gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preventing occurrence of inconvenience by collision of a detection piece and detection means.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: a decoration part 6233 operable from a first position to a second position; a motor 6211 for driving the decoration part 6233; a detection piece 6234 moving following operation of the decoration part 6233; and second detection means 6221b for detecting the detection piece 6234. The second detection means 6221b includes closed state guidance means 6216 that is disposed in a position permitting detection of the detection piece 6234 when the decoration part 6233 operates to a second position, and guides the detection piece 6234 to the second detection means 6221b when the decoration part 6233 moves from a first position to a second position. The closed state guidance means 6216 has a groove part 6218 into which the detection piece 6234 is inserted, and the groove part 6218 is formed so as to be narrower in a groove part formed in an edge side close to the second detection means 6221b than a groove part formed in an edge side far from the second detection means 6221b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 204

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines, when a predetermined variable display start condition is met, such as when a gaming ball passes through a passing area provided in a gaming area in which the launched gaming ball can roll, control is executed to variably display a pattern as identification information on the display area of the image display device, and control is executed to derive and display the variably displayed pattern, and when the derively displayed pattern forms a predetermined combination (specific display mode), a transition to a jackpot gaming state that is advantageous to the player has been provided.

[0003] As this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine provided with an index that detects the movement of the shutter part and a detection sensor has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-111192 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional gaming machines described above have a problem in that static electricity charged to the gaming components can be short-circuited through the through holes to the electronic components provided on the back side of the gaming board.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide an amusement machine that can prevent static electricity charged to a gaming component from shorting out to an electronic component. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following gaming machine. The present invention provides A gaming machine equipped with a gaming board on which a gaming ball can roll, The game board is A plurality of game components formed of an electrostatic material and capable of changing the rolling direction of the game ball; and an electronic component including a wiring connection portion connected to wiring on the back side of the game board, A first hole portion for arranging a first game component; A second hole portion for arranging a second game component different from the first game component; a third hole formed in the vicinity of the first hole and the second hole for disposing a member including the electronic component; The first game component is disposed in the first hole portion from the front side of the game board, The second game component is disposed in the second hole portion from the front side of the game board, An insulating member is provided on the back side of the game board, at least a portion of which is formed over the inside of the third hole portion, for ensuring a first creepage distance from the first game component to the wiring connection portion via the first hole portion, and a second creepage distance from the second game component to the wiring connection portion via the second hole portion; The insulating member is an inner contact portion that contacts the electronic component; The third hole is in contact with the game board so as to cover the outer periphery of the third hole. On the other hand, the electronic component is not in contact with the an outer abutment portion; At least a part of the inner abutment portion abuts against the electronic component at a portion that protrudes further toward the back side of the game board than the back side of the game board, A gaming machine characterized in that a portion that abuts against the gaming board and fixes the insulating member to the gaming board, and a portion that abuts against the electronic component and fixes the electronic component to the insulating member are formed in a single member.

[0008] The gaming machine according to the present invention comprises: A movable body (e.g., decorative parts 6233, 6243, etc.) that can move from a first position to a second position; A driving means (for example, a motor 6211) for driving the movable body; A detection piece (e.g., detection piece 6234, 6244, etc.) that moves with the movement of the movable body; and a detection means (for example, a first detection means 6221a, a second detection means 6221b, etc.) for detecting the detection piece, the detection means is disposed at a position where it can detect the detection piece when the movable body is moved to the second position, a guide means (e.g., an open state guide means 6215, a closed state guide means 6216, etc.) that guides the detection piece to the detection means when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, The guide means has a groove (e.g., groove 6218) into which the detection piece is inserted, The groove portion is characterized in that the groove portion formed on the end of the guiding means closer to the detection means is narrower than the groove portion formed on the end of the guiding means farther from the detection means (for example, guide portion 6218b, etc.).

[0009] According to this configuration, the guide means is provided to guide the detection piece to the detection means when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. As a result, when the movable body moves from the first position to the second position, the detection piece is guided to the detection means by the guiding means, thereby making it possible to avoid problems such as the detection piece moving to a position outside the detectable range of the detection means or colliding with the detection means.

[0010] The guide means also has a groove into which the detection piece is inserted, and the groove formed on the end closer to the detection means is narrower than the groove formed on the end farther from the detection means. This means that when the detection piece moves along the groove from the end farthest from the detection means to the end closest to it, it is guided from the relatively wide groove to the relatively narrow groove, making it possible to guide the detection piece more smoothly to the detection means. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent malfunctions caused by collisions between the detection piece and the detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent static electricity charged to gaming components from shorting out to electronic components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front side. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic front view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded oblique view showing the tray unit detached in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the top decoration is cut off in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the right decorative member and the left decorative member are separated in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] A schematic oblique view of the tray unit shown from a diagonal right direction. [Figure 7] A schematic oblique view of the tray unit shown from a diagonal left direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the tray unit. [Figure 9] A schematic side view showing the right side of the tray unit. [Figure 10] A schematic side view showing the left side of the tray unit. [Figure 11] A schematic oblique view showing the tray unit from a diagonal downward direction. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which some parts of the plate unit have been removed. [Figure 14] A schematic front view showing the state in which some parts of the plate unit have been removed. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the speaker and its surroundings in the dish unit. [Figure 16] 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air blowing mechanism around the speaker in the dish unit. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the operation of the air blowing mechanism. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an internal plan view for explaining the operation of the air blowing mechanism. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the operation of the air blowing mechanism. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an internal plan view for explaining the operation of the air blowing mechanism. [Figure 21] 1 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] 1 is a diagram for explaining various tables of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a schematic plan view showing the inner light guide plate of the right decorative member. FIG. [Figure 25] 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the rear incident end surface of the inner light guide plate in the right decorative member. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway rear view showing the rear incident end surface of the inner light guide plate in the right decorative member. [Figure 27] 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the front end surface of the inner light guide plate in the right decorative member. FIG. [Figure 28] 10 is a partially cutaway front view showing the front end surface of the inner light guide plate in the right decorative member. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the central decorative member in the top decorative member. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the central decorative member in the top decorative member. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of the central decorative member in the top decoration. [Figure 32]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the central decorative member in the top decorative member. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is an exploded top view of the central decorative member of the top decorative member. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the right decorative member of the top decorative member. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing some parts of the right decorative member in the top decoration. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing some parts of the right decorative member in the top decoration. [Figure 37] This is a schematic top view showing the right side of some parts of the right decorative member in the top decoration. [Figure 38] This is a schematic top view showing the left side of some parts of the right decorative member in the top decoration. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a schematic rear view showing some parts of the right decorative member in the top decoration. [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a modified example of the air blowing mechanism. [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a main body frame in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 44] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting frame in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 45] FIG. 10 is a top view of a gaming board in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a top view of a gaming board in a gaming machine according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 47] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mounting base in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 48] FIG. 10 is a front view of a mounting base in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 49] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main body frame in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 50] 10 is a diagram illustrating the optical axis of the projection light emitted from the projector unit in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 51] 10 is a perspective view of a cover member in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 52] 10 is a perspective view of a cover member in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 53] 10 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the game board relay board, the board hole of the mounting base, and the opening of the cover member in the game machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 54] FIG. 10 is a top view of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 55] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a main body frame in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 56] 10 is an exploded perspective view of a first guide gutter and a second guide gutter in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 57] 10 is an exploded perspective view of a first guide gutter and a second guide gutter in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 58] FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view showing a payout device in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 59] 10 is a perspective view showing a ball passage unit included in a payout device in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 60] 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball passage unit in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 61] This is an exploded oblique view showing the ball passage unit in a different orientation from Figure 60. [Figure 62] 10 is a plan view showing a first guide path of a ball passage unit in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 63] 10 is a plan view showing the second guide path of the ball passage unit in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 64]10 is a perspective view showing an outlet of a gaming board in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 65] 10 is a perspective view showing a ball detection unit located behind the outlet in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the gaming board removed. FIG. [Figure 66] 10 is a perspective view showing the entire ball detection unit in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 67] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball detection unit in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 68] This is an exploded oblique view showing the ball detection unit in a different orientation from Figure 67. [Figure 69] FIG. 10 is an internal side view of the right-side component that constitutes the ball detection unit in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 70] FIG. 10 is an internal side view of the left component that constitutes the ball detection unit in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 71] 10 is a top view of a protruding piece member that constitutes a ball detection unit in an amusement machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 72] 10 is an overall perspective view showing a glass door on which a tray unit is provided in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 73] 10 is an overall front view showing the front of a glass door in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 74] 10 is an enlarged oblique view showing the entirety of a dish unit in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 75] 10 is an exploded perspective view of a tray unit in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 76] FIG. 10 is a top view of a dish unit in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 77] 10 is a top view of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the tray cover member of the tray unit removed. FIG. [Figure 78]10 is an oblique view of the main body, ball removal passage member, and lid opening / closing section of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 79] FIG. 79 is an exploded view of the view shown in FIG. 78. [Figure 80] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ball removal passage member in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 81] 81 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. 80. [Figure 82] 81 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 80 along BB'. [Figure 83] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a ball removal passage member in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 84] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 85] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 86] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 87] FIG. 10 is a front view of a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 88] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a circuit board case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 89] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a circuit board case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 90] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a circuit board case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 91] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a circuit board case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 92] FIG. 10 is a front view of a circuit board case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 93] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the circuit board case of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 94] FIG. 11 is a side view of an upper member in a base case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 95] FIG. 11 is a side view of an upper member in a base case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 96] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged side view of an upper member of a base case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 97] FIG. 11 is a front view of the inside of a lower member in a base case of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 98] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state before the upper and lower members are assembled in the base case of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 99] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the state after the upper and lower members have been assembled in the base case of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 100] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rotational state of a board case in a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 101] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rotational state of a board case in a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 102] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a board case is attached to a base member of a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 103] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a board case is attached to a base member of a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 104] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a board case is attached to a base member of a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 105] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before the board case is attached to the base member of the board unit of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 106] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before the board case is attached to the base member of the board unit of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 107] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before the board case is attached to the base member of the board unit of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 108] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rotational state of a board case in a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 109] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a sealing member attached to a base member of a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 110] 10 is a top view showing a rotational state of a board case in a board unit of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 111] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a front door of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 112] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the front door of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 113] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the front door of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 114] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a transparent plate unit in a front door of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 115] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a transparent plate unit in a front door of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 116] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a transparent plate unit in a front door of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 117] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the transparent plate unit in the front door of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 118] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a transparent plate unit in a front door of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 119] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembled state of the front door of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 120] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembled state of the front door of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 121] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a launch handle of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 122] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a launch handle of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 123] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a launch handle of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 124] FIG. 10 is an exploded side view showing the launch handle of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 125] 10 is a front view showing a handle grip of a launch handle of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 126] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the handle grip of the launch handle of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 127] 10 is a front view showing a base member of a launch handle of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 128] 10 is a rear view showing the base member of the launch handle of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 129] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a blower mechanism of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 130] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the air blowing mechanism of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 131] 10 is an internal plan view showing the inside of the air blowing mechanism of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 132] FIG. 11 is an internal plan view for explaining the operation of the air blowing mechanism of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 133] FIG. 11 is a left side view illustrating the operation of the air blowing mechanism of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 134] FIG. 11 is an internal plan view for explaining the operation of the air blowing mechanism of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 135] FIG. 11 is a left side view illustrating the operation of the air blowing mechanism of the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 136] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 137] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 138] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 139]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 140] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 141] An oblique view showing the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 142] A front view showing the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 143] A rear view showing the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 144] A side view showing the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 145] A top view showing a portion of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 146] A front view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 147] A rear view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 148] A front view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 149] A rear view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 150] An oblique view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 151] A front view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 152]A rear view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 153] A side view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 154] An oblique view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 155] A front view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 156] A rear view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 157] A side view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 158] A top view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 159] An oblique view for explaining the operation of the first presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 160] An oblique view showing the lower movable body, left movable body, and right movable body in the first presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 161] An exploded oblique view showing the lower movable body, left movable body, and right movable body in the first presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 162] An exploded oblique view showing the right movable body in the first presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 163] An oblique view showing a portion of the lower movable body and the right movable body in the first presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 164]This is a partially cutaway side view showing the lower movable body, left movable body, and right movable body in the first presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 165] An oblique view showing the second presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 166] A front view showing the second presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 167] A top view showing the second presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 168] A rear view showing the second presentation unit in the main body sub-unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 169] An oblique view for explaining the operation of the upper and lower units in the second presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 170] A front view for explaining the operation of the upper and lower units in the second presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 171] A rear view for explaining the operation of the upper and lower units in the second presentation unit of the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 172] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a game board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 173] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the main parts of the gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 174] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the main parts of the gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 175] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a ball passage cover on a gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 176] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing a ball passage cover on a gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 177] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an opening and closing unit of a gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 178]FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of an opening and closing unit in a gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 179] FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway perspective view for explaining the operation of an opening and closing unit in a gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 180] FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway top view illustrating the operation of an opening and closing unit in a gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 181] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 182] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 183] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 184] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a main body subunit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 185] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a gaming board of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 186] FIG. 11 is an enlarged front perspective view of the area around the passing gate of the gaming board of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 187] FIG. 11 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the area around the passing gate of the gaming board of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 188] FIG. 11 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the area around the passing gate of the gaming board of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 189] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the area around the passing gate of the gaming board of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 190] FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of an electric unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 191] FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of an electric unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 192] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the ball passage cover of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 193]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for clearing ball jams in the ball passage cover of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 194] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for clearing ball jams in the ball passage cover of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 195] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a presentation unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 196] FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of a shutter unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 197] FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the shutter unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 198] FIG. 11 is a front view showing an open state of the shutter unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 199] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a shutter unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. [Figure 200] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the open state of the shutter unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 201] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the shutter unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. [Figure 202] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a configuration for detecting the open state of a shutter unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 203] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the structure for detecting the closed state of the shutter unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 204] 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for detecting the state of a shutter unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 205] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the structure that restricts rearward movement of the middle shutter unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 206] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration for restricting rearward movement of an intermediate shutter unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 207]A front view showing the main body subunit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention with the shutter unit in the closed state. [Figure 208] FIG. 10 is an exploded oblique view of a launch unit of an amusement machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 209] 10 is an oblique view showing the main body of the launch unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 210] A front view showing the main body of the launch unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the initial state. [Figure 211] A front view showing the main body of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the descending state of the launch unit. [Figure 212] A front view showing the main body sub-unit in the state where the launch unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has launched the performance object. [Figure 213] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the initial state of the logo unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 214] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a movable state of the logo unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 215] FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of a logo unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 216] FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the logo unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 217] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the initial state of the base part of the logo unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 218] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a movable state of the base part of the logo unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 219] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a slide member of a logo unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 220] 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for detecting the state of a logo unit of a gaming machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 221] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a main body subunit in which the logo unit of the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is in a movable state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The gaming machine according to the present invention covers all pachinko gaming machines, including enclosed pachinko gaming machines, and all pachislot gaming machines, but in this embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine shown in the drawings will be considered. First, the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0014] "First embodiment" <Characteristic configuration of gaming machines> As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the pachinko gaming machine according to this embodiment has characteristic components in the front frame 3. The components of the front frame 3 include a right base plate 3aa, a left base plate 3ab, and an entire base plate 3ac that make up the front frame base plate, as well as a transparent plate unit 7, a dish unit 8, a top ornament 14, a right ornamental member 15, and a left ornamental member 16. The dish unit 8 is attached to the lower part of the entire base plate 3ac. The top ornament 14 is attached to the upper parts of the right base plate 3aa and the left base plate 3ab. The right ornamental member 15 is attached to the lower part of the right base plate 3aa, and the left ornamental member 16 is attached to the lower part of the left base plate 3ab. The main characteristic components will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <About Dish Unit 8> As shown in Figures 6 to 14, the tray unit 8 has an upper tray upper cover 8a, a lower tray cover 8b, an undercover 8c, a support member 8d, a first operation unit 9A, a second operation unit 9B, a speaker unit 10, a blower mechanism 110, a light-emitting unit 12, an upper tray 17, and a lower tray 18. The upper tray 17 is provided at a position toward the left of the upper part of the support member 8d, the first operation unit 9A is provided at a position toward the center of the upper part of the support member 8d, adjacent to the right of the upper tray 17, and the second operation unit 9B is provided at a position toward the right of the upper part of the support member 8d, adjacent to the right of the first operation unit 9A. The lower tray 18 is provided at the lower left of the support member 8d below the upper tray 17, the speaker unit 10 is provided at the lower center of the support member 8d to the right of the lower tray 18, the blower mechanism 110 is provided at the lower right of the support member 8d to the right of the speaker unit 10, and the light-emitting unit 12 is provided at the lower right of the support member 8d to the right of the blower mechanism 110 and to the left of the launching device 26. The first operation unit 9A, the second operation unit 9B, the speaker unit 10, the blower mechanism 110, the light-emitting unit 12, the upper tray 17, and the lower tray 18 are covered by the upper tray upper cover 8a, the lower tray cover 8b, and the under cover 8c so as to expose the operating members (operation buttons) of the first operation unit 9A and the second operation unit 9B, which will be described later, and the top surfaces of the upper tray 17 and the lower tray 18. The upper tray top cover 8a, part of the lower tray cover 8b, and the under cover 8c are detachable.

[0016] [Upper tray 17 and lower tray 18] The upper tray 17 has an upper tray body 17p capable of storing game balls, as well as a payout outlet 170 for paying out game balls to the upper tray body 17p. The lower tray 18 has a lower tray body 18p capable of storing game balls, as well as a discharge outlet 180 for discharging game balls to the lower tray body 18p, and a ball ejection section 181 for dropping game balls to the lower outside of the lower tray body 18p.

[0017] [First operation unit 9A] The first operation unit 9A includes an operation member (operation button) 2000 that can be operated by a player, a press detection sensor 2035 (not shown), an illumination board 2183 (not shown), and the like. The operation member 2000 of the first operation unit 9A is exposed from an opening provided in the center of the upper tray upper cover 8a, and the pressing operation surface of the operation member 2000 is formed in a circular shape. As is clear from the performance lottery table (see FIG. 22) described later, this operation member 2000 is provided as a button for operation performance that is used relatively frequently. The press detection sensor 2035 and the illumination board 2183 are connected to the sub-control board 33 (see FIG. 21) described later via dedicated wiring such as a harness (not shown). As a result, when the operation member 2000 is pressed, an operation signal from the press detection sensor 2035 is supplied to the sub-control board 33.

[0018] [Second operation unit 9B] The second operation unit 9B is configured by mounting on a common board 3200, together with the ball lending button 23 and the return button 24, a push button 3000 that the player operates to perform an operation effect, and a cross button 3100 that the player operates to perform a selection. The ball lending button 23, the return button 24, the push button 3000, and the cross button 3100 have their respective displacements detected by push detection sensors provided on the common board 3200. The common board 3200 is connected to the sub-control board 33 and the card unit device CU (see FIG. 21 ) described below via wiring such as a harness (not shown). As a result, when the ball lending button 23 or the return button 24 is pressed, a ball lending operation signal or a return operation signal is supplied from the common board 3200 to the card unit device CU by the push detection sensor, while when the push button 3000 or the cross button 3100 is pressed, a performance operation signal or a selection operation signal is supplied from the common board 3200 by the push detection sensor to the sub-control board 33. The push button 3000 of the second operation unit 9B is exposed from an opening provided in a position near the right of the upper tray upper cover 8a, and the push operation surface of the push button 3000 is formed in a rectangular shape. As will be apparent from the effect lottery table (see FIG. 22) described later, this push button 3000 is provided as a button for operation effects that are used relatively infrequently. Here, the cross button 3100 and the push button 3000 are both formed in a substantially rectangular shape with straight sides, and the straight sides are arranged opposite each other.

[0019] [Speaker unit 10] The speaker unit 10 is a bass-reflex type that amplifies low-frequency sounds and includes a speaker 10c and an enclosure 10e. The speaker 10c is located in front of the enclosure 10e, and the front of the speaker 10c is covered by a speaker cover 10k located in the center of the front of the bottom tray cover 8b. Sound generated in front of the speaker 10c is transmitted directly to the player through the speaker cover 10k, while sound generated in the rear of the speaker 10c is trapped inside the enclosure 10e.

[0020] The enclosure 10e is formed with a relatively large volume to contain the sound generated from the rear of the speaker 10c so as not to interfere with the sound generated from the front. As shown in FIG. 14, the upper left portion 10ea of the enclosure 10e is formed so as to extend above the right side of the lower tray 18. The upper left portion 10ea of the enclosure 10e is also positioned so as to contact the bottom of the upper tray main body 17p. Furthermore, the lower left portion 10eb of the enclosure 10e is positioned so as to contact the right end of the lower tray main body 18p.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 16, an opening 10ec leading to a conduit (not shown) provided inside the enclosure 10e is provided at the lower right end of the enclosure 10e. This conduit and opening 10ec resonate and amplify the sound emitted from the rear of the speaker 10c into the enclosure 10e, propagating it to the outside through the so-called Helmholtz resonance principle. The sound propagating to the outside through the opening 10ec overlaps with the sound emitted from the front of the speaker 10c, creating a rich, powerful bass sound. When sound is generated from the speaker 10c, air flows out through the opening 10ec in conjunction with the sound generation. When no sound is generated from the speaker 10c, no air flows out through the opening 10ec.

[0022] According to such a speaker unit 10, the upper left portion 10ea of the enclosure 10e has a partially bulging shape, so that it is possible to secure a larger volume than, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped enclosure, and powerful bass sounds can be generated from the speaker 10c with sufficient sound pressure.

[0023] Furthermore, when sound is generated from the speaker 10c, wind can be simultaneously blown outward from the opening 10ec of the enclosure 10e with sufficient wind pressure.

[0024] Furthermore, when sound is generated by the speaker 10c, the entire enclosure 10e vibrates in response to the sound pressure, but because the upper left portion 10ea and the lower left portion 10eb of the enclosure 10e are in contact with a portion of the upper tray body 17p and the lower tray body 18p, the vibration is also transmitted to the entire upper tray body 17p and the lower tray body 18p. As a result, even when a large number of game balls are stored in the upper tray body 17p or the lower tray body 18p, the vibration can effectively prevent the game balls from clogging the payout opening 170 and the discharge opening 180.

[0025] [Blower mechanism 110] The air blowing mechanism 110 switches the direction of airflow sent out from the opening 10ec of the enclosure 10e, and is disposed adjacent to the right side surface of the enclosure 10e. As shown in Figures 17 and 19, the air blowing mechanism 110 includes cover members 110A and 110B that can be separated into two left and right halves, a solenoid 111, a slide member 112, a link member 113, a spring 114, an opening / closing member 115, and an opening / closing detection sensor 116. The solenoid 111, the slide member 112, the link member 113, the spring 114, the opening / closing member 115, and the opening / closing detection sensor 116 are housed inside the cover members 110A and 110B.

[0026] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the cover member 110A has a space 110a that can be closed or opened by the opening / closing member 115 in the direction directly facing the opening 10ec of the enclosure 10e. The lower part of the space 110a is always open regardless of whether the opening / closing member 115 is closed or open, and a vent hole 8ca provided in the undercover 8c is located there (see Figure 16). As shown in Figures 17 and 19, the cover member 110B has an opening 110b in a position opposite the space 110a. To the right of the opening 110b is an air outlet 80 provided in the right lower side cover 8ba, which is detachable as part of the bottom tray cover 8b (see Figures 12, 15, and 16). As a result, when the opening / closing member 115 closes the space 110a, the air blown out from the opening 10ec is blocked by the opening / closing member 115 and is guided downward into the space 110a without passing through the opening 110b. The air guided downward into the space 110a is discharged to the outside through the ventilation opening 8ca in the undercover 8c. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 115 opens the space 110a, the air discharged from the opening 10ec flows in a generally straight line without being blocked by the opening / closing member 115, passes through the space 110a and the opening 110b, and is then discharged to the outside through the air outlet 80 in the lower right side cover 8ba. The launching handle 26b of the launching device 26 is positioned generally directly opposite the air outlet 80, and the air discharged from the air outlet 80 hits the player's hand holding the launching handle 26b. In other words, the air flow path from the opening 10ec through the space 110a, the opening 110b, and the air outlet 80 to the launching handle 26b is generally straight, so the air can reach the player's hand holding the launching handle 26b without weakening the air pressure as much as possible, ensuring that the player can feel the air. Furthermore, whether the opening / closing member 115 is in the closed or open state, the sound blown out from the opening 10ec together with the wind is released to the outside through either the air outlet 80 or the ventilation opening 8ca, so that deep bass can be fully experienced without reducing the acoustic effect due to Helmholtz resonance.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the solenoid 111 has a plunger 111a that can extend and retract in response to an on / off operation. The tip of the plunger 111a is connected to a slide member 112. The slide member 112 is supported by the cover member 110A so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. A long hole 112a is formed in the slide member 112 so as to extend long in the vertical direction. A connecting portion 113a of a link member 113 is movably engaged with this long hole 112a. A base end portion 113b of the link member 113 is rotatably supported by the cover member 110A, and one end of a spring 114 is engaged with a portion of the link member 113 near the tip end. The other end of the spring 114 is engaged with an appropriate portion of the cover member 110A. A long hole 113c is formed in the tip of the link member 113. A connecting pin 115a provided on the opening / closing member 115 is movably engaged with this elongated hole 113c. The opening / closing member 115 is guided by the cover member 110A so as to be movable between a closed position where it remains in the space 110a and an open position where it is displaced from the space 110a. The opening / closing detection sensor 116 is configured, for example, as a touch sensor or a proximity sensor, and when the opening / closing member 115 is in the open position, it detects that the space 110a is in an open state by abutting or approaching a part of the link member 113. When the opening / closing member 115 is in the closed position, it detects that the space 110a is in a closed state by moving the link member 113 away from the opening / closing detection sensor 116. The opening / closing detection sensor 116 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 33.

