JP2025061912A - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an amusement machine that can efficiently utilize the installation space of an operation unit and improve the workability of assembly work.
[Solution] This gaming machine is equipped with a switch unit 24a and a performance operation unit 60 that accept operations from a player, and a first recess 12d and a second recess 12f that respectively receive each unit 24a, 60 are provided on the outer side of a front door 12. A first unit mounting portion 12g and a second unit mounting portion 12h for fixing each unit 24a, 60 are provided adjacent to each other on the inner side of the front door 12, and these mounting portions 12g, 12h are provided so that a part of each of the units 24a, 60 overlaps with each other in the adjacent crossing direction, and each of the units 24a, 60 is configured so that one of the units is fixed to the front door 12 while the other is detachable.
[Selected figure] Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines, such as slot machines.

Conventional examples of gaming machines include slot machines and pachinko machines. Such gaming machines are equipped with operation units such as operation buttons operated by the player, and display means such as a display that displays various game effects. Operation buttons have been proposed that vibrate and emit light in response to game effects displayed on the display or pressing operations by the player (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The vibration and light-emitting operation button described in Patent Document 1 is configured as an operational effect unit, and the operational effect unit is housed in a housing that opens into the front panel of the gaming machine body. The operational effect unit includes a case, a button supported on a base within the case so that it can move back and forth, a spring that biases the button in the protruding direction, a vibrator that imparts vibrations to the button, a light-emitting body that causes the button to emit light, and a sensor that detects the button being pressed.

JP 2016-32653 A

However, in conventional vibration-light-emitting operation buttons, various parts such as the button body, vibrator, button advance/retract section, spring, and circuit board are arranged inside the unit in the advance/retract direction (height direction) of the button, and space is provided inside the unit for the button's advance/retract movement, which results in a large height dimension for the operation button. This means that it is not possible to install another large operation unit in front of the button unit, resulting in a problem of significant installation space constraints.

The object of the present invention is to provide an amusement machine that can efficiently use the installation space of the operation unit and improve the workability of the assembly work.

That is, the invention described in claim 1 is as follows:
A gaming machine including a first operation unit and a second operation unit for receiving operations from a player,
A first recess and a second recess for receiving the first operation unit and the second operation unit, respectively, are provided on the outer side of the gaming machine body;
the first recess and the second recess are open toward an exterior side of the gaming machine body in directions intersecting each other, and are provided in communication with each other inside the gaming machine body;
A first unit mounting portion and a second unit mounting portion for fixing the first operation unit and the second operation unit, respectively, are provided adjacent to each other on the inner side of the game machine main body, and the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are provided so as to overlap each other partially in an adjacent cross direction;
The gaming machine is characterized in that one of the first operation unit and the second operation unit is configured to be detachable while the other is fixed to the gaming machine main body.

In this gaming machine according to the present invention, the first operation unit is housed in the first recess, the second operation unit is housed in the second recess, and the first operation unit and the second operation unit are fixed from the rear side by the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion, respectively, so that each unit can be easily attached or removed, improving the efficiency of the assembly work. Furthermore, since the first operation unit and the second operation unit are configured to be individually attached or removed, the efficiency of the assembly work can be further improved. In addition, since the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are provided close to each other with portions overlapping each other in the adjacent cross direction, the installation space for these units can be made compact.

1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an oblique view of the slot machine with the front door open. FIG. 1 is a rear view of the front door of the slot machine. FIG. 2 is a front view of the cabinet of the slot machine. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the structure of the front door. 13A and 13B are front and rear views showing the performance operation unit. 13A and 13B are side views showing the operation of the performance operation unit. This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation unit viewed diagonally from above. This is an exploded oblique view of the performance operation unit viewed diagonally from below. 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the performance operation unit. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a simplified representation of the performance operation unit. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a simplified representation of the performance operation unit.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in which the present invention is applied to a reel type gaming machine, which is one type of gaming machine, specifically a slot machine 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 open, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the front door 12, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the cabinet 11.

[Overall structure of the gaming machine]
As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the slot machine 10 has a housing 11 that forms its outer shell. The housing 11 is formed by combining wooden panels and is generally box-shaped with an open front, and is attached to so-called island equipment by nailing or the like when it is installed in an amusement hall. The housing 11 is not limited to being made of wooden panels, but may be made of synthetic resin panels or metal panels, or may be formed into an integrated box shape from synthetic resin material or metal material. A handle 11a is provided on the lower side of the housing 11 to be used when transporting the slot machine 10.

A front door 12 is attached to the front side of the housing 11 so as to be able to open and close. That is, the housing 11 is provided with three upper and lower support shafts 13a, 13b, and 13c (see FIG. 4) on the left side when viewed from the front, and the front door 12 is provided with bearings 14a, 14b, and 14c (see FIG. 3) at positions corresponding to the support shafts 13a, 13b, and 13c. When the support shafts 13a, 13b, and 13c are inserted into the bearings 14a, 14b, and 14c, the front door 12 is supported so as to be rotatable about an opening and closing axis extending in the vertical direction connecting the support shafts 13a, 13b, and 13c relative to the housing 11, and the front open side of the housing 11 can be opened and closed by rotating the front door 12.

In addition, a locking device 15 is provided on the rear side of the front door 12 opposite the opening/closing axis (the right side when viewed from the front), and a lock receiving portion 16 is provided in the housing 11 at a position corresponding to the locking device 15. This locking device 15 locks the front door 12 closed to the housing 11 in a locked state that cannot be opened. A key cylinder 15a integrated with the locking device 15 is provided on the front right end of the front door 12, and the locking device 15 is configured to be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state by a predetermined key operation on the key cylinder 15a. That is, by operating the key cylinder 15a, the locking device 15 is engaged with the lock receiving portion 16 to lock the front door 12, making it impossible to open, and the locking device 15 is disengaged from the lock receiving portion 16 to unlock the front door 12, making it possible to open the front door 12. Note that Omlock (registered trademark), which has a high unauthorized unlocking prevention function, is used as the key cylinder 15a.

A game panel 20 for displaying information related to the game is provided in the center of the front of the front door 12. The game panel 20 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 can be seen through the game panel 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a reel unit 21 is attached to the back side of the front door 12 corresponding to the game panel 20. The reel unit 21 has connectors 21a and 21b for connecting power distribution wiring (not shown) and signal lines (not shown) extending from a main relay board 71 described later, and the operation of the reel unit 21 is controlled by the main control device 90.

The reel unit 21 includes a left reel 22L, a center reel 22M, and a right reel 22R, each of which is formed in a cylindrical (annular) shape. Each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R is supported rotatably so that its central axis is the axis of rotation of the reel. The axes of rotation of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R are arranged on the same axis that extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and a portion of the surface of each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R is visible through the game panel 20. Furthermore, when each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R rotates forward, the surface of each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R is visible through the game panel 20 as if it were moving from top to bottom.

Here, the configuration of the reel unit 21 will be briefly explained. Each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R is connected to a stepping motor, and each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R can be rotated individually, that is, independently, by driving each stepping motor. The stepping motor is set to rotate once by giving a drive signal (hereinafter also referred to as an excitation pulse) of, for example, 504 pulses, and the rotational position of the stepping motor, that is, the rotational position of the reel, is controlled by this excitation pulse. In addition, the reel unit 21 is provided with a reel index sensor for each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R for detecting that the reel has rotated once. When the reel index sensor detects that the reel has rotated once, it outputs a detection signal to the main control device 90 described later. Therefore, the main control device 90 can check and correct the angular position of each reel 22L, 22M, and 22R for each rotation based on the detection signal of the reel index sensor and the number of excitation pulses output before the detection signal is input.

