gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preventing trouble of careless disconnection of connectors.SOLUTION: In a game machine 10, a magnetic sensor 160A is housed in a sensor housing part 142A1 in a state in which a main plane is overlapped to a rear surface of a base wall 143W. The sensor housing part 142A1 includes a sidewall 162 projecting rearward from the base wall 143W, and the inside is nearly identical to a planar shape of the magnetic sensor 160A. A dent 162D is formed in a stepping state in a position that opposes a lateral center on a base end face 160E of the magnetic sensor 160A on an inner surface of the sidewall 162, and a connector 191 connected to a connector receptacle 160M of the magnetic sensor 160A is received by it. Both sides of a cable lead-out port 162K in a lateral center of the dent 162D become a pair of connector slip-off preventing parts 165 and oppose a rear surface of the connector 191, thus regulating disconnection of the connector 191 from the connector receptacle 160M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to gaming machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, this type of gaming machine has The parts were fastened together with screws There is known a method for doing this (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-182531 A (paragraph

[0016] , Figure 5) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In contrast to the conventional gaming machines described above, There is a demand for the development of technology that allows parts to be assembled without the use of tools. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The gaming machine of the present disclosure includes: In a gaming machine in which a first component and a second component are assembled in a stacked manner, the gaming machine is provided with a connecting shaft that penetrates the first component and is supported slidably and rotatably, and has a locking protrusion that protrudes laterally from a tip end and an operating portion that protrudes laterally from a base end, and a specially shaped hole that is formed in the second component and through which the tip end of the connecting shaft can pass in a first rotation position but cannot pass in a second rotation position, and the connecting shaft penetrates both the first component and the second component from the first slide position, and the locking protrusion and the operating portion, the first part and the second part being held in a sandwiched state between the operating portion and the first part, a compression coil spring that is sandwiched between the first part and the operating portion and that urges the connecting shaft to the first slide position where the locking protrusion abuts against the first part when the first part and the second part are separated, and a contact portion that is provided on the operating portion and abuts against the first part to limit the amount of compressive deformation of the compression coil spring and position the connecting shaft at the second slide position at one end of a slidable range. is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the gaming machine of the present disclosure, it is possible to assemble the first part and the second part without using any tools. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] A perspective view of the gaming machine body seen from the front [Figure 3] A perspective view of the gaming machine body seen from the rear [Figure 4] An exploded perspective view of the gaming machine body as seen from the front [Figure 5] An exploded perspective view of the gaming machine body as seen from the rear. [Figure 6] Exploded perspective view of the game board [Figure 7] (A) A cross-sectional view of a portion of the game board, (B) a cross-sectional view [Figure 8] Exploded perspective view of the game board [Figure 9] Exploded perspective view of the prize-winning device [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view of the prize-winning device [Figure 11] Perspective view of the game board [Figure 12] An enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the right side of the game board [Figure 13] An enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the front part of the winning device [Figure 14] (A) A side cross-sectional view of a game board, (B) A side cross-sectional view of a game board in a modified example, (C) A side cross-sectional view of a game board in a modified example. [Figure 15] Side cross-sectional view of the game board [Figure 16] (A) Perspective view, (B) Side view, (C) Enlarged front view of the winning device [Figure 17] Exploded perspective view of the rear part seen from the front [Figure 18] A perspective view of the rear part seen from the front [Figure 19] Rear perspective view of the main housing [Figure 20] (A) Perspective view of a magnetic sensor, (B) Perspective view of a detection switch, (C) Perspective view of an impact sensor [Figure 21] Plan view of the area around the detection switch of the second downspout [Figure 22] Cross-sectional view of the detection switch and its surroundings in the third downspout [Figure 23] Plan view of the magnetic sensor area of ​​the main housing [Figure 24] Perspective view of the magnetic sensor and its surroundings in the main housing [Figure 25] (A) Plan view and (B) cross-sectional view of the rear part around the impact sensor [Figure 26] Side cross-sectional view of rear part [Figure 27] A perspective view of the sub-housing as seen from the rear [Figure 28] (A) Perspective view of the assay plate from the front, (B) Perspective view of the assay plate from the back [Figure 29] (A) Side view and (B) cross section of the assay plate [Figure 30] Cross-sectional perspective view of the game board [Figure 31] Front view of a modified prize-winning device [Figure 32] A perspective view of the base plate seen from the rear [Figure 33] An enlarged perspective view of the game board from the rear [Figure 34] (A) Front view of the bracket, (B) Perspective view of the bracket when installed [Figure 35] (A) Front perspective view of the internal components, (B) rear perspective view [Figure 36] A perspective view of the support housing as seen from the front [Figure 37] A perspective view of the support housing as seen from the rear [Figure 38] Enlarged perspective view of the support housing [Figure 39] (A) A cross-sectional view of the game board and the supporting housing in a separable state, (B) A cross-sectional view of the game board and the supporting housing in an engaged state. [Figure 40] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting member and the support housing around the support hole as viewed from the front. [Figure 41] (A) A perspective view of the connecting member as seen from the rear, (B) A perspective view of the connecting member as seen from the front [Figure 42] (A) A cross-sectional view of the connecting member in the first sliding position, (B) A cross-sectional view of the connecting member in the second sliding position. [Figure 43] A side view of an operating portion of a connecting member [Figure 44] A perspective view of the connecting hole seen from the front [Figure 45] A perspective view of the display device as seen from the rear. [Figure 46] A perspective view of the display device as seen from the front [Figure 47] Cross-sectional view of the slide support [Figure 48](A) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the unlocked position, (B) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the locked position [Figure 49] A perspective view of the sub-control board unit as seen from the rear [Figure 50] A perspective view of the sub-control board unit as seen from the front [Figure 51] (A) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the unlocked position, (B) Side cross-sectional view of the slider in the locked position [Figure 52] (A) A perspective view of a connector and a restricting protrusion, (B) A perspective view of a volume element and a restricting protrusion, and (C) A perspective view of a connector and a restricting protrusion. [Figure 53] Exploded perspective view of the sub-control board unit as seen from the rear [Figure 54] (A) Perspective view of the connector from the rear. (B) Perspective view of the connector from the rear. (C) Perspective view of the connector from the rear. (D) Perspective view of the volume element from the rear. [Figure 55] An exploded perspective view of the drive board unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 56] (A) A perspective view of the drive board unit seen from the front, and (B) A perspective view of the drive board unit seen from the rear [Figure 57] A perspective view of the support housing as seen from the rear [Figure 58] Side cross section of rear assembly [Figure 59] Exploded perspective view of the main control board unit as seen from the rear [Figure 60] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the support housing and the relay member as viewed from the rear. [Figure 61] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a relay member as viewed from the front. [Figure 62] (A) A perspective view of the main control board unit as seen from the front, and (B) A perspective view of the relay member as seen from the rear. [Figure 63] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the main control board unit mounted on the relay member, as viewed from the rear, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the main control board unit mounted on the relay member. [Figure 64] FIG. 10 is a front view of the game board of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment; [Figure 65] Front view of the entrance area [Figure 66] Front view of the first and second decorative parts [Figure 67] Perspective view of the entrance area [Figure 68] A perspective view of the sticker attached to the ball-entering device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [First embodiment] A gaming machine 10A according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 63. The gaming machine 10A is a pachinko gaming machine in which a gaming machine main body 30A shown in Figure 2 is detachably attached to a gaming frame 9 shown in Figure 1.

[0009] The gaming slot 9 is installed in a gaming hall, and the gaming machine main body 30A for the gaming slot 9 is replaced with another gaming machine main body 30A as needed, a so-called "new machine replacement." Note that the entire gaming machine 10A including the gaming slot 9 may also be replaced.

[0010] The gaming frame 9 itself is a known device and has a front door 9Z that covers the gaming machine main body 30A from the front. The gaming area R1 of the gaming machine main body 30A is visible through a glass window 9W of the front door 9Z. An upper tray 9A and a lower tray 9B are provided below the glass window 9W on the front of the gaming frame 9, and an operation knob 9C is provided in the lower right corner. When the operation knob 9C is rotated, gaming balls in the upper tray 9A (see symbol K in Figure 1) are shot into the gaming area R1. When gaming balls enter (or win) the normal winning slot 13, the start winning slot 14, 32G, or the big winning slot 32F, which will be described later, within the gaming area R1, multiple gaming balls are dispensed into the upper tray 9A as prize balls. When a predetermined discharge operation unit is operated, the gaming balls in the upper tray 9A are discharged into the lower tray 9B.

[0011] 2 and 3 show the gaming machine main body 30A in its entirety, with some parts removed. This gaming machine main body 30A has several features that facilitate the reuse of its components. The first feature is that the gaming machine main body 30A can be disassembled without tools into multiple parts, such as the gaming board 40, support housing 51, and display device 52 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Furthermore, the multiple parts other than the gaming board 40 are assembled to form a rear assembly 50. In other words, the gaming machine main body 30A is roughly divided into two parts: the gaming board 40 and the rear assembly 50 that overlaps its rear surface. First, the gaming board 40 will be described in detail below.

[0012] 6, the game board 40 has a structure in which a plurality of front parts and a plurality of rear parts are fixed with screws to the front and rear of a transparent, rectangular base plate 41 made of resin (polycarbonate), generally called a "PC board." Note that the base plate 41 is not limited to being made of polycarbonate, and may be made of, for example, acrylic.

[0013] 6, the front part 42A is shown separated from the base plate 41. The upper and both side edges of its outer edge overlap the upper and both upper sides of the upper edge of the base plate 41, and the lower edge of the outer edge forms an upwardly concave arc. Also, the front part 45A is shown in the same figure superimposed on the front surface of the base plate 41. The lower and left side edges of its outer edge overlap the entire lower edge of the base plate 41 except for the left end of the lower edge and the upper part of the left side, and the right side of the outer edge forms a concave arc. Guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 are provided on the arc-shaped outer edges of these front parts 42A and 45A.

[0014] The guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 are arc-shaped, band-shaped resin walls with their widths aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The upper end of the guide rail 45A1 is continuous with the lower end of the guide rail 42A1, and the combined guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 extend in a curved manner from a position near the left end of the lower side of the base plate 41 to the upper right portion of the base plate 41.

[0015] The entire right-hand portion of the guide rail 42A1 from the left position of the guide rail 42A1 forms the upper boundary of the play area R1, and the remaining portion of the guide rail 42A1 and the entire guide rail 45A1 form an ascending guide portion that guides the game ball into the play area R1. The guide rails 31A1 and 43A of the front components 31A and 43A (described later) form the left boundary of the play area R1, facing slightly from the inside of the ascending guide portion. Furthermore, the protruding wall 32A1 (see FIG. 11) of the front component 32A (described later) fixed to the right side of the base plate 41 forms the right boundary of the play area R1, and the front components 31A and 32A are connected to form the lower boundary of the play area R1. The game ball launched in response to the rotation of the operation knob 9C (see FIG. 1) rises along the guide rails 42A1 and 45A1 and is shot into the play area R1.

[0016] A metal plate 42E is laid on the inner surfaces of the guide rails 42A1 and 45A1. The metal plate 42E is a strip-shaped plate curved in an arc with a width slightly smaller than that of the guide rail 42A1, and overlaps substantially the entire inner surface of the guide rail 45A1 and the inner surface of the left end of the guide rail 42A1. The lower end of the metal plate 42E is bent outward in a crank shape and is provided with a locking piece 42E3 that protrudes downward and outward from the entire metal plate 42E. The locking piece 42E3 is received in a slit 45A4 formed near the lower end of the guide rail 45A1.

[0017] In addition, the inner surface of the guide rail 45A1 has a recessed portion 45A2 below the midpoint in the vertical direction, which is slightly recessed from the upper side, and the aforementioned slit 45A4 is located near the lower end of the recessed portion 45A2.In addition, at two locations on the recessed portion 45A2 above the slit 45A4, a pair of protrusions 45A3 are provided, whose inner surfaces are located on the extension of the inner surface of the part of the inner surface of the guide rail 45A1 above the recessed portion 45A2.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 7A, the upper end of the metal plate 42E extends diagonally upward, and its distal end includes a U-shaped groove 42E1 and a locking piece 42E2 extending diagonally upward to the right from the U-shaped groove 42E1. The front component 42A also includes a housing chamber 42A2 that covers the slit 42A3 from the outside. The U-shaped groove 42E1 of the metal plate 42 is housed in the housing chamber 42A2, and the distal end of the locking piece 42E2 abuts against the inner surface of the housing chamber 42A2. The metal plate 42E is elastically deformed so that the U-shaped groove 42E1 narrows its width. Furthermore, a pair of protrusions 42A4 and 42A5 in the housing chamber 42A2 abut against the base end and a position near the base end of the locking piece 42E2 from the front and back, applying a load to the metal plate 42E so that the metal plate 42E is pressed against the inner surface of the guide rail 42A1.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 6, a storage chamber 42A6 is provided at the right end of the front part 42A beyond the guide rail 42A1, and contains an elastomer buffer member 11G that is screwed to the front surface of the base plate 41. As shown in Fig. 7(B), a ball receiving surface 11G1 provided on the buffer member 11G receives the game ball moving along the guide rail 42A1, absorbs the impact, and guides it downward. Note that a pair of through holes 11G2 are formed in the buffer member 11G near the ball receiving surface 11G1 to increase the elasticity of the buffer member 11G.

[0020] A display window 11W is formed in the base plate 41 within the play area R1 to enable viewing of the display screen 52G of the display device 52 behind the play board 40. As shown in Fig. 1, the display window 11W has an irregular shape with multiple projections and depressions around its entire periphery and is located toward the upper part of the play area R1. The upper part of the display window 11W is closer to the guide rail 42A1 on the right side than on the left side.

[0021] The front opening edge of the display window 11W is covered from the front by front components 32A, 43A, and 44A shown in Fig. 8. In Fig. 8, the front component 32A is shown overlapping the front surface of the base plate 41, and the front components 43A and 44A are shown separated from the base plate 41.

[0022] The front part 43A has an arch shape bulging upward overall, and includes a cover plate portion 43A9 that is placed on the front surface of the base plate 41, a guide rail 43A1 that protrudes forward from the cover plate portion 43A9, an opening surrounding wall 43A2, and flow path regulating walls 43A3 and 43A4. The opening surrounding wall 43A2 is disposed over the entire upper portion of the opening edge of the display window 11W and the upper portion of the left side, and prevents game balls from entering the display window 11W.

[0023] 7(B), the opening surrounding wall 43A2 is bent downward in a crank shape near the right end to match the outer edge shape of the display window 11W, and the upper end of the bent portion 43A7 is disposed opposite the lower end of the ball receiving surface 11G1 of the aforementioned buffer member 11G with a gap corresponding to the passage of one game ball (hereinafter referred to as "the gap corresponding to one game ball"). In addition, a cover plate portion 43A9 projects outward from the tip end portion of the opening surrounding wall 43A2 beyond the bent portion 43A7, and a flow path regulating wall 43A3 projects from the outer edge thereof to cover the aforementioned buffer member 11G and the storage chamber 42A6 from below, and faces the bent portion 43A7 of the opening surrounding wall 43A2 and the tip end portion thereof with a gap corresponding to one game ball, thereby forming a passage for the game ball. A plurality of protrusions 43A8 extending in the front-rear direction are formed in a staggered arrangement on the opposing surfaces of the opening surrounding wall 43A2 and the flow-down path regulating wall 43A3.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 11, the opening surrounding wall 43A2 faces the guide rail 42A1 with a gap of one game ball between the bent portion 43A7 and the top. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, the left side of the top of the opening surrounding wall 43A2 gradually moves away from the guide rail 42A1 as it moves left, and the left end extends vertically. The top of the opening surrounding wall 43A2 is slightly shifted to the right from the top of the guide rail 42A1.

[0025] A cover plate portion 43A9 extends from the left side of the top of the opening surrounding wall 43A2 toward the guide rail 42A1. The outer edge of the cover plate portion 43A9 is arc-shaped and extends parallel to the guide rail 42A1 with a gap of one gaming ball between them, and the aforementioned guide rail 43A1 is provided on the extension of the left end of the outer edge. The guide rail 43A1 extends vertically in an arc-shaped manner. An extension portion 43A10, having an inner surface parallel to the vertical direction, is integrally formed below the upper end of the guide rail 43A1. A flow path control wall 43A4 extending vertically divides the space between the extension portion 43A10 and the left end of the opening surrounding wall 43A2 into two, left and right, forming two flow paths through which gaming balls pass one by one. Furthermore, on the opposing surfaces of the two flow paths, a plurality of protrusions 43A8 are arranged in a staggered pattern, similar to the opposing surfaces of the flow path regulation wall 43A3 and the right end of the opening surrounding wall 43A2.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the space between the upper end of guide rail 43A1 and guide rail 42A1 forms an entrance 11N for game balls to enter the game area R1, and a flexible piece 43C is attached to the upper end of guide rail 43A1 to prevent the game balls from returning to the entrance 11N.

[0027] 1, a through-hole 43A6 is formed in the cover plate portion 43A9 from a position to the right of the entrance 11N to the upper part of the flow-down path regulating wall 43A4, and the front surface of the base plate 41 is exposed inside the through-hole 43A6. The opening edge of the through-hole 43A6 has a gentle slope. The cover plate portion 43A9 has multiple (specifically, three) flow-down regulating protrusions 43A5 protruding above the through-hole 43A6, so that game balls flow down between the flow-down regulating protrusions 43A5 and between the flow-down regulating protrusions 43A5 and the opening surrounding wall 43A2.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, the front part 44A includes a stage portion 44A1 that overlaps the lower inner surface of the display window 11W, and a cover plate portion 44A9 that hangs down from the front end of the stage portion 44A1 and overlaps the front surface of the base plate 41. The stage portion 44A1 has an arc-like shape that bulges downward, and a pocket-shaped introduction portion 44A3 extends forward from the left end of the stage portion 44A1. Furthermore, an opening surrounding wall 44A2 extends from the right opening edge of the upper opening of the introduction portion 44A3 and connects to the lower end of the aforementioned opening surrounding wall 43A2. A gaming ball that enters the introduction portion 44A3 rolls on the stage portion 44A1 before being ejected forward.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 1, a horizontal portion 44A4 is provided at the right end of the stage portion 44A1, positioned at a height midway between the lowest end and the left end of the stage portion 44A1. Also, as shown in Fig. 12, a gap into which game balls can fall is provided between the horizontal portion 44A4 and the front part 32A, and game balls that fall into this gap hang down from the right end of the horizontal portion 44A4, pass under a rotating plate 44A5 whose upper end is rotatably supported, and head downward.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 8, the front part 32A is disposed on the right side of the base plate 41 and includes a cover plate portion 32A9 overlapping the front of the base plate 41 and a front cover wall 32A8 facing the cover plate portion 32A9 with a gap of one game ball between them. The front part 32A covers the entire area of ​​the front of the base plate 41 below the right ends of the front parts 42A and 43A, extending from the entire area to the right of the display window 11W to the lower right area of ​​the display window 11W excluding the right end of the lower edge of the base plate 41. As shown in FIG. 9, the base plate 41 has a plurality of through holes 32W formed in the portion covered by the front part 32A. The rear part 32B, which is overlapped and fixed to the rear surface of the base plate 41, is connected to the front part 32A via the plurality of through holes 32W to form the winning device 32. A flow path along which the game balls snake down is formed by a plurality of forward protruding walls 32B1 protruding forward from the rear part 32B and a plurality of protruding walls 32A1 (see Figure 12) protruding forward from the cover plate portion 32A9 or protruding rearward from the front cover wall 32A8.

[0031] Fig. 11 shows the entire game board 40 with the front cover wall 32A8 and components in the same position in the front-to-back direction removed, and Fig. 12 shows an enlarged view of the portion with the front cover wall 32A8 removed. As shown in Fig. 12, the protruding wall 32A1 located on the left side of the plurality of protruding walls 32A1 extends along the opening edge of the display window 11W to restrict the entry of game balls into the display window 11W. In addition, the portions of the plurality of protruding walls 32A1 located on the right side and close to the right side of the front cover wall 32A8 and the portions located on the bottom and close to the bottom end form right and lower right boundaries of the game area R1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 12, the winning device 32 is equipped with, from top to bottom, the following devices: a start gate 70, a start winning device 71, a first attacker 72, a regular winning port 74, a second attacker 75, and a regular winning port 76, as well as three outlets 79A, 79B, and 79C. The flow path within the winning device 32 splits horizontally into three routes above the start gate 70, and after flowing down the central route, it passes through the start gate 70. The right route curves and merges with the central route after passing through the start gate 70, and the sliding plate 71B of the start winning device 71 is located directly below this junction. The sliding plate 71B slides back and forth, and when positioned at its front end, it guides the game ball to the start winning port 71A at the bottom right.

[0033] Furthermore, gaming balls that pass through the starting winning opening 71A are taken in as winning balls into the downflow gutter 73. Furthermore, an outlet 79A opens directly above the starting winning opening 71B, and gaming balls that enter there are taken in as out balls into the downflow gutter 73. The downflow gutter 73 extends vertically along the right side of the winning device 32, bends diagonally downward to the left near the bottom end of the winning device 32, and guides the gaming balls into a through-hole (not shown) that penetrates the base plate 41.

[0034] The left route that passes to the left of the starting gate 70 extends straight up and down, passes the starting winning device 71, then bends diagonally to the right, extends gently downward below the starting winning device 71, then turns back to the left at the upper left position of the downflow channel 73, and extends gently downward. This downward-sloping flow path to the left is formed by the slide plate 72B of the first attacker 72. The slide plate 72B slides back and forth, and when the slide plate 72B retracts, a game ball enters the special prize opening 72A. In addition, the downstream side after passing the special prize opening 72A is divided into a flow path toward the V prize opening 72C and a flow path toward the normal prize opening 72D, and a distribution member (not shown) operates to distribute the ball to either the V prize opening 72C or the normal prize opening 72D.

[0035] The flow path bends downward after passing over the slide plate 72B of the first attacker 72, and then splits into three horizontal routes. The right route leads to an outlet 79B, and the central route leads to a regular prize opening 74. The left route extends at an angle downward and to the left, and is formed by the slide plate 75B of the second attacker 75. The slide plate 75B also slides back and forth, and when the slide plate 75B retracts, the game ball enters the special prize opening 75A.

[0036] After passing through the slide plate 72B, the flow path bends downward, and at the end of that is the normal winning opening 76, and to the right of that is the outlet opening 79C.

[0037] 9, a pair of engagement holes 200W for attaching a later-described inspection plate 200 are provided side by side at the right end of the lower edge of the base plate 41, the front surface of which is not covered by the front part 32A. The rear part 32B covers the right end of the lower edge of the base plate 41 from behind, and the outer edge of the rear part 32B abuts against the rear surface of the base plate 41 so as not to block the pair of engagement holes 200W, and a rear cover wall 32B8 provided on the rear part 32B is disposed opposite, with a gap therebetween, the rear surface of the base plate 41 including the openings of the pair of engagement holes 200W (see FIG. 30).

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the front part 31A has an arc-shaped guide rail 31A1 extending in the vertical direction, and as shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the guide rail 31A1 is connected to the lower end of the guide rail 43A1 of the aforementioned front part 43A, and together with the guide rail 43A1, forms the boundary of the left side of the play area R1.

[0039] A middle ball receiving projection 31A3 protrudes from the vertically middle portion of the inner surface of the guide rail 31A1, receiving and guiding game balls downward and to the right. A lower ball receiving projection 31A2 extends to the right from the inner surface of the guide rail 31A1 below the middle ball receiving projection 31A3. The lower ball receiving projection 31A2 includes multiple horizontal ribs extending rightward from the bottom of the guide rail 31A1, a curved rib extending downward along the guide rail 31A1 from below the middle ball receiving projection 31A3 to the horizontal midpoint of the horizontal ribs, and a vertical rib intersecting the horizontal ribs. The right end surface of the lower ball receiving projection 31A2 is joined to the right surface of the lower end of the front component 32A, and the upper surface of the lower ball receiving projection 31A2 forms part of the boundary of the lower end of the play area R1.

[0040] In addition, a front cover wall 31A8 is provided in the range from intermediate ball receiving protrusion 31A3 to the horizontally middle part of lower ball receiving portion 31A2. Front cover wall 31A8 covers a part of the front surface of lower ball receiving portion 31A2 and protrudes upward from lower ball receiving portion 31A2, facing the front surface of base plate 41 with a gap of one game ball between them.

[0041] As shown in Figure 10, a pair of through holes 31W are formed in the portion of the base plate 41 whose front surface is covered by the front cover wall 31A8, and the rear part 31B and the front part 31A, which are fixed to the rear surface of the base plate 41 by stacking them on top of each other, are connected via the pair of through holes 31W to form the winning device 31.

[0042] The winning device 31 has a plurality of normal winning openings 13 and a plurality of outlets 16. The plurality of normal winning openings 13 and one outlet 16 are formed by abutting a plurality of groove-shaped portions 31A7 included in a plurality of rear protruding walls 31A4 that protrude rearward from the front cover wall 31A8 against the front opening of one of the pair of through holes 31W.

[0043] Specifically, a pair of groove-shaped portions 31A7 are provided side by side below the intermediate ball receiving projection 31A3 at different heights. To the right of the pair, a groove-shaped portion 31A7 is provided at a position one game ball apart and one game ball lower. To the right of the pair, a further groove-shaped portion 31A7 is provided at the same height and two game balls apart, each of which is butted against the front opening of the through-hole 31W. The top openings of the three groove-shaped portions 31A7 other than the leftmost groove-shaped portion 31A7 form the three normal winning holes 13. The top opening of the leftmost groove-shaped portion 31A7 also serves as the outlet 16. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the three normal winning holes 13, they will be referred to as the "first to third normal winning holes 13" in order from the right.

[0044] Furthermore, a portion of the through-hole 31W opens between the pair of groove-shaped portions 31A7 that form the first and second normal winning openings 13, forming an outlet 16. Game balls that flow down between the first and second normal winning openings 13 are taken into this outlet 16. Furthermore, the outlet 16 opens on the front surface of the base plate 41 at a position near the right end of the lower-end ball receiving portion 31A2, approximately in the horizontal center of the game area R1 and at the bottom end in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the three outlets 16 of the winning device 31, they will be referred to as the "first to third outlets 16" in order from the right.

[0045] The second outlet 16 is located below the first and second normal winning ports 13 and above the lower-end ball receiving portion 31A2. The lower-end ball receiving portion 31A2 is formed with a pair of out guides 16G that guide game balls to the first or second outlet 16. The out guides 16G have integral protrusions that protrude from the lower-end ball receiving portion 31A2 into the outlet 16 and are inclined downward toward the inside of the outlet 16.

[0046] 10, a through hole 14W is formed in the base plate 41 at a position sandwiched between the first outlet 16 and the display window 11W in the vertical direction, and a front part 33A is attached to the opening edge of the through hole from the front, and a rear part (not shown) is attached from the rear, which constitutes the winning device 33. The front part 33A forms the starting winning opening 14 with a pocket structure.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 16(A), the front part 33A has a gutter-shaped protrusion 34 extending in the front-rear direction and a fixing plate 35 extending laterally from a position near the axial center of the gutter-shaped protrusion 34. The gutter-shaped protrusion 34 has an opening 34K formed on its upper surface, the width of which is large enough to accommodate one gaming ball. A pair of pegs 34A are provided at the upper ends of both side walls of the gutter-shaped protrusion 34, spaced apart by a gap less than the width of a hemisphere of a gaming ball. The opening 34K between these pegs 34A forms the starting winning hole 14. As shown in FIG. 16(B), the height of the gutter-shaped protrusion 34 protruding from the front of the base plate 41 is approximately the same height as the front end of the head 34H of the peg 34A. The upper side wall of the gutter-shaped protrusion 34, rearward of the fixing plate 35, is notched in a stepped shape.

[0048] 16(B), a guide rib 33H is laid at the bottom of the gutter-shaped protrusion 34. The guide rib 33H is made up of two connected guide ribs: a guide rib 33H1 that extends from the front end to the middle of the gutter-shaped protrusion 34, and a guide rib 33H2 that has a gentler slope than the guide rib 33H1.

[0049] The fixing plate 35 has a generally elliptical shape, and is provided with an inclined surface 33P on its outer edge except for its upper edge. The lower edge of the inclined surface 33P has a plurality of curved portions 33K recessed toward the gutter-shaped protrusion 34, and its front surface forms a recessed surface 33L. A pair of screw holes 33M are formed in the flat surface of the fixing plate 35 surrounded by the inclined surface 33P. The front part 33A is fixed to the base plate 41 by screws inserted through these holes and by fixing protrusions 33J extending from the back side of the fixing plate 35.

