Sparrow ball game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving operability in a game.SOLUTION: A token supply port 401 is disposed to the left side of an upper surface part 51 of a control panel part 50, and is formed while extending linearly such that an end in a left side of the token supply port 401 is positioned in front of an end in a right side thereof when the token supply port 401 is seen from above. A rib 415 projecting upward is formed in the rear of a back plate part 413 in an upper part of a token supply member 410. The rib 415 is disposed with a predetermined space in the rear of the back plate part 413. The predetermined space between the back plate part 413 and the rib 415 is space capable of sandwiching and holding a thin object, such as a note and a prepaid card.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Sparrow ball a gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] In a pachinko machine (for example, see Patent Document 1), which is a type of gaming machine, there are provided a game board having a game area for playing games with game balls, a box-shaped housing (main body) for housing the game board, and a front door (opening / closing door) capable of opening and closing the front opening of the housing. A center accessory is arranged at the center of the game board, and an image display device such as a liquid crystal display is provided on the game board and the front door. In such a pachinko machine, when a game ball enters the ball entry port provided in the game area, the symbol corresponding to the ball entry port where the game ball enters is added to the hand as a tehai symbol, and when the combination of the tehai symbols displayed on the image display device is a preset winning combination, a predetermined number of game medals can be obtained.

[0003] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, it is required to improve the operability during games and the interest of the games. Also, in such gaming machines, it is required to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, although technical development has been carried out to improve the operability during games, it has not been sufficient.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and is capable of improving the operability during games Sparrow ballThe purpose is to provide amusement machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve this objective, the Mahjong Ball Game Machine according to the present invention (for example, the Mahjong Ball Game Machine JM in the embodiment) comprises a main body, game components held in the main body (for example, the game board 100 in the embodiment), an opening / closing door attached to the main body so as to be openable and closable and having a window for viewing the game components held in the main body, an operation panel provided below the window in the opening / closing door and bulging forward, a coin insertion section provided on one of the left or right sides of the upper part of the operation panel and having a coin insertion slot into which coins are inserted, and an operation section (for example, a launch handle 700 in the embodiment) provided on the other of the left or right sides of the opening / closing door and below the operation panel for launching game balls. A storage tray for storing medals (for example, a game medal storage tray 72 in this embodiment) is provided at the lower part of the opening and closing door, protruding forward, and The coin slot is formed to extend linearly such that, when viewed from above, one end of the left or right side is positioned in front of the other end. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of one end of the storage pan is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the other end of the storage pan. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the operability during gameplay can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a Jankyu arcade game machine. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a jan gaming machine where the game board is visible through the window. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing the Jyan game machine with the front door open. [Figure 4] This is a rear view of the front door. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the arcade game machine with the front door and retaining frame open. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of the retaining frame. [Figure 7] This is a front view of the game board. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the game board seen from the front. [Figure 9] It is an enlarged view of the control panel section. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of the center accessory seen from the front. [Figure 11] It is an exploded perspective view of the center accessory. [Figure 12] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the center accessory. [Figure 13] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the center accessory showing the state where the left and right opening / closing passage portions are located at the first passage switching position. [Figure 14] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the center accessory showing the state where the left opening / closing passage portion is located at the second passage switching position. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view of the right passage switching section and the right support section seen from the front. [Figure 16] It is an exploded perspective view of the right passage switching section and the right support section. [Figure 17] It is a front view of the right passage switching section and the right support section. [Figure 18] It is an exploded perspective view of the front door seen from the front. [Figure 19] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the portion surrounded by the circle C1 in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] It is an exploded perspective view of the front door seen from the rear. [Figure 21] It is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the lower side portion of the front door. [Figure 22] It is a plan view of the medal storage tray. [Figure 23] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the left side portion of the control panel section. [Figure 24] It is a perspective view of the medal selector and the medal discharge mechanism seen from the rear. [Figure 25] It is an exploded perspective view of the medal selector and the medal discharge mechanism seen from the front. [Figure 26] It is an enlarged perspective view showing the portion surrounded by the circle C2 in FIG. 24. [Figure 27]This is a top-down cross-sectional view of the medal selector and medal dispensing mechanism. [Figure 28] This is a plan view cross-sectional view of the medal selector and medal dispensing mechanism from below. [Figure 29] This is a front view perspective of the selection button unit. [Figure 30] This is an exploded perspective view of the selection button unit. [Figure 31] This is a bottom view of the selection button unit. [Figure 32] This is a side view of the selection button unit. [Figure 33] This is a disassembled perspective view of the launch handle. [Figure 34] This is an enlarged perspective view showing the area enclosed by circle C3 in Figure 33. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, as an example of a game machine according to this embodiment, the basic configuration of a jackpot game machine will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In this embodiment, the directions indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 will be described as the up-and-down direction, the front-and-back direction, and the left-and-right direction, respectively.

[0011] [Basic configuration of a ball-playing game machine] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the Jumbo Ball game machine JM according to this embodiment comprises a box-shaped housing 10 with an open front, a retaining frame 20 that holds the game board 100 and is attached to the housing 10, and a front door 30 that covers the front side of the retaining frame 20 and is attached to the housing 10. The retaining frame 20 is attached to the housing 10 so that the front opening of the housing 10 can be opened and closed laterally using upper and lower hinge mechanisms 5a and 5b located on the left front of the housing 10. The front door 30 is attached to the housing 10 so that the front side of the retaining frame 20 can be opened and closed laterally using upper and lower hinge mechanisms 5a and 5b. A locking device 35, also called a double lock, provided on the right side of the retaining frame 20 is used to keep the retaining frame 20 closed and the front door 30 covered, maintaining a closed state.

[0012] [Basic configuration of the front door] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front side of the front door 30 is provided with, from top to bottom, an upper panel section 300, a control panel section 50, and a lower panel section 70. A multi-layered window section W is formed in the center of the upper panel section 300, overlooking the game area PA located on the front side of the game board 100. An effect lamp 350 is provided in the upper center of the upper panel section 300. An upper left speaker unit 355, whose front is covered by an upper left speaker cover 331, is provided in the upper left of the upper panel section 300. An upper right speaker unit 356, whose front is covered by an upper right speaker cover 332, is provided in the upper right of the upper panel section 300. A left decorative member 326 is provided at the left end of the upper panel section 300, and a right decorative member 327 is provided at the right end of the upper panel section 300. The left decorative member 326 and the right decorative member 327 are light-emitting effect sections with a light-emitting substrate (not shown) positioned at the rear. A main control display device 360, which displays information related to the progress of the game, is provided at the lower end of the upper panel 300. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a double-glazed glass unit 305, which forms the rear layer of the window W, is attached to the rear side of the upper panel 300.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the control panel section 50 is formed as a bulge forward from approximately the center of the front door 30. The upper surface 51 of the control panel section 50 is provided with a medal insertion unit 400 having a medal insertion slot 401, a BET / win button 62, a selection button unit 450, an effect button unit 64 having effect buttons 64a and a cross button 64b, and a second effect display device 500 with a display screen 501 facing upward. An inclined surface section 53 formed in front of the upper surface 51 of the control panel section 50 is provided with an operation button unit 550 having three operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c. On the left side of the control panel section 50 is a return button 67 for performing an ejection operation (push operation) to eject game medals jammed in the medal selector 600 to the outside.

[0014] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the left rear side of the control panel 50 is provided with a medal selector 600 that sorts whether the game medals inserted into the medal slot 401 conform to a predetermined standard, and a medal discharge mechanism 660 that discharges game medals jammed in the medal selector 600 to the outside in response to a press operation of the return button 67.

[0015] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a lower speaker unit 68 is provided at the front lower part of the control panel 50. A firing handle 700 is provided at the lower right part of the control panel 50. The firing handle 700 has a shape that resembles a pistol, and is configured so that the firing strength of the game balls is adjusted by gripping the grip 726 and twisting it clockwise (when viewed from the front), and the game balls are fired by pulling the trigger 727.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, a game token dispenser 71 for dispensing game tokens is provided at the bottom of the lower panel 70, and a game token storage tray 72 for storing game tokens is provided facing the game token dispenser 71. Also, a keyhole 36 for a locking device 35 for opening and closing the front door 30 and the retaining frame 20 is located on the right side of the lower panel 70. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a ball feeding unit 76 having a game ball storage section 77 capable of storing game balls is provided on the left rear side of the lower panel 70.

[0017] [Basic configuration of the holding frame] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the game board 100 is set and held in place on the upper side of the holding frame 20 so as to be detachable from the rear, and the game area PA provided on the front side of the game board 100 can be seen through the window W of the front door 30 (upper panel 300). As shown in Figure 3, an upper outer rail portion 28, which is part of the rail surrounding the game area PA of the game board 100, is formed on the upper part of the holding frame 20.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, a launching unit 21 is provided on the lower left front side of the holding frame 20, which launches and fires game balls toward the game area PA. In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, the number of game balls that can be fired in one game is predetermined according to the number of Tehai symbols (condition elements for determining the establishment of a winning combination awarded by winning) that can be obtained in one game. Therefore, an unillustrated detection means (sensor) is provided to count the number of game balls fired from the launching unit 21, and the machine is configured so that more game balls than necessary are not fired in one game.

[0019] A game ball recovery passage (not shown) is formed on the rear of the middle section of the holding frame 20, through which game balls discharged from the game area PA to the rear of the game board 100 flow down. A game ball return passage 24 is formed on the lower left side of the holding frame 20, through which game balls that have flowed down the game ball recovery passage flow in. Above the game ball return passage 24 on the left side of the holding frame 20, a foul ball recovery passage 23 is formed through which game balls launched from the launching unit 21 that did not reach the game area PA, so-called foul balls, flow down toward the game ball return passage 24. Game balls that flow from the game ball recovery passage or the foul ball recovery passage 23 into the game ball return passage 24 return through the game ball return passage 24 to the game ball storage section 77 (see Figure 4) of the ball feeding unit 76, which is located on the back of the front door 30 (lower panel section 70), and are stored in the game ball storage section 77 of the ball feeding unit 76. The ball feeding unit 76 sends the game balls stored in the game ball storage unit 77 to the launching unit 21 one by one.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, an insertion medal passage opening 25 is formed in the lower center of the holding frame 20, through which a medal guide trough 615, provided on the medal selector 600 and extending to the rear, is inserted. Below the insertion medal passage opening 25 in the lower part of the holding frame 20, an discharge medal passage opening 26 is formed through which game medals dispensed from the hopper unit 11 pass toward the game medal dispensing outlet 73 of the front door 30 (lower panel section 70).

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a main control board 91 that performs the main control related to the progress of the game, an effect control board 92 that performs control related to the effects, and an image control board 93 that performs image display control of the first effect display device 151 are individually housed in board cases and arranged on the rear side of the game board 100 held in the holding frame 20. In this embodiment, a separate payout board is not provided, but a separate payout board may be provided. Also, the effect control board 92 and the image control board 93 may be composed of a single integrated board.

[0022] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a relay board 95 is installed in a board case on the lower right rear side of the holding frame 20. The relay board 95 transmits control information from the main control board 91 to various units such as the launch unit 21 and the hopper unit 11, which are controlled by the main control board 91. The relay board 95 also transmits control information from the performance control board 92 to performance devices such as speaker units, which are controlled by the performance control board 92.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, a board inspection opening 27 is formed in the lower right portion of the retaining frame 20, facing the back surface (front surface) of the relay board 95. A transparent cover member (not shown) is attached to the front lower right portion of the retaining frame 20 to cover the board inspection opening 27. With the front door 30 open and the front side of the retaining frame 20 exposed, the back surface of the relay board 95 can be viewed from the front through the cover member and the board inspection opening 27. As mentioned above, the relay board 95 is an important board that relays control information transmitted from the main control board 91. Therefore, by providing a cover member and a board inspection opening 27 for viewing the back surface of the relay board 95, it is possible to easily check for any unauthorized activity on the back surface of the relay board 95 without removing the relay board 95 from the retaining frame 20.

[0024] [Basic internal configuration of the enclosure] As shown in Figure 5, in the lower (bottom) center of the enclosure 10, a predetermined winning pattern is displayed based on the result of the game. A hopper unit 11 is provided to dispense the game tokens that are won when the configuration is made. An auxiliary storage compartment 13 is provided on the lower right side of the cabinet 10 to store the game tokens that overflow from the hopper unit 11. A power supply unit 15 is provided on the lower left side of the cabinet 10 to supply power to the various devices installed in the Jankyu game machine JM.

[0025] [Basic configuration of the game board] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the game board 100 comprises a plate-shaped base member 101, an inner rail member 106 attached to the left front side of the base member 101, a right outer rail member 107 attached to the right front side of the base member 101, and a prize unit 111 attached to the lower front side of the base member 101. The base member 101 is formed in a plate shape using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material such as acrylic. When the game board 100 is set and held in the holding frame 20, the upper outer rail portion 28 formed on the upper part of the holding frame 20 is in contact with the upper front side of the base member 101. At this time, a game area PA is formed on the front surface of the base member 101, with the left area surrounded by the inner rail member 106, the right area surrounded by the right outer rail member 107, the upper area surrounded by the upper outer rail portion 28, and the lower area surrounded by the prize unit 111.

