JP2013163035A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that can achieve a variety of performances and remarkably increase excitement and enjoyment of a game.SOLUTION: A playfield forming plate 103 is formed with a transparent material, and a symbol display device is provided behind it. Between the playfield forming plate 103 and the symbol display device, a display area varying device 150 is disposed. The display area varying device 150 has a plurality of turnably provided shielding bodies 152, and a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c, provided side by side in a turning direction and continued to generate a corner part at the boundary, are formed at the outer peripheral part of the respective shielding bodies 152. The respective outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are formed such that the length dimensions between the boundaries with the adjacent outer peripheral surfaces are different with each other. A series of shielding surfaces are formed by the combination of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the respective shielding bodies 152, and the area of a series of shielding areas on the display screen of the symbol display device is changed on the basis of the change of the width dimension of the shielding surfaces.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  As a gaming machine, for example, in a pachinko gaming machine, a game ball is launched to a game area formed on the game board, and when a game ball is won at various winning holes in the game area, a predetermined number of game balls are accordingly generated. To be paid out. Further, for example, a symbol display unit is provided in the pachinko gaming machine, and a plurality of columns of symbols are variably displayed by the symbol display unit. The symbol display unit is often composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like. For example, three symbol rows arranged in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction are provided, and the symbols are variably displayed for each symbol row. In this case, the symbol variation display by the symbol display unit is started with the winning of the predetermined prize opening (start winning award) as a trigger, and then the symbol variation display is stopped through the variation display by the predetermined variation pattern. If the symbols are the same when the stop symbol of each symbol row is determined, the game proceeds to a special gaming state (big hit state) and a large amount of game balls are paid out. The probability of transitioning to the special gaming state is set with a relatively low probability, and the normal state is left when not transitioning to the special gaming state.

  In recent years, in order to enhance the fun of games, the display content displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device is complicated, and the display screen is enlarged to improve the power of the display image. Various contrivances have been made. In addition, for example, a movable member is provided around a symbol display unit such as a liquid crystal display device, and a predetermined correspondence relationship is provided between the game content (for example, the content of variable display of the symbol) and the operation content of the movable member so that the game is in progress (for example, It is intended to increase the interest of the player at the time of change (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-78904 A

  However, many of the currently known gaming machines employ similar effects, and new effects are necessary to attract the players' interest.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances and the like, and has as its main object to provide a gaming machine that realizes various effects and greatly enhances the fun of the game.

The present invention
A first shielding member and a second shielding member that shield at least a part of the display unit by being arranged in front of the display unit,
The first shielding member and the second shielding member form a series of shielding regions composed of a region facing the first shielding member in the display unit and a region facing the second shielding member in the display unit. It is provided so that you can
A first driving unit for driving the first shielding member;
A second drive unit for driving the second shielding member;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the first drive unit and the second drive unit so that the area of the series of shielding regions is changed;
The first shielding member and the second shielding member are provided to be individually rotatable,
A plurality of continuous peripheral surfaces are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the first shielding member in parallel with each other in the rotational direction of the first shielding member so that a corner portion is generated at the boundary.
Any two of the plurality of peripheral surfaces of the first shielding member are formed such that lengths between boundaries with adjacent peripheral surfaces are different from each other, and are arranged at predetermined first shielding positions. By configuring the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface that can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine,
A plurality of continuous peripheral surfaces are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the second shielding member in parallel with each other in the rotational direction of the second shielding member so that a corner portion is generated at the boundary.
Any two of the plurality of peripheral surfaces of the second shielding member are formed such that lengths between boundaries with adjacent peripheral surfaces are different from each other, and are arranged at predetermined second shielding positions. The third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface that are visible from the front of the gaming machine are configured,
A combination of the shielding surface of the first shielding member disposed at the first shielding position and the shielding surface of the second shielding member disposed at the second shielding position based on the rotation of the shielding members. It is characterized in that the area of the series of shielding regions is changed by making the difference.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize various effects and greatly enhance the interest of the game.

The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine in 1st Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the main structures of a game machine main body. The front view which shows the structure of an inner frame. The front view which shows the structure of a game board unit. The disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows a part of game board unit. The AA partial fragmentary sectional view of FIG. The front view which shows the structure of a back pack. The perspective view which shows the structure of a game board unit and a symbol display apparatus. The disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a display area variable mechanism. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 9. (A) is the schematic which looked at the shielding body from the axial direction, (b) is the schematic which shows the rotation state of a shielding body. (A) is the schematic which shows a 1st state, (b) is the schematic which shows a 2nd state, (c) is the schematic which shows a 3rd state. (A)-(d) is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows switching operation | movement between a 1st state and a 2nd state, (e)-(g) shows switching operation | movement between a 1st state and a 3rd state. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the display area variable mechanism seen from the game machine front, and the display area of a symbol display apparatus. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of a pachinko machine. Explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for game control. The flowchart which shows the command determination process performed by CPU of a display control apparatus. The flowchart which shows special effect processing. Schematic which looked at the display area variable mechanism 400 in 2nd Embodiment from the front. The CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The elements on larger scale of FIG. The partially broken perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the structure regarding a connection means. The elements on larger scale of FIG. Schematic which shows operation | movement of a shielding unit. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a main configuration of the display area varying mechanism 400, (b) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an upper rail member 480, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a lower rail member 460. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of a display area variable mechanism. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of a shielding unit.

  First, the invention that can be extracted from the present embodiment will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary.

Means 1. A first shielding member (for example, a shielding body 152) and a second shielding member (for example, a shielding body) that are disposed in front of the display section (the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140) to shield at least a part of the display section. 152),
The first shielding member and the second shielding member form a series of shielding regions composed of a region facing the first shielding member in the display unit and a region facing the second shielding member in the display unit. It is provided so that you can
Furthermore, a first drive unit (for example, a second stepping motor 167) that drives the first shielding member;
A second driving unit (for example, a second stepping motor 167) that drives the second shielding member;
Drive control means (MPU 212 of the display control device 92) for driving and controlling the first drive unit and the second drive unit so that the area of the series of shielding regions is changed is provided. Gaming machine.

  According to the means 1, a series of shielding areas shielded in the display unit is changed by operating the first shielding member and the second shielding member. Specifically, a series of shielding regions are formed by both shielding members, and the shielding mode is changed by changing the area of the shielding regions. Thus, by making it possible to change the shielding mode of the display unit, it is possible to contribute to diversification of effects.

  Mean 2. The first shielding member and the second shielding member are individually pivotable, and the area of the series of shielding regions is changed based on the rotation of the shielding members. The gaming machine according to 1.

  When it is set as the structure which changes a shielding aspect by rotating a shielding member, ensuring of the operation | movement space of a shielding member is needed. When this operation space is increased, the distance between the display unit and the shielding member is increased, which is not preferable. In this regard, in the present means, a series of shielding regions are formed by combining a plurality of shielding members, thereby suppressing an increase in the operation space of each shielding member with respect to the display unit, and a shielding region. Can be set large. That is, it is possible to suitably achieve both space saving and expansion of the production range.

  Means 3. The both shielding members are formed so that the axial direction of the rotation center axis of the first shielding member is recognized to be the same as the axial direction of the rotation center axis of the second shielding member. A gaming machine according to means 2, characterized by:

  When the display unit is shielded by a plurality of shielding members rotatably provided as shown in the means 2, for example, a series of shielding regions can be formed by bringing both shielding members into contact with each other or by overlapping both shielding members in the front and back directions. Can be easily realized. However, on the other hand, if the back of the gaming machine is viewed through a gap between the shielding members, the display unit can be visually recognized and the shielding function cannot be fully utilized. In particular, when the shielding mode is changed by rotating each shielding member, the overlapping of the shielding members is partially reduced or the gap between the shielding members is partially increased depending on the rotation state. there is a possibility. Therefore, as shown in the present means, when the rotation center axes are configured to be in the same direction, it is possible to easily suppress the spread of the gap between the shielding members and the decrease in the overlap due to the change of the shielding mode. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconveniences as described above and realize a practically preferable configuration.

Means 4. A plurality of circumferential surfaces (for example, outer circumferential surfaces 152a to 152c) that are arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the first shielding member and are continuous so that a corner portion is generated at the boundary are formed on the outer circumferential portion of the first shielding member. Formed,
Any two of the plurality of peripheral surfaces of the first shielding member are formed such that lengths between boundaries with adjacent peripheral surfaces are different from each other, and are arranged at predetermined first shielding positions. Thus, a first shielding surface (for example, the first outer circumferential surface 152a) and a second shielding surface (for example, the second outer circumferential surface 152b) that are visible from the front of the gaming machine are configured.
A plurality of continuous peripheral surfaces (for example, peripheral surfaces 152 a to 152 c) are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the second shielding member so as to be parallel to each other in the rotational direction of the second shielding member and to form a corner portion at the boundary. Formed,
Any two of the plurality of peripheral surfaces of the second shielding member are formed such that lengths between boundaries with adjacent peripheral surfaces are different from each other, and are arranged at predetermined second shielding positions. Thus, a third shielding surface (for example, the first outer circumferential surface 152a) and a fourth shielding surface (for example, the second outer circumferential surface 152b) that can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine are configured.
By changing the combination of the shielding surface of the first shielding member arranged at the first shielding position and the shielding surface of the second shielding member arranged at the second shielding position, the series of The gaming machine according to means 2 or 3, wherein the area of the shielding region is changed.

  According to the means 4, each shielding member has a plurality of shielding surfaces. By changing the combination of these shielding surfaces, the area of a series of shielding regions (shielding regions) is changed. Specifically, the width dimension of each shielding surface of the first shielding member (the length dimension between the boundaries with the adjacent circumferential surface) is different, and the width dimension of each shielding surface of the second shielding member (the adjacent circumferential surface and The length dimension between the borders) is different. Thereby, the area of the shielding region can be changed based on the combination of the shielding surfaces.

  In such a case, it is possible to further contribute to diversification of effects using the shielding surface by providing decorations such as a pattern on each shielding surface. For example, when the display unit is shielded by a shielding member provided in a slidable manner in front of the display unit, the shielding unit itself can realize an effect using the shielding function, but functions other than shielding are provided. It is assumed that it is difficult to grant. In this regard, as shown in this means, if the shielding mode is changed by a combination of a plurality of shielding surfaces, it is possible to give individual rendering functions (such as the decoration described above) to each shielding surface. Can contribute to the diversification of production.

Means 5. The display unit is a display screen (display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140) for displaying an image,
In a state where one of the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position, when the first shielding member is viewed from the front side of the display screen, the first shielding surface is located at the first shielding position. The positional relationship between the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface is set so that the shielding surface on the side where it is not arranged is not visible,
In a state where one of the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position, when the second shielding member is viewed from the front side of the display screen, the second shielding position is reached. 5. A gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein a positional relationship between the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface is set so that the shielding surface on the side where it is not arranged is not visible.

  According to the means 5, when one shield surface is used for shielding, the other shield surface that is not used for shielding cannot be visually recognized. Thereby, the state in which each shielding surface is arranged at a predetermined shielding position can be made clearly different, and a difference in performance using these shielding surfaces can be easily recognized.

Means 6. The first shielding member has a second projection within the projection range of the first shielding surface from the front side of the display screen to the rear of the gaming machine in a state where the first shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position. Within the projection range of the second shielding surface from the front side of the display screen to the rear of the gaming machine in a state where the shielding surface is included and the second shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position. It is formed to include a shielding surface,
The second shielding member includes the fourth shielding member within a projection range of the third shielding surface from the front side of the display screen to the rear of the gaming machine in a state where the third shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position. The third shielding surface is included within a projection range of the fourth shielding surface from the front side of the display screen to the rear of the gaming machine in a state in which the shielding surface is included and the fourth shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position. The gaming machine according to means 5, wherein the gaming machine is formed so as to include a shielding surface.

  In order to differentiate the shielding mode by the individual shielding surfaces, it is preferable to form each shielding member so that the other shielding surface is included in the rearward projection range of one shielding surface as shown in this means. Thereby, the other shielding surface is hidden behind the shielding surface used for shielding, and the shielding surface visually recognized from the front of the gaming machine can be easily limited to one.

  The first shielding member is within the projection range of the first shielding surface from the front side of the display screen to the rear of the gaming machine in a state where the first shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position. While each said surrounding surface of a 1st shielding member is included, the said 2nd shielding surface of the said 2nd shielding surface from the front side of the said display screen in the state arrange | positioned in the said 1st shielding position to the back of a game machine The display screen is formed in a state in which each peripheral surface of the first shielding member is included in a projection range, and the second shielding member is arranged at the second shielding position. Each of the peripheral surfaces of the second shielding member is included in the projection range of the third shielding surface from the front side to the rear of the gaming machine, and the fourth shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position. From the front side of the display screen in the state to the back of the gaming machine Wherein in said fourth shield plane said second shielding member within the projection range of may be formed to include respective circumferential surfaces. Thereby, a shielding function can be made still more suitable.

Mean 7 The first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are constituted by a set of adjacent circumferential surfaces among a plurality of circumferential surfaces in the first shielding member,
The third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface are constituted by a set of adjacent circumferential surfaces among a plurality of circumferential surfaces in the second shielding member,
The game machine according to any one of the means 4 to 6, wherein the shielding members are rotatably provided in both forward and reverse directions.

  According to the means 7, since the shielding surfaces of the first shielding member are adjacent to each other, it is possible to suppress the rotation amount of the first shielding member accompanying the switching of the shielding surfaces. Similarly, since the shielding surfaces of the second shielding member are adjacent to each other, the amount of rotation of the second shielding member associated with the switching of the shielding surfaces can be reduced. Thereby, it can contribute to the smooth change of the combination of the shielding surface of the 1st shielding member and the shielding surface of the 2nd shielding member, ie, the smooth change of the area of a series of shielding area | regions (shielding area | region).

Means 8. A continuous surface is formed by the shielding surface arranged at the first shielding position in the first shielding member and the shielding surface arranged at the second shielding position in the second shielding member,
The continuous surface is a combination of the shielding surfaces of the first shielding member and the shielding surfaces of the second shielding member, and the shielding surface of the first shielding member disposed at the first shielding position and the Any one of means 4 to 7 characterized in that a distance dimension between both ends of the continuous surface across the boundary with the shielding surface of the second shielding member arranged at the second shielding position is changed. A gaming machine according to one means.

  According to the means 8, the shielding mode can be diversified by forming a continuous surface by the plurality of shielding members. Specifically, as shown in the means 4, since each shielding member has a shielding surface having a different width, the width of the continuous surface (distance dimension between both end portions of the continuous surface) can be changed by combining each shielding surface. Variations can be increased. Thereby, diversification of the production using the shielding surface can be achieved.

  The “continuous surface” is recognized so that there is no gap between the shielding surface of the first shielding member arranged at the first shielding position and the shielding surface of the second shielding member arranged at the second shielding position. It shows what has been formed. For example, it is configured such that the shielding surface of the first shielding member disposed at the first shielding position and the shielding surface of the second shielding member disposed at the second shielding position are continuous without a step at the boundary portion of the shielding surfaces. Good. That is, the configuration may be such that the edge of the shielding surface of the first shielding member is in contact with the edge of the shielding surface of the second shielding member.

Means 9. A continuous surface is formed by the shielding surface arranged at the first shielding position in the first shielding member and the shielding surface arranged at the second shielding position in the second shielding member,
A continuous surface formed by another combination overlaps a virtual surface including a continuous surface formed by one of the combinations of the shielding surfaces of the first shielding member and the shielding surfaces of the second shielding member. As described above, the gaming machine according to any one of the means 4 to 9, wherein the first shielding member and the second shielding member are formed.

  If a configuration in which a plurality of types of continuous surfaces are formed by combining the shielding surfaces of the respective shielding members, various shielding modes (effects) can be realized, but there is a concern that differences may occur in the visibility of each continuous surface. . In particular, when the distance from the player to the continuous surface changes, it is assumed that a sense of incongruity is likely to occur with respect to the performance using the continuous surface. In this regard, in this means, each continuous surface overlaps the same virtual surface. Thereby, the shielding position of each continuous surface can be made uniform, and the uncomfortable feeling which arises by switching the combination of the shielding surface of a 1st shielding member and the shielding surface of a 2nd shielding member can be suppressed suitably.

Means 10. The first shielding member includes the first shielding surface when the second shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position, and the first shielding surface when the first shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position. Formed so as to overlap one virtual surface part (virtual plane P),
In the second shielding member, the fourth shielding surface when the second shielding member is disposed at the second shielding position includes the third shielding surface when the third shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position. 2 are formed so as to overlap the virtual plane part (virtual plane P),
The gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the first virtual surface portion and the second virtual surface portion are provided on the virtual surface.

  If each shielding member has a plurality of shielding surfaces, various shielding modes (effects) can be realized, but there is a concern that differences in the visibility of the shielding surfaces may occur. In particular, when the distance from the player to the shielding surface changes, it is assumed that a sense of incongruity tends to occur with respect to the performance using the shielding surface. In this regard, in this means, the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are configured to overlap the first virtual surface in a state of being arranged at the first shielding position. Thereby, the shielding position with the 1st shielding surface and the 2nd shielding surface can be arranged, and the uncomfortable feeling generated with the change of the production using the 1st shielding surface and the production using the 2nd shielding surface is preferred. Can be suppressed. Similarly, for the second shielding member, the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface are configured to overlap the second virtual surface in a state of being arranged at the second shielding position, and each of these shielding surfaces. A sense of incongruity that accompanies switching of effects using can be suitably suppressed.

Means 11. The first shielding member rotates about a rotation center axis of the first shielding member in a state where the first shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position and overlaps the first virtual surface portion. Thus, the second shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position and is formed to overlap the first virtual surface portion,
The second shielding member rotates about a rotation center axis of the second shielding member in a state where the third shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position and overlaps the second virtual surface portion. Accordingly, the gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the fourth shielding surface is formed so as to be disposed at the second shielding position and overlapped with the second virtual surface portion.

  According to the means 11, by rotating the first shielding member, the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are arranged at the first shielding position, that is, the position overlapping the first virtual surface portion. Specifically, the switching of the shielding surface can be realized without requiring another operation of bringing the rotation center axis (first shielding member) closer to or away from the first virtual surface portion. Thereby, the diversification of the production can be realized while suppressing the complication of the configuration related to the switching operation of each shielding surface.

  Similarly, by rotating the second shielding member, the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface are arranged at the second shielding position, that is, the position overlapping the second virtual surface portion. Specifically, the switching of the shielding surface can be realized without requiring another operation such as moving the rotation center axis (second shielding member) closer to or away from the second virtual surface portion. Thereby, the diversification of the production can be realized while suppressing the complication of the configuration related to the switching operation of each shielding surface.

Means 12. A rotation center axis (center axis X) of the first shielding member is set within a range of an area surrounded by the peripheral surface of the first shielding member,
The first shielding member includes a predetermined region between boundaries between adjacent first peripheral surfaces and a predetermined region between boundaries between adjacent second peripheral surfaces. When the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are respectively disposed at the first shielding position, the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are formed so as to overlap the same region on the first virtual surface portion,
A rotation center axis (center axis X) of the second shielding member is set within a range of a region surrounded by the peripheral surface of the second shielding member,
The second shielding member includes a predetermined region between the boundaries of the third shielding surface and the adjacent peripheral surface and a predetermined region between the boundaries of the fourth shielding surface and the adjacent peripheral surface. The means 10 or the means 11 are characterized in that when the three shielding surfaces and the fourth shielding surface are respectively arranged at the second shielding position, they are formed so as to overlap the same region on the second virtual surface portion. The gaming machine described in 1.

  When a series of shielding regions are formed using a plurality of shielding members provided so as to be rotatable, it is necessary to secure an operation space for each shielding member. If the central axis is arranged outside the shielding member, the maximum turning radius when the shielding member is rotated becomes large, and the operating space of the shielding member needs to be set large. This is not preferable because it is likely to hinder smooth switching between the first state and the second state. In this regard, as shown in this means, if the rotation center axis is set within the range of the region surrounded by the peripheral surface, the inconveniences as described above can be preferably avoided. That is, it is possible to reduce the operation space of the shielding member and smoothly switch between the first state and the second state.

  Means 13. A predetermined region of a continuous surface formed by a combination of the shielding surfaces of the first shielding member and the shielding surfaces of the second shielding member; the shielding surfaces of the first shielding member; The first shielding member and the second shielding member are arranged such that a predetermined region of the continuous surface formed by another combination among the combinations of the shielding surfaces of the second shielding member overlaps the same region in the virtual surface. 10. A gaming machine according to means 9, wherein a shielding member is formed.

  According to the means 13, even if the state of the continuous surface is switched, the continuous surfaces are arranged so as to overlap the same region on the virtual surface. Thereby, the dispersion | variation in the shielding position of each continuous surface can be suppressed, ie, a shielding position can be arrange | equalized, and the sense of incongruity accompanying switching of the production using each of these continuous surfaces can be suppressed appropriately.

Means 14. The display unit is a display screen (display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140) for displaying an image,
Each of the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface is recognized as being parallel to the display screen in a state where the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are disposed at the first shielding position, and recognized as having the same distance dimension from the display screen. The first shielding member is formed,
Each of the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface is recognized as being parallel to the display screen in a state where the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface are disposed at the second shielding position, and recognized as having the same distance dimension from the display screen. The gaming machine according to any one of means 4 to 13, wherein the second shielding member is formed as described above.

  According to the means 14, the space | interval of the shielding surface arrange | positioned in a 1st shielding position and a display screen is kept constant. That is, variations in the positions of the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface with respect to the display screen are suppressed. Thereby, it can suppress suitably that unnatural feeling generate | occur | produces by switching of the shielding state by each shielding surface.

  Similarly, the interval between the shielding surface arranged at the second shielding position and the display screen is kept constant. That is, variations in the positions of the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface with respect to the display screen can be suppressed. Thereby, it can suppress suitably that unnatural feeling generate | occur | produces by switching of the shielding state by each shielding surface.

  In addition, you may replace this means with the following structures. That is, “the display unit is a display screen for displaying an image (the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140), and the first shielding surface is located on the display screen in a state of being arranged at the first shielding position. And the second shielding surface has a second parallel region that is recognized as parallel to the display screen in a state of being arranged at the first shielding position. The distance between the first parallel region and the display screen of the first shielding surface disposed at the first shielding position, and the second parallel region of the second shielding surface disposed at the first shielding position. The first shielding member is formed so that the distance dimension of the display screen is recognized to be the same, and the third shielding surface is disposed in the second shielding position in the state where the display is performed. 3rd plane recognized as parallel to the screen The fourth shielding surface has a fourth parallel region that is recognized as being parallel to the display screen in a state of being disposed at the second shielding position, and is disposed at the second shielding position. Further, the distance dimension between the third parallel region of the third shielding surface and the display screen, the distance dimension between the fourth parallel region of the fourth shielding surface and the display screen disposed at the second shielding position, May be replaced with the “gaming machine according to any one of means 4 to 13”, wherein the second shielding member is formed so that the two are recognized to be the same.

  Even if a convex or concave design (including characters) is applied to a part of the shielding surface, a portion serving as a base of these designs, for example, a peripheral surface adjacent to one shielding surface, If it has the plane which connects the boundary site | parts, it is good to comprise a "parallel area | region" by this base part. In addition, the “parallel region” does not necessarily have a planar shape. For example, the “parallel region” may be configured by a boundary portion between adjacent shielding surfaces on the shielding surface.

Means 15. A continuous surface is formed by the shielding surface arranged at the first shielding position in the first shielding member and the shielding surface arranged at the second shielding position in the second shielding member,
The continuous surface is a combination of the shielding surfaces of the first shielding member and the shielding surfaces of the second shielding member, and the shielding surface of the first shielding member disposed at the first shielding position and the The distance dimension between both ends of the continuous surface across the boundary with the shielding surface of the second shielding member disposed at the second shielding position is changed,
Any one of means 4 to means 14 comprising a variable mechanism for changing a distance dimension between the rotation center axis of the first shielding member and the rotation center axis of the second shielding member. A gaming machine according to the means.

  In the configuration in which the shielding surfaces of the shielding members have different length dimensions (specifically, the length dimensions along the virtual surface portions in the rotation direction) as shown in the means 4 etc., as the shielding members rotate. When each shielding surface is arrange | positioned in a predetermined shielding position, the position of the edge part of each shielding surface will differ. In such a case, it may be difficult to form a continuous surface by combining the shielding surfaces. Therefore, as shown in this means, if the relative distance of each shielding member is changed by a variable mechanism, the above-described inconvenience can be preferably solved. That is, it becomes possible to eliminate the gaps and overlaps between the shielding surfaces and to form the continuous surface suitably. In particular, when further diversifying the shielding mode (production) by increasing the number of shielding surfaces or the number of shielding members, it is possible to match the edges of the shielding surfaces while fixing the position of the rotation center axis. Have difficulty. In this regard, if the distance between the rotation center axes is changed, it is possible to favorably promote the diversification of effects as described above.

  In addition, since the variable mechanism is provided, not only the continuous surface is formed but also the continuous surface is not formed, that is, the shielding surface of the first shielding member disposed at the first shielding position and the second shielding position. It can also be set as the state which the shielding surface of the arrange | positioned 2nd shielding member isolate | separated, and it can contribute to the diversification of the production using a shielding surface.

Means 16. The display unit is a display screen (display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140) for displaying an image,
The first drive unit is a first rotation drive unit that rotates the first shielding member,
The second drive unit is a second rotation drive unit that rotates the second shielding member,
A continuous surface is formed by the shielding surface arranged at the first shielding position in the first shielding member and the shielding surface arranged at the second shielding position in the second shielding member,
The continuous surface is a combination of the shielding surfaces of the first shielding member and the shielding surfaces of the second shielding member, and the shielding surface of the first shielding member disposed at the first shielding position and the The distance dimension between both ends of the continuous surface across the boundary with the shielding surface of the second shielding member disposed at the second shielding position is changed,
A rail member (for example, the lower rail member 170) that supports the first shielding member and the second shielding member in a state in which the first shielding member and the second shielding member are movable in a predetermined direction parallel to the display screen;
A first sliding drive unit (first stepping motor 165) for moving the first shielding member in the predetermined direction;
A second slide drive unit (first stepping motor 165) for moving the second shielding member in the predetermined direction;
The gaming machine according to any one of means 4 to 14, wherein the first slide drive section and the second slide drive section are controlled by the drive control means.

  According to the means 16, the distance between the rotation center axes can be changed while keeping the distance from the display screen by sliding the shielding members along the rail members. Thereby, even when the aspect of the continuous surface is changed in accordance with the switching operation of the shielding surface, the occurrence of inconvenience that the gap between the display screen and the continuous surface is widened by the configuration pattern of the continuous surface is preferably avoided. be able to.

