board 105 for the door frame in the rear view at the lower part on the rear side of the door frame base 101, a relay board cover 107 for the door frame attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering a part of the main relay board 104 for the door frame and the sub-relay board 105 for the door frame from the rear side, a handle rear relay board cover 108 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the handle rear relay board from the rear side, and a cable cover 109 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the wiring cable.

[0111] Furthermore, the door frame base unit 100 mainly includes a frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit 110 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, a door frame upper hinge assembly 120 and a door frame lower hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, an opening / closing cylinder lock 130 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a ball feeding unit 140 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a flange cover unit 150 attached to the right side in the rear view at the lower part on the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0112] A handle unit 180 and a handle cover unit 290 are attached to the lower front corner of this door frame base unit 100, a plate unit 200 is attached to the lower front side of the door window 101a, a left side unit 420 for the door frame is attached to the left outer front side of the door window 101a, a right side unit 430 for the door frame is attached to the right outer front side of the door window 101a, and a top unit 450 for the door frame is attached to the upper outer front side of the door window 101a, respectively.

[0113] In addition, a glass unit 160 is attached to the door frame base unit 100 so as to close the door window 101a from the rear, and a transparent security cover 170 is attached so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear.

[0114] [3-1a. Door Frame Base] Regarding the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100 in the door frame 3, it will be described in detail mainly with reference to Fig. 34 and the like. The door frame base 101 is formed in a quadrangle (rectangle) whose outer shape in a front view extends vertically. The door frame base 101 penetrates through in the front and rear directions and is provided with a door window 101a formed in a substantially quadrangular shape whose inner peripheral shape in a front view extends vertically. In the door window 101a, the upper side and the left and right sides forming the inner periphery are respectively close to the outer peripheral sides of the door frame base 101, and the lower side forming the inner periphery is located at a height of about 1 / 3 in the vertical direction from the lower end of the door frame base 101. Thus, the door frame base 101 is integrally formed by a synthetic resin with the entire shape formed in a frame shape by the door window 101a penetrating through in the front and rear directions.

[0115] The door frame base 101 has a handle mounting seat surface formed at the lower right corner in a front view on the front surface and inclined so that the left end side protrudes slightly forward from the right end side, a cylinder insertion hole 101d through which the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 is inserted and penetrates through in the front and rear directions between the handle mounting seat surface and the door window 101a, and a ball feeding opening 101e through which the inlet 141a and the ball outlet 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 penetrate through in the front and rear directions on the left side in a front view of the cylinder insertion hole 101d and the handle mounting seat surface and face forward.

[0116] In addition, the door frame base 101 has a lower dish ball passing hole 101f through which the ball discharge port 150d of the far cover unit 150 penetrates through in the front and rear directions to face forward, is located to the left of the center in the left-right direction and at substantially the same height as the handle mounting seat surface, an upper dish ball passing hole 101g through which the through ball passage 150a of the far cover unit 150 penetrates through in the front and rear directions to face forward adjacent to the lower side of the door window 101a near the left end in a front view, and a glass unit mounting portion 101h which is recessed from the rear surface forward along the inner periphery of the door window 101a and into which the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 is inserted.

[0117] In addition, the door frame base 101 is provided with a plurality of vertically long slits 101i that are formed at the lower left corner when viewed from the front (below the ball passage opening 101g for the upper tray) and penetrate through in the front-rear direction. A speaker duct 103 is attached to the rear side of the plurality of slits 101i. Also, when the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the plurality of slits 101i are positioned such that the speaker opening 211b of the tray unit base 211 in the tray unit 200 is located in the front, and the main body frame speaker 622 in the speaker unit 620a of the main body frame 4 is located in the rear, and the sound from the main body frame speaker 622 can be radiated forward.

[0118] Furthermore, the door frame base 101 is provided with a through hole that penetrates through in the front-rear direction below the door window 101a and above the handle mounting seat surface. This through hole is for inserting a wiring cable (not shown) that connects the door frame base unit 100 side and the tray unit 200 side, and is formed to coincide with the through portion 117f of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 in the door frame reinforcement unit 110 described later.

[0119] [3-1b. Speaker Duct] The speaker duct 103 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 34. This speaker duct 103 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is attached to a portion where a plurality of slits 101i are formed on the rear side of the door frame base 101. When the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the rear end of the cylindrical portion of the speaker duct 103 is located in front of the main body frame speaker 622 of the main body frame 4. Thereby, the sound (sound) radiated (output) from the main body frame speaker 622 of the main body frame 4 can be guided forward without being diffused, and can be well guided to the front (the player side) of the pachinko machine 1 through the plurality of slits 101i of the door frame base 101 and the speaker opening 211b in the tray unit base 211 of the tray unit 200.

[0120] Further, the speaker duct 103 is provided with a cable holder 103a for holding the connection cable 503 on the rear surface below the cylindrical portion. The cable holder 103a is disposed to the left of the door frame relay board cover 107 when viewed from the front, and holds the connection cable 503 connected to the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 so as to extend toward the left end side of the door frame 3.

[0121] [3-1c. Door Frame Main Relay Board, Door Frame Sub-Relay Board, Handle Rear Relay Board] The door frame main relay board 104, the door frame sub-relay board 105, and the handle rear relay board of the door frame base unit 100 will be described. The door frame main relay board 104 has an outer shape formed in a rectangle extending vertically, and is attached to the lower right corner of the rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from the back. The door frame main relay board 104 is for relaying the connection between the handle rear relay board and the interface board 635 in the board unit 620 of the main body frame 4, and a part of the connection cable 503 (see FIGS. 71 and 72) extending from the main body frame 4 is connected thereto.

[0122] The door frame sub-relay board 105 has an outer shape formed in an inverted L shape in which a rectangle extending horizontally is combined with the upper right side of a rectangle extending vertically when viewed from the front, and the portion extending vertically is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 so as to be adjacent to the left side of the door frame main relay board 104 when viewed from the back. The door frame sub-relay board 105 is for relaying the connection between the handle decorative board 184 of the handle unit 180, the dish unit relay board 214 of the dish unit 200, the upper decorative board 422 and the lower decorative board of the left side of the door frame of the left side unit 420 of the door frame, the upper decorative board and the lower decorative board of the right side of the door frame of the right side unit 430 of the door frame, the door frame top relay board of the door frame top unit 450, etc. and the interface board 635 of the main body frame 4, and the remaining part of the connection cable 503 extending from the main body frame 4 is connected thereto.

[0123] The door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 are attached to the door frame base 101 such that the connection terminals protrude rearward. In the state where the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the portions of the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 that extend vertically are covered on the rear side by the door frame relay board cover 107, and the remaining portion of the door frame sub-relay board 105 is covered on the rear side by the fairing cover unit 150.

[0124] The handle rear relay board is formed in a rectangular shape with an outer shape extending horizontally, and is attached to the rear side of the handle mounting seat surface below the ball feeding opening 101e on the rear side of the door frame base 101. The handle rear relay board relays the connections between the door frame main relay board 104 and the handle rotation detection sensor 189, the handle touch sensor 192, the single-shot button operation sensor 194 of the handle unit 180, and the ball feeding solenoid 145 of the ball feeding unit 140. In the state where the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the rear side of the handle rear relay board is covered by the handle rear relay board cover 108.

[0125] [3-1d. Door Frame Relay Board Cover · Handle Rear Relay Board Cover · Cable Cover] The door frame relay board cover 107, the handle rear relay board cover 108, and the cable cover 109 of the door frame base unit 100 will be mainly described with reference to FIG. 25. The door frame relay board cover 107 covers the rear sides of a part (the vertically extending inverted L-shaped part) of the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 by being attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101. The door frame relay board cover 107 is formed in a box shape with the front and the left side being open when viewed from the front. In the state assembled to the door frame base unit 100, the connection terminals of the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 that are covered on the rear side are exposed inside the door frame relay board cover 107, and the connection cable 503 (see FIG. 71) can be inserted inside from the open left side and connected to those terminals.

[0126] The handle rear relay board cover 108 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 so as to cover the rear side of the handle rear relay board. The cable cover 109 is attached to the rear side of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 in the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and is for covering a wiring cable (not shown) that connects the door frame main relay board 104 and the ball lending operation unit 220 of the dish unit 200. The cable cover 109 is formed in a box shape extending left and right, and openings for passing the wiring cable are formed near the left end of the front surface and at the center in the left-right direction of the lower surface.

[0127] [3-1e. Door Frame Reinforcement Unit] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 35 to 38. FIG. 35(a) is a perspective view of the door frame reinforcement unit in the door frame seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the door frame reinforcement unit in the door frame seen from the rear. FIG. 36(a) is a perspective view of the intermediate reinforcement frame of the door frame reinforcement unit seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the intermediate reinforcement frame of the door frame reinforcement unit seen from the rear. FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing an enlarged part of the intermediate reinforcement frame in the longitudinal section of the door frame. FIG. 38 is an explanatory view showing the dimensional relationship of the upper part in the intermediate reinforcement frame.

[0128] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 to reinforce the flat door frame base 101 made of synthetic resin and impart rigidity to the door frame base unit 100. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 includes left and right spaced-apart vertically extending left reinforcement frame 111 and right reinforcement frame 112, a horizontally extending upper reinforcement frame 113 connecting the upper ends of the left reinforcement frame 111 and the right reinforcement frame 112, an intermediate reinforcement frame 117 connecting the upper-ward parts of the lower ends of the left reinforcement frame 111 and the right reinforcement frame 112, a cylinder mounting frame 115 attached to the right reinforcement frame 112 (see FIG. 34 etc.), and a hook member 116 to which the door frame hook 652 of the locking unit 650 of the main body frame 4 is hooked and which is attached to the rear side of the right reinforcement frame 112 at a plurality of vertically spaced positions.

[0129] The left reinforcing frame 111 extends vertically with a substantially constant width and a length substantially the same as the height of the door frame base 101, and has a bulging portion 111a that protrudes rightward from a position above the lower end. The left end side of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is attached to the bulging portion 111a of the left reinforcing frame 111.

[0130] The right reinforcing frame 112 extends vertically with a substantially constant width and a length substantially the same as the height of the door frame base 101, and has a bulging portion 112a that protrudes leftward from a position above the lower end. The right end side of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is attached to the bulging portion 112a of the right reinforcing frame 112. Further, a cylinder attachment frame 115 is attached to the front surface of the bulging portion 112a. A plurality of insertion holes are formed in the right reinforcing frame 112, spaced apart in the vertical direction and penetrating in the front-rear direction. When the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 4, the tip of the door frame hook 652 of the locking unit 650 is inserted through these insertion holes.

[0131] The upper reinforcing frame 113 extends horizontally with a constant width in the vertical direction and a length substantially the same as the left and right widths of the door frame base 101.

[0132] The door frame reinforcing unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 by a plurality of screws (not shown). In a state where the door frame reinforcing unit 110 is attached to the door frame base 101, the through portion 117f of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is aligned with the through hole of the door frame base 101, and the cylinder attachment frame 115 is inserted into the cylinder insertion hole 101d of the door frame base 101.

[0133] [3-1e-1. Intermediate Reinforcing Frame] Next, the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 in the door frame reinforcement unit 110 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 36, the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 is attached so as to connect the bulging portion 111a of the left reinforcement frame 111 and the bulging portion 112a of the right reinforcement frame 112. The intermediate reinforcement frame 117 extends horizontally with a width wider in the vertical direction than the vertical width of the upper reinforcement frame 113. The lower end side of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 is linear and extends horizontally, while the left and right ends of the upper end side are higher as they extend outward in the horizontal direction. The intermediate reinforcement frame 117 has a through portion 117f that penetrates in the front-rear direction near the right end, and an opening 117g that penetrates in a square shape in the front-rear direction near the left end. The through portion 117f is formed at a position that coincides with the through hole of the door frame base 101. The opening 117g is formed so as to coincide with the upper plate ball passage hole 101g of the door frame base 101.

[0134] The intermediate reinforcement frame 117 has a strip-shaped substrate portion 117a with its plate surface facing in the front-rear direction, an upper flange portion 117b extending rearward from the upper edge of the substrate portion 117a, a rear flange portion 117c extending upward from the rear edge of the upper flange portion 117b, and a lower flange portion 117d extending forward from the lower edge of the substrate portion 117a.

[0135] Further, the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 is provided with a plurality of bead portions 117e that protrude forward and are long in the left-right direction on the substrate portion 117a. The strength and rigidity of the substrate portion 117a (intermediate reinforcement frame 117) are enhanced by these plurality of bead portions 117e.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 36(b), the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is composed of a first sheet metal part 118a having the same thickness as the sheet metal forming the left reinforcing frame 111 and the right reinforcing frame 112, and a second sheet metal part 118b having a greater thickness than the first sheet metal part 118a. The first sheet metal part 118a has a base plate part 117a, an upper flange part 117b, and a lower flange part 117d. The second sheet metal part 118b has a base plate part 117a, an upper flange part 117b, and a rear flange part 117c. The upper flange part 117b, the rear flange part 117c, and the lower flange part 117d are formed by bending the sheet metal. The first sheet metal part 118a and the second sheet metal part 118b are attached to each other at the part of the base plate part 117a with the first sheet metal part 118a facing forward by a plurality of rivets.

[0137] The length of the first sheet metal part 118a in the left - right direction is the same as the length of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 in the left - right direction. The length of the second sheet metal part 118b in the left - right direction is shorter than that of the first sheet metal part 118a. The second sheet metal part 118b is attached so as to cover the central part of the first sheet metal part 118a in the left - right direction. Note that the thickness tc of the second sheet metal part 118b is about 1.7 times the thickness of the first sheet metal part 118a.

[0138] When assembled to the door frame 3, this intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is located below the door window 101a and behind the dish unit 200 (the production operation unit 300 described later) (see FIGS. 33 and 37). Also, as shown in the figure, the lower end of the glass frame 161 (locking piece 161b) in 160 abuts on the upper surface of the upper flange part 117b of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117. That is, the glass unit 160 is placed on the upper flange part 117b. Further, the lower rear surface (the rear surface of the locking piece 161b) of the glass frame 161 in the glass unit 160 abuts on the front surface of the rear flange part 117c of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117. Thereby, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 restricts the downward movement and the rearward movement of the lower part of the glass unit 160. In this embodiment, the rear surface of the rear flange part 117c is located in front of the rear surface of the glass unit 160 and does not protrude rearward.

[0139] In the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 of this embodiment, the upper and lower widths at both ends in the left - right direction are larger than the upper and lower widths at the center in the left - right direction, and since the portions with the larger upper and lower widths are attached to the left reinforcing frame 111 and the right reinforcing frame 112, it is attached more firmly than the intermediate reinforcing frame in a conventional door frame.

[0140] Further, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 has an upper flange portion 117b, a rear flange portion 117c, and a lower flange portion 117d, and is formed in a cross - sectional shape that combines two crank shapes. Also, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is composed of two sheet metals, a first sheet metal portion 118a and a second sheet metal portion 118b. For this reason, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 has higher strength and rigidity than the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 of the door frame 3 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the door frame reinforcing unit 110 itself also has higher strength and rigidity than the door frame reinforcing unit of a conventional door frame.

[0141] In this way, since the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 (door frame reinforcing unit 110) are enhanced, even if a player grabs and strongly pulls the upper plate 201 or the lower plate 202, or strongly pulls the lever operation portion 304 of the effect operation unit 300 described later, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 (door frame reinforcing unit 110) will not be distorted (plastically deformed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4 due to the distortion of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117.

[0142] Also, even if an attempt is made to perform an illegal act by forming a gap between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4 by strongly pulling the upper plate 201 or the lever operation portion 304 forward, as described above, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 (door frame reinforcing unit 110) with enhanced strength and rigidity prevents the door frame 3 from plastically deforming and forming a gap with the main body frame 4, and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 with a high deterrent force against illegal acts.

[0143] Further, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 has an upper flange portion 117b on which the glass unit 160 is placed and a rear flange portion 117c extending upward from the upper flange portion 117b. Therefore, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 can support the load of the glass unit 160, and even if an unauthorized tool tries to intrude through the space between the upper flange portion 117b and the lower end of the glass unit 160, the intrusion of the unauthorized tool can be blocked by the rear flange portion 117c extending upward, and a pachinko machine 1 with a high deterrent force against unauthorized acts can be provided.

[0144] Note that, as shown in FIG. 38, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is configured such that the distance L1 from the rear surface of the substrate portion 117a to the rear end of the upper flange portion 117b is slightly shorter than the distance L2 from the upper surface of the upper flange portion 117b to the upper end of the rear flange portion 117c. Further, the distance L0 obtained by adding the distance L1 and the distance L2 is configured to be longer than the distance (not shown) from the rear surface of the substrate portion 117a to the rear end of the door frame 3. Therefore, if the rear flange portion 117c is extended rearward in the same manner as the upper flange portion 117b without being bent upward, the rear end thereof is configured to protrude rearward beyond the rear end of the door frame 3. That is, the length at which the rear end can enter the rear game board 5 is set by the angle at which the rear flange portion 117c is extended (bent) with respect to the upper flange portion 117b.