[0028] 17 and 18, when the solenoid 111 is in the off state and the plunger 111a is in the protruding position, the slide member 112 is positioned to the left in the figures, and the tip end side of the link member 113 is pulled by the spring 114, so that the open / close member 115 connected to the long hole 113c at the tip end of the link member 113 via the connecting pin 115a remains at the closing position of the space 110a, bringing the space 110a into a closed state. At this time, the link member 113 is located away from the open / close detection sensor 116, and therefore a detection signal indicating the closed state is supplied from the open / close detection sensor 116 to the sub-control board 33.

[0029] 19 and 20, when the solenoid 111 is turned on, the plunger 111a moves from the extended position to the retracted position. When the plunger 111a moves to the retracted position, the slide member 112 moves to the right in the figure, and the tip end of the link member 113 rotates counterclockwise around the base end 113b against the pulling force of the spring 114. As a result, the open / close member 115, which is connected to the elongated hole 113c of the link member 113 via the connecting pin 115a, moves from the space 110a to a retracted position on the right side in the figure, thereby opening the space 110a. At this time, the link member 113 abuts or comes into close proximity with the open / close detection sensor 116, and the open / close detection sensor 116 supplies a detection signal indicating the open state to the sub-control board 33.

[0030] With this type of air blowing mechanism 110, the airflow path from opening 10ec through air outlet 80 to launching handle 26b is generally linear, and space 110a located between opening 10ec and air outlet 80 is controlled to be open or closed. When space 110a is closed, the airflow from opening 10ec can be guided to vent 8ca located below space 110a. When space 110a is open, the airflow from opening 10ec can be guided in a straight line from space 110a through opening 110b to air outlet 80. The air leaving air outlet 80 flows in a straight line toward launching handle 26b and hits the player's hand holding launching handle 26b. This allows the player to hear the deep bass and feel the wind through their skin. When the wind from the opening 10ec is guided to the ventilation opening 8ca, the player's hands are not placed near the ventilation opening 8ca, so that the player can perceive only deep bass sounds with his / her ears without feeling the wind, for example.

[0031] [Lighting Unit 12] The light-emitting unit 12, which projects light onto the player's hand gripping the launch handle 26b, is located diagonally above and to the left of the launch handle 26b. While not shown in detail, the light-emitting unit 12 includes multiple LEDs as light-emitting means, a light-emitting board on which the LEDs are mounted, and a light guide plate for directing the light from the LEDs in a predetermined direction. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, a light-emitting window 81 is provided in the upper right side cover 8bb, which is a removable part of the lower tray cover 8b, in the predetermined direction toward which the light from the light-emitting unit 12 is directed. Light from the light-emitting unit 12 passes through the light-emitting window 81 and is directed toward the launch handle 26b, projecting as a spotlight onto the player's hand gripping the launch handle 26b. This allows the light to stimulate the player's visual senses in addition to the sensation of wind that appeals to the skin and the deep bass that appeals to the ears.

[0032] [Electrical configuration of gaming machine] Next, the control circuit of the gaming machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 21. In Fig. 21, "switch" is abbreviated as "SW" and "solenoid" is abbreviated as "SOL".

[0033] As shown in FIG. 21, the gaming machine has a main control board 28 as a main control means for controlling the game, and a sub-control board 33 as a sub-control means for controlling the presentation according to the progress of the game.

[0034] The main control board 28 includes a main CPU 280, a main ROM 281 which is a read-only memory, a main RAM 282 which is a read / write memory, an initial reset circuit 283, an I / O port 284, a command output port 285 as a command transmission means, a reset clock pulse generating circuit 286, and a game information output circuit 287. The main control board 28 is connected to various devices (equipment, switches, etc.).

[0035] The main CPU 280 is connected to a main ROM 281 and a main RAM 282, and has the function of executing various processes in accordance with the programs stored in the main ROM 281.

[0036] The main control board 28 is connected to a first start hole switch 311 arranged behind a first start hole (not shown) on the gaming board 1. When a gaming ball is detected by the first start hole switch 311, a winning lottery is held.

[0037] The main control board 28 is connected to a second start hole switch 312 arranged behind a second start hole (not shown) on the gaming board 1. When a gaming ball is detected by the second start hole switch 312, a winning lottery is held.

[0038] When these first start port switch 311 and second start port switch 312 detect that a game ball has entered the first start port or the second start port, they supply a predetermined detection signal to the main control board 28, indicating that a prize has been won.

[0039] A passing gate switch 314 arranged behind a passing gate (not shown) on the gaming board 1 is connected to the main control board 28. When a gaming ball is detected by the passing gate switch 314, it is determined that the gaming ball has entered the passing gate, and a normal symbol lottery is held. The result of this normal symbol lottery is displayed on the normal symbol display unit 5A provided on the gaming board 1. When a specific symbol is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display unit 5A, an effect image may be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 to inform the player that the result of the normal symbol lottery has been won.

[0040] When the passing gate switch 314 detects that the gaming ball has passed through the passing gate, it determines that a win has occurred and supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control board 28. This causes the passing gate switch 314 to trigger the opening of the second starting port.

[0041] A general winning port switch 310, which is located behind a general winning port (not shown) provided on the gaming board 1, is connected to the main control board 28. When a gaming ball is detected by the general winning port switch 310, a preset number of winning balls are dispensed by the payout device 35.

[0042] A first large prize opening count switch 315, which is located at the back of the first large prize opening (not shown) on the gaming board 1, is connected to the main control board 28. The first large prize opening count switch 315 is used to count the number of game balls that have entered the first large prize opening. When the first large prize opening count switch 315 detects that a game ball has entered, the payout device 35 pays out a preset number of game balls as prize balls to the upper tray 17 or the lower tray 18 through the payout opening 170 or the discharge opening 180.

[0043] A second large prize opening count switch 316, which is located at the back of the second large prize opening (not shown) on the gaming board 1, is connected to the main control board 28. The second large prize opening count switch 316 is used to count the number of game balls that have entered the second large prize opening. When the second large prize opening count switch 316 detects that a game ball has entered, the payout device 35 pays out a preset number of game balls as prize balls to the upper tray 17 or the lower tray 18 via the payout opening 170 or the discharge opening 180.

[0044] These first large prize opening count switch 315 and second large prize opening count switch 316 supply a predetermined detection signal to the main control board 28 when a gaming ball passes through the first large prize opening and the second large prize opening.

[0045] A specific area switch 317A and a non-specific area switch 317B, which are arranged in a specific area and a non-specific area (not shown) inside the second large winning opening, are connected to the main control board 28. When the specific area switch 317A detects that a gaming ball has passed through the specific area in a jackpot gaming state, it supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control board 28, indicating a V winning. When the non-specific area switch 317B detects that a gaming ball has passed through the non-specific area in a jackpot gaming state, it supplies a predetermined detection signal to the main control board 28, indicating a non-V winning.

[0046] Main control board 28 exclusively controls first large prize opening solenoid 315A, which drives a first large prize opening shutter (not shown) that opens and closes the first large prize opening, and second large prize opening solenoid 316A, which drives a second large prize opening shutter (not shown) that opens and closes the second large prize opening. As a result, the first large prize opening shutter is driven to change between an open state (first mode) in which it is easy for game balls to enter the first large prize opening, and a closed state (second mode) in which it is impossible or difficult for game balls to enter, and in a situation in which the first large prize opening is at least in a closed state, the second large prize opening shutter is driven to change between an open state in which it is possible for game balls to enter the second large prize opening, and a closed state in which it is impossible or difficult for game balls to enter. The first large prize opening shutter and the second large prize opening shutter are driven to open the first large prize opening and the second large prize opening when the special pattern appears in a specific stopped display mode in the first special pattern display section 5C or the second special pattern display section 5D provided on the game board 1, and the game transitions to a jackpot game state.

[0047] The main control board 28 controls the blade member solenoid 313 that opens and closes the blade member (not shown) provided in the second starting hole. As a result, when a normal symbol is displayed in a predetermined light-emitting manner on the normal symbol display unit 5A, the blade member opens for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second starting hole.

[0048] For example, in the normal symbol game of this embodiment, the winning probability of a normal symbol in a game state other than the time-saving game state (non-probability variable, non-time-saving game state) is 1 / 256, and the vane members are not released. On the other hand, the winning probability of a normal symbol in a high-probability state (time-saving game state) is, for example, 255 / 256, and when this is won, the vane members are released three times, for example, for 1.3 seconds. Also, the number of normal symbols that become winning symbols in the normal symbol game is one, and the maximum winning count when the second starting hole is opened is 10 counts (10 symbols).

[0049] The main control board 28 controls a displacement member solenoid 318 that operates to open and close a displacement member (not shown) in a specific area within the second large winning opening. As a result, when a round game in a jackpot gaming state is being played, the displacement member is in an open state for a specified time and a specified number of times, making it easier for gaming balls to pass through the specific area. On the other hand, when the displacement member is in a closed state even in a jackpot gaming state, it becomes impossible or difficult for gaming balls to pass through the specific area, and it becomes easier for gaming balls to pass through the non-specific area.

[0050] When a gaming ball is detected by first start gate switch 311 while first special pattern display unit 5C or second special pattern display unit 5D is displaying a variable display, first special pattern reserve display unit 5E displays the number of reserved first special pattern symbols that will be used to execute (start) the variable display of the first special pattern based on the entry of a gaming ball into the first start gate, that is, the reserved number for the first special pattern, until the first special pattern or second special pattern being displayed in the variable display is displayed as a static display in first special pattern display unit 5C or second special pattern display unit 5D. When the variable display of the first special pattern or second special pattern is displayed as a static display, the variable display of the first special pattern that was reserved as the reserved number for the first special pattern begins.

[0051] If a gaming ball is detected by the second start gate switch 312 while the first special pattern display unit 5C or the second special pattern display unit 5D is displaying a variable display, the second special pattern reserve display unit 5F displays the number of reserved second special patterns for which the execution (start) of the variable display of the second special pattern based on the entry of a gaming ball into the second start gate is reserved, that is, the reserved number for the second special pattern, until the first special pattern or the second special pattern being displayed variable is displayed stationary in the first special pattern display unit 5C or the second special pattern display unit 5D. When the first special pattern or the second special pattern being displayed variable is displayed stationary, the variable display of the second special pattern that was reserved as the reserved number for the second special pattern begins.

[0052] Here, in the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority of the variable display of the first special pattern and the second special pattern is set so that the second special pattern has priority over the first special pattern, but the corresponding first special pattern and second special pattern may also be displayed in variable order according to the order of winning at the first start port and the second start port.

[0053] In addition, an upper limit is set for the number of reserved executions of the variable display of special symbols, and in this embodiment, the main CPU 280 stores up to four (i.e., four detection times) of the reserved numbers of the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol when the game ball enters the first start port and the second start port and is detected by the first start port switch 311 and the second start port switch 312, and does not store the fifth or subsequent numbers as the reserved number. At this time, when the reserved number decreases due to the end of the variable display of the special symbol, the reserved number is increased again up to an upper limit of four.

[0054] When the number of reserved first special pattern games in the first special pattern display section 5C is, for example, up to four, information on the special pattern game corresponding to the changing first special pattern display section 5C is stored as start memory in the first special pattern start memory area (0) of the main RAM 282, and thereafter, information on the special pattern games for which the number of reserved games is four is stored sequentially as start memory in the first special pattern start memory areas (1) to (4) of the main RAM 282.

[0055] Similarly, for the second special pattern game in the second special pattern display section 5D, when the number of reserved second special pattern games is, for example, four, information on the second special pattern game corresponding to the changing second special pattern display section 5D is stored as start memory in the second special pattern start memory area (0) of the main RAM 282, and thereafter, information on the second special pattern games for which the number of reserved games is four is stored sequentially as start memory in the second special pattern start memory areas (1) to (4) of the main RAM 282.

[0056] Therefore, the maximum number of game balls reserved for the special pattern game resulting from winning the first starting hole and the second starting hole is eight in total, and the number of reserved balls displayed by the first special pattern reserved display unit 5E and the second special pattern reserved display unit 5F is four each.

[0057] The first large prize opening shutter keeps the first large prize opening open until one of two conditions is met: the count value (number of winning game balls) by first large prize opening count switch 315 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10 winning balls), or a predetermined opening time, described below, has elapsed. When the number of winning game balls reaches the predetermined number, or when the opening time of the first large prize opening shutter has elapsed, the first large prize opening shutter is driven to close the first large prize opening.

[0058] Similarly, the second large prize opening shutter keeps the second large prize opening open until one of two conditions is met: the count value (number of winning game balls) by second large prize opening count switch 316 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10 winning balls), or the predetermined opening time described below has elapsed. When the number of winning game balls reaches the predetermined number, or when the opening time of the second large prize opening shutter has elapsed, the second large prize opening shutter is driven to close the second large prize opening.

[0059] In a jackpot game state, the first and second large prize openings are repeatedly opened and closed based on a preset large prize opening opening / closing pattern (a winning opening / closing pattern). In a jackpot game state, a game in which the first and second large prize openings are each opened and closed a predetermined number of times based on the large prize opening opening / closing pattern (a winning opening / closing pattern) is called a "round game (round game)." A round game (round game) is sometimes simply called a "round." The period from when the first or second large prize opening is closed in one round game to when the first or second large prize opening is opened in the next round game is also called the "inter-round game," "inter-round interval," or simply "interval." In one round game, the first and second large prize openings may each be opened and closed multiple times. Furthermore, in one round game, the open / closed states of the first and second major prize openings are exclusively controlled. That is, in one round game, while one major prize opening is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times, the other major prize opening is continuously closed.

[0060] The gaming machine of this embodiment also includes a so-called small win gaming state, a gaming state with a different nature from the big win gaming state. Unlike the big win gaming state, the small win gaming state is not defined by the concept of a round game. In this small win gaming state, the second large prize entry port is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times. Of course, in the small win gaming state, any or specific large prize entry port may be controlled to repeatedly open once or multiple times. This small win gaming state is a gaming state that is entered upon winning a small win through a special symbol lottery. The gaming state does not generally change between before and after the entry into the small win gaming state. For example, if a small win is won in a non-probability variable gaming state and the game enters the small win gaming state, the gaming state after the small win gaming state ends remains the non-probability variable gaming state before the entry into the small win gaming state, and does not enter the probability variable gaming state. Similarly, when a small win occurs in a probability variable game state and the game state shifts to a small win game state, the game state after the small win game state ends remains the probability variable game state before the shift to the small win game state as long as the number of games in the probability variable game state remains, and the game state does not shift to a non-probability variable game state.

[0061] Round games are counted as the number of rounds (number of times), such as 1 round, 2 rounds, etc. In one round game, if the upper limit number of wins per round is reached before the first major prize opening or the second major prize opening is opened a predetermined number of times, the first major prize opening and the second major prize opening are closed, and the round game is ended without the first major prize opening and the second major prize opening being opened for the remaining number of times.

[0062] Furthermore, in a specific round game in which the second large prize opening is in an open state during a jackpot gaming state, the displacement member is controlled based on a preset operation pattern (displacement member operation pattern). As a result, the specific area is in an open state or a closed state during a specific round game during a jackpot gaming state. That is, in a specific round game, it is possible for a gaming ball to pass through the specific area and win a V prize, while in round games other than the specific round game, even if the gaming ball wins the second large prize opening, it is impossible or difficult for the gaming ball to pass through the specific area. In other words, there are types of jackpot gaming states: jackpot gaming states that include a specific round game, and jackpot gaming states that do not include a specific round game.

[0063] On the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4, effect images related to the special symbols displayed in the first special symbol display section 5C and the second special symbol display section 5D are displayed. For example, during the variable display of the special symbols displayed in the first special symbol display section 5C and the second special symbol display section 5D, except in specific cases, three rows of symbols (decorative symbols) consisting of numbers, such as numbers "0," "1," "2," ... "7," are displayed in a variable manner.

[0064] On the other hand, when the special symbols that have been variably displayed on the first special symbol display section 5C and the second special symbol display section 5D are statically displayed, the decorative symbols are also statically displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4.

[0065] In addition, when the special pattern that has changed or stopped in the first special pattern display section 5C and the second special pattern display section 5D is in a specific stopped display mode, a presentation image that lets the player know that it is a "jackpot" is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4.

[0066] Specifically, when a special pattern is displayed in a specific display mode corresponding to, for example, a "jackpot" in either the first special pattern display section 5C or the second special pattern display section 5D, the combination of decorative patterns for the effect displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 will be displayed in a specific display mode (for example, a mode in which the same patterns are displayed in a state in which they are all aligned in each of the multiple pattern rows), and furthermore, an effect image for the jackpot will be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4.

[0067] The main CPU 280 of such a main control board 28 realizes a lottery means that can draw a lottery to determine whether or not a special game (jackpot game state) advantageous to the player will be executed when the game ball passes through a predetermined area (first start port, second start port) in the game area 1p.

[0068] The main ROM 281 stores various tables and programs for causing the main CPU 280 to execute various processes such as jackpot lottery and symbol lottery.

[0069] For example, as shown in Fig. 22, tables stored in the main ROM 281 include a jackpot lottery table and a symbol lottery table. The jackpot lottery table is used when a jackpot lottery is conducted by random number lottery, and specifies that, for example, out of the random number range of 0 to 255, if a random number value of 0 to 254 is drawn, it is a miss, and if a random number value of 255 is drawn, it is a jackpot win. The symbol lottery table is used to determine the first special symbol (special symbol 1) and the second special symbol (special symbol 2) by random number lottery when a jackpot wins. Such a symbol lottery table prescribes, for example, that with respect to the first special symbol (special symbol 1), when a random number value of 0 to 35 is drawn from a random number range of 0 to 99, a 4R normal symbol corresponding to a 4R normal jackpot is determined, when a random number value of 36 to 65 is drawn, a 16R normal symbol corresponding to a 16R normal jackpot is determined, when a random number value of 66 to 85 is drawn, a 4R probability variable symbol corresponding to a 4R probability variable jackpot is determined, and when a random number value of 86 to 99 is drawn, a 16R probability variable symbol corresponding to a 16R probability variable jackpot is determined. Also, the symbol lottery table prescribes, for example, with respect to the second special symbol (special symbol 1), when a random number value of 0 to 33 is drawn from a random number range of 0 to 99, a 4R probability variable symbol corresponding to a 4R probability variable jackpot is determined, and when a random number value of 34 to 99 is drawn, a 16R probability variable symbol corresponding to a 16R probability variable jackpot is determined.

[0070] The main RAM 282 has a function of storing various data (such as flags, counters, timers, and variable values) as a temporary storage area for the main CPU 280. Instead of the main RAM 282, other readable and writable storage media can also be used as the temporary storage area for the main CPU 280.

[0071] The initial reset circuit 283 generates a reset signal when power is turned on, and is connected to the main CPU 280 .

[0072] The I / O port 284 transmits input signals from various devices to the main CPU 280 and transmits output signals from the main CPU 280 to various devices.

[0073] The command output port 285 transmits various commands from the main CPU 280 to the sub-control board 33 .

[0074] The reset clock pulse generating circuit 286 generates a clock pulse for executing timer interrupt processing at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 2 msec).

[0075] The game information output circuit 287 is for outputting various information to an externally connected hall computer HP and an external information display device ED.

[0076] The various devices connected to the main control board 28 include a first large prize opening solenoid 315A, a second large prize opening solenoid 316A, a blade member solenoid 313, a displacement member solenoid 318, and an external terminal board 320.

[0077] The external terminal board 320, abbreviated as the outer terminal board, is used for data communication with external devices such as an external information display device ED, which has functions such as calling hall staff and displaying the number of jackpots, or a hall computer HP, which manages multiple gaming machines installed in the hall.

[0078] The various switches connected to the main control board 28 include a general prize opening switch 310, a first start opening switch 311, a second start opening switch 312, a passing gate switch 314, a first large prize opening count switch 315, a second large prize opening count switch 316, a specific area switch 317A, a non-specific area switch 317B, and a backup clear switch 319.

[0079] The backup clear switch 319 clears the backup data of the main control board 28 and the payout / launch control board 34 (described later) in the event of a power outage, etc., in response to an operation by the hall manager.

[0080] Furthermore, the main control board 28 is connected to the dispensing device 26, the dispensing device 35, and the card unit device CU via a dispensing / dispensing control board 34.

[0081] The main control board 28 transmits prize ball control commands to the payout / launch control board 34. The payout / launch control board 34 mainly controls the launching device 26 and the payout device 35, and is connected to the launching device 26, the payout device 35, and the card unit device CU.

[0082] The card unit device CU is connected to a second operation unit 9B that outputs a signal requesting the lending of game balls in response to an operation by a player, and is capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from this second operation unit 9B.

[0083] The payout / launch control board 34 receives prize ball control commands supplied from the main control board 28 and loan ball control signals supplied from the card unit device CU, and causes the payout device 35 to pay out game balls by transmitting a predetermined signal to the payout device 35. The payout device 35 pays out, for example, three game balls as the number of prize balls per winning into the first start port or the second start port, and ten game balls as the number of prize balls per winning into the general winning port, the first large winning port, or the second large winning port.

[0084] When the launch handle 26b of the launch device 26 is gripped by a player and rotated clockwise, the payout / launch control board 34 supplies power to the launch solenoid (not shown) according to the amount of rotation, and controls the launch of the game ball toward the game area 1p.

[0085] The sub-control board 33 is connected to the main control board 28 and is configured to receive various commands from the main control board 28.

[0086] The sub-control board 33 performs various controls, primarily those related to performance operations, in response to various commands supplied from the main control board 28, and includes a sub-CPU 330, a program ROM 331, a work RAM 332, a command input port 333, a real-time clock (hereinafter referred to as "RTC: Real-Time Clock") 334, a display control circuit 335, an audio control circuit 336, a light emission control circuit 337, and a performance device control circuit 338. The liquid crystal display device 4 is connected to the display control circuit 335. Speakers 10a, 10b, and 10c are connected to the audio control circuit 336. Lamps and various LEDs (collectively referred to as lamps / LEDs 260 in FIG. 21) are connected to the light emission control circuit 337. The performance device control circuit 338 is connected to various movable performance props and moving mechanisms of movable members (collectively referred to as movable performance devices 270 in FIG. 21).

[0087] The sub-control board 33 is also connected to the first operation unit 9A, allowing signals to be input from sensors (not shown) provided in the first operation unit 9A. For example, when a press detection sensor detects that an operation member (operation button) 2000 is pressed down, an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the operation member 2000 is input from the press detection sensor to the sub-control board 33. The sub-control board 33 is also connected to the second operation unit 9B, allowing signals to be input from sensors (not shown) provided in the second operation unit 9B. For example, when a press detection sensor detects that a push button 3000 is pressed down, an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the push button 3000 is input from the press detection sensor to the sub-control board 33.

[0088] The sub-CPU 330 executes various processes, primarily processes related to performance operations, in accordance with programs stored in the program ROM 331. The liquid crystal display device 4 functions as a display means. In particular, the sub-CPU 330 controls the entire sub-control board 33 in accordance with various commands supplied from the main control board 28.

[0089] The program ROM 331 stores programs and various tables that the sub-CPU 330 uses to mainly control various effects.

[0090] For example, as shown in Fig. 22, one of the tables stored in the program ROM 331 is an effect lottery table. The effect lottery table is used when a random number lottery is used to perform an effect lottery to determine whether or not various effects will be performed, such as an effect related to air blowing using the speaker unit 10 and the air blowing mechanism 110 (air blowing effect), an effect related to light irradiation using the light-emitting unit 12 (light irradiation effect), and an operation effect using the operation member 2000 or the push button 3000 (first operation effect, second operation effect). When the air blowing effect is performed, an audio effect is also performed at the same time, generating a low-pitched sound using the speaker 10c. The first operation effect is an effect using the operation member 2000 of the first operation unit 9A, and the second operation effect is an effect using the push button 3000 of the second operation unit 9B.

[0091] Specifically, the effect lottery table specifies lottery values to determine by random number lottery (lottery with a random number range of 0 to 99) whether or not to execute each of the air blowing effect, light irradiation effect, and operation effect in the event of a miss in the jackpot lottery, a win of a 4R normal jackpot, a win of a 16R normal jackpot, a win of a 4R special jackpot, or a win of a 16R special jackpot.

[0092] According to this effect lottery table, for the air blowing effect, if the jackpot lottery result is a miss, a random number from 0 to 99 will always be drawn to determine "no effect," and for a 4R normal jackpot, if a random number from 0 to 30 is drawn, "no effect" will be determined, while if a random number from 31 to 99 is drawn, "effect" will be determined, and for a 16R normal jackpot, if a random number from 0 to 95 is drawn, "no effect" will be determined, while if a random number from 96 to 99 is drawn, "effect" will be determined, and for a 4R special jackpot, if a random number from 0 to 50 is drawn, "no effect" will be determined, while if a random number from 51 to 99 is drawn, "effect" will be determined, and for a 16R special jackpot, if a random number from 0 to 50 is drawn, "no effect" will be determined, while if a random number from 51 to 99 is drawn, "effect" will be determined.

[0093] Regarding the light illumination effects, if the jackpot lottery result is a miss, if a random number between 0 and 90 is drawn, it will determine "no effect," while if a random number between 91 and 99 is drawn, it will determine "effect." In the case of a 4R normal jackpot, if a random number between 0 and 90 is drawn, it will determine "no effect," while if a random number between 91 and 99 is drawn, it will determine "effect." In the case of a 16R normal jackpot, if a random number between 0 and 99 is always drawn, it will determine "effect." In the case of a 4R special jackpot, if a random number between 0 and 90 is drawn, it will determine "no effect," while if a random number between 91 and 99 is drawn, it will determine "effect." In the case of a 16R special jackpot, if a random number between 0 and 99 is drawn, it will determine "effect."

[0094] Regarding the first operation effect, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a miss, when a random number between 0 and 95 is drawn, "no effect" is determined, while when a random number between 96 and 99 is drawn, "effect" is determined. In the case of a 4R normal jackpot, when a random number between 0 and 50 is drawn, "no effect" is determined, while when a random number between 51 and 99 is drawn, "effect" is determined. In the case of a 16R normal jackpot, when a random number between 0 and 50 is drawn, "no effect" is determined, while when a random number between 51 and 99 is drawn, "effect" is determined. In the case of a 4R special jackpot, when a random number between 0 and 85 is drawn, "no effect" is determined, while when a random number between 86 and 99 is drawn, "effect" is determined. In the case of a 16R special jackpot, when a random number between 0 and 95 is drawn, "no effect" is determined, while when a random number between 96 and 99 is drawn, "effect" is determined.

