Gaming machine

Abstract

To suppress a sudden rise in price of a game machine more appropriately.SOLUTION: A power supply operation portion 128 and a RAM clear operation portion 107 are provided in a back side of a front frame 3 rotatable around a hinge portion 4 relative to an outer frame 2, a projection portion projecting to a front side of a shooting handle 39 is provided in a front side of the front frame 3, the power supply operation portion 128 and the RAM clear operation portion 107 are disposed in positions closer to an opening / closing end in a horizontal direction in the front frame 3, the power supply operation portion 128 and the RAM clear operation portion 107 become visible from an area between the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 when the front frame 3 is opened up to a first opening state relative to the outer frame 2, the power supply operation portion 128 and the RAM clear operation portion 107 are positioned in a front side of a font edge of the outer frame 2 in the first opening state, and the entire part of the projection portion is positioned inside in a horizontal direction relative to the hinge part 4. Also, provided is a fastener for fastening multiple harnesses to game components in one bundle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, gaming information display means is arranged approximately at the center of the gaming area of the game board, and gaming components such as normal winning means, start port means, big winning means, etc. are arranged in the peripheral part of the gaming information display means. A liquid crystal display means is used for the gaming information display means, and a large number of electrical components such as a winning switch, a drive solenoid, an LED, etc. are used for the normal winning means, the start port means, the big winning means, etc. For these electrical components, a harness is connected to each electrical component via a connector, the other end side of each harness is connected to a relay board or the like via a connector, and further, depending on whether the electrical component is in the game control system or the effect control system, it is connected to the main control board and the effect control board via a connector from the relay board, respectively. In addition, this type of gaming machine includes an outer frame fixed to the gaming island facility, and a front frame that is rotatably mounted around a hinge portion on one end side in the left - right direction, for example, the left - end side, on the front side of the outer frame. When the front frame is in the closed state where the rotation angle with respect to the outer frame is 0°, it can be locked to the outer frame by a locking means having a keyhole near the opening - closing end (for example, Patent Document 1). Also, on the back side of the front frame, various operation parts such as a power operation part and a RAM clear operation part, and various display means such as error display means are arranged. When performing a RAM clear operation by the power operation part and the RAM clear operation part, or when checking the error content by the error display means, it is necessary for the person in charge of the gaming hall to open the front frame and then perform the work.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Recently, the decline in the supply of components has led to rising component prices, resulting in soaring prices for amusement machines. Against this backdrop, measures to keep the prices of amusement machines down are needed. Possible measures to address the rising prices of amusement machines include reducing the amount of new components needed by miniaturizing, reusing, or repurposing components for other models. To promote the reuse of gaming parts, it is also important to implement measures to simplify wiring work and management tasks for hall staff during reuse. This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to suppress the price surge of gaming machines in a more appropriate manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention comprises a game component provided at a predetermined location, an outer frame that can be fixed to a game island facility, a front frame positioned in front of the outer frame with its rear end inserted into the outer frame, and a component positioned on the rear side of the front frame. Error Clearing Operation Unit And, on the front side of the aforementioned front frame It is positioned so that the player can operate it. Launch handle and performance control means The game component comprises a plurality of electrical components, and each of the electrical components Each Connected And wired along the wiring route The front frame has multiple harnesses, and the front frame is mounted to the outer frame in a manner that allows it to rotate around a hinge at one end in the left-right direction, and when the rotation angle with respect to the outer frame is 0°, the front frame can be locked to the outer frame by a locking means having a keyhole near the opening / closing end, which is the other end of the front frame in the left-right direction, and the front frame is The aforementioned performance control means is arranged and It has a protrusion that extends forward from the aforementioned firing handle, When the specific error clearing conditions, including the operation of the error clearing operation unit, are met, the specific error state can be cleared. In gaming machines, Multiple locations in the path direction of the wiring path harness On the aforementioned game component side Keep them together multiple Equipped with fasteners, The game component comprises a circuit board having a plurality of circuit board-side connectors, the harness is connected at one end to the electrical component and at the other end to the circuit board-side connector, the amount of slack in the harness from the fastener on the side closer to the circuit board to the circuit board-side connector is greater than the amount of slack in the harness from the fastener on the side closer to the electrical component to the electrical component, the harness has a slack portion between the fastener on the side closer to the circuit board and the circuit board-side connector having the amount of slack necessary for the connection of the harness, the slack portion is located in a slack arrangement portion provided between the plurality of circuit board-side connectors or on the rear side of the circuit board-side connector, the amount of forward protrusion of the protruding portion gradually decreases from the center in the left-right direction toward the hinge portion side, The front frame is relative to the outer frame. prescribed When fully opened, The error clearing operation unit However, from between the outer frame and the front frame operation This becomes possible, as mentioned above prescribed In the open state, The error clearing operation unit The projection is located in front of the front edge of the outer frame, and the entire projection is located inward in the left-right direction from the hinge portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to more effectively suppress price increases for gaming machines. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of the same pachinko machine. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] This is a plan view of the lower front unit of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of the same pachinko machine. [Figure 7] This is a side cross-sectional view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 8] This is a rear view of the lower part of the pachinko machine. [Figure 9] This is a side cross-sectional view of the lower part of the pachinko machine. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the settings for the normal state and the three types of advantageous states of the pachinko machine. [Figure 12] This figure shows the relationship between the random value used to determine a jackpot and the jackpot / short-time bonus determination value in the jackpot / short-time bonus lottery of this pachinko machine. [Figure 13] Regarding the first and second special symbol variations of the pachinko machine, (a) shows the types of jackpot patterns, distribution rates, special profit states, transition destinations, and conditions for ending the advantageous state, while (b) shows the types of time-saving patterns, distribution rates, transition destinations, and conditions for ending the advantageous state. [Figure 14] It is an explanatory diagram regarding the transition of the game state in the same pachinko machine. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing the outlines, error display methods, and error解除 methods for a plurality of types of errors related to payout control in the same pachinko machine. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing the volume setting table of the same pachinko machine. [Figure 17] It is a plan view showing the first open state of the front frame in the same pachinko machine. [Figure 18] It is a plan view showing the second open state of the front frame in the same pachinko machine. [Figure 19] It is a plan view showing the third open state of the front frame in the same pachinko machine. [Figure 20] It is a plan view showing the fourth open state of the front frame in the same pachinko machine. [Figure 21] It is a plan view showing the fifth open state of the front frame in the same pachinko machine. [Figure 22] It is a rear view of the pachinko machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] It is a plan sectional view of the same pachinko machine. [Figure 24] It is a perspective view of the main part of the power supply board case of the pachinko machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] It is a side sectional view of the main part of the power supply board case of the same pachinko machine. [Figure 26] It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] It is a rear view of the same game board. [Figure 28] It is a plan view of the same first special symbol starting means. [Figure 29] It is a plan sectional view of the same first special symbol starting means. [Figure 30] It is a rear view of the same first special symbol starting means. [[ID=5I]] [Figure 31] It is a side view of the positioning state of the same harness. [Figure 32] It is an explanatory diagram of the connection relationship of the same harness. [Figure 33] This is an explanatory diagram of the harness. [Figure 34] This is an explanatory diagram of the fastener. [Figure 35] This is a plan view of a composite prize-winning mechanism for a pachinko machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] This is a rear view of the combined prize-winning mechanism. [Figure 37] This is a decomposed perspective view of the combined prize-winning method. [Figure 38] This is a rear view of the relay board, LED board, etc. [Figure 39] This is a side cross-sectional view of the relay board, LED board, etc. [Figure 40] This is a diagram illustrating the wiring configuration of the harness. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 21 illustrate a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine. In Figures 1 and 2, the gaming machine body 1 comprises an outer frame 2 that can be fixed to a gaming island facility installed in a gaming hall, and a front frame 3 that is positioned in front of the outer frame 2 with its rear end inserted into the outer frame 2. The front frame 3 is pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be able to open and close and detachably via a vertical first hinge (hinge part) 4 located at one end in the left-right direction (here, the left end), and can be locked in the closed state relative to the outer frame 2 by a locking means 5 provided at the other end in the left-right direction, which is the opening / closing end (here, the right end). In this embodiment, the opening angle (rotation angle) of the front frame 3 around the first hinge 4 relative to the outer frame 2 is set with the closed state as the reference (0°), and the opening direction (i.e., clockwise in a plan view) as the positive direction.

[0009] The front frame 3 comprises an inner frame 6 and a glass door 7 positioned in front of the inner frame 6. The glass door 7 is pivotally attached to the inner frame 6 via a vertical second hinge 8 located at one end in the left-right direction (in this case, the left end), allowing it to be opened, closed, and detachably attached. It can be locked in the closed position relative to the inner frame 6 by a locking means 5. In this embodiment, the second hinge 8 and the first hinge 4 are coaxial.

[0010] The locking mechanism 5 includes a keyhole 5a positioned forward at a predetermined vertical position near the opening / closing end (right end) of the front frame 3, for example, on the lower side. By inserting a special key into this keyhole 5a and rotating it to one side in the left-right direction (for example, to the right), the locking state of the front frame 3 relative to the outer frame 2 is released, and by rotating it to the other side in the left-right direction (for example, to the left), the locking state of the glass door 7 relative to the inner frame 6 is released.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular shape by a pair of left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members 2c, 2d. In this embodiment, the upper and lower horizontal frame members 2c, 2d are made of wood, and the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b are made of metal (conductive material). A front cover member 9 made of synthetic resin is attached to the lower front of the outer frame 2 so as to connect the lower front of the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b along the front edge of the lower horizontal frame member 2d. The front cover member 9 protrudes forward from the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b, and the inner frame 6 is positioned above it. In addition, the outer frame 2 has an upper outer frame hinge fitting 11 which constitutes the first hinge 4, located in the upper left, and a lower outer frame hinge fitting 12 which is located in the lower left, above the front cover member 9.

[0012] The inner frame 6 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figure 2, integrally comprises a rectangular frame portion 13 that can substantially abut against the front edge of the outer frame 2 above the front cover member 9, a game board mounting portion 14 provided on the upper side of the frame portion 13, and a lower mounting portion 15 provided on the lower side of the frame portion 13. The game board 16 is detachably mounted on the game board mounting portion 14 from the front, and the launching means 17, lower speaker 18, etc. are arranged on the front side of the lower mounting portion 15. In addition, the inner frame 6 has the main frame upper hinge fitting 19 which constitutes the first hinge 4 and the main frame upper hinge fitting 20 which constitutes the second hinge 8 located on the upper left, and the main frame lower hinge fitting 21 which constitutes the first, second hinges 4 and 8 located on the lower left.

[0013] The glass door 7 is equipped with a rectangular resin door base 22 that corresponds to the front side of the inner frame 6. A window opening 24a for the glass window 24 is formed in this door base 22, corresponding to the front side of the game area 23 formed in the game board 16, and various display means such as a plurality (four in this case) of upper speakers 25, a first movable frame 26, a second movable frame 27, and a blower 28 are arranged around the window opening 24a.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the upper front side of the door base 22 is provided with a left decorative cover portion 29a that covers the hinge end side (left side) relative to the glass window 24, a right decorative cover portion 29b that covers the opening / closing end side (right side) relative to the glass window 24, and an upper decorative cover portion 29c that covers the upper side relative to the glass window 24. Comparing the left decorative cover portion 29a and the right decorative cover portion 29b, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the right decorative cover portion 29b on the opening / closing end side protrudes further forward than the left decorative cover portion 29a on the hinge end side, and for the right decorative cover portion 29b, the upper side protrudes further forward than the lower side. The amount of forward protrusion of the upper decorative cover portion 29c is about the same as the amount of upper protrusion of the right decorative cover portion 29b.

[0015] The first movable frame 26 is positioned on the front side of the upper decorative cover 29c and approximately in the center in the left-right direction, and is formed in a predetermined shape, in this case a three-dimensional shape based on a butterfly motif. This first movable frame 26 can slide approximately in the front-rear direction between the origin position and a protruding position further forward, driven by a drive means (not shown), and is normally held in the origin position as shown in Figure 3. The second movable frame 27 is positioned on the front side of the right decorative cover 29b and approximately in the center in the up-down direction, and as shown in Figure 3, etc., it comprises a protruding part 27a that protrudes forward from the right decorative cover 29b and an operating part 27b provided on the front end side of this protruding part 27a. This second movable frame 27 can slide in the front-rear direction by a drive means (not shown), and can also be pushed in by the player. The air blowing means 28 is capable of blowing air towards the player's hand that is touching the second movable frame 27 at the moment the player operates the second movable frame 27.

[0016] A lower front unit 31 is positioned on the lower front side of the door base 22. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, this lower front unit 31 includes an upper tray 33 for storing game balls dispensed from the dispensing means 32 located behind the inner frame 6 and supplying them to the launching means 17, and a lower tray 34 for storing excess balls when the upper tray 33 is full. On the upper side, there are also a performance button 35, a directional pad 36, a volume control 37, a light intensity control 38, and various other operating means. The amount of forward protrusion of the lower front unit 31 gradually decreases from the center in the left-right direction to both ends, and the performance button 35 is positioned corresponding to the center in the left-right direction where the protrusion is greatest. Furthermore, a launch handle 39 is provided projecting forward from the opening end (right side) of the lower front unit 31, which allows for the launching operation to launch game balls using the launching means 17.

[0017] Furthermore, the first movable frame 26, the second movable frame 27, and the lower front unit 31 have a maximum forward protrusion greater than the protrusion of the launch handle 39 (Figure 3, etc.). Also, for the decorative cover sections 29a to 29c, the forward protrusion of the upper side of the right decorative cover section 29b and the upper decorative cover section 29c is greater than the protrusion of the launch handle 39, while the forward protrusion of the lower side of the right decorative cover section 29b and the left decorative cover section 29a is smaller than the protrusion of the launch handle 39 (Figure 3, etc.).

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, a glass unit 40 that substantially covers the window opening 24a from the rear is detachably mounted on the rear side of the door base 22. In addition, vertical hinge end reinforcing plates 41a arranged along the edges on the first and second hinges 4 and 8 sides, vertical opening / closing end reinforcing plates 41b arranged along the edges on the opening / closing end side, and horizontal lower reinforcing plates 41c arranged below the window opening 24a are detachably fixed by screws or the like. Furthermore, the glass door upper hinge fitting 42a, which constitutes the second hinge 8, is located on the upper left of the door base 22, and the glass door lower hinge fitting 42b is located on the lower left of the same door base 22.

[0019] Furthermore, a ball feeding unit 43a, a lower tray guide unit 43b, etc., are mounted on the rear side of the lower reinforcing plate 41c. The ball feeding unit 43a is for supplying game balls from the upper tray 33 one by one to the launching means 17, and is positioned corresponding to the front side of the launching means 17. The lower tray guide unit 43b is for guiding excess balls when the upper tray 33 is full, and foul balls that have been launched by the launching means 17 but have returned without reaching the game area 23, to the lower tray 34, and is positioned adjacent to the ball feeding unit 43a on the side of its first and second hinges 4 and 8.

[0020] As shown in Figure 5, the game board 16 has a base plate 45 made of polycarbonate or the like, on which guide rails 46 are arranged in a ring shape on the front side to guide the game balls launched from the launching means 17. In the game area 23 inside the guide rails 46, in addition to unit components such as a central display frame unit 47, a starting prize unit 48, a big prize unit 49, and a normal prize unit 50, a large number of game pins (not shown) are arranged.

[0021] Multiple unit components 47-50 of the game board 16 are provided with a normal symbol starting means 61, a first special symbol starting means 62, a second special symbol starting means 63, a big prize winning means 64, multiple normal prize winning means 65, etc. Also, on the rear side of the base plate 45, in addition to a liquid crystal display means (image display means) 66, a movable board performance means 67 equipped with a movable board body 67a that can move in front of the liquid crystal display means 66 is arranged.

[0022] The central display frame unit 47 constitutes the display frame of the liquid crystal display means 66 and is detachably attached from the front to a mounting hole (not shown) formed in the base plate 45 that penetrates in the front-to-back direction. The central display frame unit 47 has a display window 47a formed approximately in the center, corresponding to the front of the liquid crystal display means 66, and includes a front mounting plate 71 that is positioned outside the mounting hole along the front surface of the base plate 45 and through which game balls can pass, a decorative frame 72 that is positioned in a roughly gate shape in front view, extending from both the left and right sides of the display window 47a to the upper side and projecting forward from the inner circumference of the front mounting plate 71, and a stage 73 positioned below the display window 47a between the left and right lower ends of the decorative frame 72. Game balls launched by the launching means 17 and entering the upper side of the game area 23 are distributed to the left and right at the top of the decorative frame 72 and flow down either the left-downward path 74a on the left side of the central display frame unit 47 or the right-downward path 74b on the right side.

[0023] The central display frame unit 47 is provided with a warp inlet 75 into which game balls can flow, on at least one side of the left-flow path 74a and the right-flow path 74b, for example, on the left-flow path 74a side. Game balls that flow down the left-flow path 74a and enter the warp inlet 75 roll freely in the left-right direction on the stage 73, and then fall forward from either the central drop section 76, which is provided corresponding to the left-right center of the game area 23, or the other parts.

[0024] Furthermore, the central display frame unit 47 is equipped with various display means, such as a normal symbol display means 81, a normal reserve count display means 82, a first special symbol display means 83, and a second special symbol display means 84. Of course, these display means 81 to 84 are not limited to the central display frame unit 47, but can be placed at any position on the front of the game board 16 in a manner that is visible from the front.

[0025] The starting prize unit 48 is located below the central display frame unit 47 and is detachably attached to the base plate 45 from the front. The grand prize unit 49 is located below the central display frame unit 47 and to the right of the starting prize unit 48 and is detachably attached to the base plate 45 from the front. The regular prize unit 50 is located below the central display frame unit 47 and to the left of the starting prize unit 48 and is detachably attached to the base plate 45 from the front.

[0026] The normal symbol starting means 61 is for initiating the display of the normal symbols by the normal symbol display means 81, and is composed of a passage gate through which game balls can pass, and is equipped with a game ball detection switch (not shown) for detecting the passage of game balls. This normal symbol starting means 61 is provided on the front side of the front mounting plate 71 on the right side of the central display frame unit 47, and is accessible to game balls flowing down the rightward flow path 74b.

[0027] The normal symbol display means 81 is for displaying a normal symbol in a variable manner and is composed of multiple (two in this case) LEDs. Based on the normal symbol start means 61 detecting a game ball, the two LEDs that make up the normal symbol light up in a normal variable light pattern. Then, if the random value for winning judgment included in the normal random number information acquired when the normal symbol start means 61 detects the game ball matches a predetermined winning judgment value, the variable stops in a winning manner; otherwise, it stops in a losing manner.

[0028] The probability of a regular symbol resulting in a winning combination (winning probability) has two settings: a low probability (here, 100 / 251) and a high probability (here, 250 / 251). One of these is used depending on the game state (the normal state, the 1st to 3rd advantageous states, which will be described later) (Figure 11). In addition, the variation time for regular symbols has two settings: a normal (non-shortened) variation time (here, 5 seconds) and a shorter shortened variation time (here, 4.9 seconds). One of these is used depending on the game state (the normal state, the 1st to 3rd advantageous states, which will be described later) (Figure 11).

[0029] Furthermore, the normal random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the normal symbol starting means 61 is stored in reserve up to a predetermined upper limit, for example, 4 units. Each time the normal symbols become able to change, one unit is consumed, and the normal symbols change. The number of normal random number information units stored (normal reserve unit) is notified to the player by the normal reserve unit display means 82, etc.

[0030] The first special symbol starting means 62 is for initiating the symbol change by the first special symbol display means 83, and is composed of a non-opening type prize entry means that does not have an opening / closing mechanism, and is equipped with a game ball detection switch (not shown) for detecting a game ball that has entered the prize. This first special symbol starting means 62 is provided in the starting prize entry unit 48 and is positioned with an upward opening below the central drop section 76 of the stage 73, corresponding to the central drop section 76 of the stage 73, and there is a route from the warp entrance 75 on the left flow path 74a side to enter the prize via the stage 73, so game balls that have flowed down the left flow path 74a have a higher probability of entering the prize than game balls that have flowed down the right flow path 74b. When a game ball enters this first special symbol starting means 62, a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed as prize balls for each prize.

[0031] The second special symbol starting means 63 is for initiating the symbol change by the second special symbol display means 84. It is composed of an open / close type prize-winning means that can change between an open state in which game balls can be won and a closed state in which game balls cannot be won (or are more difficult to win than in the open state) by the operation of the opening / closing part 78. It is equipped with a game ball detection switch (not shown) for detecting game balls that have been won. In the normal prize state that occurs when the stopped symbols after the change of the normal symbol display means 81 become a winning pattern, the opening / closing part 78 is opened for a predetermined time.

[0032] In this normal profit state, the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 includes a normal (non-extended) opening time (80ms in this case) and a longer extended opening time (4000ms in this case), and one of these is used depending on the game state (normal state, first to third profit states, which will be described later) (Figure 11).

[0033] This second special symbol starting means 63 is located on the front mounting plate 71 on the right side of the central display frame unit 47 and downstream of the normal symbol starting means 61, allowing game balls that have flowed down the rightward flow path 74b to enter. When a game ball enters this second special symbol starting means 63, a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed as prize balls for each entry.

