gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing crime prevention.SOLUTION: A person who operates a setting key switch and an RWM clear button 633z does not have to be bewildered about an operation procedure even though the setting key switch of a setting change board and the RWM clear button 633z of a put-out control board 633 are separately provided because information about an operation of the RWM clear button 633z of the put-out control board 633 is guided. Crime prevention can be enhanced by providing the setting key switch separately from the RWM clear button 633z.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 77

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a gaming machine in which the pattern displayed on the display device changes based on the winning of a ball into the starting hole, and when the pattern displayed on the display device becomes a winning pattern, a winning game state advantageous to the player is generated, and by making the game ball enter the winning hole, which is controlled to open and close in this winning game state, a large number of prize balls can be won (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-064527 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional gaming machines do not have sufficient countermeasures in place to prevent malfunctions, etc., and there is a risk that the reliability of the gaming machines will decrease.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine with high reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Effective solutions for achieving the above-mentioned object are shown below. The operation and other details will be explained as necessary. For ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations and other details will be shown in the embodiments of the invention as appropriate, but are not intended to be limiting.

[0007] In the invention according to claim 1, In a gaming machine in which a game is played by a lottery that can be executed by hitting a gaming ball, A first game area into which game balls are shot, and a second game area into which game balls are shot, the second game area being provided on the opposite side of the first game area in the left-right direction when the game panel is viewed from the front; A front unit attached from the front to the front of the gaming panel on which the first gaming area and the second gaming area are formed, and a display device capable of displaying a display effect according to the result of the lottery; Equipped with The front unit can only receive game balls that have been shot into the second game area, and has a distribution unit located in front of the display device and behind the front surface of the game panel, the distribution unit having a rolling portion that can roll the received game balls and a fall prevention wall that prevents the game balls from falling from the rolling portion; A drop-allowing section that does not have the fall prevention wall is provided on the player side of the rolling section so that the game balls received in the distribution section can be received in either a specific receiving port or a losing port that is provided on the player side of the rolling section, and the game balls can fall toward the player side from the rolling section, The sorting unit is provided with a plurality of disadvantageous drop portions on the player side as the drop portions where the game balls can fall from the rolling portion, and the disadvantageous drop portions are configured to be received in the losing hole when the game balls fall. And, The reception of the game ball into the specific receiving port can give the player an advantageous state. It is characterized by:

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014] [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the invention of claim 1, a highly reliable gaming machine can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] This is an oblique view of a pachinko machine seen from the front right. [Figure 6] This is an oblique view of a pachinko machine seen from the front left. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a pachinko machine seen from behind. [Figure 8] This is a front view of a pachinko machine when the pressing operation part of the performance operation unit is in the raised position. [Figure 9] This is an oblique view of the pachinko machine from the front right when the pressing operation part of the performance operation unit is in the raised position. [Figure 10] This is an oblique view of a pachinko machine seen from the front with the door frame open from the main frame and the main frame open from the outer frame. [Figure 11] This is an exploded oblique view of a pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main body frame, and an outer frame, as seen from the front. [Figure 12] This is an exploded oblique view of a pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main body frame, and an outer frame, viewed from the rear. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of the outer frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view of the outer frame from the front. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of the outer frame from behind. [Figure 18]This is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame disassembled into its main components as seen from the front. [Figure 19] This is an exploded oblique view of the left outer frame assembly and the right outer frame assembly of the outer frame, viewed from the front. [Figure 20] This is an exploded oblique view of the lower outer frame assembly of the outer frame, viewed from the front. [Figure 21] 1(a) is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame upper hinge assembly of the outer frame 2, as seen from above the front, and FIG. 1(b) is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1(a) as seen from below the front. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a front view of a door frame in a pachinko machine. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the door frame. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the door frame. [Figure 26] This is an oblique view of the door frame from the front right. [Figure 27] This is an oblique view of the door frame from the front left. [Figure 28] This is a perspective view of the door frame from behind. [Figure 29] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame, broken down into its main components, viewed from the front. [Figure 30] This is an exploded perspective view of the door frame, broken down into its main components, viewed from the rear. [Figure 31] 1A is a perspective view of a door frame base unit of a door frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the door frame base unit as seen from the back. [Figure 32] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame base unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from the front. [Figure 33] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame base unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. [Figure 34] (a) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit of the door frame base unit from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit from the back. [Figure 35](a) is an exploded oblique view of the ball feeding unit seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded oblique view of the ball feeding unit seen from the rear with the rear case and anti-tamper member removed. [Figure 36] (a) is a perspective view of the fall cover unit of the door frame base unit as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the fall cover unit as seen from the back. [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is a front view of the fall cover unit with the lid member removed. [Figure 38] 1A is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit in the door frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 39] This is an oblique view of the tray unit of the door frame. [Figure 40] This is a perspective view of the plate unit from behind. [Figure 41] This is an exploded oblique view of the tray unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from the front. [Figure 42] This is an exploded oblique view of the tray unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. [Figure 43] This is an oblique view of the plate base unit in the plate unit from the front. [Figure 44] This is an oblique view of the plate base unit in the plate unit from behind. [Figure 45] This is an exploded oblique view of the dish base unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from the front. [Figure 46] This is an exploded oblique view of the dish base unit, disassembled into its main components, viewed from the rear. [Figure 47] This is an oblique view of the plate decoration unit in the plate unit from the front. [Figure 48] This is an oblique view of the plate decoration unit from behind. [Figure 49] This is an exploded oblique view of the plate decoration unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from the front. [Figure 50] This is an exploded oblique view of the plate decoration unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. [Figure 51]This is a plan view of the performance operation unit in the dish unit, viewed from the direction in which the performance operation button unit moves forward and backward. [Figure 52] (a) is a perspective view of the production operation unit seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the production operation unit seen from the back. [Figure 53] This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from the front. [Figure 54] This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation unit, broken down into its main components, viewed from behind. [Figure 55] (a) is a perspective view of the performance operation ring of the performance operation unit seen from the top front, and (b) is a perspective view of the performance operation ring seen from the bottom front. [Figure 56] 10A is an exploded perspective view of the performance operation ring disassembled and viewed from the top front, and FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of the performance operation ring disassembled and viewed from the bottom front. [Figure 57] (a) is a perspective view of the rotary drive unit of the performance operation unit as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the rotary drive unit as seen from the back. [Figure 58] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary drive unit as seen from the front right. [Figure 59] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary drive unit as seen from the front left. [Figure 60] This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation button unit of the performance operation unit, viewed from the front. [Figure 61] This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation button unit, viewed from the bottom front. [Figure 62] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the performance operation button unit when the pressing operation part is in the lowered position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the performance operation button unit when the pressing operation part is in the raised position. [Figure 63] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the performance operation ring and the rotation drive unit in a left side view of the performance operation unit. FIG. [Figure 64] This is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the performance operation ring and the performance operation ring decorative board in a plan view of the performance operation unit viewed from the pressing direction of the pressing operation section. [Figure 65] (a) is a front view of the dish unit in its normal state, (b) is a front view of the dish unit when the pressing operation part is in the raised position, and (c) is a front view of the dish unit when the central pressing operation part of the pressing operation part is pressed. [Figure 66] 1A is a perspective view of the door frame left side unit of the door frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the door frame left side unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 67] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame left side unit as seen from the front. [Figure 68] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame left side unit as seen from behind. [Figure 69] 1A is a perspective view of the door frame right side unit of the door frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the door frame right side unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 70] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame right side unit as seen from the front. [Figure 71] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame right side unit as seen from behind. [Figure 72] (a) is an oblique view of the door frame top unit in the door frame seen from the front, (b) is an oblique view of the door frame top unit seen from the back, and (c) is a bottom view of the door frame top unit shown with the top cover removed. [Figure 73] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame top unit from above and front. [Figure 74] This is an exploded oblique view of the door frame top unit from the front bottom. [Figure 75] FIG. 1 is a front view of the door frame shown with each decorative substrate. [Figure 76] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main body frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 77] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the main body frame of the pachinko machine. [Figure 78] This is an oblique view of the main body frame from the front right. [Figure 79] This is an oblique view of the main body frame from the front left. [Figure 80]This is an oblique view of the main body frame as seen from behind. [Figure 81] This is an exploded oblique view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components as seen from the front. [Figure 82] This is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 83] (a) is an enlarged oblique view showing the lower left corner of the front of the main frame, and (b) is an enlarged oblique view showing the lower left corner of the front of the main frame when the door frame is opened relative to the main frame. [Figure 84] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the connection cable guide member of the main body frame when the door frame is opened and closed relative to the main body frame. [Figure 85] (a) is a perspective view of the ball launcher in the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball launcher as seen from the back. [Figure 86] (a) is a perspective view of the dispensing base unit of the main frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the dispensing base unit as seen from the back. [Figure 87] 1A is a perspective view of the dispensing unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the dispensing unit as seen from the back. [Figure 88] 1A is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit as viewed from the front, with the dispensing unit disassembled into its main components, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit as viewed from the rear, with the dispensing unit disassembled into its main components. [Figure 89] This is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of the dispensing unit, cut at the center of the dispensing blade in the front-to-rear direction. [Figure 90] (a) is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispensing device cut at the center of the dispensing blade in the front-to-back direction when the ball removal movable piece is in the open state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along line AA in (a). [Figure 91] An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the door frame fall cover unit and the lower full ball path unit. [Figure 92] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls in the main body frame. [Figure 93] 1A is a perspective view of the board unit of the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the board unit as seen from the back. [Figure 94] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the board unit as seen from below and behind. [Figure 95] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit, seen from the front, disassembled into its main components. [Figure 96] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the board unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 97] This is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the lower part of the pachinko machine cut in the center in the left-right direction. [Figure 98] 1A is a perspective view of the locking unit of the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the locking unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 99] 1(a) is a plan view of the main body frame, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 100] This is an enlarged view showing the upper part of the main body frame in a perspective view seen from behind. [Figure 101] 1(a) is a perspective view of the spherical tank assembled with tank rails, etc., as seen from above the front, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 1(a) as seen from below the front. [Figure 102] 101(a) is an exploded perspective view seen from the front. FIG. [Figure 103] An explanatory diagram showing the area where game balls that overflow from the ball tank at the top of the main body frame circulate. [Figure 104] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls that have overflowed from the ball tank at the top of the main body frame. [Figure 105] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls into the bypass passage at the top of the main body frame. [Figure 106] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the main body frame as seen from behind the hinge side, showing the tank rail and its surroundings. [Figure 107] This is a front view of a game board in a pachinko machine, with the center gimmicks and other parts made opaque. [Figure 108] This is an oblique view of the game board in Figure 107 as seen from the front right. [Figure 109] This is an oblique view of the game board in Figure 107 as seen from the front left. [Figure 110] This is a perspective view of the game board from behind. [Figure 111] FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of wiring from the function display unit on the main control board. [Figure 112] This is a front view of the game board with the center gimmick and other features made transparent. [Figure 113] This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 114] This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. [Figure 115] 108 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 107. [Figure 116] FIG. 108 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 117] This is a front view of the game board, showing the front unit cut parallel to the surface of the game panel to reveal the game area where game balls circulate and the obstacle pins. [Figure 118] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the front components and game panel of the game board as seen from the front, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the front components and game panel as seen from the back. [Figure 119] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the front unit of the gaming board as seen from the front, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the front unit of the gaming board as seen from the back. [Figure 120] An explanatory diagram showing the flow path of the game ball on the right side of the front unit. [Figure 121] 10A is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls circulating through a first guide passage in a guide passage group, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls circulating through a second guide passage in a guide passage group. [Figure 122] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls received in the special device winning port, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the part of the third distribution device in (a) from above, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the part of the second distribution device in (a). [Figure 123] An explanatory diagram showing the timing of the operation of the special prize entry port and the first and second distribution devices according to the type of "small win". [Figure 124]1(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls in the attacca unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. [Figure 125] 117(a) to 117(d) are explanatory diagrams showing an embodiment of a guide passage group different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 126] 10(e) and 10(f) are explanatory views showing further different embodiments of the guide passage groups. [Figure 127] (a) is a front view of the out ball detection unit in the rear unit, (b) is a right side view of the out ball detection unit, (c) is a rear view of the out ball detection unit, (d) is an oblique view of the out ball detection unit from the front, (e) is an oblique view of the out ball detection unit from the rear, (f) is an oblique view of the out ball detection unit from a position near the lower right front, and (g) is an oblique view of the out ball detection unit from the lower right rear. [Figure 128] (a) is an exploded oblique view of the out ball detection unit as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded oblique view of the out ball detection unit as seen from the back. [Figure 129] 1(a) is a perspective view showing the relationship between the game panel and the out ball detection unit, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing the out ball detection unit in contact with the game panel. [Figure 130] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the right outlet sensor assembled to the game board, cut vertically at the center, and viewed from the right side. [Figure 131] This is an oblique view showing the area around the outlet from the front when assembled to the game board. [Figure 132] (a) is a perspective view of the light guide plate performance unit of the rear unit as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the light guide plate performance unit as seen from the back. [Figure 133] This is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the light guide plate and the picture substrate in the light guide plate performance unit from the front. [Figure 134] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a first pattern on the light guide plate is illuminated, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a second pattern on the light guide plate is illuminated. [Figure 135]This is a front view of the game board showing the second image illuminated and decorated on the light guide plate of the light guide plate performance unit of the rear unit. [Figure 136] This is a front view of the game board showing the first image illuminated and decorated on the light guide plate of the light guide plate performance unit of the rear unit. [Figure 137] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. [Figure 138] (a) is an enlarged view of a portion of the area where SMD-type electronic components are mounted on the surface (mounting surface) of the main control board, and (b) is a view of this enlarged view from the right side of the main control board. [Figure 139] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the surface (mounting surface) of a board on which SMD-type electronic components that replace lead-type electronic components are aggregated in a specified area, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic diagram showing the surface (mounting surface) and back surface (solder surface) of a board that has been miniaturized by aggregating SMD-type electronic components that replace lead-type electronic components. [Figure 140] This is an enlarged view of Figure 138(a) showing the back side (solder side) of the main control board. [Figure 141] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main control board box of the main control unit. [Figure 142] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when the main control side power is turned on. [Figure 143] This is a flowchart showing the continuation of the processing when the main control side power is turned on in Figure 142. [Figure 144] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of main control side timer interrupt processing. [Figure 145] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting change process. [Figure 146] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an error display process. [Figure 147] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a setting value confirmation display process. [Figure 148] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the dispensing control unit is powered on. [Figure 149] This is a flowchart showing the continuation of the power-on processing of the dispensing control unit in Figure 148. [Figure 150] Following Figure 149, this is a flowchart showing the continuation of the processing when the dispensing control unit is powered on. [Figure 151] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a dispensing control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 152] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit power-on process; [Figure 153] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit V blank interrupt process. [Fig. 154] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a peripheral control unit 1 ms timer interrupt process. [Figure 155] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a peripheral control unit command reception interrupt process. [Figure 156] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a peripheral control unit power outage warning signal interrupt process. [Figure 157] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the special symbol and special electric gimmick control processing executed by the main control MPU of the embodiment. [Figure 158] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first starting port passing process executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 159] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a preliminary determination process executed by a main control MPU in the embodiment. [Figure 160] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the second starting port passing process executed by the main control MPU in the same embodiment. [Figure 161] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a first special symbol process executed by a main control MPU in the same embodiment. [Figure 162] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first special symbol normal processing executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 163] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a hit determination process executed by a main control MPU in the embodiment. [Fig. 164](A) is a hit determination table used in the lottery process for big hits, (B) is a big hit pattern determination table used in the lottery process for the type of big hit, and (C) is a small hit pattern determination table used in the lottery process for the type of small hit. [Figure 165] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for a first special symbol stop symbol setting process executed by a main control MPU in the embodiment. [Figure 166] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first variation pattern setting process executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 167] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first special symbol variation processing executed by the main control MPU of the same embodiment. [Figure 168] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first special symbol stop processing executed by the main control MPU of the embodiment. [Figure 169] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the jackpot control processing executed by the main control MPU in this embodiment. [Figure 170] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the small hit control processing executed by the main control MPU in this embodiment. [Figure 171] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the normal symbol and normal electric device control processing executed by the main control MPU of this embodiment. [Fig. 172] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the small win start processing executed by the main control MPU in this embodiment. [Figure 173] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing during a small win executed by the main control MPU in this embodiment. [Fig. 174] 10 is an example of an error notification mode. [Figure 175] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing the timing of volume adjustment and sound output suppression in a predetermined frequency band. [Figure 176]FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing the timing of volume adjustment and sound output suppression in a predetermined frequency band. [Figure 177] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing the timing of volume adjustment and sound output suppression in a predetermined frequency band. [Figure 178] This is a table showing the winning probability etc. according to the setting values ​​of the gaming machine. [Figure 179] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for changing a setting value. [Figure 180] This is a fluctuation pattern table used to determine a fluctuation pattern. [Figure 181] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which a right detection sensor is provided in the first guide passage; [Figure 182] This is a specific example of a warning effect using the right detection sensor. [Figure 183] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which detection sensors are provided in a first guide passage and a second guide passage; FIG. [Figure 184] This is a specific example of a warning effect using the right detection sensor and the left detection sensor. [Figure 185] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which ball jam relief holes are provided in the first guide passage and the second guide passage. FIG. [Figure 186] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which ball jam relief holes are provided in the first guide passage and the second guide passage. FIG. [Figure 187] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which second outlets are provided near the inlets of the first guide passage and the second guide passage; FIG. [Figure 188] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which a second outlet is provided near the outlet inside the first guide passage. FIG. [Figure 189] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the execution state of a calculation when an abnormality occurs. [Figure 190] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the execution state of a calculation when an abnormality occurs. [Figure 191] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which a second outlet and a third outlet are provided in addition to the outlet. [Figure 192]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the execution state of calculations when a second outlet and a third outlet are provided in addition to the outlet. [Figure 193] 10 is a luminous color pattern table in which luminous color patterns of a light guide plate are set. [Figure 194] An explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which multiple decorative bodies are provided around the display area of ​​the performance display device. [Figure 195] This is a specific example of a lighting effect using a light guide plate and multiple decorative elements. [Figure 196] This is an image displayed on the light guide plate and the performance display device when the imitation performance is being performed. [Figure 197] This is a specific example of a performance using a light guide plate and a performance display device when performing an imitation performance. [Figure 198] 10 is a table showing an example of various commands transmitted from a main control board to a peripheral control board. [Figure 199] 10 is a table showing an example of various commands transmitted from a main control board to a peripheral control board. [Figure 200] 10 is a table showing an example of various commands transmitted from a main control board to a peripheral control board. [Figure 201] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a setting information determination process executed by the main control MPU. [Figure 202] An explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting value hold indication effect. [Figure 203] An explanatory diagram showing an example of image data that combines the display mode of a hold notice effect and the display mode of a setting value hold suggestion effect. [Figure 204] An explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting value continuous suggestion effect. [Figure 205] This is a table showing the winning probability etc. according to the setting values ​​of the gaming machine. [Figure 206] This is a table showing the winning probability etc. according to the setting values ​​of the gaming machine. [Figure 207] 10 is a time chart showing a monitoring state of fraudulent activity during a change of a setting value. [Figure 208]10 is a time chart showing the fraudulent activity monitoring state when fraudulent activity is not monitored during the confirmation display of the setting value. [Figure 209] 10 is a time chart showing a fraudulent activity monitoring state when fraudulent activity is partially monitored during a confirmation display of a setting value. [Figure 210] 10 is a time chart showing a fraudulent activity monitoring state when fraudulent activities are partially monitored while a setting value is being changed. [Figure 211] FIG. 10 is a front view of a modified game board. [Figure 212] 10 is an example of a table used in the lottery process. [Figure 213] This is a variation of the setting value suggestion effect. [Figure 214] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a slot machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [1. Overall structure of a pachinko machine] A pachinko machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the pachinko machine, FIG. 3 is a left side view of the pachinko machine, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the right front, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the left front, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the rear. FIG. 8 is a front view of the pachinko machine when the pressing operation unit of the performance operation unit is in the raised position, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the right front when the pressing operation unit of the performance operation unit is in the raised position. Furthermore, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine as seen from the front with the door frame opened from the main body frame and the main body frame opened from the outer frame. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main frame, and an outer frame, as seen from the front, and Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine disassembled into a door frame, a game board, a main frame, and an outer frame, as seen from the back.

[0018] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment comprises a frame-shaped outer frame 2 installed in an island facility (not shown) of a gaming hall, a door frame 3 that closes the front of the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, a main body frame 4 that supports the door frame 3 in an openable and closable manner and is attached to the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, and a game board 5 that is detachably attached to the main body frame 4 from the front side and is visible from the player side through the door frame 3, and has a game area 5a into which a game ball B (see Figure 90) is shot by a player. The combination of the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4 is referred to as the front frame.

[0019] The outer frame 2 has a rectangular shape extending vertically when viewed from the front. The outer frame 2 includes a left outer frame assembly 10 and a right outer frame assembly 20 that are spaced apart from each other and extend vertically, an upper outer frame member 30 that connects the upper ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, a lower outer frame assembly 40 that connects the lower ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, an upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 attached to the left end of the upper surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and a lower outer frame hinge member 60 attached to the lower right side of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the lower outer frame assembly 40.

[0020] The outer frame 2 is attached to the island equipment of the gaming hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, and the outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 and the outer frame lower hinge member 60 support the main frame upper hinge member 510 and the main frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main frame 4 so that they can rotate coaxially, thereby attaching the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed forward around the left side when viewed from the front.

[0021] In addition, when the main frame 4 is closed, the door frame 3 has the outer frame lower assembly 40 which cooperates with the speaker unit 620a of the board unit 620 in the main frame 4 to form part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622, and by inverting the phase of the sound output to the rear of the main frame speaker 622 and radiating it forward, the player can hear a deeper bass sound.

[0022] The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which the game balls B are shot so that it can be seen from the front, stores the game balls B to be shot into the game area 5a, and is equipped with a handle 182 that the player operates to shoot the stored game balls B into the game area 5a. The door frame 3 also decorates the entire front of the pachinko machine 1.

[0023] In addition, the door frame 3 is equipped with a performance operation unit 301 that can be operated by the player, separate from the handle 182, and when a player-participation performance is executed, the player can participate in the performance by operating the performance operation unit 301, so that in addition to playing with the game ball B, the player can also be entertained by operating the performance operation unit 301.

[0024] The main body frame 4 includes a frame-shaped main body frame base unit 500 whose rear portion can be inserted into the outer frame 2 and can support the outer periphery of the game board 5, a main body frame upper hinge member 510 and a main body frame lower hinge assembly 520 for attaching the main body frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable and for attaching the door frame 3 so as to be openable and closable, a main body frame reinforcing frame 530 that reinforces the main body frame base unit 500, a ball launching device 540 for shooting game balls B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, and a game ball supplied from the island equipment of the game hall. The pachinko machine is provided with a payout base unit 550 that receives game balls B, a payout unit 560 that pays out the game balls B received by the payout base unit 550 to the player, a board unit 620 that has a power supply board 630 equipped with a power switch 630a that can turn on the power to the pachinko machine 1 and a payout control board 633, a back cover 640 that covers the back side of the game board 5 attached to the main frame base 501, and a locking unit 650 that locks the spaces between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4, and between the door frame 3 and the main frame 4.

[0025] The main body frame 4 holds a game board 5 having a game area 5a where a game is played by hitting a game ball B, and is also used to pay out the game ball B to the player and eject used game balls B to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 (towards the island equipment of the gaming hall). The main body frame 4 is formed in a box shape with an open front, and the game board 5 is detachably housed inside from the front. The main body frame 4 is openably attached to a frame-shaped outer frame 2 attached to the island equipment of the gaming hall at the top and bottom of the front end on the left side of the front face, and a door frame 3 is openably attached to close the open front side.

[0026] The game board 5 comprises a game area 5a in which a game ball B is thrown by a player's operation, a front component 1000 that defines the outer periphery of the game area 5a and has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front, a plate-like game panel 1100 that is attached to the rear side of the front component 1000 and defines the rear end of the game area 5a, a board holder 1200 that is attached to the rear lower part of the game panel 1100, and a main control unit that is attached to the rear surface of the board holder 1200 and has a main control board 1310 and a setting change board 1311. The game panel 1100 includes a peripheral control unit 1300, a function display unit 1400 that displays the game status based on a control signal from a main control board 1310, a peripheral control unit 1500 (see FIG. 12) that is arranged on the rear side of the game panel 1100, an effect display device 1600 that is arranged in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and is capable of displaying a predetermined effect image, a front unit 2000 that is attached to the front of the game panel 1100, and a back unit 3000 that is attached to the rear of the game panel 1100. The back unit 3000 is equipped with various effect units that can perform movable effects and light-emitting effects according to the game status.

[0027] The game area 5a of the game board 5 is provided with a plurality of obstacle pins that come into contact with the game ball B and are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement, as well as a general prize opening 2001, a first start opening 2002, an ordinary prize opening 2003, a second start opening 2004, and a special prize opening 2005 that grant a player a predetermined benefit (for example, the payout of a predetermined number of game balls B) when the game ball B is received or passes through. The obstacle pins N are planted on the front surface of the game panel 1100. The general prize opening 2001, the first start opening 2002, the ordinary prize opening 2003, the second start opening 2004, and the special prize opening 2005 are provided in the front unit 2000.

[0028] A player can shoot a game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5 by operating the handle 182 of the handle unit 180. This allows the player to enjoy operating the handle 182 so that the game ball B is accepted into or passes through the general winning opening 2001, the first starting opening 2002, the normal winning opening 2003, the second starting opening 2004, the big winning opening 2005, and the like in the game area 5a.

[0029] In addition, the game board 5 can entertain the player by displaying a predetermined effect image on the effect display device 1600 or by performing light-emitting effects using the light guide plate effect unit 3100, the back effect unit 3200, etc., depending on the game state that changes when the game ball B is hit into the game area 5a.

[0030] [2. Overall structure of the outer frame] The outer frame 2 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 18. Fig. 13 is a front view of the outer frame of the pachinko machine, Fig. 14 is a rear view of the outer frame, and Fig. 15 is a right side view of the outer frame. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the outer frame seen from the front, and Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the outer frame seen from the rear. Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame disassembled into its main components and seen from the front. The outer frame 2 is attached to an island facility (not shown) in an amusement hall or the like on which the pachinko machine 1 is installed. When viewed from the front, the outer frame 2 is formed into a rectangular frame that extends vertically.