[0145] [3-1e-2. Modification Examples of Intermediate Reinforcing Frame] Subsequently, modification examples (modification examples 1 to 5) of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40. FIG. 39(a) is an explanatory view showing modification example 1 of the intermediate reinforcing frame in the door frame, (b) is an explanatory view showing modification example 2 of the intermediate reinforcing frame, and (c) is an explanatory view showing modification example 3 of the intermediate reinforcing frame. FIG. 40(a) is an explanatory view showing modification example 4 of the intermediate reinforcing frame in the door frame, and (b) is an explanatory view showing modification example 5 of the intermediate reinforcing frame. Here, parts having the same configuration as the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0146] (Modification Example 1 of Intermediate Reinforcing Frame) The intermediate reinforcing frame 117A shown in Fig. 39(a) is composed of a single thick metal plate (sheet metal). The intermediate reinforcing frame 117A also has the same effects as described above. Further, according to this intermediate reinforcing frame 117A, since it is composed of a single sheet metal, there is no need to assemble with rivets or the like as compared with the case of being composed of a plurality of sheet metals, and the cost can be reduced. Note that a bead portion 117e may also be provided on this intermediate reinforcing frame 117A.

[0147] (Modification Example 2 of Intermediate Reinforcing Frame) The intermediate reinforcing frame 117B shown in Fig. 39(b) is such that the lower flange portion 117d extends rearward from the lower end of the substrate portion 117a. The strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117B can also be enhanced by the lower flange portion 117d extending rearward, and the same effects as described above are achieved. Note that the intermediate reinforcing frame 117B may be composed of a single sheet metal as shown in the figure, or may be composed of a plurality of sheet metals in the same manner as the above intermediate reinforcing frame 117. Also, a bead portion 117e may be provided on the intermediate reinforcing frame 117B.

[0148] (Modification Example 3 of Intermediate Reinforcing Frame) In the intermediate reinforcing frame 117C shown in Fig. 39(c), the rear end of the upper flange portion 117b extends to the rear surface of the glass unit 160, and the rear flange portion 117c extending upward from the rear end of the upper flange portion 117b is located behind the glass unit 160. The intermediate reinforcing frame 117C also has the same effects as described above. Further, in this intermediate reinforcing frame 117C, since the width (depth) of the upper flange portion 117b in the front-rear direction is wider than that of the upper flange portion 117b of the above intermediate reinforcing frame 117, the glass unit 160 can be received in a wide range. Note that the intermediate reinforcing frame 117C may be composed of a single sheet metal as shown in the figure, or may be composed of a plurality of sheet metals in the same manner as the above intermediate reinforcing frame 117. Also, a bead portion 117e may be provided on the intermediate reinforcing frame 117C. Also, a locking piece 161b similar to the above may be provided on the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160.

[0149] (Modification Example 4 of the Intermediate Reinforcement Frame) The intermediate reinforcement frame 117D shown in Fig. 40(a) is such that the rear flange portion 117c extends downward from the rear end of the upper flange portion 117b. More specifically, the rear flange portion 117c hangs down from the rear end of the upper flange portion 117b. Also with this configuration, the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117D can be increased, and even if the upper plate 201 of the door frame 3 or the lever operation portion 304 is strongly pulled forward, it will not be distorted (plastically deformed). Further, it is possible to place the glass unit 160 on the upper flange portion 117b of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117D. In Fig. 40(a), although it is shown that the rear surface of the rear flange portion 117c does not protrude rearward beyond the rear surface of the glass unit 160, the rear flange portion 117c may protrude rearward beyond the glass unit 160. Also, the intermediate reinforcement frame 117D may be composed of a single sheet metal as shown in the figure, or may be composed of a plurality of sheet metals in the same manner as the above-described intermediate reinforcement frame 117. Further, a bead portion 117e may also be provided on the intermediate reinforcement frame 117D. Also, a locking piece 161b similar to the above may be provided on the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160.

[0150] (Modification Example 5 of the Intermediate Reinforcement Frame) The intermediate reinforcement frame 117E shown in Fig. 40(b) is such that the rear flange portion 117c extends downward from the rear end of the upper flange portion 117b. More specifically, the rear flange portion 117c extends obliquely downward from the rear end of the upper flange portion 117b. Also with this configuration, the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117E can be increased, and even if the upper plate 201 of the door frame 3 or the lever operation portion 304 is strongly pulled forward, it will not be distorted (plastically deformed). When the door frame 3 is closed, the rear end side of the rear flange portion 117c of this intermediate reinforcement frame 117E is inserted into the game board 5 (here, inside the front constituent member 1000). Due to the insertion of this rear flange portion 117c, a meandering gap will be formed, so even if an illegal tool attempts to penetrate along the front surface of the game board 5, it can be blocked by the rear flange portion 117c, and the deterrent force against illegal acts can be increased.

[0151] Incidentally, the rear flange portion 117c of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117E may be brought into contact with the game board 5. Thereby, it becomes possible to position the door frame 3 and the game board 5 via the rear flange portion 117c, or to support the game board 5 by the rear flange portion 117c. Further, when the rear flange portion 117c is brought into contact with the game board 5, it may be connected to the ground. Furthermore, the intermediate reinforcing frame 117E may be composed of a single sheet metal as shown in the figure, or may be composed of a plurality of sheet metals in the same manner as the above-described intermediate reinforcing frame 117. Also, a bead portion 117e may be provided on the intermediate reinforcing frame 117E. Also, a locking piece 161b similar to the above may be provided on the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160.

[0152] [3-1e-3. Other countermeasure examples] Next, a countermeasure against the formation of a gap between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4 by pulling the upper plate 201 or the like forward will be described. As a specific example 1, for example, a distance sensor (for example, a simple switch, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a proximity sensor, a displacement sensor, etc.) that detects the distance (change in distance) between the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 and the game board 5 is provided, and when the signal from the distance sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a notification to that effect may be made. At this time, the distance sensor may be provided on the main body frame 4, on the game board 5, or on the door frame 3.

[0153] In Specific Example 1, as described above, since the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 (door frame reinforcement unit 110) are enhanced, even if the door frame 3 is pulled forward with a strong force, it does not undergo plastic deformation. However, if it is pulled strongly, there is a possibility that it will elastically deform and the distance between the door frame 3 and the game board 5 will change, creating a gap. Therefore, a distance sensor for detecting this distance is provided. As a result, since the change in distance due to elastic deformation can be detected by the distance sensor, it becomes possible to notify that the door frame 3 has been forcibly pulled according to the detection signal from the distance sensor, preventing the player from pulling the door frame 3 too strongly unnecessarily or pulling the door frame 3 strongly for the purpose of committing an illegal act, and a pachinko machine 1 with a high crime prevention effect can be provided.

[0154] Also, as Specific Example 2, for example, a door frame opening switch (not shown) provided near the right end in the front surface of the main body frame 4 may be provided behind the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117. As a result, when the upper plate 201 or the like of the door frame 3 is strongly pulled and elastically deformed so that the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 moves forward, the door frame opening switch detects the opening of the door frame 3 and notifies of that fact. In this case, the door frame opening switch may be provided at both the vicinity of the right end of the main body frame 4 and the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction. Also, the door opening switch in the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction may be provided on the game board 5.

[0155] Furthermore, as Specific Example 3, for example, a strain sensor may be provided in the intermediate reinforcement frame 117, and when the signal from the strain sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that fact may be notified.

[0156] Also, as a specific example 4, for example, a hook-shaped intermediate hook (not shown) that moves in conjunction with the door frame hook 652 of the locking unit 650 is provided at a rear portion near the center in the left-right direction of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 in the main body frame 4. When the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 4, the intermediate hook may be locked to the intermediate reinforcing frame 117. Thereby, even if the upper plate 201 or the like is pulled forward, it is possible to prevent the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 from bulging forward (plastic deformation or elastic deformation) due to the locking of the intermediate hook.

[0157] [3-1e-4. Bracketed] The above-described door frame reinforcement unit 110 has the following technical features.

[0158] (Background of Technical Features) A pachinko machine as a gaming machine includes a main body frame that detachably supports a game board from the front, and a door frame that is attached to the main body frame so as to be openable and closable from the front. The door frame is provided so as to be hinge-rotatable on one end side of the left and right front edges of the main body frame, and a window portion closed by a glass plate is provided, and the game area of the game board can be visually recognized from the front through the glass plate.

[0159] In this type of gaming machine, a frame-shaped reinforcing sheet metal formed by combining a plurality of metal plates is provided on the door frame, and a plurality of hooks are locked from the main body frame side to a portion of the open side end edge of the reinforcing sheet metal opposite to the hinge side, so that the door frame cannot be opened even if it is pulled forward (for example, Patent Document: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-110159).

[0160] However, in the technology of the above patent document, for example, when the hand is placed on a ball tray (for example, an upper tray, a lower tray, etc.) provided on the front surface of the door frame and pulled forward, the door frame (reinforcing sheet metal) may be distorted so that the center in the left-right direction of the door frame bulges forward. And when the door frame is distorted, a gap is formed between the door frame and the main body frame, and there is a risk that an illegal tool may be inserted into the gaming machine through the gap.

[0161] Therefore, in the following means, in view of the above situation, an object is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing illegal acts using the gap by making it difficult to form a gap between the door frame and the main body frame even when the door frame is pulled.

[0162] (Means for Solving Technical Features) Means 1: In a gaming machine, a main body frame that detachably supports a game board having a game area where games are played by game balls from the front, a door frame having a window portion through which the game area can be visually recognized from the front and provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame from the front A gaming machine comprising: The door frame is provided with a reinforcing sheet metal unit having a first reinforcing portion extending left and right along the lower side of the window portion, The first reinforcing portion is a substrate portion parallel to the opening surface of the window portion, an upper flange portion extending rearward from the upper end edge of the substrate portion, a rear flange portion extending upward or downward from the rear end edge of the upper flange portion and is characterized by "including".

[0163] Here, examples of the "first reinforcing portion" include "one made of a single metal plate (sheet metal)" and "one made of a plurality of metal plates (sheet metal)".

[0164] According to the configuration of means 1, a main body frame that detachably supports a game board having a game area where games are played by game balls from the front, and a door frame having a window portion that allows the game area to be visible from the front and is provided to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame from the front. The door frame includes a reinforcing sheet metal unit having a first reinforcing portion extending left and right along the lower side of the window portion. The first reinforcing portion includes a substrate portion parallel to the opening surface of the window portion, an upper flange portion extending rearward from the upper edge of the substrate portion, and a rear flange portion extending upward or downward from the rear edge of the upper flange portion. (Refer to the chapter [3-1. Overall configuration of the door frame base unit], the door frame reinforcing unit 110, and the descriptions in FIGS. 35 to 40, etc. in [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention].

[0165] As a result, since the reinforcing sheet metal unit is provided on the door frame that is provided to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame from the front, the strength and rigidity of the door frame are enhanced by the reinforcing sheet metal unit. This reinforcing sheet metal unit has a first reinforcing portion extending in the left-right direction along the lower side of the window portion of the door frame. The first reinforcing portion is provided with a flat substrate portion, an upper flange portion extending rearward from the upper edge of the substrate portion, and a rear flange portion extending upward or downward from the upper flange portion. When the rear flange portion extends upward from the rear edge of the upper flange portion, the cross-sectional shape of the first reinforcing portion becomes a crank shape. When the rear flange portion extends downward from the rear edge of the upper flange portion, the cross-sectional shape of the first reinforcing portion becomes a U shape. Therefore, the strength and rigidity can be made higher than those of conventional reinforcing portions (reinforcing sheet metals) having a linear shape or an L-shaped cross-sectional shape. That is, since the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion of the reinforcing sheet metal unit are enhanced compared to the conventional ones, even if the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the door frame is strongly pulled forward, the first reinforcing portion will not be distorted (plastically deformed), and no gap will be formed between the door frame and the main body frame. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to form a gap between the door frame and the main body frame by pulling the door frame forward to perform an illegal act, the door frame will not be distorted by the first reinforcing portion (reinforcing sheet metal unit) with enhanced strength and rigidity, and a game machine with a high deterrent force against illegal acts can be provided.

[0166] Also, as described above, since the first reinforcing portion (reinforcing sheet metal unit) does not distort even when the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the door frame is strongly pulled forward, it is possible to provide a shape that is easy for the player to pull forward (for example, an upper plate, a lower plate, a lever-shaped effect operation portion, a protruding or protruding push button-shaped effect operation portion, a protruding decorative body, a recessed decorative body, etc.), and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can make the player more enjoyable.

[0167] Note that a glass unit for closing the window portion may be placed on the upper flange portion. Thereby, since the weight of the glass unit can be supported by the upper flange portion (reinforcing sheet metal unit), compared with the case where the glass unit is supported by a resin member (for example, a door frame base) made of synthetic resin constituting the door frame, the load applied to the resin member can be reduced, and early deterioration due to overloading of the resin member can be suppressed.

[0168] Also, when the glass unit is placed on the upper flange portion, if the front surface of the rear flange portion extending upward from the rear edge of the upper flange portion abuts on the rear surface of the glass unit, the rearward movement of the lower end side of the glass unit can be blocked by the rear flange portion. Thereby, if the upper end side of the glass unit is fixed, it can be attached to the door frame, so that the attachment (detachment) of the glass unit can be made easy.

[0169] Furthermore, in the first reinforcing portion, it is desirable that the sum of the lengths in the direction along the respective surfaces of the upper flange portion and the rear flange portion is longer than the length from the substrate portion to the front surface of the game board. Thereby, since the sum of the lengths in the extending directions of the upper flange portion and the rear flange portion is longer than the distance (length) from the substrate portion to the front surface of the game board, the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion can be increased compared to the case where the length is short, and the door frame can be made difficult to distort even when pulled forward.

[0170] Also, as described above, when the sum of the length of the upper flange portion and the length of the rear flange portion is made longer than the length from the substrate portion to the front surface of the game board, the tip of the rear flange portion can be positioned behind the front surface of the game board. That is, the rear flange portion can be inserted into the game board from the front. Thereby, even if an illegal tool tries to intrude along the front surface of the game board, the intrusion of the illegal tool can be blocked by the rear flange portion inserted into the game board, and a gaming machine with a high deterrent force against illegal acts can be provided.

[0171] Further, it is desirable to provide the first reinforcing portion with a lower flange portion extending forward or backward from the lower edge of the substrate portion. Thereby, in the first reinforcing portion, in addition to providing the upper flange portion extending backward from the upper edge of the substrate portion, a lower flange portion extending forward or backward from the lower edge of the substrate portion is provided, so that the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion can be further increased, and a gaming machine capable of surely achieving the above-described operational effects can be provided.

[0172] Furthermore, it is desirable to make the first reinforcing portion thicker than the sheet metal of the other reinforcing portions in the reinforcing sheet metal unit. Thereby, since the sheet thickness of the first reinforcing portion is made thicker than the sheet thickness of the other reinforcing portions, the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion can also be increased by this, and a gaming machine capable of achieving the same operational effects as described above can be provided.

[0173] Further, a gaming machine may be further provided with a distance sensor for detecting the distance between the first reinforcing portion and the game board. That is, as described above, since the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion (reinforcing sheet metal unit) are enhanced, even if the door frame is pulled forward with a strong force, it will not plastically deform. However, if it is pulled strongly, it may elastically deform and the distance between the door frame and the game board may change, creating a gap. Therefore, a distance sensor for detecting this distance may be provided. As a result, since the change in distance due to elastic deformation can be detected by the distance sensor, it becomes possible to notify that the door frame has been forcibly pulled according to the detection signal from the distance sensor, preventing the player from pulling the door frame too strongly unnecessarily or pulling the door frame strongly for the purpose of committing an illegal act, and a gaming machine with a high anti-theft effect can be provided.

[0174] Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1, "The upper flange portion is wherein a glass unit for closing the window portion is placed." It is characterized by this.

[0175] According to the configuration of Means 2, a glass unit for closing the window portion is placed on the upper flange portion. (Refer to the description of the upper flange portion 117b and FIG. 37, etc. in [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention])

[0176] As a result, since the weight of the glass unit can be supported by the upper flange portion (reinforcing sheet metal unit), compared with the case where the glass unit is supported by a resin member (for example, a door frame base) made of synthetic resin constituting the door frame, the load on the resin member can be reduced, and early deterioration due to overload in the resin member can be suppressed.

