Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine which can be easily applied into a game hall.SOLUTION: A game machine performs a lottery on the basis of establishment of a start condition, and can control itself to come into a jackpot game state advantageous to a player when a result of the lottery becomes a jackpot result. The game machine comprises: special game state control means capable of controlling the game machine to come into a special game state, in which an establishment frequency of the start condition is enhanced relative to that in a normal game state without controlling the game machine to come into the jackpot game state, when the result of the lottery becomes a non-jackpot result different from the jackpot result; an external terminal board having a plurality of external output terminal parts; and external output means using the external terminal board for transmitting a state of the game machine to an external appliance. The external output means can, not only transmit occurrence of a state advantageous to a player when being controlled to come into the jackpot game state, to the external appliance, but also can transmit occurrence of the state advantageous to the player when being controlled to come into the special game state when the result of the lottery becomes the non-jackpot result, to the external appliance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 134

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines (commonly referred to as "pachinko machines") and spinning reel gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachislot machines").

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are gaming machines that display patterns using a display means and assign a predetermined game value when the display result is a specific result. These types of gaming machines are equipped with multiple light-emitting elements that emit light in various ways in relation to the display by the display means. In such gaming machines, a gaming machine that uses multiple light-emitting elements to emit light in a multi-color pattern has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, if, for example, a malfunction occurs in the gaming machine and some of the components involved in multi-color illumination cannot be used, the multi-color illumination may be performed in an incomplete manner, potentially leading to a decrease in the enjoyment of the game.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to It is possible to suppress the decline in the enjoyment of gaming. provide a gaming machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, a gaming machine that performs a lottery based on the establishment of predetermined conditions and grants a profit based on the result of the lottery, a first multi-color light emission control execution means for executing a first multi-color light emission control for causing a plurality of light emission parts to emit light in a multi-color light emission mode by the establishment of a first condition when the profit is granted based on the result of the lottery; A second multicolor light emission control execution means executes a second multicolor light emission control that causes the plurality of light-emitting units to emit light in a multicolor light emission manner when a second condition that can be met other than when the aforementioned benefit is granted based on the results of the aforementioned lottery is met, A specific light-emitting unit is provided separately from the plurality of light-emitting units, Equipped with, The gaming machine has at least two states: a first state and a second state that is different from the first state. The specified light-emitting unit is provided separately from the performance display device that performs a predetermined performance display, and is in a manner different from both the multicolor light emission mode by the first multicolor light emission control and the multicolor light emission mode by the second multicolor light emission control, Related to the results of the aforementioned lottery It is possible to control it in a predetermined manner, When the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control is terminated, there are cases in which the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit is continued, and cases in which the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit is also terminated. When the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the first state, even if the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control ends, the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit may continue. When the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the second state, both the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control, and the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit, are terminated. When the aforementioned benefit is granted based on the results of the aforementioned lottery, in connection with the execution of the first multi-color light emission control, At the aforementioned display device It is a rainbow pattern. It is possible to display specific multi-color images, In relation to the execution of the first multicolor emission control, the specific multicolor display image can be displayed, whereas in relation to the execution of the second multicolor emission control, the specific multicolor display image cannot be displayed. The light intensity of the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the light intensity of the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control changes based on a predetermined light intensity adjustment operation, but the light intensity of the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit does not change based on a predetermined light intensity adjustment operation. Furthermore, when a predetermined error notification is executed while the specific multicolor display image is being displayed during the first multicolor light emission control, the multicolor light emission mode by the first multicolor light emission control being executed for the plurality of light emitting parts ends, but there is at least a case where the state allowing the specific multicolor display image to be visually recognized is maintained even when the error notification is executed. Furthermore, when the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the second state during the display of the specific multicolor display image, a notification image notifying that it is the second state is caused to be displayed on the effect display device. It is characterized by this.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, A gaming machine that conducts a lottery based on the fulfillment of predetermined conditions and awards a prize based on the result of the lottery, A first multicolor light emission control execution means executes a first multicolor light emission control that causes multiple light-emitting units to emit light in a multicolor light emission pattern when the first condition is met when the aforementioned benefit is granted based on the results of the aforementioned lottery, A second multicolor light emission control execution means executes a second multicolor light emission control that causes the plurality of light-emitting units to emit light in a multicolor light emission manner when a second condition that can be met other than when the aforementioned benefit is granted based on the results of the aforementioned lottery is met, A specific light-emitting unit is provided separately from the plurality of light-emitting units, Equipped with, The gaming machine has at least two states: a first state and a second state that is different from the first state. The aforementioned specific light-emitting unit is provided separately from the performance display device that performs a predetermined performance display, and is in a manner different from both the multicolor light emission mode by the first multicolor light emission control and the multicolor light emission mode by the second multicolor light emission control, and can be controlled in a predetermined manner according to the progress of the game. When the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control is terminated, there are cases in which the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit is continued, and cases in which the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit is also terminated. When the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the first state, even if the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control ends, the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit may continue. When the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the second state, both the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control, and the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit, are terminated. During the first multi-color light emission control, a specific multi-color display image can be displayed on the display device. Furthermore, if a predetermined error notification is executed while the specific multicolor display image is being displayed during the first multicolor light emission control, the multicolor light emission mode performed by the first multicolor light emission control applied to the plurality of light-emitting units will terminate, but there are at least cases in which the specific multicolor display image can be viewed even after the error notification is executed. Furthermore, if the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the second state while the specific multi-color display image is being displayed, a notification image indicating that the machine is in the second state will be displayed on the display device. It is characterized by this.

[0008]

Effects of the Invention

[0009] Thus, according to the present invention, It is possible to suppress the decline in the enjoyment of gaming. The gaming machine can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a front view of a pachinko machine which is one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a right-side view of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] This is a left side view of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] This is a rear view of a pachinko machine. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a pachinko machine from the front right. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a pachinko machine, seen from the front left. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a pachinko machine from the back. [Figure 8] This is a front view of a pachinko machine with the press operation part of the performance control unit in the raised position. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of a pachinko machine from the front right when the press operation part of the performance control unit is in the raised position. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of a pachinko machine 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 a disassembled perspective view of a pachinko machine, showing it from the front after it has been separated into the door frame, game board, main body frame, and outer frame. [Figure 12] This is a disassembled perspective view of a pachinko machine, showing it from the rear after it has been separated into the door frame, game board, main body frame, and outer frame. [Figure 13] This is a front view of the outer frame of a pachinko machine. [Figure 14] This is a rear view of the outer frame. [Figure 15] This is a right side view of the outer frame. [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 the back. [Figure 18] This is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame, broken down into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 19] This is a disassembled perspective view of the left and right outer frame assemblies, viewed from the front. [Figure 20] This is a disassembled perspective view of the lower outer frame assembly, seen from the front. [Figure 21](a) is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame's upper hinge assembly, viewed from the front and above, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) viewed from the front and below. [Figure 22] This is a front view of the door frame of a pachinko machine. [Figure 23] This is a rear view of the door frame. [Figure 24] This is a left side view of the door frame. [Figure 25] This is a right-side view of the door frame. [Figure 26] This is a perspective view of the door frame from the front right. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view of the door frame from the front left. [Figure 28] This is a perspective view of the door frame from the back. [Figure 29] This is an exploded perspective view of the door frame, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 30] This is a disassembled perspective view of the door frame, showing it from the rear after being separated into its main components. [Figure 31] (a) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit of the door frame, seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the door frame base unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 32] This is an exploded perspective view of the door frame base unit, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 33] This is a disassembled perspective view of the door frame base unit, showing each main component separately from the rear. [Figure 34] (a) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock on the door frame from the front, (b) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock in (a) from the front and rear, (c) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock in a conventional pachinko machine from the front, and (d) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock in (a) from the rear. [Figure 35] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock in Figure 34(a) as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock in Figure 34(a) as seen from the rear. [Figure 36](a) is an explanatory diagram showing the movable mechanism of the cylinder lock in Figure 34(a) from the front, (b) is an explanatory diagram of the cylinder lock rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the state in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram of the cylinder lock rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state in (a). [Figure 37] (a) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit of the door frame base unit, seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball feeding unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 38] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit after it has been disassembled and viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit after the rear case and anti-tampering member have been removed and viewed from the rear. [Figure 39] (a) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit of the door frame base unit, seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 40] This is a front view of the foul cover unit with the lid removed. [Figure 41] (a) is an enlarged front view showing the handle unit and handle cover unit in the door frame, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the handle unit and handle cover unit in the door frame. [Figure 42] This is a disassembled perspective view of the handle cover unit, taken from the front. [Figure 43] This is a disassembled perspective view of the handle cover unit, taken from the rear. [Figure 44] This is a disassembled perspective view of the handle unit, seen from the front. [Figure 45] This is a disassembled perspective view of the handle unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 46] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in Figure 41(a). [Figure 47] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 1. [Figure 48] This is a perspective view of the tray unit in the door frame. [Figure 49] This is a perspective view of the plate unit from the rear. [Figure 50] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the door frame, cut horizontally at the lower tray ball supply opening; (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of a conventional door frame, cut at the same location as (a); and (c) is a table comparing the number of game balls that can be stored in the lower tray of this embodiment and the conventional product. [Figure 51] This is a plan view showing an enlarged view of the ball dispensing operation unit in the tray unit of the door frame. [Figure 52] (a) is a perspective view of the performance control unit from the front with the performance control buttons facing upwards, and (b) is a perspective view of the performance control unit from (a) from the rear. [Figure 53] This is an exploded perspective view of the performance control unit, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front and above. [Figure 54] This is an exploded perspective view of the production control unit, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front and below. [Figure 55] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the performance control unit with the performance control unit in the lowered position and the lower holding member of the lifting spring in the upper end position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the performance control unit with the performance control unit moved to the raised position from the state in (a). [Figure 56] This is a cross-sectional view of the performance control unit, with the performance control unit in the lowered position and the lower holding member of the lifting spring in the lowered end position. [Figure 57] This is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the outer decorative substrate of the performance control unit, the outer decorative substrate of the button, and the inner decorative substrate of the button, in a plan view of the performance control unit as seen from the pressing direction of the press operation section. [Figure 58] (a) is a front view of the plate unit in its normal state, and (b) is a front view of the plate unit when the performance control unit is in the raised position. [Figure 59] This is a plan view of a performance control unit showing an example in which multiple contact detection elements are provided in the performance control unit of the performance control unit. [Figure 60](a) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which multiple contact detection elements are connected to a single contact detection sensor body; (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a switching unit is provided between the contact detection sensor body and the multiple contact detection elements in (a); and (c) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the left plate decoration unit, the right plate decoration unit, and the performance operation unit of the plate unit can move back and forth, and contact detection elements are provided on the front and rear sides of the performance operation unit, etc. [Figure 61] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a decorative contact detection body, and (b) is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the performance control unit. [Figure 62] (a) is a front view of the left side unit of the door frame, (b) is a perspective view of the left side unit of the door frame seen from the front, and (c) is a perspective view of the left side unit of the door frame seen from the rear. [Figure 63] This is a disassembled perspective view of the left side unit of the door frame, seen from the front. [Figure 64] This is a disassembled perspective view of the left side unit of the door frame, seen from the rear. [Figure 65] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line U-U in Figure 62(a). [Figure 66] (a) is a front view of the right side unit of the door frame, (b) is a right side view of the right side unit of the door frame, (c) is a perspective view of the right side unit of the door frame seen from the front, and (d) is a perspective view of the right side unit of the door frame seen from the rear. [Figure 67] This is a disassembled perspective view of the right side unit of the door frame, seen from the front. [Figure 68] This is a disassembled perspective view of the right side unit of the door frame, seen from the rear. [Figure 69] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-E in Figure 66(a). [Figure 70] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line O-O in Figure 66(a). [Figure 71](a) is a right side view of the right side unit of the door frame, showing the outer layer of the two-color molded door frame in an opaque state, and (b) is a right side view of the right side unit of the door frame, showing the inner layer as is and the outer layer as transparent in (a). [Figure 72] This is a front view showing each decorative base plate of the door frame. [Figure 73] This is a plan view showing the decorative circuit board for the door frame's control unit. [Figure 74] This is a rear view showing the decorative substrates installed around the door window of the door frame. [Figure 75] This is a front view of the main frame of a pachinko machine. [Figure 76] This is a rear view of the main frame of a pachinko machine. [Figure 77] This is a perspective view of the main frame from the front right. [Figure 78] This is a perspective view of the main frame from the front left. [Figure 79] This is a perspective view of the main frame from the rear. [Figure 80] This is an exploded perspective view of the main frame, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 81] This is a disassembled perspective view of the main frame, broken down into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 82] (a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the lower left corner of the main frame, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the lower left corner of the main frame when the door frame is opened relative to the main frame. [Figure 83] This is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the cable guide member for the main frame when the door frame is opened and closed relative to the main frame. [Figure 84] (a) is a perspective view of the ball launcher in the main frame, seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball launcher, seen from the rear. [Figure 85] (a) is a perspective view of the main frame's dispensing base unit seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the dispensing base unit seen from the rear. [Figure 86] (a) is a perspective view of the dispensing unit in the main frame, seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the dispensing unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 87] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing unit, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 88] This is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of the dispensing unit, cut at the center in the front-to-back direction of the dispensing blades. [Figure 89] (a) is a rear cross-sectional view of the dispensing device cut at the center in the front-to-back direction of the dispensing blade when the ball-removing movable piece is in the open position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). [Figure 90] This is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the door frame's foul cover unit and the lower full-ball path unit. [Figure 91] This is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls within the main frame. [Figure 92] (a) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit of the main frame, seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 93] This is a perspective view of the circuit board unit, seen from the rear and below. [Figure 94] This is a disassembled perspective view of the circuit board unit, broken down into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 95] This is a disassembled perspective view of the circuit board unit, broken down into its main components and viewed from the rear. [Figure 96] This is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the lower part of a pachinko machine, cut down the center in the left-right direction. [Figure 97] (a) is a perspective view of the locking unit of the main frame seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the locking unit seen from the rear. [Figure 98] (a) is a plan view of the main frame, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (a). [Figure 99] This is an enlarged view showing the upper part of the main frame in a perspective view seen from the rear. [Figure 100] (a) is a perspective view of the spherical tank with the tank rails and other components assembled, seen from the front and above, and (b) is a perspective view of (a) seen from the front and below. [Figure 101]Figure 100(a) is an exploded perspective view taken from the front. [Figure 102] This is an explanatory diagram showing the area where game balls overflowing from the ball tank at the top of the main frame circulate. [Figure 103] This is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls overflowing from the ball tank at the top of the main frame. [Figure 104] This is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls to the detour passage at the top of the main frame. [Figure 105] This is an enlarged view showing the area around the tank rail in a perspective view of the main frame seen from the rear on the hinge side. [Figure 106] This is a perspective view showing a close-up of the tank rail portion of a pachinko machine equipped with a tank rail, etc., according to the second embodiment, viewed from the rear. [Figure 107] (a) is a plan view showing the tank rails etc. in Figure 106 assembled together with the spherical tank, (b) is a perspective view of the tank rails etc. in (a) from the front, and (c) is a perspective view of the tank rails etc. in (a) from the rear. [Figure 108] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the tank rails etc. in Figure 107, viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the tank rails etc. in Figure 107, viewed from the rear. [Figure 109] Figure 107(a) shows a cross-sectional view of a tank rail, etc., cut along the ker-ker line. [Figure 110] Figure 107 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the flow of game balls within the tank rail. [Figure 111] This is a perspective view showing a magnified view of the tank rail portion of the main frame equipped with the tank rails of the third embodiment, as seen from the right rear. [Figure 112] This is a perspective view showing a magnified view of the tank rail portion of the main frame equipped with the tank rails of the third embodiment, as seen from the left rear. [Figure 113] (a) is a rear view of the main frame showing an enlarged view of the external terminal board area, and (b) is a left side view of the main frame showing an enlarged view of the upper part. [Figure 114](a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD line in Figure 113(b), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC line in Figure 113(a). [Figure 115] This is an explanatory diagram showing a magnified view of the area around the tank rail in Figure 114(b). [Figure 116] (a) is a perspective view of the tank rails, etc. of the third embodiment as seen from the front, (b) is a perspective view of the tank rails, etc. of (a) as seen from the upper right rear, and (c) is a perspective view of the tank rails, etc. of (a) as seen from the lower right rear. [Figure 117] Figure 116 is an exploded perspective view of the tank rails and other components, taken from the front. [Figure 118] Figure 116 is a disassembled perspective view of the tank rails and other components, seen from the rear. [Figure 119] (a) is a front view of a substrate unit of another embodiment, (b) is a perspective view of the substrate unit of (a) viewed from the front right, and (c) is a perspective view of the substrate unit of (a) viewed from the front left. [Figure 120] (a) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit in Figure 119(a) viewed from the upper right rear, and (b) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit in Figure 119(a) viewed from the lower right rear. [Figure 121] Figure 119(a) is an exploded perspective view of the circuit board unit after it has been disassembled and viewed from the front. [Figure 122] Figure 119(a) is a disassembled perspective view of the circuit board unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 123] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line K-K in Figure 119(a), (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line K-K in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line K-K in (a). [Figure 124] This is a bottom view showing the part of a pachinko machine equipped with the circuit board unit shown in Figure 119(a) that is behind the door frame. [Figure 125] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a guide piece is provided at the out-of-bounds outlet of the out-of-bounds passage. [Figure 126](a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the out-of-sensor is detachable, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the out-of-sensor has been removed in (a). [Figure 127] (a) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit of the third embodiment, with the power supply unit, payout control unit, and interface unit omitted, as seen from the front right, and (b) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit of (a) as seen from the front left. [Figure 128] (a) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit in Figure 127, viewed from the upper right rear, and (b) is a perspective view of the circuit board unit in (a), viewed from the lower right rear. [Figure 129] (a) is a plan view of the substrate unit in Figure 127, (b) is a cross-sectional view of (a) cut along the line from co to co, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of (a) cut along the line from sa to sa. [Figure 130] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in Figure 129(a). [Figure 131] Figure 127 is a disassembled perspective view of the circuit board unit, seen from the front. [Figure 132] Figure 127 is a disassembled perspective view of the circuit board unit, seen from the rear. [Figure 133] (a) is a perspective view of the spherical path member of the substrate unit in Figure 127, viewed from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the spherical path member of the substrate unit in Figure 127, viewed from the rear. [Figure 134] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating how to resolve ball jamming in the circuit board unit shown in Figure 127. [Figure 135] Figure 127 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how to prevent the intrusion of a linear tampering tool into the substrate unit. [Figure 136] Figure 127 is an explanatory diagram showing how to remove dust from the circuit board unit. [Figure 137] This is a front view of a pachinko machine with the center mechanism and other components made opaque. [Figure 138] Figure 137 is a perspective view of the game board as seen from the front right. [Figure 139] Figure 137 is a perspective view of the game board seen from the front left. [Figure 140]This is a perspective view of the game board from the back. [Figure 141] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the wiring layout from the function display unit to the main control board. [Figure 142] This is a front view of the game board with the center components and other parts made transparent. [Figure 143] This is a disassembled perspective view of the game board, showing it broken down into its main components and viewed from the front. [Figure 144] This is a disassembled perspective view of the game board, showing it from the rear after being broken down into its main components. [Figure 145] This is a front view of the game board, showing the game area where the game balls circulate and the obstacle pins, with the front unit cut parallel to the surface of the game panel. [Figure 146] This is an enlarged front view showing the left side of Figure 145. [Figure 147] This is an enlarged front view showing the right side of Figure 145. [Figure 148] (a) is a front view showing the right half of the front unit together with the panel and obstruction nails, and (b) is a perspective view of (a) from the front. [Figure 149] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the center right front panel seal and center right front panel as seen from the front in Figure 148, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the center right front panel seal and center right front panel as seen from the rear in Figure 148. [Figure 150] Figure 148 shows a disassembled perspective view from the front, with only the center right front panel viewed from the rear. [Figure 151] (a) is a perspective view of the rear box configuration of the rear unit as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the rear box configuration of the rear unit as seen from the rear. [Figure 152] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the back box of Figure 151, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) viewed from the rear. [Figure 153] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the rear unit of the back box in Figure 152, viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) viewed from the rear. [Figure 154]This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the decorative element of the front lower-front performance unit and the decorative element of the rear lower-rear performance unit in the back unit have moved to the raised position. [Figure 155] This is a front view of the game board showing that the decorative element of the back lower front performance unit in the back unit has moved to the center of the game area, the decorative element of the back upper rear performance unit has moved above the decorative element of the back lower front performance unit, and the decorative element of the back lower rear performance unit has moved below the decorative element of the back lower front performance unit. [Figure 156] This is a front view of the game board showing the state in Figure 155, where the front left and front right decorative elements of the back lower front display unit have moved to the open position relative to each other, revealing the central decorative element. [Figure 157] This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the decorative element of the rear upper display unit in the rear unit has moved to the lowered position, and the decorative element of the rear lower display unit in the rear lower display unit has risen and is in contact with the decorative element of the rear upper unit. [Figure 158] Figure 157 is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the front left and front right decorative elements of the back lower front display unit have moved to the open position relative to each other, revealing the central decorative element. [Figure 159] This is a front view of the game board showing that in the back unit, the back upper front decoration of the back upper front performance unit has moved to a lowered position, the back upper rear decoration of the back upper rear performance unit has moved behind the back upper front decoration, the back lower front decoration of the back lower front performance unit has risen and moved below the back upper front decoration, and the back lower rear decoration of the back lower rear performance unit has risen and is in contact with the back upper rear decoration behind the back lower front decoration. [Figure 160] This is a block diagram that shows the control configuration of a pachinko machine in general terms. [Figure 161] This is a front view of the game board of the second embodiment, showing the game area through which the game balls circulate, by cutting the front unit parallel to the surface of the game panel. [Figure 162](a) is a perspective view of the center component in the game board of the second embodiment, viewed from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the center component in the game board of the second embodiment, viewed from the rear. [Figure 163] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the right half of the center mechanism in Figure 162, showing the front right center plate and ball guide unit disassembled and viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) viewed from the rear. [Figure 164] (a) is a front view of the ball guiding unit in the center mechanism of Figure 162, and (b) is a right side view of the ball guiding unit. [Figure 165] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the su-su line in Figure 164, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the se-se line in Figure 164, (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the so-so line in Figure 164, and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the tata line in Figure 164. [Figure 166] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball guidance unit in Figure 164, viewed from the front right, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball guidance unit in Figure 164, viewed from the front left. [Figure 167] This flowchart shows an example of the processing that occurs when the main control side power is turned on. [Figure 168] This flowchart shows the continuation of the power-on process on the main control side, as shown in Figure 167. [Figure 169] This flowchart shows an example of the main control side timer interrupt processing. [Figure 170] This flowchart shows an example of the process for changing settings. [Figure 171] This flowchart shows an example of a process for confirming and displaying settings. [Figure 172] This flowchart shows an example of error display processing. [Figure 173] This flowchart shows an example of the processing that occurs when the power to the payout control unit is turned on. [Figure 174] This flowchart shows the continuation of the power-on processing for the payout control unit in Figure 173. [Figure 175] Following Figure 174, this flowchart shows the continuation of the processing when the power is turned on to the dispensing control unit. [Figure 176] This flowchart shows an example of a timer interrupt process in the payout control unit. [Figure 177] This flowchart shows an example of the processing that occurs when the peripheral control unit is powered on. [Figure 178] This flowchart shows an example of the V-blank interrupt processing in the peripheral control unit. [Figure 179] This flowchart shows an example of the peripheral control unit's 1ms timer interrupt processing. [Figure 180] This flowchart shows an example of interrupt processing for receiving commands from the peripheral control unit. [Figure 181] This flowchart shows an example of the interrupt processing for a power outage warning signal in the peripheral control unit. [Figure 182] This is a front view of the game board according to the third embodiment. [Figure 183] This flowchart shows the procedure for controlling special symbols and special electric features (step S114). [Figure 184] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first start port passage process (step S232). [Figure 185] This flowchart shows the procedure for the pre-production judgment process (step S245). [Figure 186] This is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for the second start port passage process (step S234). [Figure 187] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the special pattern processing (step S238). [Figure 188] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the normal processing of special symbols (step S280). [Figure 189] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the collision detection process (step S305). [Figure 190] Various tables are shown, including the lottery table for low probability (A), the lottery table for high probability (B), the big win symbol determination table (C), the immediate short win symbol determination table (D), and the minor win symbol determination table (E). [Figure 191]This is a flowchart showing the procedure for setting the special symbol stop symbol (step S281). [Figure 192] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for setting the variation pattern (step S282). [Figure 193] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the special symbol variation process (step S283). [Figure 194] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the special symbol stop process (step S284). [Figure 195] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the rescue count processing (step S394). [Figure 196] This is an explanatory diagram showing the transitions between game states. [Figure 197] This is a specific example of the animations that occur when the number of special symbol variations reaches 600 in a low probability state. [Figure 198] This is a specific example of the animation that occurs when a ball enters the second starting gate while the countdown animation is in progress. [Figure 199] This is a specific example of the sequence of events leading up to an immediate short win in the lottery results. [Figure 200] This is a time chart showing the period during which count suppression is performed. [Figure 201] This is a time chart showing the period during which the immediate short-term winning symbols are invalid. [Figure 202] This is a time chart showing the combined use of count suppression period A and the immediate short-term win symbol invalidation period. [Figure 203] This is a time chart showing the progress of the RTC (Real-Time Card) performance. [Figure 204] This is a time chart showing the progression of the game's effects around the time the special symbol's variation display reaches 600 times (rescue count = 600). [Figure 205] This is a time chart showing the progression of the RTC (Real-Time Clock) sequence if the conditions for starting the sequence are met before the special symbol variation display reaches 600 times (rescue count = 600). [Figure 206]This is a time chart showing the progression of the RTC (Real Time Control) sequence when the conditions for starting the sequence are met after the special symbol variation display has reached 600 times (rescue count = 600). [Figure 207] This is a time chart showing the progression of the game's presentation before and after an immediate short win. [Figure 208] This is a time chart showing the progression of the RTC (Real-Time Clock) sequence if the conditions for starting the sequence are met before an immediate short win occurs. [Figure 209] This is a time chart showing the progression of the RTC (Real-Time Clock) sequence when the conditions for starting the sequence are met after an immediate short win. [Figure 210] This is a list of RAM clear conditions, which indicate the operations performed at power-on to execute a RAM clear. [Figure 211] This is an explanatory diagram showing the history display that can be shown during the period in which setting values ​​are being changed or their display is being checked. [Figure 212] This is a time chart showing the behavior related to normal symbols when the power is turned on. [Figure 213] This is a time chart showing the changes in the game state when a RAM clear operation is performed during a time-saving state. [Figure 214] This is a time chart showing the changes in the game state when a RAM clear operation is performed during a symbol variation that has reached 600 rotations in a low probability state. [Figure 215] This is a modified example of the RAM clear condition, showing the operation performed at power-on to execute a RAM clear. [Figure 216] This is a time chart showing the changes in the game state when the power supply to the main control board is interrupted and then restored. [Figure 217] This is a time chart showing the changes in the game state when the power supply to the main control board is interrupted, then restored, and the setting key ON signal is input. [Figure 218] This is a time chart showing the progression of the game's effects when no game stop occurs during the execution of a symbol change that results in an immediate short win. [Figure 219]This is a time chart showing the progression of the game when a weak game stop state occurs during the execution of a symbol change that results in an immediate short win. [Figure 220] This is a time chart showing the progression of the game when a strong game stop state occurs during the execution of a symbol change that results in an immediate short win. [Figure 221] This is a time chart showing the progression of the game's effects when the special symbol variation display reaches 600 times in a low probability state, and no game stop state occurs during the execution of the symbol variation. [Figure 222] This is a time chart showing the progression of the game when a weak game stop state occurs during the execution of a symbol variation that has reached 600 rotations of special symbol variation in a low probability state. [Figure 223] This is a time chart showing the progression of the game when a strong game stop state occurs during the execution of a symbol variation that has reached 600 rotations of special symbol variation in a low probability state. [Figure 224] These are modified versions of the lottery table and the pattern determination table. [Figure 225] This is a time chart showing the immediate short wins during the control of the low-probability time-saving state B. [Figure 226] This is a time chart showing the immediate short wins during the control of the 100-spin low-probability time-saving state A, which is initiated by a big win C. [Figure 227] This is a block diagram showing the connection between a pachinko machine and external devices. [Figure 228] This illustrates the situation when a pachinko machine transitions from a low-probability non-shortened time state to a low-probability shortened time state B, and then further transitions to a low-probability shortened time state C while in low-probability shortened time state B. [Figure 229] This illustrates the situation when a pachinko machine transitions from a low-probability non-shortened time state to a low-probability shortened time state C, and then further transitions to a new low-probability shortened time state C while in the low-probability shortened time state C. [Figure 230] This is a front view showing the function display unit. [Figure 231]This illustrates the situation when a pachinko machine transitions from a low-probability time-saving state B to a low-probability time-saving state A via a jackpot, and then further transitions to a low-probability time-saving state C while in low-probability time-saving state A. [Figure 232] This is a time chart showing the progression of the performance when the power is turned on. [Figure 233] Various tables are shown, including a table for determining the symbols when a normal win occurs in a modified version (A), and a list of opening and closing patterns for the variable prize slot (B). [Figure 234] This is a time chart showing the relationship between the game state and the opening and closing patterns of the variable prize entry slots. [Figure 235] This is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of game states in a modified example. [Figure 236] Various tables are shown, including the lottery table for low probability (A), the lottery table for high probability (B), the big win symbol determination table (C), the immediate short win symbol determination table (D), and the minor win symbol determination table (E) in the modified version. [Figure 237] Various tables showing the instant short-win symbol determination table (A) when not in a time-saving state and the instant short-win symbol determination table (B) when in a time-saving state in a modified example. [Figure 238] Various tables showing the lottery table for low probability (A), lottery table for high probability (B), jackpot symbol determination table when not in time-saving mode (C), and jackpot symbol determination table when in time-saving mode (D) in modified versions. [Figure 239] Various tables showing the symbol determination table for normal wins in modified versions (A), a list of opening and closing patterns for variable prize slots (B), the instant short win symbol determination table when not in a time-saving state (C), and the instant short win symbol determination table when in a time-saving state (D). [Figure 240] (a) An explanatory diagram showing the transition of the game state when the first special symbol draw does not result in a specific instant short win, and (b) An explanatory diagram showing the transition of the game state when the first special symbol draw results in a specific instant short win. [Figure 241] This is a time chart showing the changes in the game state when the display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol can be performed simultaneously. [Figure 242]This is a specific example of a display when the second special symbol does not change while the first special symbol is changing. [Figure 243] This is a specific example of a presentation when the second special symbol starts to change while the first special symbol is still changing. [Figure 244] This is a time chart showing the changes in the game state when the start of the Help Mode L activation animation is delayed. [Figure 245] This is a specific example of a situation where the start of the "Assist Mode L" activation animation is delayed. [Figure 246] This is an explanatory diagram showing a door frame top unit and a performance control unit that are detachable from the door frame. [Figure 247] This is an explanatory diagram showing the criteria for determining the ID code. [Figure 248] This is an explanatory diagram showing the grouping of multiple LEDs mounted on various decorative circuit boards installed on a game board. [Figure 249] This is an explanatory diagram showing the grouping of multiple LEDs mounted on various decorative circuit boards installed in the door frame. [Figure 250] This is a timing chart showing an example of a suggestive effect that is performed as part of the animation during the change of symbols. [Figure 251] This timing chart shows an example of a suggestive animation that is executed during the reel spinning process when there are parts on the game board whose ID codes do not match. [Figure 252] This is a timing chart showing an example of button animation A during the execution of the rainbow animation. [Figure 253] This is a timing chart showing an example of button animation B during the execution of the rainbow animation. [Figure 254] This is a timing chart showing an example of button animation C during the execution of the rainbow effect. [Figure 255] This timing chart shows an example of a situation where there is no operation on the performance control panel during button performance B while the rainbow performance is running. [Figure 256]This timing chart shows an example of when to display an anti-addiction message after executing a simulated rainbow effect. [Figure 257] This is a timing chart showing an example of how to remove the anti-addiction display after the execution of a simulated rainbow effect. [Figure 258] This timing chart shows an example of when to restrict the execution of a simulated rainbow effect. [Figure 259] This timing chart shows an example of when LED illumination is checked during the execution of a simulated rainbow effect. [Figure 260] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a game board with a rainbow-colored decorative unit attached. [Figure 261] This is an explanatory diagram showing the rainbow-colored decorative section. [Figure 262] This timing chart shows an example of how to perform a simulated rainbow effect when the rainbow-themed decorative unit is attached. [Figure 263] This is an explanatory diagram showing a separate example of a rainbow-colored decorative section. [Figure 264] This timing chart shows an example of how to execute a rainbow effect when there is an initial position error in the front and back decorative element. [Figure 265] This timing chart shows an example of how to execute a rainbow effect when the rainbow effect image on the display device cannot be seen. [Figure 266] This is a timing chart showing an example of when the rainbow effect is executed during the first to third abnormal occurrences. [Figure 267] This timing chart shows an example of what might happen if the first to third abnormalities occur during the execution of the rainbow effect. [Figure 268] This timing chart shows an example of a case where a confirmation period other than the simulated rainbow effect is provided after power-on. [Figure 269] This is an explanatory diagram showing the annular decorative section. [Figure 270] This is a timing chart showing an example of a rainbow effect using a ring-shaped decorative element. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [1. Overall structure of a pachinko machine] A pachinko machine 1, which is 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 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Figure 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine, which is one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a right side view of the pachinko machine, Figure 3 is a left side view of the pachinko machine, and Figure 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine from the front right, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine from the front left, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine from the rear. Figure 8 is a front view of the pachinko machine when the press operation part of the performance operation unit is in the raised position, and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine from the front right when the press operation part of the performance operation unit is in the raised position. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine from the front with the door frame open from the main frame and the main frame open from the outer frame. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine, disassembled into the door frame, game board, main frame, and outer frame, viewed from the front. Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a pachinko machine, disassembled into the door frame, game board, main frame, and outer frame, viewed from the rear.