[0050] As shown in Figure 16(C), the front end of the gutter-shaped protrusion 34 is closed by a disc-shaped decorative plate 36. The decorative plate 36 has a recessed portion 39 formed by recessing the decorative plate 36 into a stepped shape, and an outer edge decorative portion 38 provided on the outer edge of the recessed portion 39. The recessed portion 39 is circular, and its front surface is decorated with coloring or a sticker. A triangular positioning protrusion 39A is provided at the lower end of the recessed portion 39.

[0051] Multiple decorative recesses 38A are tightly arranged in the outer edge decorative portion 38. The decorative recesses 38A extend radially from the center of the decorative plate 36 and are groove-shaped, sloping downward toward the rear. The outer edge of each decorative recess 38A facing the center of the decorative plate 36 is curved so that it bulges toward the center.

[0052] In this embodiment, the width of the decorative recess 38A is smaller than the head 34H of the nail 34A, and the decorative recess 38A has a three-dimensional shape that resembles a dent.

[0053] Thus, with the above-described configuration of the front part 33A, not only is it three-dimensional and gorgeous, but even if the game part is accidentally damaged when servicing the nails, the decorative recess 38A overlaps with the damage, making the damage less noticeable.

[0054] Furthermore, by providing decorative recesses 38A around the entire periphery of decorative plate 36, scratches anywhere become less noticeable. Furthermore, by providing this decoration on front part 33A, which includes the winning slot, which is easily noticed by players and requires careful maintenance of the obstacle pins, the effect of scratches becoming less noticeable can be further enjoyed. Furthermore, by providing curved portion 33K and recessed surface 33L on fixed plate portion 35, scratches on fixed plate portion 33D can also be made less noticeable.

[0055] While the contour of the outer edge decorative portion 38 was previously circular, the outer edge of the decorative recess 38A facing outward may be bulged, as shown in FIG. 31(A). The outward-facing side of the decorative recess 38A was previously curved to follow the shape of the outer edge of the decorative plate 36, but may instead be bulged outward, as shown in FIG. 31(A). While the decorative recesses 38 were previously arranged without gaps, they may instead be arranged intermittently, as shown in FIG. 31(B). As shown in FIG. 31(C), decorative recesses 38A and 38B of different sizes may be arranged alternately, or may be arranged irregularly. Furthermore, the shape is not limited to a concave shape, and may include a convex shape that bulges forward.

[0056] In this embodiment, the decorative recess 38A is provided around the entire periphery of the outer edge decorative portion 38, but it may be provided on a part of the periphery. It is more preferable that the decorative recess 38A is provided in a location of the outer edge decorative portion 38 that is close to the obstacle nail 34A.

[0057] The rear part 31B of the prize-winning device 31 includes several characteristic structures, so the rear part 31B will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 17, the rear part 31B accommodates an impact sensor 90, multiple magnetic sensors 160A to 160C, multiple detection switches 180, a circuit board (not shown), etc. inside a resin housing 142.

[0058] The housing 142 has a lower edge extending horizontally and a right edge extending vertically, and the corner where these edges intersect at right angles is placed on the lower left corner of the base plate 41 and is fixed to the base plate 41 with screws, so that the housing 142 is located behind the front components 31A and 42A described above. The housing 142 also has multiple sub-housings 142B (only one sub-housing 142B is shown in FIG. 17) attached to the rear surface of the main housing 142A.

[0059] The housing 142 is provided with base surfaces 143 dispersed across the entire front surface, which abut (or overlap without gaps) against the rear surface of the base plate 41, and the starting ends of a plurality of downflow channels 144A to 144D protrude from the base surface 143. These downflow channels 144A to 144D enter the plurality of through holes 31W of the base plate 41 and are connected to the plurality of normal winning openings 13 and the third outlet 16 of the front part 31A described above, and guide the game balls that have entered the normal winning openings 13 and the third outlet 16 to the lower end of the base plate 41 and discharge them downward.

[0060] Below the base plate 41, a recovery duct (not shown) that is part of the game hall's ball circulation system is located and opens upward. Game balls shot into the game area R1 move to the rear of the base plate 41 through one of the winning holes or the outlet 16 and are taken into the recovery duct. Also, because the base plate 41 was previously made of plywood, the front and rear surfaces of the base plate 41, and surfaces that are placed on the front and rear surfaces of the base plate 41 without any gaps, such as the above-mentioned base surface 143, are sometimes called "veneer surfaces."

[0061] Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the multiple downflow channels 144A to 144D, they will be referred to as "first to fourth downflow channels 144A to 144D" in order from the right, and the specific structures of the multiple downflow channels 144A to 144D will be described.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 17, the starting ends of the first and second downflow gutters 144A, 144B are shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped elongated in the vertical direction, with the top surface and approximately the upper half of the front surface open. In contrast, one of the pair of through-holes 31W in the base plate 41 is concave-shaped, as shown in FIG. 6, with both left and right ends wider upward than the center, and the starting ends of the first and second downflow gutters 144A, 144B are received in these left and right ends. The groove-shaped portion 31A7 having the first and second normal winning openings 13 mentioned above is connected to the opening in the approximately upper half of the front surface of the first and second downflow gutters 144A, 144B. The portion of the through-hole 31W sandwiched laterally between the first and second downflow gutters 144A, 144B forms the second outlet 16 mentioned above.

[0063] As shown in Figure 17, the starting ends of the third and fourth downflow gutter 144C, 144D are arranged side by side in a groove-like shape, with the third downflow gutter 144C located diagonally below the fourth downflow gutter 144D. In contrast, the remaining one of the pair of through holes 31W has a shape that extends diagonally in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 6, and the starting ends of the third and fourth downflow gutter 144C, 144D are received in its lower end. Then, a groove-shaped portion 31A7 having the aforementioned third normal winning opening 13 is connected to the third downflow gutter 144C, and a groove-shaped portion 31A7 having the third outlet 16 is connected to the fourth downflow gutter 144D.

[0064] In addition, a hood-shaped rear member (not shown) is attached separately from the rear part 31B to the rear side of the first outlet 16 on the rear surface of the base plate 41, and guides game balls that are taken in by the first outlet 16 and move to the rear of the base plate 41 into the recovery duct.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 18, from a base surface 143 of a housing 142, in addition to a plurality of downflow channels 144A to 144D, a pair of indicator projections 147A, 147B, a sensor accommodating projection 146, and a plurality of positioning bosses 142P protrude.

[0066] The plurality of positioning bosses 142P are fitted into positioning holes (not shown) drilled in the rear surface of the base plate 41, and position the housing 142 relative to the base plate 41.

[0067] The pair of indicator projections 147A, 147B protrude forward far beyond the downflow channels 144A-144D, and one indicator projection 147A is disposed diagonally above and to the left of the fourth downflow channel 144D, passes through a through-hole 31W, and is received in the intermediate bulb receiving projection 31A3 of the front part 31A. The other indicator projection 147B is disposed near the lower left corner of the front of the housing 142, passes through a through-hole 31V formed in the lower left corner of the base plate 41 as shown in Fig. 10, and is received in the housing part 45A7 of the front part 45A shown in Fig. 11.

[0068] In addition, a circuit board mounted with a plurality of light-emitting elements (not shown) is arranged on top of the pair of indicator projections 147A, 147B on the rear surface thereof, and a plurality of through-holes 147C are formed in the front-rear direction of the pair of indicator projections 147A, 147B, corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting elements, as shown in FIG. 18. Furthermore, the front surface of the intermediate ball receiving projection 31A3 and the housing 45A7 is formed as an indicator having a plurality of lighting elements (not shown) corresponding to the plurality of through-holes 147C, and light from the plurality of light-emitting elements is guided to the lighting elements by the plurality of through-holes 147C. Information regarding the status of the gaming machine 10A is then reported by the lighting state of the lighting elements.

[0069] 18, the sensor accommodating protrusion 146 is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and is located at the upper left of one of the illumination display protrusions 147A, and is received in the through-hole 31W (see FIG. 6). A magnetic sensor 160C (see FIG. 19) is also housed inside the sensor accommodating protrusion 146, and together with magnetic sensors 160A and 160B, which will be described later, detects the magnetism of a magnet used in fraudulent acts.

[0070] 19 shows the main housing 142A viewed from the rear with the sub-housing 142B and the like removed from the housing 142. As shown in the figure, the above-mentioned multiple detection switches 180 are provided to detect the passage of gaming balls through the first to third downflow channels 144A to 144C, and these detections detect winning into the normal winning opening 13. Note that the fourth downflow channel 144D and the like that guide gaming balls from the outlet 16 are not provided with detection switches 180.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 20(B), the detection switch 180 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape. When viewed from the flattening direction, the planar shape is a rectangle whose long sides are approximately twice the length of their short sides and whose corners are linearly chamfered. Hereinafter, the flattening direction of the detection switch 180 will be referred to as the thickness direction J3, the long side direction of the rectangular planar shape described above will be referred to as the vertical direction J1, and the short side direction will be referred to as the horizontal direction J2. As described above, the chamfered side will be referred to as the tip side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the base side. Furthermore, the surface of the detection switch 180 facing the tip side will be referred to as the tip side face 180F, the surface facing the base side will be referred to as the base side face 180E, the surfaces facing one side and the other in the thickness direction J3 will be referred to as a pair of main planes, the surfaces facing one side and the other in the horizontal direction J2 will be referred to as a pair of side faces 180S, and the chamfered surface will be referred to as the chamfered surface 180N.

[0072] The detection switch 180 is provided with a detection hole 180R that penetrates in the thickness direction J3 at the tip end side in the vertical direction J1. The detection hole 180R is circular with an inner diameter that is just large enough for a gaming ball to pass through. The detection switch 180 also has a built-in coil (not shown) that surrounds the detection hole 180R, and the passage of the gaming ball is detected based on a change in inductance of the coil when the gaming ball, which is a magnetic material, passes through the detection hole 180R. In the detection switch 180 of this embodiment, the upper surface side shown in FIG. 20(B) is the entrance of the detection hole 180R, and the passage of the gaming ball is detected when the gaming ball passes from the top to the bottom of the detection hole 180R shown in FIG. 20(B).

[0073] A connector socket 180M is opened on the base end surface 180E of the detection switch 180, and a connector 191 (see FIG. 21) at the end of a cable 190 included in the harness of the gaming machine main body 30A is inserted into the connector socket 180M. The connector socket 180M has a rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction J2, and is located at the center of the base end surface 180E in the horizontal direction J2 and at a position toward one end in the thickness direction J3 (the lower surface side in FIG. 20(B)). Also, as shown in FIG. 21, the connector 191 protrudes slightly from the connector socket 180M when inserted into the detection switch 180.

[0074] The detection switch 180 has a pair of side surfaces 180S formed with a pair of rectangular grooves 180U extending in the thickness direction J3 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] 19, the detection switch 180 is installed in the same state in the first and second downflow conduits 144A, 144B. That is, in each downflow conduit 144A, 144B, the detection switch 180 is installed so that the entrance of the detection hole 180R faces forward, the horizontal direction J2 is parallel to the horizontal direction of the main housing 142A, the thickness direction J3 is slightly inclined with respect to the front-to-back direction of the main housing 142A, and the vertical direction J1 is slightly inclined with respect to the up-down direction, and the detection hole 180R is located at the lower end of the detection switch 180.

[0076] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17 , the starting ends of the first and second downflow conduits 144A, 144B protruding from the base surface 143 are shaped like vertically elongated rectangular parallelepipeds with the top surface and approximately the upper half of the front surface open. If the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds forming the starting ends of the first and second downflow conduits 144A, 144B are referred to as a pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X, the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X extend rearward from the base surface 143. As shown in FIG. 19 , a pair of side walls on the far side of the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X are cut obliquely in the vertical direction on the rear surface of the main housing 142A to form rearward inclined surfaces 144S. Furthermore, a positioning step surface (not shown) is formed on the inner surface of a pair of side walls on the near side of the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X, which is flush with the rearward inclined surfaces 144S.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 21, the detection switch 180 is positioned at the rear of the rectangular parallelepiped 144X with the detection hole 180R facing downward and the chamfered surface 180N facing right in FIG. 21, with one of the main planes abutting against the rear inclined surface 144S and the positioning step surface, and with the tip surface 180F abutting against the positioning protrusions 177A, 177B protruding from the bottom wall 177 of the rectangular parallelepiped 144X, so that the detection switch 180 is positioned from below.

[0078] The positioning protrusion 177B is provided with an inclined surface 177C that is inclined in the vertical and horizontal directions so as to abut against or be adjacent to the chamfered surface 180N. The inclined surface 177C overlaps the chamfered surface 180N, thereby restricting the entrance of the detection hole 180R of the detection switch 180 to face forward. This also positions the connector insertion port 180M at the rear side of the base end surface 180E.

[0079] 17, behind base surface 143, bridge portion 173 spans between the upper portions of paired rectangular parallelepipeds 144X, and the upper surfaces of paired rectangular parallelepipeds 144X are closed by upper wall 181 of bridge portion 173. Then, as shown in FIG. 19, detection switch 180 is sandwiched laterally between a pair of side hanging walls 178A hanging down from both left and right end portions of upper wall 181, a pair of side protruding walls 178B protruding from the rear surface of main housing 142A below the pair of side hanging walls 178A, and the side walls of paired rectangular parallelepipeds 144X that are closer to each other, and is thus positioned in the lateral direction of main housing 142A.

[0080] 21, a pair of positioning protrusions 181A hang down from the upper surface of top wall 181 into each rectangular parallelepiped 144X, and these abut against base end surface 180E of detection switch 180 to position detection switch 180 from above. More specifically, the pair of positioning protrusions 181A have a protruding stripe shape extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the lower ends of the rear portions of the pair of positioning protrusions 181A abut against the left and right opening edges of connector insertion port 180M on base end surface 180E of detection switch 180. Top wall 181 is also recessed in the shape of a square groove between the pair of positioning protrusions 181A to form top surface recessed wall 181D.

[0081] Furthermore, the rear end of top surface recessed wall 181D is cut away in a rectangular shape, leaving both widthwise ends, to form cable outlet 181K, and the rear opening of cable outlet 181K is closed by sub-housing 142B. 21 , the remaining portions of top surface recessed wall 181D on both sides of cable outlet 181K serve as a pair of connector removal prevention portions 182 that face the rear edge of connector 191 from above and prevent connector 191 from being removed from connector insertion port 180M, allowing cable 190 to be pulled out obliquely upward and rearward through cable outlet 181K. As mentioned above, the connector socket 180M is located at the rear side of the base end face 180E of the detection switch 180, so that the portion of the upper surface recessed wall 181D that is forward of the cable outlet 181K and the connector 191 that is inserted into the connector socket 180M of the detection switch 180 and protrudes from the base end face 180E are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction.

[0082] If the detection switch 180 is installed upside down, the connector insertion port 180M of the detection switch 180 will be located at the front of the base end face 180E, and the portion of the upper surface recessed wall 181D that is forward of the cable outlet 181K will interfere with the connector 191 that is inserted into the connector insertion port 180M and protrudes from the base end face 180E, making it impossible to install the detection switch 180 in the first and second downflow channels 144A, 144B. This makes it possible to detect incorrect installation of the detection switch 180. Furthermore, incorrect installation can also be detected by the interference of the cable 190 with the opening edge of the cable outlet 181K.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 17, the sub-housing 142B is provided with a pair of terminal box portions 144Y that are the terminal ends of the first and second downflow channels 144A and 144B. The terminal box portions 144Y have a front opening facing the detection hole 180R of the detection switch 180 and a bottom opening, and guide game balls that pass through the detection hole 180R to the aforementioned recovery duct (not shown) below the base plate 41. The front surface of the terminal box portion 144Y forms a front inclined surface 144U that is parallel to the rear inclined surface 144S of the rectangular parallelepiped 144X. The front inclined surface 144U extends above the front opening of the terminal box portion 144Y and faces the main plane on the rear side of the detection switch 180. When the sub-housing 142B is attached to the main housing 142A, the detection switch 180 is sandwiched and fixed between the rear inclined surface 144S and the front inclined surface 144U.

[0084] As shown in Figure 19, below the bridging portion 173 between the pair of rectangular parallelepipeds 144X (i.e., above the second outlet 16), an inclined wall 16S that slopes downward toward the rear is provided, and as shown in Figures 17 and 27, between the pair of terminal box portions 144Y of the sub-housing 142B, a hood portion 144F that opens forward and downward is provided, and these inclined walls 16S and hood portion 144F guide game balls that enter the first outlet 16 to a recovery duct below the base plate 41.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 19, the third and fourth downflow channels 144C, 144D join midway, and a detection switch 180 is incorporated in a switch accommodating section 171 provided just before the joining point. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 17, the third and fourth downflow channels 144C, 144D, behind the base surface 143, form a pair of box sections 145C, 145D whose rear faces are closed by a sub-housing 142B and whose front faces are open.

[0086] 19, the pair of box members 145C, 145D are vertically offset, similar to the third and fourth downflow conduits 144C, 144D, and share a portion of their side walls. The shared side wall forms a partition wall 150 on the lower side from a position near the upper end of box member 145C (hereinafter referred to as "lower box member 145C") located behind the third downflow conduit 144C, bends toward box member 145D (hereinafter referred to as "upper box member 145D") located behind the fourth downflow conduit 144D, then extends diagonally downward, bends horizontally toward upper box member 145D at a position that is the lower end of lower box member 145C, and then bends vertically downward to a position below lower box member 145C.

[0087] The side wall of the upper box section 145D away from the lower box section 145C is bent and curved from the midpoint in the vertical direction to a position below the lower end of the partition wall 150 so that the distance between it and the partition wall 150 is the distance of one game ball.

[0088] As shown in Figure 22, the bottom wall 145C1 of the lower box section 145C is abutted against the vertically extending portion of the partition wall 150 with a gap of one game ball between them. An upper wall 91A of the impact sensor housing chamber 91 is disposed below the bottom wall 145C1 with a gap of the thickness of the detection switch 180 between them, and one lateral end of the upper wall 91A is disposed with a gap of one game ball between it and the vertically extending portion of the partition wall 150, from which a gutter side wall 151 (see Figure 19), which is also the side wall of the impact sensor housing chamber 91, hangs down. The flow path inside these gutter side walls 149, 151 is covered at the rear by a sub-housing 142B and by a base wall 143W having a base surface 143 on its front face.

[0089] With the above structure, the third and fourth downflow channels 144C, 144D join below the partition wall 150. A detection switch 180 is incorporated between the bottom wall 145C1 of the lower box section 145C and the upper wall 91A of the impact sensor housing chamber 91, just before the joining point.

[0090] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 19, with sub-housing 142B removed from main housing 142A, detection switch 180 is inserted between bottom wall 145C1 and upper wall 91A of lower box portion 145C with thickness direction J3 oriented vertically, tip surface 180F overlapping partition wall 150, and the entrance of detection hole 180R facing upward, as shown in Fig. 22. Furthermore, partition wall 150 is provided with a pair of protrusions 150A at the lower end and a position near the lower end, and the tip of detection switch 180 is sandwiched between these pair of protrusions 150A from above and below. Furthermore, chamfered surface 180N is disposed on the sub-housing 142B side (see Fig. 19), and connector insertion port 180M is located below base end surface 180E. The sub-housing 142B is provided with a protrusion 142B1 (see FIG. 17) having a slope that exactly overlaps the chamfered surface 180N. If the detection switch 180 is installed upside down, the sub-housing 142B interferes with the detection switch 180, making the assembling worker aware that the detection switch 180 is installed upside down.

[0091] 22, a positioning protrusion 174 is provided on the underside of lower box section 145C at a portion away from partition wall 150, and a stepped surface of positioning protrusion 174 facing partition wall 150 is placed on the upper edge of base end surface 180E of detection switch 180. Furthermore, a connector removal prevention portion 175 protrudes from the underside of positioning protrusion 174 at a position away from the stepped surface, and faces the upper edge of connector 191 to prevent connector 191 from being removed from connector receptacle 180M. Cable 190 passes below connector removal prevention portion 175 and extends to the outside of housing 142. As mentioned above, the connector socket 180M is located below the base end surface 180E of the detection switch 180, and therefore the connector 191 that is inserted into the connector socket 180M of the detection switch 180 and protrudes from the base end surface 180E is positioned below the positioning protrusion 174.

[0092] As described above, in the prize-winning device 31, the multiple detection switches 180 are assembled to the housing 142 and held in a state in which the connectors 191 are prevented from coming off, thereby preventing problems such as the connectors 191 accidentally coming off the detection switches 180. The prize-winning devices 32 and 33 are also provided with similar detection switches 180, and these are also held in the housings of the prize-winning devices 32 and 33 with the connectors 191 prevented from coming off.

[0093] Furthermore, if the detection switch 180 is upside down, the connector insertion port 180M of the detection switch 180 will be located on the upper side of the base end face 180E, and the connector 191 inserted into the connector insertion port 180M and protruding from the base end face 180E will interfere with the positioning protrusion 174, preventing the upper edge of the base end face 180E of the detection switch 180 from overlapping with the stepped surface of the positioning protrusion 174 facing the partition wall 150. This makes it possible to detect an incorrect assembly of the detection switch 180. Furthermore, the interference of the cable 190 with the connector removal prevention portion 175 also makes it possible to detect an incorrect assembly.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 17, the aforementioned magnetic sensors 160A and 160B are different in size from each other, but both have a shape in which the detection hole 180R is eliminated from the detection switch 180, and as shown in Fig. 20(A), they have a chamfered surface 160N at the tip end and a connector insertion port 160M at the center of the base end surface 160E. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 17, the upper end of the left side of the housing 142 and its adjacent lower right end are provided with housing-like sensor accommodating sections 142A1 and 142A2, each of which is covered on the front side by a base wall 143W and has an open rear side. As shown in Fig. 19, the magnetic sensors 160A and 160B are accommodated in the sensor accommodating sections 142A1 and 142A2 with their main planes overlapping the rear surface of the base wall 143W, and are prevented from coming out by elastic engagement pieces 163.

[0095] Specifically, the upper sensor accommodating section 142A1 accommodates the smaller magnetic sensor 160A, and has a rib protruding rearward from the base wall 143W as a side wall 162, the inside of which has approximately the same planar shape as the magnetic sensor 160A.

[0096] 23 and 24, a stepped recess 162D is formed on the inner surface of side wall 162 at a position facing the horizontal center of base end surface 160E of magnetic sensor 160A, and a connector 191 connected to connector socket 160M of magnetic sensor 160A is received therein. Recess 162D is disposed below sensor accommodating section 142A1. A cutout is formed in the horizontal center of recess 162D to form cable outlet 162K, through which cable 190 is passed. Both sides of cable outlet 162K form a pair of connector retaining portions 165 that face the rear surface of connector 191 and prevent connector 191 from being removed from connector socket 160M.

[0097] 24, a portion of the side wall 162 is separated into a cantilever shape that protrudes from the base wall 143W and is extended to be higher than the side wall 162, with a locking projection 163T provided at the tip thereof to form the aforementioned elastic engagement piece 163. The locking projection 163T is placed on the main plane on the rear side of the magnetic sensor 160A, preventing the magnetic sensor 160A from slipping out of the sensor accommodating portion 142A1.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 19, the lower sensor accommodating section 142A2 accommodates the larger magnetic sensor 160B, and has ribs protruding rearward from the base wall 143W and elastic engagement pieces 163 at two locations on the side wall 162. As shown in Fig. 23, the portion of the side wall 162 that overlaps with the base end surface 160E of the magnetic sensor 160B is cut out to expose the entire connector insertion port 160M, forming a cable outlet 162K. The cable outlet 162K is located at the top of the sensor accommodating section 142A2, and a protruding piece-shaped connector retaining portion 170 protrudes rearward from the base wall 143W above the cable outlet 162K. The connector retaining portion 170 faces one side portion of the rear surface of the connector 191 of the magnetic sensor 160B, preventing the connector 191 from coming off. The cable 190 passes beside the connector retaining portion 170 and extends upward.

[0099] As described above, in the prize-winning device 31, the magnetic sensors 160A, 160B are held in the housing 142 with the connectors 191 prevented from coming loose, just like the detection switch 180, so that problems such as the connectors 191 accidentally coming loose are prevented.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 20(C), the impact sensor 90 is T-shaped when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, and has a pair of parallel T-shaped main planes 90T on the front and rear surfaces. The letter "B" is engraved in a sunken manner on the vertical side of the T on the rear main plane 90T, and as shown in Fig. 17, the letter "A" is engraved in a sunken manner on the vertical side of the T on the front main plane 90T.

[0101] A pair of receiving grooves 114 with a U-shaped cross section are formed at both longitudinal ends of the horizontally elongated portion 96A of the impact sensor 90, which corresponds to the horizontal sides of the T-shape. The receiving grooves 114 extend in the front-to-rear direction at the center of the vertical direction of the horizontally elongated portion 96A and open to a pair of main flat surfaces 90T and a side surface 90S of the horizontally elongated portion 96A. A partition wall 115 is provided in the middle of each receiving groove 114 in the front-to-rear direction, and a U-shaped mounting groove 115M is formed in the partition wall 115. Furthermore, the U-shaped inner surface of the rear receiving portion 114E on the rear side of the receiving groove 114 is generally located inward relative to the U-shaped inner surface of the front receiving portion 114F on the front side of the partition wall 115, and the U-shaped inner surface of the mounting groove 115M is located further inward than that.

[0102] A connector insertion port 90M is provided at the rear of the center in the horizontal direction on the upper surface of the horizontally elongated portion 96A, to which a connector 191 is coupled in the same manner as the detection switch 180 and the like.

[0103] The corners where a pair of side surfaces 90S of horizontally elongated portion 96A intersect with top surface 90J and the corners where a pair of side surfaces 90S intersect with bottom surface 90K are each R-chamfered to provide arc-shaped surfaces 90E. Further, the entire outer edge of bottom surface 90L of hanging portion 96B, which corresponds to the vertical sides of the T-shape of impact sensor 90, is also provided with arc-shaped surfaces 90E by R-chamfering, and the corners of both side surfaces 90N of hanging portion 96B and a pair of main flat surfaces 90T are also R-chamfered to provide arc-shaped surfaces 90E.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 25(A), the impact sensor 90 is accommodated in the impact sensor housing chamber 91. The impact sensor housing chamber 91 is sandwiched laterally between a gutter side wall 144Z, which is the side wall of the second downflow gutter 144B on the side of the third downflow gutter 144C, and a gutter side wall 151 at the junction of the third and fourth downflow gutter 144C, 144D. As shown in FIG. 25(B), the impact sensor housing chamber 91 is covered from above by the upper wall 91A, which is bent from the upper end of the gutter side wall 151, and a part of the base wall 143W. Between the upper wall 91A and the gutter side wall 144Z is a cable insertion hole 91B for pulling the cable 190 of the impact sensor 90 outward from the impact sensor housing chamber 91.

[0105] 18, the portion of base wall 143W that is surrounded on three sides by gutter side wall 151, gutter side wall 144Z, and top wall 91A is cut away, and sensor support wall 103 hangs down from the underside of top wall 91A to close the cut away portion. As shown in FIG. 26(A), sensor support wall 103 hangs down from a position on the underside of top wall 91A and base wall 143W that is offset slightly rearward from base surface 143, and is formed thinner than base wall 143W.

[0106] The right side of the sensor support wall 103 extends vertically downward, flush with the inner surface of the notch 144V between the trough side wall 144Z and the base wall 143W. The left side of the sensor support wall 103 is notched toward the right at its base end, making the width of the base end of the sensor support wall 103 narrower than the overall width of the sensor support wall 103. The overall width of the sensor support wall 103 is slightly smaller than the width of the elongated portion 96A of the impact sensor 90. As shown in FIG. 25(B), a pair of support posts 108 protrude rearward from the vertical center of both ends of the sensor support wall 103. The pair of support posts 108 have a circular cross section, with portions of them protruding slightly laterally from both side surfaces of the sensor support wall 103. The width of the sensor support wall 103, including the tips of these protruding portions, is approximately the same as the width of the elongated portion 96A of the impact sensor 90. The circumferential surface of the pair of support columns 108 is provided with protrusions 108T at three locations: two at the top and bottom, and one midway between them on the side where the pair of support columns 108 face each other. These protrusions 108T have a semicircular cross section and extend in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, a mounting hole 108N is formed in each support column 108. The front end of the sensor support wall 103, other than the upper end, does not come into contact with the inner surface of the impact sensor housing chamber 91.