[0177] Further, since the glass unit is placed on the upper flange portion, if the front surface of the rear flange portion extending upward from the rear end edge of the upper flange portion abuts against the rear surface of the glass unit, the rearward movement of the lower end side of the glass unit can be blocked by the rear flange portion. Thereby, if the upper end side of the glass unit is fixed, it can be attached to the door frame, so that the attachment (detachment) of the glass unit can be made easy.

[0178] Means 3: In the configuration of Means 1 or Means 2, "The first reinforcing portion is the sum of the lengths in the direction along the respective surfaces of the upper flange portion and the rear flange portion is longer than the length from the substrate portion to the front surface of the game board" characterized by this.

[0179] According to the configuration of Means 3, in the first reinforcing portion, the sum of the lengths in the direction along the respective surfaces of the upper flange portion and the rear flange portion is made longer than the length from the substrate portion to the front surface of the game board. (Refer to the description of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 and FIG. 38 etc. in [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention])

[0180] Thereby, since the sum of the lengths in the extending directions of the upper flange portion and the rear flange portion is made longer than the distance (length) from the substrate portion to the front surface of the game board, the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion can be increased compared to the case where the length is short, and the door frame can be made less likely to be distorted even when pulled forward.

[0181] Further, since the sum of the length of the upper flange portion and the length of the rear flange portion is made longer than the length from the substrate portion to the front surface of the game board, the tip of the rear flange portion can be positioned behind the front surface of the game board. That is, the rear flange portion can be inserted into the game board from the front. Thereby, even if an illegal tool tries to intrude along the front surface of the game board, the intrusion of the illegal tool can be blocked by the rear flange portion inserted into the game board, and a gaming machine with a high deterrent force against illegal acts can be provided.

[0182] Means 4: In any one of the configurations from Means 1 to Means 3, "The first reinforcing portion is provided with a lower flange portion extending forward or backward from the lower edge of the substrate portion." It is characterized by this.

[0183] According to the configuration of Means 4, the first reinforcing portion is provided with a lower flange portion extending forward or backward from the lower edge of the substrate portion. (Refer to the description of the lower flange portion 117d and FIG. 36, etc. in [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention])

[0184] Thereby, in the first reinforcing portion, in addition to providing an upper flange portion extending backward from the upper edge of the substrate portion, a lower flange portion extending forward or backward from the lower edge of the substrate portion is provided. Therefore, the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion can be further increased, and a gaming machine capable of surely achieving the above-described operational effects can be provided.

[0185] Means 5: In any one of the configurations from Means 1 to Means 4, "The first reinforcing portion has a greater plate thickness than the sheet metal of other reinforcing portions in the reinforcing sheet metal unit." It is characterized by this.

[0186] According to the configuration of Means 5, the first reinforcing portion has a greater plate thickness than the sheet metal of other reinforcing portions in the reinforcing sheet metal unit. (Refer to the description of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 and FIG. 36, etc. in [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention])

[0187] Thereby, since the plate thickness of the first reinforcing portion is made greater than the plate thickness of other reinforcing portions, the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcing portion can also be increased by this, and a gaming machine capable of achieving the same operational effects as described above can be provided.

[0188] Note that the first reinforcing part may have a thick plate thickness over the entire length in the left - right direction, or may have a thick plate thickness in a part of the entire length in the left - right direction (for example, a predetermined range from the center in the left - right direction).

[0189] Means 6: In any one of the configurations from Means 1 to Means 5, "further comprising a distance sensor for detecting the distance between the first reinforcing part and the game board" is characterized by this.

[0190] Here, examples of the "distance sensor" include a "switch", an "optical sensor", a "magnetic sensor", a "proximity sensor", a "displacement sensor", etc. The distance sensor may be provided on the first reinforcing part (door frame), may be provided on the game board, or may be provided on the main body frame. As the switch as the distance sensor, for example, a switch (door opening switch) used for a door opening sensor may be used. By using a switch similar to the door opening sensor, the input circuit can be designed in the same way as the input circuit of the door opening sensor or the like. Also, since it is a simple contact, depending on the connection method, it is possible to easily combine a plurality of inputs by connection such as wired OR.

[0191] According to the configuration of Means 6, the gaming machine further comprises a distance sensor for detecting the distance between the first reinforcing part and the game board. (Refer to the chapter of [3 - 1e - 3. Other countermeasure examples] in [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention])

[0192] In this configuration, as described above, since the strength and rigidity of the first reinforcement part (reinforced sheet metal unit) are enhanced, even if the door frame is pulled forward with a strong force, it will not plastically deform. However, if it is pulled strongly, it may elastically deform and the distance between the door frame and the game board may change, creating a gap. Therefore, a distance sensor for detecting this distance is provided. As a result, since the change in distance due to elastic deformation can be detected by the distance sensor, it becomes possible to notify that the door frame has been forcibly pulled according to the detection signal from the distance sensor, preventing the player from pulling the door frame too strongly unnecessarily or pulling the door frame strongly for illegal acts, and a gaming machine with a high anti-theft effect can be provided.

[0193] As described above, according to the above solution means, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing illegal acts using the gap by making it difficult for a gap to be formed between the door frame and the main body frame even when the door frame is pulled.

[0194] (Relationship between the solution means of the technical features and the embodiments) In the door window 101a of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3 of the present embodiment, it corresponds to the window part of the above solution means. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 of the door frame base unit 100 in the present embodiment corresponds to the reinforced sheet metal unit of the above solution means. The intermediate reinforcement frame 117 (intermediate reinforcement frames 117A to 117E) of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 in the present embodiment corresponds to the first reinforcement part of the above solution means, respectively.

[0195] (Characteristic operational effects of the present embodiment) According to the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, since a door frame reinforcement unit 110 combining a plurality of metal plates is provided on a door frame 3 that is openable and closable from the front with respect to the main body frame 4, the strength and rigidity of the door frame 3 are enhanced by the door frame reinforcement unit 110. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 has an intermediate reinforcement frame 117 that extends in the left - right direction along the lower side of the door window 101a of the door frame 3. The intermediate reinforcement frame 117 is provided with a flat substrate portion 117a, an upper flange portion 117b that extends rearward from the upper edge of the substrate portion 117a, and a rear flange portion 117c that extends upward or downward from the upper flange portion 117b. When the rear flange portion 117c extends upward from the rear edge of the upper flange portion 117b, the cross - sectional shape of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 (intermediate reinforcement frames 117A, 117B, 117C) is a crank shape. When the rear flange portion 117c extends downward from the rear edge of the upper flange portion 117b, the cross - sectional shape of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117D (intermediate reinforcement frame 117E) is a U - shape. Therefore, the strength and rigidity can be made higher than those of conventional reinforcement parts (intermediate reinforcement frames) with a linear or L - shaped cross - sectional shape. That is, since the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 are enhanced compared to the conventional ones, even if the vicinity near the center in the left - right direction of the door frame 3 is strongly pulled forward, the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 will not be distorted (plastically deformed), and no gap will be formed between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to form a gap between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4 by pulling the door frame 3 forward to perform an illegal act, the door frame 3 will not be distorted to form a gap with the main body frame 4 due to the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 (door frame reinforcement unit 110) with enhanced strength and rigidity, and a pachinko machine 1 with a high deterrent force against illegal acts can be provided.

[0196] Also, as described above, since the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 (door frame reinforcing unit 110) does not distort even when the vicinity of the center in the left - right direction of the door frame 3 is strongly pulled forward, it is possible to provide a shape that is easy for the player to pull forward (for example, the upper plate 201, the lower plate 202, the lever - shaped effect operation part (lever operation part 304), the protruding or projecting push - button - shaped effect operation part (pressing operation part 303), the protruding decorative body, the recessed decorative body, etc.). Thus, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can make the player enjoy more.

[0197] Furthermore, since the glass unit 160 for closing the door window 101a is placed on the upper flange part 117b, the weight of the glass unit 160 can be supported by the upper flange part 117b (door frame reinforcing unit 110). Therefore, compared with the case of supporting the glass unit 160 by the resin member (for example, the door frame base 101) made of synthetic resin that constitutes the door frame 3, the load on the resin member can be reduced, and the early deterioration due to over - load in the resin member can be suppressed.

[0198] Also, the glass unit 160 is placed on the upper flange part 117b, and the rear surface of the glass unit 160 abuts against the front surface of the rear flange part 117c that extends upward from the rear - end edge of the upper flange part 117b. Therefore, the rearward movement of the lower - end side of the glass unit 160 can be blocked by the rear flange part 117c. Thereby, if only the upper - end side of the glass unit 160 is fixed, it can be attached to the door frame 3, so that the attachment (detachment) of the glass unit 160 can be made easy.

[0199] Furthermore, in the intermediate reinforcing frame 117, since the sum (L0) of the lengths (L1 and L2) in the direction along the respective surfaces of the upper flange part 117b and the rear flange part 117c is made longer than the length from the substrate part 117a to the front surface of the game board 5, the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 can be increased compared with the case where the length is short, and the door frame 3 can be made less likely to distort even when pulled forward.

[0200] Further, since the sum (L0) of the length L1 of the upper flange portion 117b and the length L2 of the rear flange portion 117c is made longer than the length from the substrate portion 117a to the front surface of the pachinko game board 5, the tip of the rear flange portion 117c can be positioned behind the front surface of the pachinko game board 5. That is, the rear flange portion 117c can be inserted into the pachinko game board 5 from the front, like the intermediate reinforcing frame 117E. Thereby, even if an illegal tool tries to intrude along the front surface of the pachinko game board 5, the intrusion of the illegal tool can be blocked by the rear flange portion 117c inserted into the pachinko game board 5, and a pachinko machine 1 with a high deterrent force against illegal acts can be provided.

[0201] Also, since the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 is provided with a lower flange portion 117d extending forward or backward from the lower edge of the substrate portion 117a in addition to the upper flange portion 117b side, the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 can be further increased, and a pachinko machine 1 capable of surely achieving the above-described operational effects can be provided.

[0202] Furthermore, since the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 has a thicker sheet thickness than the sheet metal of the other reinforcing portions (left reinforcing frame 111, right reinforcing frame 112, upper reinforcing frame 113) in the door frame reinforcing unit 110, the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 (door frame reinforcing unit 110) can also be increased by this, and a pachinko machine 1 capable of achieving the same operational effects as described above can be provided.

[0203] Further, an interval sensor for detecting the interval between the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 and the game board 5 may be provided. That is, as described above, since the strength and rigidity of the intermediate reinforcement frame 117 (door frame reinforcement unit 110) are enhanced, the door frame 3 will not plastically deform even if it is pulled forward with a strong force. However, if it is strongly pulled, it may elastically deform and the interval between the door frame 3 and the game board 5 may change to create a gap. Therefore, an interval sensor for detecting that interval is provided. As a result, since the interval change due to elastic deformation can be detected by the interval sensor, it becomes possible to notify that the door frame 3 has been forcibly pulled according to the detection signal from the interval sensor, and it is possible to prevent the player from pulling the door frame 3 too strongly unnecessarily or pulling the door frame 3 strongly for the purpose of committing an illegal act, and a pachinko machine 1 with a high crime prevention effect can be provided.

[0204] [3-1f. Upper hinge assembly on door frame] The upper hinge assembly 120 on the door frame of the door frame base unit 100 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35. The upper hinge assembly 120 on the door frame is attached to the upper left corner in the front view of the door frame reinforcement unit 110. The upper hinge assembly 120 on the door frame is for attaching the door frame 3 to the main body frame 4 so as to be hinge-rotatable in cooperation with the lower hinge member 125 on the door frame. The upper hinge assembly 120 on the door frame includes a hinge bracket 121 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, an upper hinge pin 122 on the door frame movably attached to the hinge bracket 121 in the vertical direction, a flange member 123 attached to the upper hinge pin 122 on the door frame, and a lock spring 124 that biases the upper hinge pin 122 on the door frame to move upward.

[0205] The hinge bracket 121 includes a flat mounting piece 121a having a quadrangular shape in the front view and flat protruding pieces 121b extending forward from the upper and lower sides of the mounting piece 121a. The hinge bracket 121 has the mounting piece 121a attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110. The hinge bracket 121 is formed by bending a metal plate.

[0206] The hinge pin 122 on the door frame is a cylindrical metal rod bent in an L shape. In the state where the hinge pin 122 on the door frame is assembled to the hinge assembly 120 on the door frame, the portion extending vertically penetrates from below near the front ends of the pair of protruding pieces 121b in the hinge bracket 121, and the upper end extends upward beyond the upper protruding piece 121b, and the portion extending horizontally abuts against the lower surface of the lower protruding piece 121b. The upper end of the hinge pin 122 on the door frame is rotatably inserted into the hinge hole 511a for the door frame of the upper hinge body 511 in the hinge member 510 on the main body frame of the main body frame 4.

[0207] The collar member 123 is an E-ring and is attached to the portion between the pair of protruding pieces 121b of the hinge pin 122 on the door frame. The lock spring 124 is formed in a coil shape and is put around the portion of the hinge pin 122 on the door frame that extends vertically between the collar member 123 and the lower protruding piece 121b of the hinge bracket 121. Due to this lock spring 124, the hinge pin 122 on the door frame is biased upward via the collar member 123.

[0208] The hinge assembly 120 on the door frame is in a state where the hinge pin 122 on the door frame is biased upward by the lock spring 124. The horizontal portion at the lower end of the hinge pin 122 on the door frame abuts against the lower surface of the lower protruding piece 121b, thereby restricting further upward movement. In this state, the upper end of the hinge pin 122 on the door frame protrudes upward by a predetermined amount from the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b.

[0209] The door frame upper hinge assembly 120 can move the horizontally extending part at the lower end of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 downward against the biasing force of the lock spring 124, thereby moving the entire door frame upper hinge pin 122 downward, and the upper end of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 can be immersed below the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b. Therefore, the door frame upper hinge assembly 120 can insert or pull out the upper end of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 into or from the door frame upper hinge hole 511a of the main body frame upper hinge member 510 from below. By inserting the upper end of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 into the door frame upper hinge hole 511a of the main body frame upper hinge member 510, the upper left end of the door frame 3 in the front view can be supported by the main body frame 4 so as to be hinge-rotatable.

[0210] Also, in the door frame upper hinge assembly 120, the vertically extending part of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 is coaxially positioned with the door frame lower hinge pin 126 of the door frame lower hinge member 125 described later. Thus, the door frame 3 can be hinge-rotated with respect to the main body frame 4 in a good state by the door frame upper hinge pin 122 and the door frame lower hinge pin 126.

[0211] [3-1g. Door Frame Lower Hinge Member] The door frame lower hinge member 125 of the door frame base unit 100 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35. The door frame lower hinge member 125 is attached to the lower left corner of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 in the front view. The door frame lower hinge member 125 is for attaching the door frame 3 to the main body frame 4 so as to be hinge-rotatable in cooperation with the door frame upper hinge assembly 120.

[0212] The door frame lower hinge member 125 includes a mounting piece 125a which is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and is rectangular in the front view and flat, a flat protruding piece 125b extending forward from the lower side of the mounting piece 125a, and a door frame lower hinge pin 126 (see FIG. 35 etc.) protruding downward from the lower surface near the front end of the protruding piece 125b.

[0213] The mounting piece 125a and the protruding piece 125b of the lower hinge member 125 of the door frame are formed by bending a metal plate. The lower door frame hinge pin 126 is a columnar metal rod, and a tapered chamfer is provided on the outer periphery of the lower end portion. This lower door frame hinge pin 126 is mounted at a position coaxial with a portion extending vertically above and below the upper door frame hinge pin 122 of the upper door frame hinge assembly 120 in the protruding piece 125b in a state assembled to the door frame base unit 100.

[0214] By inserting the lower door frame hinge pin 126 into the lower door frame hinge hole 522a of the main body frame lower hinge assembly 520, the door frame 3 can be supported by the main body frame 4 so as to be hinge-rotatable.

[0215] [3-1h. Cylinder lock] The cylinder lock 130 in the door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 41 to 43. FIG. 41(a) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of the door frame seen from the front, (b) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) seen from the back to the front, (c) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock in a conventional pachinko machine seen from the front, and (d) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) seen from the back. FIG. 42(a) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock of FIG. 41(a) seen from the front after decomposition, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock of FIG. 41(a) seen from the back after decomposition. FIG. 43(a) is an explanatory view showing the movable mechanism of the cylinder lock of FIG. 41(a) from the front, (b) is an explanatory view of the cylinder lock shown in a state rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the state of (a), and (c) is an explanatory view of the cylinder lock shown in a state rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state of (a).

[0216] The cylinder lock 130 is attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and is used in cooperation with the locking unit 650 of the main body frame 4 to open and close the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4, and to lock and unlock the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4. The cylinder lock 130 includes a columnar cylinder body 131 extending in the front-rear direction, a keyhole 132 formed on the front end face of the cylinder body 131, and a rotation transmission member 133 provided behind the cylinder body 131 and rotating together when a regular key inserted into the keyhole 132 is rotated.