[0026] The upper outer rail section 28 is formed in an arc shape with an open bottom, guiding the game balls launched from the launch unit 21 to the game area PA. The right outer rail member 107 is formed in an arc shape with an open left side, and is positioned adjacent to the lower right end of the upper outer rail section 28 on the front surface of the base member 101. The inner rail member 106 is formed in an arc shape with an open right side, and is positioned on the front surface of the base member 101 at a predetermined distance to the right of the upper outer rail section 28. As a result, a launch passage 109 is formed between the inner rail member 106 and the upper outer rail section 28, connecting the launch unit 21 to the upper part of the game area PA.

[0027] The game area PA is equipped with multiple game pins and a windmill 105, as well as various prize-winning devices such as a prize-winning unit 111 into which game balls can enter, upper and lower individual prize-winning devices 113a and 113b, a large prize-winning device 115, a pass-through gate 118 through which game balls can pass, and a center mechanism 200 having a pass-through opening 201 through which game balls can pass. Furthermore, a first performance display device 151 that displays performance images according to the state of the game is mounted on the rear side of the base member 101, and the display screen of the first performance display device 151 is made visible from the front via the base member 101 or the center mechanism 200.

[0028] The prize winning unit 111 is located at the lower end of the game area PA. The prize winning unit 111 has 25 prize winning slots 112, 112, ... arranged in a left-right direction, into which game balls can be entered. The central prize winning slot 112 in the prize winning unit 111 (the 13th prize winning slot from the left or right end) functions as a ball entry slot (hereinafter also referred to as a specific ball entry slot 112m) that assigns the "7" symbol as the winning symbol as a condition element for forming a winning combination. The 12 prize slots 112, 112, ... positioned on either side of the designated entry slot 112m (the central prize slot 112) function as entry slots that assign the following symbols as winning combinations, in order from the designated entry slot side: "Blank A" symbol, "6" symbol, "Blank B" symbol, "5" symbol, "Blank C" symbol, "4" symbol, "Blank D" symbol, "3" symbol, "Blank E" symbol, "2" symbol, "Blank F" symbol, and "1" symbol.

[0029] The upper single-unit prize entry device 113a is located on the left side of the game area PA. The upper single-unit prize entry device 113a has one prize entry opening 114a into which game balls can be entered. The prize entry opening 114a of the upper single-unit prize entry device 113a functions as a ball entry opening that assigns "special symbol A" as the winning symbol as a condition element for forming a winning combination. The lower single-unit prize entry device 113b is located below the upper single-unit prize entry device 113a on the left side of the game area PA. The lower single-unit prize entry device 113b has one prize entry opening 114a into which game balls can be entered. It has one prize slot 114b into which a ball can enter. The prize slot 114b of the lower standalone prize device 113b functions as a ball slot that assigns "special symbol B" as the winning symbol as a condition element for forming a winning combination. In this way, the upper and lower standalone prize devices 113a and 113b are provided to increase the number of winning combinations.

[0030] The large prize device 115 is located on the lower right side of the game area PA. The large prize device 115 is an openable type prize device having a large prize opening 116 into which game balls can be entered, and an openable / closed member 117 that can open and close the large prize opening 116. The large prize opening 116 also functions as a ball entry point into which special symbols are assigned as winning symbols as a condition element for forming a winning combination.

[0031] The passage gate 118 is located above the large prize device 115 on the right side of the game area PA. The passage gate 118 has a passage opening 119 through which game balls can pass. The passage opening 119 of the passage gate 118 functions as an opening condition device. The center mechanism 200 is located approximately in the center of the game area PA. The passage opening 201 of the center mechanism 200 functions as a score increasing device.

[0032] Furthermore, the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment has a storage function, similar to conventional slot machines. That is, in the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, if more game tokens than the number required for the game are inserted, or if game tokens (hereinafter, game tokens given as a bonus will also be referred to as prize tokens) are awarded, it is possible to store up to 50 game tokens as game data in a storage device (not shown). If the total number of game tokens stored in the storage device (hereinafter, game tokens stored in the storage device will also be referred to as stored tokens) and the number of prize tokens obtained in the current game exceeds 50, the number of game tokens exceeding 50 (the total number minus 50) is dispensed from the hopper unit 11 into the game token storage tray 74. Furthermore, when ending a game, the player can operate a settlement button (not shown) (the BET / winning button 62, selection button unit 450, operation button unit 550, etc. may be set to have a "settlement" function), which will dispense the number of game tokens stored in the storage device from the hopper unit 11, and the game tokens will be settled.

[0033] [Example of display / effect] Next, an example of the display of the Tehai symbol and other effects by the second display device 500 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 shows an example of the content of the display of the second display device 500 during gameplay of the Jankyu game machine JM, including the Tehai symbol display 505, the launch intensity level display 506, and the guide display 507.

[0034] The Tehai symbol display 505 is a display that shows the elements of the conditions for forming a winning combination assigned to the player based on the progress of the game (launching game balls, balls entering various winning slots). In the example in Figure 9, it shows that two game balls have entered the winning slots 112, 112, ... of the winning unit 111, which are assigned the function to assign the "3" symbol as the Tehai symbol, and one game ball has entered the winning slot assigned the function to assign the "1" symbol as the Tehai symbol. The display shows that the Tehai (hand) currently held by the player is "3", "3", and "1". At this time, although not shown in the illustration, the sum of the numerical values ​​of the Tehai symbols displayed as Tehai symbol display 505 on the second performance display device 500 ("7") is displayed as the winning combination in a specific display area in the center of the display screen of the first performance display device 151. Furthermore, the specific display area of ​​the first display device 151 may display not only the sum of the numerical values ​​of the Tehai symbols, but also the names of winning combinations based on special combinations such as "○○ Bonus" and "×× Chance."

[0035] The firing intensity level indicator 506 is the amount of operation of the firing handle 700 (twist operation of the grip 726). This display changes according to the amount of input, and visualizes an estimate of how strongly the game ball will be launched based on the current input.

[0036] In the gameplay of the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment (details will be described later), it is necessary to aim for the formation of a winning combination that triggers the acquisition of prize medals using a limited number of game balls in a single game. Therefore, unlike pachinko game machines, if you try to adjust the launch strength by firing game balls as a test, there is a risk that the test shots will be wasted. For this reason, it is necessary to estimate the launch strength to some extent from the first ball and fire the game ball accordingly. The launch strength level indicator 506 plays a role in assisting the adjustment of the amount of operation of the launch handle 700.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 9, the firing intensity level indicator 506 is a meter-shaped display extending vertically, with the colored area indicating the approximate firing intensity of the current firing handle 700. Note that the display example for the firing intensity level indicator 506 is just one example; other display methods such as a pie chart or a numerical display such as "○○%" may also be adopted, and players may be allowed to arbitrarily select from these multiple display methods. When adopting a numerical display method, instead of precise 1% increments, the values ​​may be rounded to 2% or 5%, increasing the player's reliance on adjusting the amount of operation of the firing handle 700, thereby enhancing the element of skill intervention. Furthermore, beginners may not understand the current firing intensity displayed on the firing intensity level indicator 506. Therefore, auxiliary indicators such as auxiliary lines may be shown in the middle of the meter-shaped display of the firing intensity level indicator 506 to suggest the reference level for "top firing" (firing to the center of the game area PA) or "right-side firing" (firing to the right of the game area PA). Furthermore, the color of the colored portion of the meter-like display that indicates the current firing intensity may be configured to gradually change from blue (left-handed firing), green (top firing), and red (right-handed firing) to provide supplementary information.

[0038] Guide display 507 indicates whether or not the player should perform a "Ste" operation on the Tehai symbols they currently possess to acquire new Tehai symbols. In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, when a situation arises where the player can win prize medals, win more prize medals, or win a bonus (jackpot) depending on which of the Tehai symbols they currently possess perform a "Ste" operation, it is possible to display guide display 507 that indicates which Tehai symbol is the recommended target for the "Ste" operation.

[0039] Here, "Ste" refers to the act of choosing whether or not to relinquish the rights to the currently held Tehai symbols and play a game (launching game balls) with the aim of acquiring new Tehai symbols. In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, the opportunity to perform the "Ste" operation is granted only once per game in the normal state. That is, the game is designed so that three game balls are launched in one game, and the aim is to complete a winning combination by acquiring three Tehai symbols, and one "Ste" operation makes it possible to launch one more game ball (acquire a Tehai symbol) (details will be described later). However, it should be noted that the number of Tehai symbols acquired in one game and the number of "Ste" operations can be changed as appropriate depending on the gameplay (specifications, specs) of the Jankyu game machine.

[0040] Note that the "Station" operation is not always necessary. If you wish to receive a payout for a winning combination obtained by launching three game balls, you can also "win" (end a round) by operating the BET / Win button 62.

[0041] As mentioned above, the guide display 507 is a display that shows how to win more prize medals by performing the "Station" operation in this game. The player will operate one of the three operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c to determine which operation button 5 The Tehai symbols corresponding to 51a, 551b, and 551c can be manipulated using the "Ste" function. Note that the guide display 507 is not displayed if the combination of Tehai symbols obtained with the first three game balls does not result in a winning combination that would allow for the acquisition of prize medals, and in this case, the "Ste" operation will not be effective.

[0042] Furthermore, the content of the visual displays during gameplay of the Jankyu gaming machine JM is not limited to the examples described above. For example, the first visual display device 151 may be configured to display the aforementioned Tehai symbol display 505. The second visual display device 500 may be configured to display a preview image or a visual effect indicating the game result. In addition, the first visual display device 151 and the second visual display device 500 may be configured to display a menu screen for visual customization functions (such as volume adjustment or changing the visual mode).

[0043] [How to play the Jankyu arcade game] Next, we will explain how to play the JM pachinko machine according to this embodiment. First, we will explain how to play in "normal gameplay," which is a state in which a bonus (jackpot) game in which the condition device (also called the "condition continuous device" or "feature continuous activation device") is activated is not being played.

[0044] First, the player inserts three or more game tokens into the token slot 401 and operates the BET / Win button 62, or uses stored tokens stored in a storage device (not shown) to operate the BET / Win button 62, thereby inserting the required number of game tokens (3 tokens) to start the game. In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, once the game has started using the required number of game tokens by the player operating the BET / Win button 62, it is possible to play the game using up to four game balls.

[0045] In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, the number of Tehai symbols obtained as a result of the player's gameplay is set to 3 (sometimes referred to as "3 Tehai symbols"), and the player initially launches 3 game balls. The maximum number of game balls used in one game is set to 4, but the launch of a fourth game ball is restricted until a game result is obtained in which 3 Tehai symbols are acquired and the "Ste" described later takes place. Note that Jankyu game machines employing other gameplay features may have an "automatic symbol setting function (automatic tile distribution function)" that automatically sets the Tehai symbols randomly when the game starts. The Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment does not have an "automatic symbol setting function," and the game starts with no Tehai symbols set at the beginning of the game.

[0046] When the player operates the launch handle 700 and launches three game balls, the Tehai symbols are memorized in the order in which the balls entered the machine. The memorized Tehai symbols are displayed from left to right on the Tehai symbol display 505 of the second display device 500.

[0047] In the JM pachinko machine according to this embodiment, the game balls can be launched one at a time by pulling the trigger 727 on the launch handle 700 with a finger. However, by continuously pulling the trigger 727, it is possible to continuously launch game balls equal to the number of Tehai symbols that can be acquired. That is, in "normal gameplay," three Tehai symbols can be acquired at the start of the game, so by continuously pulling the trigger 727 on the launch handle 700, three game balls can be launched in succession. If one game ball has already been launched, by continuously pulling the trigger 727, it is possible to launch two game balls in succession. Furthermore, if the continuous pulling of the trigger 727 is stopped at the time two game balls have been launched, the launch of the third game ball will be stopped, and the third game ball can be launched by performing a separate launch operation on the trigger 727.

[0048] When a player fires three game balls and acquires three Tehai symbols, the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment sets a period for accepting input of a "Sute" operation from the player. A "Sute" operation is an operation to abandon the fulfillment of the conditions for a winning combination (including a loss) that can be formed by the three acquired Tehai symbols, and to erase the memory information of one Tehai symbol (sometimes referred to as "cutting" or "discarding" the Tehai symbol). The player can perform a "Sute" operation by operating the operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c (left operation button 551a, middle operation button 551b, and right operation button 551c). The acquired Tehai symbols are assigned sequentially starting from the left operation button 551a, and the "Sute" operation can be performed in correspondence with the three symbol display positions on the Tehai symbol display 505 of the second performance display device 500.

[0049] When the player operates one of the three control buttons 551a, 551b, or 551c, and the information related to any of the Tehai symbols is erased, a new game ball becomes available to be launched. The player can then launch the game ball by operating the launch handle 700 and acquire a new Tehai symbol.

[0050] When the player performs a "Ste" operation and launches a new game ball, acquiring a new Tehai symbol, the game determines whether a winning combination has been formed by combining it with the two Tehai symbols initially acquired. Then, when the player operates the BET / Agari button 62, the payout process (dispensing game tokens by the hopper unit 11, etc.) is executed, awarding the prize tokens according to the winning combination, and one game ends. If no winning combination is formed, the payout process is omitted.

[0051] Furthermore, if the Tehai symbols acquired in the first three games satisfy the activation conditions of the condition device that triggers the bonus (jackpot) game, a game outcome determination is performed at that point, and a process to transition the game state (start of bonus game) is executed. This is designed to prevent the activation conditions for the bonus (jackpot) game from being forfeited due to incorrect "state" operation. In addition, if the BET / Agari button 62, which is the operation to end the game, is pressed with a winning combination of Tehai symbols acquired in the first three games, a game outcome determination is performed at that point, and a payout process is executed to award prizes (prize medals) according to the winning combination.