[0031] As shown in the figure, the outer frame 2 comprises a left outer frame assembly 10 and a right outer frame assembly 20 that are spaced apart from each other and extend vertically, an upper outer frame member 30 that connects the upper ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, a lower outer frame assembly 40 that connects the lower ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, an upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 attached to the left end of the upper surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and a lower outer frame hinge member 60 attached to the lower right side of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the left end of the upper surface of the lower outer frame assembly 40.

[0032] When the main frame 4 is closed, the outer frame lower assembly 40 cooperates with the speaker unit 620a of the board unit 620 in the main frame 4 to form part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622, and can invert the phase of sound output to the rear of the main frame speaker 622 and radiate it forward.

[0033] The outer frame 2 has an upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 that can detachably support an upper main body frame hinge member 510 of the main body frame 4. The outer frame 2 can coaxially support the upper main body frame hinge member 510 and the lower main body frame hinge assembly 520 of the main body frame 4 using the upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 and the lower outer frame hinge member 60, allowing the main body frame 4 to be attached so that it can be opened and closed forward around the left side when viewed from the front.

[0034] [2-1. Left outer frame assembly and right outer frame assembly] The left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 19. Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of the left outer frame assembly and the right outer frame assembly of the outer frame, respectively, as seen from the front. The left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 of the outer frame 2 each extend vertically and are spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 coaxially support the upper main frame hinge member 510 and the lower main frame hinge assembly 520 of the main frame 4 so that they can rotate about the same axis, thereby attaching the main frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed.

[0035] First, the left outer frame assembly 10 comprises a left outer frame member 11 that extends vertically with a constant width (depth) in the front-to-back direction, an upper left connecting member 12 attached to the upper end of the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11, and a lower left connecting member 13 attached to the lower end of the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11.

[0036] The left outer frame member 11 has a constant cross-sectional shape and extends vertically, and is formed from an extruded aluminum alloy. The left outer frame member 11 has a recess 11a that is flat and recessed to the right in the rear portion of the left side surface, which is one of three equal parts in the front-to-rear direction; a bulge 11b that bulges to the right from the portion of the right side surface opposite the recess 11a; and a hollow portion 11c that penetrates the bulge 11b vertically. The recess 11a and bulge 11b increase the strength and rigidity of the left outer frame member 11, and the hollow portion 11c reduces its weight.

[0037] Furthermore, multiple grooves extending vertically are formed on both the left and right side surfaces of the left outer frame member 11. The multiple grooves on the left side surface are V-shaped, and the multiple grooves on the right side surface are semicircular. The left outer frame member 11 is formed in a symmetrical shape with the right outer frame member 21 of the right outer frame assembly 20, which will be described later.

[0038] The upper-left connecting member 12 connects the upper end of the left outer frame member 11 and the left end of the upper outer frame member 30. The upper-left connecting member 12 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 12a extending horizontally, a flat upper lateral fixing portion 12b extending upward from the center in the front-to-rear direction on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a, and a pair of flat lower lateral fixing portions 12c extending downward from both the front and rear sides of the upper lateral fixing portion 12b on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a. The upper-left connecting member 12 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0039] The upper-left connecting member 12 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by inserting the rear lower horizontal fixing portion 12c into the hollow portion 11c of the left outer frame member 11, abutting the horizontal fixing portion 12a against the upper end of the left outer frame member 11, and abutting the front and rear lower horizontal fixing portions 12c against the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11, and then screwing a screw into the lower horizontal fixing portion 12c from the outside of the left side surface of the left outer frame member 11. The upper-left connecting member 12 is also attached to the upper outer frame member 30 by abutting the horizontal fixing portion 12a against the underside of the left end of the upper outer frame member 30, and inserting the upper horizontal fixing portion 12b into the notch 30a on the left side surface of the upper outer frame member 30, and then screwing a screw into the upper outer frame member 30 through the horizontal fixing portion 12a and the upper horizontal fixing portion 12b.

[0040] The lower-left connecting member 13 connects the lower end of the left outer frame member 11 to the left end of the lower outer frame assembly 40 (lower outer frame member 41). The lower-left connecting member 13 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 13a extending horizontally, a flat upper lateral fixing portion 13b extending upward from the left edge of the horizontal fixing portion 13a and extending rearward beyond the horizontal fixing portion 13a, a flat lower lateral fixing portion 13c extending downward from a position on the lower edge of the upper lateral fixing portion 13b rearward of the horizontal fixing portion, and a flat abutment portion 13d extending short to the right from the rear edge of the upper lateral fixing portion 13b. The lower-left connecting member 13 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0041] The lower-left connecting member 13 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by screwing a screw into the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b from the outside of the left side surface of the left outer frame member 11 with the rear surface of the abutting portion 13d abutting against the front surface of the bulging portion 11b of the left outer frame member 11, the left side surface of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b abutting against the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11, and the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 13a being aligned with the lower end of the left outer frame member 11. The lower-left connecting member 13 is also attached to the lower outer frame member 41 with the horizontal fixing portion 13a abutting against the upper surface of the left end side of the lower outer frame member 41 with the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c inserted into the notch 41a on the left side surface of the lower outer frame member 41, and by screwing a screw into the lower outer frame member through the horizontal fixing portion 13a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c.

[0042] Next, the right outer frame assembly 20 comprises a right outer frame member 21 that extends vertically with a constant width (depth) in the front-to-back direction, an upper right connecting member 22 attached to the upper end of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21, a lower right connecting member 23 attached to the lower end of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21, an upper hook member 24 attached to the upper part of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21, and a lower hook member 25 attached to the lower part of the left side surface of the right outer frame member 21.

[0043] The right outer frame member 21 has a constant cross-sectional shape and extends vertically, and is formed from an extruded aluminum alloy. The right outer frame member 21 has a recess 21a that is flat and recessed to the left in a rear portion of the right side surface, which is one of three equal parts in the front-to-rear direction; a bulge 21b that bulges leftward from a portion of the left side surface opposite the recess 21a; and a hollow portion 21c that penetrates the bulge 21b vertically. The recess 21a and bulge 21b increase the strength and rigidity of the right outer frame member 21, and the hollow portion 21c reduces its weight.

[0044] The right outer frame member 21 has multiple grooves extending vertically on both the left and right side surfaces. The multiple grooves on the right side surface are V-shaped, and the multiple grooves on the left side surface are semicircular. The right outer frame member 21 is formed in a symmetrical shape to the left outer frame member 11 of the left outer frame assembly 10.

[0045] The upper right connecting member 22 connects the upper end of the outer frame right member 21 and the right end of the outer frame upper member 30. The upper right connecting member 22 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 22a extending horizontally, a flat upper lateral fixing portion 22b extending upward from the middle in the front-to-rear direction on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a, and a pair of flat lower lateral fixing portions 22c extending downward from both the front and rear of the upper lateral fixing portion 22b on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a. The upper right connecting member 22 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0046] The upper right connecting member 22 is attached to the outer frame right member 21 by inserting the rear lower horizontal fixing portion 22c into the hollow portion 21c of the outer frame right member 21, abutting the horizontal fixing portion 22a against the upper end of the outer frame right member 21, and abutting the front and rear lower horizontal fixing portions 22c against the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, and then screwing a screw into the lower horizontal fixing portion 22c from the outside of the right side surface of the outer frame right member 21. The upper right connecting member 22 is also attached to the outer frame upper member 30 by abutting the horizontal fixing portion 22a against the lower surface of the right end side of the outer frame upper member 30, and inserting the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b into the notch 30a on the right side surface of the outer frame upper member 30, and then screwing a screw into the outer frame upper member 30 through the horizontal fixing portion 22a and the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b.

[0047] The lower right connecting member 23 connects the lower end of the right outer frame member 21 to the right end of the lower outer frame assembly 40 (lower outer frame member 41). The lower right connecting member 23 includes a flat horizontal fixing portion 23a extending horizontally, a flat upper lateral fixing portion 23b extending upward from the right edge of the horizontal fixing portion 23a and extending rearward beyond the horizontal fixing portion 23a, a flat lower lateral fixing portion 23c extending downward from a position on the lower edge of the upper lateral fixing portion 23b rearward of the horizontal fixing portion, and a flat abutment portion 23d extending a short distance to the left from the rear edge of the upper lateral fixing portion 23b. The lower right connecting member 23 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0048] The lower right connecting member 23 is attached to the right outer frame member 21 by screwing a screw into the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b from outside the right side of the right outer frame member 21 with the rear surface of the abutting portion 23d abutting against the front surface of the bulging portion 21b of the right outer frame member 21, the right side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b abutting against the left side of the right outer frame member 21, and the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 23a being aligned with the lower end of the right outer frame member 21. The lower right connecting member 23 is also attached to the lower outer frame member 41 with the horizontal fixing portion 23a abutting against the upper surface of the right end side of the lower outer frame member 41 with the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c inserted into the notch 41a on the right side of the lower outer frame member 41, and by screwing a screw into the lower outer frame member through the horizontal fixing portion 23a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c.

[0049] An outer frame hook 653 of a locking unit 650 in the main frame 4, which will be described later, is hooked onto the upper hook member 24 and the lower hook member 25. The upper hook member 24 includes a flat mounting portion 24a that extends vertically with a constant width in the front-to-rear direction and is attached to the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, and a flat mounting piece 24b that extends leftward from the front edge of the mounting portion 24a and onto which the upper outer frame hook 653 is hooked.

[0050] The lower hook hook member 25 includes a flat mounting portion 25a that extends vertically with a constant width in the front-to-rear direction and is attached to the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, a flat hooking piece portion 25b that extends leftward from the front edge of the mounting portion 25a and into which the lower outer frame hook 653 is hooked, and an insertion opening 25c that penetrates the hooking piece portion 25b in the front-to-rear direction and through which the lower outer frame hook 653 can be inserted.

[0051] [2-2. Upper outer frame member] The upper outer frame member 30 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 18. The upper outer frame member 30 is used to connect the upper ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, which are spaced apart laterally. The upper outer frame member 30 has a width in the front-to-rear direction that is approximately the same as the width in the front-to-rear direction of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21, a constant thickness in the up-down direction, extends in the left-to-right direction, and is made of wood. The length in the left-to-right direction of the upper outer frame member 30 is formed to be the same as the length in the left-to-right direction of the lower outer frame member 41 of the lower outer frame assembly 40, which will be described later.

[0052] The upper outer frame member 30 has cutouts 30a at the center of the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides, which penetrate vertically and are recessed toward the center in the left-right direction. The upper horizontal fixing portion 12b of the upper left connecting member 12 and the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b of the upper right connecting member 22 are inserted into these cutouts 30a on both ends.

[0053] The upper frame member 30 also has a mounting step 30b at the left end, where the top and front surfaces are recessed from the general surface. The upper frame hinge assembly 50 (described later) is attached to this mounting step 30b.

[0054] [2-3. Lower outer frame assembly] The lower outer frame assembly 40 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 20. Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view of the lower outer frame assembly of the outer frame, viewed from the front. The lower outer frame assembly 40 connects the lower ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, which are spaced apart on the left and right, and is used to close off and decorate the area below the door frame 3 in the pachinko machine 1.

[0055] The lower outer frame assembly 40 comprises a lower outer frame member 41 that extends left and right and connects the lower ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, which are spaced apart left and right; a box-shaped front panel member 42 that is positioned in front of the lower outer frame member 41, extends left and right along the lower outer frame member 41, and is open at the rear; a box-shaped rear panel member 43 that is attached to the rear side of the front panel member 42 and is attached to the top surface of the lower outer frame member 41, extends left and right, and is open at the front; and a ball-jamming prevention mechanism 44 formed at the left end of the top surface of the rear panel member 43.

[0056] The lower outer frame member 41 has a width in the front-to-rear direction substantially the same as that of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21, a constant thickness in the up-down direction, extends in the left-to-right direction, and is made of wood. The lower outer frame member 41 is formed with a length in the left-to-right direction that is the same as that of the upper outer frame member 30.

[0057] The lower outer frame member 41 has cutouts 41a at the center of the front-to-rear direction on both left and right sides, which penetrate vertically and are recessed toward the center in the left-to-right direction. The lower lateral fixing portion 13c of the lower left connecting member 13 and the lower lateral fixing portion 23c of the lower right connecting member 23 are inserted into these cutouts 41a at both ends. This allows the lower ends of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21 to be connected to each other.

[0058] The outer frame lower member 41 is recessed from the top surface and has a recess 41b into which the lower part of the header rear member 43 is inserted. The recess 41b extends left and right and extends from a position toward the rear of the center in the front-to-rear direction to the front end. This recess 41b maximizes the volume of the header internal space 40a formed by the header front member 42 and the header rear member 43.

[0059] The front panel member 42 has the same left-right length as the outer frame lower member 41, is formed in the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangular box with a short depth in the front-to-back direction relative to its height, and is open on the entire rear side. The open rear side of the front panel member 42 is closed by the rear panel member 43, thereby forming, in cooperation with the rear panel member 43, a front panel internal space 40a that becomes part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622. The front panel member 42 has an elongated opening 42a on the front surface near the right end that penetrates from front to back and extends left to right.

[0060] The rear panel member 43 has a length in the left-right direction slightly shorter than that of the lower outer frame member 41 and is formed in a box shape with an open front. By attaching the front panel member 42 to the front surface of the rear panel member 43, the rear panel member 43 cooperates with the front panel member 42 to form the panel internal space 40a, which is part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622. The rear panel member 43 has a cylindrical connecting tube portion 43a in the center of the left-right direction on its upper surface, which extends left and right and protrudes upward to communicate with the panel internal space 40a. The connecting tube portion 43a is inclined so that its upper end is positioned upward from the front end side, which is coincident with the general upper surface of the rear panel member 43, toward the rear. In this embodiment, the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a is inclined at a 45-degree angle.

[0061] The connecting tube portion 43a has a length in the left-right direction that is approximately one-third the length of the entire rear header panel member 43, and a depth in the front-to-rear direction that is slightly shorter than the depth of the entire rear header panel member 43. A plurality of ribs 43b that connect the front and rear ends are provided inside the connecting tube portion 43a. When the main body frame 4 is closed on the outer frame 2, the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a is connected to a connecting portion 621c of a speaker cover 621 of a speaker unit 620a of a board unit 620 in the main body frame 4, thereby communicating with the internal space of the speaker unit 620a and forming an enclosure 624.

[0062] The ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 is designed to prevent the game ball B from being pinched between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 by causing the game ball B to remain at the left end of the upper surface of the rear panel member 43, at the location of the outer frame lower hinge member 60.

[0063] The ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 is formed at the left end of the upper surface of the rear panel member 43, and comprises a flat mounting portion 44a that is formed to allow the outer frame lower hinge member 60 described later to be attached, a first discharge outlet 44b that opens upward at the left end of the mounting portion 44a, a second discharge outlet 44c that opens upward to the right of the first discharge outlet 44b in the mounting portion 44a, a standing wall portion 44d that extends upward from the rear and right sides of the mounting portion 44a, and an upper end protrusion 44e that protrudes forward from the upper end of the standing wall portion 44d and is inclined so that the upper surface is positioned upward as it extends toward the rear.

[0064] The first discharge opening 44b is formed at a position that coincides with a discharge hole 60d of the outer frame lower hinge member 60, which will be described later. The first discharge opening 44b and the second discharge opening 44c are formed to a size that allows the game ball B to pass through. The first discharge opening 44b and the second discharge opening 44c do not communicate with the panel internal space 40a, but open to the rear surface of the panel rear member 43. Therefore, the game ball B that enters the first discharge opening 44b and the second discharge opening 44c can be discharged to the rear of the panel rear member 43.

[0065] If an unauthorized tool such as a piano wire is inserted through the gap between the outer frame lower hinge member 60 and the main frame lower hinge assembly 520 (described later), the ball-biting prevention mechanism 44 can prevent the unauthorized tool from entering by using the upright wall portion 44d rising from the rear end of the mounting portion 44a. Even if the tip of the unauthorized tool abuts against the upright wall portion 44d and bends upward, it will abut against the upper end protrusion 44e that protrudes forward from the upper end of the upright wall portion 44d, preventing further entry. Therefore, unauthorized acts can be prevented from being committed through the outer frame lower hinge member 60.

[0066] Incidentally, if the rear end of the placement portion 44a is provided with a standing wall portion 44d, when the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2, if a game ball B falls onto the placement portion 44a for some reason, the standing wall portion 44d will prevent the game ball B from moving rearward relative to the outer frame 2, making it easier for the game ball B to remain on the placement portion 44a. If the game ball B remains on the placement portion 44a, when the main frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2, the game ball B will be caught between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4, causing a problem that the main frame 4 cannot be closed.

[0067] In contrast, in the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 of this embodiment, game balls B that have fallen onto the outer frame lower hinge member 60 or onto the mounting portion 44a can be discharged to the rear of the curtain board rear member 43 (rear of the outer frame 2) through the discharge hole 60d of the outer frame lower hinge member 60 and the first discharge outlet 44b, or through the second discharge outlet 44c, thereby preventing game balls B from getting caught between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4.

[0068] The lower outer frame assembly 40 comprises a pair of guide members 45 arranged spaced apart on the left and right sides of the upper surfaces of the front panel member 42 and the rear panel member 43, a flat grill member 46 that closes the opening 42a of the front panel member 42 from the rear, a port member 47 having two cylinders extending forward and backward and attached inside the front panel member 42 so as to sandwich the grill member 46 and close the opening 42a, and a frame-shaped sealing member 48 that is arranged at the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a of the rear panel member 43.

[0069] The pair of guide members 45 are contacted by the lower end of the door frame 3 when the main frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2. The guide members 45 are made of a low-friction material with low friction resistance, making the lower end of the main frame 4 slide easily, facilitating opening and closing.

[0070] The grill member 46 is made of punched metal with numerous small holes. The port member 47, consisting of two cylinders, connects the panel interior space 40a (enclosure 624) to the front of the outer frame 2 via the grill member 46. The port member 47 is made of two cylinders with a predetermined inner diameter and length, and uses the principle of Helmholtz resonance to resonate and amplify the bass sounds emitted rearward (inside the enclosure 624) from the main frame speaker 622, thereby emitting rich bass sounds toward the front of the outer frame 2 (toward the player). In other words, in this embodiment, the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 is a bass reflex type, allowing the player to hear deep bass sounds.

[0071] When the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, the sealing member 48 is sandwiched and compressed between the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a and the lower end of the connecting portion 621c of the speaker cover 621 on the main frame 4, thereby preventing sound from inside the speaker enclosure from leaking between the connecting tube portion 43a and the connecting portion 621c.

[0072] [2-4. Outer frame upper hinge assembly] The outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 21. Figure 21(a) is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame upper hinge assembly of the outer frame 2, viewed from above and front, and Figure 21(b) is an exploded perspective view of (a), viewed from below and front. The outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 is attached to the upper end of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the left end of the upper outer frame member 30, and is used to attach the main frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so that it can rotate about a hinge. The upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 includes an upper outer frame hinge member 51 attached to the upper end of the recess 11a of the left outer frame member 11 and the mounting step 30b of the upper outer frame member 30, a locking member 52 attached to the upper outer frame hinge member 51, and a mounting screw 53 that attaches the locking member 52 to the upper outer frame hinge member 51.

[0073] The outer frame upper hinge member 51 includes an upper fixing portion 51a having a horizontally extending, flat plate shape and attached to the upper surface of the mounting step portion 30b of the outer frame upper member 30, a flat forward extending portion 51b extending forward from the front edge of the upper fixing portion 51a, a bearing groove 51c extending forward from the middle of the right edge of the forward extending portion 51b to the left-right center of the forward extending portion 51b and penetrating it vertically, a flat lateral fixing portion 51d extending downward from the left edge of the upper fixing portion 51a, and a flat edge wall portion 51e extending downward from the edge of the forward extending portion 51b from the left edge around the front edge to the position where the bearing groove 51c opens and continuing with the lateral fixing portion 51d. The outer frame upper hinge member 51 is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate by press molding. The outer frame upper hinge member 51 can rotatably support a main body frame upper hinge pin 512 (described later) of the main body frame upper hinge member 510 in the bearing groove 51c.

[0074] The locking member 52 includes a band-shaped locking body 52a extending forward and backward, an operating piece 52b protruding rightward from the rear end of the locking body 52a, an elastically deformable rod-shaped elastic portion 52c extending leftward from the rear end of the locking body 52a and then diagonally forward and leftward, and a mounting hole 52d penetrating vertically near the rear end of the locking body 52a. The locking member 52 is made of synthetic resin. The locking member 52 is rotatably attached with mounting screws 53 to the underside of the forward extending portion 51b of the outer frame upper hinge member 51 at a position rearward of the bearing groove 51c.

[0075] When the locking member 52 is attached to the outer frame upper hinge member 51, the locking body 52a can block the bearing groove 51c in a plan view, and extends forward so that the right side surface near the front end can abut against a portion of the edge wall portion 51e of the outer frame upper hinge member 51 that extends to the opening of the bearing groove 51c. The tip of the elastic portion 52c extending leftward from the rear end of the locking body 52a abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the edge wall portion 51e of the outer frame upper hinge member 51. The biasing force of the elastic portion 52c biases the locking member 52 in a direction that causes the front end to pivot leftward around the mounting hole 52d. Therefore, in the normal state, the right side surface near the front end of the locking body 52a of the locking member 52 abuts against the edge wall portion 51e. In this state, a space capable of accommodating upper main body frame hinge pin 512 of upper main body frame hinge member 510 is formed in a portion of bearing groove 51c that is forward of lock body 52a.

[0076] By operating the operating piece 52b of the locking member 52, the locking body 52a can be rotated against the biasing force of the elastic portion 52c. By operating the operating piece 52b, the locking body 52a can be rotated in a direction in which its front end moves leftward, thereby retracting the locking body 52a from the bearing groove 51c in a plan view, and the bearing groove 51c can be fully opened. This allows the main body frame upper hinge pin 512 to be inserted into or removed from the bearing groove 51c.

[0077] [2-5. Hinge part under the outer frame] The lower outer frame hinge member 60 of the outer frame 2 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 18. The lower outer frame hinge member 60 has a flat horizontal portion 60a extending horizontally, a flat rising portion 60b rising upward from a position on the left side of the horizontal portion 60a rearward of the center in the front-to-rear direction, a lower outer frame hinge pin 60c protruding upward from near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a, and a discharge hole 60d that passes vertically through the horizontal portion 60a and is large enough to allow only one game ball B to pass through. This lower outer frame hinge member 60 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate by press molding.

[0078] The horizontal portion 60a of the lower outer frame hinge member 60 is trapezoidal in plan view, with the left side as the base. The lower outer frame hinge pin 60c is cylindrical and has a truncated cone shape with a narrowed upper end above the vertical center. This lower outer frame hinge pin 60c is attached to the left near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a. The discharge hole 60d is formed in the horizontal portion 60a so as to contact the center of the rising portion 60b in the front-to-rear direction and extend in an inverted U shape from the left side of the horizontal portion 60a to the right. This discharge hole 60d is formed to be approximately the same size as the first discharge port 44b of the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 in the lower outer frame assembly 40.

[0079] When assembled to the outer frame 2, the rear of the horizontal portion 60a of the outer frame lower hinge member 60 is placed on the mounting portion 44a of the header panel rear member 43 of the outer frame lower assembly 40, and is fixed to the header panel rear member 43 with screws (not shown). In addition, the rising portion 60b is attached with screws (not shown) to a position forward of the bulging portion 11b on the right side surface of the outer frame left member 11. This outer frame lower hinge member 60 can cooperate with the outer frame upper hinge member 51 to attach the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed by inserting the outer frame lower hinge pin 60c into the outer frame lower hinge hole 521a in the main frame lower hinge assembly 520 of the main frame 4.

[0080] Furthermore, when the outer frame 2 is assembled, the discharge hole 60d coincides with the first discharge opening 44b of the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 in the outer frame lower assembly 40. This allows the game ball B on the horizontal portion 60a to fall (discharge) to the rear of the outer frame 2 through the discharge hole 60d and the first discharge opening 44b. In more detail, when the main frame 4 is closed to the outer frame 2, the game ball B that has fallen between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 rolls toward the rear where the gap is wider because the gap between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 gradually narrows as the main frame 4 is closed, and can be discharged from the discharge hole 60d. In this case, the discharge hole 60d is formed at a position that is approximately the same as the rear end of the main frame 4 when the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1, so that game balls B that fall between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 can be easily prevented from rolling rearward beyond the main frame 4 by being discharged through the discharge hole 60d, making it less likely for game balls B to remain in the area of ​​the outer frame lower hinge member 60.

[0081] [3. Overall structure of the door frame] The door frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 22 to 30. Figure 22 is a front view of the door frame of the pachinko machine, Figure 23 is a rear view of the door frame, Figure 24 is a left side view of the door frame, and Figure 25 is a right side view of the door frame. Figure 26 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the front right, Figure 27 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the front left, and Figure 28 is a perspective view of the door frame seen from the rear. Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame disassembled into its main components as seen from the front, and Figure 30 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame disassembled into its main components as seen from the rear.

[0082] The door frame 3 is formed in a rectangular shape extending vertically in a front view, with approximately the same size as the interior of the outer frame 2, and is attached via the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed from the front side within the interior of the outer frame 2. The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which game balls B are dropped so that it can be seen from the front side, stores game balls B to be dropped into the game area 5a, and is equipped with a handle 182 that is operated by the player to drop the stored game balls B into the game area 5a. The door frame 3 also decorates the entire front of the pachinko machine 1.

[0083] The door frame 3 includes a door frame base unit 100 having a rectangular frame-like shape with an outer shape extending vertically when viewed from the front, a glass unit 160 that is detachably attached to the door frame base unit 100 and closes a playing area 5a of a playing board 5 attached to the main frame 4 so as to be visible from the front, a security cover 170 that is attached to the door frame base unit 100 so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear, a handle unit 180 that is attached to the front right corner of the door frame base unit 100, and a door frame base unit 190. The door frame base unit 100 is provided with a tray unit 200 attached to the lower front of the base unit 100, a left side unit 400 attached to the left front of the base unit 100 above the tray unit 200, a right side unit 410 attached to the right front of the base unit 100 above the tray unit, and a top unit 450 attached to the upper front of the base unit 100 above the left side unit 400 and the right side unit 410.