  Also, by sliding each shielding member along the rail member, the position of the continuous surface can be changed while maintaining the shape of the continuous surface, and not only the continuous surface is formed but also each shielding member ( In other words, the shielding surface can be separated and individually shielded. Thereby, diversification of the shielding mode (effect) can be promoted.

  Means 17. When the combination of the shielding surface of the first shielding member and the shielding surface of the second shielding member on the continuous surface is changed, and the distance dimension of the continuous surface is changed, according to the change of the distance dimension A means 16 comprising a display area changing means (a function for executing the process of step S211 in the MPU 212 of the display control device 92) for changing an image display area (display area E3) on the display screen. Game machines.

  According to the means 17, the continuous surface can be used as a partition of the display screen. As the length dimension of the continuous surface is changed, the display area on the display screen is changed, so that an effect using the shielding member and the display screen can be integrated.

  “Change the display area of the image on the display screen according to the change of the distance dimension” means that the distance dimension between the end portions of the continuous surface (the length dimension of the continuous surface) is reduced. When the length dimension in the region (the length dimension in the adjacent direction of each shielding surface forming the continuous surface) is increased, and the distance dimension between the end portions of the continuous surface (the length dimension of the continuous surface) is increased, It shows that the length dimension in the display area is reduced. For example, the length dimension of the display area may be changed so as to avoid an overlap with a range (shielding area) shielded by a continuous surface on the display screen.

  Means 18. By moving the shielding members along the rail members and changing the positions of the shielding members, the first shielding member and the second shielding member are separated from each other and the continuous surface is not formed. Display screen partition switching means (of the display control device 92) that switches the partition mode of the display screen in two different states: a state and a continuous state in which a continuous surface is formed by the first shielding member and the second shielding member. 18. A gaming machine according to means 16 or 17, comprising a function of executing the processing of step S204 in the MPU 212).

  According to the means 18, the display screen is divided into a plurality of areas or one area by changing the position of the shielding member as it moves along the rail member. If an image is displayed on the display screen in accordance with such switching of the partition mode of the display screen, an effect using the shielding member and the display screen can be made suitable.

  Means 19. In the separated state, an image display area (display area E3) on the display screen is set between the shielding members, and in the continuous state, the continuous surface in the rail direction of the rail member is sandwiched. Means characterized by comprising display area variable means (function for executing the processing of step S206 in the MPU 212 of the display control device 92) for setting the display area (display area E3) on at least one side of both sides. 18. A gaming machine according to 18.

  According to the means 19, the display screen is divided into a plurality of or one area, and a display area is set corresponding to the divided areas. Thereby, diversification of a shielding aspect can be achieved.

  In particular, when a plurality of display areas are set, it is assumed that it becomes difficult to distinguish between the display areas or to recognize the boundary between the display areas. Even if the display screen is configured to represent a lane line, etc., the boundary as described above can be recognized by the same degree of light emission between the image displayed in the display area and the lane line. It is assumed that it becomes difficult to do. In this regard, if the shielding member is used as a partition as described above, it is possible to easily ensure the visibility of the display area while realizing diversification of display modes.

Means 20. The first shielding surface and the second shielding surface have a planar shape parallel to the rotation center axis (center axis X) of the first shielding member,
The rotation center axis of the first shielding member includes an interval between the rotation center axis and the first shielding surface (for example, the shortest distance dimension L1), and an interval between the rotation center axis and the second shielding surface ( For example, the shortest distance dimension L2) is arranged to be the same,
The third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface have a planar shape parallel to the rotation center axis (center axis X) of the second shielding member,
The rotation center axis of the second shielding member includes an interval between the rotation center axis and the third shielding surface (for example, the shortest distance dimension L1), and an interval between the rotation center axis and the fourth shielding surface ( For example, the gaming machine according to any one of the means 4 to 19, which are arranged so that the shortest distance dimension L2) is the same.

  According to the means 20, since the distance between the rotation center axis of the first shielding member and the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface is equal, the rotation center axis (that is, after the first shielding member is rotated) It is possible to easily realize the overlapping of both shielding surfaces at the first shielding position without moving the first shielding member) close to or away from the display unit, that is, without moving in the front-rear direction. Similarly, in the second shielding member, since the interval between the rotation center axis of the second shielding member and the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface is the same, the rotation center is set after the second shielding member is rotated. The overlapping of both shielding surfaces at the first shielding position can be realized without moving the axis (that is, the second shielding member) close to or away from the display unit, that is, without moving in the front-rear direction. Thereby, a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

Means 21. The first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are formed so as to face the game machine front side in a state of being arranged at the first shielding position, and the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface. And the inner angle (for example, the inner angle A1) is a right angle or an acute angle,
The third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface are formed so as to face the front side of the gaming machine in a state of being arranged at the second shielding position, and the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface. The gaming machine according to claim 20, wherein the inner angle (for example, the inner angle A1) is a right angle or an acute angle.

  According to the means 21, in the 1st shielding member, the 1st shielding surface and the 2nd shielding surface are formed so that the internal angle of these both shielding surfaces may become a right angle or an acute angle. For this reason, in the state where one shielding surface is arranged at the first shielding device and faces the front side of the gaming machine, the viewing of the other shielding surface from the front of the gaming machine is blocked. As a result, the same effect as that shown in the means 5 is obtained. That is, the state in which each shielding surface exists at the first shielding position can be clearly different, and the difference in performance using each shielding surface can be easily recognized. Also, in the second shielding member, the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface are formed so that the inner angles of both the shielding surfaces are a right angle or an acute angle.

  Furthermore, by making the interior angle between the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface a right angle or an acute angle, it is easy to switch the shielding surface by rotating each shielding member, and the edges of each shielding surface are in contact with each other. It is easy to realize the contact state. Thereby, a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

Means 22. The first shielding member has a polygonal column shape extending in the same direction as the rotation center axis of the first shielding member, and
The gaming machine according to means 20 or 21, wherein the second shielding member has a polygonal column shape extending in the same direction as the rotation center axis of the second shielding member.

  According to the means 22, both shielding members are polygonal columnar. By using the outer peripheral surface of these shielding members as a shielding surface, a plurality of shielding surfaces can be formed with a simple configuration, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  In particular, in combination with the means 22, it is possible to easily form a continuous surface by setting all the internal angles of the constituent surfaces constituting the outer peripheral surface (specifically, adjacent constituent surfaces) to 90 ° or less.

  For example, the shielding member may be a triangular prism formed such that the axial direction is the same as the direction of the rotation center axis of the shielding member, or the axial direction is the same as the direction of the rotation center axis of the shielding member. It is good to form so that it may become the square pillar shape formed so that it may become a direction. Thereby, each outer peripheral surface parallel to the rotation center axis can be used as a shielding surface, and a configuration having a plurality of shielding surfaces can be suitably realized while suppressing the complexity of the configuration of the shielding member.

  Means 23. The rotation center axis of the first shielding member and the rotation center axis of the second shielding member are arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction. The gaming machine described.

  According to the means 23, since the rotation center axis line is arranged to extend vertically, each shielding member rotates horizontally (rotates in the left-right direction). Thereby, the load which arises when rotating each shielding member can be reduced. More specifically, when each shielding member is configured to rotate vertically (specifically, vertically), it is necessary to operate these shielding members against gravity, and the load tends to be relatively large. For this reason, it may be difficult to ensure the placement accuracy at each shielding position, or the configuration for driving each shielding member may be increased in size. In this regard, if the shielding member is configured to rotate horizontally, the above-described inconvenience can be suppressed.

Means 24. The display unit is a display screen (display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140) for displaying an image,
Switching means for changing the size of the series of shielding regions by switching the combination of the shielding surface of the first shielding member and the shielding surface of the second shielding member in the continuous surface;
The display area changing means for changing the display area (display area E3) of the image on the display screen in accordance with the change in the size of the series of shielding areas by the switching means (the process of step S211 in the MPU 212 of the display control device 92). The gaming machine according to any one of the means 1 to 23, which is provided with a function to be executed.

  According to the means 24, both shielding members can be used as a partition of the display screen. As the size of the shielding area is changed, the display area on the display screen is changed, so that an effect using the shielding member and the display screen can be integrated.

  Note that “change the display area of the image on the display screen according to the change in the size of the series of shielding areas” means that when the series of shielding areas becomes small, the display area is expanded, When the area becomes large, it indicates that the display area is reduced. For example, the size of the display area may be changed so as to avoid an overlap with a shielded area (shielded area) on the display screen.

Means 25. The first shielding member includes the first shielding surface when the second shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position, and the first shielding surface when the first shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position. Formed so as to overlap one virtual surface part (virtual plane P),
The rotation center axis of the first shielding member is such that the distance dimension from the boundary between the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface to the rotation center axis is the boundary between the both shielding surfaces of the first shielding surface. The distance between the opposite end and the rotation center axis, and the distance between the opposite end of the second shielding surface and the rotation center axis, It is arranged so as to be smaller than the larger distance dimension, and is arranged in one of the regions divided into two with the first virtual surface portion interposed therebetween,
The boundary between the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface in a region opposite to the side where the rotation center axis of the first shielding member is arranged among the regions divided by the first virtual surface portion. When the first shielding member is rotated in a first prescribed direction defined so as to move, the first shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position from the state where the first shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position. While switching to the state where the second shielding surface is arranged,
When the first shielding member rotates in the direction opposite to the first prescribed direction, the first shielding surface is moved to the first shielding position from the state where the second shielding surface is disposed at the first shielding position. Is switched to the state where
In the second shielding member, the fourth shielding surface when the second shielding member is disposed at the second shielding position includes the third shielding surface when the third shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position. 2 are formed so as to overlap the virtual plane part (virtual plane P),
The rotation center axis of the second shielding member has a distance dimension from the boundary between the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface to the rotation center axis so that the boundary between the both shielding surfaces on the third shielding surface is the same. In contrast, the distance between the opposite end and the rotation center axis, and the distance between the opposite end of the fourth shielding surface and the rotation center axis are both distance dimensions. It is arranged so as to be smaller than the larger distance dimension, and is arranged in one of the regions divided into two with the second virtual surface portion interposed therebetween,
The boundary between the third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface in a region opposite to the side where the rotation center axis of the second shielding member is arranged among the regions divided into two with the second virtual surface portion interposed therebetween. When the second shielding member rotates in a second prescribed direction defined so as to move, the third shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position from the state where the third shielding surface is disposed to the second shielding position. While switching to the state where the fourth shielding surface is arranged,
The fourth shielding surface is moved to the second shielding position from the state where the third shielding surface is disposed at the second shielding position by rotating the second shielding member in the direction opposite to the second prescribed direction. The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein the game machine is switched to a state in which the game machine is arranged.

  In order to produce an effect using a plurality of shielding members, it is necessary to secure an operation space for these shielding members. By applying the configuration shown in this means, the operating space of the shielding member can be reduced as compared with the case where the shielding member rotates only in one direction.

  More specifically, when the first shielding member is configured to rotate only in one direction, and the configuration in which the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface are switched by the rotation in this one direction is adopted. Assuming that, the end portion on the opposite side of the boundary between the respective shielding surfaces moves in the regions on both sides of the first virtual surface portion. That is, it moves across the first virtual surface portion. In such a case, the operation space of each shielding surface is secured based on the movement path of the end portion in the regions on both sides of the first virtual surface portion.

  In this respect, as shown in this means, the respective shielding surfaces are switched so as to avoid the end portions from passing through the respective regions divided by the first virtual surface portion based on the rotation in the opposite directions. For example, the operation space of the shielding member in one of the regions on both sides of the first virtual surface portion can be reduced. Thereby, it can contribute to realization of various productions, suppressing that the shielding member operation space becomes large.

  Furthermore, the distance dimension from the boundary between both shielding surfaces to the rotation center axis is set to be smaller than the distance dimension from the end on the opposite side to the rotation center axis among the opposite ends. . As a result, while expanding the production range by the shielding surface, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the operation space on the side where the boundary between both shielding surfaces moves out of the region divided by the first virtual surface portion due to this. A practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  Similarly, the second shielding member has the same effects as the effects detailed above.

  In particular, by using a plurality of shielding members to shield the display unit (display screen), the operation space in the front-rear direction is reduced, but by combining this means, it is possible to contribute to further reduction of the operation space.

Means 26. A first shielding member (for example, a shielding body 152) and a second shielding member (for example, a shielding body) that are disposed in front of the display section (the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140) to shield at least a part of the display section. 152),
The configuration is such that a series of shielding regions in the display unit can be shielded by a region facing the first shielding member and a region facing the second shielding member,
Furthermore, a first drive unit (for example, a second stepping motor 167) that operates the first shielding member;
A second driving unit (for example, a second stepping motor 167) that drives the second shielding member;
An end of the first shielding member opposite to the end of the second shielding member and an end of the second shielding member opposite to the end of the first shielding member A gaming machine comprising drive control means (MPU 212 of the display control device 92) for driving and controlling the first drive unit and the second drive unit so that the distance dimension is changed.
According to the means 26, the same effect as the means 1 is produced. That is, by operating the first shielding member and the second shielding member, the size of a series of shielding regions (shielding regions) can be changed, which can contribute to diversification of shielding modes.

  The technical ideas that can be extracted in addition to the above within the disclosure scope of the present specification are described below.

Means 27. A support rail having a first rail member (lower rail member 460) and a second rail member (upper rail member 480) facing each other at a predetermined interval;
A display member (shield 411) provided between the first rail member and the second rail member and supported in a movable state in a predetermined direction defined by the first rail member and the second rail member. )When,
A drive mechanism (drive mechanism 500) for moving the display member in the predetermined direction;
The first rail member extends in the predetermined direction and is formed to support one end of the display member.
The second rail member extends so as to be parallel to the first rail member, and is formed to support the other end of the display member,
The drive mechanism is
A drive unit (sliding stepping motor 560) for generating a driving force;
A first driving force transmission unit (lower belt member 511) that connects the driving unit and the one end of the display member, and transmits the driving force generated in the driving unit to one end of the display member;
A second driving force transmission unit (upper belt member 521) for connecting the driving unit and the other end of the display member and transmitting the driving force generated in the driving unit to the other end of the display member; A gaming machine characterized by

  According to the means 27, an effect can be performed by moving the display member along the support rail. Rail members are arranged at both ends of the display member, and these both ends are supported by these rail members. The driving force generated in one driving unit is transmitted to both ends of the display member, that is, the portions supported by the rail members as described above, via the first driving force transmitting unit and the second driving force transmitting unit. . Thus, when a driving force is transmitted to both ends of the display member, the display member moves in a predetermined direction along both rail members.

  For example, assuming a configuration in which power is transmitted only to one end portion of the display member and the other end portion is dependently moved with respect to the movement of the one end portion, the operation of the other end portion is easily delayed with respect to the operation of the one end portion. It is considered to be. Such a delay in operation at the other end can be a factor that causes the display member to shake or tilt. If an attempt is made to avoid the occurrence of such shaking, there is a concern that it is difficult to move the display member quickly. Furthermore, the delay in operation at the other end (the disagreement between the operations at both ends) can become more prominent as the display member becomes larger. Assuming that the display member is used for production, even if a powerful production is realized by increasing the size of the display member, it is considered that it is not preferable that the flow of the production is impaired. In this respect, if the driving force generated in one driving unit is transmitted to both ends of the display member as shown in this means, it is possible to suppress the movement of both ends of the display member, and the above-described inconvenience is preferably generated. Can be suppressed. That is, by using one power unit, it is possible to synchronize the movements of both ends while simplifying the configuration. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the shake etc. which were mentioned above can be avoided suitably, and it can contribute to realization of agile and delicate movement of a display member. Further, by adopting a configuration in which the driving force is transmitted to both ends of the display member, it is possible to suppress the operation variation based on the distance between both rail members, and it is possible to promote the enlargement of the display member. Therefore, the effect using the display member can be made suitable.

  Means 28. The gaming machine according to means 27, wherein a plurality of the display members are provided.

  According to the means 28, the display effects can be diversified by providing a plurality of display members. However, when a configuration having a plurality of display members is employed, it may be difficult to ensure the above-described support length in each display member while avoiding an increase in the size of the rail member. That is, it is assumed that it is difficult to diversify and smooth the production while making the configuration related to the production other than the display member compact. In this regard, by applying the configuration shown in the means 27, the support length can be shortened, and the configuration related to effects other than the display member can be made compact. This makes it possible to diversify the production by having a configuration having a plurality of display members, and as a result, the smoothness of the production is impaired, or the installation space of the configuration related to the production other than the display member is increased. This can be suitably suppressed, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  Moreover, when it is assumed that the power is transmitted only to one end portion of the display member as described above and the other end portion is dependently moved with respect to the movement of the one end portion, the display member has the one end portion as the base end. It is assumed that it is easy to tilt. In order to suppress this, measures such as increasing the support length (support span) in the predetermined direction of the first rail member may be required. However, such a long support length is not preferable because it causes a reduction in the movement range of the display member. Furthermore, even if the inclination of the display member is suppressed by increasing the support span, it is considered difficult to wipe off the moment generated at the other end, and such a moment hinders the operation of the display member. This is not preferable because it can be a factor. In this respect, in the present means, by adopting a configuration in which the driving force is transmitted to both ends of the display member, the support length can be shortened, and the movement range of the display member can be extended. Moreover, the smooth movement of the display member can be realized by suppressing the generation of the moment described above.

Means 29. A panel portion (game area forming plate 103);
A display unit (display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140) that is disposed behind the panel unit at a predetermined interval and is visible from the front of the gaming machine through the panel unit;
The display member, the first rail member, the second rail member, and the drive mechanism are arranged in a region sandwiched between the panel portion and the display portion,
Each display member is visible from the front of the gaming machine through the panel portion,
The gaming machine according to means 27 or 28, wherein the first rail member and the second rail member are arranged along the panel portion.

  According to the means 29, the display unit can be visually recognized through the panel unit, and an effect using the display unit is possible. By arranging a display member or the like between the display unit and the panel unit, various effects can be realized by combining the display unit and the display member. Further, by providing the panel portion in front of the display member, it is possible to avoid access to the display member. Thereby, it is suppressed that the display member which is a movable object by a player etc. is touched.

  When adopting a configuration having a panel portion in this way, it is preferable to make the display portion easy to see by arranging the display portion close to the panel portion. That is, it is preferable to make the gap formed between the display unit and the panel unit as small as possible. In this respect, in this means, the rail member is arranged along the panel portion, and the operation area of the display member is suppressed from increasing in the juxtaposing direction of the panel portion and the display portion. That is, the gap between the panel unit and the display unit tends to depend on the thickness of the configuration related to the display effect such as the display member and the drive mechanism. Therefore, by applying the configuration shown in the means 27 and the like, it is possible to contribute to the reduction of the configuration related to the effect, and the installation space (thickness) of the configuration related to the effect such as the display member and the drive mechanism is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to promote diversification of production while making the display portion easy to see by suppressing the separation of the display member from the panel portion.

  Examples of the “panel portion” include a game board made of a transparent material. A game area where game balls flow down is formed on the front side of the game board. In this way, when the panel unit is configured by a game board, the configuration shown in this means is “the game board and the game board are arranged at a predetermined interval behind the game board and through the game board from the front of the gaming machine. A display unit that is visible, and the display member, the first rail member, the second rail member, and the drive mechanism are arranged in a region sandwiched between the panel unit and the display unit, The display member can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine through the game board, and the first rail member and the second rail member are arranged along the panel portion. The gaming machine described in the means 28 may be replaced.

Means 30. The display member is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a parallel arrangement direction of the first rail member and the second rail member,
A plurality of continuous peripheral surfaces (for example, outer peripheral surfaces 152 a to 152 c) are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the display member so as to be arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the display member so that a corner portion is generated at the boundary. ,
A first display surface (for example, the first outer peripheral surface 152a) that can be visually recognized from the front of the gaming machine when at least one set of adjacent peripheral surfaces among the plurality of peripheral surfaces is disposed at the predetermined display position, and Constituting a second display surface (for example, the second outer peripheral surface 152b),
The first display surface and the second display surface are formed such that length dimensions between boundaries with adjacent peripheral surfaces are different from each other.
As the display member, a first display member and a second display member that operate individually are provided,
When the first display member and the second display member are adjacent to each other, the first display member and the second display member are arranged in the first display member at a predetermined display position of the first display member. A continuous surface is formed by the display surface disposed at a predetermined display position of the two display members;
The continuous surface is a length of the continuous surface in a direction adjacent to each display surface forming the continuous surface by a combination of each display surface of the first display member and each display surface of the second display member. The gaming machine according to any one of means 27 to 29, wherein the size is changed.

  According to the means 30, in order to form the continuous surface, the support length is easily determined in accordance with the smaller one of the first display surface and the second display surface. In other words, the length dimension of the display surface is likely to be limited, and it becomes difficult to increase the above-described difference in length dimension. This is not preferable because it can be a factor that makes it difficult to differentiate the performance using each continuous surface. Certainly, it is possible to offset the portion of each display member supported by the rail member in the direction in which the panel portion and the display portion are arranged side by side, and the correlation between the support length of the display member and the length dimension of the display surface It is also possible to reduce the display surface while increasing the support length. However, such a correspondence is not preferable because it can cause a large separation between the panel unit and the display unit as described above.

  As described above in detail, in order to realize various effects in a limited space, the movement of the display member is not stabilized by the support length of the display member, that is, it depends on such a support length. It is considered preferable to adopt a stabilization method that does not depend on the support length, rather than a stabilization method. In this regard, by applying the configuration shown in the means 27 and the like, it is possible to suppress dependence on the support length, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized. In other words, the restriction on the length dimension of each display surface that forms the continuous surface is weakened, and the difference in production using each display surface is clarified, resulting in the gap between the panel portion and the display portion being widened. Can be suppressed.

  Means 31. 31. The means according to any one of means 27 to means 30, wherein the drive unit is disposed at or near an intermediate position in the separation direction of the first rail member and the second rail member. Gaming machine.

  In the configuration in which the driving force generated in the driving unit is transmitted to both ends of the display member by the first driving force transmission unit and the second driving force transmission unit, the movement at one end and the movement at the other end can be easily synchronized. On the other hand, there is a concern that a delay (time lag) occurs in the power transmission timing due to the fact that the power is not directly transmitted. Specifically, there is a possibility that a difference occurs in the power transmission timing depending on the length (distance) of the transmission path. In this regard, by arranging the drive unit at or near the intermediate position in the separation direction of both rail members, the length of the transmission path in the first driving force transmission unit and the length of the transmission path in the second driving force transmission unit The difference can be reduced. Thereby, the delay of operation | movement of one side among an end part and an other end part can be suppressed suitably. For example, the length of the transmission path of the first driving force transmission unit and the length of the transmission path of the second driving force transmission unit may be configured to be equal.

Means 32. A first display member and a second display member that individually operate as the display member are provided, and a first drive unit corresponding to the first display member and a second display member corresponding to the second display member are provided as the drive unit. 2 drive units are provided,
The first drive unit and the second drive unit are arranged on the same plane as the first rail member and the second rail member and are shifted in the predetermined direction. A gaming machine according to any one of the means.

  Although it is possible to promote the diversification of effects by adopting a configuration having a plurality of display members, there is a concern that the thickness of the configuration related to the effects tends to increase due to the provision of a plurality of display members. Therefore, as shown in this means, each drive unit and both rail members may be arranged on the same plane. Thereby, the increase in thickness described above can be suppressed, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  When each drive part is arrange | positioned on the same surface, it is assumed that the transmission path | route of the drive force transmission part connected to each drive part becomes easy to cross | intersect. In order to avoid this, it is not preferable to dispose the driving force transmission unit, for example, offset from the same plane, because this may cause an increase in the thickness of the configuration related to the effect. In this regard, as shown in this means, by disposing the first drive unit and the second drive unit in a predetermined direction, it is possible to easily avoid interference between the drive force transmission units on the same plane, The inconveniences as described above can be preferably solved.

Means 33. The drive unit is arranged outside the region where the support rail is arranged, and is arranged side by side with the support rail in the predetermined direction,
A first display member and a second display member that individually operate as the display member are provided, and a first drive unit corresponding to the first display member and a second display member corresponding to the second display member are provided as the drive unit. 2 drive units are provided,
The drive units and the display members are arranged in the order of the first drive unit, the second drive unit, the first display member, and the second display member along the predetermined direction. A gaming machine according to any one of means 27 to means 32.

  According to the means 33, it is easy to simplify the configuration relating to the transmission path of the driving force transmission unit by arranging a plurality of driving units in a concentrated manner. As a result, it is possible to improve the transmission efficiency of the driving force, and it is possible to suitably suppress complication of the configuration relating to the effect.

  Further, one of the length of the transmission path of the driving force transmission unit connecting the first driving unit and the first display member and the length of the transmission path of the driving force transmission unit connecting the second driving unit and the second display member is the other. It is easy to avoid becoming extremely long. Thereby, when it is set as the structure which operates each display member, respectively, it can be made hard to produce the problem that operation | movement of one display member is delayed with respect to operation | movement of another display member. For example, the drive units and the display members may be arranged so that the transmission path lengths of the drive force transmission units corresponding to the display members are equal.

Means 34. The drive unit includes a gear (gear 562) having a plurality of teeth formed in the circumferential direction,
The first driving force transmission unit and the second driving force transmission unit are band-shaped main body portions (base portions 512 and 522) and an engagement that is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion and engages with the tooth portion. Part (tooth part 513,523),
Further, the first driving force transmission portion and the second driving force transmission portion are opposed to each other with the engaging portion of the first driving force transmission portion and the engaging portion of the second driving force transmission portion sandwiching the gear. The gaming machine according to any one of the means 27 to 33, wherein the gaming machine is arranged as described above.

  In the configuration in which the display effect is performed using the display member, it is possible to diversify the effect by finely setting the movement pattern of the display member or changing the moving speed of the display member. However, on the other hand, the load generated between the driving part and the driving force transmission part becomes large by making the movement fine and increasing the moving speed, and the driving force transmission part is displaced (sliding etc.). There is a concern that this is likely to occur. If such a positional shift occurs, it is assumed that the performance is not normally performed, and as a result, the game motivation is reduced. In this regard, if the configuration includes the tooth portion and the engagement portion as described above, the above-described positional deviation can be suitably suppressed, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  Further, the both driving force transmission portions are arranged so as to face each other with a gear interposed therebetween. Thereby, it is possible to easily synchronize the movement of the one end and the movement of the other end of the display member while simplifying the configuration. Furthermore, it is possible to suitably suppress the inconvenience that a difference occurs in the driving force transmitted to both driving force transmission units.