[0107] 25(A), below sensor support wall 103, part of base wall 143W is provided as rectangular base surface 143V that is narrower than sensor support wall 103. Base surface 143V and a rib extending behind it form housing section 143U that is open on the top and rear, and the interior of housing section 143U also serves as shock sensor accommodating chamber 91. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26(A), the rear surface of shock sensor accommodating chamber 91 is covered by sub-housing 142B.

[0108] As shown in Figure 26(B), impact sensor 90 has a pair of support posts 108 received in a pair of receiving grooves 114, and a screw 116 passed through mounting groove 115M of partition wall 115 from the rear is screwed into mounting hole 108N of support post 108, with partition wall 115 sandwiched between head 116H of screw 116 and support post 108, thereby fixing impact sensor 90 to sensor support wall 103. Also, hanging portion 96B of impact sensor 90 is received in housing portion 143U. In this state, as shown in Figure 26(A), the entire impact sensor 90 is held in a floating state, floating above all components other than the pair of support posts 108, including ribs 108T.

[0109] The entire impact sensor 90 is suspended from all components except for the pair of support posts 108 including the protrusions 108T, so vibrations from game balls rolling down the flow-down channel and moving accessories are blocked, and only impacts caused by fraudulent activity can be detected.

[0110] 25, by providing the sensor support wall 103 with a cantilever structure, vibrations from game balls rolling down the downspout and moving accessories are less likely to be transmitted. Furthermore, by forming the support wall 103 in a shape that covers only a part of the horizontally elongated portion 96A of the impact sensor 90, the transmission of vibrations can also be suppressed.

[0111] Providing the support wall 103 on the base wall 143W facing the front of the gaming machine 10A makes it easier to detect impacts that have been improperly applied to the glass window 9W, etc. Also, by providing the notch 144V in the support wall 103 and narrowing the width of the base end, vibrations from the gaming ball are reduced while the wall is more susceptible to vibrations due to impacts from the front, making it easier to detect impacts caused by improper activity.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26(A), the support wall 103 is thinner than the base wall 143W and therefore more susceptible to vibration, so that shocks due to fraudulent acts can be detected more accurately.

[0113] Furthermore, this configuration can suppress false detection of vibrations from game balls, etc., so the impact sensor 90 can be placed even in a location facing the path of the game balls, making it possible to effectively utilize areas that were previously dead space.

[0114] As shown in Fig. 18, the housing 142 is formed with a cleaning hole 139 for enabling cleaning of the inner surface of the downflow path within the housing 142 without removing the sub-housing 142B from the main housing 142A. The cleaning hole 139 is disposed, for example, at the confluence of the downflow paths of the third and fourth downflow gutters 144C, 144D. Specifically, as described above, as shown in Fig. 19, the downflow paths within the third and fourth downflow gutters 144C, 144D are separated partway by a partition wall 150 and merge below the partition wall 150. Below the partition wall 150, an inclined plate 138 inclined downward toward the rear is disposed between the gutter side walls 149, 151 so as to receive game balls flowing down both sides of the partition wall 150 and guide them diagonally rearward. Furthermore, the gutter side wall 149 is provided with an inclined portion 149A that is inclined laterally at a position adjacent to and above the inclined plate 138 so as to guide the game balls toward the inclined plate 138. The front ends of the inclined plate 138 and the inclined portion 149A are located on the rear surface of the base wall 143W.

[0115] 15, a hanging wall 138T hangs down vertically from the lower end of the inclined plate 138, and a sub-housing 142B faces the hanging wall 138T from behind with a gap the size of one game ball between them. The game balls flow down between the hanging wall 138T and the sub-housing 142B and are taken into a recovery duct below.

[0116] 15 and 19, cleaning hole 139 is formed by cutting out a strip-shaped region above base wall 143W along the intersection between the rear surface of base wall 143W and the upper surfaces of the front ends of inclined plate 138 and inclined portion 149A. The inner surface of cleaning hole 139 is connected to the upper surfaces of inclined plate 138 and inclined portion 149A without any steps. The width of cleaning hole 139 is large enough to allow the head of a cotton swab to pass through (in this embodiment, the width is smaller than a hemisphere of a game ball, for example, approximately 3 to 5 mm).

[0117] The cleaning hole 139 is formed in the base wall 143W that overlaps the rear surface of the base plate 41, so when the housing 142 is assembled to the base plate 41, the cleaning hole 139 is covered by the base plate 41, as shown in Figure 15.

[0118] 12 and 13, the prize-winning device 32 is also formed with a cleaning hole 78 similar to the cleaning hole 139 of the prize-winning device 31 described above. The cleaning hole 78 penetrates the cover plate portion 32A9 of the front part 32A of the prize-winning device 32, which is placed on the front surface of the base plate 41. Specifically, the cleaning hole 78 is formed by cutting out a strip-shaped region above the intersection line between the cover plate portion 32A9 and the underside of the portion of the downflow gutter 73 of the prize-winning device 32 that extends vertically and then bends diagonally downward to the left, from the cover plate portion 32A9 (see FIG. 14(A)).

[0119] As with the cleaning hole 139, when the cleaning hole 78 is attached to the base plate 41, the cleaning hole 78 is covered with the base plate 41 as shown in FIG. 14(A).

[0120] In this way, in the gaming machine 10A of this embodiment, the cleaning holes 78, 139 for cleaning the inner surfaces of the surrounding walls are formed in at least one of the surrounding walls (specifically, the cover plate portion 39A2 and the base wall 143W) among the multiple surrounding walls that make up the downflow conduit 73 and the downflow conduits 144C, 144D. Therefore, a cleaning tool can be inserted into the cleaning holes 78, 139 to clean the downflow path, making it possible to clean the downflow path within the surrounding walls more efficiently than before. Also, since the inner surfaces of the downflow paths within the housing 142 can be cleaned without removing the sub-housing 142B from the main housing 142A, the time required for cleaning can be reduced.

[0121] Among the multiple surrounding walls, the lower surrounding wall, whose inner surface faces upward or diagonally upward and on which the game balls roll, is prone to becoming dirty. In this embodiment, cleaning holes 78, 139 are formed in the cover plate portion 32A9 and the base wall 143W, which are the front and rear surrounding walls facing each other in the front-to-rear direction across the inner surface of the lower surrounding wall. This allows for efficient cleaning of the lower surrounding wall (the rolling surface of the downflow gutter 73 extending diagonally downward and the upper surface of the inclined plate 138), which is prone to becoming dirty. Moreover, in this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the cleaning holes 78, 139 are connected to the upper surface of the lower surrounding wall without any steps, making cleaning easy. Furthermore, the width of the cleaning holes 78, 139 is such that a cleaning tool (specifically, the head of a cotton swab) can pass through and is smaller than the hemisphere of a game ball (in other words, the cleaning holes 78, 139 are provided in a range smaller than the hemisphere of a game ball from the upper surface of the lower surrounding wall of the front or rear surrounding wall that the game ball does not come into contact with), allowing for smooth cleaning and minimizing the effect on the flow of game balls. Also, the front part 32A having the cleaning hole 78 and the rear part 31B having the cleaning hole 139 are made of transparent resin, making it easy to see dirt from the outside and easy to clean.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 14(A), when the front part 32A having the cleaning hole 78 is attached to the game board 40, the cleaning hole 78 is covered by the front surface of the base plate 41, thereby preventing the entry of dust and the like from the outside. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 15, the rear part 31B having the cleaning hole 139 has the cleaning hole 139 covered by the rear surface of the base plate 41.

[0123] In this embodiment, the cleaning holes 78, 139 are elongated holes, but they may be circular or irregularly shaped. The cleaning holes may extend in the downstream direction of the downflow gutter, or may extend in a direction intersecting the downstream direction.

[0124] In this embodiment, the cleaning holes 78, 139 are formed in only one of the multiple surrounding walls, but they may also be formed across two surrounding walls.For example, as shown in Figure 14(B), the cleaning hole 78V may be formed across the front surrounding wall and the lower surrounding wall.

[0125] The cleaning hole may be formed in any of the surrounding walls, not limited to the front or rear surrounding wall. For example, as shown in Fig. 14(C), the cleaning hole 78W may be formed in the lower surrounding wall. Furthermore, the cleaning hole does not have to be covered when assembled to another component.

[0126] In this embodiment, the inner surface of the cleaning hole 78, 139 is connected to the upper surface of the surrounding wall, which is the rolling surface, without any step, but a step may be provided between the inner surface of the cleaning hole and the upper surface of the surrounding wall, which is the rolling surface.

[0127] In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the cleaning holes 78, 139 are perpendicular to the base wall 143W and the cover plate portion 32A9, but for example, the inner surface of the cleaning hole 139 may be an inclined surface that is continuous with the upper surface of the inclined plate 138.

[0128] The aforementioned certification plate 200 shown in Fig. 9 is a resin molded product, and is integrally provided with a pair of elastic engagement pieces 210 on its rear surface. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 28(A), the certification plate 200 is a flat plate with a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, with the upper corners cut out and a pair of oblique sides 200A inclined relative to the length and width, and protrusions 201 protrude forward from the outer edges. A pair of discontinuities 201E, where the protrusions 201 are not formed, are provided in the vertically intermediate portions of a pair of laterally opposing vertical sides. The upper ends of the pair of discontinuities 201E are located at the lower ends of the pair of oblique sides 200A. Furthermore, no protrusions 201 are formed on the lower side of the certification plate 200.

[0129] The portion of the front surface of the certification plate 200 surrounded by the ridges 201 forms a certificate stamp attachment section 200S, where a certificate stamp (not shown) is affixed. The certificate stamp is, for example, a seal issued by a management organization for various gaming machines, and certifies that the gaming machine has passed the certification of the management organization. The certificate stamp contains information about the gaming machine 10A, such as the serial number, manufacturer name, manufacturing year, and management number assigned by the management organization.

[0130] As shown in Fig. 28(B), a pair of groove-shaped lightening portions 202 extending laterally are provided on the rear surface of the calibration plate 200. The lightening portions 202 have a triangular cross section (see Fig. 30), and are formed up to positions near both ends of the calibration plate 200 in the lateral direction. Furthermore, both ends of the upper one of the pair of lightening portions 202 are adjacent to the lower ends of the pair of oblique sides 200A. Furthermore, the pair of discontinuities 201E described above are arranged in the portion of the outer edge of the calibration plate 200 sandwiched between the pair of lightening portions 202 (see Fig. 29(A)).

[0131] The pair of elastic engagement pieces 210 are arranged side by side between a pair of recessed portions 202 on the rear surface of the inspection plate 200. As shown in FIG. 29(B), each elastic engagement piece 210 has a laterally flat strip shape that extends cantilever-like from the rear surface of the inspection plate 200, and an engagement protrusion 211 is provided at its tip on the surface facing outward in the laterally direction. The engagement protrusion 211 is wedge-shaped, protruding gradually more from the elastic engagement piece 210 toward the front. In addition, thick portions 210A are provided on both widthwise edges of the elastic engagement piece 210, whose thickness decreases toward the tip. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 28(B), a hemispherical positioning engagement protrusion 203 is formed on the rear surface of the inspection plate 200 on the opposite side of the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210, with the lower recessed portion 202 sandwiched therebetween. A pair of positioning engagement protrusions 203 are provided, and are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the calibration plate 200, similar to the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210.

[0132] To attach the certification plate 200 to the base plate 41, the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210 are inserted into the pair of engagement holes 200W from the front side of the base plate 41 (see FIG. 30). At this time, the engagement protrusions 211 of the elastic engagement pieces 210 are elastically deformed by sliding against the inner surfaces of the engagement holes 200W, and when the rear surface of the certification plate 200 overlaps the front surface of the base plate 41, they elastically return to their original position, and the engagement protrusions 211 are engaged with the opening edges of the rear ends of the engagement holes 200W and are prevented from coming off. When the elastic engagement pieces 210 engage with the engagement holes 200W, the positioning engagement protrusions 203 engage with a pair of positioning engagement recesses (not shown) provided on the front surface of the base plate 41, thereby positioning the certification plate 200 on the base plate 41. As a result, the elastic engagement pieces 210 are fixed to the base plate 41. In this state, the certificate stamp on the certification plate 200 can be seen through the glass window 9W.

[0133] The certification plate 200 can be easily removed from the base plate 41 by operating the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210 from the rear side of the base plate 41 to elastically deform them and release them from engagement with the opening edges of the pair of engagement holes 200W. However, as shown in Figure 30, since the pair of engagement holes 200W on the rear side of the base plate 41 are covered by the rear part 32B of the winning device 32 as described above, it is not possible to operate the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210 from the rear side of the base plate 41 unless the rear part 32B is removed from the base plate 41. In other words, for gaming machine manufacturers who disassemble the gaming board 40 to reuse the components of the gaming board 40, the certification plate 200 can be easily removed from the base plate 41 without causing significant damage or deformation to the base plate 41, etc.

[0134] However, if someone other than the gaming machine manufacturer were to disassemble two gaming boards 40 in order to remove the certification plate 200 from the base plate 41 of one gaming board 40 and attach it to the base plate 41 of another gaming board 40, rather than for the purpose of reuse, the work would be time-consuming. Furthermore, if an attempt is made to remove the certification plate 200 from the front side of the base plate 41, the certification plate 200 will be damaged as described below, making it impossible to use the certification plate 200.

[0135] Specifically, when attempting to remove the certification plate 200 from the front side of the base plate 41, it is envisioned that, for example, a thin plate-like object would be inserted between the certification plate 200 and the base plate 41, and the outer edge of the certification plate 200 would be pulled forward to remove it from the base plate 41.

[0136] In contrast, in this embodiment, a groove-shaped cutout portion 202 is formed on the rear surface of the certification plate 200 at a position closer to the outer edge than the engaging portion with the base plate 41. As a result, when a thin plate-like object is inserted between the certification plate 200 and the base plate 41 and an external force is applied to the outer edge to separate the certification plate 200 from the base plate 41, since the engaging portion of the certification plate 200 is fixed to the base plate 41, bending stress is concentrated in the cutout portion 202 and the certification plate 200 cracks along the cutout portion 202. Furthermore, since the cutout portion 202 extends along the arranging direction of the pair of elastic engaging pieces 210, bending stress is more likely to concentrate in the cutout portion 202, and the certification plate 200 cracks easily along the cutout portion 202. Moreover, since a pair of lightening holes 202 are provided sandwiching a pair of elastic engagement pieces 210, which are engagement portions of the certification plate 200 with the base plate 41, the certification plate 200 will break even if an external force is applied to either the upper edge or the lower edge of the outer edge of the certification plate 200 to separate it from the base plate 41. In this way, the certification plate 200 cannot be removed from the front surface of the base plate 41 without being damaged, which inhibits unauthorized use of the certification plate 200.

[0137] Furthermore, on the rear surface of the certification plate 200, a positioning engagement protrusion 203 is formed to protrude on the opposite side of the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210 across the lower lightening portion 202, and engages with a positioning engagement recess (not shown) of the base plate 41, thereby restricting misalignment of the certification plate 200 in the surface direction relative to the base plate 41. This also prevents fraudulent acts, such as, for example, shifting the certification plate 200 from the base plate 41 to release the engagement between the engagement protrusion 211 and the engagement hole 200W and removing the certification plate 200 from the front surface of the base plate 41.

[0138] Furthermore, when a certificate stamp is affixed, the outer edge of the certification plate 200 is provided with ridges 201, the inside of which constitutes the certificate stamp affixing section 200S where the certificate stamp is affixed, but the portion of the outer edge sandwiched between the pair of cutouts 202 is a discontinuity section 201E where the ridges 201 are not formed. As a result, when assembling the certification plate 200 to the base plate 41, if a rod-shaped object is placed on the front surface of the certification plate 200 so that it spans the pair of discontinuities 201E and is pressed against the base plate 41, the certification plate 200 can be assembled to the front surface of the base plate 41 without touching the area where stress is concentrated and which is prone to cracking, and the certification plate 200 can be fixed to the front surface of the base plate 41 without being damaged.

[0139] The number of elastic engagement pieces 210 may be one. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cutout portion 202 is formed along the long side of the outer edge of the certification plate 200, which allows for easy insertion of a thin plate-like object. However, it may be formed along the short side, in which case the pair of elastic engagement pieces 210 may also be aligned vertically. Furthermore, the vertical side of the certification plate 200 may be the long side. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cutout portion 202 is arranged on the rear surface of the certification plate 200, where it cannot be seen from the front, in order to improve appearance. However, it may be arranged on the front surface. Furthermore, the cutout portion 202 is groove-shaped, but it may be an elongated hole or a notch penetrating the certification plate 200.

[0140] As shown in Figure 5, the game board 40 is provided with a pair of brackets 280 on both sides of the rear surface to connect to the rear assembly 50, and a pair of connecting holes 300 are provided on both left and right ends of the upper part.

[0141] The pair of brackets 280, as shown in FIG. 32, are, for example, press-formed metal parts and include a mounting plate 281 extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of hooks 290 arranged at equal intervals along one side of the mounting plate 281. The mounting plate 281 is placed on the side of the rear surface of the base plate 41 and extends from a position near the bottom to a position near the top of the base plate 41. As shown enlarged in FIG. 33, the portion of the mounting plate 281 where the hooks 290 are provided is wider than the remaining portion. Through holes (not shown) are formed in the center of the width of each wide portion defined by the hooks 290, and screws 299 are threaded through the through holes and screwed into mounting holes (not shown) formed in the base plate 41 to secure the mounting plate 281 to the base plate 41. Note that only heads 299H of the screws 299 are shown in FIG. 33.

[0142] A plurality of anti-slip protrusions 282 are provided on the rear surface of the mounting plate portion 281. The anti-slip protrusions 282 are cylindrical with an outer circumferential surface that is perpendicular to the mounting plate portion 281. The front surface of the mounting plate portion 281 is provided with a pair of positioning protrusions that have the same shape as the anti-slip protrusions 282. Furthermore, directly behind the anti-slip protrusions 282 and the positioning protrusions, pressurized recesses 283 are formed when the anti-slip protrusions 282 and the positioning protrusions are press-formed.

[0143] The pair of positioning protrusions are arranged at positions near the upper end and lower end of the mounting plate portion 281, and fit into positioning holes (not shown) drilled in the rear surface of the base plate 41. This positions the pair of brackets 280 relative to the base plate 41.

[0144] 34, a pair of anti-slip protrusions 282 are provided on either side of the through hole in the vertical direction. Specifically, they are arranged in a vertical line on the side of the left and right ends of the mounting plate portion 281 that does not have the hook portion 290.

[0145] 34(B), bracket 280 and base plate 41 are fastened together with screws using tool 284 (specifically, an electric screwdriver with a screwdriver bit at the tip). Tool 284 has a cylindrical tip, and a screw-receiving hole (not shown) is formed in the front end surface. In addition, a cross-shaped protrusion is provided at the back of the screw-receiving hole to engage with a cross-shaped groove formed in the upper surface of head portion 299H.

[0146] When fixing the bracket 280 to the base plate 41, first, place the bracket 280 on the back side of the base plate 41, and fit the pair of positioning projections into the positioning holes. Next, insert the screw 299 into the screw receiving hole, engaging the cross groove of the head portion 299H with the cross projection. The through hole of the bracket 280 is aligned with the opening of the screw receiving hole of the tool 284, and the front end face of the tool 284 is pressed against the back side of the bracket 280 so that there is no gap between them. At this time, the tip of the tool 284 is positioned by the pair of anti-slip projections 282, and the hook portion 290 faces it from the side. Note that, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 34(A), the area surrounded by three points, the pair of anti-slip projections 282 and the hook portion 290, is large enough to receive the tip of the tool 284. When the tool 284 is operated in this state, the screw 299 housed inside the screw receiving hole is pushed out while rotating, and the bracket 280 and the base plate 41 are fixed together.

[0147] Even if a driver bit having a cross-shaped cross section whose tip engages with the cross groove of the head portion 299H is used, the same effect can be obtained because the hook portion 290 restricts lateral sliding.

[0148] According to the above-described configuration, when the bracket 280 is attached to the base plate 41, the receiving members (specifically, the anti-slip projection 282 and the hook portion 290) face the tip of the tool 284 from the side, so that the receiving members come into contact with the sliding tool 284 and prevent damage to the base plate 41.

[0149] Furthermore, by surrounding the tip of the tool 284 at three points, the pair of anti-slip projections 282 and the hook portion 290, it is possible to suppress lateral slippage in various directions.

[0150] In order to make the effect of preventing lateral slippage less dependent on the size and shape of the tip of tool 284, it is preferable that the receiving protrusion be in the form of a pair of protrusions, but it may also be configured to prevent lateral slippage of the driver bit by using a recess that can receive the tip of the driver bit or a rib that surrounds the outer periphery of the tip.

[0151] In this embodiment, two or more receiving members are provided for one through-hole, but it may be only hook portion 290, or only anti-slip protrusion 282. Also, although there are two anti-slip protrusions 282, there may be three or more, or a configuration in which two hook portions 290 are provided.

[0152] Although the anti-slip protrusions 282 in this embodiment are formed by press working, the attachment plate portion 281 may be formed with press-fit holes, and the anti-slip protrusions 282 may be press-fit parts that are press-fitted into the press-fit holes.

[0153] 32, the hook portions 290 have a shape in which engaging protrusions 292 extend upward from a base plate 291 bent at a right angle from one side of the mounting plate portion 281. The hook portions 290 are arranged on side portions spaced apart from each other of the pair of brackets 280. The pair of brackets 280 are attached to the base plate 41 at different positions in the vertical direction or have different lengths.

[0154] As shown in Figure 33, the base plate 291 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the engagement protrusion 292 is integral with the tip of the upper part of the base plate 291. Furthermore, the engagement protrusion 292 has a constant width over the entirety, and a front surface 292F and a rear surface 292R of the engagement protrusion 292 are parallel to a rear surface 291R of the base plate 291. Furthermore, approximately the front half of the upper end of the engagement protrusion 292 forms an upper guide slope 292S, and the rear half forms a R-chamfered chamfered surface 292K. Furthermore, a lower guide slope 292L is formed between the rear surface 292R of the engagement protrusion 292 and the rear surface 291R of the base plate 291, and the upper surface of the base plate 291 that remains forward of the engagement protrusion 292 forms a horizontal stopper surface 291S.

[0155] The pair of connecting holes 300 described above are as follows: As shown in Fig. 6, the connecting holes 300 penetrate the base plate 41 of the game board 40 and the front part 42A overlapping the front side of the base plate 41, and also penetrate a pair of internal parts 301 (see Fig. 35) sandwiched between the base plate 41 and the front part 42A.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 33, the connecting hole 300 in the base plate 41 has a circular portion 300A at the center of a horizontally elongated slot portion 300B, the circular portion 300A having a diameter greater than the width of the slot portion 300B. The connecting hole 300 in the internal component 301 has the same shape as the connecting hole 300 in the base plate 41, except for the curvature of the arc at both ends of the slot portion 300B. The connecting hole 300 in the front component 42A (see FIG. 6) penetrates the front cover wall 42A7 of the front component 42A, which faces the front surface of the base plate 41 with a gap therebetween. The connecting hole 300 in the base plate 41 has a shape that is approximately similar to but slightly larger than the connecting holes 300 in the base plate 41 and the internal component 301. A pair of cylindrical walls (see FIG. 42) are provided on the rear surface of the front cover wall 42A7, surrounding the pair of connecting holes 300. A pair of internal parts 301 are fitted into the pair of cylindrical walls and are prevented from slipping out of the cylindrical walls by elastic engagement pieces (not shown) formed by cutting out a part of each cylindrical wall.

[0157] The outer edge shapes of the pair of internal parts 301 are slightly different from each other and are asymmetrical in all directions, front to back, top to bottom, and left to right, so that if the pair of internal parts 301 are mistaken, they cannot be fitted into the pair of cylindrical walls, and even if the pair of internal parts 301 are not mistaken, they cannot be fitted into the cylindrical walls unless the orientation of each internal part 301 is correct. Furthermore, the pair of internal parts 301 are marked with identification marks (e.g., "A" and "B") to distinguish them, and corresponding identification marks are also marked, for example, near the pair of cylindrical walls.

[0158] The pair of internal components 301 have the same shape except for slight differences in the shape of their outer edges, so the shapes of both internal components 301 will be described with reference to Figure 35, which shows one of the internal components 301. The internal component 301 is made of a sliding resin (e.g., polyacetal) with low sliding resistance, and has a surrounding wall 303 that protrudes in the front-rear direction from the outer edge of the main plate portion 302, through which the aforementioned connecting hole 300 passes. Also, as shown in Figure 35(A), on the front surface of the main plate portion 302, a pair of arc grooves 306, a pair of second rotational positioning portions 305, a pair of flat surfaces 308, and a pair of guide surfaces 307 are arranged separately on both the upper and lower sides of the connecting hole 300, and are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the circular portion 300A of the connecting hole 300.

[0159] The pair of arc grooves 306 extend in both the up and down directions from the circular portion 300A of the connecting hole 300. The pair of second rotation positioning portions 305 are L-shaped ribs, and the vertical side portion 305B of the L is arranged along one side portion of the arc groove 306 and has a side surface that is continuous with the inner surface of the arc groove 306. In detail, in the right-side internal part 301 not shown, the vertical side portion 305B of the upper second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the right side of the arc groove 306, while the vertical side portion 305B of the lower second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the left side of the arc groove 306. In the left-side internal part 301 shown in Figure 35, symmetrically to the right-side internal part 301, the vertical side portion 305B of the upper second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the left side of the arc groove 306, while the vertical side portion 305B of the lower second rotational positioning portion 305 is located on the right side of the arc groove 306.

[0160] Furthermore, horizontal side portion 305A of L is disposed along the opening edge of elongated hole portion 300B of connecting hole 300, and has a side surface flush with the inner surface of elongated hole portion 300B. Furthermore, at the corner between vertical side portion 305B and horizontal side portion 305A, an arcuate surface flush with the inner surface of circular portion 300A of connecting hole 300 is formed.

[0161] The pair of guide surfaces 307 are inclined so as to gradually protrude forward from the opening edge of the elongated hole portion 300B opposite the horizontal side portion 305A toward the arc groove 306, and the pair of flat surfaces 308 are parallel to the front surface of the base plate 41 and connect the guide surfaces 307 and the edge of the arc groove 306.

[0162] 35(B), reinforcing ridges 304 protrude from the opening edge of the connecting hole 300 on the rear side of the internal component 301. The ridges 304 form pairs and are formed on the opening edge of the circular portion 300A of the connecting hole 300 and on linear opening edges extending from the circular portion 300A to the left and right of the elongated hole portion 300B, but may also be formed around the entire periphery of the connecting hole 300.

[0163] This concludes the explanation of the entire gaming board 40 and its components. Next, we will explain the rear assembly 50 (see Figures 2 and 3). The rear assembly 50 is made up of a support housing 51 shown in Figures 4 and 5 to which a number of parts, such as a display device 52, a sub-control board unit 53, and a relay member 55, are attached. The support housing 51 is provided with a pair of engaging walls 350 that engage with the pair of brackets 280 of the gaming board 40, and a pair of connecting members 360 that engage with the pair of connecting holes 300 of the gaming board 40.

[0164] 36 and 37, the support housing 51 has a box shape that is flat in the front-to-rear direction, is open at the front, and has a rear window 51W at the rear that faces the display window 11W of the base plate 41. A front wall 324 projects outward from three sides, both sides and the top side, of the edge of the front opening of the support housing 51, and an outer edge rib 325 protrudes forward from the outer edge of the front wall 324. The outer edge rib 325 extends continuously along the three sides of the edge of the front opening of the support housing 51, and a tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325 abuts against the rear surface of the base plate 41, forming the so-called veneer surface described above.

[0165] The front end of the bottom wall 322 of the support housing 51 is located behind the front ends of the both side walls 320 and the top wall 321, which have the front wall 324, and the recovery duct is accommodated between the bottom wall 322 and the base plate 41.

[0166] Both sides of the front wall 324 form the pair of engagement walls 350 that engage with the pair of brackets 280 of the game board 40, and these walls protrude outward on both sides from the pair of side walls 320 of the support housing 51 and extend vertically in the shape of a strip of a constant width. Each engagement wall 350 is provided with the outer edge ribs 325 that extend along the side edges, upper edge, and lower edge (see Figure 38).

[0167] 38, each engagement wall portion 350 is divided into a plurality of vertically elongated regions by horizontal ribs 327 provided at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, corresponding to the plurality of hook portions 290 of the bracket 280. The tip surfaces of the horizontal ribs 327 are located slightly rearward of the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325.