[0095] Regarding the second operation effect, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a miss, a random number between 0 and 99 will always be drawn to determine "no effect," and in the case of a 4R normal jackpot, if a random number between 0 and 97 is drawn, "no effect" will be determined, while if a random number between 98 and 99 is drawn, "effect" will be determined, and in the case of a 16R normal jackpot, a random number between 0 and 99 will always be drawn to determine "no effect," and in the case of a 4R special jackpot, if a random number between 0 and 90 is drawn, "no effect" will be determined, while if a random number between 91 and 99 is drawn, "effect" will be determined, and in the case of a 16R special jackpot, if a random number between 0 and 60 is drawn, "no effect" will be determined, while if a random number between 61 and 99 is drawn, "effect" will be determined.

[0096] According to such a lottery table, the combination patterns in which effects such as the air blowing effect, the light irradiation effect, the first operation effect, and the second operation effect occur simultaneously vary probabilistically depending on the type of loss or big win. In other words, it is easy to guess the type of loss or big win depending on the combination pattern of the effects that occur.

[0097] Furthermore, as is clear from the regulations regarding the operation presentation, the first operation presentation using the operation member 2000 of the first operation unit 9A appears more frequently than the second operation presentation using the press button 3000 of the second operation unit 9B. In other words, the press button 3000 used in the second operation presentation is used less frequently than the operation member 2000 used in the first operation presentation, so this prevents the erroneous operation of buttons such as the cross button 3100 that are unrelated to the operation presentation and are located near the press button 3000, and by providing the frequently used operation member 2000 in an independent operation unit, it is possible to easily design dedicated wiring and circuit boards.

[0098] The work RAM 332 serves as a temporary storage area for the sub-CPU 330 and stores various data (flags, counters, timers, variable values, etc.).

[0099] The command input port 333 receives various commands sent from the main CPU 280 of the main control board 28 and transmits them to the sub-CPU 330 .

[0100] The RTC 334 inputs a date signal indicating the current date and a time signal indicating the current time to the sub-CPU 330. The RTC 334 normally operates on power from the gaming machine main unit when power is supplied to the gaming machine main unit, and operates on power supplied from a backup power supply mounted on a power supply board (not shown) when the power to the gaming machine main unit is turned off. This allows the RTC 334 to measure the current date and time even when the power to the gaming machine main unit is turned off. The RTC may also be powered by a battery mounted on the sub-control board. Alternatively, a counter provided in work RAM, which functions as backup RAM, may be used as a means for measuring time by counting up at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 2 ms).

[0101] The display control circuit 335 controls the display on the liquid crystal display device 4 in accordance with data supplied from the sub-CPU 330, and is composed of, for example, an image data processor (VDP), an image data ROM in which data for generating various types of image data is stored, a frame buffer for temporarily storing image data, and a D / A converter for converting the image data into an image signal. Note that the configuration of the display control circuit 335 is merely an example, and is not limited to this.

[0102] The display control circuit 335 temporarily stores image data to be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 in a frame buffer in response to an image display command supplied from the sub-CPU 330. The image data includes, for example, decorative pattern image data, background image data, various image data for various effects, various fraud notification image data, etc.

[0103] Furthermore, the display control circuit 335 supplies the image data stored in the frame buffer to a D / A converter (not shown) at a predetermined timing. The D / A converter converts the image data into an image signal and supplies this image signal to the liquid crystal display device 4 at a predetermined timing. An image is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 4 based on the image signal from the D / A converter.

[0104] The audio control circuit 336 controls the sounds such as music and voices emitted from the speakers 10a, 10b, and 10c, and includes a sound source IC that controls the sound output, a sound data ROM that stores various sound data, and an amplifier (AMP) that amplifies the sound signal. Note that the configuration of the audio control circuit 336 is merely an example and is not limited to this.

[0105] The sound source IC controls the sound generated from the speakers 10a, 10b, and 10c, and can select one sound data from multiple sound data stored in the sound data ROM in response to a sound generation command supplied from the sub-CPU 330.

[0106] The sound source IC also reads the selected sound data from the sound data ROM, converts the sound data into a predetermined sound signal, and supplies the sound signal to an amplifier, which amplifies the sound signal and generates sound from the speakers 10a, 10b, and 10c.

[0107] The light emission control circuit 337 is for controlling the lamps / LEDs 260 including decorative lamps, etc., and is composed of a drive circuit for supplying a light emission control signal, a decoration data ROM in which a plurality of types of lamp decoration patterns are stored, etc. The configuration of the light emission control circuit 337 is merely an example and is not limited to this.

[0108] The effect device control circuit 338 controls effect operations such as operating movable effect devices in a jackpot gaming state, for example.

[0109] <Regarding the right-side decorative member 15 and the left-side decorative member 16> The right decorative member 15 and the left decorative member 16 are formed in roughly symmetrical shapes and comprise similar components. For convenience, the following description will focus on the right decorative member 15.

[0110] The right decorative member 15 and the left decorative member 16 are used to create light effects when predetermined game conditions are met. As shown in Figures 23 to 28, the right decorative member 15 has a support member 150, a light-emitting substrate (not shown), an outer light-guiding member 151, an inner light-guiding member 152, and a decorative cover 153. The support member 150, the light-emitting substrate, the outer light-guiding member 151, and the inner light-guiding member 152 are covered by the decorative cover 153. The main front portion of the decorative cover 153 is translucent or transparent and has light-transmitting properties.

[0111] The support member 150 and the light-emitting substrate are attached to the right-side base plate 3aa. The light-emitting substrate is disposed on the back side of the support member 150. A plurality of slits 150a are formed in the support member 150, and a plurality of LEDs (not shown) provided on the light-emitting substrate are positioned so as to face these slits 150a. An outer light-guiding member 151 and an inner light-guiding member 152 are attached to the front of the support member 150 so as to align with the slits 150a. The LEDs are arranged at predetermined intervals (for example, intervals of 20 mm to 30 mm) in consideration of ensuring the amount of light and cost.

[0112] The outer light guiding member 151 and the inner light guiding member 152 are each formed of a plate-like member, and are formed so that the inner light guiding member 152 is larger than the outer light guiding member 151. The outer light guiding member 151 and the inner light guiding member 152 are positioned so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from each other on the left and right. The outer light guiding member 151 and the inner light guiding member 152 have the same configuration except for differences in size and arrangement, and therefore, for convenience, only the inner light guiding member 152 will be described in the following explanation.

[0113] As shown in Figures 24 to 28, the inner light-guiding member 152 has a rear incident end face 152a that serves as a light incident surface and a front exit end face 152b that serves as a light exit surface. The rear incident end face 152a is arranged to face the multiple slits 150a of the support member 150. As a result, the multiple LEDs are positioned to be aligned along the longitudinal direction of the rear incident end face 152a. The front exit end face 152b is arranged to fit along the inner surface of the decorative cover 153 and is formed in an overall curved shape.

[0114] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the rear incident end face 152a has a sawtooth lens cut formed to form concaves and convexes along the longitudinal direction. As a result, light from the LEDs that passes through the slit 150a and enters the rear incident end face 152a travels through the interior of the inner light-guiding member 152 while diffusing generally in the longitudinal direction. The front exit end face 152b has a so-called diamond-cut lens cut formed thereon. As a result, light that travels from the rear incident end face 152a into the interior of the inner light-guiding member 152 is irradiated forward with a certain degree of divergence. The front exit end face 152b of the inner light-guiding member 152 is located closer to the player than the front exit end face of the outer light-guiding member 151.

[0115] This right-side decorative member 15 can efficiently diffuse light traveling through it from the front end surface 152b without leaking it to the side, enabling a light effect that effectively stimulates the sense of sight. The left-side decorative member 16 has the same configuration as the right-side decorative member 15, and can therefore produce a light effect that effectively stimulates the sense of sight simultaneously with the light effect produced by the right-side decorative member 15 or at a different timing from the light effect produced by the right-side decorative member 15.

[0116] <About Top Decoration 14> As shown in Figure 4, the top ornament 14 has a central decorative unit 14a, a right decorative unit 14b, and a left decorative unit 14c. The right decorative unit 14b and the left decorative unit 14c are formed in roughly symmetrical shapes and are both composed of similar components. For convenience, the following explanation will focus on the central decorative unit 14a and the right decorative unit 14b.

[0117] [Central Decorative Unit 14a] The central decorative unit 14a has an inverted triangular shape when viewed from the front, and emits light, for example, when a jackpot is initiated, to create a light effect. As shown in FIGS. 29 to 33, the central decorative unit 14a includes a main body cover 140, a front cover 141, an upper cover 142, a support member 143, a light-emitting substrate 144, a light-shielding member 145, and a plurality of light-guiding members 146a to 146c. The support member 143, the light-emitting substrate 144, the light-shielding member 145, and the plurality of light-guiding members 146a to 146c are covered by the main body cover 140, the front cover 141, and the upper cover 142. The front surface 141a of the front cover 141 is translucent or transparent and light-transmitting. This front surface 141a is a protruding surface that extends forward from the bottom to the top, and is disposed so as to form a light-transmitting surface inclined relative to the vertical direction.

[0118] A support member 143 is attached to the inside of the body cover 140. A light emitting substrate 144 is attached to the front of the support member 143, and a light blocking member 145 is attached to be positioned in front of the light emitting substrate 144. A plurality of light guide members 146a to 146c are attached to the lower part of the light blocking member 145 at predetermined intervals from one another.

[0119] A plurality of LEDs 144a corresponding to a plurality of light-guiding members 146a to 146c are provided on the lower front surface of the light-emitting substrate 144, and a plurality of LEDs 144b corresponding to a plurality of openings 145c provided on the upper part of the light-shielding member 145 described later are provided on the upper front surface of the light-emitting substrate 144.

[0120] A partition wall 145a is formed in the light blocking member 145 to separate the upper and lower sections. A plurality of slits 145ba, 145bb, and 145bc are formed in the lower section of the light blocking member 145 to correspond to the plurality of light guiding members 146a to 146c. A plurality of openings 145c are formed in the upper section of the light blocking member 145 so as to expose the LEDs 144b of the light emitting substrate 144 (described later). The upper surface of the partition wall 145a of the light blocking member 145 is subjected to a surface treatment that makes it easy to reflect light from the LEDs 144b forward, and the peripheral edge of the opening 145c is also formed in a concave shape so as to make it easy to reflect light from the LEDs 144b forward.

[0121] Each of the light guide members 146a to 146c is made of a plate-like member and is formed into a generally U-shape or a generally V-shape when viewed from the front. The light guide members 146a to 146c are formed so that they become smaller as they are positioned higher than lower, with light guide member 146b being smaller than light guide member 146a, and light guide member 146c being smaller than light guide member 146b. The light guide members 146a to 146c are positioned so as to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals.

[0122] 33, the light guide members 146a to 146c have rear incident end faces 146aa, 146ba, and 146ca that serve as light incident surfaces and front exit end faces 146ab, 146bb, and 146cb that serve as light exit surfaces. The rear incident end faces 146aa, 146ba, and 146ca are arranged to face the slits 145ba, 145bb, and 145bc of the light blocking member 145. The front exit end faces 146ab, 146bb, and 146cb are arranged to follow the front surface 141a of the front cover 141, which is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0123] The rear incident end faces 146aa, 146ba, and 146ca are formed in a sawtooth shape with concaves and convexes along the longitudinal direction, similar to the rear incident end face 152a of the inner light-guiding member 152 of the right decorative member 15 described above. As a result, light from the LEDs 144a that enters the rear incident end faces 146aa, 146ba, and 146ca travels through the light-guiding members 146a to 146c while diffusing generally along the longitudinal direction. The front exit end faces 146ab, 146bb, and 146cb are formed in a so-called diamond cut shape, similar to the front exit end face 15b of the inner light-guiding member 152 of the right decorative member 15 described above. As a result, light that travels from the rear incident end faces 146aa, 146ba, and 146ca into the light-guiding members 146a to 146c is irradiated forward with a certain degree of divergence.

[0124] According to such a central decorative unit 14a, light emitted from the front emission end faces 146ab, 146bb, 146cb of the multiple light-guiding members 146a to 146c is guided outward through the front portion 141a of the front cover 141. However, since the front emission end faces 146ab, 146bb, 146cb are located relatively close to the front portion 141a, and a long, narrow region with a relatively strong light intensity is formed along these front emission end faces 146ab, 146bb, 146cb, in the lower region of the front cover 141, the light from the front emission end faces 146ab, 146bb, 146cb appears as multiple lines. On the other hand, in the upper region of the front cover 141, light from the plurality of LEDs 144b is diffused by the periphery of the opening 145c of the light-shielding member 145 and is emitted outward through the front surface 141a of the front cover 141, but is guided to the front surface 141a as reflected light from a position farther from the front surface 141a than the front emission end faces 146ab, 146bb, and 146cb of the light-guiding members 146a to 146c, so that the light appears to be distributed evenly across the upper region of the front cover 141. In other words, from diagonally below the front cover 141, which is the player's line of sight, a line of light appears to emerge three-dimensionally from below in the midst of the evenly distributed, dim light from above.

[0125] [Right side decorative unit 14b] The right decorative unit 14b, for example, produces sound and light when a jackpot starts. As shown in Figures 34 to 39, the right decorative unit 14b has a speaker unit 10A, a main body support member 147A, a main body cover 147B, a front cover 147C, a light-emitting substrate 148, and a light-guiding member 149. The speaker unit 10A and the light-emitting substrate 148 are attached to the rear of the main body support member 147A, and the light-emitting substrate 148 is attached to the front of the speaker unit 10A. The light-guiding member 149 is attached to the inside front side of the main body support member 147A and is covered by the front cover 147C. The front surface 147Ca of the front cover 147C is formed in a mesh pattern, and the vibration surface of the speaker 10b and the light-guiding member 149 are visible through the gaps.

[0126] The speaker unit 10A has an opening (not shown) that exposes the vibration surface (sound output portion) of the speaker 10b facing forward, and a light emitting substrate 148 is attached along the periphery of this opening. A plurality of LEDs 148a are provided on the light emitting substrate 148 so as to be arranged in a ring shape along the periphery of the speaker 10b.

[0127] The main body support member 147A has an opening 147Aa formed therein, which exposes the vibration surface of the speaker 10b and the plurality of LEDs 148a of the light emitting substrate 148 and allows a light guide member 149 to be attached to the periphery thereof.

[0128] The light-guiding member 149 has a tubular portion 149a for guiding sound generated on the vibrating surface of the speaker 10b forward, a rear incident end face 149b located on the rear side of the periphery of the tubular portion 149a and serving as the light incident surface, a front exit end face 149c located on the front side of the periphery of the tubular portion 149a and serving as the light exit surface, and a protrusion 149d that extends and widens forward from the periphery of the front exit end face 149c.

[0129] The vibrating surface of the speaker 10b is disposed at the rear of the cylindrical portion 149a, and sound generated by the vibrating surface is guided forward through the cylindrical portion 149a. The rear incident end surface 1449b is disposed to face the LED 148a of the light-emitting substrate 148. The rear incident end surface 149b is formed in a sawtooth shape with irregularities along the circumferential direction, similar to the rear incident end surface 152a of the inner light-guiding member 152 of the right-side decorative member 15 described above. As a result, light from the LED 148a that is incident on the rear incident end surface 149b travels through the cylindrical portion 149a while being diffused generally in the circumferential direction.

[0130] Front exit end face 149c is located a predetermined distance behind front face 147Ca of front cover 147C. Like rear incident end face 149b, front exit end face 149c is also formed in a sawtooth shape with concaves and convexes along the circumferential direction. As a result, light traveling from rear incident end face 149b to tube portion 149a is irradiated forward so as to appear ring-shaped while spreading mainly in the circumferential direction when viewed from the front.

[0131] The protrusions 149d are formed so that portions of both the left and right sides partially extend forward, and are arranged so that their tips abut against the rear side of the front surface 147Ca of the front cover 147C. Note that the protrusions 149d may be arranged so that they are close to the rear side of the front surface 147Ca without contacting it. Alternatively, instead of the protrusions 149d, the front emission end surface 149c may be arranged so that it abuts against or is close to the rear side of the front surface 147Ca.

[0132] This right-side decorative unit 14b creates an effect in which the speaker 10b appears to glow in a ring-like pattern in sync with the sound generated by the speaker 10b. Furthermore, because the front surface 147Ca of the front cover 147C is mesh-like, it would be easily damaged by external impact or pressure. However, the protrusions 149d of the light-guiding member 149 abut against the front surface 147Ca, providing reinforcement and support, effectively preventing damage from external impact or pressure. In other words, the mesh-like (lattice-like) front cover 147C guides the sound from the speaker 10b along the light-guiding member 149 to the back surface of the front cover 147C, allowing the sound from the speaker 10b to be transmitted to the outside without impeding the aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, the light-guiding member 149 functions as a support for the front cover 147C, thereby increasing the rigidity of the front cover 147C.

[0133] According to the gaming machine according to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0134] According to the configuration of speaker unit 10 and its surroundings, as sound is output from speaker 10c, air flows out from opening 10ec of enclosure 10e. At this time, if opening / closing member 115 of blower mechanism 110 is in a state in which space 110a is open, the airflow from opening 10ec is directed in a direction heading straight toward air outlet 80, and air flows from air outlet 80 toward launch handle 26b with sufficient wind pressure. As a result, the player can feel the wind in their hands gripping launch handle 26b, and the sound from speaker 10c can also be perceived as a deep bass tone due to Helmholtz resonance with the sound output from air outlet 80 along with the wind.

[0135] On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 115 of the air blowing mechanism 110 closes the space 110a and the airflow from the opening 10ec is directed downward into the space 110a at a substantially right angle, the wind is discharged from the ventilation opening 8ca of the undercover 8c and is not directed toward the launching handle 26b. As a result, the player does not feel the wind in his / her hands gripping the launching handle 26b, but instead perceives only the sound from the speaker 10c as a deep bass sound due to Helmholtz resonance with the sound output from the ventilation opening 8ca together with the wind.

[0136] That is, by simply switching the direction of the airflow flowing out from the opening 10ec of the speaker unit 10 using the air blowing mechanism 110, it is possible to make the listener feel both low-pitched sounds and wind, or only low-pitched sounds, so that the speaker unit 10 can be made smaller and simpler while flexibly producing sounds and wind effects.

[0137] Furthermore, by simply switching the direction of the air coming out of opening 10ec of speaker unit 10 using air blowing mechanism 110, it is possible to make the listener feel both sound and air, or only sound. Air outlet 80 and ventilation opening 8ca can be formed in detachable lower right side cover 8ba and under cover 8c, and air blowing mechanism 110 can be placed between these and speaker unit 10 by designing each individually, thereby enabling speaker unit 10 and its surrounding configuration to be made with excellent manufacturing costs, design freedom and maintainability.

[0138] Furthermore, even a bass-reflex type speaker unit 10 with a relatively large volume of enclosure 10e can be placed in a space that does not interfere with the hands of a player handling game balls stored in upper tray 17 or lower tray 18, so the speaker device can be laid out efficiently while ensuring placement space for speaker unit 10.

[0139] In addition, the upper left part 10ea of the enclosure 10e abuts the bottom of the upper tray body 17p, and the lower left part 10eb abuts the lower tray body 18p, thereby supporting the upper tray 17p and transmitting vibrations from the enclosure 10e to the upper tray 17 and the lower tray 18 in response to operation of the speaker 10c, which effectively eliminates clogging of game balls in the upper tray 17 and the lower tray 18.

[0140] In addition, the first operation presentation using the operating member 2000 is set to occur more frequently than the second operation presentation using the push button 3000.In other words, the operating member 2000, which is used more frequently, is provided alone on the operating unit 9A, while the push button 3000, which is used less frequently, is provided on a common board 3200 that also serves as the ball loan button 23 and the return button 24.Therefore, the operating member 2000 and the push button 3000 can each be placed in a convenient position depending on the frequency of use, thereby simplifying the wiring to each board and ultimately reducing manufacturing costs and arrangement space.

[0141] Furthermore, since the frequently used operation member 2000 is easier to remember as being circular, while the less frequently used push button 3000 is easier to remember as being square, different from a circle, the operation member 2000 and the push button 3000 can be provided with easily distinguishable outer shapes according to frequency of use, thereby making it easier to use multiple operation means. Furthermore, the square-shaped push button 3000 and the cross-shaped cross button 3100 are arranged adjacent to each other so that their straight line portions face each other at their respective ends, making it possible to arrange these multiple buttons even in a small space.

[0142] Furthermore, when the conditions for transitioning to a game state advantageous to the player, such as a 16R normal jackpot or a 16R probability variable jackpot, are met, a light illumination effect is always executed, and at the same time, an air blowing effect may be executed, so the player can sense that a light illumination effect or an air blowing effect is being executed by either sight or touch with the hand holding the launch handle 26b, and can sense that they are transitioning to an advantageous game state without missing such an effect. Furthermore, when an air blowing effect is executed, a deep bass sound effect is also executed at the same time from the speaker 10c, and the player can also feel the vibrations caused by the deep bass.

[0143] Furthermore, for example, in the right-side decorative member 15, the rear incident end faces 152a of the outer light-guiding member 151 and the inner light-guiding member 152 have sawtooth-shaped lens cuts that diffuse the light while it is incident in the longitudinal direction of the lined-up LEDs, thereby allowing the light to travel efficiently within the light-guiding body, while the front exit end faces 152b of the outer light-guiding member 151 and the inner light-guiding member 152 have diamond-cut lens cuts that allow the light guided from the rear incident end faces 152a into the light-guiding body to be efficiently scattered outward, thereby eliminating color unevenness and enabling the light to be irradiated efficiently.

[0144] Furthermore, for example, in the right-side decorative unit 14b, the protrusion 149d of the light-guiding member 149 is positioned so as to abut against the back surface of the mesh-like front surface 147Ca of the front cover 147C, and the emission front end face 149c is positioned a predetermined distance from the front surface 147Ca and is annularly arranged along its periphery so as not to obstruct the vibration surface of the speaker 10b, so that the LED 148a located on the incident rear end face 149b side can be made invisible from the front of the front cover 147C, and the sound from the speaker 10b can be emitted outward without hindrance without spoiling the aesthetic appearance.

[0145] Furthermore, for example, in the central decorative unit 14a, the front end faces 146ab, 146bb, and 146cb of the multiple light-guiding members 146a to 146c are located farther from the light-emitting substrate 144 than the peripheral portion of the opening 145c of the light-shielding member 145 where the LED 144b is exposed, and are positioned near the front portion 141a of the front cover 141.Therefore, the light of the LED 144b that is diffusely reflected at the peripheral portion of the opening 145c and guided forward, and the light of the LED 144a that passes through the inside of the light-guiding members 146a to 146c and is irradiated from the front end faces 146ab, 146bb, and 146cb, become light that appears to be diffused on average and line-shaped light, which creates a clear difference in the visibility of these lights and ultimately enables the realization of an innovative light effect.

[0146] A modified example of the blower mechanism 110 shown in FIG. 40 may be employed. The blower mechanism 110 shown in FIG. 40 is provided with a rotatable shutter member 117 that can exclusively open and close the lower portion of the space 110a and the opening 110b. As shown in FIG. 40(a), the shutter member 117 is positioned so as to assume a horizontal position when directing the airflow from the opening 10ec (not shown) to the opening 110b. At this time, the airflow is completely prevented from being directed downward into the space 110a. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 40(b), the shutter member 117 is positioned so as to rotate from the horizontal position shown in FIG. 40(a) to assume an upright position when directing the airflow from the opening 10ec (not shown) downward into the space 110a. At this time, the airflow that would otherwise flow straight to the side of the space 110a is obstructed, and the airflow is directed to bend at a substantially right angle downward into the space 110a. According to such a blower mechanism 110, when wind is guided to the air outlet 80 (not shown), the wind can be guided to the air outlet 80 with sufficient wind pressure without leaking downward into the space 110a.

[0147] "Second embodiment" 41 to 84 are diagrams illustrating a pachinko gaming machine Y according to the second embodiment.

[0148] The pachinko gaming machine Y according to the second embodiment has a main body frame configured differently from the front frame 3 (see FIG. 1), and is equipped with two projector units arranged vertically. Note that, unless inconsistent, the pachinko gaming machine Y according to the second embodiment has the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine of the first embodiment, and can obtain the same effects.

[0149] Fig. 41 is an external perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine Y, and Fig. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine Y. The pachinko gaming machine Y comprises a main body frame (outer frame) 2, a main body unit 400 rotatably supported by the main body frame 2, a game board 1A attached to the front side of the main body unit 400, and a glass door 5 attached to the main body unit 400 on the front side of the game board 1A.

[0150] [Main unit and glass door] The main body frame 2 as an outer frame has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, and supports the main body unit 400 near one side edge so that it can rotate around a main body frame hinge 2b as a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. The glass door 5 has the same configuration as the glass door 30 of the second embodiment, and is provided with a tray unit 900 (described later) at the bottom.

[0151] [Main frame] 43 is an exploded perspective view of the main unit 400. The main unit 400 includes a mounting frame 410 disposed on the front side, a cover member 430 attached to the rear side of the mounting frame 410 and capable of accommodating gaming machine components, and a mounting base 420 provided between the mounting frame 410 and the cover member 430.

[0152] [Mounting frame] Figure 44 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting frame 410. The mounting frame 410 has a pair of vertical frames 411 and a pair of horizontal frames 412, and forms a substantially rectangular exterior. The mounting frame 410 has a storage tank 415, and is equipped with a screen unit b4 onto which light from a projector unit b (described later) is projected, the game board 1A, the launching device 26, and the like. The mounting frame 410 also has a ball detection unit 800 (described later, see Figure 43) on the rear side at a position corresponding to the outlet 55 (see Figure 42) of the game board 1A. Each of the pair of vertical frames 411 also has fixing portions 411a (see Figure 43) on the rear side to which a mounting base 420 and a cover member 430 can be separately fixed.

