JP2012187259A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide novel impression to a player by varying design around projection bodies.SOLUTION: A transparent cover 77 covers the front of a storage recessed part 74. A base surface 76a is disposed in the storage recessed part 74, and faces to the transparent cover 77. Stop switches 24 are disposed in the storage space 74, and project forward from the base surface 76a. Upper and lower movable covers 78 are disposed in the storage space 74, and are movable in the back-and-forth direction in synchronization with each other between advance positions wherein the upper and lower covers cover the base surface 76a from the front and retreat positions rearward as compared to the advance positions. The front end edges of the movable covers 78 approach or abut on the circumferential surfaces of the stop switches 24 in the advance positions, and move in separation directions from the circumferential surfaces of the stop switches 24 when moving rearward from the advance positions. The movable covers 78 the retreat positions expose the base surface 76a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine.

  Patent Document 1 includes a stop button for instructing to stop the rotation of the rotating drum on the forefront of the protruding portion that protrudes to the front side of the front panel, and light from the light source can reach the upper surface of the protruding portion. A slot machine with a transparent plate is described.

JP2002-177439

  Since the stop button is a part that is directly operated by the player, if the design (color, shape, etc.) around the stop button changes, it can give a novel impression to the player, and the range of production is increased. Can be expanded.

  However, Patent Document 1 irradiates light from the light source to the outside from above the stop button, and the design around the stop button does not change.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said actual condition, The objective is to provide the game machine which can change the design around protrusions, such as a stop button.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a transparent cover, a base surface, a protrusion, and a plurality of movable covers.

  The transparent cover covers the front of the internal space. The base surface is disposed in the internal space and faces the transparent cover. The protrusion is disposed in the internal space and protrudes forward from the base surface. The movable cover is disposed in the internal space, and is movable in the front-rear direction in synchronization with each other between a forward position that covers a predetermined region of the base surface from the front and a backward position that is behind the forward position. The front end edge of the movable cover approaches or contacts the peripheral surface of the projecting body at the advanced position, and moves in a direction away from the peripheral surface of the projecting body when moving backward from the advanced position. The movable cover in the retracted position exposes at least a part of a predetermined region of the base surface.

  In the above configuration, since the movable cover moves in the front-rear direction between the forward movement position and the backward movement position around the protrusion, the protrusion of the protrusion visible from the outside through the transparent cover is provided at the forward movement position and the backward movement position. The external appearance shape is different. Further, the movable cover at the forward position covers a predetermined area of the base surface from the front, and the movable cover at the backward position exposes at least a part of the predetermined area of the base surface, so that the surface color of the base surface and the surface of the movable cover By making the colors different, it is possible to make the display colors around the protrusion visible from the outside through the transparent cover different between the forward position and the backward position. Therefore, the design around the protruding body can be easily changed by moving the movable cover, and a novel impression can be given to the player and the range of production can be expanded.

  Moreover, since the movable cover is disposed in the internal space, the player cannot contact the movable cover. For this reason, damage to the movable cover can be prevented.

  The gaming machine of the first aspect may include an auxiliary cover. The auxiliary cover is disposed in the internal space and covers the front of the movable cover in the retracted position, and deforms or moves when the movable cover moves forward from the retracted position to allow the movable cover to move to the advanced position.

  In the above configuration, since the front of the movable cover in the retracted position is covered by the auxiliary cover, the difference in design around the protruding body can be further clarified between the advanced position and the retracted position, which is more innovative to the player. Can give an impression.

  Moreover, since the auxiliary cover is disposed in the internal space, the player cannot contact the movable cover. For this reason, damage to the auxiliary cover can be prevented.

  A gaming machine according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a transparent cover, a base surface, a projecting body, a movable cover, and a second cover.

  The transparent cover covers the front of the internal space. The base surface is disposed in the internal space and faces the transparent cover. The protrusion is disposed in the internal space and protrudes forward from the base surface. The movable cover is disposed in the internal space and has an insertion hole through which the projecting body is inserted. With the projecting body inserted through the insertion hole, the movable cover is arranged in the front-rear direction between the forward movement position and the backward movement position behind the forward movement position. It is movable. The second cover is disposed in the internal space and covers the front of the movable cover in the retracted position, and deforms or moves when the movable cover moves forward from the retracted position to allow the movable cover to move to the advanced position. .

  In the above configuration, the movable cover moves in the front-rear direction between the forward position and the backward position around the protrusion, and the second cover is deformed or moved in accordance with the movement of the movable cover. And the external appearance shape around the protrusion visible from the outside through the transparent cover is different. Further, when the movable cover is in the retracted position, the second cover covers the front of the movable cover, and when the movable cover is in the advanced position, at least a part of the front of the movable cover is moved or deformed by the movement or deformation of the second cover. Because it is exposed, the surface color of the movable cover and the surface color of the second cover are made different so that the display color around the protrusion visible from the outside through the transparent cover is different between the forward position and the backward position. Can be made. Therefore, the design around the protruding body can be easily changed by moving the movable cover, and a novel impression can be given to the player and the range of production can be expanded.