Means 35. The first driving force transmission unit and the second driving force transmission unit are configured to move the display member in the predetermined direction by moving both the driving force transmission units by the driving unit.
A first defining portion (belt housing groove 472, casings 571, 572, and casing housing portions 582, 583) that defines a movement path of the first driving force transmission portion;
A second defining portion (belt housing groove 492, casings 573, 574 and casing housing portions 584, 585) for defining a moving path of the second driving force transmitting portion;
The drive mechanism has a base portion (housing 580) on which the drive portion is mounted and provided across the rail members,
The first defining portion and the second defining portion include a rail side defining portion (belt housing groove 472, 492) provided on the rail member and a base side defining portion (casing 571-574) provided on the base portion. And casing housing portions 582 to 585),
35. The gaming machine according to any one of means 27 to 34, wherein at least the base side defining portion has a groove shape or a hole shape into which the belt is fitted.

  In the means 35, by providing a defining portion that defines the driving force transmission path, it is possible to suppress unintended displacement (movement or deformation) from occurring in the driving force transmission portion. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a change in the transmission path of the driving force.

  In addition, for example, by connecting the rail members by the base portion, it is possible to make it difficult for the relative positions of the rail members to shift. In particular, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the base part itself by providing a base side defining part in the base part and forming the base side defining part in a groove shape or a hole shape. A reinforcement function can be made suitable.

Means 36. The first display member and the second display member that individually operate as the display member are provided side by side in the predetermined direction, and the first drive unit and the second corresponding to the first display member as the drive unit. A second drive corresponding to the display member is provided;
The first driving unit and the second driving unit are arranged outside the region where the support rail is arranged and arranged in the predetermined direction in a region aligned with the support rail in the predetermined direction,
The first driving force transmission unit and the second driving force transmission unit connected to one of the two driving units on the side closer to the arrangement region of the support rail are the first driving force connected to the other of the two driving units. 36. The gaming machine according to any one of means 27 to means 35, wherein the gaming machine is disposed closer to the support rail than the transmission portion and the second driving force transmission portion.

  According to the means 36, it is possible to avoid the complicated transmission path of the driving force transmission unit while reducing the thickness of the configuration relating to the effect. For example, if each drive unit is arranged so as to be shifted in a direction orthogonal to both the predetermined direction and the separation direction, it is possible to avoid the transmission paths of the drive force transmission units from intersecting and to simplify the transmission paths. This is presumed to be preferable from the viewpoint of improving the transmission efficiency of the driving force, but on the other hand, the thinning of the structure related to the production is prevented due to the deviation of the driving parts in the orthogonal direction. Is concerned. On the other hand, if the drive units are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction, it may be possible to contribute to a reduction in the configuration related to the production, but it is assumed that the transmission paths of the drive force transmission units connected to the drive units are likely to intersect each other. This is not preferable because it can be a factor that increases the transmission efficiency of the driving force, and thus the deviation of the driving timing.

  In this regard, as shown in this means, by arranging the driving force transmission unit connected to the inner driving unit and the driving force transmission unit connected to the outer driving unit so that the former is inside and the latter is outside. Thus, it is possible to preferably achieve both a reduction in the thickness of the configuration relating to the production and simplification of the transmission path. For example, each drive unit and each drive force transmission unit may be arranged on the same plane.

Means 37. The first driving force transmission unit and the second driving force transmission unit are configured to move the display member in the predetermined direction by moving both the driving force transmission units by the driving unit.
The first rail members individually correspond to first passage portions (groove portions 464) through which the display members move and first driving force transmission portions connected to the display members, respectively. A plurality of first defining portions (belt housing grooves 472) for defining the movement path of the force transmitting portion;
The second rail member individually corresponds to a second passage portion (groove portion 484) through which each display member moves and each second driving force transmission portion connected to each display member. A plurality of second defining portions (belt housing grooves 492) for defining the moving path of the force transmitting portion;
The first defining parts are arranged in the separating direction of the first rail member and the second rail member, and the second defining parts are arranged in the separating direction,
Furthermore, the first passage portion and the first defining portions are provided side by side in the width direction of the first rail member, and the second passage portion and the second defining portions are arranged on the second rail member. The gaming machine according to means 36, wherein the gaming machines are provided side by side in the width direction.

  According to the means 37, the configuration shown in the means 36 can be suitably realized. In a configuration in which a plurality of display members are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction, the display members are configured to pass through the same passage portion, thereby diversifying the production while reducing the thickness of the production-related configuration. Can contribute. Moreover, by providing the defining portion corresponding to each driving force transmission portion, it is possible to suppress unintended displacement (movement or deformation) from occurring in the driving force transmission portion. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a change in the transmission path of the driving force.

  In a configuration in which a plurality of display members pass through the same passage portion, it is possible to contribute to the reduction in thickness as described above, but the operation region of the display member and the movement path of the driving force transmission portion are easily separated. This causes a moment for the display member when the driving force is transmitted to the display member, and there is a concern that smooth movement of the display member is likely to be hindered by an increase in the moment. In this regard, as shown in this means, the passage portion and the defining portion are provided side by side in the width direction of the rail member, thereby realizing the configuration shown in the means 36 and the operation of the display member even in the configuration having a plurality of display members. The separation between the region and the moving path of the driving force transmission unit can be suppressed. Thereby, it can suppress that a moment as mentioned above becomes large, and can contribute to realization of smooth movement of a display member.

  Further, by arranging the first defining portions side by side in the separating direction of both rail members and arranging the second defining portions side by side in the separating direction, each driving force transmitting portion is arranged to be shifted inward and outward. It is possible to reduce the thickness of the configuration. In addition, since the display member is provided across both rail members, the display member (specifically, the operation region of the display member) and the driving force transmission unit (specifically, the display member) It is possible to easily make the distance to the driving force transmission unit (movement path) equal. Thereby, it can suppress suitably that a big moment arises with respect to one display member among each display member.

  For example, the rail member may be configured to have a pair of opposing portions that are opposed to each other with the display member interposed therebetween and a connecting portion that connects the opposing portions, and the defining portions may be formed side by side on one of the opposing portions.

  The “width direction of the first rail member” and the “width direction of the second rail member” indicate, for example, directions orthogonal to both the separation direction of the first rail member and the second rail member and the predetermined direction. ing.

  Incidentally, any one of the means 27 to 37 may be applied to the means 1 to 26.

  A basic configuration of a gaming machine to which each of the above means can be applied is shown below.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operation means (handle device 59) operated by a player, game ball launching means (game ball launching mechanism 50) for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launched game ball A ball path (a region sandwiched between the inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102) that leads to a predetermined gaming area, and each gaming part (such as a nail 133) arranged in the gaming area, A gaming machine that gives a privilege to a player when a game ball passes through a predetermined passage (such as the operating port 107).

  Revolving type gaming machine such as a slot machine: equipped with a picture display device for variably displaying a plurality of pictures, variably starting display of the plurality of pictures due to the operation of the start operation means, and due to the operation of the stop operation means In addition, the game machine is configured such that the variable display of the plurality of patterns is stopped when a predetermined time elapses and a privilege is given to the player according to the pattern after the stop.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a “pachinko machine”), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 10 viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine main body 12 of the pachinko machine 10. In FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine body 12 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be pivotable forward (openable and closable). . In the pachinko machine 10, the outer frame 11 is not an essential configuration, and the outer frame 11 may be provided on the island facility of the game arcade.

  The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting wooden plates to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility. The outer frame 11 can also be formed of a metal such as synthetic resin or aluminum.

  A gaming machine body 12 is rotatably supported on one side of the outer frame 11. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, an upper support bracket 21 is provided at a connection portion between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11, and further, the lower frame portion and the left frame in the outer frame 11 A lower support metal fitting 22 is provided at a connection portion with the portion. The upper support bracket 21 and the lower support bracket 22 constitute a support mechanism, and the gaming machine body 12 is rotatably supported with respect to the outer frame 11 by the support mechanism.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device 23 at its rotating tip, and when the gaming machine main body 12 is closed with respect to the outer frame 11, the gaming machine main body 12 is locked. The saddle member 24 of the device 23 is received by the saddle receiving portion provided on the inner side surface of the right frame portion of the outer frame 11, and the opening of the gaming machine main body 12 is prevented. On the other hand, the hook member 24 is received by the hook receiving portion of the outer frame 11 by performing the unlocking operation using the unlock key on the cylinder lock 25 provided exposed at the front surface of the pachinko machine 10. The state is released and the gaming machine body 12 can be released from the outer frame 11. The locking device 23 also has a function of locking an inner frame 13 and a front door frame 14 described later.

  The gaming machine main body 12 includes an inner frame 13 as a base body, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main body 12 is supported so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) with respect to the outer frame 11. Specifically, the inner frame 13 can be rotated forward with the left side as the rotation base end side (opening / closing base end side) and the right side as the rotation front end side (opening / closing front end side) in front view.

  A front door frame 14 is supported by the inner frame 13 so as to be rotatable (openable and closable), and in the front view, the left side is a rotation base end side (opening / closing base end side) and the right side is a rotation front end side (opening / closing front end). Side) and can be rotated forward. Further, the back pack unit 15 is supported by the inner frame 13 so as to be rotatable (openable and closable), and in the front view, the left side is the rotation base end side (opening / closing base end side) and the right side is the rotation front end side ( It can be rotated backward as the opening / closing tip side.

  Next, the configuration of the front side of the gaming machine body 12 will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view of the inner frame 13.

  The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 28 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 29 is formed at the center of the resin base 28. A game board unit 100 is detachably attached to the resin base 28 from behind, and a game area formed on the front surface of the game board unit 100 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 29 of the resin base 28. It has become a state.

  An inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 are attached to the front surface of the game board unit 100. The front surface of the game board unit 100 is partitioned by the inner and outer rails 101 and 102, and a game area is formed in an inner area partitioned in a substantially circular shape. The inner rail 101 and the outer rail 102 constitute a guide rail so that the game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 50 is guided to the upper part of the game area.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game ball launching mechanism 50 is attached below the window hole 29 in the resin base 28. The game ball launching mechanism 50 includes an electromagnetic solenoid 51, a launching rail 52, and a ball feeding mechanism 53. When an electrical signal is input to the solenoid 51, the output shaft of the solenoid 51 moves in the expansion / contraction direction. Then, the game ball placed on the firing rail 52 is launched by the ball feed mechanism 53 toward the game area.

  Here, the game board unit 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 is a front view of the game board unit 100, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the game board unit 100 in an exploded state, and FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the game board unit 100 has a substantially rectangular game area forming plate 103 that closes the window hole 29. The game area forming plate 103 is made of a colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin, and the above-described game area 104 is formed on the front surface thereof.

  The game area forming plate 103 is formed with a plurality of large and small through holes penetrating in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) of the game area forming plate 103. Each of the through holes has a general winning port 105, a variable winning device 106, an operating port 107, A through gate 108 and a center frame 110 are provided. The arrangement of each member will be described in detail. The center frame 110 is disposed at the approximate center of the game area 104, the operation port 107 is disposed below the center frame 110, and the variable winning device 106 is disposed further below. Further, through gates 108 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the center frame 110, and a plurality of general winning holes 105 are arranged on both lower sides of the game area 104 (specifically, three are arranged on the left side and 1 on the right side). Are arranged). When a game ball enters the general winning port 105, the variable winning device 106 and the operation port 107, it is detected by a detection switch (not shown), and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on the detection result.

  In addition, a first specific lamp unit 130 and a second specific lamp unit 131 are provided on the upper right side of the game area 104, and an out port 132 is provided below the game area 104, specifically below the variable winning device 106. Is formed. The game balls that have not entered the various winning openings etc. are guided to the ball discharge path (not shown) through the out opening 132. In the game area 104, a large number of nails 133 are planted in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game ball, and a windmill (servant) 134 and the like are arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the length of a screw for fixing the variable winning device 106, the operation port 107, and the like to the game area forming plate 103, or the nail 133 is driven into the game area forming plate 103. The length dimension of the part is sufficiently smaller than the thickness dimension of the game area forming plate 103, and these screws and nails 133 do not reach the back of the game area forming plate 103.

  The first specific lamp unit 130 is provided with a red, green, and blue three-color light emission type LED lamp. Then, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order using a winning at the operation port 107 as a trigger. Specifically, red light is turned on with a winning at the operation port 107 as a trigger, and the emission color is switched to green light when a predetermined time elapses in that state. Then, when the predetermined time elapses with the green light turned on, the emission color is switched to blue light. Thereafter, the emission color is repeatedly switched in the order of red, green, and blue until the emission color switching stop time comes. Accordingly, red, green, and blue are repeatedly displayed in this order on the first specific lamp unit 130. Finally, when red or green is stopped and displayed, a jackpot is generated, and when blue is stopped and displayed, no jackpot is generated. In addition, the type of jackpot is different between the case where the stop is finally displayed in red and the case where the stop is finally displayed in green, and the former has a jackpot that is more advantageous to the player.

  On the other hand, the second specific lamp unit 131 is provided with a red and green two-color light emitting type LED lamp inside thereof. In the second specific lamp unit 131, the emission color is switched in a predetermined order with the passage of the game ball of the through gate 108 as a trigger. Specifically, when the game ball passes through the through gate 108, lighting of red light and lighting of green light are alternately performed. Accordingly, red and green are alternately displayed on the second specific lamp unit 131. When the red color is stopped and displayed, the electric accessory attached to the operating port 107 is opened for a predetermined time.

  The variable winning device 106 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or is difficult to win, and is switched to a predetermined open state in which a game ball is easy to win in a big hit. More specifically, when a big win occurs, the variable winning device 106 is in a predetermined open state, and the game ball is in a state where it is easy to win. As an opening mode of the variable winning device 106, a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winnings is defined as one round, and the following is performed on condition that the winning in the continuous winning port in the variable winning device 106 is performed. In general, the variable winning device 106 is repeatedly opened with a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit when the condition for transition to a round is satisfied. The drive control of the variable winning device 106 is performed by a main control device described later.

  The center frame 110 includes a roof frame 111 that constitutes the upper portion of the center frame 110 and a stage frame 112 that constitutes the lower portion of the center frame 110. The roof frame 111 and the stage frame 112 are formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin. Then, by connecting these frames 111 and 112, the center frame 110 has a frame shape as a whole.

  The entire roof frame 111 has a groove shape opened rearward, and is fixed to the game area forming plate 103 so as to block the rearward open portion and form a front-side ball passage 113. The front-side sphere passage 113 is formed on the left and right with an opening 114 formed at the top of the roof frame 111 as an entrance. Further, the left and right lower end portions 115 of the roof frame 111 extend rearward and pass through a through hole formed in the game area forming plate 103. These lower end portions 115 are connected to the stage frame 112, whereby the near-side ball passage 113 is communicated with the stage frame 112.

  The stage frame 112 includes a front stage member 121 and a rear stage member 122, both of which are assembled through a through hole formed in the game area forming plate 103. Whereas the front stage member 121 is opened in the front-rear direction, the rear stage member 122 has a groove shape that is entirely opened forward. Open portions of the left and right side portions of the rear stage member 122 are closed by the back surface of the game area forming plate 103 to form a back side ball passage 123. The back side ball passage 123 communicates with the front side ball passage 113. Further, the stage 124 on which the game ball that has passed through the back side ball passage 123 rolls in the left-right direction is formed by the front stage member 121 and the rear stage member 122.

  The stage 124 is formed with a rear guide portion 125 at the center thereof, and further, a front guide portion 126 is formed so as to sandwich the rear guide portion 125. The game ball that has been sufficiently decelerated to reach the rear guide portion 125 is guided to the guide passage 127 formed in the rear stage member 122 and discharged from the guide passage 127 into the game area 104. In this case, the outlet of the guide passage 127 is positioned vertically above the operating port 107, and no hindering member such as a nail 133 is disposed between the two. Therefore, the game ball that has passed through the guide passage 127 can easily enter the operation port 107. On the other hand, the game ball that has been sufficiently decelerated to reach the front guide portion 126 is discharged into the game area 104 as it is.

  The movement of the game ball in the center frame 110 will be briefly described. The game ball that has entered the opening 114 of the roof frame 111 passes through either the left or right front side ball passage 113 and reaches the back side ball passage 123. The game ball that has reached the back side ball passage 123 passes through the back side ball passage 123 and reaches the stage 124. The game ball that has reached the stage 124 rolls left and right on the stage 124. As a result of the rolling, the game ball that has reached the rear guide portion 125 is guided toward the operation port 107 by passing through the guide passage 127. On the other hand, the game ball that has reached the front guide portion 126 is discharged into the game area 104 without being guided toward the operation port 107.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a first sheet material 128 and a second sheet material 129 (so-called cell sheet) provided with decoration such as a pattern are attached to a part of the back side of the game area forming plate 103. It has been. Specifically, the sheet materials 128 and 129 are attached to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. These sheet materials 128 and 129 improve the design of the game area forming plate 103, and a part of the back surface of the game area forming plate 103 is covered from the rear. The sheet materials 128 and 129 can be fixed by fixing means such as screws.

  The first sheet material 128 covers an area above the area surrounded by the center frame 110 in the game area forming plate 103, specifically, an area above the roof frame 111. Further, the second sheet material 129 covers an area below the area surrounded by the center frame 110 in the game area forming plate 103, specifically, an area below the stage frame 112. Since both the sheet materials 128 and 129 have a light-shielding property, in the central region of the game region forming plate 103, the rear of the game region forming plate 103 is allowed to be visible, and both sides sandwiching the central region (more details On the upper and lower sides), the rear side of the game area forming plate 103 is not visible. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, a region where rearward visual recognition is allowed is referred to as a transmissive region E1.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, on the back surface of the game area forming plate 103, housing step portions 103a and 103b that are recessed in a step shape corresponding to both sheet materials 128 and 129 are formed. By accommodating the sheet materials 128 and 129 in the accommodating stepped portions 103a and 103b, the protrusion of both the sheet materials 128 and 129 to the rear of the game area forming plate 103 is suppressed. As for the first sheet material 128, a plurality of openings communicating with the through holes of the game area forming plate 103 are formed, and interference with the variable winning device 106, the center frame 110 and the like described above is avoided.

  Behind the gaming board unit 100 described in detail above, a symbol display device 140 that variably displays symbols with a winning to the operating port 107 as a trigger is provided (see FIG. 8 and the like).

  The symbol display device 140 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display. More specifically, it includes a display screen (liquid crystal display) 141 that displays a change display of symbols and various effects, and a frame portion 142 that surrounds the display screen 141, and is displayed on the display screen 141 by a display control device described later. The displayed content is controlled.

  The display screen 141 has a larger area than the game area 104, and the symbol display device 140 is arranged so that the entire game area 104 is included in the display screen 141 when viewed from the front.

  On the display screen 141, for example, symbols are displayed side by side on the left, middle, and right, and these symbols are variably displayed as they are scrolled up and down. When a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on a preset active line, a special gaming state (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot) occurs.

  The symbol display device 140 is disposed on the back side of the game board unit 100 at a predetermined interval with respect to the game board unit 100, and the frame portion 142 is screwed to the resin base 28. The inner frame 13 is integrated. For this reason, even if the inner frame 13 rotates, the game board unit 100 and the symbol display device 140 move following the inner frame 13 while maintaining the relative position relationship. That is, the predetermined interval is maintained. In this way, by securing a predetermined interval between the symbol display device 140 and the game board unit 100, while allowing the projection from the back of the game area forming plate 103 such as the variable winning device 106 and the operation port 107, Interference between the variable winning device 106 and the like and the symbol display device 140 is avoided.

  In addition, the game balls that are launched into the game area 104 and enter the general prize opening 105, the variable prize winning device 106, the operation opening 107, and the like pass through the through holes formed in the game area forming plate 103, and the back of the game board unit 100. To the side (that is, the symbol display device 140 side). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6 and the like, a discharge passage forming member 145 is provided in the space formed between the game area forming plate 103 and the symbol display device 140 and led to the back side. The game ball passes through the discharge passage 146 formed in the discharge passage forming member 145 and is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

  As described above, by providing a predetermined space between the game area forming plate 103 and the symbol display device 140, various members can be arranged in the space. Details regarding these various members will be described later.

  A front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the front door frame 14 is formed with a window portion 54 so that almost the entire game area can be viewed from the front. The window part 54 has a substantially elliptical shape and is fitted with a window panel 55 having transparency. Around the window 54, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided. In addition, speakers 56 are provided at the upper left and upper right positions to output sound effects according to the gaming state.

  Below the window portion 54 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 57 and a lower bulging portion 58 that bulge to the near side are provided side by side. An upper plate 57a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulge portion 57, and a lower plate 58a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulge portion 58. The upper plate 57a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device described later and guiding them to a game ball launching mechanism described later while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower tray 58a has a function of storing game balls that are surplus in the upper tray 57a.

  A handle device 59 is provided on the right side of the lower bulging portion 58 so as to protrude to the front side. By operating the handle device 59, a game ball is launched from the game ball launching mechanism.

  Next, the configuration on the back side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the inner frame 13, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the back pack unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 71, and a payout mechanism 72 and a control device assembly unit 73 are attached to the back pack 71. The back pack 71 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and includes a base portion 74 to which the payout mechanism portion 72 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 75 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

  The base portion 74 is provided with an external terminal plate 76 at the upper right portion thereof. The external terminal board 76 is provided with various output terminals, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. The base portion 74 is provided with a payout mechanism portion 72 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 75. That is, a tank 77 opened upward is provided at the uppermost part of the back pack 71, and the game balls supplied from the island facility of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 77. A tank rail that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected to the lower side of the tank 77, and a case rail extending in the vertical direction is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail. A payout device 78 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail. The game balls paid out from the payout device 78 are discharged to the upper plate 57a or the lower plate 58a through a payout passage (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the payout device 78.

  A backpack substrate 79 is installed in the payout mechanism 72. The back pack substrate 79 is supplied with, for example, an AC 24 volt main power, and is turned on or off by a power switch switching operation.

  A control device assembly unit 73 is attached to the lower end portion of the base portion 74. The control device assembly unit 73 has a horizontally long mounting base 81, and a payout control device 82 and a power source and launch control device 83 are mounted on the mounting base 81. The payout control device 82 and the power supply / launch control device 83 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the payout control device 82 is behind the pachinko machine 10.

  The payout control device 82 is configured such that a payout control board for controlling the payout device 78 is accommodated in the board box 84. The power source and launch control device 83 is configured such that the power source and launch control board is accommodated in the board box 85, and predetermined power required by various control devices and the like is generated and output by the board. The launch control of the game ball accompanying the operation of the handle device 59 is performed. This pachinko machine 10 has a function to store and store various data so that even if a power failure occurs, it maintains the state at the time of the power failure, and when it recovers from the power failure, it can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, a display area variable mechanism 150 that changes the position and range of the display area visually recognized via the game board unit 100 is provided. Therefore, the display area variable mechanism 150 and the configuration related thereto will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the game board unit 100 and the display area changing mechanism 150, and FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the display area changing mechanism 150 is disposed on the back side of the game board unit 100, specifically, in the space sandwiched between the game board unit 100 and the symbol display device 140. The display area changing mechanism 150 includes a plurality (six in this embodiment) of shielding units 151 that overlap the display screen 141 and a pair of rail members 170 and 190 that define the moving direction of the shielding units 151. (Specifically, the lower rail member 170 and the upper rail member 190).

  The shielding unit 151 mainly includes a shielding body 152 that shields a part of the display area, and a support portion 153 that supports the shielding body 152. The shield 152 is made of a colored synthetic resin material having a light shielding property, and has a prismatic shape extending in the vertical direction along the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. The length of the shield 152 is set to be larger than the length in the vertical direction of the transmission region E1, and each end of the shield 152 is arranged so as to overlap the sheet materials 128 and 129 in the front-rear direction. Has been. In addition, various decorations, such as a predetermined pattern, are given to each peripheral surface which comprises the shielding body 152 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the shielding body 152 (details are printed). Details of each of these patterns will be described later. To do.

  A through-hole 160 extending in the same direction (vertical direction) as the longitudinal direction of the shield 152 is formed in the shield 152, and a cylindrical shaft body 161 formed of a light metal such as aluminum in the through-hole 160. Is inserted. The shaft body 161 is bonded to the shielding body 152 in a state of being inserted into the through hole 160, and the shielding body 152 and the shaft body 161 are integrated. The central axis X of the shaft body 161 extends in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the shield body 152 in the same manner as the through-hole 160 and is parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. The shield 152 is rotatable about the central axis X. An end portion of the shaft body 161 on the support portion 153 side is connected to the support portion 153. The support portion 153 is movably supported by the lower rail member 170.

  The lower rail member 170 is disposed behind the discharge passage forming member 145. That is, the lower rail member 170 is disposed at a position sandwiched between the discharge passage forming member 145 and the symbol display device 140. The lower rail member 170 extends in the left-right direction (horizontal direction), and its entire length is formed to be substantially equal to the width dimension (length dimension in the left-right direction) of the game area forming plate 103. More specifically, the lower rail member 170 is formed to be parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103.

  A plurality of spacer members 171 and 172 as mounting members for the game area forming plate 103 are mounted on the lower rail member 170, and a predetermined amount with respect to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103 is interposed via the spacer members 171 and 172. (See FIG. 19 for the spacer member 172). In other words, the spacer members 171 and 172 are fixed in a state of being separated from the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. The offset amount from the game area forming plate 103 by the spacer members 171 and 172 is set to be larger than the protruding amount from the game area forming plate 103 such as the discharge passage forming member 145 described above, and the discharge passage forming member 145 and the like. And the lower rail member 170 (display area variable mechanism 150) are avoided.

  Further, the lower rail member 170 is disposed behind the second sheet material 129 and overlaps with the second sheet material 129 in the entire area thereof. Thereby, it is difficult to visually recognize the lower rail member 170 from the front side of the pachinko machine 10.

  Here, the mutual relationship between the lower rail member 170 and the support portion 153 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The lower rail member 170 includes a front plate portion 175 that is parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103, a rear plate portion 176 that faces the front plate portion 175 at a predetermined interval, and both plate portions 175, The bottom plate portion 177 is connected to the bottom plate portion 177. A groove portion 178 extending in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the lower rail member 170 is formed by the inner surfaces of the plate portions 175, 176, and 177. The groove portion 178 is opened leftward, rightward and upward, and the support portion 153 of the shielding unit 151 is fitted in the groove portion 178. Specifically, the upper portion of the support portion 153 protrudes from the groove portion 178. It is fitted in the state.