[0052] Furthermore, if no winning combination is formed by the Tehai symbols acquired in the first three spins, and even if a new Tehai symbol is acquired through the "Ste" operation, there is no possibility of forming a winning combination with the acquired Tehai symbol, and there is no possibility of acquiring a combination of Tehai symbols that is a condition for starting a bonus (jackpot) game, then the "Ste" operation cannot be performed. In this case, the player ends the game by operating the BET / Agari button 62.

[0053] In this embodiment of the Jankyu game machine JM, the types of winning combinations include combinations where the Tehai symbols are the same, such as "7", "7", "7", "2", "2", "2", "Blank C", "Blank C", "Blank C", and other identical numbers, as well as combinations where the total number of Tehai symbols is 15 or more, such as "7", "5", "4" (total 16). The payout (number of game tokens dispensed) differs depending on the type of winning combination. The order in which the Tehai symbols are acquired is irrelevant to determining the winning combination; it is determined by the combination of the three Tehai symbols.

[0054] In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, the combination "7", "7", and "7" is set as a combination that satisfies the activation conditions of the condition device that triggers the start of a bonus (jackpot) game under any circumstances during "normal gameplay," and is configured to transition to a bonus (jackpot) game when it is achieved.

[0055] In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, when a specific winning combination is set as a bonus symbol and the conditions for executing a bonus (jackpot) game are met as a result of the game, a freeze period is provided in which the main control board 91 temporarily stops the progress of the game during the timing of the announcement effect at the start of the game and the execution period of the result notification effect, and the operation of launching game balls by the launch handle 700 (trigger 727) and the operation of the BET / win button 62 are temporarily disabled.

[0056] Furthermore, in the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, when starting a game using a uniform lottery table (hereinafter referred to as the "bonus lottery table"), a lottery is conducted to add one of the other winning combinations as a combination that satisfies the activation conditions of the condition device that serves as the starting condition for the bonus (jackpot) game. Therefore, when starting a game, the game has the characteristic of setting a combination of Tehai symbols such as "3", "3", "1" (a special combination that pays out one coin) or a combination of Tehai symbols such as "7", "7", "5" (a "7" reach miss) as the starting condition for the bonus game. In this bonus game winning combination lottery, multiple winning combinations can be determined as the winning combination for the bonus game. For example, if a combination is determined in which the sum of the Tehai symbols is "18" or more (such as "7", "7", "4", "7", "7", "5", or "7", "7", "6"), the first display device 151 will show a blackjack match against the dealer (dealer's Tehai sum is "17"), and it is possible to perform effects such as announcing that a bonus game will be triggered if the player wins against the dealer.

[0057] Based on the fact that combinations other than double "7"s are randomly selected as the conditions for triggering a bonus game, the system is configured to display predetermined pre-announcement effects on the first display device 151 and the second display device 500 when the game starts or when the Tehai symbol is acquired, providing information on the expected probability of winning a bonus game and whether a bonus game has been won. The predetermined pre-announcement effects include a "result notification effect" that notifies whether a bonus game will occur after the game results are displayed.

[0058] Furthermore, if the bonus lottery table determines that a predetermined combination other than "7", "7", and "7" is a winning combination that satisfies the activation conditions of the condition device that triggers the bonus game, the system may not clearly notify which combination has been determined as the winning combination for the bonus game. Under such conditions, if a winning combination other than "7", "7", and "7" is obtained, the player will realize that a bonus combination has been achieved because they cannot execute "Ste". For this reason, the system may be configured to notify the player to operate the BET / Agari button 62 when a winning combination that pays out a certain number of game tokens or more (for example, a payout of a predetermined number of 3 or more game tokens) is obtained as a winning combination at the time of launching 3 game balls. Combinations that are likely to be determined as winning combinations for the bonus game are sometimes called "chance combinations". For example, a combination of Tehai symbols consisting of two "7" symbols and one number other than "7" can be set as a "chance combination".

[0059] The "chance role" is configured such that in almost every game (for example, in over 90% of games), at least one combination is determined to be a bonus role. The system is configured so that the expected probability of which "chance role" is set as the winning combination for a bonus game is not announced, or the expected probability of the number of combinations that have been established as "chance roles" is not announced. This makes it possible to configure the system so that, in situations where a "chance role" has been established in almost every game, a chance role overlap win announcement (for example, an announcement similar to the reach announcement in a pachinko machine) can be executed at the end of the game to indicate whether or not a bonus game has been won, and to execute an announcement that enhances the excitement of the game in addition to the announcement at the start of the game.

[0060] In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, there are three Tehai symbols, which are used in one game. The maximum number of game balls is set to 4, but depending on the type of jackpot game machine, there may be 4 or more Tehai symbols, and the maximum number of game balls used in one game may be set to 5 or more. When there are 4 or more Tehai symbols, the left operation button 551a and the right operation button 551c may function as selection buttons to select which Tehai symbol's information to erase when performing a "Ste" operation, and the middle operation button 551b may function as a confirmation button to determine the selected Tehai symbol. In addition, the same number of operation buttons as the number of Tehai symbols set may be provided.

[0061] Next, we will explain the gameplay method for the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment while the condition device is in operation, that is, the gameplay method for bonus games (sometimes referred to as "jackpot" or "special game").

[0062] In this embodiment, the bonus game of the Jankyu game machine JM is configured to end after a predetermined number of rounds of play, or when another valid bonus game occurs. Additionally, as a special condition, the bonus game also ends if the game ends without any winning combinations (no winning combinations, no wins). However, this is set assuming that this will not occur when the player plays using the normal gameplay method recommended for bonus games, aiming to win prize medals.

[0063] The bonus game of the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment is provided with two types of bonus games: "BB1 (Big Bonus 1)" and "BB2 (Big Bonus 2)". In "BB1", the number of possible games (number of continuous rounds) is determined by lottery at the start, and either a "BIG_BONUS" of 4 games (4 rounds) or a "VIP_BONUS" of 10 games (10 rounds) is executed, with each type of BB1 being executed with approximately a 50% chance. As will be described in detail later, "BB2" is a bonus game that is executed when a predetermined game result is obtained in the 10th round (final round) of BB1 when it has been executed for 10 games, or when a predetermined game result is obtained in the final round (14th round) of BB2, ending the currently running BB1 or BB2, and is newly executed as a valid bonus game, consisting of 14 games (14 rounds).

[0064] First, in "normal gameplay," if a winning combination that triggers a bonus game (activation of the condition device) (for example, three "7"s or a 21-coin payout) is displayed as a Tehai symbol, the condition device for the bonus game BB1 ​​is activated, and the number of possible continuation rounds is drawn. Since the game in which a bonus game is triggered is treated as the first round of the bonus game, if the conditions for activating the condition device are met, such as when three "7"s are displayed in "normal gameplay," the "BIG BONUS" game will be executed for the next three games as BB1.

[0065] In "BIG_BONUS," a game is played that allows the "Score Increase Device 1" to be activated. "Score Increase Device 1" is activated in each game of "BIG_BONUS" when the first game ball passes through the passage 201 of the center mechanism 200. "Score Increase Device 1" is a device that multiplies the payout amount (number of medals paid out) of the winning combination by 10, that is, a device that makes it possible to acquire 30 game medals, which is the maximum number of medals that can be paid out in one game of the Jan Ball game machine JM according to this embodiment, in one game (1 round) during "BIG_BONUS".

[0066] Therefore, at the beginning of each round of "BIG_BONUS," the player performs a highly skill-based game in which they aim to launch game balls at the score-increasing device (the passage 201 of the center mechanism 200) located at the top center of the game area PA on the game board 100. In addition, during "BIG_BONUS," unlike "normal gameplay," the game is designed so that up to 5 game balls can be launched. Although this is done, the game is configured to restrict the launch of subsequent game balls until the first game ball enters one of the winning slots and one Tehai symbol is acquired. In this way, during "BIG BONUS," the first game ball is used to increase the number of prize medals that can be acquired in one game (1 round).

[0067] During the "BIG BONUS," the second and subsequent game balls are launched towards the large prize device 115 (large prize opening 116) and the "opening condition device" (passage opening 119 of the passage gate 118), which are located on the right side of the game area PA. The "opening condition device" is a device that opens the opening / closing member 117 of the large prize device 115 to make it easier for the game balls to enter the large prize opening 116, and is located above the large prize device 115 (upstream position in the direction of the game ball's flow). The large prize device 115 (large prize opening 116) and the "opening condition device" are positioned so that the game balls can easily enter by increasing the amount of twisting operation on the launch handle 700 (for example, by maximizing the amount of twisting operation). Furthermore, the "opening condition device" is active while the condition device is operating (during bonus gameplay), and even if a game ball passes through the "opening condition device" during "normal gameplay," the opening / closing member 117 of the big prize device 115 will not open, making it difficult for the ball to enter the big prize opening 116.

[0068] In the JM pachinko machine according to this embodiment, the large prize slot 116 also functions as a ball entry point that assigns the "Special 7" symbol as a winning symbol. The "Special 7" symbol is a symbol similar to the "7" symbol but with a slightly different design, and like the "7" symbol, it results in a 21-coin payout when all three are drawn. By performing a right-handed shooting game during the execution of a bonus game, shooting the game balls to the right side of the game area PA, three game balls enter the large prize slot 116, which has become easier to enter as the game balls pass through the "opening condition device," making it easy to acquire three "Special 7" symbols as winning symbols. In the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment, even if the first game ball does not pass through the score-increasing device (pass-through opening 201) during "BIG_BONUS", the "Special 7" symbol is set as the winning symbol that can be obtained by entering the large prize opening 116, so that it is easier to achieve a win that results in the maximum number of medals (21 medals) when the score-increasing device is not operating. Note that the winning symbol that can be obtained by entering the large prize opening 116 may be a symbol other than "Special 7", and may be a winning symbol for the 21-medal win other than "7" (such as the "WILD card symbol").

[0069] Therefore, during "BIG BONUS" (up to the 4th round of BB1), if the first game ball passes through the score-increasing device (passage opening 201) and the "Special 7" symbol appears twice, you will receive either 30 coins as a game result, or if the first game ball does not pass through the score-increasing device but the "Special 7" symbol appears twice, you will receive 21 coins. Note that the first game during "BIG BONUS" (while the condition device is activated) is the game played when the symbol that activates the "BB1" condition device appears during "normal gameplay," and since the first round is during normal gameplay, even if the first game ball passes through the score-increasing device, 21 coins will be paid out. In this case, since the stipulated number is 3 coins, a maximum net increase of 99 game tokens can be obtained: 18 coins + 27 coins x 3 times. Furthermore, during bonus (jackpot) gameplay, the machine is configured to automatically perform a "set" operation for symbols other than "7" and "Special 7" as the winning symbols, without requiring the player to operate the operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c. This eliminates the need for the player to stop launching the game balls and perform a "set" operation when three winning symbols are acquired, allowing the player to continue launching the game balls and easily and quickly achieve a 21-coin payout (for example, a triple "Special 7") based on winning into the large prize pocket 116.

[0070] As mentioned above, "BB1" is determined by lottery to be either "BIG_BONUS" (4 rounds) or "VIP_BONUS" (10 rounds). If the number of possible games to continue is determined to be 10 (10 rounds), i.e., "VIP_BONUS", the upgrade animation to "VIP_BONUS" will be performed at the end of the 4th round of "BIG_BONUS". However, if the number of possible games to continue is determined to be 4 (4 rounds), i.e., "BIG_BONUS", a failure animation will be displayed as a buildup to the upgrade animation, and the game will return to "Normal Gameplay" after the end of the 4th round.

[0071] If "BB1" is determined to be "VIP_BONUS" (10 rounds), the 5th round of "VIP_BONUS" will start immediately after the 4th round of "BIG_BONUS" ends.

[0072] In the fifth round and beyond of "VIP_BONUS," that is, in the fifth round and beyond of "BB1," "Score Increase Device 1" does not operate, and "Score Increase Device 2" is configured to operate. "Score Increase Device 2" is a score increase device configured to operate during the fifth round and beyond of "BB1," or during the "BB2" game described later. The operating condition for "Score Increase Device 2" is that it is set to operate if the game ends while the "Score Increase Device 2" is displayed as "operable" (indicator light on the main control display device 360) at the start of the game. Simply put, in the fifth round and beyond of "BB1" or in "BB2," as long as the game ball enters the large prize pocket 116, "Score Increase Device 2" will automatically operate at the end of the game, changing the payout amount (number of medals paid out) of the winning combination by 10 times, making it easy to obtain 30 game medals, which is the maximum payout amount in one game.

[0073] Thus, in the 5th round and beyond of "BB1" ("VIP_BONUS"), the "score increase device 2" is configured to activate almost automatically. Therefore, from the very first ball after the start of the game, the player can easily achieve a 21-coin payout (30-coin payout when the "score increase device 2" is activated) simply by firing the game ball towards the big prize device 115 (big prize opening 116) and the "opening condition device" (passage opening 119 of the passage gate 118), and the game is configured to easily yield a net increase of game tokens of the number of games played × 27 tokens.