[0034] The first special symbol display means 83 is composed of a display means such as a 7-segment type capable of displaying the first special symbol in a variable manner. Based on the detection of a game ball by the first special symbol starting means 62, the first special symbol is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time. If the jackpot judgment random number value included in the first special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the first special symbol starting means 62 matches a predetermined jackpot judgment value, the display stops in a jackpot manner. If it matches a predetermined time reduction judgment value (if the time reduction lottery is won), the display stops in a time reduction manner. Otherwise, the display stops in a losing manner.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13(a), two types of jackpot modes, A1 and A2, are provided for the first special symbol display means 83. When the jackpot lottery result is a jackpot, one of these jackpot modes A1 or A2 is selected at a predetermined distribution rate (here, 6:4) based on the symbol determination random numbers included in the first special random number information. Also, as shown in Figure 13(b), two types of time-saving modes, B1 and B2, are provided for the first special symbol display means 83. When a win is achieved in the time-saving lottery, one of these time-saving modes B1 or B2 is selected at a predetermined distribution rate (here, 1:9) based on the symbol determination random numbers included in the first special random number information.

[0036] If the stopping symbols after the first special symbol display means 83 changes result in a jackpot, a special benefit state is generated according to the type of jackpot (either A1 or A2), and after the special benefit state ends, the player transitions to a predetermined advantageous state (here, either the second or third advantageous state) (Figure 13(a)). Also, if the stopping symbols after the first special symbol display means 83 changes result in a time-saving state, a special benefit state is not generated, and at that point, the player transitions to a predetermined advantageous state (here, either the first or second advantageous state) according to the type of time-saving state (either B1 or B2) (Figure 13(b)).

[0037] The second special symbol display means 84 is composed of a display means such as a 7-segment type capable of displaying the second special symbol in a variable manner. Based on the detection of a game ball by the second special symbol starting means 63, the second special symbol is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time. If the jackpot judgment random number value included in the second special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the second special symbol starting means 63 matches a predetermined jackpot judgment value, the variable is stopped in a jackpot manner. If it matches a predetermined time reduction judgment value (if the time reduction lottery is won), the variable is stopped in a time reduction manner. Otherwise, the variable is stopped in a losing manner.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13(a), the second special symbol display means 84 is provided with two types of jackpot modes, A1 and A2, just like the first special symbol display means 83. When the jackpot lottery result is a jackpot, one of these jackpot modes A1 and A2 is selected at a predetermined distribution rate (here, 6:4) based on the symbol determination random numbers included in the second special random number information. Also, as shown in Figure 13(b), the second special symbol display means 84 is provided with two types of time-saving modes, B1 and B2, just like the first special symbol display means 83. When a win occurs in the time-saving lottery, one of these time-saving modes B1 and B2 is selected at a predetermined distribution rate (here, 1:9) based on the symbol determination random numbers included in the second special random number information.

[0039] If the stopping symbols after the second special symbol display means 84 changes to a jackpot pattern, a special benefit state is generated according to the type of jackpot pattern (either A1 or A2), and after the special benefit state ends, the player transitions to a predetermined advantageous state (here, either the second or third advantageous state) (Figure 13(a)). Also, if the stopping symbols after the second special symbol display means 84 changes to a time-saving pattern, a special benefit state is not generated, and at that point, the player transitions to a predetermined advantageous state (either the first or second advantageous state) according to the type of time-saving pattern (either B1 or B2) (Figure 13(b)).

[0040] Although the time-saving lottery is conducted only during the normal state (Figure 11), as will be described later, in this embodiment the second special symbol display means 84 rarely changes during the normal state, so in practice the time-saving lottery is rarely conducted with respect to the second special symbol display means 84.

[0041] Figure 12 shows the relationship between the random value for jackpot determination and the jackpot / time-saving determination value in the jackpot / time-saving determination lottery of the first and second special symbol display means 83 and 84. As shown in Figure 12, the random value for jackpot determination is generated in the range of 0 to 65535, and of these, when the jackpot probability is high, the jackpot determination value is in the range of 10001 to 12048, but when the jackpot probability is low, the jackpot determination value is in a narrower range of 10001 to 10205. Thus, the probability of the first and second special symbols resulting in a jackpot (jackpot probability) can be switched between a low probability (here, 1 / 319) and a high probability (here, 1 / 32). The jackpot probability is set to a high probability during the third advantageous state, which will be described later, and to a low probability during other normal states and during the first and second advantageous states (Figure 11).

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, only during the normal state described later, the range of 20001 to 22184 becomes the time-saving judgment value (winning probability ≈ 1 / 30), and no time-saving judgment value is set during the advantageous state. In other words, the time-saving lottery is performed only during the normal state and not during the advantageous state. Alternatively, it can be said that during the advantageous state, the time-saving lottery is not not performed, but rather the winning probability in the time-saving lottery is set to 0. As described above, in this embodiment, the jackpot lottery and the time-saving lottery are performed using a common random value.

[0043] In this embodiment, the normal state and multiple types of advantageous states are set as shown in Figure 11. Specifically, in the normal state, the probability of winning with the first and second special symbols is set to a low probability (1 / 319), the probability of winning with the regular symbols is set to a low probability (100 / 251), the variation time of the regular symbols is set to the normal (non-shortened) variation time (5 seconds), and the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 is set to the normal (non-extended) opening time (80 ms).

[0044] Furthermore, the first advantageous state is obtained by changing the fluctuation time of the regular symbols to a shortened fluctuation time (4.9 seconds) compared to the normal state, the second advantageous state is obtained by changing the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 to an extended opening time (4000ms) compared to the first advantageous state, and the third advantageous state is obtained by changing the jackpot probability of the first and second special symbols to a high probability (1 / 32) and the jackpot probability of the regular symbols to a high probability (250 / 251) compared to the second advantageous state. As mentioned above, the time-saving lottery is performed only during the normal state and not during the first to third advantageous states. Note that the difference between the normal (non-shortened) fluctuation time (5 seconds) and the shortened fluctuation time (4.9 seconds) of the regular symbols is slight, and it is difficult for the player to distinguish the difference. Therefore, it can be said that the normal state and the first advantageous state are substantially the same except for whether or not the time-saving lottery is performed.

[0045] As is clear from Figure 11, during the normal state and the first advantageous state, the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 in the normal profit state is very short (80ms). Therefore, even if a player aims the game ball at the normal symbol starting means 61 and the second special symbol starting means 63 and generates the normal profit state, it is difficult to get the ball into the second special symbol starting means 63. Accordingly, during the normal state and the first advantageous state, it is desirable for the player to aim at the first special symbol starting means 62, where the difficulty of getting a win does not change even if the game state changes, and use what is known as left-handed shooting.

[0046] On the other hand, during the second and third advantageous states, the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 in the normal advantageous state is extended (4000ms), making it easier to win. Therefore, it is desirable for players to aim for the normal symbol starting means 61 and the second special symbol starting means 63 and shoot to the right. As a result, during the normal state and the first advantageous state, the first special symbol display means 83 will mainly change, and during the second and third advantageous states, the second special symbol display means 84 will mainly change. Thus, since the second special symbol display means 84 rarely changes during the normal state, a time-saving lottery is rarely conducted regarding the change of the second special symbol display means 84. It should be noted that a time-saving lottery may not be conducted for the second special symbol display means 84 regardless of the game state.

[0047] Furthermore, when the first and second special symbols change using the first and second special symbol display means 83 and 84, the symbol change is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 66 in parallel with this. As shown in Figure 5, the performance symbol 88 has multiple symbol rows (in this case, three in the left-right direction) composed of a number symbol and other symbols, and each symbol constituting each of these symbol rows is composed of a symbol body part 88a consisting of numbers such as 1 to 8 and others, and a character or other decorative part 88b attached to this symbol body part 88a. The performance symbol 88 can be arbitrarily changed in its display mode, such as by enlarging or reducing it, changing its display position, or erasing the decorative part 88b.

[0048] The performance symbol 88 begins to move by vertical scrolling or the like for each symbol row according to a predetermined movement pattern, approximately simultaneously with the start of movement of the first and second special symbols, and comes to a final stop approximately simultaneously with the stop of movement of the first and second special symbols so that the stopping symbols on the predetermined active lines are in the form determined by lottery. In the performance symbol 88, if all the stopping symbols on the active lines are the same, it is a jackpot performance pattern, and otherwise it is a time-saving performance pattern or a losing performance pattern. If the first and second special symbols are in a jackpot pattern, time-saving pattern, or losing pattern, the performance symbol 88 will be in a jackpot pattern, time-saving pattern, or losing pattern, respectively.

[0049] Furthermore, the first and second special random number information acquired when a win occurs in the first and second special symbol starting means 62 and 63 is stored in reserve up to a predetermined upper limit, for example, 4 for each. When the first and second special symbols become capable of changing, if there is 1 or more reserved memories for the second special symbol, one reserved memory for the second special symbol is consumed and the second special symbol is changed. If only the reserved memories for the first special symbol are 1 or more, one reserved memory for the first special symbol is consumed and the first special symbol is changed. Thus, in this embodiment, the first and second special symbols are never changing at the same time, and if there are reserved memories for both the first and second special symbols, the second special symbol is given priority in changing.

[0050] The number of first and second special random number information items stored in reserve (first and second special reserve number) is notified to the player by the liquid crystal display means 66, etc. As shown in Figure 5, the liquid crystal display means 66 is capable of displaying first and second reserve images X1~X4, Y1~Y4, and a reserve image Z that is currently changing, which indicate the first and second special reserve numbers. Specifically, when the number of first and second special reserved balls increases based on the detection of game balls by the first and second special symbol starting means 62 and 63, one additional first and second reserved image X1~, Y1~ is displayed on the liquid crystal display means 66. Conversely, when the number of first and second special reserved balls decreases based on the start of a new variation of the first and second special symbols by the first and second special symbol display means 83 and 84, the variation-in-progress reserved image Z is erased, and the first and second reserved images X1~, Y1~ are shifted one by one toward the front of the queue (for example, the right side of the screen), while the leading first and second reserved images X1, Y1 that have been pushed out are moved to a predetermined position and changed into a new variation-in-progress reserved image Z.

[0051] The jackpot mechanism 64 is an open / close type jackpot mechanism equipped with an open / close plate 79 that can be switched between an open state in which game balls can enter and a closed state in which they cannot. It is installed in the jackpot unit 49 and is located downstream of the second special symbol starting mechanism 63 and upstream of the first special symbol starting mechanism 62. Game balls that flow down the rightward flow path 74b have a higher probability of entering the jackpot than game balls that flow down the leftward flow path 74a. In the special bonus state that occurs when the first and second special symbols of the first and second special symbol display mechanisms 83 and 84 stop in a jackpot pattern after changing, the open / close plate 79 opens to the front according to one or more types of opening patterns, allowing game balls that fall onto it to enter the mechanism. When a game ball enters the jackpot mechanism 64, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls for each entry.

[0052] In the special bonus state, the opening pattern of the big prize means 64 is configured to perform an operation to close the big prize means 64 for a predetermined number of rounds, such as 3R or 10R, on the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 28 seconds) has elapsed since opening the big prize means 64 or a predetermined number (for example, 9 balls) have entered the prize by then. In this embodiment, regardless of whether the first or second special symbol results in a big win, the 10R opening pattern is selected regardless of the type of big win (A1, A2) (Figure 13(a)).

[0053] Furthermore, within the game area 23, multiple normal prize-winning means 65 are arranged in the normal prize-winning unit 50, etc. The normal prize-winning means 65 are non-opening type prize-winning means that do not have an opening / closing mechanism, and are equipped with a game ball detection switch (not shown) that detects a game ball that has entered a prize, and when a game ball enters a prize, a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed as prize balls for each prize.

[0054] Furthermore, game balls that enter the winning means such as the first and second special symbol starting means 62 and 63, the grand prize means 64, and the normal prize means 65 described above are detected by the game ball detection switch and then discharged outside the game machine via the back of the game board 16. Game balls that do not enter any of the winning means are discharged outside the game machine via the back of the game board 16 through one or more outlets 90 located within the game area 23.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, etc., a back mounting body 91 is arranged on the back side of the game board 16 to cover the prize-winning means such as the big prize means 64 and the out-out opening 90. This back mounting body 91 consists of a back mounting base 92 and a ball collection case 93. A liquid crystal display means 66 is detachably mounted on the back mounting base 92 on its back wall 92a side and in a position corresponding to the rear of the display window 47a of the central display frame unit 47, and a movable game board display means 67 (Figure 5) is arranged between the base plate 45 of the game board 16 and the back wall 92a.

[0056] The ball collection case 93 is for receiving game balls that have entered the prize-winning means such as the grand prize means 64, or have been guided to the back side of the game board 16 by passing through the out opening 90, and for discharging them downstream. As shown in Figure 7, it is positioned to cover the lower side of the back mounting base 92, and an outlet 94 for discharging the collected game balls downwards is formed at a predetermined position on its bottom wall 93a, for example, on the front side approximately in the center in the left-right direction.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a main control board case 102, a performance board case 106, and the like are detachably mounted on the back side of the back mounting body 91. The main control board case 102 is located on the lower side of the back mounting body 91, that is, behind the ball collection case 93, and houses the main control board 101 with its first surface 101a, on which the main electronic components are mounted, facing the rear. The performance board case 106 is located above the main control board case 102, corresponding to the rear side of the liquid crystal display means 66, and houses the performance interface board 103, the liquid crystal interface board 104, and the liquid crystal control board 105, all with their first surfaces 103a, 104a, and 105a, on which the main electronic components are mounted, facing the rear.

[0058] The main control board 101 is a roughly rectangular shape that straddles the opening / closing end and the hinge end, with the left-right center of the front frame 3 in between. As shown in Figures 6, 8, and 9, the RAM clear switch 107 is located on the lower side of the first surface 101a and on the opening / closing end side, i.e., the lower left side in a rear view (a position closer to the opening / closing end in the left-right direction of the front frame 3). The RAM clear switch (RAM clear operation unit) 107 is operated when the RAM is cleared when the power is turned on. It can be pressed from the outside of the main control board case 102 and is configured to be OFF when not operated and ON when pressed. When the front frame 3 is in the closed state, the RAM clear switch 107 is located behind the rear edge of the outer frame 2.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, a volume setting knob 108 is positioned on the performance interface board 103 at a predetermined location on the first surface 103a side, for example, near the left-right opening / closing end of the front frame 3. The volume setting knob 108 is for the hall staff to perform volume selection operations and is composed of a rotary switch that can be switched between multiple stages (in this case, 10 stages corresponding to hall setting values ​​T0 to T9), and can be rotated from the outside of the performance board case 106. Note that when the front frame 3 is in the closed state, the volume setting knob 108 is located behind the rear edge of the outer frame 2.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a rear cover 110 is detachably attached to the back of the front frame 3, which can be opened and closed to cover the back of the game board 16. Above it are a game ball tank 111 and a first tank rail 112a, and on one side each are a second tank rail 112b, a dispensing means 32, and a dispensing passage 113. When a game ball enters a prize-winning means such as the big prize means 64, or when a ball dispensing command is received from an automatic ball dispensing machine (not shown), the game balls in the game ball tank 111 are dispensed via the first and second tank rails 112a and 112b by the dispensing means 32, and the game balls are guided to the upper tray 33 via the dispensing passage 113.

[0061] The rear cover 110 is made of transparent synthetic resin and has a vertical hinge 114 on one end in the left-right direction, for example, the right end (left end when viewed from the rear), and one or more latching means 115 for fixing it in the closed position on the other end in the left-right direction, for example, the left end (right end when viewed from the rear). When closed, it covers almost the entire performance board case 106 and a part of the upper side of the main control board case 102 from the rear. The RAM clear switch 107 provided on the main control board 101 is located on the outside (bottom) of the rear cover 110 and can be operated with the rear cover 110 closed. Furthermore, the volume setting knob 108 on the performance interface board 103 is located inside the rear cover 110. The rear cover 110 has an opening 110a corresponding to the rear of the volume setting knob 108, and by inserting a tool such as a screwdriver into this opening 110a, it is possible to operate the volume setting knob 108 even with the rear cover 110 closed. Of course, if the rear cover 110 is open, the volume setting knob 108 can be operated without using any tools.

[0062] As shown in Figures 6 to 10, a circuit board mounting base 121 is located on the lower back side of the front frame 3, that is, on the back side of the lower mounting section 15. A power supply board case 124, which houses the power supply board 123, one of the components that make up the power supply unit 122, and a payout launch board case 126, which houses the payout launch control board 125, are detachably mounted on the back side of this circuit board mounting base 121. On the front side of the circuit board mounting base 121, a ball discharge passage 127 is provided integrally for discharging game balls guided to the back side of the game board 16 to the outside of the machine. The ball discharge passage 127 has an inlet 127a on the upstream end that communicates with the outlet 94 on the ball collection case 93 side from below, and an outlet 127b on the downstream end that opens downward at the front of the lower end of the circuit board mounting base 121.

[0063] The power supply board case 124 and the payout / launch board case 126 are positioned near the bottom of the main control board case 102, overlapping front to back. The power supply board case 124 is detachably mounted on the rear side of the board mounting base 121, and the payout / launch board case 126 is detachably mounted on the rear side of the power supply board case 124. The payout / launch board case 126 may be fixed to the board mounting base 121 or the like instead of the power supply board case 124.

[0064] The power supply board 123 does not have a backup power supply, nor does it have the function of determining and outputting a power abnormality signal when the power is turned off. It does not have any functions that could affect or potentially affect the outcome of the game, and only has the function of supplying or stopping power to other boards and components. Thus, since the power supply board 123 is only one of the components that make up the power supply unit 122, there is no need to engrave board identification information such as the company name and board number, and therefore it can be used commonly among group companies, etc.

[0065] Regarding the backup power supply, it is possible to provide it on the relay board that relays between the power supply board 123 and the main control board 101, or on the payout launch control board 125, etc., but not on the main control board 101. This is because if the main control board 101 alone could back up information regarding the game state, it could make fraudulent activities easier. The function for judging and outputting power abnormality signals can be provided on the relay board, the payout launch control board 125, etc., as well as on the main control board 101.

[0066] The power supply board 123 is a roughly rectangular shape that spans the opening / closing end and the hinge end, straddling the left-right center of the front frame 3. It is housed in the power supply board case 124 with its first surface 123a, on which the main electronic components are mounted, facing the rear. The power switch 128 is positioned on the upper side of the first surface 123a and on the opening / closing end side of the front frame 3, i.e., the upper left in a rear view (closer to the left-right opening / closing end of the front frame 3), and is operable from outside the power supply board case 124.

[0067] The power switch (power operation unit) 128 is used to turn the power ON / OFF. As shown in Figures 6, 8 to 10, it has a power ON section 128a and a power OFF section 128b. When the power ON section 128a is pressed in, the power OFF section 128b protrudes (power ON state), and when the power OFF section 128b is pressed in, the power ON section 128a protrudes (power OFF state). It is configured as a so-called rocker switch (seesaw switch), with the power ON section 128a positioned below the power OFF section 128b. This minimizes the possibility of the power being turned OFF even if a falling object such as a game ball collides with the power switch 128. When the front frame 3 is closed, the power switch 128 is located behind the rear edge of the outer frame 2.

[0068] Furthermore, near the power switch 128 on the first surface 123a of the power supply board 123, for example on the lower side, a power connector 130 for connecting a power harness 129 is exposed from the power supply board case 124, facing backward. The power harness 129 is for connecting the power supply board 123 to an external power supply (24V), and as shown in Figures 6 to 10, a power plug 129a is provided on one end, and the connection connector 129b on the other end is connected to the power connector 130 of the power supply board 123.

[0069] The power harness 129 is guided along a predetermined wiring path 131 on the rear side of the front frame 3, from the connection point with the power board 123 (the left end when viewed from the rear of the power board 123) to the upper part of the hinge end on the rear side of the front frame 3. This wiring path 131 includes a first wiring path 131a which is arranged in the left-right direction along the underside of the power board case 124, and a second wiring path 131b which is arranged in the up-down direction along the hinge end of the front frame 3. The power harness 129 is guided by a first guide means 132 for the first wiring path 131a and by a second guide means 133 for the second wiring path 131b.

[0070] The first guide means 132 consists of a plurality (four in this case) of locking devices 132a to 132d arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction along the lower edge of the power supply board case 124. The locking devices 132a to 132d are formed in the shape of a hook or any other arbitrary shape that can lock the power supply harness 129, and are integrally formed on the back side of the board mounting base 121, or are detachably attached to the board mounting base 121. The power supply harness 129 is guided by this first guide means 132 in the left-right direction along the underside of the power supply board case 124 while avoiding the outlet 127b of the bulb discharge passage 127 (first wiring path 131a).

[0071] The second guide means 133 consists of a plurality (five in this case) of locking devices 133a to 133e arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction along the hinge end edge of the front frame 3. The locking devices 133a to 133e are formed in a hook shape or any other arbitrary shape capable of locking the power harness 129, and are integrally formed on the back side of the frame portion 13 that constitutes the inner frame 6, or are detachably attached to the frame portion 13. The power harness 129 is guided vertically by this second guide means 133 along the inner surface of the vertical frame member 2a on the hinge side of the outer frame 2 (second wiring path 131b), and is pulled upward from the pull-out portion 134 formed by the uppermost locking device 133e. As a result, when the front frame 3 is opened, the power harness 129 is not caught between the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3, and the opening and closing operation of the front frame 3 can be performed smoothly. Of the five locking devices 133a to 133e that constitute the second guide means 133, the lowest locking device 133a is positioned below the main control board 101, and the uppermost locking device 133e is positioned above the performance interface board 103, the liquid crystal interface board 104, the liquid crystal control board 105, etc.