  The support portion 153 includes a main body 154 that constitutes an outer shell thereof. The main body 154 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and includes a front side wall portion 155 that faces the front side plate portion 175, a rear side wall portion 156 that faces the rear side plate portion 176, and a lower side wall portion 157 that faces the bottom plate portion 177. have.

  On the front plate portion 175 and the rear plate portion 176 of the lower rail member 170, a restriction portion 180 that restricts the moving direction of the shielding unit 151 is formed. The restricting portion 180 rises from the front side plate portion 175 to the inside of the groove portion 178 (that is, the front side wall portion 155) and faces the plate portion 181 that faces each other and from the rear side plate portion 176 to the inside of the groove portion 178 (ie, the rear side). The two plate-like portions 182 stand on the side wall portion 156) and face each other, and the tips of the plate-like portions 181 and 182 contact the front wall portion 155 and the rear wall portion 156 of the support portion 153, respectively. doing. Thereby, the position shift to the front-back direction of the shielding unit 151 is suppressed. More specifically, the plate-like portions 181 and 182 are formed over both end portions of the lower rail member 170. For this reason, even if it is a case where the support part 153 moves, the contact of the plate-shaped parts 181 and 182 and the wall parts 155 and 156 will be maintained, and the moving direction of the support part 153 will be controlled.

  The restricting portion 180 has a front guide groove 183 sandwiched between the opposed front plate-like portions 181 and a rear guide groove 184 sandwiched between the opposed opposite plate-like portions 182. doing. The wall portions 155 and 156 of the support portion 153 extend in the same direction as the guide grooves 183 and 184 and are integrally formed with protrusions 155a and 156a that fit into the guide grooves 183 and 184. Since the upper and lower surfaces of the strips 155a and 156a are in contact with the guide grooves 183 and 184, the floating of the shielding unit 151 is suppressed. As a result, the positional relationship between the lower wall portion 157 of the support portion 153 and the bottom plate portion 177 of the lower rail member 170 is kept constant. The movement direction of the support portion 153 is defined as one direction by the restriction portion 180 and the protrusion portions 155a and 156a described in detail above.

  That is, the shielding unit 151 is slidable in the left-right direction as the support portion 153 slides along the restriction portion 180 of the groove portion 178. In other words, the shielding unit 151 is supported in a state where movement in a predetermined direction defined by the lower rail member 170 is allowed. If attention is paid to the point of regulating the sliding movement direction of the shielding unit 151 in this way, the lower rail member can also be referred to as “regulating means” or “guide means”.

  An end portion of the shaft body 161 opposite to the support portion 153 side extends upward from the shielding body 152 (hereinafter, this extended portion is referred to as an extension portion 162), and corresponds to the extension portion 162. Thus, the above-described upper rail member 190 is provided.

  The upper rail member 190 extends in the same direction (horizontal direction) as the longitudinal direction of the lower rail member 170, and its entire length is equal to the entire length of the lower rail member 170. Further, like the lower rail member 170, it is formed to be parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. Further, like the lower rail member 170, a predetermined gap is secured with respect to the game area forming plate 103 by being fixed to the game area forming plate 103 via a plurality of spacer members 191 and 192. And the upper rail member 190 is arrange | positioned at the back side of the 2nd sheet | seat material 129, and the whole has overlapped with the 2nd sheet | seat material 129 back and forth. For this reason, it is difficult to visually recognize the upper rail member 190 from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

  The upper rail member 190 is formed with a recess 193 that corresponds to the extension portion 162 and that opens to the lower rail member 170 side and faces the groove portion 178 of the lower rail member 170. In other words, the recess 193 is formed so that the front-rear position (front-rear position with respect to the game area forming plate 103) in the pachinko machine 10 is the same as the groove 178 of the lower rail member 170 and parallel to the groove 178. Yes.

  The recess 193 is configured by a pair of opposing plate portions 194 and 195 that face each other and extend in the same direction as the central axis direction of the shaft body 161, and the shaft body is between the opposing plate portions 194 and 195. 161 extending portion 162 is sandwiched. Thereby, the position shift (specifically position shift to the front-back direction) in the front end side of the shaft body 161 is suppressed. Further, the opposing plate portions 194 and 195 are formed over both end portions of the upper rail member 190, and the extension portion 162 slides in the recess portion 193 when the shielding unit 151 moves. . As a result, the hooked state between the upper rail member 190 and the shielding unit 151 is maintained.

  Further, the extension portion 162 of the shaft body 161 protrudes above the recess portion 193, that is, the inner space side of the upper rail member 190, and has a disc-like shape extending in the radial direction of the shaft body 161 at the tip thereof. A stopper 163 is integrally formed. In the stopper 163, its own plate surface is opposed to the tips of the opposing plate portions 194, 195 with a predetermined interval. Accordingly, when the shielding unit 151 and the upper rail member 190 are combined, it is difficult for the inconvenience that the shielding unit 151 falls off the upper rail member 190. In addition, since a predetermined interval is secured between the opposing plate portions 194 and 195, support between the stopper 163 and the opposing plate portions 194 and 195 when the shielding unit 151 moves is avoided.

  As described above, open portions to the left and right sides are formed at both ends of the lower rail member 170 and the upper rail member 190, and the shielding unit is inserted by inserting the support portion 153 through these open portions. 151 is assembled. That is, the open part constitutes the insertion portions 186 and 196 into which the shielding unit 151 is inserted. The lower rail member 170 and the upper rail member 190 are formed separately from the respective members, and cover members 187 and 197 that close the insertion portions 186 and 196 are attached by fasteners such as screws. Thereby, the omission of the shielding unit 151 is avoided.

  As described above in detail, the moving direction of the shielding unit 151 is defined by the lower rail member 170 and the upper rail member 190 disposed above and below the shielding unit 151, so that the shielding unit 151 is tilted or displaced. It is suitably suppressed.

  Here, a configuration relating to driving of the shielding unit 151 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  A first stepping motor 165 is accommodated in the main body 154 of the support portion 153 as a power source that realizes sliding movement in a predetermined direction defined by the lower rail member 170. More specifically, the first stepping motor 165 is fixed in a state where the first stepping motor 165 is fitted in a first housing portion 154 a formed in the main body 154 corresponding to the first stepping motor 165.

  An iron core 165a serving as a rotation shaft in the first stepping motor 165 extends in a direction orthogonal to the game area forming plate 103 (that is, the front-rear direction), and has a disc-like shape at the tip thereof and a plurality of outer periphery thereof. A pinion (gear) 165b formed with teeth is mounted. An outer peripheral portion (specifically, a tooth portion) of the pinion 165b protrudes toward the bottom plate portion 177 through an opening 157a formed in the lower side wall portion 157, and is a long shape provided on the lower rail member 170 side. It meshes with the rack 166. More specifically, the rack 166 has a length dimension substantially the same as the longitudinal dimension of the lower rail member 170, and a plurality of teeth corresponding to the pinion 165b are arranged in the longitudinal direction. An installation part 179 for installing the rack 166 is formed on the bottom plate part 177 of the lower rail member 170, and the rack 166 is fixed by an adhesive while being fitted to the installation part 179.

  As the first stepping motor 165 operates and the iron core 165a rotates, the pinion 165b and the rack 166 mesh with each other. Thereby, the shielding unit 151 slides with respect to the lower rail member 170. That is, the above-described pinion 165b and rack 166 constitute power transmission means for transmitting power generated in the first stepping motor 165.

  In addition, an opening 156b is formed in the rear side wall portion 156 of the main body 154 so as to continue to the first housing portion 154a, and a wiring (not shown) is connected to the first stepping motor 165 via the opening 156b. . Further, a long hole 176a through which the wiring is passed is formed in the rear plate portion 176 of the lower rail member 170, and is disposed outside the first stepping motor 165 and the lower rail member 170 via the wiring. A relay board (not shown) is electrically connected.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a second stepping motor 167 is accommodated in the main body 154 as a power source for realizing the rotational movement of the shield 152. More specifically, the second stepping motor 167 is fixed in a state where the second stepping motor 167 is fitted in a second accommodating portion 154 b formed in the main body 154 corresponding to the second stepping motor 167.

  An iron core 167a as a rotation shaft in the second stepping motor 167 extends in the same direction (that is, the vertical direction) as the central axis direction of the shaft body 161, and a tip portion thereof is formed on the upper side wall portion 158 of the main body 154. It protrudes from the through hole 158a. The shaft body 161 is formed with a hole-shaped fitting portion 164 corresponding to the iron core 167a. When the iron core 167a is fitted into the fitting portion 164, the iron core 167a and the shaft body 161 are connected. ing. That is, the shaft body 161 is rotated by rotating the iron core 167 a with the operation of the second stepping motor 167. Thereby, the shielding body 152 will rotate.

  A communication hole 156c that communicates with the second housing portion 154b is formed in the rear side wall portion 156 of the main body 154. A wiring (not shown) is connected to the second stepping motor 167 through the communication hole 156c. The wiring is connected to the relay board through the long hole 176a, and the second stepping motor 167 and the relay board are electrically connected by the wiring.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, stepping motors 165 and 167 are used as drive sources. In the stepping motors 165 and 167, the rotation angle is determined depending on the number of pulses input through the relay board. Therefore, in the first stepping motor 165, the sliding amount on the lower rail member 170 can be defined by the number of pulses, and in the second stepping motor 167, the rotation state of the shield 152 (that is, the shield 152) Direction) can be defined by the number of pulses. Thereby, the positioning control of the shielding unit 151 can be suitably realized.

  Next, the shield 152 described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11A is a schematic view of the shielding body 152 viewed from the axial direction, and FIG. 11B is a schematic view showing a rotating state of the shielding body 152.

  As shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the shield 152 includes a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces extending in the axial direction. More specifically, the shield 152 has a triangular prism shape and includes three different outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c. That is, the cross section orthogonal to the central axis forms a similar triangular shape at any position. Each of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c has a substantially rectangular shape, and has different width dimensions (that is, the length dimension of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c in the short direction). In other words, the length dimension in the rotation direction (the direction in which the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are arranged in parallel) is different. In other words, the distance between the adjacent outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c, that is, the length along the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c is different. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the first outer peripheral surface 152a, the second outer peripheral surface 152b, and the third outer peripheral surface 152c are referred to in order of increasing width dimension.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the outer peripheral surfaces 152 a to 152 c have a planar shape. Then, the shortest distance dimension L1 from the central axis X (that is, the rotation center) of the shaft body 161 to the first outer peripheral surface 152a, the shortest distance dimension L2 from the central axis X to the second outer peripheral surface 152b, and the central axis X To the third outer peripheral surface 152c is the shortest distance dimension L3. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11B, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are arranged in a state parallel to the game area forming plate 103 (specifically, the back surface thereof), that is, at a predetermined display position (shielding position). In this state, each of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c is located on the same virtual plane P. That is, in the state where each outer peripheral surface 152a to 152c is located on the virtual plane P, the distance dimension D1 between each outer peripheral surface 152a to 152c and the game area forming plate 103 is the same or substantially the same.

  The virtual plane P is configured to be parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103, and each of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c is arranged at a predetermined display position (shielding position) around the rotation center axis X described above. In such a case, at least a part of each of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c is configured to overlap each other on the virtual plane P. In other words, when the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are switched around the rotation center axis X, at least a part of each of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c overlaps a part of the virtual plane P described above. In addition, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are formed. Regarding the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the third outer peripheral surface 152c, in particular, when switching is performed around the rotation center axis X, the first outer peripheral surface 152a is arranged with the third outer peripheral surface 152c in the virtual plane P. The entire area is included in the area. Similarly, for the second outer peripheral surface 152b, when switching is performed around the rotation center axis X, the first outer peripheral surface 152a is in the region where the second outer peripheral surface 152b is arranged in the virtual plane P. The whole configuration may be included.

  The distance dimension D1 is set so that the movement range E2 of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the game area forming plate 103 do not overlap when the shield 152 rotates. For this reason, when the shielding body 152 rotates, interference with the 1st outer peripheral surface 152a and the game area | region formation board 103 is avoided suitably. Note that FIG. 11B shows only a part of the movement range E2.

  Here, based on FIG.11 (b), the state switching of the shielding body 152 and the structure relevant to it are demonstrated in detail. The shield 152 can be switched to three different states by the second stepping motor 167 described above. Specifically, based on the first state in which the first outer peripheral surface 152a faces (becomes parallel) to the game area forming plate 103, the second outer peripheral face 152b faces the game area forming plate 103 (becomes parallel). ) It is possible to switch between the second state and the third state in which the third outer peripheral surface 152c faces (becomes parallel to) the game area forming plate 103.

  Moreover, all the internal angles of these outer peripheral surfaces 152a-152c are acute angles. More specifically, the inner angle A1 of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the second outer peripheral surface 152b, the inner angle A2 of the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the third outer peripheral surface 152c, and the third outer peripheral surface 152c and the first outer peripheral surface 152a. The inner angle A3 is set to be smaller than 90 ° (see FIG. 11A). In other words, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the first outer peripheral surface 152a is disposed on the virtual plane P, the second outer peripheral surface in the surface direction (that is, the front-rear direction) of the first outer peripheral surface 152a. When the entire outer peripheral surface 152b and the entire third outer peripheral surface 152c overlap the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the second outer peripheral surface 152b is disposed on the virtual plane P, the surface direction of the second outer peripheral surface 152b (ie, the front-rear direction). 1, the entire first outer peripheral surface 152 a and the entire third outer peripheral surface 152 c overlap with the second outer peripheral surface 152 b, respectively, and the third outer peripheral surface 152 c is disposed on the virtual plane P. In other words (in the front-rear direction), the entire first outer peripheral surface 152a and the entire second outer peripheral surface 152b overlap the third outer peripheral surface 152c.

  In other words, when the first outer peripheral surface 152a is arranged on the virtual plane P, the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the third outer peripheral surface 152c are within the projection range of the first outer peripheral surface 152a to the rear of the pachinko machine 10. When the second outer peripheral surface 152b is arranged on the virtual plane P, the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the third outer peripheral surface are within the projection range of the second outer peripheral surface 152b to the rear of the pachinko machine 10. When the third outer peripheral surface 152c is arranged on the virtual plane P, the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the second outer peripheral surface 152c are within the projection range of the third outer peripheral surface 152c to the rear of the pachinko machine 10. The outer peripheral surface 152b is included.

  When the shielding body 152 is switched from the first state to the second state, the second outer peripheral surface 152b rotates toward its front side (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11B). When returning from the second state to the first state, it rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 11B). Hereinafter, the former rotation is referred to as forward rotation, the former rotation direction is referred to as forward rotation direction, the latter rotation is referred to as reverse rotation, and the latter rotation direction is referred to as reverse rotation direction.

  When switching from the first state to the third state, it rotates toward the front side of the third outer peripheral surface (clockwise direction in FIG. 11B). That is, it rotates in the reverse direction. When returning from the third state to the first state, it rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11B). That is, it rotates forward.

  Regarding switching between the second state and the third state, the state is not switched by reverse rotation from the second state and forward rotation from the third state, and the second state and the third state. Direct switching between the three states is not possible. That is, the rotation range of the shield 152 is limited so that the switching between the second state and the third state always passes through the first state.

  More specifically, when the shield 152 rotates, a portion of the shield 152 farthest from the axis of the shield 152, that is, a boundary portion B between the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the third outer peripheral surface 152c is It moves behind the virtual plane P (on the symbol display device 140 side). That is, the trajectory T through which the boundary part B passes is prevented from projecting to the front side of the virtual plane P. For this reason, although the distance dimension L4 between the axis and the boundary part B is set larger than the distance dimension D1, the interference between the boundary part B and the game area forming plate 103 is avoided.

  Next, the mutual relationship between the plurality of shielding units 151 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram showing the first state, FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram showing the second state, and FIG. 12C is a schematic diagram showing the third state. 12 (a) to 12 (c), the operation is simplified using three shielding units 151, but the number of shielding units 151 is not limited to three.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, in the state where the first outer peripheral surface 152a is located on the virtual plane P, the first outer peripheral surface 152a of each shielding unit 151 is the first outer peripheral surface of the adjacent shielding unit 151. It is in contact with 152a (continues without a gap). Specifically, the edges of the first outer peripheral surfaces 152a are in contact with each other. In other words, one continuous shielding surface (continuous surface) is formed by connecting the first outer peripheral surfaces 152a. Thus, even when the shielding units 151 are adjacent to each other, the inner angle A1 of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the inner angle A3 of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the third outer peripheral surface 152c are Since each of them is smaller than 90 °, it is avoided that the shields 152 are in contact with each other at a portion other than the edge, and the continuity of the first outer peripheral surface 152a is ensured. That is, it is difficult for a gap to be generated between the first outer peripheral surfaces 152a.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, in the state where the second outer peripheral surface 152b is located on the virtual plane P, the second outer peripheral surface 152b of each shielding unit 151 is the second outer peripheral surface of the adjacent shielding unit 151. It is in contact with 152b. Specifically, as in the case of the first outer peripheral surface 152a described above, the edges of the second outer peripheral surfaces 152b are in contact with each other. In other words, one continuous shielding surface (continuous surface) is formed by connecting the second outer peripheral surfaces 152b. Thus, even when the shielding units 151 are adjacent to each other, the inner angle A1 of the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the inner angle A2 of the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the third outer peripheral surface 152c are Since each of them is smaller than 90 °, it is avoided that the shields 152 are in contact with each other at a portion other than the edge, and the continuity of the second outer peripheral surface 152b is ensured. That is, it is difficult for a gap to be generated between the second outer peripheral surfaces 152b.

  As shown in FIG. 12C, in the state where the third outer peripheral surface 152c is located on the virtual plane P, the third outer peripheral surface 152c of each shielding unit 151 is the third outer peripheral surface of the adjacent shielding unit 151. It is in contact with 152c. Specifically, as in the case of the first outer peripheral surface 152a described above, the edges of the third outer peripheral surfaces 152c are in contact with each other. In other words, one continuous shielding surface (continuous surface) is formed by connecting the third outer peripheral surfaces 152c. Thus, even when the shielding units 151 are adjacent to each other, the inner angle A3 of the third outer peripheral surface 152c and the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the inner angle A2 of the third outer peripheral surface 152c and the second outer peripheral surface 152b are Since each of them is smaller than 90 °, it is avoided that the shields 152 are in contact with each other at a portion other than the edge portion, and the continuity of the third outer peripheral surface 152c is ensured. That is, it is difficult for a gap to be generated between the third outer peripheral surfaces 152c.

  Each shielding surface described in detail above has a planar shape parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103, and the width dimension in the left-right direction (that is, the longitudinal direction of each rail member 170, 190) is different. . Specifically, the width dimension of the shielding surface in the first state <the width dimension of the shielding surface in the second state <the width dimension of the shielding surface in the third state. Thereby, it is possible to suitably change the shielding range in the arrangement direction (left-right direction) of the shielding units 151 while keeping the distance to the game area forming plate 103 constant. More specifically, the area of a set of shields 152 on the display screen 141, specifically, a series of regions facing the three shields 152 (that is, the projection range on the display screen 141) is the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c. It changes according to the combination. In other words, the length dimension of the series of regions in the longitudinal direction of the rail members 170 and 190 changes according to the combination of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c.

  Here, the operation of the display area changing mechanism 150 will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 13A to 13D are operation explanatory views showing the switching operation between the first state and the second state, and FIGS. 13E to 13G are the first state and the third state. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows switching operation | movement.

  First, the switching operation between the first state and the second state will be described. When switching from the first state to the second state, the display area changing mechanism 150 operates in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d).

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in a state where the first outer peripheral surface 152a is located on the virtual plane P, the shielding units 151 (specifically, the first outer peripheral surface 152a) are connected to each other. Here, when a signal urging the transition to the second state is transmitted to each shielding unit via the relay board, the shielding units 151 slide along the lower rail member 170, and FIG. Are separated from each other. Thus, when the shielding unit 151 is rotated forward in a separated state, the first outer peripheral surface 152a is separated from the virtual plane P and the second outer peripheral surface 152b is disposed on the virtual plane P (FIG. 13 ( c)).

  The slide amount shown in FIG. 13B is set to such an extent that mutual interference can be avoided when each shielding unit 151 rotates. Thereby, since the transition from FIG. 13B to FIG. 13C is performed smoothly, the period required for switching can be shortened.

  As shown in FIG. 13C, when the rotation of each shielding unit 151 is completed, the shielding unit 151 slides again along the lower rail member 170 so as to close the gap between the second outer peripheral surfaces 152b. A series of shielding surfaces is formed by gathering the second outer peripheral surfaces 152b, and the switching to the second state is completed (see FIG. 13D).

  On the other hand, when switching from the second state to the first state, the display area varying mechanism 150 operates in the order of (d) → (c) → (b) → (a).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13D, each shielding unit 151 slides so that the second outer peripheral surfaces 152b are separated from the state where the second outer peripheral surfaces 152b are connected (see FIG. 13D). 13 (c)). As a result, an operating gap that can be switched from the second outer peripheral surface 152b to the first outer peripheral surface 152a is secured. After each shielding unit 151 rotates and enters the state shown in FIG. 13B, the shielding unit 151 slides again. And as shown to Fig.13 (a), a series of shielding surfaces are formed because each 1st outer peripheral surface 152a gathers, and the switch to a 1st state is completed.

  Next, the switching operation between the first state and the third state will be described. When switching from the first state to the third state, the display area changing mechanism 150 operates in the order of (e) → (f) → (g).

  When shifting from the first state to the third state, the shielding unit 151 slides along the lower rail member 170 as shown in FIG. As a result, a predetermined gap is secured between the shielding units 151, and the shielding units 151 can be rotated. As each shielding unit 151 rotates in the reverse direction, the first outer peripheral surface 152a moves away from the virtual plane P, and the third outer peripheral surface 152c moves to a position where it overlaps the virtual plane P. In such a case, the third outer peripheral surfaces 152c are connected to each other with the end of rotation, and a series of shielding surfaces are formed. This completes the switching to the third state. That is, the switching is completed in a period shorter than the switching from the first state to the second state described above.

  On the other hand, when switching from the third state to the first state, the display area changing mechanism 150 operates in the order of (g) → (f) → (e).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13G, each shielding unit 151 rotates and moves from a state in which each third outer peripheral surface 152c is continuous. As a result, the third outer peripheral surface 152c and the first outer peripheral surface 152a are interchanged, and the first outer peripheral surface 152a is placed on the virtual plane P as shown in FIG. In such a state, a predetermined gap is formed between the first outer peripheral surfaces 152a. Here, each shielding unit 151 performs a sliding movement so as to close the gap, and the state is shifted to the state shown in FIG. That is, the first outer peripheral surfaces 152a are in contact with each other to form a series of shielding surfaces. Thereby, the switching from the third state to the first state is completed.

  Each shielding unit 151 slides so that these 2nd outer peripheral surfaces 152b isolate | separate (refer FIG.13 (c)). As a result, an operating gap that can be switched from the second outer peripheral surface 152b to the first outer peripheral surface 152a is secured. After each shielding unit 151 rotates and enters the state shown in FIG. 13B, the shielding unit 151 slides again. And as shown to Fig.13 (a), a series of shielding surfaces are formed because each 1st outer peripheral surface 152a gathers, and the switch to a 1st state is completed.

  During the slide movement described in detail above, the outer peripheral surfaces 152 a to 152 c arranged at the predetermined display position (shielding position) are maintained in parallel with the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. That is, the distance between the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c and the game area forming plate 103 is kept constant. Thereby, it is avoided that the shield 152 and the game area | region formation board 103 approach with a slide movement.

  Next, various drive modes set to use the display area variable mechanism 150 described in detail above as an effect and the mutual relationship between the display area variable mechanism 150 and the symbol display device 140 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the display area changing mechanism 150 and the symbol display device 140 as seen from the front of the gaming machine. 14A shows a state in which the shielding unit 151 is divided into both right and left sides, FIG. 14B shows a state in which the shielding unit 151 is biased to the right side, and FIG. 14C shows a state in which the shielding unit 151 is on the left side. 14 (d) shows a state where the shielding units 151 are gathered at the center, FIG. 14 (1) is a shielding state by the first outer peripheral surface 152a, and FIG. 14 (2) is a second state. The shielding state by the outer peripheral surface 152b, FIG. 14 (3) group shows the shielding state by the third outer peripheral surface 152c.

  As the drive mode of the display area changing mechanism 150, a first type drive mode for changing the shielding position with respect to the standard mode (standard state) and a second type drive mode for changing the shielding amount with respect to the standard mode are set. Has been. That is, the standard mode is a starting point when various drive modes are executed.

  In the standard mode, as shown in FIG. 14 (a1), the shielding unit 151 is divided into the left and right sides (each divided into three parts), and both the sheet materials 128 and 129 and the shielding unit 151 ( Specifically, the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 is visible through a part (central portion) of the transmission region E1 partitioned by the shield 152). More specifically, adjacent shields 152 come into contact with each other, and two continuous shielding surfaces are formed by the shields 152. The shielding surface covers the area 1/6 on the right side and the area 1/6 on the left side of the transmission area E1 divided into 6 on the right and left sides, and the pattern is located on the area about the center 4/6 of the transmission area E1. The display screen 141 of the display device 140 becomes visible. In this case, the display area E3 on which a predetermined symbol such as a character or a character (for example, a number) is displayed on the display screen 141 is set so as to avoid overlapping with the shielding unit 151. A symbol is displayed in a predetermined area having a rectangular shape. In the display area E3, the symbol is variably displayed, and when a predetermined symbol is stopped or when a predetermined symbol combination is stopped, the game is shifted to a jackpot state advantageous to the player. Note that the position of the shielding unit 151 in the standard mode is referred to as a standard position.

  Hereinafter, the first type drive mode will be described first, and the second type drive mode will be described later.

  The first type drive mode includes a first position switching mode, a second position switching mode, a third position switching mode, and a fourth position switching mode.

  The first position switching mode is a mode in which each shielding unit 151 is slid to a predetermined position shown in FIG. 14B from the standard position shown in FIG. Specifically, in the standard mode, the shielding unit 151 arranged on the left side is moved to the right, and all the shielding units 151 are gathered on the right side. In this way, when the shielding unit 151 is biased to the right side and aligned, the adjacent shielding bodies 152 come into contact with each other, and a continuous shielding surface is formed by the shielding bodies 152. The shielding surface covers an area on the right side of the transmission area E1 divided into three on the right and left sides, and the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 is displayed only through the area on the left side 2/3 of the transmission area E1. Visible. As the shielded range is changed in this way, the display area E3 on which a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 is changed so as to avoid overlapping with the shielding unit 151. The Specifically, a predetermined area having a substantially rectangular shape is set as the display area E3.