  Moreover, since the movable cover and the second cover are disposed in the internal space, the player cannot contact the movable cover and the second cover. For this reason, damage to the movable cover and the second cover can be prevented.

  In the gaming machine of the first aspect or the second aspect, the projecting body may be an operation switch that receives an input operation related to a game.

  In the above configuration, since the design around the operation switch that is directly operated by the player can be changed, a strong impact can be given to the player.

  According to the present invention, by changing the design around the projecting body, a novel impression can be given to the player and the range of effects can be expanded.

1 is an external front view of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the whole switch attachment body of the state in which the movable cover of 1st Embodiment was set to the retracted position. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. It is a VV arrow sectional view of Drawing 4. It is VI-VI arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a VII-VII arrow sectional view of Drawing 4. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the whole switch attachment body in the state in which the movable cover of FIG. 3 is moving. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. It is XX arrow sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the entire switch mounting body in a state in which the movable cover of FIG. 3 is set at a forward position. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of FIG. It is XIII-XIII arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a principal part front view which shows the modification of the movable cover of 1st Embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the movable cover of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the movable cover in FIG. 15 in a state set in a retracted position. It is principal part sectional drawing of the movable cover of FIG. 15 in the state set to the advance position.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of a gaming machine that is installed in a place such as a game machine-installed store (game room) and allows a player to play a game based on the supply of gaming media. In the following description, the front side is the player side, the rear side is the gaming machine side, and the left and right direction is the left and right when the gaming machine is viewed from the player.

  Further, in this embodiment, a swivel type gaming machine (pachislot machine / slot machine) using a medal as a game medium will be described as an example. However, the present invention is applied to a ball game machine using a pachinko ball as a game medium. Is also applicable. Further, “inserting medals (game media)” includes betting a credited medal with a bet button or the like in addition to actually inserting a medal into the medal slot. Further, in the present embodiment, the winning combination that won the winning combination by electronic lottery and the state that the reel picture corresponding to the winning winning combination can be aligned on the winning line is the internal winning, the winning winning combination A state where the corresponding reel pattern is aligned on the winning effective line will be described as winning.

Hereinafter, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[External configuration of slot machine]
The slot machine 1 has a square box-shaped housing 10. The housing 10 includes a substantially rectangular main body 71 having an opening on the front surface side, and upper and lower front doors 72 that are connected to the main body 71 so as to be freely opened and closed and cover the front surface of the main body 71. A display window 11 is formed on the front face 10a of the front door 72 above the casing 10 on the player side, and a transparent cover 28 that covers the front area 12 in the casing 10 is attached to the display window 11. ing. A symbol display window 13 is formed in the front region 12 in the housing 10 covered with the cover 28 so that a symbol 64 of three rotary reels 61 to be described later is exposed and visually recognized by the player.

  On the front surface 10a of the housing 10, switches (operation switches) for receiving an input operation related to the game from the player, a medal slot 14, a medal payout port 15, a medal tray 16, a speaker 17, an image display device 18, and a plurality of lamps 19 and a plurality of LEDs 20 are provided. The switches include a bet switch 21, a settlement switch 22, a start switch 23, and three stop switches (projections) 24. These switches, the medal slot 14, the medal payout port 15, and the medal tray 16 are arranged below the display window 11. The bet switch 21, the settlement switch 22, the start switch 23, and the stop switch 24 are arranged on the housing 10. It is arrange | positioned so that it may expose from the surface of the switch attachment body 73 fixed to the front surface of. Further, the speaker 17 is disposed at the upper left and right corners of the front surface 10 a of the housing 10.

  The medal insertion slot 14 is located at a substantially central end portion of the front surface 10a of the housing 10, and an insertion switch 25 for detecting the inserted game medal is provided inside the medal insertion slot 14.

  The bet switch 21 is positioned below the rotary reel 61 and accepts a pressing input for reducing the number of stored medals and replacing them with medal insertion.

  The settlement switch 22 is positioned obliquely below the rotary reel 61 and accepts a pressing input for paying out the stored inserted medal.

  The start switch 23 is positioned obliquely below the rotary reel 61 and is rotated on the condition that a game medal is inserted or the bet switch 21 is inserted, or on the condition that a predetermined time elapses from the previous game at the time of “Replay”. An input for starting the reel 61 (starting driving of a reel unit 60 described later) is received. “Replay” means that the “Replay” flag is established by the lottery of the winning lottery unit 40, and the “Replay” symbols are aligned on the winning line. Thus, in the next game, the game can be played again without newly inserting a game medal.

  The stop switch 24 receives a pressing input for stopping the driving of the reel unit 60. The three stop switches 24 respectively correspond to the three rotary reels 61 and are arranged side by side below the rotary reels 61. When the stop switch 24 corresponding to the rotating reel 61 is pressed, the rotation of the corresponding rotating reel 61 is stopped.