[0072] As described above, the power harness 129 is arranged along the metal (conductive) vertical frame material 2a that constitutes the outer frame 2 in the second wiring path 131b, and is also located on the outside (hinge side) of the rear cover 110 that covers the main control board case 102, etc. Furthermore, a certain distance is maintained between the rear cover 110 and the second wiring path 131b by arranging the second tank rail 112b, the dispensing means 32, the dispensing passage 113, etc., so that it is possible to eliminate adverse effects on the main control board 101 etc. due to noise from the power harness 129.

[0073] Furthermore, the first wiring path 131a is not routed between multiple control boards equipped with CPUs, for example, between the main control board 101 and the dispensing / firing control board 125, but is located below those control boards. In other words, the wiring path 131 of the power harness 129 is not routed between multiple control boards equipped with CPUs; that is, the first wiring path 131a is located below all the control boards, and the second wiring path 131b is located closer to the hinge end than all the control boards. As a result, it is arranged from the connection point with the power board 123 to the pull-out section 134 at the top of the hinge side on the rear side of the front frame 3, thereby effectively eliminating adverse effects on each control board due to noise from the power harness 129.

[0074] Furthermore, the power harness 129 is located on the outside of the rear cover 110 and is routed from a pull-out section 134 that is above the main control board 101, as well as the performance interface board 103, LCD interface board 104, LCD control board 105, etc., so the power harness 129 does not come into contact with or come close to any of the control boards.

[0075] As described above, the dispensing launch board case 126 is located behind the power supply board case 124. However, as shown in Figures 6, 8, and 10, the left end of the rear view (the opening / closing end on the front frame 3) is slightly offset to the right side of the rear view (the hinge end on the front frame 3) relative to the power supply board case 124, so as not to overlap with the rear of the power switch 128. Since the dispensing launch control board 125 and the dispensing launch board case 126 are shorter in the left-right direction than the power supply board 123 and the power supply board case 124, even with the dispensing launch board case 126 installed, a portion of the left end (the right end in the rear view) of the power supply board 123 and the power supply board case 124 is visible from the rear.

[0076] Furthermore, on the first surface 125a of the dispensing control board 125, an error display means 141 and an error release button (error release operation unit) 142 are arranged on the opening / closing end side of the front frame 3, that is, the left end side when viewed from the rear (a position closer to the opening / closing end in the left-right direction of the front frame 3). Note that when the front frame 3 is in the closed state, the error display means 141 and the error release button 142 are located behind the rear edge side of the outer frame 2.

[0077] The error display means 141 is used to notify the type of error that occurs when any of several types of error conditions occur, and is composed of multiple (in this case, three) first to third LEDs 141a to 141c. This error display means 141 notifies three types of error conditions: ball counting switch disconnection error, insufficient payout error, and ball counting switch error. In the case of a ball counting switch disconnection error, the first LED 141a is lit; in the case of an insufficient payout error, the second LED 141b is lit; and in the case of a ball counting switch error, the third LED 141c is lit (Figure 15). Of course, the error display means 141 may also be composed of a 7-segment LED or the like. The details of each error condition will be described later.

[0078] The correspondence between the lighting mode of the error display means 141 and the error state is shown on the error notification information sticker 143 attached to the payout emission board case 126. As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the error notification information sticker 143 is attached to the back side of the payout emission board case 126 and on the left end side in the rear view (position near the opening / closing end in the left-right direction of the front frame 3). When the front frame 3 is in the closed state, the error notification information sticker 143 is located behind the rear edge side of the outer frame 2.

[0079] The error release button 142 is to be operated when releasing a specific error state, can be pressed from the outside of the payout emission board case 126, and is configured to be OFF when not operated and ON when pressed. In the present embodiment, the operation of the error release button 142 is included in the error release conditions (specific error release conditions) for releasing the above-described payout shortage error and ball count switch error (FIG. 15). Details of the error release conditions will be described later.

[0080] As described above, on the back side of the front frame 3, there are arranged operation means such as the RAM clear switch 107, power switch 128, error release button 142, volume setting knob 108, etc., and display means such as the error display means 141 and error notification information sticker 143. Hereinafter, matters related to these operation means and display means arranged on the back side of the front frame 3 will be described.

[0081] <Regarding the RAM clear process> In this pachinko machine, the main control board 101 comprehensively controls the progress of the game, and various game information indicating the game situation is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM provided in the main control board 101. When the power supply is stopped due to the end of business in the game hall or a power failure (when the power is OFF), the stored content of the RAM is held for a certain period of time by power supply from the backup power supply. Then, when the power supply is resumed with the RAM clear switch 107 remaining OFF (when the power is ON), the game resumes from the game state immediately before the power supply stop (power OFF) based on the game information held in the RAM (backup recovery).

[0082] In contrast, if the RAM clear switch 107 is turned ON and the power switch 128 is switched from OFF to ON (hereinafter referred to as the RAM clear activation operation), a predetermined area of ​​the RAM is forcibly cleared, and gameplay starts from the initial state regardless of the game state immediately before the power supply was stopped (power OFF).

[0083] Thus, when a hall staff member performs the RAM clear activation operation, they must release the locking mechanism 5 to open the front frame 3 and simultaneously operate the RAM clear switch 107 and the power switch 128.

[0084] <Errors related to payout control and how to resolve them> Figure 15 shows an overview of several types of errors related to payout control, including how the errors are displayed and how they are cleared. The ball jam error occurs when balls get stuck in the lower tray 34. The liquid crystal display 66 displays the error, and the error is cleared by removing the balls from the lower tray 34. The supply shortage error occurs when there are insufficient game balls in the game ball tank 111. The liquid crystal display 66 displays the error, and the error is cleared by replenishing the game ball tank 111 with game balls.

[0085] The ball counting switch disconnection error occurs when the ball counting switch is disconnected. The error is indicated by the first LED 141a, which is part of the error display means 141, lighting up. The error is cleared by returning the ball counting switch to its normal state. The ball counting switch (not shown) is used to count the number of game balls dispensed from the dispensing means 32 and is located downstream of the dispensing means 32 (not shown).

[0086] A dispensing shortage error occurs when a dispensing operation where the number of items actually dispensed is less than the number that should be dispensed is a predetermined number (e.g., 2 items) or more occurs a predetermined number of times (e.g., 2 times) within a predetermined time (e.g., 300000.4 ms ≈ 5 minutes). The error is indicated by the second LED 141b, which constitutes the error display means 141, lighting up. The dispensing motor of the dispensing means 32 is initialized when the error release button 142 is operated and turned ON, and the error is cleared when normal operation is confirmed (i.e., when specific error clearing conditions, including the operation of the error release button 142, are met).

[0087] The ball counting switch error occurs when the number of balls detected when the dispensing motor of the dispensing means 32 is not operating, or when the number of balls detected during overdispensing reaches a predetermined number (for example, 25 balls). The error is indicated by the third LED 141c, which constitutes the error display means 141, lighting up. The dispensing motor of the dispensing means 32 is initialized when the error release button 142 is operated and turned ON, and the error is cleared when normal operation is confirmed (i.e., when specific error clearing conditions, including the operation of the error release button 142, are met).

[0088] Thus, when a hall staff member checks for a ball counting switch disconnection error, a payout shortage error, or a ball counting switch error, they must release the locking mechanism 5 to open the front frame 3 and check the illumination status of the error indicator 141 to make a determination. The relationship between the illumination status of the error indicator 141 and the type of error can be confirmed by the error notification information sticker 143 located near the error indicator 141. Furthermore, if the error indicator 141 confirms that it is either a payout shortage error or a ball counting switch error, the hall staff member can clear the error by operating the error clear button 142 while the front frame 3 remains open.

[0089] <Regarding volume adjustment> In this pachinko machine, the volume can be set to any of the eight levels, for example, from V0 (silent) to V7 (maximum volume), based on the setting of the volume setting knob 108 located on the back of the front frame 3 and the volume adjustment operation performed by the volume adjustment control unit 37 located on the front of the front frame 3.

[0090] Figure 16 shows an example of volume levels corresponding to the 10 settings T0 to T9 controlled by the volume setting knob 108 and the 5 settings M1 to M5 controlled by the volume adjustment control unit 37. When the volume setting knob 108 is set to any of T0 to T3, the volume is fixed to V0 to V3, and volume adjustment by the volume adjustment control unit 37 is disabled. When the volume setting knob 108 is set to any of T4 to T9, the adjustable volume range by the volume adjustment control unit 37 is V3 to V7, but the initial settings differ. In particular, when the volume setting knob 108 is set in the range T4 to T7, the initial settings are V4 to V7. As a result, when the volume setting knob 108 is set in the range T0 to T7, the higher the setting step, the higher the initial volume setting value.

[0091] Thus, in this pachinko machine, if the goal is to fix the volume to one of V0 to V3, or to allow players to adjust the volume while setting the initial value to one of V3 to V7, the hall staff must release the locking mechanism 5 to open the front frame 3, then open the rear cover 110, or, with the rear cover 110 closed, insert a tool such as a screwdriver through the opening 110a to rotate the volume setting knob 108.

[0092] As described above, when the hall staff performs a RAM clear startup operation, when checking for a predetermined error and performing its解除操作 (I'm not sure what "解除操作" exactly means here, could be "release operation" or something else, let's keep it as is for now), when setting the volume on the game hall side, etc., it is necessary to open the front frame 3 and perform a predetermined operation on the back side or visually check the display content at a predetermined location. On the other hand, in the case of this pachinko machine, when the front frame 3 has a portion (such as the frame first movable body 26, the frame second movable body 27, the lower front unit 31, etc.) that protrudes significantly forward, if the front frame 3 is opened widely, the protruding portion may come into contact with the adjacent gaming machine and be damaged. Therefore, even when performing operations such as the RAM clear startup operation, the front frame 3 cannot be opened widely.

[0093] In this regard, in this pachinko machine, even when the front frame 3 is opened to such an extent that it does not contact the adjacent gaming machine, it is possible to efficiently perform the work on the back side of the front frame 3. Hereinafter, the minimum required open state (opening angle) of the front frame 3 for each target work will be described. In the following description, the portion that protrudes forward of the firing handle 39 (such as the frame first movable body 26, the frame second movable body 27, the lower front unit 31, etc.) is referred to as the "protruding portion", and is distinguished from the other portion (non-protruding portion). When opening the front frame 3, the positional relationship with the adjacent gaming machine becomes a problem. However, for the non-protruding portion with a smaller protrusion amount than the firing handle 39, even when the front frame 3 is opened widely, there is almost no problem of contact with the firing handle or other parts of the adjacent gaming machine.

[0094] <Open state of the front frame 3 when performing the RAM clear startup operation> As described above, the RAM clear start operation is performed by simultaneously operating the RAM clear switch 107 and the power switch 128. In this embodiment, both the RAM clear switch 107 and the power switch 128 are located near the opening / closing end on the rear side of the front frame 3, and are positioned close enough to each other that they can be operated simultaneously with one hand. That is, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the main control board 101 on which the RAM clear switch 107 is provided and the power supply board 123 on which the power switch 128 is provided are arranged adjacent to each other vertically, and the RAM clear switch 107 is located in the lower left of the rear view of the main control board 101, and the power switch 128 is located in the upper left of the rear view of the power supply board 123.

[0095] Furthermore, the RAM clear activation operation becomes possible when the front frame 3 is gradually opened from the closed state, and both the RAM clear switch 107 and the power switch 128 reach the front edge of the outer frame 2, as shown in Figure 17, making them visible and operable from between the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 (first open state). In the first open state shown in Figure 17, the protruding parts (frame first movable body 26, etc.) are located inward in the left-right direction (to the right here) from the first hinge 4 (and of course from the side of the outer frame 2), so there is no risk of contact with the adjacent gaming machine. Note that in the first open state shown in Figure 17, the opening angle of the front frame 3 is approximately 21 degrees, and the inclination angle of the keyhole 5a relative to the front is also approximately 21 degrees, which is an acute angle. If the angle of inclination of the keyhole 5a relative to the front exceeds 90 degrees, resulting in an obtuse angle, and the front frame 3 is opened to the point where it comes into contact with the adjacent gaming machine, care must be taken to avoid contact with the adjacent gaming machine when removing the special key from the keyhole 5a. However, if the angle of inclination of the keyhole 5a relative to the front is acute, the special key can be easily removed from the keyhole 5a without such care, allowing for efficient work.

[0096] <Open state of front frame 3 when performing error clearing operation> If a payout shortage error or a ball counting switch error occurs, the error release button 142 must be operated to clear them (Figure 15). In this embodiment, the error release button 142 is located near the opening / closing end on the rear side of the front frame 3, i.e., near the opening / closing end (Figures 8, 10, etc.). Then, as the front frame 3 is gradually opened, and as shown in Figure 18, when the error release button 142 reaches the front edge of the outer frame 2, the error release button 142 becomes visible and operable from between the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 (second open state). In the second open state shown in Figure 18, the protruding part (frame first movable body 26, etc.) is located inward in the left-right direction (to the right here) from the first hinge 4 (and of course from the side of the outer frame 2), so there is no risk of contact with an adjacent gaming machine. Furthermore, in the second open state shown in Figure 18, the opening angle of the front frame 3 is approximately 22.3 degrees, and the inclination angle of the keyhole 5a relative to the front is also approximately 22.3 degrees, which is an acute angle. Therefore, as mentioned above, the special key can be easily removed from the keyhole 5a without having to worry about contact with the adjacent gaming machine, allowing for efficient work.

[0097] <Open state of front frame 3 when checking for errors> If a ball counting switch disconnection error, a dispensing error, or a ball counting switch error occurs, the type of error can be confirmed using the error display means 141 (Figure 15). Furthermore, the correspondence between the illumination pattern of the error display means 141 and the error state can be confirmed using the error notification information sticker 143 attached to the dispensing launch board case 126. In this embodiment, both the error display means 141 and the error notification information sticker 143 are located near the opening / closing end on the back side of the front frame 3 (Figures 8, 10, etc.).

[0098] Then, the front frame 3 is gradually opened, and as shown in Figure 19, when the error display means 141 reaches the front of the front edge of the outer frame 2, the error display means 141 becomes visible from between the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 (third open state). Furthermore, the front frame 3 is opened even further, and as shown in Figure 20, when almost the entire error notification information sticker 143 reaches the front of the front edge of the outer frame 2, the error notification information sticker 143 becomes visible from between the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3 (fourth open state).

[0099] In the third and fourth open states shown in Figures 19 and 20, the protruding parts (frame first movable body 26, etc.) are located inward in the left-right direction (to the right in this case) from the first hinge 4 (and of course from the side of the outer frame 2), so there is no risk of contact with the adjacent gaming machine. Furthermore, in the third open state shown in Figure 19, the opening angle of the front frame 3 is approximately 22.7 degrees, and the inclination angle of the keyhole 5a relative to the front is also approximately 22.7 degrees, which is an acute angle. Similarly, in the fourth open state shown in Figure 20, the opening angle of the front frame 3 is approximately 30.2 degrees, and the inclination angle of the keyhole 5a relative to the front is also approximately 30.2 degrees, which is an acute angle. In either case, the special key inserted into the keyhole 5a for unlocking can be easily removed, allowing for efficient work.

[0100] <Open state of front frame 3 when adjusting the volume on the gaming hall side> To change the volume setting values ​​T0 to T9 on the gaming hall side, it is necessary to operate the volume setting knob 108. In this embodiment, the volume setting knob 108 is located near the opening / closing end on the rear side of the front frame 3, i.e., near the opening / closing end (Figure 6, etc.). Then, as the front frame 3 is gradually opened, and as shown in Figure 21, when the extension of the volume setting knob 108 to the rear reaches outward in the left-right direction from the outer frame 2 in a plan view, the volume setting knob 108 can be easily operated by inserting a tool through the opening 110a while the rear cover 110 remains closed (fifth open state). In the fifth open state shown in Figure 21, the protruding part (here, the first movable frame body 26) is located inward in the left-right direction from the first hinge 4 (and of course from the side of the outer frame 2) (here, to the right), so there is no risk of contact with the adjacent gaming machine. Furthermore, in the fifth open state shown in Figure 21, the opening angle of the front frame 3 is approximately 32 degrees, and the inclination angle of the keyhole 5a relative to the front is also approximately 32 degrees, which is an acute angle. Therefore, the special key inserted into the keyhole 5a for unlocking can be easily removed, allowing for efficient work.

[0101] As described above, in this embodiment, the opening angles of the first to fifth open states are all less than 45 degrees. If the opening angle of the front frame 3 is less than 45 degrees, the possibility of contact with an adjacent gaming machine is extremely low, not only in the case of this pachinko machine, but also in gaming machines with different shapes of protruding parts. Therefore, when gaming hall personnel open the front frame 3 to perform RAM clear activation operations or other tasks, they can prevent contact with an adjacent gaming machine simply by ensuring that the opening angle of the front frame 3 is kept to the minimum necessary (first to fifth open states) or does not exceed 45 degrees at most.

[0102] Next, we will explain in detail how this pachinko machine's gameplay progresses. As mentioned above, this pachinko machine has two game states: a normal state and the first to third advantageous states (Figure 11). In the normal state, the probability of winning with the first and second special symbols is set to a low probability (1 / 319), the probability of winning with the regular symbols is set to a low probability (100 / 251), the variation time of the regular symbols is set to the normal (non-shortened) variation time (5 seconds), and the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 is set to the normal (non-extended) opening time (80 ms). In addition, the time-saving lottery is conducted only in this normal state and not in the advantageous states.

[0103] Compared to the normal state, the first advantageous state differs only in that the variation time of the regular symbols is set to a shortened variation time (4.9 seconds), and no time-saving lottery is held. Furthermore, compared to the first advantageous state, the second advantageous state differs only in that the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 is set to an extended opening time (4000 ms). Furthermore, compared to the second advantageous state, the third advantageous state differs only in that the jackpot probability of the first and second special symbols is set to a high probability (1 / 32), and the jackpot probability of the regular symbols is set to a high probability (250 / 251). It should be noted that the difference between the normal (unshortened) variation time (5 seconds) and the shortened variation time (4.9 seconds) of the regular symbols is slight, and it is difficult for the player to distinguish the difference. Therefore, it can be said that the normal state and the first game state are essentially the same except for whether or not a time-saving lottery is held.

[0104] Furthermore, in this pachinko machine, the normal state is the initial state, so when the RAM is cleared (when the RAM clear activation operation is performed), the game starts from this normal state (Figure 14). In this normal state, the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63 in the normal profit state is very short (80ms), so even if the player aims the game ball at the normal symbol starting means 61 and the second special symbol starting means 63 and generates the normal profit state, it is difficult to get the ball into the second special symbol starting means 63. Therefore, during this normal state, it is desirable for the player to aim at the first special symbol starting means 62 and shoot to the left. As a result, during the normal state, of the first and second special symbols, the first special symbol will mainly change.

[0105] During this normal state, based on the entry of a game ball into the first special symbol starting means 62, a time-saving lottery (winning probability of approximately 1 / 30) is conducted in conjunction with a jackpot lottery at a low probability (1 / 319) (Figure 12). If the time-saving lottery is won, the first special symbol stops in either time-saving mode B1 or B2 (Figure 13(b)). If the first special symbol is in time-saving mode B1 (distribution rate 10 / 100), the game transitions to the second advantageous state at that point (S1 in Figure 14), and then returns to the normal state when the number of rotations of the first and second special symbols reaches the first predetermined number (100 times in this case) (S2 in Figure 14).

[0106] On the other hand, if the first special symbol enters the time-saving mode B2 (distribution rate 90 / 100), the game transitions to the first advantageous state at that point (S3 in Figure 14). This first advantageous state continues until the number of spins for the first and second special symbols reaches the second predetermined number (10,000 in this case) (Figure 13(b)). However, there is a high probability that the first special symbol will result in a jackpot before then (jackpot probability 1 / 319), so the possibility of the first advantageous state ending due to this limit on the number of spins is extremely low. As mentioned above, this first advantageous state is essentially the same as the normal state, except that the time-saving lottery is not performed.

[0107] As described above, when the RAM is cleared, the game starts in the normal state, and a time-saving lottery with a winning probability of approximately 1 / 30 is held. If the player wins, there is a 10 / 100 chance of transitioning to the second advantageous state, and a 90 / 100 chance of transitioning to the first advantageous state (effectively the normal state without the time-saving lottery). Thus, with this pachinko machine, when the RAM is cleared, a time-saving lottery with a winning probability of 1 / 30 is held, and if the player wins, there is a 10 / 100 chance of transitioning to the second advantageous state, thus granting the player a special benefit. This allows the pachinko parlor to intentionally start the game in the normal state where the time-saving lottery is held by clearing the RAM before starting operations. However, when the power goes out, there is a high probability that the game will be in the first advantageous state rather than the normal state, so in most cases when the pachinko parlor starts operations without clearing the RAM, the game will start in the first advantageous state, and the player will not be able to enjoy the special benefit mentioned above.