[0074] Furthermore, during gameplay from the 5th round onwards in "BB1" and during gameplay in "BB2," the number of playable balls is set to 25, enabling the gameplay of the special game "GRAND_JUDGE" in the final round (10th round) of "VIP_BONUS" and the final round (14th round) of "BB2," which will be described below. In addition, in rounds other than the final round of "VIP_BONUS" and the final round of "BB2," it is possible to launch 25 playable balls, but it is possible to easily achieve a 30-coin payout (21-coin payout) by launching only 3 or 4 playable balls. However, even though it is possible to launch 25 playable balls, since the number of Tehai symbols required to achieve a win is 3, the number of playable balls that can be launched when there are no Tehai symbols (immediately after the start of the game) is 3, and it is necessary to perform a "Ste" operation to launch the 4th and subsequent playable balls.

[0075] The "GRAND_JUDGE" game is a single game where the goal is to acquire a new bonus game (BB), which corresponds to "when a newly active BB is activated, one of the conditions for ending a bonus game." The new bonus game (BB) here is "BB2," and if the conditions for acquiring a new bonus game are met in the "GRAND_JUDGE" game, the condition mechanism for "BB2," which consists of 14 games (14 rounds), will be activated. If the conditions for activating "BB2" are not met in the "GRAND_JUDGE" game, the currently running "BB1" ("VIP_BONUS") or "BB2" will end and the game will return to "normal gameplay."

[0076] The "GRAND_JUDGE" game is a game where the goal is to get the game balls into the 116 large prize slots. Instead, this game uses 25 game balls to aim for the formation of a double "7" symbol, which is the condition for starting a new bonus game. As mentioned above, the central entry point 112 in the entry unit 111 functions as a specific entry point 112m that assigns the "7" symbol as the winning symbol. In the "GRAND_JUDGE" game, the player aims to acquire three "7" winning symbols using the same gameplay method as in "Normal Game". It is also possible to launch game balls towards the large entry point 116, but since the double "7" symbol combination cannot be formed, "BB2" cannot be activated, and the bonus game ends there.

[0077] When the "GRAND_JUDGE" game starts, the player aims to acquire the "7" prize symbol by launching game balls at the specific ball entry point 112m (the central entry point 112 in the prize entry unit 111), which is located in the lower center of the game area PA and assigns the "7" prize symbol. At the start of the "GRAND_JUDGE" game, three prize symbols have not yet been acquired, so it is possible to launch three game balls.

[0078] When a player launches a game ball in the "GRAND_JUDGE" game and acquires any of the winning symbols, the game is configured to allow players to "set" any winning symbols other than "7". Therefore, if no "7" winning symbols have been acquired in previous gameplay, up to three winning symbols can be "set". Furthermore, if two "7" winning symbols have been acquired, the game is configured to automatically activate an "automatic set" function that sets any winning symbols other than "7" without requiring any operation of the player's control buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c until a total of 25 game balls have been launched. As a result, if two "7" winning symbols have been acquired, the game will repeatedly fire one game ball at a time, and if the game ball enters a location other than the specific ball entry point 112m, the "automatic set" function will activate until a total of 25 game balls have been launched.

[0079] In the "GRAND_JUDGE" game, the probability of acquiring three "7" symbols and obtaining a new "BB2" (success) by the time 25 game balls are launched and the game ends is approximately 40%, and the gameplay loops with a 40% probability of acquiring additional game tokens (approximately 351 tokens) through the activation of a new bonus game (BB2). In addition, "BB2" is configured to be determined by a bonus lottery table as a trigger for a bonus game during normal gameplay, albeit at a low probability, and the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment is also equipped with a game flow in which "BB2" can be directly won from a part of normal gameplay.

[0080] Even if the "GRAND_JUDGE" game results in failure, the launch of 25 game balls is configured to have a high probability of producing a winning combination that includes the "7" symbol and pays out three or more coins. Therefore, even if the "GRAND_JUDGE" game results in failure, when the "GRAND_JUDGE" game ends, the "Score Increase Device 2" will activate, increasing the payout amount (number of medals paid out) of the winning combination by 10 times (up to 30 medals), making it possible to obtain 30 game medals with a high probability without aiming for the big prize slot 116. However, it is possible, albeit with a low probability, for the number of medals paid out to be less than 30, or even 0 medals.

[0081] The above is a simplified explanation of the gameplay method of the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment. To summarize briefly, the gameplay of the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment aims to acquire combinations of Tehai symbols that are conditions for the formation of winning combinations in bonus games during "normal gameplay," and aims to acquire a new "BB2," i.e., a winning streak, in the final round of the bonus game (excluding "BB1" which ends with "BIG_BONUS").

[0082] [Composition of the center feature] Next, the center component 200 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 17. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the center component 200 is composed of a component base member 210, a front upper passage forming member 215, a left warp passage forming member 220L, a right warp passage forming member 220R, a front lower passage forming member 225, a stage forming member 230, a rear cover member 240, a left passage switching section 250L, a right passage switching section 250R, and a rear support member 280.

[0083] As shown in Figure 11, the accessory base member 210 is formed in an annular shape with an opening in the center using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material. A passage sensor mounting portion 211 is formed at the upper center of the accessory base member 210. A passage sensor 291 is attached to the passage sensor mounting portion 211. A special passage sensor mounting portion 212 is formed below the passage sensor mounting portion 211 at the upper center of the accessory base member 210. An upper special passage sensor 293 is attached to the special passage sensor mounting portion 212. A left warp sensor mounting portion 213L is formed on the left side of the accessory base member 210. A left warp sensor 292L is attached to the left warp sensor mounting portion 213L. A right warp sensor mounting portion 213R is formed on the right side of the accessory base member 210. A right warp sensor 292R is attached to the right warp sensor mounting portion 213R.

[0084] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the front upper passage forming member 215 is formed in a box shape to match the shape of the upper part of the accessory base member 210 using a translucent (for example, transparent) resin material. The front upper passage forming member 215 is attached to the upper front side of the accessory base member 210, and a receiving portion 202, a passage opening 201, a left upper sphere passage portion 203L, a right upper sphere passage portion 203R, and an upper special passage portion 206 are formed between the front upper passage forming member 215 and the accessory base member 210.

[0085] As shown in Figure 12, the receiving section 202 is formed at the upper end of the center mechanism 200 in a curved rail shape with an upward concave surface. The passage opening 201 is formed at the lower center of the receiving section 202 in a gate shape through which game balls can pass. Game balls passing through the passage opening 201 are detected by the passage opening sensor 291. A windmill 105 is positioned above the passage opening 201 (receiving section 202) in the game area PA (see Figure 7). This makes it easier to aim at the passage opening 201 by using the launch handle 700 to launch game balls using the windmill 105 as a guide. A gap is provided between the windmill 105 and the upper outer rail section 28, allowing game balls launched from the launch unit 21 to pass towards the right side of the game area PA. The windmill 105 is positioned offset 2 mm to the right of the center of the passage opening 201 (game area PA). This makes it possible to increase the probability that the game ball, aimed at the windmill 105, will pass through the passage opening 201.

[0086] The upper left ball passage section 203L is formed extending horizontally from the upper left of the center mechanism 200, and the upper right ball passage section 203R is formed extending horizontally from the upper right of the center mechanism 200, so that game balls that have passed through the passage opening 201 can flow down through either the upper left ball passage section 203L or the upper right ball passage section 203R. The upper left ball passage section 203L and the upper right ball passage section 203R also have a symmetrical passage shape with a step. At the downstream end (left end) of the upper left ball passage section 203L, a left upstream outlet 204L that opens downwards is formed, so that game balls that have flowed down through the upper left ball passage section 203L temporarily flow out from the left upstream outlet 204L to the game area PA on the left outer side of the center mechanism 200. At the downstream end (right end) of the upper right ball passage section 203R, an upper right outlet 204R is formed that opens downwards, so that the game balls that flow down the upper right ball passage section 203R temporarily flow out from the upper right outlet 204R to the game area PA on the right outer side of the center mechanism 200.

[0087] The upper special passage section 206 is formed to branch off from the upstream ends of the upper left ball passage section 203L and the upper right ball passage section 203R and extend downward. The upper left inlet of the upper special passage section 206 is closed by the left opening / closing passage section 251L of the left passage switching section 250L, and the upper right inlet of the upper special passage section 206 is closed by the right opening / closing passage section 251R of the right passage switching section 250R. A drop-off opening 207 is formed at the downstream end (lower end) of the upper special passage section 206, and game balls that flow down the upper special passage section 206 pass through the drop-off opening 207 and fall toward the lower special passage section 208 below. Game balls passing through the drop-off opening 207 are detected by the upper special passage sensor 293.

[0088] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the left warp passage forming member 220L is formed in a box shape to match the shape of the left side of the main unit base member 210 using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material. The left warp passage forming member 220L is attached to the left front side of the main unit base member 210, and the left warp passage section 205L is formed between the left warp passage forming member 220L and the main unit base member 210. Game balls that have flowed out from the left upstream outlet 204L to the game area PA on the left outer side of the center main unit 200 flow into the left warp passage section 205L. Game balls flowing into the left warp passage section 205L are detected by the left warp sensor 292L.

[0089] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the right warp passage forming member 220R is formed in a box shape to match the shape of the right side of the main unit base member 210 using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material. The right warp passage forming member 220R is attached to the right front side of the main unit base member 210, and the right warp passage section 205R is formed between the right warp passage forming member 220R and the main unit base member 210. Game balls that have flowed out from the upper right outlet 204R to the game area PA on the right outer side of the center main unit 200 flow into the right warp passage section 205R. Game balls flowing into the right warp passage section 205R are detected by the right warp sensor 292R.

[0090] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the front lower passage forming member 225 is formed in a box shape to match the shape of the lower part of the accessory base member 210 using a translucent (for example, transparent) resin material. The front lower passage forming member 225 is attached to the lower front side of the accessory base member 210, and the upstream portion of the lower special passage section 208 is formed between the front lower passage forming member 225 and the accessory base member 210.

[0091] As shown in Figure 12, the lower special passage section 208 is formed to bend in a hairpin shape and extend in the front-rear direction, allowing game balls that have fallen from the drop-off opening 207 or the roulette section 233 of the stage forming member 230 to flow down. A receiving rib 226 is formed at the upstream end (upper front end) of the lower special passage section 208 to catch game balls that have fallen from the drop-off opening 207. A special passage exit 209 that opens forward is formed at the downstream end (lower front end) of the lower special passage section 208, allowing game balls that have flowed down the lower special passage section 208 to pass through the special passage exit 209 and fall towards the specific ball entry opening 112m below (the central prize entry opening 112 of the prize entry unit 111) (see Figure 8).

[0092] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the stage forming member 230 is formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material. The stage forming member 230 is attached to the lower rear side of the bonus base member 210. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a left stage section 231L is formed on the upper left side of the stage forming member 230, on which game balls that have flowed down the left warp passage section 205L can roll. A right stage section 231R is formed on the upper right side of the stage forming member 230, on which game balls that have flowed down the right warp passage section 205R can roll. The left stage section 231L and the right stage section 231R are located at the top of the stage forming member 230. A central stage section 232 on which game balls can roll is formed in the area between the first round and the second round.

[0093] A roulette section 233 is formed in the central part of the central stage section 232. The roulette section 233 is formed in an annular shape with an opening in the center, and the game balls can roll along the inner edge of the roulette section 233. In addition, game balls that fall into the opening of the roulette section 233 are designed to fall towards the lower special passage section 208.

[0094] A left-side discharge passage 234L is formed in the gap between the central stage section 232 and the left stage section 231L. The left-side discharge passage 234L is formed in a trough shape extending forward from the gap between the central stage section 232 and the left stage section 231L, allowing game balls that have fallen into the gap between the central stage section 232 and the left stage section 231L to flow down. At the downstream end (front end) of the left-side discharge passage 234L, a left-side discharge opening 235L is formed that opens forward, allowing game balls that have flowed down the left-side discharge passage 234L to pass through the left-side discharge opening 235L and fall towards the prize openings 112, 112, ... on the left side of the prize winning unit 111 (see Figure 8).

[0095] A right-side discharge passage 234R is formed in the gap between the central stage section 232 and the right stage section 231R. The right-side discharge passage 234R is formed in a trough shape extending forward from the gap between the central stage section 232 and the right stage section 231R, allowing game balls that have fallen into the gap between the central stage section 232 and the right stage section 231R to flow down. At the downstream end (front end) of the right-side discharge passage 234R, a right-side discharge opening 235R is formed that opens forward, allowing game balls that have flowed down the right-side discharge passage 234R to pass through the right-side discharge opening 235R and fall towards the prize openings 112, 112, ... on the right side of the prize unit 111 (see Figure 8).

[0096] As mentioned above, the large prize device 115 and the passage gate 118 are located on the right side of the game area PA. Since the game balls flowing down the right side of the game area PA are easily affected by the large prize device 115 and the passage gate 118, the bias in the entry of game balls is greater at the entry openings 112,112,... to the right of the specific entry opening 112m (the central entry opening 112) in the entry unit 111 compared to the entry openings 112,112,... to the left of the specific entry opening 112m. In this embodiment, the passage section 216 located between the upper left ball passage section 203L and the upper right ball passage section 203R, which are located below the passage opening 201, is inclined downward toward the upper left ball passage section 203L, making it easier for game balls that have passed through the passage opening 201 to be guided toward the upper left ball passage section 203L. This increases the proportion of game balls flowing down the upper left ball passage section 203L, thereby reducing the bias in the entry of game balls into the multiple winning slots 112, 112, ... and increasing the possibility of various winning combinations being achieved.