[0012] The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment comprises a frame-shaped outer frame 2 installed on an island (not shown) in a gaming hall, a door frame 3 that can be opened and closed to close the front of the outer frame 2, a main body frame 4 that can be opened and closed to support the door frame 3 and is also attached to the outer frame 2 in an open and closed manner, and a game board 5 that is detachably attached to the main body frame 4 from the front and is visible from the player's side through the door frame 3, and has a game area 5a into which the player puts game balls B (see Figure 89).

[0013] The outer frame 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame that extends vertically when viewed from the front. The outer frame 2 comprises an outer frame left assembly 10 and an outer frame right assembly 20 that are spaced apart from each other and extend vertically, an outer frame upper member 30 that connects the upper ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame lower assembly 40 that connects the lower ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 attached to the upper left end of the outer frame upper member 30, and an outer frame lower hinge member 60 attached to the lower right side of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the upper left end of the outer frame lower assembly 40.

[0014] 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 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 enabling the main frame 4 to be opened and closed forward with the left side as the center when viewed from the front.

[0015] Furthermore, when the main frame 4 is closed, the lower outer frame assembly 40 of the door frame 3 works in cooperation with the speaker unit 620a of the circuit board unit 620 in the main frame 4 to form part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622. By inverting the phase of the sound output from the rear of the main frame speaker 622 and radiating it forward, the player can hear a deeper bass sound.

[0016] The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which the game balls B are inserted, making it visible from the front. It stores the game balls B to be inserted into the game area 5a and is equipped with a handle 195 that the player operates to insert the stored game balls B into the game area 5a. The door frame 3 also serves to decorate the entire front of the pachinko machine 1.

[0017] Furthermore, the door frame 3 is equipped with a performance control unit 301 that can be operated by the player, separate from the handle 195. When a player-participation performance is performed, the player can participate in the performance by operating the performance control unit 301. This allows the player to enjoy the game not only by playing with the game balls B, but also by operating the performance control unit 301.

[0018] The main frame 4 comprises a frame-shaped main frame base unit 500 whose rear end can be inserted into the frame of the outer frame 2 and which can support the outer circumference of the game board 5; an upper hinge member 510 and a lower hinge assembly 520 for attaching the main 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 frame reinforcing frame 530 that reinforces the main frame base unit 500; a ball launching device 540 for launching game balls B into the game area 5a of the game board 5; and a ball launching device for supplying game balls B from the island equipment of the game hall. The machine comprises a payout base unit 550 for receiving game balls B, a payout unit 560 for dispensing the game balls B received by the payout base unit 550 to the player, a power supply board 630 equipped with a power switch 630a for turning on the power to the pachinko machine 1, a board unit 620 having a payout control board 633, a back cover 640 covering the rear of the game board 5 attached to the main frame base 501, and a locking unit 650 for locking the space between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4, and between the door frame 3 and the main frame 4.

[0019] The main frame 4 holds the game board 5, which has a game area 5a where the game is played by shooting in game balls B. It also dispenses the game balls B to the player and discharges the game balls B used in the game to the rear of the pachinko machine 1 (towards the island equipment side of the game hall). The main frame 4 is formed in the shape of a box with an open front, and the game board 5 is detachably housed inside from the front. The main frame 4 is also attached to a frame-shaped outer frame 2, which is attached to the island equipment of the game hall, at the top and bottom of the front left side of the main frame 4 so as to be able to open and close, and a door frame 3 is attached so as to be able to open and close so as to close the open front side.

[0020] The game board 5 comprises a game area 5a where game balls B are played by the player's operation, a front component 1000 that demarcates the outer perimeter of the game area 5a and has an outer shape that is roughly rectangular when viewed from the front, a plate-shaped game panel 1100 attached to the rear side of the front component 1000 and demarcates the rear end of the game area 5a, a circuit board holder 1200 attached to the lower rear side of the game panel 1100, and a main control unit attached to the rear surface of the circuit board holder 1200 that has a main control board 1310 and a setting change board 1311. The system includes a to 1300, a function display unit 1400 that displays the game status based on control signals from the main control board 1310, a peripheral control unit 1500 (see Figure 12) located behind the game panel 1100, a performance display device 1600 located in the center of the game area 5a in a front view and capable of displaying predetermined performance images, a front unit 2000 attached to the front of the game panel 1100, and a back unit 3000 attached to the rear of the game panel 1100. The back unit 3000 is equipped with various performance units that can perform movable and illuminating effects according to the game state.

[0021] Within the game area 5a of the game board 5, there are multiple obstacle pins N that are in contact with the game balls B and are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement, and a general prize opening 2001, a first start opening 2004, a gate 2002, a second start opening 2005, and a first major prize opening 2006 that grant the player a predetermined benefit (for example, the payout of a predetermined number of game balls B) upon receipt or passage of the game balls B. The obstacle pins N are planted on the front of the game panel 1100. The general prize opening 2001, the first start opening 2004, the gate 2002, the second start opening 2005, and the first major prize opening 2006 are provided in the front unit 2000.

[0022] Within the game area 5a of the game board 5, the player can shoot game balls B by operating the handle 195 of the handle unit 180. This allows the player to enjoy the process of shooting the balls B with the handle 195 so that they are received or passed through the general prize slot 2001, the first start slot 2004, the gate 2002, the second start slot 2005, and the first major prize slot 2006, etc., within the game area 5a.

[0023] Furthermore, the game board 5 can entertain players by displaying predetermined performance images on the performance display device 1600, or by performing light-up and movable effects using the lower right unit 2400 and the back front peripheral decorative unit 3200 of the back unit 3000, the back upper front performance unit 3300, the back lower front performance unit 3400, the back upper rear performance unit 3500, the back lower rear performance unit 3600, etc., in accordance with the game state which changes when a game ball B is played into the game area 5a.

[0024] [2. Overall structure of the outer frame] The outer frame 2 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 18. Figure 13 is a front view of the outer frame of the pachinko machine, Figure 14 is a rear view of the outer frame, and Figure 15 is a right side view of the outer frame. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the outer frame from the front, and Figure 17 is a perspective view of the outer frame from the rear. Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the outer frame, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. The outer frame 2 is attached to the island equipment (not shown) where the pachinko machine 1 is installed in a gaming hall or the like. The outer frame 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame that extends vertically when viewed from the front.

[0025] As shown in the figure, the outer frame 2 comprises an outer frame left assembly 10 and an outer frame right assembly 20 that are spaced apart from each other to the left and extend vertically, an outer frame upper member 30 that connects the upper ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame lower assembly 40 that connects the lower ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20, an outer frame upper hinge assembly 50 attached to the upper left end of the upper surface of the outer frame upper member 30, and an outer frame lower hinge member 60 attached to the lower right side of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the upper left end of the outer frame lower assembly 40.

[0026] When the main frame 4 is closed, the outer frame 2, in cooperation with the speaker unit 620a of the circuit board unit 620 in the main frame 4, forms part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622, and also allows the sound output from the rear of the main frame speaker 622 to be phase-inverted and radiated forward.

[0027] The outer frame 2 allows the upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 to detachably support the upper main frame hinge member 510 of the main frame 4. The outer frame 2, through the upper outer frame hinge assembly 50 and the lower outer frame hinge member 60, can 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 coaxially, and the main frame 4 can be mounted so that it can open and close forward with the left side as the center when viewed from the front.

[0028] [2-1. Outer frame left assembly and outer frame right 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, when disassembled and viewed 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 to the left and right. The left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20 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 coaxially, and are used to attach the main frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed.

[0029] 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 right side of the left outer frame member 11, and a lower left connecting member 13 attached to the lower right side of the left outer frame member 11.

[0030] The left outer frame member 11 extends vertically with a fixed cross-sectional shape and is formed from an extruded aluminum alloy profile. 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 of the front-to-back direction, which is divided into three equal parts; a bulge 11b that protrudes to the right from the opposite side of the recess 11a on the right side; and a cavity 11c that penetrates the bulge 11b vertically. The left outer frame member 11 has increased strength and rigidity due to the recess 11a and the bulge 11b, while its weight is reduced due to the cavity 11c.

[0031] Furthermore, the left outer frame member 11 has multiple grooves extending vertically on both its left and right sides. The multiple grooves on the left side are formed in a V-shape, and the multiple grooves on the right side are formed in a semicircular shape. 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.

[0032] The upper left connecting member 12 is for connecting the upper end of the left outer frame member 11 and the left end of the upper outer frame member 30. The upper left connecting member 12 comprises a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 12a, a flat plate-shaped upper horizontal fixing portion 12b extending upward from the middle of the front-to-back direction on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a, and a pair of flat plate-shaped lower horizontal fixing portions 12c extending downward from both the front and rear sides of the upper horizontal fixing portion 12b on the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 12a. The upper left connecting member 12 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0033] The upper left connecting member 12 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by inserting the rear lower horizontal fixing portion 12c into the cavity 11c of the left outer frame member 11, bringing the horizontal fixing portion 12a into contact with the upper end of the left outer frame member 11, and further bringing the front and rear lower horizontal fixing portions 12c into contact with the right side of the left outer frame member 11, and then screwing screws into the lower horizontal fixing portion 12c from the outside of the left side of the left outer frame member 11. The upper left connecting member 12 is attached to the upper outer frame member 30 by bringing the horizontal fixing portion 12a into contact with the lower 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 of the upper outer frame member 30, and then screwing screws into the upper outer frame member 30 through the horizontal fixing portion 12a and the upper horizontal fixing portion 12b.

[0034] The lower left connecting member 13 is for connecting 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 comprises a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 13a, a flat plate-shaped upper horizontal fixing portion 13b extending upward from the left side of the horizontal fixing portion 13a and extending further rearward than the horizontal fixing portion 13a, a flat plate-shaped lower horizontal fixing portion 13c extending downward from a portion on the lower side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b that is further rearward than the horizontal fixing portion 13a, and a flat plate-shaped contact portion 13d extending briefly to the right from the rear side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b. The lower left connecting member 13 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0035] The lower left connecting member 13 is attached to the left outer frame member 11 by bringing the rear surface of the contact portion 13d into contact with the front surface of the bulging portion 11b of the left outer frame member 11, bringing the left side surface of the upper horizontal fixing portion 13b into contact with the right side surface of the left outer frame member 11, and aligning the lower surface of the horizontal fixing portion 13a with the lower end of the left outer frame member 11, and then 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. The lower left connecting member 13 is attached to the lower outer frame member 41 by bringing the horizontal fixing portion 13a into contact with the upper surface of the left end side of the lower outer frame member 41, and inserting the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c into the notch 41a on the left side surface of the lower outer frame member 41, and then screwing a screw into the lower outer frame member 41 through the horizontal fixing portion 13a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 13c.

[0036] Next, the outer frame right assembly 20 comprises an outer frame right 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 outer frame right member 21, a lower right connecting member 23 attached to the lower end of the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, an upper hooking member 24 attached to the upper part of the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21, and a lower hooking member 25 attached to the lower part of the left side surface of the outer frame right member 21.

[0037] The right outer frame member 21 extends vertically with a fixed cross-sectional shape and is formed from an extruded aluminum alloy profile. The right outer frame member 21 has a recess 21a that is flat and recessed to the left in the rear portion of the right side of the front-to-back direction, which is divided into three equal parts; a bulge 21b that bulges to the left from the opposite side of the recess 21a on the left side; and a cavity 21c that penetrates the bulge 21b vertically. The right outer frame member 21 has increased strength and rigidity due to the recess 21a and the bulge 21b, while its weight is reduced due to the cavity 21c.

[0038] Furthermore, the right outer frame member 21 has multiple grooves extending vertically on both its left and right sides. The grooves on the right side are V-shaped, while the grooves on the left side are semicircular. The right outer frame member 21 is formed in a symmetrical shape with the left outer frame member 11 of the left outer frame assembly 10.

[0039] The upper right connecting member 22 is for connecting 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 comprises a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 22a, a flat plate-shaped upper horizontal fixing portion 22b extending upward from the middle of the front-to-back direction on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a, and a pair of flat plate-shaped lower horizontal fixing portions 22c extending downward from both the front and rear sides of the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b on the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 22a. The upper right connecting member 22 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0040] The upper right connecting member 22 is attached to the right outer frame member 21 by inserting the rear lower horizontal fixing portion 22c into the cavity 21c of the right outer frame member 21, bringing the horizontal fixing portion 22a into contact with the upper end of the right outer frame member 21, and further bringing the front and rear lower horizontal fixing portions 22c into contact with the left side of the right outer frame member 21, and then screwing screws into the lower horizontal fixing portion 22c from the outside of the right side of the right outer frame member 21. The upper right connecting member 22 is attached to the upper outer frame member 30 by bringing the horizontal fixing portion 22a into contact with the lower right end of the upper outer frame member 30, and inserting the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b into the notch 30a on the right side of the upper outer frame member 30, and then screwing screws into the upper outer frame member 30 through the horizontal fixing portion 22a and the upper horizontal fixing portion 22b.

[0041] The lower right connecting member 23 is for connecting 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 comprises a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal fixing portion 23a, a flat plate-shaped upper horizontal fixing portion 23b extending upward from the right side of the horizontal fixing portion 23a and extending further rearward than the horizontal fixing portion 23a, a flat plate-shaped lower horizontal fixing portion 23c extending downward from the lower side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b at a point further rearward than the horizontal fixing portion 23a, and a flat plate-shaped contact portion 23d extending briefly to the left from the rear side of the upper horizontal fixing portion 23b. The lower right connecting member 23 is formed by bending a flat metal plate.

[0042] The lower right connecting member 23 is attached to the right outer frame member 21 by screwing a screw into the upper horizontal fixing part 23b from the outside of the right side of the right outer frame member 21, with the rear surface of the contact portion 23d abutting against the front surface of the bulging portion 21b of the right outer frame member 21, the right side surface 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 aligning with the lower end of the right outer frame member 21. The lower right connecting member 23 is attached to the lower outer frame member 41 by screwing a screw into the lower outer frame member 41 through the horizontal fixing portion 23a and the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c, with the horizontal fixing portion 23a abutting against the upper surface of the right end of the lower outer frame member 41, and the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c inserted into the notch 41a on the right side of the lower outer frame member 41.

[0043] The upper hooking member 24 and the lower hooking member 25 are used to secure the outer frame hook 653 of the locking unit 650 in the main frame 4, which will be described later. The upper hooking member 24 has a flat mounting portion 24a that extends vertically with a constant width in the front-rear direction and is attached to the left side of the right outer frame member 21, and a flat hooking piece 24b that extends to the left from the front edge of the mounting portion 24a and is used to secure the upper outer frame hook 653.

[0044] The lower hooking member 25 includes a flat plate-shaped mounting portion 25a that extends vertically with a constant width in the front-rear direction and is attached to the left side of the right outer frame member 21, a flat plate-shaped hooking piece 25b that extends to the left 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 25b from front to back and into which the lower outer frame hook 653 can be inserted.

[0045] [2-2. Upper outer frame component] 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 for connecting the upper ends of the left outer frame assembly 10 and the right outer frame assembly 20, which are spaced apart to the left and right. The upper outer frame member 30 has a width in the front-to-back direction that is approximately the same as the front-to-back width of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21, a constant thickness in the vertical direction, extends in the left-to-right direction, and is made of wood. The length of the upper outer frame member 30 in the left-to-right direction is the same as the length of the lower outer frame member 41 of the lower outer frame assembly 40, which will be described later.

[0046] The outer frame upper member 30 has notches 30a on both the left and right sides, located in the center in the front-to-back direction, that penetrate vertically and are recessed towards the center in the left-to-right direction. The upper lateral fixing portion 12b of the upper left connecting member 12 and the upper lateral fixing portion 22b of the upper right connecting member 22 are inserted into these notches 30a at both ends and attached accordingly.

[0047] Furthermore, the upper outer frame member 30 has a mounting step portion 30b at its left end, where the top and front surfaces are recessed compared to the general surface. The upper outer frame hinge assembly 50, which will be described later, is attached to this mounting step portion 30b.

[0048] [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, disassembled and 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 also serves to close and decorate the area below the door frame 3 in the pachinko machine 1.

[0049] The outer frame lower assembly 40 includes an outer frame lower member 41 that extends to the left and right and connects the lower ends of the outer frame left assembly 10 and the outer frame right assembly 20 which are spaced apart to the left and right; a box-shaped front fascia member 42 that is positioned in front of the outer frame lower member 41 and extends to the left and right along the outer frame lower member 41, with the rear end open; a box-shaped rear fascia member 43 that extends to the left and right and is attached to the rear side of the front fascia member 42 and attached to the upper surface of the outer frame lower member 41, with the front end open; and a ball-jamming prevention mechanism 44 formed at the left end of the upper surface of the rear fascia member 43.