[0108] During normal play, if the first special symbol results in a jackpot before a win is achieved in the time-saving lottery, a special benefit state is generated according to the type of jackpot, and after its completion, the player transitions to a predetermined advantageous state (Figure 13(a)). In this embodiment, regardless of the type of jackpot, the jackpot winning means 64 is opened in the 10R opening pattern for the special benefit state. The subsequent transition destination (advantageous state) is the third advantageous state (S4 in Figure 14) in the case of jackpot type A1 (distribution rate 60 / 100), and the second advantageous state (S5 in Figure 14) in the case of jackpot type A2 (distribution rate 40 / 100).

[0109] Furthermore, during the first advantageous state, which is entered from the normal state, the game proceeds in the same way as in the normal state, except that no time-saving lottery is held. When the first special symbol results in a jackpot pattern, a special advantageous state with a 10R opening pattern occurs, just as in the normal state. After its completion, if the jackpot pattern is A1 (distribution rate 60 / 100), the game transitions to the third advantageous state (S6 in Figure 14), and if the jackpot pattern is A2 (distribution rate 40 / 100), the game transitions to the second advantageous state (S7 in Figure 14).

[0110] During the second and third advantageous states, the opening time of the second special symbol starting means 63, which is active during the normal advantageous state, becomes longer (4000ms), making it easier to win (Figure 11). Therefore, it is desirable for players to aim for the normal symbol starting means 61 and the second special symbol starting means 63 and shoot to the right. Consequently, during these second and third advantageous states, of the first and second special symbols, the second special symbol is the one that changes most.

[0111] Furthermore, if the first special symbol becomes a jackpot type A2 and transitions to the second advantageous state, the game returns to the normal state when the number of spins of the first and second special symbols reaches the first predetermined number (100 spins in this case), just as when the game transitions to the second advantageous state after winning the time-saving lottery (Figure 13(a)). On the other hand, if the first special symbol becomes a jackpot type A1 and transitions to the third advantageous state, the game continues until the number of spins of the first and second special symbols reaches the third predetermined number (10,000 spins in this case) (Figure 13(a)). However, there is a very high probability that the second special symbol will become a jackpot by then (jackpot probability 1 / 32), so the possibility of the third advantageous state ending due to this limit on the number of spins is extremely low.

[0112] During the second advantageous state, a jackpot lottery is held at a low probability (1 / 319) based on the entry of a game ball into the second special symbol starting means 63 (Figure 11). If the number of rotations of the first and second special symbols reaches 100 without the second special symbol entering a jackpot state, the game transitions to the normal state (S2 in Figure 14), and, as with the RAM clear described above, a time-saving lottery (winning probability of approximately 1 / 30) is held in addition to a jackpot lottery at a low probability (1 / 319) based on the entry of a game ball into the first special symbol starting means 62 (Figure 11). Thus, in this embodiment, even if the second advantageous state is exited due to the limit of the number of symbol rotations (100 times), a time-saving lottery with a winning probability of 1 / 30 is held, as with the RAM clear, and if successful, the player is granted the special benefit of transitioning to the second advantageous state with a distribution rate of 10 / 100.

[0113] On the other hand, if the second special symbol results in a jackpot pattern during the second advantageous state, a special advantageous state with a 10R opening pattern occurs, similar to when the first special symbol results in a jackpot pattern. After its completion, if the jackpot pattern is A1 (distribution rate 60 / 100), the player transitions to the third advantageous state (S8 in Figure 14), and if the jackpot pattern is A2 (distribution rate 40 / 100), the second advantageous state, limited to 100 symbol changes, begins again (S9 in Figure 14).

[0114] Furthermore, during the third advantageous state, a jackpot lottery is conducted at a high probability (1 / 32) based on the entry of a game ball into the second special symbol starting means 63 (Figure 11). If the second special symbol becomes a jackpot pattern during the third advantageous state, a special advantageous state with a 10R opening pattern is generated. After its completion, if the jackpot pattern is A1 (distribution rate 60 / 100), the third advantageous state is restarted (S10 in Figure 14), and if the jackpot pattern is A2 (distribution rate 40 / 100), the game transitions to the second advantageous state (S11 in Figure 14).

[0115] In this embodiment, a normal state (initial state) and several types of advantageous states are provided. A time-saving lottery is performed during the normal state, but not during the other advantageous states. The several types of advantageous states include a first advantageous state (specific advantageous state) which is substantially the same as the normal state except for whether or not a time-saving lottery is performed. If the time-saving lottery is won, the player is configured to transition to either the first advantageous state or one of the other advantageous states at a predetermined distribution rate. Therefore, when a RAM clear startup operation is performed (i.e., when the game is started from the normal state), the player is given a special benefit compared to when a backup is restored (i.e., when the game is started in a state other than the normal state, such as the first advantageous state). In this way, whether or not a gaming hall performs a RAM clear on each gaming machine before opening for business can provide players with the expectation that there is a possibility of being in the normal state where a time-saving lottery is performed at the start of business. In this pachinko machine, the components related to the RAM clear operation are configured as described above, so the work of giving players an expectation through the RAM clear operation at startup can be performed efficiently.

[0116] Figures 22 and 23 illustrate a second embodiment of this application, showing an example in which the first embodiment is partially modified to form a second guide means 133' for guiding the power harness 129 along the second wiring path 131b, which is made of a conductive material. The only difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the second guide means 133' (which is the second guide means 133 in the first embodiment).

[0117] As shown in Figure 22, the second guide means 133' of this embodiment is positioned vertically between the hinge-side vertical frame member 2a of the outer frame 2 and the first tank rail 112a, dispensing means 32, and dispensing passage 113 of the front frame 3. Its lower end is located below the main control board 101, and its upper end is located above the performance interface board 103, liquid crystal interface board 104, liquid crystal control board 105, etc. As shown in Figure 23, the second guide means 133' is formed by bending a sheet metal (conductive member) to create a roughly U-shaped cross-section with an open front side by forming a pair of left and right side walls 133a', 133b' and a back wall 133c'. It is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 6 so as to close the front side, and a power harness 129 is inserted inside it. The tip side of the power harness 129, i.e., the power plug 129a side, is pulled upward from the pull-out portion 134 at the upper end of the second guide means 133'.

[0118] Thus, the second guide means 133' housing the power plug 129a is conductive, and including the pull-out portion 134 at its upper end, it is located on the outside (hinge side) of the rear cover 110 that covers the main control board case 102, etc. Furthermore, a certain distance is maintained between the rear cover 110 and the second guide means 133' by arranging the second tank rail 112b, the dispensing means 32, the dispensing passage 113, etc., so that it is possible to eliminate adverse effects on the main control board 101, etc. due to noise from the power harness 129. In this embodiment, not only the second guide means 133' but also the vertical frame members 2a of the outer frame 2 along the second wiring path 131b are made of conductive material, but the vertical frame members 2a of the outer frame 2 do not have to be made of conductive material.

[0119] Figures 24 and 25 illustrate a third embodiment of this application, showing an example in which the first embodiment is partially modified to provide a peripheral wall around the power switch 128 that is higher than the maximum height of the power switch 128.

[0120] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the power supply board case 124 of this embodiment has a recess 151 formed on the rear side 124a, and the power switch 128 is arranged in this recess 151. This recess 151 is formed by being surrounded on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right) by a peripheral wall 152. The height of this peripheral wall 152 (position at the rear end) is approximately the same as or greater than the maximum height (rearmost position) of the power switch 128.

[0121] This prevents accidental operation of the power switch 128, for example, when feeling around for parts on the back of the front frame 3. It also minimizes the possibility of falling objects such as game balls hitting the power switch 128 and turning it ON / OFF. The peripheral wall 152 may be provided only on a portion of the area around the power switch 128, for example, on the top and both sides.

[0122] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figures 26 to 34 illustrate a fourth embodiment in which the present invention is adopted in a pachinko machine. The game board 501 is configured as shown in Figures 26 and 27 and is detachably attached to the game board mounting portion of the machine frame (front frame).

[0123] The game board 501 is roughly rectangular in shape, and on the front side of the game board 501, as shown in Figure 26, there is a game area 502 and an outer peripheral member 503 surrounding the game area 502. On one side of the game area 502, a game ball launching passage 505 is formed between the outer peripheral member 503 and the guide rail 504, and game balls launched by the launching means on the machine frame side are launched into the upper part of the game area 502 via the launching passage 505.

[0124] In the center of the game area 502, an image display means 506 and a center case 507 corresponding to the front of the image display means 506 are mounted. The image display means 506 is a liquid crystal type or the like and constitutes a performance symbol display means 510, etc. The center case 507 is mounted in contact with the front of the game board 501 and protrudes forward from the game board 501, and a display window 508 corresponding to the display screen of the image display means 506 is provided on its inner circumference. On the front of the center case 507, a normal symbol display means 509, a first special symbol display means 511, a second special symbol display means 512, etc. are provided.

[0125] The game area 502 is provided with left-hand play passages 513 and right-hand play passages 514 on both the left and right sides of the center case 507. The game area 502 also includes a regular symbol starting means 515, a combined prize winning means 516, a first special symbol starting means 517, and a second special symbol starting means 518.

[0126] The normal symbol starting means 515 is for initiating the symbol starting by the normal symbol display means 509 and is composed of a pass-through gate. The normal symbol display means 509 is for displaying a changing normal symbol triggered by the detection of a game ball by the normal symbol starting means 515 and is composed of two light-emitting elements such as LEDs corresponding to two types of normal symbols, for example, "○" and "×". Specifically, the normal symbol display means 509, on the condition that the normal symbol starting means 515 detects a game ball, has two light-emitting elements that flash alternately for a predetermined time, and when the random value for winning judgment acquired when the normal symbol starting means 515 detects a game ball matches a predetermined winning judgment value, the light-emitting element on the "○" side corresponding to the winning pattern lights up and stops flashing, and in other cases the light-emitting element on the "×" side corresponding to the losing pattern lights up and stops flashing.

[0127] The first special symbol starting means 517 is used to initiate the first symbol variation by the first special symbol display means 511 when a game ball is detected, and the second special symbol starting means 518 is used to initiate the second symbol variation by the second special symbol display means 512 when a game ball is detected. The first special symbol starting means 517 is a non-opening / closing type. The second special symbol starting means 518 is an opening / closing type that can be switched between a closed state where a game ball cannot (or is difficult to) enter and an open state where a game ball can (or is easy to) enter. When the stopped symbol after variation of the normal symbol display means 509 becomes a winning pattern and a normal profit state occurs, it opens from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time.

[0128] The first special symbol display means 511 and the second special symbol display means 512 are composed of one or more display means, for example, a single display means such as a segment type capable of displaying special symbols in a variable manner. Each special symbol display means 511 and 512 displays each special symbol in a variable manner for a predetermined time, provided that a game ball enters the corresponding special symbol starting means 517 and 518. When the random value for jackpot determination obtained when the ball enters each special symbol starting means 517 and 518 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the special symbol stops in a predetermined jackpot manner (specific manner), and in a losing manner otherwise.

[0129] The performance symbol display means 510 displays performance symbols 510a to 510c in parallel with the display of special symbols by the special symbol display means 511 and 512, and is configured to display one or more (for example, three in the left-right direction) performance symbols 510a to 510c together with various performance images on the display screen of the image display means 506.

[0130] The performance symbols 510a to 510c are composed of number symbols, and when a game ball enters the first special symbol starting means 517 or the second special symbol starting means 518, they start to move according to one of several types of movement patterns at the same time as the special symbols start to move, and stop almost simultaneously with the stopping of the special symbols. Furthermore, if the special symbols stop in a losing state, the performance symbols 510a to 510c will stop in a losing performance state, and if the special symbols stop in a winning state, they will stop in a winning performance state.

[0131] The combined prize-winning mechanism 516 is a combination of a grand prize-winning mechanism 521 and a regular prize-winning mechanism 522, with multiple forward-facing light-emitting display means 529-531 provided in the left-right direction. The first special symbol starting mechanism 517 has forward-facing light-emitting display means 532 and 533 provided on both sides in the left-right direction. Although LED light-emitting means 529-533 are used, other types may also be used.

[0132] The jackpot mechanism 521 is an open / closed type that can be switched between an open state in which game balls can be entered and a closed state in which they cannot be entered. When the special symbols of the first special symbol display mechanism 511 and the second special symbol display mechanism 512 change to a jackpot state and a special profit state is generated, the mechanism opens once or multiple times according to a predetermined opening pattern to allow game balls to enter from above.

[0133] As shown in Figure 27, the back of the game board 501 is provided with a back cover 524 attached to the game board 501, and a main control board 525 and a performance control board 526, etc., which are arranged vertically on the back of the back cover 524. The back cover 524 is for covering the image display means 506, the composite prize winning means 516, the first special symbol starting means 517, etc., which are attached to the game board 501 from the back. The main control board 525 is for controlling the game operation on the game board 501 side by the big prize winning means 521, etc., and is housed in a main control board case 527 and is detachably attached to the back of the back cover 524.

[0134] The performance control board 526 controls various performance operations such as the changing display of performance symbols 510a to 510c on the performance symbol display means 510 and the illumination display of the illumination display means 529 to 533. It is housed in the performance control board case 534 and is detachably attached to the back of the back cover 524.

[0135] The first special symbol starting means 517 is located near the upper side of the out ball opening 535 at the bottom of the game area 502. This first special symbol starting means 517 is horizontally elongated in the left-right direction and, as shown in Figures 28 to 30, includes a contact plate 536 that abuts against the front surface of the game board 501 and is fixed detachably from the front side, a case portion 538 provided on the back side of the contact plate 536 and inserted into a mounting hole 537 of the game board 501, a first starting opening 539 that protrudes forward from approximately the left-right center of the contact plate 536, a guide passage 540 that guides the game ball that enters the first starting opening 539 through the case portion 538 to the back side of the game board 501, a first starting switch 541 that detects the game ball that enters the first starting opening 539, a radio wave sensor 542 located near the first starting switch 541, and a pair of left and right LED display boards 543, 544 provided on the back side of the contact plate 536 on both the left and right sides of the first starting opening 539.

[0136] The contact plate 536 is fixed to the front of the game board 501 with fasteners such as screws, and the contact plate 536 is provided with light-emitting display units 545 and 546 on both the left and right sides. The case part 538 comprises a front part 538a integrally formed on the back side of the contact plate 536, and a rear part 538b that is detachably attached to the front part 538a from the back side, and constitutes an insertion part 547 that is inserted from the front into the mounting hole 537 of the game board 501.

[0137] The first start switch 541 is used to detect a game ball entering the first start opening 539 and to change the first special symbol on the first special symbol display means 511. An electromagnetic induction type switch equipped with a coil in the game ball detection section is used and is attached to the contact plate 536, case section 538, etc. on the entrance side of the first start opening 539.

[0138] The radio wave sensor 542 is for detecting malicious radio waves transmitted around the first start switch 541 in order to cause the first start switch 541 to malfunction. It is located near the side of the first start switch 541 and is housed in the sensor housing 565 within the case 538.

[0139] The left and right LED boards 543 and 544, together with the light-emitting display units 545 and 546 provided on both the left and right sides of the contact plate 536, constitute the light-emitting display means 532 and 533. They are mounted on the transparent wall 550 inside the case 538 approximately parallel to the contact plate 536, corresponding to each light-emitting display unit 545 and 546. LEDs 543a and 544a are provided on the front of the LED boards 543 and 544 to illuminate the light-emitting display units 545 and 546, and board-side connectors 552 and 553 are provided on the back side of the case 538 on the central side in the left-right direction.

[0140] Furthermore, the contact plate 536 and the transparent wall 550 are light-transmitting, and the light-emitting display units 545 and 546 can be illuminated by light from the LEDs 543a and 544a. In addition, the contact plate 536 and / or the transparent wall 550 are provided with a transparency-blocking part 555, such as an uneven pattern, so that the back side of the contact plate 536 cannot be seen through.

[0141] As shown in Figure 32, harness 556 is connected to the first start switch 541, harness 557 is connected to the radio wave sensor 542, and harnesses 558 and 559 are connected to the left and right LED boards 543 and 544, respectively. Each harness 556 to 559 is pulled out to the back of the rear wall 560 of the case 538 and fastened together to the fastening part 562 of the rear wall 560 by a fastener 563. Harnesses 556 and 557 on the first start switch 541 and radio wave sensor 542 can be directly or indirectly connected to the main control board 525 via harness-side connectors 556a and 557a at their ends, and harnesses 558 and 559 on the left and right LED boards 543 and 544 can be directly or indirectly connected to the performance control board 526 via harness-side connectors 558a and 559a at their ends.

[0142] On the back side of the first special symbol starting means 517, as shown in Figure 30, etc., a management information display unit 564 is provided approximately in the left-right center of the rear wall portion 560 of the case portion 538, corresponding to the rear side of the first starting switch 541. The management number of the first special symbol starting means 517 and other management information are displayed on this management information display unit 564. In addition to the management information display unit 564, the rear wall portion 560 of the case portion 538 is provided with a fastening portion 562, a sensor housing portion 565, and a pull-out portion 566 extending from one side to the bottom of the management information display unit 564, and a pull-out portion 567 is provided on the opposite side of the pull-out portion 566 from the sensor housing portion 565.

[0143] The sensor housing 565 houses the rear side of the radio wave sensor 542. As shown in Figures 28 to 30, it is provided projecting rearward from the rear wall portion 560. A fastening portion 562 and a fastener 563 wrapped around the fastening portion 562 are positioned in front of the rear end of the sensor housing 565. The sensor housing 565 and the rear of the radio wave sensor 542 housed therein constitute a projection 568 that protrudes rearward from the rear wall portion 560 of the case portion 538.

[0144] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the rear wall 560 of the case portion 538 has openings for pull-out sections 566 and 567 on both the left and right sides of the sensor housing 565. Pull-out section 566 is for pulling out the harness 556 on the first start switch 541 side and the harness 558 on one of the LED boards 543 side from inside the case portion 538 to the back side of the rear wall 560, and is formed approximately in the center between the left and right LED boards 543 and 544 near the first start switch 541 and the radio wave sensor 542. Pull-out section 567 is for pulling out the harness 559 on the other LED board 544 side from inside the case portion 538 to the back side of the rear wall 560, and is formed corresponding to the board-side connector 553 on the LED board 544 side.

[0145] The harness 556 on the first start switch 541 side is pulled out from the rear end of the first start switch 541 through the pull-out section 566 towards the fastener 563 side, either backward or downward. The harness 557 on the radio wave sensor 542 side is connected to the rear end of the radio wave sensor 542 and is pulled out forward towards the fastener 563 side through the open pull-out section 569 at the rear end of the sensor housing 565.

[0146] Of the pair of left and right LED boards 543 and 544, the harness 558 on one of the LED boards 543 is routed from the front of the rear wall 560 through the pull-out section 566 to the back. The other LED board 544 is located on the opposite side of the fastener 563 from the sensor housing 565, and the harness 559 on this LED board 544 is routed from the pull-out section 567 on the other side of the sensor housing 565 to the back, wired to the rear along the other side of the sensor housing 565, and then routed through the rear end of the sensor housing 565 to the fastener 563.

[0147] As shown in Figures 29 to 31, at the rear end of the sensor housing 565, there are stepped portions 570 equal to the thickness of the sensor housing 565 on both the upper and lower sides of the pull-out portion 569, and the harness 559 is wired between one of these stepped portions 570 and the harness 557 or connector 557b on the radio wave sensor 542 side.

[0148] The harness 559 on the LED board 544 side is positioned between one of the stepped sections 570 and the harness 557 or connector 557b on the radio wave sensor 542 side, thereby positioning the harness 559 from both the top and bottom to prevent it from moving up and down. The stepped section 570, the harness 557 or connector 557b on the radio wave sensor 542 side, etc. constitute a pair of upper and lower positioning sections 571. Between the rear end of the radio wave sensor 542 and the fastener 563, the harness 559 on the LED board 544 side is wired approximately parallel to the harness 557 on the radio wave sensor 542 side.

[0149] The fastening portion 562 is provided on the side opposite to the radio wave sensor 542 relative to the pull-out portion 566. As shown in Figures 29, 30, and 32, the fastening portion 562 is provided in the vertical direction, protruding rearward from the rear wall portion 560 in the intermediate portion between the management information display portion 564 and the lower end of the rear wall portion 560. A through hole 572 is formed between the fastening portion 562 and the rear wall portion 560, penetrating in the left-right direction.

[0150] On both the upper and lower sides of the fastening portion 562, there are anti-slip portions 573 that restrict the fastener 563 wrapped around the fastening portion 562 from coming off. The fastening portion 562 and the anti-slip portions 573 are configured to have a roughly H-shape when viewed from the side, but the portion of the anti-slip portion 573 that protrudes rearward from the fastening portion 562 may be omitted. Furthermore, the fastening portion 562 only needs to be such that the fastener 563 does not come off, or at least comes off with difficulty.

[0151] The harnesses 556 to 559 are arranged vertically from top to bottom along the fastening portion 562 in the vicinity of the fastening portion 562, and are fastened together to the fastening portion 562 by fasteners 563 at corresponding positions on the fastening portion 562.

[0152] Furthermore, the ends of each harness 556-559, starting from the fastener 563, are divided into harnesses 556 and 557 on the main control board 525 side and harnesses 558 and 559 on the performance control board 526 side, and are pulled out downwards.