[0217] The cylinder body 131 of the cylinder lock 130 penetrates the front part of the cylinder mounting frame 115 from the rear, and the rear end is attached to the front part. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an open rear (specifically, a conical cylindrical shape with a diameter increasing toward the rear), and has a pair of notches cut from the rear end toward the front at positions facing each other across the central axis. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed such that the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4 is inserted from the rear, and when a pair of protrusions of the transmission cylinder 654 are inserted into the pair of notches, the rotation of the rotation transmission member 133 (the key inserted into the keyhole 132) can be transmitted to the transmission cylinder 654 to cause it to rotate.

[0218] More specifically, the cylinder lock 130 includes a first cam member 134 provided on the rear end side of the cylinder body 131 and rotating together when a regular key inserted into the keyhole 132 is rotated, a second cam member 135 rotatably attached around an axis in the front-rear direction at a position below the cylinder body 131 in the cylinder mounting frame 115, a strip-shaped first arm 136 with its upper end rotatably attached at a position to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and its lower end rotatably attached at a position to the right of the rotation center of the second cam member 135, and a strip-shaped second arm 137 with its upper end rotatably attached at a position below the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and its lower end rotatably attached at a position below the rotation center of the second cam member 135.

[0219] Further, the cylinder tablet 130 includes a rear cover 138 attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 so as to cover the cylinder body 131, the first cam member 134, the first arm 136, and the second arm 137 from the rear, excluding the second cam member 135 (rotation transmission member 133); and rivets 139 rotatably attaching the upper and lower ends of the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 to the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, respectively.

[0220] The upper end of the first arm 136 is attached to the rear surface side of the first cam member 134, and the upper end of the second arm 137 is attached to the front surface side of the first cam member 134. The second cam member 135 is rotatably attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 from the rear side, and the rotation transmission member 133 is integrally and rotatably attached to the rear side with the front surface of the cylinder mounting frame 115 interposed therebetween. The lower end of the first arm 136 is attached to the front surface side of the second cam member 135, and the lower end of the second arm 137 is attached to the front surface side in front of the first arm 136.

[0221] In the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, the portion where the first arm 136 is attached and the portion where the second arm 137 is attached are separated from each other by an angle of 90 degrees around their respective rotation axes. Further, in the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, the portion where the first arm 136 is attached is provided at a position farther from the rotation center than the portion where the second arm 137 is attached.

[0222] The rear cover 138 is detachably attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 by a screw (not shown) at the upper end side, with shaft portions 138a protruding cylindrically outward from the lower ends of both left and right side surfaces thereof locked to the L-shaped locking slits 115b of the cylinder mounting frame 115.

[0223] This cylinder lock 130 is formed of metal, including a cylinder mounting frame 115, a cylinder body 131, a rotation transmission member 133, a first cam member 134, a second cam member 135, a first arm 136, and a second arm 137.

[0224] When the cylinder lock 130 is assembled to the door frame 3, the front end of the cylinder body 131 substantially coincides with the front end of the cylinder insertion port 440b of the door frame right side unit 430.

[0225] Here, the conventional cylinder lock 130A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 41(c) and (d), in the conventional cylinder lock 130A, the cylinder body 131 penetrates the front piece of the cylinder mounting frame 115A from the rear, and the rear end is attached to the front piece. A rotation transmission member 133 is provided on the axis of the cylinder body 131 of this cylinder lock 130A.

[0226] Subsequently, the operation of the cylinder lock 130 of the present embodiment will be described. In the conventional cylinder lock 130, as shown in FIGS. 41(c) and (d), the rotation transmission member 133 is provided on the axis of the cylinder body 131, while in the cylinder lock 130 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 41(a) and (b), etc., the rotation transmission member 133 is provided at a position separated downward from the axis of the cylinder body 131.

[0227] In the normal state of this cylinder lock 130, as shown in FIG. 43(a), both the upper and lower ends of the first arm 136 are attached to the respective right-side parts of the respective rotation centers of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, and both the upper and lower ends of the second arm 137 are attached to the respective lower-side parts of the respective rotation centers of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135. In the cylinder body 131, it can be rotated by 90 degrees in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions respectively from the normal state by a regular key.

[0228] In this state, when the key inserted into the keyhole 132 rotates the first cam member 134 counterclockwise through the cylinder of the cylinder body 131, the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 will move upward. At this time, in the first arm 136, since the upper end side is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, a large force acts on the first arm 136 to rotate the second cam member 135 counterclockwise. On the other hand, in the second arm 137, since the upper end side is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, almost no force acts on the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 counterclockwise.

[0229] In this way, when the first cam member 134 rotates counterclockwise from the normal state, the force is mainly transmitted through the first arm 136, the second cam member 135 rotates counterclockwise, and the rotation transmission member 133 rotates together with the second cam member 135. The upward force generated by the counterclockwise rotation of the first cam member 134 is proportional to the horizontal distance between the parts where the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are attached to the first cam member 134 and the rotation center of the first cam member 134. Therefore, as the first cam member 134 rotates counterclockwise from the normal state, the upward force acting on the first arm 136 decreases, while the upward force acting on the second arm 137 increases.

[0230] Therefore, when the counterclockwise rotation angle of the first cam member 134 from the normal state exceeds 45 degrees, the upward force acting on the second arm 137 is greater than that acting on the first arm 136, and mainly through the second arm 137, the second cam member 135 rotates counterclockwise. And the key inserted into the keyhole 132 can be rotated counterclockwise from the normal state up to an angle of 90 degrees (see Fig. 43(b)).

[0231] Note that when returning to the normal state by rotating 90 degrees in the clockwise direction from the state where it is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise by the key, it will operate by the reverse action of the above.

[0232] On the other hand, when the first cam member 134 is rotated in the clockwise direction through the cylinder of the cylinder body 131 by the key inserted into the keyhole 132 from the normal state, the first arm 136 whose upper end side is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134 moves downward, and the second arm 137 whose upper end side is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134 moves upward. At this time, in the first arm 136, since the upper end side is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, a large force acts to rotate the second cam member 135 in the clockwise direction by the first arm 136, while in the second arm 137, since the upper end side is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, almost no force acts to rotate the second cam member 135 in the clockwise direction from the second arm 137.

[0233] In this way, when the first cam member 134 rotates in the clockwise direction from the normal state, the force is mainly transmitted through the first arm 136, the second cam member 135 rotates in the clockwise direction, and the rotation transmission member 133 rotates together with the second cam member 135. The force transmitted from the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135 by the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 is proportional to the horizontal distance between the parts where the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are attached to the first cam member 134 and the rotation center of the first cam member 134. Therefore, as the first cam member 134 rotates in the clockwise direction from the normal state, the force to rotate the second cam member 135 becomes smaller in the first arm 136, while the force to rotate the second cam member 135 becomes larger in the second arm 137.

[0234] Therefore, when the rotation angle of the first cam member 134 from its normal state in the clockwise direction exceeds 45 degrees, the force of the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 becomes greater than that of the first arm 136. Thus, mainly via the second arm 137, the second cam member 135 rotates in the clockwise direction. And the key inserted into the keyhole 132 can be rotated from its normal state up to an angle of 90 degrees in the clockwise direction (see Fig. 43(c)).

[0235] Note that when the key is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction from the state where it has been rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction from its normal state and then returned to the normal state, it operates by the reverse action of the above.

[0236] As described above, according to the cylinder lock 130 of the present embodiment, the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 are connected by the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 attached with a phase difference of 90 degrees from each other to transmit rotation. Therefore, no matter what rotational position the first cam member 134 (the key inserted into the keyhole 132) is in, rotation can be transmitted by at least one of the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 (the rotation transmission member 133), enabling smooth locking and unlocking of the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4.

[0237] Also, according to the cylinder lock 130 of the present embodiment, by transmitting rotation by the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 as a rotation transmission mechanism, the axis of the rotation transmission member 133 (the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4) can be provided at a different position with respect to the axis of the cylinder main body 131. Therefore, without changing the locking unit 650, the position of the cylinder main body 131 in the door frame 3 can be changed to an arbitrary position, and the cylinder main body 131 (the keyhole 132) can be provided at a position that does not interfere with the decoration of the door frame 3, providing a pachinko machine 1 with high decorative properties for the door frame 3.

[0238] Also, as described above, even if the position of the cylinder body 131 is changed in the door frame 3, it is not necessary to change the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4. Therefore, the locking unit 650 can be diverted, and an increase in the cost of the pachinko machine 1 can be suppressed.

[0239] By the way, in the conventional cylinder lock 130A, since the rotation transmission member 133 is provided behind the cylinder body 131, a person who knows this configuration may insert a tool from the front to the rear of the cylinder body 131 and illegally rotate the rotation transmission member 133 with the tool, thereby opening the door frame 3 and committing an illegal act. On the other hand, in the cylinder lock 130 of the present embodiment, since the rotation transmission member 133 is provided at a position away from the axis (rear) of the cylinder body 131, even if an attempt is made to insert a tool behind the cylinder body 131 and rotate the rotation transmission member 133, since the rotation transmission member 133 does not exist at that part, the rotation transmission member 133 cannot be rotated, and it is possible to prevent an illegal act of opening the door frame 3, the main body frame 4, etc.

[0240] Furthermore, in the cylinder lock 130, since the second arm 137 connects portions of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 that are separated by a rotation angle of 90 degrees with respect to the first arm 136, even if a portion of one of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 attached to the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 is located on the straight line connecting the center of the first cam member 134 and the center of the second cam member 135, the other of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 is in a state of connecting portions that are farthest from the straight line connecting the center of the first cam member 134 and the center of the second cam member 135. Therefore, even if one of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 is located at the dead center of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 and cannot transmit the rotation from the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135, the other of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 can transmit the rotation from the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135. Thus, no large resistance is applied to the rotation of the first cam member 134, the key inserted into the keyhole 132 can be smoothly rotated, unlocking and locking can be easily performed, the key inserted into the keyhole can be prevented from being forcibly rotated, and breakage of the key can be prevented.

[0241] Also, since the rotation of the key inserted into the keyhole 132 is transmitted to the rotation transmission member 133 provided at an eccentric position by the two arms of the first arm 136 and the second arm 137, even if one arm is damaged for some reason, the remaining arm can transmit the rotation, and a pachinko machine 1 having a highly reliable cylinder lock 130 can be provided.

[0242] Further, since the smooth rod-shaped (strip-shaped) first arm 136 and second arm 137 are configured to transmit the rotation of the key inserted into the keyhole 132 to the rotation transmission member 133 provided at an eccentric position, when the rotation is transmitted by a gear, there is a risk that the gear will rotate by hooking the tip of the tool on the teeth of the gear and the rotation transmission member 133 will be rotated. However, since the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are rod-shaped with smooth surfaces, it is possible to make it difficult for the tip of the tool to catch on the first arm 136 or the second arm 137, and it is possible to avoid the rotation transmission member 133 being rotated by the movement of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137, and it is possible to surely prevent the locking unit 650 from being illegally operated and the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4 from being unlocked.

[0243] Note that in the cylinder lock 130 of the present embodiment, the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are used as the rotation transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a rotation transmission mechanism using a plurality of gears, a rotation transmission mechanism using a gear and a rack gear, a rotation transmission mechanism using a sprocket and a chain, a rotation transmission mechanism using a pulley and a belt, etc. may be used.

[0244] [3-1i. Ball Feeding Unit] The ball feeding unit 140 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45. FIG. 44(a) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit of the door frame base unit seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit seen from the rear. FIG. 45(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit with the rear case and the anti-tampering member removed and seen from the rear. The ball feeding unit 140 can supply the game balls B supplied one by one from the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 to the ball launching device 540 of the main body frame 4, and can also remove the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202 by operating the upper tray ball removal button 222.

[0245] The ball feeding unit 140 has a front cover 141 which is box-shaped with an open rear end, and has an inlet 141a through which the game ball B is supplied from the upper plate 201 of the dish unit 200 and penetrates in the front-rear direction, and a ball outlet 141b that opens below the inlet 141a; a rear cover 142 which is box-shaped with a closed rear end of the front cover 141 and an open front end, and has a hitting ball supply port 142a for supplying the game ball B that has entered from the inlet 141a of the front cover 141 which penetrates in the front-rear direction to the ball launching device 540; a ball discharging member 143 which is pivotally supported around an axis extending in the front-rear direction between the rear cover 142 and the front cover 141 and has a partition portion 143a that partitions between the inlet 141a and the ball outlet 141b on the rear side of the front cover 141; a ball feeding member 144 which is supported rotatably around an axis extending in the vertical direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142 and feeds the game balls B on the partition portion 143a of the ball discharging member 143 one by one to the hitting ball supply port 142a of the rear cover 142; and a ball feeding solenoid 145 that rotates the ball feeding member 144.

[0246] As shown in the figure, in the front view of this ball feeding unit 140, the ball feeding member 144 is arranged on the right side of the inlet 141a, the ball discharging member 143 is on the left side of the ball feeding member 144, and the ball feeding solenoid 145 is arranged on the right side of the ball feeding member 144.

[0247] The front cover 141 of the ball feeding unit 140 is provided with an arc-shaped slit 141c formed concentrically with respect to the rotation center of the ball discharging member 143 on the left side of the ball outlet 141b in the front view, and the operating rod 143c of the ball discharging member 143 described later extends forward from this slit 141c. Further, the upper edge of the front cover 141 extends upward from the upper edge of the inlet 141a, and when the door frame 3 is assembled, it is formed to close from the rear side the part that is open to the rear at the upstream end side of the ball feeding guide path and the ball discharging guide path 241c of the rear base 241 in the upper plate ball discharging rear unit 240.

[0248] The ball discharging member 143 includes a partition portion 143a that partitions the space between the inlet 141a and the ball discharging port 141b below the inlet 141a and has a partition upper surface that slopes downward toward the ball feeding member 144; a rotating paddle portion 143b that extends downward from the end of the partition portion 143a on the side opposite to the ball feeding member 144, bends in a U shape from near the middle in the vertical direction toward the lower center of the ball discharging port 141b, and has a lower end extending in the front-rear direction and is rotatably supported about an axis; a rod-shaped operating paddle 143c that protrudes forward from the upper end of the rotating paddle portion 143b; and a weight portion 143d that protrudes from the side surface of the rotating paddle portion 143b below the operating paddle 143c to the side opposite to the partition portion 143a. The operating paddle 143c of the ball discharging member 143 is formed to protrude forward through an arcuate slit 141c formed in the front cover 141 (see Fig. 44(a)). The operating paddle 143c abuts against the upper end (upper surface) of an operation transmission portion 242b of an upper plate ball discharging slider 242 that moves downward by pressing an upper plate ball discharging button 222 of the dish unit 200 through a ball feeding opening 101e of the door frame base 101.

[0249] The ball feeding member 144 includes a blocking portion 144a that faces the inlet 141a and the partition portion 143a of the ball discharging member 143, extends in the vertical direction, and has a fan-shaped view in plan about a rotation axis; a ball holding portion 144b that is recessed in an arc shape from the rear end of the blocking portion 144a toward the rotation axis side; and a rod-shaped paddle portion 144c that extends downward from the rear end of the ball holding portion 144b. The blocking portion 144a and the ball holding portion 144b in the ball feeding member 144 are formed adjacent to each other within an angular range of approximately 180° about the rotation axis. Also, the ball holding portion 144b of the ball feeding member 144 is sized to hold one game ball B. The ball feeding member 144 rotates about the rotation axis by moving the paddle portion 144c, which is arranged at a position eccentric from the rotation axis, in the left-right direction by driving a ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0250] This ball feeding member 144 is configured to rotate between a supply position where the blocking portion 144a faces the partition portion 143a and at the same time the ball holding portion 144b faces the direction communicating with the hitting ball supply port 142a, and a holding position where the ball holding portion 144b faces the partition portion 143a. When the ball feeding member 144 is in the supply position, the game ball B held in the ball holding portion 144b is supplied from the hitting ball supply port 142a to the ball launching device 540, and the game ball B that has entered onto the partition portion 143a from the entrance 141a is blocked from moving to the ball holding portion 144b (hitting ball supply port 142a) side by the blocking portion 144a and remains on the partition portion 143a. On the other hand, when the ball feeding member 144 rotates to the holding position, the ball holding portion 144b faces the partition portion 143a, and the end portion on the paddle portion 144c side of the ball holding portion 144b closes the hitting ball supply port 142a, and only one game ball B on the partition portion 143a is held in the ball holding portion 144b.