[0097] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the rear cover member 240 is formed in a plate shape that matches the outer circumference of the lower portion of the main base member 210, using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material. The rear cover member 240 is attached to the rear side of the lower portion of the main base member 210, and the downstream portion of the lower special passage section 208 is formed between the lower part of the rear cover member 240 and the main base member 210. A special passage sensor mounting section 241 is formed on the lower part of the rear cover member 240. A lower special passage sensor 294 is attached to the special passage sensor mounting section 241. Game balls flowing down the lower special passage section 208 are detected by the lower special passage sensor 294. A recessed relief portion 243 is formed on the front side of the middle portion of the rear cover member 240 so that the game balls that circle the opening (tapered surface of the inner edge) of the roon portion 233 of the stage forming member 230 do not interfere with the rear cover member 240.

[0098] As shown in Figures 15 to 17, the right-side passage switching section 250R is connected to the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R. The system is configured to include a right-side opening / closing passage section 251R and a right-side mechanical switch section 261R connected to the right side of the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R. The right-side opening / closing passage section 251R is formed in a plate shape using a highly sliding resin material to match the opening shape of the upper right inlet of the upper special passage section 206. A block-shaped slide engagement section 252R is formed below the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R, protruding downwards. A rectangular hole-shaped engagement hole 253R is formed above the slide engagement section 252R, penetrating in the front-rear direction. The engagement hole 253 of the slide engagement section 252R engages with the slide support section 282R of the rear support member 280 (right-side support section 281R). A long, elongated connecting hole 254R extending vertically is formed below the slide engagement section 252R, penetrating in the left-right direction. The connecting hole 254R of the slide engagement section 252R engages with the connecting shaft section 266R of the right-side mechanical switch section 261R (contact member 262R).

[0099] The right-side mechanical switch section 261R is composed of a contact member 262R, a shaft member 267R, and a weight member 269R. The contact member 262R is made of a highly sliding resin material and is formed in a rod shape extending in the left-right direction. A plate-shaped contact piece 263R is formed at the right end of the contact member 262R, protruding forward. The contact piece 263R protrudes forward from the right end of the contact member 262R and reaches the stepped passage portion that extends downward in the upper right ball passage section 203R. A shaft insertion hole 264R is formed in the center of the contact member 262R, penetrating in the left-right direction. The shaft member 267R is inserted through the shaft insertion hole 264R. A hole-shaped weight member mounting portion 265R is formed at a position eccentric with respect to the shaft insertion hole 264R in the contact member 262R. A weight member 269R is attached and fixed to the weight member mounting portion 265R. In addition, a connecting shaft portion 266R is formed projecting to the left at an eccentric position relative to the shaft insertion hole portion 264R in the contact member 262R. The tip of the connecting shaft portion 266R engages with the connecting hole 254R of the right-side opening / closing passage portion 251R. As a result, the contact member 262R of the right-side mechanical switch portion 261R and the right-side opening / closing passage portion 251R are connected via the connecting shaft portion 266R.

[0100] The shaft member 267R is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape using a metal material. The shaft member 267R is inserted through the shaft insertion hole 264R of the contact member 262R and the shaft insertion hole 285R of the rear support member 280 (right support part 281R). The shaft member 267R is restricted from moving in the left-right direction by a fixing device 268R such as an E-type retaining ring, so that it does not come out of the shaft insertion hole 264R of the contact member 262R and the shaft insertion hole 285R of the rear support member 280. The weight member 269R is formed in a top shape using a metal material or the like and is attached to the weight member mounting part 265R of the contact member 262R by press-fitting or the like. The weight member 269R has a weight lighter than the game ball.

[0101] As shown in Figure 11, the left-side passage switching section 250L is configured to include a left-side opening / closing passage section 251L and a left-side mechanical switch section 261L connected to the left side of the left-side opening / closing passage section 251L. The left-side opening / closing passage section 251L and the left-side mechanical switch section 261L are configured similarly to the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R and the right-side mechanical switch section 261R of the right-side passage switching section 250R, except that they are formed symmetrically to each other, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0102] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the rear support member 280 is formed in a box shape to match the shape of the upper part of the accessory base member 210 using a translucent (e.g., transparent) resin material. The rear support member 280 is attached to the upper rear side of the accessory base member 210 and supports the left passage switching section 250L and the right passage switching section 250R. The rear support member 280 has a left support section 281L formed on the left side of the rear support member 280 and a right support section 281R formed on the right side of the rear support member 280.

[0103] As shown in Figures 15 to 17, the right-side support section 281R has a slide support section 282R and a rotation support section 284R. The slide support section 282R is formed on the left side of the right-side support section 281R and is rail-shaped, protruding forward. The slide support section 282R cuts off the right-side passage. The slide engagement portion 252R engages with the engagement hole 253 of the slide engagement portion 252R in the right opening / closing passage portion 251R of the replacement portion 250R. As a result, the slide support portion 282R supports the right opening / closing passage portion 251R so that it can slide in the front-rear direction between a first right-side passage switching position (see Figure 13) that closes the upper right inlet of the upper special passage portion 206 and a second right-side passage switching position that opens the upper right inlet of the upper special passage portion 206.

[0104] The rotating support portion 284R is formed as a block shape projecting forward to the right of the right support portion 281R. A shaft insertion hole 285R is formed in the front of the rotating support portion 284R, penetrating in the left-right direction. The shaft member 267R of the right mechanical switch portion 261R of the right passage switching portion 250R is inserted through the rotating support portion 284R. As a result, the rotating support portion 284R rotatably supports the contact member 262R of the right mechanical switch portion 261R around the shaft (shaft member 267R) that extends in the left-right direction.

[0105] The left support section 281L is configured similarly to the right support section 281R, except that it is formed symmetrically to the right support section 281R. That is, the sliding support section (not shown) of the left support section 281L supports the left opening / closing passage section 251L so that it can slide in the front-rear direction between a first left passage switching position (see Figure 13) that closes the upper left inlet of the upper special passage section 206 and a second left passage switching position (see Figure 14) that opens the upper left inlet of the upper special passage section 206. The rotating support section (not shown) of the left support section 281L rotatably supports the contact member (not shown) of the left mechanical switch section 261L around an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0106] In the center mechanism 200 configured as described above, game balls falling downwards from the upper center of the game area PA are guided by the receiving section 202 and pass through the passage opening 201. After passing through the passage opening 201, game balls fall into the inner part of the upper center of the center mechanism 200.

[0107] Incidentally, in a non-contact state where the game ball is not in contact with the contact piece 263R of the right-side passage switching section 250R (right-side mechanical switch section 261R), the contact piece 262R of the right-side mechanical switch section 261R rotates clockwise (when viewed from the right) due to the action of the weight member 269R. As a result, the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R, which is connected to the right-side mechanical switch section 261R, slides forward to the first right-side passage switching position and closes the upper right inlet of the upper special passage section 206 (see Figure 13). Also, in a non-contact state where the game ball is not in contact with the contact piece 263L of the left-side passage switching section 250L (left-side mechanical switch section 261L), similar to the case of the right-side passage switching section 250R, the left-side opening / closing passage section 251L, which is connected to the left-side mechanical switch section 261L, slides forward to the first left-side passage switching position and closes the upper left inlet of the upper special passage section 206 (see Figure 13).

[0108] When the left-side opening / closing passage section 251L is in the first left-side passage switching position, the game ball K that falls from the passage opening 201 to the left inner side of the upper center of the center mechanism 200 rolls down to the left along the upper surface of the left-side opening / closing passage section 251L and reaches the upstream end of the upper left ball passage section 203L. The game ball that reaches the upstream end of the upper left ball passage section 203L flows down the upstream side of the upper left ball passage section 203L. The game ball that has flowed down the upstream side of the upper left ball passage section 203L flows down the stepped passage section of the upper left ball passage section 203L and flows down the downstream side of the upper left ball passage section 203L.

[0109] Game balls that flow downstream of the upper left ball passage section 203L temporarily flow out from the left upstream exit 204L into the game area PA on the left outer side of the center mechanism 200. Game balls that flow out from the left upstream exit 204L flow downward into the game area PA on the left outer side of the center mechanism 200 and flow into the left warp passage section 205L. Game balls that flow into the left warp passage section 205L flow down the left warp passage section 205L and fall into the left stage section 231L of the stage forming member 230. Game balls that fall into the left stage section 231L roll down to the right along the upper surface of the left stage section 231L. Of the game balls that roll down along the upper surface of the left stage section 231L, some game balls go to the central stage section 2 When the ball reaches 32, the other game balls fall into the gap between the central stage section 232 and the left stage section 231L. The game balls that fall into the gap between the central stage section 232 and the left stage section 231L flow down the left side discharge passage 234L of the stage, pass through the left side discharge opening 235L of the stage, and fall towards the prize openings 112, 112, ... on the left side of the prize unit 111.

[0110] Furthermore, when the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R is moved to the first right-side passage switching position, the game ball that falls from the passage opening 201 to the right inner side of the upper center of the center mechanism 200 rolls down to the right along the upper surface of the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R and reaches the upstream end of the right-side ball passage section 203R. The game ball that reaches the upstream end of the right-side ball passage section 203R flows down the upstream side of the right-side ball passage section 203R. The game ball that has flowed down the upstream side of the right-side ball passage section 203R flows down the stepped passage portion of the right-side ball passage section 203R and flows down the downstream side of the right-side ball passage section 203R.

[0111] The game balls that flow downstream of the upper right ball passage section 203R first flow out of the upper right outlet 204R into the game area PA on the right outer side of the center mechanism 200. The game balls that flow out of the upper right outlet 204R flow downward into the game area PA on the right outer side of the center mechanism 200 and flow into the right warp passage section 205R. The game balls that flow into the right warp passage section 205R flow down the right warp passage section 205R and fall into the right stage section 231R of the stage forming member 230. The game balls that fall into the right stage section 231R roll down to the left along the upper surface of the right stage section 231R. Of the game balls that roll down the upper surface of the right stage section 231R, some reach the central stage section 232, and the others fall into the gap between the central stage section 232 and the right stage section 231R. The game balls that fall into the gap between the central stage section 232 and the right stage section 231R flow down the right side discharge passage 234R of the stage, pass through the right side discharge opening 235R of the stage, and fall towards the prize openings 112, 112, ... on the right side of the prize unit 111.

[0112] A game ball that reaches the central stage section 232 from the left stage section 231L or the right stage section 231R rolls from side to side on the upper surface of the central stage section 232, rolls along the inner edge of the roulette section 233, and falls into the opening of the roulette section 233. The game ball that falls into the opening of the roulette section 233 falls towards the lower special passage section 208, flows down the lower special passage section 208, passes through the special passage exit 209, and falls towards the lower specific ball entry opening 112m (the central entry opening 112 of the prize entry unit 111).

[0113] Furthermore, as the game ball flows down the stepped passage section of the upper right ball passage section 203R, it comes into contact with the contact piece 263R of the right passage switching section 250R (right mechanical switch section 261R). In this contact state, the game ball is pressed against the contact piece 263R by the weight of the game ball, and the contact member 262R of the right mechanical switch section 261R rotates counterclockwise (when viewed from the right) against the weight of the weight member 269R. As a result, the right opening / closing passage section 251R, which is connected to the right mechanical switch section 261R, slides to the rear second right passage switching position, opening the upper right inlet of the upper special passage section 206. When a game ball passes through the stepped passage section in the upper right ball passage section 203R, the game ball separates from the contact piece 263R of the right mechanical switch section 261R and becomes non-contact. As described above, the right opening / closing passage section 251R, which is connected to the right mechanical switch section 261R, slides to the forward first right passage switching position and closes the upper right inlet of the upper special passage section 206.

[0114] Furthermore, as the game ball flows down the stepped passage section in the upper left ball passage section 203L, it comes into contact with the contact piece 263L of the left passage switching section 250L (left mechanical switch section 261L). In the contact state where the game ball is in contact with the contact piece 263L of the left mechanical switch section 261L, the contact piece 263L is pressed by the weight of the game ball, and, similar to the case of the right passage switching section 250R, the left opening / closing passage section 251L, which is connected to the left mechanical switch section 261L, slides to the rear second left passage switching position, opening the upper left inlet of the upper special passage section 206 (see Figure 14). When the game ball passes through the stepped passage section in the upper left ball passage section 203L, The ball separates from the contact piece 263L of the left mechanical switch section 261L and becomes non-contact, and as described above, the left opening / closing passage section 251L connected to the left mechanical switch section 261L slides to the forward first left passage switching position and closes the upper left inlet of the upper special passage section 206.

[0115] When the left-side opening / closing passage section 251L is moved to the second left-side passage switching position, the game ball K that falls from the passage opening 201 to the left inner side of the upper center of the center mechanism 200 passes through the upper left inlet of the upper special passage section 206 which is opened by the left-side opening / closing passage section 251L. Also, when the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R is moved to the second right-side passage switching position, the game ball that falls from the passage opening 201 to the right inner side of the upper center of the center mechanism 200 passes through the upper right inlet of the upper special passage section 206 which is opened by the right-side opening / closing passage section 251R.