  The second position switching mode is a mode in which each shielding unit 151 is slid from the standard position shown in FIG. 14 (a) to the predetermined position shown in FIG. 14 (c). Specifically, in the standard mode, the shielding unit 151 arranged on the right side is moved to the left, and all the shielding units 151 are gathered on the left side. In this way, when the shielding unit 151 is biased to the left side and aligned, the adjacent shielding bodies 152 come into contact with each other, and a continuous shielding surface is formed by the shielding bodies 152. The shielding surface covers about 1/3 of the left side of the transmission area E1 divided into left and right, and the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 is displayed only through the right side 2/3 of the transmission area E1. Visible. As the shielded range is changed in this way, the display area E3 on which a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 is changed so as to avoid overlapping with the shielding unit 151. The Specifically, a predetermined area having a substantially rectangular shape is set as the display area E3.

  The third position switching mode is a mode in which each shielding unit 151 is slid to the position shown in FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (d). Specifically, in the standard mode, the shielding units 151 arranged on the left and right sides are moved to the center, and all the shielding units 151 are gathered in the center. Thus, in the state where the shielding units 151 are gathered in the center and aligned, the adjacent shielding bodies 152 come into contact with each other, and one continuous shielding surface is formed by the shielding bodies 152. The shielding area covers the area of the center 1/3 of the transmission area E1 divided into left and right, and the symbol display device 140 via the left 1/3 area and the right 1/3 area of the transmission area E1. Display screen 141 becomes visible. That is, the transmissive region E1 is divided into left and right by the shielding surface. As the shielded range is changed in this way, the display area E3 on which a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 is changed so as to avoid overlapping with the shielding unit 151. The That is, the display areas E3 are arranged on both sides of the shielding surface formed by the plurality of shielding units 151. Specifically, a predetermined area having a substantially rectangular shape is set as the display area E3 in the above-described left 1/3 area and right 1/3 area.

  The fourth position switching mode is a mode for returning the position of the shielding unit 151 changed by the first position switching mode to the third position switching mode and the display area E3 to the standard mode (standard state). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 (a1), three shielding units 151 are arranged on each of the left and right sides of the display area E3. In other words, this is a mode in which the display area E3 is arranged between a plurality of shielding surfaces formed by the shielding unit 151.

  By switching between the various modes described above according to the game situation, it is possible to change the positions of the display area E3 and the shielding area and perform various effects.

  Next, the second type drive mode will be described. The second type drive mode includes a first display switching mode, a second display switching mode, and a third display switching mode.

  First, the standard mode (standard state) described above will be described in more detail. In the standard mode, as shown in FIG. 14 (a1), the first outer peripheral surface 152a of each shield 152 is in a state of facing the front side of the pachinko machine 10. That is, each shielding surface mentioned above is comprised by the some 1st outer peripheral surface 152a.

  The first display switching mode is a mode for shifting from the shielding state by the first outer peripheral surface 152a shown in FIG. 14 (1) to the shielding state shown by the second outer peripheral surface 152b shown in FIG. 14 (2). Specifically, this is a mode in which the second outer peripheral surface 152b is switched to the state facing the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (the second state) by rotating the shielding body 152 of each shielding unit 151. By forming a series of shielding surfaces by the second outer peripheral surface 152b, the shielded area becomes larger than the normal state. As the shielded area is changed (enlarged) in this way, the display area E3 on which a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 avoids overlapping with the shielding surface. Reduced. As described above, the second outer peripheral surface 152b is given a predetermined pattern (specifically, “chance” characters). By switching from the first outer peripheral surface 152a to the second outer peripheral surface 152b, the picture can be visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and it can be suggested that the player is highly likely to win the big hit lottery.

  The second display switching mode is a mode for shifting from the shielding state by the first outer peripheral surface 152a shown in FIG. 14 (1) to the shielding state shown by the third outer peripheral surface 152c shown in FIG. 14 (3). Specifically, this is a mode in which the third outer peripheral surface 152c is switched to the state facing the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (the third state) by rotating the shielding body 152 of each shielding unit 151. By forming a series of shielding surfaces by the third outer peripheral surface 152c, the shielded area becomes larger than the normal state. As the shielded area is changed (enlarged) in this way, the display area E3 on which a predetermined symbol is displayed on the display screen 141 of the symbol display device 140 avoids overlapping with the shielding surface. Reduced. As described above, a predetermined pattern (specifically, a “big chance” character) is given to the third outer peripheral surface 152c. By switching from the first outer peripheral surface 152a to the third outer peripheral surface 152c, the above-mentioned pattern becomes visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the above-mentioned “chance” is displayed indicating that the player may win the big hit lottery. It can be suggested that it is even higher than the case.

  The first outer peripheral surface 152a is provided with a plurality of patterns (specifically, a pattern with a star motif). When the first outer peripheral surface 152a faces the front of the pachinko machine 10, these stars are pachinko. It is visible from the front of the machine 10.

  By applying the first type driving mode and the second type driving mode described in detail above in combination, various effects shown in FIGS. 14A1 to 14D3 are possible. In addition, since the position and size of the display area E3 in the symbol display device 140 are configured to change corresponding to each of the drive modes described above, it is possible to clearly indicate a target to be noticed to the player. it can.

  Next, referring to FIG. 9 again, the assembling work of the display area varying mechanism 150 will be described. As a preparation stage when the display area variable mechanism 150 is mounted, first, various structures are mounted on the game area forming plate 103. Specifically, the variable winning device 106, the center frame 110, and the like are mounted, and the sheet materials 128 and 129 are attached.

  Next, the discharge passage forming member 145 is fixed to the game area forming plate 103 with a fastener such as a screw, so that the game board unit 100 is completed. Next, the lower rail member 170 is attached from behind the discharge passage forming member 145 so as to partially overlap the discharge passage forming member 145. Specifically, it is fixed by a fastener such as a screw. Similar to the fixing of the lower rail member 170, the upper rail member 190 is attached. The upper rail member 190 is also fixed to the back side of the game area forming plate 103 with a fastener such as a screw.

  As described above, after the lower rail member 170 and the upper rail member 190 are fixed, the shielding unit 151 is disposed between the rail members 170 and 190. More specifically, the support portion 153 is fitted into the groove portion 178 of the lower rail member 170 and the tip end of the shaft body 161 is inserted into the upper rail member 190. After all (a total of six) shielding units 151 are attached, cover members 187 and 197 are attached to both end sides of both rail members 170 and 190. Various wirings connected to the shielding unit 151 are taken out from the long hole 176a and connected to the relay board. By performing the work in this way, the attaching / detaching work can be easily performed by itself. By configuring the exchange unit with the gaming board unit 100 and the shielding unit 151 formed in this way, it is possible to consolidate the configuration unique to the gaming machine and contribute to the improvement of reusability. Specifically, by changing the model by changing the replacement unit described above, the symbol display device 140 or the like can be used, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  In the pachinko machine 10 described above, on the back side of the gaming machine main body 12, a main control device 90 for overall management of the game, an audio lamp control device 91 for controlling the speaker 56, etc., and a display control device for controlling the symbol display device 140 92 etc. are provided. Therefore, the electrical configuration of these pachinko machines 10 will be described below based on the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 15, a power supply line is indicated by a double line arrow, and a signal line is indicated by a solid line arrow.

  An MPU 202 is mounted on a main control board 201 provided in the main controller 90. The MPU 202 includes a ROM 203 storing various control programs executed by the MPU 202 and fixed value data, and a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control program stored in the ROM 203 is executed. And a variety of circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data input / output circuit.

  The MPU 202 is provided with an input port and an output port. Connected to the input side of the MPU 202 are a power failure monitoring board 205 provided in the main controller 90, a payout controller 82, and a switch group (not shown). In this case, the power failure monitoring board 205 is connected to a power source and launch control board 215 provided in the power and launch control device 83, and power is supplied to the MPU 202 via the power failure monitoring board 205. In addition, as a part of the switch group, a plurality of detection sensors provided in a ball entering portion such as the operation port 107 and the variable winning device 106 are connected, and the MPU 202 of the main control device 90 enters the ball entering portion. A determination is made. In addition, the MPU 202 executes a big hit occurrence lottery or the like based on the entrance to the operation port 107 in the entrance section.

  Here, an electrical configuration for performing a big hit occurrence lottery or the like in the MPU 202 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MPU 202 performs lottery generation lottery, setting of the emission color of the first specific lamp unit 130, setting of symbol display of the symbol display device 140, and the like using various counter information in the game. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery in which the jackpot is generated, the jackpot type counter C2 used when determining the jackpot type such as the probability variation jackpot state or the normal jackpot state, and the symbol display device 140 are changed. Reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery, random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of jackpot random number counter C1, first variation type counter CS1 used for variation pattern selection of symbol display device 140, The period of switching the color displayed on the first specific lamp unit 130 and the second variation type counter CS2 for determining the variation display time of the symbol in the symbol display device 140, and the out symbol counter used for setting the combination of the out symbol C4 is used.

  Among these, the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS1, and CS2 are loop counters that each add 1 to the previous value and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Further, the off symbol counter C4 is configured such that the register value is added using a register (refresh register) in the MPU 202, and as a result, the numerical value changes randomly. Each counter is updated in a short time, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 204. The RAM 204 is provided with a holding ball storage buffer including one execution area and four holding areas (holding first area to holding fourth area). In each of these areas, a game ball to the operation port 107 is provided. Each of the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in time series in accordance with the incoming ball history.

  For details of each counter, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured by a loop counter that increments one by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 676, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 676). In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the big hit random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 676). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage buffer of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins the operation port 33. That is, the pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) includes a jackpot occurrence lottery means for lottery of whether or not a jackpot state has occurred.

  The jackpot type counter C2 is incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 49, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 49) and then returns to 0. In the present embodiment, the jackpot type counter C2 determines whether the probability variation state (high probability state) or the normal state (low probability state) is determined after the jackpot state ends. The big hit type counter C <b> 2 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage buffer of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins the operation port 33. That is, the pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) is provided with a jackpot type lottery means for lottery of the jackpot type.

  Here, the probability variation state refers to a gaming state in which the probability of occurrence of a jackpot state is higher than that in the normal state until a predetermined termination condition is satisfied after the jackpot state ends. Specifically, in the normal state, the number of random numbers that will cause a jackpot state is two, the values are “337, 673”, and the number of random number values that are jackpots in the high probability state is 10 The values are “67, 131, 199, 269, 337, 401, 463, 523, 601 and 661”.

  In the pachinko machine 10, the normal jackpot state (first special game state) that becomes the normal state after the end of the jackpot state and the probability change jackpot state (second special game state) that becomes the probability change state after the end of the jackpot state are established. The patterns that are stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 140 are different. Specifically, when a normal jackpot state occurs, the combination of the normal jackpot symbols as the first special display result (more specifically, the combination of symbols with the same even number) is stopped and displayed. When the big hit state occurs, the combination of the probabilistic big hit symbols as a second special display result (more specifically, the combination of symbols given the same odd number) is stopped and displayed.

  For example, the reach random number counter C3 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 238) and then returns to 0. The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage buffer of the RAM 204 at the timing when the game ball wins the operation port 33. That is, the pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) includes reach generation lottery means for lottering whether or not a reach display is generated.

  The first variation type counter CS1 is, for example, incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 198, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 198) and then returns to 0. The second variation type counter CS2 includes, for example, Within the range of 0 to 240, 1 is added in order, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 240), it returns to 0.

  The first variation type counter CS1 determines the display mode of the symbol display device 140, such as the type of reach effect that occurs during reach display and other rough symbol variation modes. That is, the pachinko machine 10 (specifically, the MPU 202) is provided with effect type lottery means for drawing the type of reach effect.

  Here, the reach display (reach state) includes the symbol display device 140 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of the symbol (picture), and the stop display result after the variable display becomes the special display result. In the case of a gaming machine in which the gaming state is in a special gaming state advantageous to the player, the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display (or variable display) of the symbol (picture) on the symbol display device 140 is started. This means a display state for making the player think that the variable display state is likely to be the special display result in the previous stage.

  In other words, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of the jackpot state is established by stopping and displaying symbols for some of the symbol strings displayed on the display screen of the symbol display device 140. This is a display state in which possible reach symbol combinations are displayed, and in that state, symbols are displayed in a variable manner in the remaining symbol rows.

  More specifically, as a step before ending the variable display of symbols, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of a jackpot state can be established on a preset active line in the display screen of the symbol display device 140. A reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a reachable combination of symbols, and a symbol change display is performed by a final stop symbol row in a situation where the reach line is formed.

  In the reach display, the combination of reach symbols is displayed as described above, and the change of symbols is displayed in the remaining symbol rows, and a moving image such as a predetermined character is displayed on the background screen. This includes those that produce effects, and those that perform reach effects by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on substantially the entire display screen after reducing or not displaying a combination of reach symbols.

  The pachinko machine 10 is configured such that the display mode is switched as described above as part of various reach effects. These details will be described in detail later.

  The display switching time is determined as the time for switching the color displayed on the first specific lamp unit 130 by the second variation type counter CS2. This switching display time corresponds to the symbol variation display time of the symbol display device 140. Both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once every time a normal process to be described later is executed once, and are repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer values of both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are acquired at the time of starting the switching of the color displayed on the first specific lamp unit 130 and at the time of determining the variation pattern at the time of the symbol variation start by the symbol display device 140.

  The off symbol counter C4 is for determining a stop symbol in the left row symbol, the middle row symbol, and the right row symbol when the big hit lottery is missed, and a counter value within a predetermined range is prepared. The out symbol counter C4 is updated in the normal process, and the value of the out symbol counter C4 is stored in either the front / rear out / reach symbol buffer of the RAM 204, the non-front / rear out reach reach symbol buffer, or the complete out symbol design buffer. Then, when determining the variation pattern at the start of symbol variation, one of the buffer values of the front / rear out of reach symbol buffer, the non-front / rear out reach symbol buffer, and the complete out of symbol buffer is acquired according to the value of the reach random number counter C3.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 15, the power failure monitoring board 205, the payout control device 82, and the sound lamp control device 91 are connected to the output side of the MPU 202. For example, a prize ball command is output to the payout control device 82 based on the result of determining whether or not the player has entered the pitching unit.

  Various commands such as a change start command, a type command, a stop display command, a jackpot start command, and a jackpot end command are output to the sound lamp control device 91. Here, the change start command and the type command are output to the sound lamp control device 91 when the switching display in the first specific lamp unit 130 is started. In this case, the change start command includes the change display time of the symbol, information on the presence / absence of jackpot, information on the presence / absence of reach display, information on the reach type, etc. Contains type information. The stop display command is output to the sound lamp control device 91 when the switching display in the first specific lamp unit 130 is terminated. The jackpot start command is output to the sound lamp control device 91 when shifting to the jackpot state.

  Further, a drive unit provided in the variable winning device 106 is connected to the output side of the MPU 202. In the big hit state, the drive control of the driving unit is executed, and the variable winning device 106 is opened and closed. .

  The power failure monitoring board 205 relays between the main control board 201 and the power supply and launch control board 215, and monitors a DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply and launch control board 215. In addition, the payout control device 82 performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 78.

  The power source and launch control board 215 is connected to, for example, a commercial power source (external power source) in a game hall or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, necessary operating power is generated for each of the main control board 201 and the payout control device 82, and the generated operating power is indicated by a double line arrow. Supply through the route. The power source and launch control board 215 is responsible for launch control of the game ball launch mechanism 50, and the game ball launch mechanism 50 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met.

  The sound lamp control device 91 controls the display control device 92 as well as driving and controlling the speaker 56 and the lamp unit provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands input from the main control board 201.

  An MPU 212 is mounted on a display control board 211 provided in the display control device 92. The MPU 212 is a ROM 213 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 212 and fixed value data, and a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control program stored in the ROM 213 is executed. The RAM 214 and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data output circuit are incorporated.

  The MPU 212 is provided with an input port and an output port. An audio lamp control device 91 is connected to the input port of the MPU 212. In addition, a symbol display device 140 is connected to the output port of the MPU 212, and a display area variable mechanism 150 is connected via a relay board.

  The MPU 212 obtains an effect command (variation start command, type command, stop display command, jackpot start command, jackpot end command, etc.) output from the main controller 90 and output via the sound lamp controller 91. At the same time, the display control of the symbol display device 140 is executed by analyzing the input command or performing a predetermined calculation process based on the input command. In addition, the MPU 212 sets the display mode (drive mode) of the display area varying mechanism 150 based on the above-described effect command.

  The ROM 213 stores information on the rotational position of the shielding unit 151 and information on the slide position, and stores information related to switching of display areas in a one-to-one correspondence with these pieces of information. These various types of information are associated with the above-described production commands, and various productions can be realized by switching the production modes based on the various information according to the game situation.

  In the MPU 212, when the display control of the symbol display device 140 is executed and when the display mode of the display area variable mechanism 150 is set, various kinds of information provided in the RAM 214 of the display control device 92 in addition to the various information described above. Area is used.

  As various areas provided in the RAM 214, various drive flag storage areas 221, a timing counter area 222, and other flag storage areas 223 are set. Each drive flag storage area 221 specifies that various drive modes are set in the change display time when the change display of symbols is started based on the change start command input from the sound lamp control device 91. This is an area for storing the information. The timing counter area 222 is a counter area for specifying the start timing for setting various drive modes. The other flag storage area 223 is an area for storing various information other than the above.

  Next, various processes relating to the setting of the drive mode of the display area variable mechanism 150 in the MPU 212 of the display control device 92 will be described.

  The MPU 212 executes normal processing for repeatedly executing a plurality of types of predetermined processes in a predetermined order while operating power is supplied. As a process related to the setting of the drive mode in the normal process, a command determination process for specifying the type of command input from the sound lamp control device 91 and executing a process corresponding to the specified command, and the display area variable mechanism 150 are provided. A specific effect process for performing the accompanying effect is set at least. Hereinafter, each of these processes will be described.

  First, the command determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the command determination process, first, in step S101, it is determined whether or not a change start command is input. Various commands input from the sound lamp control device 91 are stored in a command storage area provided in the RAM 214, and are erased when a next-time variation command is input.

  When the change start command is input, in step S102, the change start command includes information for specifying the drive mode, that is, information for specifying the position switching mode and the display switch mode. It is determined whether or not. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the information on the value of the first variation type counter CS1 included in the variation start command is included in the information on the drive mode value group stored in the ROM 213. If the information for specifying the drive mode is included, the process for specifying the drive mode in steps S103 to S112 is executed. If the information for specifying the drive mode is not included, the process is performed as it is. Proceed to step S113.

  In the drive mode specifying process, first, in step S103, it is determined whether or not information on the first position switching mode is included. If the information on the first position switching mode is included, after the specific processing for the first position switching mode is executed in step S104, the process proceeds to step S109. In the specific process for the first position switching mode, the first position switching flag (first position switching state information) is stored in the first position switching flag storage area (first position switching state information storage means) among the various driving flag storage areas 221 of the RAM 214. ).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the first position switching mode information is not included, it is determined in step S105 whether the second position switching mode information is included. If the information on the second position switching mode is included, the specific process for the second position switching mode is executed in step S106, and then the process proceeds to step S109. In the specific process for the second position switching mode, the second position switching flag (second position switching flag) is stored in the second position switching flag storage area (second position switching state information storage means) among the drive flag storage areas 221 of the RAM 214. State information).

  If it is determined in step S105 that the second position switching mode information is not included, it is determined in step S107 whether the third position switching mode information is included. If the information on the third position switching mode is included, after performing the specific process for the third position switching mode in step S108, the process proceeds to step S109. In the specific process for the third position switching mode, the third position switching flag (third position switching state) is stored in the third position switching flag storage area (third position switching state information storage means) among the drive flag storage areas 221 of the RAM 214. State information).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S108 that the information on the third position switching mode is not included, the process directly proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, it is determined whether information on the first display switching mode is included. If the information on the first display switching mode is included, after the specific processing for the first display switching mode is executed in step S110, the process proceeds to step S113. In the specific process for the first display switching mode, the first display switching flag (first display switching flag) is stored in the first display switching flag storage area (first display switching state information storage unit) among the drive flag storage areas 221 of the RAM 214. State information).

  If it is determined in step S109 that the first display switching mode information is not included, it is determined in step S111 whether the second display switching mode information is included. If the information on the second display switching mode is included, after the specific process for the second display switching mode is executed in step S112, the process proceeds to step S113. In the specific process for the second display switching mode, the second display switching flag (second display switching state) is stored in the second display switching flag storage area (second display switching state information storage unit) among the various driving flag storage areas 221 of the RAM 214. State information).

  If it is determined in step S111 that the second display switching mode information is not included, the process directly proceeds to step S113.

  In step S113, a variation display specific process is executed. In the specific process, on the basis of the change start command and the type command, the symbol change display mode including the symbol change display time, the symbol display position (screen display range), the reach display, and the reach effect on the symbol display device 140 Finally, the type of symbol to be stopped and displayed is specified, and the specified information is stored in the RAM 214. Thereafter, the command determination process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the change start command has not been input, the process proceeds to step S114, and after executing other specific processing, this command determination processing is terminated. In other specific processes, when the input commands are a stop display command, a jackpot start command, and a jackpot end command, processes corresponding to the commands are executed. In other specific processing, if it is determined that a command has not been input, the processing is ended as it is, and if the input command cannot be analyzed, the processing is also ended as it is.

  Next, the special effect process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The special effect processing is executed at a cycle of about 4 msec.

  In the special effect processing, first, in step S201, it is determined whether or not the variable display is in progress so that the special effect occurs. If the change display is not in progress, the special effect process is terminated, and if the change display is in progress, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, it is determined whether or not a driving mode flag (specifically, a position switching flag) is stored in the various driving flag storage areas 221 of the RAM 214. If it is determined that the position switching mode flag is stored, the process proceeds to step S203. In step S203, it is determined whether or not it is time to drive the display area varying mechanism 150 (specifically, the shielding unit 151 is slid along the lower rail member 170). The start timing is stored in advance in the ROM 213 of the display control device 92 as information on a predetermined count value after the start of symbol variation display. The timing counter area 222 of the RAM 214 is updated every time an affirmative determination is made in step S201 after the start of the variable display of symbols, and the value of the timing counter area 222 reaches the predetermined count value. An affirmative determination is made in step S203. Then, the process proceeds to step S204 to execute a position switching mode start process. In the start process of the position switching mode, a drive signal is output to the first stepping motor 165 of the display area variable mechanism 150. Based on this drive signal, the first stepping motor 165 rotates by a predetermined amount and slides in the left-right direction along the lower rail member 170 as described above. Thereby, the position of the shielding body 152 changes and the area | region to shield is changed (refer FIG. 14).

  After performing the process of step S204 or when a negative determination is made in step S203, it is determined in step S205 whether it is the timing for switching the display screen (display area) of the symbol display device 140. The start timing is stored in advance in the ROM 213 of the display control device 92 as information on a predetermined count value after the start of symbol variation display. As described above, the timing counter area 222 in the RAM 214 is updated each time an affirmative determination is made in step S201 after the start of the symbol display, and the value in the timing counter area 222 reaches the predetermined count value. If so, an affirmative determination is made in step S205. In step S206, display screen switching processing is executed. Specifically, the display range (display area) E3 of the symbol display device 140 is moved to a position that does not overlap with the above-described display area changing mechanism 150 (specifically, the shield 152) (see FIG. 14).

  After the display screen is switched in step S206, the process proceeds to step S207 to determine whether or not to switch the display mode of the display area changing mechanism 150 in the current variable display time, that is, the shield 152 is rotated to rotate the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152a. It is determined whether to change the position of 152c. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the display switching mode flag is stored in various drive flag storage areas 221 of the RAM 214.

  If the display switching mode flag is stored, the process proceeds to step S208, and it is determined whether or not it is the start timing of the display mode switching process in step S208. The start timing is stored in advance in the ROM 213 of the display control device 92 as information on a predetermined count value after the start of symbol variation display. As described above, the timing counter area 222 in the RAM 214 is updated each time an affirmative determination is made in step S201 after the start of the symbol display, and the value in the timing counter area 222 reaches the predetermined count value. If so, an affirmative determination is made in step S208. Then, the process proceeds to step S209 to execute the display switching mode process. In the display switching mode start process, a drive signal is output to the second stepping motor 167 of the display area varying mechanism 150. By rotating the second stepping motor 167 by a predetermined amount based on this drive signal, the shield 152 rotates around the shaft 161 as described above, and the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c facing the front side of the pachinko machine 10 as described above. Will be replaced. Thereby, the area | region shielded by the shielding body 152 is changed (refer FIG. 14).

  After the display mode switching process is performed in step S209 or when a negative determination is made in step S208, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, it is determined whether it is the start timing of the display screen switching process. The start timing is stored in advance in the ROM 213 of the display control device 92 as information on a predetermined count value after the start of symbol variation display. As described above, the timing counter area 222 in the RAM 214 is updated each time an affirmative determination is made in step S201 after the start of the symbol display, and the value in the timing counter area 222 reaches the predetermined count value. If so, an affirmative determination is made in step S210. In step S211, display screen switching processing is executed. In the display screen switching process, the display area E3 is reduced so as to avoid overlap with the above-described display area changing mechanism 150 (specifically, the shield 152) (see FIG. 14). Information regarding the size and position of the display area E3 on the display screen 141 corresponding to the state of the display area changing mechanism 150 is stored in advance in the ROM 213 of the display control device 92 as predetermined information.

  If a negative determination is made in steps S207 and S210, or if a display image switching process is performed in step S211, the process proceeds to step S212 and subsequent steps and the special effect performed using the display area variable mechanism 150 is terminated. Perform the process.

  First, in step S212, it is determined whether it is the end timing of the variable display. When it is not the end timing of the variable display, the special effect processing is ended as it is. If it is the end timing of the variable display process, the process proceeds to step S213, and the third display switching mode start process (return process) is executed. Thereby, the state of the shield 152 is returned to the normal state (first state). Specifically, in the third display switching mode start process, a drive signal for the second stepping motor 167 of the display area changing mechanism 150 is output. As a result, the second stepping motor 167 rotates by a predetermined amount, and the shielding body 152 rotates around the shaft body 161 as already described. By rotating the shielding body 152 in this way, the first outer peripheral surface 152a of the shielding body 152 faces the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and the area shielded by the shielding body 152 is changed (see FIG. 14).

  In a succeeding step S214, a fourth position switching mode start process (return process) is executed. That is, the state of the shield 152 is returned to the normal state (normal state). Specifically, in the fourth position switching mode start process, a drive signal is output to the first stepping motor 165 of the display area changing mechanism 150. As a result, the first stepping motor 165 rotates by a predetermined amount and slides in the left-right direction along the lower rail member 170 as described above. Thus, by changing the position of the shielding body 152, the area to be shielded is changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 (a1), the shielding unit 151 is in a normal state biased to the left and right sides.