[0084] The door frame base unit 100 comprises a door frame base 101 having a door window 101a which has an outline formed in a vertically extending quadrangle (rectangle) when viewed from the front and which has a door window 101a which penetrates from front to back, a handle mounting member 102 attached to the lower right front side of the door frame base 101, a speaker duct 103 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 in the lower right corner when viewed from the rear, a door frame main relay board 104 attached to the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 near the right end when viewed from the rear, a door frame sub-relay board 105 attached to the left of the door frame main relay board 104 when viewed from the rear, a handle cover 107 which covers the door frame main relay board 104 and part of the door frame sub-relay board 105 from the rear, a handle cover 108 which covers the handle post-relay board 106 from the rear, and a cable cover 109 which covers the wiring cable.

[0085] The door frame base unit 100 also includes a frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit 110 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, an upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and a lower door frame hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a cylinder lock 130 for opening and closing attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a ball feeding unit 140 attached above the rear handle relay board 106 on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a fall cover unit 150 attached to the right side of the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from behind.

[0086] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 to reinforce and rigidify the door frame base 101. The upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and the lower door frame hinge member 125 are used to attach the door frame 3 to the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed. The cylinder lock 130 works in cooperation with the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4 to lock and open the door frame 3 and the main frame 4, and to open and close the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4.

[0087] The ball feeding unit 140 is for supplying the game balls B in the upper tray 201 one by one to the ball launching device 540 of the main frame 4. The foul cover unit 150 is for guiding the game balls B (foul balls) that have been launched by the ball launching device 540 but have not reached the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower tray 202, and for guiding the game balls B paid out from the payout device 580 to the upper tray 201 or the lower tray 202.

[0088] The glass unit 160 has a transparent glass plate 162 and closes the door window 101a of the door frame base 101. The security cover 170 is attached to the door frame base 101 so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear. The handle unit 180 has a handle 182 that can be rotated by the player, and by operating the handle 182, the game is played by shooting the game ball B in the upper tray 201 into the game area 5a of the game board 5 by the ball launcher 540.

[0089] [3-1. Overall structure of the door frame base unit] The door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. Figure 31(a) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit of the door frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit as seen from the rear. Figure 32 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame base unit disassembled into its main components as seen from the front, and Figure 33 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame base unit disassembled into its main components as seen from the rear.

[0090] The door frame base unit 100 is attached to the main body frame 4 on its left side when viewed from the front so that it can rotate on a hinge, closing the front of the main body frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed, and making it possible to view the playing area of ​​the game board attached to the main body frame 4 from the front. The door frame base unit 100 comprises a door frame base 101 which has a rectangular, flat shape that extends vertically, a handle attachment member 102 which is attached to the lower right corner of the front of the door frame base 101 and for attaching a handle unit 180, and a speaker duct 103 which is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 in the lower right corner when viewed from behind.

[0091] The door frame base unit 100 also includes a door frame main relay board 104 attached to the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 near the right end when viewed from behind, a door frame sub-relay board 105 attached to the left of the door frame main relay board 104 when viewed from behind at the lower rear side of the door frame base 101, a post-handle relay board 106 attached to the left of the door frame sub-relay board 105 when viewed from behind at the lower rear side of the door frame base 101, a door frame relay board cover 107 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the main door frame relay board 104 and part of the sub-door frame relay board 105 from the rear side, a post-handle relay board cover 108 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the post-handle relay board 106 from the rear side, and a cable cover 109 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and covering the wiring cable.

[0092] Furthermore, the door frame base unit 100 includes a frame-shaped door frame reinforcement unit 110 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, an upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and a lower door frame hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a cylinder lock 130 for opening and closing attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a ball feeding unit 140 attached above the rear handle relay board 106 on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a fall cover unit 150 attached to the right side of the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from behind.

[0093] This door frame base unit 100 has a handle unit 180 attached to the lower front corner, a tray unit 200 attached to the lower front surface of the door window 101a, a door frame left side unit 400 attached to the left outer front surface of the door window 101a, a door frame right side unit 410 attached to the right outer front surface of the door window 101a, and a door frame top unit 450 attached to the upper outer front surface of the door window 101a.

[0094] In addition, a glass unit 160 is attached to the door frame base unit 100 so as to close the door window 101a from the rear, and a transparent security cover 170 is attached so as to cover the lower part of the glass unit 160 from the rear.

[0095] [3-1a. Door frame base] The door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The door frame base 101 has an outer shape formed into a square (rectangle) extending vertically when viewed from the front. The door frame base 101 penetrates from front to back and is provided with a door window 101a whose inner periphery when viewed from the front is formed into a substantially square shape extending vertically. The upper and left and right sides forming the inner periphery of the door window 101a are respectively close to the outer periphery of the door frame base 101, and the lower side forming the inner periphery is located approximately one-third of the height in the vertical direction from the bottom end of the door frame base 101. In this way, the door frame base 101 is formed into a frame shape as a whole by the door window 101a penetrating from front to back. The door frame base 101 is integrally molded from synthetic resin.

[0096] The door frame base 101 is provided with a handle mounting seat 101b formed in the lower right corner of the front surface when viewed from the front, and inclined so that the left end protrudes slightly forward more than the right end, an insertion recess 101c recessed from the rear toward the front near the right end when viewed from the front between the handle mounting seat 101b and the door window 101a, into which the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 is inserted, a cylinder insertion hole 101d that penetrates from front to back in the insertion recess 101c and into which the cylinder body 131 of the cylinder lock 130 is inserted, and a ball feeding opening 101e that penetrates from front to back on the left side of the cylinder insertion hole 101d and the handle mounting seat 101b when viewed from the front, allowing the entrance opening 141a and ball removal opening 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 to be exposed forward.

[0097] The door frame base 101 also has a lower tray ball passage port 101f that penetrates front to back at a position to the left of the center in the left-right direction and at approximately the same height as the handle mounting seat surface 101b, allowing the ball discharge port 150d of the fall cover unit 150 to face forward, an upper tray ball passage port 101g that penetrates front to front near the left end when viewed from the front, adjacent to the lower edge of the door window 101a, allowing the through ball passage 150a of the fall cover unit 150 to face forward, and a glass unit mounting portion 101h that is recessed from the rear surface toward the front along the inner circumference of the door window 101a, and into which the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 is inserted.

[0098] The door frame base 101 also has a plurality of vertically elongated slits 101i formed in the lower left corner (below the upper tray ball passage opening 101g) when viewed from the front, which penetrate from front to back. A speaker duct 103 is attached to the rear side of the plurality of slits 101i. When the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the plurality of slits 101i have the speaker opening 211b of the tray unit base 211 in the tray unit 200 located in front thereof, and the main body frame speaker 622 in the speaker unit 620a of the main body frame 4 located in the rear thereof, so that sound from the main body frame speaker 622 can be emitted forward.

[0099] Furthermore, the door frame base 101 is provided with a through-hole 101j that penetrates from front to back below the door window 101a and above the handle mounting seat surface 101b. This through-hole 101j is for inserting a wiring cable (not shown) that connects the door frame base unit 100 side and the tray unit 200 side, and is formed to match the through-hole 114b of the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 in the door frame reinforcing unit 110 described later.

[0100] [3-1b. Handle mounting parts] The handle mounting member 102 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The handle mounting member 102 is used to mount a handle unit on the front surface of the door frame base 101, and is attached to the handle mounting seat surface 101b on the front surface of the door frame base 101.

[0101] The handle mounting member 102 comprises a cylindrical tube portion 102a extending in the front-to-rear direction, an annular flange portion 102b extending outward from the rear end of the tube portion 102a in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tube portion 102a, a plurality of (three in this example) protrusions 102c protruding into the tube portion 102a and extending over the entire axial length of the tube portion 102a and arranged at uneven intervals around the circumference of the tube portion 102a, and reinforcing ribs 102d connecting the outer peripheral surface of the tube portion 102a and the front surface of the flange portion 102b and arranged in multiple numbers around the circumference of the tube portion 102a.

[0102] The handle mounting member 102 is attached to the handle mounting seat surface 101b with screws, with the rear surface of the flange portion 102b abutting against the front surface of the handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101.

[0103] The cylindrical portion 102a is formed so that its inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the base 181a of the handle base 181 of the handle unit 180. One of the three ridges 102c is provided on the upper part of the cylindrical portion 102a, and the remaining two are provided on the lower part of the cylindrical portion 102a. These three ridges 102c are formed at positions corresponding to the three grooves 181c in the handle base 181. Therefore, the handle attachment member 102 can insert the base 181a of the handle base 181 into the cylindrical portion 102a only when the three ridges 102c are aligned with the three grooves 181c of the handle base 181, and the rotational position of the handle base 181 (handle unit 180) relative to the door frame base 101 can be restricted.

[0104] Furthermore, since the axis of the tubular portion 102a of the handle mounting member 102 extends perpendicular to the rear surface of the flange portion 102b, when it is mounted on the inclined handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101, the axis of the tubular portion 102a is tilted so that it extends forward to the right, and the handle unit 180 can be mounted to the door frame base 101 in a similarly tilted state.

[0105] [3-1c. Speaker duct] The speaker duct 103 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. This speaker duct 103 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is attached to a portion of the rear side of the door frame base 101 where multiple slits 101i are formed. When the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the rear end of the cylindrical portion of the speaker duct 103 is located in front of the main body frame speaker 622 of the main body frame 4. This allows the sound radiated (output) from the main body frame speaker 622 of the main body frame 4 to be guided forward without being diffused, and can be well guided to the front of the pachinko machine 1 (towards the player) through the multiple slits 101i of the door frame base 101 and the speaker port 211b in the plate unit base 211 of the plate unit 200.

[0106] Furthermore, the speaker duct 103 is provided with a cable holder 103a on the rear surface below the cylindrical portion, which holds the connection cable 503. The cable holder 103a is disposed to the left of the door frame relay board cover 107 when viewed from the front, and holds the connection cable 503 connected to the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 so that the connection cable 503 extends to the left end side of the door frame 3.

[0107] [3-1d. Door frame main relay board, door frame sub relay board, handle rear relay board] The door frame main relay board 104, door frame sub-relay board 105, and handle rear relay board 106 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 32 and 33, etc. The door frame main relay board 104 has a rectangular shape that extends vertically, and is attached to the lower right corner of the rear lower part of the door frame base 101 when viewed from behind. The door frame main relay board 104 relays the connection between the handle rear relay board 106 and the interface board 635 in the board unit 620 of the main body frame 4, and is connected to a portion of the connection cable 503 (see Figures 83 and 84) extending from the main body frame 4.

[0108] The door frame sub-relay board 105 has an inverted L-shaped exterior, with a vertically extending rectangle joined to the right of the upper part of the rectangle when viewed from the front, and is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 so that, although it extends vertically, it is adjacent to the left of the door frame main relay board 104 when viewed from the rear. The door frame sub-relay board 105 relays the connections between the handle decoration board 184 of the handle unit 180, the dish unit relay board 214 of the dish unit 200, the door frame left-side decoration board 402 of the door frame left-side unit 400, the side window interior decoration board 413 and door frame right-side decoration board 418 of the door frame right-side unit 410, the door frame top relay board 467 of the door frame top unit 450, etc., and the interface board 635 of the main frame 4, and the remainder of the connection cable 503 extending from the main frame 4 is connected to it.

[0109] The door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 are attached to the door frame base 101 so that the connection terminals protrude rearward. When the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 have their rear sides covered by the door frame relay board cover 107, and the remaining part of the door frame sub-relay board 105 has its rear side covered by the fall cover unit 150.

[0110] The handle rear relay board 106 has an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape that extends left and right, and is attached to the rear side of the handle mounting surface 101b below the ball feed opening 101e on the rear side of the door frame base 101. The handle rear relay board 106 serves to relay the connection between the door frame main relay board 104 and the handle rotation detection sensor 189, handle touch sensor 192, single button operation sensor 194 of the handle unit 180, and the ball feed solenoid 145 of the ball feed unit 140. When the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the rear side of the handle rear relay board 106 is covered by the handle rear relay board cover 108.

[0111] [3-1e. Door frame relay board cover, handle rear relay board cover, cable cover] The frame relay board cover 107, the handle rear relay board cover 108, and the cable cover 109 of the frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The frame relay board cover 107 is attached to the rear of the frame base 101 to cover the rear sides of the frame main relay board 104 and part of the frame sub-relay board (the portion extending up and down in an inverted L shape). The frame relay board cover 107 is formed in a box shape that is open on the front and left side when viewed from the front. When assembled to the frame base unit 100, the connection terminals of the frame main relay board 104 and the frame sub-relay board 105 that cover the rear side are exposed inside the frame relay board cover 107, and a connection cable 503 can be inserted into the open left side and connected to these terminals.

[0112] The handle rear relay board cover 108 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 so as to cover the rear side of the handle rear relay board 106. The cable cover 109 is attached to the rear side of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 in the door frame reinforcement unit 110, and is intended to cover the wiring cable (not shown) that connects the door frame main relay board 104 and the ball dispensing operation unit 220 of the dish unit 200. The cable cover 109 is formed in a box shape that extends left and right, and has openings near the left end of the front surface and in the center of the bottom surface in the left-right direction for passing the wiring cable through.

[0113] [3-1f. Door frame reinforcement unit] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 to reinforce the flat door frame base 101 and provide rigidity to the door frame base unit 100. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 comprises a left reinforcement frame 111 and a right reinforcement frame 112 which extend vertically and are arranged at a distance from each other on the left and right, an upper reinforcement frame 113 which extends horizontally and connects the upper ends of the left reinforcement frame 111 and the right reinforcement frame 112, an intermediate reinforcement frame 114 whose left end is attached to a position above the lower end of the left reinforcement frame 111 and extends to the right to the vicinity of the right reinforcement frame 112, a cylinder mounting frame 115 which connects the right end of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 to the right reinforcement frame 112, and multiple hook hook members 116 which are attached vertically and spaced apart on the rear side of the right reinforcement frame 112 and on which door frame hooks 652 of the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4 are hooked.

[0114] The left reinforcing frame 111 and the right reinforcing frame 112 have a constant width in the left-right direction and extend vertically for a length approximately equal to the vertical height of the door frame base 101. The right reinforcing frame 112 has multiple insertion holes that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and penetrate in the front-to-rear direction. The tips of the door frame hooks 652 of the locking unit 650 are inserted into these insertion holes when the door frame 3 is closed against the main frame 4. The upper reinforcing frame 113 has a constant width in the up-down direction and extends horizontally for a length approximately equal to the left-to-right width of the door frame base 101.

[0115] The middle reinforcement frame 114 extends left and right with a width in the vertical direction that is wider than the width of the upper reinforcement frame 113. The middle reinforcement frame 114 has a square cutout 114a cut downward from the top end near the left end, and a through-hole 114b that penetrates from front to back near the right end. The cutout 114a is formed in a position that coincides with the upper tray ball passage opening 101g of the door frame base 101, and the through-hole 114b is formed in a position that coincides with the through-hole 101j of the door frame base 101.

[0116] The cylinder mounting frame 115 includes a pair of rear pieces spaced apart from each other and formed as rectangular flat plates extending vertically in a front view, a pair of side pieces extending forward from the opposing edges of the pair of rear pieces in a flat plate shape, and a flat front piece connecting the front end edges of the pair of forward extending pieces. The cylinder mounting frame 115 has a convex shape that protrudes forward in a plan view. The left rear piece of the cylinder mounting frame 115 is attached to the right end of the middle reinforcing frame 114, and the right rear piece is attached to the right reinforcing frame 112. The cylinder lock 130 is attached to the front piece of the cylinder mounting frame 115.

[0117] The hook members 116 are attached to the portions of the insertion holes that penetrate from front to back on the rear side of the right reinforcing frame 112. Door frame hooks 652 of the locking unit 650 are hooked onto these hook members 116.

[0118] The left reinforcing frame 111, right reinforcing frame 112, upper reinforcing frame 113, middle reinforcing frame 114, cylinder mounting frame 115, and hook member 116 that make up the door frame reinforcement unit 110 are formed by stamping and bending metal plates using press molding, and are assembled with rivets.

[0119] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is composed of a left reinforcement frame 111, a right reinforcement frame 112, and an upper reinforcement frame 113 assembled along the left, right, and upper edges of the door frame base 101, and an intermediate reinforcement frame 114 assembled to be positioned below the door window 101a of the door frame base 101.

[0120] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 with a plurality of screws (not shown). When this door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the door frame base 101, the cutout portion 114a and the through portion 114b of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 are aligned with the upper tray ball passage port 101g and the through hole 101j of the door frame base 101, and the cylinder mounting frame 115 is inserted into the insertion recess 101c of the door frame base 101.

[0121] [3-1g. Door frame upper hinge assembly] The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 is attached to the upper left corner of the door-frame reinforcement unit 110 when viewed from the front. The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 is used to attach the door frame 3 to the main frame 4 so that it can rotate about a hinge in cooperation with a lower door-frame hinge member 125. The upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 includes a hinge bracket 121 attached to the door-frame reinforcement unit 110, an upper door-frame hinge pin 122 attached to the hinge bracket 121 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a flange member 123 attached to the upper door-frame hinge pin 122, and a lock spring 124 that biases the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 so as to move upward.

[0122] The hinge bracket 121 includes a flat mounting piece 121a that is rectangular when viewed from the front, and flat protruding pieces 121b that extend forward from the upper and lower sides of the mounting piece 121a. The mounting piece 121a of the hinge bracket 121 is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110. The hinge bracket 121 is formed by bending a metal plate.

[0123] The upper door-frame hinge pin 122 is a cylindrical metal rod bent into an L-shape. When assembled to the upper door-frame hinge assembly 120, the portion of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 that extends vertically penetrates from below near the front ends of a pair of protruding pieces 121b of the hinge bracket 121, with the upper end extending upward beyond the upper protruding piece 121b, and the portion that extends horizontally abuts against the underside of the lower protruding piece 121b. The upper end of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 is rotatably inserted into the upper door-frame hinge hole 511a of the upper hinge body 511 of the main-frame upper hinge member 510 of the main frame 4.

[0124] The flange member 123 is an E-ring, and is attached to a portion of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 between the pair of protruding pieces 121b. The lock spring 124 is formed in a coil shape, and is fitted around the portion of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 that extends vertically, between the flange member 123 and the lower protruding piece 121b of the hinge bracket 121. The lock spring 124 urges the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 upward via the flange member 123.

[0125] In the upper door-frame hinge assembly 120, the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 is biased upward by the lock spring 124, and the horizontally extending portion of the lower end of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 abuts against the lower surface of the lower protruding piece 121b, thereby restricting further upward movement. In this state, the upper end of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 protrudes a predetermined amount above the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b.

[0126] In the door-frame-upper hinge assembly 120, when the horizontally extending portion of the lower end of the door-frame-upper hinge pin 122 is moved downward against the biasing force of the lock spring 124, the entire door-frame-upper hinge pin 122 can be moved downward, and the upper end of the door-frame-upper hinge pin 122 can be retracted below the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b. Therefore, in the door-frame-upper hinge assembly 120, the upper end of the door-frame-upper hinge pin 122 can be inserted from below into the door-frame upper hinge hole 511a of the main-frame-upper hinge member 510 and removed downward. As a result, by inserting the upper end of the door-frame-upper hinge pin 122 into the door-frame upper hinge hole 511a of the main-frame-upper hinge member 510, the upper left end of the door frame 3 in a front view can be supported so as to be hinge-rotatable relative to the main frame 4.

[0127] Furthermore, in the upper door-frame hinge assembly 120, the portion of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 that extends vertically is positioned coaxially with a lower door-frame hinge pin 126 of a lower door-frame hinge member 125, which will be described later. This allows the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 and the lower door-frame hinge pin 126 to hinge rotate the door frame 3 relative to the main frame 4 in a favorable state.

[0128] [3-1h. Door frame bottom hinge material] The lower door frame hinge member 125 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The lower door frame hinge member 125 is attached to the lower left corner of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 when viewed from the front. The lower door frame hinge member 125 cooperates with the upper door frame hinge assembly 120 to attach the door frame 3 to the main frame 4 so that it can rotate about the hinge.

[0129] The door frame lower hinge member 125 is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and comprises a flat mounting piece 125a that is rectangular when viewed from the front, a flat protruding piece 125b that extends forward from the lower edge of the mounting piece 125a, and a door frame lower hinge pin 126 (see Figure 22, etc.) that protrudes downward from the underside near the front end of the protruding piece 125b.

[0130] The mounting piece 125a and protruding piece 125b of the lower door-frame hinge member 125 are formed by bending a metal plate. The lower door-frame hinge pin 126 is a cylindrical metal rod with a tapered chamfer on the outer periphery of the lower end. When assembled to the door frame base unit 100, this lower door-frame hinge pin 126 is attached to a portion of the protruding piece 125b that is coaxial with the portion of the upper door-frame hinge pin 122 of the upper door-frame hinge assembly 120 that extends vertically.

[0131] This door frame lower hinge member 125 can support the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4 so that it can rotate about the hinge by inserting the door frame lower hinge pin 126 into the door frame hinge hole of the main body frame side lower hinge member.

[0132] [3-1i. Cylinder Lock] The cylinder lock 130 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The cylinder lock 130 is attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and is used to open and close the door frame 3 and the main frame 4, and to open and close and lock the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 in cooperation with the locking unit 650 described below. The cylinder lock 130 comprises a cylindrical cylinder body 131 that extends forward and backward, a keyhole 132 formed in the front end face of the cylinder body 131, and a rotation transmission member 133 attached to the rear side of the cylinder body 131, which is inserted into the keyhole 132 and rotates together with the rotation of a regular key.

[0133] The cylinder body 131 of the cylinder lock 130 penetrates the front piece of the cylinder mounting frame 115 from the rear, and its rear end is attached to the front piece. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed in a cylindrical shape (more specifically, a conical cylinder whose diameter increases toward the rear) that is open at the rear, and has a pair of notches cut out from the rear end toward the front at positions opposite each other across the central axis. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed so that a transmission cylinder 654 of a locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4 can be inserted from the rear, and by inserting a pair of protrusions of the transmission cylinder 654 into the pair of notches, the rotation of the rotation transmission member 133 (the key inserted in the keyhole 132) can be transmitted to the transmission cylinder 654, causing it to rotate.

[0134] When the cylinder lock 130 is assembled to the door frame 3, the front end of the cylinder body 131 is approximately aligned with the front end of the cylinder insertion opening 252h of the dish unit body 252 in the dish unit 200 (see Figure 22, etc.).

[0135] [3-1j. Ball feeding unit] The ball feeding unit 140 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 34 and 35. Figure 34(a) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit of the door frame base unit as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit as seen from the rear. Figure 35(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit as seen from the rear with the rear case and anti-tamper member removed. The ball feeding unit 140 can feed game balls B supplied from the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 one by one to the ball launcher 540 of the main frame 4, and can also extract game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202 by operating the upper tray ball extraction button 222.

[0136] The ball feeding unit 140 comprises a box-shaped front cover 141 having an entrance 141a penetrating in the front-to-rear direction through which the game balls B are supplied from the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 and a ball ejection port 141b opening below the entrance 141a, and an open rear end; a rear cover 142 that closes the rear end of the front cover 141 and is box-shaped and has an open front end, and has a ball supply port 142a for supplying the game balls B that enter from the entrance 141a of the front cover 141 penetrating in the front-to-rear direction to the ball launching device 540; The rear cover 142 is provided with a ball removal member 143 rotatably supported around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction between the front cover 141 and the front cover 141, and having a partition 143a that separates the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b at the rear of the front cover 141, a ball feeding member 144 that is rotatably supported around an axis extending in the up-down direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142 and sends the game balls B on the partition 143a of the ball removal member 143 one by one to the ball supply opening 142a of the rear cover 142, and a ball feeding solenoid 145 that rotates the ball feeding member 144.

[0137] As shown in the figure, when viewed from the front, this ball feeding unit 140 has a ball feeding member 144 located to the right of the entrance 141a, a ball removal member 143 located to the left of the ball feeding member 144, and a ball feeding solenoid 145 located to the right of the ball feeding member 144.

[0138] The front cover 141 of the ball feeding unit 140 has an arc-shaped slit 141c formed concentrically with the center of rotation of the ball removal member 143 to the left of the ball removal opening 141b when viewed from the front, and the operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143, which will be described later, extends forward from this slit 141c. In addition, the upper side of the front cover 141 extends upward from the upper edge of the entrance 141a, and is formed so that when the door frame 3 is assembled, the rear side closes the rear-open portion of the ball feeding guide path 241b and ball removal guide path 241c on the upstream end side of the rear base 241 in the upper tray ball removal unit 240.

[0139] The ball removal member 143 comprises a partition section 143a that is located below the entrance 141a and acts as a partition between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b, and whose upper surface becomes lower toward the ball feeding member 144; a pivoting rod section 143b that extends downward from the end of the partition section 143a opposite the ball feeding member 144 and bends in an L-shape from near the middle in the vertical direction toward the lower center of the ball removal opening 141b, with its lower end supported rotatably around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction; a rod-shaped operating rod 143c that protrudes forward from the upper end of the rotating rod section 143b; and a weight section 143d that protrudes below the operating rod 143c from the side of the rotating rod section 143b on the opposite side from the partition section 143a. The operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143 is formed so as to protrude forward through an arc-shaped slit 141c formed in the front cover 141 (see Figure 34(a)). The operating rod 143c abuts against the upper end (upper surface) of the operating transmission part 242b of the upper tray ball removal slider 242, which moves downward by pressing the upper tray ball removal button 222 of the tray unit 200, through the ball feed opening 101e of the door frame base 101.