[0153] A game board movable stopper 413 that detachably secures the game board 1A is attached to each of the inner surfaces of the pair of vertical frames 411. The game board movable stopper 413 is fixed at any position in the vertical direction along the vertical frames 411. The game board movable stopper 413 detachably clamps the side edges of the game board 1A. With such a game board movable stopper 413, for example, the lower edge of the game board 1A can be locked into a locking portion such as a groove located at the bottom of the mounting frame 410, and the vicinity of both ends of the upper edge can be clamped by the game board movable stopper 413, thereby fixing the game board 1A to the mounting frame 410.

[0154] Furthermore, screen stoppers 414 that detachably secure the screen unit b4 are attached to the inner surfaces of the pair of vertical frames 411, respectively. The screen stoppers 414 are fixed at any vertical position along the vertical frames 411. A cover member 430 is attached to the back of the mounting frame 410 so as to cover the game board movable stoppers 413 and the screen stoppers 414. The game board movable stoppers 413 and the screen stoppers 414 may be configured to be movable on the vertical frames 411 so as to be fixed at any position. By attaching jigs that secure game components such as the game board 1A and presentation devices such as the screen unit b4 to the vertical frames 411 so that they can be moved in the vertical direction, it becomes possible to change the type and position of the jig depending on the size and type of the game components and presentation devices, thereby enabling a variety of layouts for the gaming machine.

[0155] [Game board] Figure 45 is a top view of a gaming board 1A. The gaming board 1A has the same configuration as a general gaming board 1, and further has the following configuration. The gaming board 1A has a game area 1p, a first special winning opening solenoid 53b and the like provided on the back side (rear side) of the gaming board 1A, and a gaming board relay board 101 to which the wiring parts of the first special winning opening solenoid 53b and the like are connected. The gaming board 1A is also made of a transparent material, and a screen sheet is attached to the back side, which also functions as a screen onto which projection light irradiated from a projector unit b (described later) is projected.

[0156] The game board relay board 101 is attached on its back side (rear side) to a vertical base 101A that extends toward the rear side at a substantially right angle to the surface on which the game area 1p of the game board 1A is formed, and is thereby erected at a substantially right angle to the game board 1A. The game board relay board 101 is provided with a connector connection portion 101a to which a connector for electrical connection to another board is connected.

[0157] Furthermore, the game board relay board 101 is extended to a position where connection to the connector connection portion 101a can be performed from the outside of the cover member 430 through an opening 432e of the cover member 430, which will be described later, and the connector connection portion 101a is arranged so that the wiring insertion port 101b faces the opening 432e of the cover member 430, which will be described later, when at least the outer portion of the game board relay board 101 is covered with the cover member 430. The connector connection portion 101a functions as an example of a game board connector connection portion, and is connected to a relay board connector connection portion 100a (see FIG. 51), which is an example of a specific component connector connection portion of the relay board 100 (see FIG. 51), which will be described later, by a wiring member (cable).

[0158] Figure 46 is a top view of a modified example of the gaming board 1A. Figure 46 shows an enlarged view of the portion of the gaming board 1A where the vertical base 101A is provided. The modified example of the gaming board relay board 101 can be folded from a state in which it is erected at a substantially right angle to the gaming board 1A to a state in which it is parallel to the gaming board 1A. In detail, the modified example of the vertical base 101A includes a base member 101Aa erected at a substantially right angle to the gaming board 1A, and a rotating member 101Ab rotatably connected to the base member 101Aa by a hinge 101B serving as a rotation axis extending parallel to the playing area 1p of the gaming board 1A, and to which the gaming board relay board 101 is attached. Furthermore, in the vertical base 101A of the modified example, at the joint surface between the base member 101Aa and the rotating member 101Ab, a protrusion 101a is formed on one of the base member 101Aa and the rotating member 101Ab, and a boss hole 101b into which the protrusion 101a can be inserted is formed on the other. The rotating member 101Ab is erected at a substantially right angle to the game board 1A, and the protrusion 101a is inserted into the boss hole 101b, thereby fixing the game board relay board 101 in an erected state at a substantially right angle to the game board 1A. Furthermore, by rotating the rotating member 101Ab from this state around the hinge 101B, the protrusion 101a is pulled out of the boss hole 101b, and the game board relay board 101 is folded so as to be parallel to the game board 1A.

[0159] [Mounting base] Figure 47 is a perspective view of the mounting base 420, Figure 48 is a front view of the mounting base 420, and Figure 49 is a cross-sectional view of the main unit 400. A projector unit b and a mirror member b3, which serve as gaming devices capable of executing game-related controls, are attached to the mounting base 420. The mounting base 420 has a gaming device mounting portion 421 to which the projector unit b is attached, a projection light hole 422 formed below the gaming device mounting portion 421 and through which the projection light emitted from the projector unit b can pass, a mirror member base 423 disposed below the projection light hole 422 and to which the mirror member b3 is attached, and a board hole 424 through which the gaming board relay board 101 (see Figure 46) of the gaming board 1A is inserted. The mounting base 420 has two components, each consisting of the gaming device mounting portion 421, the projection light hole 422, and the mirror member base 423, which are arranged vertically. The upper configuration projects the projection light emitted from the projector unit b onto the back surface of the screen portion b4. The lower configuration projects the projection light emitted from the projector unit b onto the back surface of the game board 1A. The board hole 424 is located on the back surface side of the game board relay board 101 when the mounting base 420 is attached to the mounting frame 410 to which the game board 1A is attached, and is a hole through which the game board relay board 101 (see Figure 46) is inserted.

[0160] The gaming device mounting portion 421 is a plate-like body that slopes downward from the rear side to the front side, and the projector unit b is mounted on the rear side so as to emit projection light diagonally downward toward the front side. The projection light hole 422 is a hole formed in a range that does not block the projection light emitted from the projector unit b. The mirror member base 423 is a plate-like body that slopes downward from the rear side to the front side. The mirror member base 423 is formed in a range necessary to reflect the projection light emitted from the projector unit b. Specifically, because the mirror member base 423 slopes downward from the rear side to the front side, the distance from the projector unit b mounted above increases as it moves from the rear side to the front side. Therefore, the width of the range necessary to reflect the projection light emitted from the projector unit b is narrower on the rear side than on the front side. That is, the area of mirror member base 423 required to reflect the projection light emitted from projector unit b is a trapezoid in top view with the width of the rear side narrower than the width of the front side. For this reason, mirror member base 423 is formed in a trapezoid in top view with the width of the rear side narrower than the width of the front side, as shown in Fig. 48.

[0161] The mirror member b3 attached to the upper surface of the mirror member base 423 is also formed in a trapezoidal shape with the width of the rear side narrower than the width of the front side in a top view. The mirror member base 423 slopes downward from the rear side to the front side, so that the mirror member base 423 and the mirror member b3 are formed in a trapezoidal shape with the width of the upper side narrower than the width of the lower side in a front view, as shown in FIG. 48 . The mirror member b3 is attached to the mirror member base 423 by adjustment members 423a provided near each of the four corners of the trapezoid. The adjustment members 423a are, for example, composed of fastening members that fasten the mirror member base 423 and the mirror member b3 together and elastic members arranged between the mirror member base 423 and the mirror member b3. Loosening the fastening members separates the mirror member base 423 and the mirror member b3, and tightening the fastening members brings the mirror member base 423 and the mirror member b3 closer together. By using such an adjustment member 423a to adjust the mounting angle of the mirror member b3 relative to the mirror member base 423, the position and angle at which the projection light emitted from the projector unit b is projected onto the screen portion b4 or the game board 1A can be adjusted.

[0162] By attaching the projector unit b to such a gaming device mounting portion 421, one end of the projector cover b1, which is provided with a projection lens b2a that emits projection light from a projector device main body b2 (described later), can be disposed on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine Y (see FIG. 42), and the opposite end of the one end can be disposed on the rear side, with the one end being lower than the opposite end. The projector unit b is then covered by a cover member 430. As a result, a predetermined space 405 is formed between the cover member 430 and the lower part of the projector cover b1 at a position that does not block the projection light emitted from the projection lens b2a. A recess 431a of the cover member 430 (described later) can be disposed in this predetermined space 405, and the main control board 70A can be housed in this recess 431a.

[0163] The mounting base 420 may be formed in a shape that allows mounting of not only the projector unit b but also other gaming devices such as a liquid crystal display device. In other words, the shape of the mounting base 420 can be changed depending on the type of gaming device, as long as it can be accommodated in the space formed between the mounting frame 410 and the cover member 430.

[0164] [Projector unit] As shown in FIG. 49, the projector unit b includes a projector main body b2 as a projection image generating device capable of generating projection light, a projector cover b1 as a housing case capable of housing the projector main body b2, and a projection lens b2a as an illuminating unit that emits the projection light from the projector main body b2. The projector main body b2 is connected to a sub-control circuit 200 (see FIG. 84), which controls a projector control circuit 90 (see FIG. 84). The sub-control circuit 200 magnifies and emits projection light from an optical mechanism (not shown) through the projection lens b2a. The illuminating light is reflected by a mirror member b3 and projected toward the back of the game board 1A or a screen unit b4, thereby displaying an image as a visual effect. The screen unit b4 functions as an example of a reflecting unit that can reflect the projection light emitted from the projector unit b. The screen unit b4 also functions as an example of a screen unit that projects a predetermined image using the projection light reflected by the mirror member b3. Furthermore, a portion of the cover member 430 is formed in a recessed shape at a position corresponding to the space 405 described above, and the main board 70A can be housed in the recessed portion.

[0165] FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating the optical axis of the projection light emitted from the projector unit b. As shown in FIG. 50, the projection light L1 from the projection lens b2a of the projector unit b provided at the top is emitted downward while forming a projection range indicated by the dotted line, and is reflected by the upper mirror member b3 toward a diagonally upward direction toward the front side and projected onto the rear side of the screen unit b4. In this embodiment, the projection lens b2a is composed of a lens member, and the upper half side (front side) of the lens member is light-shielded, and the projection image is generated by the projection light emitted from the lower half side (rear side) of the lens member. Therefore, the projection light emitted from the projection lens b2a is formed to spread from the lower half side of the lens member. Similarly, the projection light L2 from the projection lens b2a of the projector unit b provided at the bottom is emitted downward while forming a projection range indicated by the dotted line, and is reflected by the lower mirror member b3 toward a diagonally upward direction toward the front side and projected onto the rear side of the game board 1A. In this way, by placing the projector unit b or mirror member b3 at a fixed installation angle and storing the projector unit b, base case, etc. in the space created behind them, it is possible to efficiently arrange other gaming machine components while arranging multiple gaming devices, thereby achieving space savings.

[0166] [Cover material] Fig. 51 is a perspective view of the cover member 430 as viewed from the rear side, and Fig. 52 is a perspective view of the cover member 430 as viewed from the front side. As shown in Fig. 51, the cover member 430 is formed from a rear portion 431 and two opposing side surfaces 432, and is capable of accommodating at least some of the gaming machine components inside the space formed between the cover member 430 and the mounting base 420 (see Fig. 49). Furthermore, by being provided on the rearmost side, the cover member 430 is provided on the rear side of the gaming board and functions as an example of a cover member that covers electrical components.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 51, the width of the rear portion 431 is narrower than the width of the mounting base 420. The rear portion 431 has a recess 431a capable of accommodating the main control board 70A, a lid portion 431b covering the recess 431a, an opening 431c formed at a position corresponding to the heat exhaust port of the projector unit b (see FIG. 49), and a payout control board accommodating portion 431d capable of accommodating the payout control board 123A. Also, as shown in FIG. 52, the rear portion 431 is formed with a second guide gutter opening 432f in which a receiving portion 434a (see FIG. 56) of a second guide gutter 434 (described later) is disposed. As shown in FIG. 49, the recess 431a and the payout control board accommodating portion 431d are formed so as to protrude from the surface of the cover member 430 toward the interior of the pachinko gaming machine Y, and can accommodate the main control board 70A and the payout control board 123A without protruding from the surface of the cover member 430 toward the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine Y. When the cover member 430 is attached to the rear side of the mounting base 420 (see FIG. 49), the recess 431a is disposed in a predetermined space 405 formed below the projector cover b1, where the main control board 70A is housed and is covered with the lid 431b. The main control board 70A includes a main control board connector connection portion 70Aa, which is an example of a general component connector connection portion connected to the relay board 100 (see FIG. 51) by a wiring member (cable). The main control board connector connection portion 70Aa is provided near the side edge of the main control board 70A, and is exposed and not covered by the lid 431b even when the lid 431b is attached to the recess 431a, allowing the wiring member (cable) to be attached and detached. This makes the surface of the rear part 431 approximately flush. In this way, the cover member 430 can accommodate the main control board 70A, which is an example of a first gaming machine component, inside the space formed by the back part 431 and at least two side parts 432. Also, the openings 431c are formed at positions corresponding to the exhaust heat ports of the two projector units b. The payout control board accommodating part 431d is disposed in a space formed below the lower mirror member base 423 when attached to the back side of the mounting base 420. Also, the recessed part 431a is disposed closer to the center of the cover member 430 than the position of the ball passage unit 730 (see FIG. 58), which will be described later.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 51 , the width of the opposing side surfaces 432 narrows from the front surface to the rear surface. Side surfaces 432 include mounting portions 433 that can be attached to mounting base 420 at the end not adjacent to rear surface 431, and at least one side surface 432 is formed to slope from the end where mounting portion 433 is provided to the end adjacent to rear surface 431. Sloped side surface 432 includes first side surface recess 432a, which is a specific storage portion, first side surface lid 432b, which covers first side surface recess 432a, second side surface recess 432c, which is a general storage portion, second side surface lid 432d, which covers second side surface recess 432c, and opening 432e formed in first side surface recess 432a. Recess 431a and second side surface recess 432c are examples of a general storage portion composed of at least two or more storage portions, and are adjacent to first side surface recess 432a, which is an example of a specific storage portion.

[0169] The first side recess 432a is provided on the outer surface of the cover member 430, and is formed at a position adjacent to the recess 431a of the back portion 431 and the payout control board accommodating portion 431d, and is capable of accommodating a relay board 100 as a specific gaming machine component or a second gaming machine component. The second side recess 432c is provided on the outer surface of the cover member 430, and is formed at a position adjacent to the first side recess 432a, and is capable of accommodating a sub-control board 80A (corresponding to the sub-control board 33) as multiple other types of gaming machine components. The first side recess 432a and the second side recess 432c are formed to protrude from the surface of the cover member 430 toward the inside of the pachinko gaming machine Y, and are capable of accommodating the relay board 100 or the sub-control board 80A so as not to protrude from the surface of the cover member 430 toward the back side of the pachinko gaming machine Y. The relay board 100 includes a relay board connector connection portion 100a, which is an example of a specific component connector connection portion connected to, for example, the main control board 70A (corresponding to the main control board 28), the sub-control board 80A, the game board relay board 101 (see FIG. 45), etc., by wiring members (cables). The sub-control board 80A includes, for example, a sub-control board connector connection portion 80Aa, which is an example of a general component connector connection portion connected to, for example, the relay board 100, etc., by wiring members (cables). In other words, the relay board connector connection portion 100a is connected to the main control board connector connection portion 70Aa and the sub-control board connector connection portion 80Aa by wiring members (cables). The opening 432e is provided so that wiring from the game board relay board 101 (see FIG. 45) of the game board 1A housed inside the space formed by the rear portion 431 and the two side portions 432 can be connected to the relay board 100 provided outside the cover member 430. The opening 432e is formed at a position corresponding to the game board relay board 101 erected from the rear side of the game board 1A when the cover member 430 is attached to the mounting frame 410. The first side recess 432a in which the opening 432e is formed is provided on the outer surface of the side portion and functions as an example of a specific storage section capable of storing a specific gaming machine component connected to the wiring through the opening. The second side recess 432c is formed on the outer inclined side portion of the cover member so as to protrude from the surface of the cover member toward the inside of the gaming machine and is an example of a storage section capable of storing a second gaming machine component different from the first gaming machine component.This allows the opening 432e to electrically connect the game board relay board 101 to, for example, the main control board 70A accommodated in the recess 431a adjacent to the first side recess 432a via the connector connected to the connector connection portion 101a of the game board relay board 101. In this way, the first side recess 432a capable of accommodating the relay board 100 is disposed at the center of the recesses capable of accommodating other boards.

[0170] Figure 53 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the game board relay board 101, the board hole 424 of the mounting base 420, and the opening 432e of the cover member 430. Figure 53 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion where the game board relay board 101 is attached, where (a) shows a state where the mounting base 420 is attached to the back side of the mounting frame 410, and (b) shows a state where the cover member 430 is further attached to the back side of the mounting base 420. As shown in Figure 53(a), when the mounting base 420 is attached to the mounting frame 410 to which the game board 1A (see Figure 43) is attached, the connector connection portion 101a of the game board relay board 101 protrudes from the board hole 424 of the mounting base 420 to the back side. As shown in FIG. 53(b), by further attaching a cover member 430 to the back side of the mounting base 420 from the state shown in FIG. 53(a), the side of the game board relay board 101 is covered by the cover member 430. In this state, the wiring insertion port 101b of the connector connection portion 101a faces the opening 432e of the cover member 430. Note that in FIG. 53, the entire game board relay board 101 is covered by the cover member 430 and the side second lid portion 432d, but only a portion of the game board relay board 101 may be covered. Also, only one surface of the game board relay board 101, such as the outer surface or inner surface, may be covered. In any case, the effect of the present invention can be achieved as long as at least a portion of the external force applied to the game board relay board 101 can be prevented. In this case, it is desirable to provide the connector connection portion 101a in a portion that is not covered by the cover member 430 (for example, if the outer surface of the game board relay board 101 is covered with the cover member 430, the connector connection portion 101a should be provided on the inner surface of the game board relay board 101).

[0171] 53(a), the mounting base 420 is fixed to a fixing portion 411a on the rear surface of the mounting frame 410 by a fixing member 425 formed by a screw or the like. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 53(b), the cover member 430 is placed on the rear surface of the mounting base 420, covers the fixing member 425 with a mounting portion 433, and is fixed to the fixing portion 411a on the rear surface of the mounting frame 410 by a fixing member 435 formed by a screw or the like that penetrates the mounting base 420. Therefore, the mounting base 420 cannot be removed with the screws unless the cover member 430 is removed with the screws.

[0172] Figure 54 is a top view of the pachinko game machine Y. Figure 54 shows a state in which the main body unit 400 is opened from the main body frame 2 (a state in which the main body unit 400 is rotated 90 degrees around the main body frame hinge 2b from a state in which it is placed inside the main body frame 2). The side surface 432 of the cover member 430 opposite to the side pivotally supported by the main body frame hinge 2b is formed inside an imaginary circle VC that is centered around the main body frame hinge 2b as the rotation axis and passes through the inner side edge of the main body frame 2, and at least a portion of it is formed in a shape that follows the imaginary circle.

[0173] [Gutter connection] Figure 55 is an exploded perspective view of the main unit 400, and Figures 56 and 57 are exploded perspective views of the first guide gutter 416 and the second guide gutter 434. Figures 56 and 57 show only the first guide gutter 416 and the second guide gutter 434 shown in Figure 55. Figure 56 is a view from the mounting frame 410, and Figure 57 is a view from the cover member 430. As shown in Figure 55, the mounting frame 410 has a storage tank 415 that can store gaming balls supplied from a storage unit (not shown), and a first guide gutter 416 that guides gaming balls downstream from the storage tank 415. The cover member 430 has a payout device 700 that can pay out gaming balls, and a second guide gutter 434 that guides gaming balls to the payout device 700.

[0174] When the cover member 430 is attached to the mounting frame 410, the first guide gutter 416 and the second guide gutter 434 are connected so that the opening of one is inserted into the opening of the other, allowing game balls to flow down. Either the first guide gutter 416 or the second guide gutter 434 (the second guide gutter 434 in the example shown in FIGS. 56 and 57) is provided with a receiving portion 434a formed with an opening area larger than the opening area of the opening of the other (the first guide gutter 416 in the example shown in FIGS. 56 and 57). The receiving portion 434a has ribs 434b as connection position guide means that guide the opening inserted into the receiving portion 434a to the connection position. The ribs 434b are plate-shaped bodies that extend radially from the opening center and have side edges that slope downward from the outer edge to the inner edge of the receiving portion 434a, and are arranged in multiple numbers to surround the opening. The other of the first guide gutter 416 and the second guide gutter 434 (first guide gutter 416 in the example shown in Figures 56 and 57) has an engagement portion 416a that is provided on the outer edge of the opening, is formed with an outline that is approximately the same shape as the part surrounded by rib 434b, and serves as an engagement means that engages with rib 434b at the connection position.

[0175] 43, the mounting frame 410 has a third guide gutter 418 that guides gaming balls to the payout opening 901 (see FIG. 41) of the dish unit 900. The cover member 430 also has a fourth guide gutter (see FIG. 59) that serves as a fourth guide gutter that guides gaming balls downstream from the payout device 700, which will be described later.

[0176] When the cover member 430 is attached to the mounting frame 410, the third guide gutter 418 and the first and second guide paths 730C and 730D (see FIG. 60) are connected so that one opening is inserted into the other opening, allowing game balls to flow down. A receiving portion 418a is provided in either the third guide gutter 418 or the first and second guide paths 730C and 730D (in the example shown in FIG. 43, the third guide gutter 418). The receiving portion 418a has multiple ribs, similar to the receiving portion 434a. The discharge outlets 730B (see FIG. 59) of the first guide path 730C and the second guide path 730D have engaging portions that engage with the multiple ribs of the receiving portion 418a, similar to the first guide gutter 416.

[0177] [Dispensing device] Figure 58 is an overall perspective view of the payout device 700, and Figure 59 is a perspective view showing a ball passage unit 730 included in the payout device 700. The payout device 700 is composed of a ball supply path 710, a ball delivery mechanism 720, and a ball passage unit 730. The ball supply path 710 is a piping component that guides game balls from the storage tank 415 (see Figure 55) provided at the top to the ball delivery mechanism 720. The ball delivery mechanism 720 counts the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning prize and delivers the game balls in that number. The ball passage unit 730 is located at the end on the back side of the cover member 430 (see Figure 55), and is used to guide the game balls delivered from the ball delivery mechanism 720 to the payout opening 901 of the tray unit 900, which will be described later.

[0178] The ball supply path 710 is provided vertically so that game balls can flow naturally one by one from the storage tank 415 (see FIG. 55) through the first guide gutter 416 and the second guide gutter 434 (see FIG. 57) that are connected to each other to the ball delivery mechanism 720. The lower end outlet (not shown) of the ball supply path 710 is connected to the upper inlet (not shown) of the ball delivery mechanism 720.

[0179] The ball delivery mechanism 720 is configured to guide game balls flowing down from the ball supply channel 710 into the interior through an upper inlet (not shown) and dispense them one by one through a lower outlet (not shown). The ball delivery mechanism 720 has an internal mechanism that can dispense game balls one by one, a solenoid for operating this mechanism, and a count sensor (not shown) for counting the dispensed game balls. When no prize is won, the ball delivery mechanism 720 deactivates the internal mechanism and solenoid to prevent the dispense of game balls. However, when a prize is won, the internal mechanism and solenoid are activated and the count sensor counts the game balls until the number of game balls corresponding to the prize balls has been dispensed, and once the number of game balls corresponding to the prize balls has been dispensed, the internal mechanism and solenoid are again deactivated. This allows the ball delivery mechanism 720 to dispense game balls one by one corresponding to the number of prize balls when a prize is won. The lower outlet of the ball delivery mechanism 720 is connected to an inlet 730A provided at the top of the ball passage unit 730, and the game balls delivered from the ball delivery mechanism 720 flow down one by one to the inlet 730A of the ball passage unit 730. The game balls delivered from the ball delivery mechanism 720 are basically guided to the inlet 730A, but may also be guided to a ball removal port 730a (described later) adjacent to the inlet 730A.

[0180] The ball passage unit 730 has a guide path that allows a large number of game balls dispensed from the ball delivery mechanism 720 to pass through in a beaded pattern, and is configured to guide the game balls through this guide path to a payout outlet 901 of the tray unit 900 described below. Figure 60 is an exploded perspective view showing the ball passage unit 730, and Figure 61 is an exploded perspective view showing the ball passage unit 730 in a different orientation than that of Figure 60. The ball passage unit 730 is configured to have a passage partition member 731, a full tank detection lever 732, a full tank detection sensor 733, a first cover member 734, a second cover member 735, and a ball removal member 736. As the guide paths of the ball passage unit 730, a first guide path 730C is formed between the left side of the passage partition member 731 when viewed from the front side of the pachinko gaming machine Y and the first cover member 734, and a second guide path 730D is formed between the right side of the passage partition member 731 when viewed from the front side of the pachinko gaming machine Y and the second cover member 735. The first guide path 730C and the second guide path 730D each have a path length sufficient to allow a large number of gaming balls to be lined up.

[0181] On the left side of the passage partition member 731, the path side wall of the first guideway 730C is formed so as to snake back and forth and extend from the upper inlet 730A to the lower outlet 730B. The path side wall formed on the left side of this passage partition member 731 forms a groove-like right half of the first guideway 730C (see FIG. 61). On the right side of the passage partition member 731, the path side wall of the second guideway 730D is formed so as to extend from the upper inlet 730A to the lower outlet 730B. The path side wall formed on the right side of this passage partition member 731 forms a groove-like left half of the second guideway 730D (see FIG. 60). Such second guideway 730D is adjacent to the first guideway 730C with the partition between them. In other words, the first guideway 730C and the second guideway 730D are arranged side by side so as to guide game balls in the same direction.