On the outer periphery of each reel 22L, 22M, 22R, multiple symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumference direction) as identification information; specifically, 21 symbols are drawn at equal intervals on each reel 22L, 22M, 22R, and three consecutive symbols are configured to be visible at the top, middle, and bottom positions of the game panel 20, respectively. Therefore, to switch a symbol to the next symbol at a specified position, it is necessary to output 24 excitation pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols). In addition, the main control device 90 can control the number of excitation pulses output after the detection signal of the reel index sensor is input to determine which symbols are visible from the game panel 20 and stop a specified symbol at a position visible from the game panel 20.

A start lever 23 is provided on the lower left side of the game panel 20, which is operated to start the rotation of each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R. The start lever 23 is a lever that the player pushes by hand (the direction in which it is pushed is not limited) when starting a game, and when the start lever 23 is operated with a predetermined number of medals inserted, the rotation of each of the reels 22L, 22M, and 22R starts all at once (however, not necessarily simultaneously).

On the right side of the start lever 23, there are provided button-shaped stop switches 24L, 24M, 24R that are operated to individually stop each of the spinning reels 22L, 22M, 22R. Each stop switch 24L, 24M, 24R is arranged corresponding to the reel 22L, 22M, 22R to be stopped. That is, when the left stop switch 24L is operated, the left reel 22L stops spinning, when the center stop switch 24M is operated, the center reel 22M stops spinning, and when the right stop switch 24R is operated, the right reel 22R stops spinning.

A medal insertion section 25 for inserting medals is provided on the lower right side of the game panel 20. Medals inserted through the medal insertion section 25 are guided to either an intake passage 26 or a discharge passage 27 by a selector (not shown) provided on the back side of the front door 12. The medals guided to the intake passage 26 are then guided to a hopper device 31 housed inside the housing 11. Meanwhile, the medals guided to the discharge passage 27 are guided from a medal discharge port 28 provided on the lower front side of the front door 12 to a medal tray 29 and are returned to the player.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the hopper device 31 is composed of a storage tank 32 for storing medals and a payout device 33 for paying out medals to a player. The payout device 33 rotates a medal payout rotating plate (not shown) to discharge medals to an opening 27a provided in the discharge passage 27, and pays out the medals to a medal receiving tray 29 through the discharge passage 27. In addition, a reserve tank 34 is provided to the right of the hopper device 31 to prevent medals from being stored in the storage tank 32 by more than a predetermined amount. Inside the storage tank 32 of the hopper device 31, an induction plate (not shown) is provided to discharge medals from the storage tank 32 to the reserve tank 34. Therefore, if medals are stored above the height at which the induction plate is provided, the medals will be stored in the reserve tank 34.

In addition, a settlement switch (not shown) is provided to the left of the start lever 23. This slot machine 10 has a credit function that stores and stores surplus inserted medals up to a predetermined maximum value (50 medals) and medals paid out when a prize is won as virtual medals, and when the settlement switch is operated while virtual medals are stored and stored, the virtual medals are paid out as real medals from the medal discharge port 28 to the medal tray 29. In addition, when the settlement switch is operated while a medal inserted into the medal insertion section 25 is stuck in the selector, the selector is mechanically linked and operated, and the medal stuck in the selector is returned from the medal discharge port 28.

A MAXBET button 36 is provided on the lower left side of the game panel 20 for inserting the maximum number of credited virtual medals as game media (e.g., inserting three at a time). Although not provided in the slot machine 10 of this embodiment, a button for inserting two virtual medals at a time (2BET button) or a button for inserting one virtual medal (1BET button) may be provided near the MAXBET button 36. The settlement switch and MAXBET button 36 are the operation units that perform the main game operations in the slot machine 10, and therefore operation signals from these operation units are transmitted to and processed by the main control device 90 described below.

An information display unit 37 is provided to the left of the MAXBET button 36. The information display unit 37 is composed of a 7-segment display that displays information related to the number of medals, such as the number of virtual medals credited, the number of medals remaining to be paid out until the bonus state ends, and the number of medals paid out when a prize is won. The information display unit 37 is not limited to being composed of a 7-segment display, and may be composed of a liquid crystal display or the like that displays information on the number of medals to be displayed on one screen. The display of the information display unit 37 is controlled by the main control unit 90.

At the center of the lower part of the game panel 20, an effect button 38 is provided as an effect operation unit 60 (described later). The effect button 38 is used to switch between images and videos displayed on the liquid crystal display device 55 (described later), and to switch the lighting state of the upper lamp 51 and side lamp 53. Operation signals from the effect button 38 are transmitted to the sub-control device 80 (described later) for processing. In addition, a lower plate 39 is attached above the medal tray 29, on which the model name and characters related to the game are displayed.

On the front side of the front door 12, an upper lamp 51 and a pair of left and right speaker grills 52 are provided at the top, a pair of side lamps 53 are provided on both left and right sides, and a pair of left and right speaker grills 54 are provided on both sides of the lower plate 41. The upper lamp 51 and the side lamps 53 light up and flash as the game progresses to create effects. In addition, above the game panel 20, a liquid crystal display device 55 is provided to provide various information to the player. The liquid crystal display device 55 is used to perform various display effects as the game progresses, and to notify the player of the status when the power is turned on or an error occurs, and is configured with a liquid crystal display 56 that displays images.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of upper speakers 57 (the upper speaker on the right side is not shown in the figure) are provided at the top on the rear side of the front door 12, a pair of lower speakers 58 (left and right) are provided at the bottom, and a sub-speaker (woofer) 59 is provided on the rear of the liquid crystal display device 55. The upper speaker 57 generates various sound effects as the game progresses, and these sound effects are sent to the front side of the front door 12 through the speaker grill 52. The lower speaker 58 generates notification sounds that notify the player of the game status, and these notification sounds are sent to the front side of the front door 12 through the speaker grill 54. The sub-speaker 59 generates sound effects such as deep bass as the game progresses.

The LCD device 55 is constructed such that the exterior is formed by an LCD case 55a, which houses an LCD display and an LCD board (not shown). The LCD board is equipped with electronic components such as a VDP (Video Display Processor) that controls the overall video output, and various memories. A connector port is formed in the LCD case 55a, and a connector 55b mounted on the LCD board is exposed on the rear side of the front door 12 through the connector port. A wiring (not shown) extending from the sub-controller 80 described below is connected to the connector 55b.

The upper lamps 51, side lamps 53, liquid crystal display device 55, upper speaker 57, lower speaker 58, and sub-speaker 59 are controlled by a sub-control device 80. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the sub-control device 80 is attached to the inner surface of the back panel 11c of the cabinet 11 via a main body base 85. In addition, a main control device 90 that controls the reel unit 21 and the hopper device 31 and manages the game is attached to the main body base 85. In addition, a power supply box 70 is provided to the left of the hopper device 31 inside the cabinet 11. The power supply box 70 houses a power supply device (not shown) therein and is equipped with a power switch (not shown) for supplying power to each part including the sub-control device 80 and the main control device 90.

3, a main relay board 71 and a sub-relay board 72 are provided on the rear side of the front door 12. The main relay board 71 relays the power supplied from the power supply box 70 via the main control device 90 and the control signal transmitted from the main control device 90 to each part such as the reel unit 21, the start lever 23, the stop switches 24L, 24M, and 24R, the settlement switch 5, the MAXBET button 36, and the information display unit 37. The sub-relay board 72 relays the power supplied from the power supply box 70 via the sub-control device 80 and the control signal transmitted from the sub-control device 80 to each part such as the performance button 38, the liquid crystal display device 55, the upper lamp 51, the side lamp 53, the upper speaker 57, the lower speaker 58, and the sub-speaker 59. The main relay board 71 and the sub-relay board 72 are provided with input connectors for connecting wiring (not shown) from the main control device 90 and the sub-control device 80, respectively, and distribution connectors for connecting distribution wiring (not shown) connected to each part.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-control device 80 is configured such that the outer shell is formed by a board case 81, and a sub-board (not shown) is housed in the board case 81. The sub-board is equipped with electronic components such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that mainly controls the performance button 38, upper lamp 51, side lamp 53, upper speaker 57, lower speaker 58, and sub-speaker 59, various memories, and multiple connectors 82 for electrical connection to the outside. This sub-board is housed in the board case 81 so that the mounting surface of the electronic components faces the front side of the sub-control device 80. The board case 81 is composed of a base member (not shown) that forms the back side and a cover member 83 that forms the front side. A connector port is opened in the cover member 83, and the connector 82 is exposed through the connector port.