[0251] Further, the ball feeding unit 140 includes a ball feeding operating paddle 146 whose tip swings in the vertical direction by driving (energizing) the ball feeding solenoid 145, and a ball feeding crank 147 that rotates around an axis extending in the front-rear direction by the movement of the tip of the ball feeding operating paddle 146 that swings in the vertical direction, and rotates the ball feeding member 144 around an axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0252] The ball feeding actuating lever 146 is provided with an iron plate 146a at a position below the ball feeding solenoid 145. The ball feeding actuating lever 146 extends horizontally, and the end portion (right end portion) on the side opposite to the ball feeding crank 147 is rotatably attached to the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142 around an axis extending in the front-rear direction. When the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven, the iron plate 146a is attracted upward toward the ball feeding solenoid 145 by the generated magnetic force, and the ball feeding actuating lever 146 rotates such that the left end portion closer to the ball feeding crank 147 moves upward around the right end portion as the center. Then, when the drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145 is released, the magnetic force disappears, and the weight of the iron plate 146a acts, causing the ball feeding actuating lever 146 to rotate such that the left end portion closer to the ball feeding crank 147 moves downward around the right end portion as the center and return to the initial state. As a result, the ball feeding actuating lever 146 swings the left end portion (tip) closer to the ball feeding crank 147 in the vertical direction by the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0253] The ball feeding crank 147 includes an engaging portion 147a that can engage with the tip of the ball feeding actuating lever 146 that moves up and down and extends in the left-right direction, a shaft portion 147b that is disposed on the side opposite to the side where the engaging portion 147a engages with the ball feeding actuating lever 146 and is pivotally supported around an axis extending in the front-rear direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142, and a transmission portion 147c that extends upward from the shaft portion 147b and engages with a rod-shaped lever portion 144c (see FIG. 45(b)) that protrudes downward from a position eccentric with respect to the rotation center of the ball feeding member 144.

[0254] By moving the tip (left end) of the ball feeding actuating lever 146 upward by driving the ball feeding solenoid 145, this ball feeding unit 140 can rotate the ball feeding crank 147 around an axis extending in the front-rear direction via the ball feeding actuating lever 146.

[0255] When the ball feeding unit 140 is not driven by the ball feeding solenoid 145 (in the normal state), the ball feeding operating lever 146 is separated from the lower end of the ball feeding solenoid 145 and the tip is positioned downward. In this state, the ball feeding member 144 is in the supply position. Also, when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven, the ball feeding operating lever 146 is attracted to the lower end of the ball feeding solenoid 145 and the tip (left end) is positioned upward, and the ball feeding member 144 rotates to the holding position. That is, when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven (ON state), the ball feeding member 144 receives one game ball B, and when the drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145 is released (OFF state), the game ball B received by the ball feeding member 144 can be sent (supplied) to the ball launching device 540 side. The drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145 in this ball feeding unit 140 is controlled in synchronization with the drive control of the launching solenoid 542 by the launching control section 633b (see FIG. 126) of the payout control board 633.

[0256] Also, the ball feeding unit 140 is pivotally supported so that a moment is applied to the ball removal member 143 or the weight portion 143d to rotate it counterclockwise in a front view. However, since the operating lever 143c protruding forward of the ball removal member 143 abuts on the upper end of the operation transmission portion 242b of the upper plate ball removal slider 242 that operates by the pressing operation of the upper plate ball removal button 222 of the dish unit 200, its rotation is restricted. Therefore, in the normal state, the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 is positioned between the inlet 141a and the ball removal port 141b to partition, and the game ball B does not enter the ball removal port 141b side.

[0257] When the player presses the upper plate ball extraction button 222 of the plate unit 200 downward, the upper plate ball extraction slider 242 slides downward together with the operation transmission part 242b, and as the operation transmission part 242b moves downward, the operation lever 143c also moves relatively downward. When the operation lever 143c moves downward together with the operation transmission part 242b, the ball extraction member 143 rotates counterclockwise in the front view, and the partition part 143a moves from between the entrance 141a and the ball extraction port 141b, and the partition is released. As a result, the game ball B that has entered from the entrance 141a falls toward the ball extraction port 141b side, is discharged from the ball extraction port 141b to the ball extraction guide path 241c of the upper plate ball extraction rear unit 240 in the plate unit 200, and can be discharged (supplied) to the lower plate 202 through the lower plate ball supply port 211c.

[0258] Note that the upper plate ball extraction slider 242 in which the operation transmission part 242b with which the operation lever 143c of the ball extraction member 143 abuts is formed is biased upward by a spring. Therefore, even if the game ball B is supplied vigorously onto the partition part 143a, the impact can be absorbed by the spring via the operation lever 143c, the ball extraction member 143 and the like can be prevented from being damaged, and the game ball B can be prevented from rebounding at the partition part 143a.

[0259] In addition, the ball feeding unit 140 is formed with a rectangular mounting recess 142b (see FIG. 45(b) etc.) that is recessed forward and upward to the upper right in the rear view of the hitting ball supply port 142a in the rear cover 142, and an anti-tampering member 148 is mounted in the mounting recess 142b. The anti-tampering member 148 of the ball feeding unit 140 is formed of a hard metal plate such as tool steel or stainless steel, and is detachably mounted from the rear side in the mounting recess 142b of the rear cover 142.

[0260] The anti-cheating member 148 is formed in a rectangular shape with an outer shape that extends horizontally when viewed from the front. Between a predetermined distance from the right side to the left, there are an upper piece portion 148a and a lower piece portion 148b that are separated vertically at approximately the center in the vertical direction, and inclined portions 148c that are each formed in a chamfered C shape on the tip sides (right end side when viewed from the front) of the sides of the upper piece portion 148a and the lower piece portion 148b that face each other. The upper piece portion 148a of the anti-cheating member 148 is bent so that the right end protrudes rearward when viewed from the front with respect to the general surface of the anti-cheating member 148. The lower piece portion 148b extends on the same surface as the general surface of the anti-cheating member 148. As a result, in a plan view, the upper piece portion 148a and the lower piece portion 148b form a V-shaped groove that widens toward the right.

[0261] The anti-cheating member 148 is attached to the mounting recess 142b of the rear cover 142, so that the V-shaped groove formed by the upper piece portion 148a and the lower piece portion 148b communicates with the inside of the ball supply port 142a.

[0262] According to this anti-cheating member 148, when an illegal game ball B with a string attached is driven into the game area 5a from the upper tray through the ball feeding unit 140 by the ball launching device 540, and an illegal act is performed such as operating the string attached to the illegal game ball B to insert and remove the illegal game ball B from the first start port 2002 or the like, due to the momentum of the illegal game ball B launched (hit) by the ball launching device 540, the string attached to the illegal game ball B is inserted between the upper piece portion 148a and the lower piece portion 148b, and then can be cut by the narrowed V-shaped portion formed by the upper piece portion 148a and the lower piece portion 148b, preventing the occurrence of illegal acts using the illegal game ball B with a string attached.

[0263] [3-1j. Far Cover Unit] The fur cover unit 150 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47. FIG. 46(a) is a perspective view of the fur cover unit of the door frame base unit seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the fur cover unit seen from the back. Further, FIG. 47 is a front view of the fur cover unit with the lid member removed. The fur cover unit 150 is attached to the right side in the rear view at the lower part on the rear side of the door frame base 101. The fur cover unit 150 guides the game ball B (fur ball) that has been launched by the ball launching device 540 and has not reached the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower dish 202, and also guides the game ball B paid out from the payout device 580 to the upper dish 201 or the lower dish 202. As shown in the figure, the fur cover unit 150 includes a shallow box-shaped unit body 151 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 with the front side open, and a flat lid member 152 attached to the front surface of the unit body 151.

[0264] The fur cover unit 150 has a through ball passage 150a that penetrates front and rear at the upper left corner in the front view and communicates the lower normal payout passage 610a of the lower full ball path unit 610 of the main body frame 4 with the upper dish ball supply port 211a of the dish unit 200, and a full ball receiving port 150b that opens rearward on the lower right side in the front view of the through ball passage 150a and can communicate with the lower full payout passage 610b of the lower full ball path unit 610 of the main body frame 4.

[0265] Further, the fur cover unit 150 has a fur ball receiving port 150c that opens upward on the right side in the front view of the full ball receiving port 150b and receives the game ball B (fur ball) that has not reached the game area 5a despite being launched by the ball launching device 540 of the main body frame 4, and a ball discharge port 150d that opens forward near the lower right corner in the front view, discharges the game ball B received by the full ball receiving port 150b and the fur ball receiving port 150c forward, and communicates with the lower dish ball supply port 211c of the dish unit 200.

[0266] Furthermore, the fur cover unit 150 includes a storage passage 150e formed between the full ball receiving port 150b, the fur ball receiving port 150c, and the ball discharge port 150d by the unit main body 151 and the lid member 152, and having a size capable of storing a predetermined amount of game balls B.

[0267] The through ball passage 150a is formed across both the unit main body 151 and the lid member 152. The full ball receiving port 150b and the fur ball receiving port 150c are formed in the unit main body 151. The ball discharge port 150d is formed in the lid member 152. The storage passage 150e is formed by the unit main body 151 and the lid member 152.

[0268] Also, the fur cover unit 150 includes a flat movable piece 153 that forms a part of the inner wall of the storage passage 150e and is rotatably attached to the unit main body 151 and the lid member 152 at its lower end, a full detection sensor 154 that detects the rotation of the movable piece 153 in a direction away from the storage passage 150e, and a spring 155 that biases the movable piece 153 toward the storage passage 150e side.

[0269] When the lower plate 202 of the dish unit 200 is filled with game balls B and the game balls B are no longer discharged from the ball discharge port 150d to the lower plate 202 side, the fur cover unit 150 can store a certain number of game balls B in the storage passage 150e. When a certain number of game balls B are stored in the storage passage 150e, the upper end of the movable piece 153 moves in a direction away from the storage passage 150e against the biasing force of the spring 155 due to the weight of the game balls B, and the movable piece 153 rotates. This rotation is detected by the full detection sensor 154. As a result, it can be determined that the lower plate 202 is full of game balls B. Therefore, when the full detection sensor 154 detects a full state, the payout of further game balls B can be stopped, and this can be notified to the player, the staff of the game hall, etc., to prompt the elimination of the full state of the lower plate 202.

[0270] Further, the fur cover unit 150 is attached below the through ball passage 150a on the rear side of the unit main body 151, and is provided with a door opening / closing contact portion 150f capable of contacting the operating protrusion 613a of the discharge passage opening / closing door 613 of the lower full ball path unit 610 in the discharge unit 560 (to be described later) of the main body frame 4 (see FIG. 79). The door opening / closing contact portion 150f is inclined so as to move forward as the rear surface goes downward. When the operating protrusion 613a of the discharge passage opening / closing door 613 contacts the door opening / closing contact portion 150f, the discharge passage opening / closing door 613 can be rotated to open the downstream ends (front openings) of the lower normal discharge passage 610a and the lower full ball discharge passage 610b.

[0271] [3-2. Glass unit] The glass unit 160 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. The glass unit 160 is detachably attached by being inserted into the glass unit attachment portion 101h from the rear so as to close the door window 101a of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100. When the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 4, the glass unit 160 allows the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main body frame 4 to be visible from the player side (front), and closes the front of the game area 5a.

[0272] The glass unit 160 includes a frame-shaped glass frame 161 that can be attached to the glass unit attachment portion 101h and is larger than the inner peripheral shape of the door window 101a of the door frame base 101, two transparent glass plates 162 that close the inside of the glass frame 161 and have an outer periphery attached to the glass frame 161, and a pair of glass unit attachment members 163 that are rotatably attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100 and attach the glass frame 161 to the door frame base 101.

[0273] The glass frame 161 has a pair of mounting pieces 161a that extend outward in a flat plate shape from positions below the upper corners on the left and right when viewed from the front, and a strip-shaped locking piece 161b that protrudes downward from the lower end and extends along the lower side. The mounting piece 161a of the glass frame 161 is capable of abutting against the protruding portion 163b of the glass unit mounting member 163. The locking piece 161b can be inserted into the space between the door frame base 101 and the rear flange portion 117c of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 of the door frame reinforcing unit 110 so as to be placed on the upper flange portion 117b of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 (see FIGS. 37 and 85). In the present embodiment, the rear surface of the locking piece 161b abuts against the front surface of the rear flange portion 117c. The two glass plates 162 are respectively attached to the front end side and the rear end side of the glass frame 161, and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction so that a space is formed therebetween.

[0274] The glass unit mounting member 163 has a disk-shaped base portion 163a that is rotatably mounted around an axis extending in the front-rear direction on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a protruding portion 163b that protrudes in a rod shape in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis from the base portion 163a. The glass unit mounting member 163 is rotatably mounted on the outer sides of the upper two corners among the four corners of the door window 101a on the rear surface of the door frame base 101, respectively.

[0275] To attach the glass unit 160 to the door frame base 101, first, rotate the glass unit attachment member 163 attached to the door frame base 101 so that the protruding portion 163b is positioned above the base portion 163a. Then, from the rear side of the door frame base 101, insert the locking piece 161b of the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 upward into the gap between the door frame base 101 and the rear flange portion 117c of the intermediate reinforcing frame 117 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and place it on the upper flange portion 117b. After that, bring the front end of the glass frame 161 into contact with the rear surface of the glass unit attachment portion 101h of the door frame base 101. Thereafter, rotate the glass unit attachment member 163 so that the protruding portion 163b is positioned below the base portion 163a and bring the protruding portion 163b into contact with the rear surface of the attachment piece 161a of the glass frame 161. Thereby, the glass unit 160 is attached to the door frame base 101.

[0276] When removing the glass unit 160 from the door frame base 101, it can be removed by the reverse procedure of the above. Thereby, the glass unit 160 is detachable from the door frame base 101 (door frame base unit 100).

[0277] In the glass unit 160, when the protruding portion 163b of the glass unit attachment member 163 is in the rotational position where it is located below the base portion 163a, the protruding portion 163b restricts the rearward movement of the glass frame 161. Therefore, even if vibrations or the like act on the glass unit attachment member 163, the protruding portion 163b will not rotate to a position where it is above the base portion 163a. Accordingly, the restriction on the rearward movement of the glass frame 161 is not naturally released, and the glass unit 160 will not naturally come off the door frame base 101.

[0278] [3-3. Anti-theft cover] Regarding the security cover 170 in the door frame 3, it will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32 and the like. The security cover 170 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base unit 100 so as to cover the lower rear part of the glass unit 160, and is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. The security cover 170 includes a flat main body portion 171 having an outer periphery formed in a predetermined shape, a flat rear protruding piece 172 protruding rearward along the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 171, and a pair of locking pieces 173 that are spaced apart left and right and protrude forward of the main body portion 171 and can be locked to the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0279] The main body portion 171 of the security cover 170 is formed such that its lower end protrudes downward more than the lower end of the glass unit 160 when attached to the door frame base unit 100. Also, the upper end of the main body portion 171 is formed in a shape along the lower end of the game area 5a in the game board 5 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. Specifically, the upper end of the main body portion 171 is formed in a shape along a part of the inner rail 1002 of the front component 1000 described later, the out guide portion 1003, a part of the lower right rail 1004, and the right rail 1005, and is formed so as not to protrude into the game area 5a when assembled to the pachinko machine 1.

[0280] The rear protruding piece 172 is formed across substantially the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 171. Therefore, the security cover 170 is formed in a shallow box shape that is open to the rear by the main body portion 171 and the rear protruding piece 172, and has high strength and rigidity. Also, the rear protruding piece 172 protrudes rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body portion 171 that is different from the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 171. The rear protruding piece 172 that protrudes rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body portion 171 is formed to be along a part of the outer rail 1001 in the front component 1000 of the game board 5 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1.

[0281] Note that the rear protruding piece 172 is not formed at a position between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 on the game board 5 when the pachinko machine 1 is assembled. Thereby, the game ball B (the game ball B launched by the ball launching device 540) passing between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 does not contact the rear protruding piece 172 of the security cover 170, and does not hinder the entry of the game ball B into the game area 5a.

[0282] The pair of locking pieces 173 are elastically locked to the rear side of the door frame base unit 100 (the speaker duct 103 and the cable cover 109). Thereby, the security cover 170 can be easily attached to and detached from the door frame base unit 100.

[0283] When the security cover 170 is assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the front surface of the main body portion 171 abuts against the rear surface (the rear end of the glass frame 161) of the glass unit 160, and the rear protruding piece 172 excluding the portion protruding rearward from the lower side of the main body portion 171 is inserted into the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000. Further, the security cover 170 is in a state of protruding rearward from the front surface of the front component 1000 so that the rear protruding piece 172 protruding rearward from the lower side of the main body portion 171 contacts the lower surface of the front component 1000. Thereby, since the space between the security cover 170 and the game board 5 (the front component 1000) is in a complexly bent state by the rear protruding piece 172 of the security cover 170 and the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000, even if an illegal tool such as a piano wire tries to enter the game area 5a through the space between the security cover 170 and the front component 1000 from below the front surface of the game board 5, it will be blocked by the rear protruding piece 172 and the security recess 1009, and the entry of illegal tools into the game area 5a can be prevented.