  The display screen of the image display device 18 is composed of liquid crystal, and various effect images for notifying the player of the gaming state such as winning are displayed on the display screen under the control of the effect control device 34 described later. . Note that a display screen of the image display device 18 may be other than a liquid crystal such as an LED or a dot matrix. Furthermore, in addition to or in place of the image display device 18, an effect rotating reel may be provided, and the effect may be provided by the design of the reel, characters, or the like.

The lamp 19 and the LED 20 notify the player of the gaming state by turning on or blinking the light emitter, and the speaker 17 notifies the player of the gaming state by generating sound.
[Internal configuration of slot machine]
A control device 30, a reel unit 60, and a hopper unit 70 for controlling the overall operation of the slot machine 1 are provided in the internal space on the rear side (opposite side of the player) of the front region 12 of the housing 10. ing.

  The reel unit 60 includes three motors (not shown) fixed or supported on a frame and three rotating reels 61 fixed to the output shaft of each motor. Each rotary reel 61 includes a rotary drum 62 made of synthetic resin, and a tape-like reel tape 63 attached around the rotary drum 62. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols 64 are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape 63. Of the symbols 64 of each rotary reel 61, the symbol 64 located on the front side is exposed from the symbol display window 13 and is visible to the player.

The hopper unit 70 pays out medals to the player based on the game result.
(Control device)
The control device 30 is configured around a CPU, and includes a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. The number of CPUs is not limited to one and may be plural. Further, the CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and the like may constitute an integrated one chip.

  The control device 30 includes a main control device 31 and a sub-control device 32 that operates by receiving a signal from the main control device 31, and the CPU executes each process by reading a program stored in the ROM. . The main control device 31 includes a game control device 33, and the sub control device 32 includes an effect control device 34. The game control device 33 controls the rotation and stop of the rotary reel 61 when the start switch 23 and the stop switch 24 are pressed. The effect control device 34 controls the image display device 18, the lamp 19, the LED 20, the speaker 17, and the cover drive motor 55 according to the gaming state. Thus, by separately providing the game control device 33 that executes processing related to the progress of the game and the effect control device 34 that executes processing related to the effect, it is possible to greatly increase the memory used for effect control, and Only this aspect can be easily changed.

The game control device 33 receives detection signals from the making switch 25, the bet switch 21, the settlement switch 22, the start switch 23, and the stop switch 24, and outputs a result of predetermined internal processing to the effect control device 34. The effect control device 34 sends control signals to the reel unit 60, the hopper unit 70, the image display device 18, the lamp 19, the LED 20, the speaker 17, and the cover drive motor 55 based on the signal received from the game control device 33. Output.
(Game control device)
The game control device 33 includes a normal game control unit 35, a special game control unit 36, a winning lottery unit 40, a recommended stop operation order determination unit 44, and a reel rotation stop control unit 45, and operates the start switch 23 and the stop switch 24. Thus, the rotation and stop of the rotary reel 61 are controlled.

  The normal game control unit 35 executes a process in the normal game, on condition that a medal is inserted or the bet switch 21 is pressed, or on the condition that a predetermined time elapses from the previous game at the time of “replay”. When the start switch 23 is pressed, the reel unit 60 is driven to start the rotation of the three rotating reels 61. When one of the stop switches 24 is pressed while the rotary reel 61 is rotating, the rotation of the corresponding rotary reel 61 is stopped. When all three stop switches 24 are pressed, three rotations are performed. All the rotation of the reel 61 is stopped. At this time, when a predetermined symbol 64 is stopped on the winning line of the symbol display window 13, a predetermined number of medals are paid out through the hopper unit 70. In addition, you may credit instead of paying out a medal.

  Winning is accompanied by paying out game medals by winning a prize, and there is no small medal winning that gives the player a profit, special winning that gives the player even more profit than the small role winning, and there is no paying out the game medal However, “replay” in which a game can be played again without newly inserting a game medal is included. When the lottery result is won for any combination, a winning flag corresponding to the winning is established. When the lottery result is a special winning flag, a special winning flag is established, and the combination of the stop symbol 64 of the rotating reel 61 of the reel unit 60 is determined in advance while the special winning flag is established. The game is configured to win a special game that is advantageous to the player under the condition that it matches the symbol 64 (for example, three “7” s on the winning line). On the other hand, if the special winning flag is established by lottery, but the combination of the stop symbol 64 of the rotating reel 61 does not match the special winning symbol 64, the right to establish the special winning flag is carried over to the subsequent games. Is set to Note that the winning flag of the small role is not carried over to the next game of the right to establish the winning flag when the winning flag is not awarded in the game in which the winning flag is established.

  Whether or not the corresponding winning symbol 64 can be aligned on the winning effective line while any winning flag is established depends on the timing of the stop switch 24 when the rotational speed of the rotary reel 61 is constant. It is. Specifically, since the rotary reel 61 is set to stop within 190 ms after operating the stop switch 24, it can be stopped as it is after operating the stop switch 24, or can be stopped within 190 ms. When the corresponding winning symbol 64 is included in the retractable symbols 64 on the circumference of the rotary reel 61, for example, four retractable symbols 64 continuous from the stop symbol, the time until the stop is stopped. Delaying the time, the rotary reel 61 draws the winning symbol 64 on the winning line and stops. On the other hand, in the case where the corresponding winning symbol 64 is not included in the four retractable symbols 64, the winning symbol 64 cannot be drawn on the winning line and stopped.