The main control device 90 is configured by forming an outer shell with a circuit board case 91, and housing a main circuit board (not shown) in the circuit board case 91. In addition to electronic components such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that mainly controls the reel unit 21 and the hopper device 31, and various memories, the main circuit board is equipped with multiple connectors 92 for electrical connection to the outside. This main circuit board is housed in the circuit board case 91 so that the mounting surface for the electronic components faces the front side of the main control device 90. The circuit board case 91 is composed of a base member (not shown) that forms the back side and a cover member 93 that forms the front side. The cover member 93 has multiple connector openings formed therein, and the connectors 92 are exposed through the connector openings. The main control device 90 is also provided with a reset switch 94 and a setting key insertion hole 95.

The reset switch 94 is a switch for resetting various states of the slot machine 10. This slot machine 10 has a backup function for various data, so that in the unlikely event of a power outage, the state at the time of the power outage is retained, and when the power is restored (power is restored), the state at the time of the power outage can be restored. Therefore, when the power is cut off in the normal manner, for example when an amusement parlor closes, the state before the power outage is stored and retained, but when the power is turned on while pressing the reset switch 94, the backup data is reset (initialized). Also, if the reset switch 94 is pressed while the power is on, the error state is reset.

The setting key insertion hole 95 is for the hall manager or the like to adjust the number of medals dispensed. That is, the hall manager or the like can insert the setting key into the setting key insertion hole 95 and turn it to change the setting state of the slot machine 10 (the setting of the winning probability for each winning mode) from "Setting 1" to "Setting 6". When the setting state is set to "Setting 1", a lottery is performed for the winning mode (role) that will result in the lowest expected number of medals paid out, and when the setting state is set to "Setting 6", a lottery is performed for the winning mode that will result in the highest expected number of medals paid out. The reset switch 94 is operated not only to reset an error state, but also to change the setting state of the slot machine 10.

[Front door structure]
The structure of the front door 12 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the structure of the front door 12. Fig. 7 is a rear view showing the structure of the front door 12. The front door 12 comprises a metal chassis 12a as a base, and a resin front panel 12b attached to the front of the chassis 12a. The game panel 20 is attached so as to cover the opening of the chassis 12a, and the upper lamp 51 and side lamp 53 shown in Fig. 1 are attached to the front of the chassis 12a.

The front panel 12b has an upper surface 12c that extends forward from the game panel 20 with a slight downward incline, and the medal insertion portion 25, the MAXBET button 36, the information display portion 37, and the performance button 38 are provided on the upper surface 12c. The upper surface 12c is formed with a first recess 12d that receives the performance operation unit (first operation unit) 60 as the performance button 38, and a recess 12e that receives the MAXBET button 36. In addition, a second recess 12f that receives the switch unit (second operation unit) 24a incorporating the stop switches 24L, 24M, and 24R is formed on the lower front side of the upper surface 12c. The first recess 12d opens upward approximately perpendicular to the upper surface 12c, and the second recess 12f opens forward, and the first recess 12d and the second recess 12f are provided in communication with each other inside the front panel 12b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, on the rear side of the front door 12, the chassis 12a is provided with a first unit mounting portion 12g for mounting the performance operation unit 60 and a second unit mounting portion 12h for mounting the switch unit 24a. The first unit mounting portion 12g and the second unit mounting portion 12h are arranged vertically side by side. The first unit mounting portion 12g has four screw holes 121 for inserting four screws (screw members) (not shown) to fix the performance operation unit 60. The second unit mounting portion 12h has four screw holes (not shown) for inserting four screws (screw members) 122 to fix the switch unit 24a. The first unit mounting portion 12g and the second unit mounting portion 12h are arranged adjacent to each other vertically, and are arranged close to each other so that the screws 122, which are part of each other, overlap when viewed in the left-right direction.

The performance operation unit 60 and the switch unit 24a are configured so that they can be individually attached or detached from the first unit attachment portion 12g and the second unit attachment portion 12h from the rear side of the front door 12. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the performance operation unit 60 can be inserted and removed vertically into the first recess 12d even when the switch unit 24a is attached to the front door 12, and the performance operation unit 60 is attached by inserting the performance operation unit 60 into the first recess 12d and fixing it to the first unit attachment portion 12g from the rear side of the front door 12 with a screw. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the switch unit 24a can be inserted and removed forward and backward into the second recess 12f even when the performance operation unit 60 is attached to the front door 12, and the switch unit 24a can be inserted and removed forward and backward into the second recess 12f even when the performance operation unit 60 is attached to the front door 12, and the switch unit 24a can be attached by inserting the switch unit 24a into the second recess 12f and fixing it to the second unit attachment portion 12h from the rear side of the front door 12 with a screw.

[Structure of the Production Operation Unit]
The structure of the performance operation unit 60 will be described below with reference to Figs. 8 to 14. Figs. 8(A) and 8(B) are front and rear views showing the performance operation unit 60. Figs. 9(A) and 9(B) are side views showing the operation of the performance operation unit 60. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the performance operation unit 60 seen from diagonally above. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the performance operation unit 60 seen from diagonally below. Figs. 12(A) and 12(B) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the performance operation unit 60. Figs. 13(A) and 13(B) are cross-sectional views showing the performance operation unit 60 in a simplified manner. Figs. 14(A) and 14(B) are cross-sectional views showing the performance operation unit 60 in a simplified manner.

8 to 14, the presentation operation unit 60 includes an operation button 61 (presentation button 38) as an operation member that can be pressed by the player, a base member 62 that supports the operation button 61 so that it can move back and forth, a vibration presentation section 63 that adds a vibration presentation to the operation button 61, a visual presentation section 64 that adds a visual presentation to the operation button 61, and a detection section 65 that detects the pressing of the operation button 61. This presentation operation unit 60 is linked to game presentations and the like displayed on the liquid crystal display 56, and when the player presses the operation button 61, the vibration presentation section 63 vibrates the operation button 61, and the visual presentation section 64 causes the operation button 61 to emit light, thereby performing vibration presentations and visual presentations for the player. The performance operation unit 60 is configured to be displaceable from an initial position (first position) in which the surface of the operation button 61 protrudes upward from the base member 62, as shown in FIG. 9(A), to a pressed-in position (second position) in which the operation button 61 is pressed toward the base member 64, as shown in FIG. 9(B).

10 and 11, the operation button 61 is configured to have a first operation member 66A as a surface side member exposed upward (surface side) from the base member 64, a second operation member 66B as a surface side member housed inside the first operation member 66A, and a third operation member 67 as a back side member connected to the first operation member 66A and the second operation member 66B. The first operation member 66A is formed in a dish shape that opens downward from a transparent synthetic resin material, and is configured so that the inside can be seen through by the player. The first operation member 66A is formed to have a polygonal upper surface portion 66a that is long in the left-right direction, a side surface portion 66b that extends downward from the periphery of the upper surface portion 66a, and four engagement portions 66c that extend further downward from the side surface portion 66b. The second operating member 66B is made of a translucent synthetic resin material and is formed in a dish shape that opens downward, and has a top surface 66d with decorative parts such as letters, a side surface 66e that extends downward from the periphery of the top surface 66d, and two engagement parts 66f that extend further downward from the side surface 66e. The first operating member 66A and the second operating member 66B are combined with each other with the surface of the top surface 66d in close contact with the inner surface of the top surface 66a and the outer surface of the side surface 66e in close contact with the inner surface of the side surface 66b.