[0050] The lower outer frame member 41 has a width in the front-to-back direction that is approximately the same as the front-to-back width of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21, a constant thickness in the vertical direction, extends in the left-to-right direction, and is made of wood. The length of the lower outer frame member 41 in the left-to-right direction is the same as the length of the upper outer frame member 30 in the left-to-right direction.

[0051] The lower outer frame member 41 has notches 41a that penetrate vertically and are recessed towards the left-right center at the center in the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides. The lower horizontal fixing portion 13c of the left lower connecting member 13 and the lower horizontal fixing portion 23c of the right lower connecting member 23 are inserted into these notches 41a at both ends and attached. This allows the lower ends of the left outer frame member 11 and the right outer frame member 21 to be connected.

[0052] Furthermore, the lower outer frame member 41 is recessed from the top surface and has a recess 41b into which the lower part of the rear fascia member 43 is inserted. The recess 41b extends to the left and right and exits from a position slightly towards the rear of the center in the front-to-back direction toward the front end. This recess 41b maximizes the volume of the internal space 40a of the fascia, which is formed by the front fascia member 42 and the rear fascia member 43.

[0053] The front panel member 42 has a length in the left-right direction that is the same as the lower outer frame member 41, and is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular box shape with a shorter depth in the front-to-back direction relative to its height, with the entire rear side open. The front panel member 42 works in cooperation with the rear panel member 43 to form the internal space 40a of the front panel, which becomes part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622, by closing the open rear side of the front panel member 42. The front panel member 42 has an elongated opening 42a on its front surface near the right end that penetrates from front to back and extends from left to right.

[0054] The rear fascia member 43 is slightly shorter in length in the left-right direction than the lower outer frame member 41 and is formed in a box shape with an open front. By attaching the front fascia member 42 to the front of the rear fascia member 43, it works in cooperation with the front fascia member 42 to form the internal fascia space 40a, which becomes part of the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622. The rear fascia member 43 has a cylindrical connecting tube portion 43a at the center of its upper surface in the left-right direction, which extends left and right and protrudes upward, communicating with the internal fascia space 40a. The upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a is inclined so that it is positioned higher towards the rear from the front end, which coincides with the general top surface of the rear fascia member 43. In this embodiment, the upper end of the connecting tube portion 43a is inclined at a 45-degree angle.

[0055] The connecting cylinder portion 43a is formed so that its length in the left-right direction is approximately 1 / 3 of the length of the entire rear panel member 43, and its depth in the front-to-back direction is slightly shorter than the depth of the entire rear panel member 43. The connecting cylinder portion 43a is provided with a plurality of ribs 43b that connect the front end and the rear end. When the main body frame 4 is closed to the outer frame 2, the connecting portion 621c of the speaker cover 621 of the speaker unit 620a of the circuit board unit 620 in the main body frame 4 is connected to the upper end of the connecting cylinder portion 43a, creating communication with the internal space of the speaker unit 620a and forming an enclosure 624.

[0056] The ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 prevents the game ball B from getting caught between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 by preventing the game ball B from accumulating at the left end of the upper surface of the rear panel member 43, at the location of the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame.

[0057] The ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 is formed at the left end of the upper surface of the rear panel member 43 and includes a mounting portion 44a which is formed flat so as to be adjacent to the lower outer frame hinge member 60 which will be described later, a first discharge port 44b which opens upward at the left end of the mounting portion 44a, a second discharge port 44c which opens upward to the right of the first discharge port 44b on the mounting portion 44a, a vertical wall portion 44d which extends upward from the rear and right sides of the mounting portion 44a, and an upper end projection portion 44e which protrudes forward from the upper end of the vertical wall portion 44d and is inclined so as to be positioned upward as the upper surface is positioned towards the rear.

[0058] The first discharge port 44b is formed at a position that coincides with the discharge hole 60d of the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame, which will be described later. The first discharge port 44b and the second discharge port 44c are formed to a size that allows game balls B to pass through. The first discharge port 44b and the second discharge port 44c do not communicate with the internal space 40a of the fascia panel, but open to the rear surface of the rear fascia panel member 43. Therefore, game balls B that enter the first discharge port 44b and the second discharge port 44c can be discharged to the rear of the rear fascia panel member 43.

[0059] This ball-joint prevention mechanism 44 prevents unauthorized tools, such as piano wire, from entering through the gap between the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame and the lower hinge assembly 520 of the main frame (described later). The vertical wall portion 44d rising from the rear end of the mounting portion 44a prevents the unauthorized tool from entering. Even if the tip of the unauthorized tool comes into contact with the vertical wall portion 44d and bends upward, it will come into contact with the forward-projecting upper end projection 44e provided at the upper end of the vertical wall portion 44d, preventing further intrusion. Therefore, unauthorized acts can be prevented through the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame.

[0060] By the way, if a vertical wall portion 44d is provided at the rear end of the mounting portion 44a, when the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2, any game balls B that have fallen onto the mounting portion 44a for some reason will be prevented from moving backward by the vertical wall portion 44d, making it easier for the game balls B to accumulate on the mounting portion 44a. When game balls B accumulate on the mounting portion 44a, a problem arises in which the game balls B can get caught between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 when closing the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2, making it impossible to close the main frame 4.

[0061] In contrast, the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 of this embodiment allows game balls B that have fallen onto the lower hinge member 60 or the mounting portion 44a to be discharged to the rear of the rear panel member 43 (behind the outer frame 2) through the discharge hole 60d and the first discharge port 44b of the lower hinge member 60, or through the second discharge port 44c, thereby preventing game balls B from getting caught between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4.

[0062] The outer frame lower assembly 40 includes a pair of guide members 45 positioned spaced apart from each other on the upper surfaces of the front panel member 42 and the rear panel member 43, a flat plate-shaped grill member 46 that closes the opening 42a of the front panel member 42 from the rear, a port member 47 that is attached inside the front panel member 42 to close the opening 42a on either side of the grill member 46 and has two cylinders extending in the front and rear directions, and a frame-shaped sealing member 48 positioned at the upper end of the connecting cylinder portion 43a of the rear panel member 43.

[0063] The pair of guide members 45 are positioned so that the lower end of the door frame 3 contacts the outer frame 2 when the main frame 4 is closed. The guide members 45 are made of a low-friction material with low frictional resistance, making the lower end of the main frame 4 slide easily and facilitating opening and closing.

[0064] The grill member 46 is a strip-shaped plate extending in the left-right direction and has multiple fin portions 46b spaced apart in the vertical direction. The fin portions 46b are inclined so that their front ends are higher than their rear ends (see Figure 47). This grill member 46 allows ventilation between the inside of the front panel member 42 (the internal space 40a of the panel) and the outside through the gaps between the fin portions 46b.

[0065] The port member 47 connects the internal space 40a (enclosure 624) of the fascia panel (enclosure 624) to the front of the outer frame 2 via the gap between the fin portions 46b of the grill member 46, using two cylinders. The port member 47 is formed with two cylinders of a predetermined inner diameter and length, and by the principle of Helmholtz resonance, it resonates and amplifies the bass emitted from the main frame speaker 622 to the rear (inside the enclosure 624), allowing rich bass to be radiated to the front of the outer frame 2 (towards the player). In other words, in this embodiment, the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 is of the bass reflex type, allowing players to hear deep bass.

[0066] The sealing member 48 is compressed when the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, by being sandwiched between the upper end of the connecting cylinder 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 leaking from the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 through the gap between the connecting cylinder portion 43a and the connecting portion 621c.

[0067] According to the grill member 46 of this embodiment, the air vibrations released to the outside from the internal space 40a of the fascia by the main frame speaker 622 can be directed by the multiple inclined vane portions 46b through the notched opening 295b on the lower side of the handle cover 295 of the handle cover unit 290 located diagonally upward and forward into the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 in which the handle unit 180 is housed. As a result, when a player inserts their fingers inside the handle cover 295 (front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) and rotates the handle 195 (the device for inserting the game ball B), the main frame speaker 622 vibrates and blows air into the front cylindrical portion 291a, surprising the player and creating an unprecedented effect.

[0068] Furthermore, since the port member 47 is open towards the front, some of the sound pressure emitted from the port member 47 through the multiple vane portions 46b of the grill member 46 is emitted forward. As a result, the sound effects emitted from the port member 47 can be heard by players seated in front of the pachinko machine 1 and by other players circulating within the gaming hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed. This allows the sound effects to attract the attention of players, providing a pachinko machine 1 with high appeal to players.

[0069] Furthermore, since the port member 47 is provided on the outer frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2, relative to the enclosure 624 of the main frame speaker 622 which is provided on the main frame 4, the volume of the enclosure 624 can be increased, allowing for the output of deeper bass sounds, which can entertain players and prevent a decline in their enjoyment.

[0070] [2-4. Upper hinge assembly of the outer frame] The 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 upper hinge assembly of the outer frame, viewed from the front and above, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of (a) viewed from the front and below. The 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 for attaching the main frame 4 to the outer frame 2 so that it can rotate with a hinge. The upper hinge assembly 50 includes an upper hinge member 51 attached to the upper end of the recess 11a of the left outer frame member 11 and the mounting step portion 30b of the upper outer frame member 30, a locking member 52 attached to the upper hinge member 51, and mounting screws 53 that attach the locking member 52 to the upper hinge member 51.

[0071] The outer frame upper hinge member 51 comprises an upper fixing portion 51a that is a horizontally extending flat plate and is attached to the upper surface of the mounting step portion 30b of the outer frame upper member 30; a flat plate-shaped forward extension portion 51b that extends forward from the front edge of the upper fixing portion 51a; a bearing groove 51c that extends from the middle of the right edge of the forward extension portion 51b toward the left and right center of the forward extension portion 51b and penetrates vertically; a flat plate-shaped lateral fixing portion 51d that extends downward from the left edge of the forward extension portion 51b, around the front edge, to the part where the bearing groove 51c opens, and is a flat plate-shaped edge wall portion 51e that extends downward from the edge and is continuous with the lateral fixing portion 51d. The outer frame upper hinge member 51 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate by press molding. The outer frame upper hinge member 51 can rotatably support the main frame upper hinge pin 512 of the main frame upper hinge member 510, which will be described later, within the bearing groove 51c.

[0072] The locking member 52 comprises a strip-shaped locking body 52a extending in the front-rear direction, an operating piece 52b protruding to the right from the rear end of the locking body 52a, an elastically deformable rod-shaped elastic part 52c extending to the left from the rear end of the locking body 52a and then diagonally forward to the left, 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 by mounting screws 53 to the lower surface of the forward extension portion 51b of the outer frame upper hinge member 51, at a location rearward from the bearing groove 51c.

[0073] When the locking member 52 is attached to the upper hinge member 51 of the outer frame, the lock body 52a is able to block the bearing groove 51c in a plan view, and the right side surface near the front end extends forward so that it can contact the portion of the edge wall portion 51e of the upper hinge member 51 of the outer frame that extends to the opening of the bearing groove 51c. In addition, the tip of the elastic portion 52c that extends to the left from the rear end of the lock body 52a contacts the inner circumferential surface of the edge wall portion 51e of the upper hinge member 51 of the outer frame. The locking member 52 is biased by the biasing force of the elastic portion 52c so that its front end rotates to the left around the mounting hole 52d. Therefore, in the normal state, the right side surface of the lock body 52a of the locking member 52 near the front end contacts the edge wall portion 51e. In this state, a space is formed in the bearing groove 51c in front of the lock body 52a that can accommodate the upper hinge pin 512 of the upper hinge member 510.

[0074] The locking member 52 allows the lock body 52a to be rotated against the biasing force of the elastic part 52c by operating the operating piece 52b. By operating the operating piece 52b, the lock body 52a is rotated in a direction in which its front end moves to the left, which allows the lock body 52a to be retracted from the bearing groove 51c in a plan view, making the bearing groove 51c fully open. This allows the upper hinge pin 512 of the main frame to be inserted into the bearing groove 51c or removed from the upper hinge pin 512 of the main frame to be removed from the bearing groove 51c.

[0075] [2-5. Lower hinge component of 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 comprises a horizontally extending flat plate-shaped horizontal portion 60a, a flat plate-shaped rising portion 60b rising upward from a point on the left side of the horizontal portion 60a that is further back than the center in the front-to-back direction, a lower outer frame hinge pin 60c protruding upward from near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a, and an ejection hole 60d that penetrates the horizontal portion 60a vertically and is sized 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.

[0076] The horizontal portion 60a of the lower outer frame hinge member 60 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with the left side as the base when viewed from above. The lower outer frame hinge pin 60c is cylindrical, and the upper part above the center in the vertical direction is formed in a frustoconical shape with the upper end narrowing. This lower outer frame hinge pin 60c is attached to the left side near the front end of the horizontal portion 60a. The discharge hole 60d is in contact with the central part of the vertical portion 60b in the front-rear direction on the horizontal portion 60a, and is formed to 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.

[0077] When assembled to the outer frame 2, the lower outer frame hinge member 60 has its rear horizontal portion 60a resting on the mounting portion 44a of the rear fascia member 43 in the lower outer frame assembly 40, and is fixed to the rear fascia member 43 with screws (not shown). The upright portion 60b is attached to the right side of the left outer frame member 11 in front of the bulging portion 11b with screws (not shown). This lower outer frame hinge member 60 can be attached to the main frame 4 in an openable and closable manner in cooperation with the upper outer frame hinge member 51 by inserting the lower outer frame hinge pin 60c through the lower outer frame hinge hole 521a in the lower main frame hinge assembly 520 of the main frame 4.

[0078] Furthermore, when the outer frame 2 is assembled, the discharge hole 60d coincides with the first discharge port 44b of the ball jamming prevention mechanism 44 in the lower outer frame assembly 40. This allows the game balls B on the horizontal section 60a to fall (discharge) to the rear of the outer frame 2 through the discharge hole 60d and the first discharge port 44b. More specifically, when the main frame 4 is closed relative to the outer frame 2, the game balls B that have fallen between the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4 will roll toward the rear where the gap is wider as the main frame 4 is closed, and will be discharged through 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 body frame 4 when the main body frame 4 is closed to the outer frame 2 in the assembled state of the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game balls B that have fallen between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4 from rolling further behind the main body frame 4 by discharging them through the discharge hole 60d, and it is possible to prevent the game balls B from getting stuck in the area of ​​the lower hinge member 60 of the outer frame.

[0079] [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 in 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 from the front right, Figure 27 is a perspective view of the door frame from the front left, and Figure 28 is a perspective view of the door frame from the rear. Figure 29 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame from the front, disassembled into its main components, and Figure 30 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame from the rear, disassembled into its main components.

[0080] The door frame 3 is formed as a rectangle that extends vertically when viewed from the front, with approximately the same size as the inside of the outer frame 2, and is attached to the inside of the outer frame 2 via the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed from the front. The door frame 3 closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 into which the game balls B are played, making it visible from the front, and stores the game balls B to be played into the game area 5a. It also has a handle 195 that the player operates to play the stored game balls B into the game area 5a. Furthermore, the door frame 3 decorates the entire front of the pachinko machine 1.

[0081] The door frame 3 consists of a rectangular door frame base unit 100 with an outer shape that extends vertically when viewed from the front, a glass unit 160 that is detachably attached to the door frame base unit 100 and closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 so that it can be seen 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 lower right corner of the front of the door frame base unit 100, and a handle that covers the outer circumference of the handle unit 180. The system comprises a cover unit 290, a dish unit 200 attached to the lower front of the door frame base unit 100, a left door frame side unit 420 attached to the left front of the door frame base unit 100 above the dish unit 200, a right door frame side unit 430 attached to the right front of the door frame base unit 100 above the dish unit, and a top door frame unit 450 attached to the upper front of the door frame base unit 100 above the left door frame side unit 420 and the right door frame side unit 430.

[0082] The door frame base unit 100 comprises a door frame base 101 having a door window 101a that extends vertically and is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and penetrates from front to back; a speaker duct 103 attached to the lower right corner when viewed from the rear of the door frame base 101; a door frame main relay board 104 attached to the lower rear 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 rear relay board 106 attached to the left of the door frame sub-relay board 105 when viewed from the rear; a door frame relay board cover 107 that covers the door frame main relay board 104 and a part of the door frame sub-relay board 105 from the rear; a handle rear relay board cover 108 that covers the handle rear relay board 106 from the rear; and a cable cover 109 that covers the wiring cable.

[0083] 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, a door frame upper hinge assembly 120 and a door frame lower 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 to the rear side of the door frame base 101 above the handle rear relay board 106, and a foul cover unit 150 attached to the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 on the right side when viewed from the rear.

[0084] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 to reinforce the door frame base 101 and provide it with rigidity. The upper door frame hinge assembly 120 and the lower door frame hinge member 125 are for attaching 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 open and close the door frame 3 and the main frame 4, and to open, close, lock and lock the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4.

[0085] Furthermore, the ball supply unit 140 is for supplying the game balls B in the upper tray 201 one by one to the ball launching device 540 on the main frame 4. The foul cover unit 150 is for guiding the game balls B (foul balls) that were launched by the ball launching device 540 but did not reach the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower tray 202, and for guiding the game balls B dispensed from the payout device 580 to the upper tray 201 or the lower tray 202.

[0086] 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 195 that can be rotated by the player, and the player operates the handle cover unit 290 that covers the outer circumference of the handle unit 180 to launch the game balls B in the upper tray 201 into the game area 5a of the game board 5 using the ball launcher 540.

[0087] [3-1. Overall configuration 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 as seen from the front, with each main component separated, and Figure 33 is an exploded perspective view of the door frame base unit as seen from the rear, with each main component separated.

[0088] The door frame base unit 100 is attached to the main frame 4 on a hinged rotatable hinge on its left side when viewed from the front, and closes the front of the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed, while also allowing the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 to be visible from the front. The door frame base unit 100 comprises a rectangular, flat door frame base 101 with an outer shape that extends vertically, and a speaker duct 103 attached to the lower right corner when viewed from the rear of the door frame base 101.

[0089] Furthermore, the door frame base unit 100 includes a door frame main relay board 104 mounted near the right end of the rear view at the lower rear of the door frame base 101, a door frame sub-relay board 105 mounted to the left of the door frame main relay board 104 in the rear view at the lower rear of the door frame base 101, a handle rear relay board 106 mounted to the left of the door frame sub-relay board 105 in the rear view at the lower rear of the door frame base 101, a door frame relay board cover 107 mounted on the rear of the door frame base 101 that covers the door frame main relay board 104 and a part of the door frame sub-relay board 105 from the rear, a handle rear relay board cover 108 mounted on the rear of the door frame base 101 that covers the handle rear relay board 106 from the rear, and a cable cover 109 mounted on the rear of the door frame base 101 that covers the wiring cable.

[0090] 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, a door frame upper hinge assembly 120 and a door frame lower hinge member 125 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, an opening and closing cylinder lock 130 attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110, a ball feed unit 140 attached above the handle rear relay substrate 106 on the rear side of the door frame base 101, and a far cover unit 150 attached to the right side in the rear view at the lower part of the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0091] On this door frame base unit 100, a handle unit 180 and a handle cover unit 290 are provided at the lower front corner, a dish unit 200 is provided on the lower front side of the door window 101a, a door frame left side unit 420 is provided on the left outer front side of the door window 101a, a door frame right side unit 430 is provided on the right outer front side of the door window 101a, and a door frame top unit 450 is provided on the upper outer front side of the door window 101a, respectively.

[0092] 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.

[0093] [3-1a. Door Frame Base] Regarding the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100 in the door frame 3, it will be described in detail mainly referring to FIGS. 31 to 33. The door frame base 101 is formed in a quadrangle (rectangle) whose outer shape in the front view extends vertically. The door frame base 101 penetrates through in the front and rear directions and includes a door window 101a whose inner peripheral shape in the front view is formed in a substantially quadrangle extending vertically. The upper side and the left and right sides forming the inner periphery of the door window 101a are respectively close to the outer peripheral sides of the door frame base 101, and the lower side forming the inner periphery is located at a height of about 1 / 3 in the vertical direction from the lower end of the door frame base 101. Thus, the door frame base 101 is formed in a frame shape as a whole by the door window 101a penetrating through in the front and rear directions. This door frame base 101 is integrally formed of synthetic resin.

[0094] The door frame base 101 includes a handle mounting surface 101b (see Figure 42, etc.) formed at the lower right corner of the front view and inclined so that the left end protrudes slightly forward than the right end; a cylinder insertion hole 101d that penetrates front to back between the handle mounting surface 101b and the door window 101a, into which the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 is inserted; and a ball feeding opening 101e that penetrates front to back on the left side of the cylinder insertion hole 101d and the handle mounting surface 101b in a front view, allowing the entry point 141a and ball exit point 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 to face forward.

[0095] Furthermore, the door frame base 101 has a lower ball passage opening 101f that is located slightly to the left of the center in the left-right direction and penetrates from front to back at approximately the same height as the handle mounting surface 101b, allowing the ball discharge port 150d of the foul cover unit 150 to face forward; an upper ball passage opening 101g that penetrates from front to back near the left end in the front view, adjacent to the lower edge of the door window 101a, allowing the through ball passage 150a of the foul cover unit 150 to face forward; and a glass unit mounting portion 101h that is recessed from the rear to the front along the inner circumference of the door window 101a, into which the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 is inserted.

[0096] Furthermore, the door frame base 101 is formed in the lower left corner when viewed from the front (below the ball passage opening 101g for the upper tray) and has multiple vertically elongated slits 101i that penetrate from front to back. A speaker duct 103 is attached to the rear of the multiple slits 101i. Also, when the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the speaker opening 211b of the tray unit base 211 of the tray unit 200 is located in front of the multiple slits 101i, and the main frame speaker 622 of the speaker unit 620a of the main frame 4 is located in rear, allowing sound from the main frame speaker 622 to be radiated forward.

[0097] Furthermore, the door frame base 101 is provided with a through hole 101j that runs front to back, below the door window 101a and above the handle mounting surface 101b. This through hole 101j is through which a wiring cable (not shown) connecting the door frame base unit 100 and the dish unit 200 is inserted, and is formed to coincide with the through portion 114b of the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 in the door frame reinforcing unit 110, which will be described later.

[0098] [3-1b. 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 the rear side of the door frame base 101 where a plurality of slits 101i are formed. When the pachinko machine 1 is assembled, the rear end of the cylindrical part of the speaker duct 103 is located in front of the main frame speaker 622 of the main frame 4. This allows the sound radiated (output) from the main frame speaker 622 of the main frame 4 to be guided forward without diffusion, and can be effectively guided to the front of the pachinko machine 1 (towards the player) through the plurality of slits 101i of the door frame base 101 and the speaker opening 211b of the plate unit base 211 of the plate unit 200.

[0099] Furthermore, the speaker duct 103 is equipped with a cable holder 103a on the lower rear surface of the cylindrical portion to hold the connecting cable 503. The cable holder 103a is positioned to the left of the door frame relay board cover 107 when viewed from the front, and holds the connecting cable 503, which is connected to the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105, so that it extends toward the left end of the door frame 3.

[0100] [3-1c. Door frame main relay board, door frame sub-relay board, handle rear relay board] The main relay board 104, sub-relay board 105, and rear handle relay board 106 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 32 and 33. The main relay board 104 is formed in the shape of a rectangle that extends vertically and is attached to the lower right corner of the rear of the lower rear side of the door frame base 101 when viewed from the rear. The main relay board 104 is for relaying the connection between the rear handle relay board 106 and the interface board 635 in the board unit 620 of the main frame 4, and a portion of the connection cable 503 (see Figures 82 and 83) extending from the main frame 4 is connected to it.

[0101] The door frame sub-relay board 105 has an external shape that is an inverted L-shape, with a rectangle extending vertically and a rectangle extending horizontally attached to the right side of the upper part of the rectangle when viewed from the front. It is mounted on the rear side of the door frame base 101 so that the vertically extending portion is adjacent to the left side when viewed from the rear of the door frame main relay board 104. The door frame sub-relay board 105 is used to relay connections between the handle decorative board 184 of the handle unit 180, the plate unit relay board 214 of the plate unit 200, the upper decorative board 422 and lower decorative board 423 of the left side unit 420, the upper decorative board 432 and lower decorative board 433 of the right side unit 430, the door frame top relay board 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.

[0102] The main door frame relay board 104 and the sub-door frame relay board 105 are mounted on the door frame base 101 such that their connection terminals protrude towards the rear. When the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the upper and lower extending portions of the main door frame relay board 104 and the sub-door frame relay board 105 are covered on the rear by the door frame relay board cover 107, and the remaining portion of the sub-door frame relay board 105 is covered on the rear by the foul cover unit 150.

[0103] The rear handle relay board 106 is formed in the shape of a rectangle with an outer shape extending to the left and right, and is mounted on the rear side of the handle mounting seat surface 101b below the ball supply opening 101e on the rear side of the door frame base 101. The rear handle relay board 106 is for relaying the connections 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 supply solenoid 145 of the ball supply unit 140. When the door frame base unit 100 is assembled, the rear side of the rear handle relay board 106 is covered by the rear handle relay board cover 108.

[0104] [3-1d. Door frame relay board cover, handle rear relay board cover, cable cover] The door frame relay board cover 107, the handle rear relay board cover 108, and the cable cover 109 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The door frame relay board cover 107 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, covering the rear side of a portion of the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105 (the inverted L-shaped portion extending upwards and downwards). The door frame relay board cover 107 is formed in a box shape with the front and the left side open when viewed from the front. When assembled to the door frame base unit 100, the connection terminals of the door frame main relay board 104 and the door frame sub-relay board 105, which cover the rear side, are exposed inside the door frame relay board cover 107, and the connection cable 503 can be inserted inside from the open left side and connected to these terminals.