[0116] Game balls that pass through the upper left or upper right inlet of the upper special passage section 206 flow down the upper special passage section 206, pass through the drop-off opening 207, and fall towards the lower special passage section 208. Game balls that fall from the drop-off opening 207 of the upper special passage section 206 are caught by the receiving rib 226 and flow down the lower special passage section 208, pass through the special passage exit 209, and fall towards the specific ball entry opening 112m below (the central prize entry opening 112 of the prize entry unit 111). All game balls that flow down the upper special passage section 206 and fall from the drop-off opening 207 flow down the lower special passage section 208 and pass through the special passage exit 209, so it is possible to enter the specific ball entry opening 112m with a higher probability than when the game balls flow down the upper left ball passage section 203L or the upper right ball passage section 203R.

[0117] Thus, according to this embodiment, the left-side passage switching section 250L has a contact piece 263L that contacts the game balls flowing down the stepped passage portion in the upper left ball passage section 203L. When the contact piece 263L is in contact with the game balls, the game balls that have passed through the passage opening 201 of the center mechanism 200 are switched to flow down the upper special passage section 206. When the contact piece 263L is not in contact, the game balls that have passed through the passage opening 201 are switched to flow down the upper left ball passage section 203L. Furthermore, the right-side passage switching section 250R has a contact piece 263R that contacts the game balls flowing down the stepped passage section of the upper right ball passage section 203R. When the contact piece 263R is in contact with the game balls, the game balls that have passed through the passage opening 201 of the center mechanism 200 are switched to flow down the upper special passage section 206. When the contact piece 263R is not in contact, the game balls that have passed through the passage opening 201 are switched to flow down the upper right ball passage section 203R. As a result, when game balls are launched continuously, two or three game balls that have been launched continuously and passed through the passage opening 201 can be distributed to flow down the upper left ball passage section 203L or the upper right ball passage section 203R, and the upper special passage section 206, which has a relatively higher probability of entering the specific ball entry opening 112m, thereby enhancing the enjoyment of the game. Furthermore, when game balls are launched continuously, it is possible to direct the game balls that have passed through the passage opening 201 down to the upper special passage section 20, which has a relatively high probability of entering the specific ball entry opening 112m. This encourages players to launch game balls continuously, thereby speeding up the game.

[0118] Furthermore, the length of the passage from the upper left ball passage section 203L or the upper right ball passage section 203R to the lower special passage section 208, via the left warp passage section 205L or the right warp passage section 205R, the left stage section 231L or the right stage section 231R, and the roulette section 233 of the central stage section 232, is configured to be longer than the length of the passage from the upper special passage section 206 to the lower special passage section 208. As a result, the time it takes for a game ball flowing down the upper left ball passage section 203L or the upper right ball passage section 203R to reach the lower special passage section 208 is longer than the time it takes for a game ball flowing down the upper special passage section 206 to reach the lower special passage section 208. Therefore, it is possible to prevent game balls flowing down the upper left ball passage section 203L or the upper right ball passage section 203R from coming into contact with game balls flowing down the upper special passage section 206 at the lower special passage section 208, thus preventing them from entering the specific ball entry opening 112m.

[0119] [Configuration of the upper panel] Next, the upper panel section 300 will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. As shown in Figure 18, the upper panel section 300 comprises an upper panel base section 310, a rear light-transmitting member 320, a front light-transmitting member 330, a decorative film 340, an upper cover section 345, a left decorative member 326, a right decorative member 327, an effect lamp 350 (see Figure 2), a left upper speaker unit 355, an upper right speaker unit 356, and a main control display device 360.

[0120] As shown in Figure 18, the upper panel base 310 is formed in a frame shape on the upper part of the front door 30. An indicator lamp 350 is mounted facing forward on the upper central front side of the upper panel base 310 (not shown in Figure 18). The upper left speaker unit 355 is mounted facing forward on the upper left front side of the upper panel base 310. The upper right speaker unit 356 is mounted facing forward on the upper right front side of the upper panel base 310.

[0121] Furthermore, a double-glazed glass unit 305 is attached to the rear side of the upper panel base portion 310 (see Figure 20). The double-glazed glass unit 305 is made of a light-transmitting (for example, transparent) glass plate and is configured to cover the game area PA provided on the front side of the game board 100 when the front door 30 is in a closed state covering the front side of the retaining frame 20.

[0122] As shown in Figure 18, an upper light-transmitting member mounting portion 311a is formed on the upper front side of the upper panel base portion 310, and a lower light-transmitting member mounting portion 311b is formed on the lower front side of the upper panel base portion 310. The rear light-transmitting member 320 is attached and fixed to the upper light-transmitting member mounting portion 311a and the lower light-transmitting member mounting portion 311b. A right-side decorative member mounting portion 313 is formed on the right front side of the upper panel base portion 310. A right-side decorative member 327 is attached and fixed to the right-side decorative member mounting portion 313. A left-side decorative member mounting portion (not shown) is formed on the left front side of the upper panel base portion 310, approximately symmetrically to the right-side decorative member mounting portion 313. A left-side decorative member 326 is attached and fixed to the left-side decorative member mounting portion. A cover mounting portion 314 is formed on the upper part of the upper panel base portion 310. The upper cover portion 345 is attached and fixed to the cover mounting portion 314.

[0123] As shown in Figure 18, the rear light-transmitting member 320 is formed from a light-transmitting (e.g., transparent) resin material and is shaped like a plate that curves forward and inclined to match the outer periphery of the upper panel base 310. The rear light-transmitting member 320 is attached and fixed to the upper light-transmitting member mounting portion 311a and the lower light-transmitting member mounting portion 311b, and covers the front side of the upper panel base 310. An upper left speaker opening 321 is formed on the upper left of the rear light-transmitting member 320, aligned with the upper left speaker unit 355. An upper right speaker opening 322 is formed on the upper right of the rear light-transmitting member 320, aligned with the upper right speaker unit 356. In addition, a left decorative member 326 is attached to the left side of the rear light-transmitting member 320, and a right decorative member 327 is attached to the right side of the rear light-transmitting member 320.

[0124] As shown in Figure 18, the front light-transmitting member 330 is formed from a light-transmitting (e.g., transparent) resin material and is shaped like a plate that curves forward and inclined to match the outer periphery of the rear light-transmitting member 320. The upper left speaker cover 331, which covers the front of the upper left speaker unit 355, is attached to the upper left of the front light-transmitting member 330. The upper right speaker cover 332, which covers the front of the upper right speaker unit 356, is attached to the upper right of the front light-transmitting member 330.

[0125] Furthermore, a left decorative member 326 is attached to the left side of the front light-transmitting member 330, and a right decorative member 327 is attached to the right side of the front light-transmitting member 330. The front light-transmitting member 330 is attached to the left decorative member The rear light-transmitting member 320 is positioned at a predetermined distance in front of it via the 326 and the right decorative member 327. As a result, the double-glazed glass unit 305 forms the rear layer of the double-glazed window section W, while the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320, which are positioned in front of the double-glazed glass unit 305, form the front layer of the double-glazed window section W. Through the front light-transmitting member 330, the rear light-transmitting member 320, and the double-glazed glass unit 305, the game area PA of the game board 100 can be viewed from the front.

[0126] As shown in Figure 19, ventilation sections 323 are formed at the left and right lower ends of the rear light-transmitting member 320. The ventilation sections 323 communicate with the gap between the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320 and with the space behind the rear light-transmitting member 320. This structure allows gas to flow into the gap between the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320 using an air duster or the like, preventing the incoming gas from circulating in the gap and allowing it to easily flow out through the ventilation sections 323. As a result, dust and other debris that have entered the gap between the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320 can be discharged through the ventilation sections 323 along with the incoming gas. Therefore, cleaning of the gap between the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320 can be easily performed.

[0127] As shown in Figure 18, the decorative film 340 is formed in a film shape that matches the shape of the rear light-transmitting member 320 and the front light-transmitting member 330, using a light-transmitting (e.g., transparent) resin material. Although not shown in the illustration, a predetermined decoration is printed on the upper and left and right sides of the decorative film 340 in areas that do not obstruct the visibility of the game area PA. The decorative film 340 is inserted into the gap between the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320. By changing the decorative design of the decorative film 340 inserted into the gap between the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320, the decorative design of the upper part (upper panel 300) of the front door 30 can be easily changed.

[0128] Furthermore, an upper left speaker opening 341 is formed in the upper left part of the decorative film 340, aligned with the upper left speaker unit 355 (and the upper left speaker opening 321 of the rear light-transmitting member 320). An upper right speaker opening 342 is formed in the upper right part of the decorative film 340, aligned with the upper right speaker unit 356 (and the upper right speaker opening 322 of the rear light-transmitting member 320).

[0129] As shown in Figure 18, the upper cover portion 345 is formed in a lid shape using a resin material to match the shape of the upper part of the upper panel base portion 310. The upper cover portion 345 is attached and fixed to the cover mounting portion 314, covering the upper part of the upper panel base portion 310 and sealing the upper end of the gap between the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320.

[0130] As shown in Figure 18, the right-side decorative member 327 is formed from a resin material into a rod shape extending vertically. The right-side decorative member 327 is attached and fixed to the right-side decorative member mounting section 313 while connected to the right sides of the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320. The right-side decorative member 327 is decorated in a predetermined manner to prevent players of other gaming machines placed alongside the Jankyu gaming machine JM according to this embodiment from being dazzled by light leaking from the first performance display device 151, performance lamp 350, etc., although it may also be decorated by plating. For this reason, an earth member 316 (see Figure 3) is installed inside the right-side decorative member mounting section 313, which makes electrical contact between the metal frame 315 constituting the front door 30 and the right-side decorative member 327.

[0131] As shown in Figure 18, the left decorative member 326 is formed from a resin material into a rod shape extending in the vertical direction. The left decorative member 326 is attached and fixed to the left decorative member mounting part (not shown) while connected to the left side of the front translucent member 330 and the rear translucent member 320. The side decorative member 326 is decorated in the same way as the right decorative member 327, but it may also be decorated by plating. Therefore, similar to the right decorative member mounting section 313, an earthing member (not shown) is installed inside the left decorative member mounting section to make electrical contact between the metal frame 315 that constitutes the front door 30 and the left decorative member 326.

[0132] The main control display device 360 ​​is electrically connected to the main control board 91 via the aforementioned relay board 95 using a cable harness (not shown). The main control display device 360 ​​displays various information related to the control information of the main control board 91 (i.e., information related to the progress of the game) on a display surface 361 provided on the top of the main control display device 360, such as displaying the number of game tokens stored, the number of game tokens paid out during the game, displaying information indicating the type of bonus game being played, and displaying information indicating the type of winning combination (game result) achieved during the game.

[0133] In this embodiment, the main control display device 360 ​​is disposed at the lower end of the upper panel portion 300, which is located below the space between the (front light-transmitting member 330 and) rear light-transmitting member 320 and the double-glazed glass unit 305. The main control display device 360 ​​is formed to extend in the left-right direction and is fixed to the rear upper end of the control panel portion 50 (upper surface portion 51), and the display surface 361 provided on the upper part of the main control display device 360 ​​can be viewed through the front light-transmitting member 330 and the rear light-transmitting member 320 (see also Figure 9). As a result, since the main control display device 360 ​​is provided on the front door 30 rather than the game board 100, it is not necessary to manufacture the main control display device 360 ​​each time the game board 100 is replaced, and the manufacturing cost of the Jankyu game machine JM can be reduced.

[0134] [Configuration of the control panel] Next, the control panel section 50 will be described with reference to Figures 20 and 21. As shown in Figures 1 and 21, the control panel section 50 is formed as a bulge forward in the approximate center of the front door 30. The control panel section 50 has an upper surface section 51 formed on the upper part of the control panel section 50, and an inclined surface section 53 formed in front of the upper surface section 51 and inclined downward and forward of the upper surface section 51.

[0135] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, a display device holder portion 52 is formed on the underside (backside) of the upper portion 51. The display device holder portion 52 holds the second performance display device 500 with its display screen 501 facing upward. The second performance display device 500 has a main body portion 511 on which the display screen 501 is provided on the upper side, and a protruding portion 512 that protrudes downward from the underside of the main body portion 511 and extends in the front-rear direction. A cable relay board (not shown) and the like are housed inside the protruding portion 512, and a cable 515 (see the dashed line in Figure 20) connected to the cable relay board is wired so as to extend from the rear of the protruding portion 512. As a result, the undersides of the main body portion 511 and the protruding portion 512 of the second performance display device 500 are formed in a planar shape. In addition, a handle portion 513 is formed at the rear of the protruding portion 512, protruding backward. Therefore, by holding the handle portion 513, the second performance display device 500 can be easily attached to the control panel portion 50 by sliding it from the rear of the front door 30 (control panel portion 50) toward the display device holder portion 52.

[0136] Furthermore, the display screen 501 of the second display device 500 is coated with a non-glare paint or a non-glare sheet to suppress light reflection. This prevents a decrease in the visibility of the display screen 501 of the second display device 500 due to reflection of lighting from the gaming facility.

[0137] As shown in Figure 21, the button unit holding portion 54 is located on the lower side (back side) of the inclined surface portion 53. The button unit holder 54 holds the operation button unit 550 in a direction inclined forward from the upward direction in which the display screen 501 faces. The operation button unit 550 has three operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c, and a button holder 561 that houses and holds each of the operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c and is held by the button unit holder 54. In addition, a button exposure portion 562 is provided at the front of the button holder 561, which has an opening that exposes the front of each of the operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c.