[0168] A dome-shaped bulge 329 that is long in the vertical direction bulges forward from the top of each vertically elongated region of the engagement wall 350, and a vertically elongated slot 328 is formed in approximately the widthwise center of each vertically elongated region, cutting out approximately the lower one-third of the engagement wall 350. The lower end of the slot 328 is located approximately in the vertical center of the vertically elongated region. A reinforcing rib 329A is formed on the front surface of the bulge 329, and has a tip surface that is flush with the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325. The reinforcing rib 329A extends vertically at the horizontal center of the bulge 329 and also extends horizontally at a position adjacent to and above the slot 328, where it is connected to the outer edge rib 325.

[0169] A groove 328M is formed on the front surface of each vertically elongated region of engagement wall portion 350 on the downward extension of slot 328, and a pair of guide protrusions 330 is provided midway along the longitudinal direction of groove 328M. The distance between the pair of guide protrusions 330 is slightly narrower than the width of slot 328.

[0170] The pair of brackets 280 are engaged with the pair of engagement walls 350 described above as follows. That is, as shown in Figure 39(A), when the rear assembly 50 is slightly shifted upward from the gaming board 40 and the front surface of the rear assembly 50 is opposed to the rear surface of the gaming board 40, the engagement protrusions 292 of the multiple hook portions 290 of the gaming board 40 face the portions below the bulges 329 of the multiple elongated holes 328 of the rear assembly 50. When the rear assembly 50 is placed on the gaming board 40 in this state, the base plate 291 of the hook portions 290 fits into the pair of guide protrusions 330, the rear surface 291R of the base plate 291 abuts against the bottom surface of the groove 328M, and the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325 and the surface flush with it abut against the rear surface of the base plate 41 of the gaming board 40. In this state, when the rear assembly 50 is shifted downward relative to the gaming board 40, as shown in the change from Figure 39(A) to Figure 39(B), the engaging protrusions 292 of each hook portion 290 of the gaming board 40 slip into the back side (rear side) of the bulging portion 329 of the rear assembly 50. Then, the stopper surfaces 291S of the hook portions 290 come into contact with the inner upper surfaces 329S of the elongated holes 328 in the bulging portions 329, positioning the gaming board 40 and the rear assembly 50 in the up-down direction. As a result, the gaming board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are connected in a state in which relative movement of the rear assembly 50 relative to the gaming board 40 is restricted except for upward movement. Then, when a pair of connecting members 360 (see Figure 3) described below engage with a pair of connecting holes 300 in the game board 40, the upward movement of the rear assembly 50 relative to the game board 40 is restricted, and the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are locked in a combined state.

[0171] Note that the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 can be separated by performing the reverse operation of the above operation. In this embodiment, when the reverse operation is performed, the lower end of the base plate 291 of each hook portion 290 abuts against the horizontal rib 327 and is positioned at a separable position as shown in Figure 39(A), but this is not limiting, and for example, a configuration may be used in which the lower guide rib 292L of the engaging protrusions 292 of the multiple hook portions 290 abuts against the inner surface of the lower end side of the long hole 328 and is positioned at a separable position.

[0172] In this embodiment, the rear assembly 50 is heavier than the game board 40, and the heavy rear assembly 50 is engaged with the game board 40 in a manner that hangs down from it, but the reverse structure may also be used.

[0173] 36 and 37, the pair of connecting members 360 are disposed near both ends of the upper edge of the front wall 324 of the support housing 51, and are supported so as to be rotatable and slidable back and forth. To support the pair of connecting members 360, a pair of support holes 331 shown in FIG. 40 penetrates the front wall 324 of the support housing 51, coaxially with the circular portions 300A of the pair of connecting holes 300 of the game board 40. The inner diameter of the support holes 331 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the circular portions 300A.

[0174] A cylindrical rib 333A surrounding the support hole 331 protrudes from the front surface of the front wall 324, and radial ribs 333B extend in eight directions from the cylindrical rib 333A. A pair of horizontal ribs 333C extending laterally are provided within the cylindrical rib 333A, facing each other and sandwiching the support hole 331 in the vertical direction. The horizontal centers of the pair of horizontal ribs 333C form circular bulges 333E that bulge out in the vertical direction and move away from each other. The opposing surfaces of the pair of circular bulges 333E are flush with the inner surface of the support hole 331 and are continuous. The outer surfaces of the pair of circular bulges 333E are connected to the cylindrical rib 333A by a pair of vertical ribs 333D. Furthermore, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the pair of horizontal ribs 333C other than the circular bulge 333E is the same as the distance between the upper and lower opposing surfaces of the elongated hole 300B in the connecting hole 300 of the base plate 41. That is, the shape of the upper and lower opposing surfaces of the pair of horizontal ribs 333C is the same as the shape of the upper and lower opposing surfaces in the connecting hole 300 of the base plate 41. In addition, the tip surfaces of these ribs 333A to 333D are arranged flush with tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325 (see FIG. 42).

[0175] As shown in Fig. 42(A), an inner cylinder 332 protrudes rearward from the rear opening edge of a support hole 331 in a front wall 324, and extends flush with the inner surface of the support hole 331. A cylindrical collar 334 made of an elastomer (for example, polyurethane) and a disk-shaped sliding plate 335 made of a sliding resin (for example, polyacetal) are fitted to the outside of the inner cylinder 332. Furthermore, an outer cylinder 333G is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 324, surrounding the collar 334 and the sliding plate 335 from the outside. As shown in Fig. 41(A), a notch 333K is formed in the upper part of the outer cylinder 333G, allowing the collar 334 and the sliding plate 335 to be visible.

[0176] 40, the connecting member 360 has a structure in which a shaft 362A intersects with the front end of a shaft 361 that passes through the support hole 331, and an operating portion 363 is fixed to the rear end of the shaft 361. The shafts 361 and 362A are, for example, metal rods with a circular cross section, and the outer diameter of the shaft 361 is two to three times the outer diameter of the shaft 362A. A tapered surface 361T is formed on the outer edge of the tip of the shaft 361. A through-hole that passes radially through the shaft 361 is formed adjacent to the rear of the tapered surface 361T. The shaft 362A is press-fitted into the through-hole, for example, and protrudes on both sides from the shaft 361 to form a pair of engaging protrusions 362. When the shaft 361 is supported by the support hole 331 so as to be rotatable and slidable back and forth, and the pair of engaging protrusions 362 protrude horizontally from the shaft 361 when the connecting member 360 is positioned at the rear end of the sliding range, the pair of engaging protrusions 362 are accommodated between the pair of horizontal ribs 333C (hereinafter referred to as first rotation positioning portion 333V). Hereinafter, the rotation position of the connecting member 360 in which the pair of engaging protrusions 362 protrude horizontally from the shaft 361 is referred to as the "first rotation position."

[0177] The operating portion 363 is, for example, a molded product made of resin, and has a structure in which a lever 364 projects laterally from a cylindrical base portion 363Z as shown in Fig. 40. The base portion 363Z has a second tubular portion 363B into which the rear end portion of the shaft 361 is fitted, a first tubular portion 363A surrounding the second tubular portion 363B, and a rear end wall 363C (see Fig. 41(A)) connecting the rear ends of the first tubular portion 363A and the second tubular portion 363B.

[0178] The rear end of shaft 361 has a flat surface engaged with part of the outer circumferential surface, forming a D-shaped cross section, and the inside of second cylindrical portion 363B also has a D-shaped cross section. These fit together, allowing shaft 361 and operating portion 363 to rotate integrally. Note that the inner surface of second cylindrical portion 363B and the outer surface of the rear end of shaft 361 may be provided with irregularities (for example, splines) that engage with each other to prevent rotation.

[0179] 41(A) and 42(A), a through hole 363C1 is formed in the center of the rear end wall 363C, and a screw 363N is passed through the through hole and threaded into a screw hole 361N formed in the center of the rear part of the shaft 361, thereby fixing the operating part 363 to be rotatable integrally with the shaft 361. The area around the through hole in the center of the rear end wall 363C is recessed so as to receive the head of the screw 363N.

[0180] The first cylindrical portion 363A protrudes forward more than the second cylindrical portion 363B, and its tip surface abuts against the outer edge of the sliding plate 335 when the connecting member 360 moves to the front end of the sliding range as shown in Figure 42(B). In addition, a compression coil spring 336 is housed between the inner edge of the sliding plate 335 and the rear end wall 363C in a tensioned state (a state slightly compressed from its natural state) to urge the connecting member 360 toward the rear end of the sliding range. Note that the rear end of the compression coil spring 336 is fitted between the first cylindrical portion 363A and the second cylindrical portion 363B, thereby preventing buckling when compressed.

[0181] 40, the lever 364 protrudes from the base portion 363Z in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the operating portion 363 protrudes from the shaft 361. When the connecting member 360 is arranged in the first rotation position, the lever 364 extends upward from the base portion 363Z. In detail, when the connecting member 360 is arranged in the first rotation position, the lever 364 is tilted slightly away from the center in the lateral direction of the support housing 51 (hereinafter, this will be simply referred to as the "outside") from the position where the lever 364 extends vertically upward from the base portion 363Z.

[0182] The lever 364 has an open front and a slender hood structure extending radially from the base 363Z, with its rear portion extending rearward beyond the rear surface of the base 363Z. Furthermore, the front surface of the lever 364 is positioned rearward from the front surface of the first tubular portion 363A, and a radially extending protrusion 364A protrudes from the end of the front surface of the lever 364 that is farther from the shaft 361. As shown in FIGS. 41(A) and 43, a triangular rib 333L protrudes rearward from a position to the side of the outer tube 333G on the rear surface of the front wall 324. When the connecting member 360 is moved to the front end of its slidable range, the apex of the triangular rib 333L is positioned within the rotational path of the protrusion 364A. The triangular rib 333L has an apex at the vertical center and oblique sides above and below the apex.

[0183] The pair of connecting members 360 are operated as follows. As described above, when the rear assembly 50 and the game board 40 are to be shifted relatively in the up-down direction, the pair of connecting members 360 are placed in the first rotation position at the rear end of the sliding range. Then, the front end portion of each connecting member 360 fits into the first rotation positioning portion 333V of the support housing 51 and is positioned behind the front surface of the support housing 51 (specifically, the tip surface 325F of the outer edge rib 325), so the connecting members 360 will not interfere with the game board 40.

[0184] When the hook portions 290 of the gaming board 40 and the elongated holes 328 of the rear assembly 50 are engaged with each other, the pair of engaging protrusions 362 of each connecting member 360 faces the elongated hole portions 300B of each connecting hole 300 of the gaming board 40. When the connecting member 360 is advanced, the tip of the first tubular portion 363A of the connecting member 360 comes into contact with the sliding plate 335, and the pair of engaging protrusions 362 are positioned rearward of the front cover wall 42A7 of the gaming board 40, with the rear portions of the pair of engaging protrusions 362 at the same position as or slightly forward or backward from the edge of the pair of guide surfaces 307 on the elongated hole portion 300B side in the front-to-rear direction.

[0185] At this time, the horizontal side 305A of the second rotation positioning portion 305 provided on the game board 40 restricts the rotational direction of the lever 364 of each connecting member 360 to only the direction in which it is tilted outward. Therefore, when the lever 364 is rotated so as to be tilted outward, the pair of engaging protrusions 362 ride up onto the pair of guide surfaces 307, and the connecting member 360 moves forward while crushing the collar 334. Then, the pair of engaging protrusions 362 ride up and pass over the pair of flat surfaces 308 and, as shown in Figure 44, when they fit into the pair of arcuate grooves 306, further rotation of the connecting member 360 is prohibited due to the abutment of the vertical side 305B of the second rotation positioning portion 305 with the engaging protrusions 362. The elastic force of the collar 334 and the compression coil spring 336 presses the engaging protrusion 362 against the inner surface of the arc-shaped groove 306, restricting the reverse rotation of the connecting member 360. As a result, the upward movement of the rear assembly 50 relative to the game board 40 is restricted, and the game board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are locked in a combined state. Note that, in the process of the operating part 363 being fitted into the arc-shaped groove 306, the protrusion 364A of the lever 364 climbs over the apex of the triangular rib 333L just before the operating part 363 is fitted into the arc-shaped groove 306, allowing the operator to confirm at hand that the operation of the lever 364 has been completed.

[0186] As described above, in the gaming machine 10A of this embodiment, the gaming board 40 and the rear assembly 50 are each provided with a slide engagement portion (more specifically, the engagement protrusion 292 of the hook portion 290 and the bulge portion 329) that slides and engages with each other, allowing the components to be assembled without the use of tools. This allows for easier and smoother assembly than conventional gaming machines in which the gaming board and rear assembly are assembled with multiple screws. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hook portion 290 is provided as the slide engagement portion, and the hook portion 290 is configured as a sheet metal bracket 280 and provided as part of the gaming board 40, thereby improving durability. Furthermore, the bracket 280 and the engagement wall portion 350 having the bulge portion 329 are provided in pairs in the horizontal direction, and the engagement protrusions 292 and the bulge portions 329 are provided in multiple positions in the vertical direction, thereby stably assembling the gaming board 40 and the rear assembly 50.

[0187] In addition, in this embodiment, the upward relative movement of the rear assembly 50 with respect to the game board 40 is also regulated by a pair of connecting members 360 of the rear assembly 50 and a pair of connecting holes 300 of the game board 40, making it possible to assemble the parts together without using tools.

[0188] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting member 360 is positioned at the first rotation position by the first rotation positioning portion 333V at the first slide position, so that the connecting member 360 can be easily and smoothly inserted into the connecting hole 300 of the gaming board 40 to fix the rear assembly 50 to the gaming board 40. Also, the connecting member 360 is biased to the first slide position, so that the front end of the connecting member 360 fits into the first rotation positioning portion 333V, and the connecting member 360 does not interfere with the gaming board 40. Furthermore, the operating portion 363 of the connecting member 360 is provided with a lever 364 that protrudes laterally from the base portion 363Z, so that it is easy to perform a rotation operation and to recognize which rotation position it is placed in. Moreover, since the pair of connecting members 360 are disposed near both ends of the front wall 324, by holding positions near the upper ends of both sides of the support housing 51 and assembling it to the gaming board 40, it is possible to perform the sliding engagement operation of the support housing 51 with respect to the gaming board 40 and the rotation operation of the operating unit 363 without changing hands. Also, the lever 364 extends upward from the center of rotation and protrudes laterally from the upper end of the back assembly 50 in the first rotation position, and extends laterally from the center of rotation and is accommodated inside the upper end of the back assembly 50 in the second rotation position. Therefore, when the gaming machine main body 30 is assembled to the gaming frame 9 (see FIG. 1) with the connecting members 360 not engaged with the connecting holes 300, the lever 364 interferes, making it possible to notice that the connecting members 360 have been forgotten to be engaged.

[0189] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the slide engagement portion that slides and engages is provided on the game board 40 and the back assembly 50, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the configuration may be such that the accessory component is provided between the game board 40 and the base plate 41, or between parts of the accessory component, etc.

[0190] Furthermore, the slide engagement portion has been exemplified as a hook portion 290 and a bulge portion 329 with which the hook portion 290 engages, but this is not limiting and, for example, a configuration may be used in which a pair of engagement portions of the second member are received from one end of a pair of rails (e.g., U-shaped) provided on the first component to engage with each other.

[0191] In this embodiment, the hook portion 290 (more specifically, the engaging protrusion 292) is provided on the gaming board 40 side, and the long hole 328 and the bulge portion 329 are provided on the back assembly 50 side, but the reverse configuration may also be used. In the gaming machine main body 30A in which the back assembly 50 is assembled to the gaming board 40, the gaming board 40 portion is supported by the gaming frame 9, so a configuration in which the back assembly 50 is hung from the gaming board 40, as in the former configuration, provides more stable support.

[0192] In this embodiment, the support housing 51 having the elongated hole 328 and the bulge 329 is slid and engaged with the game board 40 having the hook portion 290, but the configuration may be reversed, in which a component having a hook portion is slid and engaged with a component having an elongated hole (an engagement structure between the hook portion 410 of the drive board unit 54 described later and the elongated hole 400 of the support housing 51). Also, the hook portion may be engaged with the opening edge on one end side of the elongated hole, or may be engaged with the opening edge on the other end side of the elongated hole.

[0193] In this embodiment, the bracket 280 having the hook portion 290 is made of sheet metal, but it may be made of resin. In this case, the bracket 280 may be a separate part from the base plate 41, or the hook portion 290 may be integrally formed with the base body 41 (for example, see the hook portion 410 of the case main body 444 of the drive board unit 54 described later).

[0194] In this embodiment, the coupling member 360 is provided with the compression coil spring 336 that biases the coupling member 360 to the first slide position, but for example, the coupling member 360 may be biased to the first slide position by the weight of the operating portion 363 of the coupling member 360. Also, the coupling member 360 may be positioned at the first slide position by providing a locking portion in the first rotation positioning portion 333V that restricts the coupling member 360 from moving forward.

[0195] In this embodiment, the coupling member 360 is provided with a pair of engaging protrusions 362, but it may also be provided with a single engaging protrusion 362. In addition, the engaging protrusion 362 may have any shape.

[0196] In this embodiment, first rotation positioning portion 333V is formed by a pair of horizontal ribs 333C, but it may be formed by only one of horizontal ribs 333C, or the horizontal rib 333C may not have circular bulge portion 333E, or a linear horizontal rib 333C may be provided on only one of the left and right sides of support hole 331. Furthermore, first rotation positioning portion 333V is not limited to being rib-shaped, and may be, for example, a point-like protrusion.

[0197] Movable accessories (not shown) are attached to the support housing 51. The movable accessories have an electric drive source such as a motor or solenoid, and are used for performance purposes to operate according to the progress of the game. The support housing 51 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 339 and stepped portions so that various movable accessories can be fixed in any location when the support housing 51 is reused.

[0198] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 36, the lower wall 322 is stepped downward from its front end toward its front side, and a honeycomb-shaped rib 322L (hereinafter referred to as "honeycomb rib 322L") is formed on the front surface of the stepped wall 322D. Among the multiple hexagonal regions of the stepped wall 322D defined by the honeycomb ribs 322L, some have a mounting hole 339 at their center. Among the multiple hexagonal regions having the mounting hole 339, some have a cylindrical body 322T through which the mounting hole 339 passes, and the leading end surface of the cylindrical body 322T is flush with the leading end surface of the honeycomb rib 322L. Furthermore, among the multiple hexagonal regions having the mounting hole 339, some have a stepped wall 322D shifted forward, and a hexagonal recess 322B (see FIG. 37) is formed on the rear surface of the stepped wall 322D. In such a case, the head of a screw passed through the mounting hole 339 is received in the recess 322B.

[0199] 36, a pair of support pedestals 323 are formed on each of a pair of side walls 320 of support housing 51, with two rectangular regions midway up and down offset inward to form a step. Step wall 323A at the front end of support pedestal 323 is located midway up and down on side wall 320 and is parallel to the front surface of support housing 51. Step wall 323A has a plurality of mounting holes 339 formed at multiple locations in the up and down direction.

[0200] The upper wall 321 of the support housing 51 is provided with a step wall 323B between the support portions of the pair of connecting members 360 described above, the step wall 323B having a front surface flush with the front surface of the step wall 323A, and a plurality of mounting holes 339 are formed in the step wall 323B at multiple locations in the horizontal direction.

[0201] As shown in Fig. 37, rear wall 319 of support housing 51 has a plurality of mounting holes 339 countersunk on the rear side at a plurality of locations including the entire opening edge of support housing 51W. Also, rear wall 319 has a plurality of openings 319W below support housing 51W, through which cables for supplying power to movable accessories can be passed. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 60, strip-shaped lower recesses 408 are formed in the upper halves of the plurality of openings 319W in rear wall 319, and the upper halves of the plurality of openings 319W are formed across lower recesses 408. Also, lower recesses 408 have a plurality of harness holders 409 for holding harnesses in a state where they are extended laterally. The harness holding portion 409 has a rear end connecting wall that bends upward and extends from the lower of a pair of opposing walls that face each other in the vertical direction, and is closed by the elastic engaging portion at the upper end of the rear end connecting wall engaging with the engaged portion provided on the upper opposing wall.

[0202] Rear wall 319 of support housing 51 has the following structure for mounting display device 52. That is, on rear wall 319, as shown in FIG. 37 , a rectangular frame-shaped area that is the edge of the opening of support housing 51 is shifted forward in a stepped manner to form recessed portion 370.

[0203] A pair of vertically elongated, strip-shaped engagement holes 375 are formed in two vertical positions in the stepped wall of rear wall 319 on the left side of recess 370 when viewed from the rear side. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 38 , a pair of protective ribs 371 are provided on the front surface of rear wall 319 laterally of the stepped wall, surrounding the openings of the pair of engagement holes 375. Specifically, protective rib 371 has upper and lower sides that extend parallel to the sides from the upper and lower opening edges of engagement hole 375, then bend slightly and extend toward each other, and a vertical side that connects the tips of the upper and lower sides. Furthermore, a plurality of horizontally extending sliding protrusions 371A are formed vertically aligned in the portion of the front surface of rear wall 319 surrounded by protective rib 371. In addition, an inclined surface is formed on the opening edge of the engagement hole 375 on the front side of the wall portion of the rear wall 319 where the plurality of protrusions 371A are formed, and this inclined surface continues to the plurality of protrusions 371A.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 37 , a pair of vertically elongated rectangular lock holes 372 are formed in two vertical positions on the right side of the stepped wall of rear wall 319 to the right of recessed portion 370 when viewed from the rear. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 36 , a protective rib 373 is provided on the front surface of rear wall 319 so as to surround lock hole 372. Protective rib 373 has a vertical side connecting the tips of upper and lower edges extending parallel to the side from the stepped wall of recessed portion 370. The left and right inner surfaces of lock hole 372 are formed by the vertical side portions of protective rib 373 and the stepped wall of recessed portion 370. As shown in FIG. 48 , the upper and lower edges of protective rib 373 are positioned above and below lock hole 372, and the lower edge is farther away from lock hole 372 than the upper edge. The portion between the lock hole 372 and the lower side of the protective rib 373 forms an engagement portion 373A that engages with an engagement piece 392A (described later). An inclined surface is formed on the opening edge of the lock hole 372 on the front side of the engagement portion 373A.

[0205] As shown in Figures 36 and 37, horizontally elongated positioning holes 374 are formed on both the top and bottom sides of the bottom of the recessed portion 370 in the rear wall 319, at positions slightly to the left of the center in the horizontal direction when viewed from the rear. When viewed from the rear, the left end of these positioning holes 374 is semicircular, and the right end is linear. An inclined surface is formed on the front opening edge of the linear portion. The entire bottom of the recessed portion 370 is formed with the aforementioned multiple mounting holes 339 countersunk on the rear side.

[0206] Display device 52 has the following structure relative to recessed portion 370 of supporting housing 51 and its vicinity. That is, as shown in Figures 45 and 46, display device 52 is configured by housing a liquid crystal module 379 in the shape of a horizontally long rectangular plate in a monitor case 380 that is slightly larger than the liquid crystal module 379, and the entire display device is plate-shaped.

[0207] The entire front of monitor case 380 is open except for the outer edges, exposing display screen 52G of LCD module 379. A cable outlet is provided approximately in the center of the upper rear surface of monitor case 380, from which the cable of LCD module 379 is pulled out. Monitor case 380 is divided into two in the front-to-rear direction, with the dividing plane located near the rear end on the side of monitor case 380.

[0208] A pair of positioning protrusions 381 protrude from the upper and lower edges of the front surface of the monitor case 380, towards the right when viewed from the front. The pair of positioning protrusions 381 are shaped like flat cylinders.

[0209] A pair of engagement pieces 382 protrude from two vertical positions on the right side of monitor case 380 when viewed from the front. The pair of engagement pieces 382 are vertically long rectangular, with both corners at the tip chamfered. A reinforcing rib 382A is provided on the outer edge of the front of the pair of engagement pieces 382, ​​and the tip surface (i.e., the front surface) of reinforcing rib 382A is located slightly rearward of the front surface of monitor case 380. Furthermore, the tip edges of the rear surfaces of the pair of engagement pieces 382 are slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0210] A pair of slider support parts 383 protrude from two vertical positions on the left side surface of monitor case 380 when viewed from the front, and a pair of sliders 390 are supported by the pair of slider support parts 383 so that they can slide up and down. Slider support part 383 has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped housing structure and is located near the rear end of the side surface of monitor case 380. The dividing surface of the aforementioned dividing structure of monitor case 380 is located near the rear end of slider support part 383, and slider support part 383 can be divided in the front-rear direction from this point.

[0211] A front opening 383A, a rear opening 383B, and a top opening 383C are formed at a lower portion near the bottom end of the front surface of slider support portion 383, a position near the top end of the rear surface, and a position near the rear of the top surface. The interior of slider support portion 383 is wider rearward above slider support portion 383 than below.

[0212] 47, a reinforcing bar 383D having a circular cross section is inserted between a pair of opposing inner surfaces in the front-rear direction of the slider support part 383, in the horizontal center at a position sandwiched from above and below by a front opening 383A and a rear opening 383B. In addition, a pair of V-shaped grooves 383E extending in the front-rear direction are formed side by side, one above the other, in the upper part of a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the slider support part 383.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 45, below the upper slider support portion 383, there is provided a finger-hook projection 380T that connects the rear edge of the lower surface of the slider support portion 383 to the side surface of the monitor case 380, and is used when attaching or detaching the display device 52 to or from the support housing 51, as will be described later.

[0214] 47, the slider 390 has a rectangular parallelepiped slider main body 391 having an elongated hole 391A through which the reinforcing bar 383D passes, and is slidably housed inside the slider support part 383. A locking protrusion 392 is connected to the lower end of the slider main body 391, and an operating part 393 is connected to the upper end.

[0215] 48, the locking protrusion 392 projects forward from the lower edge of the front surface of the slider body 391, passes through a front opening 383A of the slider support part 383, and is bent downward at a position spaced forward from the front surface of the slider support part 383. The portion of the locking protrusion 392 below the bend forms an engaging piece 392A that overlaps with the aforementioned engaging part 373A.

[0216] 47 and 48, the operating portion 393 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped that is flatter in the front-to-rear direction than the slider body 391 and has the same width as the slider body 391. The operating portion 393 is connected to the upper edge of the rear surface of the slider body 391, extends upward from the slider body 391, and penetrates the top surface opening 383C. An extension protrusion 393A protrudes forward from the upper end of the operating portion 393 to expand the area of ​​the upper end of the operating portion 393, and the entire upper surface of the operating portion 393, including the extension protrusion 393A, forms a slightly recessed lock operating surface 393B.

[0217] An operation projection 395 protrudes rearward from the lower edge of the rear surface of the operation portion 393 and is received in a rear opening 383B of the slider support portion 383. The lower surfaces of the operation portion 393 and the operation projection 395, which are adjacent to each other in the front-to-rear direction, form a concavely curved release operation surface 395A.

[0218] 47 and 48, the lower end of the operating portion 393 is provided with a pair of elastic pieces 394 that extend forward from both sides of the operating portion 393 and have tip surfaces flush with the tip surface of the slider body 391. Triangular ridges 394T that extend in the front-rear direction and have a triangular cross section are formed on the outer surfaces of the pair of elastic pieces 394 that face in opposite directions. When the slider 390 is positioned at the lower end position of the range in which it can slide up and down (hereinafter this position will be referred to as the "locked position"), the triangular protrusions 394T of the pair of elastic pieces 394 are engaged with the lower pair of V-grooves 383E of the aforementioned V-grooves 383E which are arranged in pairs above and below on the inner surface of the slider support part 383, while when the slider 390 is positioned at the upper end position of the range in which it can slide up and down (hereinafter this position will be referred to as the "unlocked position"), the triangular protrusions 394T of the pair of elastic pieces 394 are engaged with the upper pair of V-grooves 383E.

[0219] The display device 52 is attached to the support housing 51 as follows. That is, the pair of sliders 390 of the display device 52 are placed in the unlocked position, and the display device 52 is tilted laterally with respect to the rear surface of the support housing 51, with the left end as viewed from the rear leading forward, and is placed, for example, on a part of the horizontal middle of the lower step surface of the recessed portion 370 of the support housing 51. At this time, even if the display device 52 is tilted laterally, for example, by 90 degrees with respect to the support housing 51, the pair of engagement pieces 382 of the display device 52 are received in the pair of engagement holes 375, so that the display device 52 can be placed on the lower step surface of the recessed portion 370 of the support housing 51.

[0220] Then, while rotating display device 52 so that the inclination angle of display device 52 with respect to supporting housing 51 becomes smaller, display device 52 is slid to the left on the lower step surface of recessed portion 370, and a pair of engagement pieces 382 is inserted into a pair of engagement holes 375 of supporting housing 51. Then, the outer edge of the front surface of display device 52 is placed on the outer edge of the rear surface of recessed portion 370 of supporting housing 51, and the entire display device 52 is received in recessed portion 370.