  The special game control unit 36 is for causing the player to perform a special game advantageous based on the lottery result of the winning lottery unit 39. The special game includes a specific introduction game (BB game), a specific game ( RB game) and specific winning game (JAC game).

  Note that a specific game, for example, an RB game, may be performed during a specific introduction game, for example, a BB game, or may be performed independently when not in a BB game. The specific winning game, so-called JAC game, is played during the RB game. Further, the special game is not limited to these BB games, RB games, and JAC games.

  The special game control unit 36 includes a specific introduction game control unit 37 and a specific game control unit 38.

  The specific introduction game control unit 37 executes processing in the BB game, and the specific game control unit 38 executes processing in the RB game. In addition, the description about the specific content of a BB game, RB game, and a JAC game is abbreviate | omitted.

  The winning lottery unit 40 performs a lottery concerning the winning combination based on a predetermined lottery probability. As a result of the lottery performed by the winning lottery unit 40, a winning flag is established when the predetermined winning combination is won, and a combination of the stop symbol 64 of the rotating reel 61 is determined in advance while the winning flag is established. It is set so that a prize is awarded on the condition that the two match, and the player is given a medal or a special game.

  The winning lottery unit 40 includes a random number generating unit 40, a random number extracting unit 41, a winning determination table 42, and a determining unit 43.

  The random number generator 40 generates a random number for winning lottery within a predetermined area (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal number). The random number extraction unit 41 extracts a random number generated by the random number generation unit 40 under a predetermined condition (for example, operation of the start switch 23). This extracted random number is used as extracted random number data. Here, the “random number generator” may be configured using a counter that adds numbers in a certain range one by one at a high speed in addition to a means for generating a random number by an average sampling method as a soft random number. In such a configuration, the “random number generator” does not generate random numbers, but the numbers extracted by the “random number extractor” are distributed as if they were random numbers. Thus, what obtains numbers indicating distributions such as random numbers as a result is included in the “random number generation unit” or “random number extraction unit” of the present embodiment.

  The winning determination table 42 has a winning area for each winning item in the entire random number area acquired by the random number generator 40. The determination unit 43 includes a winning area of each winning item in the entire random number area acquired by the random number generating unit 40 based on the extracted random number data extracted by the random number extracting unit 41 and the lottery probability data of the winning determination table 42. The winning determination area data is collated, and the winning corresponding to the winning area to which the extracted random number data belongs is determined.

  The recommended stop operation order determination unit 44 determines the recommended stop operation order of the stop switch 24 on the condition that a predetermined gaming state is reached. The recommended stop operation order determination signal is output to the reel rotation stop control unit 45 and the effect control device 34 described below.

The reel rotation stop control unit 45 stops the symbol 64 to be stopped at a predetermined position and stops the predetermined symbol 64 of the rotating reel 61 according to the lottery result of the winning lottery unit 40 and the stop operation situation in a predetermined case. The control which does not stop the symbol 64 which should not be stopped in the position is performed. The reel rotation stop control unit 45 includes a stop operation confirmation unit 46 and a stop control change unit 47 for performing the above control. When the recommended stop operation order determination unit 44 determines the pressing order of the stop switches 24, the stop operation confirmation unit 46 determines whether or not the stop switch 24 is operated in accordance with the pressing order. The determination result of the stop operation confirmation unit 46 is output to the stop control change unit 47. The stop control change unit 47 changes the stop control based on the signal from the stop operation confirmation unit 46.
(Production control device)
The effect control device 34 includes an image control unit 50, a light emission control unit 51, a sound control unit 52, and a cover control unit 54, and receives various signals from the game control device 33 and performs an effect execution process during the game. . The image control unit 50 performs display control of the image display device 18 by outputting effect data to the video display processor (VDP) 53. The light emission control unit 51 performs light emission control of the lamp 19 and the LED 20, and the sound control unit 52 performs sound output control from the speaker 17. The cover control unit 54 performs drive control of the cover drive motor 55, and sets a movable cover 78, which will be described later, to the forward position or the backward position. The production control device 34 receives, for example, a winning flag establishment signal, BB, RB winning signal / end signal, etc. from the gaming control device 33, and the gaming state is such a state (while the winning flag is established, BB / RB). There may be provided a storage unit for storing that the game is in progress, a reception unit for receiving a detection signal from the switches such as the start switch 23, an operation signal for the rotary reel 61, and the like.