[0105] The handle rear relay board cover 108 is attached to the rear of the door frame base 101 so as to cover the rear of the handle rear relay board 106. The cable cover 109 is attached to the rear of the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 in the door frame reinforcing unit 110 and is for covering 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 to the left and right, and openings for passing the wiring cable are formed near the left end of the front and in the center of the bottom surface in the left-right direction.

[0106] [3-1e. Door frame reinforcement unit] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101, thereby reinforcing the flat door frame base 101 and providing 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 that extend vertically and are spaced apart to the left and right; an upper reinforcement frame 113 that extends horizontally and connects the upper ends of the left reinforcement frame 111 and the right reinforcement frame 112; an intermediate reinforcement frame 114 that has its left end attached to a position slightly above the lower end of the left reinforcement frame 111 and extends to the right towards the vicinity of the right reinforcement frame 112; a cylinder mounting frame 115 that connects the right end of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 to the right reinforcement frame 112; and a number of hooking members 116 that are attached vertically spaced apart to the rear side of the right reinforcement frame 112 and to which the door frame hook 652 of the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4 is hooked.

[0107] The left reinforcing frame 111 and the right reinforcing frame 112 have a constant width in the left-right direction and extend vertically with a length approximately the same as the vertical height of the door frame base 101. The right reinforcing frame 112 has multiple through holes that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and penetrate in the front-to-back direction. When the door frame 3 is closed to the main frame 4, the tips of the door frame hooks 652 of the locking unit 650 are inserted through these through holes. The upper reinforcing frame 113 has a constant width in the vertical direction and extends horizontally with a length approximately the same as the left-to-right width of the door frame base 101.

[0108] The intermediate reinforcing frame 114 extends horizontally with a width wider vertically than the vertical width of the upper reinforcing frame 113. The intermediate reinforcing frame 114 has a rectangular notch 114a cut out downward from the upper end near the left end, and a through-hole 114b that penetrates from front to back near the right end. The notch 114a is formed at a position that coincides with the ball passage opening 101g for the upper tray of the door frame base 101, and the through-hole 114b is formed at a position that coincides with the through-hole 101j of the door frame base 101.

[0109] The cylinder mounting frame 115 includes a pair of rear piece parts that are spaced apart left and right and formed in a rectangular flat plate shape extending vertically in a front view, a pair of side piece parts that extend flatly forward from the respective facing sides of the pair of rear piece parts, and a flat front piece part that connects the front edges of the pair of front extensions. The cylinder mounting frame 115 is formed in a convex shape protruding forward in a plan view. The left rear piece part of the cylinder mounting frame 115 is attached to the right end of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114, and the right rear piece part is attached to the right reinforcement frame 112. The cylinder lock 130 is attached to the front piece part of this cylinder mounting frame 115.

[0110] The hooking member 116 is attached to a portion of the insertion hole that penetrates front and rear on the rear side of the right reinforcement frame112. The door frame hook 652 of the locking unit 650 is hooked on these hooking members 116.

[0111] The left reinforcement frame 111, the right reinforcement frame 112, the upper reinforcement frame 113, the intermediate reinforcement frame 114, the cylinder mounting frame 115, and the hooking member 116 that constitute the door frame reinforcement unit 110 are formed by punching and bending a metal plate by press molding. These are assembled with rivets.

[0112] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is assembled such that the left reinforcement frame 111, the right reinforcement frame 112, and the upper reinforcement frame 113 are along the left side, the right side, and the upper side of the door frame base 101, and the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 is assembled to be located below the door window 101a of the door frame base 101.

[0113] The door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the rear side of the door frame base 101 by a number of screws (not shown). When the door frame reinforcement unit 110 is attached to the door frame base 101, the notch 114a and through-hole 114b of the intermediate reinforcement frame 114 coincide with the upper tray ball passage opening 101g and through-hole 101j of the door frame base 101, and the cylinder mounting frame 115 is inserted into the cylinder insertion hole 101d of the door frame base 101.

[0114] [3-1f. 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 in a front view. The upper door frame hinge assembly 120 is for attaching the door frame 3 to the main frame 4 so that it can hinge rotatably in cooperation with the 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 to move upward.

[0115] The hinge bracket 121 comprises a rectangular, flat mounting piece 121a in front view, and flat, protruding pieces 121b extending forward from the upper and lower edges of the mounting piece 121a. The hinge bracket 121 is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110 by the mounting piece 121a. The hinge bracket 121 is formed by bending a metal plate.

[0116] The door frame upper hinge pin 122 is a cylindrical metal rod bent into an L-shape. When assembled to the door frame upper hinge assembly 120, the vertically extending portion of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 penetrates from below near the front ends of the pair of protruding pieces 121b on the hinge bracket 121, with its upper end extending above the upper protruding piece 121b, and its horizontally extending portion contacting the lower surface of the lower protruding piece 121b. The upper end of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 is rotatably inserted into the door frame upper hinge hole 511a of the upper hinge body 511 on the main frame upper hinge member 510 of the main frame 4.

[0117] The flange member 123 is an E-ring and is attached to the portion between the pair of protruding pieces 121b on the door frame upper hinge pin 122. The lock spring 124 is formed in a coil shape and is placed around the portion of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 that extends vertically, between the flange member 123 and the lower protruding piece 121b on the hinge bracket 121. This lock spring 124 biases the door frame upper hinge pin 122 upward via the flange member 123.

[0118] In the upper hinge assembly 120 of the door frame, the upper hinge pin 122 is biased upward by the lock spring 124, and the horizontally extending portion of the lower end of the upper 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 hinge pin 122 protrudes a predetermined amount above the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b.

[0119] The upper hinge assembly 120 can move the entire upper hinge pin 122 downward by moving the horizontally extending lower end portion of the upper hinge pin 122 downward against the biasing force of the lock spring 124, thereby allowing the upper end of the upper hinge pin 122 to retract below the upper surface of the upper protruding piece 121b. Therefore, the upper hinge assembly 120 can insert the upper end of the upper hinge pin 122 into the upper hinge hole 511a for the door frame of the main frame upper hinge member 510 from below and remove it downward. By inserting the upper end of the upper hinge pin 122 into the upper hinge hole 511a for the door frame of the main frame upper hinge member 510, the upper left end of the door frame 3 in a front view can be supported relative to the main frame 4 in a hinge-rotatable manner.

[0120] Furthermore, in the door frame upper hinge assembly 120, the vertically extending portion of the door frame upper hinge pin 122 is located coaxially with the door frame lower hinge pin 126 of the door frame lower hinge member 125, which will be described later. As a result, the door frame 3 can be hinged and rotated relative to the main frame 4 in a good manner by the door frame upper hinge pin 122 and the door frame lower hinge pin 126.

[0121] [3-1g. Door frame lower hinge component] The lower hinge member 125 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 31 to 33. The lower hinge member 125 is attached to the lower left corner of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 in a front view. The lower hinge member 125 is for attaching the door frame 3 to the main frame 4 so that it can hinge rotatably in cooperation with the upper hinge assembly 120 of the door frame.

[0122] The door frame lower hinge member 125 is attached to the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and comprises a mounting piece 125a that is rectangular in shape when viewed from the front and flat, a flat projection 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 lower surface near the front end of the projection piece 125b.

[0123] The mounting piece 125a and projection 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 circumference of its lower end. When assembled to the door frame base unit 100, this lower door frame hinge pin 126 is attached to the projection piece 125b at a point coaxial with the vertically extending portion of the upper door frame hinge pin 122 of the upper door frame hinge assembly 120.

[0124] This lower door frame hinge member 125 allows the door frame 3 to be hinged and rotatably supported relative to the main frame 4 by inserting the lower door frame hinge pin 126 into the lower door frame hinge hole 522a of the main frame lower hinge assembly 520.

[0125] [3-1h. Cylinder lock] The cylinder lock 130 in the door frame base unit 100 of the door frame 3 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 34 to 36. Figure 34(a) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of the door frame from the front, (b) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) from the front and rear, (c) is a perspective view of a cylinder lock in a conventional pachinko machine from the front, and (d) is a perspective view of the cylinder lock of (a) from the rear. Figure 35(a) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock of Figure 34(a) from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder lock of Figure 34(a) from the rear. Figure 36(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the movable mechanism of the cylinder lock of Figure 34(a) from the front, (b) is an explanatory diagram of the cylinder lock shown rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the state of (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram of the cylinder lock shown rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the state of (a).

[0126] The cylinder lock 130 is attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 of the door frame reinforcement unit 110 and works in cooperation with the locking unit 650 of the main frame 4 to open and close the door frame 3 and the main frame 4, and to open, close, lock and unlock the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4. The cylinder lock 130 comprises a cylindrical cylinder body 131 that extends front to back, a keyhole 132 formed on the front end surface of the cylinder body 131, and a rotation transmission member 133 provided at the rear of the cylinder body 131 that rotates together with the rotation of the correct key inserted into the keyhole 132.

[0127] The cylinder body 131 of the cylinder lock 130 penetrates the front part of the cylinder mounting frame 115 from the rear, with its rear end attached to the front part. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an open rear (more specifically, a conical shape with a diameter that increases towards the rear), and has a pair of notches cut out from the rear end toward the front at positions opposite each other on the central axis. The rotation transmission member 133 is formed so that the transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main body frame 4 is inserted from the rear, and a pair of projections of the transmission cylinder 654 are inserted into the pair of notches, thereby transmitting the rotation of the rotation transmission member 133 (the key inserted into the keyhole 132) to the transmission cylinder 654 and causing it to rotate.

[0128] More specifically, the cylinder lock 130 includes a first cam member 134 provided on the rear end side of the cylinder body 131 and rotating together with the rotation of the correct key inserted into the keyhole 132; a second cam member 135 mounted on the cylinder mounting frame 115 at a portion below the cylinder body 131 so as to be rotatable about an axis in the front-rear direction; a strip-shaped first arm 136 whose upper end is mounted so as to be rotatable at a portion to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and whose lower end is mounted so as to be rotatable at a portion to the right of the rotation center of the second cam member 135; and a strip-shaped second arm 137 whose upper end is mounted so as to be rotatable at a portion below the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and whose lower end is mounted so as to be rotatable at a portion below the rotation center of the second cam member 135.

[0129] Furthermore, the cylinder lock 130 includes a rear cover 138 attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 so as to cover the cylinder body 131, the first cam member 134, the first arm 136, and the second arm 137 from the rear, except for the second cam member 135 (rotation transmission member 133), and rivets 139 that rotatably attach the upper and lower ends of the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 to the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, respectively.

[0130] The first cam member 134 has the upper end of the first arm 136 attached to the rear side, and the upper end of the second arm 137 attached to the front side. The second cam member 135 is rotatably mounted from the rear by the cylinder mounting frame 115, and the rotation transmission member 133 is integrally rotatably mounted on the rear side of the cylinder mounting frame 115, sandwiching the front side. The second cam member 135 has the lower end of the first arm 136 attached to the front side, and the lower end of the second arm 137 is mounted in front of the first arm 136 and on the front side.

[0131] In the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, the portion to which the first arm 136 is attached and the portion to which the second arm 137 is attached are separated by a 90-degree angle around their respective axes of rotation. Furthermore, in the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, the portion to which the first arm 136 is attached is located further from the center of rotation than the portion to which the second arm 137 is attached.

[0132] The rear cover 138 is detachably attached to the cylinder mounting frame 115 by screws (not shown) at its upper end, with the shaft portion 138a, which protrudes outward in a cylindrical shape from the lower ends of both the left and right sides, being locked into the L-shaped locking slit 115b of the cylinder mounting frame 115.

[0133] This cylinder lock 130 has a cylinder mounting frame 115, a cylinder body 131, a rotation transmission member 133, a first cam member 134, a second cam member 135, a first arm 136, and a second arm 137, all of which are made of metal.

[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 440b of the right side unit 430 of the door frame.

[0135] Here, we will describe a conventional cylinder lock 130A. In a conventional cylinder lock 130A, as shown in Figures 34(c) and (d), the cylinder body 131 penetrates the front part of the cylinder mounting frame 115A from the rear, and its rear end is attached to the front part. In this cylinder lock 130A, a rotation transmission member 133 is provided on the axis of the cylinder body 131.

[0136] Next, the operation of the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment will be described. In conventional cylinder locks 130, as shown in Figures 34(c) and (d), the rotation transmission member 133 is provided on the axis of the cylinder body 131. In contrast, in the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 34(a) and (b), the rotation transmission member 133 is provided at a position spaced downward from the axis of the cylinder body 131.

[0137] In its normal state, as shown in Figure 36(a), the cylinder lock 130 has the upper and lower ends of the first arm 136 attached to the right side of the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, respectively, and the upper and lower ends of the second arm 137 attached to the lower side of the rotation center of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, respectively. The cylinder body 131 can be rotated by a regular key in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions by an angle of 90 degrees each, from its normal state.

[0138] In this state, when the first cam member 134 is rotated counterclockwise via the cylinder of the cylinder body 131 using the key inserted into the keyhole 132, the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 move upward. At this time, since the upper end of the first arm 136 is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, a large force acts on the second cam member 135 to rotate it counterclockwise. In contrast, since the upper end of the second arm 137 is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, almost no force acts on the second cam member 135 to rotate it counterclockwise.

[0139] In this way, when the first cam member 134 rotates counterclockwise from its normal state, force is transmitted mainly via the first arm 136, causing the second cam member 135 to rotate counterclockwise, and the rotation transmission member 133 to rotate together with the second cam member 135. The upward force acting due to this counterclockwise rotation of the first cam member 134 is proportional to the left-right distance between the point where the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are attached to the first cam member 134 and the center of rotation of the first cam member 134. Therefore, as the first cam member 134 rotates counterclockwise from its normal state, the upward force acting on the first arm 136 decreases, while the upward force acting on the second arm 137 increases.

[0140] Therefore, when the rotation angle of the first cam member 134 in the counterclockwise direction exceeds 45 degrees from its normal state, the upward force acting on the second arm 137 becomes greater than that acting on the first arm 136, and the second cam member 135 rotates in the counterclockwise direction mainly via the second arm 137. As a result, the key inserted into the keyhole 132 can be rotated from its normal state to an angle of 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction (see Figure 36(b)).

[0141] Furthermore, when using the key to rotate the device 90 degrees counterclockwise from its normal position back to its normal position by rotating it 90 degrees clockwise, the operation will be the reverse of the above.

[0142] On the other hand, when the first cam member 134 is rotated clockwise via the cylinder of the cylinder body 131 using a key inserted into the keyhole 132 from the normal state, the first arm 136, whose upper end is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, moves downward, while the second arm 137, whose upper end is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, moves upward. At this time, since the upper end of the first arm 136 is attached to the right of the rotation center of the first cam member 134, a large force acts on the second cam member 135 to rotate clockwise by the first arm 136, whereas since the upper end of the second arm 137 is attached below the rotation center of the first cam member 134, almost no force acts on the second cam member 135 to rotate clockwise by the second arm 137.

[0143] In this way, when the first cam member 134 rotates clockwise from its normal state, force is transmitted mainly via the first arm 136, causing the second cam member 135 to rotate clockwise, and the rotation transmission member 133 to rotate together with the second cam member 135. The force that transmits the rotation of the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135 by the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 is proportional to the left-right distance between the part where the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 are attached to the first cam member 134 and the center of rotation of the first cam member 134. Therefore, as the first cam member 134 rotates clockwise from its normal state, the force exerted by the first arm 136 to rotate the second cam member 135 decreases, while the force exerted by the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 increases.

[0144] Therefore, when the rotation angle of the first cam member 134 exceeds 45 degrees clockwise from its normal position, the force exerted by the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 becomes greater than that of the first arm 136, and the second cam member 135 rotates clockwise mainly via the second arm 137. As a result, the key inserted into the keyhole 132 can be rotated up to a 90-degree angle clockwise from its normal position (see Figure 36(c)).

[0145] Furthermore, when using the key to rotate the device 90 degrees clockwise from its normal position back to its normal position by rotating it 90 degrees clockwise, the operation will be the reverse of the above.

[0146] Thus, according to the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 are connected by the first arm 136 and the second arm 137, which are mounted at a 90-degree phase from each other, and rotation is transmitted. Therefore, regardless of the rotational position of the first cam member 134 (the key inserted into the keyhole 132), rotation can be transmitted by at least one of the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 to rotate the second cam member 135 (the rotation transmission member 133), resulting in smooth locking and unlocking of the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4.

[0147] Furthermore, according to the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, by transmitting rotation using the first arm 136 and the second arm 137 as a rotation transmission mechanism, the axis of the rotation transmission member 133 (transmission cylinder 654 of the locking unit 650 in the main frame 4) can be set at a different position from the axis of the cylinder body 131. As a result, the position of the cylinder body 131 in the door frame 3 can be changed to any position without changing the locking unit 650, and the cylinder body 131 (keyhole 132) can be set in a part that does not interfere with the decoration of the door frame 3, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 with a highly decorative door frame 3.

[0148] Furthermore, as mentioned above, even if the position of the cylinder body 131 in the door frame 3 is changed, there is no need to change the locking unit 650 in the main frame 4. Therefore, the locking unit 650 can be reused, and the increase in costs for the pachinko machine 1 can be suppressed.

[0149] Incidentally, in conventional cylinder locks 130A, a rotation transmission member 133 is provided at the rear of the cylinder body 131. Therefore, a fraudster who is aware of this configuration may insert a tool from the front into the rear of the cylinder body 131 and use the tool to illegally rotate the rotation transmission member 133, thereby opening the door frame 3 and committing fraud. In contrast, in the cylinder lock 130 of this embodiment, the rotation transmission member 133 is provided at a position away from the axis (rear) of the cylinder body 131. Therefore, even if a tool is inserted into the rear of the cylinder body 131 and an attempt is made to rotate the rotation transmission member 133, the rotation transmission member 133 is not present in that area, making it impossible to rotate the rotation transmission member 133 and thus preventing fraudulent acts such as opening the door frame 3 or the main body frame 4.

[0150] Furthermore, in the cylinder lock 130, the second arm 137 connects the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 at points separated by a 90-degree rotation angle relative to the first arm 136. Therefore, even if the part of one of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 attached to the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135 lies on a straight line connecting the center of the first cam member 134 and the center of the second cam member 135, the other part of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 connects the points furthest from the straight line connecting the center of the first cam member 134 and the center of the second cam member 135. Therefore, even if one of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 is positioned at the dead center of the first cam member 134 and the second cam member 135, preventing the transmission of rotation from the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135, the other of the first arm 136 or the second arm 137 can transmit the rotation from the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135. As a result, there is no significant resistance to the rotation of the first cam member 134, allowing the key inserted into the keyhole 132 to rotate smoothly, making unlocking and locking easy, and preventing the key from being forcibly rotated, thus preventing damage to the key.

[0151] Furthermore, since the rotation of the key inserted into the keyhole 132 is transmitted by the two arms, the first arm 136 and the second arm 137, to the rotation transmission member 133 which is located at an eccentric position, even if one arm is damaged for any reason, the rotation can still be transmitted by the remaining arm, thus providing a pachinko machine 1 with a highly reliable cylinder lock 130.

[0152] Furthermore, the smooth, rod-shaped (strip-shaped) first arm 136 and second arm 137 transmit the rotation of the key inserted into the keyhole 132 to the rotation transmission member 133, which is located at an eccentric position. If rotation were transmitted by gears, there would be a risk that the tip of a tool could catch on the teeth of the gears, causing the gears to rotate and the rotation transmission member 133 to rotate. However, by making the first arm 136 and second arm 137 smooth and rod-shaped, it is difficult for the tip of a tool to catch on the first arm 136 or second arm 137, thus preventing the rotation transmission member 133 from being rotated by the movement of the first arm 136 or second arm 137. This ensures that the locking unit 650 is not tampered with and the door frame 3 or main body frame 4 is not unlocked.

[0153] In this embodiment, the cylinder lock 130 is shown using a first arm 136 and a second arm 137 as a rotation transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the first cam member 134 to the second cam member 135. However, it is not limited to this, and other rotation transmission mechanisms such as a rotation transmission mechanism using multiple gears, a rotation transmission mechanism using gears and rack gears, a rotation transmission mechanism using sprockets and chains, a rotation transmission mechanism using pulleys and belts, etc., may also be used.

[0154] [3-1i. Ball feeding unit] The ball feeding unit 140 of the door frame base unit 100 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 37 and 38. Figure 37(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 rear. Figure 38(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit after it has been disassembled and viewed from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball feeding unit after the rear case and anti-tampering member have been removed and viewed from the rear. The ball feeding unit 140 can supply game balls B supplied from the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 one by one to the ball launching device 540 of the main frame 4, and can also remove the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to the lower tray 202 by operating the upper tray ball release button 222.

[0155] The ball supply unit 140 has a box-shaped front cover 141 that is open at the rear and has an entry port 141a that penetrates in the front-to-back direction and a ball removal port 141b that opens below the entry port 141a, into which game balls B are supplied from the upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200, and a rear cover 142 that is open at the front and closes the rear end of the front cover 141 and has a ball supply port 142a for supplying game balls B that have entered through the entry port 141a of the front cover 141 to the ball launching device 540, and the rear cover 142 and The system includes a ball removal member 143 that is pivotally supported between the front cover 141 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction and has a partition portion 143a that separates the entry port 141a and the ball removal port 141b on the rear side of the front cover 141, a ball feeding member 144 that feeds the game balls B on the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 one by one to the ball supply port 142a of the rear cover 142 and is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142, and a ball feeding solenoid 145 that rotates the ball feeding member 144.

[0156] As shown in the figure, in a front view, the ball feeding unit 140 has a ball feeding member 144 positioned to the right of the entrance 141a, a ball removal member 143 positioned to the left of the ball feeding member 144, and a ball feeding solenoid 145 positioned to the right of the ball feeding member 144.

[0157] The front cover 141 of the ball feeding unit 140 has an arc-shaped slit 141c formed concentrically with respect to the rotation center of the ball extraction member 143, to the left of the ball extraction opening 141b when viewed from the front. The operating rod 143c of the ball extraction member 143, described later, extends forward from this slit 141c. The upper part of the front cover 141 extends upward from the upper edge of the entrance opening 141a, and when the door frame 3 is assembled, it is formed to close from the rear the portion of the ball feeding guide path 241b and ball extraction guide path 241c of the rear base 241 of the upper tray ball extraction rear unit 240 that is open to the rear on the upstream end.

[0158] The ball removal member 143 includes a partition portion 143a that separates the entrance 141a and the ball removal opening 141b below the entrance 141a, with its upper surface becoming lower toward the ball feeding member 144; a rotating rod portion 143b that extends downward from the end of the partition portion 143a opposite to the ball feeding member 144, and bends in a V-shape toward the lower center of the ball removal opening 141b from near the middle in the vertical direction, with its lower end supported so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction; a rod-shaped operating rod 143c that protrudes forward from the upper end of the rotating rod portion 143b; and a weight portion 143d that protrudes from the side of the rotating rod portion 143b below the operating rod 143c toward the opposite side of the partition portion 143a. The operating rod 143c of the ball release member 143 is formed to protrude forward through an arc-shaped slit 141c formed in the front cover 141 (see Figure 37(a)). The operating rod 143c contacts the upper end (upper surface) of the operating transmission part 242b of the upper tray ball release slider 242, which moves downward when the upper tray ball release button 222 of the tray unit 200 is pressed, via the ball supply opening 101e of the door frame base 101.

[0159] The ball feeding member 144 comprises a fan-shaped blocking section 144a in plan view, which faces the entrance 141a and the partition 143a of the ball removal member 143 and extends vertically towards the rotation axis; a ball holding section 144b that is recessed in an arc shape from the rear end of the blocking section 144a toward the rotation axis; and a rod-shaped shaft section 144c that extends downward from the rear end of the ball holding section 144b. The blocking section 144a and the ball holding section 144b of the ball feeding member 144 are each formed adjacent to each other within an angular range of approximately 180° around the rotation axis. The ball holding section 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 section 144c, which is positioned eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis, is moved left and right by the drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0160] The ball feeding member 144 is designed 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 the 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 balls B held in the ball holding portion 144b are supplied to the ball launcher 540 from the ball supply port 142a, and game balls B that have entered the partition portion 143a from the entry port 141a are prevented from moving toward the ball holding portion 144b (ball supply port 142a) by the blocking portion 144a and remain 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 of the ball holding portion 144b on the shaft portion 144c side closes the ball supply opening 142a, so that only one game ball B on the partition portion 143a is held inside the ball holding portion 144b.

[0161] Furthermore, the ball feeding unit 140 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-rear direction by the movement of the tip of the ball feeding operating rod 146 swinging up and down, and also rotates the ball feeding member 144 around an axis extending in the up and down direction.

[0162] The ball feeding actuation rod 146 is equipped with an iron plate 146a at the lower part of the ball feeding solenoid 145. The ball feeding actuation rod 146 extends to the left and right, and the end opposite to the ball feeding crank 147 (the right end) is attached to the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142 so as to be rotatable around an axis that extends front to back. When the ball feeding solenoid 145 is driven, the generated magnetic force pulls the iron plate 146a toward the ball feeding solenoid 145 (upwards), causing the rod 146 to rotate around the right end so that the left end, which is closer to the ball feeding crank 147, moves upward. Subsequently, when the drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145 is released, the magnetic force disappears, and the weight of the iron plate 146a acts on it, causing it to rotate around the right end so that the left end, which is closer to the ball feeding crank 147, moves downward, returning it to its initial state. As a result, the ball feeding rod 146 is oscillated vertically at its left end (tip) closest to the ball feeding crank 147 by the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0163] The ball feeding crank 147 includes an engaging portion 147a extending in the left-right direction and capable of engaging with the vertically moving tip of the ball feeding actuation rod 146; a shaft portion 147b positioned on the opposite side of the engaging portion 147a from the side that engages with the ball feeding actuation rod 146 and pivotally supported around an axis extending in the front-rear direction between the front cover 141 and the rear cover 142; and a transmission portion 147c extending upward from the shaft portion 147b and engaging with a rod-shaped rod portion 144c (see Figure 38(b)) that protrudes downward from a position eccentric with respect to the pivot center of the ball feeding member 144.