[0153] Each harness 556-559 is wired so that there is no excess slack between the first start switch 541, the radio wave sensor 542, and the LED boards 543 and 544 and the fastener 563. Furthermore, the end of each harness 556-559 from the fastener 563 can be freely bent, and when assembling by inserting the insertion part 547 into the mounting hole 537 of the game board 501, the free end can be bent with the fastener 563 as a reference, so that it is retracted inward from the outer edge of the insertion part 547 or inward from the inner edge of the mounting hole 537.

[0154] The contact plate 536, the case portion 538, and the first start port 539 are made of a light-transmitting material, and a fastener 563 and a fastening portion 562 are positioned behind the first start port 539. On the other hand, on the front side of the first special pattern starting means 517, there is a transparency-blocking portion 555, such as a decorative sticker 580 attached to the front surface of the first start port 539, and an uneven pattern formed on the contact plate 536 and / or the transparent wall 550, so that the fastener 563, fastening portion 562, etc. cannot be seen from the front side of the first special pattern starting means 517. The transparency-blocking portion 555 may be made of other materials.

[0155] The fastener 563 uses a fastener 574 that bundles each harness 556 to 559 together. This fastener 574 is made of a flexible synthetic resin such as polyamide, and as shown in Figures 34(a) and (b), it comprises a head portion 576 having an insertion portion 575, and a band portion 577 that is integrally connected to the head portion 576 and is inserted into the insertion portion 575 from the other end to fasten the harnesses.

[0156] A one-way engaging claw 578 is integrally provided within the insertion portion 575. The one-way engaging claw 578 is biased toward the band portion 577 inserted into the insertion portion 575 by its own elastic force. The band portion 577 has numerous engaging portions 579 formed in the longitudinal direction of the band, which the one-way engaging claw 578 engages with. When the harness 556-559 is fastened to the fastening portion 562 by inserting it through the insertion portion 575 of the head portion 576, the one-way engaging claw 578 engages with the engaging portions 579 to maintain the fastened state. After fastening the harness 556-559, the excess portion of the band portion 577 protruding from the head portion 576 is cut off.

[0157] Each harness 556-559 is flexible and shape-retaining (or bendable and shape-retaining) so that it can be bent arbitrarily as needed and maintain that bent state, and as shown in Figure 33, it is basically constructed of strands 583 insulated with an insulating coating 582 on the outer circumference of a core wire 581 consisting of multiple conductors. Each harness 556-559 has multiple strands 583, harness-side connectors 556a-559a provided at one end of each strand 583, and harness-side connectors 556b-559b provided at the other end of each strand 583.

[0158] When multiple conductors are bundled together to form the core wire 581, the conductors may be in an untwisted state or in a twisted state, but the flexibility or bendability of the individual wires 583 is improved when they are in an untwisted state.

[0159] The strands 583 come in several types with different diameters depending on the number of conductor strands in the core wire 581, for example, there are three types: thick strands 583a, standard strands 583b, and thin strands 583c. The harnesses 556 to 559 that use these strands also employ one of the following: thick harness 583A using thick strands 583a, standard harness 583B using standard strands 583b, or thin harness 583C using thin strands 583c.

[0160] When determining the type of harness 583A to 583C to be used for each harness 556 to 559, one of the following should be selected: thick harness 583A, standard harness 583B, or thin harness 583C, depending on conditions such as the magnitude of the electrical signal when energized and the number of signal combinations. In Figures 28 to 30 and 32, for convenience, the thick harness 583A is shown with a thick line, the standard harness 583B with a thick dashed line, and the thin harness 583C with a thick double dashed line.

[0161] Incidentally, in the case of the first special symbol starting means 517, the harness 556 on the first starting switch 541 side uses a thick harness 583A made of two thick strands 583a, the harness 557 on the radio wave sensor 542 side uses a normal harness 583B made of two normal strands 583b, and the harnesses 558 and 559 on the LED boards 543 and 544 side use a thin harness 583C made of four or more thin strands 583c.

[0162] Furthermore, the thick strand 583a, thick harness 583A, standard strand 583b, standard harness 583B, thin strand 583c, and thin harness 583C are three types of strands and harnesses of different thicknesses, listed sequentially from thickest to thinnest, and are equivalent to listing them as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., and do not represent specific wire diameter values. In addition, the thick strand 583a, standard strand 583b, and thin strand 583c may be specified by the size of the outer diameter of the strand 583, including the core wire 581 and the insulating sheath 582.

[0163] The first special symbol starting means 517 includes several electrical components 541 to 544, such as a first starting switch 541, a radio wave sensor 542, and left and right LED boards 543 and 544. Each of these is connected to harnesses 556 to 559, each composed of multiple strands 583, via harness-side connectors 556b to 559b, which are then routed to the back. However, even though there are multiple harnesses 556 to 559 composed of multiple strands 583, by bundling all of these harnesses 556 to 559 together with a fastener 563, subsequent handling is made easier compared to when each harness 556 to 559 is separated into individual strands 583.

[0164] Below the first special symbol starting means 517, there is an out ball opening 535 that discharges out balls inward from the game area 502 of the game board 501. By bundling each harness 556-559 together with a fastener 563, problems such as each harness 556-559 hanging down towards the out ball opening 535 do not occur. Therefore, the connection work of each harness 556-559 to the main control board 525 and the performance control board 526 can be easily performed.

[0165] Furthermore, since multiple harnesses 556 to 559 are fastened together to the fastening part 562 by fasteners 563, the fastening position by fasteners 563 becomes approximately constant and stable, preventing variations in fastening positions. Therefore, even when assembling the first special symbol starting means 517 to the game board 501, the work can be carried out uniformly.

[0166] Furthermore, since the fastener 563 is wrapped around the fastening portion 562 of the case portion 538, even if an external force is applied to the fastener 563 side, such as by pulling the harness 556~559 from the free end side, the fastener 563 and fastening portion 562 can resist that external force. As a result, problems such as the harness 556~559 falling off the first start switch 541, radio wave sensor 542, and LED boards 543, 544, or poor contact occurring between the connectors of each of these components 541~544 and the harness 556~559 can be resolved.

[0167] Furthermore, each harness 556 to 559 has a thick harness 583A made of two thick wires 583a, a normal harness 583B made of two normal wires 583b, and a thin harness 583C made of four or more thin wires 583c, all fastened together with a fastener 563. Therefore, even if a large tension is applied to the free end of these harnesses, the thick harness 583A can share the tension applied to the thinner harness 583C, thereby reducing the load on the thinner harnesses such as the thin harness 583C.

[0168] When connecting each harness 556-559 to the main control board 525 and the performance control board 526, each harness 556-559 is pulled upward from the fastener 563 side, and harnesses 556 and 557 are connected to the main control board 525 side, and harnesses 558 and 559 are connected to the performance control board 526 side, respectively, so as not to interfere with the out balls passing through the out ball opening 535 to the back of the game board 501.

[0169] The fasteners 563 and fastening portion 562 protrude rearward from the rear wall portion 560 of the case portion 538 and fasten the harnesses 556 to 559 together. However, near the fasteners 563 and fastening portion 562 there is a sensor housing portion 565 that protrudes further rearward than them, and the fasteners 563 and fastening portion 562 are located in front of the rear end of the protruding portion 568 caused by the sensor housing portion 565, so the fasteners 563 and fastening portion 562 do not get in the way when handling the first special symbol starting means 517 during the assembly process of the game board 501 or elsewhere.

[0170] Furthermore, since the harness 559 of the LED board 544 is routed to the fastener 563 side via the rear end of the sensor housing 565 (protruding portion 568) that protrudes to the rear, it is possible to reduce the vertical dimensions of the first special pattern starting means 517 itself compared to when the wiring is routed via the upper or lower side of the protruding portion 568.

[0171] Although the harness 559 of the LED board 544 is routed via the rear end of the sensor housing 565 which constitutes the protruding portion 568, the presence of positioning portions 571 on both its upper and lower sides prevents the harness 559 from moving or becoming detached from the sensor housing 565, even if it comes into contact with the rear end or both sides of the sensor housing 565.

[0172] Furthermore, the harnesses 556 and 557 of the first start switch 541 and radio wave sensor 542 can be connected to the main control board 525, and the harnesses 558 and 559 of the LED boards 543 and 544 can be connected to the performance control board 526. Therefore, the length from the fastener 563 to the harness-side connector 556a to 559a of each harness 556 to 559 is long. To address this, before mounting them to the game board 501, as shown in Figure 30, each harness 556 to 559 is folded to shorten it according to the connection target, and then the folded harnesses 556 to 559 are inserted into protective caps 584 and 585 for protection. This prevents the long harnesses 556 to 559 from hanging down.

[0173] When fastening the harnesses 556-559 using the fastening device 574 shown in Figure 34, the free end of the band portion 577 is passed through the through hole 572, and the band portion 577 is wrapped around the outer circumference of the harnesses 556-559 and the fastening portion 562. Then, the band portion 577 is inserted into the insertion portion 575 of the head portion 576 and pulled. As the band portion 577 is pulled and tightened, the one-way engaging claw 578 engages with the engaging portion 579, maintaining the tightened state. After pulling and tightening the band portion 577 until the harnesses 556-559 are almost in close contact with the fastening portion 562, the excess portion of the free end of the band portion 577 is cut near the head portion 576. This allows the harnesses 556-559 of the first start switch 541, radio wave sensor 542, and LED boards 543 and 544 to be easily bundled together and secured using the fastener 574.

[0174] Furthermore, the tightening of the harnesses 556 to 559 by the band portion 577 should be loose enough so that the harness-side connectors 556a to 559a at the ends of each harness 556 to 559 do not come off the fastener 563. For example, if there are multiple harness-side connectors 556a to 559a of different sizes, the tightening should be loose enough so that the smallest harness-side connector 556a to 559a does not come off the fastener 563.

[0175] Figures 35 to 40 illustrate a composite prize-winning means 516 in a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 35 to 40, the composite prize-winning means 516 is equipped with a contact plate 600 fixed to the front of the game board 501, on the left and right sides, a large prize-winning means 521 and a normal prize-winning means 522, and also includes a guide passage 601 that guides game balls from the right-hand passage 514 (see Figure 26) toward the first special symbol starting means 517 (see Figure 26) when the large prize-winning means 521 is closed.

[0176] The contact plate 600 is detachably fixed to the front of the game board 501. On the front side of the contact plate 600 are the large prize opening 602 of the large prize means 521, the opening / closing member 603 that opens and closes the large prize opening 602, the passage section 604 located downstream of the opening / closing member 603, and the ordinary prize opening 605 of the ordinary prize means 522. Below the large prize opening 602, etc., there is a guide plate 606 that passes from both the left and right sides of the ordinary prize opening 605 downwards and guides the game ball to the out ball opening 535. On the back side of the contact plate 600 are the inner case section 607 located approximately in the center corresponding to the large prize means 521, and the outer case section 608 located on both the left and right sides of the inner case section 607 and extending downwards.

[0177] When the combined prize-winning mechanism 516 is attached to the game board 501, the inner case portion 607 and the outer case portion 608 are inserted from the front into the mounting hole 609 of the game board 501, and the contact plate 600 is fixed to the game board 501 with fixing means such as screws. Therefore, the inner case portion 607 and the outer case portion 608 constitute an insertion portion 610 that is inserted into the mounting hole 609 of the game board 501. Note that the inner case portion 607 and the outer case portion 608 may be constructed as a single unit.

[0178] The large prize opening 602 of the large prize mechanism 521 opens upward on the front side of the contact plate 600, and an opening / closing member 603 is provided on the opening side of this large prize opening 602 so as to be able to move in and out in the front-to-back direction. The large prize opening 602 is connected from the prize passage 614 inside the inner case part 607 on the back side of the contact plate 600 to the discharge passage 611 on the outer case part 608 side, and game balls that enter this large prize opening 602 are discharged to the back side of the game board 501 via the prize passage 614 and the discharge passage 611. Inside the inner case part 607, a prize switch 612 is provided in a horizontal shape to detect game balls passing through the prize passage 614.

[0179] The opening / closing member 603 can be opened and closed by a drive solenoid 613 via an interlocking mechanism (not shown), and in the closed state with the large prize opening 602 closed, it receives the game balls flowing down from above and guides them to the passage section 604. The guide passage 601 is at least part of the passage section 604 on the lower side of the large prize opening 602, and when the large prize opening 602 is open, it is composed of the passage section 604, and when the large prize opening 602 is closed, it is composed of the passage section 604 and the opening / closing member 603 on its upper side in a closed state. The prize switch 612 is positioned approximately horizontally below the prize passage 614 with its longitudinal direction facing left to right, and game balls that pass through this prize switch 612 are guided to the back side of the game board 501 via the discharge passage 611.

[0180] The prize-winning switch 612 and the drive solenoid 613 are housed in a housing case 615 that is detachably fixed to the back of the inner case portion 607. The drive solenoid 613 is equipped with a movable iron core 613a that moves in and out in the front-to-back direction, and the opening and closing member 603 can be opened and closed in the front-to-back direction by the front-to-back movement of the movable iron core 613a. The housing case 615 is detachably fixed to the inner case portion 607 by a fastener 617 such as a screw at its front end, so that it protrudes rearward from the inner case portion 607.

[0181] The housing case 615, which contains internal mechanisms such as the prize-winning switch 612 and the drive solenoid 613, constitutes a first projection 618 that protrudes rearward from the inner case portion 607. The outer case portion 608 is provided with a discharge passage 611 that protrudes rearward from the outer case portion 608, corresponding to the lower side of the housing case 615, and the game balls from the discharge passage 611 are discharged downward from the discharge port 611a at its lower end. The rear side of the discharge passage 611 is closed and constitutes a second projection 620 that protrudes rearward from the rear wall portion 619 of the outer case portion 608.

[0182] The normal prize entry opening 605 of the normal prize entry means 522 is connected to the prize entry passage 622 inside the outer case portion 608 on the back side of the contact plate 600. The prize entry passage 622 is provided in the outer case portion 608 in the front-rear direction, and its rear end protrudes rearward from the rear wall portion 619 of the outer case portion 608 and is connected to the lower discharge opening 622a via the prize entry switch 623 located below it.

[0183] The prize entry switch 623 is positioned approximately horizontally with its longitudinal direction facing left to right. The prize entry passage 622 has a switch housing 625 above the discharge opening 622a, and the prize entry switch 623 is housed in this switch housing 625. Guide walls 626 are provided on both the left and right sides below the discharge opening 622a, and the space between these guide walls 626 is a discharge passage 624 that discharges the game balls downward. The space between the rear ends of the left and right guide walls 626 is open.

[0184] The prize entry passage 622, the switch housing 625, and the guide wall 626 all protrude approximately the same amount rearward from the rear wall 619 of the outer case 608. The prize entry passage 622 constitutes the third protrusion 628, the switch housing 625 constitutes the fourth protrusion 629, and the guide wall 626 constitutes the fifth protrusion 630. The third protrusion 628 and the fifth protrusion 630 are in a single line in the vertical direction, while the fourth protrusion 629 is approximately in a single line with the third protrusion 628 and the fifth protrusion 630 on the side facing the first protrusion 618, and the opposite side protrudes to the opposite side in the left-right direction from the third protrusion 628 and the fifth protrusion 630.

[0185] The combined prize-winning mechanism 516 has a light-emitting display mechanism 531 located approximately in the center in the left-right direction, corresponding to the large prize-winning opening 602. Light-emitting display mechanisms 529, 530 and magnetic sensors 632, 633 are provided on both the left and right sides of the large prize-winning mechanism 521. The light-emitting display mechanisms 529-531 each consist of light-emitting display units 717-719 provided on the contact plate 600, etc., and LED boards 634-636 provided in the inner case 607 and outer case 608, corresponding to these light-emitting display units 717-719. LEDs 634a-636a that illuminate the light-emitting display units 717-719 are provided on the front of the LED boards 634-636. Board-side connectors 643-645 are provided on both the top and bottom sides of the back of the LED board 634, and board-side connectors 646-647 are provided on the back of the LED boards 635 and 636. Magnetic sensors 632 and 633 are used to detect magnetic fields when fraudulent activity occurs, such as bringing a magnet close to a glass door or the like located in front of the game board 501 to alter the flow of game balls.

[0186] Furthermore, the contact plate 600 and the like are provided with a pattern of irregularities or other means to ensure the diffusion of light when the light-emitting display units 717 to 719 are illuminated, while simultaneously obstructing the visibility of the components on the back side, such as the drive solenoid 613, the award switches 612 and 623, and the LED substrates 634 to 636. Therefore, even when viewed from the front of the contact plate 600, the components on the back side cannot be seen, or are difficult to see.

[0187] On the back side of the combined prize-winning mechanism 516, opposite to the ordinary prize-winning mechanism 522, as shown in Figures 35 to 40, an LED board 634, which also serves as a relay board for the performance control system, and a relay board 641 for the main control system are provided at the front and back. Also on the back side of the combined prize-winning mechanism 516, a first wiring path 650, a second wiring path 651, and a third wiring path 652 are provided.

[0188] The first wiring path 650 is located between the relay board 641 at one end and the other end, and is provided in a zigzag pattern below the first protrusion 618 and between the first protrusion 618 and the third to fifth protrusions 628 to 630. The harness 655 on the award switch 623 side, the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side, and the harness 657 on the LED board 635 side are all wired together in parallel to this first wiring path 650.

[0189] The second wiring path 651 is provided from the relay board 641 side, passing through the rear lower side of the first protrusion 618. The harness 658 on the award switch 612 side and the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side are wired together in parallel to this second wiring path 651.

[0190] The third wiring path 652 is provided to enter the outer case portion 608 via the upper side of the relay board 641. Parts of the harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side and the harness 661 on the LED board 636 side are wired together in parallel in this third wiring path 652.

[0191] Each harness 655-661 employs either a thick harness 583A, a standard harness 583B, or a thin harness 583C, depending on the current capacity and other conditions, as in the case of Figure 33. Specifically, harness 655 on the award switch 623 side of the first wiring path 650 employs a thick harness 583A made of two thick strands 583a, harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side employs a standard harness 583B made of three standard strands 583b, and harness 657 on the LED board 635 side employs a thin harness 583C made of four thin strands 583c.

[0192] The distance from the relay board 641 to the prize-winning switch 623 and the distance from the relay board 641 to the magnetic sensor 633 are approximately the same. Therefore, the harness 655 on the prize-winning switch 623 side and the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side use harnesses of roughly the same length to correspond to that distance.

[0193] The prize-winning switch 623 and the magnetic sensor 633 are located far from the relay board 641 and are positioned on the side far from the first parallel wiring section 690, where three harnesses 655 to 657 are wired in parallel, as described later. On the other hand, the LED board 635 is located closer to the relay board 641 than the prize-winning switch 623 and the magnetic sensor 633, and is positioned on the side closer to the first parallel wiring section 690. Harness 655 on the prize-winning switch 623 side and harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side use long harnesses of approximately the same length, while harness 657 on the LED board 635 side uses a harness shorter than harnesses 655 and 656.

[0194] The harness 658 on the award switch 612 side of the second wiring path 651 uses a thick harness 583A made of two thick strands 583a, while the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side uses a standard harness 583B made of three standard strands 583b. The lengths of the harness 658 on the award switch 612 side and the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side are approximately the same, or the harness 658 on the award switch 612 side is slightly longer.

[0195] The harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side of the third wiring path 652 uses a standard harness 583B made of three standard wires 583b, while the harness 661 on the LED board 636 side uses a thin harness 583C made of two thin wires 583c.

[0196] As shown in Figures 36, 39, and 40, the LED board 634 and the relay board 641 are mounted on both the front and rear sides of the board mounting base 663. Specifically, the LED board 634 is vertically elongated, and the relay board 641 is horizontally elongated, and these are mounted approximately parallel to each other on both the front and rear sides of the board mounting base 663. The board mounting base 663 is attached to the outer case portion 608 via fasteners 664 such as screws. The LED board 634 constitutes part of the light-emitting display means 529 and is provided on the front side of the board mounting base 663, while the relay board 641 of the main control system is provided on the back side of the board mounting base 663, corresponding to the LED board 634.

[0197] The LED board 634 is positioned on the front side of the board mounting base 663, and the intermediate board 641 is positioned on the back side of the board mounting base 663, corresponding to the upper and lower middle portion of the LED board 634. The LED board 634 is provided with an upper overhang 634A and a lower overhang 634B extending from the intermediate board 641 on both the upper and lower sides.

[0198] The upper protruding portion 634A is provided with a relay board-side connector 643, and the lower protruding portion 634B is provided with a relay board-side connector 644 and a board-side connector 645 for external connection. The board-side connector 643 is connected to the LED board 636 via harness 661, and the board-side connector 644 is connected to the LED board 635 via harness 657. The board-side connector 645 is for external connection and is connected to the performance control board 526 via external connection harness 666. Therefore, the LED board 634 is connected to other electrical components, such as LED boards 635 and 636 and the performance control board 526, via harnesses 657, 661, and 666 connected to board-side connectors 643 to 645.

[0199] The rear sides of the upper protrusion 634A and the lower protrusion 634B are open through the openings 663a and 663b of the circuit board mounting base 663, and harnesses 657, 661, and 666 are connected to the circuit board side connectors 643 to 645 of each protrusion 634A and 634B from the openings 663a and 663b.

[0200] By arranging the LED board 634 and the relay board 641 in this manner, stacking them front to back, the LED board 634 and the relay board 641 can be efficiently arranged in a smaller area compared to when they are arranged side by side in the planar direction, thereby enabling miniaturization of the composite prize-winning mechanism 516.