[0138] In this embodiment, the display device holder 52 of the control panel 50 holds the second performance display device 500 with its display screen 501 facing upwards, and the button unit holder 54 holds the operation button unit 550 in a direction tilted forward from the upward direction of the display screen 501. As a result, the operation button unit 550 is positioned in a direction tilted forward from the upward direction of the display screen 501 of the second performance display device 500, making it easier for the player to recognize each operation button 551a, 551b, and 551c, thereby improving operability during gameplay.

[0139] Furthermore, the degree of inclination (angle of inclination) of the inclined surface 53 and the operation button unit 550 with respect to the upper surface 51 and the display screen 501 of the second display device 500 is kept to such an extent that the button holding portion 561 of the operation button unit 550 does not come into contact with the main body 511 of the second display device 500. This prevents the operation button unit 550, held by the button unit holding portion 54 of the inclined surface 53, from interfering with the second display device 500, held by the display device holding portion 52 of the upper surface 51. In addition, the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment has a structure that also contributes to the miniaturization of the game machine by suppressing the amount of forward bulging by forming the control panel portion 500 with a two-stage forward downward inclination.

[0140] [Composition of the game token storage tray] Next, the game token storage tray 72 will be described with reference to Figure 22. As shown in Figures 2 and 22, the game token storage tray 72 is made of resin material and is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat dish capable of storing game tokens. The game token storage tray 72 is attached to the lower front side of the lower panel portion 70 and protrudes forward from the lower panel portion 70. As shown in Figure 22, the game token storage tray 72 has a plate-shaped bottom portion 72a, a front wall portion 72b extending upward from the front edge of the bottom portion 72a, a left wall portion 72c extending upward from the left edge of the bottom portion 72a, a right wall portion 72d extending upward from the right edge of the bottom portion 72a, a left rear wall portion 72e extending upward from the left side of the rear edge of the bottom portion 72a, and a right rear wall portion 72f extending upward from the right side of the rear edge of the bottom portion 72a, with the lower panel portion 70 forming the central rear wall portion of the game token storage tray 72.

[0141] In this embodiment, the amount of protrusion L1 at the left end of the game token storage tray 72 (the length in the front-to-back direction of the left end portion of the bottom 72a) is smaller than the amount of protrusion L2 at the right end of the game token storage tray 72 (the length in the front-to-back direction of the right end portion of the bottom 72a). As a result, the width of the game token storage tray 72 in the front-to-back direction becomes narrower the further to the left the tokens are located, making it easier for the tokens stored in the game token storage tray 72 to accumulate. Therefore, while operating the launch handle 700 with the right hand, the player can use their left hand to easily gather the tokens stored in the game token storage tray 72 to the left and remove them, thereby improving operability during gameplay.

[0142] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the control panel section 50 is formed to bulge forward approximately in the center of the front door 30, and the vertical distance between the left end of the game token storage tray 72 (front wall section 72b) and the left end of the control panel section 50 is greater than the vertical distance between the right end of the game token storage tray 72 (front wall section 72b) and the right end of the control panel section 50. As a result, while the player is operating the launch handle 700 with their right hand, they can use their left hand to launch the game tokens stored in the game token storage tray 72. The skill tokens can be gathered on the left side for easy removal, improving operability during gameplay.

[0143] Furthermore, the distance between the front wall portion 72b and the left rear wall portion 72e of the game token storage tray 72, that is, the inner width in the front-to-back direction of the left end portion of the game token storage tray 72, becomes narrower the further left it is on the game token storage tray 72. As a result, the game tokens stored in the game token storage tray 72 tend to accumulate more bulk the further left it is on the game token storage tray 72. Therefore, while the player is operating the launch handle 700 with their right hand, they can use their left hand to easily gather the game tokens stored in the game token storage tray 72 to the left and remove them, thereby improving operability during gameplay. In addition, the distance between the front wall portion 72b and the right rear wall portion 72f of the game token storage tray 72, that is, the inner width in the front-to-back direction of the right end portion of the game token storage tray 72, also becomes narrower the further right it is on the game token storage tray 72. However, the inner width in the front-to-back direction of the portion near the left end of the game token storage tray 72 is narrower than the inner width in the front-to-back direction of the portion near the right end of the game token storage tray 72.

[0144] [Configuration of the medal insertion unit] Next, the medal insertion unit 400 will be described with reference to Figure 23. As shown in Figure 23, the medal insertion unit 400 mainly consists of a medal insertion member 410 into which a medal insertion opening 401 into which game medals can be inserted is formed. The medal insertion member 410 is formed in a block shape using a resin material. The medal insertion member 410 is attached and fixed to the left side of the upper surface 51 of the control panel 50 using fixing screws (not shown). A plate-shaped back plate portion 413 that protrudes upward is formed on the upper rear side of the medal insertion member 410. The medal insertion opening 401 is formed on the upper surface of the medal insertion member 410, facing upward and close to the front side of the back plate portion 413. An insertion guide portion 411 is formed on the upper surface of the medal insertion member 410. The insertion guide portion 411 is formed in a curved shape that curves downward to match the outer circumference shape of the game medal. Game medals that reach the upper surface of the medal insertion member 410 are guided to the medal insertion opening 401 by moving backward along the insertion guide portion 411.

[0145] A rib 415 that protrudes upward is formed behind the back plate portion 413 at the top of the medal insertion member 410. The rib 415 is positioned behind the back plate portion 413 at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval between the back plate portion 413 and the rib 415 is such that thin objects such as banknotes or prepaid cards can be held between them. In addition, a medal insertion passage portion (not shown) is formed inside the medal insertion member 410, extending directly downward from the medal insertion opening 401. Inside the rib 415, a screw hole (not shown) is formed into which a fixing screw (not shown) for fixing the medal insertion member 410 to the control panel portion 50 is screwed in from below.

[0146] In this embodiment, the medal slot 401 is located on the left side of the upper surface 51 of the control panel 50, and is formed to extend linearly so that when viewed from above, the left end of the medal slot 401 is positioned further forward than the right end. As a result, the direction in which game medals are inserted along the insertion guide 411 is diagonally to the left and slightly behind, making it easier to insert game medals into the medal slot 401 not only when using the left hand but also when using the right hand, thereby improving operability during gameplay. Furthermore, the medal insertion member 410 has ribs 415 that are provided at a predetermined interval behind the back plate 413 and protrude upward. This allows banknotes, prepaid cards, etc., to be temporarily placed between the back plate 413 and the ribs 415.

[0147] [Configuration of medal selector and medal ejection mechanism] Next, the configuration of the medal selector 600 and the medal dispensing mechanism 660 will be described with reference to Figures 24 to 28. As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the medal selector 600 is configured to include a selector body 610, a passage forming member 620, and a blocker portion 630. The medal selector 600 is held by a selector holding member 650 attached to the inside (back side) of the control panel section 50, in an orientation that aligns with the medal slot 401 below the medal insertion unit 400.

[0148] The selector body 610 is formed in a box shape using a resin material. A medal inlet 611 is formed at the upper end of the selector body 610, opening upwards. The medal inlet 611 allows game medals that have been inserted into the medal slot 401 and passed through the medal insertion passage (not shown) to pass into the inside of the selector body 610. An upper coupling portion 612 is formed on the upper part of the selector body 610. The upper coupling portion 612 is connected to the selector coupling portion 651 of the selector holding member 650. A passage forming member support portion 613 is formed on the right side of the selector body 610. The passage forming member support portion 613 swingably supports the passage forming member 620. A medal guide trough 615 extending rearward toward the hopper unit 11 is attached to the right end of the selector body 610.

[0149] As shown in Figures 25 and 27, the passage forming member 620 is formed from a resin material into a plate shape that matches the shape of the selector body 610. The passage forming member 620 is attached to the front side of the selector body 610 while being supported by the passage forming member support portion 613 of the selector body 610. This creates a medal passage 621 between the passage forming member 620 and the selector body 610 through which game medals that have passed through the medal entrance 611 can pass. The passage forming member 620 is also held in place on the front side of the selector body 610 using a torsion coil spring 625. As shown in Figure 28, a rocking member contact portion 623 is formed on the rear side of the passage forming member 620. The pressing projection 665 of the rocking member 661 in the medal discharge mechanism 660 contacts the rocking member contact portion 623.

[0150] In the medal passage 621, game tokens that have passed through the medal inlet 611 are sorted to determine whether or not they conform to a predetermined standard. Game tokens that conform to the predetermined standard roll along the medal passage 621, pass through the medal outlet (not shown) formed at the right end of the selector body 610, and are guided to the hopper unit 11 by the medal guide trough 615. On the other hand, some game tokens that do not conform to the predetermined standard fall from the medal passage 621 to below the medal selector 600, pass through a return passage and a game token payout outlet 71 (not shown), and are discharged into the game token storage tray 72. In addition, some of the other game tokens that do not conform to the predetermined standard become jammed in the medal passage 621 and are unable to roll.

[0151] The blocker unit 630 is installed on the selector body 610. The blocker unit 630 is configured to guide game tokens that have passed through the token entrance 611 to the token passage 621 during the period when game tokens inserted into the token slot 401 are effectively accepted, and to guide game tokens that have passed through the token entrance 611 to the aforementioned return passage during other periods.

[0152] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the selector holding member 650 is formed in a plate shape using a metal material. A selector coupling portion 651 is formed on the upper part of the selector holding member 650, protruding forward. The selector coupling portion 651 is coupled to the upper coupling portion 612 of the medal selector 600. This allows the selector holding member 650 to hold the medal selector 600. A flange-shaped holding member fixing piece 653 is formed on the lower left end of the selector holding member 650, etc. The holding member fixing piece 653 is fixed to the inside (back side) of the control panel portion 50 using fixing members (not shown), such as screws. A swing member support portion 655 is formed on the upper left part of the selector holding member 650. The swing member support portion 655 swingably supports the swing member 661 of the medal discharge mechanism 660. A spring engagement portion 657 is formed on the left side of the selector holding member 650. The spring engagement portion 657 engages with one end of the biasing spring 681 of the medal dispensing mechanism 660.

[0153] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, the medal dispensing mechanism 660 is composed of a rocking member 661, a connecting member 671, and a biasing spring 681. The rocking member 661 is formed in a plate shape using a resin material. A rocking shaft portion 662 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the left end of the rocking member 661. The rocking shaft portion 662 is connected and supported by the rocking member support portion 655 of the selector holding member 650. A plate-shaped return button contact portion 663 is formed on the upper side of the rocking member 661, extending to the right from the rocking shaft portion 662. The tip portion 67a of the return button 67 contacts the return button contact portion 663. A plate-shaped rocking piece portion 664 is formed on the lower side of the rocking member 661, extending to the right from the rocking shaft portion 662. A pressing projection 665 is formed on the front right end of the rocking piece portion 664. The pressing projection 665 is positioned to contact the oscillating member contact portion 623 of the passage forming member 620 in the medal selector 600. A spring engagement portion 666 is formed on the rear side of the right end of the oscillating member 661. The spring engagement portion 666 engages with the other end of the biasing spring 681.

[0154] The connecting member 671 is formed in a plate shape using a metal material. The connecting member 671 connects the pivot shaft portion 662 of the pivoting member 661 to the pivoting member support portion 655 of the selector holding member 650. As a result, the pivoting member 661 is pivotably supported on the pivoting member support portion 655 of the selector holding member 650 between a pressing position in which it presses against the passage forming member 620 (pivoting member contact portion 623) of the medal selector 600 and a non-pressing position away from the passage forming member 620.

[0155] The biasing spring 681 is constructed using a tension coil spring or the like. One end of the biasing spring 681 engages with the spring engagement portion 657 of the selector holding member 650, and the other end of the biasing spring 681 engages with the spring engagement portion 666 of the oscillating member 661. As a result, the biasing spring 681 applies a biasing force in the direction that causes the oscillating member 661 to swing to the unpressed position. Therefore, when the return button 67 is not pressed, the oscillating member 661 swings to the unpressed position, and the passage forming member 620 of the medal selector 600 is held in a state where it is superimposed on the front side of the selector body 610 using a torsion coil spring 625.

[0156] In the medal selector 600 and medal dispensing mechanism 660 configured as described above, in order to discharge game tokens jammed in the medal passage 621 of the medal selector 600 (for example, game tokens that do not conform to a predetermined standard), the player presses the return button 67. When the return button 67 is pressed, the tip 67a of the return button 67 comes into contact with the return button contact portion 663 of the oscillating member 661 in the medal dispensing mechanism 660, pressing the oscillating member 661. The oscillating member 661, pressed by the tip 67a of the return button 67, oscillates from the unpressed position to the pressed position against the biasing force of the biasing spring 681. The pressing projection 665 of the oscillating member 661, which has oscillated from the unpressed position to the pressed position, comes into contact with the oscillating member contact portion 623 of the passage forming member 620 in the medal selector 600, pressing the passage forming member 620. The passage forming member 620, pressed by the pressing projection 66 of the oscillating member 661, oscillates away from the selector body 610 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 625, and as shown in Figures 27 and 28, the gap between the passage forming member 620 and the selector body 610, i.e., the medal passage 621, expands. Then, the game medals jammed in the medal passage 621 fall from the medal passage 621 to below the medal selector 600 as the medal passage 621 expands, and are discharged into the game medal storage tray 72 after passing through the return passage and game medal payout outlet 71 (not shown).