[0140] The ball feeding member 144 includes a blocking portion 144a that is fan-shaped in plan view and is centered on the rotation axis, facing the entrance 141a and the partition portion 143a of the ball extracting member 143 and extending vertically toward the entrance 141a and the partition portion 143a of the ball extracting member 143; a ball holding portion 144b that is recessed in an arc shape from the rear end of the blocking portion 144a toward the rotation axis; and a rod-shaped shaft portion 144c that extends downward from the rear end of the ball holding portion 144b. The blocking portion 144a and the ball holding portion 144b of the ball feeding member 144 are adjacently formed within an angular range of approximately 180° centered on the rotation axis. Furthermore, the ball holding portion 144b of the ball feeding member 144 is sized to hold one game ball B. The ball feeding member 144 rotates around the rotation axis when the shaft portion 144c, which is positioned eccentrically from the rotation axis, is moved left and right by the drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0141] This ball feeding member 144 is configured to rotate between a supply position in which the blocking portion 144a faces the direction of the partition portion 143a and the ball holding portion 144b faces in a direction communicating with the ball supply port 142a, and a holding position in which the ball holding portion 144b faces the direction of the partition portion 143a. When the ball feeding member 144 is in the supply position, the game ball B held in the ball holding portion 144b is supplied from the ball supply port 142a to the ball launching device 540, and the game ball B that has entered the partition portion 143a from the entrance 141a is prevented from moving toward the ball holding portion 144b (ball supply port 142a) by the blocking portion 144a, and remains on the partition portion 143a. On the other hand, when the ball feeding member 144 rotates to the holding position, the ball holding portion 144b faces the partition portion 143a, and the end portion of the ball holding portion 144b on the shaft portion 144c side closes the ball supply port 142a, and only one game ball B on the partition portion 143a is held in the ball holding portion 144b.

[0142] The ball feeding unit 140 also includes a ball feeding operating rod 146 whose tip swings up and down when driven (energized) by the ball feeding solenoid 145, and a ball feeding crank 147 which rotates around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction due to the movement of the tip of the ball feeding operating rod 146 swinging up and down, and which rotates the ball feeding member 144 around an axis extending in the up and down direction.

[0143] The ball feeding operating rod 146 is provided with an iron plate 146a below the ball feeding solenoid 145. The ball feeding operating rod 146 extends left and right, and its end opposite the ball feeding crank 147 (the right end) is attached to the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142 so that it can rotate around an axis extending forward and backward. When the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven, the generated magnetic force pulls the iron plate 146a toward the ball feeding solenoid 145 (upward), causing the ball feeding operating rod 146 to rotate around the right end so that the left end closest to the ball feeding crank 147 moves upward. Thereafter, when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is deactivated, the magnetic force disappears, causing the weight of the iron plate 146a to rotate around the right end so that the left end closest to the ball feeding crank 147 moves downward, returning the rod to its original position. As a result, the ball feeding operating rod 146 is caused to swing up and down at its left end (tip) near the ball feeding crank 147 by the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0144] The ball feeding crank 147 comprises an engagement portion 147a extending in the left-right direction and capable of engaging with the up-and-down moving tip of the ball feeding operating rod 146, an axle portion 147b positioned on the opposite side of the engagement portion 147a engaging with the ball feeding operating rod 146 and rotatably supported around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142, and a transmission portion 147c extending upward from the axle portion 147b and engaging with a rod-shaped shaft portion 144c (see Figure 35(b)) protruding downward from a position eccentric to the rotation center of the ball feeding member 144.

[0145] This ball feeding unit 140 can rotate the ball feeding crank 147 around an axis extending forward and backward via the ball feeding operating rod 146 by moving the tip (left end) of the ball feeding operating rod 146 upward by driving the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0146] When the ball feeding solenoid 145 is not driven (normally), the ball feeding unit 140 is in a state in which the ball feeding actuating rod 146 is separated from the lower end of the ball feeding solenoid 145 and its tip is positioned downward, and in this state the ball feeding member 144 is positioned in the feeding position. Also, when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven, the ball feeding actuating rod 146 is attracted to the lower end of the ball feeding solenoid 145 and its tip (left end) is positioned upward, and the ball feeding member 144 rotates to the holding position. In other words, when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven (ON state), the ball feeding member 144 receives one game ball B, and when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is deactivated (OFF state), the game ball B received by the ball feeding member 144 can be sent (supplied) to the ball launcher 540. The drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145 in this ball feeding unit 140 is controlled in synchronization with the drive control of the firing solenoid 542 by the launch control unit 633b (see Figure 137) of the payout control board 633.

[0147] In addition, the ball feeding unit 140 is configured to be subjected to a moment of rotation counterclockwise when viewed from the front by the ball removal member 143, which is rotatably supported by a shaft, or by the weight portion 143d. However, the rotation is restricted by the operating rod 143c protruding forward of the ball removal member 143 abutting against the upper end of the operating transmission portion 242b of the upper tray ball removal slider 242, which is operated by pressing the upper tray ball removal button 222 of the tray unit 200. Therefore, under normal conditions, the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 is positioned between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b to separate them, and game ball B does not enter the ball removal opening 141b side.

[0148] When the player presses the upper tray ball removal button of the tray unit downward, the upper tray ball removal slider slides downward together with the operation transmission unit, and as the operation transmission unit moves downward, the operation rod 143c also moves downward relatively. When the operation rod 143c moves downward together with the operation transmission unit, the ball removal member 143 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the front, and the partition part 143a moves from between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b, releasing the partition. As a result, the game ball B that entered through the entrance 141a falls toward the ball removal opening 141b, and is discharged from the ball removal opening 141b into the ball removal guide path 241c of the upper tray ball removal unit 240 in the tray unit 200, and can be discharged (supplied) to the lower tray 202 via the lower tray ball supply opening 211c.

[0149] Furthermore, the upper tray ball removal slider 242, which has an operating transmission part 242b formed thereon and which abuts against the operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143, is biased upward by a spring 243, so that even if a game ball B is supplied forcefully onto the partition part 143a, the impact can be absorbed by the spring 243 via the operating rod 143c, preventing damage to the ball removal member 143 etc. and preventing the game ball B from bouncing off the partition part 143a.

[0150] Furthermore, ball feeding unit 140 has a rectangular mounting recess 142b (see Figure 35(b), etc.) recessed forward at the upper right when viewed from behind ball supply port 142a in rear cover 142, and anti-tampering member 148 is attached to mounting recess 142b. Anti-tampering member 148 of ball feeding unit 140 is formed from a hard metal plate such as tool steel or stainless steel, and is attached to mounting recess 142b of rear cover 142 from the rear side so as to be detachable.

[0151] The anti-tamper element 148 has a rectangular shape extending laterally in front view. It includes an upper piece 148a and a lower piece 148b, which are separated vertically at approximately the center in the vertical direction a predetermined distance to the left of the right edge, and inclined portions 148c, each formed in a C-chamfered shape at the tip end (right end in front view) of the opposing edges of the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b. The upper piece 148a of the anti-tamper element 148 is bent relative to the general surface of the anti-tamper element 148 so that its right end in front view protrudes rearward. The lower piece 148b extends on the same plane as the general surface of the anti-tamper element 148. As a result, the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b form a V-shaped groove that widens toward the right in plan view.

[0152] When the tamper-proof member 148 is attached to the attachment recess 142b of the rear cover 142, the V-shaped groove formed by the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b is in communication with the inside of the ball supply port 142a.

[0153] According to this fraud prevention member 148, when a fraudulent game ball B with a string attached is shot into the game area 5a from the upper tray via the ball feeding unit 140 by the ball launching device 540, and the string attached to the fraudulent game ball B is manipulated to put the fraudulent game ball B in or out of a first starting hole or the like, the momentum of the fraudulent game ball B shot (shot) by the ball launching device 540 causes the string attached to the fraudulent game ball B to be inserted between the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b, and then the string can be cut by the narrow V-shaped portion formed by the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b, thereby preventing fraudulent activities using the fraudulent game ball B with a string attached.

[0154] [3-1k. Foul Cover Unit] The foul cover unit 150 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 36 and 37. Figure 36(a) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit of the door frame base unit as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit as seen from the back. Figure 37 is a front view of the foul cover unit with the cover member removed. The foul cover unit 150 is attached to the right side of the lower rear part of the door frame base 101 as seen from the rear. The foul cover unit 150 guides game balls B (foul balls) that are launched by the ball launching device 540 but do not reach the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower tray 202, and also guides game balls B paid out from the payout device 580 to the upper tray 201 or the lower tray 202. As shown in the figure, the fall cover unit 150 comprises a shallow box-shaped unit body 151 attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 and open at the front, and a flat lid member 152 attached to the front of the unit body 151.

[0155] The foul cover unit 150 is equipped with a through ball passage 150a which penetrates from front to back at the upper left corner when viewed from the front and connects the normal guide path of the lower full ball path unit of the main frame 4 with the upper tray ball supply port of the tray unit, and a full ball receiving port 150b which opens toward the rear on the lower right side of the through ball passage 150a when viewed from the front and can be connected to the full guide path of the lower full ball path unit of the main frame 4.

[0156] The foul cover unit 150 also has a foul ball receiving port 150c that opens upward on the right side of the full ball receiving port 150b when viewed from the front and receives game balls B (foul balls) that have been launched by the ball launching device of the main frame 4 but have not reached the game area 5a, and a ball discharge port 150d that opens forward near the lower right corner when viewed from the front and discharges game balls B received in the full ball receiving port 150b and the foul ball receiving port 150c forward and is connected to the lower tray ball supply port of the tray unit.

[0157] Furthermore, the foul cover unit 150 is provided with a storage passage 150e formed by the unit body 151 and the lid member 152 between the full ball receiving port 150b, the foul ball receiving port 150c and the ball discharge port 150d, and having a width large enough to store a predetermined amount of game balls B.

[0158] The through ball passage 150a is formed across both the unit body 151 and the lid member 152. The full ball receiving port 150b and the foul ball receiving port 150c are formed in the unit body 151. The ball discharge port 150d is formed in the lid member 152. The storage passage 150e is formed by the unit body 151 and the lid member 152.

[0159] The fall cover unit 150 also includes a flat movable piece 153 that forms part of the inner wall of the storage passage 150e and whose lower end is rotatably attached to the unit body 151 and the cover member 152, a full tank detection sensor 154 that detects the rotation of the movable piece 153 in a direction away from the storage passage 150e, and a spring 155 that urges the movable piece 153 toward the storage passage 150e.

[0160] When the lower tray 202 of the tray unit 200 is filled with game balls B and game balls B are no longer released toward the lower tray 202 from the ball release port 150d, this foul cover unit 150 can store a certain number of game balls B in the storage passage 150e. Then, when a certain number of game balls B are stored in the storage passage 150e, the weight of the game balls B causes the movable piece 153 to rotate so that the upper end of the movable piece 153 moves away from the storage passage 150e against the biasing force of the spring 155, and this rotation is detected by the full tank detection sensor 154. This makes it possible to determine that the lower tray 202 is full of game balls B, so when the full tank detection sensor 154 detects that the lower tray 202 is full, the payout of any more game balls B is stopped and a notification to that effect is sent to the player, a game hall attendant, or the like, to urge them to unclog the lower tray 202.

[0161] The ball cover unit 150 is attached to the rear of the unit body 151, below the through-ball passage 150a, and is provided with a door opening / closing abutment 150f against which the operating protrusion 613a of the dispensing passage opening / closing door 613 of the lower full-ball passage unit 610 in the dispensing unit 560 (described later) of the main body frame 4 can abut (see Figure 91). The door opening / closing abutment 150f is inclined so that it moves forward as its rear surface faces downward. When the operating protrusion 613a of the dispensing passage opening / closing door 613 abuts against this door opening / closing abutment 150f, the dispensing passage opening / closing door 613 can be rotated to open the downstream ends (front openings) of the lower normal dispensing passage 610a and the lower full-ball dispensing passage 610b.

[0162] [3-2. Glass unit] The glass unit 160 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 29 and 30. The glass unit 160 is inserted into the glass unit mounting portion 101h from the rear and removably mounted so as to close the door window 101a of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100. When the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main body frame 4, this glass unit 160 makes the playing area 5a of the playing board 5 mounted on the main body frame 4 visible from the player side (front), and also closes off the front of the playing area 5a.

[0163] The glass unit 160 comprises a frame-shaped glass frame 161 that is larger than the inner peripheral shape of the door window 101a of the door frame base 101 and can be attached to the glass unit mounting portion 101h, two transparent glass plates 162 that close the frame of the glass frame 161 and have their outer peripheries attached to the glass frame 161, and a pair of glass unit mounting members 163 that are rotatably attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100 and are used to attach the glass frame 161 to the door frame base 101.

[0164] The glass frame 161 has a pair of mounting pieces 161a extending outward in a flat plate shape from positions below the upper left and right corners in a front view, and a band-like locking piece 161b protruding downward from the bottom end and extending along the bottom edge. The mounting pieces 161a of the glass frame 161 are adapted to abut against the protrusions 163b of the glass unit mounting member 163. The locking piece 161b is adapted to be inserted into the space between the door frame base 101 and the middle reinforcing frame 114 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 (see Figure 97). Two glass plates 162 are attached to the front and rear ends of the glass frame 161, respectively, and are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear directions so that a space is formed between them (see Figure 97).

[0165] The glass unit mounting member 163 has a disk-shaped base 163a that is rotatably attached around an axis extending forward and backward on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a rod-shaped protrusion 163b that protrudes from the base 163a in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The glass unit mounting member 163 is rotatably attached to the outside of each of the two upper corners of the four corners of the door window 101a on the rear surface of the door frame base 101.

[0166] To attach the glass unit 160 to the door frame base 101, first, rotate the glass unit mounting member 163 attached to the door frame base 101 so that the protrusion 163b is positioned above the base 163a. ​​Then, from the rear side of the door frame base 101, insert the locking piece 161b of the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 from above into the gap between the door frame base 101 and the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110, and then abut the front end of the glass frame 161 against the rear surface of the glass unit mounting portion 101h of the door frame base 101. Then, rotate the glass unit mounting member 163 so that the protrusion 163b is positioned below the base 163a, and abut the protrusion 163b against the rear surface of the mounting piece 161a of the glass frame 161. This completes the attachment of the glass unit 160 to the door frame base 101.

[0167] When removing the glass unit 160 from the door frame base 101, the above procedure can be reversed to remove it. This makes the glass unit 160 detachable from the door frame base 101 (door frame base unit 100).

[0168] In addition, in glass unit 160, when protrusion 163b of glass unit mounting member 163 is in a rotation position positioned below base 163a, protrusion 163b restricts rearward movement of glass frame 161, so even if vibration or the like acts on glass unit mounting member 163, protrusion 163b will not rotate to a position where protrusion 163b is above base 163a. ​​Therefore, the restriction on rearward movement of glass frame 161 will not be released naturally, and glass unit 160 will not naturally come off door frame base 101.

[0169] [3-3. Security cover] The security cover 170 for the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 29 and 30. The security cover 170 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base unit 100 so as to cover the lower rear surface of the glass unit 160, and is made of transparent synthetic resin. The security cover 170 comprises a flat main body 171 having an outer periphery formed into a predetermined shape, a flat rear projection 172 that projects rearward slightly along the outer periphery of the main body 171, and a pair of locking pieces 173 that are spaced apart on the left and right, project forward beyond the main body 171, and are capable of being locked to the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0170] The main body 171 of the security cover 170 is formed so that its lower end protrudes downward below the lower end of the glass unit 160 when attached to the door frame base unit 100. The main body 171 also has an upper end formed in a shape that follows the lower end of the playing area 5a of the playing board 5 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. More specifically, the upper end of the main body 171 is formed in a shape that follows a part of the inner rail 1002, the out guide part 1003, a part of the lower right rail 1004, and the right rail 1005 of the component member 1000 described below, and is formed so as not to protrude into the playing area 5a when assembled to the pachinko machine 1.

[0171] The rear protrusion 172 is formed around substantially the entire outer periphery of the main body 171. Therefore, the security cover 170 is formed by the main body 171 and the rear protrusion 172 in the shape of a shallow box that is open to the rear, and has high strength and rigidity. The rear protrusion 172 also protrudes rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body 171 that is different from the outer periphery of the main body 171. The rear protrusion 172 protruding rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body 171 is formed so as to fit along a part of the outer rail 1001 of the front component 1000 of the game board 5 when assembled into the pachinko machine 1.

[0172] It should be noted that the rear protrusion 172 is not formed in a portion of the game board 5 that is located between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 when assembled into the pachinko machine 1. As a result, the game ball B (game ball B launched by the ball launcher 540) that passes between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 does not come into contact with the rear protrusion 172 of the security cover 170, and does not hinder the game ball B from being shot into the game area 5a.

[0173] The pair of locking pieces 173 are elastically locked to the rear side of the door frame base unit 100 (speaker duct 103 and cable cover 109). This allows the security cover 170 to be easily attached to and detached from the door frame base unit 100.

[0174] When the security cover 170 is assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the front surface of the main body 171 abuts against the rear surface of the glass unit 160 (the rear end of the glass frame 161), and the rear projection 172, excluding the portion that projects rearward from the bottom edge of the main body 171, is inserted into the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000. In addition, the security cover 170 is in a state where the rear projection 172 that projects rearward from the bottom edge of the main body 171 projects rearward beyond the front surface of the front component 1000 so as to contact the bottom surface of the front component 1000. As a result, the area between the security cover 170 and the game board 5 (front component 1000) is bent in a complex manner by the rear protrusion 172 of the security cover 170 and the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000, so that even if an attempt is made to insert an illegal tool such as a piano wire into the game area 5a through the gap between the security cover 170 and the front component 1000 from below the front of the game board 5, the attempt will be blocked by the rear protrusion 172 and the security recess 1009, preventing the illegal tool from entering the game area 5a.

[0175] [3-4.Handle unit] The handle unit 180 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 38 etc. Figure 38(a) is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit in the door frame as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit as seen from the back. The handle unit 180 is attached to the handle mounting member 102 of the door frame base unit 100, and can be operated by a player to shoot the game ball B in the upper tray 201 into the game area 5a of the game board 5.

[0176] The handle unit 180 comprises a handle base 181 attached to the tubular portion 102a of the handle mounting member 102 in the door frame base unit 100, a handle 182 rotatably attached to the front end of the handle base 181, a disc-shaped cover base 183 attached to the handle base 181 so as to cover the front end side of the handle 182, a handle decoration board 184 attached to the front side of the cover base 183 and having multiple LEDs mounted on the front side, and a handle cover 185 attached to the cover base 183 so as to cover the front side of the handle decoration board 184.

[0177] The handle unit 180 also includes an inner base 186 attached to the front of the handle base 181 behind the handle 182, an axial member 187 having the handle 182 attached to its front end and rotatably attached by the inner base 186 and the handle base 181, and having a drive gear portion 187a on its outer periphery, a transmission gear 188 meshing with the drive gear portion 187a of the axial member 187, and a handle rotation detection sensor 189 having a detection shaft 189a that rotates integrally with the transmission gear 188 and is sandwiched between the handle base 181 and the inner base 186.

[0178] Furthermore, the handle unit 180 is provided with a handle return spring 190 having one end attached to the handle base 181 and the other end attached to the handle 182, which urges the handle 182 to return to its initial rotation position (the end of rotation in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front), and an auxiliary spring 191 having one end attached to the inner base 186 and the other end attached to the transmission gear 188, which urges the detection axis 189a of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front via the transmission gear 188.

[0179] The handle unit 180 also includes a handle touch sensor 192 attached to the handle base 181 behind the inner base 186, a single button 193 whose tip end protrudes outward from the left side of the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the handle base 181 when viewed from the front and whose base end is attached to the handle base 181 behind the inner base 186 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending forward and backward, and a single button operation sensor 194 attached to the handle base 181 and detects the pressing operation of the single button 193.

[0180] The handle base 181 of the handle unit 180 includes a cylindrical base portion 181a extending in the front-rear direction, a disk-shaped front end portion 181b protruding radially from the front end of the base portion 181a, and three grooves 181c recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base portion 181a, extending axially, and formed at uneven intervals in the circumferential direction. The base portion 181a of the handle base 181 is formed so that its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular portion 102a of the handle attachment member 102. The three grooves 181c are formed at positions corresponding to the three ridges 102c of the tubular portion 102a of the handle attachment member 102. Therefore, with the three grooves 181c aligned with the three protrusions 102c, the base 181a can be inserted into the tubular portion 102a of the handle mounting member 102, and by inserting the protrusions 102c into the three grooves 181c, the handle base 181 becomes unable to rotate relative to the handle mounting member 102.

[0181] The handle 182 has four protrusions, a first protrusion 182a, a second protrusion 182b, a third protrusion 182c, and a fourth protrusion 182d, which protrude outward circumferentially away from the outer peripheral surface, two slits 182e which extend in an arc shape centered on the rotation axis (shaft member 187) and penetrate in the front-to-rear direction, and a locking protrusion 182f which protrudes rearward from a position more inward than the slits 182e with respect to the center of rotation and to which the other end of the handle return spring 190 is locked.

[0182] The four protrusions, first protrusion 182a, second protrusion 182b, third protrusion 182c, and fourth protrusion 182d, are provided in this order in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front. More specifically, the side of first protrusion 182a facing the clockwise direction when viewed from the front at the portion that protrudes most from the general outer surface of handle 182 bulges outward, while the side facing the opposite direction is concave (gouged) and curved inward. The portion of second protrusion 182b that protrudes most from the general outer surface of handle 182 is approximately 85 degrees clockwise away from the most protruding portion of first protrusion 182a, and protrudes slightly lower than first protrusion 182a. This second protrusion 182b has a shape similar to that of the first protrusion 182a, with the side of the most protruding part facing clockwise when viewed from the front bulging outward and the opposite side facing counterclockwise being concave and curved inward.

[0183] The third protrusion 182c has its most protruding portion from the general outer surface of the handle 182 approximately 70 degrees clockwise from the most protruding portion of the second protrusion 182b, and protrudes to approximately half the height of the first protrusion 182a. Both side surfaces of the third protrusion 182c are inclined in a generally linear manner, with the clockwise side surface being more gently inclined than the opposite counterclockwise side surface. The fourth protrusion 182d has its most protruding portion from the general outer surface of the handle 182 approximately 55 degrees clockwise from the most protruding portion of the third protrusion 182c, and protrudes slightly higher than the first protrusion 182a. Both side surfaces of the fourth protrusion 182d are inclined in a generally linear manner, and the fourth protrusion 182d is formed in a generally isosceles triangle.

[0184] The cover base 183 is formed in a disk shape and has three mounting bosses 183a protruding rearward from the rear surface. The three mounting bosses 183a penetrate slits 182e of the handle 182 from the front and are attached to the front surface of the handle base 181. Because the mounting bosses 183a of the handle cover 185 penetrate the slits 182e of the handle 182, the mounting bosses 183a come into contact with the circumferential ends of the slits 182e, thereby restricting the rotation angle of the handle 182. In this example, the handle 182 can be rotated within a rotation angle range of approximately 120 degrees.

[0185] The handle cover 185 has a rounded, forward-bulging front surface and is translucent. Inside the handle cover 185, a lens member formed three-dimensionally from a transparent material is provided. The handle cover 185 is illuminated and decorated by appropriately illuminating the LEDs on the front surface of the handle decoration board 184.

[0186] This handle unit 180 is attached to a handle attachment seat 101b of the door frame base 101 via a handle attachment member 102. The handle attachment seat 101b of this door frame base 101 is inclined so that the right end is located further rearward than the left end in a plan view, and faces outward (toward the open side). Therefore, the handle unit 180 attached via the handle attachment member 102 is also inclined outward in a plan view (in other words, its tip is inclined so that it faces toward the outside of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to a line perpendicular to the front surface of the pachinko machine 1). This makes it easy for a player to grip the handle 182 of the handle unit 180, allowing for a comfortable rotation operation.

[0187] The handle rotation detection sensor 189 of the handle unit 180 is a variable resistor, and when the handle 182 is rotated, a detection shaft 189a of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 rotates via a shaft member 187 and a transmission gear 188. The internal resistance of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 changes according to the rotation angle of this detection shaft 189a, and the driving force of a launch solenoid 542 in a ball launcher 540 (described later) changes according to the internal resistance of the handle rotation detection sensor 189, and the game ball B is shot into the game area 5a with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 182.

[0188] The handle touch sensor 192 detects static electricity acting on the handle unit 180, and when the player touches the handle 182 or the like, it detects the static electricity acting from the player and detects the player's touch to the handle 182 or the like. If the handle 182 is rotated while the handle touch sensor 192 detects the player's touch, the detection of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 is accepted, and the drive of the launch solenoid 542 is controlled with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 182, allowing the game ball B to be shot. In other words, even if the player tries to rotate the handle 182 in some way to shoot the game ball B into the play area 5a without touching it, the handle touch sensor 192 does not detect the player's touch, so the launch solenoid 542 is not driven and the game ball B cannot be shot. This prevents a player from rotating the handle 182 in a way that is different from the intended way to play the game, thereby reducing the burden (stress) on the gaming hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

[0189] Furthermore, when the player presses the single shot button 193 while rotating the handle 182, the single shot button operation sensor 194 of the handle unit 180 detects the operation of the single shot button 193, and the launch control unit 633b of the payout control board 633 stops driving the launch solenoid 542. This makes it possible to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball B without returning the rotation of the handle 182, and by releasing the pressing of the single shot button 193, the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a again with the same hitting strength as before the single shot button 193 was operated.

[0190] Furthermore, the handle unit 180 has four protrusions on the handle 182: a first protrusion 182a, a second protrusion 182b, a third protrusion 182c, and a fourth protrusion 182d. When the handle 182 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the front to the maximum extent so as to strike the game ball B most forcefully into the game area 5a (a so-called "right hit"), the fourth protrusion 182d is in approximately the same position as the first protrusion 182a when the handle 182 is not rotated. Therefore, by holding the handle 182 with the fourth protrusion 182d as the first protrusion 182a, the player can maintain the handle 182 in a comfortable "right hit" position, which reduces the player's sense of fatigue and prevents a decrease in interest in the game.

[0191] [3-5. Overall structure of the dish unit] The tray unit 200 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 39 to 42. Figure 39 is a perspective view of the tray unit of the door frame, and Figure 40 is a perspective view of the tray unit from the back. Figure 41 is an exploded perspective view of the tray unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front, and Figure 42 is an exploded perspective view of the tray unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from the back. The tray unit 200 is attached to a location below the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100. The tray unit 200 comprises an upper tray 201 that stores game balls B to be shot into the game area 5a, and a lower tray 202 that is positioned below the upper tray 201 and can store game balls B supplied from the upper tray 201 and the foul cover unit 150.

[0192] The dish unit 200 comprises a dish base unit 210 having an upper dish 201 and attached to the front of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, a dish decoration unit 250 having a lower dish 202 attached to the front of the dish base unit 210, and a performance operation unit 300 attached to the front of the dish decoration unit 250 and the dish base unit 210 and operable by the player.