  And after performing the process of step S214, it progresses to step S215 and performs a display screen switching process. Specifically, based on the return of the display area variable mechanism 150 to the normal state, the size and position of the display area E3 on the display screen 141 are returned to the normal state.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  When the shielding unit 151 is rotated, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c to which a predetermined pattern is applied are switched. Thereby, the pattern visually recognized from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 can be changed according to various effects, and diversification of effects can be realized.

  Further, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c have a uniform spacing with the game area forming plate 103 in a state of facing the front side. Specifically, when any one of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c faces the front, the occurrence of inconvenience that the outer peripheral surface becomes difficult to see due to the movement to the back side of the pachinko machine 10 is avoided. For this reason, the visibility of each outer peripheral surface 152a-152c is ensured, and it is suppressing that the force of an effect is impaired.

  It is avoided that the back is visually recognized through the shield 152. Specifically, the shield 152 has a configuration that does not have transparency. Thereby, the visible range and the invisible range in the symbol display device 140 can be clearly differentiated, and the change of the display area at the time of production can be made clear. Therefore, even a configuration having a large display screen 141 can clearly indicate a portion that should be noticed by the player, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  The inner angles of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the outer peripheral surfaces 152b and 152c are formed to be acute angles. When the first outer peripheral surface 152a faces the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (first state), etc. The two outer peripheral surfaces 152b to 152c are hidden behind the first outer peripheral surface 152a. Therefore, in a state where the first outer peripheral surface 152 a faces the front, the other outer peripheral surfaces 152 b and 152 c are less visible from the front side of the pachinko machine 10. Thereby, the effect using the first outer peripheral surface 152a can be made clear, and the confusingness of the effect due to the adoption of the configuration having a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces can be reduced. Similarly, when the second outer peripheral surface 152b faces the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (second state), the other outer peripheral surfaces 152a and 152c are also hidden behind the second outer peripheral surface 152b. Similarly, when the third outer peripheral surface 152c faces the front side of the pachinko machine 10 (third state), the other outer peripheral surfaces 152a and 152b are hidden behind the third outer peripheral surface 152c. Thereby, the effect using each outer peripheral surface 152a-152c can be differentiated clearly.

  The width dimensions of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are different from each other. For this reason, the range shielded by these outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c, that is, the range covered by the symbol display device 140 is different. Thus, by changing the shielded range, it is possible to contribute to the realization of a novel effect. In the present embodiment, in particular, the display range of the symbol display device 140 is changed as the shielded range is changed. Thereby, various display forms can be realized, which contributes to diversification of production.

  Since the display area changing mechanism 150 is arranged between the game area forming board 103 and the symbol display device 140, the area sandwiched between the game area forming board 103 and the symbol display device 140 is used to make a three-dimensional view. The production is possible.

  The shield 152 (specifically, the rotation center axis X) extends in the vertical direction. For this reason, the influence by gravity at the time of rotating the shielding body 152 can be suppressed, and smooth rotation operation is enabled. Further, in any of the first state to the third state, it is difficult for the shielding body 152 to rotate due to its own weight and to cause a position shift. For this reason, the driving force of the second stepping motor 167 can be reduced, and the downsizing of the second stepping motor 167 can be promoted.

  Moreover, the aspect of shielding is diversified by using a plurality of shielding units 151 (specifically, shielding body 152). In such a case, if there is a gap between the shielding units 151, the symbol display device 140 will be visually recognized through the gap, and there is a concern that the shielding function will not be sufficiently exhibited. In this regard, in the present embodiment, a continuous shielding surface is formed by each of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the plurality of shielding bodies 152, so that the disadvantage that the shielding function is impaired is less likely to occur.

  Furthermore, the shield 152 is configured to rotate in both forward and reverse directions by the first stepping motor 165. As a result, a portion farthest from the rotation center axis X of the shield 152 (specifically, a boundary portion B between the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the third outer peripheral surface 152c) is formed between the rotation center axis X and the game area forming plate 103. It is possible to switch and display the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c without moving between them (specifically, an area ahead of the virtual plane P). As a result, there is no need to set a passage gap of the boundary portion B between the game area forming plate 103 and the shield 152 (specifically, the rotation center axis X), and the game area forming plate 103 and the shield 152 The interval can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to produce an effect at a position closer to the player, and it can be expected to improve the power of the effect.

  When switching between the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c, the first outer peripheral surface 152a is rotated forward and backward with reference to the first outer peripheral surface 152a, so the boundary (end) between the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the third outer peripheral surface 152c in the first outer peripheral surface 152a. Moves in a region in front of the virtual plane P. In such a case, the shielding body 152 is formed so that the width dimension of the first outer peripheral surface 152a among the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c is smaller than the other outer peripheral surfaces 152b and 152, that is, from the rotation center axis X. The distance dimension from the first outer peripheral surface 152a to the boundary part of the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the distance dimension from the rotation center axis X to the boundary part of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the third outer peripheral surface 152c are the rotation center. Since the distance X from the axis X to the boundary part B between the second outer peripheral surface 152b and the third outer peripheral surface 152c is set to be smaller, the operation of the boundary (end portion) in the region in front of the virtual plane P Space can be reduced. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange | position the outer peripheral surfaces 152a-152c, ie, the virtual plane P, close to the back surface of the game area | region formation board 103. FIG. Therefore, it is possible to achieve effects at a closer position to the player (effects using the shield 152), and improve the power of these effects.

  When the switching operation of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the second outer peripheral surface 152b is compared with the switching operation of the first outer peripheral surface 152a and the third outer peripheral surface 152c, as shown in FIG. Switching is possible. In the performance using the third outer peripheral surface 152c, it is suggested that the probability of winning the jackpot lottery is higher than the performance using the second outer peripheral surface 152b, and giving such a player a higher expectation. It is possible to move to a production that can be performed more quickly. Thereby, it is possible to provide a correlation between the high expectation degree of jackpot and the speed of the transition speed to the production, and it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the gameability.

  Furthermore, the shielding unit 151 is configured to slide along the lower rail member 170, and the sliding direction is parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the spread of the space between the shielding unit 151 and the game area forming plate 103.

  The display area changing mechanism 150 is attached to the game area forming plate 103. Both the display area variable mechanism 150 and the game area forming plate 103 are unique to the gaming machine. Thus, by consolidating the configuration unique to the gaming machine, it contributes to the improvement of the reusability of the pachinko machine 10, specifically, the facilitation of replacement work at the time of reuse.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the configuration of changing the position and range of the display area visually recognized via the game board unit 100, that is, the configuration related to the display area variable mechanism 400 is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the display area variable mechanism 400 and the configuration associated therewith will be described in detail below. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described based on FIGS. 19 to 21, and description of the same configuration will be basically omitted. 19 is a schematic view of the display area changing mechanism 400 in the present embodiment as viewed from the front, FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 19, and FIGS. 21 (a) and 21 (b) are FIG. It is a partial enlarged view. 19 and 20, the configuration related to the display area variable mechanism 400, for example, the game board unit 100, the symbol display device 140, and the like are indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the display area changing mechanism 400 in the present embodiment includes a plurality of (six in the present embodiment) shielding units 410 and those, as in the first embodiment. A pair of rail members 460 and 480 (specifically, a lower rail member 460 and an upper rail member 480) that define the moving direction of the shielding unit 410 are provided. As shown in FIG. 20, the display area changing mechanism 150 is arranged on the back side of the game board unit 100, specifically, in a space sandwiched between the game board unit 400 and the symbol display device 140. Since the arrangement of the mechanism 150 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The shielding unit 410 includes a shielding body 411, a lower support member 420 that supports the shielding body 411 from below, and an upper support member 440 that supports the shielding body 411 from above. These support members 420 and 440 are supported by the rail members 460 and 480 so that the shielding unit 410 is assembled. In the first embodiment, the shield is configured to be supported at one end (cantilever supported), whereas in the present embodiment, the shield is supported at both ends. The difference is the configuration (configuration that supports both ends). First, the rail members 460 and 480 and the support members 420 and 440 will be described. If attention is paid to the fact that the rail members 460 and 480 and the shield 411 are connected by the “support members 420 and 440”, these “support members 420 and 440” may also be referred to as “connection members 420 and 440”. Is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21B, the lower support member 420 is provided at the lower end of the shield 411. Similar to the first embodiment, the lower rail member 460 includes a front plate portion 461, a rear plate portion 462, and a bottom plate portion 463. The lower plate member 460 is formed by the inner surfaces of the plate portions 461, 462, and 463. A groove portion 464 extending in the longitudinal direction of the side rail member 460 (that is, the rail direction) is formed. The groove portion 464 is open to the left, right, and the side facing the upper rail member 480, and the lower support member 420 of the shielding unit 410 is fitted therein.

  A first restricting portion 465 that restricts the movement of the lower support member 420 in the vertical direction is formed on the front plate portion 461 and the rear plate portion 462 of the lower rail member 460. The first restricting portion 465 stands from the front plate portion 461 to the inside of the groove portion 464, and stands from the pair of front plate portions 466 opposed to each other at a predetermined interval and from the rear plate portion 462 to the inside of the groove portion 464. In addition, a pair of rear plate portions 467 that face each other with a predetermined interval therebetween. More specifically, each of these plate-like portions 466 and 467 extends in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail member 460 (that is, the rail direction), and a front guide groove 468 is formed by the front plate-like portion 466 to form a rear plate-like shape. A rear guide groove 469 is formed by the portion 467.

  The lower support member 420 has a main body 421 as in the first embodiment. On the front side wall part 422 and the rear side wall part 423 of the main body 421, protrusions 424 and 425 that fit into the guide grooves 468 and 469 of the lower rail member 460 are formed. When the lower support member 420 moves (slids) in a state in which the protrusions 424 and 425 and the guide grooves 468 and 469 are in contact with each other, the lower support member 420 moves in the vertical direction. (For example, lifting, etc.) will be regulated. The support length HL1 of the lower support member 420 by the rail member 460 is defined by the length of the protrusions 424 and 425 in the rail direction, that is, the distance (span) between the left and right ends of the protrusions 424 and 425. Since the support length HL1 is set to be a predetermined length, the lower support member 420 is prevented from turning and falling to the left and right.

  When the continuous surface is formed by the first outer peripheral surface 411a having the smallest width among the outer peripheral surfaces 411a to 411c of the shield 411, the length of each of the protrusions 424 and 425 is the same as that of the adjacent shield 411. The protrusions 424 and 425 are set so as not to interfere with each other. Specifically, it is set to be smaller than the width of the first outer peripheral surface 411a.

  The bottom plate portion 463 of the lower rail member 460 is formed with a second restriction portion 470 that restricts the movement of the lower support member 420 in the front-rear direction. The second restricting portion 470 has a protruding portion 471 that rises from the bottom plate portion 463 to the inside of the groove portion 464 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail member 460 (that is, the rail direction).

  A fitting groove 427 into which the protrusion 471 of the lower rail member 460 is fitted is formed in the bottom side wall portion 426 of the main body 421 in the lower support member 420. The lower support member 420 is moved (sliding) while the inner wall surfaces 427a and 427b of the fitting groove 427 are in contact with the plate surfaces 471a and 471b of the protrusion 471, thereby supporting the lower support. The movement of the member 420 in the front-rear direction is restricted.

  The moving direction of the lower support member 420 is defined in one direction by the first restricting portion 465 and the second restricting portion 470 described in detail above.

  Next, the upper support member 440 and the upper rail member 480 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21A. The upper support member 440 is provided at the end of the shield 411 opposite to the lower support member 420 (that is, the upper end), and has substantially the same configuration as the lower support member 420. Specifically, it has a main body 441 that constitutes an outer shell of the upper support member 440 and supports the shield 411 in a rotatable manner. An insertion portion 441a into which the shaft body 415 of the shield 411 is inserted is formed in the main body 441, and the shaft body 415 is fitted to the insertion portion 441a in a rotatable state. Thereby, the shield 411 and the upper support member 440 are integrated in a state in which the shield 411 is allowed to rotate.

  The upper rail member 480 has substantially the same configuration as the lower rail member 460. Specifically, it includes a front plate portion 481, a rear plate portion 482, and a bottom plate portion 483, and the longitudinal direction (that is, the rail direction) of the lower rail member 460 by the inner surfaces of these plate portions 481, 482, 483. A groove portion 484 extending in the direction is formed. That is, the upper rail member 480 is formed with a groove portion 484 extending in the same direction as the groove portion 464 of the lower rail member 460. The main body 441 of the upper support member 440 is fitted into the groove portion 484.

  Similar to the lower rail member 460, a first restricting portion 485 that restricts the movement of the upper support member 440 in the vertical direction is formed on the front plate portion 481 and the rear plate portion 482 of the upper rail member 480. The first restricting portion 485 stands from the front plate portion 481 to the inside of the groove portion 484, and stands from the pair of front plate portions 486 and the rear plate portion 482 to the inside of the groove portion 484 facing each other with a predetermined interval. In addition, a pair of rear plate portions 487 facing each other at a predetermined interval is formed. A front guide groove 488 is formed by the front plate-shaped portion 486, and a rear guide groove 489 is formed by the rear plate-shaped portion 487.

  The front side wall portion 442 and the rear side wall portion 443 of the upper support member 440 are formed with protrusions 444 and 445 that fit into the guide grooves 488 and 489 of the upper rail member 480, similarly to the lower support member 420. Yes. When the upper support member 440 moves in a state where the protrusions 444 and 445 and the guide grooves 488 and 489 are in contact with each other, that is, by sliding, the upper support member 440 moves in the vertical direction (for example, Lifting etc.) will be regulated. The support length HL2 of the upper support member 440 by the rail member 480 is defined by the length in the rail direction of the protrusions 444 and 445, that is, the distance (span) between the left and right ends of the protrusions 444 and 445, Since the support length HL2 is set to be a predetermined length, the upper support member 440 is prevented from turning to the left and right or falling down.

  The length of each of the protrusions 444 and 445 is such that when the continuous surface is formed by the first outer peripheral surface 411a having the smallest width dimension among the outer peripheral surfaces 411a to 411c of the shield 411, the adjacent shields 411 are adjacent to each other. The protrusions 444 and 445 are set so as not to interfere with each other. Specifically, it is set to be smaller than the width of the first outer peripheral surface 411a.

  Similar to the lower rail member 460, a second restricting portion 490 that restricts the movement of the upper support member 440 in the front-rear direction is formed on the bottom plate portion 483 of the upper rail member 480. The second restricting portion 490 has a protrusion 491 that rises from the bottom plate portion 483 to the inside of the groove portion 484 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail member 480 (that is, the rail direction).

  A fitting groove 447 into which the protrusion 491 of the upper rail member 480 is fitted is formed in the bottom side wall portion 446 of the main body 441 in the upper support member 440. When the upper support member 440 moves in a state where the inner wall surfaces 447a and 447b of the fitting groove 447 and the plate surfaces 491a and 491b of the protrusion 491 are in contact with each other, that is, by sliding, the upper support member 440 Movement in the front-rear direction is restricted.

  The moving direction of the upper support member 440 is defined by the first restricting portion 465 and the second restricting portion 47 of the lower rail member 460 by the first restricting portion 485 and the second restricting portion 490 of the upper rail member 480 described in detail above. It is specified to be the same as the specified direction.

<Description of Drive Mechanism 500>
Here, the structure regarding the drive of the shielding unit 410 is demonstrated. Note that the configuration for rotating the shield 411 (for example, the stepping motor for rotation 555) is the same as that of the first embodiment (for example, the first stepping motor 165), and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The configuration for sliding the unit 410, specifically, the drive mechanism 500 will be described in detail.

  The drive mechanism 500 includes a coupling unit 510 coupled to the shielding unit 410 and a driving source provided separately and independently from the shielding unit 410, and moves the shielding unit 410 via the coupling unit 510. 550.

<Configuration of connecting means 510>
The coupling means 510 includes belt members 511 and 521 as power transmission members that transmit the driving force generated in one drive source in the drive unit 550 to the support members 420 and 440, and the support members 420 and 440 and the belt members. And connecting members 531 and 541 for connecting 511 and 521. The shielding unit 410 described above is disposed at both ends of the rail members 460 and 480. The belt members 511 and 521 are provided across the rail members 460 and 480 (specifically, the support members 420 and 440) and the drive unit 550, and although the lengths thereof are different, the basic configuration is provided. Is the same. Hereinafter, for convenience, the “belt member 511” attached to the lower support member 420 is referred to as “lower belt member 511”, and the “belt member 521” attached to the upper support member 440 is referred to as “upper belt member 521”. The lower belt member 511 and the configuration associated therewith will be described with reference to FIGS. Thereafter, the upper belt member 521 will be described in detail based on the differences regarding the arrangement and the like. FIG. 22 is a partially broken perspective view showing the structure relating to the connecting means in an exploded manner.

  As shown in FIG. 22 and the like, the lower belt member 511 has a base portion 512 having a band shape. A large number of tooth portions 513 are integrally formed on one side surface of the base portion 512. The tooth portions 513 are arranged at equal intervals so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the lower belt member 511. The lower belt member 511 is assembled to the lower rail member 460 so that the tooth portions 513 face the upper rail member 480 side.

  The lower rail member 460 is formed with a belt accommodation groove 472 that accommodates the lower belt member 511. The belt housing groove 472 is open at the end on the drive unit 550 side (specifically, the end on the side where the power source is disposed), and the lower belt member 511 is connected to the drive unit via the opened portion. It extends to the 550 side. The groove width (width dimension) and groove depth (depth dimension) of the belt receiving groove 472 are set to be equal to the width dimension and the thickness dimension of the lower belt member 511 (FIG. 21B). reference). This makes it difficult for the lower belt member 511 to bend and deform within the belt receiving groove 472.

  Further, the belt receiving groove 472 is opened to the groove 464 side of the lower rail member 460, and a part of the lower belt member 511, specifically, a tooth, through the opened part (opening part 473). The portion 513 is exposed in the groove portion 464. In other words, the opening part 473 is formed so that the tooth part 513 can be exposed while restricting the protrusion of the lower belt member 511 into the groove part 464. The connecting member 541 attached to the lower belt member 511 protrudes to the inside of the groove portion 464, that is, the lower support member 420 side through the opening portion 473.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the connecting member 531 is attached to the end of the lower belt member 511 opposite to the drive unit 550 side, and engages with the teeth 513 of the lower belt member 511. And a fitting portion 533 fitted to the lower support member 420. The engaging portion 532 has a plurality of protrusions 532a formed corresponding to the tooth portions 513 of the lower belt member 511, and has a comb shape as a whole. The lower belt member 511 and the connecting member 531 are connected by the protrusions 532a being sandwiched between the gap portions between the tooth portions 513.

  The fitting portion 533 is formed so as to protrude to the inside of the groove portion 464 through the opening portion 473 of the belt accommodating groove 472 in a state where the engaging portion 532 is engaged with the tooth portion 513. A fitting hole 428 corresponding to the fitting portion 533 is formed in the front side wall portion 422 of the lower support member 420. By fitting the fitting portion 533 into the fitting hole 428, the lower belt member 511 and the lower support member 420 are integrated via the connecting member 531. Since the lower belt member 511 and the lower support member 420 are integrated in this manner, the lower support member 420 slides following the movement of the lower belt member 511 along the belt receiving groove 472. It will be.

  Next, based on Fig.21 (a), the upper side belt member 521 and the structure accompanying it are demonstrated. Similarly to the lower belt member 511, the upper belt member 521 includes a base portion 522 and a tooth portion 523, and the tooth portion 523 faces the opposite side to the lower rail member 460, that is, the lower side. The belt member 511 is assembled to the upper rail member 480 so as to face the same side as the tooth portion 513.

  The upper rail member 480 is formed with a belt accommodating groove 492 that accommodates the upper belt member 521. Similarly to the belt accommodation groove 472 of the lower rail member 460, the belt accommodation groove 492 is also open to the end portion on the drive unit 550 side (specifically, the end portion on the power source side), and through the opened portion. Thus, the upper belt member 521 extends to the drive unit 550 side. Moreover, the belt accommodation groove | channel 492 is open | released inside the groove part 484, and the connection member 541 is attached through this open part (opening part 493).

  The connection member 541 is engaged with the engagement portion 542 (specifically, the protrusion 542a) that engages with the tooth portion 513 of the upper belt member 521 and the engagement hole 448 of the upper support member 440 in the same manner as the connection member 531 described above. And a fitting portion. Since the upper belt member 521 and the upper support member 440 are integrated via the connecting member 531, the upper support member 440 slides following the movement of the upper belt member 521 along the belt receiving groove 492. It becomes.

  The belt members 511 and 521 and the connection members 531 and 541 are not necessarily provided separately, and the belt members and the connection members can be integrally formed.

  Incidentally, the belt members 511 and 521 are formed of a synthetic resin material having heat resistance. Specifically, the material forming the belt members 511 and 521 is not mixed with a reinforcing material such as glass fiber. Instead, the belt members 511 and 521 have the belt members 511 and 521 and A plurality of wires having the same length are embedded along the belt members 511 and 521. By these wires, the strength of the belt members 511 and 521 is improved, and inconveniences such as changes in the size of the belt members 511 and 521 due to heat are avoided. Moreover, the structure which does not use glass fiber or the like reduces the aggressiveness with respect to the rail members 460 and 480, and reduces sliding noise with the rail members 460 and 480 when moving in the belt receiving grooves 472 and 492. I am trying. In particular, the display area varying mechanism 400 is disposed in an area sandwiched between the game area forming plate 103 and the symbol display device 140, and it is assumed that heat tends to be trapped. In this respect, a practically preferable configuration can be realized by suppressing the deformation of the belt members 511 and 521 as described above.

<Configuration of drive unit 550>
Next, the drive unit 550 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 and 23. FIG. 23 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

  The drive unit 550 is provided with a slide stepping motor 560 as the power source, guide means 570 for guiding the belt members 511 and 521 to the slide stepping motor 560, and the slide stepping motor 560 and guide means 570. And a housing 580.

  As described above, the housing 580 is disposed on one side of the rail members 460 and 480 and is formed so as to straddle the end portions of the rail members 460 and 480. More specifically, the housing 580 has a long plate shape extending in the direction in which the rail members 460 and 480 are arranged side by side, and connecting portions (not shown) connected to the rail members 460 and 480 are provided at both ends. Is provided. The housing 580 is fixed to each of the rail members 460 and 480 using a fixing tool such as a screw in a state where the connecting portions and the rail members 460 and 480 are connected to each other, and the housing 580 is integrated with the rail members 460 and 480. It has become. By connecting the rail members 460 and 480 with the housing 580 as described above, the relative positions of the rail members 460 and 480 are hardly changed.

  The sliding stepping motor 560 is disposed at a position above the lower rail member 460 and below the upper rail member 480 in the housing 580. The sliding stepping motor 560 is attached to the back side of the housing 580, and a shaft portion 561 protrudes to the front side of the housing 580 through a hole formed in the housing 580. More specifically, the slide stepping motor 560 is fixed in a state where the rotation center axis of the shaft portion 561 faces the front-rear direction. A gear 562 that engages with the tooth portions 513 and 523 of both belt members 511 and 521 is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 561, that is, the portion protruding through the hole portion.

  As shown in FIG. 23 and the like, the housing 580 is formed with a concave gear housing portion 581 for housing the gear 562, and the lower belt member 511 is sandwiched from both sides in the rail direction (both left and right sides). And an upper belt member 521 are disposed. That is, the lower belt member 511 and the upper belt member 521 are disposed so that the respective tooth portions 513 and 523 face each other with the gear 562 interposed therebetween.

  More specifically, the lower belt member 511 is arranged so that the tooth portion 513 faces the inside of the display region varying mechanism 400 (rail members 460 and 480 side), and the upper belt member 521 is The teeth 523 are arranged so as to face the outside of the front side region varying mechanism (the side opposite to the rail members 460 and 480). That is, the belt members 511 and 521 are disposed such that the lower belt member 511 is outside the gear 562 and the upper belt member 521 is inside the gear 562.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the portions of the belt members 511 and 521 that extend from the rail members 460 and 480 are covered with the covering member except for the portion that engages with the gear 562. Yes. Specifically, an inner casing 571 that accommodates a portion of the lower belt member 511 located between the gear 562 and the lower rail member 460, and a lower rail member 460 that sandwiches the gear 562 in the lower belt member 511. And an outer casing 572 that accommodates a portion on the opposite side.

  The inner casing 571 has a hollow shape, and one end of the inner casing 571 is continuous with the end (open portion) of the belt receiving groove 472 of the lower rail member 460. The other end of the inner casing 571 is open to the gear 562 side of the sliding stepping motor 560. The outer casing 572 is also hollow like the inner casing 571, and one end of the outer casing 572 faces the inner casing 571 at a predetermined interval. Specifically, the inner casing 571 is opposed to the gear 562 and the lower belt member 511 with a meshing portion therebetween.

  Each of the casings 571 and 572 is formed such that its inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the outer periphery of the lower belt member 511. As a result, variations in the movement path of the lower belt member 511 in the casings 571 and 572 (that is, variations in position) are suppressed. The housing 580 is formed with concave casing accommodating portions 582 and 583 that accommodate these casings 571 and 572.

  The casing accommodating portions 582 and 583 are configured by a pair of opposing wall portions 582a, 582b, 583a, and 583b that sandwich the casings 571 and 572 (see FIG. 23). The distance between the opposing wall portions 582a and 582b is formed to be equal to the thickness of the casing 571 (specifically, the size in the same direction as the thickness direction of the belt member 511 with the belt member 511 inserted). The distance between the opposing wall portions 583a and 583b is equal to the thickness of the casing 572. As a result, the displacement (movement or deformation) of the casings 571 and 572 can be suppressed, and variations in the movement path of the lower belt member 511 can be suppressed. In addition, the rigidity of the housing 580 is improved by forming the casing accommodating portions 582 and 583. That is, the casing housing portions 582 and 582 (specifically, the opposing wall portions 582a, 582b, 583a, and 583b) have a function as a reinforcing portion of the housing 580.

  Similarly, with respect to the upper belt member 521, the extending portion from the upper rail member 480 is covered by the inner casing 573 and the outer casing 574, and the exposure of the portion not engaged with the gear 562 is suppressed. Yes. The housing 580 is formed with casing accommodating portions 584 and 585 (specifically, opposing wall portions 584a, 584b, 585a and 585b) corresponding to both the casings 573 and 574. By accommodating the casings 573 and 574 in the casing accommodating portions 584 and 585, deformation of the upper belt member 521 and the casings 573 and 574 is suppressed. Thereby, the dispersion | variation in the movement path | route of the upper side belt member 521 is suppressed.