[0164] This ball feeding unit 140 can rotate the ball feeding crank 147 around a shaft that extends back and forth via the ball feeding crank 146 by moving the tip (left end) of the ball feeding operating rod 146 upward through the ball feeding operating rod 146 driven by the ball feeding solenoid 145.

[0165] In the ball feeding unit 140, when the ball feeding solenoid 145 is not driven (normal state), the ball feeding actuating rod 146 is separated from the lower end of the ball feeding solenoid 145 and its tip is positioned downwards, and in this state the ball feeding member 144 is in the supply position. 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 upwards, 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 drive of the ball feeding solenoid 145 is released (OFF state), the ball feeding member 144 can send (supply) the received game ball B to the ball launching device 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 launch solenoid 542 by the launch control unit 633b (see Figure 160) of the dispensing control board 633.

[0166] Furthermore, the ball feeding unit 140 is subjected to a moment that causes it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front, either by a rotatably supported ball removal member 143 or a weight portion 143d. However, the rotation of the ball removal member 143 is restricted because the operating rod 143c, which protrudes forward from the ball removal member 143, comes into contact with 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, in normal conditions, the partition portion 143a of the ball removal member 143 is positioned between the entry point 141a and the ball removal opening 141b, and game balls B do not enter the ball removal opening 141b side.

[0167] Then, when the player presses the upper tray ball release button 222 of the tray unit 200 downward, the upper tray ball release slider 242 slides downward together with the actuation transmission unit 242b, and as the actuation transmission unit 242b moves downward, the actuation rod 143c also moves relatively downward. When the actuation rod 143c moves downward together with the actuation transmission unit 242b, the ball release member 143 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front, and the partition 143a moves from between the entry port 141a and the ball release port 141b, releasing the partition. As a result, the game ball B that entered from the entry port 141a falls towards the ball release port 141b, is discharged from the ball release port 141b into the ball release guide path 241c of the upper tray ball release unit 240 in the tray unit 200, and can be discharged (supplied) to the lower tray 202 via the lower tray ball supply port 211c.

[0168] Furthermore, the upper tray ball removal slider 242, which has an operating transmission section 242b that the operating rod 143c of the ball removal member 143 contacts, is biased upward by a spring. Therefore, even if a game ball B is forcefully supplied onto the partition section 143a, the impact can be absorbed by the spring via the operating rod 143c, preventing damage to the ball removal member 143 and the like, and also preventing the game ball B from bouncing off the partition section 143a.

[0169] Furthermore, the ball feeding unit 140 has a rectangular mounting recess 142b (see Figure 38(b), etc.) formed in the upper right corner of the rear view of the ball supply opening 142a of the rear cover 142, which is recessed forward, and an anti-tampering member 148 is installed inside the mounting recess 142b. The anti-tampering member 148 of the ball feeding unit 140 is made of a hard metal plate such as tool steel or stainless steel, and is detachably attached from the rear side to the mounting recess 142b of the rear cover 142.

[0170] The anti-tampering member 148 is formed in a rectangular shape with an outer shape extending horizontally when viewed from the front, and comprises an upper portion 148a and a lower portion 148b that are separated vertically at approximately the center in the vertical direction at a predetermined distance from the right side to the left, and inclined portions 148c that are formed in a C-chamfer shape at the tip side (right end side when viewed from the front) of the opposing sides of the upper portion 148a and the lower portion 148b. The upper portion 148a of the anti-tampering member 148 is bent so that its right end when viewed from the front protrudes backward relative to the general surface of the anti-tampering member 148. The lower portion 148b extends on the same plane as the general surface of the anti-tampering member 148. As a result, in a plan view, the upper portion 148a and the lower portion 148b form a V-shaped groove that widens towards the right.

[0171] The anti-tampering member 148 is attached to the mounting recess 142b of the rear cover 142, so that the V-shaped groove formed by the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b is in communication with the inside of the ball supply opening 142a.

[0172] According to this anti-fraud member 148, when fraudulent activity is carried out in which a fraudulent game ball B with a string attached is driven into the game area 5a by the ball launching device 540 via the ball feeding unit 140 from the upper tray, and the string attached to the fraudulent game ball B is manipulated to move the fraudulent game ball B in and out of the first start opening 2004, the force of the fraudulent game ball B launched (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 cut by the V-shaped narrowed portion formed by the upper piece 148a and the lower piece 148b, thereby preventing fraudulent activity using a fraudulent game ball B with a string attached.

[0173] [3-1j. 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 39 and 40. Figure 39(a) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit of the door frame base unit viewed from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the foul cover unit viewed from the rear. Figure 40 is a front view of the foul cover unit with the lid removed. The foul cover unit 150 is attached to the lower right side of the rear of the door frame base 101 in a rear view. The foul cover unit 150 is for guiding game balls B (foul balls) that have been launched by the ball launcher 540 and have not reached the game area 5a of the game board 5 to the lower tray 202, and for guiding game balls B dispensed from the payout device 580 to the upper tray 201 or the lower tray 202. As shown in the figure, the foul cover unit 150 comprises a shallow, box-shaped unit body 151 attached to the rear of the door frame base 101 and with an open front, and a flat plate-shaped lid member 152 attached to the front of the unit body 151.

[0174] The foul cover unit 150 includes a through ball passage 150a that penetrates from front to back at the upper left corner in a front view and connects the lower normal discharge passage 610a of the lower full ball passage unit 610 of the main frame 4 with the upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit 200, and a full ball receiving port 150b that opens towards the rear at the lower right side of the through ball passage 150a in a front view and can communicate with the lower full ball discharge passage 610b of the lower full ball passage unit 610 of the main frame 4.

[0175] Furthermore, the foul cover unit 150 includes a foul ball receiving port 150c that opens upward on the right side of the full ball receiving port 150b in a front view and receives game balls B (foul balls) that were launched by the ball launching device 540 of the main frame 4 but did not reach the game area 5a, and a ball discharge port 150d that opens forward near the lower right corner in a front view and discharges game balls B received in the full ball receiving port 150b and the foul ball receiving port 150c forward, and communicates with the lower tray ball supply port 211c of the tray unit 200.

[0176] Furthermore, the foul cover unit 150 is provided with a storage passage 150e formed between the full ball receiving opening 150b and the foul ball receiving opening 150c and the ball discharge opening 150d by the unit body 151 and the lid member 152, and having a width that allows it to store a predetermined amount of game balls B.

[0177] The through-ball passage 150a is formed spanning 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 between the unit body 151 and the lid member 152.

[0178] Furthermore, the foul cover unit 150 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 lid member 152, a full-tank detection sensor 154 that detects the rotation of the movable piece 153 away from the storage passage 150e, and a spring 155 that biases the movable piece 153 toward the storage passage 150e.

[0179] When the lower tray 202 of the tray unit 200 is full of game balls B and no more game balls B are released from the ball release port 150d to the lower tray 202, the foul cover unit 150 can store a certain number of game balls B in the storage passage 150e. When a certain number of game balls B are stored in the storage passage 150e, the weight of the game balls B causes the movable piece 153 to rotate so that its upper end moves away from the storage passage 150e against the biasing force of the spring 155, and this rotation is detected by the full-tray detection sensor 154. This allows it to be determined that the lower tray 202 is full of game balls B, and when the full-tray detection sensor 154 detects that it is full, it stops the payout of any more game balls B and notifies the player or staff of the gaming hall to encourage them to clear the lower tray 202.

[0180] Furthermore, the foul cover unit 150 is attached to the rear side of the unit body 151 and below the through ball passage 150a, and is equipped with a door opening / closing contact portion 150f that can be contacted by the operating projection 613a of the payout passage opening / closing door 613 of the lower full ball passage unit 610 in the payout unit 560 of the main frame 4 (see Figure 90). The door opening / closing contact portion 150f is inclined so that it moves forward as its rear surface goes downward. When the operating projection 613a of the payout passage opening / closing door 613 contacts this door opening / closing contact portion 150f, the payout passage opening / closing door 613 can be rotated to open the downstream end (front opening) of the lower normal payout passage 610a and the lower full payout passage 610b.

[0181] [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 detachably installed by being inserted into the glass unit mounting portion 101h from the rear, so as to close the door window 101a of the door frame base 101 in the door frame base unit 100. When the door frame 3 is closed to the main frame 4, the glass unit 160 allows the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 to be visible from the player's side (front), while also closing the front of the game area 5a.

[0182] The glass unit 160 comprises a frame-shaped glass frame 161 that is larger than the inner circumference 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 enclose the inside of the glass frame 161 and whose outer circumferences are 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.

[0183] The glass frame 161 has a pair of mounting pieces 161a that extend outward in a flat shape from a position below the upper left and right corners when viewed from the front, and a strip-shaped locking piece 161b that protrudes downward from the lower end and extends along the lower edge. The mounting pieces 161a of the glass frame 161 are capable of contacting the protruding portion 163b of the glass unit mounting member 163. The locking piece 161b is capable of being inserted into the space between the door frame base 101 and the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 of the door frame reinforcing unit 110 (see Figure 96). The two glass plates 162 are attached to the front and rear ends of the glass frame 161, respectively, and are spaced apart front to back so that a space is formed between them (see Figure 96).

[0184] The glass unit mounting member 163 has a disc-shaped base portion 163a that is rotatably mounted on the rear side of the door frame base 101 around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction, and a rod-shaped projection portion 163b that protrudes from the base portion 163a in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The glass unit mounting member 163 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the two upper corners of the four corners of the door window 101a on the rear surface of the door frame base 101.

[0185] To attach the glass unit 160 to the door frame base 101, first, the glass unit mounting member 163 attached to the door frame base 101 is rotated so that the protruding portion 163b is positioned above the base portion 163a. ​​Then, from the rear side of the door frame base 101, the locking piece 161b of the glass frame 161 of the glass unit 160 is inserted from above into the gap between the door frame base 101 and the intermediate reinforcing frame 114 of the door frame reinforcing unit 110, and the front end of the glass frame 161 is brought into contact with the rear surface of the glass unit mounting portion 101h of the door frame base 101. After that, the glass unit mounting member 163 is rotated so that the protruding portion 163b is positioned below the base portion 163a, and the protruding portion 163b is brought into contact with the rear surface of the mounting piece 161a of the glass frame 161. This attaches the glass unit 160 to the door frame base 101.

[0186] To remove the glass unit 160 from the door frame base 101, the procedure can be reversed from the one described above. This makes the glass unit 160 detachable from the door frame base 101 (door frame base unit 100).

[0187] Furthermore, in the glass unit 160, when the protruding portion 163b of the glass unit mounting member 163 is in a rotational position where it is located below the base portion 163a, the protruding portion 163b restricts the rearward movement of the glass frame 161. Therefore, even if vibrations or other forces act on the glass unit mounting member 163, it will not rotate to a position where the protruding portion 163b is above the base portion 163a. ​​Consequently, the restriction on the rearward movement of the glass frame 161 will not be released spontaneously, and the glass unit 160 will not spontaneously detach from the door frame base 101.

[0188] [3-3. Security cover] The security cover 170 on 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 portion 171 whose outer circumference is formed into a predetermined shape, a flat rear projection 172 that protrudes a short distance to the rear along the outer edge of the main body portion 171, and a pair of locking pieces 173 that are spaced apart on the left and right, protrude forward of the main body portion 171, and can be locked to the rear side of the door frame base 101.

[0189] The main body portion 171 of the security cover 170 is formed such that, when attached to the door frame base unit 100, its lower end protrudes below the lower end of the glass unit 160. Furthermore, the upper end of the main body portion 171 is shaped to follow the lower end of the game area 5a on the game board 5 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. More specifically, the upper end of the main body portion 171 is shaped to follow a part of the inner rail 1002, the out guide portion 1003, a part of the lower right rail 1004, and the right rail 1005 of the preceding component 1000, which will be described later, and is shaped so as not to protrude into the game area 5a when assembled to the pachinko machine 1.

[0190] The rear projection 172 is formed over almost the entire circumference of the outer edge of the main body 171. Therefore, the security cover 170 is formed in a shallow box shape that is open to the rear by the main body 171 and the rear projection 172, resulting in high strength and rigidity. In addition, the rear projection 172 also protrudes rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body 171 that is different from the outer edge of the main body 171. This rear projection 172 that protrudes rearward from a part of the rear surface of the main body 171 is formed to be aligned with a part of the outer rail 1001 of the front component member 1000 of the game board 5 when assembled in the pachinko machine 1.

[0191] Furthermore, the rear projection 172 is not formed in the portion of the game board 5 located between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. As a result, the game balls B (game balls B launched by the ball launching device 540) passing between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 do not come into contact with the rear projection 172 of the security cover 170, and the entry of game balls B into the game area 5a is not obstructed.

[0192] A 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.

[0193] When assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the security cover 170 has a front surface of the main body 171 that 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 protrudes rearward from the lower edge of the main body 171, is inserted into the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000. In addition, the security cover 170 has a rear projection 172 that protrudes rearward from the lower edge of the main body 171 that protrudes further rearward than the front surface of the front component 1000 so as to contact the lower surface of the front component 1000. As a result, the space between the security cover 170 and the game board 5 (front component 1000) is intricately bent by the rear projection 172 of the security cover 170 and the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000. Therefore, even if someone tries to insert an illegal tool such as piano wire into the game area 5a from the lower front of the game board 5 through the space between the security cover 170 and the front component 1000, it will be blocked by the rear projection 172 and the security recess 1009, thus preventing the illegal tool from entering the game area 5a.

[0194] [3-4. Handle Unit and Handle Cover Unit] The handle unit 180 and handle cover unit 290 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 41 to 47. Figure 41(a) is an enlarged front view showing the parts of the handle unit and handle cover unit in the door frame, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the parts of the handle unit and handle cover unit in the door frame. Figure 42 is an exploded perspective view of the handle cover unit as seen from the front, and Figure 43 is an exploded perspective view of the handle cover unit as seen from the rear. Figure 44 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit as seen from the front, and Figure 45 is an exploded perspective view of the handle unit as seen from the rear. Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in Figure 41(a). Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 1. Note that Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view of only the door frame 3, with the outer frame 2 and main frame 4 omitted.

[0195] In this embodiment, the handle unit 180 is attached to the door frame base unit 100 and the tray unit 200 together with the handle cover unit 290 that covers the outer circumference, and by operating it, the player can drive the game balls B in the upper tray 201 into the game area 5a of the game board 5.

[0196] First, let's describe the handle unit 180. The handle unit 180 includes a handle base 181 whose rear end is attached to the handle mounting surface 101b of the door frame base 101 via the handle cover base 291 of the handle cover unit 290, which will be described later; a handle 195 that is rotatably attached to the front end of the handle base 181; a plurality of handle guides 196 that are attached to the rear side of the handle 195 and guided to the handle cover base 291, which will be described later; a disc-shaped cover base 183 that is attached to the handle base 181 so as to cover the center of the front end of the handle 195; a handle decorative substrate 184 that is attached to the front side of the cover base 183 and has a plurality of LEDs 184a mounted on its front surface; and a handle front lens 185 that is attached to the cover base 183 so as to cover the front side of the handle decorative substrate 184.

[0197] Furthermore, the handle unit 180 includes an inner base 186 attached to the front of the handle base 181 at the rear of the handle 195, a shaft member 187 to which the handle 195 is attached at the front end and which is rotatably mounted by the inner base 186 and the handle base 181 and has a drive gear portion 187a on its outer circumference, a transmission gear 188 that meshes with the drive gear portion 187a of the shaft member 187, and a handle rotation detection sensor 189 having a detection shaft 189a that rotates integrally with the transmission gear 188 and is sandwiched between the handle base 181 and the inner base 186.

[0198] Furthermore, the handle unit 180 includes a handle return spring 190, one end of which is attached to the handle base 181 and the other end of which is attached to the handle 195, biasing the handle 195 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, one end of which is attached to the inner base 186 and the other end of which is attached to the transmission gear 188, biasing the detection shaft 189a of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front via the transmission gear 188.

[0199] Furthermore, the handle unit 180 includes a handle touch sensor 192 attached to the handle base 181 at the rear of the inner base 186, a single-shot button 193 whose tip protrudes outward from the left side of the front outer peripheral surface of the handle base 181 in a front view, and whose base end is attached to the handle base 181 at the rear of the inner base 186 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-to-back direction, and a single-shot button operation sensor 194 attached to the handle base 181 that detects the pressing operation of the single-shot button 193.

[0200] The handle base 181 of the handle unit 180 comprises a cylindrical base portion 181a extending front to back, a disc-shaped front end portion 181b projecting radially from the front end of the base portion 181a, and three groove portions 181c that are recessed from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical base portion 181a, extending axially and formed at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of the base portion 181a of the handle base 181 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rear cylindrical portion 291c of the handle cover base 291 of the handle cover unit 290. The three groove portions 181c are formed at positions corresponding to the three protrusions 291d of the handle cover base 291, which will be described later. Therefore, with the three grooves 181c aligned with the three protrusions 291d, the base 181a can be inserted into the rear cylindrical portion 291c of the handle cover base 291, and with the protrusions 291d each inserted into the three grooves 181c, the handle base 181 becomes unable to rotate relative to the handle cover base 291.

[0201] The handle 195 comprises a disc-shaped central hub portion 195a, a plurality (three in this case) of spoke portions 195b extending radially outward from the central hub portion 195a at circumferential intervals, an annular outer ring portion 195c connecting the ends of the plurality of spoke portions 195b, two slits 195d extending in an arc shape around the axis of rotation (axis member 187) and penetrating the central hub portion 195a in the front-rear direction, and a locking projection 195e protruding rearward from a position inside the axis of rotation relative to the slits 195d, to which the other end of the handle return spring 190 is locked. The outer diameter of the central hub portion 195a is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the general outer surface of the handle of a conventional pachinko machine.

[0202] The three spoke sections 195b of the handle 195 are arranged such that, when the handle 195 is in a free state (not rotating), two spoke sections 195b extend from a single spoke section 195b that extends horizontally to the left from the central hub section 195a, in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively, at points at 120-degree angles. The three spoke sections 195b extend to a length such that a gap is formed between the central hub section 195a and the outer ring section 195c into which the player's fingers can be inserted.

[0203] The outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195 is located coaxially with the center of the central hub portion 195a. The outer ring portion 195c is formed in an annular shape with a constant cross-sectional shape, with the curved side of the U-shape facing forward.

[0204] The handle 195 is formed to be translucent throughout, and has an electrically continuous plated section from the central hub portion 195a to the outer ring portion 195c. As a result, even when only the outer ring portion 195c is touched, the handle touch sensor 192 can detect the touch of the handle 195. Therefore, even when the outer ring portion 195c is rotated, the game ball B can be driven in.

[0205] The handle guide 196 has a U-shaped guide portion 196a that is open toward the center of the handle 195, and a flat mounting stay 196b that extends toward the center from the front end of the guide portion 196a. The three handle guides 196 are mounted such that the guide portion 196a is located behind the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195, and the mounting stay 196b is attached to the rear side of the spoke portion 195b of the handle 195. The handle guide 196 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction by inserting a guide piece 291g of the handle cover base 291, which will be described later, into the inside of the guide portion 196a.

[0206] The cover base 183 is formed in a disc shape with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the central hub portion 195a of the handle 195, and has three mounting bosses 183a that protrude rearward from the rear surface. The three mounting bosses 183a are attached to the front surface of the handle base 181 by passing through the slit 195d of the handle 195 from the front. Because the mounting bosses 183a of the cover base 183 pass through the slit 195d of the handle 195, the mounting bosses 183a come into contact with the circumferential ends of the slit 195d, thereby restricting the rotation angle of the handle 195. In this example, the handle 195 can be rotated within a range of rotation angle of approximately 120 degrees.

[0207] The handle decoration board 184 has a total of 10 LEDs 184a (full-color LEDs) mounted in a triple concentric circle arrangement: one in the center, three on the middle circumference at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, and six along the outer circumference at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. These LEDs 184a are divided into five sets: one in the center, three in the middle, two on the upper left of the outer circumference, two on the upper right of the outer circumference, and two on the lower part of the outer circumference (see Figure 72). The handle decoration board 184 is equipped with a 24-bit LED driver 184b, which has a unique address for illuminating each LED 184a. This LED driver 184b can control up to 24 systems, and is configured to control the 10 LEDs 184a, which are divided into five sets, with a total of 15 systems (3 systems per set) so that each set can emit full color light.

[0208] Although not shown in the diagram, the handle decoration board 184 is connected to a wiring cable consisting of four wires: two power lines (one of which is a ground wire) that supply power to drive the LEDs 184a and LED drivers 184b, one control signal line that receives signals such as commands and addresses from the peripheral control board 1510, and one clock line that synchronizes the LED drivers 184b with the peripheral control board 1510. When the LED driver 184b of this handle decoration board 184 receives a command addressed to that address from the peripheral control board 1510 (performance control board) via the control signal line, it can cause the 10 LEDs 184a, which are divided into 5 groups, to light up with appropriate colors and intensities for each group according to that command.

[0209] Thus, since this handle decoration board 184 has an LED driver 184b, it is possible to individually (in this case, in sets) control the illumination of more LEDs 184a than the number of wires constituting the connected wiring cable. This reduces the number of wires and simplifies the electrical wiring configuration.

[0210] The front lens 185 of the handle has a rounded bulge at the front and is translucent. Inside the front lens 185 is a lens element formed three-dimensionally from a transparent material. This front lens 185 of the handle can be illuminated by appropriately illuminating the LEDs on the front of the handle decorative substrate 184.

[0211] The handle rotation detection sensor 189 is a variable resistor, and when the handle 195 is rotated, the detection shaft 189a of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 rotates via the shaft member 187 and the transmission gear 188. The internal resistance of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 changes according to the rotation angle of this detection shaft 189a. Therefore, when the handle 195 is rotated and the internal resistance of the handle rotation detection sensor 189 is changed, the driving force of the launch solenoid 542 in the ball launching device 540 (described later) changes according to that internal resistance, and the game ball B can be launched into the game area 5a with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 195.

[0212] The handle touch sensor 192 detects static electricity acting on the handle unit 180. When a player touches the handle 195, the sensor detects the static electricity acting from the player and detects the player's contact with the handle 195. When the handle touch sensor 192 detects the player's contact and the player rotates the handle 195, the handle rotation detection sensor 189 receives the detection signal, and the drive of the launch solenoid 542 is controlled with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 195, allowing the game ball B to be launched.

[0213] Therefore, even if a player attempts to rotate the handle 195 in some way without touching the handle 195 to launch the game ball B into the game area 5a, the handle touch sensor 192 does not detect the player's contact, so the launch solenoid 542 is not driven, and the game ball B cannot be launched. This prevents players from rotating the handle 195 in a way that is not intended, thereby reducing the load (burden) on the gaming hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

[0214] The single-shot button operation sensor 194 detects when the player presses the single-shot button 193. When the single-shot button operation sensor 194 detects the operation of the single-shot button 193, the firing control unit 633b of the payout control board 633 stops the driving of the firing solenoid 542. Therefore, if the player presses the single-shot button 193 while rotating the handle 195, the firing of the game ball B can be temporarily stopped without having to reverse the rotation of the handle 195. At the same time, by releasing the pressure on the single-shot button 193, the game ball B can be fired into the game area 5a again with the same force as before the single-shot button 193 was pressed.

[0215] Next, the handle cover unit 290 will be described. The handle cover unit 290 includes a handle cover base 291 that covers the outer circumference of the handle unit 180 rearward of the handle 195 and whose rear end is attached to the handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101; an inner 292 that covers the outer circumference of the handle cover base 291 and whose rear end is attached to the plate unit body 252 of the plate unit 200; an annular handle cover decorative substrate 293 provided in front of the inner 292 and on which a plurality of LEDs 293a are mounted on the front surface; an annular substrate cover 294 that covers the handle cover decorative substrate 293 from the front; and a handle cover 295 that covers the outer circumference of the inner 292 and whose rear end is attached to the plate unit body 252 of the plate unit 200.

[0216] The handle cover base 291 comprises a cylindrical front section 291a extending front to back with an inner diameter approximately the same as the inner diameter of the outer ring section 195c of the handle 195; a middle wall section 291b extending forward from the rear end of the front section 291a such that its inner diameter decreases as it moves forward; a cylindrical rear section 291c extending front to back, penetrating the middle wall section 291b and having an inner diameter into which the base section 181a of the handle base 181 can be inserted; and a plurality of protrusions 291d (three in this case) that project inward from the inner circumference of the rear section 291c and extend front to back, and are provided at positions corresponding to the groove section 181c of the handle base 181 in the circumferential direction.

[0217] Furthermore, the handle cover base 291 includes a flange portion 291e extending outward from a portion rearward from the front end of the outer circumference of the front cylinder portion 291a, a cylindrical outer cylinder portion 291f projecting forward from the middle of the flange portion 291e to the same position as the front end of the front cylinder portion 291a, a guide piece 291g projecting outward from the front cylinder portion 291a in the portion between the front end of the front cylinder portion 291a and the flange portion 291e, and an opening 291h that penetrates the lower part of the front cylinder portion 291a.