[0284] [3-4a. Handle Unit] Next, the handle unit 180 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 48 to 52 and the like. FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit, the plate unit, and the effect operation unit in the door frame as viewed from the front, and FIG. 49 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit, the plate unit, and the effect operation unit in the door frame as viewed from the rear. FIG. 50 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit in the door frame as viewed from the front after being disassembled, and FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit in the door frame as viewed from the rear after being disassembled. FIG. 52(a) is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the handle base, the handle, the handle return spring, and the handle touch sensor in the handle unit in a perspective view, and (b) is an explanatory view showing (a) disassembled in a perspective view. FIG. 53 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the handle base, the handle, the handle return spring, the handle touch sensor, and the inner base in the handle unit in a perspective view as viewed from the rear. In FIG. 53, the position of the first attachment portion 190a of the handle return spring 190 is changed for easy understanding and shown.

[0285] The handle unit 180 of the present embodiment is attached to the door frame base unit 100 from the front within a cylindrical handle cover unit 290, and by being operated by a player, the game ball B in the upper plate 201 can be driven into the game area 5a of the game board 5.

[0286] The handle unit 180 includes a handle base 181 whose rear end is attached to the handle attachment seat surface of the door frame base 101, a handle 197 rotatably attached to the front end of the handle base 181, a disk-shaped cover pedestal 183 attached to the handle base 181 so as to cover the center of the front end side of the handle 197, a handle decorative substrate 184 attached to the front side of the cover pedestal 183 and having a plurality of LEDs 184a mounted on the front surface, and a handle front lens 185 attached to the cover pedestal 183 so as to cover the front side of the handle decorative substrate 184.

[0287] Further, the handle unit 180 includes an inner base 186 attached to the front surface of the handle base 181 on the rear side of the handle 197, a shaft member 187 having a drive gear portion 187a on the outer periphery thereof, with the handle 197 attached to the front end thereof and rotatably attached by the inner base 186 and the handle base 181, a transmission gear 188 meshing with the drive gear portion 187a of the shaft member 187, and a handle rotation detection sensor 189 having a detection shaft 189a that rotates integrally with the transmission gear 188 and is sandwiched between the handle base 181 and the inner base 186.

[0288] Furthermore, the handle unit 180 includes a handle return spring 190 having one end attached to the handle base 181 and the other end attached to the handle 197, biasing the handle 197 to return to the initial rotation position (the rotation end in the counterclockwise direction in a front view), and an auxiliary spring 191 having one end attached to the inner base 186 and the other end attached to the transmission gear 188, biasing the detection shaft 189a of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 in the clockwise direction in a front view via the transmission gear 188.

[0289] In addition, the handle unit 180 includes a handle touch sensor 192 attached to the handle base 181 behind the inner base 186, a single-shot button 193 having a tip protruding outward from the left side in a front view of the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the handle base 181 and rotatably attached around a shaft extending back and forth to the handle base 181 behind the inner base 186, and a single-shot button operation sensor 194 attached to the handle base 181 for detecting a pressing operation of the single-shot button 193.

[0290] The handle base 181 of the handle unit 180 includes a cylindrical base 181a extending in the front-rear direction, a disc-shaped front end portion 181b protruding radially from the front end of the base 181a, and groove portions 181c that are recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base 181a, extend in the axial direction, and are formed in three at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of the base 181a of the handle base 181 is formed slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rear cylindrical portion of the handle cover base 291 in the handle cover unit 290. Further, the three groove portions 181c are formed at positions corresponding to the three ridges of the handle cover base 291. Therefore, with the three groove portions 181c aligned with the three ridges, the base 181a can be inserted into the rear cylindrical portion of the handle cover base 291, and when the ridges are respectively inserted into the three groove portions 181c, the handle base 181 becomes non-rotatable relative to the handle cover base 291.

[0291] Further, the handle base 181 includes a sensor housing recess 181d that houses the handle touch sensor 192 therein from the front, a tab contact portion 181e against which the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192 abuts, and a mounting hole 181f provided in the tab contact portion 181e (see FIG. 52). The handle touch sensor 192 is housed in the sensor housing recess 181d, and the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192 is brought into contact with the tab contact portion 181e. Then, the rear portion of the inner base 186 is inserted into the handle base 181 from the front, and the mounting piece 186a of the inner base 186 (see FIG. 53) is positioned in front of the tab-shaped terminal 192a. Then, by screwing and tightening a mounting screw (not shown) into the mounting hole 181f from in front of the mounting piece 186a of the inner base 186, the handle touch sensor 192 can be attached to the handle base 181 together with the inner base 186. At this time, by screwing the mounting screw so as to sandwich the U-shaped second mounting portion 190b provided on the rear end side of the handle return spring 190 between the mounting piece 186a of the inner base 186 and the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192, the rear end side of the handle return spring 190 can be attached to the handle base 181, and the handle return spring 190 and the handle touch sensor 192 can be electrically connected. The portion of the tab contact portion 181e in the handle base 181 can face forward through a slit 197e (described later) in the handle 197, and a driver as a tool can be approached from the front through the slit 197e.

[0292] The handle 197 is provided with a plating layer having conductivity on its surface. The handle 197 includes four first protrusions 197a, second protrusions 197b, third protrusions 197c, and fourth protrusions 197d that protrude outward away from the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction, two slits 197e that extend in an arc around the rotation axis (shaft member 187) and penetrate in the front-rear direction, a spring attachment piece 197f provided at one end side of one slit 197e and facing forward at a portion recessed toward the center side of the handle 197, and an attachment hole 197g that penetrates the spring attachment piece 197f in the front-rear direction.

[0293] With the annular first attachment portion 190a provided at the front end of the handle return spring 190 abutted against the upper surface of the spring attachment piece 197f of the handle 197, by screwing and tightening a mounting screw (not shown) into the attachment hole 197g from the front, the front end side of the handle return spring 190 can be mounted from the front, and the plating layer on the surface of the handle 197 and the handle return spring 190 can be electrically connected. Thereby, the handle touch sensor 192 and the handle 197 are electrically connected via the metal handle return spring 190, and it becomes possible to detect contact of the handle 197 by a player.

[0294] Note that the four first protrusions 197a, second protrusions 197b, third protrusions 197c, and fourth protrusions 197d of the handle 197 are provided in order in the counterclockwise direction in a front view.

[0295] As described above, according to the handle unit 180 of the present embodiment, since both ends of the metallic handle return spring 190 that electrically connects the handle touch sensor 192 and the handle 197 are respectively attached by mounting screws, compared with the case where both ends of the handle return spring 190 are merely brought into contact, it is possible to surely make an electrical connection and surely prevent a contact failure (detection failure of the handle touch sensor 192). Therefore, in the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, even if chemicals such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite used during cleaning enter the handle unit 180, or gas or the like is generated from the chemicals and adheres to the handle return spring 190 or the like, causing the surface to corrode or oxidize, a contact failure will not occur, and the handle touch sensor 192 can surely detect the contact of the player.

[0296] Further, in the handle unit 180 of the present embodiment, since a driver for turning a mounting screw can be approached from the front through the slit 197e of the handle 197 with respect to the first attachment portion 190a and the second attachment portion 190b which are both ends of the handle return spring 190, the handle unit 180 can be easily assembled and maintenance is easy.

[0297] This handle unit 180 is attached to the handle mounting seat surface of the door frame base 101 via the handle cover unit 290. The handle mounting seat surface of this door frame base 101 is inclined so that the right end side is located behind the left end side in plan view and faces the outside (open side). Therefore, the handle unit 180 is also inclined outward in plan view (in other words, it is inclined so that its tip portion faces the outside of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to the line orthogonal to the front surface of the pachinko machine 1.) and is attached and fixed to the door frame 3. Thereby, it is easy for the player to grip the handle 197 of the handle unit 180, and a rotation operation can be performed without a sense of discomfort.

[0298] [3-4a-1. Modification Example of Handle Unit] Next, a modified example of the handle unit will be described. Note that only one of the following multiple modified examples may be used, or a plurality of modified examples may be appropriately combined and used together with the above-described embodiment.

[0299] (Modified Example 1) In the above embodiment, it has been shown that the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192 and the second attachment portion 190b of the handle return spring 190 are attached together with a mounting screw, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a protrusion may be provided on the handle 197, and the shape of the front end side (first attachment portion 190a) of the handle return spring 190 may be made to follow a part of the outer periphery of the protrusion of the handle 197, so that the front end of the handle return spring 190 is locked to the protrusion. As a result, the front end side of the handle return spring 190 comes into line contact with the protrusion, and by increasing the contact portion as compared with point contact, the occurrence of poor contact can be prevented. In this case, it is desirable to provide the protrusion of the handle 197 at a location where chemicals such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite used for cleaning are less likely to be applied. Alternatively, a cover may be provided at the said location so that chemicals such as alcohol do not get on it.

[0300] (Modified Example 2) Also, for example, the configuration as shown in FIG. 54 may be adopted. FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram showing a perspective view of the relationship between the handle base, the handle, the handle return spring, the handle touch sensor, and the inner base, which is a modified example of the handle unit, as seen from the rear. In this modified example, the handle 197 is composed of a main body portion 197A and an annular ring portion 197B, and the ring portion 197B is formed of metal or resin having a plating layer on its surface. The ring portion 197B of the handle 197 is provided such that the outer peripheral surface is exposed to the outside at the rear end of the handle 197 (the front end of the handle base 181). Then, the ring portion 197B and the handle touch sensor 192 may be electrically connected by an electric wire 198.

[0301] Specifically, one round terminal 198a of the electric wire 198 provided with round terminals 198a at both ends is sandwiched between the mounting piece 186a of the inner base 186 and the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192, and is screwed together with them using a mounting screw. The other round terminal 198a of the electric wire 198 is screwed to the mounting portion 197h of the ring portion 197B in the handle 197. Thus, when the player grips the handle 197, their finger comes into contact with the ring portion 197B, and the contact can be detected via the ring portion 197B and the electric wire 198. Therefore, similar to the above, poor contact (detection failure of the handle touch sensor 192) can be reliably prevented. So, even if chemical solutions such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite are used during cleaning in the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, poor contact will not occur, and the handle touch sensor 192 can reliably detect the contact of the player.

[0302] Note that the ring portion 197B of the handle 197 may be fixed to the main body portion 197A and provided so as to be integrally rotatable, or may be guided by the main body portion 197A or the handle base 181 and provided so as to be relatively rotatable. Also, in the above, an annular ring portion 197B was shown, but a non-annular ring portion 197B that does not go around in a C shape or the like may also be used.

[0303] Also, in the above, the handle 197 is shown as being composed of the main body portion 197A and the ring portion 197B, but it is not limited to this, and the ring portion 197B may be an independent component with a configuration different from that of the handle 197.

[0304] (Modification Example 3) Further, for example, the handle touch sensor 192 may be provided at another position, and using the electric wire 198 provided with round terminals 198a at both ends, one round terminal 198a is screwed to the tab-shaped terminal 192a with a mounting screw, and the other round terminal 198a is screwed to the second mounting portion 190b of the handle return spring 190 with a mounting screw. Also by this, similar to the above, since poor contact (detection failure of the handle touch sensor 192) can be surely prevented, even when chemical solutions such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite are used during cleaning in the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, poor contact does not occur, and the handle touch sensor 192 can surely detect the contact of the player. In this case, the front end side (first mounting portion 190a) of the handle return spring 190 may be attached to the handle 197 with a mounting screw, or may be locked to a protrusion provided on the handle 197.

[0305] (Modification Example 4) Further, for example, a mounting hole is provided on the back surface of the handle 197, and one round terminal 198a of the electric wire 198 provided with round terminals 198a at both ends is screwed to the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192 with a mounting screw, and the other round terminal 198a is screwed with a mounting screw screwed into the mounting hole of the handle 197. At this time, the length of the electric wire 198 is set to a length that allows the handle 197 to rotate. As the portion of the handle 197 where the round terminal 198a of the electric wire 198 is screwed, for example, when the handle 197 has a ring portion 197B as shown in FIG. 54, the ring portion 197B is provided so as to rotate integrally with the main body portion 197A, and the round terminal 198a may be screwed to the mounting portion 197h of the ring portion 197B. Also by this, similar to the above, since poor contact (detection failure of the handle touch sensor 192) can be surely prevented, even when chemical solutions such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite are used during cleaning in the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, poor contact does not occur, and the handle touch sensor 192 can surely detect the contact of the player.

[0306] (Other Modification Examples) In the above description, a screw-fastening structure to the plating layer provided on the handle 197 is shown, but it is not limited thereto. For example, when a metal part is provided on the handle 197, it may be screw-fastened to the metal part so as to be electrically connected to the handle touch sensor 192. As this metal part, for example, the above-described ring part 197B may be made of metal.

[0307] Also, in the above description, the handle touch sensor 192 having the tab-shaped terminal 192a is shown, but it is not limited thereto, and the handle touch sensor may have a connector. In this case, the tip side of the electric wire connected to the connector may be directly or via the handle return spring 190 electrically connected to the handle 197.

[0308] [3-4a-2. Parentheses] The above handle unit 180 has the following technical features. (Background of Technical Features) In a pachinko machine as a gaming machine, there are provided a handle operated by a player to launch a game ball into a game area, and a touch sensor for detecting that the player is touching the handle (for example, Patent Document: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-137794). In a conventional gaming machine as in the above patent document, the touch sensor and the handle are electrically connected via a spring for returning the handle to its original position to detect contact of the handle by the player. In this type of conventional gaming machine, in the spring for returning the handle, the end on the touch sensor side and the end on the handle side are brought into contact using the biasing force of the spring.

[0309] By the way, when cleaning and disinfecting gaming machines in a game hall where gaming machines are installed, chemical solutions such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite may be used. And if the chemical solution used for cleaning etc. penetrates into the handle or gas etc. is generated and adheres to a spring etc., the surface of the spring etc. may corrode or oxidize, resulting in an electrical contact failure. Due to such contact failure, the launch of the game ball may become unstable or it may become impossible to launch the game ball, which may reduce the interest of the player.

[0310] Therefore, in the following means, in view of the above situation, the problem is to provide a gaming machine capable of surely detecting contact with the handle by the player.

[0311] (Means for Solving Technical Features) Means 1: In a gaming machine, A gaming machine equipped with a handle unit for launching a game ball into a game area, The handle unit includes A rotatable handle, A handle base that rotatably supports the handle, A touch sensor provided on the handle base, One end side is screwed together with the electrode tab of the touch sensor, or the tip of the electric wire connected to the electrode tab or the connector of the touch sensor, and the other end side is in contact with the plated part or the metal part of the handle, and it is characterized by including a linear metal wire body.

[0312] Here, examples of the "wire body" include a "spring", an "electric wire", etc.

[0313] According to the configuration of means 1, a gaming machine includes a handle unit for launching a game ball into a game area. The handle unit includes a rotatable handle, a handle base that rotatably supports the handle, a touch sensor provided on the handle base, an electrode tab of the touch sensor, or the tip of an electric wire connected to the electrode tab or the connector of the touch sensor. One end side is screwed, and the other end side is in contact with the plated portion or the metal portion of the handle, and it includes a linear metal wire.

[0314] In this configuration, in the handle unit for launching a game ball into a game area, one end side of the metal wire whose other end side is in contact with the plated portion or the metal portion of the handle is screwed together with the electrode tab of the touch sensor provided on the handle base, or the tip of the electric wire connected to the electrode tab or the connector of the touch sensor. That is, one end side of the wire is screwed to the electrode tab of the touch sensor or the tip of the electric wire that is electrically connected to the touch sensor via the electrode tab or the connector. As a result, compared to the case where the one end side of the wire is simply brought into contact without being screwed, even if chemicals such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite used during cleaning of the gaming machine enter the handle, or gases are generated and adhere to springs or the like, causing the surface to corrode or oxidize, no contact failure will occur, and the touch sensor can surely detect the player's contact with the handle via the wire. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can allow the player to enjoy the game in a good state without the launch of the game ball becoming unstable or the game ball being unable to be launched due to a detection failure of the touch sensor, and can suppress a decrease in the player's interest.

[0315] In addition, when the electrode tab of the touch sensor is screwed, it is desirable to attach the touch sensor to the handle base. This allows for simultaneous attachment of one end side of the linear body and the touch sensor, reducing the labor involved in assembly and disassembly.

[0316] Also, the other end side of the linear body may be locked to a protrusion protruding from the handle. This electrically connects the other end side of the linear body by locking it to the protrusion of the handle, thus reducing the labor (man-hours) involved in assembling and disassembling the handle unit and suppressing an increase in the cost of the gaming machine.