The third operating member 67 of the operating button 61 is made of synthetic resin material and is generally plate-shaped, and is disposed below the first operating member 66A and the second operating member 66B, sandwiching the first base 67 (described later) of the base member 64. The third operating member 67 has a flat portion 67a, six engaging portions 67b protruding upward from its periphery, and an extending portion 67c extending laterally (in the crossing left-right direction) from both the left and right ends of the flat portion 67a. Of the six engaging portions 67b, four engaging portions 67b engage with the engaging portion 66c of the first operating member 66A, and two engaging portions 67b engage with the engaging portion 66f of the second operating member 66B, thereby connecting the first operating member 66A and the second operating member 66B to the third operating member 67. On the underside of the left and right extensions 67c, two protrusions 67d are formed as abutment parts spaced apart in the front-rear direction (the front-rear direction which is the second intersecting direction), giving a total of four protrusions 67d on the third operating member 67. A protrusion 67e (see Figures 12 to 14), which will be described later, is formed in the approximate center of the upper surface of the third operating member 67, and this protrusion 67e functions as a detectable part that is detected by the detection unit 65. On the underside of the third operating member 67, a holding part 67f that holds the vibration production part 63, two coil springs 67g that urge the operating button 61 in the protruding direction (upward), and two guide shafts 67h that guide the coil springs 67g are provided.

The base member 62 is composed of a first base 68 as an intermediate member and a second base 69 as a fixed member, each of which is made of a synthetic resin material. The first base 68 is formed in a dish shape that opens upward and has an annular flange 68a that abuts against the upper surface 12c of the front panel 12b, a cylindrical outer portion 68b that extends downward from the flange 68a and fits into the first recess 12d, and a bottom portion 68c that closes the lower end of the outer portion 68b. The first operating member 66A of the operating button 61 is housed inside the first base 68 so as to be freely movable up and down, and the side portion 66b of the first operating member 66A is guided by the inner surface of the outer portion 68b. The bottom surface portion 68c is provided with four fixed posts 68d that extend downward and are fixed to the second base 69, and six first insertion holes 68e through which the engagement portions 66c, 66f, and 67b of the operation button 61 are inserted. In addition, the visual effect portion 64 is held on the upper surface side of the bottom surface portion 68c, and an insertion hole 68f through which the detection portion 65 is inserted is formed approximately in the center of the bottom surface portion 68c.

The second base 69 is formed with a bottom surface portion 69a and an outer portion 69b extending upward from the bottom surface portion 69a. The bottom surface portion 69a and the outer portion 69b are each provided with two fixing portions 69c that are fixed to the first unit mounting portion 12g of the chassis 12a with screws. In addition, a second insertion hole 69d through which the vibration production unit 63 is inserted is provided in the approximate center of the bottom surface portion 69a. Furthermore, the bottom surface portion 69a is provided with four fixing portions 69e for fixing to the fixing column 68d of the first base 68 with screws. The first base 68 and the second base 69 are joined together by fixing the fixing column 68d and the fixing portion 69e with screws from below, so that the outer portions 68b, 69b are continuous with each other and the flat portion 67a of the third operating member 67 of the operating button 61 is located between the bottom surfaces 68c, 69c. At both left and right ends of the second base 69, two notches (contact portions) 69f are provided by cutting out the outer portion 69b, and the extension portion 67c of the third operating member 67 is positioned between these notches 69f and the bottom surface portion 68c of the first base 68. In addition, guide tube portions 69g (third insertion holes) are provided at two left and right locations on the bottom surface portion 69a, through which the guide shaft 67h of the third operating member 67 is inserted to guide the coil spring 67g.

The vibration production unit 63 is composed of a weight motor 63a as a vibrating body fixed to the underside of the third operating member 67 of the operation button 61. The weight motor 63a is screwed to the holding portion 67f of the third operating member 67, connected to the sub-controller 80 by wiring, and driven and controlled by a control signal from the sub-controller 80. The visual production unit 64 is composed of a board 64a on which electronic components and the like are mounted, and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 64b, which are a plurality of light-emitting elements provided on the board 64a. The board 64a is screwed to the bottom surface portion 68c of the first base 68, connected to the sub-controller 80 by wiring, and the LEDs 64b are controlled to light up by a control signal from the sub-controller 80. The detection unit 65 is composed of an optical sensor, and detects the ON state in which the protrusion 67e of the third operating member 67 blocks the light receiving portion of the optical sensor, and the OFF state in which the light receiving portion is open, and transmits a detection signal to the sub-control device 80.

[Operation of the Production Operation Unit]
The operation of the performance operation unit 60 will be described below with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the performance operation unit 60 cut in the short side direction (front-back direction), Fig. 13(A) shows the state where the operation button 61 is in the initial position before operation, and Fig. 13(B) is a diagram showing the state where the operation button 61 is pressed down to the pressed position. Fig. 14(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the performance operation unit 60 cut in the long side direction (left-right direction), Fig. 14(A) shows the state where the operation button 61 is in the initial position before operation, and Fig. 14(B) is a diagram showing the state where the operation button 61 is pressed down to the pressed position.

As shown in Figures 13(A) and 14(A), when the operation button 61 is in the initial position, it is urged upward by the urging force of the coil spring 67g, and the initial position is maintained by the flat portion 67a of the third operation member 67 approaching the bottom surface portion 68c of the first base 68 and the extension portion 67c abutting the lower end of the outer portion 68b. At this time, the weight motor 63a of the vibration production unit 63 is in a position exposed slightly downward from the second insertion hole 69d of the second base 69, and the guide shaft 67h of the third operation member 67 is housed in the guide tube portion 69g of the second base 69 and does not protrude downward.

When the operation button 61 is in the initial position, the protrusion 67e of the third operation member 67 enters the light receiving portion of the optical sensor and blocks the light, turning the optical sensor ON. The detection signal is sent to the sub-controller 80, and it is detected that the operation button 61 is in the initial position. When the operation button 61 is in the initial position, the sub-controller 80 sends a control signal to the vibration production unit 63 to stop the weight motor 63a and to the visual production unit 64 to turn off the LED 64b. In other words, when the operation button 61 is in the initial position, neither the vibration production unit 63 nor the visual production unit 64 is executed.

Next, when the player operates the operation button 61, as shown in FIG. 13(B) and FIG. 14(B), the operation button 61 is pressed against the biasing force of the coil spring 67g, and the flat portion 67a of the third operation member 67 separates from the bottom surface portion 68c of the first base 68. Then, the protrusion 67d of the extension portion 67c of the third operation member 67 abuts against the upper surface (abutment portion) of the notch portion 69f of the second base 69, restricting further downward movement of the operation button 61, and the operation button 61 is pressed down to the pressed-in position. At this time, the weight motor 63a of the vibration production unit 63 protrudes downward from the second insertion hole 69d of the second base 69, and the guide shaft 67h of the third operation member 67 protrudes downward from the guide tube portion 69g of the second base 69.

When the operation button 61 is pressed down to the depressed position, the protrusion 67e of the third operation member 67 is released from the light receiving portion of the optical sensor, and the optical sensor is turned off, so that a detection signal is sent to the sub-controller 80, and it is detected that the operation button 61 is in the depressed position. The sub-controller 80 transmits a control signal to the vibration production unit 63 to rotate the weight motor 63a and to the visual production unit 64 to light up the LED 64b. In other words, when the operation button 61 is in the depressed position, both the vibration production by the vibration production unit 63 and the visual production by the visual production unit 64 are executed. When the weight motor 63a of the vibration production unit 63 rotates, the vibration caused by the rotation is transmitted to the third operation member 67, and the protrusion 67d of the extension portion 67c abuts against the upper surface of the notch portion 69f, so that the entire operation button 61 vibrates strongly, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand to effectively execute the vibration production. In addition, when the LED 64b of the visual presentation unit 64 emits light, the light that is scattered through the decorative portion of the top surface 66d of the second operating member 66B is irradiated through the top surface 66a of the first operating member 66A, creating a visual presentation for the player in which the operating button 61 emits light.