[0218] The inner wall portion 291b of the handle cover base 291 extends in an arc shape with a cross-section that bulges outward from the rear end of the front cylindrical portion 291a to near the center in the front-rear direction. The rear cylindrical portion 291c is attached at its rear end to the handle mounting seat surface 101b of the door frame base 101. This rear cylindrical portion 291c is formed to the same length as the base portion 181a of the handle base 181, and the base portion 181a of the handle base 181 is inserted into it. The three protrusions 291d correspond to the three groove portions 181c of the handle base 181, and by being inserted into the groove portions 181c, the handle base 181 can be made non-rotatable relative to the handle base 181. The outer cylindrical portion 291f extends forward from a position outside the radial center of the flange portion 291e. In this handle cover base 291, multiple triangular ribs are provided in the circumferential direction to connect the front surface of the flange portion 291e and the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder portion 291f.

[0219] The guide piece 291g protrudes from the outer circumference of the front cylinder portion 291a from the center between the outer circumference of the front cylinder portion 291a and the inner circumference of the outer cylinder portion 291f to a position closer to the front cylinder portion 291a. The guide piece 291g extends circumferentially over a length of approximately 110 degrees and is provided in three pieces at 10-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. By inserting the rear end of the guide portion 196a of the handle guide 196 in the handle unit 180 behind the guide piece 291g and rotating the handle 195, the guide piece 291g can be positioned within the U-shaped guide portion 196a, thereby restricting the movement of the guide portion 196a (handle 195) in the front-rear direction.

[0220] The opening 291h extends in the front-to-back direction from the rear end of the front cylindrical portion 291a to the vicinity of the flange portion 291e, and in the circumferential direction, it is sized within an angle range of approximately 90 degrees, and penetrates the front cylindrical portion 291a.

[0221] The inner part 292 has an annular base 292a with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the front cylindrical part 291a of the handle cover base 291 and an outer diameter larger than the flange part 291e, a leg portion 292b extending rearward from the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 292a, and a plurality (four in this case) of notches 292c that are cut out from the rear end of the leg portion 292b to the vicinity of the base portion 292a and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The base portion 292a is positioned behind the flange part 291e, into which the front cylindrical part 291a of the handle cover base 291 is inserted from the front. The leg portion 292b extends in a curved shape that bulges outward, and its rear end is attached to the plate unit body 252 of the plate unit 200. The notches 292c are provided in the upper and lower parts and the left and right parts of the leg portion 292b, respectively.

[0222] The handle cover decorative substrate 293 is formed in an annular shape with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 and the same outer diameter as the flange portion 291e. The handle cover decorative substrate 293 is mounted with 12 LEDs 293a and an LED driver 293b having a unique address for illuminating each LED 293a. The 12 LEDs 293a (full-color LEDs) are arranged in a row with spacing in the circumferential direction. These 12 LEDs 293a are divided into 6 sets: 2 from the bottom left, 2 on the left, 2 on the top left, 2 on the top right, 2 on the right, and 2 on the bottom right (see Figure 72). The LED driver 293b can control up to 24 systems, and controls 18 systems in total, 3 systems per set, so that each of the 10 LEDs 293a divided into 6 sets can emit full color.

[0223] The handle cover decorative board 293 is connected to a wiring cable consisting of four wires, although not shown in the diagram: two power lines (one of which is a ground wire) that supply power to drive the LEDs 293a and LED drivers 293b; one control signal line that receives signals such as commands and addresses from the peripheral control board 1510; and one clock line that synchronizes the LED drivers 293b with the peripheral control board 1510. When the LED driver 293b of the handle cover decorative board 293 receives a command addressed to that address from the peripheral control board 1510 (performance control board) via the control signal line, it can cause the 12 LEDs 293a, which are divided into 6 groups, to light up with appropriate colors and intensities for each group according to that command.

[0224] The base plate cover 294 has an annular front plate portion 294a with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 and approximately the same outer diameter as the base portion 292a of the inner 292, and a cylindrical side plate portion 294b whose outer peripheral edge of the front plate portion 294a extends a short distance to the rear. In this base plate cover 294, the front plate portion 294a is located between the flange portion 291e of the handle cover base 291 and the handle cover decorative base plate 293, and the side plate portion 294b extends to the base portion 292a of the inner 292.

[0225] The handle cover 295 has a front hole 295a at its front end with an inner diameter the same as the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 291f of the handle cover base 291, and is formed in a spindle-shaped (igloo-shaped, bowl-shaped, etc.) cylindrical shape that bulges towards the rear, with multiple (four in this case) notched openings 295b cut out from the rear end toward the front in the circumferential direction. The handle cover 295 is formed to cover the outer circumference of the inner 292, and the multiple notched openings 295b are formed to coincide with the notches 292c. The rear end of the handle cover 295 is attached to the plate unit body 252 of the plate unit 200 via the inner 292.

[0226] The steering wheel cover 295 is molded in two colors using synthetic resins with different colors and translucency (light transmittance). More specifically, the steering wheel cover 295 is molded in two colors using two types of resin: an inner layer 3a and an outer layer 3b. A portion of the inner layer 3a penetrates the outer layer 3b and appears on the outer surface, forming circular and radial patterns. In other words, the circular and radial patterns that appear on the surface of the steering wheel cover 295 are the inner layer 3a, and these patterns are connected on the back side of the outer layer 3b (see Figure 71(a)). When molding the steering wheel cover 295, the inner layer 3a may be injection molded first, or the outer layer 3b may be injection molded first.

[0227] As shown in Figure 46 and other figures, in this embodiment, when assembled in the pachinko machine 1, the part of the handle unit 180 that is rearward of the handle 195 is inserted inside the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291, and the handle 195 and the front lens 185 of the handle are positioned in front of the handle cover unit 290. The rear end of the handle base 181 of the handle unit 180 is attached to the handle mounting surface 101b of the door frame base 101, with the portion that closes the rear end of the rear cylindrical portion 291c of the handle cover base 291 of the handle cover unit 290 in between.

[0228] The handle 195 of this handle unit 180 has a central hub portion 195a that is rotatably supported by a handle base 181. The handle 195 is also rotatably supported by a handle cover unit 290 by a handle guide 196 attached to the rear of the outer peripheral ring portion 195c of the central hub portion 195a. The rear end of the guide portion 196a of the handle cover base 291 is inserted (locked) between the front cylinder portion 291a and the outer cylinder portion 291f, and between the flange portion 291e and the guide piece 291g, thereby restricting movement in the front-rear direction (axial direction) while being rotatably supported.

[0229] The handle 195 and the handle cover unit 290, including the handle cover base 291, inner 292, substrate cover 294, and handle cover 295, are formed to be translucent. By illuminating the LED 293a of the handle cover decorative substrate 293, the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195 can be illuminated. In addition, the inside of the handle cover base 291 (front cylindrical portion 291a) and the handle cover 295 can also be illuminated.

[0230] The handle cover unit 290 has matching notched openings 295b and 292c in the handle cover 295 and inner 292, so that when viewed from the outside, it appears as if there are holes on both the left and right sides and the bottom that communicate with the inside of the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291. This alleviates the player's anxiety about inserting their hand (fingers) into the inside of the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 through the gap between the central hub portion 195a and the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195.

[0231] The upper notched opening 295b of the handle cover 295 (the upper notched portion 292c of the inner part 292) is closed by the right decorative unit 275 of the dish and the right side unit 430 of the door frame.

[0232] In this embodiment, the handle cover unit 290 has a front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 into which the rear side of the handle unit 180 is inserted, which communicates with the lower notches 292c and 295b of the inner 292 and handle cover 295, respectively, through an opening 291h (see Figure 47). As a result, even if liquids such as drinks or game balls B enter the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 through the gap between the central hub portion 195a and the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195, they can be discharged downwards through the lower opening 291h, notch 292c, and 295b of the handle cover unit 290.

[0233] Furthermore, if liquid or game balls B enter the notched openings 295b on both the left and right sides of the handle cover 295, they can be discharged downward through the gap between the front cylinder portion 291a and the leg portion 292b of the inner 292 and out through the lower notched opening 295b.

[0234] Furthermore, the opening 291h of the handle cover base 291, the lower notch 292c of the inner 292, and the lower notched opening 295b of the handle cover 295 are located on the extension of the inclination direction of the fin portion 46b of the grill member 46 in the lower outer frame assembly 40 of the outer frame 2, as shown in Figure 47. This allows the wind (wind pressure) released diagonally upward and forward from the grill member 46 via the fin portion 46b due to the vibration of the main frame speaker 622 to enter the front cylinder portion 291a through the opening 291h, the notch 292c, and the notched opening 295b. Therefore, when a player inserts their fingers into the inside of the handle cover 295 (the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) and rotates the handle 195 (the device for inserting the game ball B), the main frame speaker 622 vibrates to send air into the front cylindrical portion 291a, which can surprise the player and create an unprecedented effect.

[0235] Furthermore, since the handle cover 295 has a notched opening 295b, when opening the door frame 3 or the main frame 4, a finger can be placed in the notched opening 295b on the right side and pulled, thus it can be used as a handle when opening the door frame 3, etc.

[0236] Furthermore, since the handle 195 is plated up to the outer ring portion 195c, the handle touch sensor 192 can detect touch on the handle 195, and the game ball B can be inserted even when only the outer ring portion 195c is touched.

[0237] Furthermore, because the handle cover 295 has a notched opening 295b, the rotational position of the handle 195 can be easily fixed by gripping it with fingers on the outer ring portion 195c and the notched opening 295b of the handle 195, allowing the player to continuously drive the game balls B into the game area 5a with a constant force without having to continuously twist their hand. In this way, the handle 195 can be rotated in a variety of ways to drive the game balls B, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that allows the player to select a driving operation that suits them.

[0238] The handle unit 180 is attached to the handle mounting surface 101b of the door frame base 101 via a handle cover unit 290 (handle cover base 291). In a plan view, the handle mounting surface 101b of the door frame base 101 is inclined such that the right end is located further back than the left end and faces outward (towards the open side). Therefore, the handle unit 180, which is attached via the handle cover base 291, is also inclined outward in a plan view (in other words, its tip is inclined so that it faces outward from the pachinko machine 1 with respect to a line perpendicular to the front of the pachinko machine 1) and is attached and fixed to the door frame 3. This makes it easy for the player to grip the handle 195 of the handle unit 180 and allows them to rotate it without any discomfort.

[0239] As described above, according to the handle unit 180 and handle cover unit 290 of this embodiment, a handle 195 is provided at the lower right corner of the door frame 3, which is provided so as to be able to open and close with the left side as the axis and which closes the game area 5a of the game board 5 so that it can be seen from the front. The handle 195 has a disc-shaped central hub portion 195a, a plurality of spoke portions 195b that protrude radially from the central hub portion 195a, and an annular outer ring portion 195c that connects the tips of the plurality of spoke portions 195b, and a cylindrical handle cover unit that extends rearward from the outer ring portion 195c. Because the handle 290 is provided, the area where the handle is normally located in a pachinko machine will now be filled with a handle 195 and a handle cover unit 290 in a form never seen before. This will have a strong impact on players, attract their attention, and increase their desire to play this pachinko machine 1. As a result, players browsing in a gaming hall where this pachinko machine 1 is installed will be more likely to choose this pachinko machine 1 as the machine they want to play.

[0240] Furthermore, since the player's fingers can be inserted into the handle cover unit 290 (the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) through the gap between the central hub portion 195a and the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195, when the player operates the handle 195 to shoot game balls B into the game area 5a, if the player grasps the central hub portion 195a of the handle 195, the player's fingers are inserted into the handle cover unit 290. This provides the player with a different feel when operating the handle 195 compared to conventional pachinko machine handles, and the new sensation of shooting game balls B can entertain the player and prevent a decline in enjoyment.

[0241] Then, when the player operates the handle 195, the main frame speaker 622, which is provided in the speaker unit 620a of the circuit board unit 620A of the main frame 4, outputs a sound effect. The vibration of the main frame speaker 622 causes the air inside the enclosure 624 made up of the speaker box 623 to vibrate, and the vibration of the air inside the enclosure 624 is released forward as sound pressure (sound wind) through the internal space 40a of the fascia panel and the port member 47 of the outer frame lower assembly 40 of the outer frame 2, which is in communication with the enclosure 624. In this case, the multiple fin portions 46b of the grill member 46 provided at the front end of the port member 47 allow the sound pressure (sound air) from the main frame speaker 622 to be guided into the handle cover unit 290 (inside the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) through the notched opening 295b of the handle cover 295 and the opening 291h of the handle cover base 291, thereby providing sound pressure stimulation to the fingers of the player who is operating the handle 195 with their fingers inserted into the handle cover unit 290 through the space between the central hub portion 195a and the outer ring portion 195c. Therefore, depending on the game state within the game area 5a, sound pressure from the port member 47 is supplied to the player's fingers inserted into the handle cover unit 290 through the notched openings 295b and 291h, thereby surprising the player, giving them a sense of impending opportunity, or changing the amount of handle operation, thus entertaining the player, preventing them from getting bored, and suppressing a decline in interest in the game.

[0242] Furthermore, since sound pressure (sound air) from the main frame speaker 622 can be supplied into the handle cover unit 290 (front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) through the notched opening 295b and the opening 291h, the inside of the handle cover unit 290 can be cooled, making the environment around the hands and fingers of the player operating the handle 195 more comfortable, thereby reducing stress on the player and preventing a decline in their enjoyment of the game.

[0243] Furthermore, as described above, when a player operates the handle 195 with their fingers inserted into the handle cover unit 290 through the central hub portion 195a and the outer ring portion 195c, the sound pressure (sound wind) emitted forward from the port member 47 provided on the lower outer frame assembly 40 of the outer frame 2, which is different from the door frame 3 on which the handle 195 and handle cover unit 290 are installed, is guided by the multiple vane portions 46b of the grill member 46 to provide stimulation to the player's fingers. Compared to the case where a vibration device is installed on the handle 195, this does not damage the various sensors (handle rotation detection sensor 189, handle touch sensor 192, single button operation sensor 194, etc.) and bearing mechanisms provided on the handle 195, making it possible to make the handle unit 180 less susceptible to damage, thus avoiding causing discomfort to the player due to damage to the handle unit 180, and thus suppressing a decrease in the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0244] Furthermore, since the handle 195 has a central hub portion 195a, spoke portions 195b, and an outer ring portion 195c, the handle 195 has the appearance of a car steering wheel. Therefore, even though its appearance is significantly different from that of conventional pachinko machine handles, it is possible to intuitively recognize to players that operating the handle 195 is the same as that of conventional pachinko machine handles. Consequently, even players who are seeing this pachinko machine 1 for the first time can operate the handle 195 of this pachinko machine 1 without confusion, making it easier for players to choose this pachinko machine 1 as a pachinko machine to play without hesitation.

[0245] Furthermore, since the handle cover unit 290 has notched openings 295b and 291h on the lower side of its outer surface, through which the player's fingers can be inserted between the central hub portion 195a and the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195, when looking into the handle cover unit 290 (the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291) from the front, the area below the handle cover unit 290 can be seen through the opening 291h and the lower notched opening 295b. This gives the cylindrical handle cover unit 290 a sense of openness, which reduces the player's anxiety about inserting their fingers into the handle cover unit 290 and allows the player to operate the handle 195 without hesitation.

[0246] Furthermore, since the handle cover unit 290 has through-holes 295b and 291h on the downward-facing portion of its outer circumferential surface, and the port member 47 of the outer frame 2 (outer frame lower assembly 40) is opened forward, even if liquids such as drinks or game balls B enter the handle cover unit 290, they can be discharged downward through the lower notch openings 295b and 291h, and the liquids discharged downward through the notch openings 295b and 291h are less likely to enter the port member 47.

[0247] Furthermore, the handle 195 has a central hub portion 195a, spoke portions 195b, and an outer ring portion 195c, and the handle cover 295 of the handle cover unit 290, which has the same diameter at the front end as the outer ring portion 195c, is provided with multiple notched openings 295b. As a result, the central hub portion 195a can be used to grasp and operate the handle in the same way as a conventional pachinko machine handle, the spoke portions 195b can be used to operate the handle with just the fingers, the outer ring portion 195c can be used to operate the handle like a car steering wheel, the outer ring portion 195c can be used to grasp the handle by placing fingers on the outer ring portion 195c and the notched openings 295b, and the inner and outer sides of the handle cover unit 290 can be pinched with the fingers, straddling the outer ring portion 195c, thus providing a pachinko machine 1 that allows for a variety of game ball B insertion operations (handle operation). Therefore, depending on the game state and the player's condition, the game ball B can be driven into the game area 5a in a way that is easy for the player to operate, making it less likely for the player to get bored, and allowing the player to enjoy the operation of driving in the game ball B, thereby suppressing a decline in interest in the game.

[0248] Furthermore, the operating position of the handle 195 can be fixed by gripping it with fingers on the outer ring portion 195c and the notched opening 295b of the handle 195, or by pinching the inside and outside of the handle cover unit 290 with fingers, straddling the outer ring portion 195c. Therefore, in addition to the same handle operations as conventional pachinko machines, it is also possible to perform handle operations that are not possible with conventional pachinko machines, thus providing players with a variety of handle operations and making the game more enjoyable and less likely to bore players.

[0249] Furthermore, since the diameter of the front end of the handle cover unit 290 is the same as the diameter of the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195, the handle cover unit 290 appears to extend rearward from the outer ring portion 195c, giving the appearance that the handle cover unit 290 is integrated with the handle 195. This results in a pachinko machine 1 that is visually appealing and can attract the attention of players.

[0250] Furthermore, since the diameter of the front end of the handle cover unit 290 is the same as the diameter of the outer ring portion 195c, it is possible to suppress the vertical dimension of the handle cover unit 290 from becoming unnecessarily large. By suppressing upward pressure on the game area 5a (door window 101a) by the handle cover unit 290, it is possible to avoid narrowing the game area 5a, thereby relatively increasing the size of the game area 5a. Moreover, the larger game area 5a makes the pachinko machine 1 stand out, resulting in a highly appealing pachinko machine 1 that strongly attracts the attention of players.

[0251] Furthermore, by appropriately illuminating the LED 293a of the handle cover decoration substrate 293, the handle cover unit 290 (inside the front cylindrical portion 291a of the handle cover base 291 and the handle cover 295) and the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195 can be illuminated and decorated. As a result, even when the player operates the handle 195, the illuminated decoration of the handle cover 295 and the outer ring portion 195c is not obstructed by the player's hand, making the handle cover 295 and the outer ring portion 195c stand out and providing a highly appealing pachinko machine 1 that can strongly attract the player's attention.

[0252] Furthermore, a handle 195 is provided in the lower right corner of the door frame 3, opposite the hinge side, and a notched opening 295b is provided in the right-facing portion of the outer surface of the handle cover 295 of the handle cover unit 290. This notched opening 295b can be used as a handle when opening and closing the door frame 3. Therefore, there is no need to provide an unsightly handle on the door frame 3, and the appearance of the door frame 3 can be improved.

[0253] Furthermore, the handle cover unit 290 (handle cover base 291) has a flange portion 291e and a guide piece 291g that support the outer ring portion 195c (handle guide 196) of the handle 195 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, and restrict movement in the front-rear direction. Even if the outer ring portion 195c of the handle 195 is pulled forward, the guide piece 291g and the like can restrict the forward movement of the outer ring portion 195c. As a result, the outer ring portion 195c and the spoke portion 195b connecting the outer ring portion 195c and the central hub portion 195a will not deform, and the handle 195 will not be damaged.

[0254] Furthermore, since the handle touch sensor 192 detects when the player is touching the handle 195 and accepts the operation of the handle 195 to launch the game ball B, the game ball B can be launched even if the player is only touching the spoke portion 195b or the outer ring portion 195c while operating the handle 195. This allows for a variety of launching operations (handle operations) as described above, and prevents the launching of game ball B when the player is not touching the handle 195, thereby preventing the use of tools to operate the handle and reducing the burden on the pachinko parlor.

[0255] [3-5. Overall configuration of the plate unit] The tray unit 200 in the door frame 3 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. Figure 48 is a perspective view of the tray unit in the door frame, and Figure 49 is a perspective view of the tray unit from the rear. The tray unit 200 is attached to the front of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, below the door window 101a. The tray unit 200 includes an upper tray 201 for storing game balls B to be played into the game area 5a, and a lower tray 202 located below the upper tray 201 and capable of storing game balls B supplied from the upper tray 201 and the foul cover unit 150.

[0256] The plate unit 200 includes a plate base unit 210 having an upper plate 201 and mounted on the front of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, a plate decoration unit 250 mounted on the front of the plate base unit 210 and having a lower plate 202, and a performance operation unit 300 mounted on the front of the plate decoration unit 250 and the plate base unit 210 and operable by the player.

[0257] The pan base unit 210 comprises a flat pan unit base 211 extending to the left and right, an upper pan body 212 attached to the upper front of the pan unit base 211 and having an upper pan 201, a mounting base (not shown) attached to the right of the upper pan body 212 and protruding forward, a pan unit relay board (not shown) attached to the right of the mounting base, a ball dispensing operation unit 220 attached to the upper surface of the mounting base, an upper pan ball removal unit (not shown) attached below the mounting base, and an upper pan ball removal unit 240 attached behind the upper pan ball removal unit.

[0258] The plate decoration unit 250 comprises a lower plate body 251 attached to the lower front of the plate unit base 211 and having a lower plate 202, a plate unit body 252 attached to the front of the plate unit base 211 so as to cover the outer circumference of the lower plate body 251, a lower plate ball removal unit 260 attached to the lower surface of the lower plate body 251, and a left plate decoration unit 270 and a right plate decoration unit 275, respectively, attached to the upper front of the plate unit body 252, spaced apart to the left and right.

[0259] The performance operation unit 300 includes a performance operation section 301 that can be operated by the player, which includes a contact operation section 302 that can be operated by the player by touch, and a press operation section 303 that can be operated by the player by pressing. The performance operation unit 300 includes a performance operation section cover unit 310 with a spherical outer surface, an operation section base 315 housed inside the performance operation section cover unit 310 and attached to the front of the plate decoration unit 250, an annular performance operation section outer peripheral decoration board 320 attached to the upper surface of the operation section base 315, an outer peripheral board cover 325 covering the upper part of the performance operation section outer peripheral decoration board 320, and an operation section relay board unit 330 attached to the rear side of the operation section base 315.

[0260] Furthermore, the performance control unit 300 includes a performance control unit 350 that is capable of protruding upward from the performance control unit cover unit 310 and is equipped with a performance control unit 301, a performance control unit lifting mechanism 360 that is attached to the control unit base 315 and supports the performance control unit 350 so that it can be raised and lowered, and a protrusion force adjustment mechanism 380 that adjusts the upward protrusion force of the performance control unit 350 by the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360.

[0261] The entire plate unit 200 bulges forward, and the performance control unit 301 is positioned in the center in the left-right direction such that the upper surface of the performance control unit 301 faces diagonally upward and forward. The upper plate 201 is positioned to the left of the performance control unit 300 on its upper surface, the ball dispensing control unit 220 is positioned to the right of the performance control unit 300, and the lower plate 202 is positioned below the upper plate 201 and to the left of the performance control unit 300.

[0262] [3-5a. Upper plate] The upper tray 201 of the tray unit 200 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The upper tray 201 is formed by the tray unit base 211 and the upper tray body 212, and is formed in a container shape that bulges significantly forward on the left side from the center when viewed from the front, and is open upward. The upper tray 201 (upper tray body 212) bulges out the most at approximately 1 / 3 of the distance from the left end to the right of the width of the door frame 3 in the left-right direction. The front end of the upper tray 201 recedes backward as it moves from the most bulging part toward the right side when viewed from the front, and has a guide passage section 201a (see Figure 73) whose depth in the front-to-back direction is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The entire bottom surface of the upper tray 201, including the guide passage section 201a, is sloped so that the right end is lower, and the right end of the guide passage section 201a when viewed from the front is recessed below the ball dispensing operation unit 220.

[0263] When assembled with the tray unit 200, the upper tray 201 is inclined such that its bottom surface 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 feeding port (not shown in the figure). This allows game balls B released forward from the upper tray ball supply port 211a to be received and stored in the upper tray 201, and the received game balls B can be supplied to the ball feeding unit 140 side from the right end of the guide passage 201a through the upper tray ball feeding port.

[0264] Furthermore, the guide passage section 201a is equipped with a metal grounding fitting that is electrically grounded (earthed) in the pachinko machine 1, and when the game ball B comes into contact with (rolls over) it, the static electricity charged on the game ball B can be removed.

[0265] [3-5b. Lower plate] The lower tray 202 of the tray unit 200 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 50. Figure 50(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part when the door frame is cut horizontally at the lower tray ball supply port, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part when the same part as (a) is cut in a conventional door frame, and (c) is a table comparing the number of game balls that can be stored in the lower tray of this embodiment and a conventional product. The lower tray 202 is located below the upper tray 201 and, in a front view, is positioned to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the tray unit 200 (door frame 3). The lower tray 202 is formed from a lower tray 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 has a lower tray ball release hole 202a that penetrates vertically through the bottom wall and allows game balls B to be discharged. The lower tray 202's lower tray bulb removal hole 202a is closed by the lower tray bulb removal cover 265 of the lower tray bulb removal unit 260, which can be opened and closed.