The effect control device 34 notifies the player of information related to the lottery result of the winning lottery unit 40 and other information with a predetermined probability. Specifically, the fact that a predetermined winning combination has been won, information on which winning combination has been won, and the recommended stop operation order of the stop switch 24 are notified. For example, the cover control unit 54 normally sets the movable cover 78 to the retracted position, and sets the movable cover 78 to the advanced position during execution of special games (BB game, RB game, and JAC game). The cover drive motor 55 is driven and controlled.
(Stop switch cover structure)
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 13, the switch mounting body 73 includes a horizontally-long rectangular front surface portion 73 a that erects in the vertical direction, an upper surface portion 73 b that bends backward from the upper end of the front surface portion 73 a, and a front surface portion 73 a. It is a cover shape which has the side part 73c on either side which bends and extends back from the left and right side ends. An accommodation recess (internal space) 74 formed by cutting out in a substantially rectangular shape from the front surface portion 73a to the front portion of the upper surface portion 73b is provided at the approximate center in the left-right direction of the switch mounting body 73. The left end and the right end of 74 are demarcated by a pair of opposing surface portions 75 extending from the rear surface of the front plate portion 73a and the lower surface of the upper plate portion 73b. The rear and lower sides of the switch mounting body 73 are fixed to the housing 10 and are closed by the housing 10. The bet switch 21 and the settlement switch 22 are fixed to the upper surface portion 73b, and the start switch 23 is fixed to the front surface portion 73a.

  In the housing recess 74, a horizontally long stop switch base 76 having a control board or the like covered with a cover is disposed, and the stop switch base 76 is fixed to the housing 10 via a bracket (not shown). Each of the three stop switches 24 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and extends forward from a front surface (base surface) 76a of a stop switch base portion 76 that faces a transparent cover 77 described later.

  A transparent cover 77 that covers the front and upper front of the housing recess 74 is fixed to the switch mounting body 73. The transparent cover 77 is a plate body having a substantially L-shaped cross section formed so as to match the notch shape of the front surface portion 73a and the upper surface portion 17 of the switch mounting body 73, and has a front surface portion 77a and an upper surface portion 77b. Circular operation holes (not shown) corresponding to the three stop switches 24 are formed in the front surface portion 73a of the transparent cover 77, and the stop switches 24 extending forward from the base surface 76a have corresponding operation holes. Insert. The front surface 24a of each stop switch 24 is an operation surface that is pressed down by the player, and is exposed to the outside of the housing recess 74 through the operation hole. The diameter of the operation hole is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stop switch 24, and the accommodation recess 74 is shielded from the outside by the transparent cover 77.

  In the housing recess 74, a pair of upper and lower movable covers 78 and a pair of upper and lower auxiliary covers 79 are arranged. The two movable covers 78 are vertically symmetrical, and the two auxiliary covers 79 are also vertically symmetrical.

  A pair of upper and lower drive-side slide grooves 80, a pair of upper and lower driven-side slide grooves 81, and a pair of upper and lower pairs of covers are supported on the rear, front, and intermediate portions of the left and right facing surface portions 75 of the switch mounting body 73. Holes 85 are respectively formed. The drive-side slide groove 80 and the driven-side slide groove 81 penetrate the opposing surface portion 75, and the two drive-side slide grooves 80 extend linearly in the front-rear direction. The upper driven slide groove 81 has a rear part extending gently in a straight line from the rear end below and lower than the upper drive side slide groove 80, and a steep forward and lower part from the front end of the rear part. And a linearly extending portion. The lower driven slide groove 81 includes a rear part extending gently in a straight line from the rear end below the lower drive side slide groove 80 to the front upper side, and a front upper part from the front end of the rear part. And a portion extending in a straight line with a steep slope. The upper and lower cover support holes 85 are respectively arranged above and below the upper and lower drive side slide grooves 80 and the driven side slide groove 81.

  The movable cover 78 is a horizontally long plate that is bent into a predetermined shape, and a rod-like rear protrusion 82 (see FIG. 6) that passes through the drive slide groove 80 at the rear and front of both side edges. And a rod-like front protrusion 83 (see FIG. 7) to be inserted into the driven slide groove 81. The left and right rear protrusions 82 are inserted through the left and right drive slide grooves 80, respectively, and the left and right front protrusions 83 are respectively inserted into the left and right driven slide grooves 81, whereby the movable cover 78 is slid in the front-rear direction by the facing surface portion 75. It is supported movably. On the front end edge of the movable cover 78, semicircular cutouts 84 are formed at three locations corresponding to the three stop switches 24. The radius of curvature of the notch 84 is set to be substantially the same as the radius of the outer periphery of the stop switch 24.