According to this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be achieved.
(1) In the effect operation unit 60, when the operation button 61 is pressed into the pressed position and a vibration effect is executed by the vibration effect section 63, the protrusion 67d of the extension portion 67c of the third operation member 67 abuts against the upper surface of the cutout portion 69f of the second base 69, and this point contact amplifies the vibration of the weight motor 63a, thereby causing the entire operation button 61 to vibrate strongly, thereby enhancing the effect of the vibration effect on the player.

(2) The operation button 61 has extensions 67c extending on both sides of the third operation member 67 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction), and these extensions 67c each have two protrusions 67d, one in the front and one in the back, so that at least one or several of the four protrusions 67d can be reliably abutted against the left and right notches 69f of the second base 69. In other words, even if the operation button 61 is pressed roughly and the operation button 61 is pressed in at a slight angle back-and-forth or left-and-right, at least one or several protrusions 67d can be made to abut against the upper surface of the notch 69f, and vibrations can be reliably transmitted to the player.

(3) In addition, in the operation button 61, a protrusion 67d is provided on the extension portion 67c extending on both sides of the third operation member 67 in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction), and an engagement portion 67b provided near the extension portion 67c engages with the engagement portions 66c, 66f of the first operation member 66A and the second operation member 66B. As a result, the vibration amplified by the contact between the protrusion 67d and the cutout portion 69f is easily transmitted to the first operation member 66A and the second operation member 66B via the engagement portions 66c, 66f, 67b, and the vibration can be reliably transmitted to the player.

(4) In addition, in the performance operation unit 60, the board 64a of the visual performance section 64 is fixed to the first base 68 of the base member 62, so that the vibration of the operation button 61 is less likely to be transmitted to the board 64a, suppressing the effect of the vibration on the LEDs 64b and electronic components mounted on the board 64a, and preventing failure and deterioration of the board 64a. At this time, the engagement parts 66c, 66f, 67b of the operation button 61 are inserted into the first insertion hole 68e of the first base 68, and the parts of the operation button 61 do not come into contact with the bottom part 68c to which the board 64a is fixed, so that the transmission of vibration from the operation button 61 to the board 64a can be further suppressed.

(5) In addition, in the performance operation unit 60, the first operation member 66A and the second operation member 66B are connected to the third operation member 67 by the engagement of the engagement parts 66c, 66f, 67b, and the operation button 61 is assembled to the base member 62 by sandwiching the bottom surface part 68c of the first base 68 by inserting the engagement parts 66c, 66f, 67b into the first insertion hole 68e of the first base 68. With this assembly structure, the operation button 61 is assembled to the base member 62 so that it can be moved forward and backward, so there is no need to provide a separate forward and backward guide structure, which allows the performance operation unit 60 to be made smaller, and in particular, the height dimension of the operation button 61 in the forward and backward direction (up and down) can be reduced.

(6) In addition, in the performance operation unit 60, when the operation button 61 is pressed down to the pressed position, the weight motor 63a protrudes downward from the second insertion hole 69d of the second base 69, and the guide shaft 67h of the third operation member 67 protrudes downward from the guide tube portion 69g of the second base 69. This eliminates the need to completely house the weight motor 63a and guide shaft 67h inside the performance operation unit 60 while ensuring the height dimensions of the weight motor 63a and guide shaft 67h. On the other hand, when the operation button 61 is in the initial position, the weight motor 63a and guide shaft 67h do not protrude downward significantly, so the height dimension of the performance operation unit 60 can be reduced.

(7) In addition, in the front door 12, a first recess 12d is provided on the upper surface 12c of the front panel 12b, and a second recess 12f is provided on the lower front side of the upper surface 12c, the first recess 12d accommodates the performance operation unit 60 from above, and the second recess 12f accommodates the switch unit 24a from the front, and the performance operation unit 60 and the switch unit 24a are fixed from the rear side of the front door 12 by the first unit mounting portion 12g and the second unit mounting portion 12h of the chassis 12a, respectively. With such a fixing structure, the performance operation unit 60 and the switch unit 24a can be easily attached or removed, improving the efficiency of the assembly work.

(8) Furthermore, in the fixing structure of the performance operation unit 60 and the switch unit 24a, the first unit mounting portion 12g and the second unit mounting portion 12h are provided adjacent to each other vertically on the chassis 12a on the rear side of the front door 12, and the performance operation unit 60 and the switch unit 24a are configured to be individually attachable or detachable, which further improves the efficiency of the assembly work. Also, the first unit mounting portion 12g and the second unit mounting portion 12h are provided adjacent to each other vertically so that the screws 122, which are part of each other, overlap in the left-right direction, which is the adjacent intersecting direction, so that the installation space for the performance operation unit 60 and the switch unit 24a can be made compact.

(9) Furthermore, as described above, the height dimension of the performance operation unit 60 can be reduced, so that even if the performance operation unit 60 and the switch unit 24a are arranged vertically next to each other, these units can be arranged closer to each other in the vertical direction, thereby making it possible to efficiently use the installation space while preventing the front panel 12b from becoming larger.

[Modifications of each embodiment]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope of the present invention that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the performance operation unit 60 as the first operation unit of the slot machine 10 is provided on the upper surface 12c of the front panel 12b of the front door 12, and the operation button 61 is provided so as to be operable by pressing it downward, but the installation position of the performance operation unit may be any position that the player can operate, and the operation direction of the operation button (operation member) is not limited to the up-down direction, but may be the front-back direction, the left-right direction, or any diagonal direction. Also, in the above embodiment, the switch unit 24a as the second operation unit is provided adjacent to the front lower side of the performance operation unit 60, but the first operation unit and the second operation unit may be provided adjacent to each other not vertically but horizontally or diagonally.

(2) In the above embodiment, the presentation operation unit 60 was equipped with a light-emitting presentation section (visual presentation section 64) having a board on which electronic components including light-emitting elements were mounted, but the light-emitting presentation section may be omitted, and the visual presentation section may be provided with an image display section such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or a movable presentation section in which a movable object moves. In addition, the second operation unit is not limited to the switch unit 24a incorporating the stop switches 24L, 24M, and 24R, but may also be the start lever 23, the MAXBET button 36, other operation buttons, switches, etc., as long as it has an operation section that can be operated by the player.

(3) In the above embodiment, the performance operation unit 60 has an operation button 61 and a base member 62 as an operating member, and a protrusion 67d is formed on the operation button 61 as an abutting portion, and a notch 69f is formed on the base member 62 as an abutted portion. However, this is not limited to this, and the abutted portion may be provided on the operation member and the abutted portion may be provided on the base member. In addition, in the above embodiment, four protrusions 67d are provided as abutting portions, but the number of abutting portions is arbitrary, and may be one, two, three, or five or more. In addition, in the above embodiment, the abutting portion and the abutted portion are provided symmetrically on both the left and right ends of the performance operation unit 60, but the installation positions of the abutting portion and the abutted portion are arbitrary, and may be provided symmetrically front to back, or may be provided in random positions.