[0266] The lower tray 202 has a roughly rectangular shape in plan view, extending horizontally, with the front end on the left side protruding further forward than the right side, relative to the center in the horizontal direction. The lower tray 202 has a ball outlet 202a that penetrates vertically, located near the front end near the right end. The bottom surface of the lower tray 202 is inclined so that it becomes lower towards the ball outlet 202a. When assembled with the tray unit 200, the ball outlet 202a of the lower tray 202 is located to the left of the front of the ball supply port 211c and below the performance control unit 300.

[0267] The lower tray 202 can store game balls B released forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211c when the lower tray ball release hole 202a is closed, and the stored game balls B can be discharged downwards from the tray unit 200 (for example, to a coin box) by opening the lower tray ball release hole 202a. Furthermore, when the lower tray ball release hole 202a of the lower tray 202 is open, since the lower tray ball release hole 202a is located in front of the lower tray ball supply port 211c, game balls B released forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211c can be quickly discharged downwards from the lower tray ball release hole 202a by moving the shortest distance.

[0268] In conventional pachinko machines, as shown in Figure 50(b), the lower tray ball outlet 202b of the lower tray 202 is provided in front of the lower tray ball supply port 211j of the tray unit base 211 of the tray base unit 210, which is in communication with the ball discharge port 150d of the foul cover unit 150, on the central axis. The lower tray ball supply port 211j is made into a cylindrical shape that extends straight forward so that the game balls B discharged forward from the ball discharge port 150d go straight towards the lower tray ball outlet 202b. This allows the game balls B discharged forward from the lower tray ball supply port 211j to be quickly discharged downward from the lower tray ball outlet 202b by moving the shortest distance.

[0269] By the way, if the lower tray ball supply port 211j guides the game balls B straight towards the lower tray ball release hole 202b, and the lower tray ball release hole 202b is closed by the lower tray ball release cover 265, then since the lower tray ball release hole 202b and the lower tray ball supply port 211j are located near the right edge of the lower tray 202, there is a risk that the storage of game balls B will concentrate in the area to the right of the center of the lower tray 202. If the game balls B that have concentrated in the right area of ​​the lower tray 202 block the area in front of the lower tray ball supply port 211j, then the game balls B will not be released from the storage passage 150e of the foul cover unit 150 towards the lower tray 202, which may cause the full-tank detection sensor 154 to activate and determine that the lower tray 202 is full, even though there is still room in the left area of ​​the lower tray 202.

[0270] In contrast, in this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, as shown in Figure 50(a), the left side wall (ball guide section 213) of the lower tray ball supply opening 211c is inclined to extend diagonally forward to the left. More specifically, the left side wall of the lower tray ball supply opening 211c is inclined diagonally forward to the left at the point directly behind the lower tray ball removal hole 202a, such that the distance between it and the front surface of the tray unit base 211 is such that at least one game ball B can pass through.

[0271] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 50, the lower tray ball extraction hole 202a is moved to the left of the central axis (line shown by the dashed line) of the rear end (ball discharge port 150d) of the lower tray ball supply port 211c.

[0272] As a result, by moving the lower tray ball release hole 202a to the left, the lowest part of the lower tray 202 (the part of the lower tray ball release hole 202a) moves to the left, which reduces the concentration of game balls B on the right side of the lower tray 202 when the lower tray ball release hole 202a is closed. Furthermore, even when multiple game balls B are stored in the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball release hole 202a and reach the rear end of the lower tray 202 (the front of the tray unit base 211), the left side wall of the lower tray ball supply port 211c extends diagonally, forming a gap between it and the rear end of the lower tray 202 through which the game balls B can flow. As a result, game balls B released from the foul cover unit 150 (ball discharge port 150d) and the upper tray ball release post unit 240 (ball release guide path 241c) towards the lower tray ball supply port 211c can be guided along the diagonally extending left side wall to the left side of the lower tray 202 and released, ensuring that game balls B are properly stored throughout the entire lower tray 202.

[0273] Therefore, even though there is still sufficient space in the lower tray 202 to store game balls B, the full-tank detection sensor 154 will notify that the tray is full, preventing this from happening and allowing more game balls B to be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0274] [3-5c. Dish base unit] The dish base unit 210 in the dish unit 200 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The dish base unit 210 comprises a flat dish unit base 211 that is attached to the lower front of the door frame base unit 100 and extends to the left and right, an upper dish body 212 that is attached to the upper front of the dish unit base 211 and has an upper dish 201, and a dish unit relay board 214 that is attached to the rear surface of the dish unit base 211 near the lower right corner.

[0275] Furthermore, the pan base unit 210 includes a ball dispensing operation unit 220 mounted on the upper front of the pan unit base 211, an upper pan ball removal unit (not shown) mounted on the front of the pan unit base 211 below the ball dispensing operation unit 220, and an upper pan ball removal unit 240 mounted on the rear side of the pan unit base 211 behind the upper pan ball removal unit.

[0276] [3-5c-1. Plate Unit Base] The dish unit base 211 of the dish base unit 210 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The dish unit base 211 is attached below the door window 101a on the front surface of the door frame base 101 of the door frame base unit 100, and is formed in a flat plate shape (a shallow box shape with the rear open) that extends left and right across the entire width of the door frame base 101.

[0277] The tray unit base 211 includes an upper tray ball supply port 211a that penetrates from front to back near the upper left corner in a front view 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 perforated metal attached to the front, a lower tray ball supply port 211c that penetrates from front to back and extends cylindrically to the rear at the lower left of the center in a front view, a notch 211d on the right side wall of the cylindrical portion extending to the rear of the lower tray ball supply port 211c that is cut out to a size that allows game balls B to pass through, and an upper tray ball feeding port (not shown) that penetrates from front to back and extends vertically on the upper right side of the lower tray ball supply port 211c in a front view, with its upper part located at the right end of the upper tray body 212.

[0278] The upper tray ball supply port 211a of the tray unit base 211, when assembled with the door frame 3, has its front end opening into the rear wall of the upper tray 201, and its cylindrical rear end passing through the upper tray ball passage port 101g of the door frame base 101 from the front and connecting to the front end of the ball passage 150a of the foul cover unit 150. As a result, game balls B dispensed from the dispensing device 580 of the dispensing unit 560 are supplied (dispensed) into the upper tray 201 through the upper tray ball supply port 211a.

[0279] 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 and connects to the front end of the ball discharge port 150d of the foul cover unit 150. As a result, game balls B flowing through the storage passage 150e of the foul cover unit 150 are 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 notch 211d formed in the cylindrical portion of the lower tray ball supply port 211c. As a result, the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 are discharged into the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball supply port 211c via the upper tray ball supply port, the entry port 141a and ball release port 141b of the ball supply unit 140, the ball supply guide path 241b and ball release guide path 241c of the upper tray ball release unit 240, and the notch 211d, when the upper tray ball release button 222 is operated.

[0280] The upper tray ball supply port 211a, when assembled with the tray base unit 210, is located in front of the ball receiving port (not shown) of the rear base 241 in the upper tray ball removal unit 240, and the game balls B in the upper tray 201 are supplied from the ball receiving port of the upper tray ball removal unit 240 to the ball supply guide path 241b.

[0281] Furthermore, the tray unit base 211 of this embodiment has a ball guiding section 213 that guides the game balls B supplied into the lower tray 202 to a position far from the lower tray ball release hole 202a. The ball guiding section 213 guides the game balls B that have been guided from the upper tray 201 by the ball release guide path 241c to a position far from the lower tray ball release hole 202a (the left side of the lower tray 202). As shown in Figure 50(a), this ball guiding section 213 forms a part of the inner wall of the lower tray ball supply opening 211c. More specifically, the ball guiding section 213 forms the left inner wall opposite the right inner wall where the ball release guide path 241c is open in the cylindrical lower tray ball supply opening 211c, and is inclined to move to the left as it moves from the rear end to the front end. The inclination of the left inner wall (ball guide section 213) creates a distance (gap) between the front surface of the tray unit base 211 (the rear end of the lower tray 202) and the part directly behind the lower tray ball release hole 202a, allowing at least one game ball B to pass through. As a result, when a game ball B that has passed through the ball release guide section 241c from the upper tray 201 comes into contact with the ball guide section 213 from the right, the inclination of the ball guide section 213 guides it to the left and forward, thus guiding the game ball B to the left end of the lower tray 202, away from the lower tray ball release hole 202a. In other words, the ball guide section 213 can guide the game ball B to a position far from the lowest part of the lower tray 202 (lower tray ball release hole 202a).

[0282] By the way, as shown in Figure 50(b), in conventional pachinko machines (also referred to as conventional products), the lower tray ball supply port 211j extends straight in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, when the game ball B guided by the ball removal guide path 241c comes into contact with the left inner wall of the lower tray ball supply port 211j, it bounces back to the right and rolls forward. As a result, it is not sent to a position far from the lower tray ball removal hole 202b in the lower tray 202, but is stored in the right-hand region of the lower tray 202 where the lower tray ball removal hole 202b is located. Therefore, in conventional products, the storage of game balls B (shown by the dashed line in Figure 50(b)) tends to concentrate in the area to the right of the center of the lower tray 202. If the game balls B concentrated in the right area of ​​the lower tray 202 block the area in front of the lower tray ball supply opening 211j, the game balls B will not be released from the storage passage 150e of the foul cover unit 150 towards the lower tray 202. This may cause the full-tank detection sensor 154 to activate, and even though there is still room in the left area of ​​the lower tray 202, it may be determined that the lower tray 202 is full.

[0283] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, since there is a ball guide section 213, the game balls B that have flowed through the ball removal guide section 241c can be guided to the left side area of ​​the lower tray 202. Furthermore, even if multiple game balls B are stored in the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball removal hole 202a and reach the rear end of the lower tray 202 (front surface of the tray unit base 211), the game balls B released from the foul cover unit 150 (ball discharge port 150d) and the upper tray ball removal post unit 240 (ball removal guide path 241c) towards the lower tray ball supply port 211c can be guided to the left side of the lower tray 202 through the space between the left side wall of the lower tray ball supply port 211c (ball guide section 213) and the rear end of the lower tray 202, allowing game balls B to be stored throughout the entire lower tray 202. Therefore, even though there is still sufficient space in the lower tray 202 to store game balls B, the full-tank detection sensor 154 will notify that the tray is full, thus preventing this from happening and allowing more game balls B to be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0284] Furthermore, to support the effects described above, the inventors of this invention counted the number of game balls B stored in the lower tray 202 of both the embodiment and the conventional product when the full-tank detection sensor 154 was activated. The counting of game balls B was performed 10 times for each product. As shown in the table in Figure 50(c), in every count, the lower tray 202 of this embodiment (this embodiment) held significantly more game balls B than the conventional product, and it was confirmed that it could store approximately 40% more game balls B on average than the conventional product.

[0285] [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 48 and 49. The upper tray body 212 is attached to the front of the tray unit base 211 and works in cooperation with the tray unit base 211 to form the upper tray 201. The upper tray body 212 is formed in a container shape (dish shape) with the top and rear open. The upper tray body 212 extends to the left and right, with the left side bulging forward more significantly than the center when viewed from the front. The front end of the upper tray body 212 recedes backward as it moves from the most protruding part towards the right when viewed from the front, and the depth in the front-to-back direction is formed to be slightly wider than the outer diameter of the game ball B. The bottom surface of the upper tray body 212 is sloped so that the right end is the lowest. The upper part of the upper tray body 212 near the right end is closed.

[0286] When assembled with the tray unit 200, the upper tray body 212 is mounted such that the closed upper portion near the right end tucks under the ball dispensing operation unit 220. Additionally, the upper tray body 212 has a performance operation unit mounting portion 212a formed in the middle of the upper part in the left-right direction, and a part of the performance operation unit 300 is attached to this performance operation unit mounting portion 212a.

[0287] [3-5c-3. Dish Unit Relay Board] The dish unit relay board 214 of the dish base unit 210 is for relaying connections between the door frame sub-relay board 105 in the door frame base unit 100, the left dish decorative board 273, the right dish decorative board 278, and the operation unit relay board 332. The dish unit relay board 214 is mounted near the lower right corner of the rear surface of the dish unit base 211. When mounted on the dish unit base 211, the rear surface of the dish unit relay board 214 faces the rear side of the dish unit base 211.

[0288] [3-5c-4. Ball dispensing operation unit] The ball dispensing operation unit 220 of the tray base unit 210 will be explained mainly with reference to Figure 51. Figure 51 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of the ball dispensing operation unit in the tray unit of the door frame. This ball dispensing operation unit 220 is used to discharge the game balls B stored in the upper tray 201 to 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) located adjacent to the pachinko machine 1, to display the remaining amount of cash or prepaid cards inserted into the ball dispensing machine, to return the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball dispensing machine minus the amount of game balls B that were dispensed, to adjust the volume, to adjust the light intensity, and so on.

[0289] The ball dispensing operation unit 220 includes a base portion 221 attached to the upper front of the plate unit base 211, an upper plate ball release button 222 located near the left end of the upper surface of the base portion 221, a translucent disc-shaped ball dispensing operation base 223 located to the right of the upper plate ball release button 222 on the upper surface of the base portion 221, a ball dispensing button 224 located on the front left side of the ball dispensing operation base 223, a return button 225 located on the front right side of the ball dispensing operation base 223, a ball dispensing indicator 226 located at the rear lower part of the ball dispensing operation base 223, a volume control button 227 located outside the base portion 221 in front of the ball dispensing button 224, and a light intensity control button 228 located to the left of the volume control button 227.

[0290] The upper plate ball removal button 222 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape from the upper surface of the base portion 221 and can move downward when pressed by a player. The ball lending button 224 is formed in a circular shape and has the character "ball" on its upper surface. The return button 225 is formed in a triangular shape. The ball lending display portion 226 is composed of three 7-segment LEDs and one bullet-shaped LED, and can be clearly visually recognized from the player side through the transparent ball lending operation base 223 in the emitting state.

[0291] By pressing the upper plate ball removal button 222 of the ball lending operation unit 220, the game balls B stored in the upper plate 201 can be discharged to the lower plate. Also, when a cash or prepaid card with a remaining amount 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 plate 201. When the return button 225 is pressed, the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine is returned after deducting the lent game balls B. The remaining amount of the cash or prepaid card inserted into the ball lending machine is displayed on the ball lending display portion 226. Also, an error code is displayed on the ball lending display portion 226 when the ball lending machine malfunctions.

[0292] The volume adjustment button 227 is for adjusting the volume of the sound effects such as music, voice, and sound effects output from the top center speaker and top side speakers of the door frame 3 and the main body frame speaker 622 for bass of the main body frame 4. This volume adjustment button 227 is formed in a double circular gourd shape combining two circles. The volume adjustment button 227 has the character "+" at the center of one (upper) circle and the character "-" at the center of the other (lower) circle, and a pattern as if sound is coming out of the speaker is provided at the part between the two circles. The diameter of the circle on the "+" side of the volume adjustment button 227 is formed larger than the diameter of the circle on the "-" side. When the "+" side of this volume adjustment button is pressed, the volume increases, and when the "-" side is pressed, the volume decreases.

[0293] The light intensity adjustment button 228 is used to adjust the light intensity of the LEDs on the various decorative circuit boards on the door frame 3 and the game board 5, as well as the brightness of the display screen of the performance display device 1600. This light intensity adjustment button 228 is formed in a double-circular gourd shape, resembling two circles joined together. The light intensity adjustment button 228 has a "+" sign in the center of one (upper) circle and a "-" sign in the center of the other (lower) circle, and a light bulb image is depicted in the area between the two circles. The diameter of the "+" side circle of the light intensity adjustment button 228 is larger than the diameter of the "-" side circle. When the "+" side of the light intensity adjustment button 228 is pressed, the light becomes brighter, and when the "-" side is pressed, the light becomes dimmer.

[0294] The volume control button 227 and the light intensity control button 228 are colored differently from each other (for example, the volume control button 227 is white and the light intensity control button 228 is black) to prevent players from making mistakes.

[0295] By the way, if the volume and light intensity are adjusted using the contact operation section 302 or the press operation section 303 of the performance operation unit 301, when a player-participation performance requiring operation of the performance operation unit 301 is not being performed, the player would have to appropriately operate the performance operation unit 301 to display a setting menu for adjusting the volume, light intensity, etc. on the performance display device 1600, select the item to adjust, and then operate the contact operation section 302 to change the volume level, light intensity brightness, etc., which would be time-consuming to adjust. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the volume and light intensity can be adjusted directly by operating the volume adjustment button 227 or the light intensity adjustment button 228, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 that simplifies the effort required to adjust the volume and light intensity and allows for quick adjustment.

[0296] [3-5c-5. Unit after removing the upper tray bulb] The upper tray ball removal unit and the upper tray ball removal unit 240 in the tray base unit 210 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figure 49. The upper tray ball removal unit 240 works in cooperation with the ball supply 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 dispensing operation unit 220 is pressed.

[0297] The upper tray bulb removal unit 240 includes a rear base 241 attached to the rear surface of the tray unit base 211 so as to close the upper tray bulb supply port from the rear, an upper tray bulb removal slider 242 attached to the front surface of the rear base 241 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, a spring (not shown) that biases the upper tray bulb removal slider 242 upward, and a rear cover 244 attached to the rear side of the rear base 241.

[0298] The rear base 241 protrudes upward from the portion where the upper tray ball release slider 242 is slidably mounted and has an opening facing forward through which game balls B can pass (not shown), a ball supply guide path 241b that guides the game balls B received in the ball release opening downward on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then to the rear, and a ball release guide path 241c that guides the game balls B downward from a position below the ball supply guide path 241b on the rear surface of the rear base 241 and then to the right when viewed from the rear.

[0299] The ball receiving port is formed in the assembled tray base unit 210 at the downstream end (right end in front view) of the guide passage 201a of the upper tray 201, opening forward through the upper tray ball supply port of the tray unit base 211. The ball supply guide path 241b is formed in the assembled door frame 3 such that the entrance port 141a of the ball supply unit 140 is located at the rear of the lower part. As a result, the game balls B supplied to the upper tray 201 enter the entrance port 141a of the ball supply unit 140 through the ball receiving port and the ball supply guide path 241b.

[0300] The portions of the ball removal guideway 241c that extend to the left and right protrude to the right in a rear view from the portion to which the upper pan ball removal slider 242 is slidably mounted, and are inclined so that the right end in a rear view is lower, opening to the right side in a rear view. The portions of the ball removal guideway 241c that extend to the left and right are closed off at the rear by the rear cover 244. When assembled to the door frame 3, the upper part of the portion of the ball removal guideway 241c that extends vertically below the ball supply guideway 241b is located in front of the ball removal opening 141b of the ball supply unit 140, and the right end of the portions that extend to the left and right in a rear view is connected to the notch 211d of the lower pan ball supply opening 211c in the pan unit base 211. As a result, the game balls B discharged from the ball outlet 141b of the ball feeding unit 140 are released into the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball supply opening 211c via the ball release guide path 241c and the notch 211d.

[0301] The upper tray ball release slider 242 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front and includes an actuation receiving portion (not shown) protruding forward from the upper left corner and an actuation transmission portion 242b protruding rearward from the rear surface behind the actuation receiving portion. The actuation receiving portion has a flat upper surface. The actuation transmission portion 242b is inclined so that its upper surface is positioned downward as it approaches the rear, and its lower surface extends horizontally so as to connect with the rear end of the upper surface.

[0302] When the upper tray ball release slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the operating receiving portion protrudes forward, penetrating the tray unit base 211 from the rear, and the lower end of the upper tray ball release button 222 abuts against the upper surface of the operating receiving portion. Also, when the upper tray ball release slider 242 is assembled to the door frame 3, the operating transmission portion 242b protrudes behind the rear base 241, and the operating rod 143c of the ball release member 143 of the ball supply unit 140 abuts against its upper surface.

[0303] The spring has its upper end attached to the rear base 241 and its lower end attached to the upper plate ball release slider 242, biasing the upper plate ball release slider 242 upward. Therefore, the upper plate ball release slider 242 is positioned at its upward moving end due to the biasing force of the spring, and can move downward by resisting the biasing force of the spring.

[0304] The upper tray ball removal unit 240, by the biasing force of a spring, positions the upper tray ball removal slider 242 at its upward movement end, and also positions the upper tray ball removal button 222 at its upward movement end via the operating receiving portion of the upper tray ball removal slider 242. Furthermore, because the upper tray ball removal slider 242 is positioned at its upward movement end by the biasing force of the spring, downward movement of the operating rod 143c, which is in contact with the upper surface of the operating transmission portion 242b, is prevented, 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.

[0305] Therefore, when the upper tray ball release button 222 is not pressed, the ball feeding unit 140 is partitioned between the entry port 141a and the ball release port 141b, allowing the game balls B sent from the upper tray 201 to the ball receiving port to be sent to the ball launching device 540 side from the ball supply port 142a via the entry port 141a and the ball feeding member 144.

[0306] On the other hand, when the upper tray ball release button 222 is pressed downward against the biasing force of the spring, the upper tray ball release slider 242 moves downward, allowing the operating rod 143c of the ball release member 143, which is in contact with the upper surface of the operating transmission part 242b of the upper tray ball release slider 242, to move downward. The weight of the weight part 143d of the ball release member 143 causes the ball release member 143 to rotate, and the partition part 143a retracts from between the entry opening 141a and the ball release opening 141b. As a result, the game balls B that entered the entry opening 141a from the upper tray 201 through the ball receiving opening and the ball feeding guide path 241b are discharged forward from the ball release opening 141b which is open below the entry opening 141a. Then, the game balls B discharged forward from the ball removal opening 141b are guided through the ball removal guide path 241c to the lower tray ball supply opening 211c from the notch 211d, and then released into the lower tray 202 from the lower tray ball supply opening 211c, so that the game balls B in the upper tray 201 are discharged into the lower tray 202.

[0307] When the downward pressure on the upper tray ball release button 222 is released, the biasing force of the spring causes the upper tray ball release slider 242 to move upward, raising the upper tray ball release button 222. At the same time, the actuation rod 143c, which is in contact with the actuation transmission part 242b, causes the ball release member 143 to rotate, so that the partition part 143a is positioned between the entry point 141a and the ball release opening 141b, returning it to its original state.

[0308] In this way, the upper tray ball removal unit 240 can either send the game balls B in the upper tray 201 to the ball launching device 540 via the ball supply unit 140, or discharge them to the lower tray 202.

[0309] [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 22 to 48. The plate decoration unit 250 has a lower plate 202 and is attached to the front of the plate base unit 210, and the performance operation unit 300 is attached to the center in the left-right direction from the front. The plate decoration unit 250 decorates almost the entire plate unit 200.

[0310] The plate decoration unit 250 comprises a lower plate body 251 attached to the lower front of the plate unit base 211 and working in cooperation with the plate unit base 211 to form the lower plate 202; a plate unit body 252 attached to the front of the plate unit base 211 so as to cover the outer circumference of the lower plate body 251; a lower plate ball removal unit 260 attached to the lower surface of the lower plate body 251; and a left plate decoration unit 270 and a right plate decoration unit 275, respectively, attached to the upper front of the plate unit body 252, spaced apart to the left and right.

[0311] [3-5d-1. Lower tray body] The lower tray body 251 of the plate decoration unit 250 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 50. The lower tray body 251 works in cooperation with the plate unit base 211 of the plate base unit 210 to form the lower tray 202. The lower tray body 251 extends to the left and right and is formed in a container shape (dish shape) with the top and rear open. This lower tray body 251 is attached to the lower front part of the plate unit base 211, to the left of the center in the left-right direction, such that the open rear is closed.

[0312] The lower pan body 251 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape that extends horizontally when viewed from above, with the front end on the left side protruding further forward than the right side from the center in the horizontal direction. In a view from above, the lower pan body 251 has a vertically penetrating lower pan ball release hole 202a formed near the front end on the right side. The bottom surface of the lower pan body 251 is inclined so as to be lower towards the lower pan ball release hole 202a. The lower pan ball release hole 202a is closed and opened by the lower pan ball release cover 265 of the lower pan ball release unit 260.

[0313] When assembled with the tray decoration unit 250, the lower tray body 251 has its outer circumference and part of its bottom surface covered by the tray unit body 252. Also, when assembled with the tray unit 200, the bottom surface of the lower tray body is located below the lower tray ball supply opening 211c of the tray unit base 211, and the lower tray ball release hole 202a is located in front of the lower tray ball supply opening 211c. This allows the game balls B released forward from the lower tray ball supply opening 211c to be stored.

[0314] [3-5d-2. Dish Unit Body] The plate unit body 252 in the plate decoration unit 250 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 48 and 49. The plate unit body 252 is attached to the front of the plate unit base 211 in the plate base unit 210 and decorates the front of the plate unit 200. The plate unit body 252 bulges outwards at the center in the left-right direction on the upper side, and bulges outwards at the left side in the left-right direction on the lower side. In addition, the top surface of the plate unit body 252 is curved so that the center in the left-right direction is the lowest. The plate unit body 252 is formed in a box shape that is open to the rear.

[0315] The plate unit body 252 includes upper side bulges 252a that bulge forward from both left and right ends toward the center in the left-right direction and extend downward, and are spaced apart to the left and right, and lower front decorative portion 252b that bulges forward on the left side from the center in the left-right direction so as to cover the outer circumference of the lower plate body 251.

[0316] The left and right upper side bulges 252a are fitted with a left plate decorative unit 270 and a right plate decorative unit 275 on their respective front surfaces.