[0201] Furthermore, even if the LED board 634 and the relay board 641 are stacked front to back, by positioning the LED board 634 at the front, the original function of the LED board 634 is not hindered, and the light from the LED board 634 can illuminate the light-emitting display section 717 in front of it. In addition, by providing the LED board 634 with protruding portions 634A and 634B that extend outward from the relay board 641 on the back, and connecting the LED board 634 to other electrical components via board-side connectors 643 to 645 on the protruding portions 634A and 634B, it is possible to easily connect other electrical components to the LED board 634.

[0202] The rear side of the relay board 641 is open, and on the back surface of the relay board 641, relay board-side connectors 667 to 671 and an external connection board-side connector 672 are provided in two rows, one above the other, arranged in the left-right direction. A management information display unit 675 for displaying management information of the relay board 641 is provided on the upper side.

[0203] The management information display unit 675 consists of a manufacturer display unit 675a ​​that displays the manufacturer's name and a board management number display unit 675b that displays the board management number. The management information display unit 675 only needs to display the information necessary for management purposes, and may display information other than the manufacturer's name and board management number. The slack portions 655a to 660a of the harnesses 655 to 660 are positioned on the back side of the management information display unit 675 in a position that does not overlap with it. There are no slack portions 655a to 660a of the harnesses 655 to 660 or other obstacles on the back side of the management information display unit 675, so management information such as the manufacturer's name and board management number can be easily seen from the back. The management information display unit 675 only needs to be on the back side of the game component.

[0204] On the upper side of the relay board 641, two board-side connectors 667 and 670, which are connected to two prize switches 612 and 623, and one board-side connector 672 for external connections are arranged in a row from left to right. On the lower side, a board-side connector 669, which is connected to the drive solenoid 613, and two board-side connectors 668 and 671, which are connected to the left and right magnetic sensors 632 and 633 are arranged in a row from left to right.

[0205] The relay board 641 and the two upper and lower rows of board-side connectors 667 to 672 protrude rearward from the rear wall portion 619 of the outer case portion 608, and these relay board 641 and board-side connectors 667 to 672 constitute the sixth protruding portion 676.

[0206] The upper board-side connectors 667 and 670 of the relay board 641 are detachably connected to harnesses 655 and 658 for the respective prize switches 612 and 623. Harness 655 for prize switch 623 is routed along the first wiring path 650, and harness 658 for prize switch 612 is routed along the second wiring path 651.

[0207] The harness 656 for the magnetic sensor 633 is detachably connected to the lower board-side connector 668 of the relay board 641, the harness 659 for the drive solenoid 613 is detachably connected to the lower board-side connector 669 of the relay board 641, and the harness 660 for the magnetic sensor 632 is detachably connected to the lower board-side connector 671 of the relay board 641. The harness 659 for the drive solenoid 613 is routed along the second wiring path 651. The harness 656 for the magnetic sensor 633 is routed along the first wiring path 650, and the harness 660 for the magnetic sensor 632 is routed along the third wiring path 652.

[0208] The external connection board-side connector 672 is connected to each board-side connector 667~671 via a circuit pattern on the relay board 641, and has a corresponding number of terminals. Therefore, the external connection harness 674 connected to the board-side connector 672 also has a corresponding number of strands 583. Incidentally, the external connection harness 674 employs a parallel harness 583B with 8 to 10 or more strands 583b, or a thin harness 583C with thin strands 583c, and is connected directly or indirectly to the main control board 525 via the harness-side connector at the end.

[0209] The harness 657 on the LED board 635 side is routed along the first wiring path 650 and connected to the board-side connector 644 on the lower protrusion 634B of the LED board 634. The harness 661 on the LED board 636 side is routed along the third wiring path 652 and connected to the board-side connector 643 on the upper protrusion 634A of the LED board 634.

[0210] The external connection board-side connector 645 is connected to board-side connectors 643 and 644 via a circuit pattern on the LED board 634. The board-side connector 645 has the number of terminals necessary for light emission control by the LED board 634, and the external connection harness 666 connected to this board-side connector 645 also has strands 583 corresponding to that number of terminals. Incidentally, the external connection harness 666 employs a standard harness 583B with 8 to 10 or more strands of standard wire 583b, or a thin harness 583C with thin wire 583c, and is connected directly or indirectly to the performance control board 526 via a harness-side connector at the end.

[0211] There is a predetermined vertical gap between the upper row of board-side connectors 667, 670, 672 and the lower row of board-side connectors 668, 669, 671 on the relay board 641, and the area between the upper and lower rows of board-side connectors 667 to 672 on the back side of the relay board 641 is a slack arrangement section 680.

[0212] The harnesses 655 and 658 on the award switches 612 and 623, the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613, and the harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 are provided with slack portions 655a, 658a to 660a near harness-side connectors (not shown) that can be connected to board-side connectors 667, 669 to 671. The slack portions 658a to 660a are provided in a bent or curved shape that bends or curves in the approximately planar directions of up and down and left and right along the back surface of the relay board 641.

[0213] The slack portions 655a, 658a, and 660a of each harness 655, 658, and 660 are intended to provide the harnesses 655, 658, and 660 with the necessary slack (allowance) when attaching and detaching them to the board-side connectors 667, 669, and 671 of the relay board 641.

[0214] The slack portions 655a, 658a to 660a of each harness 655, 658 to 660 are arranged overlapping in the front-to-back direction within the slack arrangement section 680, with their vertical and horizontal positions alternating. The overall arrangement height of the slack portions 655a, 658a to 660a is approximately the same as, or less than, the height of, the board-side connectors 667 to 672.

[0215] In this way, the space between the two upper and lower rows of board-side connectors 667 to 672 is designated as a slack arrangement section 680, and the slack portions 655a, 658a to 660a of the harnesses 655, 658 to 660 are placed within this slack arrangement section 680, thereby protecting the slack portions 655a, 658a to 660a from both the upper and lower sides by the board-side connectors 667 to 672.

[0216] Therefore, during assembly, or during maintenance and inspection after assembly, it is possible to prevent deformation and tangling of the slack portions 655a, 658a, and 660a themselves, as well as lifting of the harnesses 655, 658, and 660, which may occur due to contact with the slack portions 655a, 658a, and 660a of the harnesses 655, 658, and 660.

[0217] The amount of slack (play) in each harness 655-660 is such that the prize switches 612, 623, drive solenoid 613, and magnetic sensors 632, 633 are wired along their respective wiring paths 650-652 with almost no slack, whereas the LED board 634 and relay board 641 have a large amount of slack necessary to connect and disconnect the harness-side connectors of harnesses 655-660 to the board-side connectors 644, 667, 669-671.

[0218] For example, in the harness 655 on the prize switch 623 side, the amount of slack, including the slack portion 655a from the fastener 694 closest to the board-side connector 667 to the board-side connector 667, is greater than the amount of slack from the fastener 708 closest to the prize switch 623 to the prize switch 623, and the wiring from the fastener 708 to the prize switch 623 is almost slack.

[0219] Furthermore, in the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side, the amount of slack, including the slack portion 656a from the fastener 696 closest to the board-side connector 668 to the board-side connector 668, is greater than the amount of slack from the fastener 708 closest to the magnetic sensor 633 to the magnetic sensor 633, and the wiring from the fastener 708 to the magnetic sensor 633 is almost slack-free.

[0220] Furthermore, in the harness 657 on the LED board 635 side, the amount of slack, including the slack portion 657a from the fastener 696 closest to the board-side connector 644 to the board-side connector 644, is greater than the amount of slack from the fastener 694 closest to the LED board 635 to the LED board 635, and the wiring from the fastener 694 to the LED board 635 is almost slack-free.

[0221] Therefore, each harness 655 to 657 can be efficiently routed along the first wiring path 650, and the harness-side connectors of each harness 655 to 657 can be easily attached to and detached from the board-side connectors 644, 667, and 668. The same applies to the other harnesses 658 to 660. In this embodiment, there are two fasteners for harness 655, three for harness 656, and two for harness 657, but there may be one fastener for each of the harnesses 655 to 657.

[0222] The harness 656 connecting the magnetic sensor 633 to the board-side connector 668 of the relay board 641 has a slack portion 656a on the board-side connector 668 side, and the harness 657 connecting the LED board 635 to the board-side connector 644 of the LED board 634 has a slack portion 657a on the board-side connector 644 side. In these harnesses 656 and 657 as well, there is almost no slack on the magnetic sensor 633 and LED board 635 side, while the side closer to the board-side connectors 644 and 668 has a predetermined amount of slack that is longer than the magnetic sensor 633 and LED board 635 side, similar to harnesses 655, 658 to 660.

[0223] Therefore, on the first wiring path 650, the harnesses 655 to 657 for the prize switch 623, magnetic sensor 633, and LED board 635 are routed efficiently and neatly along the respective wiring paths 650 and 651, while on the second wiring path 651, the harnesses 658 and 659 for the prize switch 612 and drive solenoid 613 are routed efficiently and neatly along the respective wiring paths 650 and 651. At the same time, the connectors of each harness 655 to 659 can be easily attached to and detached from the respective board-side connectors 644, 667 to 670 to which they are connected.

[0224] The harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side, which is wired to the first wiring path 650, is wired from the underside of the relay board 641 to the back side of the relay board 641, and then connected to the board-side connector 668 of the relay board 641 from the back side. Between the fastener 696 that secures the harnesses 656 and 657 and the board-side connector 668, there is a step (a difference in height in the front-to-back direction) of the sixth protrusion 676, and by wiring the harness 656 in a curved shape along this step, a slack portion 656a necessary for attaching and detaching the harness 656 to the board-side connector 668 is formed. The harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side, which is wired to the third wiring path 652, is wired from the topside of the relay board 641 to the back side of the relay board 641, and continues through the space between the board-side connector 667 and the board-side connector 670 of the relay board 641 to the slack portion 660a in the slack arrangement portion 680.

[0225] The configuration of fasteners 686, 694, 696, 708, and 714 is substantially the same as that of fastener 563 in the fourth embodiment. The fastening parts 688, 697, 709, and 715 may be substantially the same as those of fastening part 562 in the fourth embodiment, or they may be configured in a U-shape, protruding rearward from the rear wall 619.

[0226] In the slack arrangement section 680, the slack portions 655a, 658a to 660a of each harness 655, 658 to 660, or the harnesses 655, 658 to 660 in their vicinity, are arranged so that they overlap in the front-to-back direction. As a result, some harnesses 658 and 659 have retaining portions 681 and 682 that press the other harnesses 655 and 660 toward the relay board 641.

[0227] For example, the harness 658 on the award switch 612 side and the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side, which are wired to the second wiring path 651, have a twisted section 683 where the two harnesses 658 and 659 are twisted together. The part of this twisted section 683 that corresponds to the relay board 641 becomes a retaining section 681, and this retaining section 681 presses the vicinity of the slack portion 655a of the harness 655 on the award switch 623 side of the first wiring path 650 towards the relay board 641.

[0228] Furthermore, the harness 658 on the award switch 612 side of the second wiring path 651 has a retaining portion 682 at the branching point where it branches into two from the twisted portion 683 with the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side. This retaining portion 682 presses the vicinity of the slack portion 660a of the harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side against the relay board 641 side.

[0229] Therefore, while ensuring sufficient slack in the slack portions 655a, 656a, and 658a-660a of each harness 655, 658-660, these slack portions 655a, 658a-660a can be concentrated and arranged together in the slack arrangement portion 680. Furthermore, since the retaining portions 681 and 682 of the harnesses 655, 658-660 press the other harnesses 655, 660 toward the relay board 641, it is possible to prevent the slack portions 655a and 660a of each harness 655, 660 from lifting up.

[0230] In particular, the harnesses 658 and 659 of the second wiring route 651 are such that harness 658 on the prize switch 612 side is a thick harness 583A, and harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side is a standard harness 583B, and there is a retaining portion 681 at the twisted portion 683 of the two harnesses. Therefore, even though harness 655 on the prize switch 623 side of the first wiring route 650 is a thick harness 583A, the retaining portion 681 can reliably hold down harness 655 on the prize switch 623 side.

[0231] Furthermore, the harness 658 on the award switch 612 side of the second wiring path 651 is a thick harness 583A, and the retaining portion 682 of this thick harness 583A holds down the thin harness 583B, which is the harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side, so that the retaining portion 682 can reliably hold down the harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side.

[0232] Furthermore, since the retaining portions 681 and 682 of each harness 658 and 659 are located within the slack arrangement portion 680 between the upper and lower rows of board-side connectors 667 to 672, the retaining portions 681 and 682 of harnesses 658 and 659 can be protected by the upper and lower rows of board-side connectors 667 to 672, similar to the slack portions 655a and 658 to 660 of harnesses 655 and 658 to 660.

[0233] The harness 658 on the award switch 612 side and the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side are wired on the second wiring path 651. In this second wiring path 651, a parallel wiring section 684 is provided between the relay board 641 and the rear side of the housing case 615, where the harnesses 658 and 659 are wired in parallel and bundled together. Fasteners 685 and 686 are provided at two locations within this parallel wiring section 684.

[0234] The fastener 686 near the prize switch 612 and the drive solenoid 613 is of the bundling type, and the harnesses 658 and 659 are secured together to the fastener 688 on the rear side of the housing case 615 by this fastener 686. The fastener 685 near the relay board 641 and the board-side connectors 669 and 670 is composed of a projection 689 that protrudes rearward from the housing case 615. As shown in Figures 36 and 37, this projection 689 is positioned offset above the line segment connecting the fastener 686 and the retaining portion 681 on the relay board 641, and the harnesses 658 and 659 are hooked onto the projection 689 from above so that they meander upward between the fastener 686 and the retaining portion 681.

[0235] The harness 658 on the prize-winning switch 612 side is pulled out from the lower left-right approximate center of the housing case 615 to the back side, and then reaches the relay board 641 side via the fastener 686 on the back side of the rear wall from the lower side of the bottom wall of the housing case 615. A harness 659 is connected to the rear end of the drive solenoid 613. This harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side extends laterally toward the fastener 686 side and is fastened together with the harness 658 on the prize-winning switch 612 side by fasteners 685 and 686.

[0236] Furthermore, the harness 658 on the award switch 612 side and the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side are wired separately from the fastener 686 on the opposite side of the parallel wiring section 684, and also branch off from the parallel wiring section 684 to the board-side connectors 669 and 670 on the relay board 641.

[0237] By routing the harnesses 658 and 659 of the second wiring path 651 via the projection 689, the harnesses 658 and 659 can be easily and neatly routed along the second wiring path 651 without slack occurring between the fastener 686 at the rear end of the housing case 615 and the retaining portion 681 side of the relay board 641, even though there is a difference in height in the front-rear direction between the fastener 686 and the relay board 641.

[0238] The housing case 615 can be attached to and detached from the inner case section 607 from the rear. The second wiring path 651 passes through the rear of the housing case 615, and the harness 658 on the prize switch 612 side and the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side are secured to the second wiring path 651 by fasteners 686. Therefore, there are no problems such as the harnesses 658 and 659 hanging down from the bottom of the housing case 615, and the housing case 615 can be attached and detached without being affected by the harnesses 658 and 659. The prize switch 612 and the drive solenoid 613 are located inside the housing case 615.

[0239] Furthermore, although the housing case 615 can be attached to and detached from the inner case portion 607 from the rear using fasteners 617 such as screws, the harness 658 on the prize switch 612 side and the harness 659 on the drive solenoid 613 side are fastened to the fastener portion 688 on the housing case 615 side by a one-way fastener 686. Therefore, the housing case 615 cannot be removed simply by removing the fasteners 617 without cutting the fasteners 686. This prevents fraudulent acts such as the unauthorized removal of the housing case 615.

[0240] The harness 655 on the award switch 623 side, the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side, and the harness 657 on the LED board 635 side are wired substantially parallel to each other along the first wiring path 650. This first wiring path 650 consists of a first parallel wiring section 690 including a first curved path section 650a, a second parallel wiring section 691 provided on the opposite side of the first parallel wiring section 690 from the LED board 634 and the relay board 641 and including a second curved path section 650b, and a board-side parallel wiring section 692 provided on the LED board 634 and the relay board 641 side of the first parallel wiring section 690.

[0241] In the first parallel wiring section 690, all harnesses 655 to 657 are wired in parallel, resulting in the largest number of harnesses, and these most numerous harnesses, 655 to 657, are bundled together and secured by a fastener 694. In the second parallel wiring section 691, of the harnesses 655 to 657 in the first parallel wiring section 690, harness 657 on the LED board 635 side branches off at branching point 720 to the LED board 635 side, and harness 655 on the prize switch 623 side and harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side are wired in parallel and bundled together and secured by a fastener 708.

[0242] In this embodiment, the first parallel wiring section 690 and the second parallel wiring section 691 are described, but if there are many harnesses to be wired in parallel and the harnesses branch sequentially at several points, the number of harnesses may be reduced sequentially from the second parallel wiring section to the third parallel wiring section and then to the fourth parallel wiring section.

[0243] If we use the relay board 641 as a reference, the number of harnesses decreases from the first parallel wiring section 690 to the second parallel wiring section 691, with the branching position 720 in between. However, if we use the prize switch 623, magnetic sensor 633, etc. as a reference, the number of harnesses increases from the second parallel wiring section 691 to the first parallel wiring section 690, with the point where harness 657 on the LED board 635 side converges (merges) with harnesses 655 and 656 of the second parallel wiring section 691 in between.

[0244] In the parallel wiring section 692 on the circuit board side, of the harnesses 655-657 in the first parallel wiring section 690, harness 655 on the prize switch 623 side branches off to the relay board 641 side, and harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side and harness 657 on the LED board 635 side are wired in parallel and fastened together with fastener 696.

[0245] The first parallel wiring section 690 is provided bent or curved in a roughly L-shape when viewed from the rear, along the edge of the outer case section 608 on the inner case section 607 side. The harness 655 on the award switch 623 side, the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side, and the harness 657 on the LED board 635 side are all wired in parallel to this first parallel wiring section 690.

[0246] The fastener 694 is positioned at the lower side of the inner case portion 607, in the middle of the first parallel wiring section 690, and fastens each harness 656-657 together to the fastener 695. Therefore, compared to wiring each harness 655-657 individually, variations in the strands 583 of each harness 655-657 can be prevented, and each harness 655-657 can be wired neatly together.

[0247] Furthermore, inside the first parallel wiring section 690, there is a reinforcing wall 678 that protrudes rearward from the outer case section 608, and a protruding wiring guide section 678a is provided on the bent portion of this reinforcing wall 678 on the inside of the first curved path section 650a. As a result, the harnesses 655 to 657 of the first parallel wiring section 690 are wrapped around the wiring guide section 678a of the first curved path section 650a and wired in a roughly L-shape, and are fastened together at a fastening section 695 by a fastener 694 between the wiring guide section 678a and the second protruding section 620.

[0248] Therefore, each harness 655-657 can be routed along the first parallel wiring section 690 without slack, and each harness 655-657 can be bundled at two locations, the wiring guide section 678a and the fastener 694, allowing for efficient bundling of each harness 655-657. Furthermore, in the first curved path section 650a, each harness 655-657 can be hooked onto the wiring guide section 678a, making the wiring work easier compared to the case where fasteners 694 are placed at two locations.

[0249] In the parallel wiring section 692 on the board side of the relay board 641, the thick harness 583A that makes up the harness 655 on the award switch 623 side branches off, and the thin harness 583C that makes up the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side and the harness 657 on the LED board 635 side are wired in parallel, and are fastened together to the fastening part 697 on the outer case part 608 by a fastener 696 along the way.

[0250] The fastener 696 is located near the lower side of the relay board 641, near the side of the second protrusion 620. The harness 655 on the award switch 623 side, which branches off from the harnesses 656 and 657 of the board-side parallel wiring section 692, is connected to the board-side connector 667 on the relay board 641 via the slack portion 655a.

[0251] In this manner, in the parallel wiring section 692 on the circuit board side, the thin harness 583C used for the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side and the harness 657 on the LED circuit board 635 side are wired in parallel, and each harness 656 and 657 is secured together with a fastener 696, which allows each harness 656 and 657 to be wired neatly and prevents the strands of each harness 656 and 657 from being cut or otherwise damaged.

[0252] The harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side has a slack portion 656a that curves gently in the front-rear direction along the step of the board-side connector 668 between the fastener 696 and the board-side connector 668 of the relay board 641, and the harness 657 on the LED board 635 side has a slack portion 657a that curves along the rear wall portion 619 between the fastener 696 and the board-side connector 644 of the LED board 634. Therefore, when connecting each harness 656, 657 to the respective board-side connectors 644, 668, the slack portions 656a, 657a on each harness 656, 657 allow for easy connection to the respective board-side connectors 644, 668.

[0253] The first parallel wiring section 690 has a second protrusion 620 on the board-side parallel wiring section 692 side, provided by an outlet passage 611. Each harness 655-657 is wired in parallel via a rear-end passing section 700 that passes through the rear end of this second protrusion 620. Therefore, compared to wiring each harness 655-657 via the upper or lower side of the second protrusion 620, each harness 655-657 can be wired more efficiently by crossing the second protrusion 620.