(4) In the above embodiment, the detection unit 65 that detects the displacement of the operation button 61 is composed of an optical sensor provided on the base member 62 and a protrusion 67e provided on the operation button 61, but the optical sensor may be provided on the operation member and a light-shielding unit such as a protrusion may be provided on the base member. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the operation member is in the first position (protruding position), the protrusion 67e is in an ON state blocking the light receiving unit of the optical sensor, and when the operation member is displaced to the second position (pushed position), the protrusion 67e is in an OFF state opening the light receiving unit of the optical sensor, i.e., a configuration that is always ON, but this is not limited thereto, and the detection unit may be always OFF. Also, in the above embodiment, the vibration production unit 63 is provided on the operation button 61, but it may be provided on the base member 62.

(5) In the above embodiment, the first base 68 serving as an intermediate member in the base member 62 is provided with a first through hole 68e, and the engaging portions 66c, 66f, and 67b of the operating member are inserted into the first through hole 68e. However, this is not limited to the above configuration, and a notch may be provided in the periphery of the intermediate member instead of the through hole, or the engaging portion may be configured to pass outside the periphery of the intermediate member. Also, in the above embodiment, the second base 69 serving as the fixed member in the base member 62 is provided with a second through hole 69d, and the weight motor 63a of the operating member is inserted into the second through hole 69d. However, this is not limited to the above configuration, and an insertion hole or recess may be provided in the intermediate member of the base member, and the vibrator may be inserted into the insertion hole or recess.

(6) Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the third operating member 67, which is the rear side member of the operating button 61, is provided with a guide shaft 67h that guides the coil spring 67g, and the second base 69, which is the fixed member of the base member 62, is provided with a guide tube portion 69g (third insertion hole) through which the guide shaft 67h is inserted. However, this is not limited to the above, and the guide shaft may be provided in an intermediate member or fixed member of the base member, and an insertion hole through which the guide shaft is inserted may be provided in the rear side member of the operating member.

(7) In the above embodiment, a slot machine 10 was described as an example of the gaming machine of the present invention. However, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a slot machine of a different type than the slot machine 10. In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a pachinko machine that has various winning holes, such as a general winning hole and an actuation hole, provided in the gaming area, and pays out a predetermined number of gaming balls when gaming balls enter the various winning holes, or it may be another type of gaming machine, such as an arrange ball machine or a mahjong ball machine.

[Inventions extracted from each embodiment]
The features of the invention group extracted from each of the above-mentioned embodiments will be described below. Note that, among the features of the invention group, the configurations corresponding to each of the above-mentioned embodiments are shown in parentheses, but the features of the invention group are not limited to each of the above-mentioned embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc., within the scope of achieving the purpose of the features of the invention group, and combinations of each feature are included in the features of the invention group.

<Features Group A>
Feature A1.
An operating member (operation button 61) that can be displaced by a player's operation;
A base member (base member 62) that supports the operation member on the gaming machine body;
A vibration body (weight motor 63a) that performs vibration effects;
The operating member is displaced between a first position in which the operating member is not operated and a second position in which the operating member is operated by a player, and has an abutting portion (projection 67d) that abuts against a contacted portion (notch portion 69f) of the base member at the second position,
A gaming machine characterized in that at least one of the contact portion and the contacted portion is formed to protrude toward the other, and the contact portion and the contacted portion are configured to be able to make point contact with each other.

According to feature A1 of the present invention group, the contact portion of the operating member displaced to the second position comes into point contact with the contacted portion of the base member, and the vibration of the vibrator provided on the operating member is amplified and transmitted to the player, thereby enhancing the vibration presentation effect.

Feature A2.
In the gaming machine according to feature A1 of the present invention,
The amusement machine, characterized in that the abutting portion and the abutted portion are provided at symmetrical positions on both ends in a direction intersecting with a displacement direction of the operating member.

According to feature A2 of the present invention group, the contact portion and the contacted portion are provided at symmetrical positions on both ends along a cross direction that crosses the displacement direction of the operating member. Even if the operating member is pushed in unevenly and tilted in the cross direction, the contact portion and the contacted portion on at least one of the ends can be brought into contact with each other, and the vibration of the vibrating body can be transmitted to the player.

Feature A3.
In the gaming machine according to feature A2 of the present invention,
A gaming machine characterized in that the contact portion and the contacted portion provided at the symmetrical positions are each configured to be capable of point contact at two locations spaced apart in the displacement direction and a second intersecting direction that intersects with the intersecting direction.

According to feature A3 of the present invention group, the contact portion and the contacted portion at symmetrical positions are configured to be able to make point contact at two points spaced apart in the second intersecting direction, so that the contact portion and the contacted portion can come into contact at a total of four points, and the vibration of the vibrating body can be transmitted to the player efficiently. In addition, even if the operating member is tilted in the second intersecting direction, the contact portion and the contacted portion can be reliably brought into contact with each other.

Feature A4.
In the gaming machine according to any one of Features A1 to A3 of the present invention,
The gaming machine further comprises a light-emitting performance section (visual performance section 64) having a board (board 64a) on which electronic components including light-emitting elements (LEDs 64b) are mounted, the board being fixed to the base member, and light from the light-emitting elements being irradiated through the operating member.

According to feature A4 of the present invention group, by fixing a board on which electronic components including light-emitting elements are mounted to a base member, vibrations from a vibrator provided on the operating member are less likely to be transmitted to the board, and failure of the electronic components can be suppressed. Furthermore, in addition to the vibration effect of vibrating the operating member with the vibrator, a visual effect is provided in which light from the light-emitting element passes through the operating member, and the synergistic effect of the two types of effects can be further improved.

Feature A5.
In the gaming machine according to any one of Features A1 to A4 of the present invention,
The operation members include a front side member (first operation member 66A, second operation member 66B) provided on the front side and a rear side member (third operation member 67) provided on the rear side, and the front side member and the rear side member are connected to each other by engaging portions (engagements 66c, 66f, 67b) extending from at least one of them engaging with the other,
The base member has a fixed member (second base 69) fixed to the gaming machine body, and an intermediate member (first base 68) provided on the front side of the fixed member with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a first insertion hole (insertion hole 68e) is provided in the intermediate member to insert the engagement portion,
a rear side member moves through a gap between the fixed member and the intermediate member of the base member in response to displacement of the operating member, and the engagement portion moves without contact inside the first insertion hole.

According to Feature A5 of the present invention group, the operating member is assembled to the base member by sandwiching the intermediate member, with the front side member and the back side member connected by the engagement of the engagement portion, and the engagement portion being inserted into the first insertion hole of the intermediate member. With this assembly structure, the operating member is assembled to the base member so that it can be advanced and retreated, eliminating the need for a separate advance and retreat guide structure and reducing the dimension in the advance and retreat direction. Furthermore, if the board of the light-emitting performance unit is fixed to the intermediate member of the base member, the engagement portion moves inside the first insertion hole without contact, making it difficult for the vibration of the vibrating body to be transmitted by the intermediate member and the board, reducing the possibility of failure of the electronic component.

Feature A6.
In the gaming machine according to feature A5 of the present invention,
The fixing member is provided with a second insertion hole (insertion hole 69d) that receives the vibrating body,
the vibration body is inserted into the second insertion hole of the fixed member in response to displacement of the operating member.

According to feature A6 of the present invention group, the vibrating body is inserted into the second insertion hole of the fixed member in response to the displacement of the operating member, so that it is not necessary to provide a clearance for the movement of the vibrating body, which has a relatively large volume, and the dimension in the forward and backward directions can be reduced. Furthermore, if the board of the light-emitting performance unit is fixed to the base member, the vibration of the vibrating body is less likely to be transmitted by the base member and the board when the vibrating body is inserted into the second insertion hole of the fixed member, further reducing the possibility of failure of electronic components.