[0221] Then, the display device 52 is surrounded on all sides by the stepped surfaces of the recessed portion 370, restricting its movement, and a pair of positioning protrusions 381 on the front surface of the display device 52 engages with a pair of positioning holes 374 in the recessed portion 370, positioning the display device 52 in the up-down direction relative to the supporting housing 51. In this state, the engagement pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 of the display device 52 pass through the pair of locking holes 372 in the supporting housing 51 and are positioned in front of the locking holes 372, as shown in FIG. 48(A). Then, the lock operation surfaces 393B of the pair of sliders 390 are pressed, and the pair of sliders 390 move to the locked position. Then, the engagement pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 overlap the front surfaces of the pair of engagement portions 373A of the supporting housing 51, and the display device 52 enters a locked state in which rearward movement and rotation relative to the supporting housing 51 are prohibited. With the above, the mounting of the display device 52 on the support housing 51 is completed.

[0222] The display device 52 can be removed from the support housing 51 by pressing the release operation surfaces 395A of the pair of sliders 390 to release the lock and then performing the above-described operations in reverse.

[0223] The rear surface of the display device 52 is provided with the following structure for mounting the sub-control board unit 53. That is, as shown in Fig. 45, a plurality of (for example, four) engaging hood portions 430 are arranged in a horizontal row near the bottom end of the rear surface of the monitor case 380 of the display device 52. These engaging hood portions 430 are horizontally elongated rectangular parallelepipeds with open tops. Furthermore, the entire group of engaging hood portions 430 is positioned to the right when viewing the monitor case 380 from the rear.

[0224] A pair of engagement protrusions 431 protrude from the upper edge of the rear surface of monitor case 380. As shown in FIG. 51, engagement protrusion 431 has a structure in which one horizontal end of the rear surface of a horizontally long rectangular frame wall 431A is closed by engagement portion 431B, and the rest of the rear surface of frame wall 431A other than this end forms lock holes 431C. Furthermore, with respect to the relationship between the pair of engagement protrusions 431, engagement portion 431B is located on sides spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, a portion of the front end of frame wall 431A is closed by a reinforcing wall at a position opposite lock hole 431C. A plurality of elongated holes for heat dissipation are formed in a row vertically and horizontally on the rear surface of monitor case 380.

[0225] 49 and 50, the sub-control board unit 53 has a circuit board 440 (see FIG. 53) housed in a board case 441, and is generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and flat in the front-to-rear direction. A plurality of horizontally elongated engagement pieces 442 that protrude downward are arranged in a horizontal row on the underside of the board case 441.

[0226] The top surface of the board case 441 is provided with a pair of slider support portions 383, as described in connection with the display device 52, and supports a pair of sliders 390. However, in the board case 441, the pair of sliders 390 are made slidable laterally by the pair of slider support portions 383, with the sides where they approach each other corresponding to the unlocked position described above, and the sides where they move away from each other corresponding to the locked position. Also, the pair of slider support portions 383 of the board case 441 are provided with engagement recesses 383K recessed rearward in a stepped shape at the front opening 383A portion.

[0227] The sub-control board unit 53 is attached to the display device 52 as follows. That is, the pair of sliders 390 of the sub-control board unit 53 are placed in the unlocked position, the sub-control board unit 53 is tilted up and down relative to the rear surface of the display device 52, and the lower end of the sub-control board unit 53 is moved forward first, and the multiple engagement pieces 442 are inserted from above into the multiple engagement hood portions 430 of the display device 52. Then, when the sub-control board unit 53 is rotated forward so that the front surface of the sub-control board unit 53 overlaps the rear surface of the display device 52, the pair of engagement protrusions 431 of the display device 52 engage with the pair of engagement recesses 383K of the sub-control board unit 53. In this state, the engagement pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 of the sub-control board unit 53 have passed through the pair of lock holes 431C of the display device 52, as shown in FIG. 51(A), and movement of the sub-control board unit 53 relative to the display device 52 is restricted except in the forward and backward directions. 51(B), the pair of sliders 390 are slid away from each other to the locked position shown in Fig. 51(B). As a result, the engagement pieces 392A of the pair of sliders 390 overlap the engagement portions 431B of the pair of engagement protrusions 431 of the display device 52 from the front, preventing the sub-control board unit 53 from moving or rotating backward, and the sub-control board unit 53 is locked in a state where it is attached to the display device 52.

[0228] As described above, in the gaming machine 10A of this embodiment, the display device 52 and the sub-control board unit 53 are engaged at the connecting portion (more specifically, the slider 390 and the lock hole 431C) so that they are difficult to separate, with the multiple engaging pieces 442, the multiple hood portions 430, the pair of engaging protrusions 431, and the pair of engaging recesses 383K restricting movement other than rotation. This allows the display device 52 and the sub-control board unit 53 to be assembled without using tools. This allows the display device 52 and the sub-control board unit 53 to be assembled more easily and smoothly than in conventional gaming machines that require multiple screws for assembly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of sliders 390 are provided as the connecting portion, and the sliders 390 are aligned in the sliding direction and are oriented in opposite directions from the unlocked position to the locked position. This allows the worker to hold the sub-control board unit 53 near the upper end on both sides during assembly, placing the sub-control board unit 53 on top of the display device 52 and sliding the pair of sliders 390 without having to change hands.

[0229] In this embodiment, the slider 390 is exemplified as the connecting part, but it may also be configured as, for example, a pair of Nylatch (registered trademark) 654 and a pair of Nylatch engagement holes 655 that regulate the rotation of the relay member 55 described later, or a configuration in which an elastic engagement piece is engaged with an engaged part (specifically, a configuration in which an elastic engagement piece 407B and a protrusion are configured to engage the case body 402 and the lid body 407 of the board case 401 of the drive board unit 54 described later).

[0230] In the present embodiment, the sub-control board unit 53 is restricted from movement other than rotation by the multiple engagement pieces 442, the multiple hood portions 430, the pair of engagement protrusions 431, and the pair of engagement recesses 383K, but it may also be configured such that the sub-control board unit 53 is received in a recess provided on the rear surface of the display device 52 and movement other than rotation is restricted. Furthermore, instead of being limited to a recess, as long as movement other than rotation of the sub-control board unit 53 can be restricted, the sub-control board unit 53 may be placed on an upright wall extending in the horizontal direction to restrict movement.

[0231] This concludes the description of the structure of sub-control board unit 53 for mounting on display device 52. Other structures of sub-control board unit 53 are as follows.

[0232] 53, board case 441 of sub-control board unit 53 is divided into two parts, a case main body 444 and a lid body 443, at a position closer to the front in the front-to-rear direction, with lid body 443 disposed on the front side and case main body 444 disposed on the rear side. Circuit board 440 is fixed to case main body 444. Specifically, case main body 444 is provided with a plurality of abutment protrusions that protrude forward from rear wall 444R and abut against the rear surface of circuit board 440, and mounting holes are formed in the centers of some of the abutment protrusions, and screws that are passed through through holes in circuit board 440 from the front side are screwed into the mounting holes to fix circuit board 440 to case main body 444.

[0233] More specifically, circuit board 440 is made up of first circuit board 440A which is a horizontally long rectangle, and second circuit board 440B which has the same width and is about 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 as long as first circuit board 440A. Second circuit board 440B is arranged above first circuit board 440A in the same plane with a gap between them, and is fastened to case body 444 with screws as described above.

[0234] Furthermore, first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B have a plurality of electrical components mounted mainly on their rear surfaces, including electrical components that protrude significantly from circuit board 440, such as a plurality of connectors and capacitors.

[0235] The first and second circuit boards 440A, 440B are electrically connected to each other by connectors (not shown) mounted on the rear edge portions of the boards that are close to each other, and by connectors 453, 454 (described later) connected via cables 458. The first circuit board 440A is also equipped with a sub-control microcomputer that mainly controls the game presentation, and in pachinko gaming machines is generally called the "sub-control board."

[0236] A plurality of hook portions 410, which will be described later in connection with the drive board unit 54, protrude forward from multiple positions in the vertical direction on both side walls of the case main body 444, with their tips facing upward. A plurality of elongated holes are drilled at multiple positions in the vertical direction on both sides of the lid body 443 corresponding to the multiple hook portions 410.

[0237] The aforementioned multiple engagement pieces 442 are integrally formed with the lid 443, and horizontally elongated hinge holes are formed at their bases. Furthermore, multiple L-shaped protrusions corresponding to the multiple hinge holes hang down from the lower end of the case body 444. The hinge is formed by bringing only the lower ends of the case body 444 and the lid 443 close to each other and inserting the multiple L-shaped protrusions into the multiple hinge holes. The case body 444 and the lid 443 are rotated relative to each other and joined, and the multiple hook portions 410 are received in the multiple elongated holes. The lid 443 then slides downward relative to the case body 444, and the multiple hook portions 410 engage with the opening edges of the multiple elongated holes. The case body 444 and the lid 443 are fixed together with screws that penetrate the upper ends of the case body 444 and the lid 443 from front to rear.

[0238] The multiple electrical components mounted on circuit board 440 include multiple connectors 451 to 457 that are connected to connectors at the ends of cables arranged outside board case 441, and a manually operated volume element 470, and in order to expose these from board case 441, case body 444 has the following structure.

[0239] The connectors 451 to 457 and the volume element 470 are mounted on the outer edge of the circuit board 440. Specifically, the connectors 451 and 452 are arranged side by side on the upper edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440, and one of them is connected to a connector at the end of a cable extending rearward from the display device 52. The connectors 453 and 454 are used to connect the first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B described above, and are arranged vertically side by side at a position near the upper end on one side edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440. The connectors 455, 456, and 457 and the volume element 470 are arranged side by side in that order from the end on one side to a position near the end on the lower edge of the rear surface of the circuit board 440.

[0240] The multiple electrical components mounted on circuit board 440 include multiple connectors 451 to 457 that are connected to connectors at the ends of cables arranged outside board case 441, and a manually operated volume element 470, and in order to expose these from board case 441, case body 444 has the following structure.

[0241] 49, connectors 451 to 457 and volume element 470 are mounted on the outer edge of circuit board 440. Specifically, connectors 451 and 452 are arranged side by side on the upper edge of the rear surface of circuit board 440, and one of them is connected to a connector at the end of a cable extending rearward from display device 52. Connectors 453 and 454 are used to connect the first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B described above, and are arranged vertically side by side at a position near the upper end on one side edge of the rear surface of circuit board 440. Furthermore, connectors 455, 456, and 457 and volume element 470 are arranged side by side in that order from the end on one side to a position near the end on the lower edge of the rear surface of circuit board 440.

[0242] The shapes of connectors 451 and 453 to 456 have similar characteristics. Connector 456 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 54(A) using connector 456 as an example. Hereinafter, the side of connector 456 that connects to circuit board 440 will be referred to as the base end, and the opposite side as the tip end. Connector 456 is a rectangular connector having a hood 450 that is rectangular in front view, and is provided with a plurality of connector pins 472 arranged in two rows inside. A long cutout 456B extending in the left-right direction is formed at the tip of a lower wall 456A on the lower side of hood 450. Furthermore, upper wall 456C on the upper side is approximately 3 to 5 times thicker than lower wall 456A, and is provided at its tip with a cutout 456D that is shorter in the left-right direction than cutout 456B. A step 456E is formed by recessing upper wall 456C in a stepped shape on the base end side of cutout 456D.

[0243] Connector 457 shown in Figure 54(B) has two connector pins 472 inside hood 450A, which is rectangular when viewed from the front. A pair of corners of lower wall 457A forming the underside of hood 450A are provided with L-shaped protrusions 457B that protrude toward the tip of the corners. Upper wall 457C is about 3 to 5 times thicker than lower wall 457A, and in the left-right center thereof, upper wall 457C is cut out in a stepped shape to form step 457D that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction.

[0244] The notch 456D and the stepped portions 456E and 457D provided on the connector 451 and the connectors 453 to 457 are engaged with elastic pieces for attachment and detachment of a plug connector (not shown) that is connected to these connectors.

[0245] 54(C) has a hood 450B that is rectangular when viewed from the front, and all of the side walls of the hood 450 are the same height. The vicinity of a pair of corners of the upper upper wall 452B on the upper side forms upper corner walls 452C that are about 2 to 4 times as thick as the hood 450B.

[0246] As shown in Figure 54(D), volume element 470 is a cylindrical rotary switch, and has a knob portion 473 for manual operation and a square-shaped switch base portion 474 that connects knob portion 473 to circuit board 440, which are stacked in the front-to-back direction.

[0247] As shown in Figure 49, in order to expose the above-mentioned connectors 451 to 457 and volume element 470 from the board case 441, multiple recesses 462 are provided at two locations on the upper end, side edges, and lower end of the case body 444 of the board case 441, by recessing the rear wall 444R in a stepped shape, and through holes 480A to 480D are formed in the recessed inner surfaces 465 of the recesses 462.

[0248] 49, recessed portion 462 has recessed deep surface 465 located closer to circuit board 440 than the rear surface of rear wall 444R, and connecting wall 464 connecting rear wall 444R and recessed deep surface 465. Note that, although recessed deep surfaces 465 of multiple recessed portions 462 are located at the same position in the front-to-rear direction, the amount of recession from rear wall 444R may be varied to match each of connectors 451-457 and volume element 470. Furthermore, of the corners where connecting wall 464 and rear wall 444R intersect, a slit-shaped ventilation hole 466 is formed on the side facing inward of case main body 444.

[0249] Because the through holes 480A corresponding to the connectors 451, 455, and 456 have similar characteristics, the following detailed description will be given using the through hole 480A corresponding to the connector 456 as an example. As shown in FIG. 52(A), the through hole 480A has a rectangular shape, and an expansion portion 481 is formed at the upper edge of the through hole 480A by expanding the opening upward. A protrusion 493 that protrudes forward is formed across the front surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through hole 480A. Meanwhile, a protective wall 490A that protrudes rearward is formed on the rear surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through hole 480A. The protective wall 490A is not provided in the portion of the upper wall 456C of the connector 456 that faces the notch 456D and the step 456E, but forms an open portion 491. The protective wall 490A is at approximately the same height as the tip of the connector 456. Furthermore, the inner surface of through-hole 480A, the inner surface of protrusion 493, and the inner surface of protective wall 493A are flush with each other.

[0250] 52(A), through hole 480B corresponding to connector 457 is substantially square-shaped and includes expanded portion 481, similar to through hole 480A. Furthermore, through hole 480B has step 492 formed above expanded portion 481 by recessing recessed inner surface 465 in a stepped shape. Similar to through hole 480A, a protrusion (not shown) and protective wall 490B are provided on the opening edge of through hole 480B. Protective wall 490B is provided in a portion other than step 492, and its height is substantially the same as the tip end of connector 457 and approximately half the height of protective wall 490A.

[0251] 52(A), a passage wall 493 is formed between a protective wall 490A of connector 456 and a protective wall 490B of connector 457. A passage opening 493A is formed in protective wall 490A of connector 456 at a position near the lower end in FIG. 52(A), and a passage opening 493B is formed in protective wall 490A of connector 457 at a position facing passage opening 493A on the left side wall in FIG. 52(A), and the ends of these two passage openings 493A, 493B are connected to each other by a pair of passage walls 493.

[0252] The tip portions of protective walls 490A and 490B are lower than connecting wall 464. Protective walls 490A and 490B of connectors 455 to 457 are arranged to face each other with a gap between opening 491 and connecting wall 464 that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip.

[0253] As shown in FIG. 52(C), a recess 462 provided on the left side edge of the case main body 444 is provided with ribs 444A at the upper and lower ends and a rib 444H midway between the ribs 444A. As shown in FIG. 52(C), the ribs 444A and 444H extend along the outer periphery of the board case 441, and their rear ends are flush with the rear wall 444R. A protruding wall 444S is formed between adjacent ribs 444A and 444H, connecting the base ends of the two ribs. In addition, a protrusion 444T is formed from each pair of ribs 444H, protruding toward the inside of the case main body 444. A protrusion 444M protrudes from the connecting wall 464 facing the protrusion 444T so as to approach the protrusion 444T. A cable pressing piece 444K protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the rear surface of the protruding portion 444M, and extends to the outer edge of the case main body 444. Through holes 480C are opened in the recessed portion 462 above and below the cable pressing piece 444K.

[0254] 52(C), protective wall 490C has a U-shape that opens toward the outside of board case 441. The ends of protective wall 490C facing outward are connected to ribs 444A and 444H, respectively. Protective wall 490C is at approximately the same height as the tips of connectors 45453 and 454, and is lower than connecting wall 464. Connecting wall 464 and protective wall 490C face each other with a gap therebetween that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip.

[0255] As shown in Fig. 49, a connecting wall 464 of a recess 462 provided at the lower end of case body 444 is provided with a step wall 495A that is bent upward in a stepped shape. As shown in Fig. 52(B), a protective wall 495 extends downward from the left end of this step wall 495A, curves leftward, and then extends rightward to connect to the end of connecting wall 464. A through-hole 480D for exposing volume element 474 is opened in recessed inner surface 465 surrounded by protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464.

[0256] 52(B), through-hole 480D exposing volume element 470 is substantially square-shaped and slightly larger than the side wall of switch base portion 474. Protective wall 495, connecting wall 464, and knob portion 473 face each other with a gap large enough to accommodate a fingertip. Protective wall 495 and recessed connecting wall 464 are at the same height from recessed portion 462, and the tip of knob portion 473 is lower than that.

[0257] 49, through-hole 480C of connector 452 has a rectangular shape that follows the side wall of hood 450, and a protrusion (not shown) that protrudes forward around the entire periphery is formed on the front surface of the opening edge. Also, connector 452 does not have a protective wall, and recessed inner surface 465 and the tip of hood 450C are at approximately the same height.

[0258] Connectors 451 and 453 to 457 and volume element 470 are laterally surrounded by protective walls 490A, 490B, and 495 that stand rearward from the opening edges of through-holes 480A to 480D.

[0259] According to the above configuration, protective wall 490 facing the outer sides of connector 451 and connectors 453 to 457 exposed from board case 441 abuts against protective wall 490 to restrict lateral deformation or movement when an attempt is made to pull the cable to remove the connector, thereby suppressing damage to hood 450. In addition, damage to hood 450 due to external force is prevented.

[0260] Furthermore, by providing the tip of connector 452 at approximately the same height as recessed portion 462, the opening edge restricts deformation and movement of connector 452, making it possible to prevent damage to hood 450.

[0261] Also, by providing opening 481, it becomes possible to receive an elastic piece for attachment / detachment of the connector (socket connector) on the connecting side. Furthermore, by arranging opening 481 so as to face connecting wall 464, it becomes possible to protect hood 450 exposed by opening 481 and the knob portion of the socket connector from external pressure. Also, by providing a gap between opening 481 and connecting wall 464 large enough to receive a fingertip, attachment / detachment operations can be easily performed.

[0262] Moreover, by surrounding volume element 470 with protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464A, it is possible to prevent knob 473 from being damaged by external force. Furthermore, by providing a gap large enough to accommodate a fingertip between knob 473 and protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464A, operation can be easily performed.

[0263] Furthermore, by providing the cable pressing piece 444K to protrude from the rear wall 444R, the cable connecting the connector 453 and the connector 454 will not protrude from the case body 444, thereby preventing problems such as the cable being torn.

[0264] In this embodiment, the protective wall 490 is a wall-shaped member, but it may be a protrusion provided near the outer wall of the electrical component.

[0265] Although the electrical components that the protective wall 490 faces from the side are a connector and a volume element in the above embodiment, any electrical component that needs to be exposed to the outside may be used. Also, the volume element is a rotary switch, but it may be any type, such as a push button or slide type.

[0266] The multiple electrical components mounted on circuit board 440 include multiple connectors 451 to 457 that are connected to connectors at the ends of cables arranged outside board case 441, and a manually operated volume element 470, and in order to expose these from board case 441, case body 444 has the following structure.

[0267] 49, connectors 451 to 457 and volume element 470 are mounted on the outer edge of circuit board 440. Specifically, connectors 451 and 452 are arranged side by side on the upper edge of the rear surface of circuit board 440, and one of them is connected to a connector at the end of a cable extending rearward from display device 52. Connectors 453 and 454 are used to connect the first and second circuit boards 440A and 440B described above, and are arranged vertically side by side at a position near the upper end on one side edge of the rear surface of circuit board 440. Furthermore, connectors 455, 456, and 457 and volume element 470 are arranged side by side in that order from the end on one side to a position near the end on the lower edge of the rear surface of circuit board 440.

[0268] The shapes of connectors 451 and 453 to 456 have similar characteristics. Connector 456 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 54(A) using connector 456 as an example. Hereinafter, the side of connector 456 that connects to circuit board 440 will be referred to as the base end, and the opposite side as the tip end. Connector 456 is a rectangular connector having a hood 450 that is rectangular in front view, and is provided with a plurality of connector pins 472 arranged in two rows inside. A long cutout 456B extending in the left-right direction is formed at the tip of a lower wall 456A on the lower side of hood 450. Furthermore, upper wall 456C on the upper side is approximately 3 to 5 times thicker than lower wall 456A, and is provided at its tip with a cutout 456D that is shorter in the left-right direction than cutout 456B. A step 456E is formed by recessing upper wall 456C in a stepped shape on the base end side of cutout 456D.

[0269] Connector 457 shown in Figure 54(B) has two connector pins 472 inside hood 450A, which is rectangular when viewed from the front. A pair of corners of lower wall 457A forming the underside of hood 450A are provided with L-shaped protrusions 457B that protrude toward the tip of the corners. Upper wall 457C is about 3 to 5 times thicker than lower wall 457A, and in the left-right center thereof, upper wall 457C is cut out in a stepped shape to form step 457D that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction.

[0270] The notch 456D and the stepped portions 456E and 457D provided on the connector 451 and the connectors 453 to 457 are engaged with elastic pieces for attachment and detachment of a plug connector (not shown) that is connected to these connectors.

[0271] 54(C) has a hood 450B that is rectangular when viewed from the front, and all of the side walls of the hood 450 are the same height. The vicinity of a pair of corners of the upper upper wall 452B on the upper side forms upper corner walls 452C that are about 2 to 4 times as thick as the hood 450B.

[0272] As shown in Figure 54(D), volume element 470 is a cylindrical rotary switch, and has a knob portion 473 for manual operation and a square-shaped switch base portion 474 that connects knob portion 473 to circuit board 440, which are stacked in the front-to-back direction.

[0273] As shown in Figure 49, in order to expose the above-mentioned connectors 451 to 457 and volume element 470 from the board case 441, multiple recesses 462 are provided at two locations on the upper end, side edges, and lower end of the case body 444 of the board case 441, by recessing the rear wall 444R in a stepped shape, and through holes 480A to 480D are formed in the recessed inner surfaces 465 of the recesses 462.

[0274] 49, recessed portion 462 has recessed deep surface 465 located closer to circuit board 440 than the rear surface of rear wall 444R, and connecting wall 464 connecting rear wall 444R and recessed deep surface 465. Note that, although recessed deep surfaces 465 of multiple recessed portions 462 are located at the same position in the front-to-rear direction, the amount of recession from rear wall 444R may be varied to match each of connectors 451-457 and volume element 470. Furthermore, of the corners where connecting wall 464 and rear wall 444R intersect, a slit-shaped ventilation hole 466 is formed on the side facing inward of case main body 444.

[0275] Because the through holes 480A corresponding to the connectors 451, 455, and 456 have similar characteristics, the following detailed description will be given using the through hole 480A corresponding to the connector 456 as an example. As shown in FIG. 52(A), the through hole 480A has a rectangular shape, and an expansion portion 481 is formed at the upper edge of the through hole 480A by expanding the opening upward. A protrusion 493 that protrudes forward is formed across the front surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through hole 480A. Meanwhile, a protective wall 490A that protrudes rearward is formed on the rear surface of the recessed inner surface 465 of the through hole 480A. The protective wall 490A is not provided in the portion of the upper wall 456C of the connector 456 that faces the notch 456D and the step 456E, but forms an open portion 491. The protective wall 490A is at approximately the same height as the tip of the connector 456. Furthermore, the inner surface of through-hole 480A, the inner surface of protrusion 493, and the inner surface of protective wall 493A are flush with each other.

[0276] 52(A), through hole 480B corresponding to connector 457 is substantially square-shaped and includes expanded portion 481, similar to through hole 480A. Furthermore, through hole 480B has step 492 formed above expanded portion 481 by recessing recessed inner surface 465 in a stepped shape. Similar to through hole 480A, a protrusion (not shown) and protective wall 490B are provided on the opening edge of through hole 480B. Protective wall 490B is provided in a portion other than step 492, and its height is substantially the same as the tip end of connector 457 and approximately half the height of protective wall 490A.

[0277] 52(A), a passage wall 493 is formed between a protective wall 490A of connector 456 and a protective wall 490B of connector 457. A passage opening 493A is formed in protective wall 490A of connector 456 at a position near the lower end in FIG. 52(A), and a passage opening 493B is formed in protective wall 490A of connector 457 at a position facing passage opening 493A on the left side wall in FIG. 52(A), and the ends of these two passage openings 493A, 493B are connected to each other by a pair of passage walls 493.

[0278] The tip portions of protective walls 490A and 490B are lower than connecting wall 464. Protective walls 490A and 490B of connectors 455 to 457 are arranged to face each other with a gap between opening 491 and connecting wall 464 that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip.

[0279] As shown in FIG. 52(C), a recess 462 provided on the left side edge of the case main body 444 is provided with ribs 444A at the upper and lower ends and a rib 444H midway between the ribs 444A. As shown in FIG. 52(C), the ribs 444A and 444H extend along the outer periphery of the board case 441, and their rear ends are flush with the rear wall 444R. A protruding wall 444S is formed between adjacent ribs 444A and 444H, connecting the base ends of the two ribs. In addition, a protrusion 444T is formed from each pair of ribs 444H, protruding toward the inside of the case main body 444. A protrusion 444M protrudes from the connecting wall 464 facing the protrusion 444T so as to approach the protrusion 444T. A cable pressing piece 444K protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the rear surface of the protruding portion 444M, and extends to the outer edge of the case main body 444. Through holes 480C are opened in the recessed portion 462 above and below the cable pressing piece 444K.

[0280] 52(C), protective wall 490C has a U-shape that opens toward the outside of board case 441. The ends of protective wall 490C facing outward are connected to ribs 444A and 444H, respectively. Protective wall 490C is at approximately the same height as the tips of connectors 45453 and 454, and is lower than connecting wall 464. Connecting wall 464 and protective wall 490C face each other with a gap therebetween that is large enough to accommodate a fingertip.

[0281] As shown in Fig. 49, a connecting wall 464 of a recess 462 provided at the lower end of case body 444 is provided with a step wall 495A that is bent upward in a stepped shape. As shown in Fig. 52(B), a protective wall 495 extends downward from the left end of this step wall 495A, curves leftward, and then extends rightward to connect to the end of connecting wall 464. A through-hole 480D for exposing volume element 474 is opened in recessed inner surface 465 surrounded by protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464.

[0282] 52(B), through-hole 480D exposing volume element 470 is substantially square-shaped and slightly larger than the side wall of switch base portion 474. Protective wall 495, connecting wall 464, and knob portion 473 face each other with a gap large enough to accommodate a fingertip. Protective wall 495 and recessed connecting wall 464 are at the same height from recessed portion 462, and the tip of knob portion 473 is lower than that.

[0283] 49, through-hole 480C of connector 452 has a rectangular shape that follows the side wall of hood 450, and a protrusion (not shown) that protrudes forward around the entire periphery is formed on the front surface of the opening edge. Also, connector 452 does not have a protective wall, and recessed inner surface 465 and the tip of hood 450C are at approximately the same height.

[0284] Connectors 451 and 453 to 457 and volume element 470 are laterally surrounded by protective walls 490A, 490B, and 495 that stand rearward from the opening edges of through-holes 480A to 480D.

[0285] According to the above configuration, protective wall 490 facing the outer sides of connector 451 and connectors 453 to 457 exposed from board case 441 abuts against protective wall 490 to restrict lateral deformation or movement when an attempt is made to pull the cable to remove the connector, thereby suppressing damage to hood 450. In addition, damage to hood 450 due to external force is prevented.

[0286] Furthermore, by providing the tip of connector 452 at approximately the same height as recessed portion 462, the opening edge restricts deformation and movement of connector 452, making it possible to prevent damage to hood 450.