[0254] A protruding anti-slip portion 701 is provided at the lower rear end of the discharge passage 611. Harnesses 655-657 passing through the rear end portion 700 are restricted by this anti-slip portion 701 to avoid moving toward the discharge port 611a below them. By providing this anti-slip portion 701, it is possible to prevent each harness 655-657 from sagging toward the discharge port 611a, and each harness 655-657 can be routed while avoiding the discharge port 611a. In this case, the discharge port 611a serves as a harness avoidance portion that should prevent the harnesses 655-657 from sagging.

[0255] On both sides of the wiring path direction of the second protrusion 620, there are fasteners 694 of the first parallel wiring section 690 and fasteners 696 of the substrate-side parallel wiring section 692. The anti-displacement portion 701 is arranged above in a rear view with respect to the line segment connecting the two fasteners 694 and 696, and the harnesses 655 to 657 passing through the rear end side of the second protrusion 620 are hooked above the anti-displacement portion 701 between the two fasteners 694 and 696. Therefore, it is possible to prevent sagging and the like of each of the harnesses 655 to 657 in the rear end side via portion 700 passing through the rear end side of the second protrusion 620.

[0256] In a plan view, each of the harnesses 655 to 657 is wired obliquely between the rear end of the discharge passage 611 and the fasteners 694 and 696 on both sides of the second protrusion 620, and there is a substantially triangular space between the harnesses 655 to 657 and the outer case portion 608 on both sides of the discharge passage 611. Therefore, combined with the fact that the anti-displacement portion 701 is located above the line segment connecting the two fasteners 694 and 696 on both sides, it is possible to more reliably prevent sagging and the like of each of the harnesses 655 to 657 in this rear end side via portion 700. Note that each of the harnesses 655 to 657 may be arranged along the side surfaces of both sides of the discharge passage 611 from the rear wall portion 619 of the outer case portion 608.

[0257] The substrate-side connector 646 of the LED substrate 635 is arranged corresponding to the first wiring path 650 at the vertical middle between the first protrusion 618 and the third to fifth protrusions 628 to 630. Therefore, the harness 657 on the LED substrate 635 side branches from the harness 655 on the other prize-winning switch 623 side and the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side at a position corresponding to this substrate-side connector 646 and is connected to the substrate-side connector 646 of the LED substrate 635.

[0258] The winning switch 623 is inserted from the opposite side of the first protrusion 618 with respect to the switch housing portion 625. The harness 655 on the winning switch 623 side is connected to the end portion on the opposite side of the first protrusion 618 of the winning switch 623, and is drawn out from the end portion of the winning switch 623 along the upper surface side of the switch housing portion 625 to the merging position (collecting position) 705 outside the winning passage 622. The magnetic sensor 633 is disposed inside the outer case portion 608 near the outside of the winning passage 622 and near the upper side of the switch housing portion 625. The harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side is drawn out from the upper surface of the switch housing portion 625 along the outside of the winning passage 622 to the rear merging position 705, and merges with the harness 655 at the merging position 705. [[ID=X]] [[ID=X]]

[0259] [[ID=X]] By thus drawing out the harness 655 on the winning switch 623 side and the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side along the upper surface of the switch housing portion 625 to the merging position 705 on the third protrusion 628 side, the harnesses 655 and 656 that merge at the merging position 705 on the third protrusion 628 side can be stabilized. [[ID=X]] [[ID=X]]

[0260] [[ID=X]] The harness 655 on the winning switch 623 side and the harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side merge at the merging position 705 near the outside of the rear end of the winning passage 622. The second parallel wiring section 691 is between the merging position 705 and the branching position 720 where the harness 657 of the LED board 635 branches off, and the harnesses 656 and 657 are wired in parallel in this second parallel wiring section 691. [[ID=X]] [[ID=X]]

[0261] [[ID=X]] There is a third protrusion 628 by the winning passage 622 in the second parallel wiring section 691, and each of the harnesses 655 and 656 is wired in parallel via a rear end side via portion 710 that passes through the rear end side of this third protrusion 628. On the lower part of the rear end side of the winning passage 622, protruding displacement preventing portions 711 for restricting the sagging of the harnesses 655 and 656 are provided on the upper side of the switch housing portion 625. [[ID=X]] [[ID=X]]

[0262] [[ID=X]] The harnesses 655 and 656, drawn from the prize-winning switch 623 side and the magnetic sensor 633 side, merge at the junction (branching position) 705 on one side of the third protrusion 628, which is the end of the second parallel wiring section 691. At the same time, they are bundled together and fastened to the fastening portion 709 of the outer case portion 608 by a fastener 708 located on the second curved path portion 650b on the other side of the third protrusion 628. Each harness 655 and 656 is wired in the left-right direction along the third protrusion 628, from the junction (branching position) 705 on one side of the third protrusion 628, which is formed by the prize-winning passage 622, through the rear end via portion 710 on the rear end side of the third protrusion 628, to the fastener 708 on the opposite side. Therefore, compared to the case where each harness 655, 656 is routed above or below the third protrusion 628 without passing through it, each harness 655, 656 can be routed more efficiently by crossing the third protrusion 628.

[0263] A protruding anti-slip portion 711 is provided at the lower rear end of the prize entry passage 622. The harnesses 655 and 656 that pass through the rear end passage 710 are restricted by this anti-slip portion 711 to the upper side of the prize entry switch 623, preventing them from moving towards the rear side of the prize entry switch 623. This allows for efficient wiring of each harness 655 and 656 through the rear end passage 710, and prevents false detection of the prize entry switch 623 due to noise from the harnesses 655 and 656. In this case, the prize entry switch 623 acts as a harness avoidance portion that should avoid the approach of the harness 655. The anti-slip portion 711 may also be used to prevent the harnesses 655 and 656 from hanging down towards the outlet 622a.

[0264] The branching point 720 where the harness 657 of the LED board 635 branches off from harnesses 655 and 656 is located midway between the fastener 694 of the first parallel wiring section 690 and the fastener 708 of the second parallel wiring section 691, and the distance from the branching point 720 to the fastener 694 is greater than the distance from the branching point 720 to the fastener 708. Furthermore, there is a wiring guide section 678a closer to the branching point 720 than the fastener 694, and harnesses 655 and 657 are secured by wrapping around this guide section. Therefore, even when removing harness 657 by disconnecting the harness-side connector from the board-side connector 646 of the LED board 635, there is sufficient slack in harness 657 between the fastener 694 and the board-side connector 646, allowing for easy removal.

[0265] The anti-slip portion 711 is positioned above the line segment connecting the confluence point 705 on one side of the prize-winning passage 622 and the fastener 708 on the opposite side of the prize-winning passage 622, when viewed from the rear. The harnesses 655 and 656, which pass through the rear end of the third protrusion 628, are hooked onto the anti-slip portion 711 from above between the confluence points 705 and the fastener 708 on both sides, and are routed along both the left and right sides of the prize-winning passage 622. By positioning the anti-slip portion 711 in this manner, sagging of each harness 655 and 656 can be prevented.

[0266] The harness 660 of the magnetic sensor 632 is routed on the third wiring path 652. Specifically, the harness 660 of the magnetic sensor 632 is routed from the outside of the outer case portion 608, over the upper protruding portion 634A of the LED board 634, to the rear side of the upper protruding portion 634A, then routed from this upper protruding portion 634A over the upper edge of the relay board 641 to the rear side of the relay board 641, and continues to the slack portion 660a located in the slack arrangement portion 680 on the rear side of the relay board 641.

[0267] The upper overhang 634A has a board-side connector 643 near the third wiring path 652, to which the harness 661 is connected. The harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side and the harness 661 on the LED board 636 side are fastened together to a fastening part 715 on the board mounting base 663 by a fastener 714 located near the board-side connector 643. After passing through the fastener 714, the harness 661 branches off from the harness 660 on the magnetic sensor 632 side and is connected to the board-side connector 647 of the LED board 636 inside the inner case 607.

[0268] Therefore, LED board 634 is connected to LED board 636 via harness 661 and to LED board 635 via harness 657, and functions as an intermediate board for the two LED boards 635 and 636.

[0269] The harness 656 on the magnetic sensor 633 side of the first wiring path 650 has a slack portion 656a that gently curves in the front-rear direction along the underside of the sixth protrusion 676 between the fastener 696 and the board-side connector 668 of the relay board 641. The harness 657 on the LED board 635 side has a slack portion 657a that curves along the rear wall portion 619 from the underside of the board-side connector 644 towards the fastener 696 side between the fastener 696 and the board-side connector 644 of the LED board 634. As a result, each harness 656 and 657 can be easily connected to the board-side connectors 644 and 668 due to the slack in their respective slack portions 656a and 657a.

[0270] The board-side connector 672 for external connection of the relay board 641 and the board-side connector 645 for external connection of the lower protrusion 634B of the LED board 634 are located near the outer circumference of the insertion section 610. There is a height difference between the board-side connector 672 of the relay board 641 and the board-side connector 645 of the lower protrusion 634B of the LED board 634, corresponding to the relay board 641 and LED board 634 being stacked front to back, with the board-side connector 672 of the relay board 641 protruding rearward above the board-side connector 645 of the lower protrusion 634B. The external connection harness 674 of the relay board 641 and the external connection harness 666 of the LED board 634 are bundled together by a fastener 716 located near the board-side connector 672 of the relay board 641.

[0271] The board-side connector 672 of the relay board 641 is located at the end of the relay board 641, at one end of the insertion portion 610 which is long in the left-right direction. The external connection harness 674 connected to the board-side connector 672 is bent outwards from the relay board 641 along the direction of the strand arrangement near the board-side connector 672, and a fastener 716 is located near the bent portion 674a.

[0272] The external connection harness 666, connected to the board-side connector 645 of the lower protrusion 634B, is guided from the underside of the relay board 641 to the back side of the relay board 641, and then bundled together with the external connection harness 674 by a fastener 716, and pulled out to the outside of the relay board 641 together with the external connection harness 674. The fastener 716 is located near the end of the relay board 641 or inside the end.

[0273] In this way, when providing the external connection harness 674 for the relay board 641 and the external connection harness 666 for the LED board 634, the external connection harnesses 666 and 674 are bundled together with the fastener 716, making subsequent handling easier compared to when each external connection harness 666 and 674 is separated into individual strands.

[0274] Furthermore, by placing a fastener 716 near the board-side connector 672 of the relay board 641, both external connection harnesses 666 and 674 are secured together by this fastener 716. This makes it easier to stabilize the fastening position of the external connection harnesses 666 and 674 by the fastener 716, and easily prevents variations in fastening position. Therefore, there is no need to fix the fastener 716 to the fastening part, and both external connection harnesses 666 and 674 can be secured together by the bundling fastener 716 even in places where it is difficult to place a fastening part, such as the back side of the relay board 641.

[0275] Furthermore, an external connection harness 666 connected to the board-side connector 645 of the LED board 634 on the front side is routed near the board-side connector 672 of the relay board 641 on the back side, and both external connection harnesses 666 and 674 are bundled together with a fastener 716 near the board-side connector 672 of the relay board 641. As a result, even though the relay board 641 and the LED board 634 are overlapping front to back, both external connection harnesses 666 and 674 can be easily pulled out and wired.

[0276] When attaching the combined prize-winning mechanism 516 to the game board 501, the insertion parts 610, such as the inner case part 607 and the outer case part 608, are inserted into the mounting holes 609 of the game board 501. In this case, the external connection harnesses 666 and 674 are bent inward from the outer circumference of the insertion part 610 or the inner circumference of the mounting holes 609 near the fastener 716. This prevents the external connection harnesses 666 and 674 from getting in the way, allowing the combined prize-winning mechanism 516 to be easily attached to the game board 501.

[0277] The fourth and fifth embodiments include any of the following technologies 1 through 14.

[0278] The first technique includes gaming components 516 and 517 provided at a predetermined site 501. The gaming components 516 and 517 include a plurality of electrical components 541 to 544, 645, and 672, and a plurality of harnesses 556 to 559, 666, and 674 connected to each of the electrical components 541 to 544, 645, and 672. In the gaming machine, fasteners 563 and 716 are provided for bundling the plurality of harnesses 556 to 559, 666, and 674 together on the gaming components 516 and 517.

[0279] The gaming components 516 and 517 further include insertion portions 547 and 610 inserted into mounting holes 537 and 609 of the predetermined site 501. The fasteners 563 and 716 may be arranged at positions where the harnesses 556 to 559, 666, and 674 can be accommodated inside the outer periphery of the insertion portions 547 and 610 or inside the inner periphery of the mounting holes 537 and 609 when the harnesses 556 to 559, 666, and 674 are bent inside the gaming components 516 and 517. The fasteners 563 and 716 may be arranged near any of the electrical components 541 to 544, 645, and 672.

[0280] Among the harnesses 556 to 559, there are a thick harness 583A and thinner harnesses 583B and 583C. The fastener 563 may bundle the thick harness 583A and the thinner harnesses 583B and 583C together. It includes a first harness 674 connected to a relay board 641 and a second harness 666 connected to an electrical component 634 different from the relay board 641. The fastener 716 may bundle the first harness 674 and the second harness 666 together.

[0281] The second technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, 636 and a plurality of harnesses 655 to 661 connected to each of the electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, 636 and wired along a wiring path 650 to 652, wherein the gaming machine is provided with a plurality of fasteners 685, 686, 694, 696, 708, 714 that secure the plurality of harnesses 655 to 661 together to the gaming component 516 at multiple locations along the wiring path 650 to 652.

[0282] The game component 516 includes relay boards 634, 641 having board-side connectors 643~645, 667~671, and the harnesses 655~661 are connected at one end to the electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, 636 and at the other end to the board-side connectors 643~645, 667~671, respectively, and the fasteners 685, 694, 69 are located on the side closer to the relay boards 634, 641. The amount of slack in the harness 655-661 from 6,714 to the board-side connectors 643-645, 667-671 may be greater than the amount of slack in the harness 655-661 from the fasteners 686,708,714 on the side closer to the electrical components 612,613,623,632,633,635,636 to the electrical components 612,613,623,632,633,635,636.

[0283] Each of the harnesses 655, 658-660 is provided with slack portions 655a, 658a-660a between the fasteners 686, 694, 714 on the side closer to the relay board 641 and the board-side connectors 667, 669-671, having the amount of slack necessary for connecting the harnesses 655, 658-660. Each of the slack portions 655a, 658a-660a may also be located between the board-side connectors 667, 669-671 or in a slack arrangement portion 680 provided on the rear side of the board-side connectors 667, 669-671. The game component 516 may be provided with a plurality of relay boards 634, 641 in the front-rear direction, and the front relay board 634 may be provided with protruding portions 634A, 634B that extend outward in the planar direction compared to the rear relay board 641, and the board-side connectors 643, 644 may be provided on the protruding portions 634A, 634B.

[0284] The third technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined location 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a first electrical component 641, a first harness 674 for connecting the first electrical component 641 to a first external electrical component 525 provided elsewhere than the gaming component 516, a second electrical component 634, and a second harness 666 for connecting the second electrical component 634 to a second external electrical component 526 provided elsewhere than the gaming component 516, wherein the gaming machine is provided with a fastener 716 for securing the first harness 674 and the second harness 666 together near at least one of the first electrical components 641, 672 or the second electrical component 634.

[0285] The game component 516 includes an insertion portion 610 that is inserted into a mounting hole 609 of the predetermined portion 501, and at least one of the first electrical components 641, 672 and the second electrical components 634, 645 may be positioned near the insertion portion 610. The first electrical component is a first relay board 641 to which the first harness 674 is connected, and the second electrical component is a second relay board 634 to which the second harness 666 is connected, and the fastener 716 may bundle the first harness 666 and the second harness 674 together near the relay boards 634, 641.

[0286] The fourth technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined location 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635, a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connected to each of the electrical components 623, 633, 635, and relay boards 634, 641 to which the harnesses 655 to 657 are connected via a plurality of board-side connectors 644, 667, 668, and further comprises fasteners 694, 696, 708 that secure the plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 together on a wiring path 650 between the electrical components 623, 633, 635 and the relay boards 634, 641.

[0287] The wiring path 650 includes a first parallel wiring section 690 in which the plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 are wired in parallel, and a second parallel wiring section 691 in which a portion of the harness 657 in the first parallel wiring section 690 branches off to the electrical component 635 and the other plurality of harnesses 655 and 656 are wired in parallel. The wiring path 650 may also include fasteners 694 for securing the harnesses 655 to 657 in the first parallel wiring section 690 and fasteners 708 for securing the harnesses 655 and 656 in the second parallel wiring section 691.

[0288] The distance from the branching position 720 of the harness 657 that branches to the electrical component 635 to the fastener 708 in the second parallel wiring section 691 may be greater than the distance from the branching position 720 to the fastener 694 in the first parallel wiring section 690. A wiring guide section 678a that guides the plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 in a curved manner along the wiring path 650 may be provided between the branching position 720 of the harness 657 that branches to the electrical component 635 and the fastener 694 in the first parallel wiring section 690.

[0289] The fifth technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635, a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connected to each of the electrical components 623, 633, 635, and protruding parts 618, 620, 628, 676 that protrude to the rear, and further comprising fasteners 694, 696, 708 that secure the plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 together, wherein the fasteners 694, 696, 708 are positioned in front of the rear ends of the protruding parts 618, 620, 628, 676.

[0290] One or more of the protrusions 618, 620, 628, 676 may be located near the fasteners 694, 696, 708. The protrusions 618, 620, 628, 676 may be a passage 622 for game balls, a housing 615 for housing internal components, or components attached to the back side of the game parts 516.

[0291] The sixth technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635 and a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connected to each of the electrical components 623, 633, 635 and wired in parallel along a wiring path 650, wherein the wiring path 650 comprises a plurality of parallel wiring sections 690, 691 in which the number of harnesses 655 to 657 wired in parallel changes on both sides of a meeting point where the harnesses 655 to 657 of each of the electrical components 623, 633, 635 converge or a branching point where the harnesses 655 to 657 branch off, and each of the parallel wiring sections 690, 691 is provided with fasteners 694, 708 for securing the harnesses 655 to 657 together.

[0292] The electrical components 623, 633, and 635 include at least a first electrical component 623 and a second electrical component 633 located furthest from the parallel wiring section 690 with the largest number of parallel wiring harnesses, and a third electrical component 635 located closer to the parallel wiring section 690 with the largest number of parallel wiring harnesses, and the parallel wiring sections 690 and 691 include at least a first parallel wiring harness in which the first harness 655, the second harness 656, and the third harness 657 are wired in parallel. The wiring may include a section 690 and a second parallel wiring section 691 in which the third harness 657 branches off from the first parallel wiring section 690 and at least the first harness 655 and the second harness 656 are wired in parallel, and may also include a fastener 694 for securing the harnesses 655 to 657 of the first parallel wiring section 690 together, and a fastener 708 for securing the harnesses 655 and 656 of the second parallel wiring section 691 together.

[0293] The third harness 657 may be a harness 583C with a thin wire diameter, and at least one of the first harness 655 and the second harness 656 may be a harness 583A or 583B with a thicker wire diameter than the third harness 583C. The fastener 694 in the first parallel wiring section 690 and the fastener 708 in the second parallel wiring section 691 may be of the same structure or a common fastener capable of bundling multiple harnesses 655 to 657 together.

[0294] The seventh technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined location 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635, a relay board 634, 641 having a plurality of board-side connectors 644, 667, 668, and a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connecting the plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635 and the plurality of board-side connectors 644, 667, 668, wherein the harness 6 The harnesses 55 to 657 are secured along the wiring path 650, with at least one fastener 694, 696, 708 provided in the path direction. The amount of slack in the harnesses 655 to 657 between the fastener 694, 696 closest to the relay boards 634, 641 and the board-side connectors 644, 667, 668 is greater than the amount of slack in each harness 655 to 657 between the fastener 694, 708 closest to the electrical components 623, 633, 635 and the electrical components 623, 633, 635.

[0295] The harnesses 655 and 656 connecting the board-side connectors 667 and 668 of the relay boards 634 and 641 to the electrical components 623 and 633 on the side farther from the relay boards 634 and 641 are harnesses 583A and 583B with a larger wire diameter, and the harness 657 connecting the board-side connector 644 of the relay boards 634 and 641 to the electrical component 635 on the side closer to the relay boards 634 and 641 is harness 583C with a smaller wire diameter than the larger harnesses 583A and 583B. The harness length between the board-side connectors 667 and 668 of the larger harnesses 583A and 583B and the fasteners 694 and 696 may be greater than the harness length between the board-side connector 644 and the fastener 696 of the smaller harness 583C.

[0296] The eighth technology comprises a game component 516 provided at a predetermined location 501, the game component 516 having a plurality of first electrical components 623, 633, 635, a plurality of component-side connectors 644, 667, 668 corresponding to each of the first electrical components 623, 633, 635, and a plurality of harnesses 655~6 connecting each of the first electrical components 623, 633, 635 and each of the component-side connectors 644, 667, 668. In a gaming machine equipped with 57, a plurality of fasteners 694, 696, and 708 are provided in the direction of the path to secure the harnesses 655 to 657 on the wiring path 650, and the amount of slack in the harnesses 655 to 657 between the fastener 696 closest to the second electrical component 634 and the component-side connectors 644, 667, and 668 is greater than the amount of slack in the harnesses 655 to 657 between adjacent fasteners 694 and 708 in the direction of the path.

[0297] The fasteners 694, 696, and 708 each comprise a head portion 576 having an insertion portion 575, and a band portion 577 whose one end is connected to the head portion 576 and which can be inserted into the insertion portion 575 from the other end. The band portion 577 may be wrapped around the harnesses 655 to 657 and inserted into the insertion portion 575, and may be unable to slip out of the insertion portion 575 in the opposite direction of insertion.