[0317] The tray unit 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 sized to allow a player's fingers to be inserted and is formed to widen vertically towards the left. The lower tray opening 252d is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from front to back by the lower tray body 251 and the lower surface of the upper side bulge 252a on the left side.

[0318] Furthermore, although not shown in the illustration, the plate unit body 252 is formed between a pair of upper side bulges 252a that are in the center in the left-right direction and includes a performance control unit mounting section to which the performance control unit 300 is attached. The performance control unit mounting section is formed to be approximately 1 / 3 the width of the left-right width of the plate unit body 252.

[0319] The main body of the dish unit 252, when assembled with the dish unit 200, is formed to completely cover the front of the dish base unit 210, and the speaker opening 211b faces forward through the lower dish opening 252d.

[0320] [3-5d-3. Lower tray bulb 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 27 and 50. The lower tray ball removal unit 260 is attached to the lower surface of the lower tray body 251 and opens and closes the lower tray ball removal hole 202a to store game balls B in the lower tray 202 and to discharge game balls B from the lower tray 202.

[0321] The lower tray bulb removal unit 260 includes a lower tray bulb removal button 263 and a lower tray bulb removal cover 265 that opens and closes a through hole when the lower tray bulb removal button 263 is operated.

[0322] In the assembled state of the lower tray ball release unit 260 with the tray decoration unit 250, the lower tray ball release button 263 is aligned with the front surface of the lower front decoration portion 252b of the tray unit body 252, and the lower tray ball release cover 265 closes the lower tray ball release hole 202a. In this normal state, the lower tray ball release hole 202a is closed by the lower tray ball release cover 265, and game balls B can be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0323] In the normal state, pressing the lower tray ball release button 263 backward causes the lower tray ball release cover 265 to move, opening the lower tray ball release hole 202a, which allows the game balls B in the lower tray 202 to be discharged downward to the tray unit 200 through the lower tray ball release hole 202a.

[0324] Furthermore, when the lower tray ball release button 263 is pressed, the lower tray ball release cover 265 remains in the moved position, keeping the lower tray ball release hole 202a open, and allowing the game balls B in the lower tray 202 to be continuously discharged downwards.

[0325] To close the lower tray ball release hole 202a from this state, the lower tray ball release button 263, which is set back from the front of the lower front decorative part 252b, is pressed backward, and then the pressure is released. The lower tray ball release cover 265 returns to its normal position, and the lower tray ball release hole 202a is closed. This allows the game balls B to be stored in the lower tray 202.

[0326] [3-5d-4. Plate left decorative unit and plate right decorative unit] The left plate decoration unit 270 and the right plate decoration unit 275 of the plate decoration unit 250 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figure 48, etc. The left plate decoration unit 270 and the right plate decoration unit 275 are attached to the upper front of the upper side bulge 252a of the plate unit body 252. The left plate decoration unit 270 and the right plate decoration unit 275 decorate both the left and right sides of the performance operation unit 300 on the upper part of the plate unit 200.

[0327] The left-side decorative unit 270 comprises a semi-cylindrical, translucent left-side decorative body 271, a translucent left-side decorative lens 272 that penetrates the left-side decorative body 271, and a left-side decorative substrate 273 provided behind the left-side decorative lens 272 and having multiple LEDs mounted on its front surface.

[0328] The left plate ornament 271 extends in a curved shape, moving forward and downward from the left end to the right end, and is attached to the upper left side bulge 252a. The left plate ornament 271 is formed in a shape resembling a twisted semi-cylinder, with the central axis extending diagonally upward and to the left at the left end, and the central axis extending to the left and right at the right end. This left plate ornament 271 is made of milky white material.

[0329] The left-side decorative lens 272 extends longitudinally, coinciding with the front surface of the left-side decorative body 271. Multiple LEDs mounted on the left-side decorative substrate 273 are full-color LEDs, and by illuminating them, the left-side decorative body 271 can be illuminated.

[0330] When assembled to the door frame 3, the left end of the left-side decorative unit 270 is continuous with the lower end of the left-side door frame unit 420. Since the left-side decorative unit 270 does not have ribs along the longitudinal direction of the left-side decorative body 271, when the multiple LEDs on the left-side decorative substrate 273 are illuminated, the entire front surface of the left-side decorative body 271 can be illuminated almost uniformly, giving the appearance that fluorescent lights are embedded.

[0331] The right-side decorative unit 275 comprises a semi-cylindrical, translucent right-side decorative body 276, a translucent right-side decorative lens 277 that penetrates the right-side decorative body 276, and a right-side decorative substrate 278 provided behind the right-side decorative lens 277 and having multiple LEDs mounted on its front surface.

[0332] The right-hand decorative element 276 of the plate extends in a curved shape, moving forward and downward from the right end to the left end, and is attached to the upper right side bulge 252a. The right-hand decorative element 276 is formed in a shape resembling a twisted semi-cylinder, with the central axis extending diagonally to the upper right at the right end and extending to the left and right at the left end. This right-hand decorative element 276 of the plate is made of milky white material.

[0333] The right-side decorative lens 277 extends longitudinally, coinciding with the front surface of the right-side decorative body 276. Multiple LEDs mounted on the right-side decorative substrate 278 are full-color LEDs, and by illuminating them, the right-side decorative body 276 can be illuminated.

[0334] When assembled to the door frame 3, the right end of the right-side decorative unit 275 is continuous with the lower end of the right-side door frame unit 430. Since the right-side decorative unit 275 does not have ribs in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the right-side decorative body 276, when the multiple LEDs on the right-side decorative substrate 278 are illuminated, the entire front surface of the right-side decorative body 276 can be illuminated almost uniformly, making it appear as if a fluorescent light is embedded.

[0335] When assembled to the door frame 3, the left tray decoration unit 270 and the right tray decoration unit 275 protrude upward from the front end of the upper side bulge 252a of the tray unit body 252 of the tray decoration unit 250, creating a step between them where the left tray decoration unit 270 and the right tray decoration unit 275 are higher. This step between the left tray decoration unit 270 and the right tray decoration unit 275 and the upper side bulge 252a allows the player to hook their fingers, providing a grip when leveling the game balls B in the upper tray 201 or operating the performance control unit 301, which will be described later. Furthermore, the step between the left tray decoration unit 270 and the right tray decoration unit 275 and the upper side bulge 252a prevents the game balls B on the upper side bulge 252a from flowing forward.

[0336] [3-5e. Overall configuration of the production control unit] The overall configuration of the performance control unit 300 in the plate unit 200 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 52 to 56. Figure 52(a) is a perspective view of the performance control unit from the front with the performance control buttons facing upwards, and (b) is a perspective view of the performance control unit of (a) from the rear. Figure 53 is an exploded perspective view of the performance control unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front and above, and Figure 54 is an exploded perspective view of the performance control unit disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front and below. Figure 55(a) is a cross-sectional view of the performance control unit with the performance control unit in the lowered position and the lower holding member of the lifting spring in the upper end position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the performance control unit after it has moved from the state in (a) to the raised position. Figure 56 is a cross-sectional view of the performance control unit with the performance control unit in the lowered position and the lower holding member of the lifting spring in the lower end position.

[0337] The performance control unit 300 is located in the center of the plate unit 200 in the left-right direction. It not only decorates the plate unit 200 but also allows players to participate in the performance by operating it when a player-participation performance is being executed. The performance control unit 300 is attached to the plate base unit 210 and the plate decoration unit 250.

[0338] The performance control unit 300 is equipped with a performance control section 301 that can be operated by the player. The performance control section 301 consists of a contact control section 302 that the player can touch and operate, and a press control section 303 that the player can press and operate. It can receive the player's input and move (vibrate) the performance control section 301, allowing the player to participate not only in the operation of inserting the game ball B, but also in the performance effects during the game. The contact control section 302 of the performance control section 301 is located above the press control section 303. The contact control section 302 and the press control section 303 of the performance control section 301 are formed in a circular shape with a diameter approximately 5 / 8 of the outer diameter of the performance control unit 300.

[0339] The performance control unit 300 includes a performance control cover unit 310 with a spherical outer shape, which is provided on the front of the center in the left-right direction of the plate unit 200; an operation base 315 to which the performance control cover unit 310 is attached to the outside and which is attached to the front of the plate decoration unit 250; a performance control outer periphery decoration board 320 provided on the upper surface of the operation base 315 and on which multiple LEDs 320a are mounted for illuminating the upper part of the performance control cover unit 310 (unit upper cover 312); an outer periphery board cover 325 attached to the operation base 315 so as to cover the performance control outer periphery decoration board 320 from above; and an operation relay board unit 330 attached to the rear surface of the operation base 315.

[0340] Furthermore, the performance control unit 300 includes a performance control unit 350 having a performance control section 301, a performance control lifting mechanism 360 for raising and lowering the performance control unit 350, and a protrusion force adjustment mechanism 380 for adjusting the protrusion force of the performance control unit 350. The performance control unit 350 is provided so as to be able to move upward and backward from the upper surface of the performance control cover unit 310 by the performance control lifting mechanism 360.

[0341] [3-5e-1. Cover unit for the production control section] The performance control unit cover unit 310 of the performance control unit 300 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The performance control unit cover unit 310 is attached to the performance control unit mounting portion of the plate unit body 252 of the plate decoration unit 250 via the control unit base 315. The performance control unit cover unit 310 decorates the outer perimeter of the performance control unit 300 (around the performance control unit 350) at the center of the plate unit 200 in the left-right direction.

[0342] The performance control unit cover unit 310 comprises a hemispherical lower unit cover 311 that is open upwards and backwards, and an annular upper unit cover 312 provided above the lower unit cover 311 and having an insertion opening 312a through which the performance control unit 301 is inserted. The lower unit cover 311 is formed in a hemispherical shape so as to cover the front and bottom of the control unit base 315. The upper unit cover 312 is formed to be continuous with the outer surface of the lower unit cover 311. In other words, the outer surface of the performance control unit cover unit 310 is formed to be approximately spherical. Incidentally, the performance control unit cover unit 310 in this embodiment is spherical with a diameter of 216 mm.

[0343] The control unit cover unit 310 is mounted at an angle such that the axis of the annular unit upper cover 312 is positioned forward as it moves upward. In this embodiment, it is tilted at an angle of approximately 18 degrees (18.65 degrees) with respect to the vertical.

[0344] When assembled to the door frame 3, the front end of the control unit cover 310 is at 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 lower unit cover 311 is approximately half the total width of the door frame base 101 in the left-right direction.

[0345] The performance control unit cover unit 310 has at least the upper cover 312 of the unit that is translucent, and can be illuminated by the light emitted from multiple LEDs on the performance control unit outer peripheral decorative substrate 320, which will be described later.

[0346] When assembled to the disc unit 200, the front end of the control panel cover unit 310 protrudes significantly further forward than the upper disc 201 and lower disc 202. Furthermore, the control panel cover unit 310 is connected to the left and right sides of the lower cover 311 of the unit, with the left disc decorative element 271 and the right disc decorative element 276 extending outward. This makes the control panel 300 more prominent and improves its appearance through integrated decoration.

[0347] [3-5e-2. Control Unit Base] The control unit base 315 of the performance control unit 300 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The rear of the control unit base 315 is attached to the performance control unit mounting portion 212a of the upper tray body 212 of the tray base unit 210. The front and bottom of the control unit base 315 are covered by the unit lower cover 311, and the top is covered by the unit upper cover 312 and the performance control unit 301. The control unit base 315 is formed in a container shape with the top open.

[0348] The control unit base 315 comprises a roughly cubic box-shaped main body 315a with an open top, and a flange portion 315b extending outward from the upper end of the main body with a circular outer circumference. The main body 315a houses the performance control unit 350. The lower ends of the pair of guide shafts 362 and the central shaft 366 of the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360 in the performance control unit 350, which will be described later, are attached to the bottom wall of the main body 315a. The lower end of the adjustment screw 384 of the protrusion force adjustment mechanism 380 is rotatably supported on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the main body 315a. Furthermore, the board base 331 of the control unit relay board unit 330 is attached to the rear surface of the rear wall of the main body 315a.

[0349] The flange portion 315b has the outer peripheral decorative substrate 320 of the performance control unit mounted on its upper surface. Furthermore, an annular outer peripheral substrate cover 325 is attached to the flange portion 315b so as to sandwich the outer peripheral decorative substrate 320 of the performance control unit. The unit upper cover 312 is attached to the outer peripheral substrate cover 325.

[0350] When the control unit base 315 is assembled to the performance control unit 300, the upper surface of the flange portion 315b is positioned on approximately the same plane as the upper surface of the lower unit cover 311.

[0351] [3-5e-3. Control Panel Relay Board Unit] The control unit relay board unit 330 of the performance control unit 300 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The control unit relay board unit 330 is mounted on the rear surface of the control unit base 315. The control unit relay board unit 330 comprises a board base 331 mounted on the rear surface of the main body portion 315a of the control unit base 315, a control unit relay board 332 mounted on the rear surface of the board base 331, and a board cover 333 mounted on the board base 331 so as to cover the control unit relay board 332 from the rear.

[0352] The control unit relay board 332 relays the connections between the outer decorative board 320 of the performance control unit (front decorative board 321 and rear decorative board 322), the outer decorative board 355 of the buttons, the vibration motor 356, the contact detection sensor body 358, the inner decorative board 364 of the buttons, the operation button lifting drive motor 367, the pressure detection sensor 373, the lifting detection sensor 374, the protruding force detection sensor 375, and the protruding force adjustment drive motor 381, and the plate unit relay board 214 of the plate base unit 210.

[0353] [3-5e-4. Production Control Unit] The performance control unit 350 in the performance control unit 300 will be described in detail, mainly with reference to Figures 53 to 56. The performance control unit 350 is provided so as to face outward from the insertion opening 312a of the upper unit cover 312 in the performance control unit cover unit 310, and can function as a contact operation unit 302 or a pressing operation unit 303.

[0354] The performance control unit 350 comprises a bottomed cylindrical button body 351 with its upper end closed, a disc-shaped contact detection body 352 mounted on the upper part inside the button body 351, a cylindrical button sleeve 353 inserted into the button body 351 from below, a disc-shaped button base 354 attached to the lower end of the button sleeve 353 and supported so as to be able to move up and down by the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360, and an annular button exterior decoration substrate 355 positioned above the button base 354 and having multiple LEDs 355a mounted on its upper surface.

[0355] Furthermore, the performance control unit 350 includes a vibration motor 356 positioned between the button body 351 and the button sleeve 353, a motor cover 357 that attaches the vibration motor 356 to the button sleeve 353, and a contact detection sensor body 358 that is connected to a contact detection element 352 and attached to the outer circumference of the button sleeve 353.

[0356] The button body 351 is made entirely of transparent material. The button body 351 has a disc-shaped upper surface portion 351a that curves upward, a cylindrical portion 351b that extends downward from the outer circumference of the upper surface portion 351a, and a locking portion 351c that protrudes downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 351b. The upper surface portion 351a is shaped to form part of a sphere with the same diameter as the spherical surface of the performance control unit cover unit 310. This upper surface portion 351a is decorated with a circular ornament that has a diameter of approximately 1 / 2 of the outer diameter. The outer diameter (diameter) of the upper surface portion 351a (cylindrical portion 351b) is approximately 5 / 8 of the diameter of the performance control unit cover unit 310. The length (height) of the cylindrical portion 351b is approximately 5 / 8 of the diameter of the upper surface portion 351a. Four locking portions 351c are provided at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 351b. The locking portions 351c are locked to the button base 354. Incidentally, the button body 351 in this embodiment has a diameter of approximately 127 mm.

[0357] The contact detection body 352 has a circular outer circumference and is formed in a dish shape with a certain width of inward bulging upward from the outer circumference. The contact detection body 352 is located below the circular decoration on the upper surface 351a of the button body 351, bulging diagonally upward and having a flat inner surface. This makes the contact detection body 352 appear as part of the decoration of the button body 351. The contact detection body 352 has flat, downwardly extending pieces 352a extending downward from both the left and right ends and the rear end of the outer edge. The contact detection body 352 is attached to the lower surface of the upper surface 351a of the button body 351. The contact detection body 352 is made of perforated metal. The capacitance of the contact detection body 352 relative to its overall area is suppressed by the multiple holes in the perforated metal, preventing false detections. Furthermore, because the contact detection element 352 is made of perforated metal, light from the LED 364a of the button's decorative substrate 364 located below it can be transmitted upward, allowing the central part of the upper surface 351a of the button body 351 to be illuminated and decorated in a good manner.

[0358] The contact detection element 352 is connected to the external electrode terminal of the connection connector on the contact detection sensor body 358. This allows the contact detection element 352 to function as a sensor electrode for detecting capacitance, and to detect contact or approach of the object to be detected (the player's hand) to the top or side surface of the button body 351. In other words, the contact detection element 352 and the contact detection sensor body 358 work together to make the button body 351 function as a contact operation unit 302.

[0359] The button sleeve 353 has a cylindrical sleeve body 353a that extends vertically, and an annular flange portion 353b that extends outward from the lower end of the sleeve body 353a. The button sleeve 353 is made entirely of transparent material. The outer diameter of the sleeve body 353a is approximately 4 / 7 of the inner diameter of the button body 351, and its length is approximately the same as the length of the cylindrical portion 351b of the button body 351. The button sleeve 353 can transmit light upward from the multiple LEDs 355a of the button exterior decorative substrate 355 through the flange portion 353b.

[0360] The button base 354 is disc-shaped with a diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the button body 351 and is attached to the lower end of the button body 351 so as to close the open lower end of the button body 351. The button base 354 includes a pair of guide holes 354a that penetrate vertically at symmetrical points with respect to the center, a central hole 354b that penetrates vertically at the center, and a pair of guide pins 354c that protrude toward the center from the inner surface of the central hole. The guide shafts 362 of the lifting mechanism 360 of the performance control unit are slidably inserted into each of the pair of guide holes 354a. The central hole 354b is formed with an inner diameter large enough for the lifting cam member 371 to pass through. The pair of guide pins 354c face each other on the same axis and are mounted so as to be rotatable around the axis.

[0361] The button base 354 extends downward and further has a flat detection piece 354d that is detected by the pressure detection sensor 373 of the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360. The locking portion 351c of the button body 351 is locked to the outer surface of the button base 354. The button base 354 is guided to move up and down by a pair of guide shafts 362 being inserted through a pair of guide holes 354a. The button base 354 is also moved up and down by a pair of guide pins 354c being guided by the cam portion 371a of the lifting cam member 371. The upper ends of a pair of lifting springs 365 of the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360 abut against the lower surface of the button base 354 and is biased upward by the pair of lifting springs 365.

[0362] The button exterior decoration substrate 355 has multiple LEDs 355a mounted on its upper surface. The multiple LEDs 355a are arranged in rows on a double concentric circumference. More specifically, the multiple LEDs 355a are provided in a portion slightly outside the sleeve body 353a of the button sleeve 353 and in a portion near the center of the width of the flange portion 353b. By appropriately illuminating the LEDs 355a of the button exterior decoration substrate 355, the portion on the upper surface of the button body 351 outside the contact detection element 352 and the side (circumferential surface) of the button body 351 can be illuminated and decorated.

[0363] The vibration motor 356 has an eccentric weight attached to its rotating shaft, and vibrations can be generated by rotating the weight. The vibration motor 356 is positioned so that its rotating shaft extends in the left-right direction. In other words, the vibration motor 356 is positioned so that its rotating shaft extends in a direction perpendicular to the forward and backward direction of the performance control unit 301. Furthermore, the vibration motor 356 is located in a position that is on a straight line passing through a pair of guide shafts 362 that guide the performance control unit 301 (performance control unit 350) in the vertical direction. This allows vibrations from the vibration motor 356 to be transmitted well to the performance control unit 301. In addition, the vibrations from the vibration motor 356 can reduce the impact on the pair of guide holes 354a (pair of guide shafts 362).

[0364] The contact detection sensor body 358 is a capacitance sensor. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the contact detection sensor body 358 includes a sensor IC having a surge protection circuit, an oscillator circuit, a detection and smoothing circuit, and a comparator circuit, an output circuit, a constant voltage circuit for supplying power to the sensor IC and output circuit, a sensor electrode, and a connection connector. The contact detection sensor body 358 can detect the capacitance of the sensor electrode it contains. Furthermore, the connection connector of the contact detection sensor body 358 has an external electrode terminal connected to the sensor electrode, and this external electrode terminal is connected to the contact detection body 352. In other words, the contact detection sensor body 358 can make the contact detection body 352 function as an external sensor electrode. The contact detection sensor body 358 detects capacitance with the sensor electrode and outputs an ON signal when it exceeds a predetermined capacitance set by an external resistor. In this embodiment, an ON signal is output when the predetermined capacitance is exceeded, but it may also output multiple signals depending on the magnitude of the capacitance.

[0365] In this embodiment, the performance control unit 350 is provided with a contact detection body 352 on the underside of the upper surface 351a of the button body 351, which functions as a sensor electrode for detecting capacitance by a contact detection sensor body 358. Therefore, contact or approach of an object to be detected (the player's hand) to the upper surface of the button body 351 can be detected via the contact detection body 352. Furthermore, since the contact detection body 352 of the performance control unit 350 has a plurality of downwardly extending pieces 352a, contact or approach of an object to be detected (the player's hand) to the side of the button body 351 can be detected even when the performance control unit 350 is protruding upward. Thus, the performance control unit 350, with the contact detection body 352 and the contact detection sensor body 358, can make the button body 351 function as a contact control unit 302.

[0366] The performance control unit 350 is supported by the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360 so that it can move up and down vertically. When the performance control unit 350 is moved to its lowest position (normal position), the upper surface 351a of the button body 351 coincides with the upper surface of the unit upper cover 312 of the performance control unit cover unit 310, making the performance control unit 300 appear as a single sphere. When the performance control unit 350 is moved upward from its normal position by the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360, the upper surface 351a of the button body 351 protrudes above the upper surface of the unit upper cover 312, and can function as a press operation unit 303 by being pressed downward against the biasing force of the lifting spring 365.

[0367] More specifically, in its lowest position (normal state), the performance control unit 350 cannot be pressed any further downwards, making it impossible to perform a pressing operation. In this normal state, the detection piece 354d of the button base 354 is detected by the pressure detection sensor 373 of the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360. When the performance control unit 350 is moved upwards from its normal position by the performance control unit lifting mechanism 360, the detection piece 354d of the button base 354 separates from the pressure detection sensor 373, resulting in a non-detection state. When the upper surface of the performance control unit 350 is pressed downwards, and the performance control unit 350 is lowered to its lowest position against the biasing force of the lifting spring 365, the detection piece 354d of the button base 354 is detected by the pressure detection sensor 373. This detects a pressing operation of the performance control unit 350 (pressure control unit 303).

[0368] Furthermore, since the performance control unit 350 covers the contact detection body 352, which is made of perforated metal, with the button body 351, when operating the contact control unit 302, the player touches the smooth spherical upper surface of the button body 351, and does not directly touch the surface of the perforated metal which has bumps and indentations due to multiple holes, allowing the player to operate the contact control unit 302 smoothly. In addition, because the contact detection body 352 is covered with the button body 351, it is possible to create fine bumps and indentations or multiple grooves on the surface (upper surface) of the button body 351, thereby providing the contact control unit 302 with any desired tactile sensation. This increases the design freedom...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine that conducts a lottery based on the fulfillment of predetermined conditions and awards a prize based on the result of the lottery, A first multicolor light emission control execution means executes a first multicolor light emission control that causes multiple light-emitting units to emit light in a multicolor light emission pattern when the first condition is met when the aforementioned benefit is granted based on the results of the aforementioned lottery, A second multicolor light emission control execution means executes a second multicolor light emission control that causes the plurality of light-emitting units to emit light in a multicolor light emission pattern when a second condition that can be met other than when the aforementioned benefit is granted based on the results of the aforementioned lottery is met, A specific light-emitting unit is provided separately from the plurality of light-emitting units, Equipped with, The gaming machine has at least two states: a first state and a second state that is different from the first state. The specified light-emitting unit is provided separately from the performance display device that performs a predetermined performance display, and is in a manner different from both the multicolor light emission mode by the first multicolor light emission control and the multicolor light emission mode by the second multicolor light emission control, and can be controlled in a predetermined manner related to the result of the lottery. When the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control is terminated, there are cases in which the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit is continued, and cases in which the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit is also terminated. When the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the first state, even if the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control ends, the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit may continue. When the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the second state, both the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control, and the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit, are terminated. When the aforementioned benefit is granted based on the results of the aforementioned lottery, the performance display device can display a specific multi-color display image in a rainbow pattern in connection with the execution of the first multi-color light emission control. In relation to the execution of the first multicolor emission control, the specific multicolor display image can be displayed, whereas in relation to the execution of the second multicolor emission control, the specific multicolor display image cannot be displayed. The light intensity of the multicolor emission mode performed on the plurality of light-emitting units by the first multicolor emission control or the light intensity of the multicolor emission mode performed on the second multicolor emission control changes based on a predetermined light intensity adjustment operation, but the light intensity of the predetermined mode performed on the specific light-emitting unit does not change based on a predetermined light intensity adjustment operation. Furthermore, if a predetermined error notification is executed while the specific multicolor display image is being displayed during the first multicolor light emission control, the multicolor light emission mode performed by the first multicolor light emission control on the plurality of light-emitting units will terminate, but there are at least cases in which the specific multicolor display image can be viewed even after the error notification is executed. Furthermore, if the state of the gaming machine is controlled to the second state while the specific multi-color display image is being displayed, a notification image indicating that the machine is in the second state will be displayed on the display device. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

Images