[0193] The dish base unit 210 comprises a flat dish unit base 211 extending left and right, an upper dish main body 212 attached to the upper front of the dish unit base 211 and holding an upper dish 201, a mounting base 213 attached to the right of the upper dish main body 212 and protruding forward, a dish unit relay board 214 attached to the right of the mounting base 213, a ball lending operation unit 220 attached to the top surface of the mounting base 213, an upper dish pre-ball removal unit 230 attached below the mounting base 213, and an upper dish post-ball removal unit 240 attached to the rear of the upper dish pre-ball removal unit 230.

[0194] The plate decoration unit 250 comprises a lower plate body 251 attached to the lower front part of the plate unit base 211 and holding a lower plate 202; a plate unit body 252 attached to the front part of the plate unit base 211 so as to cover the outer periphery of the lower plate body 251; a lower plate ball removal unit 260 attached to the underside of the lower plate body 251; an upper left plate decoration unit 270 and an upper right plate decoration unit 275 attached to the upper front part of the plate unit body 252, spaced apart on the left and right, respectively; and a lower left plate decoration unit 280 and a lower right plate decoration unit 285 attached below the upper left plate decoration unit 270 and the upper right plate decoration unit 275, respectively.

[0195] The performance operation unit 300 is equipped with a performance operation section 301 that can be operated by a player, which includes a rotation operation section 302 that can be rotated by the player and a pressing operation section 303 that can be pressed by the player. The performance operation unit 300 is equipped with a performance operation section cover unit 310 that is attached to the front of the plate decoration unit 250, an operation section base 320 that is housed within the performance operation section cover unit 310, an annular performance operation ring 330 that is attached to the upper surface of the operation section base 320 and has the rotation operation section 302, a rotation drive unit 340 that rotates the rotation operation section 302, an operation ring transmission gear 350 that transmits the rotation of the rotation drive unit 340 to the rotation operation section 302, and a gear mounting member 351 to which the operation ring transmission gear 350 is rotatably attached.

[0196] The performance operation unit 300 also includes a performance operation ring decorative board 352 that illuminates and decorates the performance operation ring 330, a decorative board cover 353 that covers the upper side of the performance operation ring decorative board 352, a vibration speaker 354 attached to the underside of the operation unit base 320, a performance operation button unit 360 attached to the operation unit base 320 so as to face the inside of the ring of the performance operation ring 330, and an operation unit relay board unit 390 attached to the rear surface of the operation unit base 320.

[0197] The tray unit 200 bulges forward as a whole, and the performance operation unit 300 is positioned in the center left to right so that the top surface of the performance operation unit 301 faces diagonally upward and forward, with the upper tray 201 positioned to the left of the performance operation unit 300 on the top surface and the ball lending operation unit 220 positioned to the right of the performance operation unit 300, and the lower tray 202 positioned below the upper tray 201 and to the left of the performance operation unit 300.

[0198] [3-5a. Upper plate] The upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 39 to 42. The upper tray 201 is formed by a tray unit base 211 and an upper tray main body 212. When viewed from the front, the left side bulges forward more than the center, forming an upwardly open container shape. The upper tray 201 (upper tray main body 212) bulges forward most from the left end to the right, approximately one-third of the width of the door frame 3. The front end of the upper tray 201 recedes backward from the most bulging part toward the right when viewed from the front, and it has a guide passage 201a (see Figure 46) whose depth in the front-to-back direction is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The entire bottom surface of the upper tray 201, including the guide passage 201a, is inclined so that the right end is lower, and the right end of the guide passage 201a when viewed from the front is recessed below the ball dispensing operation unit 220.

[0199] When assembled to the tray unit 200, the upper tray 201 has a bottom surface that slopes downward from a position below the upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit base 211 to a position slightly below the outer diameter of the game ball B relative to the upper end of the upper tray ball feed port 211e. This allows the game ball B released forward from the upper tray ball supply port 211a to be received and stored within the upper tray 201, and the received game ball B can be supplied from the right end side of the guide passage portion 201a through the upper tray ball feed port 211e to the ball feed unit 140 side.

[0200] In addition, the guide passage section 201a is equipped with a metal earth fitting 201b that is electrically grounded (earthed) in the pachinko machine 1, and when the game ball B comes into contact (rolls) with it, the static electricity charged to the game ball B can be removed.

[0201] [3-5b. Lower plate] The lower tray 202 of the tray unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 39 to 42, etc. The lower tray 202 is located below the upper tray 201, to the left of the left-right center of the tray unit 200 (door frame 3) when viewed from the front. The lower tray 202 is formed of a lower tray main body 251 and a tray unit base 211. The lower tray 202 is formed in the shape of a container capable of storing game balls B, and is provided with a lower tray ball removal hole 202a that penetrates the bottom wall vertically and allows game balls B to be discharged. The lower tray ball removal hole 202a of the lower tray 202 is closed by the lower tray ball removal unit 260 so as to be able to open and close.

[0202] The lower tray 202 has a generally rectangular shape in plan view that extends left and right, with the front end on the left side protruding further forward than the right side from the center in the left-right direction. The lower tray 202 has a lower tray ball ejection hole 202a that penetrates from top to bottom, located near the front end near the right end. The bottom surface of the lower tray 202 is inclined so that it slopes lower toward the lower tray ball ejection hole 202a. When assembled into the tray unit 200, the lower tray ball ejection hole 202a of the lower tray 202 is located in front of the lower tray ball supply port 211c and below the performance operation unit 300.

[0203] When the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is closed, the lower tray 202 can store game balls B released forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211c, and by opening the lower tray ball removal hole 202a, the stored game balls B can be discharged below the tray unit 200 (for example, to a cash box). Also, when the lower tray ball removal hole 202a of the lower tray 202 is open, the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is positioned in front of the lower tray ball supply port 211c, so that the game balls B released forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211c can be quickly discharged downward from the lower tray ball removal hole 202a by moving the shortest distance.

[0204] [3-5c. Plate base unit] The dish base unit 210 in the dish unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 43 to 46. Figure 43 is a perspective view of the dish base unit in the dish unit as viewed from the front, and Figure 44 is a perspective view of the dish base unit in the dish unit as viewed from the back. Also, Figure 45 is an exploded perspective view of the dish base unit disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front, and Figure 46 is an exploded perspective view of the dish base unit disassembled into its main components as viewed from the back. The dish base unit 210 is attached below the door window 101a on the front of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, and the dish decoration unit 250 and the performance operation unit 300 are attached to the front.

[0205] The dish base unit 210 comprises a flat dish unit base 211 attached to the lower front of the door frame base unit 100 and extending left and right, an upper dish body 212 attached to the upper front of the dish unit base 211 and holding an upper dish 201, an attachment base 213 attached to the right of the upper dish body 212 at the upper front of the dish unit base 211 and protruding forward, and a dish unit relay board 214 attached to the right of the attachment base 213 at the front of the dish unit base 211.

[0206] The tray base unit 210 also includes a ball lending operation unit 220 attached to the upper surface of the mounting base 213, an upper tray pre-ball removal unit 230 attached to the front of the tray unit base 211 below the mounting base 213, and an upper tray post-ball removal unit 240 attached to the rear side of the tray unit base 211 behind the upper tray pre-ball removal unit 230.

[0207] [3-5c-1. Dish unit base] The dish unit base 211 of the dish base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 45 and 46. The dish unit base 211 is attached below the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, and is formed in the shape of a flat plate (a shallow box shape with an open rear) extending left and right across the entire width of the door frame base 101.

[0208] The tray unit base 211 is equipped with an upper tray ball supply port 211a that penetrates from front to back near the upper left corner when viewed from the front and extends cylindrically to the rear, a speaker port 211b that penetrates from front to back below the upper tray ball supply port 211a and has punched metal attached to the front, a lower tray ball supply port 211c that penetrates from front to back at the lower part toward the left of the center when viewed from the front and extends cylindrically to the rear, a cutout 211d that is cut out in the right wall of the part that extends cylindrically to the rear of the lower tray ball supply port 211c to a size that allows game ball B to pass through, and an upper tray ball delivery port 211e that penetrates from front to front on the upper right side of the lower tray ball supply port 211c when viewed from the front and extends vertically, with its upper part located at the right end of the upper tray main body 212.

[0209] The tray unit base 211 also has a mounting protrusion 211f that protrudes forward to the right of the upper tray ball supply port 211e and on which the mounting base is placed, a slider insertion port 211g that penetrates front to back below the upper tray body to the left of the upper tray ball supply port 211e and through which the operating transmission part 242b of the upper tray ball removal slider 242 in the upper tray ball removal unit 240 is inserted, a handle insertion port 211h that penetrates front to back at the lower right corner when viewed from the front and through which the tubular part 102a of the handle mounting member 102 of the door frame base unit 100 is inserted, and a cylinder insertion port 211i that penetrates front to back near the right corner when viewed from the front and through which the cylinder body 131 of the cylinder lock 130 is inserted.

[0210] When assembled to the door frame 3, the upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit base 211 has its front end opening into the rear wall of the upper tray 201, and its cylindrical rear end passes through the upper tray ball passage port 101g of the door frame base 101 from the front side and connects to the front end of the through ball passage 150a of the fall cover unit 150. As a result, the game ball B paid out from the payout device 580 of the payout unit 560 is supplied (paid out) into the upper tray 201 through the upper tray ball supply port 211a.

[0211] When assembled to the door frame 3, the lower tray ball supply port 211c has its front end opening into the rear wall of the lower tray 202, and its cylindrical rear end passes through the lower tray ball passage port 101f of the door frame base 101 from the front side and connects to the front end of the ball discharge port 150d of the fall cover unit 150. This allows game balls B circulating within the storage passage 150e of the fall cover unit 150 to be supplied into the lower tray 202 through the lower tray ball supply port 211c. In addition, the downstream end of the ball removal guide path 241c in the rear base 241 of the upper tray ball removal unit 240 is connected to the cutout portion 211d formed in the cylindrically extending portion of the lower tray ball supply port 211c. As a result, by operating the upper tray ball removal button 222, the game ball B stored in the upper tray 201 is discharged from the lower tray ball supply port 211c into the lower tray 202 through the upper tray ball supply port 211e, the entrance 141a and ball removal port 141b of the ball supply unit 140, the ball supply guide path 241b and ball removal guide path 241c of the upper tray post-ball removal unit 240, and the cutout portion 211d.

[0212] When assembled to the tray base unit 210, the upper tray ball supply port 211e is located in front of the ball receiving port 241a of the rear base 241 in the upper tray ball removal unit 240, and the game ball B in the upper tray 201 is supplied from the ball receiving port 241a of the upper tray ball removal unit 240 to the ball supply guide path 241b.

[0213] [3-5c-2. Upper tray body] The upper tray body 212 of the tray base unit 210 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 45 and 46. The upper tray body 212 is attached to the front of the tray unit base 211 and cooperates with the tray unit base 211 to form the upper tray 201. The upper tray body 212 is formed in a container-like (dish-shaped) shape with an open top and rear. The upper tray body 212 extends left and right, with the left side bulging forward more than the center when viewed from the front. The front end of the upper tray body 212 recedes rearward from the most forward-bulging part toward the right when viewed from the front, and the depth in the front-to-back direction is formed to a width slightly greater than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The bottom surface of the upper tray body 212 is inclined so that the right end is lowest. The upper part of the upper tray body 212 near the right end is closed.

[0214] When the upper tray body 212 is assembled to the tray unit 200, the part that is closed at the top near the right end is attached so that it fits under the ball dispensing operation unit 220. In addition, the upper tray body 212 has a performance operation unit attachment part 212a formed in the middle part in the left-right direction at the top, and a part of the performance operation unit 300 is attached to this performance operation unit attachment part 212a.

[0215] [3-5c-3. Mounting base] The mounting base 213 of the dish base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 45 and 46. The mounting base 213 is attached to the front of the dish unit base 211 while being placed on the upper surface of the mounting protrusion 211f of the dish unit base 211, and the ball dispensing operation unit 220 is attached to the upper side. The mounting base 213 is formed in the shape of a shallow box with an open top. The mounting base 213 has an insertion hole 213a that penetrates vertically near the left end and a through hole 213b that penetrates vertically at the rear right corner.

[0216] The insertion hole 213a of the mounting base 213 is for inserting the front slider 232 of the upper tray ball extraction unit 230. The through hole 213b is for inserting a wiring cable for connecting the ball dispensing operation unit 220 and the door frame main relay board 104.

[0217] [3-5c-4. Dish unit relay board] The dish unit relay board 214 of the dish base unit 210 is intended to relay the connection between the door frame sub-relay board 105 in the door frame base unit 100 and the upper left dish decorative board 273, upper right dish decorative board 278, lower left dish decorative board 283, lower right dish decorative board 288, and operation unit relay board 392. The dish unit relay board 214 is attached to the right side of the mounting protrusion 211f on the front surface of the dish unit base 211. When attached to the dish unit base 211, the rear surface of this dish unit relay board 214 faces the rear side of the dish unit base 211.

[0218] [3-5c-5. Ball lending operation unit] The ball dispensing operation unit 220 of the tray base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 39 to 46. The ball dispensing operation unit 220 is attached to the front of the tray unit base 211 via an attachment base 213. This ball dispensing operation unit 220 is used to discharge game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 onto the lower tray 202, to dispense a predetermined number of game balls B into the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 after inserting cash or a prepaid card into a ball dispensing machine (not shown) installed adjacent to the pachinko machine 1, to display the remaining amount of cash or a prepaid card inserted into the ball dispensing machine, and to return the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball dispensing machine minus the amount of the dispensed game balls B.

[0219] The ball lending operation unit 220 comprises a base portion 221 attached to the upper side of the mounting base 213, an upper tray ball removal button 222 located near the left end of the upper surface of the base portion 221, a translucent, disc-shaped ball lending operation base 223 located to the right of the upper tray ball removal button 222 on the upper surface of the base portion 221, a ball lending button 224 located on the front left side of the ball lending operation base 223, a return button 225 located on the front right side of the ball lending operation base 223, and a ball lending display unit (not shown) located at the rear lower part of the ball lending operation base 223.

[0220] The upper tray ball removal button 222 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape from the top surface of the base portion 221, and can be moved downward by the player pressing it. The ball lending button 224 is formed in a circular shape. The return button 225 is formed in a triangular shape. The ball lending display portion is composed of three 7-segment LEDs, which can be seen through the transparent ball lending operation base 223 when illuminated.

[0221] The ball lending operation unit 220 can eject game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 into the lower tray by pressing the upper tray ball removal button 222. Furthermore, when cash or a prepaid card with a remaining balance is inserted into the ball lending machine and the ball lending button 224 is pressed, a predetermined number of game balls B are supplied to the upper tray 201. When the return button 225 is pressed, the amount of the loaned game balls B is deducted from the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine and returned. The ball lending display unit displays the remaining amount of cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine. Furthermore, the ball lending display unit displays an error code when the ball lending machine malfunctions.

[0222] [3-5c-6. Upper tray ball removal unit and upper tray ball removal unit] The upper tray pre-ball removal unit 230 and upper tray post-ball removal unit 240 in the tray base unit 210 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 45 and 46. The upper tray pre-ball removal unit 230 and upper tray post-ball removal unit 240 work in cooperation with the ball feeding unit 140 to discharge the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202 when the upper tray ball removal button 222 of the ball lending operation unit 220 is pressed.

[0223] The upper tray ball removal unit 230 is attached to the left of the mounting protrusion 211f on the front of the tray unit base 211, below the ball lending operation unit 220. The upper tray ball removal unit 240 is attached to a location behind the upper tray ball removal unit 230 on the rear surface of the tray unit base 211.

[0224] The upper tray ball removal front unit 230 comprises a cylindrical front base 231 that is attached to the front of the tray unit base 211 and extends vertically, and a front slider 232 that is inserted into the cylindrical front base 231 so that it can move vertically. The front base 231 is attached to the front of the tray unit base 211 near the front of the upper tray ball supply port 211e and the slider insertion port 211g. The front slider 232 extends vertically, with its upper end abutting the lower end of the upper tray ball removal button 222 and its lower end abutting the upper surface of the operating receiving portion 242a of the upper tray ball removal slider 242 of the upper tray ball removal post unit 240.

[0225] The upper tray ball removal unit 240 comprises a rear base 241 attached to the rear surface of the tray unit base 211 so as to close the upper tray ball supply port 211e and the slider insertion port 211g from the rear, an upper tray ball removal slider 242 attached to the front surface of the rear base 241 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, a spring 243 that urges the upper tray ball removal slider 242 upward, and a rear cover 244 attached to the rear side of the rear base 241.

[0226] The rear base 241 is equipped with a ball receiving opening 241a that protrudes upward from the portion where the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is slidably attached and opens toward the front, allowing the game ball B to pass through, a ball feed guide path 241b that guides the game ball B received in the ball receiving opening 241a downward on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then rearward, and a ball removal guide path 241c that guides the game ball B downward from a position lower than the ball feed guide path 241b on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then to the right when viewed from behind.

[0227] When assembled to the tray base unit 210, the ball receiving opening 241a is formed at the downstream end (right end when viewed from the front) of the guide passage section 201a of the upper tray 201, in a position that opens forward through the upper tray ball supply opening 211e of the tray unit base 211. When assembled to the door frame 3, the ball supply guide path 241b is formed so that the entrance 141a of the ball supply unit 140 is located at the rear of the lower part. This allows the game ball B supplied to the upper tray 201 to enter the entrance 141a of the ball supply unit 140 through the ball receiving opening 241a and the ball supply guide path 241b.

[0228] The portion of the ball removal guideway 241c extending to the left and right protrudes further to the right in rear view than the portion where the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is slidably mounted, is inclined so that the right end is lower in rear view, and opens to the right side in rear view. The rear side of the portion of the ball removal guideway 241c extending to the left and right is closed by a rear cover 244. When assembled to the door frame 3, the ball removal guideway 241c is formed so that the upper part of the portion extending up and down below the ball feeding guideway 241b is located in front of the ball removal opening 141b of the ball feeding unit 140, and the right end of the portion extending to the left and right in rear view is connected to the cutout portion 211d of the lower tray ball supply opening 211c in the tray unit base 211. As a result, the game ball B discharged from the ball ejection port 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 is released into the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball supply port 211c via the ball ejection guide path 241c and the cutout portion 211d.

[0229] The upper tray ball removal slider 242 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and includes an actuation receiving portion 242a that protrudes forward from the upper left corner and an actuation transmitting portion 242b that protrudes rearward from the rear surface behind the actuation receiving portion 242a. The actuation receiving portion 242a has a flat upper surface. The actuation transmitting portion 242b has an upper surface that slopes downward as it extends rearward, and a lower surface that extends horizontally to connect with the rear end of the upper surface.

[0230] When the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the actuation receiving portion 242a protrudes forward through the slider insertion port 211g of the tray unit base 211 from the rear side, and the lower end of the front slider 232 of the upper tray ball removal front unit 230 abuts against the upper surface of the actuation receiving portion 242a. Also, when the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the actuation transmission portion 242b protrudes rearward from the rear base 241, and the actuation rod 143c of the ball removal member 143 of the ball feeding unit 140 abuts against the upper surface.

[0231] The spring 243 has an upper end attached to the rear base 241 and a lower end attached to the upper tray ball removal slider 242, and urges the upper tray ball removal slider 242 upward. Therefore, the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is positioned at the upper limit of its upward movement due to the urging force of the spring 243, and can move downward by resisting the urging force of the spring 243.

[0232] The upper tray ball removal front unit 230 and the upper tray ball removal rear unit 240 position the upper tray ball removal slider 242 at the upper end of its upward movement due to the biasing force of the spring 243, and position the upper tray ball removal button 222 at the upper end of its upward movement via the front slider 232 abutting the upper surface of the actuation receiving portion 242a of the upper tray ball removal slider 242. In addition, because the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is positioned at the upper end of its upward movement due to the biasing force of the spring 243, the actuation rod 143c abutting the upper surface of the actuation transmission portion 242b is prevented from moving downward, and the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 is positioned between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b, separating the two.

[0233] Therefore, when the upper tray ball removal button 222 is not pressed, the entrance 141a and the ball removal port 141b in the ball feeding unit 140 are partitioned, and the game ball B sent from the upper tray 201 to the ball receiving port 241a can be sent from the entrance 141a and the ball feeding member 144 to the ball supply port 142a to the ball launching device 540 side.

[0234] On the other hand, when the upper tray ball removal button 222 is pressed downward against the force of the spring 243, the upper tray ball removal slider 242 moves downward via the front slider 232, and the operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143, which abuts the upper surface of the operating transmission part 242b of the upper tray ball removal slider 242, can move downward, and the ball removal member 143 rotates due to the load of the weight part 143d of the ball removal member 143, and the partition part 143a moves back from between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b. As a result, the game ball B that entered the entrance 141a from the upper tray 201 through the ball receiving opening 241a and the ball feeding guide path 241b is ejected forward from the ball removal opening 141b, which opens below the entrance 141a. Then, the game ball B discharged forward from the ball discharge port 141b passes through the ball discharge guide path 241c and is guided from the cutout portion 211d into the lower tray ball supply port 211c, and then is released from the lower tray ball supply port 211c into the lower tray 202, and the game ball B in the upper tray 201 is discharged into the lower tray 202.

[0235] When the downward pressure on the upper tray ball removal button 222 is released, the upper tray ball removal slider 242 moves upward due to the force of the spring 243, and the upper tray ball removal button 222 rises via the front slider 232 which is in contact with the operating receiving part 242a, and the ball removal member 143 rotates via the operating rod 143c which is in contact with the operating transmission part 242b, so that the partition part 143a is positioned between the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b, returning to its original state.

[0236] In this way, the upper tray pre-ball removal unit 230 and the upper tray post-ball removal unit 240 can feed the game ball B in the upper tray 201 to the ball launching device 540 side via the ball feeding unit 140, or discharge it to the lower tray 202 side.

[0237] [3-5d. Plate decoration unit] The plate decoration unit 250 in the plate unit 200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 47 to 50. Figure 47 is a perspective view of the plate decoration unit in the plate unit as seen from the front, and Figure 48 is a perspective view of the plate decoration unit as seen from the back. Figure 49 is an exploded perspective view of the plate decoration unit disassembled into its main components as seen from the front, and Figure 50 is an exploded perspective view of the plate decoration unit disassembled into its main components as seen from the back. The plate decoration unit 250 has a lower plate 202 and is attached to the front of the plate base unit 210, with the performance operation unit 300 attached from the front in the center in the left-right direction. The plate decoration unit 250 decorates almost the entire plate unit 200.

[0238] The plate decoration unit 250 comprises a lower plate body 251 attached to the lower front part of the plate unit base 211 and working together with the plate unit base 211 to form the lower plate 202; a plate unit body 252 attached to the front part of the plate unit base 211 so as to cover the outer periphery of the lower plate body 251; a lower plate ball removal unit 260 attached to the underside of the lower plate body 251; an upper left plate decoration unit 270 and an upper right plate decoration unit 275 attached to the upper front part of the plate unit body 252, spaced apart on the left and right sides, respectively; and a lower left plate decoration unit 280 and a lower right plate decoration unit 285 attached below the upper left plate decoration unit 270 and the upper right plate decoration unit 275 on the entire surface of the plate unit body 252, respectively.

[0239] [3-5d-1. Lower plate body] The lower tray body 251 in the tray display unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 47 to 50. The lower tray body 251 cooperates with the tray unit base 211 of the tray base unit 210 to form the lower tray 202. The lower tray body 251 extends left and right and is formed in a container shape (dish shape) that is open at the top and rear. This lower tray body 251 is attached to the lower front of the tray unit base 211 at a location to the left of the center in the left-right direction, so that the open rear is closed.

[0240] The lower tray body 251 has a generally rectangular shape extending left and right in plan view, with the front end on the left side protruding further forward than the right side from the center in the left-right direction. A lower tray ball removal hole 202a that penetrates vertically is formed in the lower tray body 251 near the front end on the right side in plan view. The bottom surface of the lower tray body 251 is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the lower tray ball removal hole 202a. The lower tray ball removal hole 202a is closed openably and closably by the lower tray ball removal cover 265 of the lower tray ball removal unit 260.

[0241] When the lower tray body 251 is assembled to the tray decoration unit 250, the outer periphery and part of the underside are covered by the tray unit body 252. Furthermore, when the lower tray body is assembled to the tray unit 200, the bottom surface is located below the lower tray ball supply port 211c of the tray unit base 211, and the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is located in front of the lower tray ball supply port 211c. This allows the game balls B released forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211c to be stored.

[0242] [3-5d-2. Dish unit body] The dish unit main body 252 in the dish decoration unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 47 to 50. The dish unit main body 252 is attached to the front of the dish unit base 211 in the dish base unit 210 and decorates the front of the dish unit 200. The dish unit main body 252 bulges out so that the center in the left-right direction protrudes forward on the upper side, and bulges out so that the left side in the left-right direction protrudes forward on the lower side. In addition, the top surface of the dish unit main body 252 is curved so that the center in the left-right direction is lowest. The dish unit main body 252 is formed in a box shape that is open to the rear.

[0243] The plate unit main body 252 has an upper side bulge portion 252a at the top that bulges forward from both the left and right ends toward the center in the left-right direction and extends downward, spaced apart on the left and right, a lower front decorative portion 252b at the bottom that bulges forward on the left side of the center in the left-right direction so as to cover the outer circumference of the lower plate main body 251, and a bottom plate portion 252c that extends flatly from the lower end of the lower front decorative portion 252b to the rear.

[0244] The left and right upper side bulges 252a are formed in a box shape with an open rear, and the upper left tray decorative unit 270, the lower left tray decorative unit 280, the upper right tray decorative unit 275, and the lower right tray decorative unit 285 are attached to their respective front surfaces. The right end of the lower surface of the left upper side bulge 252a is connected to the lower front decorative part 252b. The lower end of the right upper side bulge 252a is connected to the lower front decorative part 252b.

[0245] The tray unit main body 252 has a lower tray opening 252d that penetrates from front to back between the upper side bulge 252a on the left side and the lower front decorative part 252b. The lower tray opening 252d is large enough to allow a player's fingers to be inserted, and is formed so that it becomes wider from top to bottom as it moves to the left. The lower tray opening 252d is formed into a cylindrical shape that extends from front to back by the lower tray main body 251 and the underside of the upper side bulge 252a on the left side.