  At the forward movement position where the movable cover 78 moves most forward, the front edges of the upper and lower movable covers 78 come into contact with each other, and the notch 84 comes close to or comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24. The front of the entire surface 76a is covered (see FIGS. 11 to 13). When the movable cover 78 moves rearward from the forward movement position, the front end edge of the movable cover 78 moves in a direction away from the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24 according to the driven slide groove 83 (see FIGS. 8 to 10). When the cover 78 moves to the most backward retracted position, the entire area of the base surface 76a is exposed (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

  Drive mechanisms 58 for the movable cover 78 are provided on the left and right outer sides of the left and right facing surface portions 75, respectively. The drive mechanism 58 includes a cover drive motor 55, a slider 56, a pair of upper and lower slide guides 57, and a connection gear 58. The cover drive motor 55 is disposed inside the switch attachment body 73 and is fixed to the switch attachment body 73. A drive gear 55 b is fixed to the drive shaft 55 a of the cover drive motor 55. The connection gear 58 is rotatably supported by the facing surface portion 75 and meshes with the drive gear 55 b of the cover drive motor 55.

  The upper and lower slide guides 57 protrude from the facing surface portion 75 above and below the upper and lower drive-side slide grooves 80, respectively, and extend in the front-rear direction along the drive-side slide groove 80.

  The slider 56 has a substantially T shape having a vertical arm portion 56a extending in the vertical direction and a horizontal arm portion 56b extending forward from substantially the center of the vertical arm portion 56a, and is connected to the front lower edge of the horizontal arm portion 56b. A rack gear 56c that meshes with the gear 58 is provided. A stopper 59 that protrudes from the facing surface portion 75 is provided above the connection gear 58 to prevent the horizontal arm portion 56b from moving upward and maintain the engagement between the connection gear 58 and the rack gear 56c.

  A rear protrusion insertion hole 56d (see FIG. 6) and a slide engagement portion 56e are provided at the upper and lower ends of the vertical arm portion 56a. The front end portion of the rear protrusion 82 inserted through the driving-side slide groove 80 of the facing surface portion 75 is inserted into the rear protrusion insertion hole 56d and is rotatably supported. The upper and lower slide engaging portions 56e protrude forward from the upper and lower ends of the vertical arm portion 56, and slide-engage with the upper and lower slide guides 57, respectively. By the slide engagement between the slide engagement portion 56e and the slide guide 57, the slide 56 is supported by the facing surface portion 75 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction along the drive-side slide groove 80.

  In the left and right drive mechanisms 58, when the cover drive motor 55 is driven and rotated in one direction in synchronization, the rotation of the drive shaft 55a is transmitted to the slider 56 via the drive gear 55b, the connecting gear 58 and the rack gear 56c. The slider 56 moves forward, and the rear protrusions 82 of the upper and lower movable covers 78 move forward in synchronization. Similarly, when the cover drive motor 55 is synchronously driven and rotated in the other direction, the left and right sliders 56 move rearward, and the rear protrusions 82 of the upper and lower movable covers 78 move rearward synchronously. In this manner, the drive mechanism 58 moves the upper and lower movable covers 78 disposed in the accommodation space 74 in the front-rear direction in synchronization with each other between the forward position and the backward position.

  The auxiliary cover 79 is a horizontally long plate that is bent into a predetermined shape, and rod-like support protrusions 86 that are inserted into the cover support holes 85 project from the rear portions of both side edges thereof. By inserting the left and right support protrusions 86 into the left and right cover support holes 85, the auxiliary cover 79 is rotatably supported by the facing surface portion 75. The upper auxiliary cover 79 extends from the rear end side where the support protrusion 86 is provided to be inclined downward, and the lower auxiliary cover 79 is inclined frontward and upward from the rear end side where the support protrusion 86 is provided. Extend. The auxiliary cover 79 is urged rearward by urging means (not shown) such as a coil spring or a leaf spring, and is in contact with the movable cover 78 from the front.

  The auxiliary cover 79 covers the front of the movable cover 78 in the retracted position (see FIGS. 3 to 5). When the movable cover 79 moves forward from the retracted position, the auxiliary cover 79 is pushed forward by the movable cover 79 and the support protrusion 86 is centered. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, and the movable cover 78 is allowed to move to the forward position (FIGS. 11 to 11). (See FIG. 13).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the movable cover 78 moves in the front-rear direction between the forward position and the backward position around the stop switch 24, the transparent cover is provided at the forward position and the backward position. The external appearance shape of the periphery of the stop switch 24 that is visible from the outside via 77 is different. Further, the movable cover 78 at the forward position covers the entire area of the base surface 76a from the front, and the movable cover 78 at the backward position exposes the entire area of the base surface 76a, so the surface color of the base surface 76a and the surface of the movable cover 78 are exposed. By making the color different (for example, the base surface 76a is colored in gray and the front surface of the movable cover 78 is colored in red), the forward and backward positions can be visually recognized through the transparent cover 77. The display color around the stop switch 24 can be made different. In addition, since the front of the movable cover 78 in the retracted position is covered by the auxiliary cover 79, the difference in design around the stop switch 24 can be clarified between the advanced position and the retracted position. The auxiliary cover 79 may be colored in the same color as the base surface 76a, or may be colored in a color different from the base surface 76a. Therefore, the design around the stop switch 24 can be easily and significantly changed by the movement of the movable cover 78, and the range of performance can be expanded by giving a novel impression to the player.

  In addition, since the design around the stop switch 24 that is directly operated by the player changes, a strong impact can be given to the player.