[0317] Furthermore, the other end side of the linear body may be screwed to the handle. This makes it less likely for poor contact to occur on the other end side as well as the one end side since the other end side of the linear body is also screwed to the handle. Therefore, even if the linear body or the like corrodes or oxidizes due to chemicals such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite during cleaning of the gaming machine, poor contact will not occur, and the touch sensor can reliably detect the player's contact with the handle via the linear body.

[0318] Also, when the other end side of the linear body is also screwed as described above, it is desirable to be able to approach tools such as a driver from the same direction for the respective screws (mounting screws) at one end side and the other end side of the linear body. This enables screwing from the same direction for both ends of the linear body, reducing the labor involved in assembling the handle unit and suppressing an increase in the cost of the gaming machine.

[0319] Also, it is desirable that the linear body be a spring that biases the handle around the axis. As a result, since the linear body that electrically connects the handle and the touch sensor is used as the spring that biases the handle, the number of components of the handle unit can be reduced compared to the case where the linear body is a member separate from the spring (for example, an electric wire), and an increase in the cost of the gaming machine can be suppressed.

[0320] Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1, "The other end side of the linear body is locked to a protrusion protruding from the handle" is characterized by.

[0321] Here, examples of the "protrusion" include "one integrally formed with the handle", "one insert molded with respect to the handle (for example, a metal pin)", "one attached to the handle separately from the handle (for example, a metal pin, a screw, etc.)", and the like.

[0322] According to the configuration of Means 2, the other end side of the linear body is locked to a protrusion protruding from the handle. (Refer to the chapter of [3-4a. Handle unit] in [Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention])

[0323] As a result, since the other end side of the linear body is electrically connected by being locked to the protrusion of the handle, the labor (man-hours) required for assembling and disassembling the handle unit can be reduced, and an increase in the cost of the gaming machine can be suppressed.

[0324] In addition, after locking the other end side of the linear body to the protrusion of the handle, it may be screwed. As a result, in the linear body, it is possible to make it difficult for a contact failure to occur not only on one end side but also on the other end side, and it is possible to reliably detect the contact of the handle by the player by the touch sensor.

[0325] Means 3: In the configuration of Means 1 or Means 2, "The other end side of the linear body is screwed to the handle." It is characterized by this.

[0326] According to the configuration of means 3, the other end side of the linear body is screwed to the handle. (Refer to the description of the handle return spring 190 and FIG. 52 in [Embodiments of the Invention])

[0327] As a result, since the other end side of the linear body is also screwed to the handle, it is possible to make it difficult for poor contact to occur not only on one end side but also on the other end side. Therefore, when cleaning the gaming machine, even if the linear body and the like are corroded or oxidized by chemical solutions such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite, poor contact does not occur, and the touch sensor can surely detect the player's contact with the handle via the linear body.

[0328] In addition, since the one end side and the other end side of the linear body are each screwed, it is desirable to be able to approach tools such as a driver from the same direction for each screw (mounting screw). As a result, since the both ends of the linear body can be screwed from the same direction, the labor required for assembling the handle unit can be reduced, and an increase in the cost of the gaming machine can be suppressed.

[0329] Means 4: In any one of the configurations from means 1 to means 3, "The linear body is a spring that biases the handle around its axis." It is characterized by this.

[0330] According to the configuration of means 4, the linear body is a spring that biases the handle around its axis. (Refer to the description of the handle return spring 190 in [Embodiments of the Invention])

[0331] As a result, since the linear body that electrically connects the handle and the touch sensor is used as the spring that biases the handle, the number of parts of the handle unit can be reduced compared to the case where the linear body is a member separate from the spring (for example, an electric wire), and an increase in the cost of the gaming machine can be suppressed.

[0332] Thus, according to the above-described solution means, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably detecting contact with the handle by the player.

[0333] (Relationship between the solution means of the technical features and the embodiments) The handle unit 180 in the door frame 3 of the present embodiment corresponds to the handle unit of the above-described solution means, the handle base 181 of the handle unit 180 in the present embodiment corresponds to the handle base of the above-described solution means, the handle return spring 190 of the handle unit 180 in the present embodiment corresponds to the linear body and the spring of the above-described solution means, the handle touch sensor 192 of the handle unit 180 in the present embodiment corresponds to the touch sensor of the above-described solution means, the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192 in the present embodiment corresponds to the electrode tab of the above-described solution means, and the handle 197 of the handle unit 180 in the present embodiment corresponds to the handle of the above-described solution means, respectively.

[0334] (Characteristic effects of the present embodiment) According to the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the handle unit 180 for firing the game ball B in the door frame 3 into the game area 5a, one end side (second attachment portion 190b side) of the handle return spring 190 as a metal linear body whose other end side (first attachment portion 190a side) is in contact with the plated portion of the handle 197 is screwed together with the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192 provided on the handle base 181. That is, one end side of the handle return spring 190 is screwed to the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192. As a result, compared with the case where one end side of the handle return spring 190 is merely brought into contact without being screwed, chemicals such as alcohol and sodium hypochlorite used during cleaning of the pachinko machine 1 do not enter the handle unit 180, and even if gas or the like is generated and adheres to the spring or the like, causing the surface to corrode or oxidize, no contact failure will occur, and the handle touch sensor 192 can surely detect the contact of the player with the handle 197 via the handle return spring 190. Therefore, the firing of the game ball B will not become unstable or impossible to fire due to a detection failure of the handle touch sensor 192, and it is possible to provide the pachinko machine 1 that can allow the player to enjoy the game in a good state and suppress the decline of the player's interest.

[0335] Also, when the tab-shaped terminal 192a of the handle touch sensor 192 is screwed, since the handle touch sensor 192 is attached to the handle base 181, the attachment of one end side (second attachment portion 190b side) of the handle return spring 190 and the attachment of the handle touch sensor 192 can be performed simultaneously, reducing the labor involved in assembly and disassembly.

[0336] Furthermore, since the other end side (the first attachment portion 190a side) of the handle return spring 190 is screwed to the handle 197, it is possible to make it difficult for poor contact to occur not only on the one end side (the second attachment portion 190b side) but also on the other end side (the first attachment portion 190a). Therefore, even if the handle return spring 190 or the like is corroded or oxidized by a chemical solution such as alcohol or sodium hypochlorite during the cleaning of the pachinko machine 1, poor contact does not occur, and the handle touch sensor 192 can surely detect the contact of the player with the handle 197 via the handle return spring 190.

[0337] Also, at one end side (the second attachment portion 190b side) and the other end side (the first attachment portion 190a side) of the handle return spring 190, tools such as a driver can be approached from the same direction (here, the front) with respect to the respective screws (attachment screws), and since the handle return spring 190 can be screwed from the same direction at both ends, the labor required for assembling the handle unit 180 can be reduced, and an increase in the cost of the pachinko machine 1 can be suppressed.

[0338] Also, since the linear body that electrically connects the handle 197 and the handle touch sensor 192 is the handle return spring 190 that biases the handle 197, compared to the case where the linear body is a separate member (for example, an electric wire) from the handle return spring 190, the number of parts of the handle unit 180 can be reduced, and an increase in the cost of the pachinko machine 1 can be suppressed.

[0339] Note that the other end side (the first attachment portion 190a side) of the handle return spring 190 may be locked to a protruding portion that protrudes rearward from the handle 197. As a result, since the other end side of the handle return spring 190 is electrically connected by being locked to the protruding portion of the handle 197, the labor (man-hours) required for assembling and disassembling the handle unit 180 can be reduced, and an increase in the cost of the pachinko machine 1 can be suppressed.

[0340] [3-4b. Handle Cover Unit] The handle cover unit 290 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49 and the like. The handle cover unit 290 includes a handle cover base 291 that covers the outer periphery on the rear side of the handle 197 in the handle unit 180 and has a rear end attached to the handle mounting seat surface of the door frame base 101, and a handle cover 295 that covers the outer periphery with a space therebetween and has a rear end attached to the dish unit main body 252 of the dish unit 200.

[0341] The handle cover base 291 includes a cylindrical rear cylinder portion that extends back and forth with an inner diameter into which the base portion 181a of the handle base 181 can be inserted, and a plurality (here, three) of protrusions that protrude inward from the inner periphery of the rear cylinder portion, extend back and forth, and are provided at positions corresponding to the groove portions 181c of the handle base 181 in the circumferential direction.

[0342] The rear end of the rear cylinder portion is attached to the handle mounting seat surface of the door frame base 101. The rear cylinder portion is formed to have the same length as the base portion 181a of the handle base 181, and the base portion 181a of the handle base 181 is inserted therein. The three protrusions correspond to the three groove portions 181c of the handle base 181, and by being inserted into the groove portions 181c, the handle base 181 can be made non-rotatable relative to each other.

[0343] The handle cover 295 has a front hole 295a with a larger diameter than the handle 197 at the front end, and is formed in a cylindrical shape of a spindle base (kamakura type, or bowl type, etc.) that bulges rearward. A plurality (here, four) of notch openings 295b that are notched from the rear end toward the front are provided in the circumferential direction. The rear end of the handle cover 295 is attached to the dish unit main body 252 of the dish unit 200.

[0344] Even if liquids such as drinks or game balls B enter the cylinder, the handle cover unit 290 of this embodiment can discharge them downward through the lower notch opening 295b of the handle cover unit 290.

[0345] Also, the lower notch opening 295b of the handle cover 295 is provided on the extension line in the inclination direction of the blade part 46b of the grill member 46 in the outer frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2. Thereby, the wind (wind pressure) discharged obliquely upward and forward from the grill member 46 through the blade part 46b due to the vibration of the main body frame speaker 622 can enter the cylinder through the notch opening 295b. Therefore, when the player inserts a finger into the cylinder of the handle cover 295 and rotates the handle 197 (the game ball B driving device), by vibrating the main body frame speaker 622 and sending wind into the front cylinder part 291a, the player can be surprised and an unprecedented effect can be achieved. That is, since a stimulus by sound pressure can be applied to the finger of the player operating the handle 197, the player can be surprised, made to anticipate the arrival of a chance, or have the operation amount of the handle operation changed, etc., and the player can be made to enjoy the game, and it is difficult to make the player bored, and a decrease in the interest in the game can be suppressed.

[0346] Furthermore, since the sound pressure (sound wind) from the main body frame speaker 622 can be supplied into the handle cover unit 290 through the notch opening 295b, the inside of the handle cover unit 290 can be cooled, and by making the environment around the fingers of the player operating the handle 197 comfortable, the stress on the player can be relieved and a decrease in the interest in the game can be suppressed.

[0347] Also, as described above, with respect to the fingers of a player who is operating the handle 197 with a finger inserted into the handle cover unit 290, the sound pressure (sound wind) emitted forward from the port member 47 provided on the outer frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2, which is different from the door frame 3 on which the handle 197 and the handle cover unit 290 are provided, is induced by the plurality of blade portions 46b of the grill member 46 to impart a stimulus. Therefore, compared with the case where a vibration device is provided on the handle 197, it is possible to avoid damaging various sensors (handle rotation detection sensor 189, handle touch sensor 192, single-shot button operation sensor 194, etc.) and bearing mechanisms provided on the handle 197, and it becomes possible to make the handle unit 180 less likely to be damaged, and it is possible to avoid giving discomfort to the player due to the damage of the handle unit 180, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0348] Furthermore, since the handle cover 295 has a notch opening 295b, when opening the door frame 3 or the main body frame 4, a finger can be hooked on the right notch opening 295b and pulled, and it can be used as a handle when opening the door frame 3 or the like.

[0349] Also, since the handle cover 295 has a notch opening 295b, by hooking a finger on the handle 197 and the notch opening 295b and grasping them, the rotational position of the handle 197 can be easily fixed, and the game ball B can be continuously driven into the game area 5a with a certain strength without continuously twisting the hand. In this way, since the handle 197 can be rotated in various ways to drive the game ball B, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can select a driving operation suitable for the player.

[0350] In addition, a handle 197 is provided at the lower right corner of the door frame 3 on the side opposite to the hinge side, and a notch opening 295b is provided at a portion facing the right side of the outer peripheral surface of the handle cover 295 of the handle cover unit 290. Therefore, the notch opening 295b can be used as a handle when opening and closing the door frame 3. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a handle that deteriorates the appearance of the door frame 3, and the appearance of the door frame 3 can be improved.

[0351] [3-5. Overall Structure of Dish Unit] The dish unit 200 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49. The dish unit 200 is attached to a portion below the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100. The dish unit 200 includes an upper dish 201 for storing the game balls B to be driven into the game area 5a, and a lower dish 202 disposed below the upper dish 201 and capable of storing the game balls B supplied from the upper dish 201 and the far cover unit 150.

[0352] The dish unit 200 includes a dish base unit 210 having the upper dish 201 and attached to the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, a dish decoration unit 250 having the lower dish 202 and attached to the front surface of the dish base unit 210, and an effect operation unit 300 attached to the front surfaces of the dish decoration unit 250 and the dish base unit 210 and operable by a player.

[0353] The dish base unit 210 includes a flat plate-shaped dish unit base 211 extending horizontally, an upper dish body 212 attached to the upper part of the front surface of the dish unit base 211 and having the upper dish 201, a mounting base (not shown) attached to the right side of the upper dish body 212 and protruding forward, a dish unit relay substrate (not shown) attached to the right side of the mounting base, a ball lending operation unit 220 attached to the upper surface of the mounting base, an upper dish ball extraction front unit (not shown) attached to the lower side of the mounting base, and an upper dish ball extraction rear unit 240 attached to the rear of the upper dish ball extraction front unit.

[0354] The dish decoration unit 250 includes a dish body 251 that is attached to the lower front part of the dish unit base 211 and has a lower dish 202, a dish unit main body 252 that is attached to the front surface of the dish unit base 211 so as to cover the outer periphery of the dish body 251, a lower dish ball removal unit 260 that is attached to the lower surface of the dish body 251, and a left dish decoration unit 270 and a right dish decoration unit 275 that are respectively attached to the upper front part of the dish unit main body 252 with a left - right spacing.

[0355] The effect operation unit 300 includes an effect operation part 301 that can be operated by a player, a pressing operation part 303 that can be pressed by the player, a lever operation part 304 that allows the player to perform a lever operation in the front - rear direction, and the effect operation part 301 that can be operated by the player. The effect operation unit 300 includes a base unit 400 that is attached to the dish base unit 210, and a lever operation unit 410 that is rotatably attached around an axis extending in the left - right direction with respect to the base unit 400. The pressing operation part 303 is provided on the upper surface of the base unit 400.

[0356] The dish unit 200 bulges forward as a whole, and the effect operation unit 300 is arranged such that the upper surface of the effect operation part 301 faces obliquely upward and forward at the center in the left - right direction. An upper dish 201 is arranged on the left side of the effect operation unit 300 on the upper surface, a ball lending operation unit 220 is arranged on the right side of the effect operation unit 300, and a lower dish 202 is arranged on the left side of the effect operation unit 300 below the upper dish 201.

[0357] [3 - 5a. Upper Dish] The upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49 and the like. The upper tray 201 is formed by a tray unit base 211 and an upper tray main body 212, and is formed in a container shape that bulges forward more on the left side than the center on the left and right in a front view and is open upward. The upper tray 201 (upper tray main body 212) has a portion about 1 / 3 from the left end to the right in the left-right direction of the door frame 3 bulging most forward. From the most bulging portion, as it goes to the right in a front view, the front end of the upper tray 201 retreats backward, and has a guiding passage portion 201a (see FIG. 37) whose depth in the front-rear direction is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pachinko ball B. The entire bottom surface of the upper tray 201 including the guiding passage portion 201a is inclined so that the right end side is lower, and the right end side of the guiding passage portion 201a in a front view dives below the ball lending operation unit 220.

[0358] When the upper tray 201 is assembled to the tray unit 200, its bottom surface is inclined so as to become lower from a position below the upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit base 211 toward a position slightly below the outer diameter of the pachinko ball B with respect to the upper end of the upper tray ball feeding port (not shown). Thereby, the pachinko ball B discharged forward from the upper tray ball supply port 211a can be received and stored in the upper tray 201, and the received pachinko ball B can be supplied from the right end side of the guiding passage portion 201a through the upper tray ball feeding port to the ball feeding unit 140 side.

[0359] Note that the guiding passage portion 201a is provided with a metal grounding fitting that is electrically grounded (earthed) in the pachinko machine 1, and when the pachinko ball B contacts (rolls), the static electricity charged on the pachinko ball B can be removed.