[0246] The dish unit main body 252 also has a front cutout 252e cut out upward from the lower front end of the portion of the lower front decorative portion 252b that covers the outer periphery of the lower dish main body 251, and a bottom cutout 252f cut out in the portion of the bottom plate portion 252c that is below the lower dish main body 251. The lower dish ball removal unit 260 is inserted into the front cutout 252e and the bottom cutout 252f.

[0247] Furthermore, the dish unit main body 252 is provided with a handle insertion opening 252g that penetrates from front to back at the lower right corner of the lower front decorative portion 252b and through which the tubular portion 102a of the handle mounting member 102 is inserted, a cylinder insertion opening 252h that penetrates the lower front decorative portion 252b from front to back above the handle insertion opening 252g and through which the cylinder main body 131 of the cylinder lock 130 is inserted, and a performance operation unit mounting portion 252i that is formed between a pair of upper side bulges 252a in the center in the left-right direction and on which the performance operation unit 300 is mounted. The performance operation unit mounting portion 252i is formed to have a width that is approximately 1 / 3 of the left-right width of the dish unit main body 252.

[0248] When assembled to the dish unit 200, the dish unit main body 252 is formed to cover the entire front of the dish base unit 210, with the speaker port 211b facing forward through the lower dish opening 252d. Also, when assembled to the dish decoration unit 250, the lower dish ball removal button 263 of the lower dish ball removal unit 260 faces forward from the front cutout 252e, and the lower dish ball removal base 261 of the lower dish ball removal unit 260 closes the bottom cutout 252f, so that the lower surfaces are flush with each other.

[0249] [3-5d-3. Bottom tray ball removal unit] The lower tray ball removal unit 260 in the tray decoration unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 47 to 50. The lower tray ball removal unit 260 is attached to the underside of the lower tray main body 251, and is used to store game balls B in the lower tray 202 and to discharge game balls B from the lower tray 202 by opening and closing the lower tray ball removal hole 202a.

[0250] The lower tray ball removal unit 260 comprises a flat lower tray ball removal base 261 attached to the underside of the lower tray main body 251 and having a through hole that runs vertically in the front right corner when viewed in plan, a slider 262 attached to the upper surface of the lower tray ball removal base 261 so as to be able to slide back and forth, a lower tray ball removal button 263 attached to the front end of the slider 262, a spring 264 that urges the slider 262 forward, a lower tray ball removal lid 265 that opens and closes the through hole by moving the slider 262 back and forth, and a holding mechanism 266 that holds the lower tray ball removal lid 265 in the open state via the slider 262.

[0251] The lower tray ball removal base 261 is formed to a size that closes the bottom cutout portion 252f of the tray unit main body 252, and has a through hole that penetrates vertically at a position that coincides with the lower tray ball removal hole 202a of the lower tray 202 (lower tray main body 251). The through hole of the lower tray ball removal base 261 is formed to be the same size as the lower tray ball removal hole 202a. The slider 262 is formed in the shape of a flat plate that extends forward and backward, and is attached to the lower tray ball removal base 261 at a position slightly to the left of the center in the left-right direction, so that it can slide forward and backward. The slider 262 is equipped with a protruding pin that protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape.

[0252] The left end of the lower tray ball removal lid 265 is attached to the lower tray ball removal base 261 at a position to the left of the slider 262 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending vertically, and the right end extends to the right beyond the slider 262 so that the right end is capable of closing the through hole. The lower tray ball removal lid 265 has a slit extending left and right into which the protruding pin of the slider 262 is slidably inserted.

[0253] When the lower tray ball removal unit 260 is assembled to the tray decoration unit 250, the lower tray ball removal base 261 closes the bottom cutout 252f of the tray unit main body 252, and the underside of the lower tray ball removal base 261 is located on the same plane as the underside of the bottom plate portion 252c. In addition, the lower tray ball removal button 263 faces forward from the front cutout 252e of the tray unit main body 252. In the normal state of the lower tray ball removal unit 260, the slider 262 is located at the forward end of its movement due to the biasing force of the spring 264, and the right end side of the lower tray ball removal cover 265 is located directly above the through hole, closing the through hole (lower tray ball removal hole 202a).

[0254] In this normal state, the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is closed by the lower tray ball removal cover 265, allowing game balls B to be stored in the lower tray 202. Also, in the normal state, the front surface of the lower tray ball removal button 263 is approximately aligned with the front surface of the periphery of the front cutout portion 252e on the front surface of the lower front decorative portion 252b.

[0255] In the normal state, when the lower tray ball removal button 263 is pressed backward and moved backward against the biasing force of the spring 264, the slider 262 moves backward along with the lower tray ball removal button 263. As the slider 262 moves backward, the protruding pin of the slider 262 presses the lower tray ball removal lid 265 backward through the slit, causing the lower tray ball removal lid 265 to rotate around the left end in a direction in which the right end moves backward. Then, as the right end of the lower tray ball removal lid 265, which was located directly above the through-hole, moves backward from the position of the through-hole, the through-hole is opened and the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is opened, allowing the game ball B in the lower tray 202 to be discharged below the tray unit 200 through the lower tray ball removal hole 202a.

[0256] When the slider 262 is moved rearward by pressing the lower tray ball removal button 263, the rear end of the slider 262 is held by the holding mechanism 266, and even if the pressure on the lower tray ball removal button 263 is released, the slider 262 does not move forward due to the biasing force of the spring 264. As a result, the right end of the lower tray ball removal lid 265 remains rotated rearward, the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is maintained in an open state, and the game balls B in the lower tray 202 can be continuously discharged downward.

[0257] To close the lower tray ball removal hole 202a from this state, the lower tray ball removal button 263, which is set back from the front of the lower front decorative part 252b, is pressed backward, which releases the slider 262 from its hold by the holding mechanism 266. Then, when the pressure on the lower tray ball removal button 263 is released, the slider 262 moves forward due to the biasing force of the spring 264, and the front of the lower tray ball removal button 263 returns to a state where it is aligned with the front of the lower front decorative part 252b, and the lower tray ball removal lid 265 rotates so that its right end is positioned directly above the through hole, and the lower tray ball removal hole 202a is closed by the lower tray ball removal lid 265. This allows game balls B to be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0258] [3-5d-4. Top left decorative unit and top right decorative unit] The upper left dish decorative unit 270 and upper right dish decorative unit 275 of the dish decorative unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 47 to 50. The upper left dish decorative unit 270 and upper right dish decorative unit 275 are attached to the upper front of the upper side bulge 252a of the dish unit main body 252. The upper left dish decorative unit 270 and upper right dish decorative unit 275 are located at the top of the dish unit 200 and decorate both the left and right sides of the performance operation unit 300.

[0259] The upper left decorative unit 270 comprises a semi-cylindrical upper left decorative body 271 that extends left and right and is translucent, an upper left reflector 272 attached to the rear side of the upper left decorative body 271, and an upper left decorative board 273 attached to the rear side of the upper left reflector 272 and having multiple LEDs mounted on the front side.

[0260] The upper left decorative element 271 extends in a curved shape, moving forward and downward as it moves from the left end to the right end, and is attached to the top of the upper left side bulge 252a. The upper left decorative element 271 is formed as a semicircular arc that bulges forward, with the central axis extending diagonally upward and left at the left end and the central axis extending left and right at the right end, giving it the shape of a twisted semicylinder. This upper left decorative element 271 is formed in a milky white color.

[0261] The upper left reflector 272 is inserted into the upper left decorative body 271 from the rear, and a through hole is formed in the area corresponding to the LED on the upper left decorative board 273. The multiple LEDs mounted on the upper left decorative board 273 are full-color LEDs, and when illuminated, they can illuminate the upper left decorative body 271.

[0262] When assembled to the door frame 3, the left end of the upper left dish decorative unit 270 is continuous with the lower end of the door frame left side unit 400, and the right end is continuous with the left end of the upper center dish decorative body 312a of the unit front cover 312 in the performance operation unit 300. Because the upper left dish decorative unit 270 does not have a rib along the length of the upper left dish decorative body 271, when the multiple LEDs on the upper left dish decorative board 273 are illuminated, the entire front of the upper left dish decorative body 271 can be illuminated and decorated in a substantially uniform manner, giving the appearance of embedded fluorescent lights.

[0263] The upper right decorative unit 275 comprises a semi-cylindrical upper right decorative body 276 that extends left and right and is translucent, a upper right reflector 277 attached to the rear side of the upper right decorative body 276, and an upper right decorative board 278 attached to the rear side of the upper right reflector 277 and having multiple LEDs mounted on the front side.

[0264] The upper right decorative element 276 extends in a curved line, moving forward and downward as it moves from the right end to the left end, and is attached to the top of the upper right side bulge 252a. The upper right decorative element 276 is a semicircular arc that bulges forward, with the central axis extending diagonally upward and to the right at the right end and the central axis extending left and right at the left end, forming a shape resembling a twisted semicylinder. The upper right decorative element 276 is milky white in color.

[0265] The upper right reflector 277 is inserted into the upper right decorative body 276 from the rear, and through holes are formed in the areas corresponding to the LEDs on the upper right decorative board 278. The multiple LEDs mounted on the upper right decorative board 278 are full-color LEDs, and when illuminated, can illuminate and decorate the upper right decorative body 276.

[0266] When assembled to the door frame 3, the right end of the dish upper right decorative unit 275 is continuous with the lower end of the door frame right side unit 410, and the left end is continuous with the right end of the dish upper center decorative body 312a of the unit front cover 312 in the performance operation unit 300. Since the dish upper right decorative unit 275 does not have a rib midway along the length of the dish upper right decorative body 276, when the multiple LEDs on the dish upper right decorative board 278 are illuminated, the entire front of the dish upper right decorative body 276 can be illuminated and decorated in a substantially uniform manner, giving the appearance of embedded fluorescent lights.

[0267] When assembled to the door frame 3, the upper left tray decorative unit 270 and the upper right tray decorative unit 275 partially protrude upward beyond the front end of the upper side bulge 252a of the tray unit body 252 of the tray decorative unit 250, forming a step between the upper left tray decorative unit 270 and the upper right tray decorative unit 275 and the upper side bulge 252a, making the upper left tray decorative unit 270 and the upper right tray decorative unit 275 higher. This allows a player to use the step between the upper left tray decorative unit 270 and the upper right tray decorative unit 275 and the upper side bulge 252a to hook their fingers and provide a fingerhold when leveling the game balls B in the upper tray 201 or operating the performance operation unit 301, which will be described later. In addition, the step between the upper left tray decorative unit 270 and the upper right tray decorative unit 275 and the upper side bulge 252a prevents the game balls B on the upper side bulge 252a from spilling forward.

[0268] [3-5d-5. Bottom left decorative unit and bottom right decorative unit] The dish bottom-left decorative unit 280 and dish bottom-right decorative unit 285 in the dish decoration unit 250 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 47 to 50. The dish bottom-left decorative unit 280 and dish bottom-right decorative unit 285 are attached to the lower part of the front surface of the upper side bulge 252a of the dish unit main body 252 so as to extend along the dish top-left decorative unit 270 and dish top-right decorative unit 275, respectively. The dish bottom-left decorative unit 280 and dish bottom-right decorative unit 285 work in cooperation with the dish top-left decorative unit 270 and dish top-right decorative unit 275 to decorate the front surface of the dish unit 200 and both the left and right sides of the performance operation unit 300.

[0269] The left-bottom decorative unit 280 comprises a translucent left-bottom decorative body 281 that is semi-cylindrical and extends left and right, a left-bottom reflector 282 attached to the rear side of the left-bottom decorative body 281, and a left-bottom decorative board 283 attached to the rear side of the left-bottom reflector 282 and having multiple LEDs mounted on the front side.

[0270] The left-bottom decorative element 281 curves from the left end to the right end, moving both forward and downward, and in a plan view, extends in an arc shape with its center at the rear. It is attached to the bottom of the upper left side bulge 252a. The left-bottom decorative element 281 is a semicircular arc that bulges forward with a smaller radius than the left-top decorative element 271 and the right-top decorative element 276. At the left end, the central axis extends slightly diagonally to the upper left and rear, and at the right end, the central axis extends left and right, forming a shape resembling a bent semicylinder. The left end of the left-bottom decorative element 281 is spherical. The curvature of the semicircular arc of the left-bottom decorative element 281 changes as it tapers toward the left end. This left-bottom decorative element 281 is milky white in color.

[0271] The left-bottom reflector 282 is inserted into the left-bottom decorative body 281 from the rear, and a through-hole is formed in the area corresponding to the LED on the left-bottom decorative board 283. The multiple LEDs mounted on the left-bottom decorative board 283 are full-color LEDs, and when illuminated, they can illuminate the left-bottom decorative body 281.

[0272] When assembled to the door frame 3, the left end of the dish bottom-left decorative unit 280 is located below the left end of the dish top-left decorative unit 270, and the right end is continuous with the left end of the dish bottom-center decorative body 312b of the unit front cover 312 in the performance operation unit 300. The left end of the dish bottom-left decorative body 281 of the dish bottom-left decorative unit 280 is formed in a spherical shape, so the left end appears to be recessed into the door frame 3. The dish bottom-left decorative unit 280 does not have a rib along the length of the dish bottom-left decorative body 281, so when the multiple LEDs on the dish bottom-left decorative board 283 are illuminated, the entire front of the dish bottom-left decorative body 281 can be illuminated and decorated in a substantially uniform manner, giving the appearance of embedded fluorescent lights.

[0273] The right-bottom decorative unit 285 comprises a translucent, semi-cylindrical decorative body 286 extending left and right, a right-bottom reflector 287 attached to the rear side of the right-bottom decorative body 286, and a right-bottom decorative board 288 attached to the rear side of the reflector 287 and having multiple LEDs mounted on the front side.

[0274] The lower right decorative element 286 extends in a curved shape, moving both forward and downward as it moves from the right end to the left end. It also extends in an arc shape with a center at the rear in a plan view, and is attached to the lower part of the upper right side bulge 252a. The lower right decorative element 286 is a semicircular arc that bulges forward with a smaller radius than the upper left decorative element 271 and the upper right decorative element 276. At the right end, the central axis extends slightly diagonally upward and rearward, and at the left end, the central axis extends left and right, forming a shape resembling a bent semicylinder. The right end of the lower right decorative element 286 is spherical. The curvature of the semicircular arc of the lower right decorative element 286 changes as it tapers toward the right end. This lower right decorative element 286 is milky white in color.

[0275] The reflector 287 is inserted into the decorative body 286 from the rear, and has through holes formed in the areas corresponding to the LEDs on the decorative board 288. The LEDs mounted on the decorative board 288 are full-color LEDs, and when illuminated, they can illuminate the decorative body 286.

[0276] When assembled to the door frame 3, the right end of the tray bottom right decorative unit 285 is located below the right end of the tray top right decorative unit 275, and the left end is continuous with the right end of the tray bottom center decorative body 312b of the unit front cover 312 in the performance operation unit 300. The right end of the tray bottom right decorative body 286 of the tray bottom right decorative unit 285 is formed in a spherical shape, so the right end appears to be recessed into the door frame 3. The tray bottom right decorative unit 285 does not have a rib along the length of the tray bottom right decorative body 286, so when the multiple LEDs on the tray bottom right decorative board 288 are illuminated, the entire front of the tray bottom right decorative body 286 can be illuminated and decorated in a substantially uniform manner, giving the appearance of embedded fluorescent lights.

[0277] [3-5e. Overall configuration of the production operation unit] The overall configuration of the performance operation unit 300 in the dish unit 200 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 51 to 54. Figure 51 is a plan view of the performance operation unit in the dish unit, viewed from the direction in which the performance operation button moves forward and backward. Figure 52(a) is a perspective view of the performance operation unit as viewed from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the performance operation unit as viewed from the back. Figure 53 is an exploded perspective view of the performance operation unit, disassembled into its main components, viewed from the front, and Figure 54 is an exploded perspective view of the performance operation unit, disassembled into its main components, viewed from the back. The performance operation unit 300 is located in the center of the dish unit 200 in the left-right direction. It decorates the dish unit 200 and can be operated by players to participate in the performance when a player-participation performance is executed. The performance operation unit 300 is attached to the dish base unit 210 and the dish decoration unit 250.

[0278] The presentation operation unit 300 includes a presentation operation unit 301 that can be operated by a player. The presentation operation unit 301 is composed of a rotation operation unit 302 that can be rotated by the player and a pressure operation unit 303 that can be pressed by the player. The presentation operation unit 301 can receive player input and move the rotation operation unit 302, allowing the player to not only shoot game balls but also participate in presentations during play. The presentation operation unit 301 has the rotation operation unit 302 formed in a ring shape with an inner diameter that is approximately 3 / 5 the outer diameter, and the pressure operation unit 303 disposed within the ring. The pressure operation unit 303 is disposed at the center of the rotation operation unit 302 and is composed of a central pressure operation unit 303a with a diameter slightly larger than half the inner diameter of the rotation operation unit 302, and an annular outer pressure operation unit 303b disposed between the outer periphery of the central pressure operation unit 303a and the inner periphery of the rotation operation unit 302.

[0279] The performance operation unit 300 comprises a performance operation section cover unit 310 attached to the front of the plate decoration unit 250, an operation section base 320 housed within the performance operation section cover unit 310, a circular performance operation ring 330 attached to the top surface of the operation section base 320 and having a rotation operation section 302, a rotation drive unit 340 that rotates the rotation operation section 302 of the performance operation ring 330, a transmission gear 350 for the operation ring that transmits rotation between the rotation drive unit 340 and the rotation operation section 302 of the performance operation ring 330, and a gear mounting member 351 that rotatably mounts the transmission gear 350 for the operation ring to the operation section base 320.

[0280] The performance operation unit 300 also includes a performance operation ring decorative board 352 that is attached to the upper surface of the operation unit base 320 below the performance operation ring 330 and has multiple LEDs mounted on its upper surface, a decorative board cover 353 that is attached to the operation unit base 320 so as to cover the upper side of the performance operation ring decorative board 352, a vibration speaker 354 that is attached to the underside of the operation unit base 320, a performance operation button unit 360 that is attached to the operation unit base 320 so as to face the inside of the ring of the performance operation ring 330, and an operation unit relay board unit 390 that is attached to the rear surface of the operation unit base 320.

[0281] [3-5e-1. Cover unit for production control] The performance operation unit cover unit 310 of the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 and 54. The performance operation unit cover unit 310 is attached to the performance operation unit mounting portion 252i of the dish unit main body 252 of the dish decoration unit 250, and decorates the front of the performance operation unit 300 at the center in the left-right direction of the dish unit 200. The performance operation unit cover unit 310 is formed in the shape of a container that is open at the top and back.

[0282] The performance operation unit cover unit 310 comprises a unit lower cover 311 which is hemispherical and concave downwards, a unit front cover 312 which is attached to the front upper end of the unit lower cover 311 and has a semicircular ring shape and bulges forward, an upper dish center reflector 313 which is attached from the rear inside the upper dish center decorative body 312a of the unit front cover 312, an upper dish center decorative board 314 which is attached to the upper dish center reflector 313 and has multiple LEDs that can emit light forward, a lower dish center reflector 315 which is attached from the rear inside the lower dish center decorative body 312b of the unit front cover 312, and a lower dish center decorative board 316 which is attached to the lower dish center reflector 315 and has multiple LEDs that can emit light forward.

[0283] The unit under cover 311 is formed in a hemispherical shape with the front side bulging downward from the rear center in the front-to-rear direction, and the rear side is attached so that it is placed from above on the performance operation unit mounting portion 252i of the dish unit main body 252. The unit under cover 311 is attached in an inclined state so that the axis perpendicular to the imaginary plane formed on the semicircular arc-shaped upper edge of the front part is positioned forward as it moves upward. In this embodiment, it is inclined at an angle of approximately 18 degrees (18.65 degrees) with respect to the vertical line. The unit under cover 311 has multiple drainage holes 311a formed in the part that is lowest when assembled to the dish unit 200.

[0284] The unit front cover 312 is formed in a semicircular arc shape in a plan view that bulges forward to fit along the front end of the unit lower cover 311, and is attached to the front upper end of the unit lower cover 311. The unit front cover 312 is equipped with a plate center upper decorative body 312a, whose semicircular arc bulges forward and extends in a semicircular arc shape so that it fits along the front end of the unit lower cover 311, and a plate center lower decorative body 312b, whose semicircular arc bulges forward below the plate center upper decorative body 312a and extends in a semicircular arc shape so that it fits along the front end of the unit lower cover 311. The lower end of the plate center lower decorative body 312b of the unit front cover 312 is attached to the unit lower cover 311.

[0285] The upper and lower center decorative bodies 312a and 312b of the unit front cover 312 are formed by splitting a cylinder of roughly the same diameter (radius) in half and bending the split surface in a semicircular arc toward the center. Compared to the upper center decorative body 312a, the lower center decorative body 312b extends in a semicircular arc with a greater curvature, while the lower center decorative body 312b is formed in a semicylindrical shape with a slightly thinner diameter than the upper center decorative body 312a. When the unit front cover 312 is assembled to the dish unit 200, the front end of the upper center decorative body 312a protrudes further forward than the front end of the lower center decorative body 312b. Furthermore, when assembled into the dish unit 200, the left and right ends of the upper center dish decorative body 312a are continuous with the right end of the upper left dish decorative unit 270 and the left end of the upper right dish decorative unit 275, respectively, and the left and right ends of the lower center dish decorative body 312b are continuous with the right end of the lower left dish decorative unit 280 and the left end of the lower right dish decorative unit 285, respectively. The unit front cover 312 is translucent and is formed in a milky white color.

[0286] Furthermore, when the unit front cover 312 is assembled to the door frame 3, its front end becomes the front end of the door frame 3, and the distance from the front of the door frame base 101 to the front end of the unit front cover 312 is approximately half the total width of the door frame base 101 in the left-right direction.

[0287] The dish center reflector 313 is formed in a semicircular arc shape that bulges forward, and is inserted from the rear into the dish center decorative body 312a of the unit front cover 312 and attached. The dish center reflector 313 blocks light from the LEDs mounted on the dish center decorative board 314 from leaking backward (inward). The dish center decorative board 314 is formed in a semicircular arc shape to fit the dish center decorative body 312a, and has multiple LEDs mounted on its top surface that can emit light forward (outward). The multiple LEDs on the dish center decorative board 314 are full-color LEDs that, when illuminated, can illuminate and decorate the dish center decorative body 312a.

[0288] The under-dish center reflector 315 is formed in a semicircular arc shape that bulges forward, and is inserted from the rear into the under-dish center decorative body 312b of the unit front cover 312 and attached. The under-dish center reflector 315 blocks light from the LEDs mounted on the under-dish center decorative board 316 from leaking backward (inward). The under-dish center decorative board 316 is formed in a semicircular arc shape to fit the under-dish center decorative body 312b, and has multiple LEDs mounted on its upper surface that can emit light forward (outward). The multiple LEDs on the under-dish center decorative board 316 are full-color LEDs that, when illuminated, can illuminate and decorate the under-dish center decorative body 312b.

[0289] The performance operation unit cover unit 310 does not have any reinforcing ribs along the semicircular arc-shaped extension of the upper plate center decorative body 312a and the lower plate center decorative body 312b of the unit front cover 312, so when the LEDs on the upper plate center decorative board 314 and the lower plate center decorative board 316 are illuminated, the entire surface of each can be illuminated almost uniformly, making it appear as if fluorescent lights are embedded.

[0290] When assembled to the tray unit 200, the front end of the performance operation unit cover unit 310 protrudes further forward than the upper tray 201 and the lower tray 202. In addition, the performance operation unit cover unit 310 has the upper tray center decorative body 312a connected to the upper tray left decorative body 271 and the upper tray right decorative body 276, and the lower tray center decorative body 312b connected to the lower tray left decorative body 281 and the lower tray right decorative body 286. This makes the performance operation unit 300 stand out and improves its appearance with its integrated decoration.

[0291] [3-5e-2. Control base] The operation unit base 320 of the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 and 54. The operation unit base 320 is inserted into the performance operation unit cover unit 310 from above, and its lower end is attached to the performance operation unit cover unit 310, while its upper rear end is attached to the performance operation unit attachment portion 212a of the upper tray body 212 in the tray base unit 210. The operation unit base 320 is formed in the shape of a container with an open top.

[0292] The operation unit base 320 comprises a main body 321 having an outer shape that is roughly cubic box-shaped and open at the top, a flange 322 extending outward from the upper end of the main body 321 and having a circular outer periphery, multiple (four in this case) legs 323 protruding downward from the bottom surface of the main body 321, an upper mounting portion 324 formed at the rear end of the flange 322 and attached to the dish base unit 210, and a gear bearing portion 325 that penetrates the flange 322 on the left outer side of the main body 321, opens upward, and rotatably supports the operation ring transmission gear 350.

[0293] The operation unit base 320 has a main body 321 formed to a size that can accommodate the performance operation button unit 360 inside. A vibration speaker 354 is attached to the bottom wall of the main body 321 from below, and the portion of the underside where the vibration speaker 354 is attached is formed to be flat. The bottom wall of the main body 321 is formed to easily resonate with vibrations from the vibration speaker 354, and can amplify the vibrations and convert the vibrations into sound such as voice or music and output it.

[0294] Legs 361b of button unit base 361 of effect operation button unit 360 are attached to the upper surface of the bottom wall of main body 321. Furthermore, main body 321 has through holes formed on the outer periphery of the bottom wall to drain liquid that has entered main body 321. Main body 321 has rotation drive unit 340 attached to the outside of the left side wall, and operation unit relay board unit 390 attached to the outside of the rear side wall.

[0295] The flange portion 322 has an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner circumference of the central upper decorative body 312a of the unit front cover 312. The performance operation ring decorative board 352 and decorative board cover 353 are attached to the upper surface of the flange portion 322, and the ring mounting base 331 of the performance operation ring 330 is also attached. The lower ends of the multiple legs 323 are attached to the upper surface of the unit lower cover 311 of the performance operation unit cover unit 310.

[0296] The gear bearing 325 cooperates with the gear mounting member to mount the operation ring transmission gear rotatably about an axis extending laterally. When the operation ring transmission gear 350 is mounted on the gear bearing 325, the upper part of the operation ring transmission gear 350 protrudes upward, and the drive side gear portion 350b of the operation ring transmission gear 350 is exposed to the outside below the flange portion 322.