[0287] Also, by providing opening 481, it becomes possible to receive an elastic piece for attachment / detachment of the connector (socket connector) on the connecting side. Furthermore, by arranging opening 481 so as to face connecting wall 464, it becomes possible to protect hood 450 exposed by opening 481 and the knob portion of the socket connector from external pressure. Also, by providing a gap between opening 481 and connecting wall 464 large enough to receive a fingertip, attachment / detachment operations can be easily performed.

[0288] Moreover, by surrounding volume element 470 with protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464A, it is possible to prevent knob 473 from being damaged by external force. Furthermore, by providing a gap large enough to accommodate a fingertip between knob 473 and protective wall 495 and connecting wall 464A, operation can be easily performed.

[0289] Furthermore, by providing the cable pressing piece 444K to protrude from the rear wall 444R, the cable connecting the connector 453 and the connector 454 will not protrude from the case body 444, thereby preventing problems such as the cable being torn.

[0290] In this embodiment, the protective wall 490 is a wall-shaped member, but it may be a protrusion provided near the outer wall of the electrical component.

[0291] Although the electrical components that the protective wall 490 faces from the side are a connector and a volume element in the above embodiment, any electrical component that needs to be exposed to the outside may be used. Also, the volume element is a rotary switch, but it may be any type, such as a push button or slide type.

[0292] 3, when looking at the rear assembly 50 from the rear, a vertically long drive board unit 54 is attached to the left side of the support housing 51. As shown in FIG. 55, the drive board unit 54 is configured by accommodating a circuit board 420 in a board case 401.

[0293] Circuit board 420 is mounted with a drive circuit for supplying power to a drive source for a movable accessory or the like. Circuit board 420 is composed of first and second circuit boards 420A and 420B, which are vertically elongated rectangular and substantially identical in shape, arranged vertically on the same plane, with connectors fixed thereto interconnected. Circuit board 420 has a mounting surface on its rear surface, and is provided with multiple connectors at the top of the rear surface of circuit board 420 and at a position near the top of the left side when viewed from behind. A first harness having multiple mating connectors that can be coupled to the multiple connectors at the top extends to the right from circuit board 420, and a second harness having multiple mating connectors that can be coupled to the multiple connectors near the top extends to the left from circuit board 420.

[0294] The board case 401 can be disassembled into a case body 402 and a lid 407. The case body 402 has a structure including first and second cable support parts 404, 405 on the top and one side of a board housing part 403 that houses a circuit board 420.

[0295] The board accommodating section 403 is box-shaped, slightly longer in the vertical direction than the circuit board 420, flattened in the front-to-rear direction, and open at the rear. The circuit board 420 is positioned toward the lower end of the board accommodating section 403, and is fastened with screws with the rear surface of the circuit board 420 facing the tips of a plurality of support posts protruding rearward from a front wall 403F of the board accommodating section 403. Although not used in this embodiment, a cable insertion hole 403A for passing a cable is formed in the upper end of the front wall 403F that is not overlapped by the circuit board 420, and a cable insertion hole 51U (see FIG. 57) overlapping the cable insertion hole 403A is formed in the support housing 51.

[0296] The first cable support part 404 has a support protrusion wall 404A that protrudes to the right side when viewed from behind from the upper part of the board accommodating part 403. A rectangular die-cut hole is formed near the tip of the support protrusion wall 404A, and an arch-shaped band stopper part 404B is formed to straddle this hole laterally. A cable tie is passed through the band stopper part 404B and wrapped around the first harness, thereby supporting the first harness on the first cable support part 404.

[0297] A support protruding wall 406 hangs down from the left half of the lower surface of board accommodating section 403 when viewed from behind. The lower end of support protruding wall 406 and the upper end of support protruding wall 404A are provided with mounting holes 402K for fastening case main body 402 to supporting housing 51 with screws.

[0298] As shown in FIG. 56, the second cable support part 405 has an outer side cover wall 405A that protrudes leftward from the entire left side part when the board accommodating part 403 and the support protrusion wall 406 are viewed from behind and then bends diagonally forward, and an inner side cover wall 405B that protrudes forward from the base end of the outer side cover wall 405A and forms, together with the outer side cover wall 405A, a cable accommodating groove 405T that accommodates the cables.

[0299] As shown in FIG. 55, a cable insertion hole 405C is formed near the upper portion of the outer side cover wall 405A, penetrating the portion that protrudes laterally from the board housing portion 403 in the front-to-rear direction. The second harness is housed in the second cable support portion 405 through the cable insertion hole 405C, bent downward, and extended along the cable housing trough 405T. As shown in FIG. 56(A), the inner side cover wall 405B is cut away at multiple locations along its length, leaving only a portion near its base end. Through-holes are drilled in the remaining portions to form multiple band stoppers 404B. Cable ties are passed through the through-holes of the band stoppers 404B and wrapped around the second harness in the cable housing trough 405T. Although not used in this embodiment, a cable insertion hole 51V is formed in the portion of the support housing 51 that is covered by the cable housing trough 405T (see FIG. 57).

[0300] As shown in FIG. 56(A), a plurality of hook portions 410 protrude from multiple positions in the vertical direction at the tip of the outer side cover wall 405A. The hook portions 410 protrude forward from the outer side cover wall 405A, then bend downward at a right angle and extend vertically downward. A plurality of elongated holes 400 corresponding to the hook portions 410 are formed in the side of the support housing 51. When the hook portions 410 are passed through the elongated holes 400 and the case main body 402 is slid downward relative to the support housing 51, the hook portions 410 engage with the opening edges of the elongated holes 400, and the pair of mounting holes 402K at the upper and lower ends of the case main body 402 are aligned with the fixing holes 51K (see FIG. 57) provided in the support housing 51. Then, screws passed through the pair of mounting holes 402K are fastened to the support housing 51 to fix the case main body 402 to the support housing 51.

[0301] 56(B), lid 407 has a vertically long container structure with an open front, and is hinged by engaging a plurality of L-shaped protrusions 407A provided on one side with a plurality of hinge holes 405H formed in outer side cover wall 405A of case body 402. In addition, lid 407 is provided on the other side with a plurality of elastic engagement pieces 407B, which are engaged with a plurality of protrusions on one side of board accommodating section 403, thereby fixing lid 407 in a state in which it covers board accommodating section 403 from the rear. In addition, a cable insertion opening 407C is formed in a portion of the upper part of lid 407 corresponding to first cable support section 404 (see FIG. 55).

[0302] As shown in Fig. 3, a main control board unit 56 is provided at the lower rear end of the rear assembly 50. As shown in Fig. 59, the main control board unit 56 has a circuit board 600 housed in a board case 601. The board case 601 is flat in the front-to-rear direction and has a horizontally long rectangle when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. The board case 601 is divided into two parts near the front end, a case main body 602 and a lid 603. The rear surface of the circuit board 600 is the mounting surface, and the circuit board 600 is fastened to the case main body 602 with screws.

[0303] Furthermore, the case body 602 and the lid body 603 are hingedly connected with a plurality of L-shaped protrusions and a plurality of hinge holes, similar to the connecting structure between the case body 444 and the lid body 443 of the sub-control board unit 53, and then slidably engaged with a plurality of hook portions 410 and a plurality of elongated holes 400, similar to the engaging structure between the drive board unit 54 and the support housing 51, and then fastened with screws to lock the combined state. The L-shaped protrusions are provided at the left end of the case body 602 when viewed from the rear, while the hinge holes are formed at the left end of the lid body 603. The plurality of hook portions 410 are provided at the upper and lower edges of the case body 602, while the plurality of elongated holes are formed at the upper and lower edges of the lid body 603. A special screw passes through the right end of the case body 602 when viewed from the rear and is fastened into a screw hole in the lid body 603. In addition, when the special screw is tightened, it breaks off midway, making it difficult to remove, and when the special screw is removed, a mark is left in the screw hole.

[0304] Case body 602 has a certificate attachment section 604 formed by slightly recessing a rectangular area in the lower left corner when viewed from the rear, where a certificate indicating that circuit board 600 of main control board unit 56 is an approved product can be affixed. In addition, a rib 604L protrudes from the outer edge on the left side of certificate attachment section 604, and a circular recess 604A is formed in the center of the top of certificate attachment section 604, with an attachment hole formed in the center thereof.

[0305] Meanwhile, a lower end protrusion 603A is formed from the lower left end of the lid body 603, overlapping the underside of the case body 602. A pair of engaging recesses 603B is formed in the portion of the lid body 603 that is just in front of the lower end protrusion 603A. A pair of hook portions 605F (only one of which is shown in Figure 59) at the lower end of the L-shaped cover member 605 that covers the certificate attachment section 604 engage with the pair of engaging recesses 603B.

[0306] The L-shaped cover member 605 has a first plate portion 605A that overlaps the certificate attachment portion 604 and a second plate portion 605B that overlaps the case body 602 from below, and a pair of hook portions 605F that are folded back from the front end of the second plate portion 605B engage with a pair of engaging recesses 603B. This prevents the case body 602 and the lid body 603 from sliding in the direction of disassembly unless the L-shaped cover member 605 is removed.

[0307] Also, first plate 605A is formed with a cylindrical portion that fits into recess 604A, and the center of this cylindrical portion is threaded with the special screw described above, which fits into the mounting hole in the center of recess 604A. This leaves a mark when case body 602 and lid 603 are slid in the direction of disassembly.

[0308] The circuit board 600 is equipped with a main control microcomputer that mainly controls the win / loss determination of games, and is generally referred to as the "main control board" in pachinko gaming machines. An IC socket 600A, to which the microcomputer is attached, is located in the center of the circuit board 600. The rear wall 602R of the case body 602 has a recessed portion 602A that faces the IC socket 600A. A rectangular cylindrical wall (not shown) protrudes forward from the recessed portion 602A, butts against the circuit board 600, and surrounds the IC socket 600A.

[0309] A plurality of connectors are mounted side by side on the upper edge of the rear surface of circuit board 600. The upper edge of rear wall 602R is shifted forward in a stepped manner to form upper edge recess 602B, and the plurality of connectors are exposed through a plurality of openings formed therein.

[0310] As shown in Fig. 3, the main control board unit 56 is attached to the support housing 51 via a relay member 55. In order to attach the relay member 55 to the support housing 51, the lower end of the support housing 51 has the following structure. That is, as shown in Fig. 60, at the corner where the bottom wall 322 and the rear wall 319 of the support housing 51 intersect, two locations near both ends are recessed forward to form a pair of corner recesses 630. A pair of hinge bars 631 protrude from the inner surfaces of the pair of corner recesses 630 on sides spaced apart in the lateral direction.

[0311] Hinge bar 631 has a structure in which, for example, a rod with a cross section shaped like a "+" extends from the inner surface of corner depression 630 and a disk body with an outer circumferential surface roughly the same as the circumscribing circle of the rod body is attached to the middle of the rod body. An inclined hole for forming hinge bar 631 is formed in the bottom of corner depression 630.

[0312] The relay member 55 is a molded resin product having a horizontally elongated, generally rectangular main plate 650. A reinforcing rib 650L protrudes rearward from the entire upper edge of the main plate 650, and first and second engaging portions 661, 662 protrude rearward from both sides of the main plate 650 for attaching the main control board unit 56 to the relay member 55. The lower side of the main plate 650 is notched upward along its entire length except for both ends, forming a pair of lower end projections 651 that protrude relatively downward. A pair of support ribs 652 parallel to the reinforcing rib 650L protrude rearward from the lower edges of the pair of lower end projections 651. Furthermore, a rectangular window 650W is formed in the center of the main plate 650. A plurality of upper end projections 656 are provided on the upper side of the main plate portion 650, and the above-mentioned harness holding portion 409 is provided on the rear surface of each of these upper end projections 656.

[0313] 61, a pair of hinge engagement portions 653 are provided on the front surfaces of the pair of lower end projections 651. The pair of hinge engagement portions 653 are hood-shaped and open toward opposite sides. The tip portions of the pair of hinge engagement portions 653 are both shaped like half a cylinder and are curved about a common central axis.

[0314] To attach the relay member 55 to the support housing 51, the relay member 55 is bent and deformed so that the lateral center of the main plate portion 650 bulges rearward, the pair of hinge engaging portions 653 are brought closer to each other, the pair of hinge bars 631 are received in the pair of hinge engaging portions 653, and then the relay member 55 is elastically restored. As a result, the pair of hinge bars 631 are engaged with the pair of hinge engaging portions 653 so as not to come off, and the relay member 55 is hingedly connected to the support housing 51.

[0315] 60, the relay member 55 is provided with a pair of Nylatches 654 (registered trademark) at the upper end portions of both sides (upper end portions of the first and second engagement portions 661, 662) to restrict its rotation. Also, a Nylatch engagement hole 655 for engaging one of the Nylatches 654 is provided in the board case 401 of the drive board unit 54 described above, and a Nylatch engagement hole 655 for engaging the other Nylatch 654 is provided in the monitor case 380 of the display device 52 described above. Then, by engaging the pair of Nylatches 654 with the pair of Nylatch engagement holes 655, the relay member 55 is fixed in an upright state.

[0316] When viewing the relay member 55 from the rear, the first engagement portion 661 on the left side bends rearward in a crank shape from the main plate portion 650 and projects out laterally. A pair of engagement holes 661A are formed in line above and below the first engagement portion 661 so as to penetrate a step surface 661D between the first engagement portion 661 and the main plate portion 650.

[0317] 62(B), the second engagement portion 662 on the right side when viewing the relay member 55 from the rear is divided into five sections by first to fourth horizontal projecting walls 662A to 662D, which are arranged in order from top to bottom. The portion of the second engagement portion 662 above the first horizontal projecting wall 662A and the portion below the fourth horizontal projecting wall 662D form a pair of positioning portions 663 that abut against the main control board unit 56 from the sides, and are provided with a plurality of sliding ridges 663T that protrude toward the step surface 661D and extend in the front-to-rear direction.

[0318] Between the first and second horizontal projecting walls 662A, 662B and between the third and fourth horizontal projecting walls 662C, 662D, a pair of projection receiving portions 664 are formed, which receive a pair of protective projections 612 (described below) projecting from the main control board unit 56. Also, a sliding projection 664T extending in the front-rear direction is provided on opposing surfaces facing each other in the vertical direction within each projection receiving portion 664. Furthermore, a support post 664A projecting rearward is provided within the upper projection receiving portion 664.

[0319] A locking portion 665 is formed between the second and third horizontal projecting walls 662B, 662C. The locking portion 665 occupies approximately one-third of the entire vertical area of ​​the second engagement portion 662 and is located approximately in the vertical center. Specifically, the locking portion 665 has a connecting wall 666 that extends vertically and connects the second and third horizontal projecting walls 662B, 662C at positions closer to the ends away from the step surface 661D. The leading edge of the connecting wall 666 is provided with locking protrusions 666T at three locations: both vertical ends and a middle portion. These locking protrusions 666T protrude from the leading edge of the locking portion 665 toward the step surface 661D, and their cross-sectional shape is trapezoidal with an inclined surface facing diagonally rearward. Furthermore, a pair of semicircular projections 666A protrude from the tip of two locations of the connecting wall 666 where the locking projections 666T are not arranged.

[0320] The board case 601 of the main control board unit 56 has the following structure for mounting it on the relay 55. That is, as shown in Fig. 59, a pair of engagement pieces 611 protrude from the left side when the main control board unit 56 is viewed from the rear. When the main control board unit 56 is tilted with the left side facing forward, the pair of engagement pieces 611 are inserted into the pair of engagement holes 661A of the relay 55, and the front surface of the main control board unit 56 is placed on the main plate portion 650 of the relay 55, as shown in Fig. 63, the board case 601 of the main control board unit 56 is sandwiched between the stepped surface 661D and the positioning portion 663 of the relay 55 in the horizontal direction, and between the reinforcing rib 650L and the support rib 652 of the relay 55 in the vertical direction, and is thus positioned from all four sides.

[0321] 62(A), a pair of protective protrusions 612 are received in a pair of protrusion receiving portions 664 of relay member 55 from positions near the upper end and lower end of the right side of main control board unit 56 when viewed from the rear. Fixing holes extend from front to rear through upper protective protrusion 612. If necessary, main control board unit 56 can be fixed to relay member 55 by threading screws passed through the fixing holes into the centers of support posts 664A of upper protrusion receiving portions 664.

[0322] A locking portion 613 is provided in the center of the right side of the main control board unit 56 when viewed from the rear. The locking portion 613 includes three curved bands 613A spaced apart in the vertical direction. The three curved bands 613A extend laterally from the side of the main control board unit 56, bend forward, and then curve backward and fold back. The locking portion 613 includes an elastically curved portion 613C formed by connecting the distal and proximal ends of the three curved bands 613A with a pair of vertically elongated bands 613B extending vertically. The elastically curved portion 613C also includes a pair of operating protrusions 613D extending rearward from two midpoints in the vertical direction on the vertically elongated band 613B on the distal end side of the elastically curved portion 613C. The locking portion 613 is protected by being fitted between a pair of protective protrusions 612.

[0323] 63, in the process of placing the front surface of main control board unit 56 on relay member 55, elastic curved portion 613C of main control board unit 56 comes into sliding contact with multiple locking protrusions 666T of locking portion 665 of relay member 55 and elastically deforms, and when the front surface of main control board unit 56 is placed on relay member 55, elastic curved portion 613C passes through multiple locking protrusions 666T and these multiple locking protrusions 666T engage with three locations separated by a pair of operating protrusions 613D at the tip of elastic curved portion 613C. This locks main control board unit 56 in a state where it is attached to relay member 55.

[0324] Furthermore, when removing main control board unit 56 from relay member 55, if protective protrusion 612 is fastened to support post 664A of protrusion receiving portion 664 with a screw, the screw is removed and pair of operating protrusions 613D is pressed to release the engagement between multiple locking protrusions 666T and elastically curved portions 613C. At this time, by simultaneously pressing both of the pair of operating protrusions 613D, the engagement of multiple locking protrusions 666T with all of the elastically curved portions 613C is released, and pressing only one of the pair of operating protrusions 613D causes elastically curved portion 613C to deform unevenly, and the engagement of multiple locking protrusions 666T with all of the elastically curved portions 613C is not released.

[0325] As described above, in the gaming machine 10A of this embodiment, the main plate portion 650 of the relay member 55 is curved and deformed so as to bulge rearward, thereby engaging the pair of hinge engagement portions 653 with the pair of hinge bars 631 of the support housing 51 and connecting the relay member 55 to the support housing 51. This allows the relay member 55 to be assembled to the support housing 51 without using tools. This allows the relay member 55 to be assembled to the support housing 51 more easily and smoothly than in conventional gaming machines that require assembly using multiple screws. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relay member 55 is made of resin, which is more easily deformed than other components, and the rectangular window 650W is formed in the center of the main plate portion 650, making it easier to deform and assemble. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main control board unit 56 is attached to the relay member 55, restricting deformation of the relay member 55, thereby preventing the relay member 55 from coming off the support housing 51.

[0326] In this embodiment, the pair of hinge engagement portions 653 and the pair of hinge bars 631 described above allow the relay member 55, with the main control board unit 56 assembled to it, to be rotated about its lower end relative to the support housing 51, and the coupling portions (more specifically, the pair of Nylatches 654 and Nylatch engagement holes 655) allow the relay member 55 to be fixed in an upright position. This allows the front side of the main control board unit 56 to be checked, making it easy to check whether or not an unauthorized component has been installed. Furthermore, the cables of the movable components fixed to the support housing 51 can be easily routed by pulling them out through the multiple openings 319W and bundling them together.

[0327] In this embodiment, the support housing 51 and the relay member 55 are exemplified as the first and second parts that are deformed and then restored to their original state to engage with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to, for example, parts assembled to the game board 40, parts of accessory components, or board units. Also, in this embodiment, bending elastic deformation is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be compressive elastic deformation, tensile elastic deformation, torsional elastic deformation, or other types of deformation.

[0328] Furthermore, the deformation does not have to be elastic deformation. For example, the second base of the second component may be made up of multiple slidingly engaged components, and the sliding of these components causes the second base to deform so as to expand and contract, or the second base may be made up of multiple hinged components, and the rotation of these components causes the second base to bend and deform.

[0329] In this embodiment, the coupling portion is configured to include the Nylatch 654 and the Nylatch engagement hole 655 that are engaged by being pressed, but it may also be configured to include the slide 390 and the lock hole 372 that are engaged by being slid as described above, or may be configured to include a locked portion that engages with a pair of elastic engagement pieces, such as the engagement structure between the lock portion 665 of the relay member 55 and the lock portion 613 of the main control board unit 56.

[0330] In this embodiment, the coupling portion (the pair of Nylatches 654) is provided on the relay member 55, but it may be provided on the main control board unit .

[0331] In this embodiment, the hinge engaging portion 653 is provided on the elastically deformable relay member 55, but the relay member 55 may be provided with the hinge bar 631.

[0332] This concludes the explanation of the configuration of the gaming machine 10A. Next, the game of the gaming machine 10A will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 12. The gaming machine 10A is a so-called type 1 / type 2 hybrid machine, in which the right to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the starting winning slot 14, 71A is generated, and a win / loss determination is made as to whether or not the game has been won, whether or not it has been a "jackpot," a "small win," or a "miss." The result of this determination is notified by a combination of multiple special symbols displayed on the display screen 52G of the display device 52. For this reason, the win / loss determination based on the right to determine whether or not a game has been won is also called a "special symbol determination." One of the conditions for playing a jackpot game is that the result of the special symbol determination is a jackpot (type 1 jackpot). In addition, in this embodiment, the probability of a big hit is the same for a special chart determination resulting from a win at the starting winning port 14 and a special chart determination resulting from a win at the starting winning port 71A, and the probability of a small hit is higher for a special chart determination resulting from a win at the starting winning port 71A.

[0333] When a jackpot is determined based on the special symbol, the sliding plate 75B of the second attacker 75, which is normally closed, opens for a predetermined period of time multiple times, resulting in a "jackpot game." Here, the action of the sliding plate 75B from opening to closing is called a "round." A single jackpot game continues until a predetermined number of rounds have been played. A single round ends when a predetermined number of game balls enter the large prize opening 75A or when a predetermined time has passed since the sliding plate 75B opened. When a game ball enters the large prize opening 75A, for example, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper tray 9A as prize balls for each win.

[0334] When a small win is determined based on the special symbol, the slide plate 72B of the first attacker 72, which is normally closed, opens for a predetermined period of time multiple times to execute a "small win game." A game ball that enters the large prize opening 72A is distributed to either the V prize opening 72C or the normal prize opening 72D by a distribution member at the back of the large prize opening 72A. When a game ball enters the V prize opening 72C, a jackpot (type 2 jackpot) is triggered, and the slide plate 75B of the second attacker 75 opens, executing the jackpot game. Thus, the gaming machine 10A of this embodiment has two conditions for executing a jackpot game: a win based on the special symbol determination (type 1 jackpot), and a small win based on the special symbol determination, which causes the game ball to enter the V prize opening 72C (type 2 jackpot).

[0335] For example, as a small win game, an easy-to-enter small win in which the distribution member is arranged so that the gaming ball can easily enter the V winning opening 72C, and a difficult-to-enter small win in which the distribution member is arranged so that the gaming ball can more difficultly enter the V winning opening 72C than in the easy-to-enter small win may be provided. For example, an easy-to-enter small win may be more likely to occur when a small win is determined by the second special symbol determination than when a small win is determined by the first special symbol determination.

[0336] [Second embodiment] Figure 64 shows a gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment. The gaming machine 1 is provided with a front frame, and a gaming area 1R into which gaming balls can flow can be seen through a window provided inside the front frame. The gaming area 1R is located in front of the gaming board 2 and is surrounded by a surrounding wall 2W that protrudes from the front of the gaming board 2. The surrounding wall 2W prevents gaming balls from advancing outside the gaming area 1R.

[0337] When a launch handle provided on the front frame is rotated, the game ball is ejected, enters the game area 1R through the entrance 2X, and flows down.

[0338] A display screen 2G of the display device is located near the center of the game area 1R. Various effects related to the game are displayed on the display screen 2G. The display screen 2G is visible from the front through an opening 2K formed in the game board 2. A decorative frame 2S is fitted from the front into the edge of the opening 2K, and the decorative frame 2S restricts the entry of game balls into the opening 2K. Note that, for example, the game board 2 and the decorative frame 2S are made of transparent resin.

[0339] A stage 7 on which the game balls roll is formed at the lower edge of the opening 2K of the decorative frame 2S. The stage 7 has a curved shape that bulges downward, and its front edge is equipped with an embankment wall 7W that prevents the game balls from falling forward. At the bottom end of the stage 7, a first discharge section 7A is formed by cutting away the embankment wall 7W to enable the game balls to be discharged one by one, and a pair of second discharge sections 7B are formed on both sides of the first discharge section 7A by cutting away the embankment wall 7W wider than the first discharge section 7A.

[0340] A duct 7D is provided at the lower end of the left side of the decorative frame 2S. The interior of the duct 7D is large enough for game balls to pass through one at a time, with the upper end of the duct 7D opening toward the left side of the decorative frame 2S and the lower end of the duct 7D opening toward the rear on the stage 7. In other words, game balls are guided to the stage 7 through the duct 7D.

[0341] There are multiple winning holes in the game area 1R. Players can enjoy the game of whether or not a game ball will enter one of the winning holes, and whether or not a win will be determined based on the win / loss judgment that is made when a game ball enters one of the winning holes. The game area 1R is also provided with multiple obstacles 9 and windmills that protrude from the front of the game board 2 and collide with the game ball to change the direction of its flow.

[0342] The large prize opening 1K is located to the right of the lower part of the opening 2K. The large prize opening 1K opens on the front of the game board 2 and is a horizontally long rectangle. The large prize opening 1K is normally closed by a door 1T that rotates around its lower edge. When a special symbol win / loss determination, which is performed on the condition that the ball wins in one of the starting prize openings (3K, 3A, 3B) described below, results in a win, the door 1T tilts diagonally forward a predetermined number of times and opens, guiding the game ball into the large prize opening 1K.

[0343] A general prize opening 4A is provided at a position above and approximately in the center of the large prize opening 1K in the horizontal direction. The general prize opening 4A opens to the upper surface of a prize projection 4AT that protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 2.

[0344] A start winning opening 3K is provided to the upper right of the normal winning opening 4A. The start winning opening 3K protrudes from the front of the game board 2 and opens on the left side of a winning projection 3KA that is positioned adjacent to the surrounding wall 2W. The start winning opening 3K is normally blocked by a pivot door 3KB that has a pivot shaft at the bottom end of the start winning opening 3K. When a normal winning / losing determination is made under the condition that a predetermined condition is met, the pivot door 3KB tilts to the left and guides the game ball into the start winning opening 3K.

[0345] General winning openings 4B, 4C and outlets 4X, 4Y are provided in the lower left of the gaming area 1R. General winning opening 4B and outlet 4X are provided adjacent to each other above winning projection 4BT that protrudes from the front of the gaming board 2. General winning opening 4C is located diagonally below and to the right of winning projection 4BT and above winning projection 4CT that protrudes from the front of the gaming board 2. Furthermore, outlet 4Y is located diagonally below and to the right of winning projection 4CT and opens to the front of the gaming board 2. A gaming ball that reaches the lower edge of surrounding wall 2W is guided by surrounding wall 2W and taken into outlet 4Y.

[0346] The ball entrance 5K of the ball entrance section 5 is provided in the left-right center of the part of the game area 1R below the opening 2K (specifically, directly below the first discharge section 7A). The ball entrance section 5 is configured so that the ball entrance 5K opens on the upper surface of the winning projection 5T protruding from the game board 2, and is located at a distance of, for example, 2 to 4 game balls from the first discharge section 7A. Also, as shown in Figures 65 and 66, a pair of special obstacle nails 9A included in the above-mentioned plurality of obstacle nails 9 are located adjacent to each other above both sides of the ball entrance 5K.

[0347] As shown in Figure 65, the lower end of the winning projection 5T overlaps with the lowest end of the surrounding wall 2W. Also, an outlet 4Z is provided at the bottom of the winning projection 5T directly below the ball inlet 5K, and a pair of starting winning holes 3A, 3B are provided on both sides of it. Also, outlets 4V, 4W are provided on the side opposite the outlet 4Z of each starting winning hole 3A, 3B.

[0348] The above-mentioned starting winning openings 3A, 3B and outlet openings 4Z, 4V, 4W open on a surface of the winning projection 5T that is approximately flush with the front surface of the game board 2, and in front of them are provided guide sections 3G, 4G that guide game balls flowing down from above to each starting winning opening 3A, 3B and each outlet opening 4Z, 4V, 4W. Specifically, for example, the guide section 3G of the starting winning openings 3A, 3B has a groove-shaped structure with an arc-shaped cross section and slopes downward while curving toward the rear. In addition, the guide section 4G of the outlet openings 4Z, 4V, 4W consists of a pair of ribs that slope downward in a straight line toward the rear.