According to group A of features of the present invention, the vibration of the operation button is easily transmitted to the player, enhancing the vibration effect, thereby solving the following problems:

Conventionally, typical examples of gaming machines include slot machines and pachinko machines. Such gaming machines are equipped with an operation section such as an operation button operated by the player, and a display means such as a display that displays various game effects. Operation buttons that vibrate and emit light in response to game effects displayed on the display or pressing operations by the player have been proposed. The vibration-light-emitting operation button is configured as an effect operation unit, and the effect operation unit is housed in a storage section that opens on the front panel of the gaming machine body. The effect operation unit is equipped with a case, a button supported on a base body inside the case so that it can move forward and backward, a spring that biases the button in the protruding direction, a vibrator that imparts vibration to the button, a light-emitting body that causes the button to emit light, and a sensor that detects the button being pressed.

However, with conventional vibration-emitting control buttons, even if the vibrator vibrates in response to pressing the button, the vibration is attenuated inside the unit, making it difficult for the vibration to be transmitted to the player's hand via the button, making it difficult to fully enhance the presentation effect.

<Characteristics Group B>
Feature B1.
An operating member (operation button 61) that can be displaced by a player's operation;
A base member (base member 62) that supports the operation member on the gaming machine body;
A vibration body (weight motor 63a) that performs vibration effects;
The operation members include a front side member (first operation member 66A, second operation member 66B) provided on the front side and a rear side member (third operation member 67) provided on the rear side, and the front side member and the rear side member are connected to each other by engaging portions (engagements 66c, 66f, 67b) extending from at least one of them engaging with the other,
The base member has a fixed member (second base 69) fixed to the gaming machine body, and an intermediate member (first base 68) provided on the front side of the fixed member with a predetermined gap therebetween, the intermediate member is provided with a first insertion hole (first insertion hole 68e) through which the engagement portion is inserted, and the fixed member is provided with a second insertion hole (second insertion hole 69d) through which the vibrator is received.
a rear side member moves through a gap between the fixed member and the intermediate member of the base member in response to displacement of the operating member, the engagement portion moves inside the insertion hole, and the vibration body is inserted into the insertion hole of the fixed member.

According to feature B1 of the present invention group, the operating member is assembled to the base member by sandwiching the intermediate member by engaging the engaging portion, connecting the front side member and the back side member, and the engaging portion is inserted into the first insertion hole of the intermediate member, and the operating member is assembled to the base member so that it can be advanced and retreated, so there is no need to provide a separate advance and retreat guide structure, and it is possible to achieve miniaturization. In addition, the vibrating body is inserted into the second insertion hole of the fixed member as the operating member is displaced, so there is no need to provide a space within the unit for the movement of the vibrating body, which has a relatively large volume, and the dimension in the advance and retreat direction can be reduced.

Feature B2.
In the gaming machine according to feature B1 of the present invention,
A spring (coil spring 67g) that biases the operation member in a protruding direction is provided between the rear side member and the fixed member, and a guide shaft (guide shaft 67h) that extends toward the fixed member and guides the spring is provided on the rear side member.
The gaming machine is characterized in that the fixed member is provided with a third insertion hole (guide tube portion 69g) that receives the guide shaft.

According to feature B2 of the present invention group, a guide shaft that guides the spring is provided on the rear side member, and a third insertion hole that receives the guide shaft is provided on the fixed member, so that the tilt of the operating member can be suppressed to guide the forward and backward movement, and there is no need to provide a space inside for the movement of the guide shaft, so the dimension in the forward and backward direction can be suppressed.

Feature B3.
In the gaming machine according to feature B1 or B2 of the present invention,
The gaming machine further comprises a light-emitting performance section (visual performance section 64) having a board (board 64a) on which electronic components including light-emitting elements (LEDs 64b) are mounted, the board being fixed to the intermediate member of the base member, and light from the light-emitting elements being irradiated through the front side member of the operating member.

According to feature B3 of the present invention group, by fixing a board on which electronic components including light-emitting elements are mounted to an intermediate member of a base member, vibrations from a vibrator provided on the operating member are less likely to be transmitted to the board, and failure of electronic components can be suppressed. Furthermore, in addition to the vibration effect of vibrating the operating member with the vibrator, a visual effect is provided in which light from the light-emitting element passes through the operating member, and the synergistic effect of the two types of effects can be further improved.

Feature B4.
In the gaming machine according to feature B2 or feature B3 of the present invention,
The operating member is displaced between a first position in which the operating member is not operated and a second position in which the operating member is operated by a player, and has an abutting portion (projection 67d) that abuts against a contacted portion (notch portion 69f) of the base member at the second position,
A gaming machine characterized in that at least one of the contact portion and the contacted portion is formed to protrude toward the other, and the contact portion and the contacted portion are configured to be able to make point contact with each other.

According to feature B4 of the present invention, the contact portion of the operating member displaced to the second position comes into point contact with the contacted portion of the base member, and the vibration of the vibrator provided on the operating member is amplified and transmitted to the player, thereby enhancing the vibration presentation effect.

Feature B5.
In the gaming machine described in feature B4 of the present invention,
The amusement machine, characterized in that the abutting portion and the abutted portion are provided at symmetrical positions on both ends along a transverse direction (left-right direction) that intersects with the displacement direction of the operating member.

According to feature B5 of the present invention group, the contact portion and the contacted portion are provided at symmetrical positions on both ends along a cross direction that crosses the displacement direction of the operating member, so that even if the operating member is pushed in unevenly and tilted in the cross direction, the contact portion and the contacted portion on at least one of the ends can be brought into contact with each other, and the vibration of the vibrating body can be transmitted to the player.

Feature B6.
In the gaming machine described in feature B5 of the present invention,
A gaming machine characterized in that the abutment portion and the abutted portion provided at the symmetrical positions are configured to be capable of point contact at two locations spaced apart in the displacement direction and a second intersecting direction (front-to-back direction) that intersects with the intersecting direction.

According to feature B6 of the present invention group, the contact portion and the contacted portion at symmetrical positions are configured to be able to make point contact at two points spaced apart in the second intersecting direction, so that the contact portion and the contacted portion can come into contact at a total of four points, and the vibration of the vibrating body can be transmitted to the player efficiently. In addition, even if the operating member is tilted in the second intersecting direction, the contact portion and the contacted portion can be reliably brought into contact with each other.

With feature group B of the present invention, the operation button unit can be made thinner and the installation space can be made more efficient, which solves the following problems:

Conventional examples of gaming machines include slot machines and pachinko machines. Such gaming machines are equipped with an operation section such as an operation button operated by the player, and a display means such as a display that displays various game effects. Operation buttons have been proposed that vibrate and emit light in response to game effects displayed on the display or pressing operations by the player. Conventional vibration-light-emitting operation buttons are configured as an effect operation unit, and the effect operation unit is housed in a storage section that opens on the front panel of the gaming machine body. The effect operation unit is equipped with a case, a button supported on a base body inside the case so that it can move forward and backward, a spring that biases the button in the protruding direction, a vibrator that imparts vibration to the button, a light-emitting body that causes the button to emit light, and a sensor that detects the button being pressed.

However, in conventional vibration-light-emitting operation button units, various parts such as the button body, vibrator, button advance/retract section, spring, circuit board, etc. are arranged inside the unit in the advance/retract direction (height direction) of the button, and space is provided inside the unit for the button to advance/retract, resulting in a problem of an increased height dimension of the operation button unit.

<Characteristics Group C>
Feature C1.
A gaming machine including a first operation unit (a performance operation unit 60) and a second operation unit (a switch unit 24a) for receiving operations from a player,
A first recess (first recess 12d) and a second recess (second recess 12f) for receiving the first operation unit and the second operation unit, respectively, are provided on the outer side of the gaming machine body;
the first recess and the second recess are open toward an exterior side of the gaming machine body in directions intersecting each other, and are provided in communication with each other inside the gaming machine body;
A first unit mounting portion (12g) and a second unit mounting portion (12h) for fixing the first operation unit and the second operation unit, respectively, are provided adjacent to each other on the inside of the game machine main body, and the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are provided so that a part of each of them overlaps with each other in an adjacent cross direction.
a first operation unit and a second operation unit configured such that one of the first operation unit and the second operation unit is fixed to the gaming machine body and the other is detachable.