[0297] When the operation unit base 320 is assembled to the performance operation unit 300, the upper surface of the flange portion 322 is positioned slightly lower than the upper surface of the central upper decorative body 312a of the unit front cover 312. Also, when assembled to the performance operation unit 300, the vibration speaker 354 is attached to the lower surface of the main body portion 321 in contact therewith.

[0298] [3-5e-3. Performance Control Ring] The effect operation ring 330 of the effect operation unit 300 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 55 and 56. Figure 55(a) is a perspective view of the effect operation ring of the effect operation unit as seen from the top front, and Figure 55(b) is a perspective view of the effect operation ring as seen from the bottom front. Figure 56(a) is an exploded perspective view of the effect operation ring as seen from the top front, and Figure 56(b) is an exploded perspective view of the effect operation ring as seen from the bottom front. The effect operation ring 330 is attached to the upper surface of the flange portion 322 of the operation unit base 320 and has a rotation operation unit 302 that can be rotated by the player. The effect operation ring 330 (rotation operation unit 302) has a diameter (outer diameter) approximately twice the front-to-rear dimension of the upper tray 201, and is formed in a circular shape with an inner diameter approximately 3 / 5 the outer diameter. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the effect operation ring 330 is approximately 13 cm.

[0299] The performance operation ring 330 comprises a circular ring mounting base 331 attached to the upper surface of the flange portion 322 of the operation unit base 320, a circular rotating base 332 rotatably placed on the ring mounting base 331, a plurality of bushes 333 abutting the outer peripheral surface of the rotating base 332 and rotatably attached to the ring mounting base 331 around an axis extending vertically, and a ring removal member 334 attached to the ring mounting base 331 and restricting the upward movement of the rotating base 332.

[0300] Furthermore, the performance operation ring 330 includes an outer ring upper cover 335 that is attached to the upper surface of the rotation base 332 and that constitutes part of the rotation operation unit 302, an outer ring lower cover 336 that is attached to the underside of the outer ring upper cover 335 and that constitutes part of the rotation operation unit 302, and an inner ring cover 337 that is attached to the upper surface of the rotation base 332 on the inner circumferential side of the outer ring upper cover 335 and that constitutes part of the rotation operation unit 302. The outer ring upper cover 335, the outer ring lower cover 336, and the inner ring cover 337 are each formed in a translucent circular ring shape.

[0301] The ring mounting base 331 has an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the flange 322 of the operation unit base 320, and an inner diameter approximately the same as that of the flange 322. The ring mounting base 331 includes a mounting portion 331a on the upper surface along the inner periphery on which the rotation base 332 is slidably mounted in the circumferential direction, boss portions 331b that protrude cylindrically upward from multiple (four in this example) positions on the upper surface, spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and for rotatably mounting the bushing 333, and through-holes 331c that penetrate vertically at multiple positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction, outside the mounting portion 331a on the upper surface. The multiple through-holes 331c are formed in positions corresponding to the LEDs of the performance operation ring decorative board 352.

[0302] The rotating base 332 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the diameter (outer diameter) of the mounting portion 331a of the ring mounting base 331, and an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ring mounting base 331. The rotating base 332 is provided with a ring gear 332a that protrudes downward from its underside and extends circumferentially. The ring gear 332a is formed as a bevel gear that protrudes downward as it approaches the center of the rotating base 332. The ring gear 332a is formed with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ring mounting base 331, and when assembled to the performance operation ring 330, it faces downward from the inner peripheral side of the ring mounting base 331. When assembled to the performance operation unit 300, this ring gear 332a meshes with the ring side gear portion 350a of the operation ring transmission gear 350.

[0303] The ring outer upper cover 335 includes an outer upper surface portion 335a, which is an arc extending in an annular shape that forms the outer and upper part of the circle; decorative portions 335b, which are three-dimensionally formed on the outer upper surface portion 335a and arranged in multiple circumferential directions; and outer upper cover attachment portions 335c, which extend downward from the inner peripheral edge of the outer upper surface portion 335a and then toward the center and are arranged in multiple circumferential directions. The outer upper surface portion 335a of the ring outer upper cover 335 is formed in a shape in which an arc extending in an annular shape covers an area of ​​1 / 4 of a circle. The decorative portions 335b have an outer shape that is hexagonal. The outer upper cover attachment portions 335c extend slightly downward from the lower end of the outer upper surface portion 335a and are attached to the upper surface of the rotating base 332.

[0304] The ring outer lower cover 336 includes an outer lower surface portion 336a, which is an arc that forms the outer and lower portion of the circle and extends in an annular shape, and a plurality of outer lower cover attachment portions 336b that protrude upward and toward the center from the inside of the outer lower surface portion 336a and are arranged in the circumferential direction. The outer lower surface portion 336a of the ring outer lower cover 336 is formed in a shape in which an arc that covers an area of ​​1 / 8 of a circle extends in an annular shape. The outer lower cover attachment portions 336b are attached to the ring outer upper cover 335.

[0305] The ring inner cover 337 includes an inner surface portion 337a having an arc extending in an annular shape that forms the inner and upper part of the circle, a cylindrical tubular surface portion 337b extending downward from the inner end of the inner surface portion 337a parallel to the central axis, and a plurality of inner cover attachment portions 337c formed on the outer periphery of the tubular surface portion 337b and arranged in the circumferential direction. The inner surface portion 337a of the ring inner cover 337 is formed in a shape in which an arc extending in an annular shape covers an area of ​​1 / 8 of a circle. The cylindrical inner diameter of the tubular surface portion 337b is the same as the inner diameter of the rotating base 332. The inner cover attachment portion 337c is attached to the upper surface of the rotating base 332.

[0306] When the ring outer upper cover 335, ring outer lower cover 336, and ring inner cover 337 are assembled to the effect operation ring 330, the outer upper surface portion 335a, the outer lower surface portion 336a, and the inner surface portion 337a are formed so that they are continuous, and the outer upper surface portion 335a, the outer lower surface portion 336a, and the inner surface portion 337a form an area covering an area of ​​more than half a circle, forming a doughnut shape as a whole. The effect operation ring 330 can be decorated with illumination using the effect operation ring decoration board 352.

[0307] [3-5e-4. Rotation drive unit] The rotation drive unit 340 in the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 57 to 59. Figure 57(a) is a perspective view of the rotation drive unit of the performance operation unit as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the rotation drive unit as seen from the back. Figure 58 is an exploded perspective view of the rotation drive unit as seen from the right front, and Figure 59 is an exploded perspective view of the rotation drive unit as seen from the left front. The rotation drive unit 340 is used to drive the rotation operation unit 302 of the performance operation ring 330 to rotate and to detect the rotation operation of the rotation operation unit 302. The rotation drive unit 340 is attached to the outside of the left side of the main body 321 of the operation unit base 320.

[0308] The rotary drive unit 340 includes a rotary drive base 341 attached to the main body 321 of the operation portion base 320, an operation ring drive motor 342 attached to the rear right side of the rotary drive base 341 so that its rotation shaft protrudes leftward, a drive gear 343 attached to the rotation shaft of the operation ring drive motor 342, a speed change gear 344 rotated by the drive gear 343, a transmission detection gear member 345 rotated by the speed change gear 344 and which rotates the operation ring transmission gear 350, and a gear cover 346 which attaches the speed change gear 344 and transmission detection gear member 345 to the rotary drive base so that they can rotate together and which covers the drive gear 343, the speed change gear 344 and the transmission detection gear member 345 from the left side.

[0309] The rotation drive unit 340 also includes a first rotation detection sensor 347 and a second rotation detection sensor 348 that are attached to the gear cover 346 and detect the rotational position of the transmission detection gear member 345, and a sensor cover 349 that is attached to the gear cover 346 so as to cover the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348 from the left.

[0310] The rotary drive base 341 is formed in the shape of a shallow box that is short in the left-right direction, long in the front-to-rear direction, and open to the left. The operation ring drive motor 342 is a stepping motor. The drive gear 343 is a spur gear. The transmission gear 344 is composed of a first gear 344a in the form of a spur gear that meshes with the drive gear, and a second gear 344b in the form of a spur gear that rotates integrally with the first gear 344a and has a large diameter. The second gear 344b of the transmission gear 344 meshes with a gear portion 345a of the transmission detection gear member 345.

[0311] The transmission detection gear member 345 includes a gear portion 345a having a diameter larger than that of the transmission gear 344 (twice the diameter of the second gear 344b), and multiple detection pieces 345b that protrude leftward from the left side surface of the gear portion 345a and are arranged in a row at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The gear portion 345a meshes with the second gear 344b of the transmission gear 344 and also meshes with the drive-side gear portion 350b of the operation ring transmission gear 350. The circumferential length of the multiple detection pieces 345b is the same as the circumferential spacing. In this embodiment, eight detection pieces 345b are arranged in the circumferential direction at intervals of 45 degrees. These detection pieces 345b are detected by a first rotation detection sensor 347 and a second rotation detection sensor 348.

[0312] The first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348 detect the detection piece 345b of the transmission detection gear member 345. The first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction at intervals that are not an integral multiple of the intervals between the detection pieces 345b arranged in a row in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348 are spaced apart by a rotation angle of 101.25 degrees. As a result, when the transmission detection gear member 345 rotates, the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348 do not detect the detection piece 345b at the same time, but rather one detects the detection piece 345b first. This allows the rotation direction and rotation speed of the rotation operation unit 302 of the performance operation ring 330 to be detected via the transmission detection gear member 345.

[0313] In the assembled state of the rotation drive unit 340, the upper part of the gear portion 345a of the transmission detection gear member 345 is exposed upward, and the exposed part of the gear portion 345a meshes with the drive side gear portion 350b of the operation ring transmission gear 350. In addition, in the assembled state of the rotation drive unit 340 with the performance operation unit 300, the entirety of the rotation drive unit 340 is located inside the performance operation unit cover unit 310.

[0314] The rotation drive unit 340 can rotate the rotation operation part 302 of the effect operation ring 330 in any direction via the drive gear 343, the speed change gear 344, the transmission detection gear member 345, and the operation ring transmission gear by driving the operation ring drive motor 342. Also, the rotation drive unit 340 can rotate the rotation operation part 302 back and forth and vibrate it by repeatedly rotating the drive gear 343 forward and backward within a predetermined rotation angle range using the operation ring drive motor 342.

[0315] Furthermore, when the player rotates the rotary operation unit 302 of the effect operation ring 330, the transmission detection gear member 345 rotates via the operation ring transmission gear 350, and the detection piece 345b of the transmission detection gear member 345 is detected by the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348, thereby detecting the rotation operation of the rotary operation unit 302. Therefore, the content of the player participation type effect can be changed depending on the rotation direction of the rotary operation unit 302.

[0316] Furthermore, the rotation drive unit 340 can detect the rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 by the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348, and can assist the player's rotation operation by driving the operation ring drive motor 342 in the same direction as the rotation operation. Alternatively, a load can be applied to the player's rotation operation by driving the operation ring drive motor 342 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the rotation operation unit 302. Therefore, by appropriately combining these, it is possible to impart to the rotation operation unit 302 a feel of operation or a clicking sensation that corresponds to the content of the player-participation effect.

[0317] [3-5e-5. Transmission gear for operation ring] The operation ring transmission gear 350 of the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 and 54. The operation ring transmission gear 350 transmits rotation between the transmission detection gear member 345 of the rotation drive unit 340 and the rotation base 332 of the rotation operation part 302 of the performance operation ring 330, and is rotatably attached to the gear bearing part 325 of the operation part base 320.

[0318] The operation ring transmission gear 350 includes a bevel gear-shaped ring side gear portion 350a that meshes with a ring gear 332a on the rotation base 332 of the performance operation ring 330, and a spur gear-shaped drive side gear portion 350b that rotates integrally with the ring side gear portion 350a and meshes with a gear portion 345a on the transmission detection gear member 345 of the rotation drive unit 340. The ring side gear portion 350a and the drive side gear portion 350b are formed with the same pitch circle diameter. The bevel gear-shaped ring side gear portion 350a narrows in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation base 332.

[0319] The operation ring transmission gear 350 is attached to the operation unit base 320 so that its rotation axis extends in the left-right direction and intersects with the rotation axis of the rotation base 332 of the performance operation ring 330. The operation ring transmission gear 350 is inserted into the gear bearing portion 325 of the operation unit base 320 from above, and then the gear attachment member 351 is attached to the operation unit base 320, whereby the operation ring transmission gear 350 is rotatably attached to the operation unit base 320.

[0320] When operation ring transmission gear 350 is assembled to performance operation unit 300, ring side gear portion 350a meshes with ring gear 332a of rotation base 332 in performance operation ring 330, and drive side gear portion 350b meshes with gear portion 345a of transmission detection gear member 345 in rotation drive unit 340. Therefore, operation ring transmission gear 350 can transmit the rotational operation of rotation operation portion 302 of performance operation ring 330 to the rotation drive unit 340 side, and can transmit the rotational drive of operation ring drive motor 342 of rotation drive unit 340 to rotation operation portion 302 of performance operation ring 330 to rotate it.

[0321] [3-5e-6. Performance Control Ring Decoration Board] The performance operation ring decorative board 352 in the performance operation unit 300 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 53 and 54. The performance operation ring decorative board 352 is attached to the upper surface of the flange portion 322 in the operation portion base 320, and has multiple LEDs mounted on the upper surface. The performance operation ring decorative board 352 is attached below the performance operation ring 330, and by appropriately illuminating the multiple LEDs, the performance operation ring 330 (rotation operation portion 302) can be illuminated and decorated.

[0322] The performance operation ring decorative board 352 is formed in the shape of a ring divided into front and rear halves, and is composed of a front decorative board 352a on the front side and a rear decorative board 352b on the rear side. Multiple LEDs are arranged in a row along the outer periphery on the top surfaces of the front decorative board 352a and the rear decorative board 352b. The multiple LEDs on the performance operation ring decorative board 352 are full-color LEDs.

[0323] When assembled to the performance operation unit 300, the performance operation ring decorative board 352 is located below the ring mounting base 331 of the performance operation ring 330. The upper side of the performance operation ring decorative board 352 is covered by a transparent decorative board cover 353. Like the performance operation ring decorative board 352, the decorative board cover 353 is formed in a form divided into front and rear halves, and is composed of a front board cover 353a that covers the front decorative board 352a from above and is attached to the flange portion 322 of the operation unit base 320, and a rear board cover 353b that covers the rear decorative board 352b from above and is attached to the flange portion 322 of the operation unit base 320.

[0324] The ring decorative board 352 for effect operation illuminates the multiple LEDs mounted on its top surface, thereby lighting up the ring outer upper cover 335, ring outer lower cover 336, and ring inner cover 337 that make up the rotating operation unit 302 from the inside through the decorative board cover 353 and the through-holes 331c of the ring mounting base 331. Therefore, the player can see a luminous decoration that looks like LEDs are installed inside the rotating operation unit 302.

[0325] [3-5e-7. Vibration speaker] The vibration speaker 354 in the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 and 54. The vibration speaker 354 is attached to the underside of the main body 321 in the operation unit base 320 with its output direction facing upward, and can output vibrations of various frequencies in addition to sounds such as voice and music.

[0326] The vibration speaker 354 can output sounds such as voice and music by vibrating the bottom wall of the operation unit base 320 as a diaphragm. The vibration speaker 354 can also vibrate the entire effect operation unit 300 via the operation unit base 320. Compared to a vibration device that rotates an eccentric weight with a motor, the vibration speaker 354 can generate vibrations of various frequencies, and can present a wider variety of effects to the player.

[0327] [3-5e-8. Performance operation button unit] The effect operation button unit 360 in the effect operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 60 to 62. Figure 60 is an exploded perspective view of the effect operation button unit of the effect operation unit, viewed from above and the front, and Figure 61 is an exploded perspective view of the effect operation button unit, viewed from below and the front. Figure 62(a) is a cross-sectional view of the effect operation button unit when the pressing operation unit is in the lowered position, and Figure 62(b) is a cross-sectional view of the effect operation button unit when the pressing operation unit is in the raised position. The effect operation button unit 360 is attached to the operation unit base 320 so as to face the inside of the effect operation ring 330, and has a pressing operation unit 303 that can be pressed by a player. The pressing operation unit 303 of the effect operation button unit 360 is composed of a cylindrical central pressing operation unit 303a and a cylindrical outer peripheral pressing operation unit 303b that is formed to cover the outer periphery of the central pressing operation unit 303a.

[0328] The performance operation button unit 360 comprises a button unit base 361 having an approximately circular outer periphery that is attached to the main body 321 of the operation section base 320; a pair of guide shafts 362 that are arranged symmetrically about the central axis of the button unit base 361 and extend upward in a cylindrical shape; a disk-shaped upper base 363 that connects the upper ends of the pair of guide shafts 362 and has an outer periphery that is circular and smaller than the button unit base 361; a disk-shaped lifting base 364 that is attached between the upper base 363 and the button unit base 361 by the pair of guide shafts 362 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and has an outer periphery that is circular and approximately the same size as the button unit base 361; and a pair of lifting springs 365 through which the pair of guide shafts 362 are inserted, respectively, and which urge the lifting base 364 upward.

[0329] The effect operation button unit 360 includes a central shaft 366 that extends upward from the center of the button unit base 361 in a cylindrical shape and has its upper end attached to the upper base 363, an operation button lifting drive motor 367 that is attached to the underside of the button unit base 361 so that its rotation shaft protrudes upward, a spur gear-shaped lifting drive gear 368 that is attached to the rotation shaft of the operation button lifting drive motor 367, and a spur gear-shaped driven gear 368 that is engaged with the lifting drive gear 368 and is rotatably attached to the upper side of the button unit base 361. 9, a lifting / lowering cam drive gear member 370 that is rotated by a driven gear 369 and has a central shaft 366 inserted therethrough and rotatably attached, a lifting / lowering cam member 371 that is connected at its lower end to the lifting / lowering cam drive gear member 370 and has a central shaft 366 inserted therethrough and is rotatably attached, and that raises and lowers the lifting / lowering base 364 by rotating, and a disk-shaped gear cover 372 that is attached to the upper side of the button unit base 361 so as to cover the lifting / lowering drive gear 368, the driven gear 369, and the lifting / lowering cam drive gear member 370 from above.

[0330] Furthermore, the performance operation button unit 360 includes a central button body 373 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that has an inner diameter larger than that of the upper base and extends vertically, and that is attached above the lift-up base 364 so as to be movable vertically by a pair of guide shafts 362, a pair of button springs 374 that are arranged between the central button body 373 and the lift-up base 364 and urge the central button body 373 upward, a central button cover 375 that is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with a closed upper end and has approximately the same diameter as the central button body 373, and that is attached to the upper end of the central button body 373 so as to cover the upper part of the upper base 363, and a central button decorative board 376 that is attached to the upper surface of the upper base 363 and has multiple LEDs mounted thereon that can irradiate light upward. The performance operation button unit 360 includes the central button body 373 and the central button cover 375 to form a central pressing operation unit 303a.

[0331] The performance operation button unit 360 also includes: an annular outer button decorative board 377 attached to the upper surface of the lift-up base 364 at a position outer than the central button body 373 and having a plurality of LEDs mounted on its upper surface; an outer board cover 378 attached to the lift-up base 364 so as to cover the upper side of the outer button decorative board 377 and the outer periphery of the central button body 373; a cylindrical outer button decorative lens 379 with translucency and a three-dimensional decoration, which is disposed above the outer button decorative board 377 on the outer periphery side of the portion of the outer board cover 378 covering the outer periphery of the central button body 373; and a transparent outer button cover 380 attached to the lift-up base 364 so as to cover the outer periphery and upper surface of the outer button decorative lens 379, with the central button cover 375 facing upward at its center. The performance operation button unit 360 includes the outer board cover 378, the outer decorative lens 379, and the outer button cover 380, which form the outer periphery pressing operation unit 303b.

[0332] In addition, the performance operation button unit 360 is equipped with a pressure detection sensor 381 attached to the button unit base 361 that detects the pressure operation of the pressure operation section 303, and a lift detection sensor 382 attached to the button unit base 361 that detects the lifting and lowering of the lifting base 364 by detecting the rotational position of the lifting cam drive gear member 370.

[0333] The button unit base 361 includes a disk-shaped base body 361a and a plurality of legs 361b protruding downward from the base body 361a. The outer diameter of the base body 361a of the button unit base 361 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the main body 321 of the operation unit base 320. A pair of guide shafts 362, a central shaft 366, a driven gear 369, an elevation cam drive gear member 370, and a gear cover 372 are attached to the upper surface of the base body 361a, and a pressure detection sensor 381 and an elevation detection sensor 382 are attached to the lower surface. The lower ends of the legs 361b of the button unit base 361 are attached to the bottom wall of the main body 321 of the operation unit base 320.

[0334] The pair of guide shafts 362 are attached to the upper surface of the base body 361a of the button unit base 361 at positions that are half the diameter of the base body 361a toward the front and rear from the center. The pair of guide shafts 362 and the central shaft 366 are formed from metal rods. The pair of guide shafts 362 are formed thicker than the central shaft 366.

[0335] The outer diameter of the upper base 363 is formed to be approximately half the outer diameter of the base main body 361a of the button unit base 361. The pair of lifting springs 365 are coil springs, with their lower ends abutting against the base main body 361a of the button unit base 361 and their upper ends abutting against the lifting base 364. The lifting springs 365 are springs with a stronger biasing force than the button spring 374.

[0336] The lift base 364 has an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the base main body 361a of the button unit base 361. The lift base 364 has a pair of guide holes 364a into which the pair of guide shafts 362 are slidably inserted, a central hole 364b that extends vertically at its center and is large enough to allow the lift cam member 371 to pass through, a cylindrical upright wall portion 364c that protrudes upward from the periphery of the central hole 364b, and a pair of guide pins 364d that protrude opposite each other into the central hole 364b near the lower end of the upright wall portion 364c. The pair of guide pins 364d face each other on the same axis and are attached rotatably about the axis.

[0337] The lifting base 364 is guided so as to be able to move up and down in the vertical direction by inserting a pair of guide shafts 362 into a pair of guide holes 364a. The upper ends of the standing wall portions 364c of the lifting base 364 abut against the upper base 363, thereby restricting upward movement of the lifting base 364 and forming a space between the lifting base 364 and the upper base 363 in which the bottom portion 373b of the central button body 373 can move. The lifting base 364 is also moved up and down by guiding a pair of guide pins 364d by the cam portions 371a of the lifting cam member 371.

[0338] The lift-up cam drive gear member 370 includes a spur gear-shaped gear portion 370a that meshes with the driven gear 369, a connecting portion 370b that protrudes upward from the gear portion 370a and is connected to the lower end of the lift-up cam member 371, and a lift-up detection piece 370c that protrudes downward from the gear portion 370a in a cylindrical shape, has two opposing notches cut out, and is detected by the lift-up detection sensor 382. The lift-up cam drive gear member 370 is rotatably attached by inserting the central shaft 366 into the center of the gear portion 370a.

[0339] The lifting / lowering cam member 371 is rotatably attached by inserting the central shaft 366 through its center. The lifting / lowering cam member 371 has a pair of cam portions 371a that are spaced 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction on the cylindrical outer circumferential surface and protrude outward. The pair of cam portions 371a guide the guide pin 364d of the lifting / lowering base 364.

[0340] Cam portion 371a includes first cam 371b extending perpendicular to the axis near the lower end, locking portion 371c recessed upward in the middle of first cam 371b, second cam 371d extending upward parallel to the axis from one end of first cam 371b, and third cam 371e extending spirally upward from the end of first cam 371b opposite second cam 371d (see FIG. 62). Second cam 371d and third cam 371e extend upward to the same height, and adjacent cam portions 371a are spaced apart by a distance smaller than the diameter of guide pin 364d of lifting base 364.

[0341] The lifting cam member 371 also has a connected portion 371f at its lower end, which is connected to the connecting portion 370b of the lifting cam drive gear member 370.

[0342] The lifting / lowering cam member 371 is formed such that the second cam 371d in the cam portion 371a extends upward from the rear end side of the first cam 371b when the lifting / lowering cam member 371 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view. When the lifting / lowering cam member 371 rotates, the cam portion 371a guides the guide pin 364d of the lifting / lowering base 364, thereby lifting / lowering the lifting base 364.

[0343] The central button body 373 includes a cylindrical tube portion 373a extending vertically, a bottom portion 373b closing the lower end side of the tube portion 373a, a pair of guide holes 373c penetrating the bottom portion 373b and into which a pair of guide shafts 362 are slidably inserted, a central opening 373d penetrating the center of the bottom portion 373b with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the standing wall portion 364c of the lifting base 364, a pressure detection piece 373e protruding downward from the bottom portion 373b and detected by a pressure detection sensor 381, and a pair of guide bosses 373f protruding cylindrically rearward from the bottom portion 373b and through which the button spring 374 is inserted.

[0344] The central button body 373 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom by a cylindrical portion 373a and a bottom portion 373b. The central button body 373 is formed so that the bottom portion 373b is disposed between the upper base 363 and the lift-up base 364, and the upper end of the cylindrical portion 373a protrudes upward beyond the upper base 363. The central opening 373d is formed into a cylindrical shape that extends slightly downward, and its lower end abuts against the upper surface of the lift-up base 364, thereby restricting downward movement of the central button body 373. The upper end of the standing wall portion 364c of the lift-up base 364 abuts against the upper base 363 through the central opening 373d of the central button body 373.

[0345] The central button body 373 is biased upward by a pair of button springs 374 through which a pair of guide bosses 373f are inserted. The pair of guide bosses 373f are formed so that their lower ends extend downward, penetrating the lift-down base 364, and screws with washers inserted therethrough are attached to the lower ends. The washers attached to the lower ends of the guide bosses 373f come into contact with the underside of the lift-down base 364, thereby restricting the upward movement of the central button body 373.

[0346] The pressure detection piece 373e of the central button body 373 is formed to penetrate the lift-up base 364 and protrude downward when the bottom 373b (the lower end of the central opening 373d) of the central button body 373 abuts against the upper surface of the lift-up base 364 against the biasing force of the pair of button springs 374. The central button body 373 is formed opaque. The pair of button springs 374 are coil springs with a weaker biasing force than the lift-up springs 365.

[0347] The central button cover 375 includes a disk-shaped top plate 375a having approximately the same diameter as the tubular portion 373a of the central button body 373, and a tubular peripheral wall portion 375b extending downward from the outer periphery of the top plate 375a, and is formed to be translucent. The top plate 375a and the peripheral wall portion 375b form the central button cover 375 into a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The lower end of the peripheral wall portion 375b of the central button cover 375 is attached to the upper end of the tubular portion 373a of the central button body 373.