[0349] The internal flow path of the winning projection 5T through which the game balls flow is equipped with a distribution member 5F that distributes the game balls one by one to the left and one to the right. When a game ball is distributed to the left by the distribution member 5F, it falls onto a guide member 3G protruding from the lower opening edge of the starting winning opening 3A, and when it is distributed to the right, it falls onto a guide member 3G protruding from the lower opening edge of the starting winning opening 3B. A game ball that falls onto the guide member 3G will either enter the starting winning opening 3A or 3B as is, or bounce on the guide member 3G and enter one of the outlets 4Z, 4V, or 4W. To the right of the winning projection 5T, a pair of outlets 4P open to the front of the game board 2. For example, when a game ball enters the start winning slots 3K, 3A, 3B, the regular winning slots 4A to 4C, or the big winning slot 1K, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls. Also, game balls that do not enter any of the start winning slots 3K, 3A, 3B, the big winning slot 1K, or the regular winning slots 4A to 4C are taken into any of the outlets 4V, 4W, 4Z, 4P and discharged outside the game area 1R.

[0350] As shown in Figures 67 and 68, the front of the winning projection 5T is covered by a cover plate 5P. The cover plate 5P protrudes outward from both sides of the winning projection 5T. The lower end of the left side of the cover plate 5P forms a triangular protrusion that protrudes outward, covers part of the outlet 4Y from the front, and is equipped with a rib that guides the game ball into the outlet 4Y. Meanwhile, the right side of the cover plate 5P extends to a position that covers the entire pair of outlets 4P from the front.

[0351] The cover plate 5P is made of transparent resin and is decorated with a sticker 5S shown in FIG. 68 attached thereto. To this end, a sticker attachment surface 5M shaped to fit the sticker 5S is provided on the front surface of the cover plate 5P. Specifically, the sticker 5S is, for example, a transparent resin sheet with a thickness of 1 mm or less, and has a symmetrical trapezoidal shape with the base curved slightly downward. An adhesive is applied to the rear surface of the sticker 5S, and a first decorative portion 6A (e.g., a design or pattern) is provided (e.g., printed) on the front surface of the sticker 5S.

[0352] For example, the seal-attaching surface 5M is recessed in a stepped shape on the front surface of the cover plate 5P, with the depth of the recess being equal to or deeper than the thickness of the seal 5S. The seal-attaching surface 5M is slightly larger than the seal 5S and has a shape that is approximately similar to the seal 5S. Furthermore, for example, the step surface 5E between the seal-attaching surface 5M and the outer portion thereof and the front surface of the seal-attaching surface 5M and the outer portion thereof are perpendicular to each other in a pin-angle manner (i.e., perpendicular to each other without being chamfered). As a result, even if the side of the seal 5S is attached to the seal-attaching surface 5M with the side surface abutting the step surface 5E, the entire seal 5S, including its edge, is attached to the seal-attaching surface 5M in a flat state. At least a portion of the seal 5S is formed so that the rear side is visible.

[0353] Figure 68 shows a ball entry device 8, which is a gaming machine component that includes the above-mentioned winning projection 5T. The ball entry device 8 is attached to a through-hole formed in the gaming board 2 from the front and fixed to the front of the gaming board 2 (see Figure 67), and as described above, the winning projection 5T protrudes from the front of the gaming board 2. Except for some components such as the distribution member 5F, the ball entry device 8 is made of transparent resin. Therefore, through the seal 5S and the ball entry device 8, the gaming balls flowing down inside the ball entry device 8 can be seen. Ball entry devices that include the major prize hole 1K, the general prize hole 4A, the starting prize hole 3K, etc. are also attached to the through-holes of the gaming board 2 in the same way as the ball entry device 8.

[0354] The ball entry device 8 is provided with a fixed protrusion 8T that projects along the gaming board 2 and is attached to the front of the gaming board 2, and a screw (not shown) (for example, a flat head screw with a conical head) is passed through an attachment hole 8H formed in the fixed protrusion 8T to fasten it to the gaming board 2. A positioning pin protrudes from the rear surface of the fixed protrusion 8T and fits into a pin hole (not shown) formed in the front of the gaming board 2. The game area 1R is located on the front side of the fixed protrusion 8T. A slope 8M is provided on the outer edge of the fixed protrusion 8T so that gaming balls flowing down the front of the gaming board 2 can easily climb up onto the fixed protrusion 8T.

[0355] As shown in FIG. 66, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment has a second decorative portion 6B formed along the outer edge of the first decorative portion 6A. In this example, the second decorative portion 6B frames the first decorative portion 6A. Specifically, the second decorative portion 6B surrounds the first decorative portion 6A from the outside. In this example, the outer shape of the first decorative portion 6A is substantially trapezoidal, corresponding to the outer shape of the sticker 5S. Also, in this example, the second decorative portion 6B is annular, and specifically, is substantially trapezoidal, corresponding to the outer shape of the first decorative portion 6A. For example, a substantially trapezoidal annular pattern is formed on the outer edge of the first decorative portion 6A.

[0356] The first and second decorative portions 6A and 6B are arranged offset from each other in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the second decorative portion 6B is arranged rearward of the first decorative portion 6A. The game area 1R is arranged between the first and second decorative portions 6A and 6B in the front-to-rear direction. The second decorative portion 6B overlaps the game area 1R from the rear. As described above, the first decorative portion 6A overlaps the game area 1R (specifically, the inside of the ball-entering device 8 in the game area 1R) from the front. For example, the second decorative portion 6B may be formed on the game board 2 (e.g., on the front or rear surface of the game board 2), or may be formed on a member that is overlapped on the game board 2, such as a fixed protrusion 8T (e.g., on the front or rear surface of this member). For example, the second decorative portion 6B may be printed on a sticker, or may be directly formed on a member made of, for example, resin (e.g., it may be drawn by printing, or may have a concave or convex shape).

[0357] In this embodiment, the first decorative portion 6A is entirely located inside the play area 1R (i.e., inside the surrounding wall 2W) when viewed from the front. At least a portion (e.g., the bottom edge) of the second decorative portion 6B is located outside the play area 1R when viewed from the front, overlapping the surrounding wall 2W from the rear and protruding from the surrounding wall 2W (e.g., protruding downward). Note that the components (e.g., the game board 2, the ball entry area 5, the surrounding wall 2W, etc.) that overlap the second decorative portion 6B from the front are configured so that the second decorative portion 6B is visible (e.g., transparent or translucent).

[0358] The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment can achieve the following effects, for example. The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment includes first and second decorative portions 6A, 6B that are offset from one another in the front and rear, with the second decorative portion 6B framing the first decorative portion 6A. This allows for the provision of a gaming machine that has never been seen before, specifically, a gaming machine with decorative portions that have never been seen before. Furthermore, because the second decorative portion 6B frames the first decorative portion 6A, it is possible to make the decorative portion stand out. Moreover, because the first and second decorative portions 6A, 6B are offset from one another in the front and rear, it is possible to create a more innovative impression and create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, thereby enhancing their presence. Furthermore, it is possible to make decorative portions that are intended to be visible to players appear larger and more appealing. Moreover, in this embodiment, because the first decorative portion 6A is positioned inside the surrounding wall 2W when viewed from the front, it is possible to attract the attention of players looking at the gaming area 1R to the first decorative portion 6A.

[0359] In this embodiment, a game area 1R through which game balls can flow is provided between the first and second decorative portions 6A and 6B in the front-to-back direction. With this configuration, game balls flow down between the first and second decorative portions in the front-to-back direction. This prevents the decorative portion located at the rear from interfering with the visibility or flow of the game balls, while allowing the second decorative portion to highlight the first decorative portion. In addition, the second decorative portion 6B overlaps the game area 1R from the rear, making the decorative portions more prominent while enlarging the game area and achieving a more compact gaming machine. Thus, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to enlarge the design of decorative elements in a limited space, which was previously difficult. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 66, a blocking nail 9 (more specifically, a blocking nail 9A) is planted in a portion of the game board 2 that overlaps the second decorative portion 6B in the front-to-back direction (in the example shown in FIG. 66, the blocking nail 9 is installed in a portion of the game area 1R that overlaps the second decorative portion 6B from the front). Thus, even when obstacle pins 9 need to be installed near the periphery of the winning section 5, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment allows for space for the obstacle pins 9 to be secured by offsetting the second decorative portion 6B in the front-to-rear direction relative to the play area 1R. Furthermore, because the second decorative portion 6B is positioned rearward of the play area 1R, the second decorative portion 6B, which accentuates the first decorative portion 6A, can be installed without obstructing the visibility of the game balls flowing down. That is, when game balls are flowing down in front of the second decorative portion 6B, the flow can be seen, and when game balls are not flowing down, the second decorative portion 6B can be seen, accentuating the first decorative portion 6A. Furthermore, for example, the second decorative portion 6B can create the illusion that the size of the winning projection 5T actually located within the play area 1R is larger. Thus, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment allows for the winning projection 5T to be accentuated even when the size of the winning projection 5T cannot be increased due to space constraints within the play area 1R.

[0360] In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the first decorative portion 6A is provided on the front surface of a protruding portion (ball entry portion 5) that protrudes from the front surface of the gaming board 2, and the protruding portion is provided with a ball entry opening 5K through which a gaming ball can enter. This makes it possible to highlight the location of the ball entry opening 5K on the first decorative portion 6A. Moreover, the protruding portion is provided with start ball entry openings 3A, 3B through which a win / loss determination is made when a gaming ball enters the opening. This configuration makes it possible to highlight the locations of the start ball entry openings 3A, 3B on the first decorative portion 6A. Conversely, since the areas near the start ball entry openings 3A, 3B tend to attract the attention of players hoping for a ball to enter the start ball entry openings 3A, 3B, it becomes possible to more easily attract players' attention to the first decorative portion 6A.

[0361] In this embodiment, the configuration can be changed as follows.

[0362] The first decorative portion 6A, which is surrounded by the second decorative portion 6B, may be located behind the second decorative portion 6B. In this case, the game area 1R may be located in front of the first decorative portion 6A (e.g., so as to overlap the first decorative portion 6A from the front), or the game area 1R may be located between the first and second decorative portions 6A, 6B in the front-to-back direction. In such a configuration, for example, the first decorative portion 6A may be formed on the front or rear surface of the game board 2, or on a member that is overlapped on the game board 2. If there is a member that overlaps the first decorative portion 6A from the front, that member may be configured so that the first decorative portion 6A is visible from the front (e.g., transparent or translucent). Furthermore, if the second decorative portion 6B overlaps the game area 1R from the front, it is preferable that the second decorative portion 6B be configured so that the flow of game balls behind it can be visible.

[0363] In the example of Fig. 66, the second decorative part 6B that frames the first decorative part 6A is arranged outside the first decorative part 6A when viewed from the front, but it may also be arranged inside the first decorative part 6A and along the outer edge of the first decorative part 6A. In this case, the second decorative part 6B may be formed shifted forward or rearward from the first decorative part 6A (for example, it may be formed in a protruding or recessed part).

[0364] 66, the second decorative part 6B is annular and extends over the entire circumferential direction of the outer shape of the first decorative part 6A, but the second decorative part 6B may be formed only in a portion of the circumferential direction of the outer shape of the first decorative part 6A (for example, only near the corners of the approximately trapezoidal outer shape of the first decorative part 6A, or along the straight parts of the approximately trapezoidal outer shape). In this case, the second decorative part 6B may be formed to surround the first decorative part 6A.

[0365] The first and second decorative parts 6A, 6B do not necessarily need to be offset from each other in the front-to-back direction, with the game area 1R not being positioned between them. For example, both the first and second decorative parts 6A, 6B may be positioned in front or behind the game area 1R, in which case they may be positioned so as to overlap the game area 1R from the front or rear. If the first decorative part 6A or the second decorative part 6B has a portion that overlaps the game area 1R from the front, it is preferable to configure that portion so that the rear side is visible. In this way, game balls flowing down behind that portion can be seen.

[0366] A part or all of the first decorative portion 6A may be arranged outside the play area 1R when viewed from the front. Also, a part or all of the second decorative portion 6B may be arranged inside or outside the play area 1R when viewed from the front. For example, both the first and second decorative portions 6A, 6B may be arranged inside or outside the play area 1R when viewed from the front. The first and second decorative portions 6A, 6B may be provided on the front surface of the gaming machine 1 (for example, on the front frame described above, etc.).

[0367] The first decorative portion 6A does not have to be formed in a portion where a ball entry port through which a game ball can enter or a starting winning entry port is provided (for example, a portion protruding from the front surface of the game board 2). Also, the first decorative portion 6A may be formed in a portion where a starting winning entry port 3K, a big winning entry port 1K, or any of the regular winning entries 4A to 4C, or any other ball entry port through which a win or loss is determined by the ball entering, is provided (for example, a portion protruding from the front surface of the game board 2). For example, such ball entry ports include ball entry ports that, when a game ball enters during a jackpot game, make the game state after the jackpot game more likely to enter a special state in which the hit / miss judgment is more likely to result in a jackpot than in a normal state; ball entry ports that are opened during a small hit game in a configuration in which a small hit game is played, and that result in a jackpot if a game ball enters at that time; and ball entry ports that, when a game ball enters in the event of a jackpot, cause the jackpot game to begin.

[0368] The first decorative part 6A may be formed to surround the ball entry openings or prize entry openings through which game balls can enter (for example, the starting prize entry openings 3A, 3B, 3K, the big prize entry opening 1K or the general prize entry openings 4A, 4B, 4C, etc.) when viewed from the front.

[0369] The first decorative portion 6A does not have to be provided on the sticker 5S, but may be, for example, drawn directly on the surface of a member made of resin or the like, or may be composed of irregularities formed on the surface.

[0370] <Additional Notes> The following describes the features of the inventions extracted from the above-described embodiments, while indicating, as necessary, their effects, etc. Note that, for ease of understanding, the following will appropriately indicate corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiments in parentheses, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses, etc.

[0371] [First group of features] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-240105 (paragraph

[0078] ) discloses a gaming machine in which an impact sensor is provided on the back side of a decorative door or on the back of a gaming board. For the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines, there is a need to develop technology that allows sensors to be placed in a location facing the ball passage, thereby making effective use of dead space. In response to this, the present invention allows sensors to be placed in a location facing the ball passage.

[0372] [Feature 1] In this gaming machine, an impact sensor for detecting impacts due to fraudulent acts is arranged adjacent to a flow-down gutter through which game balls flow down with a gap therebetween and is attached to a support wall where the game balls do not come into contact.

[0373] According to Feature 1, the gap between the downspout and the game ball blocks vibrations from the game ball, thereby preventing false detection of vibrations.

[0374] [Feature 2] The downflow gutter is provided in pair on both sides of the impact sensor, In the gaming machine according to Feature 1, the impact sensor is disposed adjacent to both of the downflow conduits with a gap therebetween.

[0375] According to feature 2, since the sensor does not come into contact with either of the downspouts, false detection of vibrations from the game ball can be suppressed.

[0376] [Feature 3] A gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, in which a support protrusion protrudes from the support wall, and the impact sensor is fixed to the protrusion and has a gap between it and the support wall.

[0377] According to Feature 3, by providing a gap between the support wall and the impact sensor, the impact applied to the gaming machine is amplified, making it easier for the impact sensor to detect it.

[0378] [Feature 4] This is a gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 3, wherein the wall thickness direction of the support wall faces the front-to-rear direction.

[0379] According to Feature 4, by facing the front and rear directions of the gaming machine, impacts applied to the front of the gaming machine are more easily transmitted.

[0380] [Feature 5] In the gaming machine according to any one of Features 1 to 4, the support wall has a cantilever structure.

[0381] According to Feature 5, the cantilever structure makes it difficult for vibrations from the downspout to be transmitted, but makes it easier for vibrations to occur due to impacts caused by fraudulent activity, making it easier to detect with an impact sensor.

[0382] [Feature 6] A gaming machine according to Feature 5, wherein a portion of the impact sensor protrudes forward from the tip of the support wall.

[0383] According to Feature 6, by making the support wall shorter than the impact sensor, it is possible to make it difficult for vibrations from the game ball to be transmitted.

[0384] [Feature 7] The gaming machine according to feature 5 or 6, wherein a cable connection portion of the impact sensor is disposed on the base end side of the support wall.

[0385] According to Feature 7, the cable can be pulled out from a position that does not interfere with the rolling of the game ball. [Feature 8] The gaming machine according to any one of features 5 to 7, wherein the support wall is narrowed on the base end side.

[0386] According to Feature 8, by narrowing the base end, vibrations from the game ball are less likely to be transmitted, and impacts from the front are more likely to cause the support wall to vibrate, making it easier for impacts from fraudulent activity to be transmitted to the impact sensor.

[0387] [Feature 9] a housing chamber provided adjacent to the downflow conduit and surrounding the impact sensor with walls other than the support wall; This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 8, in which the impact sensor is arranged adjacent to, with gaps between, all of the multiple walls of the storage room, including the downflow gutter, which face the impact sensor from multiple directions.

[0388] According to feature 9, the effect of making it difficult for vibrations from the game ball to be transmitted can be further enhanced.

[0389] [Feature 10] The storage chamber is provided with an opening that opens at least a portion of one side thereof, A gaming machine according to Feature 9, wherein the support wall has a cantilever structure that extends from the edge of the opening into the opening.

[0390] According to feature 10, the support wall having a cantilever structure can protect the shock sensor as a lid for the accommodation chamber.

[0391] [Feature 11] The gaming machine according to feature 9 or 10, wherein the support wall is thinner than the wall that forms the storage chamber.

[0392] According to Feature 11, the gaming machine is prone to vibration due to an improperly applied impact from the front.

[0393] [Feature 12] A game board having through holes that penetrate forward and backward and through which game balls flow down the front surface; A front ball entrance accessory part attached to the front surface of the game board to cover the through hole, receive the game ball flowing down, and guide it to the rear side of the game board; This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 11, which is equipped with a rear ball entry device part that is attached to the front of the gaming board to cover the through hole and has a flow down gutter connected to the ball entry section and a support wall that supports the impact sensor.

[0394] According to feature 12, it can be placed in places that are easily affected by vibrations caused by the rolling of game balls, such as near the downspout or front ball entry device parts, making it possible to make effective use of space.

[0395] [Feature 13] In the gaming machine according to Feature 12, the support wall is disposed adjacent to the rear surface of the gaming board with a gap therebetween.

[0396] According to Feature 13, by being placed adjacent to the game board, the impact sensor can more easily detect impacts caused by fraudulent activity.

[0397] [Correspondence between components of the first feature group and each part in the embodiment] Impact sensor: impact sensor 90, downflow gutter: downflow gutter 144A to 144D, support wall: sensor support wall 103, support protrusion: support pillar 108, cable connection part: connector socket 90M, accommodation room: impact sensor accommodation room 91, gutter side wall 144Z, gutter side wall 151, through hole: through hole 31W, game board: base board 41, ball entrance part: groove-shaped part 31A7, front ball entrance accessory part: front part 31A, rear ball entrance accessory part: main housing 142A

[0398] [Second group of features] This disclosure relates to a gaming machine. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-080052 (paragraph

[0132] and Figures 4-10 and 4-11(a)) discloses a gaming machine equipped with a cable connected to a connector. For the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines, there is a need for the development of technology that can prevent malfunctions such as the connector connection being accidentally disconnected due to external vibrations or shocks. In response to this, the present features make it possible to prevent malfunctions such as the connector connection being accidentally disconnected due to external vibrations or shocks.

[0399] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine having a wiring structure in which a first connector of an electrical device fixed to a base portion is coupled to a second connector at the end of a cable, In the gaming machine, the base portion is provided with a separation restricting portion that opposes the rear surface of the second connector and restricts separation of the first and second connectors.

[0400] According to Feature 1, the base portion is provided with a separation prevention portion that prevents the first and second connectors from being separated, thereby preventing the first and second connectors from accidentally becoming disconnected due to external vibrations, shocks, etc.

[0401] [Feature 2] In the gaming machine according to Feature 1, the separation restriction portion faces a rear surface of the second connector at a position excluding a portion where the cable is pulled out.

[0402] According to feature 2, the amount of interference between the separation restricting portion and the cable can be reduced, so that the connector connection can be prevented from coming loose while also saving space in the connector connection portion.

[0403] [Feature 3] In the gaming machine described in feature 1 or 2, the separation restriction portions are provided in pairs and are opposed to each other on both sides of the rear surface of the second connector, sandwiching the pull-out portion of the cable therebetween.

[0404] According to feature 3, the amount of interference between the separation restricting portion and the cable can be reduced, so that the connector connection can be prevented from coming loose while also saving space in the connector connection portion.

[0405] [Feature 4] The base portion has: a housing portion that houses the electrical device assembled to the base portion in a component assembly direction that intersects with a first direction that is a coupling direction of the first and second connectors, and that restricts movement of the electrical device in a direction that intersects with the component assembly direction; This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 3, which is equipped with an interference section that causes the second connector to interfere and restrict the assembly of the electrical equipment if the front and back of the electrical equipment are incorrectly installed in the component installation direction relative to the storage section.

[0406] According to the fourth feature, it is possible to detect improper assembly of the electrical device in the housing of the base portion.

[0407] [Feature 5] the interference portion is disposed between the separation restriction portion and the electrical device, and is fitted to the electrical device in the first direction, and faces the second connector in a second direction intersecting the first direction and the component assembly direction; The gaming machine described in Feature 4 is one in which the second connector is positioned at one outer edge of the electrical device as viewed from the component mounting direction, near one end farther from the interference portion in the second direction.

[0408] According to feature 5, if the electrical equipment is installed upside down in the wrong direction relative to the housing section in which the electrical equipment is housed, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation restriction section will be greater than when the direction is correct, which also makes it possible to detect incorrect assembly of the electrical equipment in the housing section of the base section.

[0409] [Feature 6] the electrical device is a detection switch having a through hole through which the game medium passes and detecting the passage of the game medium; A gaming machine according to feature 5, wherein a direction perpendicular to the penetration direction of the through hole is the component assembly direction.

[0410] The electrical device may be, for example, as in Feature 6, a detection switch having a through hole through which the gaming medium passes and detecting the passage of the gaming medium, and the direction perpendicular to the penetration direction of the through hole may be the direction in which the part is assembled to the base portion.

[0411] [Feature 7] a first partition wall that protrudes from the base portion and partitions the storage portion; In the gaming machine according to feature 5 or 6, the interference portion and the separation restriction portion are formed to protrude in the second direction from the first partition wall.

[0412] As in Feature 7, the interference portion and the separation restricting portion can be formed to protrude from the first partition wall that partitions the accommodating portion in a first direction that is the direction in which the first and second connectors are joined and in a second direction that intersects with the component assembly direction.

[0413] [Feature 8] the interference portion is disposed between the separation restriction portion and the electrical device, and is fitted with the electrical device in the first direction and faces the second connector in the component assembly direction; The gaming machine described in Feature 4 is one in which the second connector is positioned at one outer edge of the electrical device when viewed from a second direction that intersects the first direction and the component assembly direction, near one end farther from the interference portion in the component assembly direction.

[0414] According to Feature 8, if the electrical equipment is installed upside down relative to the housing portion in which the electrical equipment is housed, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation restriction portion will be greater than when the installation is correct, which also makes it possible to detect incorrect assembly of the electrical equipment in the housing portion of the base portion.

[0415] [Feature 9] the electrical device is a detection switch having a through hole through which the game medium passes and detecting the passage of the game medium; A gaming machine according to feature 8, wherein the through-hole has a penetration direction that corresponds to the component assembly direction.

[0416] The electrical device may be, for example, as in Feature 9, a detection switch having a through hole through which the gaming medium passes and detecting the passage of the gaming medium, and the penetration direction of the through hole may be the direction in which the part is assembled to the base portion.

[0417] [Feature 10] In the gaming machine according to feature 8 or 9, the interference portion and the separation restriction portion are formed to protrude from the base portion in the component assembly direction.

[0418] As in Feature 10, the interference portion and the separation restricting portion can be formed to protrude from the base portion in the component assembly direction.

[0419] [Feature 11] the base portion is provided with a housing portion that houses the electrical device assembled to the base portion in a component assembly direction that intersects with a first direction that is a coupling direction of the first and second connectors, and that restricts movement of the electrical device in a direction that intersects with the component assembly direction; This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 10, in which if the electrical equipment is installed upside down relative to the storage section in the wrong direction in the component assembly direction, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation control section will be greater than if the installation direction is not wrong.

[0420] According to feature 11, if the front and back of the electrical equipment are incorrectly mounted in the component assembly direction relative to the housing section in which the electrical equipment is housed, the amount of interference between the cable and the separation restriction section will be greater than when the direction is correct, so that incorrect assembly of the electrical equipment relative to the housing section of the base section can be detected.

[0421] [Correspondence between components of the second feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, base: main housing 142A, storage section: sensor storage sections 142A1, 142A2, rectangular parallelepiped 144X, switch storage section 171, first partition wall: lower box section 145C, interference section: positioning protrusion section 174, upper surface recessed wall 181D, separation restriction section: connector removal prevention section 165, 175, 182, electrical equipment: magnetic sensors 160A, 160B, detection switch 180, through hole: detection hole 180R, cable: cable 190, second connector: connector 191, first direction: vertical direction J1, gaming medium: gaming ball K

[0422] [Third group of features] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-118487 (paragraph

[0012] ) discloses a gaming machine in which components are fixed with rivets, screws, or the like. In the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines, tools for installing screws, etc., may slide sideways during operation and damage the components, and a solution to this problem is required. In response to this, the present invention can prevent tools for installing screws, etc., from sliding sideways during operation and damaging the components.

[0423] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which a plurality of components are fixed by a connecting component having a head portion at one end of a shaft portion, This is an amusement machine in which a first part among the plurality of parts has a through hole through which the shaft portion passes, and the head portion is placed on the opening edge of the through hole, and is equipped with a receiving protrusion that protrudes from near the opening edge, faces the head portion from the side, and receives a tool assigned to the head portion when it slides sideways from the head portion.

[0424] According to Feature 1, the tip of the tool abuts against the receiving protrusion to restrict lateral sliding, thereby preventing the tool from damaging other parts.

[0425] [Feature 2] In the gaming machine according to Feature 1, the receiving protrusion is provided in plurality so as to surround the head.

[0426] According to feature 2, by receiving the load with multiple protrusions, skidding in various directions can be suppressed.

[0427] [Feature 3] The first part is made of sheet metal and has a first plate portion having the through hole and a second plate portion bent at a right angle from the first plate portion, and this is an amusement machine described in feature 1 or 2, in which the second plate portion forms the receiving protrusion.

[0428] According to Feature 3, the receiving protrusion may be a projection, a rib that surrounds the entire periphery of the tool tip, a recess that receives the tool tip, or a plate-like portion as in Feature 3. With such a configuration, the tool tip is stabilized and lateral slippage can be suppressed.

[0429] [Feature 4] the first part is made of sheet metal; This is an amusement machine described in feature 1 or 2, in which a press-fit hole is formed in the first part near the through hole, and a press-fit part with a portion pressed into the press-fit hole becomes the receiving protrusion.

[0430] The receiving protrusion may be formed by shearing, or may be formed by pressing as in Feature 4.

[0431] [Feature 5] the first part is made of sheet metal; In the gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, a portion of the first component is sheared off and protrudes from the surface of the first component, forming the receiving protrusion.

[0432] The receiving protrusion may be formed by press working, or may be formed by shearing as in Feature 5.

[0433] [Feature 6] the first component is made of metal; A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 5, comprising a second part made of resin that is stacked on top of the first part and fixed by the connecting part.

[0434] According to Feature 6, by providing the receiving protrusion on the first component that is placed on the second component made of resin, which is easily scratched, the effect of suppressing sideslip can be further enhanced.

[0435] [Feature 7] the second part is a transparent play board; The first part extends in the vertical direction and has a plurality of hooks at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, and is arranged on both sides of the rear surface of the game board, A box-shaped support base with an open front that can be placed on the rear surface of the play board is provided, This is a gaming machine described in Feature 6, in which a plurality of engaging portions with which the plurality of hooks engage are formed on both sides of the front surface of the box-shaped support base.

[0436] According to the seventh feature, the box-shaped support base and the first component can be easily assembled without tools.