[0360] [3-5b. Lower tray] The lower dish 202 of the dish unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 48 and the like. The lower dish 202 is disposed below the upper dish 201 and to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the dish unit 200 (door frame 3) in a front view. The lower dish 202 is formed by a lower dish main body 251 and a dish unit base 211. The lower dish 202 is formed in a container shape capable of storing the game balls B, and is provided with a lower dish ball discharge hole 202a that penetrates vertically through the bottom wall and allows the game balls B to be discharged (see FIG. 29). The lower dish ball discharge hole 202a of the lower dish 202 is closably closed by a lower dish ball discharge lid of the lower dish ball discharge unit 260.

[0361] The lower dish 202 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that extends left and right in a plan view, and the front end on the left side of the center in the left-right direction protrudes forward more than the right side. The lower dish ball discharge hole 202a that penetrates vertically through the lower dish 202 is disposed near the front end near the right end. The bottom surface of this lower dish 202 is inclined so as to become lower toward the lower dish ball discharge hole 202a. The lower dish ball discharge hole 202a of the lower dish 202 is located to the left of and below the production operation unit 300 in front of the lower dish ball supply port 211c in a state assembled to the dish unit 200.

[0362] The lower dish 202 can store the game balls B discharged forward from the lower dish ball supply port 211c in a state where the lower dish ball discharge hole 202a is closed, and can discharge the stored game balls B to below the dish unit 200 (for example, a dollar box) by opening the lower dish ball discharge hole 202a. Further, in a state where the lower dish ball discharge hole 202a of the lower dish 202 is open, since the lower dish ball discharge hole 202a is disposed in front of the lower dish ball supply port 211c, the game balls B discharged forward from the lower dish ball supply port 211c can be quickly discharged downward from the lower dish ball discharge hole 202a by moving the shortest distance.

[0363] [3-5c. Dish Base Unit] Regarding the dish base unit 210 in the dish unit 200, it will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49. The dish base unit 210 includes a flat plate-shaped dish unit base 211 that is attached to the lower front of the door frame base unit 100 and extends horizontally, an upper dish main body 212 that has an upper dish 201 and is attached to the upper front of the dish unit base 211, and a dish unit relay board 214 that is attached near the lower right corner on the rear surface of the dish unit base 211.

[0364] In addition, the dish base unit 210 includes a ball lending operation unit 220 that is attached to the upper part of the front surface of the dish unit base 211, an upper dish ball extraction unit (not shown) that is attached to the front surface of the dish unit base 211 below the ball lending operation unit 220, and an upper dish ball extraction unit 240 that is attached to the rear side of the dish unit base 211 behind the upper dish ball extraction unit.

[0365] [3-5c-1. Dish unit base] Regarding the dish unit base 211 of the dish base unit 210, it will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49. The dish unit base 211 is attached below the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, and is formed in a flat plate shape (a shallow box shape with an open rear) that extends horizontally across the entire width of the door frame base 101.

[0366] The dish unit base 211 includes an upper dish ball supply port 211a that penetrates vertically near the upper left corner in a front view and extends cylindrically rearward, a speaker port 211b that penetrates vertically below the upper dish ball supply port 211a and has a punching metal attached to the front side, a lower dish ball supply port 211c that penetrates vertically in the lower part to the left of the center in a front view and extends cylindrically rearward, a notch 211d that is cut out on the right side wall of the part that extends cylindrically rearward from the lower dish ball supply port 211c and is sized to allow the game ball B to pass through, and an upper dish ball feeding port (not shown) that penetrates vertically in the upper right side in a front view of the lower dish ball supply port 211c, extends vertically, and has its upper part located at the right end of the upper dish main body 212.

[0367] In the state where the upper plate ball supply port 211a of the dish unit base 211 is assembled to the door frame 3, the front end opens to the rear wall of the upper plate 201, and the cylindrical rear end penetrates the upper plate ball passage port 101g of the door frame base 101 from the front side and is connected to the front end of the through ball passage 150a of the far cover unit 150. Thereby, the game ball B discharged from the payout device 580 of the payout unit 560 is supplied (payout) into the upper plate 201 through the upper plate ball supply port 211a.

[0368] In the state where the lower plate ball supply port 211c is assembled to the door frame 3, the front end opens to the rear wall of the lower plate 202, and the cylindrical rear end penetrates the lower plate ball passage port 101f of the door frame base 101 from the front side and is connected to the front end of the ball discharge port 150d of the far cover unit 150. Thereby, the game ball B flowing through the storage passage 150e of the far cover unit 150 is supplied into the lower plate 202 through the lower plate ball supply port 211c. Further, the downstream end of the ball discharge guide path 241c in the rear base 241 of the upper plate ball removal rear unit 240 is connected to the notch 211d formed in the portion extending in a cylindrical shape of the lower plate ball supply port 211c. Thereby, the game ball B stored in the upper plate 201 is discharged into the lower plate 202 from the lower plate ball supply port 211c through the upper plate ball removal button 222 operation, the upper plate ball supply port, the inlet 141a and the ball discharge port 141b of the ball supply unit 140, the ball supply guide path and the ball discharge guide path 241c of the upper plate ball removal rear unit 240, and the notch 211d.

[0369] The upper plate ball supply port is located in front of the ball receiving port (not shown) of the rear base 241 in the upper plate ball removal rear unit 240 in the state of being assembled to the dish base unit 210, and the game ball B in the upper plate 201 is supplied from the ball receiving port of the upper plate ball removal rear unit 240 to the ball supply guide path.

[0370] [3-5c-2. Upper plate body] The upper plate body 212 of the dish base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49 and the like. The upper plate body 212 is attached to the front surface of the dish unit base 211 and cooperates with the dish unit base 211 to form the upper plate 201. The upper plate body 212 is formed in a container shape (dish shape) with the upper and rear sides open. The upper plate body 212 extends left and right, and when viewed from the front, the left side is larger and bulges forward more than the center on the left and right. From the most forward-bulging part of the upper plate body 212 toward the right when viewed from the front, the front end retreats rearward, and the depth in the front-rear direction is formed to have a width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The bottom surface of the upper plate body 212 is inclined so that the right end is the lowest. The upper part near the right end of the upper plate body 212 is closed.

[0371] In a state where the upper plate body 212 is assembled to the dish unit 200, the part where the upper part near the right end is closed is attached so as to dive under the ball lending operation unit 220. Further, the upper plate body 212 has an effect operation unit attachment portion 212a formed at the intermediate portion in the left-right direction at the upper part, and a part of the effect operation unit 300 is attached to the effect operation unit attachment portion 212a.

[0372] [3-5c-3. Dish Unit Relay Substrate] The dish unit relay substrate 214 of the dish base unit 210 is for relaying the connection between the door frame sub-relay substrate 105 (see FIG. 72) in the door frame base unit 100, the left dish decorative substrate, the right dish decorative substrate, the rotating body decorative substrate 416, and the like. The dish unit relay substrate 214 is attached near the lower right corner on the rear surface of the dish unit base 211. In a state where the dish unit relay substrate 214 is attached to the dish unit base 211, the rear surface faces the rear side of the dish unit base 211.

[0373] [3-5c-4. Ball Lending Operation Unit] The ball lending operation unit 220 of the dish base unit 210 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49. This ball lending operation unit 220 discharges the game balls B stored in the upper dish 201 to the lower dish 202, or after inserting cash or a prepaid card into a ball lending machine (not shown) provided adjacent to the pachinko machine 1, lends a predetermined number of game balls B into the upper dish 201 of the dish unit 200, displays the remaining amount of cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine, returns the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine after deducting the amount corresponding to the lent game balls B, adjusts the volume, and adjusts the light amount.

[0374] The ball lending operation unit 220 includes an upper dish ball extraction button 222, a ball lending button 224, a return button 225, a ball lending display unit 226, and an adjustment button 229 composed of four buttons arranged in a cross shape.

[0375] The upper dish ball extraction button 222 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape and can move downward when pressed by the player. The ball lending button 224 is formed in a circular shape and has the character "ball" on its upper surface. The return button 225 is formed in a triangular shape. The ball lending display unit 226 is composed of three 7-segment LEDs and one bullet-shaped LED and can be clearly visually recognized from the player's side when lit.

[0376] The ball lending operation unit 220 can discharge the game balls B stored in the upper dish 201 to the lower dish by pressing the upper dish ball extraction button 222. Also, after inserting cash or a prepaid card with a remaining amount into the ball lending machine and pressing the ball lending button 224, a predetermined number of game balls B are supplied to the upper dish 201. When the return button 225 is pressed, the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine is returned after deducting the amount corresponding to the lent game balls B. The remaining amount of cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine is displayed on the ball lending display unit 226. Also, an error code is displayed on the ball lending display unit 226 when the ball lending machine malfunctions.

[0377] The adjustment button 229 is used to adjust the volume of music, voices, sound effects, and other production sounds output from the top center speaker and top side speakers of the door frame 3 and the main body frame speaker 622 for bass in the main body frame 4, or to adjust the light quantity (brightness) of the LEDs on various decorative substrates provided on the door frame 3 and the game board 5, the brightness of the display screen of the production display device 1600, and the like.

[0378] By the way, when adjusting the volume or light quantity using the pressing operation part 303 etc. of the production operation part 301, when a player participation type production that requires the operation of the production operation part 301 is not being executed, a setting menu for adjusting the volume or light quantity etc. by appropriately operating the production operation part 301 is displayed on the production display device 1600, and after selecting an item to be adjusted, the pressing operation part 303 or the lever operation part 304 is operated to change the volume level or the light quantity brightness etc., which takes time (effort) to adjust the volume and light quantity. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, by operating the adjustment button 229, the volume and light quantity can be directly adjusted, and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that simplifies the effort required for adjusting the volume and light quantity and enables adjustment in a short time.

[0379] [3-5c-5. Unit after upper tray ball extraction] Regarding the unit before upper tray ball extraction and the unit 240 after upper tray ball extraction in the tray base unit 210, a detailed explanation will be given mainly with reference to FIG. 49. The unit 240 after upper tray ball extraction is for discharging the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202 in cooperation with the ball feeding unit 140 when the upper tray ball extraction button 222 of the ball lending operation unit 220 is pressed.

[0380] The unit 240 after upper tray ball extraction includes a rear base 241 attached to the rear surface of the tray unit base 211 so as to close the upper tray ball feeding port from the rear, an upper tray ball extraction slider 242 slidably attached in the vertical direction to the front surface of the rear base 241, a spring (not shown) that biases the upper tray ball extraction slider 242 upward, and a rear cover 244 attached to the rear side of the rear base 241.

[0381] The rear base 241 protrudes upward from the portion where the upper plate ball removal slider 242 is slidably attached, opens forward, and has a ball receiving port (not shown) through which the game ball B can pass. It also has a ball feeding guide path that guides the game ball B received at the ball receiving port downward on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then guides it rearward, and a ball removal guide path 241c that guides the game ball B downward from a position below the ball feeding guide path on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then guides it rightward in a rear view.

[0382] The ball receiving port is formed at a position that opens forward through the upper plate ball feeding port of the dish unit base 211 at the downstream end (right end in a front view) of the guiding passage portion 201a of the upper plate 201 in a state of being assembled to the dish base unit 210. The ball feeding guide path is formed in a state of being assembled to the door frame 3 such that the inlet 141a of the ball feeding unit 140 is located at the rear of the lower part. As a result, the game ball B supplied to the upper plate 201 enters the inlet 141a of the ball feeding unit 140 through the ball receiving port and the ball feeding guide path.

[0383] The portion of the ball removal guide path 241c that extends left and right protrudes rightward in a rear view from the portion where the upper plate ball removal slider 242 is slidably attached, is inclined such that the right end side in a rear view is lower, and opens on the right side surface in a rear view. The portion of the ball removal guide path 241c that extends left and right is closed at the rear by the rear cover 244. The ball removal guide path 241c, in a state of being assembled to the door frame 3, has the upper part of the portion that extends vertically below the ball feeding guide path located in front of the ball removal port 141b of the ball feeding unit 140, and the right end in a rear view of the portion that extends left and right is formed to be connected to the notch portion 211d of the lower plate ball supply port 211c in the dish unit base 211. As a result, the game ball B discharged from the ball removal port 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 is discharged into the lower plate 202 from the lower plate ball supply port 211c through the ball removal guide path 241c and the notch portion 211d.

[0384] The upper plate ball removal slider 242 is formed in a quadrangular shape when viewed from the front, and includes an operation receiving portion (not shown) that protrudes forward from the upper left corner and an operation transmission portion 242b that protrudes rearward from the rear surface on the rear side of the operation receiving portion. The operation receiving portion has a flat upper surface. Further, the upper surface of the operation transmission portion 242b is inclined so as to be positioned downward as it goes rearward, and the lower surface extends horizontally so as to be connected to the rear end of the upper surface.

[0385] When the upper plate ball removal slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the operation receiving portion penetrates the dish unit base 211 from the rear side and protrudes forward, and the lower end of the upper plate ball removal button 222 abuts on the upper surface of the operation receiving portion. Further, when the upper plate ball removal slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the operation transmission portion 242b protrudes rearward of the rear base 241, and the operation lever 143c of the ball removal member 143 of the ball feeding unit 140 abuts on the upper surface.

[0386] The spring has an upper end attached to the rear base 241 and a lower end attached to the upper plate ball removal slider 242, and biases the upper plate ball removal slider 242 upward. Therefore, the upper plate ball removal slider 242 is positioned at the upward movement end by the biasing force of the spring, and can move downward by resisting the biasing force of the spring.

[0387] Due to the biasing force of the spring, the upper plate ball removal slider 242 is positioned at the upward movement end, and the upper plate ball removal button 222 is positioned at the upward movement end via the operation receiving portion of the upper plate ball removal slider 242. Further, since the upper plate ball removal slider 242 is positioned at the upward movement end by the biasing force of the spring, the downward movement of the operation lever 143c that abuts on the upper surface of the operation transmission portion 242b is blocked, and the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 is positioned between the inlet 141a and the ball removal port 141b, partitioning between the two.

[0388] Therefore, when the upper plate ball removal button 222 is not pressed, the inlet 141a and the ball removal port 141b in the ball feeding unit 140 are partitioned, and the game ball B sent from the upper plate 201 to the ball receiving port can be sent from the hitting ball supply port 142a to the ball launching device 540 side through the inlet 141a and the ball feeding member 144.

[0389] On the other hand, when the upper plate ball removal button 222 is pressed downward against the biasing force of the spring, the upper plate ball removal slider 242 moves downward, and the operating lever 143c of the ball removal member 143 that is in contact with the upper surface of the operation transmission portion 242b of the upper plate ball removal slider 242 can move downward. Due to the load of the weight portion 143d of the ball removal member 143, the ball removal member 143 rotates and the partition portion 143a retracts from between the inlet 141a and the ball removal port 141b. As a result, the game ball B that has entered the inlet 141a from the upper plate 201 through the ball receiving port and the ball feeding guide path is discharged forward from the ball removal port 141b that is open below the inlet 141a. Then, the game ball B discharged forward from the ball removal port 141b is guided into the lower plate ball supply port 211c from the notch portion 211d through the ball removal guide path 241c, and then is released from the lower plate ball supply port 211c into the lower plate 202, and the game ball B in the upper plate 201 is discharged into the lower plate 202.

[0390] When the downward pressing of the upper plate ball removal button 222 is released, the upper plate ball removal slider 242 moves upward by the biasing force of the spring, the upper plate ball removal button 222 rises, and the ball removal member 143 rotates by the operating lever 143c that is in contact with the operation transmission portion 242b, and the partition portion 143a is positioned between the inlet 141a and the ball removal port 141b and returns to the original state.

[0391] In this way, the upper plate ball remo...

Claims

Claim 1 A gaming machine comprising: a game board having a flow-down area for game balls on the front side; and a center accessory attached to the game board and having a predetermined stage portion on which the game balls can roll in the left-right direction. The center accessory has a protruding wall portion that is transparent and protrudes forward of the front surface of the game board. The protruding amount of the protruding wall portion is such that the game balls during the game do not pass in front of the protruding wall portion. The front end surface of the protruding wall portion has a general area where no demolding trace portion is provided and a specific area where a demolding trace portion is provided. During the game, the game balls flowing down the flow-down area do not come into contact with the general area and the specific area. A predetermined light-emitting means is provided behind the specific area. Furthermore, the protruding wall portion is located above the stage portion. The stage portion includes a bottom wall member that can roll the game balls in the left-right direction and has a ball discharge portion that can drop the rolling game balls toward a special area. At least a part of the demolding trace portion provided on the bottom wall member is provided to be substantially symmetric about the virtual center line of the ball discharge portion. Furthermore, the front end surface of the protruding wall portion has a plurality of the specific areas. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Game machine

    JP2004113667A

  • Pachinko game machine

    JP2008264524A

  • Pachinko game machine

    JP2010094203A

  • Game machine

    JP2014223202A

  • Game machine

    JP2015029640A

Cited By

  • Game machine

    JP2024116787A