[0157] In this embodiment, the medal dispensing mechanism 660 is configured to dispense game medals that have been inserted into the medal slot 401 and reached the medal selector 600 to the outside in response to a press operation on the return button 67 located on the left side of the control panel 50. This allows game medals jammed in the medal selector 600 to be dispensed to the outside, even if the medal slot 401 is positioned at an angle to the left and right.

[0158] [Overview of the Selection Button Unit] Next, the general configuration of the selection button unit 450 will be described with reference to Figures 29 to 32. As shown in Figures 29 to 31, the selection button unit 450 is composed of a unit base portion 451, a first selection button 461, a second selection button 462, a confirmation button 463, a middle base portion 466, first to third button biasing springs 471 to 473, a rubber switch 476, a selection button circuit board 481, an earth plate 486, a bottom cover 491, and cover fixing screws 496.

[0159] Thus, the selection button unit 450 is a button unit equipped with three buttons 461 to 463 arranged horizontally on the left and right sides, which are used for input operations to the main control board 91. The gameplay of the Jankyu game machine JM according to this embodiment is based on the use of three Tehai symbols. Therefore, the game can be played by performing "Ste" operations, etc., using the three operation buttons 551a, 551b, and 551c of the operation button unit 550. However, it is also possible to perform "Ste" operations, etc., using the first selection button 461, the second selection button 462, and the confirmation button 463 of the selection button unit 450. The functions of each button in the selection button unit 450 and the operation button unit 550 can be changed according to the specifications of the Jankyu game machine JM. Different functions may be assigned to each button, or the same function may be assigned to each button.

[0160] The unit base portion 451 is formed from a resin material into a box shape with an open bottom. Inside the unit base portion 451 are the first selection button 461, the second selection button 462, the confirm button 463, the middle base portion 466, the first to third button biasing springs 471 to 473, the rubber switch 476, the selection button circuit board 481, and the ground plate 486. A button exposure portion 452 is formed on the upper part of the unit base portion 451, having openings that expose the upper surfaces of the first selection button 461, the second selection button 462, and the confirm button 463.

[0161] The first selection button 461 is formed in a top-like shape using resin material and is housed on the left inner side of the unit base portion 451. The second selection button 462 is formed symmetrically to the first selection button 461 using resin material and is housed on the right inner side of the unit base portion 451. The confirm button 463 is formed in a top-like shape using resin material and is housed on the central inner side of the unit base portion 451. The middle base portion 466 is formed in a plate shape using resin material and is housed inside the unit base portion 451, supporting the first selection button 461, the second selection button 462, and the confirm button 463 so that they can move up and down.

[0162] The first button biasing spring 471 is made of a compression coil spring and is installed between the first selection button 461 and the middle base portion 466. The first button biasing spring 471 applies a biasing force in the direction that the first selection button 461 moves to the upper non-operated position. The second button biasing spring 472 is made of a compression coil spring and is installed between the second selection button 462 and the middle base portion 466. The second button biasing spring 472 applies a biasing force in the direction that the second selection button 462 moves to the upper non-operated position. The third button biasing spring 473 is made of a compression coil spring and is installed between the confirm button 463 and the middle base portion 466. The third button biasing spring 473 applies a biasing force in the direction that the confirm button 463 moves to the upper non-operated position.

[0163] The ground plate 486 is made of metal and is formed in a plate shape having terminal portions 487 that bend downwards. It is disposed between the unit base portion 451 (first selection button 461, second selection button 462, and confirm button 463) and the middle base portion 466. The ground plate 486 has through holes through which the support portions of the middle base portion 466 that support the first selection button 461, second selection button 462, and confirm button 463 are inserted. This allows the ground plate 486 to dissipate static electricity transmitted from the first selection button 461, the second selection button 462, and the confirm button 463, respectively, thereby preventing malfunctions such as failures caused by static electricity noise.

[0164] The rubber switch 476 is formed in a block shape using a resin material such as silicone rubber, with conductive printing applied to its upper and lower surfaces, and is arranged on top of the lower part of the middle base 466. The selection button board 481 has a detection circuit capable of detecting the pressing operations of the first selection button 461, the second selection button 462, and the confirm button 463, and is arranged on top of the lower part of the rubber switch 476. When the first selection button 461 is pressed, the left part of the rubber switch 476 is pressed against the first selection button 461, elastically deforms, and contacts the detection circuit of the selection button board 481, and the pressing operation of the first selection button 461 is detected in the detection circuit. When the second selection button 462 is pressed, the right part of the rubber switch 476 is pressed against the second selection button 462, elastically deforms, and contacts the detection circuit of the selection button board 481, and the pressing operation of the second selection button 462 is detected in the detection circuit. When the select button 463 is pressed, the central part of the rubber switch 476 is pressed against the select button 463, elastically deforms, and comes into contact with the detection circuit of the selection button board 481, and the detection circuit detects that the select button 463 has been pressed.

[0165] The bottom cover 491 is formed in a plate shape using a resin material and is attached to the lower part of the unit base 451 using cover fixing screws 496, so as to cover the lower opening of the unit base 451. The connector 482 mounted on the lower side of the selection button board 481 is exposed to the outside through a hole 492 formed in the bottom cover 491. The terminal portion 487 of the ground plate 486 is inserted through a notch 493 formed in the bottom cover 491 and protrudes downward.

[0166] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 32, a grounding cable 580 equipped with a flat crimp terminal, a Faston terminal 581, is used as the grounding cable for the selection button unit 450. This eliminates the need to use a conventional screw-type grounding cable, and the grounding cable 580 can be easily connected to the selection button unit 450 by crimping the terminal portion 487 of the grounding plate 486 with the Faston terminal 581 of the grounding cable 580.

[0167] [Overview of the launch handle configuration] Next, the general configuration of the launch handle 700 will be described with reference to Figures 33 and 34. As shown in Figures 33 and 34, the launch handle 700 is composed of a rotating support section 710, a launch operation section 720, and a light-emitting section 740. The rotating support section 710 is attached and fixed to the lower right part of the control panel section 50 using a threaded section (not shown) formed on the rear outer circumference end of the rotating support section 710. The rotating support section 710 supports the launch operation section 720 so that it can rotate around an axis extending in the front-rear direction.

[0168] The firing control unit 720 is composed of a control unit body 721 having a grip 726, a trigger 727, and a touch sensor 731. The control unit body 721 consists of a left control unit body 722 and a right control unit body 723, and is formed to resemble the shape of a pistol. A grip 726 extending vertically is formed on the front side of the firing control unit 720. The player grips the grip 726 with their right hand and twists the control unit body 721 clockwise (when viewed from the front) to increase the firing force of the game ball, and twists the control unit body 721 counterclockwise to decrease the firing force of the game ball. The trigger 727 is located on the lower central side of the control unit body 721. The player fires the game ball by pulling the trigger 727 with their right hand. The touch sensor 731 is located on the rear side of the grip 726 and detects the player's hand gripping the grip 726.

[0169] Inside the main body of the operating unit 721 are a sensor board 736 on which a trigger detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the operation of the trigger 727 is mounted, a lamp board (not shown) for illuminating the light-emitting unit 740, and a board holder (not shown) for holding the sensor board 736 and the lamp board. The light-emitting unit 740 is formed in the shape of a thin plate using a translucent (for example, white semi-transparent) resin material and is attached to the front side of the grip 726 (lamp board). A base portion 725 is formed on the lower right outer side of the right operating unit body 723, on which the player's right hand, which is gripping the grip 726, can be placed.

[0170] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a left-side ground plate 732 connected to the left-side ground plate body 722 and a right-side ground plate 733 connected to the right-side ground plate body 723 are provided inside the operating unit body 721. This makes it possible to dissipate static electricity transmitted from the left and right sides of the operating unit body 721 using the left-side ground plate 732 and the right-side ground plate 733, thereby preventing malfunctions such as failures caused by static electricity noise. The left-side ground plate 732 is coupled to the aforementioned substrate holding portion (not shown) formed inside the left-side operating unit body 722.

[0171] In the above-described embodiment, the launch handle 700 may be equipped with a maximum intensity setting means that maximizes the launch intensity of the game ball regardless of the operation of twisting and rotating the operating unit body 721. This makes it possible to easily maximize the launch intensity of the game ball without twisting and rotating the operating unit body 721. As the maximum intensity setting means, for example, a maximum intensity setting button may be provided on the rear side of the grip 726, and the launch intensity of the game ball may be maximized when the maximum intensity setting button is pressed with the thumb of the right hand while the trigger 727 is pulled with the index finger of the right hand. Alternatively, the operation of the trigger 727 may be detected in two stages by a trigger detection sensor, and the launch intensity of the game ball may be maximized when the trigger 727 is quickly pulled to the second stage.

[0172] In the above-described embodiment, a grounding cable equipped with a Faston terminal may be used as the grounding cable for the firing handle 700. In this case, a terminal portion similar to that of the grounding plate 486 of the selection button unit 450 may be formed on the left grounding plate 732, and the terminal portion of the left grounding plate 732 may be crimped to the Faston terminal of the grounding cable. Alternatively, a terminal portion similar to that of the grounding plate 486 of the selection button unit 450 may be formed on the right grounding plate 733, and the terminal portion of the right grounding plate 733 may be crimped to the Faston terminal of the grounding cable.

[0173] In the above embodiment, the launch handle 700 is provided in the lower right part of the control panel 50, but is not limited to this, and may be provided in the lower left part of the control panel 50. In this case, the amount of protrusion of the right end of the game token storage tray 72 may be smaller than the amount of protrusion of the left end of the game token storage tray 72. The token insertion slot 401 is located on the right side of the upper surface 51 of the control panel 50, and may be formed to extend linearly so that when viewed from above, the right end of the token insertion slot 401 is located in front of the left end. A return button 67 may be provided on the right side of the control panel 50, and a token selector 600 and a token dispensing mechanism 660 may be provided on the right rear side of the control panel 50.

[0174] In the above embodiment, the left warp passage section 205L of the center mechanism 200 is configured to receive game balls that have flowed out from the left upstream outlet 204L to the game area PA on the left outer side of the center mechanism 200. However, it may also be configured to allow game balls launched toward the left side of the game area PA to flow in. In this case, more game balls that have flowed out from the left upstream outlet 204L will flow into the left warp passage section 205L than game balls that have been launched toward the left side of the game area PA. For ease of play, game pins such as obstacle pins may be arranged.

[0175] In the embodiment described above, the right warp passage section 205R of the center mechanism 200 is configured to receive game balls that have flowed out from the upper right outlet 204R to the game area PA on the right outer side of the center mechanism 200. However, it may also be configured to receive game balls that have been launched toward the right side of the game area PA. In this case, game pins such as obstacle pins may be arranged so that game balls that have flowed out from the upper right outlet 204R flow more easily into the right warp passage section 205R than game balls that have been launched toward the right side of the game area PA.

[0176] In the embodiments described above, a jackpot game machine was used as an example of a game machine to which the present invention is applied. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the same effects can be obtained by applying it to, for example, pachinko games, revolving games (slot machines), etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0177] JM Jan Ball Game Machine PA Gaming Area 10. Enclosure (main unit) 20 holding slots 30 Front door (opening / closing door) 50. Control Panel (Operation Panel) 51 Top part 52 Display device holding part 53 Slope section 54 Button unit holding part 70 Lower panel section 72 Game token storage tray 100 Game boards (game components) 111 Award-winning unit (112m designated ball entry point) 200 Center Feature 201 Passage gate 203L Upper left ball passage section 203R Upper right ball passage section 206 Upper special passage section 208 Lower special passage section 209 Special passage exit 250L Left-side aisle switching section (263L Contact piece section) 250R right side passage switching part (263R contact piece part) 300 Upper panel section 305 Double-glazed glass unit 320 Rear transparent member 330 Front light-transmitting member 360 Main Control Display Device 400 medal insertion unit 401 Coin slot 500 2nd performance display device 501 Display screen 550 Operation Button Unit 551a Left control button 551b Middle operation button 551c Right control button 600 Medal Selector 650 Selector holding member 660 medal dispensing mechanism

Claims

1. The main body and The game components held in the main body, An opening and closing door is attached to the main body so as to be openable and closable, and has a window that allows the game components held in the main body to be viewed, An operating panel section is provided below the window section of the opening and closing door and protrudes forward, A coin insertion section is provided on one of the left or right sides of the upper part of the control panel, and has a coin slot into which coins are inserted. An operating section is provided on the other side of the opening and closing door, below the operating panel, where the game ball launching operation is performed. The lower part of the aforementioned opening and closing door is provided with a storage tray for storing medals, which protrudes forward. The aforementioned coin slot is formed to extend linearly such that, when viewed from above, one end of the left or right side is positioned in front of the other end. A mahjong ball game machine characterized in that the amount of protrusion of one end of the storage tray is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the other end of the storage tray.

2. The aforementioned medal insertion section is A plate-shaped back plate portion is provided adjacent to the rear of the coin slot and protrudes upward, The mahjong ball game machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it has ribs provided at predetermined intervals behind the back plate portion and protruding upward.

3. A medal selector is provided on the back of the control panel and is used to determine whether the medals inserted into the medal slot conform to a predetermined standard. A return button, which is pressed, is provided on one of the left or right sides of the control panel, The mahjong ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a medal discharge mechanism provided on the back of the control panel, which, in response to a press operation on the return button, discharges medals that have been inserted into the medal slot and reached the medal selector to the outside.

Images