[0182] Meanwhile, on the opposing surface of first cover member 734 facing the left side of passage partition member 731, a roadside wall of first taxiway 730C is formed so as to snake back and forth and extend from inlet 730A to outlet 730B. The roadside walls on the opposing surface of the left side of passage partition member 731 and first cover member 734 come together to form first taxiway 730C, as well as inlet 730A and outlet 730B. In addition, on the opposing surface of second cover member 735 facing the right side of passage partition member 731, a roadside wall of second taxiway 730D is formed so as to extend to outlet 730B. The roadside walls on the opposing surface of the right side of passage partition member 731 and second cover member 735 come together to form second taxiway 730D. The first guideway 730C is formed with a relatively large first width in the horizontal direction, while the second guideway 730D is formed with a second width that is smaller in the horizontal direction than the horizontal width (first width) of the first guideway 730C, and is configured to merge with the first guideway 730C upstream of the discharge outlet 730B. The discharge outlet 730B is also formed with a first width in the horizontal direction that is the same as the horizontal width (first width) of the first guideway 730C. The inlet 730A is connected only to the first guideway 730C, and basically, game balls dispensed from the ball discharge mechanism 720 enter the inlet 730A. However, adjacent to the inlet 730A, a ball removal opening 730a that leads to the ball removal member 736 is formed by combining the right side of the passage partition member 731 and the second cover member 735. As a result, game balls that cannot enter the inlet 730A due to a blockage in the first guide path 730C are guided to the ball removal port 730a. The lower end of the second guide path 730D is formed to merge with the first guide path 730C near the outlet 730B. As a result, when the blockage of game balls near the outlet 730B is cleared, the game balls that have accumulated in the first guide path 730C and the second guide path 730D are discharged all at once from the outlet 730B.

[0183] Figure 62 is a plan view showing the first guideway 730C of the ball passage unit 730, and Figure 63 is a plan view showing the second guideway 730D of the ball passage unit 730. A through hole 731A is formed in the upper part of the passage partition member 731 to guide game balls from the right side to the left side. A branch path 730E is formed in the upper part of the first guideway 730C on the right side of the passage partition member 731, which can guide game balls to the through hole 731A. The opposite side of the through hole 731A is connected to the upper end of the second guideway 730D. As a result, when the game balls in the first guideway 730C become clogged up to the top and cannot flow downward, the game balls that have flowed down from the inlet 730A to the top of the first guideway 730C bypass this first guideway 730C and are led to the branch path 730E, and the game balls that have been led to the branch path 730E are then led through the through hole 731A to the upper end of the second guideway 730D, and the game balls to be paid out as prize balls are temporarily stored inside the ball passage unit 730 until not only the first guideway 730C but also the second guideway 730D are filled with game balls.

[0184] Also, on the right side of the passage partition member 731, there are provided a full tank detection lever 732 that can swing with its tip protruding in a position midway along the second guideway 730D, and a full tank detection sensor 733 that detects when the tip of the full tank detection lever 732 is displaced rearward from the protruding position. The full tank detection lever 732 is provided in a substantially vertical portion of the second guideway 730D, and is displaced rearward when pressed against a gaming ball that has clogged up to this portion and cannot flow down. When the displaced full tank detection lever 732 remains in contact for a predetermined period of time, the full tank detection sensor 733 detects that the second guideway 730D is clogged with gaming balls and is full, and outputs a corresponding signal to the payout / launch control circuit 123 (see FIG. 84). This allows the ball delivery mechanism 720 to continue delivering game balls until the second guide path 730D is filled up, even if the flow of game balls in the first guide path 730C stagnates.

[0185] Furthermore, a ball ejection member 736 is attached to the right side of the second cover member 735 when viewed from the front side of the pachinko gaming machine Y. The ball ejection member 736 discharges gaming balls guided from the ball ejection port 730a from a lower end opening 736A. The gaming balls discharged from the lower end opening 736A of the ball ejection member 736 are guided to a ball ejection pipe not shown, and are ultimately released into a cash box placed outside the pachinko gaming machine Y.

[0186] [Ball detection unit] FIG. 64 is a perspective view showing the outlet 55 of the gaming board 1A, and FIG. 65 is a perspective view showing the ball detection unit 800 located behind the outlet 55 with the gaming board 1A removed. As shown in FIG. 64, the outlet 55 is provided in the lower center of the playing area 1p of the gaming board 1A to guide game balls that have flowed down without winning to the rear. As shown in FIG. 65, behind the outlet 55 is provided an out ball receiving member 801 having an opening 801A that receives multiple game balls guided from the outlet 55 and collects the game balls at a location opposite the outlet 55 and further guides them to the rear. The ball detection unit 800 is provided in the mounting frame 410 immediately after the opening 801A of the out ball receiving member 801.

[0187] Figure 66 is a perspective view showing the entire ball detection unit 800, Figure 67 is an exploded perspective view showing the ball detection unit 800, and Figure 68 is an exploded perspective view showing the ball detection unit 800 in a different orientation than that shown in Figure 67. The ball detection unit 800 is composed of a left-side component member 810, a right-side component member 820, a protruding piece member 830, a first detection sensor 840, and a second detection sensor 850. The ball detection unit 800 is for detecting, as an out ball, a game ball that passes through outlet 55, which serves as an inlet. The left-side component member 810 is provided with the first detection sensor 840, and the right-side component member 820 is provided with the second detection sensor 850. The left-side component member 810 and the right-side component member 820 are joined together with the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850, with the protruding piece member 830 sandwiched in the center. The first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 function as an inlet through which a plurality of gaming balls can flow, and as an example of a plurality of detection means downstream of the inlet that can detect the gaming balls that have flowed in.

[0188] Figure 69 is an internal side view of the left-side component 810 that constitutes the ball detection unit 800, Figure 70 is an internal side view of the right-side component 820 that constitutes the ball detection unit 800, and Figure 71 is a top view of the protruding piece member 830 that constitutes the ball detection unit 800. The left-side component 810 and the right-side component 820 are formed roughly symmetrically, and each have front openings 810A, 820A, introduction spaces 810B, 820B, sensor placement sections 810C, 820C, and free space sections 810D, 820D.

[0189] The front openings 810A and 820A are integrated with each other and are located directly behind the opening 801A of the out ball receiving member 801, forming a receiving opening (inlet) that receives game balls that have passed through the opening 801A. The front openings 810A and 820A each have an opening area large enough to allow one game ball to pass through with ease. This allows at least two game balls to enter the integrated receiving opening at the same time.

[0190] The introduction spaces 810B, 820B are basically passages that guide game balls from the front openings 810A, 820A to the sensor placement sections 810C, 820C, respectively, and each can easily accommodate one game ball. The bottom surfaces 810Ba, 820Ba of the introduction spaces 810B, 820B are slightly inclined from the horizontal plane, and are formed so as to descend as they go further back.

[0191] The sensor arrangement sections 810C and 820C are locations where the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 are arranged, respectively. The first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 are arranged in the sensor arrangement sections 810C and 820C so that their front ends are slightly lower than the bottom surfaces 810Ba and 820Ba of the introduction spaces 810B and 820B. The first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 are arranged in an inclined position so that they are positioned higher from their front ends to their rear ends. The first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 are provided with a passage hole through which one gaming ball can pass, and when a gaming ball passes through this passage hole, it is detected as an out ball and is discharged downward and collected. As a result, the gaming balls that have been guided from the introduction spaces 810B, 820B to the sensor placement sections 810C, 820C are more likely to be guided to the passage holes of the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850.

[0192] The free space sections 810D, 820D are located downstream of the outlet 55, above and further back than the sensor placement sections 810C, 820C, and form spaces that are narrower than the sensor placement sections 810C, 820C. The free space sections 810D, 820D are large enough to allow a single gaming ball to move freely when integrated with each other. The bottom surfaces 810Da, 820Da of the free space sections 810D, 820D are slightly inclined from the horizontal plane and are formed to rise (protrude) as they move further back. The front ends of the bottom surfaces 810Da, 820Da are formed to be located higher than the rear ends of the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850. As a result, a single game ball may be guided beyond the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 into the free movement spaces 810D, 820D at the rear, and even a game ball guided into this free movement space 810D, 820D is likely to fall into the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850. The free movement spaces 810D, 820D may be portions large enough to allow two or more game balls to move freely together.

[0193] The protruding piece member 830 is provided to separate the sensor arrangement portions 810C, 820C (first detection sensor 840, second detection sensor 850) as well as the introduction spaces 810B, 820B and the free space portions 810D, 820D. As shown in Figures 69 and 70, the protruding piece member 830 is arranged to extend from the bottom of the front openings 810A, 820A, which serve as inlets, toward the back so that at least a portion of the game balls that flow in can ride up, and has an inclined upper end 830A that rises (protrudes) as it progresses from the bottom of the front openings 810A, 820A toward the free space portions 810D, 820D. This upper end 830A does not completely separate the introduction spaces 810B, 820B or the free movement spaces 810D, 820D, and protrudes slightly above the bottom surfaces 810Ba, 820Ba, 810Da, 820Da. Also, as shown in Fig. 71, the upper end 830A of the protruding piece member 830 is formed to undulate from side to side along the game ball entry direction, and is formed in a ridge shape so that the game balls that flow in can easily slide over it. This makes it easy for the game balls in the sensor placement sections 810C, 820C to pass over the upper end 830A of the protruding piece member 830 in the left-right direction and fall into either the first detection sensor 840 or the second detection sensor 850. Furthermore, a game ball that advances from the sensor placement section 810C, 820C into the free space section 810D, 820D at the rear comes into unsteady contact with the upper end 830A of the protruding piece member 830, and is swung down toward either the first detection sensor 840 or the second detection sensor 850.

[0194] [Dish unit] FIG. 72 is an overall perspective view showing the glass door 5 equipped with a tray unit 900, and FIG. 73 is an overall front view showing the front of the glass door 5. The tray unit 900 is provided in the lower left corner of the front of the glass door 5. While only one tray unit 900 is provided in the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, an upper tray unit and a lower tray unit may be provided, and either one may be used as the tray unit 900 of this embodiment. The tray unit 900 stores game balls to be paid out in response to winnings, sequentially guides the stored game balls to the launching device 26, and can discharge the game balls into a so-called dollar box (not shown) located below in response to the player's ball removal operation. A payout opening 901 for paying out game balls is provided behind the tray unit 900, and multiple game balls are paid out from this payout opening 901 to the tray unit 900. Behind the payout opening 901, a ball delivery receiving member 902 is provided for receiving game balls from the launching device 26 and delivering them to the payout opening 901 (see FIG. 74).

[0195] Figure 74 is an enlarged perspective view showing the entire dish unit 900, Figure 75 is an exploded perspective view of the dish unit 900, Figure 76 is a top view of the dish unit 900, and Figure 77 is a top view of the dish unit 900 with the tray cover member 930 removed. The dish unit 900 is composed of a decorative cover 910, a main body 920, a tray cover member 930, a ball removal passage member 940, a lid opening / closing portion 950, etc. The decorative cover 910 is attached to the front and sides of the dish unit 900 so as to cover the ball removal passage member 940, etc., which are located at the bottom of the main body 920. 75, the main body 920 is provided with an alignment section 920A that aligns a plurality of game balls in an orderly row toward the launcher 26 inside the pachinko game machine Y, and a first openable / closeable lid 920B and a second openable / closeable lid 953B that guide the game balls to the ball removal passage member 940 by operating the lid openable / closeable section 950 by the player. The tray cover member 930 is disposed at the top of the main body 920, and first receives and stores the game balls paid out from the payout opening 901, and then guides the stored game balls to the alignment section 920A below. The tray cover member 930 includes a cover portion 930A that covers the alignment portion 920A of the main body portion 920 from above, an outer peripheral portion 930B that forms a peripheral wall with a gap between it and the outer wall 930Aa of the cover portion 930A that allows game balls to pass through, a rectifying portion 930C that is formed between the outer wall 930Aa and the outer peripheral portion 930B and guides game balls to the alignment portion 920A below, a slope portion 930D that allows multiple game balls paid out from the payout opening 901 to slide down, a storage portion 930E that can store multiple game balls that have slid down the slope portion 930D and flow them into the rectifying portion 930C, and a first opening 930F that is located on the bottom surface of the storage portion 930E and is provided above the first opening / closing lid 920B. Note that the payout opening 901 is not shown in FIG. 74. In FIG. 75, the decorative cover 910 is omitted from the illustration.

[0196] The alignment section 920A of the main body 920 is provided at the rear end of the tray unit 900, at a location to the right of the side opposite the side where the payout opening 901 (ball sending-out receiving member 902) is located, so as to extend straight from left to right. The alignment section 920A is formed in the shape of a linear groove by guide pieces 920Aa, sloping downward from right to left, so that multiple gaming balls flow in a line. In other words, the upstream side of the direction in which the gaming balls are aligned in the alignment section 920A (upstream side in the alignment direction) corresponds to the right end of the alignment section 920A separated from the payout opening 901, and the gaming balls flow down from the rectification section 930C of the cover section 930A to the right end of this alignment section 920A. An inlet 920Ab is provided at the left end of the alignment section 920A, downstream of the alignment direction, for guiding game balls to the internal launching device 26. A second opening 930G is provided on the bottom surface of the alignment section 920A, above the second opening / closing lid 953B. The game balls lined up in the alignment section 920A are linearly guided one by one to the inlet 920Ab. The right end of this alignment section 920A is partially exposed, while the remaining portion is covered by the cover section 930A of the tray cover member 930. The portion of the main body 920 where the tray cover member 930 is disposed is formed in a shape that generally matches the outer periphery 930B, rectifying section 930C, slope section 930D, storage section 930E, and first opening 930F of the tray cover member 930. Furthermore, a wall portion 920Ac is provided on the rectifying portion 930C side of the alignment portion 920A to prevent game balls flowing down from climbing up onto the game balls aligned in the alignment portion 920A even when the cover portion 930A is not attached. When the player operates the first lid opening / closing portion 950A to open the first opening / closing lid 920B of the main body portion 920, game balls in the storage portion 930E of the tray cover member 930 are discharged downward through the first opening 930F. The discharged game balls are guided through the ball removal passage member 940 to the drop port 940A located directly above the dollar box, and are discharged from the drop port 940A into the dollar box. On the other hand, when the first opening / closing lid 920B is in the closed state, the game balls in the storage portion 930E remain there without falling through the first opening 930F and are guided to the rectifying portion 930C.Furthermore, when the player operates the second lid opening / closing unit 950B to open the second opening / closing lid 953B of the main body 920, the game balls lined up in the alignment unit 920A are discharged downward through the second opening 930G. The discharged game balls are guided through the ball removal passage member 940 to the drop port 940A located directly above the cash box, and are discharged from the drop port 940A into the cash box. On the other hand, when the second opening / closing lid 953B is in the closed state, the game balls lined up in the alignment unit 920A are guided from the introduction port 920Ab to the launching device 26 inside without falling through the second opening 930G.

[0197] The cover portion 930A of the tray cover member 930 is located at the rear end of the tray unit 900, on the right side opposite the side where the payout opening 901 (ball delivery receiving member 902) is located. The outer wall 930Aa of the cover portion 930A is formed in a curved shape, and an opening 930Ab is formed in a position corresponding to the right end of the alignment portion 920A. The outer peripheral portion 930B is formed in a curved shape that generally follows the outer wall 930Aa so as to form a rectification portion 930C between itself and the outer wall 930Aa. As a result, the rectification portion 930C is formed as a passage that guides the gaming balls in the storage portion 930E toward the opening 930Ab while bending them in a curved shape. In addition, the outer wall portion 930Ea of the storage portion 930E and the outer periphery portion 930B of the rectification portion 930C form one continuous surface so that game balls released from the payout opening 901 can roll while coming into contact with each other and reach the rectification portion 930C. As a result, when no game balls are stored in the storage portion 930E, the released game balls roll to the outer wall portion 930Ea, and are guided to the rectification portion 930C while having their direction changed by the continuous surface (outer wall portion 930Ea, outer periphery portion 930B). Here, the first opening 930F that can discharge game balls to the outside of the storage section 930E and the first opening / closing lid 920B that can be switched between a closed state in which game balls can be stored and an open state in which game balls can be discharged to the outside are provided on the inside side (game board 1A side) of the storage section 930E at a predetermined distance from the continuous surface so that the game balls can roll while contacting the continuous surface (external wall section 930Ea, outer periphery section 930B). This predetermined distance is preferably at least equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball. This is to prevent all game balls released from the payout outlet 901 from being discharged to the outside through the first opening 930F. For example, when there are only a few game balls stored, the game balls released from the payout outlet 901 roll while coming into contact with the continuous surface (outer wall portion 930Ea, outer peripheral portion 930B), and are guided to the straightening portion 930C without reaching the first opening 930F and falling from the first opening 930F. Therefore, even if the first opening / closing lid 920B is in the open state, most of the game balls will not fall from the first opening 930F, and the supply of game balls to the launching device 26 will not be interrupted.

[0198] The rectifying portion 930C is formed to slope slightly downward from the storage portion 930E toward the opening 930Ab. The rectifying portion 930C is formed by the outer wall 930Aa and the outer peripheral portion 930B so that it gradually narrows as it moves toward the opening 930Ab. As a result, the rectifying portion 930C causes game balls that are piled up in a disorderly manner in the storage portion 930E to flow toward the opening 930Ab in a gradually curved line. Even if a game ball is discharged forcefully from the payout opening 901 and reaches the rectifying portion 930C beyond the slope portion 930D and the storage portion 930E, the game ball hits the inner surface of the curved outer peripheral portion 930B, weakening its propulsive force, and is guided through the rectifying portion 930C to the opening 930Ab.

[0199] Figure 78 is a perspective view of the main body 920, ball removal passage member 940, and lid opening / closing part 950 as viewed from the rear side, and Figure 79 is an exploded view of the view shown in Figure 78. The lid opening / closing part 950 is provided below the main body 920, and the ball removal passage member 940 is provided below the lid opening / closing part 950.

[0200] Figure 80 is a perspective view of the ball removal passage member 940, Figure 81 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in Figure 80, and Figure 82 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB' in Figure 80. As shown in Figure 80, the ball removal passage member 940 is formed in a generally L-shape in top view, extends in the left-right direction when viewed from the front side, is hollow, and includes a first passage 941 through which game balls flow, and a second passage 942 connected to the downstream end of the first passage 941, extends in a direction perpendicular to the first passage 941 (front-to-rear direction), is hollow, through which game balls flow, and has a drop port 940A formed at the downstream end that is open downward. The first passage 941 and the second passage 942 are arranged so that their bottom surfaces slope downward from the upstream side to the downstream side, allowing game balls to flow downward from upstream to downstream.

[0201] The first passage 941 has a first receiving port 941a and a second receiving port 941b for guiding game balls into the ball removal passage member 940. The first receiving port 941a is formed at the upstream end below the first opening 930F (see FIG. 79) of the main body 920 and the first opening / closing lid 953A (see FIG. 79) of the first lid opening / closing unit 950A, and is open at the top. The first receiving port 941a protrudes from the side of the first passage 941 and curves to be open at the top. This allows game balls that fall from the first opening 930F to be smoothly guided into the inside of the first passage 941. The second receiving port 941b is formed between the upstream end and the downstream end below the second opening 930G (see FIG. 79) of the main body 920 and the second opening / closing lid 953B (see FIG. 79) of the second lid opening / closing unit 950B, and is open at the top. The second receiving opening 941b protrudes from the side surface of the first passage 941 and is curved to be open at the top. This allows the game balls that have fallen from the second opening 930G to be smoothly guided into the inside of the first passage 941.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 81, at least one of the two side surfaces of the first passage 941 extending in the upstream-downstream direction forms an inclined wall 941c that slopes downward toward the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 82, the inclined wall 941c protrudes toward the other side surface from the middle toward the downstream end. That is, the inclined wall 941c slopes downward toward the bottom surface while protruding toward the other side surface. As a result, the width inside the first passage 941 gradually narrows from the middle toward the downstream end and toward the bottom surface (for example, from the width of two gaming balls to the width of one gaming ball). As a result, even if a large number of gaming balls flow into the first passage 941, the gaming balls can be aligned in a single line and flow down to the second passage 942. Furthermore, a guide wall 941d extending obliquely from the side surface on which the first receiving port 941a is provided to the other side surface is formed in the portion of the first passage 941 facing the first receiving port 941a (see FIG. 80) on the side surface extending in the upstream-downstream direction. This allows the game balls flowing in from the first receiving port 941a to be smoothly guided into the inside of the first passage 941.

[0203] The second passage 942 has a corner wall 942a that forms an outer corner at the connection portion with the first passage 941. The corner wall 942a is a portion that continues from the downstream end of the first passage 941 to the upstream end of the second passage 942, and is formed in a curved shape that bulges in the direction in which the game balls flow down.

[0204] FIG. 83 is an exploded perspective view of the ball removal passage member 940. The ball removal passage member 940 is formed by combining a first member 940a and a second member 940b to have a hollow shape through which game balls can flow. The first member 940a forms the top, bottom, and one side of the first passage 941 and the top and two side of the second passage 942. The second member 940b forms the other side of the first passage 941 and the corner wall 942a and bottom of the second passage 942. The first member 940a has notches 940a' cut diagonally upward from the lower end of the portion forming the two side faces of the second passage 942. The second member 940b has protrusions 940b' protruding diagonally upward from two side edges of the portion forming the bottom face of the second passage 942. When the first member 940a and the second member 940b are combined with each other, the notch 940a' and the protrusion 940b' are engaged with each other, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 82. Therefore, the combined state of the two members can be maintained without the need to screw the first member 940a and the second member 940b together.

[0205] 79, the lid opening / closing unit 950 includes a first lid opening / closing unit 950A for opening and closing the first opening 930F of the main body 920, and a second lid opening / closing unit 950B for opening and closing the second opening 930G of the main body 920. The first lid opening / closing unit 950A includes a first gripping unit 951A that extends from a base end located below the main body 920 toward the front side and has a tip that protrudes toward the front side from the main body 920 and can be operated by a player, a first lid opening / closing unit main body 952A that slidably holds the base end side of the first gripping unit 951A, and a first opening / closing lid 953A that is fixed to the first gripping unit 951A and slidably attached to the first lid opening / closing unit main body 952A and can be displaced between a closed state that closes the first opening 930F and an open state that opens the first opening 930F. This allows the player to slide the first grip portion 951A to displace the first opening / closing lid 953A between open and closed states, thereby opening and closing the first opening 930F. The second lid opening / closing part 950B comprises a second gripping part 951B which extends from a base end located below the main body part 920 towards the front side and has a tip which protrudes towards the front side from the main body part 920 and can be operated by a player; a second lid opening / closing part main body 952B which slidably holds the base end side of the second gripping part 951B; a second opening / closing lid 953B which is slidably attached to the second lid opening / closing part main body 952B and can be displaced between a closed state which blocks the second opening 930G and an open state which opens the second opening 930G; and a link part 954 which is connected to the second gripping part 951B and the second opening / closing lid 953B and which displaces the second opening / closing lid 953B between the open state and the open state by sliding movement of the second gripping part 951B. This allows the player to slide the second grip portion 951B to displace the second opening / closing lid 953B between open and closed states, thereby opening and closing the second opening 930G.

[0206] [Electrical configuration of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment] 84 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine Y according to the second embodiment differs from the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment in that a first detection sensor 840 and a second detection sensor 850 are connected to the main control circuit 70, a full tank detection sensor 733 is connected to the payout / launch control circuit 123, and two projector device bodies b2 are connected to the sub-control circuit 200.

[0207] The first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 each detect a gaming ball that has passed through the outlet 55 (see FIG. 64) as an out ball, and output a predetermined output signal to the main control circuit 70. When the full tank detection lever 732 (see FIG. 63) displaced to the rear remains in contact for a predetermined period of time, the full tank detection sensor 733 detects that the second guide path 730D (see FIG. 63) is full of gaming balls and outputs a predetermined output signal to the payout / launch control circuit 123. When the payout / launch control circuit 123 receives this predetermined output signal, it temporarily stops the payout of gaming balls by the prize ball case unit 170. Furthermore, when the full tank detection lever 732 displaces to the front side and separates from the full tank detection sensor 733, the full tank detection sensor 733 detects that the second guide path 730D is not full of gaming balls and outputs a predetermined output signal to the payout / launch control circuit 123. When the payout / launch control circuit 123 receives this predetermined output signal, it resumes the payout of game balls by the prize ball case unit 170, which had been temporarily stopped.

[0208] As with the pachinko gaming machine of the first embodiment, the sub-control circuit 200 controls the projector control circuit 90 in accordance with the presentation operations of other gaming devices, etc., and causes the two projector device bodies b2 to project light individually or in conjunction with each other, and projects the light toward the back of the gaming board 1A or the screen section b4, thereby displaying images as a visual presentation.

[0209] In addition, gaming machine components such as various sensors, various devices, and other circuits connected to the main control circuit 70 are connected to the main control circuit 70 via a relay board 100 (see Figure 51) housed in a cover member 430 (see Figure 51) and a gaming board relay board 101 (see Figure 45) of the gaming board 1A (see Figure 45).

[0210] In the pachinko game machine in the above embodiment, game balls stored in a storage tray are launched onto the game board, and when a win occurs, the game balls are paid out from the payout device to the storage tray, but this is not limited to this.

[0211] For example, the present invention can be applied to all types of machines in which a player inserts gaming media, such as gaming balls or medals, required for a game, and the game is played based on the inserted gaming media, and a bonus is awarded based on the results of the game, such as pachislot machines and casino machines. That is, in addition to a type in which gaming media are used through the physical actions of the player and gaming media are paid out based on the game results, the present invention may also be applied to a type in which the main control circuit (main control board) itself electromagnetically manages the gaming media owned by the player, allowing the player to play without touching the gaming media. Furthermore, the device that electromagnetically manages the gaming media owned by the player may be a gaming media management device that is attached (connected) to the main control circuit (main control board) and manages the gaming media. In this case, it is preferable that the gaming machine be an enclosed type in which the gaming balls launched onto the gaming board are not touched by the player.

[0212] The game media management device is a device equipped with a ROM and RWM (or RAM) and installed in the gaming machine. It is connected to an external game media handling device (not shown) via a predetermined interface for two-way communication and can electromagnetically record the game media used for gaming resulting from the game media lending and payout operations. Furthermore, the game media management device may not only manage the actual number of game media, but may also manage the number of game media displayed on an owned game media number display device (not shown) that is provided on the front of the pachinko machine 1 or 1A and displays the number of owned game media based on the management results of the number of game media. In other words, the game media management device may be capable of electromagnetically recording and displaying the total number of game media available for a player to use in gaming.