[0298] The ninth technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided in a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, a plurality of harnesses 655~660 connected to each of the electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, and relay boards 634, 641 having a plurality of board-side connectors 644, 667~671 to which each of the harnesses 655~660 can be connected, The harnesses 655 to 660 are provided with slack portions 655a to 660a on the side closer to the board-side connectors 644, 667 to 671, having the amount of slack necessary to connect the harnesses 655 to 660 to the board-side connectors 644, 667 to 671, and the slack portions 655a to 660a are arranged in a slack arrangement portion 680 provided between the board-side connectors 644, 667 to 671 or in the vicinity behind the board-side connectors 644, 667 to 671.

[0299] The slack portions 655a to 660a of the plurality of harnesses 655 to 660 may be arranged overlapping the slack arrangement portion 680. It is desirable that the slack portions 655a to 660a be arranged in a position that does not overlap with the management information display portion 675 of the relay boards 634 and 641.

[0300] The tenth technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 645, 672 and a plurality of harnesses 666, 674 for connecting the plurality of electrical components 645, 672 to external electrical components 525, 526 provided elsewhere than the gaming component 516, and further comprises a fastener 716 for securing the plurality of harnesses 666, 674 that have been pulled out to the side away from the electrical components 645, 672 together on the back side of the gaming component 516.

[0301] The game component 516 has an insertion portion 610 that is inserted into the mounting hole 609 of the predetermined portion 501, and the fastener 716 may be provided on the back side of the insertion portion 610. The harnesses 666, 674 on the side opposite to the electrical components 645, 672 in the longitudinal direction of the harness relative to the fastener 716 may be bendable inward from the outer circumference of the insertion portion 610 or the inner circumference of the mounting hole 609.

[0302] The eleventh technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided in a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises protruding parts 620, 628 that protrude to the back, a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635, and a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connected to each of the electrical components 623, 633, 635, wherein the harnesses 655 to 657 are arranged via the back side of the protruding parts 620, 628, and the protruding parts 620, 628 are provided with displacement-preventing parts 701, 711 that prevent the harnesses 655 to 657 from shifting position.

[0303] The wiring path 650 for wiring the harnesses 655 to 657 may include rear passages 700 and 710 that pass behind the protrusions 620 and 628, and fasteners 696 and 708 for securing the harnesses 655 to 657 together on at least one side of the protrusions 620 and 628 of the rear passages 700 and 710, and the rear side of the protrusions 620 and 628 may include the slip-preventing parts 701 and 711 for preventing the harnesses 655 to 657 from shifting position on the rear passages 700 and 710.

[0304] The protruding portion 628 may also be a passage 622 that guides the game ball to the back side of the predetermined portion 501. The protruding portions 620 and 628 are provided with harness avoidance portions near the line segment connecting the fasteners 696 and 708 on one side of the protruding portion 620 and 628 to the harness position on the other side of the protruding portion 620 and 628, and the anti-slip portions 701 and 711 are provided above the harness avoidance portions of the protruding portions 620 and 628, and the harnesses 655 to 657 of the rear transit portion 700 may be wired between the fastener 694 on one side and the fastener 696 on the other side.

[0305] The twelfth technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided in a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635 and a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connected to each of the electrical components 623, 633, 635, and wherein the plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 include at least a harness 583A with a thicker wire diameter and harnesses 583B, 583C with a thinner wire diameter than the thicker harness 583A, and the thicker harness 583A and the thinner harnesses 583B, 583C are wired together as a single unit.

[0306] Alternatively, the thick harness 583A and the thin harnesses 583B and 583C may be wired in parallel along the wiring path 650 of the game component 516, and one or more fasteners 694, 696, and 708 may be provided along the length of the path to secure the thick harness 583A and the thin harnesses 583B and 583C together on the wiring path 650.

[0307] The 13th technology is a gaming machine comprising a gaming component 516 provided at a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming component 516 comprises a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635 and a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connected to each of the electrical components 623, 633, 635 and wired along a wiring path 650, wherein the plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 include long harnesses 655, 656 and short harness 657, and a fastener 694 is provided in a parallel wiring section 690 of the wiring path 650 in which the long harnesses 655, 656 and the short harness 657 are wired in parallel, for securing the long harnesses 655, 656 and the short harness 657 together.

[0308] The system may also include a first parallel wiring section 690 in which at least a plurality of the long harnesses 655, 656 and the short harness 657 are wired in parallel, and a second parallel wiring section 691 in which a plurality of the long harnesses 655, 656, excluding the short harness 657 that branches off from the first parallel wiring section 690, are wired in parallel, and a fastener 694 for securing the harnesses 655~657 of the first parallel wiring section 690 together, and a fastener 708 for securing the harnesses 655, 656 of the second parallel wiring section 691 together. Alternatively, a curved path section 650a may be provided between the fastener 694 of the first parallel wiring section 690 and the fastener 708 of the second parallel wiring section 691, and a wiring guide section 678a for guiding the harnesses 655~657 on the inner circumference of the curved path section 650a may be provided.

[0309] The 14th technology is a gaming machine comprising gaming components 516, 517 provided in a predetermined part 501, wherein the gaming components 516, 517 are provided with a plurality of electrical components 541-544, 634, 641 and a plurality of harnesses 556-559, 666, 674 connected to each of the electrical components 541-544, 634, 641 and pulled out to the outside of the gaming components 516, 517, and further comprising a fastener 563,716 that secures all of the harnesses 556-559, 666, 674 together.

[0310] The game components 516 and 517 are provided at a predetermined location 501. The game components 516 and 517 include a plurality of first electrical components 612, 613, 632, 623, and 633 related to the game, a first relay board 641 to which the plurality of first electrical components 612, 613, 632, 623, and 633 are connected, a first harness 674 connected to the first relay board 641 and directly or indirectly connected to the main control board 525, a plurality of second electrical components 635 and 636 related to the performance, a second relay board 634 to which the plurality of second electrical components 635 and 636 are connected, and a second harness 666 connected to the second relay board 634 and directly or indirectly connected to the performance control board 526. The fastener 716 may also fasten the first harness 674 and the second harness 666 together.

[0311] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the first to third embodiments and the fourth and fifth embodiments are embodied as completely different gaming machines, but it goes without saying that they can be embodied as the same gaming machine by appropriately combining the former and the latter. For example, the gaming machine according to the fourth and fifth embodiments can adopt the same frame configuration as the gaming machine according to the first to third embodiments, and the arrangement configuration of harnesses, etc., in the gaming machine according to the fourth and fifth embodiments can be used on the gaming machine according to the first to third embodiments.

[0312] In the first to third embodiments, the opening angle of the front frame 3 is configured to increase in the order of the first to fifth open states, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, the opening angles may be approximately the same in any two or more of the first to fifth open states, or the opening angle in the first open state may be larger than the opening angle in the second open state. In other words, the order of the first to fifth open states does not have to match the order of the corresponding opening angles.

[0313] In the first to third embodiments, examples were shown in which, in all of the first to fifth open states, the opening angle of the front frame 3 is acute (hereinafter referred to as the first condition) and the protruding portion is located inward in the left-right direction from the first hinge 4 (and the outer frame 2) (hereinafter referred to as the second condition). However, in at least one of the first to fifth open states, the configuration may satisfy only one of the first and second conditions, and not the other.

[0314] When operating means other than the RAM clear switch 107, power switch 128, error release button 142, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "other operating means") are provided on the rear side of the front frame 3, or when display means other than the error display means 141, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "other display means") are provided, it is desirable that these operating means and display means are also positioned near the left and right opening / closing ends of the front frame 3, for example, near the opening / closing ends, so that when the front frame 3 is opened to a predetermined open state relative to the outer frame 2, these operating means and display means are positioned in front of the front edge of the outer frame 2, making them visible from between the outer frame 2 and the front frame 3, and the operating means are operable, with the protruding portion positioned inward in the left and right direction from the first hinge 4 (and outer frame 2).

[0315] Other operating methods include a setting key switch (setting operation means) for operating when the setting value corresponding to the jackpot probability can be set to one of several levels (for example, six levels from setting 1 to setting 6). This setting key switch is provided on the main control board 101, etc., along with the RAM clear switch 107, and can be switched ON / OFF from the outside of the main control board case 102 by inserting, for example, a dedicated setting key into the keyhole and rotating it. When the power switch 128 is switched from OFF to ON with the setting key switch ON and the RAM clear switch 107 ON, a setting value setting period is provided in the startup process during which the setting value can be set. During this setting value setting period, the setting value is changed sequentially by operating the RAM clear switch 107, and then the changed setting value is finalized when the setting key switch is switched OFF.

[0316] Other possible display means include specific information display means (for example, a base monitor that displays a base value) that displays specific information obtained based on game performance, and setting information display means that displays information related to the setting values ​​mentioned above. These specific information display means and setting information display means are arranged on the main control board 101 in a manner that makes them visible from the outside of the main control board case 102. The specific information display means and the setting information display means may be configured using a common display means.

[0317] In the first to third embodiments, the connection portion of the power harness 129 to the power board 123 is located near the power switch 128, but the connection portion of the power harness 129 may be located at a position away from the power switch 128. Furthermore, the location of the connection portion of the power harness 129 is not limited to the opening / closing end side of the front frame 3 on the power board 123, but may also be located near the lower edge side of the power board 123, or on the hinge end side of the front frame 3 on the power board 123. In this case, the first wiring path 131a can be shortened or become unnecessary.

[0318] Furthermore, while the first to third embodiments show an example in which the RAM clear switch 107 is provided on the main control board 101, it is not limited to this and may be provided on other boards, such as the payout / launch control board 125. In this case, the RAM clear switch provided on the payout / launch control board 125 may also be used as an error release button.

[0319] In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the game board 501 is exemplified as a predetermined part, and the combined prize-winning means 516 and the first special symbol starting means 517 are exemplified as game components provided on the game board 501. However, various game components provided on predetermined parts other than the game board 501 can also be implemented in the same manner.

[0320] For example, in pachinko machines, the system can be used when a center case 507 or mounting frame provided on the game board 501 is designated as a predetermined part, and game components such as performance or other movable units are attached directly or indirectly to that predetermined part. In addition, it can be used when a machine frame to which the game board 501 is detachably mounted, or a front door that is attached to the machine frame so as to be openable and closable in correspondence with the front of the game board 501 is designated as a predetermined part, and game components such as operation and performance means such as light-up operation buttons and launch handles for launching game balls are provided on the front of that predetermined part. Furthermore, it can also be used in amusement machines such as mahjong machines and slot machines.

[0321] In the fourth and fifth embodiments, examples of electrical components include the main control board 525, the performance control board 526, the LED boards 543, 544, 634-636, the first start switch 541, the radio wave sensor 542, the prize entry switches 612, 623, the drive solenoid 613, the magnetic sensors 632, 633, and the board-side connectors 643, 672. Other components may also be used. Furthermore, if the light-emitting display means 529, 530, etc., including the LED boards 543, 544, are to be connected to the harness, the light-emitting display means 529, 530, etc., themselves may constitute a single electrical component.

[0322] In the case of game components such as prize-winning means that are placed within the game area of ​​the game board 501, the game component itself has insertion parts 547, 610 on its back side, and these insertion parts 547, 610 are inserted from the front into mounting holes 537, 609 of the game board 501 and fixed by fixing means. However, game components that do not have insertion parts 547, 610, etc., and are fixed by fixing means such as screws while in contact with the mounting target such as the game board 501 or machine frame from the front.

[0323] Each fastener, such as fasteners 563 and 716, may be a binding type with the configuration illustrated in the embodiment, or a binding type with other configurations. Furthermore, it is sufficient for the fasteners to be able to fasten multiple harnesses to the game components 516 and 517 at the necessary locations, and are not limited to a specific fastening type.

[0324] Needless to say, considering the efficiency of assembly work, it is desirable to have harnesses that can be easily fastened. Furthermore, when fastening multiple harnesses together with fasteners, the degree of tightening should be determined appropriately according to the surrounding conditions, and it is not always necessary to tighten them so that each harness does not move. For example, when there are many harnesses and they are bundled together and fastened at a meeting point, it is sufficient to fasten each harness with a certain degree of slack.

[0325] There are two types of harnesses: harness 583A (or 583A, 583B) which uses thicker wire strands of 583, and harness 583B, 583C (or 583C) which uses thinner wire strands. The thicker the wire strand, the greater the tensile strength per 583 strand. Therefore, when wiring multiple harnesses along a wiring path where harness snagging or other issues may be a problem, combining harnesses with thicker wire strands (583A (or 583A, 583B)) and thinner wire strands (583B, 583C (or 583C)) allows the thicker harness 583A (or 583A, 583B) to reinforce the thinner harness 583B, 583C (or 583C).

[0326] When one end of harness 655~661 is connected to electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, 636, and the other end of harness 655~661 is detachably connected to board-side connectors 643~645, 667~670 of relay boards 634, 641 via harness-side connectors, the fasteners 685, 694, 696, 714 on the side closer to relay boards 634, 641 are connected to board-side connector 643 It is desirable that the amount of slack in harnesses 655-661 from fasteners 686, 708, 714 on the side closer to electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, 636 to electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, 636 (the former amount of slack) is greater than the amount of slack in harnesses 655-661 from fasteners 686, 708, 714 on the side closer to electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, 636 (the latter amount of slack).

[0327] However, when one end of harnesses 655-661 is detachably connected to the connectors on the electrical components 612, 613, 623, 632, 633, 635, and 636 via a harness-side connector, it is necessary to ensure sufficient slack in the latter so that the connectors can be detached from each other. Therefore, the amount of slack in the former and the amount of slack in the latter may be approximately the same.

[0328] In a game component 516 in which multiple relay boards 634, 641 are arranged front and back or top and bottom, when connecting a harness-side connector from one relay board 641 to the harness-side connector of the other relay board 634, the other relay board 634 should be positioned so as to protrude outward in the planar direction compared to the one relay board 641, and the board-side connectors should be provided on the protruding portions 634A, 634B.

[0329] In the fifth embodiment, the wiring path 650 is divided into a board-side parallel wiring section 692 on the side of the relay boards 634 and 641, and electrical component parallel wiring sections 690 and 691 on the opposite side of the relay boards 634 and 641. When wiring three harnesses 655 to 657 to 650 along this wiring path, the electrical component parallel wiring sections 690 and 691 are provided with a first wiring section 690 in which the three harnesses 655 to 657 are wired in parallel, and a second parallel wiring section 691 on the electrical component 623 and 633 side of the first wiring section 690 in which two harnesses 655 and 656 are wired in parallel. In addition, two harnesses 656 and 656 are wired in parallel in the board-side parallel wiring section 692.

[0330] However, if the harness branches at two or more points in the parallel wiring sections 690 and 691 for electrical components, a second parallel wiring section 691 and a third parallel wiring section should be provided sequentially each time the harness branches off from the first parallel wiring section 690. In this case as well, it is desirable to provide harnesses 583A and / or 583B with a thicker wire diameter for the harness that is wired up to the final part of the parallel wiring sections 690 and 691 for electrical components.

[0331] Furthermore, if, due to the type of electrical components, it is not possible to install the thicker wire harnesses 583A and / or 583B to the end of the parallel wiring sections 690 and 691 for electrical components, and it becomes necessary to install the thinner wire harness 583C, then it is desirable to use a harness with a larger number of strands.

[0332] When routing multiple harnesses 655-657 along a wiring path 650 between electrical components 623, 633, 635 and intermediate boards 634, 641, the fasteners 694, 696, 708 placed on the wiring path 650 may be one or multiple in the direction of the path. Furthermore, if multiple fasteners are provided, the type of fastener may be changed depending on the conditions and circumstances around the fastening location.

[0333] If the wiring path 650 includes a first parallel wiring section 690 in which multiple harnesses 655 to 657 are wired in parallel, and a second parallel wiring section 691 in which some harnesses 657 of the first parallel wiring section 690 branch off to an electrical component 635 and other multiple harnesses 655 and 656 are wired in parallel, then the fasteners 694 that secure the harnesses 655 to 657 in the first parallel wiring section 690 and the fasteners 708 that secure the harnesses 655 and 656 in the second parallel wiring section 691 may be one, two, or more.

[0334] In a game component 516 comprising protruding portions 620, 628 that protrude to the back, a plurality of electrical components 623, 633, 635, and a plurality of harnesses 655 to 657 connected to each of these electrical components 623, 633, 635, it is desirable to provide anti-slip portions 701, 711 on the protruding portions 620, 628 to prevent the harnesses 655 to 657 from shifting position when the harnesses 655 to 657 are arranged via the back of the protruding portions 620, 628. In this case, the anti-slip portions 701, 711 may be provided only on the harness avoidance side to prevent the harnesses 655 to 657 from moving toward the harness avoidance side, or they may be provided on both the upper and lower sides of the harnesses 655 to 657.

[0335] Furthermore, when wiring harnesses 655-657 via rear transit sections 700 and 710 that pass behind the protrusions 620 and 628, it is desirable to provide fasteners for harnesses 655-657 on both sides of the protrusions 620 and 628. However, it is also possible to place fasteners 694 and 708 on one side of the protrusions 620 and 628, with the other side serving as a junction or branching point for harnesses 655-657. In that case, it is also possible to provide a connecting section on the opposite junction or branching side to prevent the harnesses 655-657 from separating, such as by loosely twisting them together.

[0336] Two or more of the first to fifth embodiments may be combined as appropriate. Although the embodiments shown are examples of the present invention being applied to a pachinko machine, it can be similarly implemented in various other gaming machines such as slot machines, arrangement ball machines, and mahjong ball games. [Explanation of symbols]

[0337] 2 Outer frame 3 Front frame 4. First hinge (hinge section) 5. Locking means 5a Keyhole 39. Launch handle 107 RAM Clear Switch (RAM Clear Operation Section) 128 Power switch (power control unit) 501 Game Board 502 Gaming Area 516 Combined prize-winning mechanism (game component) 517 First special symbol starting mechanism (game component) 525 Main control board (first external electrical component) 526 Performance control board (second external electrical component) 541 First start switch (electrical component) 542 Radio wave sensor (electrical component) 543,544 LED circuit board (electrical component) 547,610 Insertion part 537,609 mounting holes 552, 553 Circuit board side connector (electrical component) 556,557 Harness 563 Fasteners 568 Protrusion 574 Binding tool 575 Insertion part 576 Head section 577 Band Club 583 strands 583A Thick Harness 583B Standard Harness 583C Thin Harness 612 Prize-winning switch (electrical component) 613 Drive Solenoid (Electrical Component) 618 1st protrusion 620 Second protrusion 623 Prize-winning switch (electrical component) 628 Third protrusion 629 4th protrusion 630 5th protrusion 632,633 Magnetic Sensor (Electrical Component) 634-636 LED circuit board (electrical components) 637-639 Circuit board side connector 641 Intermediate board (electrical component) 644~647 PCB-side connector 650 First wiring route 650a First curved path section 651 Second wiring route 652 Third wiring route 655a~660a Sagging area 655-661 Harness 680 Sagging arrangement section 685, 686, 694, 696, 708 fasteners 690 First Parallel Track Section 691 Second Parallel Track Section 700, 710 Rear end via section 720 Branching point

Claims

[Claim 1] Game components located in designated areas, An outer frame that can be fixed to the gaming island equipment, A front frame positioned in front of the outer frame with its rear end inserted into the outer frame, An error clearing operation unit is located on the rear side of the front frame, The front frame is equipped with a launch handle and a performance control means that are positioned on the front side of the frame so that the player can operate them, The aforementioned game component comprises a plurality of electrical components and a plurality of harnesses connected to each of the electrical components and routed along the wiring path. The front frame is mounted to the outer frame in a manner that allows it to rotate around a hinge at one end in the left-right direction, and when the rotation angle with respect to the outer frame is 0°, it can be locked to the outer frame by a locking means having a keyhole near the opening / closing end, which is the other end of the front frame in the left-right direction. The front frame has a projection on which the performance control means is arranged and which protrudes forward of the launch handle, When the specific error clearing conditions, including the operation of the error clearing operation unit, are met, the specific error state can be cleared. In gaming machines, The wiring path is provided with multiple fasteners at multiple locations along the path direction for securing the multiple harnesses together to the game component side. The aforementioned game component includes a circuit board having multiple circuit board-side connectors, The harness is connected at one end to the electrical component and at the other end to the circuit board connector. The amount of slack in the harness from the fastener on the side closer to the substrate to the connector on the substrate side is greater than the amount of slack in the harness from the fastener on the side closer to the electrical component to the electrical component. The harness has a slack portion between the fastener on the side closer to the circuit board and the connector on the circuit board side, which has the amount of slack necessary for connecting the harness. The aforementioned slack portion is located in a slack arrangement portion provided between the plurality of substrate-side connectors or behind the substrate-side connectors. The amount of forward protrusion of the aforementioned protrusion gradually decreases from the central part in the left-right direction towards the hinge part. When the front frame is opened to a predetermined open state relative to the outer frame, the error release operation unit becomes operable from between the outer frame and the front frame. In the predetermined open state, the error release operation unit is located in front of the front edge of the outer frame, and the entire protruding portion is located inward in the left-right direction from the hinge portion. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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