[0348] The center button decorative board 376 has multiple full-color LEDs mounted on its upper surface. By appropriately illuminating the multiple LEDs, the center button decorative board 376 can illuminate and decorate the center button cover 375. The outer button decorative board 377 has multiple full-color LEDs mounted on its upper surface. By appropriately illuminating the multiple LEDs, the outer button decorative board 377 can illuminate and decorate the outer decorative lens 379 and the outer button cover 380.

[0349] The outer peripheral board cover 378 comprises an annular board portion 378a that covers the upper side of the outer peripheral button decorative board 377 and is attached to the lifting base 364, and a cylindrical portion 378b that extends upward in a cylindrical shape from the inner periphery of the board portion 378a and covers the outer periphery of the central button body 373. The outer peripheral board cover 378 is formed to be transparent.

[0350] The outer peripheral decorative lens 379 has twisted portions that extend so as to move circumferentially as they extend upward, and are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral decorative lens 379 is attached to the upper side of the base portion 378a of the outer peripheral board cover 378. The outer peripheral button cover 380 has a cylindrical tubular portion 380a that covers the outer periphery of the outer peripheral decorative lens 379, and an annular portion 380b that extends from the upper end of the tubular portion 380a toward the center. The lower end of the tubular portion 380a of the outer peripheral button cover 380 is attached to the lift base 364. The inner diameter of the annular portion 380b is formed to be approximately the same size as the cylindrical portion 378b of the outer peripheral board cover 378.

[0351] 62(a), in the assembled state of the performance operation button unit 360, the lift base 364 is biased upward by a pair of lift springs 365, and the guide pin 364d of the lift base 364 is inserted from below into the locking portion 371c of the cam portion 371a of the lift cam member 371. In this state, the lift base 364 is in a lowered position where it has moved downward, and the pair of lift springs 365 are compressed. Also, in this state, the central button body 373 is at the upper end of its movement due to the biasing force of the button spring 374, and the upper surface of the central button cover 375 protrudes above the upper surface of the outer peripheral button cover 380.

[0352] Therefore, when assembled to the performance operation unit 300, the upper surface of the outer button cover 380 protrudes slightly upward from the upper surface of the performance operation ring 330, and the upper surface of the central button cover 375 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the outer button cover 380 (see Figure 63, etc.).

[0353] In this state (the state of FIG. 62(a)), when central button cover 375 (central pressing operation portion 303a) is pressed downward and moved downward against the biasing force of button spring 374, pressure detection piece 373e of central button body 373 is detected by pressure detection sensor 381, and pressing of central pressing operation portion 303a is detected. When central pressing operation portion 303a is pressed, the upper surface of central button cover 375 is at substantially the same height as the upper surface of outer peripheral button cover 380 (see FIG. 65(c)).

[0354] Furthermore, even if the outer peripheral button cover 380 (outer peripheral pressing operation portion 303b) is pressed downward in this state, the outer peripheral button cover 380 will not move downward, and the pressing detection piece 373e of the central button body 373 will not be detected by the pressing detection sensor 381. In other words, the pressing operation of the pressing operation portion 303 will not be detected.

[0355] When the operation button lift drive motor 367 rotates the lift drive gear 368 counterclockwise in plan view in this lowered position, the lift cam drive gear member 370 rotates counterclockwise in plan view via the driven gear 369 meshing with the lift drive gear 368, and the lift cam member 371 connected to the lift cam drive gear member 370 rotates in the same direction. When the lift cam member 371 rotates counterclockwise, the cam portion 371a seen from the front in Figure 62 moves rightward, and the guide pin 364d of the lift base 364 rolls from the locking portion 371c to a portion of the first cam 371b to the left of the locking portion 371c, and the lift base 364 moves downward against the biasing force of the lift spring 365 via the guide pin 364d.

[0356] Then, as the lifting cam member 371 rotates, the guide pin 364d, which rolls relatively to the left along the first cam 371b, moves from the left end of the first cam 371b toward the second cam 371d. Since the second cam 371d extends upward perpendicular to the first cam 371b, the force of the lifting spring 365 causes the guide pin 364d to move upward along the second cam 371d, and the lifting base 364 rises together with the guide pin 364d to reach the raised position.

[0357] 62(b), in the raised position, the guide pin 364d of the lifting base 364 is in contact with the second cam 371d of one cam portion 371a and the third cam 371e of the other cam portion 371a. In this state, the driving of the operation button lifting drive motor 367 is temporarily stopped.

[0358] In the raised position, the upper end of the standing wall portion 364c of the lift-up base 364 abuts against the lower surface of the upper base 363, restricting further upward movement of the lift-up base 364. In addition, in the raised position, the positional relationship between the central button cover 375 (central pressing operation unit 303a) and the peripheral button cover 380 (peripheral pressing operation unit 303b) in the lowered position is maintained, and the entire pressing operation unit 303 including the central button cover 375 and the peripheral button cover 380 moves upward, and the upper surface of the central button cover 375 protrudes above the upper surface of the peripheral button cover 380.

[0359] When assembled to the performance operation unit 300 and moved to the raised position, the central button cover 375 and the outer button cover 380 protrude significantly above the top surface of the performance operation ring 330 (see Figure 65(b), etc.).

[0360] When the central button cover 375 (central pressing operation unit 303a) is pressed downward with a force stronger than the biasing force of the button spring 374 in this raised position, the central button cover 375 and the central button body 373 move downward against the biasing force of the button spring 374, and the central button body 373 comes into contact with the lift-up base 364. When the central button body 373 is in contact with the lift-up base 364, the pressure detection piece 373e of the central button body 373 protrudes downward below the lift-up base 364, but because the lift-up base 364 is separated from the button unit base 361, the pressure detection piece 373e is not detected by the pressure detection sensor 381.

[0361] When central button cover 375 (central pressing operation unit 303a) is pressed downward with a force stronger than the biasing force of lift-up spring 365, central button cover 375 and central button body 373 move against the biasing force of button spring 374, and central button body 373 abuts against lift-up base 364, and then lift-up base 364 moves downward against the biasing force of lift-up spring 365, and the lower end of lift-up base 364 abuts against button unit base 361. When lift-up base 364 abuts against button unit base 361, lift-up base 364 is in the lowered position, and together with lift-up base 364, peripheral button cover 380 (peripheral pressing operation unit 303b) is also in the lowered position.

[0362] In this way, when the central button body 373 is in contact with the lifting base 364 and the lifting base 364 in turn contacts the button unit base 361, the pressure detection piece 373e of the central button body 373 protruding downward from the lifting base 364 is detected by the pressure detection sensor 381, and pressure on the central button cover 375 (central pressure operation part 303a) is detected.

[0363] On the other hand, when the outer peripheral button cover 380 (outer peripheral pressing operation portion 303b) is pressed downward with a force greater than the biasing force of the lift-up spring 365 while in the raised position, the lift-up base 364 moves downward against the biasing force of the lift-up spring 365 via the outer peripheral button cover 380, and the lower end of the lift-up base 364 comes into contact with the button unit base 361. In this state, the outer peripheral button cover 380 is in the lowered position together with the lift-up base 364, but because the central button cover 375 (central pressing operation portion 303a) protrudes upward due to the biasing force of the button spring 374, the pressure detection piece 373e of the central button body 373 does not protrude downward from the lift-up base 364, and the pressure detection piece 373e is not detected by the pressure detection sensor 381.

[0364] To return the central button cover 375 and the outer peripheral button cover 380 (the pressing operation unit 303) from the raised position to the lowered position, the operation button lifting / lowering drive motor 367 rotates the lifting / lowering cam member 371 in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view, and in Figure 62 (b), the third cam 371e, which abuts the upper left of the guide pin 364d of the lifting / lowering base 364, moves to the right (towards the guide pin 364d).As a result, the guide pin 364d is pressed downward by the third cam 371e, and the lifting / lowering base 364 moves downward against the biasing force of the lifting / lowering spring 365 via the guide pin 364d.

[0365] Then, when guide pin 364d moves from the lower end of third cam 371e toward first cam 371b in accordance with the rotation of lift-down cam member 371, downward movement of lift-down base 364 stops and guide pin 364d rolls along first cam 371b. Thereafter, when guide pin 364d reaches the position of locking portion 371c midway along first cam 371b, guide pin 364d is inserted into locking portion 371c recessed upward by the biasing force of lift-down spring 365, and rotation of lift-down cam member 371 by operation button lift-down drive motor 367 is stopped, thereby returning to the original lowered position.

[0366] [3-5e-9. Operation unit relay board unit] The operation unit relay board unit 390 in the performance operation unit 300 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 53 and 54. The operation unit relay board unit 390 is attached to the rear surface of the operation unit base 320. The operation unit relay board unit 390 includes a box-shaped board box 391 attached to the rear surface of the main body 321 in the operation unit base 320, and an operation unit relay board 392 attached inside the board box 391.

[0367] The board box 391 has a motor cover part 391a that covers the operation ring drive motor 342 of the rotation drive unit 340 from the rear when assembled into the performance operation unit 300. The operation unit relay board 392 relays the connection between the upper dish center decorative board 314, the lower dish center decorative board 316, the operation ring drive motor 342, the first rotation detection sensor 347, the second rotation detection sensor 348, the performance operation ring decorative board 352, the vibration speaker 354, the operation button lifting drive motor 367, the center button decorative board 376, the outer button decorative board 377, the pressure detection sensor 381, and the lifting detection sensor 382 and the dish unit relay board 214 of the dish base unit 210.

[0368] [3-5e-10. Action of the Production Control Unit] Next, the operation of the performance operation unit 300 will be explained in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 63 to 65. Figure 63 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the performance operation ring and the rotation drive unit in a left side view of the performance operation unit. Figure 64 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the performance operation ring and the performance operation ring decorative board in a plan view of the performance operation unit seen from the pressing direction of the pressing operation part. Figure 65(a) is a front view of the dish unit shown in the normal state, (b) is a front view of the dish unit when the pressing operation part is in the raised position, and (c) is a front view of the dish unit when the central pressing operation part of the pressing operation part is pressed.

[0369] The performance operation unit 300 has a performance operation section 301 on its top surface that can be operated by a player. The performance operation section 301 is made up of a large, annular rotation operation section 302 and a pressing operation section 303 that is arranged within the ring of the rotation operation section 302. The pressing operation section 303 is made up of a cylindrical central pressing operation section 303a that is located at the center of the rotation operation section 302, and an annular outer peripheral pressing operation section 303b that is arranged between the central pressing operation section 303a and the rotation operation section 302.

[0370] The rotation operation unit 302 is formed by an outer upper cover 335, an outer lower cover 336, and an inner cover 337 of the performance operation ring 330. The central pressing operation unit 303a is formed by a central button cover 375 and a central button body 373 of the performance operation button unit 360, and the outer periphery pressing operation unit 303b is formed by an outer periphery button cover 380 and an outer periphery board cover 378.

[0371] The performance operation unit 300 is assembled to the dish unit 200 in a tilted state so that the front side of the imaginary plane formed by the upper surface of the annular rotating operation part 302 (performance operation ring 330) is lower. Therefore, the pressing direction of the pressing operation part 303 arranged inside the ring of the rotating operation part 302 is tilted so that it moves backward as it goes downward (in other words, it moves forward as it goes upward).

[0372] In the normal state of the performance operation unit 300, the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes slightly upward from the upper surface of the rotating operation unit 302. In more detail, the upper surface of the outer button cover 380 protrudes slightly upward from the upper surface of the performance operation ring 330, and the upper surface of the central button cover 375 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the outer button cover 380 (see FIG. 63, etc.).

[0373] In this normal state, when the operation ring drive motor 342 of the rotation drive unit 340 rotates the transmission detection gear member 345 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the left side, the rotation operation portion 302 of the effect operation ring 330 rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed from the top via the operation ring transmission gear 350. On the other hand, when the operation ring drive motor 342 rotates the transmission detection gear member 345 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the left side, the rotation operation portion 302 of the effect operation ring 330 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top.

[0374] The operation ring drive motor 342 is a stepping motor, and by repeatedly rotating forward and backward within a predetermined rotation angle range, it is possible to rotate and vibrate the rotary operation unit 302 back and forth. This vibration differs from the vibration caused by the vibration speaker 354, and only the rotary operation unit 302 vibrates.

[0375] The rotary operation unit 302 of the effect operation ring 330 can be rotated not only by the operation ring drive motor 342, but also by the player. When the rotary operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise in a plan view, the transmission detection gear member 345 of the rotary drive unit 340 rotates clockwise in a left side view via the operation ring transmission gear 350, and when the rotary operation unit 302 is rotated counterclockwise in a left side view, the transmission detection gear member 345 rotates counterclockwise in a left side view. The rotation of this transmission detection gear member 345 is detected by two sensors, a first rotation detection sensor 347 and a second rotation detection sensor 348.

[0376] The rotation of the transmission detection gear member 345 is detected by detecting the multiple detection pieces 345b with a first rotation detection sensor 347 and a second rotation detection sensor 348. More specifically, the distance between the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, is not an integer multiple of the distance between the multiple detection pieces 345b, which are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. This prevents the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348 from detecting the detection pieces 345b at the same time.

[0377] In this embodiment, when the transmission detection gear member 345 rotates clockwise in left side view, the second rotation detection sensor 348 detects the detection piece 345b, and then the first rotation detection sensor 347 detects the detection piece 345b. In contrast, when the transmission detection gear member 345 rotates counterclockwise in left side view, the first rotation detection sensor 347 detects the detection piece 345b, and then the second rotation detection sensor 348 detects the detection piece 345b. Therefore, the rotation direction of the transmission detection gear member 345 (rotation operation unit 302) can be detected based on the order in which the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348 detect the detection piece 345b. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the transmission detection gear member 345 (rotation operation unit 302) can be detected based on the detection times of the detection piece 345b by the first rotation detection sensor 347 and the second rotation detection sensor 348.

[0378] In this way, since the rotation operation of the rotary operation unit 302 can be detected, the content of the player participation-type presentation can be changed depending on the rotation direction of the rotary operation unit 302. Furthermore, when the rotation operation of the rotary operation unit 302 is detected, the operation ring drive motor 342 can rotate the rotary operation unit 302 in the same direction as the rotation operation, thereby making the rotation operation lighter and assisting the player. Alternatively, the operation ring drive motor 342 can rotate the rotary operation unit 302 in the opposite direction to the rotation operation, making the rotation operation heavier or adding a clicking sensation.

[0379] The rotation operation unit 302 of the effect operation ring 330 is formed by an outer ring upper cover 335, an outer ring lower cover 336, and an inner ring cover 337, and is formed in a shape in which an arc of more than half of a circle extends in an annular shape. In other words, the rotation operation unit 302 is formed in a doughnut shape. As shown in the figure, the outer peripheral surface, the upper surface, and part of the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation unit 302 are attached in an exposed state, so that it is formed in a shape that is easy for a player to grasp.

[0380] This allows the player to touch the rotation operation unit 302 from various directions, allowing the player to rotate the rotation operation unit 302 in a way that is comfortable for the player, thereby improving the operability of the rotation operation unit 302. Furthermore, the rotation operation unit 302 can be rotated whether the pressing operation unit 303 is in the lowered position or the raised position. Note that the bottom side of the rotation operation unit 302 is attached to the operation unit base 320, so it cannot be gripped like a car steering wheel.

[0381] As shown in FIG. 64, the performance operation unit 300 is provided with a performance operation ring decorative board 352 on which multiple LEDs are arranged in a circular ring below the performance operation ring 330. As a result, by illuminating the LEDs on the performance operation ring decorative board 352, the rotating operation part 302 of the performance operation ring 330 can be illuminated and decorated. Also, since the performance operation ring decorative board 352 has multiple LEDs arranged in a circular line along the rotating operation part 302, by sequentially illuminating the multiple LEDs arranged in a line in accordance with the rotation of the rotating operation part 302, it is possible to illuminate and decorate only specific parts of the rotating rotation operation part 302. This gives the player the illusion that an LED (decorative board) is installed inside the rotating rotation operation part 302.

[0382] In the normal state of the performance operation unit 300, as shown in Figure 65(a), the pressing operation unit 303 arranged within the ring of the rotation operation unit 302 is in a lowered position with its upper surface protruding slightly above the upper surface of the rotation operation unit 302. In this state, the rotation operation unit 302 can be rotated, and the central pressing operation unit 303a of the pressing operation unit 303 can be pressed. When the central pressing operation unit 303a is pressed downward, the upper surface of the central pressing operation unit 303a (central button cover 375) descends to approximately the same height as the upper surface of the outer peripheral pressing operation unit 303b (outer peripheral button cover 380), and the pressing is detected by the pressing detection sensor 381.

[0383] In this normal (lowered position) state, even if the outer peripheral pressing operation portion 303b of the pressing operation portion 303 is pressed downward, the outer peripheral pressing operation portion 303b (outer peripheral button cover 380) will not move downward, and the pressing will not be detected by the pressing detection sensor 381.

[0384] In the normal state, when the operation button lifting / lowering drive motor 367 rotates the lifting cam member 371 counterclockwise in a plan view, the guide pin 364d of the lifting base 364 disengages from the cam portion 371a (first cam 371b), and the pressing operation unit 303 together with the lifting base 364 protrudes upward vigorously due to the biasing force of the pair of lifting springs 365, and assumes the raised position (see FIG. 65(b)). In this raised position, the upper surface of the pressing operation unit 303 is positioned significantly higher than the upper surface of the rotation operation unit 302. In other words, the central button cover 375 and the outer peripheral button cover 380 protrude significantly higher than the upper surface of the performance operation ring 330.

[0385] When the central pressing operation unit 303a is pressed downward while the pressing operation unit 303 is in the raised position, the central pressing operation unit 303a first moves downward against the biasing force of the button spring 374, and the top surfaces of the central pressing operation unit 303a and the outer peripheral pressing operation unit 303b are at approximately the same height. In this state, the pressing detection sensor 381 does not detect the pressing. Furthermore, the central pressing operation unit 303a moves downward together with the outer peripheral pressing operation unit 303b against the biasing force of the lifting spring 365, and the top surfaces of the central pressing operation unit 303a and the outer peripheral pressing operation unit 303b are at approximately the same height as the top surface of the rotation operation unit 302 (see FIG. 65(c)). In this state, the pressing detection sensor 381 detects the pressing.

[0386] Furthermore, when outer pressing operation portion 303b is pressed downward while pressing operation portion 303 is in the raised position, outer pressing operation portion 303b and central pressing operation portion 303a move downward while the top surface of central pressing operation portion 303a remains in a state where it protrudes above the top surface of outer pressing operation portion 303b, and the top surface of outer pressing operation portion 303b becomes approximately flush with the top surface of rotation operation portion 302 (see FIG. 65(a)). In this state, pressing detection sensor 381 does not detect pressing.

[0387] In this way, regardless of whether the pressing operation unit 303 of this embodiment is in the lowered or raised position, the central pressing operation unit 303a must be pressed to the downward limit before it will be detected by the pressing detection sensor 381. This makes it possible to encourage the player to firmly press the central pressing operation unit 303a, thereby drawing attention to the operation of the effect operation unit 301 in a player participation type effect, making the player participation type effect more enjoyable.

[0388] It should be noted that even when the pressing operation unit 303 is in the raised position, the rotation operation unit 302 can be rotated. Therefore, when the pressing operation unit 303 is in the raised position, depending on the player, the pressing operation unit 303 may make the rotation operation easier, or the pressing operation unit 303 may get in the way and make the rotation operation difficult. Therefore, the operability of the rotation operation unit 302 can be changed, allowing the player to enjoy a wider variety of operations.

[0389] [3-6. Door frame left side unit] The door frame left side unit 400 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 66 to 68. Figure 66(a) is a perspective view of the door frame left side unit of the door frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the door frame left side unit as seen from the rear. Figure 67 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame left side unit as seen from the front, and Figure 68 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame left side unit as seen from the rear. The door frame left side unit 400 is attached to the left front part of the door frame base unit 100 above the tray unit 200, and decorates the left outer side of the playing area 5a when viewed from the front.

[0390] The door frame left side unit 400 comprises a door frame left side base 401 attached to the left outer side of the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, a door frame left side decorative board 402 attached to the front surface of the door frame left side base 401 and having a plurality of LEDs mounted on the front surface, a left side reflector 403 attached to the door frame left side base 401 so as to cover the front side of the door frame left side decorative board 402, and a door frame left side decorative body 404 attached to the door frame left side base 401 so as to cover the front side of the left side reflector 403.

[0391] The left door frame base 401 is formed in a box shape that extends vertically and is open to the front. The left door frame decorative board 402 is formed in a strip shape that extends vertically and is composed of an upper left side decorative board 402a and a lower left side decorative board 402b. The left door frame decorative board 402 has multiple full-color LEDs mounted on the front surface. The left door frame decorative board 402 can illuminate the left door frame decorative body 404 by appropriately illuminating the multiple LEDs.

[0392] The left side reflector 403 has a through-hole 403a that penetrates from front to back at a position corresponding to the LED mounted on the door frame left side decorative board 402. The door frame left side decorative body 404 is formed in a translucent milky white color. The door frame left side decorative body 404 is formed in the shape of a semicircular arc that bulges forward and extends vertically. As a result, the door frame left side decorative body 404 is formed in a semi-tubular shape that is open to the rear.

[0393] The door frame left side unit 400 is formed so that its lower end is continuous with the left end of the upper left dish decorative body 271 of the upper left dish decorative unit 270 in the dish unit 200, and its upper end is formed so that it is continuous with the lower left end of the door frame top decorative body 453 of the door frame top unit 450.

[0394] The door frame left side unit 400 is formed so that its width in the left-right direction and its depth in the front-to-back direction are approximately the same. When assembled to the door frame 3, the door frame left side unit 400 decorates the left outer side of the door window 101a of the door frame base 101, making it look like a cylindrical fluorescent lamp is embedded therein.

[0395] [3-7. Door frame right side unit] The door frame right side unit 410 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 69 to 71. Figure 69(a) is a perspective view of the door frame right side unit of the door frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the door frame right side unit as seen from the rear. Figure 70 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame right side unit as seen from the front, and Figure 71 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame right side unit as seen from the rear. The door frame right side unit 410 is attached to the right front part of the door frame base unit 100 above the tray unit 200, and decorates the right outer side of the playing area 5a when viewed from the front.

[0396] The door frame right side unit 410 extends flatly forward from the right edge of the door frame 3 to a position roughly the same as the upper tray 201 and lower tray 202 of the tray unit 200, and is equipped with a side window 410a that penetrates in the left-right direction, and a plurality of illuminable side window interior decorative parts 410b that are arranged inside the side window 410a. In a gaming hall or the like where the pachinko machine 1 is installed, this door frame right side unit 410 can make it difficult to see inside the playing area of ​​the pachinko machine located on the right side, and can make it difficult for a player playing on the pachinko machine on the right side to see inside the playing area 5a of this pachinko machine 1, thereby creating a personal space for the player that protects the privacy of the player.

[0397] The door frame right side unit 410 comprises a door frame right side base 411 attached to the right outer side of the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100 and extending vertically; a side window interior decorative member 412 attached to the front surface of the door frame right side base 411 and extending forward cylindrically and having a plurality of side window interior decorative members 410b arranged in a row vertically; a side window interior decorative member decorative board 413 attached to the front side of the door frame right side base 411 and having a plurality of LEDs mounted at positions corresponding to the plurality of side window interior decorative members 410b of the side window interior decorative member 412 on the front surface; and internal reflectors 414 inserted inside each of the plurality of side window interior decorative members 410b of the side window interior decorative member 412.

[0398] The door frame right side unit 410 also includes a right side reflector 415 that is positioned forward of the front end of the side window interior decorative member 412 and extends vertically, a door frame right side outer panel 416 that is attached to the door frame right side base 411 and extends flat in the vertical and front-to-back directions so as to cover the right side surfaces of the door frame right side base 411 and the right side reflector 415, and has a through hole 416a that penetrates in the left-to-right direction and forms the side window 410a, and a door frame right side inner panel 417 that is attached to the door frame right side base 411 and the right side reflector 415 and extends flat in the vertical and front-to-back directions so as to cover the left side surfaces of the door frame right side base 411 and the right side reflector 415, and has a through hole 417a that penetrates in the left-to-right direction and forms the side window 410a.

[0399] Furthermore, the door frame right side unit 410 is equipped with a door frame right side decorative board 418 that is attached to the rear surface of the right side reflector 415 and has multiple LEDs mounted on the front surface, and a door frame right side decorative body 419 that is attached to the right side reflector 415 so as to cover the front side of the right side reflector 415.

[0400] The door frame right side base 411 is box-shaped and extends vertically, opening to the rear. The side window interior decorative element 412 has a flat connecting base 412a that connects the lower ends of multiple (three in this example) side window interior decorative elements 410b arranged vertically. The side window interior decorative element 410b of the side window interior decorative element 412 is formed as a truncated cone-like cylinder with a slightly smaller outer diameter at the front end than at the rear end, and the front end of the cylinder is formed as a hemisphere. The front end of the side window interior decorative element 410b of...

Claims

[Claim 1] In a gaming machine in which a game is played by a lottery that can be executed by hitting a gaming ball, a first game area into which game balls are shot; and a second game area into which game balls are shot, the second game area being provided on the opposite side of the first game area in the left-right direction when the game panel is viewed from the front; a front unit attached from the front to the front of the gaming panel on which the first gaming area and the second gaming area are formed; and a display device capable of displaying a display effect according to the result of the lottery; Equipped with The front unit can receive only game balls that have been shot into the second game area, and has a distribution unit located in front of the display device and behind the front surface of the game panel, the distribution unit having a rolling portion that can roll the received game balls and a fall prevention wall that prevents the game balls from falling from the rolling portion; A drop-allowing section that does not have the fall prevention wall is provided on the player side of the rolling section so that the game balls received in the distribution section can be received in either a specific receiving port or a losing port that is provided on the player side of the rolling section, and the game balls can fall toward the player side from the rolling section, The distribution unit is provided with a plurality of disadvantageous drop portions on the player side as the drop portions into which the game balls can fall from the rolling portion, and which are capable of being received into the losing hole when the game balls fall, The reception of the game ball into the specific receiving port can give the player an advantageous state. A gaming machine characterized by:

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