  The casing accommodating portions 582 to 585 are connected to the gear accommodating portion 581, and a bulging portion 575 formed at the end of the casings 571 to 574 is formed at the boundary portion between the casing accommodating portions 582 to 585 and the gear accommodating portion 581. Recesses 586 to 589 into which .about.578 are fitted are provided. The casings 571-574 are positioned by fitting the bulging portions 575-578 to the recesses 586-589, and the positions of the casings 571-574 are caused by friction between the casings 571-574 and the belt members 511, 521. Inconveniences such as slippage are less likely to occur. In addition, the bulging parts 575-578 are similarly formed also in the other edge part of the casings 571-574, and when the bulging parts 575-578 fit in a recessed part, it becomes difficult to produce the above-mentioned problem further. ing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23 and the like, contact portions 591 and 592 that contact the base portions 512 and 522 of the belt members 511 and 521 are formed on both sides of the housing 580 with the gear 562 interposed therebetween. . In this way, by contacting the belt members 511 and 521 from the back side, the escape of the gear 562 and the tooth portions 513 and 523 is restricted, and the meshing of both is easily ensured.

  The above-described guide means 570 is constituted by the casings 571 to 574 and the casing housing portions 582 to 585 described in detail above.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, by providing the casings 571 to 574 and the housing 580 (specifically, the casing accommodating portions 582 to 585) as separate bodies, different materials can be applied to these components. It has become. Specifically, a high-strength synthetic resin material containing glass fiber or the like is applied to the housing 580, and the casings 571 to 574 that are in contact with the belt members 511 and 521 are not made of synthetic resin. Applying material. The housing 580 connects the rail members 460 and 480, and the rigidity of the display area variable mechanism 400 is improved by applying a high-strength material to such a configuration. On the other hand, by applying a material that does not contain glass fiber or the like to the casings 571 to 574, the frictional resistance is reduced, and the aggressiveness to the belt members 511 and 521 is reduced, and sliding noise (friction noise) is reduced. Reduction is possible.

<Description of Operation of Shielding Unit 410>
Here, the operation of the shielding unit 410 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the operation of the shielding unit 410.

  When the sliding stepping motor 560 rotates in a predetermined direction (for example, clockwise in the front view of the pachinko machine 10), the shielding unit 410 is changed from FIG. 24 (a) → FIG. 24 (b) → FIG. 24 (c). It will slide in order. Specifically, the lower belt member 511 is pushed to the opposite side of the lower rail member 460 based on the rotation of the sliding stepping motor 560 in a predetermined direction. In synchronization with this, the upper belt member 521 is pushed to the opposite side of the upper rail member 480. As described above, when the belt members 511 and 521 are pushed to the side opposite to the rail members 460 and 480, that is, to the outer casings 572 and 574, both the support members 420 and 440 move synchronously toward the side closer to the drive unit 550. . Thereby, the shielding unit 410 slides along the rail members 460 and 480 toward the drive unit 550. The total length of the outer casings 572 and 574 is set based on the slide movement amount S of the shielding unit 410. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 24C, even when the shielding unit 410 is closest to the drive unit 550 side, the belt members 511 and 521 do not jump out of the outer casing.

  When the sliding stepping motor 560 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (for example, counterclockwise in the front view of the pachinko machine 10), the shielding unit 410 is changed from FIG. 24 (c) → FIG. 24 (b) → FIG. It will slide in the order of a). Specifically, the lower belt member 511 is pushed toward the lower rail member 460 based on the rotation of the sliding stepping motor 560 in a predetermined direction. In synchronization with this, the upper belt member 521 is pushed to the upper rail member 480 side. As described above, when the belt members 511 and 521 are pushed toward the rail members 460 and 480, that is, the inner casings 571 and 573, the two support members 420 and 440 move synchronously to the side away from the drive unit 550. As a result, the shielding unit 410 slides to the side away from the drive unit 550 along the rail members 460 and 480.

  As described in detail above, by driving both support members 420 and 440 based on the rotation of one slide stepping motor 560, the sliding movement of the shielding unit 410 is preferable while simplifying the configuration. Can be. In other words, the supply source of the driving force is set to 1, and the driving force is transmitted to both end portions of the shielding body 411 using the plurality of belt members 511 and 521, so that when the shielding unit 410 slides, It is possible to make it difficult to cause a disadvantage that the movement of one end is delayed with respect to the movement of the other end.

<Integration of the configuration for driving the plurality of shielding units 410>
In the present embodiment, a plurality (specifically six) of shielding units 410 are provided. Hereinafter, a configuration in which each of the shielding units 410 is individually driven will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 25A is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of the display area varying mechanism 400, FIG. 25B is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the upper rail member 480, and FIG. 25C is the configuration of the lower rail member 460. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the drive unit 550 is disposed on both sides (specifically, both left and right sides) sandwiching the rail members 460 and 480, and the drive unit 550 drives the shielding unit 410 in two sets. It is the composition to do. More specifically, the left driving unit 550 drives the left three shielding units, and the right driving unit 550 drives the right three shielding units. Hereinafter, for convenience, the left “drive unit 550” is referred to as “left drive unit 550L”, and the right “drive unit 550” is referred to as “right drive unit 550R”. Since the left drive unit 550L and the right drive unit 550R have the same configuration, first, the left drive unit 550L and the configuration associated therewith will be described.

  The left driving unit 550L includes a first sliding stepping motor 560a that drives the first left shielding unit 410a disposed to be biased toward the left driving unit 550L, and the right driving unit 550R side from the first left shielding unit 410a. A second sliding stepping motor 560b that drives the second left shielding unit 410b arranged in a biased manner, and a third left shielding unit that is biased to the right driving unit 550R side with respect to the second left shielding unit 410b. And a third slide stepping motor 560c for driving 410c.

  A first lower belt member 511a corresponding to the first slide stepping motor 560a, a second lower belt member 511b corresponding to the second slide stepping motor 560b, and a third corresponding to the third slide stepping motor 560c. The lower belt member 511c is arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the lower belt member 511. The first lower belt member 511a extending from the first sliding stepping motor 560a on the side closer to the region where the shielding unit 410 is installed is the lower belt member extending from the stepping motors 560b and 560c on the farther side. The second lower belt member 511b extending from the second stepping motor 560b disposed outside the first slide stepping motor 560a is farther than the first sliding stepping motor 560a. The third lower belt member 511c extending from the third stepping motor 560c on the side passes through the inner side. That is, the first lower belt member 511a, the second lower belt member 511b, and the third lower belt member 511c are arranged in parallel from the inside to the outside.

  Here, based on FIG.21 (b), the structure which accommodates each belt member 511a-511c in the lower rail member 460 is demonstrated in detail. The lower rail member 460 (specifically, the front plate portion 461) is provided with a plurality of belt receiving grooves 472 arranged vertically. Specifically, a first partition wall portion 474 is formed below the front plate portion 466 of the front plate portion 461 so as to face the front plate portion 466 with a predetermined interval. . The front plate-like portion 466 and the first partition wall portion 474 constitute a first belt accommodation groove 472a that accommodates the first lower belt member 511a. Further, a second section facing the first partition wall section 474 at a predetermined interval below the first partition wall section 474 (on the base portion 512 side of the first lower belt member 511a). A wall portion 475 is formed. The two partition wall portions 474 and 475 constitute a second belt housing groove 472b that houses the second lower belt member 511b. The second partition wall portion 475 and the bottom plate portion 463 constitute a third belt housing groove 472c that houses the third lower belt member 511c. The lower belt members 511a to 511c accommodated in the belt accommodating grooves 472a to 472c are on a virtual plane parallel to the front plate portion 461 of the lower rail member 460, that is, on a virtual plane parallel to the game area forming plate 103. It is in the state where it is arranged.

  On this virtual plane, in addition to the lower belt members 511a to 511c, casing housing portions 582 and 583 of the housing 580 and gears 562 of the stepping motors 560a to 560c are also arranged. In this way, the thinning of the drive unit 550 is promoted by consolidating various configurations on the same virtual plane.

  Similarly for the upper belt member 521, a first upper belt member 521a corresponding to the first slide stepping motor 560a, a second upper belt member 521b corresponding to the second slide stepping motor 560b, and a third slide stepping. The third upper belt member 521c corresponding to the motor 560c is arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the upper belt member 521. The first upper belt member 521a extending from the first sliding stepping motor 560a on the side closer to the region where the shielding unit 410 is installed has the upper belt member 521b extending from the stepping motors 560b and 560c on the farther side. The second upper belt member 521b extending from the second stepping motor 560b disposed outside the first sliding stepping motor 560a is disposed so as to pass through the inner side with respect to the first sliding stepping motor 560a. The third upper belt member 521c extending from the three stepping motor 560c is disposed so as to pass inside. That is, the first upper belt member 521a, the second upper belt member 521b, and the third upper belt member 521c are arranged in parallel from the inner side to the outer side in this order.

  Here, based on Fig.21 (a), the structure which accommodates each belt member 521a-521c in the upper rail member 480 is demonstrated in detail. In the upper rail member 480 (specifically, the front plate portion 481), a plurality of belt receiving grooves 492 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. Specifically, a first partition wall portion 494 that faces the front plate portion 486 with a predetermined interval is formed above the front plate portion 486 of the front plate portion 481. The front plate-like portion 486 and the first partition wall portion 494 constitute a first belt accommodation groove 492a that accommodates the first upper belt member 521a. In addition, a second partition wall portion facing above the first partition wall portion 494 at a predetermined interval above the first partition wall portion 494 (on the tooth portion 523a side of the first upper belt member 521a). 495 is formed. The two partition wall portions 494 and 495 constitute a second belt housing groove 492b that houses the second upper belt member 521b. The second partition wall portion 495 and the bottom plate portion 483 constitute a third belt housing groove 492c that houses the third upper belt member 521c.

  The above-described slide stepping motors 560 are arranged in order from the inside to the outside in the order of the first slide stepping motor 560a → the second slide stepping motor 560b → the third slide stepping motor 560c.

  By arranging the lower belt members 511a to 511c, the upper belt members 521a to 521c, and the stepping motors 560a to 560c as described above, the various configurations are arranged on the same virtual plane, while the pachinko machine 10 is arranged. In the front view, the lower belt members 511a to 511c and the upper belt members 521a to 521c are preferably avoided from crossing each other. Thereby, it is possible to avoid twisting of the lower belt members 511a to 511c and the upper belt members 521a to 522a.

  The right drive unit 550R is provided to be symmetric with the left drive unit 550L. Hereinafter, the configuration related to the right drive unit 550R will be described.

  The right drive unit 550R includes a fourth slide stepping motor 560d that drives the first right shielding unit 410d arranged to be biased toward the right drive unit 550R, and the left drive unit 550L side from the first right shielding unit 410d. A fifth sliding stepping motor 560e that drives the second right shielding unit 410e disposed in a biased manner, and a third right shielding unit that is disposed biased toward the left driving unit 550L with respect to the second right shielding unit 410e. And a sixth slide stepping motor 560f for driving 410f.

  A fourth lower belt member 511d corresponding to the fourth slide stepping motor 560d, a fifth lower belt member 511e corresponding to the fifth slide stepping motor 560e, and a sixth corresponding to the sixth slide stepping motor 560f. The lower belt member 511f is arranged so as to be away from the upper rail member 480 in the order of the fourth lower belt member 511d → the fifth lower belt member 511e → the sixth lower belt member 511f.

  Here, the lower rail member 460 will be described with reference to FIG. On the opposite side of the lower rail member 460 with respect to the side where the group of belt receiving grooves 472a to 472c is formed, the lower support member 420 is sandwiched (specifically, the rear plate portion 482), a plurality of belts are accommodated. Grooves 472 are arranged vertically. Specifically, a third partition wall portion 476 and a fourth partition wall portion 477 are formed in the same manner as the front plate portion 461, and the fourth lower belt member is formed by the rear plate portion 467 and the third partition wall portion 476. A fourth belt housing groove 472d for housing 511d is formed, and a fifth belt housing groove 472e for housing the fifth lower belt member 511e is formed by both partition wall portions 476, 477, and the fourth partition wall portion 477 and the bottom plate The portion 463 constitutes a sixth belt housing groove 472f that houses the sixth lower belt member 511f.

  The slide stepping motors 560d to 560f described above are arranged from the inside to the outside in the order of the fourth slide stepping motor 560d → the fifth slide stepping motor 560e → the sixth slide stepping motor 560f.

  Similarly for the upper belt member 521, a fourth upper belt member 521d corresponding to the fourth slide stepping motor 560d, a fifth upper belt member 521e corresponding to the fifth slide stepping motor 560e, and a sixth slide stepping. The sixth upper belt member 521f corresponding to the motor 560f is arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the upper belt member 521. Specifically, the fourth upper belt member 521d, the fifth upper belt member 521e, and the sixth upper belt member 521f are arranged in this order so as to be away from the lower rail member 460.

  Here, the upper rail member 480 will be described with reference to FIG. On the opposite side of the upper rail member 480 where the upper side supporting member 440 is sandwiched with respect to the side on which the group of belt receiving grooves 492a to 492c is formed (specifically, the rear plate portion 482), a plurality of belt receiving grooves 492 are provided. Are lined up and down. Specifically, a third partition wall portion 496 and a fourth partition wall portion 497 are formed in the rear side plate portion 482 in the same manner as the front side plate portion 481, and the rear side plate-like portion 487 and the third partition wall portion 496 A first belt housing groove 492d for housing the fourth upper belt member 521d is configured, and a fifth belt housing groove 492e for housing the fifth upper belt member 521e is configured by the both partition wall portions 496, 497, and the fourth partition wall. The portion 497 and the bottom plate portion 483 constitute a sixth belt housing groove 492f that houses the sixth upper belt member 521f.

  These stepping motors 560d to 560f, belt members 511d to 511f, 521d to 521f, etc. are arranged on a virtual plane parallel to the rear plate portion 462 of the lower rail member 460 to drive the right side in the same manner as the left side driving unit 550. The unit 550 is thinned.

  According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are achieved.

  The shielding unit 411 is supported by both support members 420 and 440, and the shielding unit 410 slides based on the movement of the both support members 420 and 440. This contributes to smooth sliding movement of the shielding unit 410.

  By driving both support members 420 and 440 by one slide stepping motor 560, the movement of both support members 420 and 440 can be easily synchronized. As a result, the inconvenience that one of the support members 420 and 440 is delayed with respect to the other is less likely to occur.

  Further, if the driving force is transmitted to one of the support members 420 and 440 and the other moves following the drive force, at least the support length (support span) of the other support member by the rail member, It is necessary to take measures such as increasing the support length in the rail direction to suppress the above-described operation delay. However, increasing the support length in this way is limited by the presence of adjacent shielding units in a configuration having a plurality of shielding units. Certainly, it is possible to secure the support length by arranging the support part of each shielding unit offset to the front and back, but such a measure increases the thickness of the display area variable mechanism, This will prevent placement in a limited space. That is, the separation between the game area forming plate 103 and the symbol display device 140 is facilitated. This is not preferable because the visibility of the display screen 141 may be deteriorated.

  In this regard, as described above, the driving force is transmitted to both the lower support member 420 and the upper support member 440, and the support length is reduced by suppressing the occurrence of deviation in the operation of both the support members 420 and 440. It can be shortened. Thereby, even if a configuration having a plurality of shielding units is adopted, it is possible to promote diversification of production without increasing the thickness of the display area variable mechanism, that is, while reducing the thickness of the display area variable mechanism 400. it can.

  In particular, it is necessary to bring the shielding units 410 closer to each other by combining the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of shielding bodies 411 to form a continuous surface. In this respect, since the support length can be shortened as described above, the shielding unit 410 can be disposed close enough.

In addition, even if the inclination of the shielding unit is suppressed by increasing the support length as described above, it is considered difficult to wipe off the moment generated on the other support member side. This is not preferable because it may be a factor that hinders the operation of the shielding unit. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the driving force is transmitted to both the support members 420 and 440 of the shielding unit 410 can suppress the generation of the above-described moment, and the smooth movement of the shielding unit 410 can be prevented. Further, by reducing the support length as described above, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that the moving range of the shielding unit is reduced in order to ensure the support length. Thereby, it is possible to produce an effect using the shielding unit in a wider range, and the effect can be made more dynamic.

  Each shield 411 has a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces, and various effects can be achieved by switching these outer peripheral surfaces, and differentiation is achieved by providing a difference in the width dimension of each outer peripheral surface. . The smallest width dimension of these outer peripheral surfaces is likely to be affected by the support length due to the adoption of a configuration that forms a continuous surface by combining these outer peripheral surfaces as described above. Yes. That is, the width dimension of the outer peripheral surface is easily influenced by the support length. This is not preferable because it may be a factor that hinders the difference in the width dimension of the outer peripheral surface. In this respect, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the influence of the support length, which contributes to the differentiation of each outer peripheral surface, that is, the differentiation using the outer peripheral surfaces.

  The drive unit 550 (specifically, the housing 580) is disposed on both the left and right sides of the rail members 460 and 480, and the display region variable mechanism 400 is formed in an annular shape. This contributes to improving the rigidity of the display area variable mechanism 400. In particular, the two rail members 460 and 480 are connected by the housing 580 so that the relative position between the lower rail member 460 and the upper rail member 480 is not easily shifted. By forming a plurality of casing accommodating portions 582 to 585, the rigidity of the housing 580 is improved. Thereby, the rigidity of the variable mechanism 400 can be improved more suitably.

  When the configuration is such that all the shielding units 410 are driven by one drive unit 550, the total length of the belt members 511 and 521 tends to be long. It is assumed that an increase in the overall length of the belt members 511 and 521 increases the influence of the expansion and contraction of the belt members 511 and 521. This is not preferable because it may cause a decrease in the follow-up property (responsiveness) of the shielding unit 410 to the rotation of the slide stepping motor 560. In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, the length of the belt members 511 and 521 is shortened by using the left drive unit 550L and the right drive unit 550R to drive the shielding unit 410 in two sets. It is possible to make the above-mentioned disadvantages difficult to occur. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the followability (responsiveness) of the shielding unit 410 with respect to the rotation of the slide stepping motor 560, and to suppress the displacement of the support members 420 and 440.

  The teeth 513 of the lower belt member 511 and the teeth 523 of the upper belt member 521 face each other with the gear 562 interposed therebetween. This contributes to the thinning of the drive unit 550. In particular, as shown in the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the display area variable mechanism 400 is arranged between the game board unit 100 and the symbol display device 140, the thickness of the display area variable mechanism 400 is increased. Thus, the visibility of the symbol display device 140 can be lowered, which is not preferable. In this regard, as described above, the drive unit 550 (that is, the display area variable mechanism 400) contributes to a reduction in thickness, whereby the visibility of the symbol display device 140 can be easily ensured, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  Since the tooth portions 513 and 523 of the belt members 511 and 521 face each other with the gear 562 interposed therebetween, the allowance between the tooth portions 513 and 523 and the gear 562 is the axis of the sliding stepping motor 560. It is suppressed from being reduced by the stress generated in the part. Specifically, it is assumed that stress based on the meshing between the gear and the belt member is likely to occur due to the separation of the shaft portion 561 of the sliding stepping motor 560 and the tooth portion of the gear 562. When the shaft portion tilts away from the belt member due to this stress, the engagement allowance between the tooth portions 513 and 523 and the gear 562 can be reduced. In this respect, the tooth portions 513 and 523 of the belt members 511 and 521 mesh with each other from both sides of the gear 562 with respect to the gear 562, thereby generating the mesh with the lower belt member 511. The stress and the stress generated due to the meshing with the upper belt member 521 act so as to cancel each other. Thereby, it can suppress that the axial part 561 leaves | separates from one belt member, and it can suppress the reduction | decrease in the allowance between the tooth | gear part 513,523 and the gearwheel 562. FIG.

  The lower belt members 511a to 511c and the upper belt members 521a to 521c are arranged on the same virtual plane and do not intersect each other. This contributes to the thinning of the drive unit 550.

  Both the supporting members 420 and 440 are driven by using one slide stepping motor 560. Thereby, it is easy to synchronize the movement of both support members 420 and 440. For example, when the support members 420 and 440 are driven by individual motors, the operations of the motors need to be synchronized. This is a concern that the rotation control of the motor is complicated. In addition, the need for a plurality of motors is not preferable because the display area variable mechanism 400 can be increased in size and weight. In this respect, if the sliding unit 410 can be slid by one slide stepping motor 560, the above-described disadvantages can be preferably avoided, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows. Incidentally, the configuration of the following different embodiment may be applied individually to the configuration in the above embodiment, or may be applied in combination with each other.

  In addition, regarding part names and member names that are commonly used in a plurality of embodiments, only the part numbers and member numbers used in one embodiment are described, but this is described. It is not limited to. That is, it is also possible to apply the part number and member number used in other embodiments specified in advance.

  (1) In each embodiment described above, the “area of a series of regions (shielding regions)” is changed by rotating the shield 152, but this may be changed as follows. That is, the “series of areas (shielding areas)” may be changed by sliding the shielding body.

  (2) In each of the above embodiments, the shield 152 is rotated to change the area of the shield region by switching between the plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . A configuration that always uses one outer peripheral surface, that is, a configuration in which the area of the shielding region is changed by changing the projected area of the one outer peripheral surface on the display screen by rotating the shield. For example, the shielding body is formed in a plate shape, and a shielding surface is formed by a plate surface on one side thereof, and the inclination of the shielding surface with respect to the display screen is changed by rotating the shielding body, thereby reducing the area of the shielding region. It may be changed.

  Note that the above-described changes can be applied only to some of the plurality of shields. For example, as shown in the modification of (1), it is possible to form a series of shielding surfaces by combining with a shielding body provided so as to be slidable and to change the area of the shielding region described above. .

  (3) In each of the above-described embodiments, the plurality of shields 152 are in contact with each other to form a “series of regions (shield regions)”. However, this is changed so that the plurality of shields are separated from each other. In this state, a “series of regions (shielding regions)” may be formed. Specifically, it is also possible to form “a series of areas (shielded areas)” by shifting each shield in the front-rear direction and arranging them so that they partially overlap when viewed from the front of the display screen. It is. In such a configuration, it is possible to change the area of the “series of regions (shielding regions)” by changing the amount of overlap in the front-rear direction of each shield.

  (4) In each of the above embodiments, the shield 152 has a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The shield 152 may have a single outer peripheral surface. For example, the shield may have a cylindrical shape.

  (5) In each of the above embodiments, the symbol display device 140 is shielded by the shield 152 as the “display unit”. However, instead of the symbol display device 140, various patterns such as cell sheets (for example, background) Etc.) may be arranged so as to be shielded, or it may be configured to shield an accessory (for example, a shaped object such as a character).

  (6) In the first embodiment, the distance dimension from the central axis of the shaft body 161 constituting the shielding unit 151 to the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the shielding body 152 is the same. The distance dimensions may be different from each other.

  Hereinafter, the modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 26A is a perspective view showing a modified example of the display area changing mechanism, FIG. 26B is a schematic view showing a modified example of the shielding body, and FIG. 26C is a second state from the first state. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows switching to.

  The display area variable mechanism 250 includes the same configuration as the display area variable mechanism 150, specifically, a shielding unit 251 and a holding member 252. The holding member 252 is supported by a support rail 253 fixed to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. The support rail 253 extends in a direction orthogonal to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103, and a mounting surface 254 on which the holding member 252 is mounted is formed. The mounting surface 254 extends in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the support rail 253 and has a planar shape parallel to the bottom plate portion 255 of the holding member 252. A synthetic resin abutting portion 256 that abuts against the mounting surface 254 is attached to a portion of the bottom plate portion 255 facing the mounting surface 254, and these abutting portions 256 slide on the mounting surface 254. It is possible.

  In addition, on both end sides of the groove portion 257 in the holding member 252, a driving portion 258 is provided as a power source for moving the holding member 252 along the support rail 253. The drive unit 258 includes the same configuration as the first stepping motor 165 described above, that is, a stepping motor, and an iron core and a pinion associated with the stepping motor. A rack 259 corresponding to (meshing with) the pinion of the drive unit 258 is attached to the holding member 252. The rack 259 has a belt shape in which a plurality of teeth are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support rail 253, and the holding member 252 rotates in the longitudinal direction of the support rail 253 (that is, the front-rear direction) by the rotation of the stepping motor of the drive unit 258. ) To slide. More specifically, the shielding unit 251 and the holding member 252 are integrally slid and moved in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the space | interval of the shielding unit 251 and the game area | region formation board 103 can be changed.

  Next, the shielding body 260 of the shielding unit 251 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Distance dimensions L7, L8, and L9 between the outer peripheral surfaces 260a, 260b, and 260c constituting the shield 260 and the central axis of the shaft portion 261 are different from each other. Specifically, L7> L8> L9.

  From the state where the first outer peripheral surface 260 a faces the game area forming plate 103 (first state) by rotating the shield 260, the second outer peripheral surface with respect to the game area forming plate 103. When the state is shifted to the state (second state) in which 260b faces each other, the distance between the game area forming plate 103 and the shield 260 is temporarily increased. That is, the second outer peripheral surface 260b moves backward from the virtual plane P. After the second outer peripheral surface 260b is thus separated from the virtual plane P, the front and rear positions of the shielding unit 251 are changed along the support rail 253 as described above, and specifically, the shielding unit 251 is moved forward. As a result, the second outer peripheral surface 260b returns to the position where it overlaps the virtual plane P again. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the problem that visibility deteriorates by the 2nd outer peripheral surface 260b retreating can be suppressed.

  Note that the same alignment is performed even when the third outer peripheral surface 260 c faces the game area forming plate 103. This ensures the visibility of the third outer peripheral surface 260c.

  As described above in detail, even when the distance dimension from the rotation center axis X to each outer peripheral surface is different, the rotation center axis X (specifically, the shielding unit 251 and the holding member 252). With the configuration in which the outer peripheral surfaces 260a to 260c and the game area forming plate 103 face each other, the distance between them can be kept constant.

  Incidentally, the modification described in detail above can be applied to the second embodiment. In order to make such a change, for example, the entire display area changing mechanism 400 may be slid back and forth.

  (7) In each of the above embodiments, the rotation center axis X of the shield 152 extends vertically. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 27A, the rotation center axis Y of the shield 270 can be configured to extend left and right. However, when such a configuration is adopted, it is necessary to rotate the shield 270 against gravity. This can make it difficult to quickly perform the switching operation of each outer peripheral surface. Therefore, it is desirable that the rotation center axis Y should extend vertically. In addition, when it is set as the structure where a rotation center axis line is extended right and left, the sheet | seat materials 271 and 272 are distribute | arranged to the right part and the left part of the game area | region formation board 103, and the holding member 273 or rail is located behind these sheet | seat materials 271 and 272 A member 274 may be disposed.