[0213] In this case, the game media management device has the ability to allow the player to freely send a signal indicating the number of recorded game media to an external game media handling device, and also has the ability to prevent the number of recorded game media from being reduced except when the player directly operates it, and if an external connection terminal board (not shown) is provided between the device and the external game media handling device, it is desirable that the device have the ability to prevent the player from sending a signal indicating the number of recorded game media except through that external connection terminal board.

[0214] In addition to the above, the gaming machine is provided with a lending operation means, a return (settlement) operation means, and an external connection terminal board that can be operated by the player, and the gaming medium handling device may be provided with an insertion slot for valuables such as banknotes, an insertion slot for recording media (e.g., an IC card), a contactless communication antenna for depositing electronic money from a mobile terminal, and various other operation means such as a lending operation means, a return operation means, and an external connection terminal board on the gaming medium handling device side (all not shown).

[0215] The game flow in this case is, for example, as follows: the player deposits valuables into the gaming media handling device by any method, subtracts a predetermined amount of valuables by operating one of the above-mentioned lending operation means, and then adds gaming media corresponding to the subtracted value from the gaming media handling device to the gaming media management device. The player then plays the game and repeats the above operation if more gaming media are needed. After that, the player acquires a predetermined number of gaming media as a result of playing. When the game ends, the player operates one of the return operation means, causing the gaming media management device to transmit the number of gaming media to the gaming media handling device, and the gaming media handling device ejects a recording medium containing the number of gaming media. When the number of gaming media is transmitted, the gaming media management device clears the number of gaming media stored in its memory. The player then takes the ejected recording medium to a prize counter or the like to exchange it for a prize, or moves to another gaming machine to play using the gaming media recorded on another machine.

[0216] In this way, by providing the above-mentioned gaming medium management device, it is possible to reduce the number of payout devices and the like inside the gaming machine compared to when gaming media are physically provided for play, which not only reduces the cost and manufacturing costs of the gaming machine but also prevents players from directly touching the gaming media, improving the gaming environment and reducing noise, and reducing the number of devices also reduces the power consumption of the gaming machine. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent fraudulent activities via gaming media and the gaming media insertion slots and payout outlets. In other words, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can improve various environments surrounding the gaming machine.

[0217] The pachinko gaming machine Y according to the second embodiment has the following advantages. According to the pachinko gaming machine Y, the projector unit b can be arranged in an inclined state at a position that does not block the projection light emitted from the projection lens b2a from the front side to the rear side, thereby reducing the installation space from the front side to the rear side of the projector unit b. Furthermore, since the main control board 70A can be accommodated in the predetermined space 405 formed between the lower part of the projector unit b arranged in this manner and the cover member, space can be saved compared to when the main control board 70A is provided in a different location without using the predetermined space 405. Therefore, a gaming machine can be provided that allows for space-saving rear mechanisms.

[0218] Furthermore, by arranging one end of the projector unit b, where the projection lens b2a is provided, on the front side of the pachinko game machine Y and the other end on the back side, with one end lower than the other end, it becomes possible to release the waste heat from the projector unit b diagonally upwards without it being trapped inside the back mechanism of the pachinko game machine Y, and it becomes possible to prevent this waste heat from adversely affecting other precision parts.

[0219] This allows main control board 70A to be housed in recess 431a of cover member 430, so that main control board 70A can be housed in predetermined space 405 below projector unit b, while protecting main control board 70A from waste heat from projector unit b and preventing adverse effects of this waste heat on main control board 70A. Furthermore, housing main control board 70A in cover member 430 arranged on the outside facilitates maintenance of the components.

[0220] Furthermore, since the projector unit b and the mirror member b3 can be attached to the mounting base 420 provided between the mounting frame 410 and the cover member 430, there is no need to provide the mirror member b3 so that it protrudes from the front of the mounting frame 410, and therefore a gaming machine can be provided that can appropriately project the irradiated light onto the screen without spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the pachinko gaming machine Y.

[0221] Furthermore, the width of the mounting base 420 narrows from the front side to the rear side, allowing the main board 70A to be accommodated in the rear portion 431 of the cover member 430, and allowing a relay board 100 different from the main board 70A to be accommodated in the side 432 of the cover member 430, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the limited space inside the gaming machine. Furthermore, the cover member 430 is formed so as to protrude from the surface of the cover member 430 toward the interior of the pachinko gaming machine Y, and is provided with a recess 431a that can accommodate the main control board 70A so as not to protrude from the surface of the cover member 430 toward the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine Y. As a result, by accommodating the main control board 70A in the recess 431a, it can be arranged between the mounting base 420 and the surface of the cover member 430 so as not to protrude toward the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine Y, making it possible to effectively utilize the limited space inside the gaming machine.

[0222] Furthermore, the game board 1A is detachably fixed by a movable stopper attached to the mounting frame 410 located on the front side, and the mounting base 420 and cover member 430 are attached to the back side of the mounting frame 410, so that it is difficult to access the game board movable stopper 413 attached to the mounting frame 410 unless the cover member 430 is removed, thereby preventing fraudulent acts. Also, since various components to be attached to the back side of the game board 1A can be attached to the mounting base 420 and cover member 430 attached to the back side of the game board 1A, it is possible, for example, to change only the game board 1A without changing the various components, making the design of the gaming machine easier. Furthermore, when assembling the gaming machine, the gaming board movable stopper 413 related to the gaming board 1A is attached to the side of the mounting frame 410, and the cover member 430 housing the main control board 70A is attached to the back of the mounting frame 410, so that different mounting surfaces are used for different major categories of components, such as components related to the gaming board 1A and components related to the back mechanism of the main control board 70A, etc. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that facilitates design changes and assembly work of the gaming machine and can reduce the amount of work required in the assembly work.

[0223] Furthermore, by dividing which components are attached to which surface of the mounting frame 410, assembly can be performed according to the relative positions of the components attached to the mounting frame 410 (inner circumference or rear surface), thereby preventing errors during assembly.

[0224] Furthermore, a mounting base 420 is provided between the mounting frame 410 and a cover member 430 capable of accommodating the main control board 70A, the projector unit b is attached to this mounting base 420, a control board capable of controlling the gaming device is attached to the cover member, and the mounting frame 410 is provided with a fixing portion 411a to which the mounting base 420 and the cover member 430 can be separately fixed, thereby making it possible to change the shape of the mounting base 420 depending on the type of gaming device. Therefore, by configuring the member covering the back mechanism with two members, the cover member 430 and the mounting base 420, it is possible to use the cover member 430, which is a common member, while changing the shape of the mounting base 420 depending on the type of gaming device to match the performance characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine Y, thereby enabling flexible model development. Therefore, a gaming machine can be provided in which the versatility of the member covering the back mechanism can be improved.

[0225] Furthermore, unless the cover member 430 is removed, the mounting base 420 on which the gaming device is mounted cannot be operated, so that the gaming device can be prevented from being removed from the outside by mischief or the like.

[0226] Moreover, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the entire gaming machine by attaching the cover member 430 to the mounting frame 410. Moreover, by making the member covering the rear mechanism a double structure of the cover member 430 and the mounting base 420, it is possible to further improve the rigidity of the entire gaming machine.

[0227] According to the pachinko gaming machine Y, at least one of the side surfaces 432 of the cover member 430 is inclined, so that, for the same depth dimension, the installation area for gaming machine components such as the sub-control board 80A is larger than when the side surfaces 432 are not inclined, and therefore a wider variety of gaming machine components can be attached. Also, since the sub-control board 80A can be housed in this inclined side surface 432 separately from the main control board 70A housed inside the space formed by the rear surface 431 and at least two side surfaces 432, it is possible to prevent the sub-control board 80A from protruding beyond the rear surface 431 of the pachinko gaming machine Y compared to when the sub-control board 80A is integrated into the rear surface 431. Therefore, a gaming machine capable of reducing the depth dimension can be provided.

[0228] Furthermore, by providing the recess 431a in the back surface 431 of the cover member 430, it is possible to increase the bending strength of the back surface 431 of the cover member 430. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which the strength of the cover member that covers the back surface side of the gaming machine can be improved.

[0229] Furthermore, for example, if the main control board 70A protruded from the back surface portion 431, there was a high possibility that an external force would be applied to this protruding portion and cause damage when the pachinko gaming machine Y was moved, etc. According to the present invention, by accommodating the main control board 70A in the recess 431a and making the surface of the back surface portion 431 approximately flush, it is possible to reduce the possibility that external force would be applied to the gaming machine components and cause damage when the gaming machine is moved, etc.

[0230] Furthermore, since at least one of the side surfaces 432 of the cover member 430 is inclined, the installation area for gaming machine components such as the sub-control board 80A is larger than when the side surface 432 is not inclined, assuming the same depth dimension, and therefore a wider variety of gaming machine components can be installed. Furthermore, at least a portion of the side surface 432 opposite the side pivotally supported by the main body frame 2 is formed inside an imaginary circle VC centered on the main body frame hinge 2b of the main unit 400 and passing through the inner side edge of the main body unit 400. This increases the space inside the cover member 430 within the range in which it can rotate inside the main body frame 2, making it possible to arrange more gaming machine components. Therefore, a gaming machine can be provided that can reduce the depth dimension.

[0231] Furthermore, at least a portion of the side surface 432 of the cover member 430 is formed in a shape that follows the imaginary circle VC, so that the space inside the cover member 430 is further increased within the range in which it can rotate inside the main body frame 2, making it possible to arrange even more gaming machine components.

[0232] Furthermore, since at least one of the side surface portions 432 of the cover member 430 is inclined, the area available for installation of gaming machine components such as the sub-control board 80A is larger than when the side surface portion 432 is not inclined, assuming the same depth dimension, and therefore a wider variety of gaming machine components can be attached. Furthermore, the cover member 430 has an opening 432e provided so that wiring from the gaming board relay board 101 of the gaming board 1A housed inside the space formed by the back surface portion 431 and at least two side surface portions 432 can be connected to the relay board 100 provided on the outside of the cover member 430, and the first side surface recess 432a can house the relay board 100 connected to the wiring via the opening 432e, and the first side surface recess 432a is adjacent to a recess 431a and a second side surface recess 432c capable of housing the main control board 70A and the sub-control board 80A, respectively. This allows various gaming machine components to be centrally arranged, even if a wider variety of main control boards 70A can be installed, and the cables connecting them can be shortened. This makes it easier to check the various gaming machine components and to route cables, etc. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that simplifies the assembly and maintenance of the gaming machine.

[0233] According to the pachinko game machine Y, even if the flow of game balls that will become prize balls stagnates and becomes clogged in the first guide path 730C that leads from the ball delivery mechanism 720 to the discharge port 730B inside the payout device 700 due to the payout port of the storage tray being blocked, the game balls from the ball delivery mechanism 720 are guided to the second guide path 730D via the branch path 730E and the through hole 731A that branch off from the middle of the upper part of the first guide path 730C, and even if the second guide path 730D becomes full of game balls, once the blockage near the payout port (discharge port 730B) is cleared, the large number of game balls that have filled the first guide path 730C and the second guide path 730D can be immediately discharged all at once from the discharge port 730B. That is, clogging of game balls inside the payout device 700 can be prevented by delaying it as much as possible until the second guide path 730D is filled up.

[0234] Furthermore, since the first guide path 730C and the second guide path 730D are provided inside the payout device 700, there is no risk of the game balls in the guide paths coming into direct contact with the player's hands, and it is possible to prevent the game balls from becoming jammed due to external factors.

[0235] In addition, in the cover member 430, the ball passage unit 730 and the board storage section can be formed as an integrated unit, and by positioning the control board closer to the center of the cover member 430, it is possible to provide flexibility in wiring routing and it also becomes easier to check whether any tampering has been done to the control board.

[0236] Furthermore, until the second guide path 730D is full and the full tank detection lever 732 and the full tank detection sensor 733 detect that the game balls are stagnating, the ball delivery mechanism 720 can continue to deliver game balls as prize balls corresponding to the winning prize. Therefore, even when the second guide path 730D is full, the payout operation can be continued without being immediately interrupted, and more game balls can be stored inside the payout device 700. Furthermore, by changing the lateral widths of the first guide path 730C and the second guide path 730D, it is possible to change the amount of game balls stored and the flow rate in the first guide section and the second guide section, and adjustments can be made to perform a more appropriate payout operation.

[0237] In addition, the second guideway 730D is arranged so as to overlap the first guideway 730C in a plan view, so that the space occupied by the second guideway 730D, which is separately provided, can be effectively secured and utilized without significantly expanding the space. This contributes to the miniaturization of the ball passage unit 730 and the entire dispensing device 700.

[0238] In addition, game balls stored in the second guideway 730D in a full state can also be guided to merge with the outlet 730B. This allows the game balls in the first guideway 730C to be collectively discharged from a single outlet 730B, and the clogging of game balls inside the payout device 700 can be resolved as quickly as possible.

[0239] According to the pachinko game machine Y, the protruding piece member 830 separates the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 while still allowing game balls to enter the free space portions 810D, 820D at the rear, and game balls in the free space portions 810D, 820D can be dropped into either the first detection sensor 840 or the second detection sensor 850 along the bottom surfaces 810Da, 820Da while in contact with the upper end 830A of the protruding piece member 830, so that game balls do not get caught between each other inside the ball detection unit 800, and thus game balls can be effectively prevented from clogging near the outlet 55.

[0240] Furthermore, the protruding piece member 830 can guide the game ball from the front to the back along the direction in which the game ball enters, so that the game ball is split to the left and right, and therefore there is no risk of the game balls getting caught in each other, and the game ball can be smoothly guided to either the first detection sensor 840 or the second detection sensor 850.

[0241] Furthermore, the upper end 830A of the protruding piece member 830 is formed so that it rises (protrudes) as it goes further back, so that it is possible to allow the game ball to enter the free space portions 810D, 820D while making it easier for the game ball to gradually fall towards either the first detection sensor 840 or the second detection sensor 850, and the front portion of the upper end 830A can guide the game ball to either the first detection sensor 840 or the second detection sensor 850 without restricting its direction of travel.

[0242] Furthermore, the protruding piece member 830 separates the first detection sensor 840 and the second detection sensor 850 without completely separating them, and the upper end 830A is ridged, so that an entering game ball can be smoothly guided to either the first detection sensor 840 or the second detection sensor 850 without getting caught.

[0243] According to the pachinko game machine Y, the game board relay board 101 is erected at a substantially right angle to the game board 1A, so it is possible to reduce the installation space for the game board relay board 101 on the back side of the game board 1A compared to when it is attached to the surface of the game board 1A. Also, by covering the first special winning opening solenoid 53b with the cover member 430, it is possible to protect the connection portion between the first special winning opening solenoid 53b and the game board relay board 101. Therefore, it is possible to provide a game machine that can protect the board from external impact while reducing the installation space for the board on the back side of the game board.

[0244] Furthermore, an opening is provided in the cover member 430 at a position corresponding to the game board relay board 101, and the game board relay board 101 is extended to a position where connection to the connector connection portion 101a can be performed from outside the cover member 430 through this opening, and at least the outer portion of the game board relay board 101 is covered with the cover member. As a result, while protecting the game board relay board 101 from external impact, it is possible to pull out the connector connected to the game board relay board 101 to the outside of the cover member 430, and to attach and detach the connector to the game board relay board 101 with the cover member 430 attached, thereby improving the workability of assembling and maintaining the gaming machine.

[0245] Furthermore, since the game board relay board 101 is set upright at a substantially right angle to the game board 1A, it is possible to reduce the installation space for the game board relay board 101 on the back side of the game board 1A compared to when it is attached to the face of the game board 1A. Furthermore, by making the game board relay board 101 foldable so that it is parallel to the game board 1A, the game board relay board 101 can be folded as needed (for example, when transporting the game board 1A with the game board relay board 101 attached or when storing it in a stack), so there is less chance of external force being applied to the game board relay board 101 compared to when it is left protruding perpendicularly from the game board 1A, and the risk of the game board relay board 101 being damaged can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the installation space for the board on the back side of the game board while reducing the risk of the board being damaged.

[0246] Furthermore, an opening 432e is provided in the cover member 430 at a position corresponding to the game board relay board 101, and the game board relay board 101 is extended to a position where connection to the connector connection portion 101a is possible from outside the cover member 430 through this opening 432e, and the wiring insertion port 101b of the connector connection portion 101a is arranged to face the direction of the opening 432e with at least the outer portion of the game board relay board 101 covered with the cover member 430. Therefore, while protecting the game board relay board 101 from external impact, it is possible to pull out the connector connected to the game board relay board 101 to the outside of the cover member 430, and to attach and detach the connector to the game board relay board 101 with the cover member 430 attached, thereby improving the workability of assembling and maintaining the game machine.

[0247] Furthermore, since at least one of the side surfaces 432 of the cover member 430 is inclined, the installation area for gaming machine components such as the sub-control board 80A is larger than when the side surface 432 is not inclined, assuming the same depth dimension, and therefore a wider variety of gaming machine components can be installed. Furthermore, since the inclined side surface 432 can accommodate the gaming machine components, it is possible to prevent the gaming machine components from protruding from the back surface 431 of the gaming machine, compared to when the gaming machine components are concentrated in the back surface 431. Furthermore, by providing an opening 432e in the inclined side surface 432 at a position corresponding to the gaming board relay board 101, it is possible to increase the installation area for gaming machine components on the side surface 432 of the cover member 430 while reducing the installation space for the gaming board relay board 101 on the back surface side of the gaming board 1A.

[0248] Furthermore, since the game board relay board 101 is erected at a substantially right angle to the game board 1A, it is possible to reduce the installation space for the game board relay board 101 on the back side of the game board 1A compared to when it is attached to the surface of the game board 1A. Also, by covering the first special winning opening solenoid 53b with the cover member 430, it is possible to protect the connection portion between the first special winning opening solenoid 53b and the game board relay board 101. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can protect the board from external impacts while reducing the installation space for the board on the back side of the game board.

[0249] Furthermore, the first side recess 432a, which can accommodate the relay board 100, is adjacent to the second side recess 432c and recess 431a, which can accommodate the main control board 70A and the sub-control board 80A, respectively, and the first side recess 432a is provided with an opening 432e that can be connected to wiring from the gaming board 1A, so that the wiring length between the components provided on the gaming board 1A and the main control board 70A and the sub-control board 80A accommodated in the second side recess 432c and recess 431a can be shortened. This makes it easier to check the various gaming machine components and to handle cables, etc.

[0250] According to the pachinko gaming machine Y, when attaching the cover member 430 to the mounting frame 410 during assembly of the pachinko gaming machine Y, by roughly aligning and overlapping them, the opening of the other of the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 and the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 is guided by the rib 434b of the receiving portion 434a of one opening, and the opening of the other is inserted into the opening of the other, allowing game balls to flow down. In this way, even if the opening of either the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 or the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 does not have to be precisely aligned, by simply aligning and overlapping them roughly, the opening of the one is inserted into the opening of the other, allowing game balls to flow down, thereby improving the efficiency of the assembly work. Therefore, a gaming machine capable of improving the efficiency of the assembly work can be provided.

[0251] Furthermore, when attaching the cover member 430 to the mounting frame 410 during the assembly work of the pachinko gaming machine Y, by roughly aligning and overlapping them, the opening of the other of the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 and the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 is guided to the rib 434b of the receiving portion 434a of one opening, and the other opening is connected so as to be inserted into the one opening, thereby allowing game balls to flow down. Furthermore, the opening of either the third guide gutter 418 of the mounting frame 410 or the fourth guide gutter of the cover member 430 is guided to the rib 434b of the receiving portion 434a of one opening, and the other opening is connected so as to be inserted into the one opening, thereby allowing game balls to flow down. In this way, the openings of either the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 or the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 can be connected by roughly aligning and overlapping them, without the need for precise alignment, so that one opening can be inserted into the other, allowing gaming balls to flow down, thereby improving assembly efficiency. Furthermore, the two connecting portions between the first guide gutter 416 and the second guide gutter 434 and the third guide gutter 418 and the fourth guide gutter can be used to position the cover member 430 when attaching it to the mounting frame 410, so more accurate positioning is possible with just a rough alignment. Therefore, a gaming machine that can improve assembly efficiency can be provided.

[0252] Furthermore, when attaching the cover member 430 to the mounting frame 410 during the assembly work of the pachinko gaming machine Y, by roughly aligning and overlapping them, the opening of the other of the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 and the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 is guided to the rib 434b of the receiving portion of one opening, and the other opening is connected so as to be inserted into the one opening, thereby allowing game balls to flow down. Furthermore, the opening of either the third guide gutter 418 of the mounting frame 410 or the fourth guide gutter of the cover member 430 is guided to the rib 434b of the receiving portion of one opening, and the other opening is connected so as to be inserted into the one opening, thereby allowing game balls to flow down. In this way, the openings of either the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 or the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 can be connected by roughly aligning and overlapping them, without the need for precise alignment, so that one opening can be inserted into the other, allowing gaming balls to flow down, thereby improving assembly efficiency. Furthermore, the two connecting portions between the first guide gutter 416 and the second guide gutter 434 and the third guide gutter 418 and the fourth guide gutter can be used to position the cover member 430 when attaching it to the mounting frame 410, so more accurate positioning is possible with just a rough alignment. Therefore, a gaming machine that can improve assembly efficiency can be provided.

[0253] Furthermore, when attaching the cover member 430 to the mounting frame 410 during assembly of the pachinko gaming machine Y, the cover member 430 is roughly aligned and overlapped. Even if the positions of the openings are slightly misaligned, by pushing the cover member 430 in, the other opening is guided by the inclination of the rib 434b of one opening, moves from the outer edge to the inner edge of the rib 434b, and fits into the area surrounded by the inner edge, connecting one opening so that the other opening can be inserted into the other opening, allowing game balls to flow down. Thus, even if the openings of either the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 or the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 do not need to be precisely aligned, simply by roughly aligning and overlapping them, the openings can be connected so that the other opening can be inserted into the other opening, allowing game balls to flow down. This improves the efficiency of the assembly process. Therefore, a gaming machine that improves the efficiency of the assembly process can be provided.

[0254] Furthermore, when attaching the cover member 430 to the mounting frame 410 during assembly of the pachinko gaming machine Y, by roughly aligning and overlapping the mounting frame 410, the engaging portion 416a of the other opening of either the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 or the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430 is guided by the rib 434b of the receiving portion 434a of one opening, and at the connection position, fits into the portion surrounded by the rib 434b, and the one opening is inserted into the other opening, allowing game balls to flow down. In this way, even without precise alignment of either the first guide gutter 416 of the mounting frame 410 or the second guide gutter 434 of the cover member 430, by simply aligning and overlapping the mounting frame 410 and the cover member 430, the one opening is inserted into the other opening, allowing game balls to flow down. This improves the efficiency of the assembly process. Therefore, a gaming machine that can improve the efficiency of the assembly process can be provided.

[0255] Furthermore, when the other opening is guided by the rib 434b of one opening, the outer edge of the other opening abuts against the rib 434b, and at this time, force is applied to the outer edge of the opening, causing the opening to deform and potentially interfering with the flow of game balls after connection. According to the present invention, by providing the engagement portion 416a on the outer edge of the other opening, the engagement portion 416a abuts against the rib 434b, reducing the force applied to the outer edge of the opening and preventing interfering with the flow of game balls after connection.

[0256] According to the pachinko game machine Y, game balls released from the payout opening 901 roll along the outer wall portion 930Ea while contacting the outer wall portion 930Ea, and then roll along the continuously curved outer periphery 930B while being guided to the upstream side of the alignment section 920A in the alignment direction, where the game balls are aligned in a linear row and guided to the introduction opening 920Ab. At this time, even if the first opening / closing lid 953A provided on the first opening 930F is in the open state, the game balls released from the payout opening 901 roll from the outer wall portion 930Ea along the outer periphery 930B and are guided from the rectifying section 930C to the alignment section 920A without falling into the first opening 930F. Therefore, while the straightening section 930C ensures a relatively long path length from the payout outlet 901 to the alignment section 920A, the outer wall section 930Ea of the storage section 930E and the outer peripheral section 930B of the alignment section 920A are formed at a predetermined distance from the first opening 930F to prevent the game balls from falling from the first opening 930F, and the outer peripheral section 930B is formed in a curved shape, so that the game balls can be guided smoothly from the straightening section 930C to the alignment section 920A without falling or being discharged.

[0257] In addition, the game balls released from the payout outlet 901 are guided to the rectifying section 930C in a detour without directly reaching the alignment section 920A, and then guided from the rectifying section 930C to the alignment section 920A, where they are guided to the inlet 920Ab in a straight line. This also allows the game balls to be guided smoothly from the rectifying section 930C to the alignment section 920A without clogging.

[0258] In addition, the straightening section 930C and the alignment section 920A are formed on the outside and inside of the cover section 930A, which also ensures that the path length from the dispensing outlet 901 to the alignment section 920A is relatively long, thereby reducing the width dimension and installation space of the entire plate unit 900.

[0259] In addition, it is possible to prevent further released game balls from riding on the game balls aligned in the alignment section 920A, which would disrupt the alignment and cause ball jamming, or prevent game balls from flying out of the tray unit 900.

[0260] In addition, by forming a curved straightening section 930C, a relatively long path length from the payout outlet 901 to the alignment section 920A can be ensured, thereby reducing the width dimension and installation space of the entire dish unit 900 and enabling the game balls to be smoothly guided from the straightening section 930C to the alignment section 920A. In this embodiment, an alignment portion 930C is formed between the outer wall 930Aa of the cover portion 930A of the tray cover member 930 itself and the outer peripheral portion 930B, but it is also possible to provide a cover member that simply covers the alignment portion, and to provide a slope portion and a storage portion in addition to the alignment portion between the outside of this cover member and the curved inner peripheral portion of the tray unit main body portion.

[0261] "Third embodiment" Next, a pachinko gaming machine according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components that are the same as or similar to those in the first and second embodiments described above will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Figures 85 to 135 are diagrams for explaining the pachinko gaming machine according to the third embodiment.