[0437] [Correspondence between components of the third feature group and each part in the embodiment] Head portion: head portion 299H, connecting part: screw 299, first part: bracket 280, receiving protrusion: anti-slip protrusion 282, first plate portion: mounting plate portion 281, second plate portion: pedestal plate 291, second part: base plate 41, box-shaped support base: support housing 51, hook: hook portion 290

[0438] [Fourth group of characteristics] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-235847 (paragraph

[0020] ) discloses gaming components that are desired for their uniqueness. In the conventional gaming machines described above, the gaming components can be damaged by external impacts, which can ruin the fun of the game. Therefore, there is a need for the development of gaming components that are less noticeable even when damaged. In response to this, the present invention makes it possible to improve the uniqueness of gaming components.

[0439] [Feature 1] A game component that is adjacent to the obstacle nail on the game area and is provided detachably and reusably, The game component has a protruding portion protruding forward of the game area, The protrusion has a pattern design in which a plurality of identical or similar figures are repeated.

[0440] According to Feature 1, by applying a pattern to the gaming parts that protrude from the gaming area and are easily noticed by the player, it is possible to increase the appeal of the gaming machine, and even if the gaming parts are accidentally damaged when maintaining the nails, the damage can be made less noticeable because the pattern overlaps with the damage.

[0441] [Feature 2] Feature 1. The gaming machine according to Feature 1, wherein the pattern includes a three-dimensional shape.

[0442] According to feature 2, by making the pattern three-dimensional, it is possible to create a pattern that is not only gorgeous but also makes dents and scratches such as dents less noticeable.

[0443] [Feature 3] 3. A gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, wherein the pattern is applied around the entire front surface of the protrusion.

[0444] According to feature 3, the pattern is applied all around, so scratches anywhere on the surface are less noticeable.

[0445] [Feature 4] The game components are arranged so that the opening formed on the upper surface of the protrusion is adjacent to the lower side of the obstacle nail, A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 3, wherein a gaming ball can enter through the opening.

[0446] According to Feature 4, by applying a pattern to parts that are easily damaged during nail maintenance, it is possible to further enjoy the effect of camouflaging dents and the like.

[0447] [Feature 5] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the gaming component has an opening formed on the upper surface of the protrusion that serves as a winning slot.

[0448] According to Feature 5, by applying a pattern to the parts near the prize slot where nail maintenance is likely to be performed, it is possible to further enhance the effect of camouflaging dents and the like.

[0449] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the pattern is a three-dimensional shape that resembles a dent.

[0450] According to Feature 6, by engraving a pattern that resembles a dent in advance, it is possible to make the dent less noticeable.

[0451] [Correspondence between components of the fourth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Game area: game area R1, game parts: front part 33A, protrusion: gutter-shaped protrusion 33B, prize opening: start prize opening

[0452] [5th ​​feature group] This disclosure relates to a gaming machine with a plate attached. For example, Publication No. 2005-329020 (paragraphs

[0025] ,

[0031] , and Figures 3 to 5) discloses a gaming machine with a replaceable plate attached from the perspective of recyclability. Compared to the conventional gaming machines described above, the plates are easily removable, which poses a problem of encouraging fraudulent use of the removed plates. There is a need for the development of technology that can solve this problem. In response to this, the present features make it possible to prevent fraudulent attempts to remove the plate from the front side of the mounting member.

[0453] [Feature 1] This gaming machine has a plate and a mounting member to which the plate is attached, wherein the rear surface of the plate is placed on the front surface of the mounting member, and the plate is fixed to the mounting member by engagement between a first engagement portion of the plate and a second engagement portion of the mounting member, and the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion cannot be released from the front side of the mounting member unless the plate is broken.

[0454] According to Feature 1, the engagement between the plate and the member to be attached cannot be released from the front side of the member to be attached unless the plate placed on the front side of the member to be attached is broken, thereby preventing the plate from being illegally removed from the front side of the member to be attached and used.

[0455] [Feature 2] This is an amusement machine described in Feature 1, in which the plate has a breaking portion that breaks when an external force is applied to separate its outer edge from the attached member due to the concentration of bending stress.

[0456] According to Feature 2, the plate is provided with a breaking portion where bending stress is concentrated and the plate breaks when an external force is applied that moves the outer edge portion away from the member to be attached, thereby preventing the plate from being illegally removed from the front side of the member to be attached and used.

[0457] [Feature 3] the break extends linearly across the plate; This is a gaming machine described in Feature 2, in which the breaking portion includes a groove-shaped recess formed in at least one of the front and rear of the plate, or a long hole-shaped or notched portion that penetrates the plate.

[0458] The fracture portion may be, for example, as in Feature 3, a groove-like portion that crosses the plate in a straight line and is recessed into at least one of the front and rear sides of the plate, or a slot-like portion that penetrates the plate, or a notch-like portion.

[0459] [Feature 4] In the gaming machine according to Feature 3, the hollowed-out portion is formed partially relative to the entire length of the breaking portion.

[0460] For example, as shown in Feature 4, the hollowed-out portion may be formed partially over the entire length of the breaking portion.

[0461] [Feature 5] In the gaming machine according to feature 3 or 4, the hollowed-out portion is a groove formed as a recess in the rear surface of the plate.

[0462] According to feature 5, the broken portion is positioned in a position that cannot be seen from the front of the inspection plate, resulting in a good appearance.

[0463] [Feature 6] This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 2 to 5, wherein the breaking portions extend parallel to each other in pairs, and the first engagement portion is disposed between the pair of breaking portions.

[0464] According to Feature 6, the plate has a breaking portion located closer to the outer edge than the engaging portion with the workpiece, so the breaking portion is more likely to break when the outer edge of the plate receives an external force that moves it away from the workpiece. Also, the plate has a first engaging portion located between the pair of breaking portions, so the plate can be broken even if an external force that moves it away from the workpiece is applied to either of the outer edges of the plate, on either side of the engaging portion with the workpiece.

[0465] [Feature 7] This is an amusement machine described in any one of features 2 to 6, in which the overlapping surfaces of the plate and the mounting member are provided with positioning engagement portions that engage with each other in a concave-convex manner to regulate the plate from shifting relative to the mounting member.

[0466] According to feature 7, the shifting of the plate relative to the workpiece is restricted, which prevents the plate from being shifted from the workpiece to be attached and disengages the workpiece and the plate from the front side of the workpiece, thereby preventing fraudulent attempts to remove the plate from the front side of the workpiece.

[0467] [Feature 8] In the gaming machine according to Feature 7, the positioning engagement portion is arranged on the plate on the opposite side from the first engagement portion across the breaking portion.

[0468] For example, as in Feature 8, the positioning engagement portion can be disposed on the opposite side of the plate from the first engagement portion across the breakable portion.

[0469] [Feature 9] This is a gaming machine according to any one of features 2 to 8, wherein a mark indicating the position of the breakage portion is provided on the front or side of the plate.

[0470] According to Feature 9, the areas where stress is concentrated and which are prone to cracking can be seen from the front side of the plate, so care can be taken not to crack the plate when assembling it to the play board.

[0471] [Feature 10] A sticker displaying predetermined information is attached to the front of the plate, This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 2 to 9, in which a protrusion for positioning the seal is formed protruding from the outer edge of the front surface of the plate.

[0472] According to feature 10, the seal can be easily attached using the protrusion as a guide.

[0473] [Feature 11] The breaking portions extend in parallel in pairs, and the first engagement portion is disposed between the pair of breaking portions; In the gaming machine according to Feature 10, the protrusion is broken between the pair of breaking portions.

[0474] According to feature 11, the first engagement portion is located at the portion where the protrusion is interrupted. Therefore, when assembling the plate to the workpiece, by pressing the portion of the front surface of the plate where the protrusion is interrupted against the workpiece, the plate can be assembled to the front surface of the workpiece without touching the portion where stress is concentrated and prone to cracking, and the plate can be fixed to the front surface of the workpiece without damaging it.

[0475] [Feature 12] an engagement hole that penetrates the workpiece as the second engagement portion; an elastic engagement piece that extends in a cantilever shape from the plate as the first engagement portion, projects into the engagement hole, and has a tip end that engages with an opening edge at a rear end of the engagement hole; This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 11, which is equipped with a cover member that covers the tip portion of the elastic engagement piece that is engaged with the opening edge at the rear end of the engagement hole so that it cannot be operated.

[0476] According to feature 12, the rear surface of the mounting member, where the engagement portion between the plate and the game board is exposed, is covered with a cover member, thereby preventing unauthorized release of the engagement portion between the plate and the mounting member from the rear surface of the mounting member and removal of the plate from the mounting member.

[0477] [Feature 13] In the gaming machine according to Feature 12, the cover member is screwed to the mounting member at multiple locations.

[0478] According to feature 13, since the cover member cannot be easily removed, it is possible to prevent the plate from being removed from the attached member by illegally releasing the engagement portion between the plate and the game board from the rear surface of the attached member.

[0479] [Feature 14] The gaming machine is described in any one of Features 1 to 13, wherein the plate is a certification plate that certifies that the gaming machine has been certified.

[0480] The plate may be, for example, a certification plate, as in feature 14, that certifies that the gaming machine has been certified.

[0481] [Feature 15] The mounting member is a gaming machine according to any one of Features 1 to 14, which is a gaming machine component that can be reused.

[0482] The attachment member is, for example, a gaming machine component that can be reused, as in Feature 15.

[0483] [Correspondence between components of the fifth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Gaming machine: gaming machine 10, plate: calibration plate 200, mounting member: base plate 41, first engaging portion: elastic engaging piece 210, second engaging portion: engaging hole 200W, breaking portion: lightening portion 202, positioning engaging portion: positioning engaging protrusion 203, mark: discontinuity portion 201E, protrusion: protrusion 201, tip portion: engaging protrusion 211, cover member: rear cover wall 32B8

[0484] [Sixth feature group] This disclosure relates to gaming machines. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-125418 (paragraph

[0036] ) discloses a gaming machine in which a circuit board is covered with a protective cover and gaming components that may be subjected to external forces such as manual operation are exposed through the protective cover. In the conventional gaming machines described above, the electrical components exposed from the protective cover are prone to deformation or damage due to external impacts or pressure during operation, and improvements are therefore required. In contrast, the present invention makes it possible to prevent electrical components from being damaged by external impacts or loads during manual operation.

[0485] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which specific electrical components on a circuit board covered with a protective cover are exposed through a through hole that penetrates the protective cover, A gaming machine in which a regulating section is provided at the opening edge of the through hole, facing the specific electrical component from the side, and receiving the specific electrical component when it deforms or moves laterally, thereby regulating the deformation or movement of the specific electrical component.

[0486] According to feature 1, even if an electrical component penetrates the protective cover and is exposed to the outside, the electrical component can be prevented from being damaged by an external impact or a load during manual operation.

[0487] [Feature 2] A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, wherein the regulating portion includes a regulating protrusion that protrudes from the opening edge of the through hole to the side opposite the circuit board.

[0488] The restricting portion may be a restricting protrusion as in Feature 2, or may be configured to restrict deformation or movement of the specific electric component by the opening of the through hole.

[0489] [Feature 3] The gaming machine described in Feature 2, wherein the regulating protrusion is hood-shaped and fits onto the outside of the specific electrical component.

[0490] According to feature 3, by forming the device into a hood shape with one open area, it is possible to easily perform manual operation while preventing deformation to the side.

[0491] [Feature 4] A gaming machine according to feature 2 or 3, wherein the height of the regulating protrusion from the opening edge of the through hole is equal to or greater than the height of the specific electrical component from the opening edge of the through hole.

[0492] By making the restricting protrusion higher than the exposed portion of the specific electric component, it is possible to further enjoy the effect of suppressing deformation, damage, and movement of the specific electric component.

[0493] [Feature 5] A gaming machine described in any one of features 2 to 4, wherein the protective cover has a box-shaped structure that houses and fixes the circuit board, and has a recessed portion formed by partially recessing an area of ​​the protective cover that includes the through hole and the regulating portion toward the side closer to the circuit board.

[0494] According to feature 5, by providing the recessed portion, it is possible to expose a specific electrical component while covering the entire surface of other electrical components that are relatively far from the protective cover.

[0495] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in Feature 5, wherein the height of the regulating protrusion from the bottom surface of the recessed portion is lower than the height from the bottom surface to the top end of the recessed portion.

[0496] According to Feature 6, it is possible to protect the specific electrical component not only by the restricting protrusion but also by the wall from the bottom to the top of the recess.

[0497] [Feature 7] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 6, wherein the specific electrical component has a manually operated operating part or a connecting part with another component.

[0498] According to Feature 7, even if excessive force is applied to the connector when removing the connector from the circuit board, for example by pulling on the wiring, the restricting portion restricts movement or deformation of the connector.

[0499] [Feature 8] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 6, wherein the specific gaming part includes an operated part that protrudes outward from the regulating part and has an operating part that is manually operated.

[0500] According to feature 8, it is possible to prevent the operated component from being operated or damaged by the application of external force.

[0501] [Feature 9] A gaming machine as described in feature 8, further comprising a protective protrusion wall that protrudes from the protective cover at a position spaced laterally from the through hole and protects the operating unit from collision with other components.

[0502] According to Feature 9, the protective wall is provided at a position away from the through-hole, so that the operating part can be moved within the protective wall, and therefore, operation can be performed even with the protective cover on.

[0503] [Feature 10] A gaming machine as described in Feature 9, wherein a space for receiving fingertips is provided between the protective protrusion wall and the operating unit.

[0504] According to feature 10, the fingertips can be inserted between the protective protrusion wall and the operating part, making it easy to operate the operating part.

[0505] [Feature 11] A gaming machine according to feature 9 or 10, wherein the protective protrusion wall is higher than the height of the operating unit from the protective cover.

[0506] According to Feature 11, by making the protective wall higher than the operating part, an external force strikes the protective wall first, thereby suppressing damage to the operating part.

[0507] [Feature 12] The protective cover has a box-shaped structure that houses and fixes the circuit board, and is provided with a recessed portion formed by partially recessing an area of ​​the protective cover that includes the protective protrusion wall and the through hole toward the side closer to the circuit board, and the operating unit is surrounded from all sides by the protective protrusion wall and the stepped surface of the recessed portion.

[0508] According to feature 12, by surrounding the operating part on all sides with both the protective protruding wall and the step portion, the effect of protecting the operating part from impact can be further enhanced.

[0509] [Correspondence between the components of the sixth feature group and each part in the embodiment] Specific electrical parts: connectors 451 to 457, volume element 470, protective cover: case body 444, circuit board: circuit board 440, through holes: through holes 480A to 480D, regulating portion: protective walls 490A to 490C, 495, regulating protrusion: protective walls 490A to 490C, 495, recess: recess 462, coupling portion: connectors 451 to 457, operating portion: volume element 470, operated part: knob portion 473, protective protrusion wall: protective wall 495

[0510] [7th feature group] This disclosure relates to a gaming machine. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-182531 (paragraph

[0016] , FIG. 5) discloses a gaming machine in which parts are fixed together with screws. There is a demand for the development of technology that enables parts to be assembled together without the use of tools in the above-described conventional gaming machines. In response to this demand, the present features enable parts to be assembled together without the use of tools.

[0511] [Feature 1] a first base having a pair of first engagement portions; a second base having a pair of second engagement portions; a second base mounting component attached to the second base, the second base is deformed so that the distance between the pair of second engaging portions changes, and then restored to its original shape, and the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions engage with each other, thereby attaching the second base to the first base; A gaming machine in which the second base mounted component is attached to the second base, thereby restricting the deformation of the second base.

[0512] According to Feature 1, by deforming the second base and then restoring it to its original shape, the pair of second engaging portions of the second base engage with the pair of first engaging portions of the first base, thereby attaching the second base to the first base. As a result, according to Feature 1, the first base and the second base can be assembled without using tools. Furthermore, according to Feature 1, the second base mounting parts are attached to the second base, restricting deformation of the second base, thereby preventing the second base from coming off the first base.

[0513] Here, the deformation of the second base may be bending elastic deformation, compressive elastic deformation, tensile elastic deformation, torsional elastic deformation, or other deformations. Furthermore, the deformation does not have to be inelastic deformation. For example, the second base may be made up of multiple slidingly engaged parts, and the sliding of these parts causes the second base to deform so as to expand and contract, or the second base may be made up of multiple hinged parts, and the rotation of these parts causes the second base to deform bending.

[0514] [Feature 2] The first base is provided with a pair of opposing support portions that are opposed to each other, one of the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions protrudes in the opposing direction of the pair of opposing support portions, while the other penetrates or is recessed in the opposing direction; A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, in which the second base is bent and deformed to be positioned between the pair of opposing support portions, and then restored to its original state, thereby engaging the pair of first engagement portions and the pair of second engagement portions.

[0515] As in Feature 2, one of the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions may be configured to protrude from the pair of opposing support portions, and the other to penetrate or be recessed.

[0516] [Feature 3] A gaming machine as described in Feature 2, wherein the pair of first engagement portions and the pair of second engagement portions are aligned coaxially, and the second base is rotatably attached to the first base.

[0517] [Variation 1] A gaming machine as described in Feature 2, wherein one of the pair of first engagement portions and the pair of second engagement portions is a pair of guide rails extending parallel to a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the pair of opposing support portions, and the other is a pair of sliding engagement portions that can slide along the guide rail.

[0518] The second base may be movably connected to the first base or immovably connected to the first base. Examples of the movably connected state include the hinge structure of Feature 3 and the slide structure of Modification Example 1. Examples of the immovably connected state include a structure in which the pair of first engaging portions and the pair of second engaging portions are a pair of fitting holes and a pair of fitting protrusions each having a non-circular cross section, or multiple pairs of a pair of first engaging portions and a pair of second engaging portions are provided.

[0519] [Feature 4] A gaming machine as described in Feature 3 is provided with a connecting portion provided on the first base and the second base or the second base mounted component, which engages with the first base and the second base or the second base mounted component in a manner that makes it difficult for them to separate when a force is applied to them, and which can release the engagement by operation.

[0520] According to the fourth feature, the state of connection between the first base and the second base or the component mounted on the second base can be freely changed by operating the connecting portion.

[0521] [Feature 5] the second base-mounted component is attached to the second base in an overlapping manner, and a one-end engaging portion and an other-end engaging portion are provided at one end and the other end in a first direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction, a one-end side engaged portion of the second base that is engaged with the one-end side engaging portion from a direction inclined with respect to both the first direction and the stacking direction to rotatably support the second base mounted component; an other-end-side engaged portion that engages with the other-end-side engaging portion in the overlapping direction and cooperates with the one-end-side engaged portion to restrict movement of the second base-mounted component other than rotation; A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 4, wherein the other end of the second base mounting part and the second base are provided with a connecting portion that engages with each other in a way that makes them difficult to separate when a force acts to separate them, and that can release the engagement by operation.

[0522] According to Feature 5, the one-end engaging portion of the second base-mounted component is engaged with the one-end engaged portion of the second base to rotate the second base-mounted component, and the other-end engaging portion is engaged with the other-end engaged portion to restrict movement of the second base-mounted component other than rotation. Furthermore, the coupling portion makes it difficult to separate the second base-mounted component from the second base. Thus, Feature 5 makes it possible to assemble the second base and the second base-mounted component without using tools.

[0523] [Feature 6] The gaming machine described in Feature 5 has, as the connecting portion, a pair of elastic engaging pieces that are provided in a pair at the other end of the second base mounting part and are spaced apart at a distance that allows them to be operated with one hand, and an engaging portion that is formed on the second base and engages with the pair of elastic engaging pieces.

[0524] The coupling portion may be configured to include, for example, an elastic engaging piece and an engaged portion that are engaged by being pressed, or a slide and a slide engaging portion that are engaged by being slid, or a configuration consisting of an engaged portion that engages with a pair of elastic engaging pieces as in Feature 6. Also, as in Feature 6, a pair of elastic engaging pieces are provided at a distance that allows operation with one hand, so that engagement can be performed with one hand while providing a stronger engagement than when there is only one elastic engaging piece.

[0525] [Feature 7] A game board is provided with a game board body having a display window penetrating from front to back, and a plurality of accessory parts attached to the game board body, The first base includes a support box having a front opening closed by the game board, and a monitor unit supported on the rear wall of the support box and having a display screen facing the display window, and the pair of first engagement portions are provided side by side at the lower end of the rear side of the support box, the second base is a rotating base that is shaped like a plate that can be laterally bent and elastically deformed, has the pair of second engagement portions arranged side by side at a lower end thereof, and is rotatably attached to the first base by engagement between the pair of first engagement portions and the pair of second engagement portions; The second base-mounted component is a main control board unit in which a main control board for controlling a game is housed in a board case, A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the second base and the first base engage with each other in a manner that makes them difficult to separate when a force acts to separate them, and a connecting portion is provided that allows the engagement to be released by operation.

[0526] The first base and the second base may be any components of the gaming machine, and may be, for example, a component including a support box and a monitor unit, and a rotating base supporting a main control board unit, as in Feature 7. Also, as in Feature 7, the rotating base is rotated around the lower end of the rear surface of the support box, and is engaged with the connecting part in a non-rotatable state, which makes assembly easy and facilitates the handling of the harness and maintenance work.

[0527] [Feature 8] a rear window that is closed by the monitor unit is provided on the rear wall of the support box; A sub-control board unit, which houses a sub-control board that controls game effects in a board case, is attached to the rear surface of the monitor unit exposed to the rear surface of the support box body. A gaming machine according to feature 7, wherein the second base is located below the sub-control board unit.

[0528] According to feature 8, since the second base is disposed below the sub-control board unit, it is easy to connect the wiring between the sub-control board unit and the main control board unit.

[0529] [Feature 9] A gaming machine described in feature 7 or 8, which is provided with a first harness holding portion on the rear surface of the second base, above the main control board unit, which holds the harness in a horizontally extended state.

[0530] According to the ninth feature, the first harness holding portion can prevent the harness from becoming entangled with other components.

[0531] [Feature 10] A gaming machine described in any one of features 7 to 9, wherein the portion of the rear surface of the support box that is covered by the second base is provided with a second harness holding portion that holds the harness in a horizontally extended state.

[0532] According to feature 10, the second harness holding portion makes it easy to route the harnesses, and the second base can protect the harnesses.

[0533] [Feature 11] a first base having a pair of first engagement portions; a second base having a pair of second engagement portions; A gaming machine in which the second base is attached to the first base by being deformed and then restored to its original state, and the pair of first engagement portions engage with the pair of second engagement portions.

[0534] According to Feature 11, by deforming the second base and then restoring it to its original shape, the pair of second engaging portions of the second base can be engaged with the pair of first engaging portions of the first base, thereby attaching the second base to the first base. This makes it possible to assemble the first base and the second base without using tools, according to Feature 1.

[0535] [Correspondence between the components of the seventh feature group and each part in the embodiment] First base: supporting housing, first engaging portion: hinge bar 631, second base: relay member 55, second engaging portion: hinge engaging portion 653, second base mounted component: main control board unit 56, pair of opposing support portions: opposing wall portions of pair of corner recesses 630, coupling portion between first base and second base or second base mounted component: Nylatch 654 and Nylatch engaging hole 655, one end side engaging portion: engaging piece 611, other end side engaging portion protecting protrusion 612, one end side engaged portion: engaging hole 661A, other end side engaged portion: positioning portion 663, second base and second base Coupling portion between base-mounted component: locking portion 613 and locking portion 665, elastic engaging piece: operating protrusion 613D, locked portion: locking protrusion 666T, display window: display window 11W, game board main body: base plate 41, game board: game board 40, support housing 51, rear wall 319, display screen: display screen 52G, monitor unit: display device 52, main control board: circuit board 600, board case: board case 601, main control board unit: main control board unit 56, first harness holding portion: harness holding portion 657, second harness holding portion: harness holding portion 409

[0536] [8th feature group] This disclosure relates to a gaming machine. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-182531 (paragraph

[0016] , FIG. 5) discloses a gaming machine in which parts are fixed together with screws. There is a demand for the development of technology that enables parts to be assembled together without the use of tools in the above-described conventional gaming machines. In response to this demand, the present features enable parts to be assembled together without the use of tools.

[0537] [Feature 1] In a gaming machine in which a first part and a second part are assembled in a stacked manner, A gaming machine having first and second slide engagement portions provided on the first part and the second part, which slidably engage with each other in a slide direction intersecting the overlapping direction thereof, and which release the engagement at a separable position at one end of the slidable range.

[0538] According to Feature 1, the first and second parts are provided with the first and second slide engagement portions, so the first and second parts can be assembled by overlapping the first and second parts and sliding them in the sliding direction. This makes it possible to assemble the parts without using tools.

[0539] [Feature 2] A gaming machine as described in Feature 1, having a locking mechanism provided on the first part and the second part, which locks the first part and the second part so that they cannot move at an assembly position at the other end of the sliding range.

[0540] According to the feature 2, the first part and the second part can be locked so as to be immovable by the locking mechanism.

[0541] [Feature 3] the second slide engagement portion includes an engagement wall portion having an elongated hole extending in the sliding direction, the first slide engagement portion includes a front-side contact portion that overlaps the front surface of the engagement wall portion, and a hook portion that protrudes from the front-side contact portion toward the engagement wall portion, then bends and extends in the sliding direction, and overlaps the back surface of the engagement wall portion; A gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2, in which, in the separable position, the hook portion no longer overlaps with the back surface of the engagement wall portion, making it possible to detach it from the long hole.

[0542] According to the feature 3, the first and second slide engaging portions can be configured with a simple structure.

[0543] [Feature 4] A base end of the hook portion and an inner surface of one longitudinal end of the elongated hole abut against each other to form a first stopper portion that positions the first part and the second part at the separable position. A gaming machine as described in Feature 3, wherein the base end of the hook portion and the inner surface of the other longitudinal end of the long hole abut against each other to form a second stopper portion that positions the first part and the second part in the assembly position.

[0544] According to the fourth feature, the sliding range can be restricted with a simple configuration.

[0545] [Feature 5] A gaming machine according to feature 3 or 4, wherein the front contact portion has a protrusion shape that protrudes toward the engagement wall portion and extends in the sliding direction.

[0546] According to the fifth feature, the strength of the first engagement portion can be increased by the front contact portion.

[0547] [Feature 6] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, in which the hook portions and the long holes are distributed in multiple positions in the sliding direction.

[0548] According to the sixth feature, by distributing a plurality of hook portions and a plurality of elongated holes, the first component and the second component can be assembled stably.

[0549] [Feature 7] A gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 6, in which the hook portions and the long holes are distributed in multiple positions in a direction intersecting both the sliding direction and the overlapping direction.

[0550] According to the seventh feature, the first part and the second part can be assembled stably.

[0551] [Feature 8] A gaming machine described in any one of features 3 to 5, in which a sheet metal bracket integrally having the front abutment portion, the hook portion, and a base plate portion perpendicular to the front abutment portion and hook portion is provided as part of the first part.

[0552] According to Feature 8, durability can be increased by using a bracket made of sheet metal.

[0553] [Feature 9] The base plate portion and the engagement wall portion extend in the sliding direction, A gaming machine as described in feature 8, in which a plurality of the hook portions are disposed at multiple positions in the sliding direction on the base plate portion, and a plurality of the long holes are disposed at multiple positions in the sliding direction on the engagement wall portion.

[0554] According to the ninth feature, by providing hook portions and elongated holes at a plurality of positions in the sliding direction, the first component and the second component can be assembled stably.

[0555] [Feature 10] A gaming machine as described in feature 9, having two sets of the bracket and the engagement wall portion parallel to each other.

[0556] According to feature 10, the first part and the second part can be assembled stably.

[0557] [Feature 11] The first part is a game board in which the base plate parts of the pair of brackets are screwed to both sides of the rear surface of a resin game board body to which a special part is attached...

Claims

[Claim 1] In a gaming machine in which a first part and a second part are assembled in a stacked manner, a connecting shaft that penetrates the first component and is supported slidably and rotatably, and that has a locking protrusion that protrudes laterally from a tip end and an operating portion that protrudes laterally from a base end; a specially shaped hole formed in the second component, through which the tip end of the connecting shaft can pass in a first rotation position but cannot pass in a second rotation position; the first component and the second component are held in a sandwiched state between the locking protrusion and the operating portion when the connecting shaft is at a second slide position where the connecting shaft passes through both the first component and the second component from the first slide position, a compression coil spring that is sandwiched between the first component and the operation portion and that biases the connecting shaft to the first slide position where the locking protrusion abuts against the first component when the first component and the second component are separated; a stop portion provided in the operating unit, which abuts against the first part to limit the amount of compression deformation of the compression coil spring and position the connecting shaft at the second slide position at one end of the sliding range.

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