  Further, since the movable cover 78 and the auxiliary cover 79 are disposed in the internal space, the player cannot contact the movable cover 78 and the auxiliary cover 79. For this reason, damage to the movable cover 78 and the auxiliary cover 79 can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the front end edges of the upper and lower movable covers 78 are in contact with each other at the forward movement position, the notch portion 84 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24, and the upper and lower movable covers 78 are in the entire area of the base surface 76a. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the front end edges of the upper and lower movable covers 78 are spaced apart from each other in the advanced position, and the notch portion 84 is formed. The front end edges of the upper and lower movable covers 78 may be in contact with each other, and the notch portion 84 may be separated from the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24 in a close proximity state (see FIG. 14A). (See FIG. 14B), the front end edges of the upper and lower movable covers 78 may be separated from each other in the proximity state, and the notch portion 84 may be separated from the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24 in the proximity state. Figure 14 (c) refer). Further, the front end edge of the movable cover 78 may be linear without providing the notch 84, and the front end edges of the upper and lower movable covers 78 may contact the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24 at the forward position (FIG. 14 ( d)). In such an aspect, the base surface 76a is exposed from between the upper and lower movable covers 78 at the forward movement position.

  In the above embodiment, the aspect in which the entire area of the base surface 76a is exposed in the retracted position has been described. However, the movable cover 78 in the retracted position may cover a part of the base surface 76a.

  In the above embodiment, the semicircular cutout 84 having the same curvature radius as the radius of the outer periphery of the stop switch 24 has been described. However, the shape and size of the cutout are not limited to the above and are arbitrarily set. Is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the movable cover 78 that simultaneously changes the design around the three stop switches 24 has been described, but a movable cover may be provided for each of the one stop switch 24.

  In the above embodiment, the two movable covers 78 that are separated from each other in the upper and lower directions have been described. However, two movable covers that are separated from each other to the left and right, and three or more movable covers that are separated from each other radially, etc. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary cover 79 that tilts in accordance with the movement of the movable cover 78 has been described. However, the auxiliary cover 79 formed of an elastic material such as rubber so as to allow movement of the movable cover 78 by elastic deformation. One end may be fixed to the facing surface portion 75.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, instead of the two movable covers 78 of the first embodiment, a single movable cover 90 that is movable in the front-rear direction is provided, and an upper and lower second cover 91 is provided instead of the upper and lower auxiliary covers 79. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The movable cover 90 has a front surface portion 90a facing the base surface 76 from the front, and left and right side surface portions 90b facing the left and right facing surface portions 75, respectively. Three insertion holes 93 through which the three stop switches 24 are inserted are formed in the front surface portion 90a. The insertion hole 93 is a circular hole having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stop switch 24. A pair of upper and lower rod-like protrusions 94 that pass through the drive-side slide groove 80 are respectively provided on the left and right side surface portions 90b. When the left and right protrusions 94 are inserted through the left and right drive slide grooves 80, the movable cover 90 is supported by the opposing surface portion 75 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The tip portion of the protrusion 94 inserted through the drive-side slide groove 80 is inserted into the rear protrusion insertion hole 56d of the slider 56 and supported rotatably, as in the first embodiment, and the movable cover 90 includes the cover drive motor 55. It moves in the front-rear direction between the forward movement position and the backward movement position by the drive rotation. Note that the driven surface slide groove 81 of the first embodiment is not provided in the facing surface portion 75 of the present embodiment.

  The second cover 91 is a horizontally long plate that is bent into a predetermined shape, and rod-like support protrusions 95 that are inserted into the cover support holes 85 project from the rear portions of both side edges thereof. . By inserting the left and right support protrusions 86 into the left and right cover support holes 85, the auxiliary cover 79 is rotatably supported by the facing surface portion 75. The upper second cover 91 extends obliquely downward and forward from the rear end side where the support protrusion 86 is provided, and the lower second cover 91 extends forward and upward from the rear end side where the support protrusion 86 is provided. Inclined and extended. The second cover 91 is urged rearward by urging means (not shown) such as a coil spring or a leaf spring, and is in contact with the movable cover 90 from the front.

  On the front edge of the second cover 91, semicircular cutout portions 96 are formed at three locations corresponding to the three stop switches 24. The radius of curvature of the notch 96 is set to be substantially the same as the radius of the outer periphery of the stop switch 24.

  When the movable cover 90 is set to the retracted position, the front end edges of the upper and lower second covers 91 come into contact with each other, and the notch 96 comes close to or comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24. The front of the movable cover 90 is covered (see FIG. 16). When the movable cover 79 moves forward from the retracted position, the second cover 91 is pushed forward by the movable cover 90 and moves forward with the support protrusion 95 as the center (the upper second cover 91 is the front upper and lower second). The cover 91 tilts forward and downward) and allows the movable cover 90 to move to the forward position. When the movable cover 90 is set at the forward movement position, the front surface portion 90a of the movable cover 90 is exposed forward (see FIG. 17).