According to feature C1 of the present invention group, the first operation unit is accommodated in the first recess, and the second operation unit is accommodated in the second recess, and the first operation unit and the second operation unit are fixed from the rear side by the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion, respectively, so that each unit can be easily attached or removed, improving the efficiency of the assembly work. Furthermore, since the first operation unit and the second operation unit are configured to be individually attached or removed, the efficiency of the assembly work can be further improved. In addition, since the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are provided close to each other with parts overlapping each other in the adjacent cross direction, the installation space for these units can be made compact.

Feature C2.
In the gaming machine according to feature C1 of the present invention,
The first operation unit is
An operating member (operation button 61) that can be displaced by a player's operation;
A base member (base member 62) that supports the operation member on the gaming machine body;
A vibration body (weight motor 63a) that performs vibration effects;
The operation members include a front side member (a first operation member 66A, a second operation member 66B) provided on the front side, and a rear side member (a third operation member 67) provided on the rear side,
The base member has a fixed member (second base 69) fixed to the gaming machine main body, and an intermediate member (first base 68) provided on the front side of the fixed member with a specified gap therebetween, and the fixed member is provided with a second insertion hole (second insertion hole 69d) that receives the vibrator, and as the operating member is displaced, the rear side member moves through the gap between the fixed member and the intermediate member of the base member, and the vibrator is inserted into the insertion hole of the fixed member.

According to feature C2 of the present invention group, the operating member of the first operating unit has a front side member and a back side member, and the operating member is assembled between these members so that it can move back and forth with an intermediate member of the base member sandwiched therebetween, and the vibrating body is inserted into the insertion hole of the fixed member as the operating member is displaced, so that it is not necessary to provide a space inside the unit for the movement of the vibrating body, which has a relatively large volume, and the dimensions of the first operating unit in the direction of movement of the operating member can be reduced. Therefore, the installation space for installing the first operating unit and the second operating unit side by side can be made even more compact.

Feature C3.
In the gaming machine according to feature C2 of the present invention,
The front side member and the rear side member are connected to each other by engaging portions (engagement portions 66c, 66f, 67b) extending from at least one of them engaging with the other,
The intermediate member is provided with a first insertion hole (a first insertion hole 68e) through which the engagement portion is inserted,
The gaming machine, characterized in that the engagement portion moves inside the insertion hole in accordance with the displacement of the operating member.

According to feature C3 of the present invention group, the operating member of the first operating unit connects the front side member and the back side member by engaging the engaging portion, and the engaging portion is inserted into the insertion hole of the intermediate member, eliminating the need for a separate forward/reverse guide structure and allowing the first operating unit to be made smaller.

Feature C4.
In the gaming machine according to feature C2 or feature C3 of the present invention,
A spring (coil spring 67g) that biases the operation member in a protruding direction is provided between the rear side member and the fixed member, and a guide shaft (guide shaft 67h) that extends toward the fixed member and guides the spring is provided on the rear side member.
The gaming machine, wherein the fixed member is provided with an insertion hole for receiving the guide shaft.

According to feature C4 of the present invention group, a guide shaft that guides the spring is provided on the rear side member, and an insertion hole that receives the guide shaft is provided on the fixed member, so that the tilt of the operating member can be suppressed and the forward and backward movement can be guided, and there is no need to provide space for the movement of the guide shaft, so the dimension in the forward and backward direction can be suppressed.

Feature C5.
In the gaming machine according to any one of features C2 to C4 of the present invention,
The first operation unit further comprises a light-emitting performance section (visual performance section 64) having a board (board 64a) on which electronic components including light-emitting elements (LEDs 64b) are mounted, the board being fixed to the intermediate member of the base member, and light from the light-emitting elements is irradiated through the front side member of the operation member, the gaming machine being characterized in that:

According to feature C5 of the present invention group, by fixing a board on which electronic components including light-emitting elements are mounted to an intermediate member of a base member, vibrations from a vibrator provided on the operating member are less likely to be transmitted to the board, and failure of electronic components can be suppressed. Furthermore, in addition to the vibration effect of vibrating the operating member with the vibrator, a visual effect is provided in which light from the light-emitting element passes through the operating member, and the synergistic effect of the two types of effects can be further improved.

Feature C6.
In the gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C5 of the present invention,
A gaming machine characterized in that the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are provided on a plate-shaped base (chassis 12a) located on the inside of the gaming machine main body, and are configured with screw members (screws 122) that are screwed from the inside toward the front, and the screw members of the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are overlapped in an adjacent cross direction (left-right direction).

According to feature C5 of the present invention group, the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are arranged vertically close to each other with their screw members, which are part of each other, overlapping in the adjacent cross direction, so that the first operation unit and the second operation unit can be installed closer together, making the installation space for the units even more compact.

Feature C of the present invention makes it possible to efficiently use the installation space of the operation unit and improve the workability of the assembly work, thereby solving the following problems:

Conventional examples of gaming machines include slot machines and pachinko machines. Such gaming machines are equipped with an operation section such as an operation button operated by the player, and a display means such as a display that displays various game effects. Operation buttons have been proposed that vibrate and emit light in response to game effects displayed on the display or pressing operations by the player. Conventional vibration-light-emitting operation buttons are configured as an effect operation unit, and the effect operation unit is housed in a storage section that opens on the front panel of the gaming machine body. The effect operation unit is equipped with a case, a button supported on a base body inside the case so that it can move forward and backward, a spring that biases the button in the protruding direction, a vibrator that imparts vibration to the button, a light-emitting body that causes the button to emit light, and a sensor that detects the button being pressed.

However, in conventional vibration-light-emitting operation buttons, various parts such as the button body, vibrator, button advance/retract section, spring, and circuit board are arranged inside the unit in the advance/retract direction (height direction) of the button, and space is provided inside the unit for the button's advance/retract movement, which results in a large height dimension for the operation button. This means that it is not possible to install another large operation unit in front of the button unit, resulting in a problem of significant installation space constraints.

As described above, the present invention can be suitably used in gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines.

10. Slot machines (gaming machines)
12 Front door (machine body)
12a chassis (base)
12b front panel 12d first recess 12f second recess 12g first unit mounting portion 12h second unit mounting portion 24a switch unit (second operation unit)
60 Production operation unit (first operation unit)
61 Operation button (operation member)
62 Base member 63 Vibration production unit 63a Weight motor (vibration body)
64 Visual production section (light-emitting production section)
64a: Substrate; 64b: LED (light emitting element);
65 Detection unit 66A First operation member (front surface member)
66B Second operation member (front side member)
66c, 66f, 67b Engagement portion 67 Third operation member (rear side member)
67d Protrusion (contact part)
67g Coil spring 67h Guide shaft 68 First base (intermediate member)
68e First insertion hole 69 Second base (fixing member)
69d: second through hole 69g: guide tube portion (third through hole)
121 Screw hole 122 Screw (screw member)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine including a first operation unit and a second operation unit for receiving operations from a player,
A first recess and a second recess for receiving the first operation unit and the second operation unit, respectively, are provided on the outer side of the gaming machine body;
the first recess and the second recess are open toward an exterior side of the gaming machine body in directions intersecting each other, and are provided in communication with each other inside the gaming machine body;
A first unit mounting portion and a second unit mounting portion for fixing the first operation unit and the second operation unit, respectively, are provided adjacent to each other on the inner side of the game machine main body, and the first unit mounting portion and the second unit mounting portion are provided so as to overlap each other partially in an adjacent cross direction;
a first operation unit and a second operation unit configured such that one of the first operation unit and the second operation unit is fixed to the gaming machine body and the other is detachable.

Images