  (8) In each of the above embodiments, all the outer peripheral surfaces arranged in parallel in the rotation direction of the shielding body 152 are used as “shielding surfaces”, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the configuration having a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces arranged in parallel in the rotation direction, two adjacent outer peripheral surfaces among the outer peripheral surfaces may be used as “shielding surfaces”. That is, only two of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c can be used as “shielding surfaces”.

  Moreover, when it is set as the structure by which a shielding body makes | forms a quadratic prism shape, and the structure from which four different outer peripheral surfaces are arranged in parallel in a rotation direction, two adjacent outer peripheral surfaces are utilized as a "shielding surface" among these outer peripheral surfaces. It is also possible to use three adjacent outer peripheral surfaces as “shielding surfaces”. In particular, as shown in FIG. 27 (d), when the outer peripheral surfaces 280a to 280d of the shield 280 are provided and the distance from the rotation center axis is the same on the outer peripheral surfaces 280a, 280c, and 280d, these three are different. A practically preferable configuration can be realized by using the outer peripheral surfaces 280a, 280c, and 280d as “shielding surfaces”. That is, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the rotation center axis can be overlapped on the same virtual plane P without moving in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, switching of each outer peripheral surface 280a, 280c, 280d can be performed smoothly by forward / reverse rotation of the shield 280.

  As shown in FIG. 27B, when the shield 280 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the inner angles between adjacent outer peripheral surfaces 280a to 280d are 90 °, any of the outer peripheral surfaces 280a, 280c, 280d is the pachinko machine 10. Even when facing the front side, all the remaining outer peripheral surfaces are included in the rear projection region. Thereby, even if it has the structure which has the some shield 280, the adjacent shield 280 can be brought close easily and formation of a continuous surface can be made easy.

  Further, in the shield 280 shown in FIG. 27B, the outer peripheral surfaces 280a and 280c on both sides of the outer peripheral surface 280d are formed to have the same length dimension. That is, the distance dimension from the rotation center axis to the outer peripheral surface 280b end of the outer peripheral surface 280a is the same as the distance dimension from the rotation central axis to the outer peripheral surface 280b end of the outer peripheral surface 280c. A shield 280 was formed. It is also possible to change this as follows. It is also possible to form the shields 280 so that the outer surface 280a and the outer surface 280c have different lengths and the distances to the above-described end portions are different. In such a case, the distance between the rotation center axis and the game area forming plate 103 is such that the outer peripheral surface 280b side end portion and the rotation center axis of the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface 280a, 280c on the side having the shorter length. It is desirable to form the shield 280 to be smaller than the distance dimension. By forming the shield 280 in this way, the production range can be expanded while bringing the virtual plane P (that is, the production position) closer to the game area forming plate 103. That is, it is possible to expand the production range while enabling the production at a position close to the player, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  Incidentally, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the shield has a polygonal column shape of pentagonal column or more. However, when the shielding body has a polygonal column shape of five or more corners, there is a portion where the inner angle between the outer peripheral surfaces is larger than 90 °. In such a case, it may be difficult to use a part of the outer peripheral surface as a “shielding surface”. Therefore, in order to efficiently configure the “shielding surface” by the outer peripheral surface of the shielding body, it is preferable to have a triangular prism shape or a quadrangular prism shape. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the shield can be used without waste, and a practically preferable configuration can be realized.

  Furthermore, although the shield 152 has a columnar configuration, it is possible to change the configuration so that the shield has a plate-like configuration or a cylindrical configuration.

  (9) In the above embodiments, the inner angles A1, A2, A3 between the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are all acute angles, but any one of these inner angles A1, A2, A3 is a right angle. Is also possible. Further, any one of these inner angles A1, A2, A3 can be an obtuse angle. However, when the interior angle is an obtuse angle, it is assumed that the adjacent shields 152 are not easily brought close to each other because other outer peripheral surfaces not arranged on the virtual plane P are likely to interfere with each other. Therefore, the inner corner angles A1, A2 and A3 are preferably acute angles or right angles.

  (10) In each of the above-described embodiments, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are configured to have a planar shape. However, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are modified to have a curved surface shape having a certain curvature. It is also possible. For example, each of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c may have a curved shape that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the rotation center axis X, or may have a curved shape that protrudes inward in the radial direction. In such a case, it is desirable that the curvatures of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c be at least the same between the edges on both sides in the rotational direction of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c. Thereby, in the 1st-3rd state, it becomes possible to overlap each outer peripheral surface 152a-152c on a virtual curved surface.

  Moreover, although the boundary part between each outer peripheral surface 152a-152c is made into a square shape, this may be changed and the corner R may be formed in the boundary part between each outer peripheral surface 152a-152c.

  (11) In each of the above embodiments, the same outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the plurality of shields 152 are directed toward the game area forming plate 103 in accordance with the switching of effects, but this is changed as follows. It is also possible. In other words, each of the shields 152 may have a configuration in which different outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are directed to the game area forming plate 103 side in accordance with the switching of effects. For example, as shown in FIG. 27 (c), the second outer peripheral surface 152b of the left shield 152 and the right shield are placed in a state where the first outer peripheral surface 152a of the central shield 152 is disposed on the virtual plane P. The third outer peripheral surface 152c of the body 152 can also be arranged on the virtual plane P. As shown in the above embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the individual shields 152 are located on the virtual plane P regardless of the state of each of the first state to the third state (see FIG. 11 (b)). For this reason, while maintaining the connection of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c between the shields 152, the width of the shielding surface formed by the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c, that is, the size of the shielding region can be changed variously. It becomes. In other words, by forming the shielding surface by combining different outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the plurality of shielding bodies 152, it is possible to diversify the shielding patterns as described above.

  (12) In the above-described embodiment, each shield 152 has the same configuration, but each of these shields may have a different configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 20D, a triangular prism-shaped shield 290 and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped shield 291 may be combined (mixed).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, the shaft bodies 292 and 293 (specifically, the rotation center axis line) need to be arranged on the same virtual plane parallel to the back surface of the game area forming plate 103. It is also possible to dispose them in the front-rear direction. However, such a configuration in which the rotation center axis is shifted in the front-rear direction is not preferable because it is likely to increase the size of the display area variable mechanism and the structure of the holding member. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the rotation center axis of each shield in the same plane.

  (13) In the first embodiment, the upper rail member 190 is arranged at the upper part of the game area forming plate 103, specifically, behind the first sheet material 128, and the lower part of the game area forming plate 103, more specifically, the second. Although the lower rail member 170 is disposed behind the sheet material 129, both the rail members 170 and 190 can be interchanged.

  Further, the upper rail member 190 can be omitted. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which replaces with the upper side rail member 190, arrange | positions the lower side rail member 170, and drives the shielding unit 151 in the upper part and the lower part of the game area | region formation board 103. FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the first stepping motor 165 as the power unit is provided on the lower rail member 170 side. However, the same configuration is added to the upper rail member 190 side, and both rail members are provided. It is good also as a structure which slides each shield 152 by driving the stepping motor of 170,190 side synchronously.

  (14) In each of the above embodiments, the stepping motors 165 and 167 are used. However, this can be changed as follows. For example, instead of the stepping motors 165 and 167, other motors such as a DC motor can be used. However, in this case, detection means such as a sensor for detecting the position and orientation of the shielding body 152 is provided, and the position information and orientation information of the shielding body 152 obtained through these detection means are displayed on the display control device 92 (more specifically, display control It is desirable to perform feedback control for controlling the position and orientation of the shielding unit 151 based on each information inputted to the substrate 211).

  In addition, regarding the sliding movement (linear movement) of the shielding unit 151 in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail member 170, the linear motor is used instead of the first stepping motor 165, thereby facilitating position control. It can contribute to realization of more agile operation.

  (15) In each of the above embodiments, the display area varying mechanism 150 (specifically, the lower rail member 170) is disposed behind the discharge passage forming member 145. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharge passage forming member is not limited thereto. It is also possible to arrange them together with 145. For example, the discharge passage forming member 145 and the lower rail member 170 may be arranged vertically. As a result, the distance between the game area forming plate 103 and the symbol display device 140 can be further reduced, and the shield 152 can be increased in size.

  (16) In each of the above embodiments, the lower rail member 170 and the upper rail member 190 are shielded by the sheet materials 128 and 129, and the lower rail member 170 and the upper rail member 190 from the front of the pachinko machine 10. However, it is also possible to omit these sheet materials 128 and 129.

  In addition, the symbol display device 140 (specifically, the display screen 141) having the same size as the game area forming plate 103 is used, but this is changed to replace the symbol display device 140 (specifically, the display screen 141) with the sheet. The size may correspond to the transmission region E1 between the materials 128 and 129. However, in consideration of reuse, it is preferable that the symbol display device 140 (specifically, the display screen 141) is a full liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment.

  Note that the sheet materials 128 and 129 can be arranged on the front side instead of the back side of the game area forming plate 103.

  (17) In the first embodiment, the stopper 163 is formed at the tip of the shaft body 161 constituting the shielding unit 151. However, this may be omitted.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which controls the movement to directions other than a rail direction by making the stopper part 163 respond | correspond to the cross section of the upper rail 190. FIG. In addition, when the change of such a structure is performed, it is assumed that shaping | molding of the shaft body 161 will become difficult. Such inconvenience can be suitably avoided by forming the stopper portion separately from the shaft body 161.

  Furthermore, instead of the stopper 163, a rotating body (for example, a roller) that rolls in the groove direction of the upper rail member 190 in the rail direction can be provided.

  (18) In each embodiment described above, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are switched by rotating the shielding body 152 in two directions of forward rotation and reverse rotation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, the rotation direction of the shield 152 can be limited to one direction. Thereby, the rotation control can be simplified.

  (19) In each of the above-described embodiments, the game area forming plate 103 is used as the “panel member”. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shielding body has at least transparency and is arranged rearward. What is necessary is just to be able to visually recognize 152. For example, the shield 152 may be disposed between the window panel 55 and the game area forming plate 103 and the window panel 55 may be used as a “panel member”.

  (20) In each of the above embodiments, the outer peripheral surface 152a of each shield 152 has an independent pattern. However, one continuous pattern is formed by the outer peripheral surfaces 152a of the plurality of shields 152. It is good also as a structure. Similarly, on the outer peripheral surfaces 152b and 152c, a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 152b may constitute a “chance” character, and a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 152c may constitute a “big chance” character.

  (21) In each of the above embodiments, the end portions of the shielding bodies 152 are in contact with each other (boundary portions between the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c). It is also possible to have a configuration in which they overlap each other. Thereby, it can avoid that the symbol display apparatus 140 becomes visible through the clearance gap between the shielding bodies 152, and can make a shielding function suitable.

  (22) In each of the above embodiments, the area that is shielded on the display screen 141 is increased due to the effect using the display area variable mechanism 150. However, this is changed and the display area variable mechanism 150 is used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the area to be shielded on the display screen 141 is reduced due to the effect.

  Specifically, in a normal state, the third outer peripheral surface 152c may be configured to face the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and may be configured to switch to the first outer peripheral surfaces 152a and 152b depending on the effect.

  (23) In each of the above embodiments, the shielding body 152 and the shaft body 161 are provided separately, but they may be provided integrally.

  Further, although the shaft body 161 is disposed in the shielding body 152, the shaft body 161 can be disposed outside the shielding body 152 instead. However, when such a change is made, it may be difficult to achieve both the enlargement of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the shield 152 and the securing of the operating gap of the shield 152. Furthermore, it may be difficult to increase the number of “shielding surfaces”. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the shaft 161 in the shield 152, for example, in a region sandwiched between “shielding surfaces”.

  (24) In each of the above embodiments, a continuous surface is formed by a plurality of shields 152 (specifically, three or six shields 152), but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition to forming the continuous surface, the individual shields 152 may be individually shielded at a plurality of different positions. In such a case, by setting display areas on both sides of each shield, the display areas can be divided into a plurality of settings, which can contribute to further diversification of effects. If at least two shields are provided, the two shields are arranged apart from each other, thereby making it possible to shield at a plurality of different sites and favorably promoting the differentiation of the display area. For example, when it is set as the structure which has four shielding bodies, it is good to arrange | position these shielding bodies separately and to set a display area (display area divided into five) on both sides of each shielding body.

  Moreover, when forming a continuous surface, it is sufficient that there are at least two adjacent shields. Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of continuous surfaces formed by a plurality of shields are set and the respective continuous surfaces are spaced apart from each other. In such a case, setting display areas on both sides of each continuous surface can contribute to further diversification of effects. For example, when it is set as the structure which has six shielding bodies, the continuous surface (three continuous surfaces) formed by two shielding bodies is arrange | positioned mutually spaced apart, and a display area (a total of four) is provided on both sides of these continuous surfaces. Should be set.

  (25) In each of the above-described embodiments, the position switching mode and the display switching mode are individually set as the driving mode of the shielding unit 151. However, the position switching mode and the display switching mode are integrated. It is good. For example, the first position switching mode is the first driving mode, the combination of the first position switching mode and the first display switching mode is the second driving mode, and the combination of the first position switching mode and the second display switching mode is the third. A driving mode or the like is preferable. Thereby, a plurality of switching operations can be combined, and the operation required for mode switching can be simplified and the time can be reduced.

  Moreover, although it was set as the structure which always returns to a standard state after the effect using the display area variable mechanism 150 is complete | finished, when the effect using the display area variable mechanism 150 continues, it is set as the structure which maintains a drive state. Is also possible. As a result, it is possible to prevent the visibility from deteriorating due to frequent operation of the display area variable mechanism and excessive switching of the display area.

  (26) In each of the above embodiments, the display control device 92 is controlled by the sound lamp control device 91 based on the command output from the display control device 92 in the above embodiment. Instead, the display control device 92 may control the sound lamp control device 91 based on a command output from the main control device 90. Further, instead of the configuration in which the sound lamp control device 91 and the display control device 92 are separately provided, the control devices 91 and 92 may be provided as one control device. The configuration of the command output from the main control device 90 to the sound lamp control device 91 is also arbitrary.

  When the voice lamp control device 91 receives a command from the main control device 90, the voice lamp control device 91 does not output the command to the display control device 92 as it is. While specifying, it is good also as a structure which outputs the information including the specific result to the display control apparatus 92. FIG.

  Further, although the display area changing mechanism 150 and the display control device 92 are electrically connected via a relay board (not shown), this relay board can be omitted.

  (27) In each of the above embodiments, the display area variable mechanism 150 is driven in accordance with the reach effect. However, the effect using the display area variable mechanism 150 can be used in a scene other than the reach effect. . For example, the present invention can be applied to other effects such as effects when the game is shifted to the big hit state.

  (28) In each of the above-described embodiments, the display area E3 is configured to perform variable display of the symbols, and the display screen 141 is configured to display no image in an area other than the display area E3. It is possible to change and display an image such as a background in an area other than the display area E3.

  In the display area E3, a design or the like is displayed. However, it is also possible to display a design such as a background other than the design. Furthermore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a static display of symbols and the like is performed instead of a configuration in which symbols are displayed in a variable manner.

  (29) In each of the above-described embodiments, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c of the shielding body 152 have different width dimensions (length dimensions between boundary portions with adjacent outer peripheral surfaces). If attention is paid to switching the “surface” satisfactorily, it is possible to make the width dimensions of the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c the same. That is, even if the width dimensions of 152a to 152c are the same, it is possible to smoothly switch the effects (specifically, the rotating operation of the shield). In such a case, a variety of effects can be achieved by applying different decorations to the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c.

  (30) In each of the above embodiments, the outer peripheral surfaces 152a to 152c are planar, but a convex or concave design (for example, letters, numbers, designs, etc.) can be given to these outer peripheral surfaces. It is. In this case, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the boundary portion between the plane portion serving as the base or the adjacent outer peripheral surface overlaps the virtual plane P.

  (31) In the second embodiment, the drive unit 550 is arranged on the left and right sides of the rail members 460 and 480. In other words, the left drive unit 550L and the right drive unit 550R are configured, but the present invention is not limited to this. Either one of the drive units 550L and 550R can be omitted. When such a change is made, the configuration for driving the shielding units 410a to 410f may be combined into one drive unit. Further, the drive unit 550 may be disposed below the rail member 460 and above the rail member 480, respectively. When such a change is made, it is preferable that the drive units 550 be covered with the sheet materials 128 and 129.

  (32) In the second embodiment, the lower belt member 511 is arranged outside the gear 562 of the sliding stepping motor 560, and the upper belt member 521 is arranged inside the gear 562. However, the belt members 511 and 521 may be replaced so that this arrangement is reversed. That is, the lower belt member 511 may be disposed inside the gear 562 and the upper belt member 521 may be disposed outside the gear 562.

  (33) In the second embodiment, the belt members 511 and 521 are used as the power transmission members. Specifically, the belt members 511 and 521 are curved to directly connect the belt members 511 and 521 and the slide stepping motor 560. It is good also as a structure which changes this and connects the belt members 511 and 521 and the slide stepping motor 560 via another gear member. By relaying the gear member or the like in this way, it is not necessary to bend the belt member. Thereby, the strength of the belt member can be improved, and a configuration that can easily suppress deformation such as the bending of the belt member can be realized.

  (34) In the second embodiment, the sliding stepping motor 560 is disposed at an intermediate position between the rail members 460 and 480, and the dimension between the total length of the lower belt member 511 and the total length of the upper belt member 521 is determined. Although the difference is less likely to occur, the position of the stepping motor 560 is not limited to this, and is arbitrary. For example, the stepping motor 560 can be arranged biased to one side of the rail members 460 and 480. However, if the overall length of the belt member becomes long, the responsiveness related to the movement of the support member tends to be lowered. This is not preferable because it can be a factor that makes it difficult to move both support members 420 and 440 in synchronization. Therefore, preferably, the stepping motor is biased and arranged at an intermediate position in the separating direction of both rail members.

  (35) In the second embodiment, the sliding stepping motor 560 is arranged so that the central axis of the shaft portion 561 extends in the front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the slide stepping motor may be arranged such that the central axis of the shaft portion extends in the vertical direction, or may be arranged so that the central axis of the shaft portion extends in the left-right direction. However, when such a change is made, it is necessary to change the arrangement of the belt members. This is not preferable because it may increase the thickness of the drive unit 550.

  (36) In the second embodiment, the belt members 511a to 511c are arranged side by side in the thickness direction of the belt member 511. However, the arrangement of the belt members 511a to 511c is arbitrary. For example, the belt members 511a to 511b can be juxtaposed in the width direction of the belt member 511.

  Further, although the belt member 511 is arranged so that the tooth portion 513 faces upward, it can be changed as follows. That is, it is possible to arrange the belt member 511 so that the tooth part 513 faces downward, and it is also possible to arrange the belt member 511 so that the tooth part 513 faces frontward or rearward.

  The changes detailed above may be applied to each set of belt members 511d to 511f, 521a to 521c, and 521d to 521f.

  (37) In the second embodiment, the belt receiving grooves 472a to 472c are formed in the front plate portion 461 of the lower rail member 460, and the belt receiving grooves 472d to 472f are set to the rear plate portion of the lower rail member 460. 462. That is, the belt members 511a to 511c and the belt members 511d to 511f are arranged with the lower support member 420 interposed therebetween. It is also possible to change this and arrange the belt members 511a to 511f collectively on one side of the lower support member 420, that is, on any of the plate portions 461 to 463 of the lower rail member 460.

  (38) In the second embodiment, the belt members 511 and 521 are disposed on both sides of the gear 562 of the sliding stepping motor 560. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to arrange the belt members 511 and 521 on the same side. That is, the tooth portion 513 of the lower belt member 511 and the tooth portion 523 of the upper belt member 521 do not necessarily face each other, and the tooth portion 513 of the lower belt member 511 and the tooth portion of the upper belt member 521 are not necessarily opposed to each other. It is also possible to arrange the belt members 511 and 521 so that 523 faces the same side. However, when such a change is made, in order to unify the operation directions of the support members 420 and 440 by the belt members 511 and 521, it is preferable to use a configuration in which the transmission direction of the driving force is reversed. For example, the belt members 511 and 521 may be annular.

  (39) In the second embodiment, the lower support member 420 and the upper support member 440 are driven by one slide stepping motor 560. However, this is changed, and the lower support member 420 is changed. A stepping motor for driving and a stepping motor for driving the upper support member 440 may be provided separately. However, when such a change is made, a detection means for detecting the positions of the support members 420 and 440 is individually provided, and the movement of the support members 420 and 440 is performed based on the position information from the detection means. It is preferable to perform feedback control so as to synchronize.

  (40) In the second embodiment, the belt members 511 and 521 are used as the “driving force transmission unit”. However, instead of the belt members 511 and 521, a chain member or a cable member is used. Also good. In the case of a configuration having a cable member, it is preferable that a hook such as a step is provided on the cable so that the cable can be engaged with a stepping motor (specifically, a gear) and that the engagement is not easily shifted.

  For example, when the moving direction of the shielding unit is set to the up and down direction, the driving force transmission unit is configured with a string or the like, and the shielding unit is lifted by dropping the string, and the shielding unit is dropped by its own weight. It can also be lowered. However, when such a configuration is adopted, it is considered that it is difficult to realize agile movement because it moves depending on the weight of the shielding unit. Furthermore, when the moving direction of the shielding unit is set to a direction in which it is difficult to move due to its own weight (for example, the left-right direction), it is difficult to reciprocate the shielding unit with one slide stepping motor. For example, by providing a forward slide stepping motor and a backward slide stepping motor, it is possible to cope with this, but the configuration is considered to be complicated, which is not preferable. For the above reasons, it is preferable to use a “driving force transmission unit” that can handle pushing and pulling by a stepping motor for slide (for example, the belt described above).

  (41) In the second embodiment, the “defining means” includes the casings 571 to 574. However, the casings 571 to 574 may be omitted. When these casings 571 to 574 are omitted, the groove width and groove depth of the casing housing portion of the housing 580 are changed in accordance with the belt members 511 and 521, and the belt members 511 and 521 are changed on the inner peripheral surface of the casing housing portion. It is good to suppress bending and twisting of these belt members 511 and 521 by pinching.

  (42) As shown in the second embodiment, in the configuration in which the support members 420 and 440 are provided at both ends of the shield 411, the turning stepping motor 555 can be provided on the upper support member 440. It is.

  (43) In the second embodiment, the length of the lower belt members 511a to 511c, specifically the length (distance) of the transmission path between the stepping motors 560a to 560c and the shielding units 410a to 410c. By making the difference positively, erroneous assembly of the belt members 511a to 511c is suppressed, but this may be changed and the lengths of the belt members 511a to 511c may be equal. Thereby, the time lag accompanying transmission of the driving force in each shielding unit 410a-410c can be made equivalent, and it becomes possible to arrange operation | movement of each shielding unit 410a-410c.

  For example, the arrangement of the stepping motors 560a to 560c may be reversed, and the positions of the first stepping motor 560a and the third stepping motor 560c may be switched.

  Similar changes can be applied to the lower belt members 511d to 511f, the upper belt members 521a to 521f, and the stepping motors 560d to 560f.

  (44) In the second embodiment, the belt housing grooves 472a to 472f corresponding to the belt members 511a to 511f are formed individually. It is good also as a structure which changes this and a some belt member is accommodated in the same belt accommodation groove | channel. For example, the belt member 511a and the belt member 511f may be housed in the belt housing groove 472a. However, when the plurality of belt members are configured to coexist in one belt receiving groove as described above, it may be difficult to secure the already described support length. Therefore, it is preferable that a belt receiving groove corresponding to each belt member is provided individually.

  (45) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above embodiment, such as a pachinko machine in which the electric game object is released a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters the specific area of the special device, or a game ball in the specific area of the special device The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine that generates a right if a player enters, a pachinko machine equipped with other objects, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball, and other gaming machines.

  Also, a non-ball-type gaming machine, for example, a plurality of reels with a plurality of types of symbols attached in the circumferential direction, starts rotation of the reel by inserting a medal and operating a start lever, and a stop switch is operated. If a specific symbol or a combination of specific symbols is established on the effective line visible from the display window after the reel has stopped after a predetermined time has passed, a privilege such as paying out medals is given to the player The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine.

  In addition, the gaming machine main body that is supported by the outer frame so as to be openable and closable is provided with a storage unit and a capture device, and the start lever is operated after a predetermined number of game balls stored in the storage unit are captured by the capture device. Thus, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused to start the rotation of the reel.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine, 13 ... Inner frame, 90 ... Main control device, 91 ... Sound lamp control device, 92 ... Display device, 100 ... Game board unit, 103 ... Game area formation board, 104 ... Game area, 128, 129 ... Sheet material, 140 ... Symbol display device, 141 ... Display screen, 150 ... Display area variable mechanism, 151 ... Shielding unit, 152 ... Shielding body, 152a to 152c ... Outer peripheral surface, 161 ... Shaft body, 165, 167 ... Stepping motor, 170: holding member, 190 ... rail member, 211 ... display control board, 212 ... MPU, 213 ... ROM, 214 ... RAM.

Claims (1)

A first shielding member and a second shielding member that shield at least a part of the display unit by being arranged in front of the display unit,
The first shielding member and the second shielding member form a series of shielding regions composed of a region facing the first shielding member in the display unit and a region facing the second shielding member in the display unit. It is provided so that you can
A first driving unit for driving the first shielding member;
A second drive unit for driving the second shielding member;
Drive control means for driving and controlling the first drive unit and the second drive unit so that the area of the series of shielding regions is changed;
The first shielding member and the second shielding member are provided to be individually rotatable,
A plurality of continuous peripheral surfaces are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the first shielding member in parallel with each other in the rotational direction of the first shielding member so that a corner portion is generated at the boundary.
Any two of the plurality of peripheral surfaces of the first shielding member are formed such that lengths between boundaries with adjacent peripheral surfaces are different from each other, and are arranged at predetermined first shielding positions. By configuring the first shielding surface and the second shielding surface that can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine,
A plurality of continuous peripheral surfaces are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the second shielding member in parallel with each other in the rotational direction of the second shielding member so that a corner portion is generated at the boundary.
Any two of the plurality of peripheral surfaces of the second shielding member are formed such that lengths between boundaries with adjacent peripheral surfaces are different from each other, and are arranged at predetermined second shielding positions. The third shielding surface and the fourth shielding surface that are visible from the front of the gaming machine are configured,
A combination of the shielding surface of the first shielding member disposed at the first shielding position and the shielding surface of the second shielding member disposed at the second shielding position based on the rotation of the shielding members. The gaming machine is characterized in that the area of the series of shielding regions is changed by making different.

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