[0262] The pachinko gaming machine according to the third embodiment is characterized mainly in the assembly structure of the board case 2800 that houses the main control board 28, the mounting structure of the board case 2800 in the board unit 34, the shape and structure of the front door (front frame) 3, the internal structure of the launch handle 26b, and the movable structure of the air blowing mechanism 110. These characteristic structures will be explained below in order with reference to the drawings.

[0263] [Board case assembly structure] 85 and 86 are oblique views of the board unit 34, FIG. 87 is a front view of the board unit 34, FIGS. 88 and 89 are oblique views of the board case 2800, FIGS. 90 and 91 are exploded oblique views of the board case 2800, FIG. 92 is a front view of the board case 2800, FIG. 93 is a rear view of the board case 2800, FIGS. 94 and 95 are side views of the upper member 2810 in the board case 2800, FIG. 96 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the upper member 2810, FIG. 97 is a front view of the interior of the lower member 2820 in the board case 2800, FIG. 98 is a perspective view showing the state before the upper member 2810 and the lower member 2820 are assembled, and FIG. 99 is a perspective view showing the state after the upper member 2810 and the lower member 2820 have been assembled.

[0264] 85 to 87, board case 2800 that houses main control board 28 is attached to base member 340 of board unit 34 together with sub-control board accommodating member 33a that accommodates sub-control board 33 and relay board 32. Relay board 32 is attached to the lower portion of base member 340, sub-control board accommodating member 33a is located above and to the left of relay board 32 and attached to the upper left portion of base member 340, and board case 2800 is located above and to the right of relay board 32 and attached to the upper right portion of base member 340 while being close to sub-control board accommodating member 33a.

[0265] As shown in FIGS. 88 to 91, the board case 2800 has, as its main components, an upper member 2810, a lower member 2820, and a cover member 2830. The upper member 2810, the lower member 2820, and the cover member 2830 are formed of a transparent material that allows the interior to be seen. As shown in FIG. 91, the main control board 28 is fixed to the back surface of the upper member 2810 via screws 2840. The main control board 28 is fixed in an orientation in which its main surface, on which electronic components such as the main CPU 280 (not shown) are mounted, faces the front surface 2810a of the upper member 2810. The upper member 2810, with the main control board 28 fixed to its back surface, is assembled to the lower member 2820 by sliding it vertically, and the upper member 2810 and the lower member 2820 are further sealed together to be integrated. As shown in FIGS. 90 and 91, the cover member 2830 is attached so as to cover the upper ends 2811, 2821 of the upper member 2810 and the lower member 2820, which are sealed to each other.

[0266] As shown in FIGS. 92 to 96, the upper member 2810 is formed in a lid shape with its longitudinal direction extending generally in the vertical direction, and has an upper end 2811, a terminal exposed portion 2812, a sealing portion 2813, and a peripheral edge portion 2814.

[0267] A sealing seal 2830A is attached to the upper end 2811 and the upper end 2821 of the lower member 2820, a seal stopper 2830B is fitted on top of that, and a cover member 2830 is then placed on top of that (see FIGS. 90 to 92).

[0268] Terminal exposing portion 2812 has openings 2812a to 2812c for exposing various connection terminals 28a to 28c provided on main control board 28 (see FIG. 92). Connection terminals 28a to 28c of main control board 28 are exposed to the outside from openings 2812a to 2812c of terminal exposing portion 2812, and are connected to external terminals (not shown).

[0269] The sealing portion 2813 is integrally formed at the left end of the upper member 2810. The sealing portion 2813 is coupled and sealed to a sealing fixing portion 2823 of the lower member 2820 via screws 2850 or the like (see FIGS. 90 and 91). As shown in FIGS. 92 and 93, the sealing portion 2813 has two screw holes 2813a corresponding to the screws 2850, and is connected to the left end of the upper member 2810 via a plurality of bridges 2813b. The sealing portion 2813 is coupled to the sealing fixing portion 2823 of the lower member 2820 via a screw 2850 in one screw hole 2813a. A sealing lid 2853 is fitted onto the sealing portion 2813 with the screw 2850 fastened. Thereafter, when releasing the coupling of the sealing portion 2813, one of the multiple bridges 2813b on which the screw 2850 remains is cut, separating and destroying half of the sealing portion 2813 (see FIG. 92), and the coupling is released with the screw 2850 remaining in the sealing fixing portion 2823. The remaining screw 2850 is left behind in the sealing fixing portion 2823. Further thereafter, the sealing portion 2813 can be fixed again to the sealing fixing portion 2823 by inserting the screw 2850 into the screw hole 2813a in the part that remains after the half is destroyed. In other words, the upper member 2810 can be coupled and sealed to the lower member 2820 up to two times via the sealing portion 2813.

[0270] The peripheral edge portion 2814 is formed so as to extend rearward from the peripheral edge of the upper member 2810. As shown in FIGS. 93 to 95, a plurality of engagement claws 2814A, 2814B are formed on both the left and right sides of the peripheral edge portion 2814. Of the plurality of engagement claws 2814A, 2814B, the engagement claw 2814B closest to the sealing portion 2813 is partially different from the other engagement claws 2814A. In the following, the engagement claw 2814B will be described, but descriptions of the portions of the other engagement claws 2814A that are similar to the engagement claw 2814B will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

[0271] 96, the engagement claw 2814B is formed in an L-shape and has a base end portion 2814Ba, a bent portion 2814Bb, and a tip end portion 2814Bc. Furthermore, the engagement claw 2814B differs from the other engagement claws 2814A in that it has a notch portion 2814Bd.

[0272] The base end 2814Ba is formed to protrude rearward from the peripheral edge portion 2814. The bent portion 2814Bb is formed to bend at a right angle from the base end 2814Ba to the tip end 2814Bc. The tip end 2814Bc is formed to extend downward from the bent portion 2814Bb. In particular, the engagement claw 2814B is formed to extend toward the sealing portion 2813. The portion from the base end 2814Ba to the bent portion 2814Bb is relatively wide, while the portion from the bent portion 2814Bb to the tip end 2814Bc is relatively narrow. This makes the base end 2814Ba relatively strong, while the tip end 2814Bc is relatively weak. The notch 2814Bd is formed in the narrow portion between the bent portion 2814Bb and the tip portion 2814Bc, more specifically, in a portion closer to the inside of the bent portion 2814Bb than the tip portion 2814Bc. Such a notch 2814Bd is provided so that when a force is applied in the front-rear direction to the narrow portion from the bent portion 2814Bb to the tip portion 2814Bc, the narrow portion is likely to break off.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 97, the lower member 2820 is formed in a shape corresponding to the upper member 2810 with the longitudinal direction being roughly in the vertical direction, and has an upper end portion 2821, a sealing fixing portion 2823, a peripheral portion 2824, as well as a pair of shaft portions 2825 for connecting to the base member 340 of the substrate unit 34 described later.

[0274] Upper end 2821 is joined and sealed to upper end 2811 of upper member 2810 using a caulking pin or the like (not shown). A sealing seal 2830A is affixed to joined and sealed upper end portions 2811, 2821, a seal stopper 2830B is fitted on top of that, and a cover member 2830 is then placed on top of that (see FIGS. 90 to 92).

[0275] The seal fixing portion 2823 is integrally formed on the left end portion of the lower member 2820 so as to correspond to the seal portion 2813 of the upper member 2810. The seal fixing portion 2823 houses a seal cover 2851 and a seal plate 2852 for fixing a screw 2850 when joining and sealing the seal portion 2813 of the upper member 2810 (see FIGS. 90 and 91). The seal fixing portion 2823 fixes the seal portion 2813 by fastening the screw 2850 to the seal cover 2851 and the seal plate 2852 through the screw hole 2813a of the seal portion 2813.

[0276] The peripheral edge portion 2824 has engagement holes 2824A at multiple locations corresponding to the engagement claws 2814A and 2814B. The engagement holes 2824A are formed as elongated holes extending in the vertical direction so that the portions of the engagement claws 2814A and 2814B from their bent portions 2814Bb to their tip portions 2814Bc can be inserted therein. When the engagement claws 2814A and 2814B are initially inserted into these engagement holes 2824A, as shown in FIG. 98, the upper member 2810 is engaged with the lower member 2820 in a position slightly shifted upward. Thereafter, by sliding the entire upper member 2810 downward, the engagement claws 2814A and 2814B are engaged with the engagement holes 2824A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 99, the upper member 2810 is completely assembled to the lower member 2820 via the engagement claws 2814A and 2814B. When the upper member 2810 and the lower member 2820 are assembled in this manner and sealed by the sealing portion 2813 and the sealing fixing portion 2823, etc., and an attempt is made to forcibly pry open the vicinity of the sealing portion 2813 in the front-rear direction, excessive force is applied in the front-rear direction to the engaging claw 2814B closest to the sealing portion 2813. As a result, the vicinity of the notch 2814Bd of the engaging claw 2814B is likely to be damaged.

[0277] The shaft portion 2825 is a portion for rotatably mounting the entire board case 2800 to the base member 340, and is integrally formed at the left end of the lower member 2820. A rotation shaft 2825A is formed on the shaft portion 2825 so as to protrude downward. The board case 2800 is mounted to the base member 340 via this shaft portion 2825, which will be described later.

[0278] According to this assembly structure of the board case 2800, when an attempt is made to pry open the upper member 2810 and the lower member 2820 that are assembled together by applying an external force in the front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the up-to-down direction when slidingly engaging the engagement claws 2814A, 2814B and the engagement holes 2824A, the vicinity of the notch 2814Bd of the engagement claw 2814B is likely to be damaged, so that if an attempt is made to pry open the board case 2800 by an unauthorized method, the damaged engagement claw 2814B can be reliably left as a trace.

[0279] Furthermore, a large shear force acts on the thin portion of the engaging claw 2814B extending from the bent portion 2814Bb to the tip portion 2814Bc, making the area around the notch 2814Bd in that portion prone to breakage. Therefore, if an attempt is made to pry open the board case in an unauthorized manner, the broken engaging claw 2814B can be reliably left behind as a trace.

[0280] Furthermore, if an attempt is made to forcibly pry open the vicinity of the sealing portion 2813 and the sealing fixing portion 2823, a large shearing force acts on the thin portion of the engaging claw 2814B closest to the sealing portion 2813, making the vicinity of the notch portion 2814Bd more likely to be damaged, so that if an attempt is made to pry open the board case using an illegal method, the damaged engaging claw 2814B can be reliably left behind as a trace.

[0281] [Mounting structure for board unit in board case] Figures 100 and 101 are oblique views showing the rotated state of the board case 2800 in the board unit 34, Figures 102 to 104 are oblique views showing the attached state of the board case 2800 to the base member 340 of the board unit 34, Figures 105 to 107 are exploded oblique views showing the state before the board case 2800 is attached to the base member 340 of the board unit 34, Figure 108 is an oblique view showing the rotated state of the board case 2800 in the board unit 34, Figure 109 is an exploded oblique view showing the sealing member 3410 attached to the base member 340 of the board unit 34, and Figure 110 is a top view showing the rotated state of the board case 2800 in the board unit 34.

[0282] As shown in Figures 100, 101, and 108, the board case 2800 is rotatably attached to the base member 340 of the board unit 34. Specifically, as shown in Figures 106 and 107, a sealing and fixing portion 340A capable of fixing and sealing the sealing member 3410 and a pair of bearings 340B, 340C capable of supporting the shaft portion 2825 of the board case 2800 are formed on the right side of the base member 340 near the location where the sub-control board housing member 33a is disposed. The upper bearing portion 340B is provided directly below the sealing and fixing portion 340A. The board case 2800 is assembled to the base member 340 by inserting the rotation shaft 2825A of the shaft portion 2825 into the bearings 340B, 340C from above. 100 and 102, an engagement hook 340a is provided at the right end of the base member 340, and a recess 2800a is provided at the right end of the board case 2800. The engagement hook 340a is engaged with the recess 2800a, thereby disposing the board case 2800 so as not to rotate relative to the base member 340. After the board case 2800 is assembled to the base member 340 via the shaft 2825, the sealing member 3410 is fixed to the sealing and fixing portion 340A. The lower end of the sealing member 3410 approaches or abuts on the shaft 2825 inserted into the upper bearing portion 340B. As a result, the sealing member 3410 restricts the vertical sliding of the shaft 2825 in the bearing portion 340B and serves as a stopper to prevent the shaft 2825 from coming off the bearing portion 340B while allowing the shaft 2825 to rotate.

[0283] As shown in FIG. 109, the sealing member 3410 has two screw holes 3411 corresponding to the screws 3420. A vertical groove 3412 is formed between the two screw holes 3411 to make the sealing member 3410 easier to partially collapse. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 107, the sealing fix part 340A accommodates a sealing cover 3440 and a sealing plate 3450 for fixing the screws 3420 when fixing and sealing the sealing member 3410. The sealing member 3410 is fixed to the sealing fix part 340A by fastening the screws 3420 to the sealing cover 3440 and the sealing plate 3450 through the screw holes 3411 of the sealing member 3410. The sealing member 3410 is fixed to the sealing fix part 340A by fastening the screws 3420 to one of the screw holes 3411 (specifically, the upper screw hole 3411) with the screw 3420. A sealing lid 3430 is fitted into the screw hole 3411 of the sealing member 3410 into which the screw 3420 has been fastened (see FIG. 107). Thereafter, when releasing the fixing of the sealing member 3410, the sealing member 3410 is cut along the vertical groove 3412 to separate and destroy the upper half of the sealing member 3410, and the fixing is released with the screw 3420 remaining in the sealing fixing part 340A. The remaining screw 3420 is left behind in the sealing fixing part 340A. Further thereafter, the sealing member 3410 can be fixed again to the sealing fixing part 340A by inserting the screw 3420 into the screw hole 3411 in the lower half that remains after the half has been destroyed. In other words, the sealing member 3410 can be fixed and sealed to the sealing fixing part 340A up to two times. Furthermore, even if the upper half of sealing member 3410 is destroyed, the shaft portion 2825 inserted into upper bearing portion 340B approaches or abuts against the lower end portion of the lower half, thereby restricting the vertical sliding of shaft portion 2825 and functioning as a stopper to prevent shaft portion 2825 from slipping out of bearing portion 340B.

[0284] 104, when the board case 2800 is attached to the base member 340 and the sealing member 3410 is fixed to the sealing and fixing portion 340A, the movement of the upper shaft portion 2825 in the vertical direction is restricted between the sealing member 3410 and the bearing portion 340B. This makes it impossible to remove the board case 2800 from the base member 340 of the board unit 34. On the other hand, if the state in which the sealing member 3410 is fixed to the sealing and fixing portion 340A is released, the shaft portion 2825 can be pulled out upward from the bearing portion 340B, and the board case 2800 can be removed from the base member 340.

[0285] 108 and 110, when the engagement hook 340a is released from the engagement state with the recess 2800a of the board case 2800, the board case 2800 can take a posture rotated relative to the base member 340 with the shaft 2825 as the center of rotation. This allows the state of the main control board 28 housed inside the board case 2800 to be visually confirmed not only from the front side but also from the back side.

[0286] 110, when the board case 2800 is rotated to a certain angle (for example, 30 degrees or 45 degrees), the left end of the board case 2800 abuts against the sealing member 3410. This allows the board case 2800 to be rotated to a position where the interior can be seen from the back side without interfering with the sub-control board housing member 33a adjacent to the left side.

[0287] According to this mounting structure of the board case 2800 in the board unit 34, the sealing member 3410 can restrict the vertical movement of the board case 2800 relative to the base member 340 of the board unit 34, while the board case 2800 can be rotated while restricting the angle of rotation. Therefore, the board case 2800 can be rotated to a certain rotation angle without being removed from the base member 340, and the main control board 28 inside the case can be easily checked from the back side of the board case 2800.

[0288] Furthermore, even if the board case 2800 is rotated toward the sub-control board accommodating member 33a, the board case 2800 can be rotated to an angle at which the left end of the board case 2800 abuts the sealing member 3410, that is, to an angle at which the board case 2800 does not abut the sub-control board accommodating member 33a. Therefore, the board case 2800 can be rotated to a certain rotation angle without being removed from the base member 340 separately from the sub-control board accommodating member 33a, and the main control board 28 inside the case can be easily confirmed from the back side of the board case 2800.

[0289] [Front door shape and structure] Fig. 111 is a perspective view showing the front door 3, Fig. 112 is a side view showing the front door 3, Fig. 113 is an exploded perspective view showing the front door 3, Figs. 114 and 115 are exploded perspective views showing the transparent plate unit 7' in the front door 3, Fig. 116 is a front view showing the transparent plate unit 7' in the front door 3, Fig. 117 is a rear view showing the transparent plate unit 7' in the front door 3, Fig. 118 is a side view showing the transparent plate unit 7' in the front door 3, and Figs. 119 and 120 are exploded perspective views showing the assembled state of the front door 3. In this embodiment, the part corresponding to the front frame 3 of the first embodiment described above is referred to as the front door 3.

[0290] As shown in Figures 111 to 113, the front door 3 of this embodiment has a transparent plate unit 7' as a component different from the front frame 3 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 etc. The right-side base plate 3aa and the left-side base plate 3ab are attached to the front of the entire base plate 3ac. An opening 3h is formed in the entire base plate 3ac, and the transparent plate unit 7' is attached to the back of the entire base plate 3ac so that the main front portion protrudes forward from the opening 3h.

[0291] As shown in Figures 114 and 115, the transparent plate unit 7' has a first transparent member 7A located on the rear side, a second transparent member 7B located on the front side, and a decorative sheet 7C. The first transparent member 7A and the second transparent member 7B are made of a transparent and easily moldable material such as acrylic resin. The decorative sheet 7C is made of a transparent or translucent sheet material.

[0292] As shown in Figures 115 and 117, the first transparent member 7A is formed in a generally flat plate shape and has an opening 7Aa, a pair of recesses 7Ab, and a pair of rotational locking pieces 7Ac. The opening 7Aa is formed to expose the central region (including the display region 4d of the liquid crystal display device 4) of the game board 1, which is outside the rolling region (play region 1p), to the front. That is, the first transparent member 7A restricts the forward movement of the game ball in the rolling region (play region 1p), allowing the rolling game ball to be viewed from the front, while allowing, for example, a movable performance device 1321 to move forward through the opening 7Aa (see Figures 119 and 120). The pair of recesses 7Ab are provided at the lower end of the first transparent member 7A, and the pair of rotational locking pieces 7Ac are provided at the upper end of the first transparent member 7A. The first transparent member 7A is assembled to the second transparent member 7B by first engaging the engagement claw 7Bd (described later) of the second transparent member 7B with the recess 7Ab, and then rotating the rotating locking piece 7Ac to lock it onto the upper end of the second transparent member 7B.

[0293] 114 to 116 and 118, second transparent member 7B is formed so that its main portion bulges forward, and has a front surface portion 7Ba, side surfaces 7Bb, a peripheral edge portion 7Bc, a pair of engaging claws 7Bd, and a pair of protrusions 7Be. Front surface portion 7Ba and side surfaces 7Bb are formed as the main portions of second transparent member 7B.

[0294] As shown in FIG. 118, the front surface 7Ba is formed as an inclined surface that gradually protrudes forward from the bottom to the top. The opening 7Aa of the first transparent member 7A is located at the back of the front surface 7Ba (see FIGS. 114, 115, and 117). This allows the front surface 7Ba to face the game board 1 (see FIG. 119). As shown in FIGS. 118 to 120, the upper portion of the front surface 7Ba provides a sufficient space between the game board 1 and the game board 1 to allow the movable gimmick 1321 to operate, compared to the lower portion. As shown in FIGS. 116 and 118, the side surface 7Bb is formed as an inclined surface that widens slightly outward from the outer periphery of the front surface 7Ba toward the rear, and is formed so as to be continuous from the front surface 7Ba to the peripheral edge 7Bc. The side surface 7Bb is formed as a curved surface around the front surface 7Ba, drawing an arc in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. A decorative sheet 7C is attached to the side surface 7Bb. As shown in Figures 114 and 115, the first transparent member 7A abuts against the back surface of the peripheral edge portion 7Bc. As shown in Figures 116 and 117, the lower end of the peripheral edge portion 7Bc is formed with an engagement claw 7Bd that protrudes rearward and a convex portion 7Be that protrudes downward. The second transparent member 7B is integrated with the first transparent member 7A by engaging the engagement claw 7Bd with the concave portion 7Ab of the first transparent member 7A and then engaging the rotational engagement piece 7Ac of the first transparent member 7A with the upper end of the peripheral edge portion 7Bc. As shown in Figure 113, the transparent plate unit 7', in which the first transparent member 7A and the second transparent member 7B are integrally assembled, is assembled to the back surface of the entire base plate 3ac via the convex portion 7Be, etc., with the front surface portion 7Ba and the side surface portion 7Bb protruding forward from the opening h of the entire base plate 3ac.

[0295] A player can view the display area 4d of the liquid crystal display device 4 and the movable performance element 1321 through the front surface 7Ba and opening 7Aa of the transparent plate unit 7'. As shown in FIGS. 118 to 120, the movable performance element 1321 can move widely in the front-to-back direction, allowing the player to see the dynamic movements of the movable performance element 1321. A player can view the game ball rolling in the rolling area (game area 1p) from the front surface 7Ba or side surface 7Bb through the outer edge of the opening 7Aa of the first transparent member 7A. The first transparent member 7A and the second transparent member 7B may be integrally molded.

[0296] With a front door 3 equipped with such a transparent plate unit 7', the upper portion that protrudes forward at the front portion 7Ba of the second transparent member 7B and the side portion 7Bb that is integrally formed and curved with the front portion 7Ba are configured as decorative parts of the front door 3, and the game board 1 equipped with electric decorations etc. can be seen seamlessly through these front portion 7Ba and side portion 7Bb.This means that the front door 3 can be easily assembled without using multiple parts, and the weight can be reduced while reducing component costs, thereby enhancing the visual effect.

[0297] [Internal structure of the launch handle] Figure 121 is a perspective view showing firing handle 26b, Figures 122 and 123 are exploded perspective views showing firing handle 26b, Figure 124 is an exploded side view showing firing handle 26b, Figure 125 is a front view showing handle grip 26d in firing handle 26b, Figure 126 is a rear view showing handle grip 26d in firing handle 26b, Figure 127 is a front view showing base member 26k in firing handle 26b, and Figure 128 is a rear view showing base member 26k in firing handle 26b.

[0298] 122 to 124, firing handle 26b of the present embodiment has a base member 26k as a component different from firing handle 26b of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 etc. Base member 26k is made of a non-conductive material, is located on the back side of handle cap 26h and handle grip 26d, and is housed inside storage case 26c.

[0299] As shown in Figures 122, 123, 125, and 126, the handle grip 26d has two through-holes 26da and a boss portion 26db into which the handle shaft 26i protruding forward from the firing volume 26m can be inserted and fixed. The through-holes 26da penetrate in the rotation axis direction (front-rear direction) and are formed in a semicircular arc shape along the circumferential direction (rotation direction). The periphery of the handle grip 26d is made of a conductive material, and when a player's hand touches the periphery of the handle grip 26d, the contact is detected by the touch sensor 26p. The touch sensor 26p is provided on the back side of the handle grip 26d (see Figures 123 and 126).

[0300] As shown in FIG. 123, the housing case 26c has a plurality of screw holes 26ca. The handle cap 26h has bosses 26ha at locations corresponding to the screw holes 26ca of the housing case 26c. The base member 26k has screw holes kb at locations corresponding to the screw holes 26ca of the housing case 26c and the bosses 26ha of the handle cap 26h. The handle cap 26h and the base member 26k are fixed to the housing case 26c by screws 26cb inserted into the screw holes 26ca and threaded into the bosses 26ha and the screw holes kb. Meanwhile, the handle grip 26d can move relatively in the rotational direction while the screws 26cb threaded into the bosses 26ha and the screw holes kb pass through the through-holes 26da. This allows the handle grip 26d to rotate around the handle shaft 26i.

[0301] As shown in Figures 122, 123, 127, and 128, the base member 26k has a firing stop button 26e exposed outward from its peripheral edge, a recess 26ka on its front side, and a firing stop switch 26g and firing volume 26m on its rear side. A touch sensor 26p on the rear side of the handle grip 26d is located in the internal space of the recess 26ka and can rotate integrally with the handle grip 26d within this internal space. When the firing stop button 26e is pressed, the pressing is detected by the firing stop switch 26g. The firing volume 26m changes its resistance value depending on the rotation angle of the handle grip 26d, and supplies power corresponding to the resistance value to a solenoid actuator of the firing device (not shown). With such base member 26k, firing stop switch 26g and firing volume 26m, which are electronic components, are provided on the back side of base member 26k, so that the creepage distance from conductive handle grip 26d, which is located on the front side of base member 26k, is relatively large (see the dotted line in FIG. 124), ensuring sufficient electrical insulation from handle grip 26d, etc., effectively preventing malfunction of firing stop switch 26g and firing volume 26m. Furthermore, unlike housing case 26c, handle cap 26h, and handle grip 26d, which are exterior components that are easily scratched and soiled, base member 26k is housed inside housing case 26c, and therefore can be effectively reused as a recycled product.

[0302] With such a firing handle 26b, when the firing handle 26b is reused as a recycled product, the base member 26k equipped with the firing stop switch 26g and firing volume 26m can be reused as is by simply replacing the storage case 26c, handle cap 26h, and handle grip 26d. This eliminates the need for complicated work such as removing electronic components when reusing the firing handle 26b as a recycled product, thereby improving recyclability.

[0303] Furthermore, since the firing stop switch 26g and firing volume 26m are provided on the back side of the base member 26k, a large creepage distance can be secured to the conductive peripheral portion of the handle cap 26h located on the front side of the base member 26k, effectively preventing malfunction of the firing stop switch 26g and firing volume 26m.

[0304] [Moving structure of the air blower mechanism] Figure 129 is an oblique view showing the blower mechanism 110, Figure 130 is an exploded oblique view showing the blower mechanism 110, Figure 131 is an internal plan view showing the inside of the blower mechanism 110, Figure 132 is an internal plan view for explaining the operation of the blower mechanism 110, Figure 133 is a left side view for explaining the operation of the blower mechanism 110, Figure 134 is an internal plan view for explaining the operation of the blower mechanism 110, and Figure 135 is a left side view for explaining the operation of the blower mechanism 110.