  According to this embodiment, the movable cover 90 moves in the front-rear direction between the forward position and the backward position around the stop switch 24, and the second cover 91 tilts in accordance with the movement of the movable cover 90. The appearance shape around the stop switch 24 that is visible from the outside through the transparent cover 77 is different between the forward movement position and the backward movement position. When the movable cover 90 is in the retracted position, the second cover 91 covers the front of the movable cover 90, and when the movable cover 90 is in the advanced position, the front portion of the movable cover 90 is tilted by the second cover 91. Since the surface 90a is exposed, the surface color of the movable cover 90 and the surface color of the second cover 91 are made different so that the stop switch 24 that can be visually recognized from the outside through the transparent cover 77 at the forward position and the backward position. The surrounding display colors can be made different. Therefore, the design around the stop switch 24 can be easily changed by the movement of the movable cover 90, and a novel impression can be given to the player to expand the range of performance.

  Further, since the movable cover 90 and the second cover 91 are disposed in the internal space 74, the player cannot contact the movable cover 90 and the second cover 91. For this reason, damage to the movable cover 90 and the second cover 91 can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, when the movable cover 90 is in the retracted position, the front end edges of the upper and lower second covers 91 are in contact with each other, the notch 96 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24, and the upper and lower second covers are in contact. Although the aspect in which the cover 91 covers the entire front area of the movable cover 90 has been described, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and the front edges of the upper and lower second covers 91 are similar to each other as in the first embodiment. May be separated in the proximity state, the notch portion 96 may be separated in the proximity state to the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24, and the front edge of the second cover 91 may be straight without providing the notch portion 96. The front end edges of the upper and lower first covers 91 may come into contact with the peripheral surface of the stop switch 24.

  In the above embodiment, the circular hole insertion hole 93 having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stop switch 24 has been described. However, the shape and size of the insertion hole are not limited to the above and can be arbitrarily set. is there.

  In the above embodiment, the semicircular cutout portion 96 having the same radius of curvature as the radius of the outer periphery of the stop switch 24 has been described. However, the shape and size of the cutout portion are not limited to the above and are arbitrarily set. Is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the movable cover 90 that simultaneously changes the design around the three stop switches 24 has been described. However, a movable cover may be provided for each of the one stop switch 24.

  In the above-described embodiment, the two second covers 91 that are separated vertically are described, but the two second covers that are separated right and left, the three or more second covers that are separated radially, and the like. There may be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second cover 91 that tilts according to the movement of the movable cover 90 has been described. However, the second cover 91 formed of an elastic material such as rubber so as to allow the movement of the movable cover 90 by elastic deformation. One end may be fixed to the facing surface portion 75.

  Further, the projecting body to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the stop switch 24. For example, various projecting functions such as other operation switches such as the bet switch 21 and an accessory projecting from the board surface in the game area of the pachinko machine. Applicable to the body.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited by the description and the drawings that form part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. That is, it should be added that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine (game machine), 10 ... Housing | casing, 24 ... Stop switch (projection body), 30 ... Control apparatus, 31 ... Main control apparatus, 32 ... Sub-control apparatus, 33 ... Game control apparatus, 34 ... Production control Device: 51 ... Light emission control unit, 54 ... Cover control unit, 55 ... Cover drive motor, 56 ... Drive mechanism, 73 ... Switch mounting body, 74 ... Housing recess (internal space), 76 ... Stop switch base, 76a ... Stop switch Front surface of base (base surface), 77 ... transparent cover, 90 ... movable cover, 91 ... second cover

Claims (4)

A transparent cover covering the front of the internal space,
A base surface disposed in the internal space and facing the transparent cover;
A projecting body disposed in the internal space and projecting forward from the base surface;
A plurality of movable covers arranged in the internal space and movable in the front-rear direction in synchronization with each other between a forward position covering a predetermined region of the base surface from the front and a backward position behind the forward position; Prepared,
The front end edge of the movable cover moves close to or abuts the peripheral surface of the projecting body at the advanced position, and moves away from the peripheral surface of the projecting body when moving backward from the advanced position,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the movable cover in the retracted position exposes at least a part of the predetermined area of the base surface. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
It is arranged in the internal space and covers the front of the movable cover in the retracted position, and is deformed or moved when the movable cover moves forward from the retracted position to allow the movable cover to move to the advanced position. A gaming machine characterized by having an auxiliary cover. A transparent cover covering the front of the internal space,
A base surface disposed in the internal space and facing the transparent cover;
A projecting body disposed in the internal space and projecting forward from the base surface;
A front-rear direction between an advanced position and a retracted position behind the advanced position in the state where the projecting body is inserted into the insertion hole and is disposed in the internal space. A movable cover that is freely movable,
It is arranged in the internal space and covers the front of the movable cover in the retracted position, and is deformed or moved when the movable cover moves forward from the retracted position to allow the movable cover to move to the advanced position. And a second cover. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The gaming machine, wherein the projecting body is an operation switch that receives an input operation related to a game.

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