[0305] As shown in Fig. 130, the blower mechanism 110 of this embodiment has components that are different from the blower mechanism 110 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 17 etc., including a first link member 120, a second link member 121, and a variable flap 130. Also, elliptical openings 110c and 110b for guiding air are formed in the cover members 110A and 110B.

[0306] As shown in FIGS. 130 and 134, an opening 110c is formed in the cover member 110A in a direction directly facing from the opening 10ec (see FIG. 16) of the enclosure 10e described above, and a space 110a is provided inside the opening 110c. In the space 110a, the variable flap 130 can be moved between an inclined position and a horizontal position. The lower part of the space 110a is always open regardless of the inclined position or horizontal position of the variable flap 130, and is where the ventilation opening 8ca described above is located (see FIG. 16). As shown in FIG. 130, an opening 110b is formed in the cover member 110B in a direction directly facing left and right from the opening 110c of the cover member 110A.

[0307] As shown in Figures 132 and 134, the solenoid 111 has a plunger 111a that can retract and protrude in response to an on / off operation, and the tip of the plunger 111a is connected to a base end 120a of a first link member 120. The first link member 120 has an intermediate portion 120b that is rotatably supported by the cover member 110A. The tip end 120c of the first link member 120 is connected to a base end 121a of a second link member 121. The second link member 121 has an elongated opening 121b, and a pin 110d protruding from the back surface of the cover member 110A is disposed in this opening 121b so as to be relatively movable. As a result, the second link member 121 is supported via the pin 110d so as to be vertically movable. The tip end 121c of the second link member 121 is connected to one end of the variable flap 130, allowing the end to move left and right. As shown in Fig. 132, when the plunger 111a of the solenoid 111 protrudes downward, the second link member 121 is positioned relatively higher via the first link member 120, and accordingly the variable flap 130 assumes a position in which its upper end is lifted (inclined position). On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 134, when the plunger 111a of the solenoid 111 is retracted, the second link member 121 is positioned relatively lower via the first link member 120, and accordingly the variable flap 130 assumes a position in which its upper end is pulled down (horizontal position).

[0308] As shown in FIG. 130, the variable flap 130 has a lower end rotatably supported in the space 110a via a rotation shaft 131, and is normally maintained in an inclined position such that the upper end is closer to the opening 110c than the lower end (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 130). On the other hand, when the plunger 111a of the solenoid 111 is retracted as described above, the variable flap 130 assumes a horizontal position such that it blocks the lower part of the space 110a (the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 130). As shown in FIG. 131, an elastic buffer member 132 is attached to the inner part of the cover member 110B near the upper edge of the opening 110b. When the variable flap 130 is in an inclined position, the flow of air acts as a force pushing the variable flap 130 toward the buffer member 132, and the upper end of the variable flap 130 comes into close contact with the buffer member 132. This effectively prevents wind from leaking through the gap between the opening 110b and the variable flap 130. The air outlet 80 as shown in Figures 13, 15, and 16 is located on the right side of the opening 110b.

[0309] When the variable flap 130 is in the tilted position, the wind blown out from the opening 10ec (see FIG. 16) is blocked by the variable flap 130 and is guided downward into the space 110a without passing through the opening 110b (see FIG. 133). The wind guided downward into the space 110a is discharged to the outside through the ventilation opening 8ca (see FIG. 16) in the undercover 8c. On the other hand, when the variable flap 130 is in the horizontal position, the wind blown out from the opening 10ec (see FIG. 16) flows generally straight without being blocked by the variable flap 130, passes through the space 110a, and passes straight out into the opening 110b (see FIG. 135). The wind that has passed through the opening 110b is discharged to the outside through the ventilation opening 80 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) in the lower right side cover 8ba. The launch handle 26b of the launching device 26 is positioned in a position generally directly opposite the air outlet 80, and the air coming out of the air outlet 80 hits the hand of the player holding the launch handle 26b. In this way, the air is normally directed downward toward the launch handle 26b without leaking, but when the air is directed toward the launch handle 26b in response to a sound effect or the like, a generally straight air flow path is formed from the opening 10ec to the space 110a, the openings 110c and 110b, and the air outlet 80, so that the air can reach the hand of the player holding the launch handle 26b without weakening the air pressure as much as possible.

[0310] With this type of blower mechanism 110, when sound is output from speaker 10c, the airflow flowing out of opening 10ec of enclosure 10e is guided in a straight line by the horizontal position of variable flap 130 and is led toward launch handle 26b, but when the airflow is guided downward in a curve by the inclined position of variable flap 130, it is not led toward launch handle 26b. Therefore, while attempting to make the blower mechanism 110 smaller, it is possible to guide the airflow toward launch handle 26b with a sufficient amount of airflow without resistance, and the speaker unit 10 can be made smaller and simpler.

[0311] Furthermore, even when the variable flap 130 is in an inclined position, the buffer member 132 can prevent airflow from leaking between the upper end of the variable flap 130 and the opposing contact surface, so that the airflow can be directed toward the firing handle 26b with a sufficient volume of airflow without resistance, while when the airflow is directed downward, airflow can be prevented from leaking toward the firing handle 26b.

[0312] "Fourth embodiment" Next, a pachinko gaming machine according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components that are the same as or similar to those in the first to third embodiments described above will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Figures 136 to 180 are diagrams for explaining the pachinko gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment. Note that in Figures 136 to 180, illustration of appropriate parts is omitted for convenience.

[0313] The pachinko gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment is mainly characterized by the operation and structure of the first performance unit 4000 in the main body subunit 440, the operation and structure of the second performance unit 5000 in the main body subunit 440, and the ball passage structure of the game board 1. These characteristic structures will be explained below in order with reference to the drawings.

[0314] [Main body subunit structure] 136 and 137 are perspective views showing the main body subunit 440, FIG. 138 is a front view showing the main body subunit 440, and FIGS. 139 and 140 are exploded perspective views showing the main body subunit 440. FIG.

[0315] The main body sub-unit 440 of this embodiment is intended to integrally mount the game board 1, LCD display device 4, etc. to the mounting frame 410 (see Figures 43 and 44) of the main body unit 400 (not shown). As shown in Figures 139 and 140, the main body sub-unit 440 is composed of a main body case 441, game board 1, LCD display device 4, first performance unit 4000, second performance unit 5000, and decorative unit 6000.

[0316] The main body case 441 has an opening 442 that exposes the display area 4d of the liquid crystal display device 4 to the front, and is formed in a rectangular box shape. The liquid crystal display device 4 is attached to the back of the main body case 441 with the display area 4d facing the opening 442. A first presentation unit 4000 is arranged from the left and right sides to the bottom at the rear of the front of the main body case 441. The first presentation unit 4000 is arranged from the left and right sides to the bottom in the front interior of the main body case 441. A second presentation unit 5000 is attached to the top of the front interior of the main body case 441. A decorative unit 6000 is attached to the bottom of the front interior of the main body case 441 so as to be positioned forward of the first presentation unit 4000. A game board 1 is attached to the front of the main body case 441. An opening area 1d is formed in the game board 1 to expose the display area 4d of the liquid crystal display device 4 to the front, and a game area 1p in which game balls can roll is formed around the outer periphery of this opening area 1d. The opening area 1d not only allows the display area 4d of the liquid crystal display device 4 to be viewed forward, but also allows the player to see the first presentation unit 4000 and the second presentation unit 5000 that appear overlapping the display area 4d. Such an opening area 1d becomes a viewing surface from which the appearance of the first presentation unit 4000, etc. can be seen. The decorative unit 6000 is positioned so that it is visible to the player through the transparent lower part of the gaming board 1. The first presentation unit 4000 and the second presentation unit 5000 will be described later. The ball passage cover 7000 and the like provided on the gaming board 1 will also be described later.

[0317] [First production unit] 141 is a perspective view showing the first production unit 4000, FIG. 142 is a front view showing the first production unit 4000, FIG. 143 is a rear view showing the first production unit 4000, FIG. 144 is a side view showing the first production unit 4000, FIG. 145 is a top view showing a part of the first production unit 4000, FIG. 146 is a front view for explaining the operation of the lower unit 4100 in the first production unit 4000, FIG. 148 is a front view illustrating the operation of the left unit 4200 in the first production unit 4000; FIG. 149 is a rear view illustrating the operation of the left unit 4200 in the first production unit 4000; FIG. 150 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the left unit 4200 in the first production unit 4000; and FIG. 151 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the right unit 4300 in the first production unit 4000. Figure 152 is a front view to explain the operation, Figure 153 is a back view to explain the operation of the right unit 4300 in the first performance unit 4000, Figure 154 is an oblique view to explain the operation of the right unit 4300 in the first performance unit 4000, Figure 155 is a front view to explain the operation of the upright unit 4400 in the first performance unit 4000, Figure 156 is a back view to explain the operation of the upright unit 4400 in the first performance unit 4000, Figure 157 is a side view to explain the operation of the upright unit 4400 in the first performance unit 4000, Figure 158 is a top view to explain the operation of the upright unit 4400 in the first performance unit 4000, and Figure 159 is an oblique view to explain the operation of the upright unit 4400 in the first performance unit 4000.

[0318] As shown in Figures 141 to 145, the first performance unit 4000 is composed of a lower unit 4100, a left unit 4200, a right unit 4300, and an upright unit 4400. The lower unit 4100 is arranged below the first performance unit 4000 so that it can move up and down. The left unit 4200 is arranged on the left side of the first performance unit 4000 so that it can rotate around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the opening area 1d (field of view). The right unit 4300 is arranged on the right side of the first performance unit 4000 so that it can rotate around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the opening area 1d. The upright unit 4400 is arranged forward of the right unit 4300 and so that it can be flipped around a vertical axis along the opening area 1d.

[0319] 142 and 143, the lower unit 4100 is mainly composed of a lower movable body 4110, a base member 4120, a pair of link members 4130 and 4140, a rack member 4150, a plurality of gears 4160 to 4162, and a motor 4170. The left unit 4200 is mainly composed of a left movable body 4210, a base member 4220, an arm member 4230, a plurality of gears 4240 to 4242, and a motor 4250. The right unit 4300 is mainly composed of a right movable body 4310, a base member 4320, an arm member 4330, a plurality of gears 4340 to 4343, and a motor 4350. As shown in FIGS. 141 to 145, the upright unit 4400 is mainly configured to include an upright movable body 4410, a base member 4420, a plurality of gears 4430 to 4433, and a motor 4440.

[0320] [Lower unit] In the lower unit 4100, the lower movable body 4110 is a member that can slide up and down from a retracted position below the opening region 1d, which is invisible to the player, to an appearing position near the lower edge of the opening region 1d. The lower movable body 4110 has light-emitting means inside, which emits light when appearing. The structure of the lower movable body 4110 will be described later. As shown in Figures 143 and 147, a pair of left and right support portions 4111, 4112 are provided on the back surface of the lower movable body 4110, and the support portions 4111, 4112 are slidably supported in vertically elongated guide grooves 4121, 4122 formed in the base member 4120. Furthermore, the lower portion of the lower movable body 4110 abuts against the tip portions 4132, 4142 of the link members 4130, 4140, and when the link members 4130, 4140 rotate in a predetermined direction and the tip portions 4132, 4142 move upward, the lower movable body 4110 moves upward and appears to the appearing position, as if lifted by the tip portions 4132, 4142. Conversely, when the link members 4130, 4140 rotate in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction and the tip portions 4132, 4142 move downward, the lower movable body 4110 moves downward and returns to the retracted position, as if lifted down by the tip portions 4132, 4142.

[0321] As shown in Figures 143, 146, and 147, in the lower unit 4100, in addition to the guide grooves 4121 and 4122 described above, arc-shaped curved grooves 4123 and 4124 are formed in the base member 4120 to slidably guide the tip ends 4132 and 4142 of the link members 4130 and 4140. Pinions 4131 and 4141 are provided at the base ends of the link members 4130 and 4140, and when these pinions 4131 and 4141 rotate, the tip ends 4132 and 4142 of the link members 4130 and 4140 rotate and move along the curved grooves 4123 and 4124. A rack member 4150 is disposed behind the base member 4120 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The rack member 4150 has an upward rack 4151 and a downward rack 4152 formed therein. The upward rack 4151 is meshed with the pinion 4131 of the left link member 4130 , and the downward rack 4152 is meshed with the pinion 4141 of the right link member 4140 .

[0322] Explaining with reference to FIG. 147 , when the pinion 4131 on the right side of the figure rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the tip 4132 of the link member 4130 rotates from bottom to top along the curved groove 4123. At that time, the upward-facing rack 4151 meshed with the pinion 4131 moves to the right in the figure, and the entire rack member 4150 also moves to the right in the figure. Then, the downward-facing rack 4152 disposed on the left side of the figure also moves to the right in the figure. As a result, the pinion 4141 meshed with the downward-facing rack 4152 rotates clockwise in the figure, and the tip 4142 of the link member 4140 rotates from bottom to top along the curved groove 4124. When the pinion 4131 on the right side of the figure is rotated clockwise in the figure, the behavior is opposite to that described above. As a result, by simply rotating one of the pinions 4131, the pair of left and right link members 4130, 4140 can be linked together, and their tip ends 4132, 4142 can be displaced up and down simultaneously, thereby allowing the lower movable body 4110 to easily slide up and down.

[0323] The link members 4130 and 4140, the rack member 4150, the multiple gears 4160 to 4162, and the motor 4170 are provided on the base member 4120 as driving means for vertically moving the lower movable body 4110. The driving force of the motor 4170 is transmitted to the pinion 4131 of the link member 4130 via the multiple gears 4160 to 4162, and the pinion 4131 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions depending on the rotation direction of the motor 4170.

[0324] [Left unit] In the left unit 4200, the left movable body 4210 is a member that can rotate around a horizontal axis along the front-to-rear direction from a retracted position to the left of the opening region 1d, invisible to the player, to an appearance position on the left side of the opening region 1d, adjacent to the left side of the upper end of the lower movable body 4110 that has appeared in the opening region 1d. The left movable body 4210 has an internal light-emitting means that emits light when it appears. The structure of the left movable body 4210 is similar to that of the lower movable body 4110 and therefore will not be described here. As shown in Figures 147 and 149, the left movable body 4210 has a support portion 4211 at its end, which is rotatably supported by a base member 4220 (not shown in the figures). One end of an arm member 4230 is rotatably connected to the end of the left movable body 4210 that is spaced from the support portion 4211. The other end of the arm member 4230 is rotatably connected to the side of a gear 4242.

[0325] Explaining with reference to FIG. 149, when the gear 4242 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the arm member 4230 applies a rotational moment to the end of the left movable body 4210. As a result, the left movable body 4210 rotates downward around the support part 4211 and appears to the appearing position so as to combine with the left side of the upper end of the lower movable body 4110. Conversely, when the gear 4242 rotates clockwise in the figure, the arm member 4230 applies a rotational moment in the opposite direction to the end of the left movable body 4210. As a result, the left movable body 4210 rotates upward around the support part 4211 and returns to the retracted position so as to move away from the upper left end of the lower movable body 4110.

[0326] The arm member 4230, the multiple gears 4240-4242, and the motor 4250 are provided on the base member 4220 as driving means for rotationally moving the left movable body 4210. The driving force of the motor 4250 is transmitted to the arm member 4230 via the multiple gears 4240-4242, and the arm member 4230 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions depending on the rotation direction of the motor 4250.

[0327] [Right unit] In the right unit 4300, the right movable body 4310 is a member that can rotate around a horizontal axis along the front-to-rear direction from a retracted position to the right of the opening region 1d, invisible to the player, to an appeared position that is in contact with the right side of the upper end of the lower movable body 4110 that has appeared in the opening region 1d. When in the retracted position, the right movable body 4310 is located behind the upright movable body 4410. The right movable body 4310 does not have an internal light-emitting means, and when it appears, it appears to emit light by receiving light from the lower movable body 4110. This will be described later along with the structure of the right movable body 4310. As shown in Figures 149 and 152, the right movable body 4310, like the left movable body 4210, has a support portion at its end, not shown, and this support portion is rotatably supported by a base member 4320, not shown in the figures. One end of an arm member 4330 is rotatably connected to the end of the right movable body 4310 that is spaced from the support portion. The other end of the arm member 4330 is rotatably connected to the side of the gear 4343 .

[0328] Explaining with reference to FIG. 152, when the gear 4343 rotates clockwise in the figure, the arm member 4330 applies a rotational moment to the end of the right movable body 4310. As a result, the right movable body 4310 rotates downward around the support part and appears to the appearing position so as to combine with the right side of the upper end of the lower movable body 4110. Conversely, when the gear 4343 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the arm member 4330 applies a rotational moment in the opposite direction to the end of the right movable body 4310. As a result, the right movable body 4310 rotates upward around the support part and returns to the retracted position so as to move away from the upper right end of the lower movable body 4110.

[0329] The arm member 4330, the multiple gears 4340-4343, and the motor 4350 are provided on the base member 4320 as driving means for rotationally moving the right movable body 4310. The driving force of the motor 4350 is transmitted to the arm member 4330 via the multiple gears 4340-4343, and the arm member 4330 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions depending on the rotation direction of the motor 4350.

[0330] [Upright unit] In the upright unit 4400, the upright movable body 4410 is arranged so that it can be partially seen on the right side of the opening region 1d (see FIG. 138). The upright movable body 4410 has a front portion 4410A and a back portion 4410B, and of these, the back portion 4410B is decorated with a motif design that is consistent with the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, and the right movable body 4310. The upright movable body 4410 is a member that can rotate around a vertical axis (rotation axis S) along the up-down direction from a retracted position where the back portion 4410B is facing backward to an emerging position where part of the back portion 4410B is visible on the right side of the opening region 1d. As shown in FIG. 153, the upright movable body 4410 is formed in a roughly U-shape in a side view so that the front portion 4410A is located forward of the rotation axis S when the back portion 4410B is in the retracted position (facing backward). As a result, when the back part 4410B is in the retracted position, a large space is formed behind the upright movable body 4410, and the right movable body 4310 is retracted using this space as a retraction space. As shown in FIG. 157, when the right movable body 4310 rotates to the appearance position, the back part 4410B can be inverted while occupying the retraction space of the right movable body 4310. That is, the back part 4410B of the upright movable body 4410 is inverted from the retracted position to the appearance position (front-facing state). The upright movable body 4410 has light-emitting means therein, which emits light when the back part 4410B is inverted to the front-facing state. In addition, a ball recovery passage member 9000 is provided in front of the upright unit 4400 so as to extend in the vertical direction at a position not exposed to the opening region 1d and not overlapping with the upright movable body 4410.

[0331] 159, the upright movable body 4410 is rotatably supported on a vertically long frame-like base member 4420. As shown in Fig. 145, a gear 4433 is provided on the upper part of the upright movable body 4410, and the upright movable body 4410 rotates around a rotation axis S in conjunction with this gear 4433.

[0332] 145, 151 to 153, and 155 to 157, as shown in Fig. 151 to 153, when the front part 4410A of the upright movable body 4410 faces outward (the back part 4410B faces backward), if the gear 4443 rotates clockwise in Fig. 145, the upright movable body 4410 is turned 180 degrees and the front part 4410A faces backward, as shown in Fig. 155 to 157. In other words, the back part 4410B faces outward and the upright movable body 4410 appears at the appearance position. Conversely, as shown in Figures 155 to 157, when the front part 4410A of the upright movable body 4410 is facing backwards (the back part 4410B is facing forwards), if the gear 4443 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 145, the upright movable body 4410 will flip in the opposite direction, and as shown in Figures 151 to 153, the front part 4410A of the upright movable body 4410 will face forwards and the back part 4410B will face backwards, returning to the retracted position.

[0333] The multiple gears 4440-4443 and the motor 4440 are provided on the base member 4420 as a driving means for rotating the upright movable body 4410 around the rotation axis S. The driving force of the motor 4450 is transmitted to the upright movable body 4410 via the multiple gears 4440-4443, and the upright movable body 4410 can rotate 180 degrees in both forward and reverse directions depending on the rotation direction of the motor 4450.

[0334] [First production unit operation] Next, the operation of the first performance unit 4000 will be explained with reference to Figures 146 to 159.

[0335] First, the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, the right movable body 4310, and the upright movable body 4410 are initially in the retracted position. From this state, as shown in Figures 146 and 147, the lower movable body 4110 moves from the lower retracted position to the upper appeared position. Then, although not specifically shown, the lower movable body 4110 appears along the lower edge of the opening region 1d of the game board 1.

[0336] Next, with the lower movable body 4110 in the emerging position, the left movable body 4210 rotates and moves from the retracted position on the left side to the emerging position on the lower side, as shown in Figures 148 to 150. As a result, the left movable body 4210 is joined to the left side of the upper end of the lower movable body 4110.

[0337] Next, with the lower movable body 4110 and the left movable body 4210 in the appearing position, the right movable body 4310 rotates and moves from the retracted position on the right side to the appearing position on the bottom, as shown in Figures 151 to 154. As a result, the right movable body 4310 is joined to the lower movable body 4110 from the left side of the upper end to the center of the upper end.

[0338] Next, finally, with the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, and the right movable body 4310 in the appearance position, the back part 4410B of the upright movable body 4310 is flipped from the retracted position in which it faces backward to the appearance position in which it faces forward, as shown in Figures 155 to 159. As a result, the back part 4410B of the upright movable body 4310 becomes one with the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, and the right movable body 4310, and the entire image of the performance, which is three-dimensionally decorated with a unified motif, appears completely.

[0339] According to this first performance unit 4000, the lower movable body 4110 that moves up and down, the left movable body 4210 and right movable body 4310 that rotate around a horizontal axis, and the upright movable body 4410 that flips around around a vertical axis can be made to appear sequentially in the opening area 1d of the game board 1 using different movement patterns, and ultimately the player can see the entire image of the performance object, resulting in a variety of movement patterns and a diverse performance effect that increases the dynamism when the objects are combined, and ultimately increases the fun and excitement.

[0340] Furthermore, after the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, and the right movable body 4310 are made to appear in the opening area 1d of the game board 1, the upright movable body 4410, from which the front part 4410A is partially visible, is inverted to make the back part 4410B appear, thereby allowing the entire image of the presentation to be seen through successively different movements, thereby increasing the fun and excitement of the presentation effect with its diverse and linked movement patterns.

[0341] [Light guide structure of the first production unit] 160 is a perspective view showing the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, and the right movable body 4310, Fig. 161 is an exploded perspective view showing the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, and the right movable body 4310, Fig. 162 is an exploded perspective view showing the right movable body 4310, Fig. 163 is a perspective view showing a portion of the lower movable body 4110 and the right movable body 4310, and Fig. 164 is a partially cutaway side view showing the lower movable body 4110, the left movable body 4210, and the right movable body 4310. Note that the first performance unit 4000 is characterized by the light-guiding structures of the lower movable body 4110 and the right movable body 4310, and therefore these light-guiding structures will be mainly described.

[0342] As shown in FIG. 161, the lower movable body 4110 is composed of a base plate 4113, a light-emitting substrate 4114, an intermediate frame member 4115, a plurality of light-guiding members 4116, a front decorative member 4117, and an upper edge lens member 4118. The left movable body 4210 is composed of an upper decorative member 4212, a front decorative member 4213, and an upper edge lens member 4214. The right movable body 4310 is composed of an upper decorative member 4311, a support member 4312, an upper edge lens member 4313, and an upper edge decorative member 4314.

[0343] In the lower movable body 4110, a light-emitting substrate 4114 is attached to the front surface of the base plate 4113. As shown in FIG. 164, a plurality of LEDs 4114A are provided on the front surface of the light-emitting substrate 4114, and light from the LEDs 4114A is emitted generally forward. An intermediate frame member 4115 is provided on the front surface of the light-emitting substrate 4114 so as to expose the LEDs 4114A forward. A plurality of light-guiding members 4116 are provided on the front surface of the intermediate frame member 4115 so as to guide light from the LEDs 4114A forward. The light-guiding members 4116 guide light from the LEDs 4114A not only forward but also to the sides. In addition, a front decorative member 4117 is attached to the front surface of the intermediate frame member 4115 so as to cover the plurality of light-guiding members 4116. The front decorative member 4117 is formed as a translucent decorative lens with a design according to a motif. As shown in FIG. 164, light from the LED 4114A is guided through the light-guiding member 4116 to the front decorative member 4117, then passes through the front decorative member 4117 and is projected forward. As shown in FIG. 163, a recess 4117A is formed in the upper center of the front decorative member 4117 to position the upper edge lens member 4313 (described below), which the right movable body 4310 approaches when assembled. An upper edge lens member 4118 is attached to the upper right portion of the intermediate frame member 4115 so as to be adjacent to the upper right end of the front decorative member 4117. The upper edge lens member 4118 is formed as a translucent decorative lens with a horizontally elongated wavy design based on the motif. Although not sp...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine equipped with a gaming board on which a gaming ball can roll, The game board is A plurality of game components formed of an electrostatic material and capable of changing the rolling direction of the game ball; and an electronic component including a wiring connection portion connected to wiring on the back side of the game board, a first hole portion for arranging a first game component; a second hole portion for arranging a second game component different from the first game component; a third hole formed in the vicinity of the first hole and the second hole for arranging a member including the electronic component, The first game component is disposed in the first hole portion from the front side of the game board, The second game component is disposed in the second hole portion from the front side of the game board, An insulating member is provided on the back side of the game board, at least a portion of which is formed over the inside of the third hole portion, for ensuring a first creepage distance from the first game component to the wiring connection portion via the first hole portion, and a second creepage distance from the second game component to the wiring connection portion via the second hole portion; The insulating member is an inner contact portion that contacts the electronic component; an outer abutment portion that abuts against the game board so as to cover an outer periphery of the third hole portion, but does not abut against the electronic component; At least a part of the inner abutment portion abuts against the electronic component at a portion that protrudes further toward the back side of the game board than the back side of the game board, A gaming machine characterized in that a portion that abuts against the gaming board and fixes the insulating member to the gaming board, and a portion that abuts against the electronic component and fixes the electronic component to the insulating member are formed in a single member.

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